WASHINGTON _ New York Democrat Joseph Crowley on Thursday said he had held discussions with colleagues about a possible challenge to Nancy Pelosi for House Minority Leader but would not commit to such a move.
"I'm continuing to listen to my colleagues," Crowley, 54, told reporters. "They've been talking to me, and I think it's a responsibility of the chairman of the caucus and the vice chair of the caucus to give our colleagues every opportunity to communicate to us what they're feeling and what their dreams and aspirations are of our caucus."
Asked if he was confirming that members had approached him and asked him to run, Crowley demurred.
"What I've said is that my colleagues continue to express themselves in the caucus, and that's the responsbility of the chair and the vice chair to listen to our colleagues and hear them out."
The nine-term lawmaker is vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus and until recently the presumptive caucus chairman for the 115th Congress. Even as other Democratic leaders announced their plans to run for re-election, Crowley had not formally announced his plans, raising speculation that he was considering other options.
Although he did not characterize the substance of his conversations with other Democratic members, Crowley said the talks about the future direction of the caucus are being driven by aftershocks from the election.
"We've just come through a very difficult election and a cycle that there were high expectations for, and they weren't met," he said.
It's unclear how much support Crowley would garner if he did run against Pelosi, who has broad backing from her caucus. Pelosi said in a letter Wednesday formally announcing her re-election bid that she has locked up two-thirds of the caucus, which if true is more than enough to win.
Neither Crowley or Ohio Democrat Tim Ryan, who has said he was considering running for minority leader, has formally announced a challenge, so it's difficult to determine whether those commitments to Pelosi would stand firm if a real challenger emerged.
Crowley declined to say when he would make a decision about what he wants to do. House Democratic leadership elections are Nov. 30, so it's likely Crowley will continue to talk to colleagues over Thanksgiving break. The House returns the week of Nov. 28.
Asked if Democrats are scared to run against Pelosi, Crowley said, "We all get elected individually. We get sent here by constituents. We're here for them and no one else.
.jpg?w=600)
