Speaker of the House for 2005

[genius]

Poll question: Speaker of the House for 2005

We need someone who was smart enough to oppose U.S.A.- Patriot, the IWPR, Homeland Security and the $87 billion. Anyone who fell for those could fall for Republican tactics again.

The following are popular and intelligent leaders who have shown the courage to stand up to the Republicans. Which would make the best Speaker of the House.

[Wild Bill]

1. here is a dumb question.

Don't we have to have a majority in the house first?

[genius]

3. What's stopping us from getting one?

[gristy]

4. I think there was an implicit assumption that that would be the case

We can dream, can't we?

[genius]

8. If we don't win back Congress, we're in trouble

Kerry will appear weak like Clinton if he has to compromise and this will divide the party again.

[gristy]

2. Geez, I don't know anyone but Kucinich

He gets my vote.

[comsymp]

5. Sorry- NOTA- Barney Frank or Bernie Sanders

nt

[genius]

7. They're cool

[jobycom]

6. Lloyd Doggett. nt.

[TN al]

9. Nancy Pelosi?

[Mattforclark]

11. Yep

She's fine with me.

[genius]

12. Pelosi voted for Homeland Security and opposes the free speech

right to leave the words "under God" out of the Pledge. She's not particularly bright. We need someone who is sharp enough to handle the Republicans and not fall for their right-wing nonsense.

[Mattforclark]

16. reply

"Pelosi voted for Homeland Security"

Good.

"and opposes the free speech right to leave the words "under God" out of the Pledge."

1) Stupid republican wedge issue. I say that as an atheist/agnostic.
2) She supports judges that are more inclined to rule against it.
3) How can you be so sure that it's not just a wise tactical move to avoid making Democrats look like atheists, which is politically unpopular?
4) Saying "You shouldn't say that" is not the same thing as "you don't have a right to say that."

"She's not particularly bright. We need someone who is sharp enough to handle the Republicans and not fall for their right-wing nonsense."

1) What is the evidence to support the claim that she is not particularly bright?
2) She seems to be pretty effective. I am looking for effectiveness, not brightness, in a majority leader, though I like to have a lack of stupidity where possible.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

20. n/t

responded to wrong message

[genius]

22. Her first act as minority leader was to back Homeland Security, which

allows drug companies to get off the hook for poisoning children with mercury. It also created a definition of terrorism that includes protestors and strikers. I hope she was simply too dumb to know what she was supporting. Otherwise, she's someone we need to actively oppose.

As for her reprimand of a fellow Democrat for daring to leave out the words "Under God" from the pledge and her statement on TV that it would never happen again, it seems that free speech and Nancy do not get along.

Look at her record. She is on the wrong side of a lot of issues and she needs to be more supportive of the Democratic position. Many good Democratic bills die because she won't back them.

[Irishladdie]

10. DK

Even my Mom (A Staunch Bush Supporter) Likes Dennis~!!

[Skidmore]

13. Dick Durbin

Nuff said.

[Mattforclark]

17. He's a Senator

He would be a good Senate Majority leader though.

But I'm all for dumping Daschle from that position as soon as he wins his re-election.

[rucky]

14. Waxman or Kuc

who is more senior?

[PurityOfEssence]

15. Pete Stark, Jan Schakowsky, Barney Frank

Pete Stark; please, he even looks the part...

[napi21]

18. Dick Durbin.

He's tough, but rational too.

I love Barney Frank, but I'm afraid too many don't take him seriously.

[Misunderestimator]

Nancy Pelosi

[AlCzervik]

19. What about Bill Delahunt?

On the hill late every Tuesday night with other dem. reps discussing Iraq?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

21. Nancy Pelosi

Pelosi won't back off Bush condemnation

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco rejected Republican demands Thursday that she apologize for her strong condemnation of President Bush, as raw nerves over Iraq collided with raw politics on Capitol Hill.

Republican leaders accused Pelosi of taunting the troops, inspiring the enemy and putting American lives at risk by telling The Chronicle on Wednesday that Bush is an "incompetent leader'' who lacks the judgment, experience or knowledge to make good decisions.

Pelosi stood her ground, telling reporters that "the emperor has no clothes." With the violence in Iraq threatening to overshadow all other issues in the coming election season, each party claimed to possess the moral high ground in setting the rules for debate.

<snip>

Pelosi told reporters, "The time has come to speak very frankly about the lack of leadership in the White House. "So the emperor has no clothes. When are people going to face the reality? Pull the curtain back.''
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/05/21/MNG5F6PP2A1.DTL

[truthspeaker]

23. other: Henry Waxman

[genius]

24. Waxman has been doing a lot of good stuff

I'd be fine with him.