Nancy Pelosi to Lead House Democrats Again

Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the first female speaker of the House, will continue to lead House Democrats when they become the minority party in Congress next year. Her colleagues chose Pelosi to be minority leader in a vote on Nov. 17.
Nancy Pelosi to Lead House Democrats Again
Mary Silver
11/17/2010
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/nancy_pelosi_106936332.jpg" alt="Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (L) speaks while U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) after attending closed door Democratic leadership elections for the upcoming 112th Congress, November 17, 2010 in Washington, DC.  (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)" title="Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (L) speaks while U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) after attending closed door Democratic leadership elections for the upcoming 112th Congress, November 17, 2010 in Washington, DC.  (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1812034"/></a>
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (L) speaks while U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) after attending closed door Democratic leadership elections for the upcoming 112th Congress, November 17, 2010 in Washington, DC.  (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the first female speaker of the House, will continue to lead House Democrats when they become the minority party in Congress next year. Her colleagues chose Pelosi to be minority leader in a vote on Nov. 17.

During the midterm campaigns, Republican candidates criticized Pelosi intensely, often describing her as overly liberal and out of touch with American voters. ‘Fire Nancy Pelosi’ as House speaker was a common slogan.

The Nov. 17 vote was 150 for Pelosi and 43 for Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC).

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) said he was disappointed by Pelosi’s win, according to C-SPAN. The Democratic Caucus will “need to make changes to go forward to recapture the majority,” he said, implying that Pelosi’s leadership contributed to the election losses for Democrats.

Harry Reid (D-NV) will continue as majority leader in the Senate, after a close and bitterly fought win over Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle.

Both candidates used vitriolic campaign ads, and polls showed they were neck and neck. Hispanic voters were credited with voting for Reid in enough numbers to give him the victory.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will keep his Senate position.

John Boehner (R-OH) will take Pelosi’s old job as Speaker of the House when the 112th Congress begins in January. House Republicans had previously voted in Boehner as head of his party, according to a report on C-SPAN. On Nov. 17 his colleagues chose him to be speaker.

President Barack Obama invited legislative leaders from both parties to meet with him on Nov. 18, but the meeting has been moved to Nov. 30, according to C-SPAN.
Mary Silver writes columns, grows herbs, hikes, and admires the sky. She likes critters, and thinks the best part of being a journalist is learning new stuff all the time. She has a Masters from Emory University, serves on the board of the Georgia chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and belongs to the Association of Health Care Journalists.
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