Don't Mess with Nancy Pelosi

But Democrats aren't counting on Pelosi to be their poster girl for November. Her most important role is behind the scenes. If the Democrats take the House, that will change, since Speaker Pelosi would become the face of the Democrats and second in the line of succession to the presidency, after Vice President Dick Cheney. It would also be a test of Pelosi's skills: she has unified the Democrats in opposition, but it would be much more difficult to keep Democratic members in line if they took control. "They listen to no one," says Pelosi. "They don't listen to each other." But so far, the Democrats have listened to their leader, and if she keeps guiding them smartly, Nancy Pelosi could make President Bush's final two years even more vexing than the past two.