Note to Pelosi: Pick Harman



(image via georgetown)

The Congressional Black Causus has done well with leadership positions in the incoming Democratically-controlled House of Representatives. The Detroit Free Press describes it as "unprecedented influence." We heartily agree. Congressman Charlie Rangel, for example, takes the reins of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina will be the No. 3 leader of the House as majority whip, a position the ridiculously-ambitious Rahm Emmanuel coveted, but, uncharacteristically, backed the fuck off of to the surprise of this blogger (The Corsair sips Adega Velha Brandy).

Apparently, Emmanuel saw celestical harmony in the claustrophobic cosmos of The House and the continued good graces of the Congressional Black Causus' Heavenly Sphere as more important --more important! -- than his own black ambitions (And his deserved prize for delivering the House to the Democrat Party). And Congressman Conyers, we cannot fail to note, will Chair the mighty House Judiciary Committee. Sounds like some good prize booty for the CBC, no?

Well, no (Exaggerated cough suggesting feigned detachment). In addition to these gems the CBC is fighting for the House Intelligence Committee, against the Moderate Jane Harman. The Democrats were elected into power in the House and the Senate under two mandates: One, as a counterweight to the President's "stay the course" strategy on Iraq. and, Two: To end corruption; or, in courser, punny terms, the Democratic mandate is to counteract the underage and illegal "man-date" regime of The Mark Foley Congress.

The fact that the Moderates delivered the House and Senate to the Democrats means little, the CBC wants more ... power. This power, at the risk, even, of splitting apart the Democratic coalition (Blue Dog democrats could, ostensibly, huddle with the Republicans)

According to the SantaCruzSentinel:

"Pelosi wants Florida's Alcee Hastings, backed by the Congressional Black Caucus but once convicted by Congress of lying and taking a bribe, to be chair of the House Select Intelligence Committee. Pelosi is pushing Hastings instead of ranking member Jane Harman of Southern California, who is respected by both parties, but also has run afoul of Pelosi."

Alcee Hastings, we cannot fail to note, was impeached by the very House in which he he cheekily intends to chair the sensitive Intelligence Committee (For further reference, see United States of America Versus Alcee Hastings). You'll remember that anti-corruption was one of the hallmarks of this election cycle. This is the same daffy-duck logic that caused Pelosi to back the ethically dodgy Jack Murtha over the well- respected and hugely effective Steny Hoyer (Averted Gaze). The Congressional Black Caucus has unprecedented power, and now it is time to give some payback to the Moderate Democrats, or, perhaps we might see a redux of the Steny Hoyer mess. Imagine the Blue-Dog Democrats bolting to team up with the House Republicans on culturally-conservative issues. Or, worst case, the evaporation of Speaker Pelosi's influence before she even becomes Speaker.

Note to pelosi: Pick Jane Harman.