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Nancy Pelosi Watch: “100 Hours” Agenda Extends to Two Weeks
Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) talks to reporters at a news conference about her plans for the first 100 hours of the new congress at the Capitol in Washington, December 14, 2006.
The Boston Globe: The first 100 hours
House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi and her top aides have outlined a full agenda for Democrats’ first 100 legislative hours in power, starting after members of the 110th Congress are sworn in today. Pelosi has vowed to complete work on those items before President Bush delivers his State of the Union address on Jan. 23.
The Influence Peddler decodes the first 100 hours (via Patrick Ruffini)
So much of politics is a matter of perception and expectations, so it’s useful at this point to review the program offered by Rep. Pelosi before the election for the agenda of the first 100 hours of her Speakership:
1) Enact all 41 of the 9-11 Commission’s Recommendations (scheduled for adoption Jan. 9)2) Increase minimum wage–probably to $7.25 (scheduled for Jan. 10)3) Remove existing restrictions on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research (scheduled for Jan. 11)4) Permit (or require) the federal government to negotiate prescription drug price schedules with pharmaceutical companies (scheduled for Jan. 12)5) Cut interest rates on federally guaranteed student loans “in half” (scheduled for Jan. 17)6) “End subsidies for Big Oil and invest in renewable energy” (scheduled for Jan. 18)It’s hard to see how this can be done successfully.Read it all.
Patrick reminds us of the Contract with America and the GOP’s Newt Gingrich when he assumed the Speakership in 1995:
Here’s the Contract with America for handy side-by-side reference. Republicans passed eight substantive measures on the first day of their majority, and as someone who was up watching it late that night on C-SPAN, the first day didn’t mean “next week.â€
Pelosi’s Congress is in with a whimper. It’s not hard to see why the Sheehanites are upset.
Stay tuned……..
Technorati Tags: NancyPelosi, StenyHoyer, NewtGingrich
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Nancy Pelosi Watch: Pelosi Names Silvestre Reyes Chairman of House Intelligence Committee
Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) (R) speaks during a news conference in Washington November 18, 2005. Reyes will become chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives intelligence committee when Democrats take control of Congress in January, Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi said on Friday.
SF Chronicle: Pelosi names Rep. Reyes to head Intelligence Committee
After skipping over the top two Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee, Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco today named anti-Iraq war Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas to head the panel whose importance has grown since the 2001 terror attacks and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The appointment of Reyes, an Army veteran who later served more than two decades in the Border Patrol, came after Pelosi had passed over the current ranking Democrat on the panel, Rep. Jane Harman of Venice in Los Angeles County, and Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida.
So, Speaker Pelosi SCREWS OVER Jane Harman and SLAPS Alcee Hastings (redemption wats dat?). Pelosi is not making too many friends in the Black Caucus or among the Blue Dog Democrats.
Trouble?
You bet…….
U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, will be the next chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
It appears Pelosi’s appointment to key House Committees is based on a new lockstep paradigm of opposition to President Bush and the Iraq War. Since this is a minority view inside the Democrat caucus (since many voted for the war) will Pelosi be able to move the hurt feelings into floor votes?
Doubtful……..
And Reyes?
Reyes’s district is on the Mexican border, centered in El Paso. He also serves on the Armed Service and Veterans Affairs Committees and was, like Pelosi, an outspoken opponent of the decision to invade Iraq in March 2003.
In naming Reyes to a high profile job, Pelosi also satisfies another key part of the Democratic coalition, the House’s Hispanic members.
Will Jane Harman remain on the Intelligence Committee?
Unknown and if removed……
What impact would Harman’s removal be on the 40 plus Blue Dog Democrats?
Stay tuned……..
Previous:
Michael Ramirez on Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Alcee Hastings
Nancy Pelosi Watch: Jane Harman for Chair of House Intelligence Committee?
Technorati Tags: NancyPelosi, AlceeHastings, JaneHarman, HouseintelligenceCommittee
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Global War on Terror Watch: Democrats Renege on Promise to Implement All 9/11 Commission Recommendations
Democratic nominee for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca) (L) and Democratic House Majority Leader nominee Steny Hoyer (D-Md) (C) raise their arms while Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa) (R) applauds following the House Democratic Caucus Leadership elections on Capitol Hill November 16, 2006.Washington Post: Democrats Reject Key 9/11 Panel Suggestion
It was a solemn pledge, repeated by Democratic leaders and candidates over and over: If elected to the majority in Congress, Democrats would implement all of the recommendations of the bipartisan commission that examined the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
But with control of Congress now secured, Democratic leaders have decided for now against implementing the one measure that would affect them most directly: a wholesale reorganization of Congress to improve oversight and funding of the nation’s intelligence agencies. Instead, Democratic leaders may create a panel to look at the issue and produce recommendations, according to congressional aides and lawmakers.
Well, it didn’t take the Democrats long.
First, Pelosi had to weather the loss of Abscam tainted Jack Murtha as Majority Leader.
Then, Nancy had to withdraw (WIMPED OUT) impeached federal judge Alcee Hastings from consideration as a candidate for Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
And finally reneging on a campaign promise to FULLY implement 9/11 Commission recommendations – READ MY LIPS MOMENT?
Remember the Democrats have a very slim majority in the House of Representatives and when you consider Blue Dog Democrats swings the chamber towards the GOP. And a one person majority in the United States Senate will make Harry Reid Majority Leader but won’t buy you many more majority votes in the filibuster/cloture prone chamber.
So, what does this mean?
Look for cautious stalemate in Congress leading up to the full-out Presidential election in 2008.
A two year term for Speaker Pelosi?
LIKELY…….
Blogosphere:
Technorati Tags: 9/11Commission, GlobalWaronTerror, NancyPelosi, JackMurtha, AlceeHastings, HarryReid, StenyHoyer
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Nancy Pelosi Watch: Pelosi WIMPS Out – Will NOT Appoint Alcee Hastings Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee
Reuters: Pelosi rejects Hastings bid to head committee
Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida, impeached as a federal judge in 1989 on corruption charges, dropped his bid under pressure on Tuesday to chair a congressional panel designed to help protect America’s security, a party aide said.
Hastings took the action after being told by Rep. Nancy Pelosi, in line to head the U.S. House of Representatives when the new Congress convenes in January, that she would not give him the coveted job, the aide said.
Nancy loses her battle to have Jack Murtha appointed Majority Leader and now reneges on appointing Hastings to Chair the House Intelligence Committee – angering the Democrat Black Caucus.
Does this show pragmatism?
Doubtful….
Even a MORON would not appoint good ol’ Alcee – impeached federal judge and all.
But will the new Speaker appoint Jane Harman?
Flap says NO WAY…….
Look for the third in line – you know the back bencher Latino Congressman – what’s his name?
But, there may be some other candidates:
Rep. Norman D. Dicks (D-Wash.), a hawkish member of the Appropriations defense subcommittee
Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), a conservative African American with experience on the intelligence committee.
Stay tuned……..
Blogosphere:
Sister Toldjah » Breaking news: Impeached fedearl judge-turned House Rep. Alcee Hastings will not be chosen to chair the House Intelligence Committee
“7.62mm Justice†» Alcee or Not Alcee…
Y.A.C.R.W.B – Yet Another Conservative, Right Wing Blog » Pelosi Bows to pressure, Alcee out
Iowa Voice
Previous:Michael Ramirez on Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Alcee Hastings
Nancy Pelosi Watch: Jane Harman for Chair of House Intelligence Committee?
Technorati Tags: NancyPelosi, AlceeHastings, JaneHarman, HouseintelligenceCommittee
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Michael Ramirez on Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Alcee Hastings
Hastings says he’s fit to lead intelligence panel
Competition for the post of chairman of the House Intelligence Committee intensified Wednesday with the release of a letter by Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-Fla.), who says he deserves the job despite the fact that as a federal judge he was convicted by the Senate and removed from the bench after being impeached for involvement in a bribery plot.
In a rambling letter sent to Democratic members of the House, Hastings lashed out at his critics, saying they were bent on “denying me a position I have certainly earned and am completely competent to perform.”
Hastings is, by seniority, the second-ranking Democrat on the committee, after Rep. Jane Harman of Venice. But Rep. Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, the House’s incoming speaker, has indicated that when the Democrats take control in January, she plans to take Harman off the committee in favor of someone more critical of the Bush administration’s Iraq war policies.
With Harman gone, Hastings would be in line to become chairman of the panel, formally known as the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. His past legal troubles, however, have raised questions about his fitness for the position, which involves safeguarding many of the nation’s most closely held spy secrets.
Come on Nancy!
You know you want to appoint Alcee……….
But, you WILL wimp out.
Previous:
Nancy Pelosi Watch: Jane Harman for Chair of House Intelligence Committee?
Technorati Tags: NancyPelosi, JaneHarman, HouseIntelligenceCommittee, AlceeHastings
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Nancy Pelosi Watch: Jane Harman for Chair of House Intelligence Committee?
House colleagues Jane Harman, left, and Nancy Pelosi, have been amiable political allies in the past.
Los Angeles Times: Pelosi-Harman friction strains Democrats’ unity
When Jane Harman left Congress in 1998 to run for governor of California, her colleague Nancy Pelosi threw her a party — a chocolate-fudge sundae “social” in the House members’ dining room.
Two years later, Harman hosted a fundraiser in Los Angeles for Pelosi when she was running for minority whip, raising $400,000.
These days the two rarely talk, much less throw parties for each other.
Their relationship has been deteriorating since Harman returned to the House in 2001, according to those who know them, and the tension now threatens to complicate Pelosi’s role as House speaker when the 110th Congress convenes in January.
Pelosi indicated as early as last year that she intended to oust Harman from the Intelligence Committee — where Harman expected to become chairwoman if Democrats won control of the House — in favor of someone more to Pelosi’s liking.
But, does Speaker Pelosi REALLY have a choice?
After all she did support this ASSHAT for Majority Leader:
The GOP can only hope that Nancy makes the RIGHT choice………
Technorati Tags: NancyPelosi, JaneHarman, HouseIntelligenceCommittee
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Global War on Terror Watch: Nancy Pelosi – Just Afghanistan?
LOOK WHERE AL QAEDA & CO. HAVE STRUCK SINCE 9/11
NY Post: JUST AFGHANISTAN?THE woman who will become Speaker of the House, should Democrats pick up sufficient seats on Tuesday, believes passionately that the War on Terror is only the war in Afghanistan.
Reality check: The map above shows a selection of the major, memorable terrorist attacks world-wide since Jan. 1, 2002, as well as indicating nations which the Rand Corp. Terrorism Database lists as hosting a significant al Qaeda presence.
(Just a selection, of course – a map of attacks in Israel or Iraq could fill the whole page.)
Only Afghanistan? It is staggering to think that anyone of such naivete could soon leading one house of Congress.
Nancy Pelosi’s defenders will point out that she answering the question, “Do you not think that the war in Iraq now, today, is the War on Terror?”
But her full answer was, “No. The War on Terror is the war in Afghanistan.”
Mind-boggling. She doesn’t even deny that terrorists have flocked to Iraq, “but that doesn’t mean we stay there,” she says. “They’ll stay there as long as we’re there” – implying . . . what? That they’ll just retire if we go?
True, some would leave – but only to do killing elsewhere. How many would come here?
None of this is to defend every particular of Bush policies in Iraq – would that that were all that divided America’s two political parties.
But it’s not. No, the overriding divide is that one party generally understands that America faces a determined and utterly ruthless enemy of global reach and ambition, an enemy that will keep on coming and keep on killing until it is stopped . . . and the other party just doesn’t want to think about it.
Sure, there are exceptions – one honorable one is Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.
But he was rejected by his state party because of his firm stance in the War on Terror. He’s not the mainstream of the Democratic Party.
Nancy Pelosi is.
The political consensus is the GOP WILL lose majority control of the House. But, will the next Speaker of the House be Nancy Pelosi?
Flap is not so sure. It depends upon the nature of the majority.
But, then again, is the GOP in the midst of a “COMEBACK?”
Stay tuned……
Technorati Tags: NancyPelosi, AlQaeda, GlobalWaronTerror