Last week, we did an article projecting who the next Democrat leader in the House would be.
We dismissed the idea of Hoyer or Clyburn simply because they are so close to retirement.
Plus, we know the progressives in the House want someone younger that will allow their voice to be more prominent.
The consensus pointed to Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), but even I scoffed at the idea that Schiff could win enough support among progressives to take the leadership role.
It appears some major powers have been working behind the scenes to anoint someone else as the party head.
The New Leader
Make no mistake about it, Schiff has been maneuvering behind the scenes to gain support as the next leader in the House.
That, however, has led to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) doing a bit of maneuvering on his own.
Jeffries reportedly met with Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) over the summer to get his blessing to make a move for leadership.
Jeffries is already the leader of the House Democratic Caucus, so there is little doubt that he will give Schiff a significant battle for the leadership role.
Clyburn gave him his blessing, stating, “There’s nothing I would ever do to impede the progress of our up-and-coming young Democrats, and I see him as an up-and-coming young Democrat.
“He knows that, I didn’t have to tell him that — but I did.”
Democrats are looking for history to follow up Pelosi, who was the first woman to become Speaker of the House.
All this plays against Schiff, with Jeffries already having the support of numerous other minority and female leaders in the House.
Pelosi is expected to resign from her leadership role if the GOP takes the House, and she may even resign her seat, especially with what is now going on with her husband.
It looks like this drama will play out sooner rather than later.
Source: Politico