David

Karki

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September 15, 2008

Nancy Pelosi: The Millstone Hung Round Obama's Neck

I suppose that after the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as John McCain’s vice-presidential running mate, I should neither doubt the McCain campaign brain trust nor presume to know better than they how to win an election. Nevertheless, there is an avenue that would appear to be very fruitful which they, up until this point at least, seem to be neglecting – save for one mention in Palin's convention speech.

And that is to take Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the least-popular in history Democratic-run Congress, and hang them around Barack Obama's neck.

There are several big advantages to this, not the least of which is that it fits perfectly into the McCain/Palin narrative of real change. Real change from what? From the last two years of Democratic mismanagement, which far too few people even know has existed. A lot of folks still think Republicans run the show, and given how that majority came to an end, it's hard to blame them. In some ways the two have been indistinguishable. But in the ways that matter in this election, they are different and that needs to be made known.

Prime amongst this is energy and drilling. This issue will quickly be front and center, as the ban on domestic drilling expires in just two weeks, on September 30. All that has to happen is for the calendar to run out and leases can be issued again. Naturally, Speaker Pelosi is determined to prevent that, and will force a vote on a bill that pretends to expand drilling but really does nothing of the sort, and which completely gives away the farm in the process.

That will be followed in short order by a continuing resolution to keep the federal government from shutting down on October 1, since the Do-Nothing Democratic Congress hasn't seen fit to even try passing a budget, so convinced are they that Obama will be inaugurated in January and sign off on everything they can't get past President Bush's veto. This resolution will contain a renewal of the drilling ban.

In both cases, Bush will veto and the GOP will have the votes to sustain it. The government will shut down, and the Democratic screaming and demogoging will commence, accusing the heartless Republicans of starving children to enrich Big Oil. In fact, the opposite is the case. Democrats are holding everything hostage for the sake of stopping drilling, at the behest of the radical environmentalist lobby (or should I say “Big Green”).

This is where the opening lies, both to expose Pelosi and make her an unbearable but inescapable burden to Obama. For such subordination of America's best interests to the demands of liberal lobbies is Pelosi's habit, from energy to single-handedly killing the Colombian trade agreement at the behest of the AFL-CIO.

John McCain should make it crystal clear that the election of Obama/Biden, who both somehow have voting records as far or even further left than San Fran Nan (as utterly unfathomable as that is), would effectively create the Pelosi Administration. She and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would run the show, as Obama sits by rubber-stamping all the ultra-liberal junk they trowel out. This, in turn, would mean that Big Labor, Big Green, the trial lawyer lobby, the National Association for Women and the National Education Association would be dictating policy.

McCain should not hesitate to portray Obama/Biden as a Pelosi/Reid lackey. First, based on voting records, it's absolutely the truth. All four are as liberal as they come. Second, if Obama complains about it, then challenge him on where he'd differ with Pelosi/Reid, and ask what items of theirs he'd veto. His answer will either prove the charge or anger the Democratic base, which is a win-win situation.

Third, it presents the opportunity to not-so-gently remind voters that Democrats have been in charge the last two years, during which time gas prices have skyrocketed, amongst other things that have led to 9 Percent Nancy's unpopularity. Affix the blame directly where it belongs, point out that Obama would open the floodgates for much more and much worse, and hammer home the message that to change from this, you must vote for McCain/Palin.

McCain's record of bucking his own party helps insulate against the charge that he was part of that Congress, as does Obama and Biden both also having been there – and part of that Democratic majority, no less. Palin's presence also adds credibility to that end.

It would be nice if the McCain campaign and GOP congressional leadership could coordinate on this and speak with one clear voice to cut through the media spin, as well as to try to jump-start any chance Republicans might have to gain seats this year. McCain provided a solid starting point with the mea culpas in his convention acceptance speech, but the public will understandably be very skeptical that the GOP has learned its lesson.

Whether or not that's feasible, the McCain camp can and should still do this themselves. It's good politics, it's the truth and it's the real functional choice in this election – a McCain presidency, or a de facto Pelosi one. Presented that way, the choice ought to be a no-brainer.

© 2008 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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