Nancy Pelosi announced today that she is stepping down from Democratic leadership but will remain in the House. For as much as she has infuriated conservatives over the years and sometimes cost her party seats, Pelosi has for the most part been a highly effective House caucus leader, from whom Republicans could learn important lessons about ruthlessness, party discipline, and how to set priorities. One of the most striking features of Pelosi’s tenure has been her ability, time and time again, to get moderate members of her caucus to vote for things that cost them their jobs (Obamacare being the most famous example). House Democrats throughout her tenure have played to maximize the success of the team: When out of power, they relax their ideological litmus tests in order to elect moderate-sounding people in swing districts, and when in power, they get those people to vote for progressive policy priorities knowing full well that this is not what their constituents want. But it’s what Nancy Pelosi wanted. That’s political hardball. It’s why Pelosi became speaker twice, why she got things done for two Democratic presidents in the role, and why she has twice now found herself losing the majority.
Pelosi is 82 years old — it was time for her to go. The Democrats’ leadership in the House is even more conspicuously geriatric than the president: Steny Hoyer is 83, and James Clyburn, the youngest of their top three, is also 82. A younger generation needs to learn how to wield power in the way that Pelosi did if the Democrats are going to govern again effectively.
Pelosi’s decision to stay on in Congress and remain in Washington after leaving leadership is more questionable. True, there is some virtue in the idea that the winners of elections should serve out their terms. But at her age, and particularly after the hammer attack on her husband last month, nobody would blame Pelosi for leaving Congress now. Her continued presence is likely to be disruptive for a new leader. Moreover, if she is considering leaving Congress in the next two years, it would be best for her party for her to do it now. The new House will be very closely divided, so the balance of power can be affected by resignations. If Pelosi stepped down, a special election would be held and won easily by Democrats, so calling one as early as possible in the Congress would probably be in the Democrats’ best interests in order to ensure that their caucus is fully staffed later in the Congress, when deaths or resignations become more likely. And if Pelosi is considering her daughter. Christine Pelosi, as heir to her House seat, the immediate aftermath of a sympathetic attack on Paul Pelosi and the hagiographic press encomiums to Pelosi’s tenure as speaker are likely to be the best possible time to get her through a primary.
Our political leadership class has far too many people who cannot seem to step away and exit the Beltway, even at an advanced age. Presumably, Pelosi’s husband needs her. She has spent more than enough time in power. She would set a better example by going home.