The LuLac Edition #4, 861, December 7th 2022

 WRITE ON WEDNESDAY 

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There are people on the right who refuse to believe this but Nancy Pelodi took names and kicked ass. She will go down in history as the first woman ever to become Speaker. But she will be regarded as the most powerful, wily and successful leader of a majority Congress. Bottom line: she got things done. Times Shamrock Newspapers thought so too.

PELOSI'S HISTORIC LEADERSHIP

Nancy Pelosi made history in 2007 when she became the first woman speaker of the House. But her effectiveness has been equally historic. She not only ascended to power, but demonstrated that she knew how to use it.

Pelosi, 82, announced last week that she will not seek a leadership role in the Democratic caucus when Republicans claim their narrow majority in January.

Pelosi’s effectiveness explains the vilification that Republican candidates heaped on her during the midterm election campaign, including the race for the 8th Congressional District seat. Ads for Republican challenger Jim Bognet lamented that incumbent Democrat Matt Cartwright had voted with Pelosi “100% of the time.”

Although Cartwright disputed the percentage, the assertion is a tribute to Pelosi’s mastery of the legislative process. Congressional Democrats are a far more diverse bunch than their Republican counterparts, all the more so with the ascension of the party’s progressive wing. Pelosi’s leadership ensured that the caucus was able to get things done with its narrow majority, rather than descending into unproductive squabbling.

And it’s no coincidence that women are a major force in that progressive wing. Pelosi has inspired untold numbers of women to seek public office.

Pelosi further displayed her leadership on Jan. 6, 2021, when she calmly committed to  carrying out the Congress’ business as insurrectionists ransacked her office. She did so when she ignored Chinese Communist Party threats while visiting Taiwan earlier this year. And she stood fast when a domestic terrorist, looking for her, broke into her San Francisco home and severely injured her husband.

The term “professional politician” most often is used as a pejorative. Pelosi, the daughter of a former Baltimore mayor and congressman, demonstrated its positive side. She is a professional politician who never has forgotten that the objective is not power alone, but to use it for the public good.