When any party stays in power too long, they become complacent, and more concerned about retaining power than doing the right thing. The right thing that got them there in the first place. The Republicans forgot to do the right thing, and got thumped. The problem is that Hastert, and company have done this at a time of great peril to the nation.
Nancy Pelosi as the speaker of the house? A member of congress that represents the most left-wing large city in the US? May God help us. The Dems have to put her in. But I suspect that they will grow wise to her nuttiness in six months and want to find another way. She has neither the charisma and quick mind of a Newt or the aura of a coach which the outgoing speaker has from his years at Chicago area High Schools. She is shrill and angry. This won't work for long. Sure, the MSM will prop her up, but after awhile her image will bring disdain to everyone involved. It was inevitable that there would one day be a woman as speaker of the house. But San Fran Nan shouldn't be it. But alas, she is. So the best thing we can do is grit our teeth and make the best of it. With "new media" she won't be able to get away with much. So, we have to be vigilant, and as soon as she makes that inevitable step to a smellier part of the swamp, we must be ready to pounce, and send her back to the back benches of congress, which is where she belongs.