By Judi McLeod ——Bio and Archives--November 15, 2018
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“The stakes couldn't be higher. And House Democrats cannot afford to put forward anyone less than their smartest, savviest, most tenacious and strategic member -- someone with a track record of successful leadership. That person is Nancy Pelosi. “Of course, Jarrett and her former boss owe Pelosi one and she knows it. Pelosi did more to get Obamacare passed than any other Democrat.”There’s infighting among Democrats, some of whom are calling for a “fresh face” as House Speaker.
“After the surprise election of Republican Scott Brown in 2010 to fill the seat vacated by the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, the Democrats were stripped of the 60th vote needed to avoid a possible GOP filibuster on the ACA. () “Some recommended Democrats retreat and settle for a children's health care bill."But Pelosi as speaker never lost her nerve. "You go through the gate. If the gate's closed, you go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we'll pole vault in," she said."If that doesn't work, we'll parachute in. But we're going to get health care reform passed for the American people.” “Thanks to her sheer force of will and determination, along with her fellow members of Congress who put the health of the American people first, the ACA was signed in March 2010.“One thing that most of Pelosi's detractors don't talk about but which I have freely admitted for years was that she was a very powerful and effective speaker. She got people to willingly march to the ends of their careers to get the ACA passed. She's formidable in the role. There's a reason she's remained atop Democratic leadership despite the shellacking they took in the two previous midterm elections.”
“Dozens of protestors with the groups Sunrise Movement and Justice Democrats were staging a sit-in and greeted Ocasio-Cortez with raucous applause when she entered the office. “Ocasio-Cortez took time to high-five some of the protestors in the room before briefly addressing the crowd. “I just want to let you all know how proud I am of each and every single one of you. For putting yourselves and your bodies and everything on the line to make sure we save our planet,” Ocasio-Cortez said.”Meanwhile, the hey days of Democrat control by Barack, Michelle and Jarrett are long gone.
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