Associated Press
Tuesday, August 12, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 11 -- Antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan has qualified to run as an independent against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in November's general election.

San Francisco election officials said Monday that they have verified enough signatures of registered voters on Sheehan's petitions.

Sheehan, whose oldest son was killed in Iraq, became a symbol of the antiwar movement when she began a vigil outside President Bush's Texas ranch. She says Pelosi (D-Calif.) has failed the country by refusing to cut off funding for the war after Democrats reclaimed the majority in the 2006 elections.

Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill says the speaker welcomes the challenge and has "the highest respect" for Sheehan.