Rattled by a disappointing loss down in Georgia, the Democratic House Conference has become a street fight as Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., beats back insubordinate challengers to her leadership. Naturally, Republicans couldn’t be happier.
The longer that Democrat donnybrook lasts, and the longer the left continues to consume itself, the more Republicans benefit. Pelosi’s press conference Thursday provides a case in point.
At first, Pelosi was poised and stately. In front of the cameras, the first female speaker of the House exuded complete confidence, offering her opening remarks. When she opened up to questions though, Pelosi became the equivalent of the belligerent “cash me outside” girl of internet fame. It wasn’t a good look.
“I welcome the discussion,” Pelosi said with a coy smile. And then the 77-year-old political veteran warned her opponents “who like to go on TV,” to “have your fun. I love the competition.” As far as a political statements go, it was a public relations curb stomp.
Clearly Pelosi had read Politico Thursday morning and obviously she felt threatened. More than the regular rank-and-file grumbling, a handful of Democrats were openly kicking and screaming at the minority leader.
Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York wishes Pelosi would step aside “right now.” Rep Tim Ryan of Ohio, who ran against her for leader in January, slammed her leadership as “no way to build a national party.” And Rep. Filemon Vela of Texas concluded that only “an idiot” could place their trust in Pelosi after the Georgia loss.
The White House was more than happy to cheer on that discontent. Pinning the GOP victory in Georgia’s sixth congressional district on Pelosi, Trump mocked on Twitter that he hopes “Democrats do not force Nancy P out.” Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee quickly piled on.
To the delight of her newest Republican fans, Pelosi offered a cringe-worthy and completely unaware defense of her record. “You want me to sing my praises, is that it?” Pelosi told reporters “Well I’m a master legislator, I’m a strategic, politically astute leader.”
At that line Republicans probably bowled over. Not only did the ghost of Pelosi haunt Jon Ossoff’s candidacy this week, it’s kept Democrats out of the majority since 2010. In the last three election cycles under her leadership, they haven’t netted a single new seat. What’s more, her landmark achievement, muscling through Obamacare, has become a liability, not an asset.
And that’s why Republicans have learned to love Pelosi during her 30th year in Congress. Once a liberal champion, she has now become a liability. And the longer she clings to power, the more unbalanced Democrats become as they turn their knives away from Republicans and toward their own leader.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
