Nancy Pelosi Must Be Muzzled

At one of the most critical points in this country's last 100 years, Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House, needed to exercise all the qualities of a superior leader. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to do this, and she ran off at the mouth chastising already irate Republican Congressman about the failures of the Bush Presidency and the impact on the lack of regulation and oversight on the financial system of this country. It is absurd for Republican leaders to claim that she caused reluctant Republican conservatives to not vote for the financial proposal, when they clearly had little inclination to do so in the first place. However, her case of foot in mouth disease couldn't have come at a worse time.

Every time Nancy Pelosi smiles in public, particularly when she is dealing with Republicans, I always get the sense that she is under great stress and strain. She has risen to one of the most important political positions in the country because she is extremely bright and talented. Unfortunately, her repertoire of leadership skills is still wanting in critical areas. Hopefully, the congressional Republicans and Democrats can get together and work out a compromise that will allow sufficient votes for the financial rescue package to pass. The next time the House of Representatives is voting on such a measure it might be a good idea for Democratic colleagues to tape her mouth shut