Boston Globe: Pelosi to bring 'a velvet glove and a fist of steel'

[Zenlitened]

THE NEXT HOUSE SPEAKER
Pelosi to bring 'a velvet glove and a fist of steel'

By Susan Milligan, Boston Globe Staff | November 9, 2006

WASHINGTON -- To Republican attackers on the campaign trail, the soon-to-be House speaker Nancy Pelosi is an unapologetic "San Francisco liberal," a free-spender who will raise taxes and coddle terrorists. Pelosi, meanwhile, frequently mentions her status as a mother of five and grandmother of six, conjuring up a saintly image.

But to her colleagues on both sides of the congressional aisle, the 66-year-old Pelosi is a shrewd negotiator and party disciplinarian, schooled in urban politics by her father, who was a mayor of Baltimore.

While Pelosi's ascension to minority leader in 2002 was greeted with some hesitation by Democrats who worried she was too liberal to represent the party, the 10-term congresswoman has established a reputation as tough and determined.

(snip)

Democratic lawmakers say privately that Pelosi -- though clearly more of a political lightning rod than her predecessor, Richard Gephardt of Missouri -- has also been a stronger leader and a better advocate for a fractured party.

While Gephardt famously stood next to President Bush in the Rose Garden in 2002 to announce the text of the resolution to authorize war in Iraq, Pelosi fought the resolution and has called Bush "dangerous" and "incompetent" -- words she does not apologize for now.

(snip)

In this year's campaign, Republicans sought to hang onto control of the chamber by warning of a Pelosi speakership, "but it didn't work," said Bill Press, a former chairman of the California Democratic Party and longtime friend of Pelosi's. "I think the effort to demonize her stems from the fact that they're afraid of her as speaker."

Full story:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/11/09/pelosi_to_bring_a_velvet_glove_and_a_fist_of_steel/

A strong, intelligent woman with a liberal point of view and a willingness to speak it? You bet they're afraid! That's a repuke's worst nightmare, whether in the House of Representatives or the check-out line at the grocery store!

Go, Nancy! I think she's off to a great start already, talking up the party's Six for '06 plan that sets exactly the right tone, in my view: We will demonstrate the value of Democratic leadership by taking concrete, practical steps to make America a better place for all Americans.

And her First 100 Hours plan... I love it. Screw "First 100 Days. We're talkin' getting to work right now, baby! :applause:

As for the investigations, the hearings, and the general effort to set the agenda and re-shape the national dialogue... well, we've just completed Step 1 by reclaiming the House and Senate.

If the Democrats will forge ahead on sound policies, tough oversight, quick discipline and well-crafted legislation -- and ignore the mewlings of the professional mewlers in the GOP and its media pets -- then the mandate our party has been given will prove to be broad and deep. And enduring.

:patriot:

[babylonsister]

1. I can't wait! She's going to come out swinging! Let's get

some legislation passed! :applause: :woohoo:

[Stinky The Clown]

2. I gave this a K&R but have to make a disclosure ......

I am a home town fan ........ she's from Baltimore.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2946894&mesg_id=2946894

[kiki]

3. 'Fist of steel', eh?

Must... resist... temptation... to make... Mark Foley joke...

[gordianot]

4. Actually she is not that liberal and is much more pragmatic.

The liberal label is just an example of believing Republican rhetoric. What Republicans need to fear is her frustration and the chance she will deal with them fairly.

[Justitia]

5. I think she is very effective & will do a great job. I'm so proud that it's OUR party to have the

1st Woman Speaker of the House.

She'll be great and I'm pulling for her!

Go Nancy!

[William769]

6. I agree 100%!

[femrap]

10. The Marble Ceiling has been cracked....

and I hope that Democratic men who harbor 'gender issues' will face their bias and then applaude our Party for truly Walking the Talk...our Party welcomes ALL people....women, Blacks, old, young, all nationalities, etc.

If Dem men give Nancy Pelosi a difficult time, it shows their insecurities with women as leaders. And that's their problem, not hers nor our party's.

[Justitia]

I read something funny yesterday about Rangel, Conyers, Pelosi & Waxman...

There was an observation about how the other side kept throwing those Dems around as bogeymen before the election (which I assumed was because of their tenacity in Congress), and the summation was something like "OMG! Two black men, a woman & a Jew!"

I had never thought of it like that, but it cracked me up to see why that would scare the bigots on the other side.

[yellowcanine]

7. How about the "Velvet Hammer"?

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. That is what they call Baker.

Baker - sent by Daddy Bush to clean up the dumb son's mistakes.

[TygrBright]

9. Oh, yeah. They ain't seen NOTHIN' yet...

...this woman is TOUGH. She grew up immersed in one of the most carnivorous political cultures in America. She's parented five kids who were all born within 6 years. She's the youngest of six with five older brothers. There ain't NOTHIN' they can pull that will faze this woman.

That sound you hear?

GOPpie teeth grinding.

mirthfully,
Bright

[Az_lefty]

11. Pelosi as Speaker and Boxer in the Senate...

the wingers aren't going to know what hit them.
:rofl:

[leftyladyfrommo]

13. I like Nancy Pelosi. She is tough but I think she really sees that

for the Democrats to have a future she needs to represent all the people.

[BlueEyedSon]

12. To republicans, every dem is a free-spender who will raise taxes and coddle terrorists

The repubs don't have an original, independent, fact-based opinion in their collective head