California, the state that gave us Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Howard Jarvis of Proposition 13 fame, the nation’s first across-the-board tax-cutting plebiscite, has now given us Nancy Pelosi, a woman who I know very well and for whom I have a great deal of respect and admiration. 

That respect and admiration result from working with the gentle lady on a daily basis, observing her demeanor, reviewing her voting record on issues of significance to South Carolina, and studying the fantastic results achieved by Democrats in California under her Chairmanship.

Ms. Pelosi demonstrated in the recent contest for Leader of the Congressional Democratic Caucus, during which she was challenged by an African American Southerner, that she respects people who are not only different by race and gender, but also by region and philosophy.  She underscored that respect by supporting me, a black South Carolinian for Vice Chair, the fourth highest position in our Caucus, and making her first official act the appointment of John Spratt, a white South Carolinian her Assistant Leader.

Nancy personifies the genteelness South Carolinians like to see in people irrespective of gender.  She accepts that we are all God's children with every right - to not only share this planet - but to travel freely throughout this "land of the free and home of the brave."

South Carolina fans of Ronald Reagan and disciples of Howard Jarvis will find significant agreement with some of Ms. Pelosi's trade votes in Congress.  She is an outspoken opponent of granting normal trade relations status, formerly “most favored nation” status, to China, which has undercut the textile industry in our state.  Congresswoman Pelosi is also in step with working South Carolinians, voting to protect our retirement future by supporting an increase in 401(k) limits and making pension plans more portable. 

South Carolina teachers, parents and students can proudly identify with Ms Pelosi’s efforts to improve educational opportunities. She sponsored an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that would recruit, train, and hire 100,000 additional teachers over a seven-year period; reduce class sizes nationally, in grades one through three, to an average of 18 students per classroom; and improve teaching in the early grades so that all students can learn to read independently and well by the end of the third grade.

Most South Carolina Democrats would be happy to have a little of Ms. Pelosi's accomplishments as Chair of the California Democratic Party replicated here in South Carolina. 

When Ms. Pelosi took over as her State Democratic Party Chair, California’s congressional delegation was split 22-21 in the Democrats’ favor.  Two years later, under her leadership, the Democrats improved that margin to 28-17 with the addition of two new seats after reapportionment. 

In 2000, as a Democratic Congresswoman herself, Ms. Pelosi targeted four of California’s Congressional seats -- three with Republican incumbents. Democrats won all four seats.  While Party Chair, she also led Democrats to gains in both the Senate and the State Assembly in California.  Under her leadership the Assembly reached a record margin of 48 Democratic members to 32 Republicans, and Democrats in the Senate held a ten-seat advantage. 

What we need in South Carolina are some of Ms. Pelosi's achievements and maybe some of her approaches.  What we don't need are character assassinations and more hyperbole and vitriol. 

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