Legal Commentary

What Pelosi Has Sown

By Big Tent Democrat

By Big Tent Democrat

Speaking for me only.

I have written many times of Speaker Pelosi's utterly irresponsible behavior during this Democratic presidential nomination campaign. She claims to be neutral when everyone knows she is for Obama. She claims to have to maintain neutrality because she is co-chairman of the Democratic National Convention. But she has repeatedly made statements betraying that neutrality, including saying a unity ticket is impossible and that the super delegates should overturn the popular vote in favor of the pledged delegate count. She argued against revotes in Florida and Michigan.

Her behavior has predictably led to outrage from Clinton supporters. It has also helped lead to the view that a nominee with a popular vote advantage could be an illegitimate nominee. Pelosi has tried to walk back her statements in her response to the disgruntled Clinton supporters:

Speaker Pelosi is confident that superdelegates will choose between Senators Clinton or Obama -- our two strong candidates -- before the convention in August. That choice will be based on many considerations, including respecting the decisions of millions of Americans who have voted in primaries and participated in caucuses. The Speaker believes it would do great harm to the Democratic Party if superdelegates are perceived to overturn the will of the voters. This has been her position throughout this primary season, regardless of who was ahead at any particular point in delegates or votes.

Clearly Pelosi is trying to walk back her statements, particularly her dismissal of the popular vote. But the damage has been done, particularly to Pelosi's credibility as a neutral party elder. She has been as divisive and harmful as any other Democrat in this contest. She should do the honorable thing and formally announce what we all know - she is an Obama supporter. She also should step down as co-chairman of the Democratic National Convention. And she should be quiet for a while. She has done enough damage already.

NOTE - Comments closed.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on March 27, 2008 (boomark / email).