There is certainly a real possibility. If Democrats cant make significant gains with Romney collapsing at the top of the ticket they are in huge trouble.
The problem is, who do Democrats have to replace her? Steny Hoyer is even older than she is(almost 74) and Jim Clyburn is too(72).
House Democrats need to find their own version of Newt Gingrich. A young and energitic liberal who will do anything to get the majority, even if it means going against a President of their own party.
Say what you will about Gingrich, but he built the Republican House majority that has existed for all but four of the last 18 years. Democrats cant be stuck with their own versions of Bob Michel and Ed Madigan who believed that their own party would never get the majority so they might as well work with the majority party and get whatever crumbs they are given.
Its time for some new, young leadership in the House Democratic caucus.
Chris Van Hollen and Steve Israel are the first names that come to mind here.
I'd say Van Hollen, Israel, Jim Himes of Connecticut, John Carmey of Deleware or Cedric Richmond of Louisiana. The first four could be wildly partisan and it not matter because they're in blue states. Like Gingrich was in Georgia.
