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Dan K. Thomasson: Politics, not principles, behind Pelosi's turnabout on oil drilling
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Utah Bill | 5:00 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
O.K., Let me get this straight - the author is accusing Pelosi of changing her
position in light of political pressure from her peers and constituents?
Isn't that what we should expect politicians to do?
An intransient and rigid politician is hardly the kind we want in Washington. Likewise, a politician easily swayed and co-opted is also not desirable.
I�m no Pelosi fan, but I do think she�s more in line with what our country needs by shifting her stance. Pelosi apparently realized she was not in a good position with her resistance on this matter � good for her and good for us.
An intransient and rigid politician is hardly the kind we want in Washington. Likewise, a politician easily swayed and co-opted is also not desirable.
I�m no Pelosi fan, but I do think she�s more in line with what our country needs by shifting her stance. Pelosi apparently realized she was not in a good position with her resistance on this matter � good for her and good for us.
Pelosi is not unique | 6:32 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
In my own life I have my principals. Were I to adhere to them perfectly, if my
employer were unfair to me and refuse to see and act on the truth I would quit.
My principals go against associating withsuch a person.
However reality is that I need a job for myself and my family, and the job I have is quite good and hard to replace, so I don't adhere to what I call my principals religiously, there are other considerations.
Perhaps, I do adhere to my principals, its just that at times they conflict. One of my principals is that I need to provide for my family in a manner that provides for them comfort and opportunity for a good life.
At times I find I have to choose the most important of my principals, I can't adhere to them all.
Since can't / won't be true to all my principals, I will not necessarily critisize Pelosi or others who find thereselves in the same situation.
However reality is that I need a job for myself and my family, and the job I have is quite good and hard to replace, so I don't adhere to what I call my principals religiously, there are other considerations.
Perhaps, I do adhere to my principals, its just that at times they conflict. One of my principals is that I need to provide for my family in a manner that provides for them comfort and opportunity for a good life.
At times I find I have to choose the most important of my principals, I can't adhere to them all.
Since can't / won't be true to all my principals, I will not necessarily critisize Pelosi or others who find thereselves in the same situation.
Comments continue below
Ultra Bob | 7:46 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Oil prices have gone down without any new drilling. Does this indicate to any
one else that the prices won't be effected by drilling.
I would like to have us drill drill drill in order to provide jobs for Americans and help the economy.
I would like to see if the price goes down. And stays down showing that the drilling actually works.
I would also like to see a part of the new law that prevents oil drilled on American soil from being sold outside America. If our problem is that we are importing oil such a law would help reduce the imports.
I would also like to see a return to government by the people for the people.
I would like to have us drill drill drill in order to provide jobs for Americans and help the economy.
I would like to see if the price goes down. And stays down showing that the drilling actually works.
I would also like to see a part of the new law that prevents oil drilled on American soil from being sold outside America. If our problem is that we are importing oil such a law would help reduce the imports.
I would also like to see a return to government by the people for the people.
Rdub | 7:54 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
California Democrat Nancy Pelosi may be trying to save the planet
� but the rank and file in her party increasingly are just
trying to save their political hides when it comes to gas prices as Republicans
apply more and more rhetorical muscle.
But what looks like intraparty tension on the surface is part of an intentional strategy in which Pelosi takes the heat on energy policy, while behind the scenes she�s encouraging vulnerable Democrats to express their independence if it helps them politically, according to Democratic aides on and off Capitol Hill.
NManmcy just wants to preserve her power.. she'll say anything to that end.
But what looks like intraparty tension on the surface is part of an intentional strategy in which Pelosi takes the heat on energy policy, while behind the scenes she�s encouraging vulnerable Democrats to express their independence if it helps them politically, according to Democratic aides on and off Capitol Hill.
NManmcy just wants to preserve her power.. she'll say anything to that end.
Pelosi = American Insurgent | 8:47 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Pelosi isn't leading the American Congress, she's leading the American
Insurgency. She blocks everything our government tries to do. She knows she
can't "win" now, but if she can bog us down long enough and get
enough negative media coverage and turn as many hearts against the current
administration, it's just as good in the long run. She is always looking
for any information that will make our government look bad in the media. She is
doing everything she can to insure we loose in Iraq. She fixates on every bad
thing the United States does and tries to sweep any good we do under the carpet.
The most important goal in her life is to make the President (if he's not
a Democrat) and anyone associated with him look bad in hopes that this will
increase the chances of her cronies taking power.
How did the "Progressive" movement become all about "Blocking" progress?
How did the "Progressive" movement become all about "Blocking" progress?
lost in DC | 9:20 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Glad to see queen nancy's starting to come around. I'm note sure she
understands the difference between 'strategic' and
'convenient' when it comes to our oil reserve, however. I believe
tapping into that reserve for our immediate convenience would be a mistake.
Go Cindy Sheehan!
Go Cindy Sheehan!
Oh Please | 9:21 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Since Republicans have no principles to betray, I guess they have a right to
chuckle.
Joe Moe | 9:45 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Joe (4:38, no relation) is exactly right. It seems that many have concluded
that a politician changing positions is anathema. What folly. For one, they
can learn and grow and change their mind. Hopefully we all do that with some
things. Second, a "representative" needs to represent their
constituency. Sometimes that means putting one's beliefs aside and voting
for the will of the people. It may be akin to pandering or political
expediency, but it is reasonable and correct.
Not to say that a politician should ALWAYS do this; there are times when standing on principle and LEADING is more important than staying in office (of course, few politicians really feel that way.)
Not to say that a politician should ALWAYS do this; there are times when standing on principle and LEADING is more important than staying in office (of course, few politicians really feel that way.)
Hmmm | 9:51 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
It isn't surprising to me that the Deseret News and most of the commentors
here would find fault with Nancy Pelosi. My bet is these same folks used to
pick on the little girls on the playground.
Pelosi is in a constant "Catch-22" with these people. If she takes a stand they disagree with she is an un-American liberal nazi. If she changes her position to agree with them she is a dishonest, coldly calulating witch.
I, for one, think the Democrats have been played like a drum by the Republicans on this issue when it would be soooo easy to turn the tables on them.
Pelosi and the Democrats should say "Sure, drill wherever you want. But remember, all of the oil you drill stays in the USA. Oh, and there won't be any subsidies for you, Big Oil. One other thing, we are going to charge you for the right to tap our resources and use the money to fund alternative energy programs."
My guess is Big Oil and the Republicans would throw a fit. Then who would be seen as "hindering progress"?
Pelosi is in a constant "Catch-22" with these people. If she takes a stand they disagree with she is an un-American liberal nazi. If she changes her position to agree with them she is a dishonest, coldly calulating witch.
I, for one, think the Democrats have been played like a drum by the Republicans on this issue when it would be soooo easy to turn the tables on them.
Pelosi and the Democrats should say "Sure, drill wherever you want. But remember, all of the oil you drill stays in the USA. Oh, and there won't be any subsidies for you, Big Oil. One other thing, we are going to charge you for the right to tap our resources and use the money to fund alternative energy programs."
My guess is Big Oil and the Republicans would throw a fit. Then who would be seen as "hindering progress"?
lost in DC | 11:00 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
The July 1, 2008 data from the Rasmussen Reports shows 36% of Americans rate
congress as 'fair' while 52% rate congress as poor. Only 9 percent
rate congress as 'good' or 'excellent'. As of August third,
Rasmussen reports Bush's approval rating at 33%.
Gallop's June numbers show a 19% approval rating for congress and a 30% approval rating for Bush.
RealClearPolitics lists a number of sources showing congressional approval ratings in July from 16-22%. I'm sorry, I could find Mr. Bush's approval ratings on RealClearPolitics.
Despite what "Hmmm 9:51" would have you believe, it's not just posters and the DN that have a dim view of what queen nancy is doing.
Gallop's June numbers show a 19% approval rating for congress and a 30% approval rating for Bush.
RealClearPolitics lists a number of sources showing congressional approval ratings in July from 16-22%. I'm sorry, I could find Mr. Bush's approval ratings on RealClearPolitics.
Despite what "Hmmm 9:51" would have you believe, it's not just posters and the DN that have a dim view of what queen nancy is doing.
Ooooh | 11:06 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Pelosi has principles only as far as her constituents tell her what they are.
He principles are not intrinsic. if she is a good politician then she was voted
on because of her ability to stick to her principles not because she can change
on a whim...
Re "Joe Moe | 9:45 a.m" | 11:13 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
So, if "a Representatives needs to represent their constituency"...
was Nancy representing them when she shut-down Congress to prevent the vote on
this? Or when she decided to get on the band-wagon and push for the vote on
it?
Did she not hear her constituents until she went on vacation? Are the voices of her California constituents drowned out by the shrill voices in Washington when she's in Washington?
I agree we need to be willing to change our minds on things (even though your political opponents will accuse you of flip-flopping), but exactly what has changed from the time she rushed to recess Conress before they could vote on this exact issue, to today, where she thinks we need to have the vote she blocked just weeks earlier? I wish someone could explain that for me.
Did she not hear her constituents until she went on vacation? Are the voices of her California constituents drowned out by the shrill voices in Washington when she's in Washington?
I agree we need to be willing to change our minds on things (even though your political opponents will accuse you of flip-flopping), but exactly what has changed from the time she rushed to recess Conress before they could vote on this exact issue, to today, where she thinks we need to have the vote she blocked just weeks earlier? I wish someone could explain that for me.
Re "Hmmm | 9:51 a.m." | 11:53 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Finding fault with Nancy means you picked on little girls on the playground?
What is the logic behind that statement?
Re "Pelosi is not unique | 6:32 | 12:43 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
I agree Pelosi is not unique. Most liberals I know have principles, but they
only value them as "principles" as long as they are convinient. When
faced with a tough situation, they shed their principles and take another
position (until that becomes uncomfortable).
"Principles" relate to your core values (lookup the word). Not something that blows in the wind depending on what the latest focus group said is most popular today.
"Principles" relate to your core values (lookup the word). Not something that blows in the wind depending on what the latest focus group said is most popular today.
jfs | 1:32 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
politician equals statements of a changed mind in any party. They just say they
con't change their minds.
KM | 4:22 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
I'll believe her new position when I see it. I suspect that behind the
scenes she will do everything possible to regulate and enact environmental law
to make it nearly impossible for the oil companies to drill for oil.
Also, it is always corageous and smart to change your positions on something, unless your last name is Romney.
Also, it is always corageous and smart to change your positions on something, unless your last name is Romney.
Anonymous | 5:43 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Rush Limbaugh hates Nancy Pelosi therefore so do Utah neocons.
Neocons love to follow the hate-mongers.
Neocons love to follow the hate-mongers.
RE: Hmmm | 5:44 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
There is no catch 22,
if she has princples her stand is based on then should stick to them regardless of the Good or bad that come as a result.
If she changes her stand then, it is either politics or her original prinicples were wrong.
If her original principles were not wrong she should not be be changing her stance.
So what is it?
if she has princples her stand is based on then should stick to them regardless of the Good or bad that come as a result.
If she changes her stand then, it is either politics or her original prinicples were wrong.
If her original principles were not wrong she should not be be changing her stance.
So what is it?
Anonymous | 7:49 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Pelosi rocks!
A true role model for the American women.
A true role model for the American women.
Wondering | 9:14 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Stereotypical complaints out of context are interesting. Certainly this
congress has not accomplished much. A great part of that is the obstructionism
and procedural delaying tactics in the senate by Mitch McConnell.
So far with the serious problems this country faces, thirty years of an economy that has hurt the middle class, a second economic recession under Bush (not that he was responsible for the first one), a health care delivery system failure, a looming energy crisis the Republicans don't seem to be offering any ideas or solutions that might help.
The only idea from the Republicans seems to be drill, drill here and drill now. It doesn't take much thinking to realize that if more drilling were to be done it should be done in concert with programs to increase alternative energy supplies and to specifically increase the work done in the future when petroleum products are burned in vehicles. For decades our government has approached problems with miserably bad partial bandages.
We should have had increased CAFE standards and alternative sources by now. But Reagan and the Republicans stopped those efforts and failed the country. And now they don't have any ideas better than to drill more.
So far with the serious problems this country faces, thirty years of an economy that has hurt the middle class, a second economic recession under Bush (not that he was responsible for the first one), a health care delivery system failure, a looming energy crisis the Republicans don't seem to be offering any ideas or solutions that might help.
The only idea from the Republicans seems to be drill, drill here and drill now. It doesn't take much thinking to realize that if more drilling were to be done it should be done in concert with programs to increase alternative energy supplies and to specifically increase the work done in the future when petroleum products are burned in vehicles. For decades our government has approached problems with miserably bad partial bandages.
We should have had increased CAFE standards and alternative sources by now. But Reagan and the Republicans stopped those efforts and failed the country. And now they don't have any ideas better than to drill more.
mmichaels | 2:57 p.m. Aug. 20, 2008
"as part of a broader energy bill" is the key phrase here. Rep.
Pelosi is merely scheming to cram as much red tape and over-regulation into the
bill to make it impossible for Republicans to support. When the Repubs reject
it, she will then be able to turn it around and blame Republicans.
This isn't about energy. It is about political war.
This isn't about energy. It is about political war.
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Lauren Victoria Burke, Associated Press
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., in 2007, had opposed offshore drilling.
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But Nancy, releasing oil from the Strategic Reserve is dangerous to our national security. After all, as 70% of our oil is supplied by foreign sources. If there is an interruption in supply, then we will actually understand the necessity of the Strategic Reserve.