Victory is not always about numbers. It is how you do against expectations. In 2022, Congressional Democrats faced daunting odds as they had to tackle history, poor economic numbers, and a low-ranked President. In particular, their House prospects were bleak as giddy conservatives pointed to a potential new Republican majority of as much as 60 seats. Those prematurely ecstatic prophets might end up with a majority of five.
And standing tall as the Democratic Party’s House 19-year House leader is perhaps the most underestimated politician in Washington, two-time House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. I was once one who was guilty of that mistake.
Pelosi is now 82. She has been in Congress for 35 years. She won her first election when she was 47. Now rumors are starting that she might want to step down from leadership and remain as an elder stateswoman advising a new Democratic leader in the intricacies, nuances, and pitfalls of the job. The choice is hers. There is no grumbling in the ranks as there was in 2018 and 2020 — when a new generation of members suggested she was too ossified, too old, too centrist, and not simpatico to a world moving on.
It is her choice — and her choice alone. The idea may be appealing to her. Let the younger generation man the ramparts. I do not know what she will decide. or even whether she has given the matter much thought.
But if she does decide to take a senior role — even if she does not — I will remember her as Minority Leader striding away from the White House, having just told Trump to take his wall financing fantasy and shove it. Memorably saying later to her House caucus,
“I was trying to be the mom.” But, “it goes to show you: You get into a tinkle contest with a skunk, you get tinkle all over you.”
“It’s like a manhood thing with him — as if manhood can be associated with him. This wall thing.”
With that, the stiletto-heeled assassin added another loser to her list.
I am not here to write a hagiography. She made mistakes, as I am sure she would be the first to admit. But we must judge this politician on the totality of her career. As a Democratic leader, she ushered Obamacare through the House. And in the last Congress, she did the same for infrastructure and all the other achievements.
So whatever she chooses. She was consequential when so many were petty.
