Will Pelosi stay on as minority leader?

“It all depends on what Nancy wants to do,” Clyburn told MSNBC Monday. “If she wants to run for reelection, I guarantee you she will get reelected. She has the votes to do that.”

It wouldn’t be the first time she defied the odds in the wake of disappointing election results. Pelosi surprised many observers at the end of 2010 when she announced that she’d stay on as party leader even after the Democrats were pummeled that year at the polls, losing 63 seats and sending control of the chamber back to the GOP after just four years in the majority. She faced a minor challenge from Blue Dog Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), but had no trouble beating it back.

Yet there have been hints that the 72-year-old Pelosi — a proud grandmother who celebrated her silver anniversary in the House this year — has been eyeing an exit from Capitol Hill to focus more attention on her family.

Last December, her daughter Alexandra fueled that speculation when she said her mother “would retire right now” if it weren’t for “an obligation” she felt to the party and its donors.