Crowley stunner sets off new scramble among House Dems

[brooklynite]

Roll Call:

Rep. Joseph Crowley’s stunning defeat in his primary has created an unexpected opening for a younger, more progressive candidate to challenge the old bulls of House Democratic leadership — Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), Steny Hoyer (Md.) and Jim Clyburn (S.C.) — who are all in their late 70s.

Crowley, the New York Democrat who holds the No. 4 leadership spot, was seen as the next possible Democratic Speaker. But his loss to 28-year-old progressive upstart Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tuesday night shook Washington and shined the spotlight back on rank-and-file Democrats’ desire to see a generational change at the top.

By Wednesday, the dust had not settled, and it was still unclear what exactly Crowley’s defeat would mean for the broader 193-member caucus. But in the hours after Ocasio-Cortez’s surprise victory, hundreds of conversations had taken place over text message, email and phone, with lawmakers floating more than a dozen names of colleagues who could run for leadership.

...snip...

Some younger members being floated for a top leadership spot include members of Pelosi’s own leadership team: House Democrats’ campaign chief, Rep. Ben Ray Luján (N.M.); caucus Vice Chairwoman Linda Sánchez (Calif.), who previously led the Hispanic Caucus; Rep. Eric Swalwell (Calif.), co-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee; and Reps. Cheri Bustos (Ill.), Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) and David Cicilline (R.I.), who jointly lead the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, the caucus’s messaging arm.

Two Pelosi critics, Reps. Seth Moulton (Mass.) and Tim Ryan (Ohio), are other names being tossed around. Pelosi beat back an insurgent challenge from Ryan in 2016.

[Wounded Bear]

1. Meh, in sports they call this roster churn...

People come, people go. Leadership evolves as younger folks come in and engender change.

Trying to opine this as some kind of 'revolution' is merely trying to force controversy for ratings.

I'm all for new leadership, if that is what comes, but I'm not going to support some coup in the House. It'll happen naturally.

[murielm99]

4. Yes.

This young woman is not a leader. She has to win her election, gain competency in her job and prove herself. She may end up being a leader somewhere down the road.

[gratuitous]

5. You're correct

But the media find the "Dems in Disarray" storyline irresistible. It's like laying out lines of coke for a junkie.

[emulatorloo]

6. +1 on "Dems in Disarray" - it is a hell of a drug for these shallow pundits

[duforsure]

2. Younger minorities

Especially women are needed more than ever. I hope the American people will make a woman president sooner that later , especially against these really older people trying to run again, and again. We need younger minorities in office, and women so they can be fairly represented. This administration only represents corruption, criminals , and liars, and white people .

[emulatorloo]

3. More hot takes from the pundit class. We'll see what happens when it happens

“By Wednesday, the dust had not settled, and it was still unclear what exactly Crowley’s defeat would mean for the broader 193-member caucus.”

Such insightful commentary!

[Tatiana]

7. The California bench is very deep with talent. I like Swalwell.

In general, I would favor selecting someone from Pelosi's leadership team to preserve the institutional knowledge and experience.

But a better opportunity might present itself, so we should keep our options open and find someone who has the skills and experience to take on the Republicans.

[elfin]

8. I have a crush on Swalwell

Doubt he is interested in geezer grannies, but I think he is more than good-looking - he is smart and knowledgeable, plus all the inside info he could glean from his spot on the House Investigation Committee. I hope he goes for it.

Either that or be VP for Biden if he runs and gets the nod.