Pelosi: Why She Wants To Stay

[Felix The Assassin]

I hope she can stay. That would be the best course of action for the dem party at this juncture.

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calmly assessing the political cyclone that routed her Democratic majority and will, at least temporarily, force her to vacate one of the best offices in the city, with its inspirational view of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

She keeps coming back to the courage of her colleagues who cast hard votes that helped make the last two years one of Congress' most productive periods in recent times -- and made her one of the most effective speakers in history. Her message is unmistakable: Democrats have nothing to apologize for, nothing to be ashamed of, and nothing to regret.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/art...ay_107867.html

[Cerek]

Originally Posted by Felix The Assassin I hope she can stay. That would be the best course of action for the dem party at this juncture. WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calmly assessing the political cyclone that routed her Democratic majority and will, at least temporarily, force her to vacate one of the best offices in the city, with its inspirational view of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. She keeps coming back to the courage of her colleagues who cast hard votes that helped make the last two years one of Congress' most productive periods in recent times -- and made her one of the most effective speakers in history. Her message is unmistakable: Democrats have nothing to apologize for, nothing to be ashamed of, and nothing to regret. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/art...ay_107867.html

I find the claims that this has been one of the most productive periods in Congress and Pelosi has been one of the most effective speakers in history rather dubious at best.

They did pass healthcare (ie...insurance) reform. It's true the insurance companies opposed the bill at first, mainly because they wanted to make sure they got their slice of the pie. Once the Dems said they would make health insurance mandatory for everyone, the insurance companies were only too happy to join the bandwagon.

[Felix The Assassin]

Originally Posted by Cerek I find the claims that this has been one of the most productive periods in Congress and Pelosi has been one of the most effective speakers in history rather dubious at best. They did pass healthcare (ie...insurance) reform. It's true the insurance companies opposed the bill at first, mainly because they wanted to make sure they got their slice of the pie. Once the Dems said they would make health insurance mandatory for everyone, the insurance companies were only too happy to join the bandwagon.

Are questioning madame speaker's ability to get bills passed and lose the majority rule of the house all in the same instance?

[Cerek]

Originally Posted by Felix The Assassin Are questioning madame speaker's ability to get bills passed and lose the majority rule of the house all in the same instance?

You could say that. I think ANY politician with a (D) after their name could have gotten bills from a Democratic President passed in a Congress with Democratic majorities in the House and Senate both.

I don't think she is an effective speaker. An effective speaker wouldn't be ignorant to say "We have to pass the health care bill before we can actually determine what is in it." (paraphrased). She has relied more on intimidation and threats (do what I tell you or suffer the consequences) than actual attempts at negotiation and persuasion.

I don't think Boehner will be any better and possibly could be far worse (IF he gets the position), but I still think it's time to put a new body in the Speaker's chair.

[Felix The Assassin]

Originally Posted by Cerek You could say that. I think ANY politician with a (D) after their name could have gotten bills from a Democratic President passed in a Congress with Democratic majorities in the House and Senate both. I don't think she is an effective speaker. An effective speaker wouldn't be ignorant to say "We have to pass the health care bill before we can actually determine what is in it." (paraphrased). She has relied more on intimidation and threats (do what I tell you or suffer the consequences) than actual attempts at negotiation and persuasion. I don't think Boehner will be any better and possibly could be far worse (IF he gets the position), but I still think it's time to put a new body in the Speaker's chair.

A new body in the speaker's chair will happen.

However, leaving the outgoing speaker in as the minority head will provide for more degradation of the dem party, and has the potential for even greater change in '12. The blue dogs are just beginning to make purse sized noise, and need to separate themselves from the progressives in order to become heard. This could make for some interesting times in our political future.

[Cerek]

Originally Posted by Felix The Assassin A new body in the speaker's chair will happen. However, leaving the outgoing speaker in as the minority head will provide for more degradation of the dem party, and has the potential for even greater change in '12. The blue dogs are just beginning to make purse sized noise, and need to separate themselves from the progressives in order to become heard. This could make for some interesting times in our political future.

Indeed. In fact, a challenge is being issued by a Representative from my own district, Heath Shuler. He just won his third term in the House. He admits it is a race he likely cannot win, but feels it is time for Democrats to have a moderate voice in their leadership. Our local paper also describes Shuler as a leader of the Blue Dogs.

Here is an excerpt from the local paper Shuler to challenge Pelosi

[Kazilan]

I don't usually comment on the political stuff, but I thought this quote by Rep Michael Capuano concerning Pelosi as reported in the Boston Globe was pretty funny:

“If the Red Sox came in and lost every game of the year and they kept the manager at the end of the year, that’s a problem,’’ US Representative Michael Capuano said in an interview. “That’s what we seem to be on the verge of doing.’’

From: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/...si_leadership/

[ElfBane]

1. The name "Pelosi" didn't appear on my Congressional ballot. And her parliamentary skill, or lack thereof, didn't influence who I voted for.
2. Whenever there is a change in House majority, I have never placed the blame in the lap of the outgoing SotH. That's pretty simplistic and smacks of jingoism. It's almost like saying a PotUS has any real control over an economy.
3. Pelosi has to stand for election as Minority leader, so the Damnocrats will pick who leads them in the wilderness. Since Pelosi draws the ire of the Repugnantcans so much, that is a good reason to NOT elect her as ML. That's also a good reason TO elect her as ML.
4. It's also remotely possible that she LIKES power... and the attention she will get as ML. It is a concept we should consider you know,,, that a politician likes power.

[Cerek]

Originally Posted by ElfBane 1. The name "Pelosi" didn't appear on my Congressional ballot. And her parliamentary skill, or lack thereof, didn't influence who I voted for. 2. Whenever there is a change in House majority, I have never placed the blame in the lap of the outgoing SotH. That's pretty simplistic and smacks of jingoism. It's almost like saying a PotUS has any real control over an economy. 3. Pelosi has to stand for election as Minority leader, so the Damnocrats will pick who leads them in the wilderness. Since Pelosi draws the ire of the Repugnantcans so much, that is a good reason to NOT elect her as ML. That's also a good reason TO elect her as ML. 4. It's also remotely possible that she LIKES power... and the attention she will get as ML. It is a concept we should consider you know,,, that a politician likes power.

The GM and coach don't go out to bat or play in the field. They aren't the ones that rack up strike outs or commit errors on defense, but they are still the ones that get the ax. The Dallas Cowboys offer another great example - the players can't seem to avoid making stupid mistakes that cost them the game time after time. Wade Phillips didn't make ANY of those mistakes (and I'm sure he worked hard to correct them in practice), but he is the one that is now looking for a new job instead of the ones that keep committing stupid penalties and turning over the ball.

Pelosi wasn't on any ballot, but she is one of the main reasons voters have begun turning against the Democrats. She has cast a negative pall on the Democratic Party and the effects of that were felt at the poll. She is even losing favor among some members of her own party, so I think it is definitely time for others to challenge her leadership and the direction she has taken the Party. Naturally, I think it would pretty cool if the Representative from my district actually beat her, although his chances are slim at best. He IS a more moderate Democrat and I think that might serve the Dems better (overall) than the hardcore line of Pelosi. Of course, the ML will be going up against Boehner (most likely) who is even more hardcore and unreasonable than Pelosi, so it may take someone of the same nature to stand up to him and the Repubs.

Either way, it will be interesting to see what happens when the power shifts.