Posted on 11/09/2006 1:12:21 PM PST by peggybac
Rep. Nancy Pelosi plans to sideline colleagues who are hawkish on national security in the Democratic leadership in the House.
Democratic Party sources said as House Speaker, Ms. Pelosi plans to block moves that would place hawks into important chairmanships. The sources said a key casualty would be Rep. Jane Harman, a six-term member of Congress who has cooperated with Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee.
"Nancy Pelosi wants total party discipline," a source in the Democratic Party leadership said. "If you played ball with the Republicans during this session, then you're not going to be given an important chair in the next session."
As the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Ms. Harman was expected to become chairman of the powerful committee. But Ms. Pelosi is expected to pass over Ms. Harman for either Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida or Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, the second-and third-ranking Democrats on the intelligence panel.
The 42-member Congressional Black Caucus has been pushing for Mr. Hastings, an impeached federal judge, to become chairman. Earlier this year, the caucus was upset by Ms. Pelosi's decision to expel Rep. William Jefferson from the committee after he was accused of accepting bribes.
"There is no seniority on the Intelligence Committee," Ms. Pelosi said. "The leader or the speaker can appoint a whole new set of people."
The sources said the 61-year-old Ms. Harman, regarded as the best informed House Democrat on intelligence and technology issues, angered the liberal Ms. Pelosi by supporting the Bush administration’s policies on defense issues, particularly the war in Iraq and the Patriot Act. They said Ms. Pelosi has rebuffed lobbyists in the pro-Israel community and defense industry that sought a chairmanship for Ms. Harman.
"If Nancy Pelosi's apparent determination to deny Jane Harman the chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee to appease the Black Caucus is any indication, Democratic control is not going to be good news for those who believe in competent oversight of the national-security apparatus," said Loren Thompson, a defense analyst at the Lexington Institute.
Ms. Harman, who helped the Democrats draft a national security agenda for the campaign, said she hoped to remain a leading voice on defense issues. She said her California constituents want her to be on the House Intelligence Committee.
"House Intelligence Committee activities are directly relevant to the major concerns of my constituents," Ms. Harman said.
Let the backstabbing begin...!
Weak on national defense and siding with the terrorists; the democratic party! ....Who knew?
But...didn't GWB and Pelosi just have lunch together so we could all just get along? /s
Alcee Hastings in charge....the gift that keeps on giving.
Moonbats are going to put a on a freakshow for the nation.
No doubt in my mind. They have no clue how to wield power for the benefit of this nation. Only themselves.
The more extreme the better I say, their efforts will simply appear ridciculous. They will have the populace begging for republicans to be back.
somebody ought to tell Leiberman
Ms. Pelosi shows her bipartisan colors again. I wonder if Mr. Hastings will have the pleasure of questioning witnesses who helped impeach and convict him when he was a corrupt judge?
Interesting times, my friends, interesting times.
We see they get it not a left wing mandate (cough).
Sounds like the D Troop is going to become "F Troop!" To the rear, MARCH!!! Let the goose-stepping begin!
gonna be one helluva catfight with two CA reech beeches
I'm sure Pelosi will pick someone whose really strong on national defense, like Baghdad Jim McDermott.
Hmmm-m-m, didn't know the Dims had any hawks. Lots of peacocks, plenty of turkeys, and titmice, loons, some ruby troated hummers and a bird of paradise who serves as their leader.
OUR LONG NATIONAL NIGHTMARE BEGINS......
Aren't they stabbing the troops in the back....again????
I feel SO much safer with dims in charge.
This will hinder SanFran Nan's efforts to jack up that 24% nationwide approval rating. When dealing with her, the GOP leadership needs to be reminded that America didn't vote for her or a specific agenda...
Goose stepping. Should be interesting seeing them go wacky.
Ah yes, the party of diversity and free speech - unless you are a conservative!
The "Black Caucus" seems to be in charge of a LOT of committees.
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