FROST: PELOSI HAS VOTES FOR MINORITY LEADER

Drudge | November 8 | Frost

[RobFromGa]

ROLL CALL DAILY

Following is the full text of Frost's letter to his colleagues announcing his decision:
8 November 2002

Dear Democratic Colleague: Nancy Pelosi and I have waged a quick and close race for Democratic Leader - one that has been hard fought on both sides. Over the past several days, I have talked extensively with virtually every Member of this Caucus. And I am gratified to have broad and deep support that reaches across ideological, regional and racial lines.

However, it is clear to me that Nancy Pelosi has the votes of a majority of the Caucus. In light of this fact, today I am releasing all of my commitments. I am deeply appreciative of all those who have supported me in this race, particularly those of you who have campaigned so strongly on my behalf.

Nancy Pelosi is a talented and capable party leader. I intend to support her for Democratic Leader in next week's election, and I will work with her to do everything I can to return Democrats to control of the House of Representatives. In doing so, I will continue to be an outspoken advocate for the mainstream, centrist views that will lead us to the Majority.

That is the goal that has driven me to work so hard and successfully to keep a Democratic Majority within reach. It is why I accepted the challenge of rebuilding the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee eight years ago after we lost the House. It is why I took on the task of ensuring a fair redistricting for Congressional Democrats after the 2000 Census. And it is why I entered this race for Democratic Leader.

As Democrats move forward to challenge the Republican leadership, it is critical that we bear in mind the unalterable political facts of life in the House of Representatives. No matter how eloquent our rhetoric or how sound our positions, we must have a realistic strategy to win a Majority. That is the only way Democrats will ever have the capacity to implement our ideas for helping the American people.

Given the extremist nature of the House Republican leadership, and their consistent refusal to compromise, we have no other choice. The Democratic principles that bind us together will never become a reality until we control the House of Representatives.

To do that, we must ensure that the public sees our party as the mainstream, aggressive advocate for the American people that it is. That requires maintaining centrist positions consistent with the majority view of the nation - and of the competitive battleground districts that determine the House Majority. Otherwise, we will continue to fall just short of control of the House.

I look forward to working with each of you to carry on the fight for a Democratic Majority. Together, we will go head-to-head with the Republican leadership, and build a Democratic House of Representatives.

Yours truly,
Martin Frost

END

[Teacher317]

They seem to be dismissing Ford out of hand... signs of inherent racism on the part of the whites on the Left, since they can't take a black seriously as their leadership figure? I wonder what epithets Hillary would have if she had to answer to a black liberal?

[Gorest Gump]

Sometimes I suspect that the Libertarians are a deep-cover Fifth Column for the Democratic Party.

No, they are not evil, just stoned.

[Isara]

We don't want Jim Jeffors back!!

Ditto!

[anniegetyourgun]

You're both right.

[Shooter 2.5]

There was someone on another thread that linked to a story that the Pelosi leadership was a done deal. I called my congressman's office to report the news and the woman I was talking to thought they still had to vote. I gave her the quotes from the article and said it was a done deal. The article was wrong and so am I. I feel like calling them back and explain but I'm too embarrassed. That's the last time I report something the same day the news come out. I also have to know the political system better.

Live and learn. At least I can do that unlike dems.

[RS]

"Before they lost, front and center was a picture of President Bush in a cartoon on a social security card pushing elderly people down a hill in wheel chairs! "

I saw that somewhere - after he pushes her over ... She gets out of her chair and walks on her own!

Image... the Dems comparing GW to someone who can heal the lame with a touch of his hand !

[ingodwetrust]

Evidently their first spanking didn't sting enough. What fools!

[MrPeanut]

They are setting up the Democratic Party for Hillary's "Rescue". This is smart strategy. Two years from now they want Hillary to look conservative compared to the democrate status quo

[DWPittelli]

Yes, it can be shown beyond a doubt that Pelosi is a member of the Progressive Caucus. What I want is irrefutable printed evidence that membership in the Progressive Caucus is the same as membership in the Democratic Socialists of America, or that the Progressive Caucus is a part of the DSA, and thus that Pelosi can irrefutably be called a Socialist.

(To me, anyone who wants to notably increase the portion of GDP controlled by the government, especially from its current 35% level to beyond the 50% level, is by definition a socialist, but most people think you're wearing a tinfoil hat if you call a "progressive" Democrat a socialist.)

[Right Wing Professor]

What I want is irrefutable printed evidence that membership in the Progressive Caucus is the same as membership in the Democratic Socialists of America, or that the Progressive Caucus is a part of the DSA, and thus that Pelosi can irrefutably be called a Socialist.

Since I doubt any of the above is so (except the contention that Pelosi is a socialist; 'progressive' is after all a synonym for 'socialist' these days) I doubt you'll have much luck.

[MrPeanut]

"Democratic Socialist" has been engineered by the American political elite to be the "name one dare not say".If you honestly look at it, the policies and rulers of the DNC are communists.

[jokemoke]

This is great news! I smell a 2004 Bush victory!!!!!!!

[Humidston]

I think we should all make a vow today:

From now on, FReepers use placards CLEARLY declaring "SOCIALIST" when applicable. No more "LIBERAL" because that just doesn't cut it.

We could even pretend to be socialists and praise her for her loyalties! Let the dims SEE what they're headed for if they support these people!!!

LET'S TAKE THE GLOVES OFF AND FINISH THESE PEOPLE, ONCE AND FOR ALL!

[MrPeanut]

I agree. When I was growing up "Socialist" was a dirty word not to be used against your worst enemy. Time to take the gloves off....

[TheLooseThread]

"...and I will work with her to do everything I can to return Democrats to control of the House of Representatives"

Not "I will do everything I can for the country". Not "By pursuing these values and issues the American people will benefit."

Nope. All rat discussion is about rat power, not the country.

[Humidston]

Amen, Mr. Peanut. I totally agree that SOCIALIST is a dirty word to many.

Let's call them what they are. Let the sheeple see who these people REALLY are instead of allowing them to hide behind their phony label of Rats!!

[George from New England]

Who cares ?

[Saundra Duffy]

This will be the biggest mistake the democraps ever made! Pelosi from San Francisco! Perfect!!

[Humidston]

Frankly, in the interest of destroying the Rat party, I think we should delete this entire thread until she's elected, LOL!

(Wouldn't want the rats to know what trouble they're headed for - if she wins!)

[Humidston]

How many libs do you know who would ADMIT supporting a socialist?? They shy away from that term like vampires to a cross.