Democrats, Hypocrisy, and Alcee Hastings

We're going to find out soon whether the Democrats actually want to be taken seriously when it comes to matters of national security.

As previously posted here, the leading contender to be the new Chair of the House Intelligence Committee is Alcee Hastings, a former federal judge who was impeached and convicted of bribery. Not exactly the kind of person one wants in charge of national secrets. I continue to find it shocking that he has served on the committee at all, let alone that he is a serious contender to be its chair. (In fact, I find it shocking he was elected to Congress...a sad commentary on his constituents.)

Many of those who now support Hastings for this post were among those who voted to impeach Hastings. Particularly noteworthy is Rep. John Conyers, who argued for Hastings' conviction in the Senate trial; now Conyers, along with the rest of the Congressional Black Caucus, supports Hastings in his quest to head Intelligence.

Perhaps I should be wishing for the Democrats to install Hastings in this position, as it would make a great election issue, but sometimes national security is more important than politics.

Unfortunately, it's quite apparent that racial politics and political back-scratching is more important to some members of Congress than national security.