Bush Considers Replacing Tenet More Quickly

[kskiska]

WASHINGTON, June 21 — The White House is actively debating whether to act this summer to select a permanent successor to George J. Tenet, the director of central intelligence, who is scheduled to step down on July 11, Congressional officials and others involved in the discussions said Monday.

John McLaughlin, Mr. Tenet's top deputy, was chosen earlier this month by President Bush to take over as acting director. But Mr. Bush is now reconsidering an earlier plan to leave Mr. McLaughlin in place through the November election, the Congressional officials and others said.

Among those being mentioned within the administration and in Congress is Representative Porter J. Goss of Florida, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Mr. Goss, 65, served for about 10 years as a Central Intelligence Agency case officer, beginning in the early 1960's.

(snip)

Mr. McLaughlin is highly regarded, but White House officials have said a central motivation for keeping him on is to avoid a confirmation battle in the Senate this summer. Now, however, people involved in the discussion say that plan is being revisited out of concern that a failure to select a permanent successor may be both a practical and political mistake.

One hypothetical situation reportedly being discussed within the White House is how Mr. Bush would be perceived by the public if there is another terrorist attack against an American target before the election and an acting intelligence chief is still in place.

more…
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/22/politics/22INTE.html?hp

[uhhuh]

1. Porter Goss...hmmm.

" Rep. Porter Goss said Thursday that the uproar over allegations that White House officials purposely identified a covert CIA agent appears largely political and doesn't yet merit an investigation by the House Select Committee on Intelligence, which he chairs."


http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2003310030460

Goss on other issues:

http://www.issues2000.org/FL/Porter_Goss_Civil_Rights.htm

Can you say, HARDCORE NEOCON?

[Bok_Tukalo]

2. Sounds political

The Democrats cannot afford to be seen as stonewalling the appointment of such an important position during the "War on Terror" just before an election. It's a 2002 propaganda home run for the Republicans all over again.

The Legislative Branch must have pushed for this showdown. Looks like the Republicans get their man in the CIA for awhile.

Sorry. Is that tin foil?

[grasswire]

3. ah, but look on the bright side...

...confirmation hearings for a CIA director will allow an opportunity for Dems to drag a whole lot of Bushco failures before cameras.

[Bok_Tukalo]

4. That's a long list

Do you think they'll have time?

[maryallen]

5. That would be true if we had an "Opposition" party,

But we don't ...

[Rowdyboy]

6. They have no desire for a divisive confirmation fight over

Porter "Coverup" Goss. I don't believe the senate Dems would allow this vote to happen, even if it required a filibuster. McLaughlin is in until, at least, the election.