Copyright. "The Thought Spigot"
In November, Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. Throughout his stump speeches, the primary debates, constant media attention, and finally thru the inauguration Obama was to change the United States Government for the better, promising Hope, Change and radical differences "from the past eight years" (of President Bush). Close to two month into his Presidency, Barack Obama is not the most powerful person in the United States (much less, considered to be in the most powerful position in the world). If Obama, the first African-American (actually bi-racial) President is not the most powerful elected person on The Hill, who is?
The answer to the question is not a simple one, but it is not blatantly behind closed doors either (as Democrats thought Dick Cheney was shot calling, in the Bush White House). Joe Biden, Harry Reid, and Hillary Clinton are all at the behest of President Obama, so they are not in the running. Your answer, the most powerful elected official, in the United States, is Nancy Pelosi (by a wide margin) and she knows it. Pelosi has been the elected congresswoman, of California's eighth district, since 1987. She has shrewdly clawed, used calculated risks and has been a staunchly partisan to become the Speaker of the House. No vote will come before the House of Representatives, unless it comes before and is approved by Nancy Pelosi (She will not have a vote on off shore drilling, clean coal, or nuclear power. Passing a $1.4-1.8 trillion "stimulus bill" without one Republican vote. She will not "give an inch" on the government's spending/Omnibus Bill, without certain things in the bill. The list goes on and on.)
Barack Obama has no control over Ms. Pelosi, as she is ramming her radical far left agenda onto all the American people, day by day. She has been accused of using campaign contributions and donor monies, for personal use and family use, but there will be no ethics investigation. Even the Air Force is scared of Pelosi, as she has consistently had words with them, over her using a $60 million jet for all kinds of uses (not just business and with family members, on board). "You do not want to have Ms. Pelosi upset at you, so make sure and have the jet ready," a steady stream of serviceman have said. Yet, she balks at her own usage, while condemning American's "carbon footprint." In addition, Pelosi is pro-illegal immigration, pro-big government (obviously), pro-big business (see the donor list, for 2008 below), and she is completely unapologetic, willing to work across the aisle, and has manufactured several closed door meeting (locking out all republicans and certain democrats), including meetings for the "Stimulus, Omnibus, and Obama's Budget."
All of the above, flies in the face of promises Barack Obama made on the campaign trail, to the American people: "I will have all bills up, on the White House web site, for 48 hours before they are passed," "I will have the most transparent office, in American history" and Obama also stated, "I want transparency and accountability, so Americans can be a part of their own government." However, Barack Obama seems to have virtually no power (other than veto power, which he will never do, while building the "new America") over Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Congress. Nancy Pelosi is one smart woman, as she has insulated herself from the public, very little ever leaks out of her inner circle to the press (not that they would report it anyway), and she is now the strongest elected official in America. If Barack Obama does not reign the congresswoman's actions in, now, he will continue to lose the support of the American people, but if he does put a stop to her outlandish rhetoric and actions, he will also be tarred and feathered, by the far left media and radical left outlets.
Nancy Pelosi raised $1.3 million from big business and special interest groups. For a complete list of who donated and how much, click on/go to (http://opensecrets.org/):
