TheCigSmokingMan
Rift Surfer
Intelligence officials believe Bush chose new Director in effort to darken Iran Intelligence Estimate, broaden domestic surveillance
http://mparent7777.blogspot.com/2007/01/intelligence-officials-believe-bush.html
The nomination of retired Vice Admiral John Michael "Mike" McConnell to be Director of National Intelligence is part of an effort by the Vice President to tighten the Administration’s grip on domestic intelligence and grease the wheels for a more aggressive stance towards Iran, current and former intelligence officials believe.
If confirmed, McConnell will replace current National Intelligence Director John Negroponte, who was tapped Friday to become Deputy Secretary of State under Secretary Condoleezza Rice. According to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, Negroponte’s exit followed a lengthy internal administration battle between the Office of the Vice President and the two-year-old Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
According to officials close to both men, two issues surround Negroponte’s departure and McConnell’s nomination: a forthcoming National Intelligence Estimate on Iran – which the White House could use to buttress a case for military force – and pressure from the Vice President to augment domestic surveillance.
The other key area of concern for the intelligence community in McConnell’s nomination is the Executive Branch’s attempt to expand domestic surveillance programs, especially those conducted by the National Security Agency.
Current and former intelligence officials say that Negroponte and his staff were not comfortable with the level of domestic surveillance or the use of NSA wiretaps that were being pushed by the White House.
“[The office of the Vice President] could not get Negroponte to do anything with NSA and domestic surveillance,†said one former senior intelligence official. “McConnell worked with Cheney during the Gulf War.â€
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Mmmm.... Make IRAN a 'threat' and increase DOMESTIC SURVEILLANCE... Same old...Same Old...
And who's running this country? VP Cheney?
TheCigMan
http://mparent7777.blogspot.com/2007/01/intelligence-officials-believe-bush.html
The nomination of retired Vice Admiral John Michael "Mike" McConnell to be Director of National Intelligence is part of an effort by the Vice President to tighten the Administration’s grip on domestic intelligence and grease the wheels for a more aggressive stance towards Iran, current and former intelligence officials believe.
If confirmed, McConnell will replace current National Intelligence Director John Negroponte, who was tapped Friday to become Deputy Secretary of State under Secretary Condoleezza Rice. According to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, Negroponte’s exit followed a lengthy internal administration battle between the Office of the Vice President and the two-year-old Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
According to officials close to both men, two issues surround Negroponte’s departure and McConnell’s nomination: a forthcoming National Intelligence Estimate on Iran – which the White House could use to buttress a case for military force – and pressure from the Vice President to augment domestic surveillance.
The other key area of concern for the intelligence community in McConnell’s nomination is the Executive Branch’s attempt to expand domestic surveillance programs, especially those conducted by the National Security Agency.
Current and former intelligence officials say that Negroponte and his staff were not comfortable with the level of domestic surveillance or the use of NSA wiretaps that were being pushed by the White House.
“[The office of the Vice President] could not get Negroponte to do anything with NSA and domestic surveillance,†said one former senior intelligence official. “McConnell worked with Cheney during the Gulf War.â€
-------------
Mmmm.... Make IRAN a 'threat' and increase DOMESTIC SURVEILLANCE... Same old...Same Old...
And who's running this country? VP Cheney?
TheCigMan