Stephanopoulos: But if you feel you have the better arguments, why not give a straight up or down vote for drilling?

Pelosi: Because the misrepresentation is being made that this is going to reduce the price at the pump. This is, again, a decoy. It's not a solution.

Stephanopoulos: Well, if you're right, why not let it be debated out and have the vote?

Pelosi: We have a debate every single day on this subject.

Except on the House floor, where Pelosi forbade debate on GOP amendments and where the lights and cameras have been darkened to prevent debate.

Rather than exercise her power responsibly by calling lawmakers back to the Capitol to address Americans' concerns about gas prices and energy independence, Pelosi has dismissed oil and gas drilling as a "hoax" -- even as she reportedly encourages vulnerable Democrats to embrace drilling to bolster their electoral prospects. In 2006, she blamed a Republican congress for high gas prices. In power for 19 months, Madame Speaker now blames the Republican minority for gas prices that have nearly doubled.

Nancy Pelosi's real lesson for America's daughters: Women in power are just as capable of mastering Washington double talk, blame avoidance and partisan hackery as are men.

Imagine that.