A New Sheriff in Town?

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May 06, 2006

A New Sheriff in Town?

Greyhawk

The leading choice to replace Porter Goss at the CIA is reportedly Air Force General Michael Hayden. The New York Times expects he'll come under fire from certain quarters, for certain perceived transgressions. John Hinderaker says "bring it on".

If one ignores the actual person, there's admittedly something a bit unsettling about a military member in charge of the nation's "civilian" spy agency. The tinfoil hat brigades will have a field day.

Update: This ought to send them fleeing to Canada - "A military officer would be in charge of every major spy agency if President Bush nominates Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden to run the CIA."

Posted by Greyhawk at 05:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) |

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It is not like it would be the first time. Look up the list of DCIA and you will find GEN/ADMs several times in their short history.
Especially when a house cleaning was needed.

Posted by dj elliott at May 6, 2006 06:54 PM

DCIs that were Flag Officers:

RAdm Sidney Souers, USNR Jan 46-Jun 46
LGen Hoyt S. Vandenberg, USA Jun 46-May 47
RAdm Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter, USN May 47-Oct 50
Gen Walter Bedell Smith, USA Oct 50-Feb 53
VAdm William Raborn, USN (Ret.) Apr 65-Jun 66
Adm Stansfield Turner, USN (Ret.) Mar 77-Jan 81

And most civilian DCIs had military experience.

Posted by dj elliott at May 6, 2006 08:22 PM

Wasn't he in charge of the NSA?

Posted by Richard1 at May 7, 2006 01:46 AM

But the problem with the tinfoil hat brigade is that while they might decry Hayden's nomination/confirmation, they go weak in the knees anytime a military man criticizes Rumsfeld.

I'm not sure there are such things as "partial" coups...but I'm sure that won't stop 'em from calling for it...

Posted by Army Lawyer at May 7, 2006 02:08 AM

Heyden just tacked on another star and doesn't have enough time served to retire at that rank, but the POTUS could waive that off. Thus he would be ex mil and run the spookville nuthouse.

Posted by SlimGuy at May 7, 2006 04:27 AM

just a note here my time shows 11:32 pm on the 6th and the timestamp on my previous post shows 04:27th on the 7th are we on GMT or what?

Expanding on my post Heyden is a tough bird and standup kinda guy....he could turn the hearings around and make those "other guys TM" end up suckin their thumbs and assuming the fetal position.

Don't ya know!

Posted by SlimGuy at May 7, 2006 04:35 AM

I would very much support a military leader in such a current position, because it could help in terms of HUMINT, as well as better relations with DOD. On the other hand, the concern would be changing the types of intel that is produced in that agency to reflect DOD policy. Each agency, sub-agency, and black listed agency has its own type of individual intel products. Thence, I am very supportive of an Air Force General as a DCI and I am looking forward to the positive things that can come out of it.

Posted by Matthew J. Kelm at May 7, 2006 12:23 PM

We all would like Congress and civilians to take leadership courses like our military does. Perhaps we need to send our congressmen every three years.

Posted by Dale at May 7, 2006 12:57 PM

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May 06, 2006

A New Sheriff in Town?