fbpx
05.31.2009 0

Editorial: Don’t Forget About Pelosi

  • On: 06/01/2009 12:01:56
  • In: Hard Left
  • Just one week ago, Congress top Democrat and Washington’s most powerful woman, Nancy Pelosi, was up to her neck in hot water.

    Upon getting caught in a boldfaced lie regarding when and how much she knew about the CIA’s enhanced interrogations during the Bush administration, Nancy Pelosi scrambled. Her constantly changing stories and alibis, along with her shameless condemnation of the CIA as liars, kept her front and center where she should have been.

    And then—with much fanfare—another liberal woman rose up and stole the headlines when Barack Obama took to the podium with Sonia Sotomayor in tow.

    With a smile from Mr. Obama and a compelling story from Judge Sotomayor, the nation is captivated and this shiny, new story has filled up the radio waves and occupied TV screens across America. Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi has become an afterthought.

    Although Sonia Sotomayor deserves her share of criticism and intense scrutiny, now is not the time to acquiesce on Nancy Pelosi. As many on the right have noted, Sonia Sotomayor’s looming confirmation to the Supreme Court—much to the dismay of those who look for more than mere “empathy” in their justices—is all but inevitable. Nancy Pelosi’s continuing role as Speaker of the House (and second in line for the Presidency, for that matter) is anything but inevitable.

    After all, Mrs. Pelosi is precariously teetering on the edge of a political chasm. According to a recent Rasmussen Reports survey, the Speaker’s favorability ratings have reached a critical low: a mere 35 percent of Americans approve of how she is doing. On the contrary, 63 percent of Americans view the CIA—the very people whom Mrs. Pelosi has condemned as liars—as favorable.

    It’s fairly obvious she is on the losing side.

    On the brink as she is, all that’s needed is a push to displace her from the lofty post of Speaker of the House.

    In a climate where conservatives have garnered few victories—disregarding those in California—Nancy Pelosi is low-hanging fruit ripe for picking. Those who dislike the Speaker—63% of the country, that is—could use the sustenance.

    And even if she refuses to be removed from her position as Speaker of House, it certainly would not hurt to keep one of the most powerful, visible, and disliked Washington Democrats in the headlines day after embarrassing day.

    Those putting the pressure on Speaker Pelosi must not let off—especially when smelling blood in the water. As ALG News Bureau reported last week, a number of top conservative leaders—including former Attorney General Edwin Meese and Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson—signed a letter demanding the Speaker’s resignation. As Mr. Wilson said:

    “If there is a shred of dignity left in her, she will do the right thing and step down.”

    The only chance conservatives like Mr. Meese and Mr. Wilson have of getting Nancy Pelosi to step down is by keeping her under the spotlight and in the hot water. They must do what they will with Sotomayor, but neglecting Speaker Pelosi and taking their eye off the ball—especially now that they’ve got the ball rolling—would be a bad decision.


    Copyright © 2008-2024 Americans for Limited Government