Pelosi blasts 'hypocrisy' of new members
(CNN) - Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is now part of the minority party in Congress, but don't expect her to be introspective after the November losses.
"I do introspection, I don't do public introspection," Pelosi said Thursday on CNN's "John King, USA."
But the California Democrat conceded that her party was destined to lose the November elections because of the economy, in spite of their passage of health care and Wall Street reform.
"We still would have lost the election because we had 9 ½ percent unemployment," Pelosi told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King. "That came from the policies of George W. Bush and the Republican's support for his initiatives."
She was critical of the new members of Congress who campaigned against the health care law and want to repeal it but are eager to sign up for the coverage they receive under the plan as members of Congress.
"That is hypocrisy," Pelosi said.
Though she now holds the title of House minority leader, Pelsoi said Democrats will be back.
"I have been the minority leader before, and I put forth a plan for us to win the House for the American people and we succeeded. I know how to do that and we intend to do that again," Pelosi said. "We'll be back."
When asked if she is confident she will be speaker again in two years she said, "It's not about me. It's not about me. It's about President Obama being re-elected; it's about Democrats taking back control of the House."
Pelosi said it's not up to her to dole out advice to new House Speaker John Boehner, but said she wished him success, which is "more than they wished of me." She also said the next session of Congress is an "opportunity" for Republicans.
"It's an opportunity because I think as the Republicans now are in office with a Democrat in the White House and the American people see that they're here for special interests, as their handmaidens, that they're here for the tax cuts for the wealthy, that's their job creation initiative," Pelosi said.
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With all due respect Ms. Pelosi, it's not about getting President Obama re-elected or about getting the Democratic party back in power. It's not about one party's agenda over the other, it's about America and what's best for the American people. Nice try.
she knows all the reasons why her party lost yet she and her party did nothing to correct agenda,the country is tired of her and her liberal party,even her own delegates won`t back her anymore.
What a bitter, shrill woman. She likes to pretend that she wasn't Speaker for the last two years of the Bush presidency, and she was part of every law and action taken by Congress in during tht time.
Wow, she is absolutely horrid. I don't care which side of politics you are on, she is not very elegant, (or even subtle,) in speech. At least other politicians make what they say sound diplomatic. She is angry and doesn't feel she needs to hide it.
Republicans: Good luck working with her in the future.
AND guess what she is 100% correct. First to DENY they (republicans) had anything to do with this economic MESS America and the World is in right now is one. Second to say they (republicans) can and will "fix the problem" with America's debt is a JOKE and just plain DECIETFUL. If they can now "fix" it why couldn't they have 3years ago when the problem came to LIGHT?
You can complain all you want about pelosi atleast she was able to get the majority under control. Good luck bohner you need it.
If anyone begins a new job and are offered Health coverage under "the ONLY plan" that is offered by your employer.....is the ANYONE who is going to NOT take it???? I think not!
Pelosi is the biggest Hypocrite and Liar (next to Obambi....that is why they work so well together).....Did you hear her say that under her leadership reducing the deficit was her number 1 success! What a lie! Did you know that under Pelosi's leadership that 1/2 of the nations debt was added in 2 years that exceeded all administrations since George Washington was President!?!?!?
Both parties are on probation. We want our leaders to represent the 70 percent of americans who want effective leadership and not the wacko stuff from the party core from either side.
Pelosi please please quit!
I totally agree with Speaker Pelosi, now the minority leader. There are plenty of hypocrites that want their healthcare, but want to deprive others of the same benefits they receive. Give yours up, Congressmen and women.
I find it funny she derides those elected into office who know what they want for legislation and were supported by the american citizens. She seems to forget that. She completely ignores that if it was just health care that would explain such a lopsided whipping?
She is the house leader came out and publically said the elgislation has to be passed so they can know what was put in the health care package. Is that anyway to lead? Is she saying she didnt know what was in the package?
Perhaps she would be better served to listen and understand why those new congressmen were elected. But that will never happen. That is the sign of liberal who feels we know better than everyone else and listen and do as we say. Look what just occured at NPR.
I support Nancy Polosi's comments. The Republicans are hypocrites and have the interest ot the rich only. I hope my American colleagues will open there eyes and watch them carefully.
Watch out Republicans the Democrats will be back.
..of course it's hypocritical, they're REPUBLICANS!!!..why would they do as they say??...you voted for them, so you want them to give themselves better than they give us....
...oh, sign me up for senate health care quick so i can step on the first rung of privilege, get above my naked electorate,
all the better to vote against their coverage, let them shiver, get sick and die, for i am a republican you see, of the pt
barnum type, they can't make the suckers fast enough who will vote for me. now to ascend the ladder to nowhere
for my tightrope act. is the judiciary safety net in place? in case i get light-headed during my term and think i can fly.
In public they say their agaisnt the Health Care Reform, they want to repeal it, but behind doors they actually support it by tryng to sign up for it......wow! Its ok for them to get the best quality healthcare, but not ok for the people, their constituents to receive the same quality healthcare as they do....
The only hypocrite in this article is Pelosi. She will do anything and every thing to get what she wants. She should of never retained the minority head of the House. That only goes to show you that the Democratic Party really doen't care what the American people have to say or want.
Pelosi has turned herself into a joke! After 2 years the swamp has finally started to drain!
Mrs. Pelosi makes an EXCELLENT point when she notes that she wishes Speaker Boehner success, which is more than the Republicans wished her or the president. Very telling...
Mrs. Pelosi is a strong, smart woman and I am proud of all she has accomplished on behalf of Americans. It is unfortunate that her political opposition felt they needed to vilify her in order to win back control. She is correct that this is an opportunity for Republicans to demonstrate who they are fighting for. I only hope that Americans who have been duped by the Republicans over and over again will finally see the truth about their agenda: keep the wealthy insulated and taxed at absurdly low levels, and make sure there will be slave labor wages for the bottom end workers. BTW – I am wealthy and think this is a travesty!
Say what you will about Nancy Pelosi, but I see her a confident and capable legislator.... and she looks great at 70!
How much more daily proof do the American people need that many in Congress care NOTHING about the people's accessibility to affordable health care? Yet they keep electing these self-serving representatives that do nothing but increase the deficit.
We are talking our future here. IF you currently have health care coverage right now, if the Republicans have their way, you easily could be doled out a 'Pre Existing Condition' label if you file even one claim on your insurance. Next up on our to-do list is to reform the GOP, the party of personal greed.
Pelosie should go back to California and stay there....
Still crying "it was Bush's fault!" Got news for you Nancy, the citizens aren't buying it any more.
Classic Pelosi. She is one heck of an agitator but she could not govern. Any more time with her at the helm and we would have been a banana republic. She says such crazy and unsupportable things it just makes me laugh. I am sure she is a wonderful woman but being truthful is not a strong suit like most politicians.