The Hill News

House Democrats are "clamoring" for President Obama to campaign in their districts, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) asserted Friday.

The top House Democrat said he members were eager to appear with the president, though some lawmakers in that caucus have run campaigns that distance themselves from Obama and Pelosi herself.

"Members are clamoring to me to have the president come to their districts," Pelosi said at her weekly press conference. "There wouldn't be enough time for him to honor all of those requests."

Pelosi, like other Democratic leaders, have long expressed confidence over how Demorats will fare in November's midterm elections.

"They're doing just fine," she said on Friday.

But polls show Republicans within striking distance of being able to win the 39 or more seats necessary to win back control of the House, and unseat Pelosi from her position as speaker.

Some rank-and-file members have no! t made life any easier for the speaker.

Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas), who Pelosi had once promoted as a potential vice presidential nominee in 2008, said he's unwilling to commit to voting for Pelosi for speaker again. Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) has run ads noting his opposition to "Nancy Pelosi's energy tax," referring to the cap-and-trade bill sought in 2009 by the speaker. Mississippi Rep. Gene Taylor (D) also became the f! irst Democratic lawmaker to endorse repealing the party's signature healthcare reform bill last week.

"Our members are the best spokespersons for their constituents," Pelosi said.