[cyncooper]

First, to the extent possible, he will return the agency's clandestine branch to its adventurous, gun-toting days of yore. Second, he will be ruthlessly loyal to George W. Bush.

Excellent. From what I know of Goss, he'll be "ruthlessly" loyal to these United States.

Goss also came to Bush's aid a few months earlier, during the Joseph Wilson-Valerie Plame scandal. One would think that a former CIA spy might be appalled by reports that a White House official had publicly exposed the identity of an undercover agent, especially as an act of political retaliation against the agent's spouse. The blatant politicization of intelligence is, or should be, anathema to any professional spy—or prospective CIA director.

Poor misguided and deluded Slate. Are they stupid or deceitful? They don't get or refuse to see that the Plame scandal has nothing to do with the WH doing a damn thing wrong and Goss standing by the Bush administration while that false charge is made is to be admired, not reviled. Goss was and probably is horrified at the political chicanery that was taking place within the CIA and is just the man to start cleaning it up.

[Former Military Chick]

Frankly I do not read much of Slate. Perhaps for the reason you have illustrated. But, I would like to know what is being said prior to his confirmation hearings.

No doubt they (democrats) will pull out every trick they know to disparage this man's reputation.

[Howlin]

First, to the extent possible, he will return the agency's clandestine branch to its adventurous, gun-toting days of yore.

Good!!!!

[Howlin]

ROFLMAO.........you sure can sniff those Wilson/Plame quotes out.....I should have known you'd see that one!