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Dems Go to Bat for Pelosi as Accusations Fly

Speaker 'not in any trouble' as loyal caucus backs her in CIA ruckus

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 20, 2009 5:41 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Republicans have all but slapped a bulls-eye on Nancy Pelosi over what she knew about CIA interrogation practices, but as the Washington Post reports, House Democrats have rallied behind the speaker. In a sign of the considerable unity of the party caucus, several leading Democrats said yesterday that they believe the CIA misled Pelosi, while others questioned the agency's recordkeeping. Steny Hoyer, once a rival of Pelosi's, said that the current uproar was "a political tactic" by the GOP to distract from the issue of torture.

For Republicans, the speaker's claims that she knew nothing about waterboarding have offered their first real chance to dent her image after years of failed attempts. But Pelosi enjoys nearly universal support among House Democrats for leading them to a majority in 2006. "Believe me when I say this, Nancy Pelosi is not in any trouble," said one member. "If anything, the wagons are circling more around the speaker during this time."

President Barack Obama walks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. to an event in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 19, 2009.
President Barack Obama walks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. to an event in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 14, 2009.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, right, talks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid during a news conference about the Obama administration first 100 days on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, in Washington.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, right, talks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid during a news conference about the Obama administration first 100 days on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Mad
May 20, 2009 12:51 PM CDT
Republicans are such fools. They keep screaming "Pelosi knew", while also insisting "Bush never tortured". Which is it? Both can't be true. Fucking idiots.
psycada
May 20, 2009 12:50 PM CDT
She's calling for a truth commision to prevent a special proosecutor. She knows she is screwed if a special prosecutor starts digging around. A truth commision can be controlled....anyone remember the 9/11 truth commision...Soooooooo many ommisions...she knows she can do it again and keep herself and others out of the line of site.
skeptik
May 20, 2009 12:40 PM CDT
She called for a Truth Commission to look into the question of torture-small wonder the repubs are trying to bring her down.

How Pelosi got into the CIA mess
Time

Obama gives the speaker a thumping endorsement
Miami Herald

 
Nancy Pelosi • CIA • torture • Democratic caucus • Republican Party • House Democrats • speaker of the House

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