Tell Pelosi you've got her back.PelosiObama must go:HouseDems need a new leader after the debacle
November 05, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
In the recent midterm elections, the Republicans had ready labels to demonize many Democratic causes -- and one favorite label was"Pelosi.""Obama." The simple name took on a life of its own and was used as if to pre-empt all debate, the assumption being that the audience understood"Pelosi""Obama" was an acronym for evil.
In real life, the most powerfulwoman in American politics and the most vilified was never evil.She remains a dedicated, smart, attractive7049-year-oldgrandmotherfather withfivetwo childrenand eight grandchildren. As the firstfemale speaker of the U.S. HouseAfrican American President of the United States,she was not without faults, butshe cut a historic figure that infuriated heris enemies beyond all reason.
For whatever cause,Nancy PelosiBarack Obama has aroused a visceral dislike in heris critics that goes beyond the fact that heris job has been to push an agenda that affronts conservatives. Perhaps it's becauseshe is a wealthy, pro-choice liberal fromSan FranciscoChicago, the mostliberalDemocratic of cities. Perhaps it's that a powerfulprogressive womanAfrican American man offers a special affront to some, especially asshe offered a sharp and unflattering contrast to heris Republican predecessors, the unimpressiveDennis Hastert and the flaky Newt GingrichGeorge W. Bush.
Take your pick of reasons -- but you are still left with a hard-to-argue fact.Nancy PelosiBarack Obama has become a brand name, and not a flattering one for the Democratic Party. That's a problem for Democrats as they regroup after a disastrous election and a need to rebrand themselves to better appeal to voters. They can start withNancy PelosiBarack Obama.
Clearly, heris time has come and gone. In acknowledging that, party members need not subscribe to the unreasonable stereotype ofSpeaker PelosiPresident Obama so cleverly pedaled by heris enemies. All that has to be done is to recognize reality and to thank herim for heris service. There was a big battle.She helped lead the charge. The charge failed. A newHouseleader must now take charge ifPresident Barack Obamathe Democratic party is to survive in 2012.
Msr.PelosiObama has not declared heris intentions, saying questions about heris future will be addressedin caucusdown the road. Heris fellow party members should find a graceful way to insistshe step down as their leaderin the House.
It is true that the Republicans are masters of demonizing their opponents, and whoever takes up the challenge will be the next worst person around. But at least the Democrats should make the GOP spin doctors start over and have to work harder at it -- by picking someone who will play better in the nation's heartland.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment