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“It’s his job, frankly, to help us in this transition, to help us create a succession plan. I don’t want that to be the kind of thing where people are afraid to voice it, because, ‘The loudspeaker is still in power, and I don’t want to interfere with her,’ “the speaker said. Rep. Susan Wild (D- Pa.), who supported Pelosi and said she wants a caucus-wide discussion on her successor.
Pelosi, for her part, has said publicly and privately that it was up to the caucus to choose her leaders and that she had no intention of choosing a successor.
“I don’t think anyone should be considered the apparent heir to this seat,” added Wild, entering his second term.
Publicly, most Democrats insist they are focusing on the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and look to Pelosi’s leadership to bolster his agenda – especially more Covid relief – through a House closely divided. But privately, lawmakers and Democratic aides admit they’re already bracing for the inevitable tension that could arise between the most powerful speaker in her life and Democrats auditioning to replace her and her longtime MPs.
Democrats are already watching closely the small cadre of their colleagues whose names have been announced for high-level positions, including Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, former Black Caucus Chairman Karen Bass and Chief Intelligence Officer. Adam Schiff House for President. Assistant speaker Katherine Clark, Vice-Chair Pete Aguilar and Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal are also mentioned for senior positions.
None have publicly confirmed any potential ambition – to do so would be considered taboo within the caucus. But all have advantages that could help them move forward if there is a leadership vacuum at the top.
Jeffries (DN.Y.) and Clark (D-Mass.) Both have senior leadership roles, which gives them experience, fundraising prowess and an integrated base of support; Schiff (D-Calif.) Is a major fundraiser and a close ally of Pelosi; Bass (D-Calif.) Has a proven track record as a speaker at the California State Assembly and former head of the influential Congressional Black Caucus.
Aguilar is the head and a valued member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; and Jayapal recently succeeded in consolidating the progressive power behind her at the head of the CCP although some question her base of support beyond the liberals.
Asked about the attention of the caucus that was already starting to drift into the next leadership race, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) Joked, “Of course we’re politicians, that’s all we do. . ”
Many Democrats say they don’t know if Pelosi will give up the hammer in 2022, although the California Democrat has publicly pledged to only sign two more terms in 2018 as part of a deal to get the votes she wants. needed to retrieve the president’s hammer.
Several Democrats have said they could see a scenario in which the current three main House leaders – Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) And House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (DS.C.) – try to stay if their party controls the House, Senate and White House. Others predicted that if Democrats lost the House in 2022, it would trigger an automatic renewal of electricity.
Hoyer, who didn’t shy away from wanting to be a speaker one day and since Clyburn is healing himself at the term of office, was mentioned as a potential “bridge” to a new generation of leadership if Pelosi leaves. But others say the most likely scenario is that all three of the top executives, all in their 80s, leave at the same time.
In private meetings, lawmakers and aides claim Pelosi has given no indication of her timeline or thoughts on leaving, although she has publicly alluded to leaving after that term. And several Democrats have predicted when Pelosi chooses to leave, she will do so on her terms and that will come as a surprise to most.
“I know that there is a lot of talk about this last mandate of Madam President, but I do not know that it is a fact. Frankly, until I hear that, my vote is with her, ”said Bass, who some Democrats have mentioned as a possible speaker after being publicly seen as a chief of staff and a vice presidential choice for Biden. .
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Another Pelosi ally, said he interpreted her comments to mean she would be leaving in two years and expects candidates to start positioning themselves for them soon. most important positions.
“I think people know there will be new leadership in two years and understand it. She’s been pretty open about it, ”Khanna said. “I think it will be a wide open field.”
But some Democrats say they hope to avoid the kind of all-consuming public jockey who might distract their caucus, especially with their majority on the line in the next round.
“She still has to rule, we need her to be strong. I would suggest to those who want to succeed him or take the leadership, do it quietly, do it behind the scenes, “said Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.), Adding:” The elections here start early. “
All of this will take place as Democrats defend a formidable electoral map and work on long simmering ideological grievances that were mostly suppressed during President Donald Trump’s presidency – a unifying foe and a distracting political force.
Over the next two years, Pelosi will have to appease the two competing factions of his caucus: the progressives who are more emboldened after high-profile victories in November, and the moderates who have become more nervous as their ranks have depleted.
So far Pelosi has kept the two appeased, with all progressives and moderates except five supporting her for the speaker on Sunday. This included Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.), who publicly called for a change of the leadership guard but praised Pelosi’s ability to maneuver his big party under tent.
“In the House, she’s fairly universally respected as a tactician and her ability to consolidate a caucus that’s very difficult to bring together,” Ocasio-Cortez said in an interview, declining to talk about the future presidential race so soon. . the new Congress.
These intra-party clashes are already unfolding in the opening week of the new Congress, with moderates and progressives vying for leadership plans to prepare a package of electoral reforms as one of the first votes under Biden. Moderates have hesitated at the idea – since the bill includes a measure they dislike on public campaign finance – while progressives insist the bill must be the foundation of the democratic agenda.
“I think you see Speaker Pelosi acknowledging the growing influence of progressives in the Democratic caucus,” said Rep. Mondaire Jones (DN.Y.), one of many first-year lawmakers pushing for legislation liberal like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.
Asked what he will look for in the next generation of leaders, Jones said the next speaker could not “have an antagonistic relationship with progressives,” while adding that he was “open-minded” about the candidates. potentials.
This balance among the many factions of the Democratic caucus will be something the next generation of leaders will inherit as well.
“It’s definitely a responsibility I couldn’t even imagine having to face,” Ocasio-Cortez added.
Olivia Beavers contributed to this report.
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