Bush Ends Goss's Stormy Tenure By Forcing Him Out as CIA Chief

Washinghton Post ^ | 5/6/06 | Dafna Linzer and Walter Pincus

[hipaatwo]

Porter J. Goss was forced to step down yesterday as CIA director, ending a turbulent 18-month tenure marked by an exodus of some of the agency's top talent and growing White House dissatisfaction with his leadership during a time of war.

Seated next to President Bush in the Oval Office, Goss, a Republican congressman from Florida before he took over the CIA, said he was "stepping aside" but gave no reason for the departure. Bush, who did not name a successor, said he had accepted the resignation and thanked Goss for his service.

"Porter's tenure at the CIA was one of transition, where he's helped this agency become integrated into . . . the intelligence community," Bush said. "That was a tough job, and he's led ably." Bush said he had developed a "very close personal relationship" with Goss, who succeeded George J. Tenet at the agency's helm in September 2004.

But senior administration officials said Bush had lost confidence in Goss, 67, almost from the beginning and decided months ago to replace him. In what was described as a difficult meeting in April with Director of National Intelligence John D. Negroponte, Goss was told to prepare to leave by May, according to several officials with knowledge of the conversation.

(snip)

"Regrettably, Porter Goss's tenure as director of the CIA was a tumultuous one," said Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), vice chairman of the intelligence panel. "We must have a leader with strong credentials, a demonstrated track record of independence and objectivity, and the ability to bring much needed harmony within the ranks."

[BigSkyFreeper]

I am really disappointed in Bush.

Must be the surge in his poll numbers that has you down.

[hipaatwo]

LOL chicken.

[Txsleuth]

LOL...you are right....I am so afraid that if I post an article I will have like 20 freepers post, THIS HAS BEEN POSTED LIKE A HUNDRED TIMES, DOPE!....

[justshutupandtakeit]

This is undoubtedly a LIE through and through.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Except they are going to get the "Bad Cop, Worse Cop" routine. Lol.

[hosepipe]

Washington Post? how do they know this.. LEAKS?...

[Jackie]

.
You are uninformed.
.

[CharlesWayneCT]

WHen the news was first announced, most of the commentators suggested it was a "sudden" move and "surprised Bush".

This story now turns tables, suggesting this was a long time coming.

[caveat emptor]

While we never know for sure what happens within the CIA, I hope and pray that Goss's tenure was short because he was sent in with one mission: to get some scalps. Once said scalps were gotten, Goss could safely be replaced by someone to rebuild the agency.

Sounds like Mission Accomplished to me.

[jwh_Denver]

"Try to get over it."

Is that your answer for everything? Just take a Valium?

[sinkspur]

Is that your answer for everything? Just take a Valium?

No. I said try to get over it.

If you choose to use artificial methods, that's your business.

[jwh_Denver]

Your little happy ship happens to be the Titanic. Enjoy your blissfully ignorant stay.

[Valpal1]

Except they are going to get the "Bad Cop, Worse Cop" routine. Lol.

From your lips to God's ears, I can only hope and pray. I am so fed up with DC crapola. I am sick and tired of national security being a political football.

[sinkspur]

Toke on, dude.

[jwh_Denver]

And try to catch up with you? Not my style.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Doubt this WaPo story, don't think Bush would have forced him out without forethought and immediate announcement of replacement.

[Cincinna]

Robert Novak says there is a lot more to this story, and it will eventually come out.

The Prince of Darkness is very often right.

[LS]

His replacement is the guy who RAN the NSA intercepts program. Sounds to me like Bush isn't backing off one iota.

[Chgogal]

Yesterday, on "Big Story", Novak said the CIA Clinton moles went to foreign consulates/embassies and PURPOSEFULLY sabotaged Bush's Protect America First policy. If that is true......very upsetting if true.