The Speaker doesn't have to be a Member - Beto O'Rourke is the ideal choice

The new breed in Congress deserves a leader who inspires America. That person is Beto O’Rourke.

Did anyone listen to (or care about) Nancy Pelosi’s so-called “victory” speech at the DCCC on November 6th. Her totally uninspiring address was so boring the networks cut away. She surrounded herself on the stage with Steny Hoyer and the rest of the leadership that looks and sounds tired and dull. It’s a group that’s short of new ideas and sadly clueless about what turns on Americans of all stripes.

I respect everything Nancy Pelosi has done in her career. She is a trailblazer as well as a great legislator and manager of her caucus. But Pelosi’s time has passed. Democrats can and MUST have a leader who inspires America. Not a boogeywoman for Donald Trump. Beto O’rourke would be a Daily, optimistic symbol for america. At this point, the gracious thing to do is for Pelosi to be granted the gavel for one symbolic day in January, then pass the mantle of Democratic Party leadership to Beto O’Rourke. If she chose, she could remain Majority Leader and direct the caucus on a daily basis, but she can no longer be seen as the symbol of our party.

Imagine the optics of the state of the union address with o’rourke seated right behind trump.

The new Democratic majority in the House is composed of bold members who won office by running with a different, innovative and upbeat message, combined with toughness and tenacity. As Von Jones of CNN stated, the new Democratic majority in the House was the result of a “rainbow wave” that is “younger, browner, cooler”

This new breed is also more female, more diverse ethnically and religiously — and contains more military and intelligence community veterans to boot. Colin Allred, new Congressman from Texas’ 32nd district (my own) is a perfect example. Allred’s victory speech to his ecstatic supporters in Dallas was everything Pelosi’s wasn’t — exciting, empowering and hope inspiring. The former NFL player is the model for the Democratic party that COULD be, if only the old guard would step aside.

Imagine Beto traveling the country, speaking for the party — and our country — as a young, optimistic, fearless counterpart to Trump. Imagine Beto’s Speakership as a shadow Presidency, and a trial by fire for a potential 2020 campaign.

By Law, The Speaker of the House does not need to be a current Member, though Beto has served three terms in the House and knows the ways of the Chamber.

Furthermore, Beto could do the job of speaker unencumbered by legislating by designating the Majority Leader as the day-to-day manager of the House.

beto o’rourke as speaker gives democrats a voice we’ve been searching for since barack obama. Let’s make it happen.