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WP:
We wish we could be as enthusiastic about Ms. Pelosi's choice to head the intelligence committee. In an interview with Congressional Quarterly's http://CQ.com, the incoming chairman, Silvestre Reyes (D-Tex.), exhibited a troubling lack of familiarity with basic knowledge that ought to be expected of someone in that important position. Asked whether al-Qaeda was Sunni or Shiite, Mr. Reyes replied, "Al-Qaeda, they have both . . . Predominantly -- probably Shiite." In fact, al-Qaeda's members are adherents of the Sunni branch of Islam and their viciousness toward Shiites is a key fact of recent Iraqi history. Mr. Reyes also flubbed a question about Hezbollah.
In a telephone interview, Mr. Reyes said he had misunderstood some of the questions but added, "My position is I screwed it up and will admit it and move on from there." As to doubts about his capabilities, he said, "It's my expectation that people, once they get an opportunity to see my work, won't have that doubt."
We hope he's right. In our interview, Mr. Reyes said he was not enthusiastic about some of the recommendations by the Iraq Study Group but couldn't name them. "I can't speak to the specifics, some I was not enthused about in there," he said. "Let me defer until I get my book. I know I tabbed and highlighted it." Mr. Reyes has a steep learning curve ahead.