The freshmen class of the House of Representatives is soon to be sworn in on the Hill. Among them is a group of young Democrats who look set to promptly snub their noses at the men, women, and gender-fluids who believed their campaign promises, by voting for Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to be Speaker of the House.
Many of those paragons of newbie-elected virtue stood in public defiance as Never-Nancys and promised to usurp the Democratic establishment in favor of new blood. Despite making noises of independence and progressive values, they are now caving bigly in compliance to the ancient Swamp dwellers and their crocodile queen, Pelosi.
When will the left learn they aren’t amoeba creatures and start using their God-given spines for the good of the order?
The Promise
Remember the puffing of chests, the pontificating of the big blue wave of progressive, brilliant, honest, humanitarian, and “I work for the people” candidates who dissed the old-guard Democrats as out of touch and said they need to step aside?
Oh, and there was that controversial letter penned in solidarity and signed by 16 Democrats, both incumbent and incoming, and released to the media a few short weeks ago, that affirmed the donning of adult underwear by claiming that no way, no how, should Pelosi get her reptilian claws on the gavel.
But old Nancy wasn’t ready to be kicked to the congressional old folks’ home. She took swift action and plunged her old pals, Representatives Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Jim Clyburn (D-SC), underwater for a classic gator death roll, perhaps neutralizing their bids for leadership once and for all.
The almost-octogenarian appears to be a cagey old gal and is somehow gaining back the support needed to rule and rail at President Trump – thanks in part to former Vice President Al Gore, former Secretary of State John Kerry, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who all have pens and phones at their disposal.
Congressman-elect Gil Cisneros (D-CA) habitually asserted throughout his midterm campaign, “While I respect Leader Pelosi’s years of advocacy … it’s time for new leadership.” And yet he recently tweeted: “I will support and vote for Nancy Pelosi to be Speaker of the House.”
They struck a deal for term limits – retroactive – which of course barely affects Pelosi unless she wants to rule infinitum, along with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. But there is plenty of blame to go around in this travesty of moral fortitude: Most of the Never-Nancy brigade who pledged to keep Pelosi off the podium are incumbents, now in decision-limbo. Namby-pambies.
Now What?
As the swearing in of the new class beckons on January 3, 2019, Pelosi is still slithering about attempting to convince enough Democrats that she is the best person to take on Trump and lead the troops out of gridlock.
Congressman-elect Gil Cisneros
But there is still hope for progressive Democrats. Although Pelosi, in braggadocious form, praised herself “as a bridge to the next generation of leaders,” one newbie, so far, is sticking to her guns. Representative-elect Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) righteously vowed, “Under no circumstances, would I vote for Nancy Pelosi to again be Speaker of the House.”
Recently, she doubled down, adding, “This is my first opportunity to keep my promise to my soon-to-be constituents and that’s exactly what I’ll do.” She may need eyes in the back of her head moving forward.
Spanberger may not have many friends after other members of the new Democratic generation, in lemming-like style, go back on their own words as the taste of power tempts their tongues. Conservatives may soon have an unlimited supply of fodder as chaos between the House leadership and Pelosi’s unforgiving underlings unfolds.
I relish the spectacle soon to be witnessed.
