The Ambassadors Magazine - July 2010

In 2008, journalist Mark Sandalow's biography entitled Madame Speaker: Nancy Pelosi Life, Times and Rise to Power documented her organizational agility. He described her daily life meticulously and how methodical she is as a political operative. Each day in Pelosi's life was a logistical labyrinth: carpools, fundraising letters, school plays, donor meetings, birthday parties, printing deadlines, teacher meetings, slate cards, press calls, homework, "thank you" notes, dinners, and field trips.

In less than two decades, when her political life commenced, she rose steadily in the party, becoming minority whip in 2001 and minority leader in 2002--which made her the first woman to lead a majority party in the house. In 2006, she had another major breakthrough when she became the speaker of the house--also a historical feat for a woman in the US. Before taking the task of speaker of the House, Pelosi was often thought of as one of the most left-leaning of the Congress members. Her political clout and wherewithal allowed her to use her considerable talents to shepherd one of the most contentious health care bills in American history through the house and into law. The now iconic photo of the speaker carrying the gavel marching with members of the Democratic caucus to the US capitol for the Health Care reform bill on March 21, 2010 will remain an historic reminder of her political impact.

Pelosi has certainly emerged as the heroine of Obama's epic struggle over health care reform. Pelosi is a 70 year old grandmother with a penchant for high fashion. She is rumored to have amassed a large collection of Hermes scarves, to keep once-a-day hand dressing appointments, and for being a poster senior for Rolex. While these idiosyncrasies may have drawn both criticism and ridicule because of their frivolous nature, Pelosi's most recognizable feature is her splendid oration and charisma. Many believe her startling success at maneuvering bills through the House--including those pertaining to the stimulus package, tobacco regulation and greenhouse gas emission--to be a consequence of that skill.

Nancy Pelosi is the the youngest and only daughter among seven children. Like her siblings, she ate, drank and breathed politics from her early childhood. She grew up on House debates--sleeping on a bed under which her father 5-time representative Thomas D'Alesandro Jr stored copies of the Congressional Record. Later her father served as mayor of Baltimore for 12 years as did one of her brothers. Although she did not seek public office until she was 47, she and her husband Paul, a wealthy San Francisco businessman were busy raising 5 children all born within a span of 6 years. As the head of the California Democratic Party, Pelosi raised money tirelessly for candidates, shared the Host Committee of 1984 National Democratic Convention and catapulted the party to the forefront of politics on the west coast.

As the mastermind of the political battle to pass the Healthcare Bill, Pelosy steamtrained herself and the agenda past some very rigid and stubborn opposition to see the bill through. Pelosi is a living embodiment of the slogan--"Those who want reform will go through the gate. If the gate is closed, they will go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we will pole vault in."

When President Obama was signing the Healthcare bill into law on the 23rd of March 2010 during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House with 20 pens, Nancy Pelosi stood behind him smiling contently.

Pelosi signing the March 23, 2010 Healthcare Bill

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), carrying the gavel used to
pass Medicare in 1965, and members of the House Democratic Caucus