Not only has Nancy Pelosi presided over the biggest Democratic loss in over 20 years and not only has she been one of the most polarizing divisive figures to American voters, but now that she has lost her Speaker of the House gavel, she is continuing to be just as divisive within her own Democratic party.CNN poll:
Forty-five percent of Democrats questioned in the survey say they would prefer Pelosi to serve as House minority leader, with 47 percent saying they would prefer another Democratic member in the House.
"Whatever divides the Democratic party on that question, gender and ideology seem to have nothing to do with it," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "There are no differences between Democratic men and Democratic women on whether Pelosi should continue to lead the House Democrats, nor is there a major difference between liberal Democrats and Democrats who call themselves moderates or conservatives."
The Republicans won back at least 60 House seats in this month's midterm elections (six races remain unresolved) and come January, will control the chamber for the first time in four years. With the Democrats going from the majority to minority party, they lose the House speaker position to the Republicans. Pelosi, who became a major target of Republicans in the midterms, is now running to serve as minority leader, a move that has triggered some opposition by moderate and conservative Democrats.
According to the poll, one third of all Americans have a favorable opinion of Pelosi, with 52 percent saying they hold an unfavorable opinion, and 15 percent unsure.
Dozens of Democratic politicians have already indicated they will not vote to keep Pelosi as head of the Democratic party in the House of Representatives, some urging her to withdraw her name for that position. (Unfortunately for them, their numbers will not add up to enough to keep her from winning the position)
Letter from Defeated Members:Of course Pelosi believes she has no blame for the "shellacking" Democrats suffered on Nov. 2, 2010 and is brushing aside calls to step down.
Many of us want the chance to run again and reclaim the seats that we lost on Tuesday. With you as the leader of House Democrats, the hangover of 2010 stands no chance of subsiding. Many of us have run our last race but remain committed to our party; we want to help recruit successful candidates to run in our stead. Unfortunately, we fear that Republicans will further demonize you, and in so doing they will scare potential candidates out. The prospect of having to run against their own party leadership in addition to their Republican opponent is simply too daunting.
This is a difficult letter to write, because we admire your commitment, your drive, and your conviction. You have been an historic figure in our great nation, and for that we are all proud, as should you be. Nonetheless, we each experienced how Republican demonization of you and your leadership contributed to our defeat.
It is impossible not to judge the results of November 2nd as anything but a profound loss. We want to recover. Recovery of our majority in the House necessitates new leadership at the top of our party. We believe that you can and will play an extraordinary role in our party, and it is extremely unfortunate that Republicans have taken away your ability to lead as effectively as you are able. Nonetheless, one mark of a strong leader is the ability to discern when it is time to pass the baton. As defeated members, whose party needs to rebuild, we are counting on you to show the strength of your leadership in this dark hour. We ask that you step aside as leader of our party in the House.
With utmost respect, we are..
Others are determined to run against her for that position, with other Democrats calling her "politically toxic."
Republicans on the other hand, would simply love to have Nancy Pelosi continue on in the top minority leadership role as evidenced by the "Hire Pelosi" banner they erected.
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