From a PA Democratic Congressman - Backwards Typist

On Friday, he joined a growing chorus of House Democrats who believe their caucus needs new leadership when the 112th Congress convenes in january.

Current Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who represents the San Francisco area, is largely responsible for the party's crushing defeat in congressional elections.

"She just drove the bus...off the Grand Canyon. I don't think she should be the leader of the Democratic party."

When the Democrats won control of Congress and Pelosi was elected speaker, he warned her not to pursue radical policies. "She knows she won't be able to go off on a left wing agenda. She will have to govern from the middle."

By trying to remain in control despite the largest Democrat defeat in more than 50 years, he said Pelosi is making a hige mistake. "She's in denial and out of touch with reality." He said liberal Democratic proposals like health care reform and cap-and-trade were to blame for voters' animosity toward his party. However, he conceded that Pelosi may succeed in her qust to remain Democratic leader in the house. "Unfortunately, the liberals control most of the members....the moderates are left in the middle. The people who would vote against her are the people who lost their seats."

He will support Steny hoyer for minority leader.

He is a member of the Blue Dog conservative Democrat coalition and said he and other middle-of-the-road Democrats will be the ones to work with Repbulicans next year. He hopes more liberal members, like Pelosi, "learn their lession" and pay greater heed to the will of the American people.