Pelosi Looked Like a Scared Deer on MTP Today

[JCMach1]

Not her best performance... She was defensive the whole time...

[EST]

1. I did not see it that way.

In the face of a ferocious attack by the media idiot, she, in her word tripping way, did rather well.

[JCMach1]

2. You have to be kidding she looked ill-prepared and

was not good at all...

[XOKCowboy]

3. "her word tripping way"

is what got me. I haven't seen her speak a lot and her stumbling kept bothering me. She did sound somewhat defensive too. I didn't see it as that great a performance.

[Zen Democrat]

4. Stop watching that crap. Let his ratings dry up.

Alternate news sources are the only way to go -- and the only place to find the truth. No one but political junkies watch MTP, and if the political junkies walk away it's over. And it definitely needs to be over. It's just a circle jerk for Republicans.

[Jeanette in FL]

5. She couldn't get a word in edgewise

Russett would not allow her to finish one sentence without interrupting her and throwing another question in her face.

I thought she did very well under the circumstances, though I wish she would have just turned to him and said "May I please finish my thoughts before you ask another question, Asshole".

[okieinpain]

25. that's all they ever have to do. but it seems to allude dems for some

reason.

[hlthe2b]

27. RUssertis incredibly bullying with those who don't stand up, especially

female Dems. His misogyny comes through loud and clear. However, I agree with Jeanette. It is necessary-- actually mandatory for Dems and especially women Dems to be assertive. Now, the catch22 is that their assertiveness, will of course be construed as bitchiness, but once they allow Russert to bully them, that becomes the pattern. She should have interrupted him to lay down some ground rules. Say what you will about Sen. Hillary Clinton, but she has done this. Accordingly, she is interviewed in a much more respectful manner--even by the RW assholes. (regardless of what they say afterward)

If you don't put a bully on notice, they will forever look upon you as "easy prey." This goes for our male Dems, as well. Something Dean has learned well and he has become quite effective as a result.

[Judi Lynn]

6. I've noticed her extra wide eyes for ages. I've wondered if she wears

contacts and just can't get used to them.

She has always had a semi-faltering speaking style, not really forceful, by any means.

I don't think she'll ever be as assured as Dick Gephart was. It would help if she were.

[NightOwwl]

10. Could be an overdone brow lift.

They literally pull your forehead up and staple it to your skull. Anytime I see a woman with eyes like Pelosi, I suspect bad plastic surgery.

[Judi Lynn]

16. Oh, jeez! Didn't know that. Thanks, sorta! (Sounds so painful.) n/t

[otohara]

7. I Thought She Did Well Under The Circumstances

Russert was like a pit bull - his body language and tone was extremely threatening. If there was any doubt how differently dems are treated by Russert vs republicans, you only had to watch this MTP.

[WiseButAngrySara]

18. He and Tweety are Piggy Twins in this regard. ....n/t

[tatertop]

8. She should have said this:

"When I am talking I want you to be quiet.
I will respond to every question directly and in full...
but when I am talking I want you to agree to be quiet
until I am finished."

Then she should call him on it evey time.
She played right into his hands.

[tabasco]

17. That is such a great idea.

What ever happened to manners?

[Ksec]

21. The ratings wars killed manners

Now its been Foxified. People screaming at each other for an hour.

[Kahuna]

9. I cringed when I heard she would be appearing. But, I found her

new hair cut to soften that dear-in-the-headlights look greatly. Overall, I think she did as well as anyone could have under the severe cross examination.

[Ksec]

11. She doesnt exactly give me confidence

I like the lady , but IMO shes not the figure of strength we so desperately need in this time .

[WiseButAngrySara]

19. I feel the same about Reid! ....n/t

[Theduckno2]

12. Agreed, but Russert seemed a bit beligerent at times.

I didn't see the whole interview but was annoyed by the way Russert repeatedly tried to link the Democratic fuel independence initiative to the repealling of the Bush tax cuts.

It also seemed that Rep. Pelosi was trying convey the merits of the Democratic initiatives and not just her own views. This would put her at odds with Russert who seemed to be on a different track.

[Merlot]

13. russert was a total *hole

He kept asking the same questions over and over. "Will the dems roll back the tax cuts" seemed to be one he couldn't let go of. I thought Pelosi spared with him and didn't let herself be pushed into a corner or words put in her mouth. I do wish Pelosi would have pointed out that the major tax cuts only benifit the rich and the corporations.

I can only stand any one show for a few minutes and switched over to fox where they were getting ready to gleefully put up a "list of democrats" with problems. LOL

[Ksec]

14. Everyone knows Russert is a dick

Pelosi knew it before she came out there and IMO she didnt get it done. She needs a ten second answer to these tactics. Boy, could I help her smack him down .

[NCarolinawoman]

15. I don't dislike her, but I'm wondering if the Dems

were to take the house, could they get someone else in her position?

I'm thinking about one of the more progressive fighting Vet Dems like Eric Massa. He does well on tv; he is very forthright, smart, and has a lot of charm.

If he got in there I guess he would be expected to "pay his dues first" cause that is the way politics works. At any rate, at this point in time, he is one of the key spokespeople for the fighting Vet Dems and is very good at what he does.

[earthside]

20. Walk Off the Set

Too many Dems still don't get it ... they're hoping that if they are polite and civil and sound reasonable, then the voters will think they are a credible alternative to the radical Republicans.

Pelosi should have said a few choice words and walked off the set. The voters are hungry for Dems to stand-up for themselves, even a seemingly beligerent act like walking off in a huff would telegraph to the voters that the Dems finally have some backbone and are fighting back.

But as long as they let the likes of Russert push them around, Rove and the radical Republicans will say that ... if the Dems don't have what it takes to stick-up for themselves, then how in the world can we trust them to fight for all of us in this age of terrorism.

It really is that simple. If Dems fight for impeachment and withdrawal from Iraq and censure, the voters will believe they have the guts to run the country, even if they don't agree with them on everything.

Or, they can act like just another side of the "governing class" and the Bushites will win again.

[kansasblue]

22. San Francisco Guardian (local paper)....

opinion piece didn't have very kind worlds for her. No vision, interested in power. Will be problem for the Dems.

Don't know her myself.

[grasswire]

23. she's third in line for the presidency if we take the House

Never forget that. President Pelosi is not a mere pipe dream. If Dems take the House and Senate and Bush-Cheney are forced out together, it's President Pelosi.

[MADem]

24. You clearly came to the program with preconceived notions

She kicked ass, was dignified, and wouldn't back down.

The only scared animal on that program was that pig, Russert....his days are numbered, I'm thinking.

[stevietheman]

26. Hopefully, Dems will find somebody more suitable to be the Speaker...

next January. The House needs a Harry Reid type leading it, whether male or female... that is, a fighter, not a wimp.

[madfloridian]

28. Sorry, but I disagree with you. Russert was overbearing.

She did a good job while being hammered. It is either go on these shows and do what you can while they are spinning for the GOP....or not go on at all. It will get worse from now on.

She did a good job.

[corbett]

29. Ted Kennedy Has A Similar Problem

If you ever watch her press conferences from the Minority Leader's office, she's stiff on camera and stammers here and there. She knows of these problems but hasn't addressed them fully. Ted Kennedy, on the other hand, always has stuttered here and there but driven home his point. Ms. Pelosi's performance on MTP today could have been better but Tim jumped all over the place.

The important point was that she talked about relaunching their platform. That, in combination with what she told bloggers the other day about access to the mainstream media, makes me feel much better that she and Howard Dean have an effective plan ready to launch.

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