U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose party faces a tough 2010, mounted a passionate defense of Democratic principles here Friday night, telling state committee people that "we are defenders of the middle class, fighters for fairness and health care as a right, not a privilege."

"We have to remember why we are Democrats," the 69-year-old Pelosi told several hundred Pennsylvania Democrats gathered at Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center. "In 1948, President Harry Truman said the Democratic Party is the people's party. The Republican Party is the party of special interest. It always has been, and always will be.

"It was true then," Pelosi said, "and it is true today."

Pelosi kicked off the Pennsylvania Democratic Committee's annual two-day convention at the Host, on Lincoln Highway East. The San Francisco resident headlined a $100-a-plate "roast and toast" honoring Gov. Ed Rendell and state party chairman T.J. Rooney.

Outside the Host, a couple dozen protesters carried signs critical of the Democrats' health care reform proposals.

This afternoon, Democratic committee members from across the state are scheduled to meet here to endorse candidates in contests for governor and the U.S. Senate primary race between Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak.

Pelosi, in a 16-minute speech, acknowledged the upcoming one-year anniversary of President Barack Obama's signing of the $787 billion stimulus package, which she said has created or saved at least 2 million jobs.

"Last year, the unemployment number for January was 741,000 new people unemployed," Pelosi said. "This morning's number was 22,000 people who had lost their jobs. Now, that's too many. We don't want to lose any … but that's a difference of 720,000 jobs."

She also cited the swing to the positive of the gross domestic product, the measure of the country's overall economic output, and better manufacturing numbers of the last six months.

"Let's celebrate that recovery package," Pelosi said. "Let's tell our friends about it because it's making a difference."

The speaker touched on familiar themes among Democrats — criticizing Republicans for proposing tax cuts for wealthy Americans and privatizing Social Security, among others.

"We know the American people," she said. "We are there to defend the middle class."

Pelosi has been at the forefront of the health care reform debate. She is serving her second term as House speaker and is the first woman to serve in that leadership position.

Before Pelosi's appearance, Specter and Sestak participated in a feisty debate — one that saw the challenger swing hard at the 30-year Senate veteran.

Sestak, a retired Navy vice admiral who is winding up his second term in Congress, portrayed Specter as a political opportunist — as he often has on the campaign trail — and questioned his loyalty to the Democratic Party.

Specter criticized Sestak for missing congressional votes, claiming the challenger had the worst voting record of the Pennsylvania delegation. He also said Sestak can't beat Republican Pat Toomey, a former congressman, in the general election.

The dramatic exchange was the buzz of the opening day of the convention. Specter has been actively courting committee members for endorsement. In addition to being an important symbolic victory for the one-time Republican, the party backing would give the Senate veteran momentum and organizational support. For Sestak, blocking a Specter endorsement would be considered a victory.

There are 403 committee people. To reach a quorum for the convention, at least 202 need to be present, party spokesman Patrick McKenna said.

Rooney has said reaching an endorsement is unlikely in the four-way gubernatorial contest because candidates are now required to get a two-thirds majority under a 2004 rule change.

Should all 403 members show up, a candidate would need 269 votes to achieve party backing.

Previously, candidates needed only a simple majority to get the party backing.

Rendell cannot seek re-election this year because of term limits.

tmurse@lnpnews.com