Christine Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi's superdelegate daughter, talks politics

Christine Pelosi has politics in her DNA—which explains why the author, lawyer, and politico is so looking forward to next week's Democratic National Convention. Christine Pelosi, you see, is not just the daughter of Speaker of the House and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, she is also a superdelegate.

In addition to that rarefied party status, Christine also runs boot camps for future political leaders. Her book, Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Future Leaders, takes potential candidates through the hard drills of political life.

Although Christine lived and worked in Washington, D.C., for several years, she prefers her base in Northern California, where she consults on political campaigns and lives with her new husband, Peter Kaufman, the producer of such movies as Henry & June and Rising Sun.

As Denver prepares for an Obamaniac invasion, Radar takes an opportunity to talk with Pelosi about preparing for the convention, what dinner conversation is like at the Pelosi household, and how YouTube has permanently changed politics.

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RADAR: You must be looking forward to the convention.
Christine Pelosi: I think it is going to be great and that Barack Obama will pick an outstanding running mate.

And who might that be?
Anyone he wants—I personally think Chet Edwards or Joe Biden would be good choices.

There have been reports of backroom fighting about who will speak when and where. Is that just par for the course?
That's all normal. The biggest fight is always for credentials. Everyone wants a plum speaking spot.

The Clintons will play a major role?
Yes. I think it's great. It is completely appropriate. It will bring our Democratic family together. You have a former president speaking who had eight great years. And, of course, you also have a presidential contender. After hearing Hillary speak, I think Senator Clinton's delegates will be very responsive to getting behind Barack.

Do you think it was more exciting (and wild) when Hillary was still in the race? It seemed you stayed out of the fray when both candidates were courting superdelegates.
I had people from both camps come to me, but I said the people should decide. I'm a grassroots person, and I said early on Super Tuesday that I'd give my superdelegate vote to the American people. I said that when Hillary was ahead and when Barack surged ahead, I said I would wait. I made my commitment and honor my word, and I believe I have. My pen did move around the page.

But you won't say who you voted for?
No.

What do you think of Obama?
I think he is a transformational leader. He is a voice for his generation. I would say a campaign is a fusion of a large social movement and a small business start-up, and he gets both.

How do you think the Internet has definitely changed the political landscape?
I always say the Internet is very permissive and incredibly unforgiving. One little e-mail can change everything, for better or worse. That is the one thing I would say to people. We all love living online, but remember: It's like getting a tattoo. You may want to express yourself now, but you have to think about how that expression is going to be perceived 10 or 20 years from now.

That kind of permanent record can be especially dangerous for a politician.
Right now anything you say or do—and even things you don't say or do —can end up on YouTube. You have to have a thick skin, because the attacks come and they are very personal, they are very petty, they're very small. Sometimes they're substantive, oftentimes they're not. People try to pinpoint a particular hairstyle, or article of clothing, or gesture and pretend that it reveals a public figure's full character. Part of it is being in on the joke and rolling with the punches a bit.