Pelosi Happy to Let Obama Carry Dems' Flag

Nancy Pelosi is thrilled to work with “a president whose vision I respect and whose agenda I will help stamp” after 2 years of butting heads with Republicans, she tells the New York Times. The speaker of the House doesn’t mind ceding her role as the face of the Democratic Party to Barack Obama, but it may take some adjustment, say some.

“She has been queen of her castle for quite a while now,” one congressional official points out. Although Pelosi and Rahm Emanuel—the congressman who will be Obama’s chief of staff—both have strong personalities and agendas, their history of teamwork should serve them well. “Few Congresses and few presidents have had the daunting responsibilities that this Congress and president have,” says Pelosi. (More Nancy Pelosi stories.)