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Paul Waldman: How Nancy Pelosi put down a rebellion and allowed everyone to win

As soon as the rebellion against Nancy Pelosi within the Democratic caucus in the House began to take shape, I (and many others) were highly skeptical that it could succeed. Yes, many members, including some of the newly elected, had said during the campaign that they wouldn't support her bid to continue leading Democrats as speaker of the House.

But Pelosi is the most skilled tactician in Congress, and the rebels couldn't get their act together. They had no real argument against Pelosi other than "It's time for new leadership," none of them wanted to stick their neck out and run against her, and they had no apparent strategy to reach their goal.