PELOSI'S INTELLIGENCE TEST
NEW YORK POST
Editorial
November 10, 2006
In anticipation of becoming speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi has been making rhetorical steps toward moderation since the Democrats' big win Tuesday night.
But never put much weight on what a politician - of either party - says.
Look rather at what they do.
Soon, Pelosi will do something that will demonstrate her commitment to moderation and seriousness in governing - or just the opposite.
That something is the designation of a new chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence.
As a "select" committee, normal House rules on seniority don't apply: Membership is completely at the discretion of the speaker or leader.
The current ranking member is Rep. Jane Harman of California.
Harman has proven herself a capable, diligent and responsible committee member. Yes, she has tussled with the administration and Republican members on various issues - but she has generally refrained from engaging in reflexive personal attacks on the president.
Furthermore, she has shown a measure of cooperation and compromise on broader national-security issues.
Not surprisingly, a move is afoot to bypass Harman, because she is seen as too cooperative (or, dare we say, too responsible).
Worse, the member under consideration to replace her is Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida.
Hastings is a former federal judge.
Why "former"?
Because he was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1989 for bribery and perjury - and subsequently removed from office by the Senate.
Chairmanship of the intelligence committee, obviously, requires a top security clearance. How on earth can someone with Hastings' background be seriously considered for such a sensitive position?
It's not as if Nancy Pelosi doesn't know any of this: She was one of 413 members of the House who voted to impeach Hastings (only three voted against; obviously, it was an open-and-shut case.)
Given how corruption and scandal were the top concern for voters on Tuesday, how can Pelosi even think of letting Hastings become chairman?
If Pelosi insists on side-stepping Harman, third-ranking member Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas is a tolerable option.
Our view, though, is that Harman is the superior individual who has earned the chairmanship.
Regardless, on no condition can it be Hastings.
If it is, Speaker Pelosi's tenure will have gotten off to an unnecessarily rocky start.
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