David Corn, Washington editor of The Nation, makes a compelling argument in his Capital Games blog for why Nancy Pelosi should name Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ-12) to chair the House Intelligence Committee. Holt is not the ranking member of the committee and the politics don't favor his appointment, but logic and the congressman's credentials favor it, and the netroots should favor the congressman as well. Congressman Holt is a friend to web loggers and Net Neutrality and is one of the members of Congress who "gets it" when it comes to this powerful communications medium.
Here's what Corn had to say...
...about the congressman's credentials:
Which brings us to Rush Holt. He is a former Princeton University physicist and past intelligence analyst at the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research. He specialized in nuclear matters. He knows much about the intelligence bureaucracy and about weapons proliferation and loose nukes, critical national security priorities. First elected in 1998, Holt has not been shy about confronting the administration and the intelligence agencies. He voted against granting George W. Bush the authority to invade Iraq. He has challenged the administration's policies on the detention and questioning of suspected terrorists, arguing the White House has not been mindful enough of civil liberties. He also was one of the few Democrats to charge on to the House floor to oppose the Republicans when they sought to intervene in the Terri Schiavo affair. The Courier News of Bridgewater, New Jersey, endorsed Holt's reelection this year and noted, "Holt offers the kind of intelligence, reasonable and decisive voice that has been all too lacking inside the Beltway during the partisan wars of recent years. But Holt's value in Congress goes beyond that; he has developed a reputation as a thinking man's congressman, a scientist by trade who provides more thoughtful analysis on issues than most lawmakers." Holt calls for beginning a gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. He has warned the administration not to hype the intelligence on Iran's nuclear weapon program, noting the "intelligence on Iran is poor, contradictory, or both."
Holt is the right choice. I hope you agree with me and express your support. Write or call Nancy Pelosi and let her know that the netroots support Rush Holt for House Intelligence Committee chair.