HOUSE MINORITY LEADER NANCY PELOSI (D-CALIF.) BRINGS THE CONFIDENCE AND BRAVADO ... TWO THINGS YOU NEED TO LOOK AT...
-- BOSTON GLOBE: "She might be unpopular, but Pelosi doesn't plan on going anywhere,"by Liz Goodwin: "'We will win. I will run for speaker. I feel confident about it. And my members do, too,' Pelosi told a meeting of Globe reporters and editors. ...
"'It's important that it not be five white guys at the table, no offense,' Pelosi said, referring to the top two leadership spots in the House and Senate and the presidency. 'I have no intention of walking away from that table.'" http://bit.ly/2w6sNw3
-- ALSO ... PELOSI appeared at an event with NEW YORK GOV. ANDREW CUOMO Tuesday in New York. She introduced her fellow House colleagues thusly:
"Jerry Nadler is here. Jerry will be the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee which is the committee of jurisdiction for gun safety legislation. ... Carolyn Maloney is here, she will be Chairwoman of Joint Economic Committee for fairness in our economy. ... Nydia Velázquez is here, she will be the Chairman on the House Small Business Committee."
TO INTRODUCE LAWMAKERS AS THE NEXT CHAIRMEN OF SPECIFIC COMMITTEES -- as if the majority is all but won -- represents an extraordinarily level of confidence by Pelosi at the moment. Yes, it sure looks like Dems will take the majority in the House, but it's far from a sure thing. And most Democratic insiders -- including senior members of the House Democratic Caucus -- say Pelosi might need a sizeable majority in order for her to become speaker again.
WHY? Lots of Democrats have laid down their marker, saying they will not vote for her no matter what. This Globe interview is certain to begin another round of will-you-vote-for-Pelosi questions on the campaign trail. One needs 218 votes on the floor of the House to be speaker. Read Dave Weigel in Charlotte: "Pelosi says she'll run for speaker, as more swing-district Democrats look for alternative" https://wapo.st/2JIZzFy
PELOSI IS, UNDOUBTEDLY, one of the most skilled legislative tacticians in modern political history. She is also the strongest fundraiser in the caucus and is raising an enormous amount of money for her colleagues, which has and will buy her a lot of good will. Without Pelosi at the top of the caucus, there will most likely be "five white guys at the table," as she points out. This will resonate with many House Democrats.
PELOSI'S comments come after a flurry of press coverage around potential leadership changes in the House. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat, said they should all retire if Dems don't take back the House. There has been buzz about Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Joe Crowley of New York.
-- BOSTON GLOBE'S SCOT LEHIGH: "As for Clyburn, whom 'she loves like a brother,' his remark apparently rankled, for she returned to it several times. Comments like his are 'a waste of time,' she said at one point. 'Maybe he's talking about his own plans,' she added at another." http://bit.ly/2HMk0kg
-- ONE NERDY CORRECTION: Carolyn Maloney won't be the chair of the JEC. That chairmanship switches back to the Senate next year no matter who is in charge. She might be vice chair, if Democrats take control.
NEW THIS MORNING ... THE NRCC is going to cut Pelosi's "We will win. I will run for speaker" remark into a video-based advertisement in the coming days. They think that the prospect of Pelosi returning to the speakership is enough to bring out Republican voters. Some Pelosi-aligned Democrats, of course, don't think that's right.
DEPT. OF REALLY GOOD TIMING ... YOU'RE INVITED ... Poliico will sit down with NANCY PELOSI on next Tuesday in D.C. Six months ahead of Election Day. We'll be sure to get into this and much more. RSVP http://bit.ly/playbookpelosi
Source Politico Playbook
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