Why is Nancy Pelosi doing such a weak job?

[brooklynite]

As the head of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi bears a significant responsiblity for framing the arguments to be used in campaining for Democratic candidates in general and a Democratic majority in particular. So far, I have to say I've been underwhelmed.

At the Democratic Convention, her speech was largely laced with platitudes about how bad the Republicans were. What it didn't contain was a consise and understandable list of specific things the Republican majority had done over the past three years which screwed you the voter (three would be sufficient, and one -- the asault weapons ban -- is an automatic gimmee) and specific things a Democratic majority would do. As much as we disdain Newt's "Contract with America", it was a tactically brilliant campaign tool, with every Republican candidate visibly signing on.

This week, we've been handed a golden prize: Tom Delay's three admonishments from the House Ethics Committee, and Speaker Hastert's refusal to acknowledge that he did anything wrong. Take a look at the DCCC website, or do a news story search for Ms. Pelosi, and you'll see that the Democratic Party is silent.

I'll be honest; winning the house has always been a difficult challenge with the Republican gerrymandering goin on, but we can't simply assume people will wise up to situation. You don't win the war if every soldier fights alone.

[ixion]

1. Pelosi has made the occasional wave, but for the most part

she's acted like a good little GOP lapdog, as so much of the DLC and Dem leadership does these days.

I may get flamed for that, but it's my opinion.

I could make the same observation about Gephardt, LIEberman, Daschle as well.

[VotefurKerry]

2. Republicans have huge majority in House

Pelosi couldn't do shit even if she wanted to.

[skylarmae]

3. I just sent her an email thru THE HILL

She has to do something. I told her if she can't do the job, move over so someone else can.

[skylarmae]

6. and another thing, if she worried as much about US as she does

about how she looks, and her hair, and how she looks when she moves her lips, we all be alot better off. Come on nancy, kick 'em in the balls.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Too Graphic?)

[ohioan]

12. This is a ridiculous comment. How can you POSSIBLY know

whether she cares more about her looks than about her job? Do you assume that because she's an attractive woman who obviously takes care of her appearance that she's neglecting her duties? Certainly you aren't saying that a woman can only be effective if she pays no attention to her looks.

[skylarmae]

40. Who says she's attractive - and I have watched her and hoped

she would do the job. But she isn't now and hasn't and I don't think
she has what it takes to deal with these republicans, as evidenced by
the shape of the house.

[ShaneGR]

4. And who would you have replace her?

And would they be willing to work 80 hours a week raising money as Pelosi has done for the last three years.

[ohioan]

5. What do you think she should do differently? n/t

[VotefurKerry]

8. Something, anything

Delay and co are steamrolling the Dems in the House with their agenda!

[ohioan]

9. Sorry - but that's not an acceptable answer

If you're going to criticize Nancy Pelosi for not doing something, you should at least have some idea of what she should be doing differently. If you don't, you simply appear to be bitching about something you don't know anything about.

By the way, Delay is steamrolling through the House, not because the Democrats aren't fighting back, but because they have such a substantial majority that they can do anything they want, no matter WHAT the Democrats do.

[VotefurKerry]

13. A fair number of Dems go along with the Repuke agenda

Why doesn't she force them back on the reservation?

Hell 52 voted to overturn the DC gun ban!

[ohioan]

17. How do you propose that she "force" them to do what she wants them to do?

[VotefurKerry]

25. Withhold campaign funds, ostracize them

Relegate them to the back of the party.

[ohioan]

31. How would that make any difference in the outcome?

Even if she did that - which she shouldn't since Democrats don't rule by fear and ostracism - how would that change anything?

[skylarmae]

45. If nothing else let her speak up more - take some of these talking

points on the web to the mikes in the rotunda for starters. Every day if she has to. Seems pretty important to me. Start bringing to the attention of the public, all the bills that are in committee that the repukes won't let even come to the floor for up or down vote,
ETC. ETC, NEED I GO ON..............????????????

[ohioan]

50. Nancy Pelosi has a press conference in the Capitol EVERY morning

Perhaps you should pay more attention.

[skylarmae]

51. Well maybe she should make enough noise at those press conferences

as to get herself and the truth out on the evening network news.

[ohioan]

54. Oh, please - you're not interested in facts -you just want to slime Pelosi

Hardly constructive.

[skylarmae]

61. ohioan, your blowin smoke up your own butt

[ohioan]

56. Nancy Pelosi is on CNN live right now

[skylarmae]

62. yeah, I watched her and IT WAS ABOUT TIME

[ohioan]

63. About time for what? Just because YOU didn't see her before

doesn't mean she hasn't been on or that she's not doing her job.

[w4rma]

7. Bah. What do *you* think she should do differently?

Other than be perfect and/or do exactly what you say.

[nickinSTL]

10. I like Pelosi

I know that she hasn't hit as hard or as often as many of us would like, but she's a damn sight better at saying SOMETHING than Daschle or Gephardt.

edit: and if she's working as hard at raising money as another poster suggests, that may be worth more than a loudmouth do-nothing.

[ohioan]

16. Unfortunately, some people think that the only way to be effective

as a leader is to scream and yell and cause a ruckus 24/7.

[OKNancy]

11. In your opinion she is weak

Others, like me, think she is doing a fine job. Minority standing is quite difficult and she is effective in that position.

Have you forgotten this?
http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/05/20/pelosi.bush/

Also, why should Pelosi squawk about Delay at this moment in time? He's doing a fine job of sinking his own ship. She would just be accused of election year politicking

[John_H]

19. She's doing OK, but she could be doing a lot better, don't you think?

[ohioan]

26. What could she be doing differently?

[VotefurKerry]

29. You can't play nice

And she is playing too nice.

[ohioan]

33. You're talking generalities - WHAT should she do differently

and how will that make a difference in the outcome of anything. Saying "she should stop being too nice" doesn't cut it. Give us some specifics.

[John_H]

35. First, the message coming out of the caucus is jumbled babble

Dem house surrogates are rarely on the same page as the campaign, message wise--ever heard a member of the house stick to Kerry's talking points? Me niether. It's a lack of organization and discipline from the leadership.

It's my understanding that this is because Pelosi insists on vetting the House message through multiple groups (this is common practice, especially in the Democratic Party, but people say her office takes it to absurd levels). What happens is people change points, cut them, add them, etc. On the GOP side, Delay sees himself as the guy who MAKES SURE his people stick to Chimp's points. The message comes from the campaign or the WH, Delay's office makes sure everyone understands what they're supposed to say, and then makes sure they say it as often as possible. If they don't, no more TV for them.

We can argue the ethics of thse approaches, but which one do you think results in more votes for our candidates?

[ohioan]

37. Where do you get your "understanding" about what Pelosi is doing?

Contrary to your claim, most House members are out on the road and talking up Kerry in their communities exactly the way they should - you're just not hearing about it, which doesn't matter, since they're not talking to you.

Those members who don't stick to Kerry's talking points are doing this because they choose to, not because Pelosi is not giving them what they need. These are all grown men and women who are fully aware of exactly what the Kerry message is and have more than enough information and resources to get the message out. Pelosi does a hell of a job keeping the House operation in line, but she's dealing with human beings, not puppies. All she can do is give them what they need, stay on top of them, push an cajole them to do the right thing. But if they think otherwise, they're going to do as they please and there's nothing she - or any other Democratic leader - can do about it.

Democratic members are notoriously contrary. Blaming Pelosi for not keeping them in line is bull.

[John_H]

47. I'm pretty familiar with the DPC's & leader's comm. operation--which

by the way is often a source of anxiety among many of the seasoned press people on the hill and for various interest groups, who are often frustrated not only because it takes them forever to get guidance and "approval" of communications strategies, events, and/or statements, but because the message invariably gets muddied, piggybacked, or diluted. For example, one part of the leader's message shop might authorize one message event while another part of the shop simultaneously puts out a different or even contrary message on the same subject. BTW, I'm not going to ask you how you know enough to disagree, and since this is an anonymous message board, I ask for the same consideration.

Your assertion that members are "fully aware of exactly what the Kerry message is and have more than enough information and resources to get the message out" is simply way off the mark. These are busy people focused mostly on their districts, and rightfully so. To make things worse, their press people are often bright 21 year olds who, frankly, wouldn't know what the message of the day is if John Kerry told them personally. Sorry, but that's just how it is.

The bottom line, in my view, is that the leader's office fails to do what members and their staff desperately need, which is precisely the three things you mention--"giving them what they need," "staying on top of them," and "pushing them to do the right thing."

All anyone has to do is look at the current rethug operation and Democratic message operations of the past for proof that promulgating a cohesive message has nothing to do with making people "puppies." It has to do with discipline, organization, rewarding those who are effective spokespeople, and imposing a cost on those who refuse to be effective spokespeople.

Members can and should say exactly what they want to say back home--they presumably know how to get themselves elected. But when they assume the position of speaking for the party and its candidate for president, their responsibility changes. Their job is to hammer the party's national message to make sure what they say helps get John Kerry and Democrats outside of their district elected.

The reason so many don't is because the message coming out of the House often bears little resemblance to that of the campaign and because there is no cost for them to spout off on whatever helps them but not necessarily the top of the ticket.

Here's a very specific example: The other day,I heard a congressman from Oklahoma interviewed, presumably about the WMD report issue. Instead, he kept talking about Veteran's hospitals. Went back to it three or four times. Sure, veterans hospitals are important to our party (and I bet they are a huge issue in his district) but the message of the day was Chimp lied about WMD, not "we need to fund the veterans hospital in my district." Meanwhile, the rethug up against him as well as every other GOP surrogate was spewing the identical lines to undercut the impact of the report.

Are they puppies? Maybe.In a close race like this, I say send in the puppies.

Sorry about the rambling post, but I wanted to asnwer you before I had to get back to work.

[ohioan]

48. You think it's Pelosi's fault that this Okla Congressman was off-message?

Sorry, but I don't go for it. Pelosi's office has inundated Members with information. Every day, she sends talking points and background material to Members. Her communications staff is in constant touch with individual Members' press secretaries to make sure they have everything they need. In addition, the DNC AND Kerry campaign are also working closely with each Member, providing them with more than enough information.

If this guy was off-message, it's HIS fault, not Nancy Pelosi's.

[KharmaTrain]

30. It's DeLay's Too Powerful

Look at how this dude attempted to twist Charlie Rangel's draft bill to force Democrats to vote for a draft or innoculate Repugnicans about voting for one before the election (then he can turn around and steamroll in the other direction after the selection is done).

DeLay scares the shit out of a lot of beltway types. This dude knows how to whip 'em in place and doesn't give a rats ass if he's caught or not.

Those most intimidated are the media...so if there's a bitch about DeLay's ethic violations not being played up loud enough, email an Aaron Brown or some other "holier than thou" and see if they will devote some solid investigating into this story and not treat it as some "boys will be boys" type power games.

I, too, think Nancy's done a great job in keeping the party unified and doing whatever she can to thwart the steamrolling where she can.

Now my turn to get flamed. I am disappointed at the amount of resources the DNCC have given to some of the Congressional races...especially in the long-term grassroots planning of builing Democratic organizations in "safe" Repugnican areas.

The loss of the House has hurt the Democrats more than any other defeat in my lifetime and has caused us and our country the greatest problems.

[madrchsod]

14. there`s nothing she can do about delay

there is no one repub that will say anything against him let alone enough to throw him under the bus..as for pelosi you should do some research on what she has done and then rethink your questions

[The Chronicler]

15. I wanted Harold Ford. <nm>

[VotefurKerry]

18. Same here

n/t

[ibegurpard]

23. Excuse me?

Have you actually heard Harold Ford? He agrees with the Republicans more than Pelosi.

[ohioan]

22. And he would have been even less effective than Pelosi

He's a good speaker and a smart guy, but he's too young, too inexperienced, and doesn't have the relationships and network Pelosi has.

AND he's more centrist than Pelosi.

[The Chronicler]

28. How is that physically possible?

She is getting owned. At least Ford would put a good image out there.

[ohioan]

36. I doubt you have any idea whether she's getting "owned" or not since you

don't know what cards she's been dealt.

It's so easy to criticize because we don't like the outcome. But unless you know what they're working with, what they're real alternatives are, you're operating blind.

[Hot Water]

38. I want George Bush

Let me get out of here.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

53. OH PULEEZE!!! he'd be rubberstamping half the Repuke agenda!

At least Nancy Pelosi is NOT an elephant in a donkey jacket!

[CBHagman]

20. Did you see her press conference today re: DeLay scandals?

Did you see House Democratic whip Steny Hoyer, Henry Waxman, Rosa DeLauro and Pelosi focus on the ethics scandals, delaying any politics-related questions until the end? Check for it on one of the C-SPAN channels.

I often hear fellow Democrats say that such-and-such a Democratic leader is "not doing anything." I wonder how much of that impression is based on press coverage and not on what the leader in question is actually doing. This has been a problem for some time. Sometimes the press doesn't even really cover an activity or event. Bush has automatic coverage on all the news networks, but there's no guarantee you'll hear about an effective legislative move regarding unions, say, or overtime rules or the like.

I agree with the above posters who say it's time to provide specifics. And do not forget to actively give input to members of Congress. Anyone can go to www.vote-smart.org and look up his/her representative and contact the local office or the D.C. office.

[jobendorfer]

44. control of image and messages

Bottom line: if you're a political party leader, part of
your job is to think and act strategically, not just tactically.

Bottom line: if you allow the opposition to control your image,
or control access to your messages, you are NOT doing your job.

If Pelosi, or the DNC, is having trouble getting the party
messages out to public, REGARDLESS of cause, part of their job is
figuring out a way around, under, through, or over the obstacles.
Thinking and acting strategically. If that means a ten year
program to construct a Democratic-friendly media network, that's
what you do. You do NOT keep going into election after election,
essentially conceding to the bad guys' near-total control of
the information channels to the public.

Now, I'm just a dumbass software grunt and I can figure this
out. Why can't the DNC?

J.

[ohioan]

55. I guess the DNC folks just aren't as smart as you are

Maybe you should quit your job and get a job advising the DNC on how to develop and implement political strategy.

[jobendorfer]

64. this is a management problem, not a platform problem

Frankly, I think the Democratic platform is pretty solid, really.
Oh sure, there's an issue here or there that I'd tinker with, but
I suspect that is true for most of us here at DU.

The problem lies in the high-level management of the party.
What I am doing about it? As much as I can. Just don't
tell me, after the party has ceded control of the House for
10 years and 5 consecutive elections, and control of the
Senate for six years, and lost the Presidency to the weakest
candidate in 150 years, that everything's fine and don't
worry.

I'd feel a helluva lot better if I could read a white paper
from the DNC that states:

- this is why we keep getting drubbed
and
- here's what we're doing about it


It would lead me to believe that the party is managing its
problems instead of reacting to them.

J.

[ohioan]

66. I didn't say everything is fine and don't worry - I'm simply calling out

those who trash our candidate and party leaders and insist that THEY know SO much better what should be done and how it should be done, yet offer nothing more than "Nancy Pelosi should yell louder at press conferences."

Not helpful.

[ohioan]

67. I didn't say everything is fine and don't worry - I'm simply calling out

those who trash our candidate and party leaders and insist that THEY know SO much better what should be done and how it should be done, yet offer nothing more than "Nancy Pelosi should yell louder at press conferences."

Not helpful.

[jobendorfer]

71. okay, here's some specific ideas for the DNC powers-that-be

1. Put together a team to identify the 5 weakest Republican
Senators. Allocate $XYZ to spend over the next 6 years to either
develop and expose new and/or existing talent in the targeted
states. Capture those seats. Please note: this is NOT a process
that begins 4 months before the next midterm election, this is a
process that spans multiple elections with a goal of recapturing
the Senate and holding it for 20-30 years.

Repeat the same process with the House.

2. Put together another team and some money to strengthen
Daschle so that he's not constantly under the threat of
losing his seat. If this can't be done, transfer the
leadership function to a Senator who is solidly entrenched
in his/her state. It is not rational to expect a Senator
in a swing state to aggressively press the party agenda.


3. Establish a pilot program to develop small newspapers,
low-power AM radio stations, and video programs that are
friendly to democratic perspectives. Air America is an
excellent example of what can be done with what is admittedly
beginning talent and several million dollars. Target these
media operation in swing states or districts. I take it as
a given that the corporate media will always align with
conservative or neo-conservative politicians because that
is their interest. Therefore the party must have its own
media channels.

4. When you've got the media network put together, start
trumpeting the party platform. If 8 year olds can recognize
100+ consumer brands, it should (and must) be possible to
reach the point where every adult american -- whether they
agree with us or not -- can recall from memory, when prompted,
five major planks in the platform.

Screw rapid response: we'll let the Republicans do that. We're
advancing our agenda all the time, and we're not *reacting* to
*anything* -- okay, General Patton had many faults, but he
was entirely correct to point out that you win by forcing the
opposition to meet you on your terms: overwhelmed, off balance,
and demoralized.

5. We are dealing with a neo-con crime family here, are we
not? Let's sink a little money into developing democratic
district attorneys and federal prosecutors. If we can't
keep control of the House, we can at least put the worst
Republican offenders in the Big House. (This might yield
positive benefits on both sides of the aisle.)

6. Put together another team, whose mission is to dig up
the mud on Jeb Bush (and any other Bush Crime Family members
with Presidential aspirations). Make sure the facts -- and
they must be facts -- get broadly disseminated. Defeat these
idiots *before* they get elected. Repeat generally with
neo-cons as needed, until they're unelectable or in jail,
preferably both. Sun Tzu: the best way to win a war is to
win it before it can ever get started. R.O.I. is very high
in this mode. A few million dollars might save trillions in
long-term debt.

P.S. Forgot the governator. Yeah, he's lurking around out
there too, constitutional bar or no.

7. Neutralize the left-wing opposition. Apply European-
style coalition tactics. Tell the Greens and Nader that
you will throw them one or two bones of their choice
if they get behind our ticket. If done intelligently, this
can work -- European political groups do this on a daily
basis and so can we. Example: a $XYZ tax rebate if you
buy a high-MPG hybrid vehicle. Has the added benefit of
socking it to the House of Saud where it hurts.

8. A small think tank and a modest amount of money to
answer the following questions: why do 50% or more of the
eligible voters decline to vote? What are their concerns
and how do we get them back into the process on our side?

Now, I need some advice: how do I start making this stuff
happen?

J.

[ohioan]

72. Good ideas, but . . .

1. Put together a team to identify the 5 weakest Republican
Senators. Allocate $XYZ to spend over the next 6 years to either
develop and expose new and/or existing talent in the targeted
states. Capture those seats. Please note: this is NOT a process
that begins 4 months before the next midterm election, this is a
process that spans multiple elections with a goal of recapturing
the Senate and holding it for 20-30 years.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has had a substantially similar process in place for years. http://www.dscc.org/home

Repeat the same process with the House.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee already does this. http://www.dccc.org/

2. Put together another team and some money to strengthen
Daschle so that he's not constantly under the threat of
losing his seat.

DSCC does this already.

If this can't be done, transfer the
leadership function to a Senator who is solidly entrenched
in his/her state. It is not rational to expect a Senator
in a swing state to aggressively press the party agenda.

This is not a DNC function. The Minority Leader is elected by the Senators. Daschle is the person that an overwhelming of Democratic Senators have selected to lead them. If they're dissatisfied with him, they'll remove him. So far, they have not. And they would not tolerate pressure from the DNC to meddle in their Senatorial prerogatives.

3. Establish a pilot program to develop small newspapers,
low-power AM radio stations, and video programs that are
friendly to democratic perspectives. Air America is an
excellent example of what can be done with what is admittedly
beginning talent and several million dollars. Target these
media operation in swing states or districts. I take it as
a given that the corporate media will always align with
conservative or neo-conservative politicians because that
is their interest. Therefore the party must have its own
media channels.

As a partisan political entity, the DNC can't do this - campaign finance laws make it next to impossible for either political campaign committee to directly engage in this kind of activity at a level that would be worthwhile or effective. It's important to develop such media outlets, but it has to be done by the private sector.

4. When you've got the media network put together, start
trumpeting the party platform. If 8 year olds can recognize
100+ consumer brands, it should (and must) be possible to
reach the point where every adult american -- whether they
agree with us or not -- can recall from memory, when prompted,
five major planks in the platform.

The DNC and Kerry-Edwards are all over getting the platform out. But the platform is not and never has been what has sold the ticket. Right now, it's all about GOTV (getting out the vote) and that has to be done on the ground and with focus on the candidates. The party platform is not what people are going to be voting on.

5. We are dealing with a neo-con crime family here, are we
not? Let's sink a little money into developing democratic
district attorneys and federal prosecutors. If we can't
keep control of the House, we can at least put the worst
Republican offenders in the Big House. (This might yield
positive benefits on both sides of the aisle.)

The DNC already spends money helping to elect local Democratic prosecutors as part of their Coordinated Campaign effort. But federal prosecutors are not elected - they are appointed by the president.

6. Put together another team, whose mission is to dig up
the mud on Jeb Bush (and any other Bush Crime Family members
with Presidential aspirations). Make sure the facts -- and
they must be facts -- get broadly disseminated. Defeat these
idiots *before* they get elected. Repeat generally with
neo-cons as needed, until they're unelectable or in jail,
preferably both. Sun Tzu: the best way to win a war is to
win it before it can ever get started. R.O.I. is very high
in this mode. A few million dollars might save trillions in
long-term debt.

How do you know this isn't being done already? It's not something the DNC would broadcast.

7. Neutralize the left-wing opposition. Apply European-
style coalition tactics. Tell the Greens and Nader that
you will throw them one or two bones of their choice
if they get behind our ticket.

What makes you think they haven't tried this already? Nader has demonstrated that he's not interested in getting "one or two bones" of his choice - he's in this for his ego and nothing will stop him.

8. A small think tank and a modest amount of money to
answer the following questions: why do 50% or more of the
eligible voters decline to vote? What are their concerns
and how do we get them back into the process on our side?

The DNC need not form a think tank. Numerous think tanks around the country are doing exactly this kind of research that the DNC and others rely upon heavily - no need to reinvent the wheel.

Now, I need some advice: how do I start making this stuff
happen?

You have some good ideas, but they're already being done, along with other things. The people running the DNC, as well as the Senators and Members, are not political novices who have never thought of any of this stuff. They're very savvy and are operating at a level that most of us will never even see.

That doesn't mean that they can't use ideas or input, but it's not easy to come up with something that they haven't already thought of.

My suggestion would be for you to learn more about what the DNC and its entities (such as the DCCC and DSCC and the coordinated campaign operations throughout the country). Once you get up to speed, get involved with one or more of the activities they're doing. Once you're in the door, if you still have ideas for how things can be improved, make the suggestion to the people you're dealing with who can do something about it.

[AmerDem]

21. I agree

Pelosi's heart is in a good place but I find her to be completely ineffective in setting the tempo and taking it to the repukes. It's as if she isn't taken seriously and in turn we as a party aren't taken seriously.

Under what conditions can we appoint a new leader?

[ohioan]

27. Who do you think should take her place? And how will they be more

effective?

[AmerDem]

41. How about Charlie Rangel

He would be awesome. Kucinich would also be a pitbull !

[ohioan]

49. Apparently, neither of these guys want the job or they'd have run for it.

There's more to being Minority Leader than being a bulldog on television. Much of it is grungy, behind-the-scenes, unglamorous work that involves great diplomacy and people skill. Dennis Kucinich is great, but he would be a disaster at this. And Charlie Rangel has been around too long to bother putting up with the crap involved - he doesn't need it.

But, if you think someone else would be better and would be willing to do it, why not contact some Democratic representatives and urge them to stage a coup, remove Pelosi and put someone more to YOUR liking in her place? Maybe it hasn't yet occurred to them that the Leader they picked is such an unmitigated disaster and that they should replace her, but once they hear from you, they'll see the error of their ways.

[AmerDem]

70. interesting

you seem to know exactly how and what these two guys feel. I have no drive to "stage a coup" whatever the fuck that's supposed to mean but I would be interested in seeing someone with a little more forceful presence putting it to the DeLay's, Hayworth's and Hastert's in the house.

[Rose Siding]

24. But since we aren't the majority, and...

knowing how very many Dems in the House are so conservative that I want to slap them, marshaling any kind of cohesive front among the caucus is an accomplishment. She's done that very successfully.

[mmonk]

32. Me too Democrats

always don't do as good as they could.

[Rose Siding]

34. The Dems aren't silent! From the Stakeholder-

http://blog.dccc.org/mt/archives/001291.html

[snowbear]

39. Pelosi...

Someone correct me if I have this wrong.. but back when Democrats were selecting that position - when it was narrowed down to the final TWO, weren't they Nancy Pelosi and Harold Ford, Jr.?

I could almost swear it was.. but it's been a while.

I think Nancy is doing a good job, but to me anyway.. it's not at all the "content" of her message, it's her "delivery" of it.

That's just my opinion though.. and I think Harold Ford, jr. would have rocked. :headbang:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

42. Well, she's a helluva lot better than Rose Garden Gephardt.

Gep was so busy covering his sorry ass he was practically in Boobya's lap.

[Wind Dancer]

43. She does keep her base informed.

Read this National Sales Tax proposal....

9/30/2004
Republican Congress Fails to Get the Job Done

As the 108th Congress fast approaches its final week, this Congress has done nothing to lower health care costs, improve education or create new jobs, and it has the worst success rate for the budget bills that fund the country's most basic needs in memory. The Republican-led Congress has simply not gotten the job done. Instead of sufficiently funding education, enacting the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission or ensuring that America's seniors can afford their prescription drugs, the Republican leadership has focused on side issues with political motivations. House Democrats understand that it is Congress's responsibility to serve the American people and improve the lives of those who struggle to make health care payments, pay college tuition or hold onto a good job. With the right set of priorities, we can expand opportunity and strengthen our communities so that all Americans prosper.

Learn more about the Democrat's agenda to meet the needs of America's middle class families.


Education Shortfalls Hit Hispanic Community Hard

Each week throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we will take a close look at an issue that is affecting the every day lives of members of the Hispanic community. From better jobs to quality education, House Democrats are committed to prosperity for all Hispanic families.

Latino parents work hard and sacrifice a great deal so their children can have a better life in this country - and the means to that success is a good education. But the Administration’s shortfalls in education funding are hurting Hispanic Americans. The Administration’s refusal to sufficiently fund the No Child Left Behind Act will deny 2.4 million children crucial help in reading and math in 2005. Already, one in three Hispanic students fails to graduate high school and only one in ten goes on to college. From early childhood education up through college, the Bush Administration has failed Hispanic American children, Hispanic American parents and Latino communities. Democrats understand the importance of education and want to make college more affordable, strengthen the quality of our public schools and prepare young Hispanic children for their school careers.

Online Town-Hall: Learn more about the issues and concerns that are important to Hispanics from this week’s online town-hall with Rep. Robert Menendez and Rep. Ciro Rodriguez.

Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month.

National Sales Tax Hurts the Middle Class

Majority Leader Tom Delay and 54 House Republicans are co-sponsoring a bill that would replace the current tax system with a national retail sales tax on all goods and services -- including homes, cars, insurance premiums, financial services and transportation. House Speaker Dennis Hastert has called the plan "worthy of consideration" and President Bush said it was "an interesting idea that we ought to explore."

But a national sales tax would undermine our American values of prosperity and fairness, increasing costs at least 30 percent on purchases like groceries, clothing, gas, and health care services. Under this plan:

$100 Prescription drugs would cost at least $130
A $20,000 car would cost at least $26,000
A $150,000 house would cost at least $195,000
This squeeze on working families would increase taxes on middle class Americans and tax seniors twice for their Social Security and pension benefits - once for the payroll taxes they’ve already paid and again with the new sales taxes. It would also cripple several U.S. industries. Democrats oppose the Republican plan to rig the tax code in favor of an elite few. We believe fairness and prosperity mean middle class tax relief, new job creation and fiscal responsibility.

Read the Report by Democrats on the Committee on Ways and Means on the National Sales Tax Threat. Part 1 Part 2

Find out more about the Democrats’ commitment to Prosperity and Fairness.

Questions Answered with the New Partnership for America’s Future

From skyrocketing health care costs to jobs being shipped overseas, Americans across the country are facing an uphill battle. That's why House Democrats developed the "New Partnership for America's Future," a new commitment to the needs of today's middle class families, including good jobs, affordable health care and safe communities. The Partnership, which was unveiled last week, was developed in conjunction with the American people, by listening and responding to the challenges Americans face every day.

Click here to read more about the New Partnership for America's Future.

Since there were many questions about this New Partnership and the overall plan for House Democrats, Rep. George Miller (D-CA), one of the leaders of this effort, hosted a live online town hall. People from all over the country wrote in to Rep. Miller with their questions. In fact, there were so many questions that Rep. Miller stayed an hour over the scheduled one to get the message about the Democrats’ commitment to helping the middle class.

Click here to read the questions and answers from the online town hall.

[DURHAM D]

46. If you subject line read ...

"Is Nancy Pelosi doing a good job ?" instead of "Why is Nancy Pelosi doing such a weak job ?" your intent would not have been so obvious.

[npincus]

52. I think she's alright!

[demokatgurrl]

57. SHE'S DOING IT, SHE'S GOING AFTER DELAY

wASHINGTON, Oct. 7 — Top House Democrats today condemned Representative Tom DeLay, the leader of the Republican majority, declaring that the latest ethics case against him proved that he had been corrupted by power and was unfit to lead.

"The ethical cloud that has been hanging over the Capitol has burst," Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic leader, said at a news briefing. "Mr. DeLay has proven himself to be ethically unfit to lead the party.`

Other prominent Democrats joined Ms. Pelosi in condemning Mr. DeLay and calling for his replacement during a question-and-answer session that seemed to signal a new level of partisan bitterness in the House with elections less than four weeks away.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/07/politics/07CND-DELAY.html?hp=&oref=login&pagewanted=print&position=

[napi21]

58. I thought she did pretty good today!

I agree, most of the time I want to strangle her through the TV, but today, she didn't stammer, she just told Judy the real truth. I'm happy with Nancy today!!!

[Cocoa]

59. don't blame Pelosi for YOUR IGNORANCE

of course there's no chance in hell Pelosi is or ever would be "silent" on this.

What is this that you're doing, deliberate disinformation?

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041007/dcth040_1.html?printer=1

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the Ethics Committee's recent admonishments of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay:

"The ethical cloud that has been hanging over the Capitol has burst.

"The repeated abuses of power by the Republican Majority Leader have earned him three rebukes by the Ethics Committee in a single week, bringing dishonor on the House of Representatives and placing a heavy burden on his fellow House Republicans. This brings to four the number of times Mr. DeLay has been chastised by the Ethics Committee.

"This is a pattern of unethical behavior by a man determined to win at any cost. The record has demonstrated that he will abuse power whenever he deems necessary.

"Mr. DeLay has been rebuked for an offer of a quid pro on the Medicare prescription drug bill, for misusing the Federal Aviation Administration for political purposes, and for appearing to link political donations to legislation.

"An additional charge of violating Texas laws prohibiting corporate political donations has been deferred, pending action by a Texas grand jury. Mr. DeLay was earlier admonished by the Ethics Committee for threatening a trade association that had hired a Democratic lobbyist.

"Mr. DeLay has insisted that these charges are merely partisan attacks, but the bipartisan Ethics Committee's unanimous conclusions have now forever put that lie to rest.

"Mr. DeLay has proven himself to be ethically unfit to lead his party. The burden now falls upon his fellow House Republicans.
"Republicans must answer -- do they want an ethically unfit person to be their majority leader, or do they want to remove the ethical cloud that hangs over the Capitol?"

[Strawman]

60. not always great on TV, but she is an effective leader

http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=1403

http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=7699

[formernaderite]

65. Too much plastic surgery making hard for her to speak?

Joking...well not really, sometimes her eyes really do appear to be sewn open. Ms. Pelosi does seem more interested in her appearance than in content, that's what happens to Baltimore girls when they get to California.
Actually, I have always agreed with her politics, but she comes across as very superficial. She comes from political lineage...so IMHO her position has been earned with seniority rather than aptitude.
Flame away.

[ohioan]

68. What proof do you have that she cares more about her appearance

than in content?

Are you intimately familiar with her grooming routine? Have you spent time with her enough to know what her grooming routine is, how long it takes, and whether she devotes more time to it than to preparation for her work?

No one gets to Nancy Pelosi's position without being damned good at what they do. And a woman has to three times as good as a man to get where she is - partly because of attitudes such as those that your comment suggests.

[liberalpragmatist]

69. She's Gotten RAVE Reviews From Democrats in the House

Pelosi may need to work on her public speaking and does need to anunciate a national campaign better, but she's a great organizer. Democrats in the House hasn't been as unified and as coherent in a long time - she's far more effective than Gephardt in holding votes. And moreover, moderates and centrists say that while she works hard for unity, she negotiaties and is respectful of their viewpoints, and tries to go for consensus, unlike Delay.

I think she's doing a fine job. She'll grow into parts of it later. Give her some time.