House Democrats are facing tough questions about the future in the wake of last week’s disappointing election results.
According to pre-election polls, House Democrats were favored to secure and expand the majority they won in 2018.
But, post-election results painted a grim picture: Democrats lost a slew of incumbent members, shrinking their majority.
As of Sat., Democrats have lost nine incumbent members, with a net loss of seven seats; 14 races remain uncalled. (NYT)
House Republicans have flipped 10 seats, winning a net gain of seven seats in the chamber so far. (NYT)
Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters last week that moderate Democrats faced an uphill battle with Trump on the ballot.
30 Democratic incumbents in 2016 Trump districts were up for reelection this year; Seven have lost so far. (Ballotpedia)
Pelosi was optimistic about the results on Fri.: "I take credit for winning a majority and holding the House."
Majority Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn said that "sloganeering" by progressives hurt Democrats in swing districts. (Axios)
In a leaked caucus call last week, Clyburn blamed slogans like "Medicare for All, defund the police" for House losses. (AP)
Clyburn: "'Burn, baby, burn' destroyed our movement back in the '60s...we've got to stop [sloganeering.]"
Clyburn, on South Carolina incumbent Rep. Joe Cunningham's loss: "...we lost him over 'defund the police.'"
Rep. Abigail Spanberger also made headlines for her comments on last week's call: "We will get f---ing torn apart in 2022.”
Spanberger: "We need to not ever use the word ‘socialist’ ever again...We lost good members because of that."
Rep. Cedric Richmond agreed with Clyburn's assessment that Democrats had a "socialist...albatross" this election cycle.
Richmond: "We have to make sure we can win first and govern second...those words cost us some Democratic members."
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pushed back on CNN Mon., arguing that Democrats failed in their organizing this cycle.
Ocasio-Cortez: "Not a single member of Congress...campaigned on socialism or defunding the police in this...election."