Former 5th Congressional District Republican primary candidate Jeff Crank claimed in an October 15 op-ed column in The Gazette of Colorado Springs that House Democratic Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) “stated that her goal is to undo everything that has been accomplished by a Republican Congress in the first 100 hours of Democratic rule” if Democrats take control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Crank made this claim while declaring his intention to vote for Republican congressional candidate Doug Lamborn, who defeated Crank in the primary.

In fact, according to a July 22 article by Associated Press writer Jim Salter, Pelosi has said that her plan for the first 100 hours of Democratic control would involve “implementing the 911 Commission recommendations; increasing the minimum wage; making healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable; renewing efforts to protect Social Security; rolling back subsidies to major oil companies in favor of spending more on alternative energy sources; and improving college affordability.”

More recently, an October 6 AP article by special correspondent David Espo reported on an interview in which Pelosi elaborated on her “100 hours” plan:

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is thinking 100 hours, time enough, she says, to begin to “drain the swamp” after more than a decade of Republican rule.

As in the first 100 hours the House meets after Democrats -- in her fondest wish -- win control in the Nov. 7 midterm elections and Pelosi takes the gavel as the first Madam Speaker in history.

Day One: Put new rules in place to “break the link between lobbyists and legislation.”

Day Two: Enact all the recommendations made by the commission that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Time remaining until 100 hours: Raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, maybe in one step. Cut the interest rate on student loans in half. Allow the government to negotiate directly with the pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare patients.

Broaden the types of stem cell research allowed with federal funds -- “I hope with a veto-proof majority,” she added in an Associated Press interview [October 5].

All the days after that: “Pay as you go,” meaning no increasing the deficit, whether the issue is middle class tax relief, health care or some other priority.

To do that, she said, Bush-era tax cuts would have to be rolled back for those above “a certain level.” She mentioned annual incomes of $250,000 or $300,000 a year and higher, and said tax rates for those individuals might revert to those of the Clinton era. Details will have to be worked out, she emphasized.

Crank further misleadingly claimed in his Gazette guest column that, “Pelosi's Congress would bring back the reckless spending that fueled 40 years of growing deficits and the War on Poverty. The federal government would grow to out-of-control proportions and our conservative ideal of smaller government would crawl into its grave.”

However, the October 6 AP article reported that as part of Pelosi's plan, Democrats would implement a "[p]ay as you go" strategy, “meaning no increasing the deficit, whether the issue is middle class tax relief, health care or some other priority.”

From the October 15 The Gazette of Colorado Springs guest column by Jeff Crank:

Voters in the 5th Congressional District face a real choice Nov. 7, which may determine the direction of our nation. In reality, it could determine whether San Francisco liberal Nancy Pelosi becomes speaker of the House. Pelosi has stated that her goal is to undo everything that has been accomplished by a Republican Congress in the first 100 hours of Democratic rule.

During my campaign for the Republican nomination for the 5th District, I spoke about how we need leaders who care more about what is right for America and less about what it takes to get re-elected. America needs bold leadership; Democrats will not provide it.

[...]

Pelosi's Congress would bring back the reckless spending that fueled 40 years of growing deficits and the War on Poverty. The federal government would grow to out-of-control proportions and our conservative ideal of smaller government would crawl into its grave.

Pelosi would roll back the gains we have made in tort reform -- allowing frivolous class-action lawsuits and undoing the gains we have made in product liability reform. Trial lawyers and union bosses would again control the agenda and roll back the advance that has been made from the first shot of the Reagan Revolution through the Contract with America.

On social issues, the difference is clear. We can either have a party in control that supports the free exercise of religion or one that believes in wiping all traces of religion from our memory and our history books. Republicans have always been a party that values family and faith.

[...]

While America, and my party, have hit a rough spot, we have been here before. We have overcome. Americans don't run and conservatives can't retreat. We must maintain Republican control of the U.S. Congress. We can restore faith in the Republican Party and Congress through hard work, tough choices and the principles that have made my party strong. These principles -- smaller government, lower taxes, strong national defense and preservating freedom -- stand much taller than me. Because of these beliefs, this November, I will vote for Doug Lamborn for U.S. Congress. I can't fathom a Speaker Pelosi.