Pelosi Elected Minority Leader

Nancy Pelosi was elected Minority earlier today by a considerably wide margin of 150 in favor to 43 against. Her challenger, blue dog Heath Shuler, attempted to tap into angry sentiment against the outgoing House Speaker from defeated moderates. Pelosi's victory marks her continued influence on not only the congressional Democrats, but national Democrats at large. Earlier this month, Pelosi responded to her massive sixty seat defeat.

"How would your ratings be if $75 million were spent against you? Because I'm an effective leader, because we got the job done on health care and Wall Street reform and consumer protection."

Despite her nine percent national popularity, Nancy Pelosi is certainly here to stay in Washington as the face of the Obama agenda and the Democratic Party. National Republicans should find joy in this result, for Pelosi will only work to further polarize her fellow party members.

House Dems Vote to Choose Leadership Now

The House Democrats voted by a decent margin to choose "new" leadership in the coming days rather than in January, a move a few Democrats from across the spectrum had wanted. This move shows the continued loyalty of many Democratic members of Congress and solidifies Nancy Pelosi's prospects of being elected House Minority Leader.

Clyburn and Pelosi strike deal, SC Rep. becomes 'Minority Assistant'

In the wake of the Democratic feud between Rep. Jim Clyburn and Steny Hoyer, the two men previously vying for the House Minority Whip position, Nancy Pelosi struck a deal with former. Her plan would create a fourth position in the minority leadership only known as, "House Minority Assistant Leader." Clyburn, who is expected to control this position, has bowed out of his bid for the Minority Whip position, making an already heavily fractured Democratic slightly less contentious. This move, on Pelosi's part, shows her continued influence on House Democrats despite their sixty seat defeat.

Pelosi, Reid to bring up DREAM Act during 'lame duck' session

Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi have promised to continue to push through the DREAM Act as well as other key Obama agenda items during the 'lame duck' session, which ends at the beginning of next year. Many of these key items, including the DREAM Act, which is the main amnesty legislation in Congress, are highly unpopular with the American populous. Republican officials have cried out, saying that defeated congressional Democrats were going against the will of their constituents. Below is an interesting little video that I found, detailing the 'lame duck' session and its possible disastrous effects.

Shuler considering challenging Pelosi

Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler (D - NC) is considering challenging Nancy Pelosi for House Minority Leader if no other candidate steps forward. Shuler, a member of the "fiscally conservative" blue dog coalition, would likely attract a large share of votes from all wings of the party.

Barrow follows Bishop

Georgia's other Democratic Rep. John Barrow, the only white Democrat in the deep south, has announced that he will not endorse Nancy Pelosi for House Minority Leader. Barrow's announcement marks a continued opposition of moderate Democrats to Nancy Pelosi leadership role in the party. Barrow spokeswoman Jane Brodsky said the following about issue

"Congressman Barrow will not support Nancy Pelosi for Democratic leader, nor will he vote for her for speaker."

Only time will tell whether Pelosi will be successful in her bid for the top minority position.

Bishop says no to Pelosi

Georgia Democrat Sanford Bishop has announced that he will not support Nancy Pelosi in her bid for House Minority Leader. Bishop, who barely won reelection in his gerrymandered district, is likely to be one of the most vulnerable incumbents after the upcoming census. His decision marks one of few liberal Democrats to oppose Pelosi's campaign.