Boren says he'll back Pelosi
By Chris Casteel
The Oklahoman
WASHINGTON - Rep. Dan Boren, a Democrat who was uncertain earlier this week whether he would vote for Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the House, said Friday he will support her.
In a brief statement, Boren, of Muskogee, said, "I met personally Thursday night with Leader Pelosi, and she reaffirmed her intention to govern in a bipartisan fashion. I take her and President Bush at their word, and with that reassurance she has my support."
Boren spent his first term in the House in the minority but next year will be the only member of the Oklahoma congressional delegation in the majority.
One of the most conservative Democrats in the House, he often has voted with Republicans. In the immediate aftermath of the Democratic takeover of the House on Tuesday, Boren said he was uncomfortable with the idea of Pelosi, of San Francisco, as speaker. He questioned whether Pelosi would be willing to work with Republicans.
Boren's meeting with Pelosi included other members of the group of conserative Democrats who call themselves Blue Dogs.
In many public statements since Tuesday, Pelosi has vowed to work with Republicans, who will be the minority party in January after 12 years of running the U.S. House.
She doesn't have any Democratic opposition for speaker and is expected to become the first woman ever to lead the House.
When has Bush ever broken his word and when has Pelosi ever kept it?
Sad that he gets nothing in return for "her word." He should've at least extracted a promise that Communists, fifth columnists and impeached former federal judges wouldn't be heading national security related committees.
It's going to be a long two years.