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Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Pelosi says Bush has "tin ear" to American people
By Jan Schakowsky @ 3:15 PM

Chicago Tribune
By DEANNA BELLANDI
Associated Press Writer

May 4, 2007, 4:56 PM CDT

CHICAGO -- With congressional Democrats in a standoff with President Bush over war funding, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that Bush has a "tin ear" and a "blind eye" when it comes to Iraq.

"He has a tin ear in terms of listening to the people and a blind eye as to what is going on in Iraq," Pelosi told a crowd of more than 2,000 people at the Ultimate Women's Power Lunch, an event hosted by Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky.

Bush this week vetoed a war funding bill that would have started bringing troops home by Oct. 1 because he opposed a timetable. Bush has since sent some top aides to talk with Democratic lawmakers about the war.

Pelosi said members of Congress continue to negotiate over a war-funding bill, but whatever they do will be designed to bring an end to the war in Iraq.

She said everyone involved wants Bush's input, but she contended he favors benchmarks without consequences.

The California Democrat said that if the United States can hold schools and school children accountable under Bush's federal No Child Left Behind Act, then it should be able to hold politicians in Iraq accountable for what's happening in the war.

"Why should the government of Iraq be let off the hook?" Pelosi said.

Pelosi said it had been quite a week for Democrats. Bush vetoed the war-funding bill, threatened to veto expanded federal hate crimes legislation passed by the House and wrote her a letter she said she got Friday expressing his concern that Congress would try to pass laws to change federal policies and laws on abortion, such as the "gag rule" on abortion counseling at government-financed health clinics.

"All in one week, I don't know what else he's thinking of," she said of Bush.

Pelosi, who is the first woman to be speaker of the House of Representatives, appeared at the event with other notable women, including Geraldine Ferraro, who in 1984 became the first female vice presidential candidate on a major party ticket.

In the audience were other politicians including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel. Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, also attended.

Other women in the audience said it was uplifting to see Pelosi and they were hopeful she could accomplish the Democrats' agenda in Congress.

"If anyone can do it, she can do it," said Laurie Greiman, a finance manager from the Chicago suburb of Wilmette.

Commercial banker Celeste Johnson said the event made her feel like she could "go out and conquer the world."

Copyright © 2007, The Associated Press
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/illinois/chi-ap-il-pelosi-chicago,1,2993219.story

Comments

Its seems the Democratic house leadership has a tin ear as well. Though Jan has acted admirably, I don't understand why many house democrats are sooo complacent. This war needs to end. Its what the american people want, its what the world wants. Why did I bother to vote last November if the democrats would continue to give President Bush a blank check?? If the Democrats are going to pass lousy immigration bills and vote to continue the war, then whats the difference between the two parties?

Oh I get it, the democrats are opposed to the war, but are too cowardly to end it. Bingo. I just answered my own question.

posted @ Sunday, May 27, 2007 4:50 PM by Stephen Weinstein

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