Posted on 05/07/2006 9:19:39 AM PDT by prairiebreeze
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The general considered the Bush administration's likely choice to become CIA director would be the "wrong person at the wrong place at the wrong time," the Republican head of the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee said on Sunday.
Gen. Michael Hayden, former director of the National Security Agency, has been widely cited in the media as the President George W. Bush's expected pick to lead the CIA following the ouster of CIA director Porter Goss.
"We should not have a military person leading a civilian agency at this time," Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, told "Fox News Sunday."
He said the Department of Defense, which has its own intelligence agencies, had been the biggest opponent to intelligence reform and that there were continuing tensions between the CIA and the Defense Department.
"I think putting a general in charge, regardless of how good Mike is, putting a general charge is going to send the wrong signal to the agency here in Washington but also to our agents in the field around the world," Hoekstra said.
"The bottom line: I do believe he is the wrong person at the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.
He said the perception would be that the CIA was under the sway of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Hoekstra said the White House had discussed several possible candidates with him, and his views on Hayden would not be a surprise to the Bush administration.
Yet you felt compelled to go on TV and flap your jaws to Wallace. Nice.
The House doesn't get a say in the matter.
The Republican Party shoots itself in the foot again. Such losers and whimps we have in our ranks.
"We should not have a military person leading a civilian agency at this time,"
Perhaps a little military style accountability is just what the doctor ordered?
Who cares what an obscure representative thinks about it? It's not like he gets a vote.
"We should not have a military person leading a civilian agency at this time,"
Perhaps a little military style accountability is just what the doctor ordered?
Pete Hoekstra is widely respected conservative. I greatly value his opinion on a wide range is issues, including national security, the war on terror, immigration, etc.
I find it interesting that the White House consulted with him.
Ollie North for CIA Director!
Its time for all the left and the RINOS to make their first stage appearance against this appointee.
They just have to have their TV time in the spot light for the left.
Sixty two yrs. old, and I have never seen such spineless pieces of scum from the GOP.
It's as though they want to loose the upcoming elections to the left.
As some-ones post this past weak, may-be they need to loose,
they seem to do better work when they are in the minority.
What we need is butt-kicking seriousness, competency and a "just git er done" attitude in the CIA. If putting a general in charge will accomplish that, then I'm all for it.
I stand corrected.
I'd respect him more, though, if he shared his opinions with Bush and not the media.
"We should not have a military person leading a civilian agency at this time,"
I don't care if Hoekstra is a "conservative". This statement is idiotic on it's face and particularly so coming from a Republican. Jimmy Carter's CIA man was an Admiral. General Hayden has already lead a civilian agency.
These kind of gratuitous statements by Hoekstra undermine the President and the WOT. He should be ashamed.
I guess Hockstra hasn't read any Tom Clancy novels. The Admiral did just fine.
"We should not have a military person leading a civilian agency at this time," Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, told "Fox News Sunday."
I agree. He should resign first then take over the agency.
i agree but this is what happens when a Prez has a 35% approval rating
he would.
but these naysayers, led by Hoekstra, won't be happy with that either.
what the hell are these guys protecting at CIA, what "culture" is it there that cannot be disturbed? I wouldn't mind if the "culture" was working to serve US security interests, but clearly the place is in need of major cleanups.
The Republican Party shoots itself in the foot again. Such losers and whimps we have in our ranks.
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Can you believe it? What a bunch of idiots. I could see give and take at some other time/place...like behind closed doors..but in an election year with the danger of Stretch pelosi Skerry and Kennedy's party getting more control...Please shut up Republicans.
Just what the doctor ordered, IMO.
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