Plunderbund: Pelosi To Adopt Reforms Proposed By Tim Ryan During Race For House Democratic Leader
One of Ohio’s four Democratic Congressman, 43-year old Tim Ryan of Niles near Youngstown, lost a widely watched bid to topple Nancy Pelosi from California in a House Democratic Caucus election held Wednesday.
Sixty-three Democrats went rogue by voting for Ryan, sending shock waves through Democratic leadership circles that a new message and a new messenger is needed to win back voters who ditched the party and its presidential candidate this year, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Nancy Pelosi, 76 years old, was favored to win, which she did by beating Ryan, who’s been in the House since 2002, by 71 votes [134-63] or eight votes more than Ryan won. Election watchers said Pelosi’s win was a testament to her vote-counting skills and to her ability to hang onto power, especially after Republicans won the White House, House and Senate. The votes were secret.
The AP reported Pelosi supporters saying she was their “best bet to confront a President Donald Trump from a defensive crouch in the minority after Democrats’ picked up only a half-dozen seats in the House, far fewer than anticipated. Republicans are on track to hold at least 240 seats in the House next year, while Democrats will have 194.”
After her anticipated win, Rep. Pelosi said, “I have a special spring in my step today because this opportunity is a special one, to lead the House Democrats, bring everyone together as we go forward.”
One turnabout that Ryan’s run is responsible for is a decision by Pelosi to adopt reforms to the DCCC he proposed. Post-election reports say she will back the election of the chair of the DCCC, according to a letter she sent to her colleagues Wednesday night. She will also add five new leadership spots, including two for junior members. Among other changes, Pelosi will back the creation of ‘vice chairs’ or ‘vice ranking members’ within the committee structure, a move said to give junior members more say on what happens within panels.
Rep. Ryan and his backers held to the argument that they had won a victory of sorts by sending a message to Pelosi about the need for change among House Democrats. Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who voted for Ryan, commended the seven-term Ryan for gathering 63 votes in about two weeks. Ryan said somebody had to do something and claims prospects for Democrats in the future have improved due to his race and his conversation with Pelosi.
In a wide ranging call with media after his loss, Rep. Ryan was proud of the race he ran, calling it a victory that showed lots of class. He said he’s had to bite his tongue in years past, but wanted to help define the national message going forward, especially on economic issues. His opinion and belief, he said, “comes from the people I represent, think about and worry about.” Giving voice to people from Ohio who feel disconnected to Democrats and the Democratic Party, he said, argues for a different direction.
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