Speaker Bug-Eyes
Let's say you're a certain major American political party that's been out of power for twelve years. You've just won the most important election in 25 years, and have recaptured both houses of Congress. You did so by playing it smart and safe, offering up candidates who were palatable to independents and moderate conservatives (such as pro-life Senator-elect Bob Casey in Pennsylvania). You now have a narrow majority, but the Administration remains in the hands of Bush, and he still controls the War in Iraq.
Accepting all this as true, do you really want to nominate a San Francisco ultra-liberal who is incapable of speaking in anything but Democratic talking points as Speaker of the House? Really?
posted by Ben at 10:05 AM
2 Comments:
A three word answer, “Yes, for now.” And it may turn out to be a good thing having her as speaker. Counter-intuitive, but some of the reasons:
There are indications that the Democrats “get it” – that the election was anti-Bush, not pro-Democrat. People desperately want a move to the middle and some rational pragmatism. If that’s true, Pelosi has some advantages.
First, there’s the “Nixon goes to China” metaphor. The “Old Guard” that will get the Chairs are “old fashion liberals” and will need to be reigned in, as well as the “far left” (which is vocal but small part of what’s going on); who better to deal with them than someone they know despises this administration?
Second, the Contrast Effect. Rove et al. have demonized Pelosi to the point that if she shows any degree of moderation and rationality, it will look all the more so because of what people have been told to expect.
Third, the last thing Democrats need right now is another circular firing squad. It’s time to get things done, not sit around like exiles arguing over who gets what come the counter-revolution. There’s not enough time to do it all and this is what we’ve got to work with.
Iraq needs to be fixed (as best it can be fixed) for the sake of our country and the world. This transcends partisan politics. If the administration is sincere about working with others and seeking alternatives (and we have to make the working assumption that they are until proven otherwise), the Democrats have to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. I think the smarter members of the Democratic Party get it and I’m willing to give Pelosi a chance and, at this point, think she could be the best we can do right now.
-- Big Daddy
It's a good idea, unless the Dems want to completely lose their soul and become a party of conservatism.
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