How to start a congressional career: Jackie Speier edition

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Rep. Jackie Speier's congressional career began with some real fireworks.  Her first speech on the war made the Republicans throw a hissy fit and several of them walked off the floor.  Just a fantastic start.  When we talk about electing more and better Democrats, this is what it looks like.  Chron:

Newly elected Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier of Hillsborough was sworn into Congress this morning and delivered a fiery speech criticizing President Bush's Iraq policy that led some Republicans to boo and walk out of the House chamber.

Speier, who won a special election Tuesday to fill the seat of the late Rep. Tom Lantos, was always an outspoken lawmaker in her years as a San Mateo County supervisor, state Assemblywoman and state Senator. She served notice Thursday that she plans be just as aggressive as a member of the House.

"The process to bring the troops home must begin immediately," Speier told fellow lawmakers including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco. "The president wants to stay the course and a man who wants to replace him suggests we could be in Iraq for 100 years. But Madam Speaker, history will not judge us kindly if we sacrifice four generations of Americans because of the folly of one."

While Democrats applauded, Republicans began a chorus of low boos. Some Republicans who had congratulated her just moments before, including Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista (San Diego County), walked out of the hall in protest.

Of course Issa was one of the ones to throw a fit and walk off when she started saying something he didn't agree with.  That is the congressional equivalent of putting his fingers in his ears and sticking out his tongue.

Thank you Rep. Speier.  Just phenomenal work.  Keep it up.

We want more of this!  Maybe you can light a fire under the asses of a few of your new colleagues.