Early words of wisdom from Speaker Pelosi

The California Democrat poised to become the next speaker of the House extended an olive branch Wednesday to President Bush -- whom she has frequently criticized -- and to Republicans.

"We're not about wanting to get even," Nancy Pelosi told CNN's "The Situation Room." "What we want to do is help the American people get ahead."
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As speaker of the House, Pelosi, 66, would be second in the line of presidential succession, behind the vice president.

"For a woman to break through what I call the 'marble ceiling' here is something quite remarkable," she said. "It sends a message that women can do anything."

Among the things she said she won't do, however, is cut funding for the Iraq war to send a message.

"Our troops are in harm's way, she said. "They have been sent there, whether you agree with the policy or not -- and I certainly did not agree with the resolution to go to war."

Wise words from Nancy Pelosi. While I'm sure I'm not the only Democrat blogger who is gloating a bit on the election, let's be realistic...the Democrats who won contested seats did so by being very, VERY moderate types. I've seen the point made that Democrats won not on their own strength but on GOP weakness and voter disaffection with the GOP status quo.

It's the time to be bipartisan. The majority isn't that big, and frankly the way the GOP treated us is not the way we should be treating them. We should learn from the "defeated enemy" treatment we got from the GOP, and not repeat their mistakes.

And despite the tired and wildly inaccurate GOP talking points, no one is out to scuttle our troops in Iraq. The GOP would do well to stop making this a talking point, as it's a) inaccurate and b) it simply didn't work. The election was basically a referendum on the GOP's handling of the war, and it's clear people want change. But not "cut and run", as that is not, NOT what is being advocated by the majority party. Sure, some call for things like that...but the Democrats are more and more moving to the center, and an outright "cut and run" philosophy is just as extreme as "stay the course". Like most things, the real right answer is somewhere between.

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