Endorsement? The new boss makes the old one ‘sweat it’
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Endorsement? The new boss makes the old one ‘sweat it’
By Hans Nichols
When House Democratic lawmakers compare the leadership styles of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her predecessor, most of them use words like “iron-willed,” “decisive,” and “fresh” to describe the new boss.
But there’s one area where some of her colleagues think Pelosi’s vaunted decisiveness seems a bit more coy: endorsing a nominee to headline the Democratic Party’s presidential ticket.
Regardless of the uncertainty and some speculation surrounding her endorsement timetable, colleagues from all wings of her party give her high marks for her inclusion, leadership and backbone.
“She’s very decisive,” said Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.), ranking member on the House Budget Committee, who added that he was impressed with Pelosi’s leadership during the budget process.
And when Democrats were doling out committee assignments for the 108th Congress, Spratt recalled, “I told her… ‘Put [the name of] this particular person in front of the committee and let the chips fly,’ and she said, ‘No, no, no, I can’t leave that much to chance,’” Spratt said.
He continued: “She’ll make tough decisions.”
“The consultation doesn’t tend to be quite as long on party matters, as [it was] with Dick [Gephardt, (D-Mo.) Pelosi’s predecessor],” agreed Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas), who mounted a brief challenge to Pelosi in the leadership race. “Because it’s early in her leadership, it’s important for her to be as decisive as possible and to assert herself.”
But her decisiveness on internal caucus matters does not appear to extend to all Democratic Party questions. Her apparent reluctance to offer an early no-strings endorsement to Gephardt in his presidential bid is rankling some of Gephardt’s key congressional supporters.
While sources close to Gephardt say Pelosi’s endorsement is now assured and that only the timing of the announcement is being discussed, they complain that the Californian’s support was not a foregone conclusion and that her failure to offer her unconditional and early support to Gephardt may have provided cover to other senior Democrats who have opted to stay out of the endorsement game.
There is a general perception that the newly minted leader of House Democrats is making Gephardt beg for her endorsement, said some lawmakers, both those supporting Gephardt and those committed to other candidates.
Other House Democrats do not see any inconsistency in Pelosi’s decisive leadership style on purely internal House matters and her more cautious approach on what they say is an unrelated matter—endorsing a presidential candidate.
Pelosi continues to leave room for herself on whether — and when — she’ll make an endorsement. Last week she told reporters, “When I make that decision, you will be the first up to know.”
Pressed on whether she had made a decision, she added: “No, no, I may not make an endorsement. I will come to a conclusion in my own good time, and I will make the announcement, but it won’t be long.”
Pelosi’s explanations are not entirely satisfying to committed Gephardt congressional backers.
“She’s making him sweat it,” said a lawmaker close to Gephardt, adding that Pelosi isn’t alone in withholding her endorsement.
“When Dick was leader, everybody kissed up and sucked up and wanted his blessing, now they’re nowhere to be seen,” said the lawmaker.
The lawmaker continued: “There should be more support for his efforts. Over 26 years he worked for this party, you think they’d be more forthcoming in their support, especially some of the ranking members.”
But the lawmaker added that Gephardt was “realistic” about how the “endorsement game is played” and that the former House majority leader is prepared to give “wavering members face time.”
Other sources close to the Gephardt camp downplayed the apparent delay over the Pelosi endorsement, though they acknowledge that it could have damped enthusiasm among House Democrats.
“There have just been so many issues that they’ve been busy on. But everybody’s been real cordial in this entire process [negotiations between Gephardt and Pelosi],” said one source close to Gephardt.
The source continued: “A lot of the members we talked to were a little hesitant and waiting to see what Pelosi would be, especially the Californians.”
Though the Gephardt campaign would not confirm if Pelosi’s support had been secured, it denied there was even a perception among House Democrats that Pelosi was withholding — or delaying — her support.
“We’re not concerned about a perception that doesn’t exist,” said Erik Smith, a Gephardt spokesman. “Mr. Gephardt will have strong support from the House Democratic Caucus.”
Rep. Cal Dooley (D-Calif.), who was in South Carolina for the first presidential debate and is supporting the candidacy of Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), said he expects only half of the caucus to endorse a candidate before the nomination.
Rep. Harold Ford (D-Tenn.), who has endorsed Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), said he regarded Pelosi’s presidential endorsement position as a different matter from her House leadership duties. “She has a different set of responsibilities,” Ford said.
“The leader’s job is to put us in a position to win the majority and endorsing a candidate for president isn’t a necessary part of that,” he added. |
