Pelosi is an issue only because the conservative talking heads have made her an issue. I would suspect most voters have no idea who the majority or minority leaders are and even less about what they do.
Pelosi is very good at what she does -- pushing through legislation and raising money. If you measure success based on those criteria, the last session of the House was the most successful in a long term in terms of significant legislation passed....and because of that success, she is vilified even more by the right. And that extremist vilification only added to her success as a fundraiser.
The right is getting carried away blaming the loss of the House on Pelosi...but it does play to the emotion of the masses who live and die on every word of the Limbaughs and Becks.
---------- Post added at 08:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:25 AM ----------
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Originally Posted by Xazy
As well outside of policies, I have issues with how she handled corruption in the house. She on purpose left all the hearings on Rangel until after the elections. I know that is a political thing to keep the seat, and they will now try to get the case done and settled before Republicans take control, but it disgusts me.
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The so-called stalling of the Rangel ethics trial is an example of the over-the-top rhetoric promoted by the Limbaugh and Becks and perpetuated by their uninformed followers. The trial, like any trial, takes prep time - interviewing potential witnesses, the discovery process, etc.
As to how she handled corruption in the House, one would think those on the right would have applauded the fact that she pushed through the most comprehensive ethics reform in recent years, by twisting the arms of many Democrats.
One of the best features of that ethics reform was the creation of a quasi-independent Office of Congressional Ethics so that the members of Congress themselves cant full control and manipulate the process. Boehner has indicated that he is open to disbanding the OCE.
Quote:
Congressional watchdogs fear the new Republican House majority will dismantle an office that opened up once-secretive ethics probes, and they are urging incoming Speaker John Boehner to maintain its powers when his party assumes control in January.
Watchdogs worry over ethics office future - USATODAY.com
The Office of Congressional Ethics has also injected a dose of much-needed transparency into the congressional ethics process. Reports have been posted online, arguments are voiced between the office and the House Ethics Committee and the public has learned more than previous about how ethics investigations are conducted.
Now Minority Leader John Boehner, who voted against the creation of the Office of Congressional Ethics in 2007, is dodging questions about whether he would do away with the office were he to become the next Speaker of the House. Boehner had previously stated that he wanted to “take a look” at the office come next year.
http://blog.sunlightfoundation.com/2...sional-ethics/
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Where was the outrage from the right when not one Republican supported the creation of the OCE?