Help Me Understand Pelosi's Positions

[NeedleCast]

So under G-Dubs, Pelosi seemed to be adamantly against pursuing criminal prosecution of Bush 'n Friends. The whole "off the table" thing seemed to be her reply every time someone brought it up. Obama doesn't seem to be in a rush to go after Bush either, but today I read in an AP article that:

On Wednesday night, Pelosi made it clear to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow that she wasn’t happy with Obama’s plan to leave 50,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and that, unlike Obama, she “absolutely” favors criminal prosecutions for any Bush administration officials involved in torture or other excesses in the fight against terrorism.

Wait, what? Now that Obama is in office it appears that Pelosi has done a quick 180 on her stance. Maybe I'm reading this wrong or not understanding. I've never been a huge fan of Pelosi. She has, of course, done some good things and I appreciate that, but it seems really gutless to me to have two years to at least get the ball rolling on criminal prosecutions and do nothing, then start dumping on Obama's position, which seems to essentially be the same as Pelosi's has been for the last two years.

Also - while she might not have been quoted correctly - what she said about troops in Iraq seems a bit disingenuous as well, as Obama has said that all troops would be out of Iraq by Dec 31, 2011. I agree with most here on DU that I'd like a faster plan, but the way Pelosi said it, it seems she's suggesting that Obama plans for a permanent troop presence, which isn't true.

[mikelgb]

1. Sorry I'm not a contortionist

[NeedleCast]

4. So you would agree that Pelosi

is basically torpedoing Obama on Bush prosecutions despite the fact that she did nothing for two years except play a role in being a deterrent to those who did want to peruse Bush?

[BobRossi]

2. Self serving beeotch.

Nothing more.

[jmg257]

5. Ohh..that'll hurt! nt

[cliffordu]

3. Oops.... I thought you were talking about different positions like

the reverse cowgirl, or missionary.....

Sorry. Nevermind....

[Captain Hilts]

6. She has a stronger majority now. Not quite enough, but a lot closer. Look how...

they had so much trouble getting an increase in the minimum wage. There was no way impeachment would have worked.

[NeedleCast]

7. I agree with what you're saying, but

It seems spineless to me to sit there and do nothing about it for two years...and in fact seemingly obstruct the couple of democrats who wanted to take action, then turn around and bash Obama for not doing it. Pelosi didn't say "I'm waiting for a stronger majority" she said "it's off the table."

Seems to me that she didn't want to confront Bush when he was in office, but now that he's gone, she's ready to battle. That's pretty cowardly.

[Captain Hilts]

8. Like you, I would have liked to have seen an angrier Pelosi these past years. nt

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. It may be the simple fact that in opposing Obama, unlike opposing Bush,

she doesn't need to worry every time she gets on a plane.