Sheehan Qualifies To Challenge Pelosi

SAN FRANCISCO — Cindy Sheehan, an icon of the anti-war movement, has qualified to challenge House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her seat in Congress.

Sheehan, 51, says Pelosi failed to persuade her party to end funding for the Iraq war after Democrats reclaimed the House majority in the 2006 midterm elections. She also accused the speaker of failing to hold the administration accountable for the administration's warrantless wiretapping program.

Sheehan, who lost her son in the war, is best known for beginning a vigil outside President Bush's Texas ranch in August 2005.

"I feel like Nancy Pelosi, as the Democratic leader, has failed our country miserably, funding for more war," Sheehan said Monday. "The speaker's failed to hold George Bush and Dick Cheney accountable."

San Francisco election officials on Monday said Sheehan turned in 214 more valid signatures than the 10,198 she needed to qualify for the November ballot as an independent candidate for the 8th Congressional District seat.

The speaker welcomes the challenge, said Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill.

"The speaker has the highest respect for Cindy Sheehan. Ms. Sheehan lost her son in the Iraq war and has the right _ as every American has _ to run for office," Hammill said in a statement.

Pelosi, 67 and in her 11th term, has said she is disappointed that Democrats have not been able to stop the war in Iraq. Last year, the House passed legislation giving Bush $70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with no deadlines for troop withdrawal.

Pelosi won her 2006 campaign with 80 percent of the vote. Sheehan also will be at a distinct financial disadvantage as she takes on one of the most powerful politicians in the country.

She said her campaign has collected more than $300,000, compared with nearly $2.4 million collected by Pelosi through the end of June.

The other candidate on the ballot for the 8th district seat is Republican Dana Walsh.

Comments

[Egalitare]

Want a reason to curb your enthusiasm?

SPEAKER HOYER

[youzaho]

This is excellent news. Everyone dissatisfied with the backsliding and Bush appeasement of this Democrat-controlled Congress should make a donation to Cindy Sheehan's campaign.

[fredamae]

LOL, yea....right!

[research]

yeah. contribute.

[bobdob]

God speed, Cindy Sheehan. I'd say she has a snowball's chance in Hell of winning, but I hope she does. There is no one in Congress more deserving of losing her job than Nancy Pelosi.

[mosh]

Let's all get behind Cindy and make Pelosi history:

www.cindyforcongress.org

[mosh]

I wonder what the san fran residency requirements are to cast a ballot? All progressives should register to vote in cali and tell Pelosi once and for all the buck stops here. If ever there was a politician in need of replacing with a progressive voice it is nancy p. She has wasted 2 more years pandering to bush. She should be ashamed.

[rollingdivision]

Your friends' election 2006 campaign is long over Cindy. They're done with you, scat, go away!

[research]

Note the conservatives are against Cindy.

[ImpalaSuperSport]

I think Cindy would be a great addition to Congress, she would certainly follow in the footsteps of such greats as Cynthia McKinney and Maxine Waters!

[koyak23]

some very good reasons to contribute and vote for cindy:

1) a vote for cindy serves as a proxy vote for impeachment

2) a vote for cindy sends a message that DINOS should not take the progressive wing for granted

3) a vote for pelosi is a wasted vote that signals approval of the status quo

4) should cindy pull the political upset of all time,her election will send a shock through the democratic party and congress will have one more progressive and one fewer DINO representing the american people

[Whinger]

Good luck Cindy!

The warmongers don't care what you or the people say or think!

At least you have the guts to tell it like it is!

[DIERIGJ]

GO CINDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This country is behind you 110%. Pelosi is a spineless twit! She's nothing more than a republican in democrat drag. She doesn't even represent her own constituents. Anyone who votes for this witch is siding with the bush lapdogs.

[Seven7s]

Poor thing is going to get crushed in November but at least she will make her point. I think think she is even hoping to win.

im glad there are people like Cindy out there. Dont like how the a-holes are running things? replace them...

[nellie]

Just the fact that Sheehan has qualified for the ballot might motivate some changes in Pelosi's decision making.

[Diogenis]

An "Extreme Make-over" is in order first.

[TrueIndy08]

wow... I honestly didn't think she could do it...

Congrats to Cindy... and I don't know how well she will do come election time, but I wish her well.... bc Pelosi has a been an UTTER FAILURE!!! She needs to be thrown out right along with Bush and Cheney!!!

[nirek]

Go Cindy, and I agree Pelosi has failed to do her sworn duty (impeach bush/cheney) .

[army193]

I have sent Cindy money and will again now that she is on the ballot...Good luck Cindy...it's about accountability that most people have forgotten.