A Glimpse into the World of the Speaker of the House

Out Front
At the heart of Pelosi's operation is a pragmatism decidedly at odds with her liberal image — one more in keeping with her background on the Appropriations Committee, where what matters in the end is not so much what you believe as what you can deliver. "She obviously has her own point of view on many issues, but she's recognized from Day One that you have to find the center of gravity in your caucus," says Maryland Representative Chris Van Hollen, who runs the Democrats' campaign operation.

• Ben Bernanke: TIME's 2009 Person of the Year