Pelosi raising cash, sharpening message for Democrats

[Kadie]

Pelosi raising cash, sharpening message for Democrats

By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 6:33 am PDT Saturday, June 5, 2004

snip...
"She's been a very forceful, a very unifying leader within our caucus," said Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, a longtime ally. "There's much, much more unity in the caucus."

The 64-year-old Pelosi, a nine-term congresswoman from a Baltimore political family, became the first woman ever to head a party in Congress when she took over as House minority leader last year. Some Republicans gloated then that her liberal politics could work against more moderate Democrats.

snip...
"I think it says a lot about where she stands on the political spectrum that she can't go in and campaign in these competitive races," said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Carl Forti.

But Pelosi and her supporters counter that she's not staying out of sight for lack of invitations but to concentrate on what she does best: raising money.

Pelosi has raised some $26 million for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the current election cycle, more than half the total the committee's brought in. She's done it by traveling constantly - to 89 different cities so far this cycle, with visits to another 16 cities planned in June.

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/9530757p-10454512c.html

[Democat]

1. Pelosi's harsh true comments about Bush increased donations!

At times, Pelosi has appeared to moderate her liberal views as she's sought to represent her caucus, reacting cautiously when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered city officials to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. Last month she abandoned her caution, unleashing a harsh attack on Bush over his policies on Iraq. She called him "an incompetent leader" and said he had no knowledge or experience.

The attack brought her criticism from Republicans warning that a personal attack on the president went too far. But the remarks appealed to the Democratic base and donations to the party spiked after her comments, said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesman Greg Speed.

She stood up and told the truth about Bush, and Democrats donated more money! That's good to know.