The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 3 of 4)

(KY-02), Heath Shuler (NC-11), and Charlie Brown (CA-04) have not publicly committed to supporting Rep. Nancy Pelosi for Speaker should the Democrat Party retake a large enough majority to elect someone to the post, Pelosi campaign staff in California say that they were told all three privately have informed Democrat House leadership that they would support the current leadership. /p>

"We take that to mean that the Congresswoman would be supported by all of them for speaker," says a Pelosi staffer in the Golden State. "We were told that this is just the media trying to make some mischief."

That may be the case, but Pelosi's position has been viewed at times as tenuous with a caucus that has not been enamored of her leadership skills. Six months ago, when things weren't looking so good for Democrats, Pelosi was said by leadership staff to have made a big push to firm up support among the caucus for her continued leadership. "We don't think that has changed," says a leadership aide. "But if things don't pan out the way we thought they would, say, a month ago, then I think all bets are off."

p> IT'S MY PARTY br> Recent poll numbers in Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Minnesota have Democrat National Committee staffers nervous, while an even smaller group closer to party chair Howard Dean may secretly be a bit happy about what is looking to be a much tougher final week of campaigning than most Democrats are willing to admit.

topics:
Nancy Pelosi, NATO