Saturday, August 11, 2018

Nancy Pelosi

I like Nancy Pelosi. I really do. I think she has been a shrewd and able leader for the Democratic Party in the House. That said, there is a time for everything, as the old saying goes, and in politics, timing is critical. The Democratic Party is poised to take back control of the House of Representatives this fall. Whether it will be a blue wave, or a blue Tsunami, is the question. It is tempting for any politician to ride that wave, especially when you have worked so hard to produce it. But in politics, as in life, not everything is fair. It is time for Nancy Pelosi to retire from her leadership post, and allow a new generation of leaders to come forward. 
     Democrats owe her a great debt of gratitude, and would owe her even more if she were to put her personal predilections aside, and do what is in the best interest of her party and the country, and step aside. She has had a pretty good run, but she is now creating a vulnerability for some candidates in districts that are majority Republican, but could still be won over. As long as she remains, her leadership will be weaponized by the Republicans, and repeatedly used to “discredit” Democratic candidates as alleged “Tools” of her agenda. That is a falsehood, plain and simple, but falsehoods sell, particularly in this era when we have a demagogic Falsehood-in-Chiefer at the helm in the White House. We need to avoid that plague. And it is time to turn the page in any event. 

     I have often quoted that great “political philosopher” “ Kenny Rogers, who sang, “ You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em. Know when to fold ‘em. Know when to walk away. And know when to run”.  Now is the time for Nancy Pelosi to take a gracious bow, and exit stage left.