Pelosi on 2012: This time, Republicans are the incumbents

[Elmore Furth]

Jobs program? What Republican jobs program?

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi expressed confidence on Sunday that her party would make a comeback in the 2012 elections, reminding CNN's Candy Crowley that "the Republicans are the incumbents" this time around.

In an interview with CNN, Pelosi took shots at the Republican budget plan for 2012, and posited that the proposal, which she described as "the gift that keeps on giving," would spell trouble for the GOP in the upcoming presidential elections.

"When the ... unemployment rate is high, it's hard for the incumbent to win," Pelosi said. "I remind you though, we're not the incumbent. The Republicans are the incumbent."

Pelosi on 2012: This time, Republicans are the incumbents

[David Gill]

1. Interesting....

It's an interesting and kind of clever point, but Democrats have controlled the White House for four years, and the Senate for six. It's easy for Republicans to say "We've only had the House, and have only been here a year and a half- all the while facing a President who obstructed the will of the people".

The real interesting quote is, "Nancy Pelosi, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid have been the party leaders for the last three 'change' election. How can we get change with more of the same??". The environment is ripe for a third party run, a la Ross Perot. And it's easy to imagine a scenario where the tea party is unhappy with the primary results, runs its own candidate, and spoils the election for the Republicans :)

[pnwmom]

2. No, we don't need a third party, unless it's to drain votes from the Rethugs.

[David Gill]

3. I didn't say we need one, just that the evironment is a breeding ground for one

And I do think it would end up taking Republican votes. That's how Clinton won by the margins he did in 1992

[pnwmom]

4. Perot drew votes from both major parties in about

the same amounts. Clinton would still have won if Perot hadn't been in the race.

The Repubs just like to use Perot as an excuse.

[David Gill]

5. But,

Yes, he would have won. But I don't think he would have won by the landslide that he did.

[provis99]

6. Pelosi is really reaching here.

Incumbents have an easier time getting re-elected, not harder. She's just trying to spin.

[GreatLaker]

7. Republicans are the party of self-parody.

Between Sean Hannity and his band of merry conservatives playing Ronald Reagan idol, it's hard to see them gaining any credibility with the electorate. Pining away for a politician 25 years since gone is hardly a winning formula for today.