Last night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi announced that the Democrats were going to win a majority in the House of Representatives. She also said if they have a bigger victory, they’ll win the Senate and governorships.
Colbert wasn’t happy with her optimism.
“Please don’t say that,” he said. “Do you want to say that on Hillary’s fireworks barge that she canceled?”
Her message of optimism was intended for the mostly-leftist audience that watches Colbert’s show regularly.
My Take
Party leaders always have to walk a thin line between being confident and cautious ahead of votes. If they are too confident, they may turn off the casual voters who feels victory is in hand so there’s no need to participate. If they’re too cautious and sounding as if they’re going to lose, they can turn off the base.
Pelosi’s confidence is harder to read. It doesn’t behoove Democrats to be so confident unless she’s seen internal poll numbers that indicate it’s time to get bold. The only benefit for such a move is personal; being out there boldly declaring victory ahead of one gives her some points among other Democrats in Congress. Perhaps she’s just trying to solidify her position as Speaker of the House if they do take the majority.
Republicans and right-leaning Independents shouldn’t need more incentive to keep a House majority for the President’s agenda, but just in case, here it is. Having Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House will be disastrous for the nation.
