Third Way Statement on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Decision to Step Down from Leadership

WASHINGTON — Third Way released the following statement:

“After nearly two decades leading House Democrats, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is stepping away at the top of her game, with the wind at her back, and on her own terms. She not only smashed a glass ceiling, she belongs on a Mt. Rushmore of great congressional leaders. The list of accomplishments under her leadership is unmatched, and when she was called upon to stand up to Donald Trump in defense of democracy and decency, she was at her best. Speaker Pelosi deserves the accolades she will undoubtedly receive on all of this and more.

“She also knew what it took to win a majority. She was caricatured by the right as a ‘San Francisco liberal,’ but there was no better friend to Democratic moderates and the organizations that supported them than Speaker Pelosi. She considered moderate Democrats her ‘majority-makers,’ and she made sure that groups like Third Way were part of the team, regularly invited to present to the House Democratic Caucus and to caucus retreats. On the occasions when we delivered unpleasant news to the caucus, she would say afterwards that Members ‘need to hear it.’ She did that because she knew we could help Democrats win.

“Will Rogers once said, ‘I am not a member of any organized political party. I’m a Democrat.’ Speaker Pelosi led this diverse, raucous, opinionated caucus for a remarkable 19 years. No one, including the giants whose names adorn the House buildings, has ever done it better.

“Thank you, Speaker Pelosi for your leadership and your friendship.”