When even a liberal newspaper in your home state questions your leadership style, you know you are in trouble, Nancy.

Nancy Pelosi has wisely decided not to appoint Rep. Alcee L. Hastings, D-Fla., who as a federal judge was impeached and convicted by Congress in the 1980s, as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

Unfortunately, Pelosi [did not] bestow the chairmanship on the obvious alternative: her fellow Californian, Rep. Jane Harman, the ranking Democrat on the Intelligence Committee.

Pelosi's problem with Harman is reminiscent of her ill-fated endorsement of Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Pa., to be House majority leader. In both cases, her attitude seemed to be shaped by personal considerations — friendship with Murtha, rivalry with Harman ...

Whatever the explanation, Pelosi's reluctance to appoint Harman raises the question of whether the incoming speaker of the House is ready to be a national leader as well as a party boss. A boss' priority is to settle scores and reward supporters; a leader has higher obligations ...

Frankly, her leadership style is reminiscent of my former congressman here in CD22 -- with the exception that Tom Delay usually rewarded competence.

Posted by: Greg at 10:55 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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