Yesterday, the $700 billion dollar bailout was defeated. The economic “crisis” is weighing heavily on the presidential race, and on the minds of most average Americans. Just before the vote began, Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered a vitriolic speech that cost one dozen Republican votes. Moments later, Republican Leader John Boehner, along with Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor address a gaggle of reporters blasting Pelosi’s politically tone-deaf move.

The fact is this: if you want bipartisanship, don’t go to the floor and attack. The American people don’t like the bill. The bailout is unpopular. Speaker Pelosi once promised us that she would be the Speaker of the WHOLE House, for ALL Americans. After a week of working closely with Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, Barack Obama, Harry Reid and the President’s negotiators - the American people are not convinced. The defeat of this bill buoyed the House Republicans, steeled them for the ongoing fight.

After all those years in Washington, Speaker Pelosi should know better than to play with fire.