Blue Dogs write Pelosi, supporting Jane Harman for House Intelligence Chair

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT political blog, "The Caucus," November 16, 2006
Intel Infight in the House
By Kate Phillips

Insiders and some others have been watching the pitched battle for the chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee, and everybody in there knows that incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi doesn’t seem in favor of naming her fellow Californian lawmaker, Jane Harman, as the chairwoman.

Ms. Harman clearly wants the job and has been on a campaign for it. The alternative, at least the one we know of, is Representative Alcee Hastings, an impeached judge whose seniority would make him in line for the post....Well, courtesy of our colleague, Jeff Zeleny, the conservative-moderate Blue Dog Democrats, have sent a letter to Ms. Pelosi, expressing their support for Ms. Harman to lead the extremely important post in this post-9/11-wiretapping-eavesdropping era.

Here’s the letter:

Note: This letter was voted on, in a roll-call vote, by the Blue Dog coalition on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The Motion was made by Rep. Melissa Bean. Rep. Lincoln Davis seconded the Motion. Speaking in favor were Reps. Bud Cramer and Leonard Boswell. The Motion obtained the necessary 2/3rds vote to become an official Blue Dog position.

November 16, 2006
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Leader Pelosi:

As members of the Blue Dog Coalition, we are writing today to express our strong support for our colleague Congresswoman Jane Harman’s appointment as Chair of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Over the last four years, Congresswoman Harman has served as Ranking Member of the Intelligence Committee with skill and distinction. During her tenure, she has helped lead the bipartisan reorganization and reform of our intelligence community and has served as a strong voice for Congressional oversight of the Administration and its national security policies. Furthermore, both our Caucus and Party have counted on Congresswoman Harman to answer forcefully and credibly to partisan critics who have questioned Democrats’ commitment to protecting our nation.

In short, she exemplifies all the reasons the American people instilled their trust in our Party on November 7th to protect them here and abroad. We believe she is supremely qualified for the job.

As you prepare to lead the 110th Congress, we recognize that you have much to consider when selecting committee chairs, especially one of such national importance as the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. We have given our full confidence to Congresswoman Harman to lead the Intelligence Committee and respectfully request that you do the same.

Sincerely,

Rep. Barrow
Rep. Bean
Rep. Boswell
Rep. Cardoza
Rep. Case
Rep. Chandler
Rep. Cooper
Rep. Costa
Rep. Cramer
Rep. Lincoln Davis
Rep. Herseth
Rep. Holden
Rep. Israel
Rep. Matheson
Rep. Melancon
Rep. Michaud
Rep. Moore
Rep. Peterson
Rep. Pomeroy
Rep. Ross
Rep. Salazar
Rep. Schiff
Rep. Tanner

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/?p=697#more-697

[AlamoDemoc]

1. I wonder how many of those signatories are also AIPAC worshipers?(n/t)

edit to add:

"Feds Probe a Top Democrat's Relationship with AIPAC"

"The Department of Justice is investigating whether Rep. Jane Harman and the pro-Israel group worked together to get her reappointed as the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee."


http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1549069,00.html