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Far from the Capitol dome that had framed so much of her legacy, Pelosi now faced something that no legislative maneuver, no coalition-building effort, and no strategic negotiation could postpone—her own physical vulnerability. The fall during the commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge transformed what had been intended as a solemn act of remembrance into a deeply personal confrontation with human limits. The symbolism was not lost on observers: a tribute to sacrifice and wartime resilience suddenly mirrored in the fragility of a political titan.
Yet those closest to her describe not chaos, but clarity. From her hospital room, they say, her first instincts were not about legacy but logistics. She asked about staff coordination, about scheduled briefings, about pending conversations. Even in a moment of personal uncertainty, her reflex was forward motion. The discipline that carried her through decades of legislative battles appeared intact, even if her body had momentarily faltered. For a leader known for methodical preparation and relentless focus, the interruption seemed physical rather than existential.
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