Ham sandwiches and half-full glasses of water everywhere. This is what you say at the London School of Economics:
“When we won this election, it wasn't in districts like mine or Alexandria's. And she's a wonderful member of Congress, I think all of our colleagues will attest,” Pelosi, a California Democrat, told an audience Monday night at a London School of Economics event during a U.K. visit.
“But those are districts that are solidly Democratic. This glass of water would win with a D next to its name in those districts,” she said, picking up the water at her table.
“And not to diminish the exuberance, and the personality, and the rest of Alexandria and the other members...but the 43 districts—we won 43, net gain of 40—were right down the middle. mainstream, hold-the-center victories.
“If we're going to be helping the one-in-five children in America who goes to sleep hungry at night, who lives in poverty in our country, we have to win.”
Many are trying to spin this remark as somehow against Joe Crowley. Pelosi’s remarks are much more about the momentum from 2018
Nowhere did women’s general antipathy to Trump show up more clearly than in the 2018 midterm elections. In that election women maintained their edge in turnout, voting at a 4 percent higher rate than men. But they also skewed even more Democratic than they did in 2016, voting for Democratic candidates at a rate of 59 percent, while men skewed Republican at a rate of 51 percent. In addition, a record number of Democratic women ran for office; winning primaries more often than male candidates and eventually winning their elections. The result? With the help of many formerly Republican or independent women, the House changed hands and Nancy Pelosi became Speaker.
The goal for the Democratic nominee in 2020 will be twofold: hold onto the states that Hillary won, and expand the map just enough to get to 270. The first goal should not be too difficult—it’s hard to find a blue state in 2016 that is trending purple or red in 2020. So the name of the game will be to flip a few states into the blue column. In 2018 suburban women were the key and in 2020 they will be key again.
www.brookings.edu/...