The Skinny: Nancy Pelosi Plays Party Girl

Incoming House Speaker Plans 4 Days Of Celebration To Mark Her Triumph

(CBS)  The Skinny is Hillary Profita's take on the top news of the day and the best of the Internet. The Skinny is off for the holidays. It returns on Jan. 2.

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Belle Of the Ball

Before the holidays kick off, a dose of political news crowds a few front pages. Incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is planning "four days of celebration" in honor of well, herself as the new speaker. But it's "more than just a party," writes the Washington Post.

Pelosi is presenting herself "as the new face of the Democratic Party" and attempting to "restore the party's image as one hospitable to ethnic minorities, families, religion, the working class and women."

Thus, the celebratory events will highlight portions of her personal life (visiting her blue-collar Baltimore hinterland, attending Mass at her alma mater) "while muting her liberal voting record and ideology."

The planned activities receive the approval of Ken Sunshine, Democratic communications consultant to the stars: "If she's going to Mass, right on. Going to Baltimore, right on. This is really where she's from. She wasn't born in an elite setting."

On the other hand, Mike Murphy, Republican strategist, is appalled: "What? No fireworks? I'm glad they canceled the tickertape parade. They probably couldn't find biodegradable tickertape and a hybrid convertible." Snap!

In other self-congratulatory political celebration news, "some of the nation's governors are still collecting from individuals and corporations to pay for their upcoming inaugurations," writes USA Today.

And some of the donations "vastly exceed what state law allows." But unlike campaign cash, "most states don't limit or require public disclosure of inaugural fundraising." So incoming Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is accepting contributions of up to $50,000, while state law apparently limits campaign contributions from individuals to $500 a year.

Sunny Iraq Dominates Front Pages

Four Marines were have been charged with murder in connection with the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians -- some women and children -- in the town of Haditha in November 2005. The news makes the front pages of three major papers and the top of the Wall Street Journal's newsbox.

Four more officers were charged with dereliction of duty "and failure to ensure that accurate information about the killings was delivered up the Marine Corps’ chain of command," writes the NYT. More ranking officers could be punished "administratively" in the future.

Papers emphasize the gravity of this particular case. The Washington Post writes that the "accusations set up what could be the highest-profile atrocity prosecution to arise from the Iraq war" and the NYT writes that military experts said the charges "reflect an unusually aggressive judicial reaction by military prosecutors…"

The case "is regarded as the most serious" compared to other military prosecutions related to Iraqi civilian deaths "because of the number of victims and Marines involved and because the Marine Corps initially said the slain civilians had been caught in the crossfire between insurgents and U.S. forces," writes the LA Times.

Lawyers for the four Marines charged with murder said their clients are innocent in statements explaining that "the killings were an unfortunate result of marines properly responding to an insurgent attack in a dangerous area," writes the NYT. Article 32 hearings to determine whether the case will be court-martialed "could begin next month."

A New Program For At-Risk Democrats

Democrats are enrolling some members of Congress in a new program: the "incumbent retention program," explains the New York Times' front page.

It's a plan by the party to provide those lawmakers whose seats are the "most politically shaky" in the 2008 campaign with "plum committee assignments, prized bill sponsorship and an early start on fund-raising."

Said Florida Democratic Congressman Ron Klein, who defeated incumbent E. Clay Shaw, the message from the higher ups has been clear: “You’re running in two years. The campaign starts now, and you need to be prepared. We’re not wasting time.” It's never too early, after all.

Holiday Travel: Dazed And Confused

And in the grand tradition of holiday travel stories, two front pages reveal that this year's travel isn't just busy, but the weather is also pretty crappy in some places -- "snarled," actually, as the Washington Post's front page puts it, "by a major storm that dumped more than two feet of snow in Colorado and forced authorities to close the Denver airport for nearly two days."

The LA Times adopts the same verbiage, "Major Storms Snarl Holiday Air Travel," reads its front-page headline. Denver airport was "pelted" by over two feed of snow, explained the LAT. And both papers mention the fog that is plaguing London (or "shroud[ing] runways" as the LAT puts it,) leading to "a wave of flight cancellations," says the Post.

The award for best disgruntled traveler quote goes to the Post, uttered by Jared Keith, "business traveler" stuck in Denver: "I'd trade my laptop right now for a clean pair of pants," he said.

And with that, Happy Holidays. The Skinny returns Jan. 2.

[bluestardad]

Party Now the work comes later.

[dnanlah]

Pelosi, another name for BS

[jeffk1623]

FARTKNOCKER2

You are correct the coming party will cost this nation greatly...but that is what it will take to clean the *** out of the capitol that your beloved NEOCONs has left us with.

[jumkey]

Oh please. Has anyone seen the giant White House Christmas celebration? Here's a link you hypocrites:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/2006/index.html

According to the article Pelosi is doing "celebratory events (which) will highlight portions of her personal life". And this compares to a miniature gingerbread White House made with 300lbs of Belgian chocolate (built at taxpayer expense) HOW exactly?

Hey CBS, Barbara and Jenna are falling drunk off of barstools from Houston to Caracas while our boys are off fighting and dying in Iraq. Where's that report? Snap!

Party Girls indeed, CBS "News".

[rafterman1]

I want to hope that Nancy Pelosi will be different than what we had (I mean, how could she be worse?), but so far I'm not encouraged. First she backs a notorious pork spender for her #2, has shown some bias in some other committee assignments (don't give me this loyalty over skill cr@p) and now this "party". We don't need a party. We need Congress to get off it's lazy-a$$ three day work week butts and get to work, not have a four day party.

However, I am encouraged by the Dem leadership going to five day work weeks like the rest of us Americans and the promise to bringing opposition bills to vote (unlike what the Repubs did).

[baldfrog-2009]

Nancy Pelosi needs to stop playing paddy cake with Bush,and get going on Articles of impeachment against the fools who got us into the war in Iraq by duping the American people.Yea I am talking about you too Rove,the biggest duper of them all.

Umm what happened to the Nancy Pelosi who was so adamant about the ill deeds done by the Bush administration.She has 1 vote in congress and does not represent my district.If she can't lead she needs to step down and let someone who can like John Murtha.So party on N.P.,its only your head your parting with.Meanwhile three more soldiers died in Iraq today.You keep partying and there is another election coming.Yep party on and act like you are doing us a favor,the Democratic Party that is...

[tomar0317]

As long as the party(s)are not at our expenseand not during business hours, do what you want. Just be prepared to do your job! We have expressed a hearty disapproval the our senators and congress reps in the last election. Run for re-election by simply doing your job and thats doing what the constituents want! No more three day work weeks!

[random_radar]

Every day congress parties is one less day they spend undermining our freedoms and raising our taxes. Party on, honorable congresspeople!

[nynative1340]

BIG mistake. Just goes to show that there is no humility in either party. One party is greedy, pompous, and mis-directed; the other party is weak, stupid, and mis-directed. If we ever needed a strong third party, we need it now.

"Party on, Pelosi." Sounds like a good 30-second sound bite that the retarded repubs can use during the next election.

Holy Sh*it, Batman!! Don't these very public people ever think about the consequences of their actions?

[mjv2944]

Well, the dems have the opportunity to get this country back on track, but you know, Ijust don't think its going to happen, unless the new crop just elected take the bull by the horns. But people like Pelosi where in place when all the neocon bullsh!t was going on and didn't have much to say. When you really think about, those that did not have to run for re-election, will dominate and it will be business as usual. OK dems, you got two years and you better stay in the middle and not swing to the far left.

[sharncedar]

Too sick for words. This is my worst-case scenario, eveyone's nightmare of who these Dems really are. I will pray the gentleman from the Masque of The Red Death will visit these Dems as they party over the destruction of our country, men and women still dying in Iraq.

What will they drink, some fancy wine? And another American dies. Then eat some truffles. And some kid our neighbors is forced to kill an Iraqi civilian. "Oh Nancy, I want you to meet your big fan, Beyonce! - what's that sound?" Only an IED slashing through a father, ripping him from his child who has never even met him.

Great time to party, love these Democrats.

[wadyaknow]

I'm from Baltimore and used to do charitable volunteer work with Pelosi's nephew Nick. They are a good family, BUT I didn't vote Demopcratic so they could have a bunch of parties. HOW STUPID NANCY!!!!! Are you plain flat-out nuts.
WE - THE PEOPLE - want a swearing in, a light lunch and some quick action to fix the neocon mess.

[notblue]

It's nice to finally see the new direction the Dems have been touting the last year. I was worried it would have just been more political bluster to gain back power. Well, a four day party is just what the country needs at this point. Go Dems!

[oleander8]

Why shouldn't Democrats celebrate their victory? It's the end of 6 devastating years for our country.

[louklou51]

Why not have a celebration? For the last six years our country has been through a trying and frustrating period. Let's hope 2007 is a good year for all Americans, here and abroad.

[frankly6]

We should all celbrate our nations turn toward a more sane government.

For those of you that are looking for a reason to whine, know that the GOP congress had budgeted millions for a "victory in Iraq party" that they never found ocassion to to celbrate.

[randalds]

I have no problem with a celebration over kicking the republican neocons out of power and hope we have an even bigger one in 2 years (or sooner via impeachment) to usher them out of the White House too. We're finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and that's reason enough to pause and give thanks for a return to sanity. with the democrats back in power (to quote Gerald Ford) our long national nightmare is over. Well, at least it's started to be over.

[rharrin1]

Nancy

Let the impeachment begin.

[educates]

I am once again amazed that the "neocons" *** the Democrats for everything. Now we can't party. A WOMAN becoming Speaker of the House is worth a humungous party. It is a party with a purpose. IT IS PAID FOR BY: Nancy Pelosi.
It is not on Taxpayer time. It is specifically to introduce Nancy to the US since she is thrid in line to the President. It is for those that will listen. It is not for the ...holes who put us in Iraq. It is not for the neocons who support Halliburton and subsidies for big oil.
IT IS for we the people of the United States.
IMPEACH Bush.
Love and Kisses,
Ed Cates

[tibu987]

Enjoy the parties Ms. Pelosi.
When the parties end and you are in office in January we will hold your feet to the fire.
We voted for change and we expect change.
Pork, graft, corruption, arrogance, ignorance, are not just found in the Republican Party, we have seen plenty with the Dems also.
It's clean up time or we will clean it for you.
The internet is a powerful tool that can combat the wrongdoings that go on in Washington.
We wish you well, now show us.

[ptbarnum3]

I couldn't help but respond to SharnCedar's write-up about the Dems planning to have a party while our men and women in uniform are dying in Iraq. Well, well, well, what do we have here?

Shame on you SharnCedar, where were you when the White House occupant conned Colin Powell to lie before the UN and the world about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction in 2003? Iraq said then it had no WMD but the NEOCONS were too hawkish to say otherwise. (By the way, none of the NEOCON right-wingers ever carried a rifle to defend good ole USA).

It was on the basis of that falsehood that we are now fighting a war where recent polls indicate that 70 percent of Americans believe it is an unwarranted and unjust war.

I must say the death of one US service person is one death too many. George Santayana put it best: "Those who can not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." It is obvious we learnt nothing from Vietnam.

Meanwhile SharnCedar can put on his dancing shoes and par--ty with the Democrats. Hey, don't blame me. The Republicans got clobberred in the November elections, weren't they?

[baldfrog-2009]

look sharoncedar,
if you republican stooges hadn't put the 3 stooges in that got us in this mess in the first place there wouldn't be any,that's right, any American casualties?how ignorant can you get?your leader has caused more death,wounded,harm and destruction to American lives,through lies and deception that got us in this mess in the first place than any terrorist.now that my friend has nothing to do with Nancy Pelosi's,Democratic Party and it was just a few months ago the republican stooges were going to have a party for our victory in Iraq.
By the way who is going to pay for the war? lets see now the rich republicans gave themselves and corporations tax breaks on the way out the back door of the Capitol as the session ended.isn't that special?

[sharncedar]

--"A WOMAN becoming Speaker of the House is worth a humungous party"

ho ho, lol. Here come the Democrats, ready to party on the grave of America. They spent the last 6 years whining and moping, with little satirical comments about Bush while they rolled over for him. Now they've gotten into the gravy, the pork gravy, again. Here comes the party, oh boy. Taxpayer funded, I'm sure. Maybe Bill Clinton will come and play the saxophone. They can raise money by getting people to pay FOR HIM TO SHUT UP.

Bush is a dour and uninteresting. The Clintons kill you and play sax, hooray, what cheerful killers.

BTW, I wonder what ensemble Nancy P. is wearing to the party, hope the serious political reporters let us know the details, how it looked, was she in style, etc.

[baldfrog-2009]

Ya just don't get it SharnCedar ,You're Republican stooges have run up record deficits and caused the the loss of American Troops both killed and wounded,caused the loss of lives of innocent Iraqi women,men,and children. and lets put in some unborn children for you antiabortionist,been the catalyst for a civil war and some how we are supposed to get your advice on how it's supposed to be done.Enlighten all of us the Country is waiting,perhaps you could even point out who the bad guys are in Iraq before they kill our troops so we can get em.And if you can't and something tells me I know you can't then lets bring them home and remember the Democrats haven't had an at bat yet in congress,who knows maybe they'll will stop giving renewed permission to Pres. ala the War Powers Act and stop funding other than to bring them all home!

[baldfrog-2009]

And Congresswoman Pelosi, I owe you an apology for having been so harsh with my remarks about you playing paddy cake with Bush when you all met in the White House.And so I apologize.I believe I jumped the gun before Congress has even been in session.

My sincere sympathies go out to the five families who suffered losses of family members today in Iraq.

I do hope when Congress convenes it will stop granting permission for the President to continue this War under the War Powers Act Public Law 93-148 sec 5 to keep granting him permission to engage in this both illegal and undeclared war and as well invoke the power the Constitution of not continuing to fund this death trap.Funding a way for our troops and our equipment to come home is all that is necessary.If we leave a bunch of arms for the so called Iraqi army all they are going to do is roll over use it for themselves in a civil war or in the end wind up loosing as did the Army of South Vietnam who was well equipped also when we left.Sorry about that Vietnamese but that's how it looked,no will to win.

[lamoyer0]

"Nancy Pelosi Plays Party Girl" ????

Now there's some pretty transparent right-wing 'framing' for ya!

First of all, calling Pelosi, the first woman elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America, a 'girl' is intended to create an image/impression of immaturity and frivolity unbecoming the leader that she most definitely IS. "Party Girl" most definitely is meant to convey immorality and indiscretion...as well as wasting funds on a 'party.' This title seems to try to convey that no other speaker, in the history of the U.S., has ever had celebratory parties or receptions upon their election! I would bet my social security check that Dennis Hastert and every other Speaker of the House has had a schedule of events (parties?), probably over days, even weeks, or months, to meet and greet (drum up support AND DONATIONS) and celebrate (probably, as in this case, paid for by their supporters) ... yet, the media doesn't call THEM "Party Boys"!! This is so obvious, it's disgusting!

[lamoyer0]

"Nancy Pelosi Plays Party Girl" ????

Now there's some pretty transparent right-wing 'framing' for ya!

Calling Pelosi, the first woman to be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America, a 'girl' is intended to create an image/impression of immaturity and frivolity unbecoming the leader that she most definitely IS. "Party Girl" most definitely is meant to convey immorality and indiscretion...as well as wasting funds on a 'party,' which supporters are probably paying for, anyway. As if no other speaker in U.S. history has ever had celebratory parties or receptions upon their election! Yet, the media doesn't call THEM "Party Boys"!! This is so obvious, it's disgusting!

The sarcastic and demeaning title of this article, alone, is enough to make one nauseaus! The media, this time CBS, needs to take a big, deep breath and pull it's own head out of its a--! The American People must become accutely aware of HOW something like this is framed and WHY. Maybe a good hard kick in the butt from the public, sick to death of media censorship of the TRUTH, will be just what the media needs to knee jerk their heads out of their butts (or out of their checkbooks). Maybe, with the light of day, they'd realize that what we and the world really want is some TRUTH from them... I mean, for a change!

[lamoyer0]

"Nancy Pelosi Plays Party Girl" ????

Now there's some pretty transparent right-wing 'framing' for ya! Calling Pelosi, the first woman to be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America, a 'girl' is intended to create an image/impression of immaturity and frivolity unbecoming the leader that she most definitely IS. "Party Girl": creates the image of immorality and wasting funds on a 'party,' which supporters are probably paying for, anyway. As if no other speaker in U.S. history has ever had celebratory parties or receptions upon their election! Yet, the media doesn't call THEM "Party Boys"!! This is so obvious, it's disgusting!

The sarcastic and demeaning title of this article, alone, is enough to make one nauseaus! The media, this time CBS, needs to take a big, deep breath and pull it's own head out of its a--! Maybe a good hard kick in the butt from the public, sick to death of this stuff, is just what they need to make them pull their heads out of their butts (or out of their checkbooks). Maybe, with the light of day, they'd realize that what we and the world really want is some TRUTH from them... I mean, for a change!

[lamoyer0]

"Nancy Pelosi Plays Party Girl" ????
Now there's some pretty transparent right-wing 'framing' for ya! Calling Pelosi, the first woman to be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America, a 'girl' is intended to create an image/impression of immaturity and frivolity unbecoming the leader that she most definitely IS. "Party Girl": creates the image of immorality and wasting funds on a 'party,' which supporters are probably paying for, anyway. As if no other speaker in U.S. history has ever had celebratory parties or receptions upon their election! Yet, the media doesn't call THEM "Party Boys"!! This is so obvious, it's disgusting!
The sarcastic and demeaning title of this article, alone, is enough to make one nauseas! The media, this time CBS, needs to take a big, deep breath and pull its own head out of it%u2019s a--! Maybe a good hard kick in the butt from the public, sick to death of this stuff, is just what they need to make them pull their heads out of their butts (or out of their checkbooks). Maybe, with the light of day, they'd realize that what we and the world really want is some TRUTH from them... I mean, for a change!

[lamoyer0]

"Nancy Pelosi Plays Party Girl" ????
Now there's some pretty transparent right-wing 'framing' for ya! Calling Pelosi, the first woman to be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America, a 'girl' is intended to create an image/impression of immaturity and frivolity unbecoming the leader that she most definitely IS. "Party Girl": creates the image of immorality and wasting funds on a 'party,' which supporters are probably paying for, anyway. As if no other speaker in U.S. history has ever had celebratory parties or receptions upon their election! Yet, the media doesn't call THEM "Party Boys"!! This is so obvious, it's disgusting! The sarcastic and demeaning title of this article, alone, is enough to make one nauseas! The media, this time CBS, needs to take a big, deep breath and pull its own head out of it%u2019s a--! Maybe a good hard kick in the butt from the public, sick to death of this stuff, is just what they need to make them pull their heads out of their butts (or out of their checkbooks). Maybe, with the light of day, they'd realize that what we and the world really want is some TRUTH from them... I mean, for a change!

[mh4cbs1]

Condi, lets be a bit more clear on who does the investing and who does the sacrificing...

It is the very WEALTHY who "Invest" in Iraq. They have already reaped huge War Profits as their return on investment. War is a great Business to be in. But they make NO sacrifices.

It is the POOR and MIDDLECLASS who Sacrifice in Iraq. They die and are wounded every day. Many joined up because they couldn't afford rising tuition costs and the cuts in student loans (how convenient for recruiters). 3,000 have died, being treated as cannon fodder for your imperial War. The soon to be $450 BILLION cost will be debt for their children to pay off.

So Condi, please be a little more specific about just who it is that "invests" and who makes the sacrifices. Maybe the sheeple of America will wake up and throw you and your co-fascists in JAIL, where you all belong.

[lmossbrook]

I would be embarrassed, but then nothing seem to bother these people. Spend that money. That's all they're good for.

[bluestardad]

must be low on news to run this thing as long.

[phd2006-2009]

What age is the incoming senior Congresswoman, Nancy Pelosi? The gender term for a grown-up female is woman, not girl, buddy boys (who don't distinguish age differences--ie. the Foley child seduction cover-up by the former house speaker): that's "Madam Speaker" to you, minority-party Strategist, Congresswomen, Congressmen & Senators.

As to GOP Strategist pubescent speaking, Mike Murphy's loose-lipped, dig-the-ever-blindered-GOP-one-more-silver-foot-in-the-mouth-deeper-into-their-grave say on his party's typical disconcern & unconscientiousness about the state of our shared environment being wounded with pollution & toxins, "What? No fireworks? I'm glad they canceled the tickertape parade. They probably couldn't find biodegradable tickertape and a hybrid convertible,"

I say, surely, the GOP was a do-nothing one, even as it had full control of every branch of government, & continued to further violent pollution & misappropriations of precious unspoiled land with Earth degrading, animal & people exploiting toxins. Laugh, man, laugh: expose GOP values for all to read & hear, since as their strategist what you say publicly represents the whole GOP!

It's refreshing to know that incoming Madam Speaker is taking our environment into her own personal care. Even as a GOP strategist, who better get up to speed in 2007 CE lest his party be completely wiped out in 2008, taunts environmental concerns, as if they are somehow trivial! ... stupidity to be cont'd.

[oleander8]

Why shouldn't the Democrats hold a victory party? It's the beginning of the end of 6 years of devastating "leadership".

[baldfrog-2009]

aaaahhhh the money don't worry we shook down,Rove,and Cheney for the Party as fair well Christmas present from them.
Merry Christmas,Karl,*** and George and thanks for giving Congress back to us.Next on the ageneda we are going to stop funding your illegal war and bring the guys home so the all American People can have a nice Chistmas gift soon.Till then we are going Jingle Bells Rock just knowing Happy Days are Here Again.HAHAHAHA
Anyone care to Texas Two Step?
Merry Christmas America!

[jn122736]

Come on people; show a little understanding.
By wording the title of the story in this manner CBS has given those in mourning for their losses in November, a rare opportunity to vent their frustration.

Most of them are very disappointed, to say the least, in the way this administrations has let the country down (including their most ardent supporters).
I%u2019m sure they find it very hard to criticize or to defend them.

There are a few who do not fit in this category but they are so obvious you have no problem recognizing them.

[bildooreilly]

yep the politicians in D.C. no matter which party they're in party down with all the party girls and party boys while america crumbles under their insane policies and purposeful misleadership, meanwhile all the two party talking heads and all their parrots mimick everything they see and hear on television never realizing it's all just a charade to sucker you out of a nother dime... suckers