Retirement could pit Democrats against Pelosi
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Paul Ryan’s decision to bow out of Washington at the end of his term energized Democrats itching to take back the lower chamber in November.
“The blue wave is real, and it just swept away Paul Ryan. #November6,” tweeted Bay State U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, who also blasted out a fundraising email on the news.
Ryan’s retirement, and the prospect of a Democrat taking the speaker seat, also could spur a renewed effort by Democratic opponents of Nancy Pelosi to oust her in favor of a new face to take the House’s top office in January.
After all, Republicans are running and fundraising on an anti-Pelosi message — one so effective that it has caused some Democratic congressional hopefuls to state their opposition to the current Democratic leader on the campaign trial, or at least be vague about their support of her.
But Democrats on the Hill and political operatives warn that an anti-Pelosi crusade before midterm ballots are cast would backfire and say that Moulton and other Pelosi detractors should cool their heels and keep their eyes on the prize — taking the House — until well after Election Day.
There are many reasons why even Democrats who are loath to see the speaker’s gavel returned to Pelosi’s hand should proceed with caution, but the biggest is the dearth of candidates who are strong and popular enough to take her on.
Ohio U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan challenged Pelosi before, with the vocal backing of Moulton and quieter support of about a third of the House Democratic conference. Moulton has been raising his own profile as of late, stirring speculation that he is ready to run for something.
But neither has the chops to pull off a coup.
“There is plenty of discontent there, but it is unclear if anybody has the votes to take Pelosi out,” said GOP strategist John Feehery. Democrats feel the same. “Moulton and Tim Ryan are pretenders,” one senior House Democratic aide told me yesterday. “You need a real, credible candidate.”
Plus, as things could get nasty on the other side of the aisle as Republicans begin jockeying to succeed Paul Ryan for a speakership that may not even exist after the midterms, the last thing Democrats need is a civil war to get in the way of their election momentum.
“The Democrats would be snatching defeat from the jaws of victory,” said Democratic strategist Jim Manley.