WASHINGTON — Rejecting demands that she relinquish power after her party’s losses in the midterm elections, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Friday that she will run for minority leader, potentially setting up an ideological battle inside the Democratic caucus.
“I am running for Dem leader,” Pelosi, of California, said in a post on her Twitter account.
She said her decision was in part “driven by the urgency of creating jobs” and protecting this year’s health care and Wall Street overhauls.
Many Democrats had hoped Pelosi — a central figure in campaigns that allowed Republicans to capture at least 60 new seats and retake control of the House — would step aside. This would have cleared a path for Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who has support from the party’s diminished moderate-to-conservative ranks.
But Pelosi’s allies have been quietly approaching fellow Democrats, seeking support for her to continue as the party’s leader.
After her announcement Friday, Hoyer and Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., each signaled their interest in running for the No. 2 post.
Pelosi has no challenger at the moment, making her the clear favorite to win in a caucus that is more liberal after Tuesday’s losses. She needs only a bare majority to become minority leader.
But frustration with her tough leadership style cuts across all ideological ranks of the caucus, and most insiders expect that she will face some opposition in the secret ballot likely to be held the week of Nov. 15.
On Friday, Republicans were practically giddy at Pelosi’s announcement.
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result,” said Ken Spain, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. “Of course, if House Democrats are willing to sacrifice more of their members in 2012 for the glory of Nancy Pelosi, we are happy to oblige them.”
Told of Pelosi’s decision during a roundtable with reporters, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele broke into applause.
Liberal groups lined up behind Pelosi, arguing the Democrats should not view the outcome of the midterms as a sign that they should move to the center.
“After Tuesday’s elections, some corporate Democrats are taking the wrong lesson, saying that Democrats should be less progressive and more like the Republicans,” the liberal group said in a letter to its members. “And they’re pushing Speaker Pelosi to step down. This would be a terrible loss for progressives, and for the country.”
