Pelosi Dear Colleague to Democratic Members and Members-Elect of the 114th Congress

FYI: The following Dear Colleague letter was sent to Democratic Members and Members-Elect of the 114th Congress. 


November 5, 2014
 
Dear Democratic Colleague:

Congratulations on your election to the 114th Congress.

Though last night was a difficult night for Democrats, our Members and candidates won hard-fought campaigns supported by and connected to their constituents, and strengthened by the tenacious leadership of Steve Israel.  Unfortunately, we lost some valued Members of the House, but we must continue to fight for the middle-income families who are the backbone of our democracy.  There is important work to do to jumpstart the Middle Class, which we hope we can do with bipartisanship and fairness.

An important part of our Middle Class Jumpstart agenda is raising the minimum wage, and I am pleased that in all five states where it was on the ballot – Alaska, Arkansas, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota – as well as in communities across the country, measures were strongly approved by voters.  Much more must be done to strengthen the financial stability of America’s working families.

To do so, it is clear from the election results that more must be done to increase voter participation.  As soon as we return in November, I want to engage the entire Caucus in discussion on how we complement the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act observances with an all out “Voting Rights Now!” agenda.  To succeed, we must inspire, educate and remove obstacles to participation.  Only by changing our political environment and broadening the universe of the electorate can we build a strong sense of community and an economy that works for everyone.

This basic and even non-partisan challenge, which many of you told me you share, has convinced me to place my name in nomination for Leader when our Caucus meets.

I respectfully request your support, your comments and your participation.

Thank you for your leadership and your friendship.

Congratulations again on your election.

best regards,

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Response from NRCC
November 6, 2014
Here we go again…
 
In a “Dear colleague” letter yesterday, Nancy Pelosi declared she’s running for Democrat leader again, and there’s not expected to be any opposition. READ FULL STORY HERE
 
After devastating loses in Tuesday’s election, where Democrats lost in all regions of the country and in deep-blue districts where President Obama won in 2012, clearly they’ve failed to learn that something needs to change about their leadership, policies and image.
 
For the record – the NRCC used Nancy Pelosi in 39 ads this cycle. Her numbers were actually WORSE than President Obama’s in districts coast to coast, if you can believe that.
 
With Pelosi leading what will be the smallest Democrat caucus in nearly a century, Democrats have clearly learned nothing – just as the president demonstrated yesterday in his press conference.
 
What’s that they say again about the definition of insanity?
 
Daniel Scarpinato
National Press Secretary, NRCC