Dec 14, 2018 - Politics & Policy
Trump v. Pelosi showdown will define 2019 and 2020
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Neither Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi nor President Trump has any real competitor for influence on their side. Each sees themselves as a master dealmaker. Both run in coastal-elite circles.
The bottom line: Their chilly relationship is now the most consequential in American public life.
- She is the most powerful and recognizable Democrat.
- She has an iron grip over most her party.
- She is hated on the right as much as Trump is on the left.
- She will decide impeachment and every Trump target to hit.
- She is trash-talking him with glee.
- She can block any bill.
- He is the most powerful and recognizable Republican.
- He has an iron grip on elected Republicans.
- He is loathed by Democrats.
- He tried mansplaining to her in the White House this week, and got a biting response.
- He soon will be subject to the subpoenas and gavels of her committee chairs.
Both sides are relishing the combat to come:
- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the incoming Democratic Caucus chair, told me that after two years of essentially running a monarchy, Trump this week got a taste of Pelosi's strength: "Everything changes on January 3rd. ... She's just getting started. There will be much more of that to come."
- David Urban, a Trump adviser who hosted the president at last weekend's Army-Navy game, told me Trump is treating Pelosi as "the new Hillary" until he has a 2020 opponent. "He's already branding her: 'I’m for you. She’s for them,'" Urban said.
Be smart ... Erik Smith — founder of Blue Engine Message & Media, and a former senior House Democratic adviser — said:
- "Speaker Pelosi's sole job in 2019 will be to serve Trump to the 2020 nominee on a platter ... She won't be bullied or outmaneuvered."
