Nancy Pelosi, the ‘most effective political leader’ I’ve worked with

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday that outgoing President Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is the “most effective” leader he has ever worked with.

Anchor Dana Bash said, “You go way back with Speaker Nancy Pelosi. You were interns together in Daniel Brewster’s office in the 1960s.”

Hoyer said: “I think this story is underplayed. Nancy was sitting at the front desk as the receptionist, and I was sitting right behind her in kind of a separate little half-wall managing appointments at the academy, opening mail, doing things that interns do or part-time employees. We were there together. Some 40 years later, we have become the speaker and the majority leader.

Bash said: “The other story of the Pelosi-Hoyer relationship is that it’s complicated. You fought for the whip in 2001. She supported your opponent in your leadership race in 2006. How would you describe that relationship?

Hoyer said: “I think we have a very respectful relationship. I think we have a professional relationship, but I love Nancy. I admire Nancy a lot. She is an amazing human being. She is tireless. She has an extraordinary energy, she has an extraordinary memory for what we have done and a vision of what we must do. I think she’s probably the most effective political leader I’ve worked with over the years. I was obviously disappointed when I ran for majority leader, and she supported my opponent, and quite strongly, as you remember. But, of course, I won quite easily, as you remember.

Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN