House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, from California, is doing everything she can to make sure she is re-elected in January to her spot as House Speaker.
Reasons Nancy Pelosi could give: Because she led the Democratic caucus for 16 years, and under her the House shifted hands. In fact, she was House Speaker for four years under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Reason she actually gave: Because she's a woman.
During an interview on CBS Sunday, Pelosi said:
You cannot have the four leaders of Congress [and] the president of the United States, these five people, and not have the voice of women. Especially since women were the majority of the voters, the workers in campaigns, and now part of this glorious victory.
The pink wave, they're calling it. A rise in women politicians, supposedly in reaction to Donald Trump.
Here's the general argument, as described by Politico:
Push her out, and men may take over the party at a time when more than 100 women are heading to Capitol Hill and after female voters have been thoroughly alienated by President Donald Trump. Embrace her, and she'll prioritize legislation empowering women on issues ranging from equal pay to anti-harassment legislation.
Of course, she has a reason to use identity politics instead of merit: There's a concerted effort to have her un-seated.
At least nine representatives have come out and said that Pelosi will be out.
At least nine representatives have come out and said that Pelosi will be out. Filemon Vela said:
I am 100% confident we can forge new leadership.
Led by, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), these are the representatives who have openly called for Pelosi's outing: Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL), Seth Moulton (DMA), Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Conor Lamb (D-PA), and Filemon Vela (D-TX). Campaign staff for incoming Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Jason Crow (D-CO) have said they won't vote for Pelosi.
If they have a single ounce of dignity left, they won't, at least not just because she is a woman.