We are awaiting word on Nancy Pelosi's future. I'm certainly split, because Pelosi has been the most effective Speaker in my adult life. Some of this is because the GOP is not capable of being a legislative party. They are interested in tax cuts and stripping government of the ability to function - precisely the opposite of crafting laws and policies that might benefit the country and even the world.
Could Hakeem Jeffries pick up where she left off? I suppose some of Pelosi's success is inherently personal to her. She is extremely effective in whipping votes outside of the DC limelight. Tales of her finding a childhood friend to lobby a wavering member of her caucus suggests this isn't just the inherent desire of the Democrats to pass good policy. However, she is not going to enter a nunnery after stepping down; she can be a resource for a new leadership team.
Perhaps more importantly, Nancy Pelosi is 81 years old; Steny Hoyer is 83; Jim Clyburn is 81 and, of course, Joe Biden is 79. The leadership in the House MUST change via a plan rather than on the fly. I think Pelosi knows this. Whether Hoyer does is unclear. Clyburn sounds like he wants to stay in the #3 slot.
Elevating Jeffries (52) and Katherine Clark (59) seems like a solid plan to transition away from an aging - if still effective - Speaker. The only argument against it would be that Pelosi does not want to make it seem like the attack on her husband forced her out. That could incentivize more violence.
Whatever the case, Pelosi has earned - more than earned - the right to make her own decision.
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