One former senior intelligence official said Mr. Kappes' appointment signals the end of reform at the CIA. "The bureaucrats have won" the battle to change the CIA, the former official said.
Rep. Peter Hoekstra, Michigan Republican and chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, recently wrote to President Bush that the appointment of Gen. Hayden as director and plans to name Mr. Kappes as his deputy "signal a retreat from needed reforms of the agency."
"Regrettably, the appointment of Mr. Kappes sends a clear signal that the days of collaborative reform between the White House and this committee may be over," Mr. Hoekstra said in the May 18 letter.
Mr. Hoekstra said he thinks Mr. Kappes will bring problems back to the CIA including "politicization" of the intelligence service.
Mr. Kappes appears to be part of a group of CIA officials who have undertaken a concerted effort to undermine Bush administration policies, Mr. Hoekstra stated, noting that Democrats in Congress who opposed Mr. Goss publicly supported Mr. Kappes' return to the CIA. Mr. Goss resigned earlier this year.
Mr. Hoekstra said Mr. Kappes and Mr. Sulik tried to "bypass" congressional oversight committees as part of a "personal agenda."
"Every day we suffer from the consequences of individuals promoting their personal agendas," Mr. Hoekstra stated. "This is clearly a place at which we do not want or need to be."
Wow. Not surpising..but what a disappointment.
At this time in history it's vital the president have reliable intel. One wonders just who he will get it from.
Thanks for the ping!