But 25 days into a partial government shutdown, virtually every Democrat has adopted Pelosi’s position of refusing to negotiate on Trump’s border wall before the government is reopened — a consensus that’s bolstered the Democrats’ political hand even as cracks have emerged between the White House and congressional Republicans. Many are crediting Pelosi.

“She has demonstrated that she is a very formidable congressional counterbalance to the White House,” said Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.), an early Pelosi critic who supported her Speaker’s bid only after winning some concessions. “It’s hard to get members to coalesce around you as a leader unless you articulate a clear and compelling narrative. She has done that, clearly.”