Difference between revisions of "Nancy Pelosi"

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[[Image:nancypelosi.jpg|thumb|Nancy Pelosi currently serves the 8th Congressional district of California]]
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'''Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi''' is the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. A Democrat, she is the first woman to hold the post of Speaker, or even lead a major political party in either house of Congress.  She has represented the 8th District of California in the United States House of Representatives since 1987. ([http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/ca08_109.gif map])
  
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'''Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi''' is the house minority leader of the [[U.S. House of Representatives]].  A [[United States Democratic Party|Democrat]], she has represented [[w:California|California]]'s [[w:United States House of Representatives, California District 8|8th District]] since 1987 (it was numbered the 5th District until 1993).
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==Record and controversies==
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===Progressive image===
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Pelosi was a member of the [[Progressive Caucus]] until she became the party leader, when she adopted a policy of not belonging to any caucuses.{{ref|prog}}
  
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==Bio==
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===Position on Iraq===
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===Background===
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Like most House Democrats, Pelosi opposed the resolution authorizing Bush to use military force against Iraq and has been a strong critic of the war effort since then, nevertheless she has rejected efforts to impeach the president or to stop funding for the war.  
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Pelosi was born March 26, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland. Her father, [[w:Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr.|Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr.]], was a U.S. Congressman from Maryland and also a Mayor of Baltimore.
 
  
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Pelosi attended Trinity College (now Trinity University) in Washington, DC]]. She married and moved to San Francisco where she became involved in Democratic politics, working her way up to becoming party chairwoman for Northern California. In 1984 she served as the head of the host committee for the Democratic Nation Convention that year. In 1986, the year before she was elected to Congress, Pelosi served as Finance Chair to the successful [[Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee]], which helped the Democrats win back the Senate.
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===Views on Israel===
  
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The Pelosi family has a net worth of over $25 million, mainly investments of husband Paul Pelosi. Besides a San Francisco Bay area large portfolio of jointly owned real estate, he also has millions of dollars worth of shares in publicly traded companies such as Microsoft, Amazon.com and AT&T. [http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/06/26/BAG7B7CDMQ1.DTL]
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Pelosi addressed the 2005 Policy Conference of the [[American Israel Public Affairs Committee]]. In her speech she said that the root of the Israel-Palestine conflict is the right of Israel to exist, not the occupation of Palestine, and pledged the protection of the U.S.:  
  
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===Congressional Career===
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:There are those who contend that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is all about Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. This is absolute nonsense. In truth, the history of the conflict is not over occupation, and never has been: it is over the fundamental right of Israel to exist... The United States will stand with Israel now and forever. Now and forever.{{ref|aipac}}
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Pelosi won in a special election to succeed [[w:Sala Burton|Sala Burton]] and took office on June 2, 1987. She was elected to a full term in 1988 and has easily held the seat since. She has never faced a credible Republican opponent, which is not surprising since Republicans only make up 13 percent of registered voters in the district.
 
  
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After the [[w:Tiananmen protests of 1989|Tiananmen protests of 1989]], Pelosi became a supporter of the [[w:Chinese democracy movement|Chinese democracy movement]] and vocal critic of the government of the [[w:People's Republic of China|People's Republic of China]] and sponsored the [[w:Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992|Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992]].
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In July 2006, she threatened to boycott the speech by the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki to the joint session of congress unless he repudiated his earlier criticism of Israeli aggression against Lebanon.[http://fanonite.org/2007/03/14/pacing-in-the-marionettes-aipacs-annual-conference]
  
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====Democratic Party leadership====
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Beginning August 8, 1991, Nancy Pelosi went on a tour of Israel as part of an [[Anti-Defamation League]] of B'nai B'rith congressional mission. The other congressmen on the tour were: [[Leon Panetta]], [[George Miller]] and [[Charles Schumer]].
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=====Minority Whip and Minority Leader Race=====
 
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In 2001, she defeated [[Steny Hoyer]] to become the [[House Minority Whip]], serving as second-in-command to Minority Leader [[Dick Gephardt]] of Missouri. 
 
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After the electoral defeat of 2002, Gephardt decided to run for President in 2004 and bowed out of his Minority Leader position. The leadership election pitted Pelosi against [[Marcy Kaptur]] of Ohio and Tennessee centrist [[Harold Ford, Jr.]]  She stated in 2002, "We must draw clear distinctions between our vision of the future and the extreme policies put forward by the Republicans. We cannot allow Republicans to pretend they share our values and then legislate against those values without consequence."[http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=7699]
 
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During the run-up to the 2002 mid-term elections Pelosi showcased what her leadership would look like by opposing Gephardt's decision to back President Bush's Iraq war resolution.[http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=7699]
 
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After Kaptur dropped out of the race, Pelosi bested Ford in a 177-29 vote. By way of her victory Pelosi made history by becoming the first woman to lead a party in Congress.[http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/11/14/democrats.leadership/]
 
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=====Minority Leader=====
 
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Pelosi has led the Democratic caucus on any number of issues. Despite losing many critical votes, she and her leadership team have been able to bring a unity to the Democratic caucus that hasn't existed for decades.[http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/02/MNGSHI24ON1.DTL]
 
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''Congressional Quarterly'' examined over 600 roll call votes from 2005 where "a majority of Republicans voted against a majority of Democrats" and found that Democrats voted unanimously 82 times and on the party line 88 percent of the time. These are the highest numbers since ''CQ'' began keeping a tally of roll call votes in 1956.[http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/02/MNGSHI24ON1.DTL] She also worked hard to defeat the [[2003 Medicare prescription drug bill]], which passed the House after 16 Democrats joined the Republicans in voting "yes". She calls the Medicare vote her biggest disappointment.[http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=7699]
 
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Pelosi has often allowed members of the Democratic caucus to showcase positions or pieces of legislation rather than keeping the media coverage for herself. Rep. [[John Spratt]] (D-S.C.) introduced a resolution challenging [[George W. Bush|President Bush]] to come back to House and seek an authorization to use military force before invading Iraq, for example. Another example is that of [[John Murtha]]'s call for a wthidrawal from Iraq. Pelosi coordinated Murtha's call for withdrawal from behind the scenes while trying to appease the part of the party that opposed Murtha's plan.[http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0605.sullivan1.html]
 
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====2006 elections====
 
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In 2006, the [[Republican Party|Republicans]] nominated [[Michael A. Denunzio]], and the [[Green Party]] nominated [[Krissy Keefer]] to face Pelosi in her November 2006 bid for reelection. (See [[U.S. congressional elections in 2006]]) [http://opensecrets.org/states/election.asp?State=AL&year=2006]
 
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==Meet the Cash Constituents==
 
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[[Image:pelosi_elections.jpg|frame|right|Source: Federal Election Commission]]
 
  
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{{congresspedia money |
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Pelosi has strong ties to a number of Jewish groups, including the [[American Israel Public Affairs Committee]] whose former president [[Amy Friedkin]] is her close friend.{{ref|Israel}}
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  cid= N00007360 |
 
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  start=1990
 
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}}
 
  
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==Controversy==
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*Nancy Pelosi speech to [http://www.corkpsc.org/db.php?aid=2405 AIPAC April 2003]
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===Progressive image===
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*Nancy Pelosi speech to [http://www.corkpsc.org/db.php?aid=19430 AIPAC May 2005]
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Pelosi is generally very progressive. She was a member of the [[Progressive Caucus]] until she became the party leader, when she adopted a policy of not belonging to any caucuses. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/07/05/MNGEQDJ4AA1.DTL]  
 
  
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Like most House Democrats, Pelosi opposed the resolution authorizing Bush to use military force against Iraq. She has strongly criticized the war effort since then, and introduced an amendment to the FY 2006 Defense Appropriations bill calling on Bush to specify a strategy for success in Iraq, as well as a timetable for a safe withdrawal of American troops.
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===Impeachment of President George W. Bush===
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In statements she made to the Washington Post in early 2006, then-House Minority Leader Pelosi left open the possibility that if Democrats took over the House after the November 2006 elections, their planned investigations into the Bush administration could lead to impeachment. Although impeachment would not be the goal of the investigations, she said, "You never know where it leads to." Since then she has changed her position and stated that the option is "off the table".  
  
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Also, on July 31, 2006 Pelosi joined Senate Minority Leader [[Harry Reid]] (D-Nev.) in leading top congressional Democrats in signing a letter urging President Bush to start withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2006.  The letter was signed by the twelve leading Democrats on the House and Senate committees handling armed services, foreign relations, intelligence and military spending. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/31/AR2006073100743.html]
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====Opposes creation of Iraq oversight committee====
  
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In March of 2006 Pelosi received the Unsung Hero Award from the American Legion for opposing a Bush Adminstration policy that would "deduct any additions to disabled veterans' benefits from their military pensions."[http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=7699][http://democraticleader.house.gov/press/releases.cfm?pressReleaseID=488]
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On January 22, 2007, the [[House leadership|House Republican leadership]] sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi which proposed the creation of a new oversight committee to monitor the progress of [[George Walker Bush|President Bush's]] Iraq plan. The panel would have defined military, political and social benchmarks in which the president would be required to submit a report to the committee every 30 days indicating whether those benchmarks had been achieved. The committee would have also addressed troop withdrawal, which would have required “an interagency assessment on the impact withdrawal would have on our national security and homeland interest,” as well as the effect withdrawal would have had on surrounding countries.The proposal was rejected by Pelosi, as she expressed confidence in the oversight ability of the already established committees. Her spokesman, Drew Hammill, stated that, “Committees in the [[110th Congress]] are already underway on Iraq oversight...She has the upmost confidence in their ability.” [http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/012307/iraq.html]
  
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Despite receiving consistent criticism from left-leaning blogs Pelosi has been pushing her party to embrace new internet technologies, specifically blogs.[http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/041206/news4.html]
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===Against an invasion of Iran===
  
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===Refusal to take part in event honoring Reps. [[Randy "Duke" Cunningham]] and [[Tom DeLay]]===
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In February 2007, at the House Democratic annual retreat, Speaker Pelosi informed her colleagues that "if it appears likely that Bush wants to take the country to war against Iran, the House would take up a bill to deny him the authority to do so."<ref>Michael Abramowitz and Paul Kane. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/03/AR2007020300701.html "At Democrats' Meeting, Bush Appeals for Cooperation,"] ''Washington Post.'' February 4, 2007.</ref>
  
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On July 17, 2006, ''Roll Call'' reported that Pelosi was refusing to take part in a July 19 event hosted by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. Thirty-seven departing members of Congress were to be honored, including former Reps. [[Tom DeLay]] (R-Texas) and [[Randy "Duke" Cunningham]] (R-Calif.). Pelosi defended her decision by saying that the two men, "have 'dishonored the House' and 'are unfit to to be honored for their service.'" When informed of Pelosi’s objections to having Cunningham’s name mentioned during the event, Speaker [[Dennis Hastert]] (R-Ill.) agreed, saying through a spokesman that, "it would be inappropriate to have a convicted felon on the honor roll." He did not indicate, however, that he agreed with regards to DeLay, who is awaiting a trial on conspiracy and money laundering charges. [http://www.rollcall.com/issues/52_6/news/14297-1.html]
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===2007 Iraq war spending bill===
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On March 29, 2007, Speaker Pelosi urged President Bush to relax with threats of vetoing the House and Senate versions of the Iraq war supplemental bill. The legislation includes benchmarks and a 2008 withdrawal plan. If lawmakers cannot pass a bill with the president’s signature, it will lead to a shutdown of the Pentagon, effectively denying funding to troops in Iraq.[http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/pelosi-tells-bush-to-calm-down-threats-2007-03-28.html]
  
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===Views on Israel===
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After the first Iraq supplemental spending bill, which included a timetable for troop withdrawal, passed the House in a 218-212 vote in March 2007, Pelosi stated, "proudly, this new Congress voted to bring an end to the war in Iraq." The bill was eventually passed by both chambers and sent to the President who vetoed it as promised.
  
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Pelosi addressed the 2005 Policy Conference of the [[American Israel Public Affairs Committee]]. In her speech she said that the root of the Israel-Palestine conflict is the right of Israel to exist, not the occupation of Palestine, and pledged the protection of the U.S.:
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Following the veto, another attempt was made an an Iraq supplemental spending bill, one that would most likely not include a troop withdrawal timetable. On May 22, 2007, after numerous attempts at including timetables in an Iraq supplemental spending bill, Democratic leaders in both the House and Senate announced that they would each introduce supplemental spending bills which would not include timetables for combat withdrawal. When the final bill, which provided funds for the Iraq War through September 2007, came to a vote, it passed 280-142, with most Democrats,including Pelosi, opposing it.
  
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:""There are those who contend that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is all about Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. This is absolute nonsense. In truth, the history of the conflict is not over occupation, and never has been: it is over the fundamental right of Israel to exist... The United States will stand with Israel now and forever. Now and forever."{{ref|aipac}}
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===Sudan===
  
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In July 2006, she threatened to boycott the speech by the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki to the joint session of congress unless he repudiated his earlier criticism of Israeli aggression against Lebanon. [http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=69729]
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On May 29, 2007, Pelosi applauded a decision by President Bush to tighten sanctions against the government of Sudan. Bush's plan called for increasing economic and political pressure on Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to end the alleged genocide in the country's Darfur region.[http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/pelosi-praises-bush-for-tightening-sudan-sanctions-2007-05-29.html]
  
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Beginning August 8, 1991, Nancy Pelosi went on a tour of Israel as part of an [[Anti-Defamation League]] of B'nai B'rith congressional mission.  The other congressmen on the tour were: [[Leon Panetta]], [[George Miller]] and [[Charles Schumer]].
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===Network neutrality legislation===
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When Rep. [[Joe Barton]] and Sen. [[Ted Stevens]] pushed anti-[[network neutrality]] legislation in 2006, Pelosi came out in favor of neutrality, angering telecom companies and some fellow Democrats by urging her caucus to fall in line behind her. ''Roll Call'' also quoted "insiders" as saying that the damage telecom companies deal to Democrats in retaliation was low because they had already maxed out their campaign contributions to the legal limits until after the 2006 election.[http://www.rollcall.com/issues/51_120/news/13267-1.html][[Network neutrality]] has been called the "first amendment of the Internet" by the [[SavetheInternet.com Coalition]].
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===[[Network neutrality legislation]]===
 
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When Rep. [[Joe Barton]] and Sen. [[Ted Stevens]] pushed anti-[[network neutrality]] legislation in 2006, Pelosi came out in favor of neutrality, angering telecom companies and some fellow Democrats by urging her caucus to fall in line behind her. ''Roll Call'' also quoted "insiders" as saying that the damage telecom companies deal to Democrats in retaliation was low because they had already maxed out their campaign contributions to the legal limits until after the 2006 election.[http://www.rollcall.com/issues/51_120/news/13267-1.html] [[Network neutrality]] has been called the "first amendment of the Internet". [http://www.savetheinternet.com]
 
  
 
===PAC Fined===
 
===PAC Fined===
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In 2004 a political action committee (PAC), Team Majority, controlled by Pelosi was fined $21,000 for "for improperly accepting donations over federal limits, according to records and interviews."[http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/state/california/2004-02-11-pelosi-pac-fined_x.htm] Pelosi used two PACs, including Team Majority, to raise money for her colleagues during the 2002 election. The fine came from Pelosi's use of multiple PACs to exceed donation limits to other members campaign committees. Two Democratic lawmakers, Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Julie Thomas (D-MD), paid fines of $2,500 each for receiving illegal contributions from Pelosi's PAC. Team Majority ceased operating before the fine was issued.[http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/state/california/2004-02-11-pelosi-pac-fined_x.htm]
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In 2004 a political action committee (PAC), Team Majority, controlled by Pelosi was fined $21,000 for "for improperly accepting donations over federal limits, according to records and interviews." Pelosi used two PACs, including Team Majority, to raise money for her colleagues during the 2002 election. The fine came from Pelosi's use of multiple PACs to exceed donation limits to other members campaign committees. Two Democratic lawmakers, [[Chris Van Hollen]] (D-Md.) and [[Julie Thomas]] (D-Md.), paid fines of $2,500 each for receiving illegal contributions from Pelosi's PAC. Team Majority ceased operating before the fine was issued.[http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/state/california/2004-02-11-pelosi-pac-fined_x.htm]
  
 
===[[Earmarks]] and "pork"===
 
===[[Earmarks]] and "pork"===
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In February of 2003 the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' reported that Pelosi had sought a $1 million earmark for an advisor and former campaign treasurer's think tank:[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/02/21/MN109779.DTL]
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In February of 2003 the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' reported that Pelosi had sought a $1 million earmark for an advisor and former campaign treasurer's think tank:
  
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:Pelosi's office confirmed Thursday that the San Francisco Democrat, who was elected House minority leader in November, obtained the $1 million for the USF center, without requiring [her longtime adviser and campaign treasurer, former Lt. Gov. Leo T.] McCarthy and USF to go through the normal application process for such grants. But Pelosi said the program got the money on its merits, not because of any political ties to the congresswoman. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/02/21/MN109779.DTL]</blockquote>
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:Pelosi's office confirmed Thursday that the San Francisco Democrat, who was elected House minority leader in November, obtained the $1 million for the USF center, without requiring [her longtime adviser and campaign treasurer, former Lt. Gov. Leo T.] McCarthy and USF to go through the normal application process for such grants. But Pelosi said the program got the money on its merits, not because of any political ties to the congresswoman.[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/02/21/MN109779.DTL]
  
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A 2005 ''Washington Times'' report alleges that Pelosi helped a campaign donor secure funds from a federal agency days after one of her staff members returned from a fact-finding trip to Spain that was funded by the donor.[http://washingtontimes.com/national/20050405-123505-7189r.htm]
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A 2005 ''Washington Times'' report alleges that Pelosi helped a campaign donor secure funds from a federal agency days after one of her staff members returned from a fact-finding trip to Spain that was funded by the donor.[http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=5332]
  
 
Pelosi and her office denied any connection between the trip and the money sought by WestStart-CALSTART. Pelosi's spokeswoman stated that Republican staffers also went on the trip to Spain.
 
Pelosi and her office denied any connection between the trip and the money sought by WestStart-CALSTART. Pelosi's spokeswoman stated that Republican staffers also went on the trip to Spain.
  
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==Committees and Affiliations ==
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===Transparency===
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===Committees===
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Nancy Pelosi's official website was rated by citizen researchers in February 2007 as part of a survey by the [[Sunlight Foundation]]. The survey evaluated members' sites on whether they provided basic information on their legislative activities, post their legally required disclosures such as on personal finances and travel, and any other information that furthers transparency. Nancy Pelosi's site received a 32 (out of 100). A score of 40 was considered passing. [http://www.sunlightlabs.com/research/sites/results/results.php?cid=N00007360 Full results].
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As the House Democratic leader, Pelosi does not belong to any committees.
 
  
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===Coalitions and Caucuses===
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==Biography==
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* Co Chair, Democratic National Platform Committee, 1992
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Pelosi was born March 26, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland. Her father, [[w:Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr.|Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr.]], was a U.S. Congressman from Maryland and also a Mayor of Baltimore, the latter office having been held also by her brother [[w:Thomas L. J. D'Alesandro III|Thomas L. J. D'Alesandro III]] in the late 1960s.
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* Chair, Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, 1985
 
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* Co Chair, AIDS Task Force of the House Democratic Caucus
 
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* Co Chair, Biomedical Research Caucus
 
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* Chair, Congressional Working Group on China
 
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* Vice Chair, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
 
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* Democratic Homeland Security Task Force
 
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* Democratic National Committee
 
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* Chair, Democratic Steering Committee
 
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* Vice Chair, Executive Committee, Democratic Study Group
 
  
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===Boards and other Affiliations===
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==Affiliations ==
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* Founder, Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS
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*[[AIPAC]]
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* Board of Trustees, LSB Leakey Foundation.
 
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==Articles and Resources==
 
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===Resources===
 
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<div id="ComedyCentral">
 
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*[http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=35710 Interview with Jon Stewart], ''The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'', November 30, 2005. ([[Daily Show|Other Daily Show interviews with members of Congress.]])
 
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*[http://www.house.gov/pelosi Official website].
 
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*[http://www.democraticleader.house.gov Democratic Leader website].
 
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*[http://schema-root.org/region/americas/north_america/usa/government/politicians/nancy_pelosi/ Schema-root.org: Nancy Pelosi]&mdash;current news feed for Nancy Pelosi.
 
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*[http://www.technorati.com/search/%22Nancy+Pelosi%22?authority=n Technorati Search: Nancy Pelosi].
 
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*[http://news.google.com/news?svnum=10&hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&as_drrb=q&as_qdr=&as_mind=7&as_minm=2&as_maxd=9&as_maxm=3&q=%22Nancy+Pelosi%22 Google News Search: Nancy Pelosi].
 
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*[http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=%22Nancy+Pelosi%22&c= Yahoo! News Search: Nancy Pelosi].
 
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*[http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/congtravel/member_report.php?member=7258 Power Trips: How much does Nancy Pelosi travel?]
 
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*[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?tab=stats&id=400314 GovTrack Statistics: Nancy Pelosi].
 
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*[http://opensecrets.org/races/index.asp Open Secrets] - 2006 congressional races database
 
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===Local blogs and discussion sites===
 
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*''[http://www.calitics.com Calitics]''
 
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*''[http://www.gregdewar.com/ Politicks isn't Pretty'']
 
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*''[http://ari.typepad.com/ Tiger Beat: Music, Culture, and Politics]''
 
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===Articles===
 
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*John Nichols, [http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20010806&s=nichols2 "Is This the New Face of the Democratic Party?"] ''The Nation'', August 6, 2001.
 
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*Doug Ireland, [http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/pelosis-problems/3412/ "Pelosi's Problems,"] ''LA Weekley'', November 13, 2002.
 
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*Chris Suellentrop, [http://www.slate.com/?id=2073934 "Nancy Pelosi: The Leader the Democrats Deserve,"] ''Slate'', November 13, 2002.
 
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*Mary Lynn F. Jones, [http://www.prospect.org/print/V13/24/jones-m.html "House Rules: Nancy Pelosi, Tom DeLay, and the Media's Double Standard,"] ''The American Prospect'', January 13, 2003.
 
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*Edward Epstein, [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/02/21/MN109779.DTL "Pelosi Accused of Pork Barrel Politics,"] <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i>, February 21, 2003.
 
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*[http://student.cs.ucc.ie/cs1064/jabowen/IPSC/articles/article0002405.html "Pelosi's address to AIPAC,"] April 1, 2003.
 
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*Ted Barrett, [http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/01/28/tauzin.pelosi/index.html "Pelosi Rips Lawmaker on Job Offer,"] [[CNN]], January 28, 2004.
 
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*[http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/state/california/2004-02-11-pelosi-pac-fined_x.htm "Pelosi PAC Fined $21,000 by FEC,"] Associated Pres, February 11, 2004.
 
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*Hans Nichols, [http://www.hillnews.com/news/042104/pelosi.aspx "Rep. Pelosi prepared to blast Bush on Iraq,"] ''The Hill'', April 21, 2004.
 
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*Harold Meyerson, [http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=7699 "How Nancy Pelosi Took Control,"] ''The American Prospect'', June 7, 2004.
 
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*Stephen Dinan, [http://washingtontimes.com/national/20050405-123505-7189r.htm "Pelosi Helped Donor to PAC,"] <i>Washington Times</i>, May 4, 2005.
 
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*{{note|aipac}} Mark Gaffney, [http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0527-23.htm "Nancy Pelosi Gives a Pep Talk to AIPAC,"] ''Common Dreams'', May 27, 2005.
 
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*The Prowler, [http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=8391 "Nullification Nancy,"] ''The American Spectator'', July 5, 2005.
 
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*Edward Epstein, [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/09/21/MNGDMER7HE1.DTL "Pelosi Willing to Give Up S.F. Funds for Recovery,"] ''San Francisco Chronicle'', September 21, 2005.
 
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*Josephine Hearn, [http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/102005/pelosinew.html "Pelosi Calls for Investigation into Ney's Dealings with Wireless Firm,"] ''The Hill'', October 20, 2005.
 
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*Mike Crowley, [http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20051226&s=crowley122605 "Steny Hoyer v. Nancy Pelosi,"] ''The New Republic'', December 26, 2005.
 
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*Marc Sandalow, Erin McCormick, and Chronicle Staff Writers, [http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/02/MNGSHI24ON1.DTL "Pelosi's goal: Democrats back on top Minority leader practices hardball politics to position her party for midterm election,"] ''San Francisco Chronicle'', May 2, 2006.
 
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*Erin McCormick and Marc Sandalow, and Chronicle Staff Writers, [http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/04/03/MNGN8I2DKT1.DTL "Pelosi mines 'California gold' for Dems nationwide,"] ''San Francisco Chronicle'', May 3, 2006.
 
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*Erin McCormick and Marc Sandalow, and Chronicle Staff Writers, [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/04/MNGQGI34MU1.DTL "Making House races a referendum on GOP,"] ''San Francisco Chronicle'', May 4, 2006.
 
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*John Bresnahan, [http://www.rollcall.com/issues/52_6/news/14297-1.html, "Pelosi Blasts Citations of DeLay, Cunningham,"] ''Roll Call,'' July 17, 2006.
 
−
*Charles Babington and Jim VandeHei, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/31/AR2006073100743.html "Hill Democrats Unite to Urge Bush to Begin Iraq Pullout,"] ''Washington Post'', August 1, 2006.
 
−
*Perry Bacon Jr., [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1376213,00.html "'Anybody knows not to mess with me'. Nancy Pelosi leads the Democrats with a fiery style that could make her the first woman Speaker of the House,"] ''TIME'' Magazine, August 27, 2006.
 
−
*Katherine Shrader, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060926/ap_on_go_co/terrorism_intelligence;_ylt=Aj2YMi745VZ9FWxIcLw27R6yFz4D;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ-- "Pelosi asks for closed House session,"] Associated Press (Yahoo), September 26, 2006.
 
−
*Michael Stickings, [http://www.themoderatevoice.com/posts/1161583477.shtml "The character of Nancy Pelosi,"] ''The Moderate Voice'', October 23, 2006.
 
−
*Kurt Nimmo, [http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_23300.shtml "Nancy Pelosi Gives the Neocons a Get Out of Jail Card,"] ''Axis of Logic'', October 23, 2006.
 
−
*Dave Lindorff, [http://www.atlanticfreepress.com/content/view/99/32/ "Why Nancy Pelosi has it wrong on impeachment,"] ''Atlantic Free Press'', October 25, 2006.
 
−
*Mark Matthews, [http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=politics&id=4703868 "ABC7 Interview With Nancy Pelosi. Will She Be The Next Speaker?"] ABC7 News, October 27, 2006.
 
−
*Helen Thomas, [http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/45844.html Opinion: "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,"] ''Sacramento Bee'', October 27, 2006.
 
−
*Geoffrey Dickens, [http://newsbusters.org/node/8712 "Chris Matthews Compares Nancy Pelosi to DiMaggio,"] ''[[NewsBusters]]'', October 30, 2006.
 
−
*[http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/11/1/135024.shtml?s=ic "Nancy Pelosi: U.S. Not 'Winning' in Iraq,"] ''[[NewsMax]]'', November 1, 2006.
 
−
*[http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=75592 "Pelosi: Bush's Failed Economic Policies Are Leaving Middle-Income Families Behind,"] U.S. Newswire, November 2, 2006.
 
−
*[http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=75679 "Pelosi: 'Decision to Put Nuclear Weapons Information on the Internet Is a Serious Security Breach',"] U.S. Newswire, November 3, 2006.
 
−
*[http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=75665 "Pelosi: In Bush Economy, Millions of Americans Are Working Hard and Unable to Get Ahead,"] U.S. Newswire, November 3, 2006.
 
−
*David Gregory, [http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15549477/ "What will the Democrats do if they win? Bush taunts audiences while the minority party ponders a different future,"] MSNBC, November 3, 2006.
 
−
*Ruth Marcus, [http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/71285.html Opinion: "Pelosi's choice,"] ''Sacramento Bee'', November 4, 2006.
 
−
 
 
−
===Swiftboating Nancy Pelosi===
 
−
*[http://www.wonkette.com/politics/pat-buchanan/pat-buchanan-on-scarborough-this-happened-because-nancy-pelosi-is-a-flamer-205804.php "Pat Buchanan on Scarborough: This Happened Because Nancy Pelosi Is a Flamer,"] ''Wonkette!'', October 6, 2006.
 
−
*Joseph Klein, [http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=24819 "Nancy Pelosi: Anatomy of a Trainwreck,"] ''[[FrontPageMag.com]]'', October 9, 2006.
 
−
*Deborah, [http://www.newshounds.us/2006/10/12/oreilly_warns_voters_about_nancy_pelosi_and_her_san_francisco_values.php "O'Reilly Warns Voters About Nancy Pelosi and Her 'San Francisco Values',"] ''News Hounds'', October 12, 2006.
 
−
*[http://mediamatters.org/items/200610150005 "Hume smeared] '[un]popular' and not 'respected' 'Speaker Nancy Pelosi,' claimed she would harm an '08 Clinton presidential bid," Media Matters for America, October 15, 2006.
 
−
*Ken Hughes, [http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=15166 "Has Nancy Pelosi Put The Cart Before The Horse,"] ''American Chronicle'', October 20, 2006.
 
−
*Chrish, [http://www.newshounds.us/2006/10/24/gingrich_and_oreilly_rag_on_absent_nancy_pelosi.php "Gingrich and O'Reilly rag on (absent) Nancy Pelosi,"] ''News Hounds'', October 24, 2006: [[Newt Gingrich]] "continues to criticize her 'San Francisco liberalism'."
 
−
*Janie, [http://www.newshounds.us/2006/10/25/foxs_latest_gop_campaign_contribution_attacking_nancy_pelosi.php "Fox's Latest GOP Campaign Contribution: Attacking Nancy Pelosi,"] ''News Hounds'', October 25, 2006.
 
−
*Margaret Talev, [http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/nation/15856169.htm "GOP takes aim at Nancy Pelosi to turn out their voters,"] McClatchy Newspapers (''The State'' (SC)), October 26, 2006.
 
−
*Edward Epstein, [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/10/28/MNGD7M1UNN1.DTL "GOP ads warn of 'homosexual agenda' from S.F.,"] ''San Francisco Chronicle'', October 28, 2006.
 
−
*[http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/10/29/225542.shtml "Gingrich: Stop 'Speaker Pelosi',"] ''NewsMax'', October 29, 2006.
 
−
*Margaret Talev, [http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/elections/15882301.htm "Republicans zero in on Pelosi. Republicans hope that drawing attention to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco will turn out votes against Democrats, but it may alienate female voters,"] McClatchy Newspapers (''Miami Herald''), October 30, 2006.
 
−
*[http://mediamatters.org/items/200610310018 "Beck, Mowbray tag-teamed to bash Pelosi; Beck compared Santorum to Churchill,"] Media Matters for America, October 31, 2006.
 
−
*Rich Galen, [http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/RichGalen/2006/11/01/uh,_oh_you_mean_i_was_right "Uh, oh. You mean I was right?"] ''[[Townhall.com]]'', November 1, 2006: "Pelosi represents that hotbed of neo-conservative thought: San Francisco." (??????)
 
−
*[http://mediamatters.org/items/200611010007 "Luntz on Pelosi: 'You get one shot at a facelift. If it doesn't work the first time, let it go',"] Media Matters for America, November 1, 2006.
 
−
*Jim Meyers, [http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/11/1/131350.shtml?s=lh "The 'Real' Speaker Pelosi,"] ''NewsMax'', November 1, 2006.
 
−
*[http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20061101-091540-5522r.htm Editorial: "Pelosi's budget votes,"] ''Washington Times'', November 2, 2006.
 
−
*[http://mediamatters.org/items/200611030001 "''Wash. Times'' editorial falsely suggested Pelosi would cut Iraq-war funding,"] Media Matters for America, November 2, 2006.
 
−
*Nico Pitney, [http://thinkprogress.org/2006/11/02/drudge-pelosi/ "Drudge Floats Conspiracy Theory That Pelosi Has ‘Vanished,’ Ignores Clinton Rally, CNN Profile,"] ''Think Progress'', November 2, 2006. See banner posted at [http://thinkprogress.org/2006/11/03/limbaugh-falls-for-drudges-fiction/ ''Limbaugh Falls for Drudge's Fiction''].
 
−
*Dana, [http://www.campusprogress.org/page/community/post_group/main/C338 "Anti-Pelosi Watch,"] ''Campus Progress'' Blog, November 2, 2006.
 
−
*Judd Legum, [http://thinkprogress.org/2006/11/02/dornan-pelosi-catholics/ "Dornan: ‘Loyal’ Christians Should Not 'Jump Into The Hell Fire Of A Nancy Pelosi Catholic',"] ''Think Progress'', November 2, 2006.
 
−
*[http://mediamatters.org/items/200611020014 "On MSNBC, Dornan accused Pelosi of making 'a racist statement' to support abortion rights; no follow-up from Robach,"] Media Matters for America, November 2, 2006.
 
−
*[http://mediamatters.org/items/200611020015 "Blitzer failed to challenge Boehner on false claims about war, ethics,"] Media Matters for America, November 2, 2006.
 
−
*[[Rush Limbaugh]], [http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_110306/content/amber_alert.guest.html "Gutless Pelosi in Hiding While Bush Campaigns,"] RushLimbaugh.com, November 3, 2006. Subscription may be required.
 
−
*[http://mediamatters.org/items/200611030009 "''Where is Nancy Pelosi?'' A 'How To' Guide for Advancing Conservative Misinformation. How a Bogus Claim from a GOP Organization Ended Up on MSNBC,"] Media Matters for America, November 3, 2006.
 
−
*[http://mediamatters.org/items/200611030011?src=other "'Where's Nancy?' Trajectory of a GOP smear on Pelosi,"] Media Matters for America, November 3, 2006: "The claim that Pelosi was '[a]lmost entirely absent from the campaign trail' appears to have [http://www.freedomproject.org/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1162323823&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1& originated with] [[The Freedom Project]], [[House Majority Leader]] [[John Boehner]]'s (R-OH) [[political action committee]] ..."
 
−
*[http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20061102-090358-9812r.htm Editorial: "A look at Pelosi's voting record,"] ''Washington Times'', November 3, 2006.
 
−
*Nico Pitney, [http://thinkprogress.org/2006/11/03/pelosi-events/ "‘Vanishing’ Pelosi To Appear At Multiple Public Rallies Tomorrow,"] ''Think Progress'', November 3, 2006.
 
−
*Joe Garofoli, [http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/03/VALUES.TMP "Three dirty words: San Francisco values,"] ''San Francisco Chronicle'', November 3, 2006.
 
−
*Hanke Plante, [http://cbs5.com/local/local_story_307205857.html "'San Francisco Values' Under Attack,"] CBS5.com, November 3, 2006.
 
−
*[http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20061103-034830-5775r "SanFran 'values' new GOP watchword,"] UPI, November 3, 2006.
 
−
*Joe Garofoli, [http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/15928981.htm "'S.F. Values' Creates GOP Buzz. Phrase takes hold in media, cyberspace,"] ''San Francisco Chronicle'' (''MontereyHerald.com''), November 4, 2006.
 
−
*Doug Powers, [http://mensnewsdaily.com/2006/11/03/nancy-pelosi-stars-in-misery-ii-well-release-you-after-the-cocka-doody-election/ "Nancy Pelosi Stars in ''Misery II: We’ll Release You After The Cocka-Doody Election!'',"] ''Vox Populi'' (''[[MensNewsDaily.com]]''), November 4, 2006.
 
−
*John W. Lillpop, [http://newsblaze.com/story/20061103064751lill.nb/newsblaze/OPINIONS/Opinions.html "Can America Survive a Pelosi Political Plundering?"] ''News Blaze'', November 3, 2006.
 
−
*Mark Finkelstein, [http://newsbusters.org/node/8799 "Nancy Pelosi: The Speaker from Fahrenheit 9/11?"] ''NewsBusters'', November 3, 2006.
 
−
*Randy Hall, [http://www.cnsnews.com/news/viewstory.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200611/POL20061103b.html "Dems' 'New Direction' for Economy Is 'Straight Down,' GOP Says,"] [[Cybercast News Service]], November 3, 2006.
 
−
*Carl Nolte, [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/04/VALUES.TMP "Those much-aligned values of life in S.F. -- free to be you, me,"] ''San Francisco Chronicle'', November 4, 2006.
 
  
 
==Contact==
 
==Contact==
Line 219: Line 85:
 
Fax: 415-861-1670<br>
 
Fax: 415-861-1670<br>
  
 +
==Articles and resources==
 +
 +
===Sources===
 +
* {{note|prog}}Edward Epstein. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/07/05/MNGEQDJ4AA1.DTL "Liberal legislative caucus envisions post-Bush era,"] ''San Fransisco Chronicle.'' July 5, 2005.
 +
*[http://fanonite.org/2007/03/14/pacing-in-the-marionettes-aipacs-annual-conference/ "PACing in the Marionettes,"] ''The Fanonite.'' March 14, 2007.
 +
* {{note|Israel}}Jennifer Jacobson. [http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/news/article/20061108Pelosi8217ssuppo.html "For Pelosi, Israel is personal,"] ''JTA.'' November 8, 2006.
 +
* Tory Newmyer. [http://www.rollcall.com/issues/51_120/news/13267-1.html "Push by Pelosi Irks Telecoms,"] ''Roll Call.'' May 10, 2006.
 +
* [http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/state/california/2004-02-11-pelosi-pac-fined_x.htm "Pelosi PAC fined $21,000 by federal elections officials,"] ''USA Today.'' February 11, 2004.
 +
*Edward Epstein. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/02/21/MN109779.DTL "Pelosi accused of pork-barrel politics,"] ''San Fransisco Chronicle.'' February 21, 2003.
 +
*[http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=5332 "In Case You Missed It: Pelosi Helped Donor To PAC,"]''The Washington Times,'' (Accessed via ''GOP.com''). April 5, 2005.
 +
*Jackie Kucinich. [http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/012307/iraq.html "House GOP proposes bipartisan Iraq oversight,"] ''The Hill.'' January 23, 2007.
 +
*Kara Oppenheim, [http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/pelosi-praises-bush-for-tightening-sudan-sanctions-2007-05-29.html "Pelosi praises Bush for tightening Sudan sanctions,"] ''The Hill'', May 29, 2007.
 +
*Jonathan E. Kaplan. [http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/pelosi-tells-bush-to-calm-down-threats-2007-03-28.html "Pelosi tells Bush to ‘calm down threats’,"] ''The Hill.'' March 28, 2007.
 +
 +
===External resources===
 +
<div id="ComedyCentral">
 +
*[http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=35710 Interview with Jon Stewart], ''The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'', November 30, 2005. ([[Daily Show|Other Daily Show interviews with members of Congress.]])
 +
*[http://schema-root.org/region/americas/north_america/usa/government/politicians/nancy_pelosi/ Schema-root.org: Nancy Pelosi]&mdash;current news feed for Nancy Pelosi.
 +
*[http://www.technorati.com/search/%22Nancy+Pelosi%22?authority=n Technorati Search: Nancy Pelosi].
 +
*[http://news.google.com/news?svnum=10&hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&as_drrb=q&as_qdr=&as_mind=7&as_minm=2&as_maxd=9&as_maxm=3&q=%22Nancy+Pelosi%22 Google News Search: Nancy Pelosi].
 +
*[http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=%22Nancy+Pelosi%22&c= Yahoo! News Search: Nancy Pelosi].
 +
*[http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/congtravel/member_report.php?member=7258 Power Trips: How much does Nancy Pelosi travel?]
 +
*[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?tab=stats&id=400314 GovTrack Statistics: Nancy Pelosi].
 +
*[http://opensecrets.org/races/index.asp Open Secrets] - 2006 congressional races database
 +
*[http://www.whereistand.com/NancyPelosi Compare where Nancy Pelosi stands on the issues] at whereIstand.com
 +
*Nancy Pelosi speech to [http://www.corkpsc.org/db.php?aid=2405 AIPAC April 2003]
 +
*Nancy Pelosi speech to [http://www.corkpsc.org/db.php?aid=19430 AIPAC May 2005]
 +
 +
====Pelosi's Websites====
 +
*[http://www.house.gov/pelosi Official website].
 +
*[http://www.democraticleader.house.gov Democratic Leader website].
 +
*[http://speaker.gov/blog/ ''The Gavel''], Speaker's Blog (launched February 6, 2007).
 +
 +
==Notes==
 +
<references/>
  
−
[[Category:Israel Lobby]][[Category:Middle East Watch]]
+
[[Category:US Representatives|Pelosi, Nancy]]

Latest revision as of 07:02, 25 April 2013

Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi is the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. A Democrat, she is the first woman to hold the post of Speaker, or even lead a major political party in either house of Congress. She has represented the 8th District of California in the United States House of Representatives since 1987. (map)

Record and controversies

Progressive image

Pelosi was a member of the Progressive Caucus until she became the party leader, when she adopted a policy of not belonging to any caucuses.[1]

Position on Iraq

Like most House Democrats, Pelosi opposed the resolution authorizing Bush to use military force against Iraq and has been a strong critic of the war effort since then, nevertheless she has rejected efforts to impeach the president or to stop funding for the war.

Views on Israel

Pelosi addressed the 2005 Policy Conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. In her speech she said that the root of the Israel-Palestine conflict is the right of Israel to exist, not the occupation of Palestine, and pledged the protection of the U.S.:

There are those who contend that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is all about Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. This is absolute nonsense. In truth, the history of the conflict is not over occupation, and never has been: it is over the fundamental right of Israel to exist... The United States will stand with Israel now and forever. Now and forever.[2]

In July 2006, she threatened to boycott the speech by the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki to the joint session of congress unless he repudiated his earlier criticism of Israeli aggression against Lebanon.[3]

Beginning August 8, 1991, Nancy Pelosi went on a tour of Israel as part of an Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith congressional mission. The other congressmen on the tour were: Leon Panetta, George Miller and Charles Schumer.

Pelosi has strong ties to a number of Jewish groups, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee whose former president Amy Friedkin is her close friend.[4]

Impeachment of President George W. Bush

In statements she made to the Washington Post in early 2006, then-House Minority Leader Pelosi left open the possibility that if Democrats took over the House after the November 2006 elections, their planned investigations into the Bush administration could lead to impeachment. Although impeachment would not be the goal of the investigations, she said, "You never know where it leads to." Since then she has changed her position and stated that the option is "off the table".

Opposes creation of Iraq oversight committee

On January 22, 2007, the House Republican leadership sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi which proposed the creation of a new oversight committee to monitor the progress of President Bush's Iraq plan. The panel would have defined military, political and social benchmarks in which the president would be required to submit a report to the committee every 30 days indicating whether those benchmarks had been achieved. The committee would have also addressed troop withdrawal, which would have required “an interagency assessment on the impact withdrawal would have on our national security and homeland interest,” as well as the effect withdrawal would have had on surrounding countries.The proposal was rejected by Pelosi, as she expressed confidence in the oversight ability of the already established committees. Her spokesman, Drew Hammill, stated that, “Committees in the 110th Congress are already underway on Iraq oversight...She has the upmost confidence in their ability.” [5]

Against an invasion of Iran

In February 2007, at the House Democratic annual retreat, Speaker Pelosi informed her colleagues that "if it appears likely that Bush wants to take the country to war against Iran, the House would take up a bill to deny him the authority to do so."[1]

2007 Iraq war spending bill

On March 29, 2007, Speaker Pelosi urged President Bush to relax with threats of vetoing the House and Senate versions of the Iraq war supplemental bill. The legislation includes benchmarks and a 2008 withdrawal plan. If lawmakers cannot pass a bill with the president’s signature, it will lead to a shutdown of the Pentagon, effectively denying funding to troops in Iraq.[6]

After the first Iraq supplemental spending bill, which included a timetable for troop withdrawal, passed the House in a 218-212 vote in March 2007, Pelosi stated, "proudly, this new Congress voted to bring an end to the war in Iraq." The bill was eventually passed by both chambers and sent to the President who vetoed it as promised.

Following the veto, another attempt was made an an Iraq supplemental spending bill, one that would most likely not include a troop withdrawal timetable. On May 22, 2007, after numerous attempts at including timetables in an Iraq supplemental spending bill, Democratic leaders in both the House and Senate announced that they would each introduce supplemental spending bills which would not include timetables for combat withdrawal. When the final bill, which provided funds for the Iraq War through September 2007, came to a vote, it passed 280-142, with most Democrats,including Pelosi, opposing it.

Sudan

On May 29, 2007, Pelosi applauded a decision by President Bush to tighten sanctions against the government of Sudan. Bush's plan called for increasing economic and political pressure on Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to end the alleged genocide in the country's Darfur region.[7]

Network neutrality legislation

When Rep. Joe Barton and Sen. Ted Stevens pushed anti-network neutrality legislation in 2006, Pelosi came out in favor of neutrality, angering telecom companies and some fellow Democrats by urging her caucus to fall in line behind her. Roll Call also quoted "insiders" as saying that the damage telecom companies deal to Democrats in retaliation was low because they had already maxed out their campaign contributions to the legal limits until after the 2006 election.[8]Network neutrality has been called the "first amendment of the Internet" by the SavetheInternet.com Coalition.

PAC Fined

In 2004 a political action committee (PAC), Team Majority, controlled by Pelosi was fined $21,000 for "for improperly accepting donations over federal limits, according to records and interviews." Pelosi used two PACs, including Team Majority, to raise money for her colleagues during the 2002 election. The fine came from Pelosi's use of multiple PACs to exceed donation limits to other members campaign committees. Two Democratic lawmakers, Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Julie Thomas (D-Md.), paid fines of $2,500 each for receiving illegal contributions from Pelosi's PAC. Team Majority ceased operating before the fine was issued.[9]

Earmarks and "pork"

In February of 2003 the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Pelosi had sought a $1 million earmark for an advisor and former campaign treasurer's think tank:

Pelosi's office confirmed Thursday that the San Francisco Democrat, who was elected House minority leader in November, obtained the $1 million for the USF center, without requiring [her longtime adviser and campaign treasurer, former Lt. Gov. Leo T.] McCarthy and USF to go through the normal application process for such grants. But Pelosi said the program got the money on its merits, not because of any political ties to the congresswoman.[10]

A 2005 Washington Times report alleges that Pelosi helped a campaign donor secure funds from a federal agency days after one of her staff members returned from a fact-finding trip to Spain that was funded by the donor.[11]

Pelosi and her office denied any connection between the trip and the money sought by WestStart-CALSTART. Pelosi's spokeswoman stated that Republican staffers also went on the trip to Spain.

Transparency

Nancy Pelosi's official website was rated by citizen researchers in February 2007 as part of a survey by the Sunlight Foundation. The survey evaluated members' sites on whether they provided basic information on their legislative activities, post their legally required disclosures such as on personal finances and travel, and any other information that furthers transparency. Nancy Pelosi's site received a 32 (out of 100). A score of 40 was considered passing. Full results.

Biography

Pelosi was born March 26, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland. Her father, Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., was a U.S. Congressman from Maryland and also a Mayor of Baltimore, the latter office having been held also by her brother Thomas L. J. D'Alesandro III in the late 1960s.

Affiliations

Contact

DC Office:
2371 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0508
Phone: 202-225-4965
Fax: 202-225-8259
Email: sf.nancy AT mail.house.gov
Web Email
Website

District Office - San Francisco:
450 Golden Gate Avenue, 14th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102-3460
Phone: 415-556-4862
Fax: 415-861-1670

Articles and resources

Sources

External resources

Pelosi's Websites

Notes

  1. ↑ Michael Abramowitz and Paul Kane. "At Democrats' Meeting, Bush Appeals for Cooperation," Washington Post. February 4, 2007.
Retrieved from "https://powerbase.info/index.php?title=Nancy_Pelosi&oldid=183541"