Saving the World & Collateral Damage

To save energy last week, Speaker Pelosi shut out the House lights (and cameras) on her GOP counterparts, who decided that they were not done speaking. This may have been the green thing to do, but the last time I checked, Rep. John Boehner and his posse were still speaking.

Ms. Pelosi also noted last week that she did not want to debate offshore drilling; that it was more important to save the world. Yep, be it ‘The View’ or ‘This Week with George Stephanopolis’, Super Speaker was adamant that she would save the world from itself.

Then, someone from the DNC slipped her a note: ‘the polls say 70% of Americans say the heck with the environment – they want drilling’. Hmmm…what’s a Speaker to do? That’s right – back channels!

In a – ahem – bold move, she informed her ‘at risk’ Democrat representatives that they could support drilling to save face (more like, save their ‘seat’) while she continues to crusade in support of saving Earth at all costs.

Let me ask you, did Batman let the Joker go just so he still had a job?

If you are an ideologue, you don’t capitulate. If you are a politician, you cut the best deal you can to save your sorry butt. I would respect more Madame Speaker if she stuck to her guns and fought for what she though was right.Unfortunately, that may involve a title change, perhaps to ‘former House Speaker’.

Lesson to the GOP – abandon your conservative principles to attempt to cling to power and you get your clocks cleaned, as in 2006. Take a stand for your principles and serve your constituents…it will pay huge dividends!

Pelosi: At-risk Dems back drilling – Martin Kady II and Patrick O’Connor – Politico.com.