The gift that keeps giving

Nancy Pelosi’s decision to run for House minority leader in the next Congress is like Christmas come early for Republicans. Make that two Christmases. Here’s why: If Pelosi wins, lots of this year’s TV ads, signs, posters and Web sites with grainy images of the soon-to-be-former House speaker will be recyclable for 2012, as the GOP reminds Americans why they turned out the Democratic majority last week. Republicans are giddy at the thought. A “Fire Pelosi” sign outside one GOP building was replaced with “Hire Pelosi.”

Republicans aren’t alone in seeing the political risks of Pelosi’s lingering leadership. Fox News reports a draft letter from defeated House Democrats, being circulated on Capitol Hill, urges her to step aside. “Many of us want the chance to run again and reclaim the seats that we lost on Tuesday,” the letter states. “With you as the leader of House Democrats, the hangover of 2010 stands no chance of subsiding.” There’s no indication who has or will sign the letter. But the fact such a missive is circulating suggests Pelosi might face significant push-back as the leadership vote approaches.

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