Boston Bureau

Pelosi ignored Friday the 13th Superstitions

 Hype Soars for Nancy Pelosi at Harvard
She has read all 3,200 pages!

by Libby Hughes, Boston Bureau of Cape Cod Today

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi parried David Gergen's thrusts with wit and aplomb last night.

Jubilant over her victory of the passage of the Healthcare reform bill in Congress on November 7, 2009, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi strode into the Forum of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, somewhat embarrassed over her celebrity. Although half an hour late from a Boston Fundraiser Friday afternoon, Pelosi received an enthusiastic welcome from Harvard students and faculty.

As we waited for her arrival, the reporter next to me on the press riser quipped. "I guess this is what the healthcare bill will be like--waiting and waiting and waiting!"

Never mind, the place was packed to the gills. Young people were leaning over railings from the fourth and fifth tiers. Swanee Hunt, former Ambassador to Austria, and diplomat Nicholas Burns were seated near the small platform with two chairs and a lectern.

Introductions

Dean David Ellwood of the Kennedy School made a preliminary introduction and revealed what most people don't know about Madam Speaker--she is a ballroom dancer. She joins former Secretary of State George Shultz in that passion. Secretary Shultz danced with Ginger Rogers at the White House in 1983 and felt he had achieved the ultimate by dancing with this star!

"If you want something said, ask a man, but if you want something done, ask a woman. It's taken 61 years and seven presidents to get healthcare..."
             - David Gergen.

David Gergen

The ever-eloquent and thoughtful David Gergen, who served four presidents; is Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard; and a commentator on CNN; acted as moderator and questioner of Speaker Pelosi.

Mr. Gergen launched his interview with the quote, "If you want something said, ask a man, but if you want something done, ask a woman."  Gergen went on to say, "It has taken 61 years and seven presidents to get this healthcare Bill tried."

Obama, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ted Kennedy initiators

Pelosi attributed President Obama as inspiring the healthcare innovation in 2008. She also cited Republican Teddy Roosevelt as starting an earlier initiative. "Senator Kennedy promoted healthcare and called it ‘unfinished business.' The advances in technology happened in the Clinton administration." Turning to her student audience, she said, "Healthcare is the biggest thing in your generation. It is for all Americans. With expansion and shared values, I am optimistic that it will find its place."

Abortion

Mr. Gergen then verbalized the question everyone wanted to hear, "Will the Bill pass in the senate and what about abortion?"

Artfully, Speaker Pelosi dodged the abortion question. "With confidence, the senators will proceed and go to the table. It is not about abortion, it is legislation about healthcare."

Pursuing the subject of abortion, David Gergen stated, "The pro-choice people are upset that women are diminished by opposition to it."

"Women are not diminished," she said. "There will be no limits to benefits. Most of the bankruptcies come from an inability to pay medical bills. Legislation is necessary. Healthcare can't be sustained if unaffordable. Those with disabilities need special care."

Public Option

"Will the public option bring down the costs?" asked Mr. Gergen.

"Nothing is NOT negotiable," was her reply. "President Obama has said that the public option is the best way to lower costs. It couldn't have passed in the House without it. There is no bad outcome because it means affordability for the middle class."

Afghanistan?

Speaker Pelosi is awaiting the President's decision and felt it would be presumptuous to advise the president on Afghanistan. However, she made reference to Ambassador Eikenberry's admonition to halt more troops to the area.

"The power of the individual is my message; particularly to young women, who can be political and wholesome. Mothers give confidence to their daughters, but fathers need to show confidence in their daughters, too."
                     - Nancy Pelosi.

Her advice to the next generation

"The power of the individual is my message; particularly to young women, who can be political and wholesome. Mothers give confidence to their daughters, but fathers need to show confidence in their daughters, too. Women have intuition and patience. They are listeners as I am. Girls and young women can go from the kitchen to Congress. I was inspired by young President John Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy was inspired by another young President--Barack Obama."

"We will fight and negotiate at the table," was her final statement before answering questions.

Questions

There were nine questions from students. Most were on healthcare. One was on her support of the Matthew Shepard Act against hate crimes. Another was about negotiations. "You have to go to the table as an agnostic and fight for what's best for the American people," she declared.

Did she read all the pages?

When asked if she had read 1,000 pages, she quickly responded, "I've read 3,200 pages. We gave 1,000 pages to each of the three committees and then they reported their findings to us."

"JOB, JOBS, JOBS," she repeated in her parting words about a solution.