PROFILE
Ready for any fight
V. GANGADHAR
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Nancy Pelosi does not hide the family values that influence her political career.
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Photo: REUTERS
Liberal pragmatist: Nancy Pelosi.
NANCY PELOSI, poised to take over as the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in January next, calls herself a liberal pragmatist. The stunning victory of the Democratic party in the recent mid-term elections elevated the former House Minority leader to a post, just two steps from the US Presidency. "I will be the Speaker of the House, not of the Democratic party," Pelosi declared on her elevation to the post. For years, she has battled the Republican presidents and their party on issues disproving the Republican charges that she was just a San Francisco liberal.
Stern test
A grandmother and mother of five children, Pelosi often used her "Mother of Five Voice" to bring order among the squabbling Democrats both inside and outside the House.
Pelosi was among the few party leaders who never lost heart and spirit over the Republican successes over the recent years. Within days of her election, Pelosi faced a stern test on compromise when the House Democrats elected Steny H. Hoyer for the post of the Majority leader by a big majority — this was over her personal choice, John P. Murtha. Pelosi backed Murtha who was among the earliest to come out against the Iraq war but his business ethics and proximity to lobbyists over the years had been questioned in the media.
Pelosi has shown herself ready for any kind of political fights. For years, she opposed President Bush on his social security measures rewarding Wall Street moneybags at the cost of poor tax payers, induced conservative Democrats to reduce their support for the Iraq war and loudly demanded a probe into the murky affairs of Republican Senator Mark Foley from Florida.
Ready agenda
She has a ready agenda for the future, Bills on hiking minimum wages, alternative energy incentives, less outsourcing of job and, of course, getting U.S. troops out of Iraq. She has to rely on her ability to unite different groups within the party, the Conservative, liberal, moderate and the "Blue Dog" (Centrist) sections.
But Pelosi has been in politics for more than 50 years and knows every trick of the trade. This she learnt from her father, Thomas D'Alesandro Jr., who was the Mayor of Boston for 12 years and was famous for his ability to get on with everyone.
Early life
Little Nancy, the only daughter among six children, worked from the desk at the family home, licking envelopes and noting down requests and pleas for help from the poor who thronged her home. She watched how political games were played, how favours were granted and followed her mother balance full-time motherhood with grassroots political organising. Politics was a family business, then a local dynasty.
The young girl learnt quickly about party loyalty and economic fairness. Residents of "Little Italy" in Baltimore where she grew up acknowledged, "She is one of us". There were stories of how D' Alesanndro withstood pressure and threats from the powerful Teamsters Union and refused to join a strike call from city garbage workers.
Life changed when she married a wealthy businessman and moved to West. While raising five children, she remained a life-long Democrat, made a name for herself as fundraiser and organiser and in 1981 became the California Democratic party chairman. Six years later was first elected to the House.
Pelosi favours Armani suits but is by no means a style icon. Recently husband Paul revealed that it was he who shopped for her outfits because the wife did not enjoy long sessions at the Mall. But she is aware that looks played a role in her position. She makes no attempt to hide that family values influenced her political career. As a recent article in Washington Post explained, "Pelosi appears consciously, comfortably and authoritatively female." But that did not mean she would give an inch in the political battles, which are awaiting her.
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