Nancy Pelosi Will Remain as House Democratic Leader
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Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call(WASHINGTON) — Nancy Pelosi will continue to serve as the House Democratic leader, she announced in a closed door meeting with fellow Democrats Wednesday.
According to a senior aide, when she broke the news to her caucus, she said, “I will happily place my name for nomination for leader.” But with all the newly-elected members standing behind her, there is no doubt that Pelosi has the support to remain as minority leader.
Caucus members broke into chants of “Two more years!” when Pelosi made the announcement.
The 72-year-old San Francisco congresswoman told colleagues she will continue to lead a united Democratic caucus and fight in deficit reduction negotiations to protect Social Security and Medicare, while asking the wealthiest Americans to pay more in taxes.
Pelosi was House Speaker when Democrats held control of the House from 2007 through 2011 and stayed in the top Democratic job for their two years in the minority. Her goal of returning to the speaker’s chair after the 2012 elections was unfulfilled, however, since Democrats did not reclaim the majority on Nov. 6.
Republicans released a tongue-in-cheek statement praising Pelosi’s decision.
“There is no better person to preside over the most liberal House Democratic Caucus in history than the woman who is solely responsible for relegating it to a prolonged minority status,” said Paul Lindsay, communications director of the National Republican Congressional Committee. “This decision signals that House Democrats have absolutely no interest in regaining the trust and confidence of the American people who took the speaker’s gavel away from Nancy Pelosi in the first place.”
With Pelosi still in the top job, the House Democrats’ leadership structure is expected to remain mostly intact. Democrats hold their leadership election on Nov. 29.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio