In the 2002 Congressional midterm elections , Gephardt campaigned on the economy and Social Security , but the continuing resonance of the September 11 attacks , the momentum for military action against Iraq , and President George W. Bush 's popularity lead to Republican gains , with the Democrats losing four House seats . Harold Ford of Tennessee called the results an " absolute blowout " and called upon Gephardt to step down , saying that it was time for " new ideas and new faces " . Due to his previous success , it has been said that Gephardt would have been easily returned as Minority Leader if he had decided to stay on . But Gephardt did not run for reelection as House Minority Leader , stepping down in January 2003 . His leadership position was contested by the centrist Martin Frost , the outgoing Democratic Caucus Chair , and the liberal Nancy Pelosi , the Minority Whip , who was elected as Gephardt 's successor . No longer having Congressional leadership duties freed Gephardt up to concentrate on a 2004 presidential bid
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Dick Gephardt