On Tuesday, which saw the official kick-off of the 118th Congress, NBC Nightly News dedicated their last segment usually reserved for superficial human interest stories to fawn, gush and drool over now-former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi,and what Capitol Hill correspondent Ali Vitali described as being "famous for her toughness and deep understanding of her caucus."
Before turning to Vitali, anchor Lester Holt swooned over Pelosi's "lasting impact on the women who have come to Washington." From there, Vitali took over the Pelosi stenography. "Ask these Democratic lawmakers about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and it doesn't take long for the Pelosi-isms to start flowing," Vitali said before turning to three Democrat members of Congress who were lined up to cheer on Pelosi with her:
REP. LAUREN UNDERWOOD (D-IL): Know your why and center that.
REP. ANGIE CRAIG (D-MN): She often says to some of us in private, you know, no one is going to give you anything.
REP. KATHERINE CLARK (D-MA): She always encourages to be your own leader.
VITALI: Even if not every skill can be taught.
CLARK: I cannot handle that level of stilettos.
If you weren't paying attention to the television you would be forgiven for being unable to decipher which women are Democrat Congresswomen or supposed journalists for NBC News.
Vitali proved the difficulty with the following remark praising Pelosi: "the history-making first female Speaker of the House, famous for her toughness and deep understanding of her caucus. Even amid clashes and disagreements, Pelosi paving the way for the next generation of strong female leaders."
"There are nearly five times as many women serving in the House as there were 35 years ago. In part due to Pelosi's recruitment and encouragement," Vitali claimed while crediting Pelosi.
"How do you ensure that she's not the last female Speaker?," Vitali asked Democrat Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark, to which Clark responded, "I think that’s up to all of us, but she set the blueprint, be yourself, know your values, know your mission, and go execute."
This pro-Pelosi stenography by NBC Nightly News was made possible by Ensure. Their information is linked.
To read the transcript click "expand":
NBC Nightly News
1/3/2023
7:27:27 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: Jeffries succeeds Nancy Pelosi, and Ali Vitali reports tonight on her lasting impact on the women who have come to Washington.
ALI VITALI: Ask these Democratic lawmakers about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and it doesn't take long for the Pelosi-isms to start flowing.
REP. LAUREN UNDERWOOD: Know your why and center that.
REP. ANGIE CRAIG: She often says to some of us in private, you know, no one is going to give you anything.
REP. KATHERINE CLARK: She always encourages to be your own leader.
VITALI: Even if not every skill can be taught.
CLARK: I cannot handle that level of stilettos.
VITALI: The history-making first female Speaker of the House, famous for her toughness and deep understanding of her caucus. Even amid clashes and disagreements, Pelosi paving the way for the next generation of strong female leaders.
CRAIG: Their ability to be female to be able to be empathetic and at the same time trying to show you how to throw a punch.
REP. NANCY PELOSI: When I came to Congress there were 23 women, over 400 men, and 23 women. Come on. You know, get out here, so some of us just made a decision, we have to change this.
VITALI: And she did. A change that was clear the day she announced her departure from leadership.
PELOSI: For me, the hour’s come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus.
VITALI: There are nearly five times as many women serving in the House as there were 35 years ago. In part due to Pelosi's recruitment and encouragement.
UNDERWOOD: To learn from the best has just been extraordinary.
VITALI: And once elected Pelosi ensured women were in key positions.
VITALI: How do you ensure that she's not the last female Speaker?
CLARK: Well, I think that’s up to all of us, but she set the blueprint, be yourself, know your values, know your mission, and go execute.
VITALI: And maybe in heels.
CLARK: That’s right.
VITALI: Ali Vitali, NBC News, Washington.
