CNS Takes Shots At Pelosi As She Leaves House Speakership

CNSNews.com, it seems, just can’t stop taking shots at Nancy Pelosi — even as she prepared to step aside as House speaker.

A Nov. 10 article by Craig Bannister complained that Pelosi said that Democrats “never intended” their January 6 Select Committee to be political and “it was never planned as a political tactic,” citing in response “Constitution Scholar Mark Levin”  to rant that “the “illegitimate” hearings are an unconstitutional effort to indict and smear former President Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues” and “denied those accused of even the most basic rights of defendants in any criminal proceeding” (never mind that nobody has claimed that congressional hearings are criminal proceedings)

A Nov. 14 article by Susan Jones noted Pelosi praising Democratic performance in the midterm elections (which CNS had trouble admitting), going on to add: “Pelosi said anecdotally, she’s heard that the violent attack on her husband by a deranged man did influence the way people voted, and she called the Republican reaction to the attack ‘disgraceful.’ (In fact, many Republicans condemned the attack and offered condolences to the Pelosi family.)” (Actually, CNS played its usual game of whataboutism and whining to deflect from the attack.) This was followed by another article from Jones quoting her saying that “I don’t have any plans to step away from Congress.”

When Pelosi announced she would step aside as House speaker, Melanie Arter gave her the stenographic treatment in a Nov. 17 article:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that while she will continue to serve in Congress, she will not seek a leadership role next year.

“Scripture teaches us that for everything, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. My friends, no matter what title you all my colleagues have bestowed upon me – speaker, leader, whip, there is no greater official honor for me than to stand on this floor and to speak for the people of San Francisco,” Pelosi said in a speech on the House floor.

Arter preceded that, however, with an article featuring Republican leader Kevin McCarthy gloating that “we have fired Nancy Pelosi” with Republican control of the House.

Quoting Pelosi making religious references became a bit of an obsession. An anonymously written article that day highlighted another Scripture reference — then complained about its authorship:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) announced in a speech on the House floor this afternoon that she will not be seeking a leadership role in the newly elected House of Representatives—and quoted from the Prayer of St. Francis as she did so.

“And, again, for those who’ve sent me here, for the people of San Francisco, for entrusting me with the high honor of being their voice in Congress,” said Pelosi.

“In this continued work, I will strive to honor the call of the patron saint of our city, St. Francis: Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.”

Scholars have not attributed the authorship of this prayer to St. Francis himself but trace its history only as far back as the early 20th century,

Another anonymously written article complained that Pelosi described herself as a “devout Catholic” and a “patriotic American.”

The faux respect for Pelosi stopped soon after that with a Nov. 18 article by Craig Bannister parroting Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s attack on her, with some added Mark Levin whining that Pelosi was “angry, nasty … no class to the end.”

Pelosi didn’t stop bringing the heat, though — especially in support of LGBTQ people — and the CNS still complained about it. An anonymously written Nov. 21 article huffed:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) put out a statement on Sunday, honoring “Transgender Day of Remembrance” and attacking Republicans for “undermining the safety and well-being” of transgender individuals.

“As our nation marks Transgender Day of Remembrance, the House Democratic Caucus mourns the countless Americans stolen away by the scourge of transphobic violence, a crisis that continues to disproportionately harm trans people of color,” said Pelosi.

“Whether spouting dangerous rhetoric from cable news desks or openly bullying schoolchildren from the halls of power, MAGA Republicans are cruelly undermining the safety and well-being of our transgender community,” she said.

A Nov. 23 article, also anonymously written, was taken from the same statement and repeated some of the same remarks:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) put out a statement on Sunday in honor of the “Transgender Day of Remembrance” in which she vowed to fight to protect the rights of transgenders from, among others, “MAGA Republicans” and those “spouting dangerous rhetoric from cable news desks.”

“As our nation marks Transgender Day of Remembrance, the House Democratic Caucus mourns the countless Americans stolen away by the scourge of transphobic violence, a crisis that continues to disproportionately harm trans people of color,” said Pelosi. “Today, and every day, let us offer comfort to grieving loved ones, honor the memory of those killed and continue fighting to save lives from the wicked forces of hate.

“That fight remains more urgent than ever, as right-wing extremists target transgender Americans’ most fundamental rights and freedoms,” she said.

“Whether spouting dangerous rhetoric from cable news desks or openly bullying schoolchildren from the halls of power, MAGA Republicans are cruelly undermining the safety and well-being of our transgender community,” said Pelosi.

CNS did not explain why it felt the need to do two separate articles from the same relatively short statement when one would have worked just fine — though CNS has done this before regarding pro-transgender remarks by Pelosi.

An anonymously written Nov. 25 article accused Pelosi of making a Thanksgiving message political:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) sent a “Dear Colleague letter” to her House Democrats—not House Republicans—on Thanksgiving Day in which she gave thanks to God.

“Each year on Thanksgiving, we pause to cherish the many blessings that God has bestowed upon us and upon our nation,” Pelosi told her Democratic colleagues.

On this all-American holiday, we break bread with family and friends and spend time in our communities,” she said.

“Personally, I am endlessly grateful for all of life’s blessings: for my dear husband Paul and for our beautiful family,” said Pelosi.

The anonymous writer didn’t say whether Pelosi directing her Thanksgiving message only to her Democratic colleagues was a new thing or if it’s something House speakers have always done. Otherwise, there was no need to make a big deal out of it.