Pelosi: pragmatist or traitor to liberals?

[The Straight Story]

Pelosi: pragmatist or traitor to liberals?


WASHINGTON - When San Francisco Rep. Nancy Pelosi ascended to speaker of the House 18 months ago, liberals cheered. Now some jeer, calling her a traitor to her principles.

In just the past two weeks, this former opponent of the Iraq war negotiated a deal to fund it for one more year. Then, this longtime defender of civil liberties compromised on a surveillance bill critics say covers up illegal wiretapping by the Bush administration and telecom companies.

"You'd have to really think your constituents were stone-cold stupid to count that a victory," fumed liberal blogger Michael Lazzaro, known as Hunter on Daily Kos, about the surveillance deal.

But in an illustration of the intricate balancing act of politics, some of the very moves that have sparked liberal ire across the country are drawing a quite different reaction in the nation's capitol. Pelosi, once deemed by conservatives as a shrill and impractical outsider, is now being seen as a clever pragmatist positioning her party for success at the polls - and with the next president.

"She's a pretty canny politician and knows how to limit risks by cutting deals," said John Feehery, a Republican Party strategist who was spokesman for Pelosi's predecessor, Dennis Hastert.

http://origin.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_9800230

[robinlynne]

1. you need to ask? As for the party win, that's a given.

We would win a hell of a lot more if they would count the votes....

[onehandle]

2. That commentary doesn't mention the Rove story. I want confirmation. nt

[BeHereNow]

6. How long will you be satisfied with her doing NOTHING where Rove is concerned?

How long ago was the subpoena issued?
She has taken NO action against yet ANOTHER
Bush staffer BREAKING THE LAW.

So what exactly is it that she does?

BHN

[BeHereNow]

3. The law of the land must NOT be compromised. She is derelict in her duty where Rove is concerned.

If she fails to hold him in contempt of congress, I think
the answer to your question will be fairly obvious.

As for me?
I'm not holding my breath that she will uphold her oath
but still think it important that we let her know
she has done so.

BHN

[spanone]

4. yea boy, she can cut them deals....only problem is she cuts them for the oppositon

[Adsos Letter]

11. yeah...interesting that those words come from a Republican strategist...

[Individualist]

5. Collaborator

http://bp3.blogger.com/_jkySfZbMIPg/R1-H_R9tu8I/AAAAAAAAAUo/nhfpEO1T9oc/s400/PELOSI,+PEARLS+and+SMILES+for++bush...jpg

[Canuckistanian]

7. Traitor? I wouldn't go that far

No, wait. I would as far as collaborating with the enemy is concerned. And it SURE looks like she's done that.

Anyone who "goes along to get along" doesn't win any points. Historically or politically.

[stimbox]

8. Quisling.

Pretty easy to limit risks when you give the enemy what they want.

[Edweird]

9. C.O.M.P.L.I.C.I.T. It didn't take me long to see which way the wind was blowing

but the peanut gallery here insisted that "these things take time". I'm no political science professor, but I am street smart and I know a sell out when I smell it.

[lostnotforgotten]

10. Traitor To Progressives, Liberals, Dems - You Name It!

eom

[depakid]

12. When Republicans praise the leader of the opposition party-

That's a pretty good clue as to the nature of the "leadership."