Jobs issue could bring back Speaker Pelosi

I agree with the story in The Hill today
that President Obama’s reelection will be negatively affected in states
where the jobless rate remains high. But I would also add, equally
importantly, that high unemployment will hurt all incumbents running for
reelection to the House and Senate, and could lead to Rep. Nancy Pelosi
(D-Calif.) becoming Speaker once again.

It remains an unfortunate mystery to me why there are no major jobs proposals being offered today, except by Democrats in the House. The real jobless rate remains at about 16 percent, yet official Washington is consumed only by deficits. While the House Democrats are offering a legitimate jobs bill, neither the president nor the Senate nor the Republican candidates for president are offering jobs proposals.

For these reasons I go much further than the story in The Hill today. With joblessness so high, incumbents in the House and Senate, from both parties, have good reason to be seriously worried. Many Tea Party members of the House could be swept away if the jobs picture does not improve. It is good policy and good politics for Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats to be pushing hard for action to create jobs. House Republicans oppose this at their peril.