Thaindian News

November 18, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): The Democrats elected Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker to be the leader of their minority last Wednesday. She had overseen a 62 seat defeat for her party during the midterm polls this year. The results of the polls saw the Republicans gain the control of the House. However, the faith of the Democrats in Pelosi seems to remain steadfast.

The results went overwhelmingly in favor of Pelosi who succeeded in quashing her nearest rival, Heath Shuler by 150-43. Shuler, the erstwhile NFL quarterback and a conservative Democrat from North Carolina was beaten fair and square by Pelosi who drew on the support from veteran Democrats surrounding her district of San Francisco. The California delegation that backed her turned out to be extremely powerful in the end. Pelosi is expected to take over her new position by January, next year.

The moderates who were on their way out gave voice to their anger against Pelosi. However, they have now been relegated to the past succeeded by a small but liberal minded minority within the House.

Pelosi attributed the 8% rise in her popularity to the health care changes, Wall Street reforms as well as the consumer protection acts endorsed by her. Representative John Boehner from the state of Ohio was elected by the Republicans as the next Speaker. He will replace Pelosi and take charge next January during the Congress convention.

Two of the more liberal minded Democrats Peter DeFazio and Marcy Kaptur of Oregon and Ohio respectively took a move to postpone the next leadership elections to December. This move was supported by 68 members who agreed by means of a secret ballot.