But sources cautioned that Crowley always seems to play the bridesmaid, never the bride, in these situations. He’s always in the mix for a big gig, such as DCCC chairman, but he doesn’t get it. Maybe 2014 will finally be his chance.
Allyson Schwartz (Pa.)
Out of this trio, no one is hustling for this gig like Schwartz. She regularly talks to candidates and aggressively raises money for them. The four-term lawmaker is one of only a handful of House Democrats who have already reached their DCCC dues goal halfway through the cycle.
If offered this spot, Schwartz will almost certainly take it. Her supporters boast that she brings the entire package to the table: recruitment skills, strong fundraising and political acumen.
Here’s another plus in her column: Schwartz isn’t necessarily close with Pelosi, but she’s in much better standing with the leader than Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. If Pelosi sticks around next Congress and Israel refuses a second round at the DCCC, Schwartz is a solid option.
Democrats extoll her fundraising. The party would be hard-pressed to find a House Democrat with more on-camera and message experience to take this gig, although she’s received flak for some of her more outrageous comments.
But there’s some doubt that she would be interested in the DCCC chairmanship after leading the Democratic National Committee this cycle. A decade ago, that career move equated a demotion for a Member. That might not be the case in the post-Rahm Emanuel campaign committee era.
Either way, whether Wasserman Schultz is offered this gig is out of her control. There’s no love lost between her and Pelosi, who is highly unlikely to appoint her.
But if House Democrats lose seats for the second cycle in a row, Pelosi’s future as leader will be in question. In that case, the younger class of House Democrats would likely push Wasserman Schultz for this post or an even higher leadership position.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra and Rep. Joseph Crowley, vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, address a news conference immediately after the closed caucus meeting.
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