What's genesis of Pelosi/Harmon "feud"?

[digno dave]

I was listening to NPR on Friday and they asked the panelist about it and all agreed that it was not clear exactly what the issue is. I do know that Jane Harmon deserves the chairmanship of the Itelligence Committee. I somewhat understand why Pelosi pushed for Murtha but her decision to "punish" Harmon seems petty and, simply put, stupid. She may not agree with Harmon's stance on the Iraq War, but i don't think there is any doubt about her knowledge and capacity to chair this committee. I don't think you assign chairmanships based on political disagreements. Republicans may do that, but it's not something we shouldn do. Sure, the Iraq War is more than your typical political dissagreement, but it clearly wasn't as clear cut an issue then as it was now. Irregardless, i personally don't think that issue alone is enough reason to deny her the chairmanship. Here, apparently, is where the past history between the two comes into play. Pelosi appears to be establishing terms of her leadership based on personal matters.

[baldguy]

1. Karl Rove's office.

[bemildred]

2. Fortunately, it isn't up to us to resolve this matter.

However, it has always been the case that committee chairs do not go to congresspersons that disagree widely with the party leadership, so this is not really any surprise.

[stepnw1f]

3. DU's Pelosi/Harmon "feud" is the Genesis of digno dave

first time I have heard it.

[Captain Hilts]

4. Harmon is accused of being in the sack with AIPAC.

There's some investigation related to it.

On the Intel committee you need to be above reproach, so neither she nor Hastings should get the chair.

[Cocoa]

5. I think you have to read more about it

it's clearly not just a personal spat. I can't imagine how you would assume that, unless it's because they're women. There's been plenty reported about the substance behind the conflict.

You might start with the post above mine, about AIPAC.

[wyldwolf]

6. one viewpoint: NOT choosing Harmon means Pelosi isn't serious about 9/11 Commission

If Ms. Pelosi wants to implement the 9/11 commission recommendations, she needs to do it right. But it appears she may lack fidelity to the commission's proposals. She pledged to name a new chair to the House Intelligence Committee, removing Rep. Jane Harman, the current ranking member and most experienced Democrat on the committee. Ms. Harman's ouster goes against a key 9/11 commission recommendation that advocates for allowing long-term membership and leadership of a committee that requires expertise and experience to provide adequate oversight. Removing Ms. Harman at a time when we need strong intelligence supervision is a slap in the face to the 9/11 commission recommendations.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.commission15nov15,0,118828.story?coll=bal-oped-headlines

[PassingFair]

10. Ms. Harman kept illegal wiretapping information to herself.

THAT is a SLAP in the FACE to AMERICA!

[PassingFair]

7. Harmon is a war supporter.

A war CHEERLEADER.

She has actively worked against Pelosi
on peace initiatives.

I don't blame Pelosi for passing her by.

Here's Tom Hayden's take on the situation:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-hayden/why-jane-harman-should-be_b_21306.html


My question is why does Pelosi keep suggesting
slightly inappropriate alternatives?

I nominate Jan Schakowsky as Queen of the House.
She can chair ANY committee as far as I'm concerned.

[asjr]

8. Didn't Harmon also back Porter Goss

for CIA head?

[PassingFair]

9. Right you are. JOE LIEBERMAN IN A SKIRT!

Here she is on PBS's News Hour, championing his raping and pillaging of the CIA
during his short-lived tenure:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/fedagencies/july-dec04/cia_11-15.html

Fun stuff for a DEMOCRAT! And what GOOD company.

[Kahuna]

18. Yep! But also prettier and with a better personality..

Jane always reminds me of Cloris Leachman.

[Ninja Jordan]

11. "peace initiatives"?

[PassingFair]

12. What else would you call

Iraq withdrawal measures?

[Ninja Jordan]

13. Seems like the GOP introduced those (in order to trap Dems).

[PassingFair]

14. What do you mean? n/t

[Ninja Jordan]

15. House GOP "introduced" resolutions calling for immediate withdrawal.

The point was to get Dems to vote for immediate withdrawal, potentially hurting them politically. THe vast majority of democrats voted against the measures.

[PassingFair]

16. Dems wanted phased withdrawal.

Even Murtha.

[Ninja Jordan]

17. so?

I don't believe any such bill was introduced.