I just wanted to share the opening words of an Associated Press news story:
There’s an American leader whose words resonate on the global stage. Who draws attention in foreign capitals. Who carries a message from the United States by simply arriving.
It’s not just President Donald Trump. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is emerging as an alternative ambassador abroad, an emissary for bedrock democratic values and the promise of stability that some see as diminishing in the Trump era.
House speaker as US emissary: Pelosi emerges as force abroad
I know and understand there has been some frustration on this forum about Pelosi’s speed on impeachment issues and the way she has handled other matters. But when I read those opening words, it reminded me that we should take one moment be grateful that we have a Democratic House, and therefore have a Democratic Speaker who can command respect on the world stage and give voice to American core values.
Imagine what things would be like if we not only had Moscow Mitch in charge of the Senate, but Paul Ryan or Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker.
As a recent example, the story cites Trump talking about protesters in Hong Kong, saying, “I hope nobody gets killed.” Pelosi instead “affirmed the U.S. commitment to human rights and urged the Hong Kong government to end the standoff.” At a Munich security conference, Wendy Sherman said, “She was greeted like a rock star.” As she should be.
The story finishes:
Mark Salter, a longtime aide to McCain, said while the Republican senator and the Democratic speaker disagreed on “a million things,” Pelosi, like his former boss, “believes in the ideals of this country” and fostering those ideals abroad.
“She’s a statesman and McCain would applaud it,” Salter said. “He would look at the speaker, those activities, with appreciation.”
I am thankful America has a voice speaking up for human rights and democratic values. The hard work of many on this site in the 2018 elections contributed to the opportunity for that voice to be recognized and heard. That work paid off.
Let’s keep it up. In January 2021, that voice will come from the White House.