The case against Pelosi

From NBC's Luke Russert
If Nancy Pelosi does indeed decide to leave the Democratic leadership, it’s expected that she’ll retire from Congress. Current Majority Leader Steny Hoyer would become minority leader. Jim Clyburn would stay on as minority whip and the Democratic caucus chairman would fall to John Larson, Chris Van Hollen, or Xavier Becerra.
This is the case for Nancy Pelosi to move on, per conversations with Democratic aides and some Democratic members who believe she should leave the leadership.
1. Going forward, Pelosi is -- pick your word -- radioactive, toxic, or damaged goods. Last Tuesday’s election results were a total repudiation of her policies and style. The buck has to stop somewhere. Her unpopularity around the country -- and especially among independents -- would be a drag on the party heading into 2012 and a very important presidential election. Not only would she kill any chances of Democrats retaking the House, but she also would hurt President Obama’s ability to work with the GOP over the next two years. The Obama-Pelosi branding hurt many candidates in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia -- it’s not something the White House nor Democrats running in conservative leaning districts need again.
2. Pelosi staying will severely divide the party. Moderates like Heath Shuler (D-NC) and even liberals like John Yarmuth (D-KY) have said that she’s not the best person to “take the party forward.” Many rank-and-file members are of this mindset. Democrats need to be united when they are in the minority, much like the GOP was over the last two years. A House Democratic civil war would be disastrous.
3. With Pelosi as minority leader, it could prove difficult for the party to recruit moderate candidates to challenge Republicans in conservative-leaning districts that sent Democrats to Congress in 2006 and 2008. Moderates won’t want to be associated with Pelosi and party will not be able to compete in swing districts.
4. House Democrats desperately need a fresh voice. Pelosi has been in the Democratic leadership since 2002. Her take-no-prisoners leadership style -- while delivering on key legislation -- is not conducive to working with the GOP and improving the party’s standing going forward. People want their leaders to work to together, not be consistently combative. A new, more moderate leader like Hoyer, could make the Democratic Party seem less liberal and less polarizing -- exactly what they need right now.
5. Pelosi can retire as the most powerful woman in the history of American politics -- as of the most powerful speakers of all time. For her to go into the minority could only tarnish her legacy. Why put herself through the strains of being -- once again -- the Democratic minority leader?