by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
I've never made a secret of my growing disdain for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Having been in Congress since almost forever (1987) and been elected the first and, so far, only female Speaker of the House, Pelosi has done a lot of good work and earned the accolades of her peers and the American public. But she has had her time captaining the Democratic ship of state, and now clings to the the ship's creaky old wheel with the tenacity of a deranged barnacle - refusing to move on and let another generation of aspiring leaders have the chance to show their stuff.
In fact, the entire Democratic leadership team is clinging tenaciously to its fading power.
Nancy Pelosi will be 78 later this month. Her able assistant leader, James Clyburn will be 78 in July, and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer has been 78 since last June. All three were toddlers when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. All three are well into their second decade of eligibility for full social security benefits.
Some would argue that its hard for a party whose leadership is fueled by Metamucil and daily naps to style itself as a dynamic engine charging to drive America into the future.
But, in the spirit of even a blind hog finds an acorn every now and then, yesterday Pelosi, or more likely her "team," did manage to tweet a jewel which bears repeating, Pelosi, tweeting@TeamPelosi, directed this comment at Trump:
There, in just a few words, Pelosi questions Trump's business practices, throwing hints that he may be dishonest, and suggests that he may also be a target of Russian blackmailing. Sweet! Good one, Nancy!
Nancy and Donald, I would point out that you both are very talented tweeters. Maybe it's time for you to concentrate on polishing your social media presence - and leave governing to those who are still south of retirement age.
Don't take it personally. These are just a few passing thoughts from one of your young friends.
Citizen Journalist
I've never made a secret of my growing disdain for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Having been in Congress since almost forever (1987) and been elected the first and, so far, only female Speaker of the House, Pelosi has done a lot of good work and earned the accolades of her peers and the American public. But she has had her time captaining the Democratic ship of state, and now clings to the the ship's creaky old wheel with the tenacity of a deranged barnacle - refusing to move on and let another generation of aspiring leaders have the chance to show their stuff.
In fact, the entire Democratic leadership team is clinging tenaciously to its fading power.
Nancy Pelosi will be 78 later this month. Her able assistant leader, James Clyburn will be 78 in July, and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer has been 78 since last June. All three were toddlers when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. All three are well into their second decade of eligibility for full social security benefits.
Some would argue that its hard for a party whose leadership is fueled by Metamucil and daily naps to style itself as a dynamic engine charging to drive America into the future.
But, in the spirit of even a blind hog finds an acorn every now and then, yesterday Pelosi, or more likely her "team," did manage to tweet a jewel which bears repeating, Pelosi, tweeting
"What is it that you’re hiding in your taxes from America that you continuously undermine the Mueller probe’s ability to rightfully #FollowTheFacts? What must the Russians have on you personally, politically and financially?"
There, in just a few words, Pelosi questions Trump's business practices, throwing hints that he may be dishonest, and suggests that he may also be a target of Russian blackmailing. Sweet! Good one, Nancy!
Nancy and Donald, I would point out that you both are very talented tweeters. Maybe it's time for you to concentrate on polishing your social media presence - and leave governing to those who are still south of retirement age.
Don't take it personally. These are just a few passing thoughts from one of your young friends.
1 comment:
It is the nature of the beast that the old hands guide the ship of state. Of course Speaker Boehner did not sign on for the Tea Party headaches and quit. Paul Ryan is a youthful Speaker who may well meet his Waterloo come November. He has not been an effective leader of the House unwilling to reign in Republicans like Representative Nunes.
Youth alone is not the answer. While I agree that it is time for a younger generation to take the reins of power in the House the sole qualification cannot be having a birth date after the date of John Kennedy's assassination.
Effective leadership requires a ruthless ability to twist arms when whipping votes. It requires an extensive knowledge of the arcane Rules of the House, which are tweaked at the beginning of each Congress. It knows how to assuage the bruised egos of Members from both sides of the aisle. Like the Kenny Rogers song "The Gambler" an effective Speaker needs to know "You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done."
It is widely speculated now that Pelosi will be at minimum run against by new candidates seeking to replace Republicans. It is further speculated that she plans not to pursue another two years at the helm.
It is easy to criticize her. It is far more difficult to replace her. Be careful what you wish for.
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