PPOD February 1, 2010: Pole-vaulting, Parachuting Pelosi

A friend of mine at work (who's a fan of Fox News, if you know what I mean) mentioned something about Nancy Pelosi and a comment about climbing fences or parachuting, and that I just had to hear this one for myself. Well, my friend and I don't always see eye to eye but I agreed to check this one out. And in fact, online reports from the past few days are filled with many not-so-subtle attacks on Pelosi's latest stupid comment. Some of what passes for discourse, as always, does not bear repeating. But, given what she said, I’m actually surprised at how civil some of the comments have been. Pelosi earns my Pet Peeve of the Day, or PPOD, for today.

Last week, when talking about passing health care reform legislation, Pelosi declared “We will go through the gate. If the gate is closed, we will go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we will pole vault in. If that doesn't work, we will parachute in. But we are going to get health care reform passed for the American people for their own personal health and economic security and for the important role that it will play in reducing the deficit."

Dear Lord. If the visuals aren’t enough to scare you, be afraid of what her foolish comment means -- that the leader of the House of Representatives is a clueless moron who didn't even listen when the President, the leader of her party, gave his State of the Union address and in it chastised both parties for their bad behavior.

Not only doesn't she listen to him, but she's not listening to us, either. Here’s some of the specific things she must have missed in the address:

Obama: “…They don't understand…why Washington has been unable or unwilling to solve any of our problems. They are tired of the partisanship and the shouting and the pettiness. They know we can't afford it. Not now.”

Pelosi: "We'll go through the gate."

Obama: “But if anyone from either party has a better approach that will bring down premiums, bring down the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors, and stop insurance company abuses, let me know. Here's what I ask of Congress, though: Do not walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people.”

Pelosi:"If the gate is closed, we'll go over the fence."

Obama: “Rather than fight the same tired battles that have dominated Washington for decades, it's time to try something new. Let's invest in our people without leaving them a mountain of debt. Let's meet our responsibility to the citizens who sent us here. Let's try common sense."

Pelosi: " If the fence is too high, we'll pole vault in."

Obama: “But what frustrates the American people is a Washington where every day is Election Day. We cannot wage a perpetual campaign where the only goal is to see who can get the most embarrassing headlines about their opponent – a belief that if you lose, I win. Neither party should delay or obstruct every single bill just because they can...Washington may think that saying anything about the other side, no matter how false, is just part of the game. But it is precisely such politics that has stopped either party from helping the American people. Worse yet, it is sowing further division among our citizens and further distrust in our government. “

Pelosi: "If that doesn't work, we will parachute in."

Obama: “So no, I will not give up on changing the tone of our politics. I know it's an election year. And after last week, it is clear that campaign fever has come even earlier than usual. But we still need to govern. To Democrats, I would remind you that we still have the largest majority in decades, and the people expect us to solve some problems, not run for the hills.”

Are you listening, Nancy?

Obama: “ Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it's not leadership. We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions. So let's show the American people that we can do it together.”

Are you listening, Washington?