By all accounts, the Democrats are looking to lead the Democratic Party with the same leadership as before the midterm elections. A meeting has not taken place yet. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If that is true, then why is the Democratic Party looking to place its leadership in exactly the same hands with the same people as before the “shellacking” and loss of 60 plus seats in the House? With no apparent opposition, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D.CA) will presumably become House minority leader. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D. MD) is now on path to become the second in command after a deal was struck. Then Rep, James Clyburn will presumably resume a new post and become third in command. I heard some Democrats are touting experience as the reason for wanting to stay the course with the same trio of leadership as before the Republican romp. Yes, there’s something to be said for experience during these troubling times. But, we have a truly able President who served as a junior senator before running for President of the United States. So, this argument seems incongruous with the top of the party leadership in President Obama.
With 2 years to go before the next election, why wouldn’t the Democrats, at least consider replacing either Rep. Pelosi, Rep. Clyburn or Rep. Hoyer with someone younger with fresh progressive and newer ideas. All three leaders are at least 70. While I am not advocating age discrimination against anyone, it would have been better, at least, to include one younger, progressive member of congress among the top 3 leadership positions. There are younger Democratic progressives that should have been included among one of the top 3 leadership roles. One is Rep. Xavier Becerra (D.CA). He will likely remain in a leadership role but not in the top 3. Speaking of progressives, one thing the election showed is that the voters overwhelmingly rejected Blue Dogs. So why do Democrats want to put Blue Dog Steny Hoyer in a second in command leadership role? I can’t figure that one out.
If the midterm elections taught the Democrats anything, it should have taught that change is needed. New ways of doing things, new ideas and new leadership is in order. While I don’t believe the Republican hype that voters rejected the Obama administration’s policies. I also don’t believe the Democrats hype that they just failed to get the message out. It’s more like a combination of the two. And the only way to really “get it” is with some younger, progressive leaders in the top 3 positions.
Debbie Hines, Esq. is a legal and political commentator and contributor to the Huffington Post. She holds a Juris Doctorate from George Washington University and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.
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