I recently traveled to Washington to attend the swearing in of Jackie Speier, the Bay Area’s newest Congresswoman.

While awaiting the ceremony, we sat in the balcony of the House of Representatives and looked down upon a debate about protecting the coast from oil drilling. Sacramento Congresswoman Doris Matsui led the Democrats.

A succession of Republicans rose to deliver stormy speeches before Matsui deftly maneuvered the debate to a vote, which the Democrats won handily.

Speier was sworn in by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi following the vote.

Speier joins a formidable group of Bay Area women who represent their communities in Washington. Led by Speaker Pelosi, they are a powerful force for Bay Area regional interests. (more…)

The ground under the presidential race is shifting, at great peril to Barack Obama in his primary contest against Hillary Clinton.

At the starting line, Clinton’s insider credentials and celebrity status were both a strength and a weakness. Obama’s lack of Washington experience and his outsider’s critique of a flawed government was a popular formula that attracted many followers.

Today, Obama’s message of transformational change seems less relevant as a credit crisis cuts through Middle America’s pocketbook like a tornado down Main Street.

Voters’ outrage about Washington lobbyists – whom Obama has demonized to great effect – has been replaced by the stark reality of the unemployment letter at work or the foreclosure notice in the mail box. (more…)