House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with progressive bloggers and writers recently to discuss the upcoming legislative year and what Americans could expect from the Democratic leadership. Some of the topics addressed included repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and strengthening hate crime legislation.

This discussion comes in the same week that Rep. Ellen Tauscher introduced the Military Enhancement Readiness Act to Congress. This bill, which died at the end of the last Congress, would repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Page One Q reports:

“The priorities have been Hate Crimes and ENDA, fully inclusive legislation in those two areas, so we’ll have to have our strategy work around on how we can get those passed, as well as move forward on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Pelosi said.

In her reply the Speaker acknowledged her work with Reps. Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin on these issues. She also mentioned Rep. Jared Polis, the newest out member of Congress. “Not that other members don’t participate,” she added, “but those members take special ownership of the issues.”

“The American people want us to have the best defense possible,” she said and then listed a number of prominent retired senior military officers and politicians who have supported the repeal or a review of the law, including former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, John Shalikashvili, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Senator Sam Nunn.