Anyone want to debate whether Alcee Hastings is more qualified than Jane Harman to serve as head of the House Intelligence Committee?
What can she possibly be thinking?
Harman is a noted “centrist” who can work with Republicans. Hastings has a past (impeached judge) that should disqualify him from such a position. If Pelosi doesn’t like Harman or doesn’t think she’s right for the job, she should find someone other than Hastings.
I’m in 100% agreement with these sentences.
Josh over at Talking Points Memo has a lot of background on this this, and its something of a head scratcher.
I’m not too keen on Hastings or Harman. If the Democratic Party wants to be the party of ethical government, I don’t see how putting someone like Hastings in a position of power promotes that end.
I thought the Time article proposed a reasonable compromise choice: Sanford Bishop, Jr. That might satisfy the Black Caucus (which has been pushing for Hastings), and wouldn’t force Pelosi to appoint someone with whom she is at loggerheads (Harman).