The problems with Pelosi

Re “Pelosi: speaker, listener, conciliator and battler,” April 14

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) may be earning praise for her political skills and her move to the middle, but you won’t find praise coming from her constituents. Pelosi passed up a historic opportunity to put an immediate end to the occupation in Iraq -- a move that is supported by the majority of Americans, not just San Franciscans. Before any investigations had taken place, Pelosi said that “impeachment is off the table,” which is clearly against the wishes of her constituency. Pelosi could have voted with other Bay Area congressional representatives to cut off funding for the war and provide for a safe return of our troops.

Instead of using her leadership to end the war, Pelosi has decided to engage in a chess game with President Bush that will only prolong it -- leaving her constituents profoundly disappointed.

MICHAEL HALYARD

San Francisco

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The front-page article describing Pelosi as a conciliator who has embraced a centrist agenda could only happen in the fantasy mind of The Times. Pelosi’s rhetoric and voting record continue to position her as one of the most liberal and polarizing politicians of our times. With articles like this, it seems as if The Times has moved its editorial page to the front page. JIM DYER

Malibu

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The Times’ glowing article, headlined “Pelosi: speaker, listener, conciliator and battler,” omitted these adjectives: “wild-eyed,” “obstructionist” and “loose cannon.”

EUGENE F. BURNS

La Habra

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The headline on this story should have read: “Pelosi: appeaser, the Neville Chamberlain of the 21 century.”

JUDY HERBST

Beverly Hills