Nancy Pelosi: Is there a better choice, Part II?

Question

About an hour ago, I asked a serious question: is there some other Democrat who would make a better Speaker of the House than Nancy Pelosi. I think she will be too divisive. I'd like to see someone in the job who can unite the House.

Of course, Republicans had a good time suggesting Bozo the Clown or SpongeBob. But if you REALLY love America, and you want this country to be STRONG, and it's almost for certain that the Democrats will win the House next month, I'm REALLY looking for someone who can do the job right and unite the House.

How can the Republicans say that they love America, but say that they WANT the Democrats to put someone into a position of power who they think is incompetent just so it betters their chances next time around. Isn't it better NOT to waste the next two years?

What do you love more: your country, or the idea of being in charge of it?

Pelosi: Is there a better choice?

Thank you, Thomas, for proving my point.

Bottles, I wasn't talking about YOU when I mentioned the Reps who ripped my earlier question. Your response was fair. But you also didn't answer the question. Who would you rather have? I also think the Dems were unfair to Lieberman. It's dumb to claim to be open-minded then condemn people for voting their conscience. But if your idea of a 'far enough' Democrat is Joe, then you'll be disappointed. As for me, I just don't want to see the next two years wasted on partisan bickering and across-the-aisle retaliations for 12 years of being ignored by the GOP. Pelosi does not strike me as a person who can rise above it. If the positions were reversed, I would select someone like Chris Shays, who at least has some appeal on the other side. Unfortunately, it's usually the most partisan people on the winning side who select the Speaker, and they don't WANT compromise.

Steve E: Thank you for the straight-up and thoughtful answer. Glad to see there are some open-minded Republicans, too. Too bad there aren't more like us!

Answer 1

Ok, I am a republican and conservative, but I'm going to give you a respectful answer because I agree... Nancy Pelosi is divisive. Off the top of my head i would say, Harold Ford Jr. of Tennessee, Mark Udall of Colorado and Ted Strickland of Ohio. IF, and that's a big if, the Dems take control of the House in November I think any of these three would be fine Speakers. It's heartening to hear a Democrat who understands that Nancy Pelosi's agenda is one of slash and burn.

Answer 2

Nancy Pelosi symbolizes what's wrong with "politics as usual" on BOTH sides of the aisle right now. If the Dems take over the House next month, NP would be the opposite of any agent for unification.

Why? It's because she comes from probably the most liberal congressional district in America. And it's because our politicians (especially Congressmen and women) need to constantly raise money and be reelected by their "base" every 2 years. If NP were to move to the center and extend an olive branch, her home district would cut her off at the knees...and she knows it.

Unification will never become a rallying cry until our leadership at the top (POTUS) once again attracts admiration from both sides. Good (but opposite) examples were Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. The extremist left hated RR and the extremist right hated FDR. But the vast majority of Americans loved (or at least liked) both men.

Congress doesn't change the mood of the nation, it reflects the mood. But our president can lead the nation from his or her bully pulpit. When the right person fills that role, the nation (and Congress) will come closer together.

IMHO, neither Nancy Pelosi nor a replacement for her will "depolarize" Congress and the electorate. Sadly, I see the problem getting worse as we enter the presidential primary season. Political donations and eventually the nomination always goes to the one who best energizes the hard-core base. That's why Howard Dean almost got the Democratic nomination in 2004. That’s why Hillary Clinton is now edging back to the left but will try to move back to the middle if she wins the nomination.

And that's why, in this time of extremist political outrage, the Democratic party threw good man and a moderate politician like Joe Lieberman over the side. It’s too bad that the Democrat’s tent wasn’t big enough for their Vice Presidential nominee from 6 years ago.

Don't worry. Leadership will come, America will survive and we will be a stronger country for having been tested. Meanwhile, let the jackals howl. I’m old enough now that they no longer frighten me.

Answer 3

I didn't respond foolishly. In fact, I gave you credit for being wiser than most dems. I love my country and I do not want 2 years or more of wasted time. I also served in the military protecting your right to say what you do. And I think that you and other dems should appreciate ALL the military protection you receive, despite your scorn for our VALUES. I'm not the right guy to offend or challenge on this site. Just ask a few of your liberal brothers and sisters. To unite the parties will take one BIG thing. Democrats MUST re-evaluate their so-called 'Values'. At least to the level of Joe Lieberman or forget it. And how shameful of all the dems to dismiss a good democrat after all he's done for you. Shunning Joe was about the final straw for any REP to have even an ounce of RESPECT for a DEM.

EDIT* what? Is your computer locked up or your thoughts?

Answer 4

First, it's not an absolute certainty. Just because the liberal press is trying to encourage Republicans to stay home by predicting that the Democrats are going to take the House and/or Senate doesn't mean that it's going to happen. Even if the Democrats squeek out a slim margin of victory, can't they possibly field someone better than Peloser? Face it, Bozo or Spongbob may be better equipped as I doubt that they have the same ability to lie with a straight face the way Peloser does. She wouldn't know the truth if someone slapped her across the face with it.

Answer 5

I'm not certain who would be a better choice for speaker of the house for the dems.I will concede that most people care more about their respective party's power than doing what is in the best interest
for the Nation.

Answer 6

if given a choice between Pelosi and Hastert who protects a child predator,, Nancy Pelosi doesn't seem so bad,, you would think Republicans would be at least happy that the Democratic speaker said she would not push to impeach Bush

Answer 7

Pelosi, just another lib wind bag. That battle axe will never see the speaker chair.


You libs are full of crap and America knows it.

Answer 8

Well, it didn't seem to matter when Newt Gingrich took the position, so I don't think that it will matter with her, either.

And Hastert is proving to be doing a great job too, don't you think?