For House Democrats, planning for a future without Nancy Pelosi is neither pleasant nor easy.
But as the polls worsen and a Republican-controlled House looks more and more possible, Democrats are beginning to realize they face a top to bottom leadership shakeup if the powerful speaker steps aside in a Democratic minority.
For the most part, Democrats have no obvious roadmap, no heir apparent to the Pelosi mantle, and a fairly thin bench around which to plan the future of their party. After the election, Democrats would face a power vacuum in the lower ranks – assuming current Majority Leader Steny Hoyer takes the helm as minority leader in a post-Pelosi Democratic caucus.
“This is a subject that everybody in town is thinking about,” said a former House Democrat who keeps close contact with his former colleagues.
Pelosi herself has privately discouraged any talk of a Democratic minority – despite multiple predictions that as many as 80 Democratic seats are in play.
The most likely scenario after a Republican takeover would be for Pelosi to step down, with Hoyer replacing her. But the idea of a clean sweep of Democratic leadership – forcing out all the elected leaders is clearly something being considered by rank-and-file.
Full Story: House Dems could be at loss for leaders – Richard E. Cohen – POLITICO.com
FACE THE NATION