Page 34 - Time Magazine, Sep. 17, 2018

Politics

Nancy Pelosi stopped caring about what

people think of her a long time ago, so she

has no qualms about eating ice cream for

breakfast with a stranger. Dark as their biggest asset, and hope to mo- numbers and surged to the polls. Many
chocolate, two scoops, waffle cone. It’s a tivate their voters in the midterm elec- of them look a lot like Pelosi once did.
freezing January morning in Baltimore’s tions by putting her image in television They are brainy, liberal and comfort-
Little Italy, where Pelosi grew up in the ads. Meanwhile, despite the hundreds of ably situated moms who have looked at
1950s. “You know what’s good about millions of dollars she has raised for her the political system with the exaspera-
ice cream in this weather?” she says. “It party, nearly 60 Democratic House can- tion of a person who has seen her hus-
doesn’t melt down your arm while you’re didates have returned the favor by call- band get the laundry wrong and realized
eating it.” ing for new leadership. Alexandria Oc- that she’s going to have to do it herself. If
We are sitting in an Italian café on asio-Cortez’s June 26 primary upset of Democrats regain congressional power
Albemarle Street, alone save for the staff one of Pelosi’s lieutenants, Represen- in November, as most experts expect, it
and Pelosi’s security detail, to whom she tative Joe Crowley of New York, high- will be by riding a tidal wave of female
has offered coffee. The Trump era has lighted the restlessness of the party’s rage. But rather than tout their female
many Democrats in a panic, but Pelosi grassroots, and Pelosi’s erstwhile allies leader—the first woman Speaker in his-
inhabits a more cheerful reality. She is in the Congressional Black Caucus have tory, and the odds-on favorite to reclaim
convinced that America has hit bottom, pushed Representative James Clyburn the title—many Democratic politicians,
has seen the error of its ways and is ready to challenge her. Even the New York both male and female, are running in the
to put her back in charge. Times editorialized that she should go. opposite direction. In this season of fe-
The78-year-oldformerHouseSpeaker None of this fazes Pelosi. “If I weren’t male political empowerment, Pelosi’s
knows what her critics say about her: that effective, I wouldn’t be a target,” she says, power still rankles.
she’s too old, too “toxic,” too polarizing; working on her ice cream as leftover It seems to enrage people that Pelosi
that after three decades in Congress and Christmas songs play in the background. feels entitled to things: money, power,
15 years leading her party’s caucus, she The only part that bothers her, she says, is respect. Of course it does—a woman
has had her turn and needs to get out of when women who are thinking of running is always held responsible for her
the way. But there’s a reason she sticks for office tell her they couldn’t withstand reputation. Clinton, in her years running
around. Had Hillary Clinton won the the abuse. “I say, ‘Forget what they’re for President, was asked over and over
2016 election, she says, “we’d have a doing to me, because you won’t be that again some version of the question,
woman at the head of the table.” When much of a target. But you will be a target, Why do you think people don’t like
that didn’t happen, Pelosi realized that because this is about power. And if you you? (Despite not being on any ballot,
without her, there might not be a woman look like you’re making headway they will Clinton, too, figures prominently in the
in the room at all. come after you. And it won’t be a pretty Republicans’ fall campaign strategy.) A
Pelosi is one of the most sight.’” powerful woman is always defined less
consequential political figures of her The attacks on Pelosi are particu- by what she has done than by how she
generation. It was her creativity, stamina larly ironic in this political moment. makes people feel.
and willpower that drove the defining Since Donald Trump’s election, Ameri- Pelosi isn’t humble. Many women, she
Democratic accomplishments of the past can women have poured into the streets, thinks, are afraid to show pride and need
decade, from universal access to health signed up to run for office in record to see an example of confidence. Besides,
coverage to saving the U.S. economy making sure you get your due isn’t
from collapse, from reforming Wall something you can delegate. One former
Street to allowing gay people to serve Pelosi aide told me everything she does is
openly in the military. Her Republican ‘IF I WEREN’T rooted in this combination of obligation
successors’ ineptitude has thrown her and entitlement: the sense that someone
skills into sharp relief. It’s not a stretch EFFECTIVE, ought to do something, and she is the
to say Pelosi is one of very few legislators only one who can do it. Pelosi seems to
in Washington who actually know what I WOULDN’T feel no need to apologize for her status in
they’re doing. the way women are expected to and men
But few people talk about her in those BE A TA RG ET.’ rarely are. Perhaps the assertion of ego by GILLIAN L AUB FOR TIME
terms. Instead, Pelosi is regarded as a a woman is the most radical act there is:
political liability. Republicans see her NANCY PELOSI the refusal to submit or be subordinate.
26 TIME September 17, 2018