As expected, outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has prevailed in retaining the top leadership position — a surprise move after many, if not most, pundits expected she would resign after the devastating loss of at least 61 seats and record low popularity ratings for both herself and Congress.
Six out of ten Americans polled have unfavorable views of Pelosi, who will now continue to be the face of the Democratic minority.
The vote is a triumph of the leadership, but it is a curious message for some voters who expected the Democrats to take a new course. The retention of Pelosi is consistent with the public line that the election was all about the economy and not a rejection of Democratic policies or measures like the national health care plan. Given the extremely low popularity both Pelosi and Congress, it is a risky move. What do you think?
Source: CNN
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/17/harry-reid-dadt-repeal-vote-white-house_n_785176.html Harry Reid has promised to hold the vote within the next couple of weeks. Pelosi got DADT passed in the House.
BBB
1, November 17, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Blouise,
I think the reason Pelosi decided to remain as leader is that she plans to retire in 2012. I could be wrong (it happened once a long time ago, so I can’t rule it out as a possibility ), but I think it makes sense. By doing so, she may be able to take some heat off of the other Dems, which would give the other Dem incumbents a better chance in 2012.
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You could very well be right. In any case, I will be sad to see her go.
AY,
Paul Pelosi, her husband, has been investigated by her political enemies since she first ran in 1987. He keeps a fairly low profile where politics are concerned but any married, powerfully-successful woman would count herself among the very fortunate to have a man of Paul Pelosi’s character for a husband.
Blouise,
I think the reason Pelosi decided to remain as leader is that she plans to retire in 2012. I could be wrong (it happened once a long time ago, so I can’t rule it out as a possibility :)), but I think it makes sense. By doing so, she may be able to take some heat off of the other Dems, which would give the other Dem incumbents a better chance in 2012.
well seeing as how 8 out 10 of Americans polled have unfavourable views of congress …
Doesn’t her hubby do a bit of War effort relief of his own…..
As all regular posters to this blog know, I am a Pelosi fan. The retention of Pelosi is very good news and I applaud her decision to remain in the fray.
Her reputation will rebound when the fad of demonizing her passes … for the demonizing is built on sand and will eventually be unable to maintain itself against the truth of her accomplishments.
I must say; out of all the pictures I’ve seen of Nancy Pelosi, the one the Professor chose ranks among the worst. If I were running a campaign against her, I would have used the same image.
These last two years must have been extremely hard on her.
http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/palin-on-2012-presidential-bid-i-could-beat-obama.php
http://attackerman.firedoglake.com/2010/11/15/coming-soon-congress-revisits-the-authorization-to-use-military-force/ The House without Pelosi as Speaker will turn much further to the right.
“Many on the left don’t like her because she took impeachment ‘off the table’ for Bush and his war criminals.”
This.
I’m one of those on the left that dislike her for exactly this reason.
Many on the left don’t like her because she took impeachment ‘off the table’ for Bush and his war criminals.
No one is held accountable for lying the Country into war, war crimes, theft, etc. Rich powerful people don’t go to jail unless they steal from even richer people.
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/is-pelosi-americas-most-unpopular-politician/
Elaine I think they have succeeded in demonizing her. Even some men on the left don’t like her. Her approval rating is among the lowest of elected officials.
This says “we are still here”, so there is a good aspect to it, because it will dampen some of the steamroller feelings.
She will be an advocate for global climate change and global warming legislation that would certainly become extinct without her help in keeping that ideology from going extinct in the House.
People like to demonize Pelosi. She wasn’t the Democrat that I was upset with. I think President Obama and his advisors bear much of the blame for losing the House. The President should have gone with the progressive changes that he had promised during the campaign and forgotten about trying to continually make compromises with the “party of no.”
Where are we now?
– No public option with the healthcare bill
– No change with DADT
– No financial reform bill with real teeth
– No bringing of war criminal to justice
Need I go on?
theres ugly and then theres circus ugly. damn. the face of the dems indeed.
I really don’t know. She got a lot of legislation passed, but she is very unpopular with the American people. The republicans ran against her and won. Obama is far more popular than she is. Many people think she is a spoiled biddy. Although I think she is on the side of working people, I don’t think they believe it.
I think if the approximate 420 bills that the senate is sitting on had been passed the outcome of the election may have been different.
I see John Kyl is stopping the start treaty,its funny to me that the Republicans are trying to stop the president and give him one term,but do they realize the mess they are creating if a Republican becomes president?I don’t think so.
The Dem base loves Pelosi. Period. This was a smart move. She has been an effective leader. Don’t buy The Village spin Professor Turley. They wanted her out because she got things done.