NRCC Endorses Nancy Pelosi for Minority Leader
WASHINGTON – With Nancy Pelosi facing a challenge within her own party after House Democrats’ disastrous election results, the NRCC would like to offer its full support to the embattled former Speaker of the House.
Under Nancy Pelosi’s leadership, House Democrats squandered their majority by forcing through unpopular legislation like Obamacare, of which Pelosi famously told us, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.” After her party’s devastating 63 seat loss in the ensuing 2010 election, Pelosi miraculously maintained her spot as Democratic leader, which, predictably, led to the largest Republican majority since the 1920s.
Former Speaker Pelosi has also established herself as the world’s worst election prognosticator. Since her relegation to the minority, Pelosi has repeatedly assured reporters, cycle after cycle, that a Democrat majority is right around the corner, only to be soundly defeated each time.
“No single person deserves more credit for House Republicans’ historic majority than Nancy Pelosi,” said NRCC Communications Director Katie Martin. “Under Nancy Pelosi’s leadership, House Democrats have become completely irrelevant, and there is no better way to ensure that remains the case than by keeping her as Minority Leader. The NRCC offers its full support to Nancy Pelosi as she attempts to fend off this challenge to her failed leadership from within the ranks of her own party.”
Background: Pelosi’s Bold Claims on Retaking the House:
(2010) Politico: The rise and fall of Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi was defiant into the final hours, telling reporters election night before the polls closed that “We’re on pace to maintain the majority in the House of Representatives.”
(2010) “Pelosi: Democrats Expect to Keep House Majority, ‘Battle-Tested’ for Campaign”
I think it’s great that they think that, but we are acting upon another possibility, and that is that we will hold the House.
Our members left Congress last night very confident that they would return in the majority. We take it one district at a time. Nothing less is at stake than the choice between going back to the exact agenda of the Bush administration or moving America forward, and our members are ready for the fight.
(2012) Pelosi says gains in California needed for Democrats to win back House
“California is a battleground in our effort to win the House for the American people,” House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said at a convention news conference. “A year ago, people would not have thought that the House would be in play. But indeed it is.”
(2012) “Pelosi vows to drop DOMA defense in Democratic House”
Pelosi was cautious about predicting that Democrats would win the 25 seats necessary to regain control of the House, saying there’s a “50-50” chance, nor would she presume that she would once again be elected speaker in that scenario.
“One thing at a time,” Pelosi said. “Let’s win the House first.”
(2012) USA Today: Pelosi aims for Dems to retake House, eyes old speaker post
“It’s never a sure thing. That’s why we have elections. But I think it’s a sure thing that we have a chance to win,” Pelosi told USA TODAY in an interview last week.
(2013) Politico: Pelosi unplugged
“This president, I think, has to do a better selling job,” she said. “I assume the people know the difference his presidency has made in taking us from … the verge of depression … One thing I would like to see the president do more — and many of us can help with that — but people want to hear it from him: … ‘This is what I said I was going to do. This is what I have done. These are the obstacles that the Republicans have put forth.’ … It’s not only important to do the right thing, … it’s important to prepare the American people for some of those decisions.”
Pelosi sounded surprisingly bearish about Democrats’ chances of picking up the 17 seats they need to win control. “We can win back the House,” she said. “I’ll know a little bit better in a … couple more months.”
(2016) ROLL CALL: Pelosi Predicts House Majority Will Come Down to a Single Digit Difference
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday predicted that whichever party wins the House majority in November will do so by a single digit.
“Either we’ll be a single digit ahead or they’ll be a single digit ahead,” the California Democrat said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “But we’ll make tremendous inroads in terms of the number of Democrats in the House.”
(2016) Washington Post: Nancy Pelosi is right. Democrats could win back the House in November.
“If Hillary [Clinton] were to win 54-46, oh my God. It’s all over. If it’s 53-47, and I think that’s in the realm of possibility … that’s a big deal. Five or more [percentage points] is a big deal.”