The Democrats’ cold war

Re “Pelosi-Harman friction strains Democrats’ unity,” Nov. 21

If incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) were a patriot instead of a politician, she would set aside her personal animosities and appoint Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) as chairwoman of the vital Intelligence Committee. Harman, as everyone acknowledges, is far and away the most qualified Democrat. That Pelosi’s other consideration in this essential matter is meeting racial quotas for blacks and Latinos makes her posture all the more egregious.

If the Democrats want to be seen as a responsible party that can be trusted with our vital interests, this parochial game-playing had better stop soon.

ROBERT CHANDLER

Beverly Hills

*

Your article on the bad blood between Pelosi and Harman almost entirely ignores the important policy issue involved, but finally notes Harman’s alignment with “heavy hitters from the foreign policy establishment.”

The leader of the influential House Intelligence Committee will have a uniquely important role in monitoring President Bush’s foreign policy.

The American people need representatives who will challenge the “fixing” of American intelligence by the defense establishment and who will work tirelessly to restore America’s moral leadership. That was one theme of the stunning Democratic victory in the midterm elections.

For the good of our nation, Pelosi must remember that this appointment involves much more than personal relationships.

JOHN STRAIN

Redondo Beach

*

Nowhere in this story about the differences between Pelosi and Harman do you mention the most obvious and significant issue dividing them: the war in Iraq.

Pelosi voted against granting Bush the authority to use force in Iraq and has adamantly opposed the war. Harman was a hawk on the war from the beginning and resolutely backed the Pentagon and the intelligence community as the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

In fact, her surreptitious participation in the secret White House briefings that led to the scandal of domestic spying by intelligence agencies without warrants now renders her completely unfit to chair the Intelligence Committee.

How could Pelosi possibly be expected to appoint somebody as compromised as Harman to head the very panel that will be investigating the misdemeanors of the intelligence community?

CLIVE LEEMAN

Ojai