tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post114685278718889512..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Goss Steps DownGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1146880989440951442006-05-05T22:03:00.000-04:002006-05-05T22:03:00.000-04:00Beth/El Jefe--I've read the leftist blogs, and so ...Beth/El Jefe--I've read the leftist blogs, and so far, there's no smoking gun that actually ties Goss to Cunningham bribery scandal. Just a lot of hopeful thinking for the Air America crowd, although Goss's handling of the Foggo situation may have been the final straw for Negroponte. As I pointed out a couple of days ago, the logical way to handle Foggo was to put him on unpaid administrative leave; instead, Goss left him on the payroll, as Mary McCarthy's old outfit--the CIA/IG--conducted the investigation.<BR/><BR/>Your point about the DNI "swallowing" the CIA isn't far off. As part of intel reform, the CIA is supposed to focus heavily on human intelligence and covert ops, with far less emphasis on analysis. In fact, one proposal has the Directorate of Analysis--essentially, more than half the agency--being placed under control of the National Intelligence Council (NIC), which provides overall guidance for intel analysis. <BR/><BR/>And who better to complete this transition than the guy who helped create the blueprint, General Mike Hayden. One more thought: if the CIA cabal thought Goss was bad, wait until Negroponte takes charge. Another ex-spook described him as the "ultimate ball breaker." Let me say this: no one has risen farther--or faster--in the Bush Administration than John Negroponte. He's one of those guys you'd describe as a velvet hammer; smooth, polished, but more than capable of lopping your head off and handing it to you with a smile. <BR/><BR/> <BR/>s oAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1146878559805759712006-05-05T21:22:00.000-04:002006-05-05T21:22:00.000-04:00As I said on my own blog...it looks to me like Neg...As I said on my own blog...it looks to me like Negroponte is the big winner here. <BR/><BR/>I can't believe that there is some scandal with Goss that wouldn't have been unearthed during his Senate protology exam. But something's sure up. I figured after the McCarthy business that a major purge was coming, but that Goss would be doing it. <BR/><BR/>Wonder if the CIA troublemakers are being given a message, sorta like Santa Anna putting up the red flag for the guys in the Alamo. Could Negroponte's group be getting ready to swallow CIA ?El Jefe Maximohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14661511063910659377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1146868288617953402006-05-05T18:31:00.000-04:002006-05-05T18:31:00.000-04:00What about the stupid meme from the lefty blogs th...What about the stupid meme from the lefty blogs that are saying he has some sex/Duke Cunningham scandal about to blow?<BR/><BR/>I don't buy it--I can't see a sudden departure because of that.<BR/><BR/>I smell bureaucratic politics too.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17205261634667523531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1146858554260196292006-05-05T15:49:00.000-04:002006-05-05T15:49:00.000-04:00Joe--General Hayden is not a political creature in...Joe--General Hayden is not a political creature in the sense that Goss was. Anyone at that level has to have political skills/sensibilities, but Gen Hayden is widely respected as an intelligence professional. He inherited similar problems at NSA; an entrenched civilian bureaucracy, reluctance to change, embrace new technology, etc. The biggest difference is that Hayden never had to deal with the "leak" culture he would inherit at Langley.<BR/><BR/>IMO, the biggest drawback against Hayden becoming CIA director is his general lack of experience in HUMINT. Gen Hayden came up on the SIGINT side of the house, as evidenced by his stint at NSA Director. However, his appointment as DDNI is an indication of the respect he commands, and his skills to work across the Intel Community. If there's anyone who could win rapid confirmation, it's Mike Hayden. But again, with the CIA focusing more on human intel and covert ops, Hayden might be viewed as having an "incomplete" resume. <BR/><BR/>If I were sitting in the Oval Office, Hayden would be my first choice. Having said that, most recent directors have come from a Capitol Hill/White House background, and that pattern may continue. And quite frankly, General Hayden may be happy as DDNI. At this stage in his career, I'm not sure if he wants to finish slaying the dragons at Langley. <BR/><BR/>Dymphna--Anything is possible, but absent more specific proof, I don't think any "new" revelations" emerged from Goss's past. He underwent a major vetting to get confirmed as CIA Director, and I'm sure that everything was examined, including the "raw" data in his FBI file. <BR/><BR/>I will say this: Filegate was THE seminal Clinton scandal. 900 FBI files equals a ton of dirt, to be used carefully over the next 10-20 years.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1146856664990447632006-05-05T15:17:00.000-04:002006-05-05T15:17:00.000-04:00Spook--Do you think the Clintonistas, armed with e...Spook--<BR/><BR/>Do you think the Clintonistas, armed with everyone's skeletons, are behind this? From the very beginning, when Hillary had personnel records illegally pulled and sent to the White House, I thought we were in it for the long haul.<BR/><BR/>Is this payback, in your opinion?<BR/><BR/>Do you have any Machiavellan ideas here?Dymphnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11332644582520636279noreply@blogger.com