This morning I'm thinking about my old boss. I like what Maggie Mahar had to say about him.
And say what you will about the politics and the policy - over the past two months Speaker Pelosi has cemented her place among the greats to hold her office in terms of effectiveness. I'm very impressed with her knowledge of the process and policy, her knowledge of her caucus, and her sheer force of will in the face of unprecedented opposition in dollars and outside influence. Senator Kennedy used to say that sometimes you have to sail against the wind, and Speaker Pelosi stared down a gale and never blinked.
Clay, Cannon, Longworth, Rayburn, O'Neill - in my mind she's up there with them.
1 comment:
Thanks for linking.
You were lucky to work with him--
I'm hoping that, going foward, more people of your generation, who possess Kennedy's commitment to equality and his passion will join govt', run for office, help others get elected.
I do think we've reached a turning point. We're about to reverse the direction that we've been going in for the past 30 years.
When the bill passed, I was sorry that he wasn't there. But if he knew Pelosi, he may well have suspected that at long last, it would. He would have understood that the terrible economy would help--more Americans are worried that they will lose their insurance.
When the Clintons were trying to pass healthcare, the recession ended too quickly. Not a problem today.
I agree-- she's up there with Rayburn. Reid also deserves credit. He was working a much tougher, more conservative room-- the current Senate.
And Pelosi is the daughter of an old-fashioned "Last Hurrah" pol. By and large, I would guess that she enjoyed the fight (though it must have been exhausting.)
I don't think Reid enjoyed it. He just did his best to do the right thing--and succeeded.
Would be wonderful to hear what K. would have to say about all of this.
Like the title fo your blog
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