Pelosi Publicly Rejects Hastings!

Wow, not even close to the earlier reports that Hastings would bow out. Pelosi threw him out of the race outright.

WASHINGTON - In a decision that could roil Democratic unity in the new House, Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi passed over Rep. Alcee Hastings Tuesday for the chairmanship of the Intelligence Committee.

Hastings, currently the No. 2 Democrat on the panel, had been aggressively making a case for the top position, supported by members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Critics pointed out that he had been impeached when he was a federal judge and said naming him to such a sensitive post would be a mistake just as the Democrats take over House control pledging reforms.

"I am obviously disappointed with this decision," Hastings, D-Fla., said in a statement thanking his supporters. "I will be seeking better and bigger opportunities in a Democratic Congress."

Hastings had to strike a martyrdom pose at the end, though:

In a sign of the bitterness that has surrounded the debate, Hastings closed his statement by saying: "Sorry, haters, God is not finished with me yet."

No, but Pelosi is finished with you. (By the way, Alcee, I don't really think anybody hated you. Held you in contempt for your behavior, yes; hate, no).