Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi was actually grilled by moderator Chuck Todd on numerous sexual harassment allegations made against Senator Al Franken and Congressman John Conyers. She had clearly grown accustomed to the usual softball treatment she has received on the network and complained about not being given enough time to bash Republicans.
After spending the exclusive interview pressing Pelosi on the accusations against her liberal colleagues and even pointing out her past defense of Bill Clinton, Todd attempted to wrap up the segment: “Leader Pelosi, unfortunately for time, I’ve got to end it there. I appreciate you coming on.” The House Minority Leader was outraged: “You mean we’re not even going to talk about taxes?”
Pelosi accused Todd of being distracted by the scandals:
See, you have fallen into the place where they are doing something that’s going to increase the debt enormously....It’s going to be a job killer and it’s going to raise taxes on the middle class. And that is – has a big impact on the individual lives of all Americans. And really we should be spending more time on that.
Todd pushed back: “Do you think this other issue isn’t as serious as taxes?” Pelosi replied: “I think it’s – look, as a woman, mother of four daughters, I think it’s enormously important. But I think that we have to have a balance in how we go forward because – ” Todd sympathized: “Trust me, I struggle with this myself every day.” Pelosi warned: “This is giving them cover. There are so many reasons that we should be concerned about the Republican majority in Congress.”
Todd assured her: “I am going to be asking a Republican across the aisle some of these questions in a few minutes.”
He again tried to end the interview: “Anyway, Leader Pelosi, I have to leave it there. I appreciate it.” Pelosi scolded him again: “That’s disappointing.” Todd declared that he would be happy to give the Democrat hours of air time: “I wish I had more time. I’m always for more – Go to my bosses, ask for two hours, I’ll take it.”
Here is a transcript of the contentious November 27 exchange:
10:46 AM ET
(...)
CHUCK TODD: Leader Pelosi, unfortunately for time, I’ve got to end it there. I appreciate you coming on.
NANCY PELOSI: You mean we’re not even going to talk about taxes? See, you have fallen into the place where they are doing something that’s going to increase the debt enormously.
TODD: I’ve been covering it a lot.
PELOSI: It’s going to be a job killer and it’s going to raise taxes on the middle class. And that is – has a big impact on the individual lives of all Americans. And really we should be spending more time on that.
TODD: Do you think this other issue isn’t as serious as taxes?
PELOSI: I think it’s – look, as a woman, mother of four daughters, I think it’s enormously important. But I think that we have to have a balance in how we go forward because –
TODD: Trust me, I struggle with this myself every day.
PELOSI: This is giving them cover. There are so many reasons that we should be concerned about the Republican majority in Congress.
TODD: I am going to be asking a Republican across the aisle some of these questions in a few minutes. Anyway, Leader Pelosi, I have to leave it there. I appreciate it.
PELOSI: That’s disappointing.
TODD: I wish I had more time. I’m always for more –
PELOSI: Let me just say one more thing.
TODD: Go to my bosses, ask for two hours, I’ll take it.
PELOSI: I want to thank our firefighters and our first responders in California for what they did in the fires. Our Thanksgiving is – we prayed for them as a blessing to us. Wishing their families the best.
TODD: A worthy last word. Thank you very much.
PELOSI: Thank you.
