The Hindu : First woman to head Congress caucus

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 16, 2002

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International

First woman to head Congress caucus

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

New York Nov. 15. By a 177 to 29 vote Democrats in the House of Representatives have chosen Nancy Pelosi of California to head the Party's political caucus. It is the first time ever that a woman is heading a party caucus in Congress.

Ms. Pelosi, a big time liberal, who is currently the Party Whip in the 107th Congress easily beat the opposition from Harold Ford of Tennessee, a young African American law maker who had the backing of the "Blue Dog'' or conservative Democrats.

Mr. Ford, who entered the race rather late, did not have much of a chance, but if he had pulled it off that would have been the first time an African American would have led a Party Caucus.

The 62 year old law maker who hails from a very liberal district in San Fransisco, Ms. Pelosi has crossed swords with the Bush administration on a number of issues ranging from opposition to the Iraq resolution, trade with China to the structure of the proposed Department of Homeland Security.

Socially Ms. Pelosi is a staunch supporter of abortion and gay rights. The election of Ms. Pelosi comes at a time when the Grand Old Party has control of Congress, improving their strength in the House and winning back the Senate.

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