Pelosi’s Katrina Panel Boycott Irks Some in Democratic Caucus

[Gloria]

Pelosi’s Katrina Panel Boycott Irks Some in Democratic Caucus

By Erin P. Billings
Roll Call Staff

September 26, 2005

While the interparty battle over the makeup of the committee
investigating Hurricane Katrina captures the public's attention,
an internal fight has been brewing quietly among House
Democrats over Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.)
decision to block her party from participating in the probe.

Sources say that some in the Democratic Caucus, including both
rank-and-file and senior Members, have been privately questioning
whether Pelosi has misplayed her political hand by refusing to
impanel her Members to the select oversight committee.


SNIP

The Democratic divisions came to a head last week at a closed-door
leadership meeting in which several high-ranking Members raised
questions about Pelosi's stance. Sources said that Reps. Henry
Waxman (D-Calif.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.) in particular expressed
concern to Pelosi that not participating could prove dangerous for
Democrats seeking answers about what went wrong.

SNIP

Despite her official stance, Pelosi has given her blessing to three
of her Louisiana Members to take part. Two of them, Reps. Gene
Taylor and Charlie Melancon, have decided to participate in the
committee hearings that began Thursday.

SNIP

But one Democratic staffer familiar with the select committee said
the decision to allow Taylor and Melancon to participate makes
Pelosi's position even trickier to navigate.

"Now we have to explain that yeah, the Democrats are seating some
Members," this aide said. "That's even more gray for the public."

MORE

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/51_28/news/10641-1.html

[Gloria]

1. Other Dem names in article...this is good full read....

eom

[aquart]

2. No Democrat should be in those hearings.

[Doremus]

4. Agreed. If it were repigs, you know they wouldn't either.

It's a farce, a photo op masquerading as an investigation and Pelosi is absolutely right.

When the show starts, the rest of the members should hold a press conference and tell them exactly why they're boycotting.

[catnhatnh]

3. Yeah but.....

...Pelosi's stand has to do with Dem's lack of subpoena power,while not allowing La. reps on could kill their political careers...If the American voter can't follow that "gray" than perhaps we deserve to sink....

[KoKo]

5. You have to subscribe to read...but isn't it the Progressive Caucus that's

fighting her on this? Henry Waxman and John Dingle? Henry Waxman is a good guy whose been cataloging all the Bush stuff since the Selection.

I trust him more than Pelosi on this. It's kind of hard to know since I can't read the rest of the article to find out who else is protesting Pelosi's decision on this. :shrug: Can you give some more names?

[TankLV]

6. It's one of the few good things she's done. She better stick to her guns

On this.

If we cave on this - we lose it all bigtime in '06.

The public will see that the Dems caved AGAIN!

WE've got to stand firm on this!

We'd better stand firm on this!

[ladylibertee]

7. "Pelosi’s Katrina Panel Boycott Irks Some in Democratic Caucus"

I am on her side.The panel is a joke and it is Biased.I have no problem with her decision to boycott those "fixed" hearings.