The New York Times' Maggie Haberman noted Thursday afternoon that Pelosi aides had begun sending pre-scripted tweets - some of which even exceeded 140 characters - to Democratic "allies".
Joe Cunningham, a Democrat running for Congress in a bid to unseat Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., tweeted a promise not to vote for Pelosi for leadership if he wins his race - just hours after announcing his bid. Pelosi had suffered particular criticism for Jon Ossoff's four-point loss in Georgia on Tuesday, since supporters of Karen Handel had repeatedly portrayed Ossoff as a Pelosi crony to bolster Republican turnout.
Perez noted that Democrats are losing, but by encouraging margins, citing the April special election in Kansas' 4th district where he said Democrats were expected to lose by 30 percentage points but lost by less than 7.
All the races were on GOP-friendly terrain. Even in the minority, the votes she commands are often needed to pass spending bills or other must-pass legislation that House conservatives disdain, and GOP speakers have had to come to her repeatedly hat in hand. They must pick up 24 seats to do so.
Another Democrat who has been pushing for leadership changes, Rep. Filemon Vela of Texas, told CNN the group didn't make any decisions at Thursday's meeting, but those who participated believe there is growing unrest among House Democrats about the direction of the current leadership team.
"If we take back the House in 2018 then I think she'd stay leader", said Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.
Southeast Arkansas Sees Heavy Rain As Cindy Passes Through
CDT Thursday, Cindy was about 165 miles (265 kilometers) northwest of Morgan City and moving to the north at 13 mph (20 kph). A few tornadoes are possible through tonight from the lower MS and Tennessee Valley regions to the central Gulf Coast.
The challenge for Democrats, as pointed in Politico's reporting, is that there are no viable candidates to challenge Pelosi and take over the leadership.
Nancy Pelosi is sending a defiant message to House Democrats who are grumbling about her leadership: Come at me.
"If we think we're going to win these elections because President Trump's at 35 percent, I think in districts like mine and certainly Georgia and SC, it takes more than that", said Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota. "That would be very bad for the Republican Party - and please let Cryin' Chuck stay!" Pelosi was the focus of negative advertising casting her as a San Francisco liberal and linking her to the Democratic candidate.
The apparent effectiveness of such attacks alarmed some fellow Democrats, and they show no signs of letting up. Rosen is a likely candidate for Senate against the most endangered GOP Senate incumbent, Dean Heller of Nevada. They say voters in Republican-leaning districts are motivated by more than a desire to stop Pelosi and Democrats need to work on developing a message that can win them over. "They always want to choose our leaders and usually they go after the most effective leaders because they want to diminish the opportunity that we have", Pelosi said. "But I think I'm worth the trouble, quite frankly".
Pelosi insists Democrats still have a shot at winning the majority in next year's midterm elections, saying, "The House remains in play now". She has beat back all comers, including last fall, when Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of OH ran against her. Ryan fell well short but garnered dozens of votes, enough to underscore dissatisfaction with Pelosi and with her aging leadership team that has left promising young Democrats with few places to rise.
Pelosi said that would be fine with her. "We don't agonize. We organize". "We've seen her run circles around (former House Speaker) John Boehner and get things done that nobody thought Democrats could do in the minority".
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