Democratic congresswoman representing San Francisco, California. She first ran for office in 1987 after bringing up five children. She served as Speaker of the House of Representatives. On November 6th 2025, at the age of 85, she announced she would not seek another term, making way for the next generation.
Pelosi favours Armani suits and is known for her mastery of House factional intricacies. She had little patience for a finicky morality that hobbled the pursuit of the majorities needed for ambitious legislation. She would tell allies they needed to be "two-ventricled"—by which she meant cold-blooded. She quietly helped centrist Democrats in difficult races, tapping her fundraising network for candidates like Jared Golden even after he voted against her speakership.
Her greatest legislative achievement was the Affordable Care Act.
Ehrman's Commentary: (1) Things will get worse before they get better. (2) Who said things would get better?