Pelosi feted in Pleasant Hill
All those years of Democratic Rep. George Miller's devotion to the San Francisco congresswoman who became the first woman speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives paid off tonight.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi drew a record crowd to Miller's annual birthday
political fundraiser at the Pleasant Hill Community Center. It was a who's who
of Contra Costa Democratic politics, with Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Alamo, in
attendance along with dozens of local elected officials, from Contra Costa
Supervisor John Gioia to Pinole Mayor Maria Alegria to Richmond Councilman Tony
Thurmond.
Pelosi heaped praise on Miller during her speech but it was Pelosi people came to see.
Young women, in particular, jockeyed to shake her hand and have their pictures taken with her. And as Pelosi proclaimed, "It would take a woman to clean up the House," women yelled back, "Woman power!"
It was interesting to see Pelosi, known for her warm and maternal nature, naturally gravitate toward the children in the group, including Miller's three granddaughters. Pelosi was the first speaker to not only surround herself with her own grandchildren but invite all the children up to the dais of the House of Representatives when she was sworn in last January.
It's one of the characteristics she and Miller share.
Pelosi told the audience she once asked Miller how he wanted to be remembered and he told her he wanted to be known as spokesman for children.
Even I, a reporter for more years than I care to admit, got caught up in the sheer emotion of the evening. I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes with Pelosi after the event and found myself inexplicably nervous in the company of the highest-ranking U.S. politician I have ever interviewed one-on-one.