NYT/Reuters: Rep. Alcee Hastings (D., FL) Seeks to Head House Intelligence Panel

[DeepModem Mom]

Hastings Seeks to Head House Intelligence Panel
By REUTERS
Published: November 22, 2006

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. lawmaker ousted as a federal judge in 1989 on corruption charges tried on Wednesday to convince Democratic colleagues he deserves to head a congressional committee designed to help protect America's security.

Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida, elected without opposition to an eighth term on November 7, maintains he did nothing wrong and asked fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives to review what he denounced as the unfounded case against him.

"I implore you ... to please give this matter as much time as you can,'' Hastings wrote in a letter to colleagues on Monday that was released publicly on Wednesday....

In 1981, Hastings, appointed to the federal bench in Florida by Democratic President Jimmy Carter, was accused of soliciting a $150,000 bribe in return for a light sentence for two men convicted of racketeering.

A jury cleared Hastings, but a panel of judges urged he be impeached by the House, which did so in 1988. A year later, the Senate convicted Hastings and removed him from the bench. In 1992, he was elected to Congress....

There have been indications (incoming House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi will not pick Rep. Jane Harman, a fellow Californian who now serves as the panel's top Democrat. Hastings, the panel's second ranking Democrat, has voiced interest. Pelosi could select any House Democrat....

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-security-congress.html

[okieinpain]

1. what's the deal between harman, and pelosi.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. The L.A. Times had an article about their feud a few days ago...

but it really came to no conclusion about the cause. They once were very close, and the speculation seemed to be that it was somehow about eventual personal and professional jealousy. If anyone has more info, I'd be interested.

[Cocoa]

6. I'm hoping Pelosi opposes Harman for the same reason I do

have you ever seen Harman on one of those Sunday news shows? It's absolutely infuriating that she is representing the democrats.

It would be nice to imagine that Pelosi is equally infuriated.

[Leilani]

2. Pelosi should choose neither Harman nor Hastings

Harman is currently under investigation, based on her ties to AIPAC.

Hastings was found guilty during the Impeachment, & is now deeply in debt.

To appoint Hastings will make a mockery of her "Ethics Reform."

Dems must remain squeaky clean, demonstrating to the voters that they made a wise choice in the election.

[still_one]

5. I couldn't agree more. We have everything going for us, and will we lose all credibility?

[tritsofme]

3. Giving Hasting the chair would be an exercise

in finding the most efficient way to dispose of our hard fought majorities in two years time.

I can't think of a less politically savvy move.

[w4rma]

7. It looks like it won't be Harmon or Hastings. I sure don't like what I hear about Harmon.

I think big media want Harmon and believe that Hastings will do things that the ultra-wealthy owners don't like.

I haven't done enough research to know what this is yet, but this is getting much more airtime than a story of this nature should.