Representative Nancy Pelosi is the strongest House speaker in a century.

A column in celebration of a remarkable career, with some requisite observations on the stimulus package.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi had effectively lost control of the House, so she decided to shut it down and let Democrats go home and try to salvage their seats, possibly ending her career as House speaker with abrupt defeat.

Michigan had the nation's highest unemployment rate for more than three years until it was overtaken by Nevada last May, but unlike during earlier recessions, Michigan is not trending Democratic.

Detroit lost 25% of its population in a single decade--a decline second only to hurricane-devastated New Orleans.

Comings and goings in Congress are frequent occurrences,and twenty and thirty year Hill careers are no longer the norm in personal and committee offices.

John Dingell marks fifty years in Congress;there is a decline in regular order inCongress; andRoy Blunt must be careful about fundraising activities.

When it comes to taxpayer-funded bailouts, it is an especially good idea to have connections in both parties.