Page 14 - HOSPITAAL

A4 U.S. NEWS
Monday 26 noveMber 2018

Democrats shun idea of Pelosi floor fight in speaker’s race

By LISA MASCARO, AP Con- Rice, D-N.Y., said recently
gressional Correspondent that the lack of a sure-fire
WASHINGTON (AP) — Call challenger is beside the
it the chaos theory for pick- point. The goal is to force
ing the next House speaker. the question.
Those Democrats trying to “The whole concept of you
stop California Rep. Nancy can’t beat somebody with
Pelosi from reclaiming the nobody is a Nancy Pelosi
job say they don’t need a talking point,” she said.
rival candidate just yet. In- At the moment, there are
stead, they plan to show at least 15 Pelosi oppo-
that Pelosi lacks the votes nents, making for a razor-
to win the race. And then, thin vote. House Democrats
they say, new challengers won a 233-seat majority
will emerge. in the 435-member House
It’s strategy that has oth- in the November midterm
er Democrats cringing at election, with a few races
the prospect of their new still uncalled. Pelosi needs
House majority in disarray. 218 to win the job, if all
They say voters swept them Republicans oppose her,
to office in this month’s which is likely. The margin
elections to govern, not could expand slightly with
become bogged down absences or if lawmakers
by the kind of Republican simply vote “present.” In this Nov. 6, 2018, file photo, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, smiles as
infighting that sent Ohio “The first step is showing she meets with reporters on Election Day at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in
Rep. John Boehner to an that she cannot get to Washington.
early exit as speaker and 218,” Rice told reporters, Associated Press.
weakened his successor, “and then I believe the
Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. challengers will emerge
The last thing they want is that can allow new mem-
a floor fight over the lead- bers to say, Ok here’s an-
ership post when Congress other possibility, now I get
opens work in January. it.”
“If the first Democratic val- Moulton, a Marine veteran,
ue they see is chaos, I don’t said earlier he hopes it will
think that’s very good,” be “a chaotic debate” for
said Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., new leadership because
who recently wrote an op- “that would be healthy for
ed with colleagues sup- the party.”
porting Pelosi. “I don’t think But after the election deliv-
it’s a good look at all.” ered Democrats the House
The chaos theory will be majority, it’s an approach
put to a test this coming that may require a leap of
week when House Demo- faith that other lawmakers
crats meet in private for a are unwilling to take, espe-
vote nominating Pelosi to cially as Pelosi amasses an
become speaker in Janu- outpouring of support from
ary. She held that post from advocacy groups, labor
2007 to 2011, the first wom- unions and even former
an to serve as speaker. President Barack Obama
After one potential rival in a display of raw power.
stepped aside, Pelosi is ex- Trying to head off that de-
pected to easily win the bate, Pelosi sent a letter to
majority from her ranks. But colleagues thanking “so
opponents have hopes of many of you for the strong
denying her the broader support you have given
support she needs when me” and asked that “we all
the new Congress holds a support” the party’s nomi-
vote in January. nee for speaker when the
One of those organizing full House votes. “Our unity
against her, Rep. Kathleen is our power,” she wrote.q