September 25, 2007
Posted: September 25th, 2007 05:29 PM ET

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California

WASHINGTON (CNN) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blamed Republicans in the Senate for blocking legislation that would either limit or end the war in Iraq in an exclusive interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday.

"The Republicans in the Senate have now taken ownership of the war in Iraq," Pelosi said. "It was President Bush’s war. And now it is the Republicans in Congress’ war. And that marks a big turning point for us because we had hoped to have bipartisanship in redeploying out of Iraq."

Pelosi said she would continue trying to get bills passed to limit the missions and deployments for troops and promised to hold the administration "accountable time and time again for the conduct of this war."

Despite their disagreements, Pelosi said she thinks she and Bush have a good working relationship, and was optimistic that they could work together on an energy bill.

"I respect him as a person, I respect the position he holds," she said. "He respects the position of Speaker of the House. He knows he has to do what he has to do. He knows that I have to do what I have to do. And so I think we have a good rapport. We understand each other."

You can see the interview tonight in The Situation Room at 7 p.m., ET.

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Filed under: Nancy Pelosi


Zeke, Las Vegas   September 26th, 2007 11:36 pm ET

Dear Madam Speaker:

Don't you think that if you know Mr. Bush better, you could do a better job of reaching agreement. Please don't snowball the American public. We prefer honesty.

Jon Tampa Bay   September 26th, 2007 4:03 pm ET

Shut up Nancy nobody believes you or cares to hear your lies. Go back to your district and have more rallies putting down our Troops. You make me sick.

slinkymalinky   September 26th, 2007 11:45 am ET

Nancy‘s legacy… Majority leader of the worst Congress EVER rated!

Congratulations on that last election Dems. You guys are really setting the precedence now..

Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   September 26th, 2007 11:24 am ET

I understand Dems needing the 60 votes to pass a bill. And I fully understand the Bush Veto Obsession with every bill that passes his desk. The more they send his way the more he'll Veto.
This is definietely not a sign of his working together on bipartisan lines.

But what I don't understand is why Pelosi stated Impeachment is off the Democrat Table?

The only reason I can muster is that Cheney would than be in charge. Consequently, Bush is scary, Cheney is more scarry. I guess that makes a No Win situation and Bush and Admin. are milking it for all its worth. As the world becomes a more threatening place to live.

Andrew Victoria, MN   September 26th, 2007 10:33 am ET

Pelosi holds the ability to stop the war if she wants to. Cut off funding. It's over. No political gamesmanship, no stringing it out for your party's benefit in the next elections. Just end it.

Kay Ash, AR   September 26th, 2007 10:00 am ET

Pelosi has an excuse for everything she has failed to accomplish. The only thing she is good at is taking trips on the tax payers money.

Chris, Middletown, CT   September 26th, 2007 9:31 am ET

Rob
I assume you mean Hillary too – she voted for the war with the same intelligence. (I know...you are NY – theres nothing she can do wrong...go back to surfing the DNC website)

Rob New York City   September 26th, 2007 9:01 am ET

Voters need to hold these republicans accountable for their actions. The majority of us want the troops home.

Chris, Middletown, CT   September 26th, 2007 8:55 am ET

So scarey – I think you might believe that she is not playing partisan politics. Nancy is a left winger...we don't need the left...nor the right anymore – and we need to send her back (to Syria)

Dom, Cleveland, OH   September 26th, 2007 8:53 am ET

Bob in SF – They apparently have you brainwashed, too. What makes you think a Democratic president and congress will change Washington? All Pelosi does is constantly point out that everything the other party does is wrong. That doesn't sound like she's all that interested in bipartisan accomplishments. The only way things are going to improve is if the next president is not currently an elected official and does not have the mentality of our current congress.

Sue in Michigan   September 26th, 2007 8:40 am ET

Amen, Bob. For some reason the Republicans are still frightened to get out of lockstep with this man. Think for yourselves, people. The country wants out of this war, and we do NOT want to be thrust into another one for the next President to clean up! Get out of Iraq and stay out of IRAN!

AJ; Montpelier, VT   September 26th, 2007 8:02 am ET

Democrats are not trying hard enough. Take a position, dig in, and DO NOT COMPROMISE!! This is not an issue where compromise is warranted. If Bush wont bring the troops home, cut off the cash. Period.

Bill Charleston SC   September 26th, 2007 7:46 am ET

Don't kid yourself into thinking the Democrats have the troops interest at heart with the legislation they have proposed. Their own interest is all they're concerned about by and large. They have two goals, embarass the president and hold onto power.

For what it's worth, legislating specific rest periods between combat tours does nothing more than tie the hands of the combatant commanders. I'm a 20 year Army veteran who has participated in structuring the force for combat, and believe me, it's hard enough without congress meddling in the process that is owned by the president. If congress were to specify time limits between deployments, it would harm the troops, not help them. Because then the military would be forced to continue the mission with either less than trained troops, or not enough, both of which would lead to increased casualties in combat.

Leave fighting the wars where it belongs, in the hands of the commander in chief and his generals.

Mary, Beaver, PA   September 26th, 2007 7:14 am ET

The Democrats had as much chance as the Republicans to show some backbone and some leadership BEFORE we went to war with Iraq. Instead, they chose to goose-step behind Bush without even questioning the wisdom of his decisions. I'm not impressed by their 20-20 hindsight. A new broom to sweep government clean is long overdue.

BCNU purple state, usa   September 26th, 2007 6:19 am ET

Pelosi: 'I have to do what I have to do'

Popeye: "I am what I am'

fran kaye   September 26th, 2007 1:41 am ET

She is giving herself away by saying that she has a good rapport with him; respecting him in all areas. I have been saying that she made some kind of deal with him at the very beginning of her position of Speaker of the House. That is why she has been saying all along that Impeachment is off the table. She put something on the table with Bush in secret.

afrit007   September 26th, 2007 1:17 am ET

Tough talk, but can she back it up? She's already taken impeachment off the table, and that's the only way to really get this President's attention.

It's time she and other Democrats plucked up the courage to really face down Mr. Bush.

Impeachment is the only way to truly hold him accountable.

r.james   September 26th, 2007 1:15 am ET

Pelosi......Way past being an Idiot...............Most definately......2 Times an Idiot...

Matt, Chico, CA   September 26th, 2007 12:28 am ET

Did you really just call Pelosi levelheaded?

bprossersme   September 26th, 2007 12:04 am ET

Sometimes when one is too close to a situation it would be wise to stand back for awhile and begin again later with a renewed vision. Loyality is not in question, both are walking towards the same goal for our country. There are several roads to that goal.

Reatte Beaumont, Texas   September 25th, 2007 11:26 pm ET

Oh my goodness if that is the kind of leadership you want then you need some help like the members of congress and the house of representives. They are a bunch of kids in a candy store they don't now which way the want to screw the taxpayers first. The Washington elite will say anything they may think we want to hear but they still keep on filling there pockets with our tax money and then some. They all need to be fired and we need some normal everyday folks to look out for the little guys in what use to be THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Evan Esteves, Boca Raton, Florida   September 25th, 2007 10:30 pm ET

The American people know that the Republicans in congress are obstructionists...and they will be defeated yet again next year in congressional elections.

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   September 25th, 2007 10:21 pm ET

If the Speaker truly respects Bush as a person, she is seriously out of touch with the reality of the worst President in years if not decades.

Adam NY   September 25th, 2007 8:31 pm ET

And the approval rate of this congress is?

Matthew W. Combest Atlanta, GA   September 25th, 2007 8:28 pm ET

Pelosi 08!

Lee, Ann Arbor, Michigan   September 25th, 2007 8:26 pm ET

After living and working in California for fourteen years, I can truly say that Pelosi is the most useless Speaker of the House ever. Her, along with the two Senators (Boxter and Feinstein), are so far left that they cannot work with ANYBODY. Their thinking patterns and beliefs just don't fit with the majority of Americans in other parts of the Country.

Stephen, Naples, Florida   September 25th, 2007 8:23 pm ET

Ok, so what else has she achieved this year? Iraq isn't the only problem in America today.

Kendra, Nashville, TN   September 25th, 2007 8:01 pm ET

Bob, I'm sorry. Your comment is as nutty as Pelosi's. She represents positive bipartisanship to you?
You are being deceived. The democrats try to pass bills that benefit the troops short term and risking the security of our country and the Iraqi people (who want liberty) in the long term. How does this benefit anyone? Sure, she'll agree to send over more armor, but only if we agree to an exit date. That is ludicrous. What kind of country EVER announced an exit date in wartime? Why do you think this makes any sense at all?

The only positive I can see in Pelosi's comments is her acknowledgment that she has to do what she has to do. She has to play to her lefty constituents– those like you– who really believe we ought to announce that we're leaving Iraq in 3 months, 2 weeks, 4 days, and three hours. It would be laughable if it weren't so insanely telling.

FT Doylestown Pa.   September 25th, 2007 8:01 pm ET

Pelosi is "The Village Idiot"!
She say "This is Bush's War" and now it's "The Republicans War"! Is this woman AMERICAN?? To think she is Third in line if some thing happens to Bush and Chenney......
This Country Better Start Really Working TOGETHER like we All Did for WWII. This is going to change and I think all Americans have had enough with both Parties.

Bob, San Francisco, CA   September 25th, 2007 7:12 pm ET

An admirable comment from Mrs. Pelosi about still trying to work together. I wish we had some more level-headed bipartisan accomplishments instead of stubbornly following bad policy just to appese the party of choice. It's incredible how many Republicans try to portray the Dems as "anti-troops" or "anti-American" when the Dems are constantly trying to pass bills in the troops' favor (more rest between tours of war, better benefits, etc.).

Although both parties have their pros and cons, the country will be much better served with a Democratic president and congress (with a real majority).

scott, manchester NH   September 25th, 2007 7:00 pm ET

i still have trouble understanding why republicans POINT to Congress' low ratings and then paint it all as a democratic issue; its the republican PART of Congress that insists on siding with Bush..and naturally, when the margin is razor thin,...you're gonna have some problems.
Isnt it a MAJOR avoiding of the real issue to simply and blindly say Congress has ratings as low as bush...and worth mentioning that its republican leaders who insist on ignoring the will of the people??

seems like a no-brainer to me.

Ed,Ellenville,New York   September 25th, 2007 6:59 pm ET

A little late is better than never I guess.Please don't crumble this time.

James, Phoenix AZ   September 25th, 2007 6:55 pm ET

"Pelosi said she would continue trying to get bills passed to limit the missions"

Funny... I always thought the President was the Commander and Chief and the Speaker of the House was responsibile for general legislation. I guess it's General Pelosi, now?

Rodney Dallas TX   September 25th, 2007 6:53 pm ET

People are blaming Congress for not making any changes since being elected, yet, even though they hold majority, there are still not enough to get the votes they need to get anything done. In '08 vote for Democrat if you want this war to end. Vote democrat if you want your children to have health care. Voting republican is just stupid. Many republicans can't voice their own opinion. If Bush says jump, they say how hi. Vote someone in with their own voice. Isn't that why we have elections, to vote for someone to speak on our behalf. It's funny, no one has spoken on my behalf in the last 8 years.

John, Ca.   September 25th, 2007 6:50 pm ET

She is absolutely right, this is the Republicans in Congress' war!

November 2008 can't come soon enough!

Mike, Milwaukee, WI   September 25th, 2007 6:38 pm ET

What you NEED TO DO Speaker Pelosi, is to cut off funds for this war......

Jerry, NY   September 25th, 2007 6:36 pm ET

Come on Wolf, it looks like you have nobody else to bring to situation room but Pelosi. I never listen to her because she is from the leftist Sanfrancisco area. If you need more eudience, please bring on credible people on your show and do not be biased. Do not be a mountpiece for leftist democrats.

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