Nancy Pelosi draws criticism for promising bipartisanship when Dems win

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi drew ire from some in her own party Tuesday when she said Democrats would strive for bipartisanship where possible. Click through the gallery for reactions to her comments. WARNING: The following slideshow contains language some may find offensive. less House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi drew ire from some in her own party Tuesday when she said Democrats would strive for bipartisanship where possible. Click through the gallery for reactions to her comments. ... more Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP/Getty Images Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP/Getty Images Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Nancy Pelosi draws criticism for promising bipartisanship when Dems win 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

With Democrats looking poised to retake the House but remaining locked out of a majority in the Senate after Tuesday's elections, many were critical of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's remarks calling for bipartisanship now that the Democrats have regained some power.

"We will have accountability and strive for bipartisanship" she said in D.C. Tuesday night, echoing comments she'd made earlier in the day. "We must try."

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"We have a bipartisan marketplace of ideas that makes our democracy strong," she added. "We have all had enough with division."

She also called for unity in the name of the vision of the Founding Fathers, as she had earlier in the day.

On Twitter, many on the left responded with anger, frustration and expletives, calling for Dems to take off the gloves and stop gesturing at civility.

"Pelosi is promising bipartisanship and Dems are nowhere near winning yet. They've learned nothing," wrote Nora Biettetimmons before the House had been called for the Democrats.

Click through the gallery to see reactions to Pelosi's comments

Pelosi called Tuesday's showing "a victory we do not seek in the name of our party, but for all our country's hardworking families."

But some constituents said they didn't feel represented by Pelosi's rhetoric.

"As one of her constituents — no thanks," tweeted Patricia Wallinga.

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Others defended Pelosi.

"Nancy Pelosi is probably the most effective Speaker of the House in living memory," wrote Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle. "I understand the arguments for ditching her, but can't help feeling Dems would be fools not to put her in the position where she can do them the most good."

Pelosi is expected to seek out the speakership now that the Dems have retaken the House, but she may face opposition. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, who challenged her for minority leader, has indicated he's open to the idea of taking another stab at joining the party leadership.

Pelosi's favorability ratings are worse than President Trump's, according to a preliminary exit poll from CNN. Only about 3 in 10 voters has a positive view of Pelosi, the poll found.

"Thanks to you we owned the ground," she said Tuesday night. "Thanks to you, tomorrow will be a new day in America."

Not everyone was so sure.

Filipa Ioannou is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at fioannou@sfchronicle.com and follow her on Twitter