Questions of Leadership

Being at polar opposites politically, it is difficult for us to agree on virtually anything; however, in this year’s election we can agree that the Democrats decisively crushed the Republicans. A controversial war, an unpopular President and an unethical Congress led to a Democratic takeover of the House and Senate. America expects a new agenda guided by new leadership, and the spotlight is now on Representative Nancy Pelosi, who is about to become the first female Speaker of the House.

DAVID – BLUE FATHER:

"Speaker Pelosi!" It sounds completely natural. The strange ring in your ears is the first sound that always greets a boxer after he has been KO'ed and hits the cold, hard floor. It's sad when a washed-up boxer knows a punch is coming, and no amount of fancy footwork or low blows can prevent the glove from meeting his big mouth.

While you're down on the canvas and trying to figure out what truck ran over you, try to focus your eyes on the petite female wearing a blue, Armani suit and smiling down at you. That's right--it's Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Madam Speaker to you!

I'm surprised you're still in the attack mode after the humiliating defeat you just suffered by weak, ineffectual Democratic leaders. I thought by now you would be trying to find some new Republican leaders who can be both effective and not under federal investigation by the Justice Department or FBI.

Most people who know Nancy Pelosi compare her to Margaret Thatcher. Under Pelosi's leadership, the Democrats voted as a cohesive bloc 88% of the time last year--a higher percentage than seen for many decades. Rahm Emanuel did a great job in helping capture the House, but don't attempt to discount Pelosi's pivotal role in this victory. During the last four years she raised more than one hundred million dollars, and while she was raising the money Democratic candidates needed to be competitive, she also succeeded in unifying Democrats on divisive issues like Social Security and Iraq.

I'll tell you what you can expect from Nancy Pelosi: a leader with integrity and vision who is capable of not just leading members of her own Party, but the leaderless members of the new minority--the Republican Party.