Lots of folks have been picking on Nancy Pelosi this morning for her bumbling thoughts on the Kelo v. New London decision of last week.
But aside from being suprising and silly, Pelosi's ignorance on this issue could be dangerous for Dems. Here's my thought.
In my (admittedly minimal) experience, Kelo seems to have made more of an impact on the average American than many Supreme Court decisions do. It was easy to understand, the consequences are easy to guess, and those consequences land right on the thresholds of regular Americans, who may not own those thresholds for much longer. As such, many more regular Americans are discussing, understanding, and working to combat Kelo than most other Supreme Court decisions. I heard from a staffer on the Judiciary Committee that the phones are ringing off the hooks on Kelo.
It's sparked outrage on the left and right (see Conyers and Waters railing against it). The right is so fired up about it that there's no way it won't be a prominent framing issue for the upcoming Court fight. For conservatives, it's the perfect example of why we need judges on the Court who are true to the Constitution.
It doesn't bode well for Democrats/liberals in the judge fight that a member of their leadership does not understand that. It would seem to me Pelosi should be all over figuring out how to counter the base-igniting effects of Kelo on the right.
Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.
Mary Katharine blogs at the Townhall.com C-Log and has been frantically looking for a picture of Pennywit since she read his last tagline.
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Comments (9)
Pelosi's comments have to m... (Below threshold)1. Posted by BurbankErnie | July 1, 2005 7:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Pelosi's comments have to make it into the MSM before anyone can make a judgement on her ramblings. Pelosi is such a Dolt that 3/4 of what she says rarely makes it into the CA Papers or Local News here, let alone National Media.
But being from CA I guess I am just lucky to have her in a position of power, right?
1. Posted by BurbankErnie | July 1, 2005 7:11 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2005 19:11
2. Posted by BurbankErnie | July 1, 2005 7:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Pelosi's comments have to make it into the MSM before anyone can make a judgement on her ramblings. Pelosi is such a Dolt that 3/4 of what she says rarely makes it into the CA Papers or Local News here, let alone National Media.
But being from CA I guess I am just lucky to have her in a position of power, right?
Edit: hope this doesn't post twice, got a "404 Error".
2. Posted by BurbankErnie | July 1, 2005 7:13 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2005 19:13
3. Posted by Josh Davenport | July 1, 2005 7:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'm am getting extensive traction with liberals over Kelo.
I had a group of 4 twenty something women at work listening to me explain federalism / enumerated powers / bill of rights.
That is a strong liberal demographic, and I was getting traction.
Kelo is a great opportunity. Seize it.
I'm driving from NH down to New London and tuesday for a rally at 6pm. If that rally is large it can help frame the issue.
3. Posted by Josh Davenport | July 1, 2005 7:20 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2005 19:20
4. Posted by Eric | July 1, 2005 8:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Both parties need to get on the wagon over this decision. The Kelo decision strikes at the heart of the American Dream. The party that doesn't understand that will lose America.
4. Posted by Eric | July 1, 2005 8:15 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2005 20:15
5. Posted by Josh Davenport | July 1, 2005 9:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I like PowerLines strategy: Janice Rogers Brown
http://powerlineblog.com/archives/010904.php
Ties in nicely with Kelo.
5. Posted by Josh Davenport | July 1, 2005 9:08 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2005 21:08
6. Posted by el Seco | July 1, 2005 11:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It is no wonder that Pelosi did not know much about Kelo, most of her constituency in San Fransisco do not own property. What do they care about eminent domain? They lose nothing!
6. Posted by el Seco | July 1, 2005 11:08 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2005 23:08
7. Posted by Tony B | July 1, 2005 11:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Couldn't agree more. I think Brown should be the nominee and make property rights the central focus of the argument. Forget making the fight over Roe, make everyone that opposes her come out in favor of the government taking your house.
7. Posted by Tony B | July 1, 2005 11:20 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2005 23:20
8. Posted by Jim | July 2, 2005 6:57 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Pelosi is one of the dumbest members of the dumbest party in US history. She's only good at parroting DNC talking points. Other than that, the woman doesn't have a clue.
8. Posted by Jim | July 2, 2005 6:57 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 2, 2005 06:57
9. Posted by Vince | July 2, 2005 2:58 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Why is Pelosi taking a position contrary to those who otherwise recognize the inherent danger of the Kelo decision? It may be, as earlier suggested, that she is simply dumb or that most of her constituency in San Francisco don't own property. Here's an alternative suggestion. She, like Diane Feinstein, has to be closely connected with a developer. Just follow the money.
9. Posted by Vince | July 2, 2005 2:58 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 2, 2005 14:58