It’s hard to express how much I admire Nancy Pelosi in this moment.
Her supporters—Democrats—have been divided and unreliable, summer soldiers, the kind of allies that are quick with a savage criticism, and who were often clueless about her accomplishments and what it took to achieve them.
Her detractors—Republicans—are fascists so extreme that, when one of them invaded her home to attack her, and maimed her husband, the others, united in their hatred (and being, as Republicans, quite uniform in personal character and ethics) could not find it in themselves to convincingly condemn the act.
So I regard Ms. Pelosi from that perspective, as a person who found herself called to service, and served, and did so almost solely by drawing on personal strength and commitment. The most public of public figures, she stood alone in the arena, and the least the rest of us can do is to credit her accomplishments fairly.
I will see a doctor when I need to, and she deserves my gratitude for that, as she does for getting me and all of us the aid we needed to survive the pandemic. And for renewing our nation’s infrastructure over the next decade. And for turning the tide in the effort to save the planet from climate disaster.
Go ahead, condition my praise, and criticize. Just take a moment to consider how that reflects on you, rather than her.