Pelosi's mistake was to make a politically divisive speech right before the vote. Instead of a patriotic "The Country Needs You" pep talk the republicans heard a partisan speech that effectively reminded them that their constituents wanted a No vote, and it appeared that Democrats were being allowed to vote No for political reasons (remember Pelosi didn't exactly have command of her party either).

That's not an excuse: there are times when they've got to bite their tongues and do what's needed. But Pelosi made about the worst speech possible.

(remember that she's the one that railed about the do-nothing Republican House, then as her first act called a vacation for the first day of business for the house so everyone could go to a football game)

The biggest knock on Pelosi in general is that she has been completely out-maneuvered by Bush since she became Speaker. On this particular issue remember that Congress has oversight of all these things, yet I don't recall much oversight taking place...