Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich has, time and again, proven to be one of the most courageous members of the House. He has stood up to Democratic and Republican presidents when he thought they were wrong, especially on issues of war and peace. And he has brought determination, a notable work ethic and a  flare for using the bully pulpit to the task of challenging the most powerful interests in Washington and on Wall Street.

Now he wants to make sure the House remains focused on real issues in the coming Congress, as opposed to partisan witchhunts and ideological positioning. As such, he is asking his fellow Democrats to make him the ranking member on the powerful Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Kucinich, who currently chairs the Domestic Policy Subcommittee on the oversight panel, would like to be the top Democrat on the committee in the new Republican-controlled Congress.

While other members have seniority, Kucinich is arguing that he is best prepared to take the lead in preventing the new Republican chair of the committee, California Congressman Darrell Issa, from turning its sessions into platforms for smearing President Obama and his administration. Issa has proposed to hold "hundreds of hearings" to go after the administration and its policies. Kucinich, who has often clashed with the White House, is not against accountability. But he is against lies and innuendo, excessive partisanship and the new McCarthyism.

Senior Democrats on the oversight committee, including the current ranking member, New York Congressman Ed Towns, share Kucinich’s views and values. Towns would like to remain in the ranking position, and his office says: "Chairman Towns has clearly stated that any attempt to use this committee as a political weapon are intolerable and he will lead a strong and unified resistance against any such effort."

Despite the tough talk, Issa has indicated that he would prefer working with Towns, as the two did with relative smoothness during the last Congress.

The Congressional Black Caucus has, as well, signaled its support for Towns. So there is certainly no guarantee that Kucinich, a former presidential candidate who has not always been close to the Democratic leadership, is going to move up to the ranking member slot.

But Kucinich is making a case to fellow Democrats that they need him in this position at this moment.

His letter to caucus members puts the argument this way:

Dear Colleague:

Perhaps the most crucial vote you will cast in the reorganization of the 112^th Congress involves the Ranking Member position of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.  This is because the presumptive Chair of the full Committee, Rep. Darrell Issa of California, has already made wild and unsubstantiated charges which threaten to turn the principal oversight committee of the House into a witch hunt.

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In just the past week, he has indicated a telling enthusiasm for a broad probe into the $700 billion American Reinvestment and Recovery Act program.  He has equated it with “walking around money.”  As you know, that is political slang for money off the books and under the table.  He made this unsubstantiated claim in the context of promising hundreds of investigative hearings into the present Administration, calling President Obama “one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times.” I immediately sent Mr. Issa a letter (attached) calling for him to produce the evidence for such charges or to retract his statement.

Mr. Issa, through his eagerness to make unsubstantiated charges and to draw conclusions in advance of evidence, reveals a lack of restraint and basic fairness.  This conduct in the Chairman of the Committee will degrade Congress’ oversight credibility and undermine the institution of the House through a lack of restraint in the use of subpoena power. 

We cannot simply stand by idly and hope that such a reckless approach to the use of the power of the Chair will not happen, especially since it is not only being promised, but demonstrated by the person who will hold the gavel.

It is a matter of the highest importance that any intemperate use of the power of the Chair be challenged at every turn.

Accordingly, I have decided to step forward as a candidate for Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.  In that capacity, here is my pledge to you and our fellow members of the House:

 1.   Zero tolerance for smears and innuendo.  Every single statement by Chairman Issa which is lacking in respect for the process of oversight, every unsubstantiated allegation or any publically pronounced assumption which lacks basic fairness will be promptly challenged.

2.    I will encourage a team approach on the Committee which will tap the talents of all members to actively participate in responding to any abuse of process.

3.   All members will receive weekly updates of oversight activities to be able to provide input.

4.   Cooperation with Chairman Issa when, and only when, he proceeds in an even-handed manner which demonstrates basic fairness and respect for due process.

In the past two Congresses, the Domestic Policy Subcommittee, which I chaired, held over sixty hearings and heard testimony from hundreds of witnesses.  We received testimony from Democratic and Republican administrations alike, proceeding in a deliberate and methodical manner, through thorough questioning of witnesses.

As Chairman, I worked closely with the Obama Administration.  As a result of my advocacy and the multiple hearings that my Subcommittee held on foreclosure prevention, the Treasury Department created a $15 billion nationwide principle reduction program for “underwater” borrowers and now will allow flexibility in the use of federal foreclosure prevention funds by state housing agencies so that they can hire foreclosure prevention counselors. 

Aggressive and thorough oversight is never to be feared.  It is a goal.  Now, with the change in the leadership of the Committee, we must be ready to preserve that goal tirelessly, courageously and unstintingly.  That is the only way we can defend the integrity of congressional oversight from becoming an abusive power.  

I ask for your consideration and your vote for Ranking Member of the full Committee.