California's 8th district has been a lock for Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi since she was first elected Congresswoman in 1986. It is especially helpful that the boundaries are solely wrapped around San Francisco, the beautiful city Bill O'Reilly loves to hate. Now there is a famous challenger in the race for the 111th Congress next year. The challenge isn't from the right, but from the left. Cindy Sheehan has given up on the two party system and is running as the anti-war independent that she represents so well.
From The International Herald Tribune:
SAN FRANCISCO: A tearful Cindy Sheehan cited her son, killed in Iraq, as her inspiration as she announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives against Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker.
Sheehan last month said she intended to run against Pelosi, the House speaker, if the San Francisco congresswoman did not move to impeach President George W. Bush by July 23.
Sheehan said Thursday that Pelosi had "protected the status quo" of the corporate elite and had lost touch with people in her district, most of whom want American troops out of Iraq.
Pelosi is a relatively good Democrat, but as Speaker of the House she has tremendous powers to get things moving. Announcing impeachment off the table was a serious blow to many people who helped her ascend to the Speakership by voting Republicans out of office across the country.
Not acting against Bush may have been a 'political' move to help the Congress get stuff done, but ultimately without a veto-proof majority, Bush kills almost every good bill that they produce. The rest of what they come up with are weak compromises with Republicans that do not reflect the will of the American people.
Now there is a woman that is willing to do what it takes to get our troops out of Iraq. No one doubts she has the motivation for it, vilified by Republicans and even some Democrats, she is still a symbol of the peace movement in this country. Her chances according to conventional wisdom are slim to none, especially with the power and the resources that Pelosi possesses. Nevertheless, Cindy was brave enough to stand up to the President back when he was popular, and she continues to speak out for what is right, not what is 'political.'
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