Rep. Pelosi to announce leadership plans

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., so far hasn't tipped her hand about whether she'll retain her post as House Democratic leader for the next session of Congress. Pelosi is expected to announce Wednesday what her leadership plans are, The Hill reported. She kept her intentions to herself Tuesday, dodging reporters' questions by saying, "While I love you all very dearly, I thought maybe I would talk to my own caucus before I share that information with you." Pelosi's silence has fueled talk that she may remove the leadership mantle after 10 years of guiding the party. "If she wants to run for re-election, I guarantee you she will get re-elected," Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, the third-ranking House Democrat, told MSNBC last week. "She has the votes to do that." Besides Clyburn and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland, a potential short list of House Democratic leaders include Reps. Xavier Becerra of California, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida. Pelosi was House Speaker from 2007 until 2011, the first female leader of the lower chamber.