Sixteen new Democrats threaten Pelosi

Alan Fram, Associated Press

Update

12:27 pm PST, Monday 19 November 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sixteen Democrats who oppose Nancy Pelosi's candidacy for the presidency of Parliament issued a letter Monday in which they announced they would vote for a "new leadership" when the House chooses its leaders in January, threatening its efforts to lead the House of his party. majority at the next congress.

The publication of the letter suggests that, rather than spend the next six weeks focusing on a new agenda to present to the Americans, the House Democrats could be exhausted by a fierce and captivating struggle of the internal leadership.

The battle pits party members, largely liberal and diverse, supporting Pelosi, D-Calif., To a small group of mostly moderate legislators. Of the 16 Democrats who signed the letter – which does not say explicitly that they will vote for an opponent to the presidency of Parliament – all are men, with the exception of two: Kathleen Rice representatives , of New York, and the Californian, Linda Sanchez.

"We promised to change the status quo and we intend to keep that promise," the authors wrote, referring to the campaign promises made by several democracy candidates to support new leaders in the House. "Therefore, we are committed to voting for new leadership both at our caucus meeting and in the House."

Pelosi, who launched an aggressive campaign for the post, involving House colleagues, outside figures to Democrats and party – aligned interest groups, showed no signs of capitulation.

She is known for being a precise voting counter with a keen sense of her caucus tendencies. She is helped by the absence of a declared adversary and by many weeks during which she can linger over the tasks of the committees of choice, rule changes and other gifts to attract support.

Pelosi has repeatedly expressed her confidence that she will be elected president. A Democratic aide noted Monday that more than 9 Democrats out of 10 had not signed the letter.

Although the numbers of non-conformists represent a handful of the 232 Democrats of the House elected – with a handful of races still undecided – they could still generate enough opposition to thwart it.

When the Plenary Chamber elects its new leaders on 3 January, the speaker will need a majority of 218 votes, assuming no one votes "present" and that Republicans overwhelmingly oppose it, as seems likely. With 232 seats, Pelosi could afford to lose only 14 Democrats and become an orator.

The rebel letter to fellow Democrats praises Pelosi, 78, for his long career and calls him "a historical figure" who helped the party win important legislative victories. Mr. Pelosi served as President from 2007 to 2010, when Democrats briefly held the majority in the House. He is the leader of the party since 2003.

"However, we also recognize that in the recent election, Democrats have defeated the message of change," they wrote. "Our majority has come back from candidates who have said that they will support the new leaders, because hard-pressed district electors from all over the country want to see real change in Washington."

Of the signatories, five are from the first year in the House or hope to be one. Two of them – Anthony Brindisi of New York and Ben McAdams of Utah – participate in races in which the Associated Press has not yet announced a winner.

Pelosi's critics say, however, that several other Democrats who have not signed the letter are ready to vote for a candidate who is opposed to Pelosi. This includes the Ohio representative Marcia Fudge, who said she was considering running for president.

President Donald Trump tweeted his respect and support for Pelosi and even offered to gather the votes of the GOP to help in the election of its president. The Pelosi office has announced that it would win with Democratic votes, and it seems exaggerated to expect Republicans to help elect its president, a vote that could open them up to 2020's key challenges.