Congressional Democrats Prepare for an Obama Presidency
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says that voters will expect fast action
Congressional Democrats are being put on alert by leaders that they should be ready to increase their workload and energy level if Sen. Barack Obama wins the White House in the fall.
While Hill Democratic leaders believe that Obama is generally following a policy agenda they laid out in 2006, they are putting members on notice that voters will be expecting much faster action on the policy points they have in common. "Expectations will be high," a gleeful House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters this morning. "We're prepared to govern, and we're prepared to lead," she added.
The leadership has just begin to suggest that members in both chambers consider hiring more aides to handle the likely rush of interest from constituents and plan to work longer hours in the early months of a potential Obama presidency. In addition to handling his agenda items, they expect to see a larger Democratic majority that will want its own plans approved and sent to the president.
Pelosi said that ending the war, advancing energy policy, and funding education will be top priorities, in addition to working on whatever economic plans are needed should the economy continue to suffer. She said that Congress is at a historic low in the polls because Democrats haven't acted on promises to deal with those issues.
—Paul Bedard
Reader Comments
And sure to slow down if McCain wins...
Absolutely typical of the Liberal Democrat Party, Congress is. I read the article to say, ..."buuuuut if McCain wins we will slow down our work, continue to do nothing for the American people, as we have done ever since we retook the Congressional majority two years ago."
Folks, Congress is supposed to work for US, you know, WE THE PEOPLE!!!. Why aren't they gearing up to solve our collective problems now? Trust me, the Democrat, Republican, and Indepenedent voter - and Non-voter -- are all in the same leakin', sinkin', freakin' boat. Every citizen has a stake in this nation, not just special interests.
WE, THE PEOPLE, need to shake up Congress this year more than worry about who is going to be President. It is our Congress which does nothing - toss them all out and start over. It is the worse situation I have seen in 40 years.
"We're prepared to govern, and we're prepared to lead"
The starting gate has been open since winning the majority in 2006 and they're waiting for Obama???? Govern now! Lead now!
Pelosi leadership shown so far is passing more of what Bush wants than the republican controlled congress. Giving telecoms immunity BEFORE the crimes are even known is against any common sense of justice. Bush got more than they thought they ever would on this one. And they tout it as a great compromise. It was an absolute capitulation.
No wonder this congress is more popular (make that less disgusted) with republican voters than with democrats.
16. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Congress is doing?
Dis-Approve Approve Don't Know
Democrats 18% 71% 11%
Republicans 23% 64% 13%
Independents 15% 74% 11%
Congress at all time low
Nancy Pelosi IS the reason that congress is at an all time low. Just WHAT does
she have to show for her "First 100 Days"?? (Remember That One Nancy????)
She is more like The First 100 "Speed Bumps" preventing ANYTHING from being
done.
She is the biggest embarassment & Impediment to progress that I have seen in
my lifetime, and the Main Reason that Congress ranks BELOW BUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice Goin' Nancy!!! Barack has to win the election First!!!
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