Julie Hirschfeld Davis has a nice portrait of some of Nancy's Pelosi's background in the Baltimore Sun. Her father Thomas D'Alessandro, Jr. was a legendary Baltimore mayor and Congressman, and more importantly, head of a political machine. It turns out her mother may be even a more formidable figure in her background.

...her mother, Annunciata, a statuesque woman also known as Nancy, who juggled six children with serving as precinct captain, strategist and all—around enforcer in her husband's storied Democratic machine. And people knew not to tangle with her.

"Cross [my mother]? You're dead in the water. She'd get you," said Pelosi's brother, Thomas J. D'Alesandro III. "With my mother, there was no forgiving."

It's a trait that sounds familiar to Pelosi's colleagues on Capitol Hill, where she climbed to the top echelons by blending savvy, determination and impeccable organization with prolific fundraising — and a hefty dose of her mother's take—no—prisoners approach.

Pelosi's "toughness comes from her," said D'Alesandro, who served four years as mayor of Baltimore, following in the footsteps of his father, a former mayor and congressman who came to be known as Tommy the Elder.

I hope the nation is spared the process of getting to know Nancy Pelosi's leadership style as Speaker. I can only add that although San Francisco politics are not exactly the same as old East Coast style political machines, don't let the leftist baggage obscure the underlying reality that in SF politics ain't beanbag, either. The lady knows how to fight.

hat tip: Ed Lasky

Thomas Lifson   10 28 06