PELO-SEE YA!
THE Democrats are reportedly planning to oust Nancy Pelosi as Speaker after the House election collapse – and the rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Squad.
Pelosi's dominance over the House decreased on Tuesday after the Democratic Party expected to increase their majority by at least 12 more seats.
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The Republican Party kicked out several incumbents, defended representatives, and narrowed the gap between the rival political parties.
Two House Dems told The Hill that they, and other centrists, had planned to oust Pelosi, replacing her with House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker in the next Congress.
Although Jeffries rejected it, the bold move to get rid of the California politician marks a significant shift, the publication noted.
“Pelosi needed to hammer Trump but instead she chose to let him slide,” an ex-senior Democratic aide said. “Last night should have been a bloodbath for Republicans.”
“It’s time for Democrats to elevate a new generation of leadership in both the House and the Senate,” agreed another Dem lawmaker.
Pelosi needed to hammer Trump but instead she chose to let him slide.
Ex-Democratic aide
“Americans are clearly afraid of ‘socialism,’ want safe streets and neighborhoods and to vote for people who they believe will help put more money in their pockets.
"While Democratic policies can adequately address those issues our messaging mechanism clearly cannot.”
Likewise, a New York Magazine journalist reported that a senior Democratic aide said "Pelosi is going to have a hard time getting the speakership again."
"We were expected to pick up, 5-10 seats, we’re losing 7," they said, amid fears that the party would lose the House as a result.
Pelosi's rep Drew Hammill dismissed the reported shake up, telling The Hill "today is about the race for the White House and ensuring that our Members and candidates in uncalled races have the support they need."
The losses come as Donald Trump and Joe Biden battle it out in key states this evening – though Biden vowed "we'll win" today while Trump demanded a count, the nail-biting race has yet to be called.
In the Democratic-controlled House, Pelosi initially led with 232 seats compared to the GOP's 197 going before Election Day.
By Wednesday, Republicans had a more solid minority in the House of Representatives with around 200 seats.
She only made a brief reference to the "challenging" matter in a press release on Wednesday, referencing the whopping 70 million votes Biden received.
Pelosi wrote: "Though it was a challenging election for all our candidates – both Frontline and Red to Blue – made us proud.
"Their drumbeat For The People enabled Democrats to Hold The House and flipped critical battleground states, building our margins across the board.
"Our discipline in building a massive battlefield proved essential in keeping the Majority."
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Despite Pelosi failing to see any gains, more liberal Democratic representatives, including all of AOC's four-person squad, retained their seats.
Ocasio-Cortez of New York; Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota; and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts all won re-election.
"Shout out to @IlhanMN and @RashidaTlaib for the INCREDIBLE turnout and ground game they ran in two key counties of two key states, MI & MN," AOC tweeted today.
The "squad" also has some new members like Cori Bush, who won in Missouri's 1st District, which may be troubling for the more establishment-minded Pelosi.
Two men have also teamed up with AOC and company after Jamaal Bowman won his race in New York's 16th District, while Mondaire Jones won a seat in New York 17.
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Bowman said: "[The year] 2018 was just the beginning when my sisters in The Squad were able to win their positions.
"Now we're more than doubling up, in terms of those who are coming in with an unapologetically progressive platform rooted in centering racial and economic justice."
Pelosi and Chairwoman of House Democrats' campaign arm Rep Cheri Bustos of Illinois had vowed to defend their 2018 gains and even flip districts.
"I think we are going to see some wins in these deep red districts that over time you're going to see going from ruby red to purple to even blue," Bustos said on Tuesday.
Ocasio-Cortez, 31, was the youngest member of the House after being elected at 29 but now Madison Cawthorn, 25, of North Carolina will hold that torch.
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She's taking over – former Rep and Donald Trump's current Chief of Staff – Mark Meadow's seat in NC's deep red 11th District.
Republicans flipped Minnesota's 7th District seat red this year.
The GOP had been trying to unseat Democratic Rep Collin Peterson, 76, there for 15 terms.
Republican Michelle Fischbach who earned 53.6 per cent of the vote to his 39.8 per cent, while only Minneapolis and its suburbs voted for Peterson's reelection.
Republicans were able to mobilize via the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF).
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They also beat two South Florida Democratic incumbents in a usually blue area of Miami.
Democratic Rep Donna Shalala lost her seat to broadcast journalist Maria Elvira Shalazar in Florida's 27th District.
Carlos Gimenez, a Republican Cuban American, took the 26th District seat from Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
Elsewhere, Nancy Mace won Rep Joe Cunningham's House seat in South Carolina 1st District.
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As of as of this morning, Republican Nicole Malliotakis is ahead in New York's 11th District and has 15.8 per cent margin over Democrat Max Rose.
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In Virginia's 7th District, Republican Nick Freitas is on track to defeat Democrat incumbent Abigail Spanberger.
Democrats Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico and Kendra Horn of Oklahoma were both beaten by GOP members.
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Nancy Pelosi promises to play 'prominent role' in deciding who is president if Election Day results are disputed