POLITICS: Dems Have No Idea Who'd Replace Pelosi

If the Democrats lose control of the House—as it is widely expected they will—Nancy Pelosi will probably step down, sparking a clean sweep of Democratic leadership. The only problem? Democrats have no idea who their new leaders would be. “This is a subject that everybody in town is thinking about,” a former House Democrat tells Politico. Steny Hoyer could take over as minority leader, but one longtime House Democrat says that would be a temporary fix.

Pelosi herself forbids talk of losing in November. “It is impossible to imagine Nancy thinking anything negative at all, so therefore you can’t get a read on what she would do if bad things happen,” says one lawmaker. Almost all the current Democratic leaders are Pelosi appointees, and if Democrats lose they’re likely to go with her. The House has plenty of young Democrats that might replace them, but “there is no Prince Charming or liberal alternative out there,” says one party activist