Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

GOP Trains Fire on Pelosi

Republicans go after House speaker despite failures in '06, '08

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 12, 2009 6:31 AM CDT

(Newser) – Republicans angling to take back the House and Senate in 2010—or at least trim their losses from the last two elections—are making attacks on Nancy Pelosi a central feature of their campaign, and it's already getting ugly. The GOP has been releasing statements mocking "Gen. Pelosi" for alleged strong-arming, and recently the House Republicans' campaign arm lambasted her stance on Afghanistan, saying Stanley McChrystal had "put her in her place." Pelosi called that sexist: "I'm in my place. I'm speaker of the House."

Compared to President Obama, Pelosi has relatively high negative ratings, especially among independents, and the GOP hopes it can use her image to retake centrist districts it lost in previous races. Yet Republicans targeted her both in 2006 and 2008, to no effect, and Democrats say the third time won't be the charm. "It's been a proven failure," said Rep. Chris Van Holland, who's leading the party's House campaigns. "I'd sum it up by saying, 'Been there, done that, didn't work.'"

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, talks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, talks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 25 comments
Corona_Kinq
Oct 12, 2009 12:58 PM CDT
There are some good Republicans, however it seems the most vocal ones are the least intelligent, think Michelle Bachmann. It's sorta like Newser, there are some reasonable conservative posters but people like Mrs. K make their whole group fit the stereotype of the ignorant emotional redneck.
RockyPneumonia
Oct 12, 2009 12:46 PM CDT
Thinker, there are some good Republicans. No party has a monopoly on honor and intelligence.
Thinker
Oct 12, 2009 12:02 PM CDT
I may think the Dems are worthless but there is no way in hell I will EVER vote Repub. Only a total tool would support a Repub today. In fact, voting for the least of the evils will be the norm in our elections unless we can get a strong third party, so I'll bite the bullet and vote for anyone who is NOT a conservative, NOT a Repub and who is NOT is not a Repub disguised as an Independent.

More Newser Stories

House Votes to Freeze Congress, Federal Pay

Bad News for Dems? Ben Nelson Retiring

GOP Fell Into Democrats' 'Trap' on Payroll Tax

House Expects to Clear Payroll Tax Cut Today

House Frosh May Balk at Payroll Deal


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne