Nancy Pelosi Grip Slipping? Democrat Caucus is Every Man for Himself Now?

A report out today says that Nancy is losing her grip...her power, among her Democrat Caucus. Understand that she is not losing "respect." No loss of respect, it's just that the House members are finding that an "every man for himself" strategy might work better for them in this election year.

But it’s making Pelosi’s life — and efforts to maintain Democratic unity — harder.

And it’s noteworthy, in part, because Pelosi’s signature strength has been a firmer hand than past Democratic leaders — an aptitude for wielding raw power in a consensus-minded caucus.

According to Politico, the Charlie Rangel Ethics Committee admonishment, demonstrates her waning authority:

But her inability — or unwillingness — to dictate when Rep. Charles Rangel would resign his Ways and Means Committee chairmanship and who would replace him is one sign that she is commanding the caucus with less authority.

And once Rangel did step down, Pelosi didn't get her choice for Rangel's replacement:

Her first choice to succeed him, Pete Stark of California, was rejected by the Ways and Means Committee members, as was her plan to split power on the committee between Stark and Rep. Sander Levin of Michigan. Pelosi’s backers said that what she really wanted was to avoid a fight for the gavel — and that she succeeded by refusing to apply a heavy hand.

Remember that Nancy stood behind Rangel, preferring to wait for the Ethics Committee to rule on Rangel's many other outstanding egregious behaviors, including tax evasions:

But politically vulnerable Democrats sent a message right back: They would dump him if she didn’t.

Rangel hasn't been her only problem lately:

Even on legislative matters, Pelosi has been subject to low-grade insurrections. She was unable to send a $15 billion Senate-passed jobs bill directly to the president because members of the Congressional Black Caucus, the conservative Blue Dog Coalition and the Transportation Committee objected to some items that were in the bill and some that were absent.

Rep. Sander Levitt is not the chair of the House Ways and Mean Committee, although Rangel still insists his step-down is only temporary, although House rules seem not have a avenue for "temporary" chairmanships.