An Uncharacteristically Emotional Nancy Pelosi Asks for Civility

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Asks for CivilityRedTracker|In an unusual plea that people take responsibility for their words, an uncharacteristically emotional House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned Republicans — and all groups getting whipped up over the health care debate — to understand that their supporters might not be as stable as they are.

Pelosi was responding to a reporter’s question about Rep. Joe Wilson’s “You lie!” outburst. 

Answering thoughtfully, but clearly moved by her reflections, Nancy Pelosi recalled the late ’70s in San Franciso, when anti-gay rhetoric ran high, resulting in the City Hall murder of gay rights activist Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone in November 1978 — an earth-shattering experience for Bay Area Democrats like the speaker.

A House leadership aide later told me that Democrats have become increasingly concerned by the ratcheting up of rhetoric on both sides — and particularly alarmed by the recent hanging in effigy of Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-Md.) by a tea party activist on the Eastern Shore.  via Politico.

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