It’s been a tough couple of days for the Speaker of the House.

Cindy Sheehan has secured the signatures which will qualify her to compete against the Speaker in her upcoming re-election bid.

Now that could be quite interesting to watch. Not that I expect Ms. Sheehan to to a serious threat to Ms. Pelosi, but for the fireworks which might ensue.

George Stephanopoulos on Sunday grilled Ms. Pelosi on her decision to shut down debate and not allow a vote on off shore drilling.

I’ve read the transcript in its entirety at least twice and with all of the incomplete sentences offered by the Speaker, I could not make heads nor tails of her position. Please, if you do, let me know in the comments.

And, GOP members of the House plan to continue their debate on the House floor today:

ABC News’ Viviana Hurtado Reports: House Republicans tell ABC News that at least 30 members of Congress, emboldened by Barack Obama’s “shift” on off shore drilling, are flying back to DC from their Districts today and tomorrow to attend a special debate on energy policy. This “session” is scheduled for Monday, August 4th beginning at 10 am ET. As expected, no Democrats will participate.

One House Republican says, “I’m a 25 year veteran of the U.S. Congress, and I’ve never seen anything like this.”

GOP members say they would not be holding this debate tomorrow, if the Democratic nominee had not modified his position on off shore drilling.

They believe that with Obama and his Republican opponent John McCain, appearing to be in “agreement” about off shore drilling, then Speaker Nancy Pelosi should recall the Congress from recess, and put an energy bill on the floor in August.

We continue to hear that it will be 10 years before we see the benefit of drilling in Anwar and off shore. While there is a great deal of truth to that statement, it escapes me how the Speaker in her interview with Mr. Stephanopoulos blamed President Bush for a failed energy policy.

In 2002 the House and the President had a plan which would have taken at least a first step towards our energy independence.

If Congress had at least passed that legislation, we could then have moved forward towards developing other forms of energy which would begin to free our binds of substantial dependence on foreign oil.

Doing nothing is no longer an option for members of Congress if we hold their feet to the fire. Majority or minority makes no difference. Party affiliation should go out the window and as citizens we should work to make certain that those elected to represent us are earning their paycheck.

There are some very honest, intelligent, upstanding individuals elected to public office at all levels. They take an Oath of Office and do their level best to live up to that charge. But for those who do not, we must hold not only them but also ourselves accountable.

No,we have no say as to a Representative or Senator elected from a state other than our own, but we always have the availability of using email, phone or a letter to make our views known. When our citizens rise up as they have over the recent price at the pump, Washington takes notice.

After the past few days, I would bet Ms. Pelosi would agree.

Go to WorldNetDaily to participate in poll.

Here

Cindy Sheehan, the wacky woman who has tried for several years to force her will on the president and now the Congress, was scheduled to make an appearance yesterday in Charlotte, NC, but skipped it when she found out some members of the “Gathering of Eagles” group would be there.

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan disappointed some of her supporters during her first visit to Charlotte on Tuesday. Sheehan did not show up to address her rally at Bryant Park.

One of Sheehan’s representatives told WCNC that the “peace mom” feared for her safety and the safety of her supporters.

Counter protestors known as the “Gathering of Eagles” were at the rally. Sheehan’s representative said members of that group had sent threatening letters to Sheehan in the past.

Earlier in the day, about 50 of her supporters gathered outside the offices of Congressman Mel Watt. Sheehan was there to continue her campaign to pressure Democrats.

“Congressman Watt needs to sign on to the resolution that’s out there to impeach Dick Cheney and needs go ahead with a resolution with George Bush,” said Sheehan.

Not to worry. When Sheehan was interviewed by the local television station she made sure they photographed her sign demanding Nancy Pelosi start impeachment proceedings against President Bush or she would run against her.

Who knows? In Pelosi’s crazy district it’s possible Sheehan could win. Not probable, but possible.

At the peaceful evening rally where Sheehan failed to show, counter protestors said they worry her message means trouble for the troops and a repeat of Vietnam.

“When we got back from Vietnam they called us baby killers. They didn’t accept us,” said Jim Brannon, Vietnam veteran and member of the “Gathering of Eagles.”