GOP leader reveals 'selfish' reason he hopes Pelosi remains minority leader

Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi may not be popular among many Republicans, but there's at least one top GOP leader who hopes she'll stick around for a while longer.

"As long as she's there, I think we stay in the majority," Republican House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) told reporters Monday in response to a question about Democrats looking to other members to potentially fill House leadership roles.

"I kind of like Pelosi staying around," McCarthy added.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, because she's been leader before I got to Congress," McCarthy said. "She was leader when Obama was a state senator."

"If I'm selfish, I truly believe as long as she's leader we keep the majority," McCarthy added.

To McCarthy's claim, Pelosi first served as House minority leader from 2003-2006. President Barack Obama was an Illinois state senator from 1997-2005. Republicans have maintained control of the lower chamber for all but four years since Pelosi was elected minority leader.

Democrats held control of the House from 2007-2011, during which time Pelosi served as speaker.

[graphiq id="cRGxgJbG7fD" title="Nancy Pelosi" width="500" height="748" url="https://w.graphiq.com/w/cRGxgJbG7fD" ]