House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has made her decision for Democrats to participate in the Select Committee on Benghazi. It was a tough call -- on the one hand, participating would lend the perception of legitimacy to an otherwise obviously political stunt.
On the other hand, having representatives on the committee, as well as investigative staff, will give them access to what the Republicans are doing, prevent Republicans from selectively presenting only their witnesses and materials, and allow them to challenge distortions.
Apparently it came down to one man: Elijah Cummings, the ranking member of the Government Oversight Committee who has clashed with Darrell Issa and knows how to hold his own. Cummings will lead the Democratic group of five. The other four have already been on other committees that conducted their own investigations into Benghazi.
So it's a group with a lot of knowledge and a leader who is known for his lawerly skills, his blunt confrontational style when necessary, and the respect he has in the House.
So I would say this is probably the best outcome, given the Republicans' determination to forge ahead. But it's going to be a long, hot summer.
Ralph
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