Pelosi in a Pinch
Is House Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi already backing down on one of the Democratic Party’s main campaign planks?
During the campaign, Pelosi and her party pledged to implement any recommendations of the 9/11 commission which have yet to be enacted. Well, the commission argued that “members should serve indefinitely on the intelligence committees, without set terms, thereby letting them accumulate expertise.” But Pelosi’s people have been citing term limits as a main reason for trying to block Democratic Rep. Jane Harman, an initial supporter of the Iraq war, from becoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee (click here for backgrounder).
Harman’s campaign for the job has generated support in some circles, but may also have gotten her into some trouble. Before this is over, Pelosi will have to come up with a different reason for dumping Harman or appear to betray a pretty black-and-white campaign promise.
A message from our editor-in-chief Jodi Rudoren
![](https://forward.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Jodi-Headshot.jpg)
We're building on 127 years of independent journalism to help you develop deeper connections to what it means to be Jewish today.
With so much at stake for the Jewish people right now — war, rising antisemitism, a high-stakes U.S. presidential election — American Jews depend on the Forward's perspective, integrity and courage.
— Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief