Is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi courageous or is she stupid? Is she a truth teller or a prevaricator? Most certainly, Pelosi deserves at least one of those descriptors. When we learn which one, it is likely Americans will add a second.

While Pelosi may be seen as many things in the eyes of supporters and opponents, her recent claims of deception by the CIA place her center stage. That is as it should be; because, if the accusation Pelosi has made is true at the core, there was, or is, serious malfeasance at the intelligence agency. If the claim is false, there is a serious character flaw that cannot be excused because Pelosi, Speaker of the House since January 2007, is third in line to the U.S. Presidency.

Like the national pastime’s classic double-play combination, “Tinkers to Evers to Chance,” the current political combination right now is Obama to Biden to Pelosi. Both pastimes are very competitive but one is a game, the other is real with significant ramifications. If something were to happen to our current president and vice president, we cannot afford to accept ‘Chance’ in the line of succession.

Pelosi’s repeated accusations deserve the public spotlight. And, that is where the American people must keep the House Speaker until we know the truth about her stated claim.

Here’s a recap: Last week, Speaker Pelosi called a press conference to read a prepared statement that the CIA misled her during a September 2002 briefing to majority and minority leaders of Congress. Those viewing video replay of the press conference see and hear Pelosi nervously fumbling with papers, in search of her prepared statement, instead of responding directly to questions from attending reporters about her accusation.

For Democrats, including the Obama administration, Pelosi’s fixation is a distraction. They say it’s time to move on. Perhaps it is, unless, of course, Pelosi is telling the truth.

If the House Speaker is telling the truth, she had better have sufficient evidence to back up the specific claim she has made that CIA briefers purposely misled her and the Congress.

Noteworthy in all this is that Pelosi spent 10 years assigned to the U.S. Select Committee on Intelligence, the longest continuous period of service in the panel’s history. During her last two years (2001-2002), Pelosi was “the top Democrat on the committee” and, is credited with having “helped lead a review of U.S. intelligence in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.”

Interestingly, those last two years include the timeframe when Pelosi claims the CIA misled her and, thus, the Congress. In no instance during Pelosi’s tenure on the committee did she verbalize or document her opposition to CIA interrogation techniques or the content of the briefing provided to her or others.

When Pelosi rival Jane Harmon became the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, Harmon did take issue with CIA interrogation techniques, and Harmon documented her opposition in an early 2003 letter to CIA attorneys. There is no evidence, so far, that Pelosi ever did the same.

In fact, Pelosi admitted as much in December 2007, when she stated “It was my understanding at that time that Congresswoman Harman filed a letter in early 2003 to the CIA to protest the use of such techniques, a protest with which I concurred.”

Are the American people supposed to infer from Pelosi’s statement, “a protest with which I concurred” that Pelosi reviewed Harmon’s letter, approved it or agreed with it, but could not sign it? After all, would not multiple congressional signatories have strengthened the position Harmon wrote about in the letter? And, why didn’t Pelosi go public with it at the time?

It just may be that her basic intent these last few weeks was to just spin a bit in order to plug a gap in her own political history in pursuit of political ‘truth commissions’ some Democrats are pushing. The CIA responded promptly. Leon Panetta released a letter sent to CIA professionals reaffirming that “briefing staff had delivered accurate and complete information to Congress.” That timely action by the former Democrat politician boxes Pelosi.

In reality, Pelosi — back when she was ranking minority member on the House Intelligence Committee — either knew or should have known what types of interrogation techniques were in use? That was her responsibility back then as ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee; and, is her responsibility today as Speaker of the House.

Pelosi has placed herself at center stage. The spotlight must remain on her in the search for truth.

When that determination is clearly finalized, Nancy Pelosi will be able to leave the stage to appreciative applause, and anticipated curtain calls, having earned the admiration and good will of the American people; or, she will be dismissed amid the stilled quiet of dishonor and deserved shame.

Richard Olivastro is a professional member of the National Speakers Association, president of Olivastro Communications and founder of Citizens For Change. He can be reached at Rich@Olivastro.NET or 877.RichSpeaks.