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Centrist Democrats Back Harman For Chairman

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November 16, 2006 3:45 PM

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos reports: The conservative Democratic coalition known as the Blue Dogs sent a letter to Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) urging her to appoint her California colleague Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) as chair of the Intelligence Committee.  In praising Harman's experience, the coalition wrote "she exemplifies all the reasons the American people instilled their trust in our Party on November 7th to protect them here and abroad. We believe she is supremely qualified for the job."  It has been widely speculated that Pelosi does not appear inclined to appoint Harman to chair the committee where she has been serving as ranking member for 4 years.  Read the full letter below.

November 16, 2006
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Leader Pelosi:

As members of the Blue Dog Coalition, we are writing today to express our strong support for our colleague Congresswoman Jane Harman's appointment as Chair of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Over the last four years, Congresswoman Harman has served as Ranking Member of the Intelligence Committee with skill and distinction.   During her tenure, she has helped lead the bipartisan reorganization and reform of our intelligence community and has served as a strong voice for Congressional oversight of the Administration and its national security policies.   Furthermore, both our Caucus and Party have counted on Congresswoman Harman to answer forcefully and credibly to partisan critics who have questioned Democrats' commitment to protecting our nation.

In short, she exemplifies all the reasons the American people instilled their trust in our Party on November 7th to protect them here and abroad.   We believe she is supremely qualified for the job.

As you prepare to lead the 110th Congress, we recognize that you have much to consider when selecting committee chairs, especially one of such national importance as the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.   We have given our full confidence to Congresswoman Harman to lead the Intelligence Committee and respectfully request that you do the same.

Sincerely,

Rep. Barrow
Rep. Bean
Rep. Boswell
Rep. Cardoza
Rep. Case
Rep. Chandler
Rep. Cooper
Rep. Costa
Rep. Cramer
Rep. Lincoln Davis
Rep. Herseth
Rep. Holden
Rep. Israel
Rep. Matheson
Rep. Melancon
Rep. Michaud
Rep. Moore
Rep. Peterson
Rep. Pomeroy
Rep. Ross
Rep. Salazar
Rep. Schiff
Rep. Tanner

November 16, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (3)

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Good Grief this is about 9 or 10% of the democrats in the house. Why do they feel they have so much power. There were more progressive house members elected than "blue dogs" - maybe they should be called "red dogs".

I personally like Jane Harman but I do not understand why this group is trying to throw power around like they have it.

Posted by: lm | Nov 16, 2006 6:43:12 PM

I have a great deal of respect for Nancy Pelosi. She is a thoughtful and dedicated leader and very strong. I also have a great deal of respect for Jane Harman, who has shown publicly what she has thought about the way the war was waged and conducted. It's obvious that she should have the leadership of the Intelligence Committee, and hope that Nancy Pelosi agrees, no matter what her thoughts personally are about Jane Harman. Thank you

Posted by: dolly ellen Friedman | Nov 20, 2006 2:56:22 PM

FYI, this list of signers is not correct. TPM has the full list, and several Blue Dogs listed on this letter are not on the actual copy sent to Pelosi.

Posted by: JHarry | Nov 25, 2006 10:06:55 PM

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