Sometimes, you just wish our leadership had the good sense to shut up. Instead, they find ways to divide the so-called big tent instead of simply letting everyone in.
Today, the primary offender is Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Instead of not commenting on a resolution she doesn't even have a vote on, or a stake in, she decided to publically deride Feingold's censure manuever.
From Congress Daily at the National Journal (subscription required):
"I'll be very honest with you. I have no idea why anybody would censure someone before they have an investigation," she told reporters. "I have concerns about the practice that the administration engaged in, but I think it's important for the committees of jurisdiction to do the investigation to establish what the practice was, compare it to what the law is, and make a determination from there. Any motion to censure at this point, I think, is one that I would not support."
Pelosi also said Democrats should focus on winning back the House. "In terms of impeachment, why doesn't everybody channel their energy into winning the election and understand that elections have ramifications?" she said. "When Democrats win the House, we will set up an agenda for change in our country to help the American people with jobs, health care, education, energy independence, and real security for our country. I think that's the better use of [our] energy."
Jesus-fucking-christ. I happen to agree with Pelosi: censure should go through the correct channels of investigation, etc. But Rep. Pelosi just doesn't get it. Where the hell is her political savvy?
At a time when Democrats are being portrayed in disarray, disorganized, and without a message, she reinforces the frame by PUBLICALLY disagreeing with Feingold.
Would it have been so hard to say, "Well, that's an issue the Senate is going to deal with, and as such, I'm not going to comment."
Apparently so. She had to open her mouth and get in the fray, despite the fact that she doesn't have a dog in the fight. Mind you, I don't remember her chastising John Conyers when he introduced his resolutions for censure and impeachment. But once Feingold did it, well, HARUMPH-HARUMPH-HARUMPH!
This is getting damn frustrating. Pelosi then chastises everyone to concentrate on winning elections. I am Rep. Pelosi. So are a lot of people. Are you? Or are you still whining to Chairman Dean about how the DNC is spending the money you seem entitled to?
Sometimes I secretly hope we don't win the House back. Because Rep. Pelosi just doesn't deserve to be Speaker. Not with her lack of savvy, anyway.
Incompetence does deserve being rewarded. Haven't we learned our lesson from George W. Bush?