FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
She's a big part of the reason the Democrats got crushed in the midterm elections.
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Nancy Pelosi was seen as arrogant in her determination to help shove health care reform down the country's throat. Remember: "Vote for it so you can find out what's in it?"
She controlled a huge majority in the House of Representatives - that did virtually nothing about creating jobs as the country labored under the weight of a horrible recession and almost 10 percent unemployment.
Now in the wake of the midterm shellacking, Ms. Pelosi - who was targeted by Republicans in races all over the country as the face of the enemy - is insisting on remaining as minority leader in the House.
Some members of her own party wanted her to step aside, but Pelosi seldom has time for consideration of much of anything except Ms. Pelosi.
With some behind-the-scenes arm twisting, she has managed to get herself elected as minority leader in the house. Republicans must be giddy. Maybe they will throw a party for her like the one she threw for herself to celebrate her "accomplishments."
If Pelosi accomplishes as much for her party in the next 2 years as she did in the last 2, the Republicans may have all the seats in the house and senate come January of 2013.
Here’s my question to you: Will Nancy Pelosi remaining as House minority leader help or hurt the Democrats in 2012?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Tom writes:
If the Republicans know how to play their cards, they can (and will) make Ms. Pelosi the most hated individual since McCarthy. She should be blamed for all the ills from the last two years and will be blamed for the deadlock of the upcoming two. If she had her party's future in mind, she should have gracefully "retired" after her "shellacking".
Chris in Georgia writes:
Pelosi is one of the most unpopular people in the country. This selection as minority leader is a bad move. She galvanizes her opponents like no one else in the Democratic Party. She's a figurehead of the last session of Congress that had, what, an 18% approval rating? A new direction would have been a great idea and far more helpful to Democrats in 2012.
Peter in Milton, Florida writes:
Pelosi was doomed in 2006 as soon as she said that impeachment of George W. Bush was "off the table", which told Republicans she had neither the courage nor the intellect to be a truly effective Speaker. It's been all downhill since.
Tripp in Dallas writes:
It's sad to say, Jack, but it can only hurt. Her "brand" is already akin to that of Sarah Palin. She lost 60+ congressional seats. And she does not provide inspiration to the American people that she can get the job done. Nancy should not let her PRIDE make this call. She should do the American people a favor and go away.
Scott writes:
Give me a break. The reason there were no jobs created is because the Republicans held up every jobs bill to ensure that no jobs were created so they could claim victory over Pelosi and Obama's failure. I think she is the right person for the job. Republicans cannot continue to hold up progress since they are now a responsible majority in the House.
Mike in Denver writes:
In life, parties always seem to end up with a guest who just does not know when to leave. For the Democrats, it is Pelosi; the Republicans have Palin. At this rate, they may cancel each other out by 2012.
Marilyn in Ohio writes:
Not too much - unless she uses some of John Boehner's bronzer.