Pelosi seeks 20th term, unfazed by age concerns.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi Announces 20th Term Run
Exciting news from former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)! On Friday, she declared her intention to run for a remarkable 20th term in the House. What’s even more impressive is that Pelosi, at 83 years old, is defying the age-related scrutiny that has plagued many of her octogenarian colleagues.
Comparatively, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is younger than Pelosi, yet he has been publicly grappling with the aftermath of a fall earlier this year. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden’s age has become a target for conservative mockery and private concerns among Democrats as he seeks a second term at the age of 82.
Age and the “Gerontocracy” Debate
Pelosi is not immune to this scrutiny. Last year, she stepped down from her 20-year reign as the leader of the House Democratic Caucus, yielding to pressure for a new generation of leadership. However, her decision to remain in Congress as a rank-and-file member, now holding the honorary title of speaker emerita, has somewhat neutralized concerns about her age. This allows her to continue wielding power behind the scenes without the consternation that her age had previously caused.
Unfinished Business and Power Brokering
Pelosi, who has represented her San Francisco district since winning a special election in 1987, stated that her decision to run for another term is driven by a sense of unfinished business. She aims to use her influence to prevent former President Donald Trump, who was impeached twice under her watch, from securing a second term in the White House. Additionally, she has a vested interest in helping Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), her successor as the top Democrat in the House, regain the majority and become speaker—a position Pelosi held twice.
As an informal adviser to Jeffries, Pelosi has tapped into the deep pockets of California’s donor class, helping him raise tens of millions of dollars in his early months on the job. This unique role allows her to shape the future of the caucus without being at the helm herself.
Managing Her Exit and Relative Health
Pelosi’s ability to manage her own exit is partly due to her relative health. Her San Francisco colleague, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), decided to retire at the end of her term next year amid concerns about her mental decline. Feinstein turned 90 in June, following a nearly three-month absence from the Senate due to a severe case of shingles.
While Republicans have largely supported McConnell, 81, despite two incidents this summer where he froze in front of cameras, questions have arisen about his ability to continue leading the Senate GOP conference.
Pelosi faced a brush with mortality last year when a hammer-wielding intruder broke into her San Francisco home. Fortunately, he encountered her husband instead, who is still recovering from a skull fracture and injuries to his hands and right arm. Despite this incident, Pelosi has successfully kept questions about her fitness to serve at bay. She remains mentally sharp in interviews and maintains a busy schedule.
Challenges to Pelosi’s Leadership
While Pelosi’s fitness was not the primary concern within her party, friction arose due to her tight grip on the caucus. For nearly two decades, she led House Democrats without facing a serious threat. However, in 2016, a third of her caucus voted for then-Rep. Tim Ryan after Democrats failed to regain the majority they lost in the Tea Party wave of 2010.
Pelosi’s deputies, Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Jim Clyburn (D-SC), had served alongside her for a similar duration, effectively blocking any significant change in the leadership ranks. Despite these challenges, Pelosi won reelection as speaker in 2016, but she agreed to several concessions, including allowing members, rather than leadership, to select the leader of the House Democrats’ campaign arm. She won again in 2018 but faced opposition from over a dozen House Democrats, committing to step down in four years’ time.
While Pelosi fulfilled her promise in November by coordinating a changing of the guard that saw Hoyer and Clyburn step back, she made it clear that she would not fade into the background as a rank-and-file member. She emphasized that there are various ways to exert influence, and she intends to maintain her significant impact on the political landscape.
Continued Influence and Defending Biden
Pelosi declined committee assignments in the new Congress but remains a formidable force in fundraising for Democratic candidates and causes. In May, President Biden appointed her to lead his reelection campaign’s national advisory board. She continues to defend Biden against criticism of his age and has condemned calls for Feinstein to step down as sexist.
The age of the nation’s leaders has long been a point of contention for those advocating for change. GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, 51, has called for term limits and mental competency tests for politicians over the age of 75.
With the government so narrowly divided, the age issue has gained even more significance. Feinstein’s absence from the 51-49 Senate has left Democrats with only marginal control and has delayed the confirmation of their more controversial judicial nominees.
Pelosi’s influence extends to Feinstein, as she has helped quell calls for her retirement. Pelosi’s daughter has emerged as Feinstein’s caretaker on Capitol Hill, raising speculation about Pelosi’s motives. Some believe that keeping Feinstein in her seat until the end of her term is a way to support Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Pelosi’s preferred candidate to succeed Feinstein.
However, Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) has promised to appoint a black woman to Feinstein’s seat if she steps down early, potentially giving Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Schiff’s rival in the 2024 election, the advantage of incumbency. Newsom clarified that he would not appoint Lee to the seat.
Pelosi’s Unchallenged Reign in San Francisco
Pelosi has enjoyed remarkable stability in her San Francisco district throughout her 36-year tenure in the House. While potential candidates have been preparing for the eventuality of her retirement, none would dare challenge her. Even Scott Weiner, who represents San Francisco in the state Senate, has been making preparations but would not challenge Pelosi. There is even speculation that another of Pelosi’s daughters, Christine, may consider running in the future.
Steven Maviglio, a Democratic strategist in California, acknowledges the difficulty of defeating an incumbent in San Francisco, stating that it is virtually impossible.
As Pelosi runs for another term, she remains firmly in control of her own destiny. Insulated from criticism in Washington and still a towering figure in San Francisco politics, any candidate dreaming of succeeding her will be running in place for the next two years.
Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
