The Book: "Know Your Power" by Nancy Pelosi

Did you know Nancy Pelosi had written a book?

Nor did I until I spotted it at the library.

There’s a good reason it’s “under wraps.” It’s really not a book but a magazine piece written by a p.r. firm.

Not much in it except the last few pages offering encouragement to women who are considering a run for public office. The subtitle is: A Message to America's Daughters. We need more women in public office, Nancy (and Amy Hill Hearth, co-writer, likely the writer) cry.

Oh well. The writing style is what I call “chop, chop” or sentence structure something a bit more advanced than “Dick and Jane.” If you are looking for vocabulary and content, it ain't here, babe.

Pictures would have added something like maybe one of her dad? Her mother? A picture of Nancy with JFK? She writes so much about each! Her children? What does her husband look like? He has got to have wings and a halo.

But pictures cost more which would have reduced sales, and God forbid, that’s the only reason to write one of these, isn’t it? I mean look at the money Obama is raking in with his books.

The only issues Nancy (written in first person) describes at any length (which is not much) are AIDS and human rights violations in China. She does lambaste Bush for Iraq and that tragedy, but it’s a pity she didn’t use her bully pulpit when he was in office.

The book has no negatives in it, except for her friends (no names) who attacked her when she decided to run for office. That she had five children in six years, and she is still Pollyanna! Her life has been a bowl of cherries. Yawn. She could have told so much more. Maybe later, when she’s out of office and doesn’t have to fear backlash from colleagues, but I don’t think they open up then either. Dull, lackluster. Save your money but more importantly, save your time.

Veep Talk

Jason speaks:

So far, I'm not really impressed with the list provided:

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/10/1127710.aspx

Although, one of the names floated is former Marine James Jones. He's been a staunch critic of our war and has the bona fides to back it up--he followed Wes Clark as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. He's an out-of-the-box candidate, but the others on the list are quite boring. Except for maybe Sen. Jim Webb of VA. I still think that he is the odds-on favorite.

Patriciadc:

Webb is too much a firebrand. Too hot. Plus he did not endorse O 'til he was on the stage wi. him last Wednesday. Who the hell is Jones? No, no. no. Makes no sense to choose an "unknown". They can turn out to be REALLY bad (Quayle, Eagle). Kaine would be much better than Webb. I love Hagel. Webb was formerly a Repub. PLUS at least 6-9 months ago in Demo. circles in N VA he was then being talked about (it has not ceased) being replaced since he's not been of "the line" and is such a poor constitutuent representative.

Jason:

I think when you say that he was discussed among circles in N. VA you are speaking solely for yourself!!!

Patriciadc:

No, no, no: It came from D--- who has fingers in all the N. VA Democratic circles (and the DNC!). At the congressional "victory" party tonight I may hear more, but, unlikely, since Webb endorsed Leslie Byrne early (since she endorsed him early). Did you read that art. I sent you this a.m.? It pointed out that Webb only won VA by 9K votes and his "win" was largely due to Allen's gaffe which no one can dispute.

D----'s been talking about the ineffectiveness of Pelosi for months now, and who else???

Jason:

I still like Webb, but he has his problems because of his past expressions of disdain for women in the military. The media would drive home the narrative that this would exacerbate O's female problems. And picking a military leader who doesn't appeal to women could also be a problem. He's got to look to reformer Dems. People who want to shake things up. What about Bob Kerrey? Well, except for the fact that endorsed Hill and said during one of her events that O's middle name was a good thing, which created a huge firestorm, he would be a good choice. Well, what about Clark? He endorsed Hill, so doesn't that mean he thinks that O wasn't as qualified to be prez? Same for Strickland of OH and Rendell of PA. To be honest, I can't really think of anyone who he could pick. Even Hagel would be a stretch because the activist base of the party--women's groups, labor unions, etc.--would be up in arms that he selected someone of the opposite party.

Patriciadc:

Oh, oh, oh!!!! And that letter Webb wrote saying women could never be military leaders or some such garbage. Thanks for reminding me more of why he is not one of my favs.

Bob Kerrey? Bob Kerrey? For starters, many (it is true) will confuse him with John Kerry and think he's running again. For more starters, his endorsement of Shrill as you say, and I had forgotten he used O's middle name negatively. NO NO NO TO HIM!!!!! Why bother? Was he injured in Vietnam? That helps. We need a rugged, big strong, hunka hunka sexa sexa man like the rugged cowboy I adore named, yes! Chuck Hagel!!!!!

Once they see him, they'll swoon. Maureen is now swooning. Hagel is deeply sincere (as opposed to "lightly") and a man of strong convictions.

I think Clark is too old. (Late 60S?) He just ain't got much enthusiasm about him, altho' my FL pal has been supportive of him for a very long time. I like Clark. If he could add some wt. and drink RedBull about 10x a day, he would pep up.

Strickland? Who's he? Do you think Richardson has a chance (yes)?

Oh, my new boyfriend, George Will, is promoting his latest tome at Politics+Prose next Mon. night. I am giving up the Bette Davis Free (Queen of Free) Film Fest. to go hear Georgie Porgie