Blue 24, Red 36... Hike: Intelligence business political football

[liberal N proud]

Hayden: Intelligence business has become political football


CIA nominee vows to keep secrets
Hayden says intelligence too often a political football
Thursday, May 18, 2006; Posted: 11:52 a.m. EDT (15:52 GMT)


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Hayden began the day facing the Senate Intelligence Committee in a public session, which is being carried live on CNN and Pipeline. A secret session is to follow with a vote expected late in the day.

In his opening statement, Hayden said "the American intelligence business has too much become the football in American political discourse."

Hayden pledged to lead CIA "in a way consistent with the core values of our nation."

"I did that at NSA and, if confirmed, I will do that at the Central Intelligence Agency."

While leading the NSA, Hayden oversaw a classified program that involved the agency monitoring, without obtaining a court warrant, the phone calls, e-mails and other communications of people inside the United States with those overseas when at least one of the parties is a suspected terrorist.

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http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/18/hayden.hearing/index.html