President Donald Trump dealt Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi with what only be described as a backhanded compliment on Thursday, saying the Democratic member of Congress is actually good for the Republican party.
I certainly hope the Democrats do not force Nancy P out. That would be very bad for the Republican Party – and please let Cryin' Chuck stay!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 22, 2017
Some Democrats have blamed Pelosi for the party’s loss in the Georgia special election on Tuesday. The National Republican Congressional Committee said that internal data shows linking Pelosi to the Democratic candidate in Georgia helped the GOP win, according to Business Insider.
Even Cher chimed in, tweeting that the GOP runs against her in every race. Yes, that Cher.
👏🏼.CONGRESSIONAL RACE IS NOT OLYMPICS,THERES NO MEDAL🥈FOR 2nd PLACE‼️I ADMIRE & RESPECT NANCY PELOSI,BUT IN“EVERY”RACE,GOP RUNS AGAINST HER🥀 pic.twitter.com/QX5I26Yl3s
— Cher (@cher) June 21, 2017
Democratic Senator Seth Moulton has said that his party needs to rebrand itself and focus on the future. Trump’s tweet not only implies that Pelosi hurts the Democratic Party, but it also means Trump actually agrees with some Democratic leaders, including Rep. Tim Ryan.
Ryan unsuccessfully challenged Pelosi for minority leader and now says that his party is in trouble in 2018 if Republicans were able to convince independents and Republicans that a vote for a Democrat is a vote for Pelosi’s agenda.
“I don’t know if there is a solution in the short term,” Ryan said. “It’s clear that tactic still works, still packs a punch, and it’s part of a broader toxicity of being part of the Democratic brand regardless of where you are.”
Democratic Rep. Filemon Vela told Politico, “You’d have to be an idiot to think we could win the House with Pelosi at the top.”