Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

House Leadership

Aired November 14, 2002 - 10:12   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the larger picture of the November elections is, of course, the balance of power shifting on Capitol Hill. Republicans gaining control of the Senate, and the House Democrats electing their new minority leader.
Our senior political correspondent Candy Crowley says the odds on favorite to make history, even before she makes a decision.

Good morning.

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

You're right. Much as we love that closed door, not much secret we think will be going on. When they come out, we believe that Nancy Pelosi, the Congresswoman from California, will be elected to replace Dick Gephardt, the congressman from Missouri, to lead a diminished group of Democrats, but nonetheless, one that can certainly be definitive in the upcoming Congress.

Nancy Pelosi is and will be the first woman ever elected at this position. It is a ceiling glass breaker here for Nancy Pelosi, something she says he she's very well aware of. She's one of the old fashioned way, a lot of hard work in the political career, particularly at the grassroots level.

Much is made about the fact that Nancy Pelosi from the San Francisco district. Her district is one of the most Democratic and one of the most liberal in the country. The question being, is this a woman that ought to be leading the Democratic caucus at a time that much of the country's future is decided in the middle? Nancy Pelosi says those that bring that up are focusing on her votes, and not the new job.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), MINORITY WHIP: The role of a leader is quite a different one from the role advocate. The leader has to unify the caucus, develop policy, build consensus involving every -- across the board, across the membership of the caucus, and has to plant and develop a plan for success.

I think it speaks to my credentials as a seasoned legislator and as experienced politician, that my colleagues, over 85 percent, have committed to me their support, because they know that I can get that job done.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CROWLEY: How good will she be at this job? I commend to you the remark from Tom DeLay, who is Nancy Pelosi's counterpart on the Republican side, who says she is a worthy opponent.

KAGAN: That is she is, but the Republicans have to be just licking their chops on this one. All they have to say is the Democrat have their chance and they picked this liberal woman Democrat from San Francisco, who is in favor of abortion rights and gay rights, and it's almost like it's from central casting for an opponent for them.

CROWLEY: Well, you know, the proof is in the pudding, and you heard her there say my votes aren't necessarily changing, but her job has changed. I mean, the role of a leader is to find some sort of consensus within her party. She said, look, we're going to try to find common ground with the Republican White House, but we're also going to stand our ground if we have to. She is a very pragmatic politician. I would not look for her to make this, you know, a wildly liberal caucus.

On the other hand, the caucus is liberal in the House. It makes a certain amount of sense, but again, her role as a leader is very different from her role as someone who represents a district. I don't think you're going to see a change in her votes, but again, you certainly see a change in the role.

KAGAN: I want to ask you about a young up-and-comer that jumped into the race late, that's Harold Ford, the 32-year-old congressman from Tennessee, more conservative than perhaps what Nancy Pelosi has to offer, and perhaps the picture of the future of the party.

CROWLEY: Well, not today probably, but yes, Harold Ford is seen as an up-and-comer out of Tennessee. He is known to have aspirations beyond his district, perhaps a Senate seat and beyond. He is supporting by an important faction of the caucus, the "Blue Dogs" that are basically conservative Democrats. So he has support but she, again has -- Nancy Pelosi raised more money, handed out more money to other Democrats races this past season than any other Democrat. She is great at the grassroots. She has a lot of friends in a lot of places, and it doesn't seem like too many -- there's much in the way of denying her this new position.

KAGAN: And we will probably see history being made later today.

Candy Crowley, thank you.

CROWLEY: Sure.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired November 14, 2002 - 10:12   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the larger picture of the November elections is, of course, the balance of power shifting on Capitol Hill. Republicans gaining control of the Senate, and the House Democrats electing their new minority leader.
Our senior political correspondent Candy Crowley says the odds on favorite to make history, even before she makes a decision.

Good morning.

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

You're right. Much as we love that closed door, not much secret we think will be going on. When they come out, we believe that Nancy Pelosi, the Congresswoman from California, will be elected to replace Dick Gephardt, the congressman from Missouri, to lead a diminished group of Democrats, but nonetheless, one that can certainly be definitive in the upcoming Congress.

Nancy Pelosi is and will be the first woman ever elected at this position. It is a ceiling glass breaker here for Nancy Pelosi, something she says he she's very well aware of. She's one of the old fashioned way, a lot of hard work in the political career, particularly at the grassroots level.

Much is made about the fact that Nancy Pelosi from the San Francisco district. Her district is one of the most Democratic and one of the most liberal in the country. The question being, is this a woman that ought to be leading the Democratic caucus at a time that much of the country's future is decided in the middle? Nancy Pelosi says those that bring that up are focusing on her votes, and not the new job.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), MINORITY WHIP: The role of a leader is quite a different one from the role advocate. The leader has to unify the caucus, develop policy, build consensus involving every -- across the board, across the membership of the caucus, and has to plant and develop a plan for success.

I think it speaks to my credentials as a seasoned legislator and as experienced politician, that my colleagues, over 85 percent, have committed to me their support, because they know that I can get that job done.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CROWLEY: How good will she be at this job? I commend to you the remark from Tom DeLay, who is Nancy Pelosi's counterpart on the Republican side, who says she is a worthy opponent.

KAGAN: That is she is, but the Republicans have to be just licking their chops on this one. All they have to say is the Democrat have their chance and they picked this liberal woman Democrat from San Francisco, who is in favor of abortion rights and gay rights, and it's almost like it's from central casting for an opponent for them.

CROWLEY: Well, you know, the proof is in the pudding, and you heard her there say my votes aren't necessarily changing, but her job has changed. I mean, the role of a leader is to find some sort of consensus within her party. She said, look, we're going to try to find common ground with the Republican White House, but we're also going to stand our ground if we have to. She is a very pragmatic politician. I would not look for her to make this, you know, a wildly liberal caucus.

On the other hand, the caucus is liberal in the House. It makes a certain amount of sense, but again, her role as a leader is very different from her role as someone who represents a district. I don't think you're going to see a change in her votes, but again, you certainly see a change in the role.

KAGAN: I want to ask you about a young up-and-comer that jumped into the race late, that's Harold Ford, the 32-year-old congressman from Tennessee, more conservative than perhaps what Nancy Pelosi has to offer, and perhaps the picture of the future of the party.

CROWLEY: Well, not today probably, but yes, Harold Ford is seen as an up-and-comer out of Tennessee. He is known to have aspirations beyond his district, perhaps a Senate seat and beyond. He is supporting by an important faction of the caucus, the "Blue Dogs" that are basically conservative Democrats. So he has support but she, again has -- Nancy Pelosi raised more money, handed out more money to other Democrats races this past season than any other Democrat. She is great at the grassroots. She has a lot of friends in a lot of places, and it doesn't seem like too many -- there's much in the way of denying her this new position.

KAGAN: And we will probably see history being made later today.

Candy Crowley, thank you.

CROWLEY: Sure.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com