Younger Democrats in the House are not pleased that the old leadership -- Pelosi, Hoyer, Clyburn, inter alia -- are clinging to power. Time for a change. Their arguments are very persuasive.
Most rank-and-file Democrats would have been happy with these leaders had their party retained its majority in the 112th Congress, but the loss of the House and at least 60 seats led many to anticipate a changing of the guard.
“It is inescapable that the message that was sent by the American people is they want a change in direction. And a change in direction means a change in leadership,” Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) said on Fox News last week.
Democratic Reps. Xavier Becerra (Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Joseph Crowley (N.Y.) and Diana DeGette (Colo.), among others, were all seen as top contenders to move up but have found themselves in limbo as Pelosi locks down the minority-leader post and Hoyer and Clyburn vie for whip. Becerra is trying to hold on to the vice chairmanship of the caucus, while Van Hollen, the campaign chief appointed by Pelosi as assistant to the Speaker, is for now on the outside looking in. ...The Hill
It's not about whether Nancy Pelosi did a good job. She did. She may indeed turn out to have been one of the most effective House speakers in our history. But that was then; this is now. Keeping her in the job may mean sidelining some very good and no less effective leaders who are closer in age and temperament to most Democratic voters. The party can hardly afford to overlook talent, energy, and a fresh point of view.
“We can’t let them sit on the bench for too much longer,” one Democratic aide said, referring to the party’s younger lawmakers. “There’s a push to add in some new ideas and new faces and new energy.”
