Later this morning (Tues.), the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform — led by Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ranking Member Tom Davis (R-VA) — will hold hearings on Bush administration political interference with climate scientists.

Now here’s a funny thing. Lauren Morello’s story for E&E (sub rqd.) contains this account of who will testify:

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Among those set to testify tomorrow is former government scientist Rick Piltz, who now directs the Government Accountability Project’s Climate Science Watch. … Also on the witness list are Drew Shindell, a climatologist at the NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies and a colleague of Hansen’s, and Francesca Grifo of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Notice any names missing? Ah yes, the press perennial Roger Pielke Jr. Surely this modern-day Zelig will not miss a chance to show his face? Nope, he won’t — he’s testifying.

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So how did he get added to the testimony list at this late hour?

I hear from reliable sources — and this was confirmed by Piltz — that the Republicans on the committee specifically requested Pielke Jr.

Now why would they do that?