As U.S. President Barack Obama passes his 50th day in the White House, many are directing criticism at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Hello, I’m Charlotte Bellis, and you’re watching Newsy.com. That was video from CNN.

Nancy Pelosi has been called the most powerful woman in American government—and depending on who you ask, that can be good or bad.

We begin with FOX News and the perspective of those who suggest Pelosi played too big a role in the country’s most recent stimulus package.

“My objection is it’s a real test of who’s running Washington today? Is it Nancy Pelosi, or is it Barack Obama? We’ll know whether he vetoes that bill, and if he doesn’t veto it, I think Pelosi is calling the shots in this town.” (FOX News)

MSNBC’s Morning Joe echoes that sentiment, but says it would be hard for President Obama to take control back from Speaker Pelosi:

“She’s been there for decades playing this game. All of a sudden you say no mas? I mean that’s kinda hard because she’s been having a lot of fun with this stuff. Putting in earmarks and spearing people on the other side, jousting and all that. But there is a crisis, so do it please!” (MSNBC)

MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann suggests Republican criticism of Pelosi has a broader political motivation:

“All this has nothing to do with coming up with policies for saving the U.S. economy or helping the American people or anything else—That it’s about driving down Nancy Pelosi’s approval numbers in hopes of softening up the Democrats for next year’s mid-term elections.” (MSNBC)

Politico brings another view, hinting the only reason Republicans are attacking Pelosi is because they can’t attack President Obama:

“[A]n offensive against the president presents considerable risk for Republicans in Obama-leaning districts...In interviews, GOP members from Obama districts suggested that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi presented a more promising target for their criticism.” (Politico)

So what do you think? Is the criticism targeted at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi fair? Or is there political motivation behind it?

Politics News

The Pelosi Factor

March 12, 2009
As U.S. President Barack Obama passes his 50th day in the White House, many are directing criticism at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Newsy.com looks at many perspectives of the discussion.
   
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