Pelosi To House GOP: Be Thankful For What You Have

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has a message for House Republicans who think they weren't given enough time to debate or amend the stimulus package that moved through Congress over an eight-day period earlier this session: You could have had much less.

"To tell you the truth, I could have fast-tracked this much faster," Pelosi, a California Democrat, told a group of reporters and progressive writers at a breakfast gathering Tuesday.

Pelosi had been asked about an anonymous White House aide's suggestion that the administration didn't approve of the speed with which the Speaker handled the package.

"Let me get this straight," she said. "You're the president of the United States; you have a recovery package that you want done by the president's break; we get that done -- and we 'fast tracked it over the president's objections'? It couldn't be farther from the truth."

Pelosi also denied assertions that she has instructed the White House not to talk to her members without going through her first. She said she told the administration: "Talk to the members. Talk to the chairmen. Talk to the different caucuses. They have a lot of ideas."

She rejected the notion that she keeps a grudge list of folks who have crossed her, saying that every day is a new day. "They're saying I keep a list of members. It couldn't be farther from the truth. My commitment is to all of my members," she said. "I don't have any list."

Republican objections that they were not included and didn't approve of the process through which the stimulus was passed, said Pelosi, only mask ideological differences that they had with the bill. "We gave them the regular order," said Pelosi. "We were not going to go backward and adopt their economic failed policies and that's what they're upset about."

Comments

[lighthorseharry]

Pelosi is the weakest link in the chain. We elected Obama not her. I want her to follow him and shut the hell up.

[jcollell]

I have to second that. I had high hopes for her but she has been a disaster. Big disappointment.

http://www.youspar.com/

[navymuscleboy]

One question How could you be suprised at this woman. i applaud the revelation, but wake up.

[The Ghost]

California elected Pelosi. We have ALWAYS been the vanguard and you will ALWAYS follow us. Get over yourselves.

[Kevins]

Actually, we did elect her. That's why she's in the Congress. Obviously.

[Aprilspointofview]

That is true she was elected. For good reasons, too!

[zukervati]

I still remember the jubilant masses after the old Soviet Union was brought to its knees by Mr. Reagan. Everyone kept saying how we "outspent" the Rooskies into submission and bankrupted them. Anyone saying that we're spending our future, this is unsustainable, we're mortgaging our children's future, etc. was laughed off by the intelligentsia and MSM basically turned a blind eye.

Suitcases stuffed with cash, handed to Messrs. Hekmatyar at the border of Pakistan to defeat the Soviets, the Stinger missiles and Pakistan's pipeline of weapons to the "Mujahedin - our freedom fighter then and now our sworn enemy" in Kabul through the American-sponsored National Logistic Cell (NLC) are just a few of the examples on how the United States "bankrupted" the Soviets.

Interesting how history has a way of repeating itself and the "I told you so" is so apt at times like these. Reagan did bankrupt the Soviets, but he also ensured that our demise would be guaranteed - though not imminent. For that, we needed G.H.W.B in the W.H. and boy did he keep that promise of making sure that "I told you so" would remain apt and that the history will be guaranteed to repeat itself.

In our zeal to rid ourselves of all the concocted bogeymen, we've bankrupted ourselves as well - hopefully there's enough left for resurrection.

[barnybilt]

It's nice to see someone knows the truth.

[Nec V20]

Ronald Reagan had very little to do with the downfall of the Soviet Union.

Mikhail Gorbachev, Lech Wałęsa and the German "Realpolitik" did a lot more to change the Soviet Union.

If anything, Reagan managed to alienate Western Europe. Especially when his Secretary of State Alexander Haig stated publicly that he considered a tactical nuclear war in Europe to be feasible.

Also little things like Ronny declaring that he could recall ICBMs once launched did not do a lot to inspire confidence.

[johnfoirdfw]

After enduring all the whining and arrogance of the likes of Delay and Boehner, I find Nancy refreshing. She calls a spade a spade. She is right, the Republicans dragged this country into a hole these past eight years and enough is enough. She needs to ignore their posturing and narrow self interests.

[Heartlight3]

Republicans whining that they didn't have enough influence in the writing of the stimulus bill is ridiculous. How much influence did they allow the Democrats in anything that happened during the Bush Presidency? Even after the Dems gained the majority, Bush vetoed anything the Dems suggested that actually got passed. I'm sure if the Republicans had come up with any ideas that were more creative than re-runs of the policies that got us into the mess, they would have had more say in the final result. They can't expect to present tax cuts as a solution and have it accepted. I've even heard them say that the approve of some infrastructure projects that were included in the bill, and then turn right around and whine about them because they were suggested by Democrats. Clearly they would rather find something to whine about than come up with any new ideas.

[Troy Nelson]

I other words she said "You can all kiss my a**" lol

[Troubledwawa]

You go Madame Speaker!!!!

[toje]

Democrats in California have ruined our State, and now they're coming after our Country.

We have the highest taxes, the worst services. We've got one of the highest per pupil spending rates, the most poorly educated students. We've got the most liberal policies for illegal immigration, and the biggest deficits in the entire country. We have the most vicious regulatory environment in which to build a house, start a business, or make something. We lose more college educated people out of state while our population swells with unskilled people looking for freebies.

Nancy Pelosi is the freakin' poster child for the "Idiots guide to California Politics".

Throw Maxine Waters and Barbara Boxer in the mix, and you've got the California Airhead Trifecta.

Just to review. Democrats in California have ruined our State, and now they're coming after our Country. Oh wait...it'­s your country, too.

[Amennyc]

UH, its run by a Republican.

[treetracker]

Pardon me, isn't (and hasn't) your state been run by Republicans for quite some time? And Pelosi, Boxer and Waters make federal law, not state law. Whose been running your state legislature?

You need to be complaining to them rather than placing blame on three people who would not be involved to that degree in state politics.

[tenzenz]

The Democrats at the Federal level just passed a stimulus package that will give California 10s of billions of dollars to help by down the debt, provide money for the Green Initiative that Gov. Schwarzenegger fought for, as well as 10s of millions to repair highways, bridges & infrastructure in California­... therby saving thousands of jobs that would have already been lost, & creating 10s of thousands more jobs over the next couple of years just from this stimulus package. The Wild Fires cost the state billions, as well as the corrupt Mortgagers of which many were based in California & millions of homes are now upside down based on the Loan to Value Ratio or empty, so tax collections have dropped by billions as well. Explain to me how this is the fault of Democrats? Especially after Terminator came in & cut 100s of millions of wasteful spending while promising to balance the budget? The governor & the State Dems have worked very hard together in order to get California's financial Mess turned around, but the Housing & financial Crisis, sucked California down even further, just as it has every other state. the Republicans would offer no ideas other than tax cuts for the wealthy. How does a tax cut for a Julia Roberts or a Sean Penn help fix the Crisi that California is experiencing?

[Economyones]

Exactly.

[guajiro]

You might wanta move to Utah, Georgia, or any number of red states. If Liberal philosophy bothers you that bad, staying in a state that is quickly becoming more and more Liberal by the day won't help you.

[Okay]

Most people responding to your post either have never lived in California or refuse to acknowledge the nationally known State cultures both in northern and southern CA. They're quick to point out that The Terminator is Republican but lets face it its a Liberal's world out there(Dems­&Reps.) I lived in CA for several years and yes I agree with you. Of course the consistent natural disaster record in the state doesn't help anything.

[golfmanj140]

nancy pelosi does not care about anyone on this site, or anyone in this country but herself, her husband and her family. she is about making sure she has millions in the bank, and her family is taken care of at the expense of every american taxpayer. she is bought and paid for, just as every member of congress is. her attitide is disgusting, and i am disgusted that she would talk to the american people like a 1st grader. obama has also shown that he has that same attitude as well. dems love to blame all this on bush, but everyone who does, is just an ignorant person who does not understand how government works. this mess started 30 years ago, and BOTH dems and republicans have had their hands in this. congress has been changing laws and amending them for 30 years so that every american was able to have the good life. well, when jobs were plentiful, and people were getting paid lots of money for doing hardly anything, and investments were hot, dems and republicans all stood in front of the cameras and took credit for it. well, then tide has turned, and those jobs are gone, and the freeeloaders and career-unemployed, want what they had 6 years ago, and they want it from the government now since they cannot find a job that suits them. take responsiblity for you own lives.

[fentondem]

AWWWHHH Cry me a river

[Jezreel]

I'm liking Nancy Pelosi more and more each day. Nancy. You go girl!

[Irmanator]

I became a fan when she was asked about some comment from Rush and she waved her hand dismissively and said, "I don't speak to that. I am the speaker of the house. I don't get into that."

BOOM!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/29/pelosi-ignores-limbuagh-i_n_162270.html

[JonW]

Nice going, Nance. The partizan Rethuglicans, as demonstarted by the last 8 years, want nothing but their own way and don't realize that they're LOSERS. Losers by definition have to be nice and not demand their own way. So sulk away GOPers as the Country gets back its sanity and health under
under Obama , Nancy, et al.

[knowhelpnow]

The repugs should put their foot in their mouth because they just don't get it, we the people are sick of the 5% getting all the wealth there is not a one of these 5% that works hard enough to deserve this kind of money.

[Huero]

So are they just lucky? What? Why are you not one of the 5%? Are you just unlucky or don't you want to do the things that it takes to get there? You just want to complain that others have more?

I know why I am not in that 5% you refer to. Because I didn't do the things I could have done to get there. (my choices) I didn't go to school (college), I tried management but didn't like it, I didn't take risks... like put up some money to try to start my own business. etc etc etc. I do not think that those that have done one or more of those things to get ahead should have to give what they have earned those those that have not! Despite what you think people should earn what they get.

[fentondem]

I will never understand the thought processes of some of our folks who dont have a pot to pi#$ in trying to protect the wealthy of this contry cause believe me they dont much worry about your financial situation.­...

[trunk65]

Nancy Pelosi, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton. ..........­...Sarah Palin, Ann Coulter, Elizabeth Dole
Who would you use as a role model for your daughter? This whole thing is not that hard to figure out. The GOP lives in the Village of the Damned.

[HumeSkeptic]

I am now a big fan of the Speaker.

Go Nancy!
.

[Mugzi]

I'm glad she's standing up to them. I rarely agree with her, but ENOUGH is ENOUGH!!! They had their way for 8 years with spend, spend, spend on Halliburton, Blackwater, and all the no-bid contracts.­...now we have a stimulus that actually will benefit the people with unemployment, infrastructure, education, rail system, etc. They afraid it WILL WORK, which it will!!!

[romangod]

6yrs.. the last two years were run by democrats. Incidentally the last two years is when the economy tanked.

[KtheCurious]

Hogwash.

[LittleJimmieG]

When someone dies of cancer, the seed is set long before the illness gets really bad.

Could a trillion dollar war, no Wall Street or banking oversight, and general crony incompetence have anything to do with where we find ourselves?

Can you say Enron?

[freethinkergirl]

Romangod, another revisionist of history, it's the new Repug Mantra.

[smag]

And some of you express wonder at the intensity of anger at BO and the Libs. Yeah, yeah I know this is catch up for the years the dems spent in the desert. So I guess we might as well get use to the vendetta on the part of both parties. It is like the Hatfields and the McCoys. Both side have been here before and what comes around goes around.

[armadillo]

Duck!!!!

[TomTheAlmostUgly]

"And some of you express wonder at the intensity of anger at BO and the Libs."

Who, besides neo-Confederate rednecks and Utah polygamists, are angry at BO and liberals?

Go read the poll results -- Obama's numbers are the flip of Bushie's.

[lacrossedadof2]

Anyone who actually makes a few bucks and is going to get slammed in taxes to pay for your health care and mortgage

[rasit]

Next time, Don't Give the GOP ANYTIME, as they are going to be AGAINST everything, anyway....­.

IGNORE is the word...

[dennissinned]

The hypocrisy is too much. The GOP voted for Dubya's package but not for Obama's. They're trying to find a voice (in vain) at the expense of all Americans.