“If the Democrats take the House then Pelosi has the same problem that the next GOP speaker would have had - how to get 218 votes when a significant minority of your party don’t want to vote for you”
Uhh just like all the votes Peslosi didn’t get from RATS for Odungacare, and PDJT Tax cuts? That would be zero defections. Once the battle is over, whomever comes out on top to lead the Party, it is 100% blind loyalty or else. Marxist have no issue settling scores.
That was then, this is now. A significant percentage of the Democrat rank and file know that they won't get anywhere with the same old leadership of Pelosi and Schumer. Chuck's got an easier time of keeping his job - he just needs a majority of Democrats. Pelosi needs a majority of House members. The Republicans won't vote for her, just like the Democrats wouldn't have voted for Boehner. She needs 218 Democrats.