US midterms: Unchallenged Pelosi poised to take the Speaker's gavel again

Nancy Pelosi is poised to take back the House speaker’s gavel with the new Democratic majority, rebounding as the face of her party in a political “year of the woman” as a rebellion among younger Democrats lacks any real leaders.

This time, Pelosi is signaling publicly she’s ready to serve a “transitional” speaker to lay the groundwork for future leaders, although she hasn’t said how long she will stick around.

Pelosi, 78 -- long disparaged by Republicans as a polarizing symbol -- is the only woman to serve as House speaker, for four years starting in 2007. Known for her unparalleled fundraising