Republicans 'cheering' for Adam Schiff to succeed Pelosi if she retires

House Republicans are hoping Home Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) will run for a management place amid hypothesis he's vying to switch Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) because the chamber's prime Democrat if she opts to retire following the midterm elections, with GOP lawmakers arguing that the high-profile Democrat can be simpler to villainize in assault advertisements than different doable contenders.

Whereas Pelosi has not mentioned she plans to step down, Schiff met with Democrats on the Capitol on Thursday to debate his management ambitions, Politico reported.

Republicans have repeatedly attacked Schiff, whose profile skyrocketed throughout Donald Trump's first impeachment proceedings, accusing the lawmaker of mendacity whereas overseeing the investigation. Greater than 170 GOP members tried to censure him in 2019.

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Republican Research Committee Chairman Jim Banks (R-IN) mentioned he believes placing Schiff in a management position can be useful to the GOP’s means to lift cash attributable to his identify recognition and low approval rankings among the many GOP’s base.

“Republicans are cheering for Schiff to grow to be the Democratic minority chief. I’m already writing my fundraising emails,” he instructed the Washington Examiner.

One senior GOP lawmaker mentioned they consider if Schiff is elected to the place, it could present Democrats are “essentially the most out of contact I've ever seen” however would profit the GOP.

“Schiff has extra baggage than a 14-car prepare, however I would a lot slightly see Schiff than a brand new face. I imply, the Democrats' drawback is that they're essentially the most out of contact I've ever seen with the American individuals. I do not suppose they've any concept why they're about to get the shellacking they're about to get,” they mentioned.

“I feel it could simply reveal that they have not discovered something. I feel they'd be significantly better off with a recent begin with a brand new face. … They need a brand new technology, so they are going from 80-year-olds to 60-year-olds, in order that's an excellent transfer,” the member added with fun.

The member mentioned they consider Home Majority Chief Steny Hoyer (D-MD) taking excessive spot within the Democratic caucus can be a worst-case state of affairs for Republicans, arguing that it could be troublesome to assault the Maryland Democrat attributable to his optimistic working relationship with members throughout the aisle.

“That may be the scariest factor for us since Hoyer is well-liked and good — he’s nice,” the lawmaker mentioned.

Rep. Man Reschanthaler (R-PA), a member of Home GOP management, mentioned it could be simpler to hit Democratic candidates in elections by tying them to the California Democrat than different names being floated.

"I do not know the place he's on favorability with the Republican base, however I would need to think about that his identify ID is increased than [House Democratic Caucus Chairman] Hakeem Jeffries [D-NY] and a few others, so that may make it lots simpler to tie him to Democrats and Democratic candidates," he mentioned.

"I would need to think about his unfavorability score is pretty excessive, particularly after peddling disinformation about that 2016 election. That is going to be a windfall for the Republican motion," he added.

Home Minority Chief Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has made Schiff a mainstay in his assaults on Democrats, with the California Republican vowing to take away him from the Home Intelligence Committee if Republicans take again the bulk within the decrease chamber.

“Schiff shall be fortunate if he has committee assignments subsequent Congress,” a second lawmaker who requested anonymity mentioned. “His tenure as chair of Intel has carried out nearly as a lot harm to the establishment as Pelosi being speaker.”

Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) took purpose at the entire Democratic lawmakers seen as potential contenders to be the subsequent face of the celebration, arguing that none supply a stark departure from the present lineup.

“Whether or not it’s Adam Schiff, Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), or any of the opposite rumored candidates, the subsequent technology of Democrat management appears to be in settlement that they're much less serious about addressing any of the crises going through American households and as an alternative plan to prioritize a continuation of the insurance policies of Nancy Pelosi and the present Democrat leaders who've pushed large inflationary authorities spending, lawless cities, an open border, and the labeling of college mother and father as terrorists,” he mentioned.

A 3rd GOP member famous that “Schiff is extra identifiable amongst our base,” which they see as being doubtlessly useful.

Whereas Pelosi has not indicated what her subsequent strikes shall be, Hoyer and Home Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) haven't dominated out a bid within the occasion she steps down. Jeffries has additionally been touted as a possible front-runner to guide the celebration in a post-Pelosi period, together with his colleagues praising his communication abilities and skill to function a bridge between centrists and progressives.