How Pelosi Could Win

Playbook: “There are 48 days until Nancy Pelosi is scheduled to face a floor vote for the speakership, and she is facing resistance like never before. If you talk to Pelosi and her staff, she’ll be the speaker. If you talk to the rebels — the 20 or so Democrats who want her out — they say they will take their opposition to the floor and block her from returning to the speakership.”

“But here is how Pelosi could hang on: Most everyone says she would win handily if she just simply says when she’d leave. Pelosi has said she wants a “transitional” speakership, but if she gave a date certain — ‘I intend to serve until ____’ — she’d win without much hassle, according to supporters and opponents. Of course, that would be close to a last resort. And there certainly are other ways she could win. But several ‘NeverPelosi’ers’ say it would be hard to oppose her if she says she’d leave at a date certain in the next two years.”

NBC News: “While Pelosi is remains the heavy favorite to be her party’s choice when House Democrats hold their leadership elections in less than two weeks, the hurdles for her are higher than many expected.”