11/13/2018
Fox’s Chad Pergram talks about the Democrat leadership races in today’s “Speaker’s Lobby.”
Fox’s Chad Pergram
I’m Chad Pergram with the Speaker’s Lobby.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is the odds on favorite to return to the Speakership next year, but it’s unclear how she gets there. In fact, it may be the people who are on the record opposing Pelosi who may help her win. Here’s why:
It takes a simple majority of all members voting in the House to become Speaker. If everyone votes, that means she needs 218. However, there are a number of current Democrats and Representatives-elect who oppose Pelosi. And that could drop Pelosi below that 218 vote threshold. That is, unless, those members don’t vote are absent or vote “present.” Members who don’t vote don’t count against the total.
Former Democratic Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick was an upset winner in 2008..in a district which heavily favored Republicans. Minnick told Pelosi he wanted to vote present..because she was toxic in Idaho. Minnick said Pelosi persuaded him to vote yes and it hurt him in 2010.
Minnick lost. However Minnick never publicly announced his opposition to Pelosi. Many incoming freshmen Democrats have. Minnick says those new members should honor their campaign pledge.
With the Speaker’s Lobby, Chad Pergram. Fox News
Follow Chad Pergram on Twitter: @ChadPergram
