Poll: Americans want new Democratic leadership

WASHINGTON — More Americans want new Democrats in power next Congress, a recent poll found.

More than twice as many of this week’s Economist/YouGov poll respondents said they would prefer another Democrat take Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s spot as House minority leader than have her remain in power.

Pelosi plans on staying in leadership if Democrats win back the chamber in November. It is important to have a woman in leadership, especially after Hillary Clinton’s loss in the 2016 presidential contest, she said.

“It’s important that it not be five white guys at the table, no offense,” she said. “I have no intention of walking away from that table.”

Similarly, 10 percent more people said they wanted Senator Chuck Schumer to give up his seat as Senate Democratic leader than wanted him to stay.

While Schumer has not stated explicitly that he wants to continue to serve in Democratic leadership next session, the last two leaders had long tenures in the Senate. Schumer’s predecessor, former Sen. Harry Reid, served as Democrat leader from 2005 through 2017. Sen. Mitch McConnell, currently Senate Majority Leader, has held his party position since 2007.

Although people aren’t satisfied with Democrat leadership in Congress, they also don’t think Democrats are the primary source of problems. Forty-seven percent said Republicans were more to blame for Congress achieving less than usual this session.

Poll respondents also supported Robert Mueller in his role as special counsel. President Donald Trump should not fire special counsel Mueller, 48 percent of respondents said, compared to 16 percent who said they think the President should get rid of him.