Apparently just before the vote, Speaker Pelosi gave a highly partisan speech, blaming (of course) Bush for everything that is wrong, yadda yadda. This speech had the result of turning about a dozen Republicans from voting for it to voting against it, which was enough to kill it.
Speakers used to as a rule very very rarely speak about legislation on the floor. If Nancy had just kept her trap shut the bailout would have passed the House.
Here's the text of Speaker Pelosi's remarks. I'm no mind-reader, so I can't say how many people would have listened to that and said "screw saving the economy, she hurt my feelings!", but I'm more than a little suspicious of John Boehner's use of it as an excuse for not having gotten even a third of his conference to vote in favor of the bill that he agreed to on their behalf.
I'm somewhat amazed she was able to say "Democrats believe in the free market" and keep a straight face.
Still, if you're trying to push a bipartisan compromise, it's very bad tactics to come out and insult the opposing party in your opening paragraphs. Either she doesn't know what bipartisan is or she actually wanted the bill to fail.
'Cause after all, she's viewed as the uber-liberal *, and periodically tarred and feathered as an example of godless Californian immorality. She's probably never had a Republican offer to work with her, and I doubt she'd offer to work with one of them, either.
* Except in election years, when the most liberal congressperson is whoever the Democrats pick as a presidential candidate.
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Worst. Speaker. Ever.
Date: 2008-09-29 07:29 pm (UTC)Speakers used to as a rule very very rarely speak about legislation on the floor. If Nancy had just kept her trap shut the bailout would have passed the House.
Re: Worst. Speaker. Ever.
Date: 2008-09-29 07:40 pm (UTC)Re: text of Speaker Pelosi's remarks
Date: 2008-09-29 08:50 pm (UTC)Re: Worst. Speaker. Ever.
Date: 2008-09-29 10:31 pm (UTC)Still, if you're trying to push a bipartisan compromise, it's very bad tactics to come out and insult the opposing party in your opening paragraphs. Either she doesn't know what bipartisan is or she actually wanted the bill to fail.
Re: Worst. Speaker. Ever.
Date: 2008-09-30 04:53 am (UTC)'Cause after all, she's viewed as the uber-liberal *, and periodically tarred and feathered as an example of godless Californian immorality. She's probably never had a Republican offer to work with her, and I doubt she'd offer to work with one of them, either.
* Except in election years, when the most liberal congressperson is whoever the Democrats pick as a presidential candidate.
Re: Worst. Speaker. Ever.
Date: 2008-09-30 12:15 am (UTC)