WASHINGTON—“I’m a victim of sexism myself all the time,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) discussing Tuesday morning whether sexism played a significant role in the defeat of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) by presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) But Pelosi does not spend a lot of time worrying about sexist remarks people make.
At a reporters’ breakfast organized by the Christian Science Monitor, Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the House reflected on the White House bid by Clinton, who would have been the first major party nominee if her bid had succeeded.
“Is there sexism? Probably so,” said Pelosi.
“Is it responsible for the defeat? I really wouldn’t have the scientific knowledge, all of the information to know that. But I do think that being a woman has a positive upside in the campaign, probably offset by more sexism. I don’t know. Of course there is sexism, we all know that. I mean but it is a given, it is a given…..
“In any event, I think that on the positive side, Sen. Clinton has advanced the cause of women in government and her candidacy has been a very positive tonic for the country and had a very wholesome effect on the political process. I really don’t know, I haven’t analyzed and the rest, I’m a victim of sexism myself all the time, but I just think it goes with the territory, I don’t sit around to say, ‘but for that”…I think her candidacy was a just a bright, bright moment for us and she may run again.
Pelosi said she wanted to know more facts before she made a final pronouncement about sexism and the Clinton candidacy.
"I myself find that I get a tremendous upside from being a woman and I don't spend a lot of time worrying about sexist remarks that people make."
SEXISM AND RACISM IN THIS COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD DO EXIST,
BUT I THINK WE ALL AGREE THINGS HAVE IMPROVED IN AMERICA, WE MUST
MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT INDIVIDUALLY TO IMPROVE BOTH EVERY DAY!
HOUSE SPEAKER PELOSI IS CORRECT ABOUT NOT WORRYING ABOUT WHAT
SOMEONE MIGHT SAY TO YOU ON A DAILY BASIS!
"...I don't spend a lot of time worrying about sexist remarks that people make."
OMG, what planet is she on.
Remarks?
The sexism. and yes, slimy misogyny that has oooozed out of the underbelly of America and exemplified by the media, the blogosphere and politicians, male and female is stunning and goes far beyond "remarks."
Somebody send her a clue.
I'm pushing 60 and I've never seen anything like what I've witnessed in this primary cycle.
never.
So she's saying 'sexism is off the table' as far as she's concerned?
The only facts you need to focus on Nancy Pelosi is why you're so adamant about keeping Bush impeachment off the table. Why you're so in step with everything the Bush admin wants and why you can't seem to stand up for the peopleof America.
If you're worried about why Clinton lost, just look to the way she ran her campaign for a few good clues.
We've all been victims of Nancy Pelosi. Her unconstitutional statement about taking impeachment off the table created much of what we are being forced to swallow now - our government turning away from the crimes of the current administration. She has been a disastrous Speaker of the House. Can't wait til she's gone.
I wonder how she got so far, she just needs to do her job and put Impeachment on the table. She will not get any support from the people again, She took Cheney's Impeachment off the tble last year, and she will not support Bush's, she is not a good Dem, more like a Rep.
Shut the hell up, Nancy. You failed all of America.
A lot of women, including myself, deal w/sexism, racism everywhere-- especially in the workforce. Like Pelosi, I hear it, see it and move on with business. Pelosi is the first female speaker of the house- what an accomplishment. Glad she didn't constantly measure her successes and failures based around sexism.
Ms Pelosi, I guess you have damaged Clinton so much because you feel that sexism is hurting you every day? I see envy there, and to analyze if there was sexism and many other negative things against Hillary does not require to have a high school diploma !
Hilary now Pelosi claim sexism hurt them?
Not sure how it hurt Pelosi but for Hilary it was clearly a benefit - many women when interviewed said they are voting for Hilary because she's a woman, no other reason - no one seems to want to bring this up to her or followers
Since Ms. Pelosi feels that she is a victim of sexism, then the same thing could be said that the workers in American Samoa who work for Birds Eye canning fish and are paid below the minimum wage in which Ms. Pelosi and her husband have a major stake in are victims of Ms. Pelosi's racism because last year she lobbied that American Samoa should be exempt from the minimum wage increase passed by the Senate last year.
Sexism may exist (through the eyes of the 'victim') but social policy and efforts to extinguish "sexism" and all types of bigotry is leading to a new form of bigotry. Whites, Christians, and Males are now the only acceptable groups where discrimination is acceptable. You cannot extinguish one bigotry by replacing it with another.
BOO-HOO, NANC!
QUICK! LET'S GET A NON-TAXABLE FUNDRAISER GOING ON THIS!!
STOP THE WAR! STOP GLOBAL WARMING!! STOP BIG OIL!!! STOP BUILDING THE FENCE.....AND FOR GOD'S SAKE, STOP SEXISM!!!!
If I may, I would just like to observe that I think that Nancy is a hottie!!!!!!
Exactly what does she mean when she says she is a 'victim' of sexism? She holds one of the most powerful positions on the face of the Earth. Is she claiming she was held back somehow? Is she whining that she isn't president? If you ask me, I say she *got* her job because she is a woman. More qualified men were passed over so that the Democratic party could payoff the radical feminists the hold undue sway on them. I'm tired of hearing about all these pampered American women whine about how unfair life it to them.
Well, Nancy, you should have known better and spoken out against the blatant sexism that was carried on, especially on CNN, MSNBC, NBC and the New York Times. As a woman, you should have spoken out, Nancy. And by the way, your tenure as Speaker of the House has really shown how incompetent you are.
Ms. Pelosi says she is victinm of "sexism" all the time but doesn't give a single example.
Ms. Clinton just had the misfortune to run against a black man.
In the politically correct food chain race beats out sex every time.
Victim of Sexism? The woman who ran a campaign screaming "It takes a woman to clean up the 'House'" is screaming sexism?
She didn't seem mind using sexism to become the powerful member of the House of Representatives.
Oh get over yourself San Fran Nan. You're as guilty as the next person.
I WOULD GUESS THAT ALL OF YOU PEOPLE THAT WANT TO IMPEACH BUSH NOW ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO DID NOT WANT TO IMPEACH CLINTON.AM I CORRECT ON THIS? LET ME HEAR FROM YOU.
Must not be much of a "victim" given that she is one of the most powerful people on the planet......Oh, that's right....ALL Democrats are victims......
Sexism had nothing to do with my outrage over her 3:00 a.m. ad.
People here bashing Pelosi are either sexist or upset with her actions as Speaker of the House. Which do you think?
And while we're talking about people bashing Pelosi, I want to know what impeaching Bush is going to do. You people are like Montagues and Capulets that don't understand how to make peace. If we impeach Bush, then all his elite handlers will throw down on his behalf, and we'll have a serious war in an instant, a political one if not a literal one. You people are so critical of just jumping into war with Iraq (as was I), but you have no such caution about jumping into protracted legal war inside our own country. Pelosi gets this. Why don't you?
We are going to bury the Right in the election, and then we are going to move on and make real accomplishments for this nation: that is more important than some show trial for our puppet president.
Barry,
You really don't have a clue, do you?? Do you mind explaining how Pelosi taking impeachment off the table is an "unconstitutional statement"? Maybe it's unjust, maybe it's a poor decision, but there's absolutely nothing unconstitutional about the leader of the House choosing whom not to press charges against. The Constitution gives to the House (and by extension Pelosi as Speaker) the discretion to bring impeachment proceedings or to refrain from doing so. Calm down. It's not the atrocity you're making it out to be.
Just more of the old "blame someone else for my failures" mentality that is destroying USA.
She's the Speaker of the House, for crying out loud. How can she even talk about being a victim of anything other than extremely good fortune? Then she turns around characterizes Sen. Clinton's daily battle with sexism during the recent primary as a supposition. What an insufferable hypocrite.
One of Hillary Clinton's more cogent thoughts would probably blow the top of Mrs. Pelosi's head off. Hillary Clinton is one of the last people I would want to see get the big job (albeit several rungs above Obama), but she's smarter and tougher than most men. Can't say that about Mrs. Pelosi, who is not unfit to run for dog catcher.
Until Nancy Pelosi showed herself as back-bending, over-compromising, politically calculating, weak on important issues Speaker of the House, I had always supported her.
Prior to Hillary's time in the U.S. Senate, and in her bid for election, I supported her. She came in a time when a strong advocate for accountability and reform were, and still are, badly needed.
However, she has done little to change anything.
Democrats are their own worst enemy.
At a time when many Republican voters are completely disillusioned with, and fleeing, what has become of the Republican Party, Democrats are not offering them anything of substance. They continue to be what Republican voters despise, unprincipled, venal, politically calculating politicians; and add to that dangerously arrogant, agenda driven, and incompetent, and they are the same as the Republican politicians who voters are wanting no more of.
Has there ever been a bigger loser in a leadership role in the Democratic Party than Nancy Pelosi? I have not see one in my 69 years, unless it was Jimmy Carter.
Cheyenne
Your a victim of discrimination when you don't get a promotion, the raise you want, etc. How are you a victim of anything when you are the third highest member of the U.S. government and elected by your peers in your home state? Give me a break!
You are all correct about Ms. Pelosi being a waste of time, but what has Bush done to be convicted on? Congress voted to let us go to war, it was not the sole decision of the President. They had the same information that Bush had.
Nancy Pelosi walks around in a perpetually confused and clueless state. She is a classic San Francisco liberal on virtually every issue imaginable. Of course, she believes sexism is rampant in America. In Pelosi's America, everyone is a victim except white men. All of you that criticize Pelosi for not impeaching Bush should remember one very important fact, if Pelosi had anything that resembled the type of hard evidence required to bring down a sitting president, she would do it. In the meantime, Pelosi will have to be content with touting the latest "ism" that is plaguing millions and millions of helpless American's. In Pelosi's view, no woman has a chance to every really achieve anything significant, like, say...Speaker of the House, Secretary of State, Supreme Court Justice, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. or National Intelligence Advisor. All we can do is pray that Nancy's efforts will some day make it possible for women to achieve these lofty roles.
"I myself find that I get a tremendous upside from being a woman and I don't spend a lot of time worrying about sexist remarks that people make."
If she's using being a woman to her advantage than it sounds like she's the sexist.
She's a "victim of sexism"? Give me a friggin' break. She's the Speaker of the House. Some "victim."
Liberals are nauseating bottom-feeders.
Ms. Pelosi do you spend a lot of time worried about racist comments that people make? You seem to have accepted that sexism is ok and that you and all women should deal with it. Well you could not be more wrong. As a gay man who also deals with snide remarks I can tell you that if Barney Frank came forward to say...hey I heard this stuff all the time...deal with it. I would be horrified and completely disappointed. I find your remarks to be very disturbing and think you should seriously consider psychological help.
Yes, I would agree that sexism did rear it's ugly head in the primary season. However, Senator Clinton can't have it both ways. She smiled and laughed on stage as her own surrogates spoke about her testicular fortitude, but cried sexism when her cleavage was discussed. If she were REALLY concerned about sexism in the primary and in this country she would have followed the example of a true leader Barack Obama and made a speech opening the dialougue to discuss sexism in this country. However, that was not the politically expedient thing to do so she didn't make a real issue of sexism until she found her chances of winning the nomintaion vanishing before her very eyes. Sexism was a part of this primary race, but not nearly as much as racism was and the Clintons played their part in keeping race in the forefront of Americans minds. As a black man I learned from a young age that you have to perservere in spite of whatever "isms" you find yourself facing. So the real question is what do all of these women crying sexism do now? Do you sit around and whine because Hillary lost the race or do you actually begin to take the country to task for it's gender biases? I'm sick of hearing you ladies complain....it's time to put some action behind those words so that the next woman who runs for POTUS (and there will be one) will not have to deal with as much sexism as Mrs. Clinton did. Hillary continuously spoke about how great a leader she was, well this would be a great opportunity for her to show us.
I do believe I just lost 15 IQ points by reading this article as well as 75% of the comments.
"Her unconstitutional statement about taking impeachment off the table"
A statement which provides an excellent example of the consequences of today's public education system, one churning out as many dunces as possible to vote for B. Hussein Obama. It's "unconstitutional" to state that impeachment is off the table? WOW.
"She took Cheney's Impeachment (you don't need to capitalize this word) off the tble last year, (no need for a comma here either) and she will not support Bush's,(Try a period then start a new sentence here). she is not a good Dem, more like a Rep."
No not a Rep (How hard is it to spell Republican anyway?). Pelosi is a pragmatic hard leftist instead of a deranged left wing wack job with a severe case of BDS. Get a life. While you're at it you can take American Government and English 101 over again.
Always a victim... Even after all that she was able to accomplish in this great country of ours. Sexism and Racism is dead and is nothing compared to this disdain of White Christian Males. I guess I should be flailing my arms around crying foul. Maybe I should be petitioning the Supreme Court for superlative protections and rights beyond whats guaranteed in the Constitution.
OK OK... let me stop you before you start. I know you are going to say White Christian Males had their run and they need to step aside... blah blah blah. If you are truly for equal and civil rights and opportunity, you cant make that argument and be credible. There is no fair or great equalizer (like affirmative action) that is going make an individual, a community, or a demographic "rise above it all". The government has failed with their entitlements and their efforts over the last 150 years to do anything that trumps personal perserverance and dedication to improve.
.... and nobody, not Clinton or Pelosi, is a victim of anything.
Poor Pelosi, the most powerful woman in the USA...
That guy Pelosi is a WOMAN? Iiiiiiiich!!!!!
Until Nancy Pelosi showed herself as back-bending, over-compromising, politically calculating, weak on important issues Speaker of the House, I had always supported her.
Prior to Hillary's time in the U.S. Senate, and in her bid for election, I supported her. She came in a time when a strong advocate for accountability and reform were, and still are, badly needed.
However, she has done little to change anything.
Democrats are their own worst enemy.
At a time when many Republican voters are completely disillusioned with, and fleeing, what has become of the Republican Party, Democrats are not offering them anything of substance. They continue to be what Republican voters despise, unprincipled, venal, politically calculating politicians; and add to that dangerously arrogant, agenda driven, and incompetent, and they are the same as the Republican politicians who voters are wanting no more of.
The most powerful woman in US government, 3rd in line to the presidency, but she's a VICTIM!
Waaaah!
Maybe if she'd show a little backbone when dealing with the thuggish criminal Bush Administration, we'd have a little sympathy for poor li'l Nancy. But until she stands up to the administration and their desire for unlimited power and immunity from the law, I've got no time for her complaints. Maybe she can start by figuring out a way to undo her total capitulation to Bush's FISA attack on the US Constitution.
Man-hating is far more prevalent in our culture than misogyny. Just look at 90% of TV commercials. Who's the fool? Who does stupid things? Who gets put down? Men! It's the same with theatrical films and television programs. Wake up, folks. Look around you.ffffdd
Probably, perhaps, maybe, just guessing: the reason impeachment is off the table is because there are no grounds. Besides that, the dims can't accomplish anything really important as it is. But, I should stay with my first statement because the dims are so great at doing stupid things, Pelosi might not be able to keep her majority from putting impeachment on the table.
Of course you are nancy, All liberals are victims.
I really love how when things don't go their way, women cry sexism and blacks cry racism. Does it ever occur to them that millions of white guys don't ever meet their hopes and expectations? What can they use as an excuse? As a result of affirmative action laws, there are countless women and minorities in government and business, in jobs that far exceed their skill levels.
Nancy Pelosi would be spending her days at the mall, spending her husbands money, were it not for affirmative action. She needs to shut up and do what little she's capable of for her country. Has there been a more ineffective Speaker of the House?
I rest my case.
She's one of the most powerful people in the world and here she is complaining the she is treated in a sexist manner "all the time". That's just stupid. Also I read some of the posts people are putting up, and WOW! what a bunch of kooks.LOL
Why is the congressional approval rating so low? Can't do a mans job nancy?
Nancy Pelosi is a worthless human being who would steal democracy from you if she could.
The US Military has done more to end sexism in this world than Ms. Pelosi and the NOW org has ever done.
Ladies you have it good in this country!!! The fight is elsewhere!!! Do you think those women in the middle east really enjoy walking around covered in sheets? Get off your can head on over there and do something!!!!!
Hillary didn't lose because of sexism and Obama certainly was not sexist. Hillary lost because of her air of inevitability, she felt she was owed the candidacy.
I don't know anyone that dislikes you because of your gender, I however know plenty of people that you because of your actions. Hell, more than half the country hates you because of your actions, not your gender. Here you are, getting more attention than you deserve, please go away, do us all a favor and get the hell out of Washington.
The comments posted so far are very humorous... Nancy Pelosi "...more like a Rep(ublican)?" You really do have to be emotionally overwrought to the extent that you are out of your mind to believe that...
Seriously now... are we just going to go back and forth trying to impeach every president that we disagree with?
One of the biggest reasons things are so exceptionally out-of-whack in government these days, is because that is the way that we perceive it, and as a result of 24/7 cable news and the internet, we do a hell of a lot more perceiving then we used to.
The individuals that work within big media know that extravagance and feeding the public what it wants/already believes is the best way to catch attention, and as a result there is not a single piece of news out there that should not be ingested without a heavy filter of logic and common sense. Not everything you read is true... in fact, most of it probably is not.
The things happening today are the same things that have always happened. Human beings have remained unchanged since our aesthetic leap forward tens of thousands of years ago. Impeaching George Bush, overcoming sexism, or voting Obama does not represent the next great leap.
Sexism, racism, slavery - the only way to make progress in your lives is to leave it all behind you as the Irish have done. Looking back always makes you turn your back on the future. We voted for change in 2006, and put Pelosi in charge. Look what it got us...
Pelosi is Speaker because she is a woman in the majority party...a party were identity politics trumps logic, reason and effectiveness. For her to complain about sexism is priceless. It's time for her to stop whining and act like a man (and don't use Harry Reid as your role model...I can't think of a less manly man)
All of the "isms" -- sexism, racism, ageism, anti-Semitism -- must be dealt with firmly. But there's a big difference between words and preventing someone from getting an education or becoming chairman of the board or president of a university or getting a raise in salary or buying a home or being in charge of one's own body or running for president of the United States. It seems to me if Hillary Clinton began her campaign comfortable in her own skin as a woman as Pelosi is, she would have won.
Right.
She is such a victim, yet she is somehow able to become the most powerful woman in the country, and is a multi-millionaire.
So, without sexism, she would be what, Dictator of the World?
I'm sick of these powerful incredibly rich people complaining. IF they were right, it would have held them back, right?
It obviously has not!
Just because people think you're a jerk and a nit wit doesn't mean it's based on sexism. Nancy Pelosi is a jerk and a nit wit just like all her male liberal whining friends.
I agree; sexism must exist, otherwise how could any voter void of sexism vote for Ms Pelosi !?
I didn't notice that this article was about impeachment, perhaps I missed it...
I case you were unaware, President Bush's term is over in a few months, focusing on the future is a more productive you of energy. MoveOn
Nancy you are most definately a victim of incompetence along with your sniviling buddy Harry....funny how the economy started going down hill after 2006....congrats on the 13% approval rating your only 20 behind GB.
Hilary now Pelosi claim sexism hurt them?
Not sure how it hurt Pelosi but for Hilary it was clearly a benefit - many women when interviewed said they are voting for Hilary because she's a woman, no other reason - no one seems to want to bring this up to her or followers
Oh yeah, you guys are pro-freedom of speech and real protectors of the bill of rights....
Well, now that she is done worrying about sexism, she can get those dishes washed.
Pelosi is in sync with Bush is the ultimate insult to George Bush. If Bush has accomplished just one thing ( and he has done far more good than that) he has kept your whining butts safe from another attack. If your man wins, I am certain that some of you will think everything is perfect, especially those of you on social programs.
Pelosi has done absolutely nothing, and the credibility of Congress has gone down the tubes. I have a feeling that your great Black saviour will produce similiar to Nancy!
I'm confused. She is a victim of sexism, but she has risen to the ranks of Speaker of the House? Hmm. Poor thing. How can she handle the blatant misogny. Gimme a break.
Well, as Forrest Gump so sagely put it: "Stupid is as stupid does". Stupidity comes in all genders, all colors, and all creeds. Granny Pelosi has run the H of R like a dysfunctional PTA carnival...believe me I've seen them....I've been there. Some females give women a bad name.
How does one tell, following some failure, rejection, or shortfall, whether the negative consequences resulted from sexism or racism, or from personal stupidity or incompetence? It's easy to assign blame to others when, in fact, it's one's own fault. In your case, Nancy, it's just plain stupidity and lack of your grasp on reality.
Hilary now Pelosi claim sexism hurt them?
Not sure how it hurt Pelosi but for Hilary it w