The Rev. Al Sharpton ‘wants to see some returns.’ What? This over Nancy Pelosi’s choice, Alcee Hastings, to become chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, one of the most vital and sensitive positions, in terms of national security, in government. And Rev. Sharpton says Alcee Hastings is the man. Nothing would make Nancy happier. For her, history began this morning. Nancy Pelosi voted to impeach him.
Mr. Hastings, your resume shows as a federal judge you were impeached by the house and convicted in the senate for taking bribes. Thanks anyway. We’re looking for someone with a history of integrity, not just recent history.
Aside from that, there’s more about Alcee Hastings than his being impeached as a federal judge for his bribery problems. His accomplice in that investigation, William Borders, was criminally convicted and went to prison. Borders also refused to testify against Hastings and Hastings was acquitted. And Borders got out of prison when Bill Clinton pardoned him on his last day in office. Well isn’t that special?
Byron York points out that the pardon documents given to Clinton listed Borders’ crime this way:
“Conspiracy to corruptly solicit and accept money in return for influencing the official acts of a federal district court judge (Alcee L. Hastings), and to defraud the United States in connection with the performance of lawful government functions; corruptly influencing, obstructing, impeding and endeavoring to influence, obstruct and impede the due administration of justice, and aiding and abetting therein; traveling interstate with intent to commit bribery.”
Sharpton is calling Democrats to task, starting with his post on the Huffington Post. His point is that the Dems couldn’t have tilted the balance of power in Washington without 90 percent of the black vote. That’s a fact, but wasn’t his point. Rev. Al Sharpton’s point is there aren’t enough minorities in the Democrat ranks of influence. Its another ‘Bryant Gumbel‘ moment. Al just noticed a ‘paucity of blacks’ in the Democrat ranks, and his reaction is more like a ‘you owe us’ challenge to the Democrat leadership.
Hastings’ record what it is, I’m sure we could do better. And, btw, I don’t care what color his/her skin is, unlike Rev. Sharpton. I do care about the integrity of a person considered for that position, which ranks above skin color for me.
Byron York @ NRO: Hastings says he’s a victim of politics.