After the special elections in Georgia and South Carolina, it’s time for the Republicans to panic. The explanation is simple. Two words. Speaker Pelosi.
Both House seats were deep in the red. The Montana and Kansas seats were, too. For Republicans, there can be no comfort in knowing that the Democrats didn’t flip any of the seats from red to blue. The trend to blue is undeniable and if it holds, or even if it weakens slightly, a slew of swing districts will move into the Democratic column in the midterm election.
A Democratic House majority would make Trump, or any other Republican, a lame Duck for the rest of his term. The idea of Paul Ryan handing the gavel back to Nancy Pelosi must be driving the Republicans to the edge. The Committee Chairs would pass to the Democrats as well.
That’s why you see a sudden outburst of emotion about Pelosi. She was always a favorite obsession of Right-wingers. Compare the legislation that the House passed by this date in 2009 with the current session. Pelosi gets the job done.
What the Republicans need is a compelling campaign theme for 2018. For now, at least, it seems like Pelosi’s age is it for them. It should be common sense that this isn’t a good look. It wasn’t four years ago and it isn’t now.