The caricatures of Nancy Pelosi are unfair, and one can’t blame the Dems’ recent electoral defeat on her.

At the same time, those caricatures have been effective, and Pelosi’s reputation is deeply stained.

So that the Democrats just reappointed her the head of their party in the House of Representatives is—well—a disaster. And a classic example of Democrats being their own worst enemy.

Here’s what Republicans will say in 2012:

“You remember what life was like under Nancy Pelosi. Do you really want to go back to those dark days? Vote for ________. Or vote for (pause)…Nancy Pelosi.”

The White House, to the extent that it could affect this process, should not have let this happen.

Democrats in the House and Senate have been opposing the ban on earmarks as well. Madness.