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| Senators Push for Quick CIA Nomination | |
| 2004-07-12 | |
A Senate report detailing serious flaws in U.S. intelligence-gathering highlights the urgent need for a permanent CIA director given the current terrorist threat, leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee said Sunday. "An acting director for the next six or seven months, during such a dangerous period for the United States, with all of these talks about attacks on the United States, is not acceptable," said West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the committee's top Democrat. The chairman, Sen. Pat Roberts, said McLaughlin's ability to lead is limited as acting director even though he is "very skilled" and brings a lot of experience to the job. "I hope the administration will send somebody up," said Roberts, R-Kan. "It will have to be an extraordinary nominee. If that's the case, we will go full time into the hearings to get him or her confirmed." Committee members discussed several possible nominees: Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage; former Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga.; House Intelligence Committee Chairman Porter Goss, R-Fla.; and former Navy Secretary John Lehman, a member of the commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks. The White House gave no indication Sunday about when Bush would name a permanent director. "Acting director McLaughlin is a strong and capable leader," said Erin Healy, a White House spokeswoman. "The president will make a decision on a new CIA director in due course."
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| Posted by:Steve White |
| #9 Since listening to Rockerfeller's disingenuous diatribe at the "official release" of the Senate Unintelligence Circus findings, I have elevated him to the level of the French Diplo Corps - whatever he's for, it's reasonable to begin with positioning yourself opposite. Since he's calling for the quick naming of Tenet's replacement... |
| Posted by: .com 2004-07-12 2:20:53 PM |
| #8 Sam Nunn the non neo-neo. A demo-proto progessive sort of conservative. Besides, he's got the bloodlines and is a good Mason. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-07-12 12:58:30 PM |
| #7 If the Dems are looking for political theater, I'd predict that once again it will blow back at them come election time. I certainly wouldn't look for any Democrat Senator who is up for re-election this year to make too much noise. If that fellow from Georgia could be unseated, it could happen to any of them, too. |
| Posted by: eLarson 2004-07-12 11:42:37 AM |
| #6 Rockefeller and the dems just want political theater and W bashing in confirmation hearings. Acting Director is fine for that time when there's continuity. I agree, Armitage would spread State Dept disease |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-07-12 9:53:15 AM |
| #5 Frum backs Lehman. |
| Posted by: someone 2004-07-12 9:11:52 AM |
| #4 choose a leader who is not afraid to get his hands bloody I nominate Old Spook |
| Posted by: Steve 2004-07-12 8:29:33 AM |
| #3 I think it's time to get back to the old OSS days and choose a leader who is not afraid to get his hands bloody. Are there any aggressive ex-agents with paramilitary experience who have a knack for organizational and political skills. |
| Posted by: ed 2004-07-12 7:01:32 AM |
| #2 Who ever it is , the decision shoulds be based on ability not Political Correctness |
| Posted by: cheaderhead 2004-07-12 6:32:00 AM |
| #1 No on Richard Armitage, who called Iran a democracy. Sam Nunn possibly; Lehman blew a gasket at the NY Police and Fire Fighters, a woeful move. |
| Posted by: Capt America 2004-07-12 1:53:13 AM |