Pelosi's new image as Italian Catholic mom -- more than a 'San Francisco liberal'
Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Quite a makeover for newly sworn House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as her national image morphed from leader of the San Francisco liberal elite to Italian Catholic mom from Baltimore.
There was her photo-op return to the Little Italy neighborhood where she grew up as Nancy D'Alesandro, the mayor's daughter. There was the visit to St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, where they still recite Mass in Italian several times a year.
"It's clear Republicans are reeling today based on her outreach to Italian Catholics who, as we know, have deserted the Democratic Party in the Midwest in droves,'' said San Francisco power attorney Joe Cotchett, who was among those attending the Pelosi swearing in.
While the marathon events in the nation's capital might have resembled a coronation, those most familiar with how Washington works said Pelosi's time in the spotlight amounted to well-calculated politics that could help her move her agenda in her first 100 days.
"A lot of people don't know much about her, so this is a chance to fill in her profile and biography so she doesn't just become the San Francisco liberal,'' said San Francisco consultant Chris Lehane, a veteran of the Clinton-Gore White House. "This is the one time when the press will be focusing on it.''
And it may be working.
According to the results of a Rasmussen Reports national phone survey of 800 likely voters, released Friday, Pelosi's approval rating has jumped to 43 percent -- up 19 points from November.
On the other hand, the same poll also found 39 percent of those surveyed still give Pelosi the thumbs-down.
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