Chuck Todd

But the fascinating storyline in this scenario will be Pelosi's fate. Will, say, 220 House Democrats stay united and elect Pelosi speaker, or will enough conservative House Democrats break and elect a compromise Democrat as speaker? Even the threat of Democrats peeling off and working in collaboration with the Republicans to do so might be enough to encourage a serious challenge to Pelosi inside the Democratic caucus. For some reason Pelosi has a terrible relationship with the liberal blogs. There's a pretty decent chance liberal bloggers could start a grassroots effort to get behind Emanuel for speaker.

This is so off the wall I wouldn't know where to start.

AP via YahooNews:

Franklin Roosevelt had his first hundred days.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is thinking 100 hours, time enough, she says, to begin to "drain the swamp" after more than a decade of Republican rule.

As in the first 100 hours the House meets after Democrats - in her fondest wish - win control in the Nov. 7 midterm elections and Pelosi takes the gavel as the first Madam Speaker in history.

Day One: Put new rules in place to "break the link between lobbyists and legislation."

Day Two: Enact all the recommendations made by the commission that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Time remaining until 100 hours: Raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, maybe in one step. Cut the interest rate on student loans in half. Allow the government to negotiate directly with the pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare patients.

Broaden the types of stem cell research allowed with federal funds - "I hope with a veto-proof majority," she added in an Associated Press interview Thursday.

All the days after that: "Pay as you go," meaning no increasing the deficit, whether the issue is middle class tax relief, health care or some other priority.

To do that, she said, Bush-era tax cuts would have to be rolled back for those above "a certain level." She mentioned annual incomes of $250,000 or $300,000 a year and higher, and said tax rates for those individuals might revert to those of the Clinton era. Details will have to be worked out, she emphasized.

"We believe in the marketplace," Pelosi said of Democrats, then drew a contrast with Republicans. "They have only rewarded wealth, not work." Read on...

Now, Foley is checking into a rehab...

Nancy Pelosi wrote a letter. MyDD: Shimkus and Foley's BMW farewell.

Pam: The video covers the feeble damage control re: the "family values" party and the lame attempt to handle "the situation" of the sexual predator in their midst.

h/t to John for posting the video with more info on Foley too...

Greenwald on Hinderaker's ridiculous defense of Foley. The Bush Cultists are falling all over themselves..

There are numerous intellectually honest conservatives who are viciously criticizing Denny Hastert and even demanding his resignation for his role in covering-up Mark Foley's predatory conduct and then lying about it once the story broke. And there are also some generally rational though deeply misguided defenses of Hastert being mounted elsewhere by some Bush followers. And then -- in a category of its own -- there is this defense of Hastert, promoted by Instapundit, and authored by John Hinderaker...read on

Was he a little testy today? It seems like TV is one big PSA for Bush these days...Pelosi and Reid Urge Networks to Devote Fair Coverage to House and Senate Democrats...read on

From Suburban Guerrilla:

PUSHING BACK

Mark Kleiman's got it right:

What should we do about it? Why, we should make them pay.

The contemporary Republican Party has demonstrated a complete lack of scruples and no sense of limits in either taking power or using power. (The current "purge" -- their word, not mine -- of the Directorate of Operations at the CIA to rid it of those not personally loyal to GWB is just the latest example.)

If they keep playing football and we keep playing croquet, guess who's going to keep winning?

Pelosi and Reid, and the rest of us, need to take a page from the Republican playbook of 1993-2000. No surrender, no compromise, no bipartisanship, no civility, no reaching out to Republican officeholders (as opposed to detachable Republican voters): nothing but scorched earth from here to victory.

No, it won't be pretty. But continuing to be ruled by these thugs is worse.

The 'Delay Rule' Talking Points Memo

House Republicans embrace new pro-crime agenda!

WaPo:"House Republicans were contemplating changing their rules in order to allow members indicted by state prosecutors to remain in a leadership post, a move designed to benefit Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) in case he is charged by a Texas grand jury that has indicted three of his political associates, GOP leaders said today."

Surely but one of many Actonian moments to come.

Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) criticizes the DeLay Rule: "Republicans have reached a new low. It is absolutely mind-boggling that as their first order of business following the elections, House Republicans have lowered the ethical standards for their leaders."

Trent Franks (R-AZ) on why the old rule wasn't right: "In my sincere opinion, it [the possible indictment of DeLay] only provoked the timing. When you look at the rule, it is an outrageous rule."

Denny Hastert (R-IL): DeLay Rule "fair and equitable"; voting for DeLay Rule a "a good decision."

Henry Bonilla (R-TX): DeLay Rule "takes the power away from any partisan crackpot district attorney who may want to indict" House leadership.

Kevin Brady: (R-TX): DeLay Rule is "a recognition that the rules of politics have changed. The courts and judges and prosecutors are all now part of what used to be the voters' decision. We're in an ugly world."

Pravda: "The controversy surrounding DeLay does not seem to have dented his considerable power. He is credited with helping Republicans increase their majority in the House in this month's elections and many Republican lawmakers feel indebted to him for his fund-raising prowess."

Rep John Dingell (D-MI) on Majority Leader Tom DeLay (TX-R): "These folks talk about values and decency, but then think it’s okay to change the rules once it appears one of their own may have broken them. This amounts to a work release program for the ethically challenged. We should all remember that a decade ago, Mr. DeLay helped to create this rule. Republicans said at the time they were the party of reform and good government. Now they’ve become the party of moribund hubris."

As Wonkette notes

"Naked hypocrisy, opportunism, corruption at the highest levels, blah blah blah." We don't understand what the problem is. In fact, we think he should be able to serve from prison. Works for drug lords, right?

(Memo to Howard Kurtz )

Way to go, Barney. He stood up and schooled Rick Renzi (R-AZ) over his behavior. This nonsense about the NY Times is making the right wingers absolutely insane and is totally without merit.

Download | play -WMP Video-QT later (rough transcript)

Frank: I yield myself 10 seconds to point out yes, it's true, Ms. Pelosi was briefed in 2002 at the beginning of the program. She is not a fortuneteller.

Renzi: Whoa..

Frank: No, the gentleman wouldn't yield.

Renzi: {garbled}

Frank: Regular order! Regular order! I ask the gentleman be seated. I asked the gentleman when he mentioned me to yield. He declined to do so. For him to interrupt me without even asking for a yield is wholly outside the rules of the house and I ask he be instructed in them...

Renzi: {garbled}

Frank: I will yield to the gentleman exactly as he yielded to me. No.

The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman from Arizona will suspend. The gentleman from Arizona, please suspend. please take a seat. The gentleman may proceed.

Frank: The gentlewoman from California, Ms. Pelosi was briefed at the outset. The other gentleman from California--as I was briefed- after it was about to be made public.

Rick Renzi (R-AZ) got this started, made a false claim: "Nancy Pelosi was properly informed. Ranking member of the Intelligence committee [Jane Harman] - properly informed. Harry Reid, properly informed."

Continue reading »

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke this evening following the House Democratic Caucus vote to temporarily remove Congressman William Jefferson from the Ways and Means Committee. Below are Pelosi's remarks:

"Democrats are determined to hold a high ethical standard. We have said it and now we are doing it. And I would say that Mr. Jefferson has a responsibility and an opportunity to defend himself. This isn't about proof in the court of law; this is about an ethical standard...

More here...

Mike's Blog Round Up

Greg Palast:Lay and Skilling were convicted, but what about the $9-plus billion owed to electricity consumers? Bush's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission slapped Enron--and the other power pirates--on the wrist. Could that have something to do with the fact that Ken Lay, in secret chats with Dick Cheney, selected the Commission's chairmen? Here's more on Bush's relationship with 'Kenny-Boy' and the secret plan to save Enron

The Reality-Based Community: Bush steps in more deep doo doo and Nancy Pelosi has a Sister Souljah moment.

NPR : The Trucker's War on the road in Iraq

Center for Media and Democracy: "Fake TV News" triggers FCC investigation

Booman Tribune: Guess what? On price gouging, the FTC has given the oil companies a clean bill of health. So where should you buy your gas?

The Brand New Bag: A full service blog. Scroll down for links from across the political spectrum, columnists, newspapers, and entertainment

Now It's Pelosi's Makeup

First it's Hillary's marriage and now this.

Atrios: As the prospect of a Democratic majority gains credibility and Ms. Pelosi is more visible, she is also subjected to the speculation and analysis about her hair, makeup and clothes that any woman positioned for such a big job often must endure."

"Ah, the passive voice. Who is subjecting her to such speculation? Why, Mark Leibovich is! In the pages of the paper of record"

This is such bullshit. Reminds me of this clip on Jimmy Kimmel about Hurley's new perfume.