Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Pelosi cracks marble ceiling

Thursday marked a new day in the United States House of Representatives in more ways than one. Not only did Democrats resume power after 12 years in the minority, but for the first time in our history, a woman was elected speaker of the House.

How unlikely that outcome must have seemed the day in 1987 when the diminutive representative from San Francisco first stepped onto the House floor. Anyone who underestimated Pelosi, however, knew nothing of her personal background.

The daughter and sister of Baltimore mayors - a position for which no softies need apply - Pelosi clearly inherited those political genes. Yet, as many women are forced to do, Pelosi held off on her own career until she had raised her five children. She thanked her family Thursday for supporting her move "from the kitchen to the Congress."

Even most Republicans gave the new speaker her due. Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the new minority leader, handled the exchange of power with graciousness and good humor. Only a few Republicans failed to hide their contempt, including former Speaker Dennis Hastert, who stood in the back and applauded so weakly that he "appeared to be comforting a baby chick," as Slate magazine described it.

As befitting a 66-year-old grandmother of six, Pelosi turned the beginning of the session over to members' children, who swarmed the speaker's platform. The symbolism was appropriate for the first woman to break through what Pelosi called the "marble ceiling." And one of her first initiatives, returning "pay as you go" restrictions on tax cuts and spending, could help Congress deal with a budget deficit that unfairly burdens those children's generation.

Now it will be up to Pelosi to keep her promise to establish a new standard of conduct, where House members "work together for fiscal responsibility, with the highest ethical standards and with civility and bipartisanship." If she can accomplish that, and she's off to a good start, Pelosi will have overcome more than one barrier.

[Last modified January 5, 2007, 22:28:39]