House Democrats Re-Elect Leaders

House Democrats gathered Monday for the first time after their disappointing effort to reclaim power in the chamber and handily re-elected their existing leaders, who promptly insisted their minority status is not a permanent realignment.

After a closed meeting, in which Rep. Richard A. Gephardt, D-Mo., was selected as Minority Leader and Rep. David E. Bonior, D-Mich., was re-elected party whip, the two ranking Democrats attempted to rally their party to debunk conventional wisdom that predicts a loss of seats in the 1998 midterm elections.

Also re-elected by acclamation in the closed-door meeting were Rep. Vic Fazio, D-Calif., chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, and Rep. Barbara B. Kennelly, D-Conn., vice chairman of the caucus.