Whether she would fight to stay as the party’s leader in a defeated Democratic minority remains to be seen. But no one’s got the muscle to knock her out, according to party operatives…

One chief of staff to a House Democrat in a competitive district told POLITICO that while it “isn’t a positive sign” that other lawmakers feel the need to distance themselves from Pelosi, “she does have a very strong support base” in the caucus.

Many observers believe if Democrats lose the majority, Pelosi would ease herself out of leadership rather than stay on as a minority leader. Though Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland has distanced himself on matters of style and, to a lesser degree, substance, he and sources close to him say he wouldn’t challenge Pelosi under any circumstances. Indeed, in discussions with dozens of lawmakers, lobbyists and aides in recent months, no one has suggested that Hoyer could beat her in a head-to-head matchup.