PELOSI To Get Off To Good Start - Steal Agenda From Bush

[kpete]

Pelosi to Convene House January 4

Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi will open the House for the first session of the 110th Congress on January 4, and keep it in session for the first several weeks of January.

While that may not sound remarkable outside-the-beltway, it is departure from tradition that is certain to prompt some teeth gnashing among Republicans.

Congress typically convenes the first week of January after a holiday recess just long enough for new members to be sworn in, and then promptly adjourns until the president's State of the Union Address toward the end of the month.

Pelosi's team apparently figures there's no reason to allow President Bush to set the agenda in January by leaking bits of his speech. Instead the Democratic Congress will immediately plunge into its lengthy to-do list, starting with an ethics reform package, and perhaps have some bills on Bush's desk by the time the State of the Union is ready for delivery.



http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=11168

[SpiralHawk]

1. You go, Nancy

All Bush has in mind is fattening up the wallets of his corrupt cronies, anyway.

I'm sure you can do better than that.

[Radio_Lady]

77. What do they say in football? "The best defense is a good offense."

Correct me if I'm wrong, please!

[Sapphire Blue]

2. K & R; I'm really liking Speaker Pelosi :)

[ThomCat]

95. Agreed. She's clearly serious, competent and

has an agenda. :)

It'll be hard for the media to spin this to make her look frivolous or incompetent. I'm not looking forward to seeing how they spin it, but I think she's off to an awesome start.

Good for her. A toast to Speaker Pelosi! :toast:

[eppur_se_muova]

124. I can tell you ... [spin] she's an overbearing slave-driver, a martinet [/spin] nt

[Starlight]

138. Most Americans would LOVE to see their representatives forced to do some work.

[williesgirl]

3. A less-than-part-time Congress is NOT good for this country - how have we let them get this far awry

without a national scream? Good for Nancy. Make them work every weekday, all day, with 4 weeks annually off for vacation/campaigning or whatever.

[Matariki]

123. hmmm, i'm not sure i agree with you

given too much time, they could micro-manage every aspect of our lives.

[buddysmellgood]

4. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[enlightenment]

118. I'll second that!

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[senseandsensibility]

5. The poor babies are "gnashing their teeth?"

Cry me a river.:puke:

[stevedeshazer]

6. hehehe...Republicans...having to do ACTUAL WORK...

While in the minority....

:rofl:

[LittleClarkie]

7. How do you like her now!

Hah!

[MzNov]

8. Give her time, she's going to kick some major butt

:bounce:

[robinlynne]

76. I'm loving her. What a grand idea. let's fix this country.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

129. you mean . . . from a do nothing to a do something congress?

perish the thought!

[IronLionZion]

88. Oh I am loving our dear Madam Speaker-elect already

Good for her for pushing ethics reform first. I hope it's real and effect. Power has a tendency to corrupt any and all politicians regardless of how well-meaning they are so it's good to do this first.

[mzmolly]

9. I'm more impressed with Pelosi each day.

"From economic security to national security, the American people have resoundingly called for a new direction,'' Pelosi said in a just-released statement. "It is imperative that we waste no time in addressing the pressing needs facing our nation."

:toast: go madam speaker!

[senseandsensibility]

15. welcome back, mzmolly!

long time no see!:hi:

[mzmolly]

16. Thanks so much!

I requested a "time out" but am so glad to be back after a marvelous, but nail-biting ~ victory!

:hi:

[Hawkeye-X]

18. Me too!

:hug:

I missed you!

[mzmolly]

100. Awe thanks.

Missed ya'll too. I was too superstitious to come back before a win. LOL

[YankeyMCC]

10. She seems to be on the right track

the best - really the necessary - follow up to the 'do nothing congress' is to take the initiative like this and get down to work.

I really hope environment and energy issues will be high on the priority of this agenda she's trying to set though.

[Gregorian]

11. This is thrilling!

I can tell by the gleam in Ms. Pelosi's eyes, that she has great plans.

So far we haven't been let down. And I anticipate many good things to come to fruition under her speakership.

[Bobbie Jo]

12. Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about.....n/t

[MrSlayer]

13. That's the way to do it.

Hit em in the mouth early.

[cassiepriam]

14. I go to work every day, it is time they did too.

Time for them to start working for the people.

[orleans]

17. she's sending a great message to congress & also to the country

the pukes will turn on the telly in jan. and wonder what the hell is going on--"what's wrong that congress is actually working in january?"

well, HA! look who really has the "work ethic"

[Ganja Ninja]

19. Looks like the lazy GOP slackers are going to get a lesson ...

called "Work Ethics 101". Time to get off their asses and get to work instead of campaigning and vacationing like they have for the last 6 years.

[Yogi]

20. Good for her,

full speed ahead.

[BR_Parkway]

21. I am loving me some "San Fransico Values" - like preventing

crime and waste and abuse of the system, holding people accountable, stopping corruption.

Sure beats that shit the Pharisees (Dobson, Falwell, Phelps) try to pass off as "values"

[Aviation Pro]

22. The entire country is about to find out....

...that the Democrats are the "roll up the sleeves and get the job done" party unlike the lazy, shiftless elephants of the RepubliCON party. After an absence of 12 years this will be very refreshing.

I hope to hell Little Monkey hears nothing but deafening silence when he enters the chamber for his SOTU address (which should turn into a STFU address within two minutes of his blathering).

[me b zola]

79. What a terrific graphic that would make...

Take an old 'Rosie the riveter' pic and replace the head with that of Madam Speaker:)

[Starlight]

139. Absolutely. Some talented person should do that.

[Moochy]

135. STFU POTUS!

I like the sound of that "The STFU Address" :D

[proReality]

23. Go, Nancy!

Make them begin to earn all those pay raises.

[Canuckistanian]

24. Brilliant move!

And you know nobody's going to object to this. At least not in public opinion.

The general public already thinks Congress doesn't work hard enough as it is.

[deepthought42]

25. *GASP*

You mean they're actually going to do WORK!? :wow:

It will be a happy New Year's this year! :toast: :woohoo:

[Pacifist Patriot]

60. Shocking, isn't it?

[lonestarnot]

26. 69 days a year is too much freak'n work for repigs, now what they gona

do implode? Yesssssssssssss. I want to watch!

[Kber]

27. I guess we know why there was no congressional outcry about Bush's vacation

they wouldn't want to call attention to their own attendance record.

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. What a difference a year makes

Remember last year - The delay for DeLay?

[KansDem]

92. That's right! I'd forgotten about that!

Republican Party crisis deepens: DeLay forced out of congressional leadership
By Patrick Martin

11 January 2006

DeLay stepped down temporarily as House Majority Leader last September, after he was indicted by an Austin, Texas grand jury on charges of money laundering in a scheme to funnel illegal campaign contributions to Republican candidates for the Texas state legislature. Under rules of the House Republican caucus, leaders cannot remain in office after being indicted.

Attorneys for DeLay brought enormous pressure to bear on the Texas judge, Pat Priest, who is hearing the money-laundering case, seeking a dismissal of the charges by the end of January so that DeLay could return to his leadership position when the House of Representatives goes back into session January 31.

The opening date of the legislative session was deliberately pushed back by the Republican leadership, not only to accommodate DeLay himself, but to avoid a fresh leadership contest which might exacerbate inner-party divisions revealed over the past several months over such issues as relief for Hurricane Katrina victims, budget cuts in social spending and opening the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.

WSWS
Look what the Republicans have done...they got me reading socialist news sites!

Thanks for the memories, proud2Blib! :hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

93. I had STOP THE DELAY FOR DELAY in my sig line

for awhile last year.

[Irishonly]

29. You Go, Nancy

Hot darn! Give me one of "those" liberals every time.
:kick:

[think4yourself]

30. Right on

With the light on!!

[Bob Loblaw]

31. Here she goes.

What a shrill, vindictive harpy. :sarcasm:

[rateyes]

32. When she said the first 100 hours...

She meant the FIRST 100 hours. Put their butts to work, Nancy!

[madrchsod]

33. nancy the riveter?

if a man won`t do it a woman will...

[I Have A Dream]

56. We need someone to Photoshop Nancy's face here.

I'd buy the t-shirt!

:woohoo:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

63. It already exists.

Saw the poster with Pelosi's face on it during a convention in 2004. Probably from one of her old campaigns.

[mcg]

75. photo of a real-life Rosie the Riveter

larger photo at
http://www.rosietheriveter.us/photos/page2.htm

[rosesaylavee]

34. LOVE IT!

There's a lot of work to do. Very smart on her part.

[racaulk]

35. Go get 'em, Nancy!

I am loving this! She is going to kick so much ass as Speaker, and I can't wait for our Democratic Congress to get started! 2007 is going to be a great year, I can feel it! :)

[KarenS]

36. ThankYou, Nancy Pelosi!! k&r

There seem to be many traditions that need to be stopped!!!

and she seems like the right person to stop them :)

[NobleCynic]

37. Interesting move.

Let's see how it works out.

[Alamom]

38. Speaker Pelosi.......

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[chelsea0011]

39. SMACKDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Roland99]

40. 1st order of business should be to kick the lobbyists out!!

[Beetwasher]

41. Oh, This Is A BRILLIANT MOVE!!!

Nothing else needs to be said. Absolutely brilliant.

[helderheid]

43. I am grinning ear to ear!

[bluerum]

42. Way. To. Go. Start taking the trash out ASAP. nt

[Lowell]

44. Way to go Nancy!

Hit them before the spin machine can concoct a strategy in the SOTU. Put the congress to work, keep them busy so they can't screw anything else up.

[AllexxisF1]

48. This is exactly what I was hoping for!

At a girl Nancy, give them what for!

Congress should be in session more often and this is a great political move by Nancy. There is no way that the Republicans are going to bitch about having to work when everyone else in the country does.

Moreover, by having issues on the table before the State of the Union, Nancy cleary sets up the agenda for the COUNTRY, not the other way around.

Damn what a great move.

[jbonkowski]

45. There won't be any bills on Bush's desk by SOTU

If the Senate doesn't follow suit and also work during the weeks coming up to the SOTU.

jim

[I Have A Dream]

58. Let's just hope that the Senate follows suit.

(Good point though.)

[tinfoilinfor2005]

64. Those old farts would drop over dead if they had to put in a full

work week. I can't see that happening.

[CatWoman]

46. Nancy

you're my kind of girl!!!

Kick ass Baby!!!

Kick some Chimp ass!!! :applause:

[EFerrari]

99. These Thugs are SO screwn.

They don't even know just how screwn they are. :evilgrin:

[CatWoman]

104. they are surely stocking up on asparagus as we speak

:rofl:

[Kolesar]

109. I missed the asparagus joke

but I see it everywhere around here. Someone want to let me in on this raw humor?

[annabanana]

121. (some freeper's version of "casting aspersions". ).

Pretty funny. Sorry I don't have the link.

[CatWoman]

126. here ya go

:hi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2784115

[Kolesar]

134. Oh, my. That's classic. thanks

[originalpckelly]

47. GO NANCY GO!!!!

:rofl:

This isn't wrong, it is making the damn Congress work more!

[trogdor]

49. Mom's home - better get busy!

I likes the sound of that.

[leveymg]

50. Just skip the SOTU, unless it's to hand Bush his first subpoenas

Investigating the little monkey and his monkeymen are the first order of business. There's no time for make nice-nice state occasions.

No phony rounds of applause for the Traitor-In-Chief, Darth Cheney, and the 1600 Penn Crew. Just grill them, indict them, and try them.

No more Washington business as usual until all the criminals are held accountable.

[William769]

51. Congress at work.

The way it should be!

[emald]

52. yeah baby, this is what I voted for, a great big change

about time the congress became a work organization and not a playground for pedophiles. Work hard Ms. Pelosi and keep them in line. Get it done.
IMPEACH and IMPRISON GWBushit

[sillyphoenix]

53. Woo-Hah!

Awww... are the little Republicans tired from working too hard?

PUT A FUTON IN YOUR NEW, SMALLER OFFICES! We pay y'all to work, not lounge around on piles of lobbyist money!

(Admittedly, that's a little bit of a hyperbole, but you get my drift.)

[natrat]

54. PELOSI GET RID OF THE MACMINES

[yellowcanine]

55. For the money we are paying tham why should they get 2 weeks in January off?

Good move Nancy. Let them whine. Make sure you schedule some votes so we can see who is slacking off and who is doing the people's work.

[catmandu57]

57. Time is short, there is much work to be done

Reversing the crap that has been laid on us. When congress did work it worked against us, now let our government work for the people once more.

[Aviation Pro]

59. The sweetest words in January will be....

..."Madame Speaker, the pResident of the United States."

[I Have A Dream]

61. Yes, the Dems have 2 years to prove that we can get it done.

Let's not waste a day of it.

The Dems been waiting for this for so long, why wouldn't they want to get started as quickly as possible?

Brilliant move, Madam Speaker!

[SutaUvaca]

62. Oh I am loving this woman!!

Even if the Senate doesn't similarly step up to the plate, in-vest-i-ga-tions will begin. Along with Nancy's wonderful agenda.
I like her sense of urgency. I like it a lot.

[Straight Shooter]

65. Bwahahaha! No more free ride.

:thumbsup:

[Tellurian]

66. I have a question..

will there be a flap over the new Bills creation, whereas,
the new representation will not have been officially sworn in yet?

just asking?

[kestrel91316]

94. I think the swearing-in will be Jan 4, and then they get right to work.

[Tellurian]

141. Thank you, kestrel91316..

holding my breath till then..

be prepared for anything..
quadruple security on family, avoid small plane flights..

the opposition is working overtime to forestall this happening..

please dear God, protect ours from harm..

[Joe Chi Minh]

67. The "Can Do" Democrats firing up from the get-go on all cylinders!

[woodsgirl]

70. I'm

appreciating Nancy Pelosi more and more as well. Priority
number one should be election fraud. Christine Jennings race
in Fla. is still undecided(although the repub is claiming
victory) because 18,000 votes are missing in action. JFKJr's
lawsuit is reportedly under a gag order. If this is pushed
aside our reps. can vote any way they want to and expect to
get back in office. Joe Lieberman is a case in point who
consistently votes for corporations and foreign interests
instead of US.He should not be in the senate.

[closeupready]

68. EXCELLENT!

Go, Pelosi! Oo, oo, oo... :)

[enough already]

69. Great news n/t

[Limelight]

71. Nancy's whoopin' ass already...

And they ain't even started yet. You go girl.:bounce:

[2Design]

72. they are paid enough to put in a few days a year

They are paid well above the median it is about time they worked - they only seem to work 6 months a year - they are always off on trips, and paid trips, and campaigning but not working for the people - this is good - get to work for those $4000/year raises

[LonelyLRLiberal]

73. Wonder if the Pukes have the nerve to complain about the work schedule?

Of course, if they don't like it, they can just stay home and let the Dems handle stuff without them.

[bananarepublican]

143. If we work too hard we'll make Bush look bad! n/t

[Lugnut]

74. Good idea

Most people who have the holidays off have to go back to work in January. The Repubs can gnash their teeth all they want but they get paid to go to work.

[Roxy66]

78. Republicans arent used to having to work to get things done....

[libnnc]

80. You. Bettah. Work!

No more two-day work weeks, dick heads.

Love. It.

[Bluzmann57]

81. Brilliant!

Force bush's hand before the State of the Union. That way, when he says something stupid (and he will), the Dems can have an answer already in place. "See, we are trying to straighten things out", can be the answer. I repeat, brilliant. Way to go Nancy Pelosi. Make them actually work. That's why we elected them.

[SharonRB]

82. You go, girl!

Yay for Nancy -- make those guys do some work for a change.

[Vinca]

83. Good for her. A great start! nt

[JoMama49]

84. I'm still afraid the *ishes will try something prior to January - like

creating some kind of terrorist threat, declaring martial law, something to shut down Congress, but I sure admire Speaker Pelosi!

[Occulus]

103. If they don't try "something" between now and January, I for one will be VERY surprised.

These- things- that are in Congress right now are cornered animals, and like any cornered animal, they could try whatever they think will work for their own survival.

Not that that should stop us :D

[tblue]

85. To the Repugs: MERRY CHRISTMAS! Ho ho ho! LOL!!!

[jpwhite]

86. yes, make them work for their money

I totally agree with this. I want to see these guys earn their money. I blame both sides for all of these pay raises, so the idea that they have to work more doesn't bother me a bit.

James
[e-mail]

[dicknbush]

87. Seems only fair since the Repubs chose to not finish up the budget and rolled it over

TO the Dems to clean up.

[liberal N proud]

89. America wants a new direction - Sounds like maybe we are taking a turn ...

To the left.

Now get some real work done for the people.

[Dr Fate]

90. Showing up to work early, eh? Typical lefty commies!!!

;)

[opihimoimoi]

131. Doncha love it???? About Time for them Pubs to see a real LEADER in action

[KingFlorez]

91. I love it!

This is why the Republicans don't like her, she isn't a pushover and gets right down to business.

[understandinglife]

96. Leadership -- just what 'the Doctor ordered' for our Republic on 7 Nov 2006

BE AMERICA. ---

[crispini]

97. That is EXCELLENT news

Go Speaker Pelosi! :applause:

[Renew Deal]

98. It should be called the "Earn your fucking money" special session.

The bums have been slacking off.

[warrens]

101. Not fair

Doing actual WORK? Those SLIMY Democrats, what an underhanded trick. Speaking for Republicans in Congress, WE'LL be home filling up our goodie bags with fat corporate checks, molesting the cutest of our aides and interns, consulting with the KKK, beating up fags and otherwise attending to the peoples' business while these CUT-AND-RUN COMMIES have their little circle jerk.

[porphyrian]

102. It's nice when our representatives bother to represent. - n/t

[Clint Thomas]

105. No wonder...

..The re pukes seem to hate her. She's actually going to make them work. It's about time. She'll be 20 times better
than Newt THINKS he was.

[porphyrian]

107. I wonder how much they'll pass just so they can go home... - n/t

[kerstin]

106. If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

So get to work, boys and girls!:kick:

[pinto]

108. Ha. Good move Madam Speaker. Kudos.

:thumbsup:

[Independent_Liberal]

110. Sending you white light and positive energy Ms. Pelosi.

I wish you success in your job as the new Speaker.

Love,

IndyLib

[tinfoilinfor2005]

111. January 4 is on a Thursday.

I'll be at my desk on January 2, and I work through Saturday. But of course it all evens out, because I don't get paid nearly as much as the good House members. :)

[Ino]

112. what a contrast to Has-been-tert

I believe he delayed start of congress last year to give Delay a chance to get his charges dropped.

[yorkiemommie1]

113. Hard work

Good solid VALUES!

[greeneyedboy]

114. she is a political genius. go Nancy!

as one of her constituents, i often feel she is way way way too conservative for a politician representing San Francisco, but i have always been *extremely* impressed with her political skills. she'll be an excellent and very effective Speaker.

[blondeatlast]

115. Offense is what scores the points that win the game. WTG, Madam Speaker! nt

[lebkuchen]

116. Maybe then the House will return to being a deliberative body

rather than an entity that answers to K Street (provided K-Street has paid its dues).

[nealmhughes]

117. Outstanding. Too bad they have to "work" early this year. " Quelle sad," as Holly Golightly

would have said. Bush having his main show of the year preempted by C-Span I? Ha! Ha! Ha!

Brilliant, Mme. Speaker, brilliant.


Oh, the joy I shall see when Dennis K. and Waxman, etc. are presiding over the chamber and those atrocities of legislators such as Phil Gingrey and Virginia Foxx are begging to be heard...

The bittersweet almond smell of strychine will surely be in the air when the Congress reopens as the hollow teeth are broken open to release the Republican suicide pills!

[brainshrub]

119. You go Pelosi!

I love that woman.

[CrispyQ]

120. Ohhhhhh, I am loving this woman!

Madame Speaker, :yourock:

[LSK]

122. K&R

[focusfan]

125. I'm so glad we got rid of the do nothing Congress

I sure hope the Democrates can make a difference.

[The Count]

127. Steal the thunder, not the agenda - title is misleading

Had me worried for a moment that she's going BFEE

[humbled_opinion]

128. HA she is going to put the smack down...

Finally a Congress of the People that works for the People who would have THUNK it?

Nancy Pelosi is going to be a very historically remembered Speaker...

[opihimoimoi]

130. Head them off at the PASS...The days of Skating.gliding/goofing off/ is OVER

The Pubs easy money attitude is in for a shock...

[SunDrop23]

132. YOU GO GIRL!

Way to go Nancy!!!:yourock:

[Imalittleteapot]

133. Showing America how it's supposed to be done!

You are making us proud Nancy! Before you know it, most citizens will cherish you. Keep it up!!!:loveya: :loveya:

[aquart]

136. We gotta. They are leaving all those money bills unfinished.

Just like a bunch of toddlers who refuse to pick up their toys when it's time to go home.

[Javaman]

137. See georgie*, this is an example of real hard work.

Bless you Nancy.

[NewJeffCT]

140. Just think though

It's such hard work clearing brush at the Crawford Ranch while the world descends further & further into chaos & death on your watch. I mean, our Fearless Leader is showing America that they can relax and takes months of vacation every year during a time of war. I mean, doesn't everybody get to take 1/3 of their work year as vacation time?

[yellowdogmi]

142. Republicans you are excused...

we don't want you to object to the conducting of the people's business. Such as issuing subpeonas.
:evilgrin: :popcorn:

[upi402]

144. Yay!

for "hard work"!
:bounce:
May crimes against humanity trials mete out justice to the BushCo criminals, as their self-made immunity has probably allowed its cause.