Many House Democrats this week started the painful process of coming to grips with the fact that their majority has vanished.

Four years after their jubilant return from the political wilderness, they are back in it. And while reactions varied widely, House Democrats acknowledge that recovering from such a devastating loss will take time.

Ousted Blue Dog Democrat Lincoln Davis (Tenn.), glassy-eyed after greeting his fellow Democratic colleagues on the House floor for the first time since the election, said,

“Obviously, folks who lost like me are disappointed; some of our friends are disappointed that I’m not coming back, but that’s just part of politics.”

Outgoing House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) called out Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) for his claim that Democrats lost control of the House because they didn’t listen to Poe’s warnings not to pass “ObamaCare” and spend “trillions of taxpayer dollars.”

Poe had said, “[Democrats] didn’t listen, and a hurricane named after the American people blew through town. And it was a Category 5, with 63 electoral casualties.”

Conyers, who waited 12 years in the House minority before nabbing his chairmanship in 2007, wasn’t fond of Poe’s speech.

He said, “There’s nothing more gracious than starting off the session with an ‘I told you so’ lecture. And so I am going to be remembering everything that the gentleman said and try to take it to heart as much as I can.”

Republicans have expressed glee that outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has opted not to step down from leadership, asserting that will only help them in 2012.

There is always some finger-pointing after wave elections, and this year was no exception. Pelosi recently told NPR that House Democrats did not lose the election because of her, but Davis doesn’t appear to share that view.

“I think national politics had a lot to do with this. I think the Obama administration and I think the Speaker — that’s who they used to say, ‘We have to get rid of these folks,’ “ Davis said.

Some of the more than five dozen ousted Democratic incumbents embraced each other Monday night, consoling themselves and shedding a few tears as they gathered on the House floor for a long series of votes.

Members of the Democratic leadership team, normally front and center during votes in the lower chamber, made only brief appearances during the 40-minute stint of business that night.

On the other side of the aisle, House Republicans slapped backs, shook hands and laughed with each other.

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) smiled through the pain.

Asked if he had a preference for whom should be the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee next year, the panel’s top Democrat joked, “I think the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee should be Henry Waxman. By far he has the best credentials, has the sharpest mind that can smooth things over on a bipartisan basis.”

He added, “But the thing about this guy Waxman, this election humbled him. But I’ve been humbled before, so I feel like I’m being re-humbled.”


Liberal Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) last week employed a sports metaphor in making his case that Pelosi should not run for minority leader.

“If the Red Sox came in and lost every game of the year and they kept the manager at the end of the year, that’s a problem,” Capuano told The Boston Globe. “That’s what we seem to be on the verge of doing.”

His fellow Bay State colleague, Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass), refrained from going that far but told The Hill that “things need to be shaken up a little around here.”

With the loss of so many conservative-leaning Democrats, North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler (D) has tossed his hat into the ring to challenge Pelosi.

Shuler admitted this week he has little chance of winning and joked with his colleagues that he is working on a campaign slogan. Sandwiched between fellow Democratic Reps. Bruce Braley (Iowa) and Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Shuler smiled and appeared to back the idea that his campaign button should read, “Shuler. What the hell?”

Another proposal that was floated, “Heath Shuler. Why not?” triggered more laughter among the three Democrats, all of whom won reelection Nov. 2. Pelosi supporters grumble that Shuler should enjoy his time in the House while it lasts, because a newly elected GOP State Assembly and state Senate will likely redraw his district to favor Republican candidates before the 2012 election.

After Republicans captured the House and Senate in 1994, they were able to convince a few Democrats to change teams. And they are making their case again this year.

At least one Democrat, Rep. Dan Boren (Okla.), said he’s been approached by Republicans.

“They’re trying,” Boren said as he descended the House steps surrounded by Democratic colleagues, “but I’m staying.”

Davis, meanwhile, is leaving open the option of running again in 2012.

“This institution here needs people who will push back on the left and the right and who will be independent in their thinking. I believe that with all of my heart, and the more of those that are in Congress, the better off it will be,” he said.

Darren Goode contributed to this article.