Massachusetts

Despite Opposition Effort, Democrats Nominate Nancy Pelosi to Be Next House Speaker

Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton said he's disappointed to report that no agreement was reached in an initial meeting with Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi was all smiles moments after House Democrats voted overwhelmingly to nominate her to the Speakership.

“Let us just take a moment to dwell on the fact that we are in the majority," she said. "Majority, majority, majority!”

The 203-32 vote was not a surprise despite an effort on the part of a small group of lawmakers who have been pushing for months for generational change with fresh Democratic leadership.

One of the leaders of the group, Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton, met with Pelosi before the caucus meeting – then released a statement after the vote, which says in part: "Our request was, and has always been, simple. Produce a meaningful plan for a leadership transition…I am disappointed to report that no agreement was reached in this initial meeting. We are hopeful Leader Pelosi will invite us back to the table…”

Steve Kerrigan, a senior aide to the late Senator Ted Kennedy, says “it’s tough to run an opposition campaign without an opponent.”

Kerrigan says Moulton is to be commended for the leadership he showed in the midterms helping campaign for progressive candidates, but he thinks Moulton miscalculated the Democrats call for change adding, “There’s always politics in the House, but this is really about getting the job done and that’s what Nancy does incredibly well.”

If Pelosi is feeling bitter about the rebellion, she is not letting on.

Asked about the opposition she’s getting she said, "This is all the same. I’ve always had opponent. One time I didn’t have an opponent. I’ve always had… not an opponent, but opposition. Today that didn’t materialize into an opponent.”

A tougher hurdle for Pelosi will come on Jan. 3 when the full House votes - requiring a majority of the entire chamber. Pelosi cannot afford to have 32 Democrats vote against her. She now has about a month to convince some of her opponents to either vote for her – or vote “present.”

Most political analysts expect Pelosi to be victorious in the end.

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