The naysayers claim they have the 15 to 20 votes it would take to block Pelosi on the House floor. But so far, no one’s stepped up as an alternative, and it’s unclear who might. Also unknown is whether that person would have a prayer against the experienced Pelosi, as flawed as her detractors say she is.

Pelosi is acting like the next speaker already, and any effort to replace her faces immense obstacles without a viable alternative, said Democratic lawmakers and aides.

“In politics, nobody is perfect, including Nancy Pelosi. But the basic rule is you can’t beat somebody with nobody,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who backs the California Democrat. “That’s the problem with Nancy’s skeptics.”