|
"She's very hands-on," Thorpe said. In her own home turf, Pelosi has found support. Health care providers at San Francisco General Hospital welcomed her back. Faith leaders gathered in the church where her children attended preschool and introduced her to supportive organizers as "our Nancy." The only interruption was enthusiastic applause as she repeated her familiar mantra of reform that will reduce the cost of care, improve quality, retain choice and expand coverage. Myrna Godinez took the day off her job as a bookkeeper at a produce store to hear Pelosi spell out the details of the legislation. Godinez has health insurance through her job, but her 2-year-old son is covered through a state-sponsored low-cost insurance program that suffered deep cuts during California's budget crisis. "I was worried about my son," said Godinez. "I feel more comfortable now. I believe she will make this pass." Progressives like Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, said that in the tough give-and-take before she left Washington for the August recess, Pelosi was a pragmatic leader, even when dealing with widely divergent views within her own caucus. "She's doing a great job of bringing her caucus together," said Lee. "She's been very effective, very accessible. This has shown her ability to listen and to bring people together from a variety of points of view." Republicans have pointed to the loud exchanges in some town hall events, and to differences among Democrats as signs that the speaker's losing her upper hand.
"They lack a cohesive message," said Ken Spain, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. "Members are all over the place on where they stand on the bill, and I think that's reflective of the speaker's leadership." Pelosi appeared undaunted by the hurdles, saying she expected to have more than the requisite votes to pass the legislation out of the House. "I have a certain serenity about this," she said. "Stay tuned."
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor