WP: Nominee (Hayden) Has Ability To Bear Bad News

[kskiska]

Some Senators Unsure He Will Use It With Bush

By Dana Priest and Walter Pincus

Friday, May 19, 2006; A06

Of all the unpleasant tasks Gen. Michael V. Hayden will face if confirmed as CIA director, perhaps the most important will be bringing the president bad news.

Or as Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) put it yesterday during his confirmation hearing: Will Hayden succumb to "the gaga factor" when he stands next to the president? Will he be "a 'Yes, sir,' Mr. Slam-Dunk, rather than speaking truth to power?"

In the midst of three major crises -- the Iraq war, the tensions with Iran and worldwide terrorist attacks -- will Hayden have the fortitude to give Bush straightforward intelligence, even if it contradicts the president's views?

(snip)

Will Hayden convey the agency's deep concern about Iraq to Bush? "Yes, I think he will," said a senior CIA official who has seen Hayden in high-level meetings. "I think he'll be professional about it, though. He won't jump on the table. But he'll make the point."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/18/AR2006051802323.html

[Avalux]

1. No way.

Instead of saying "NO, Mr. President, we don't have the intelligence data to support your assertions", he'll say "YES, Mr. President, whatever you want, we'll make sure the intelligence data is there".

[mvd]

2. Right on

This guy seems like O'Brien from the book 1984.

[antonialee839]

3. It would be nice if the bad news were to be, sorry Chucklenuts, I wasn't

confirmed.

[struggle4progress]

4. Nominee Has Ability To Be Bad News

[jody]

5. Hayden can deliver bad news to congress if it asks the right questions.

That's why congressional oversight is crucial to NSA and every other government process.

IMO Congress has failed, not the individual political appointees unless she/he lied or misled Congress.

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. No guarantee that jr will pay any attention to him

[sweetheart]

7. no time for that, gotta bomb hanoi

Gotta keep uncle ho thinking nixon's not done... not done!
Nixon's back from the grave, a reanimated stinking miscreant.

[anotherdrew]

8. uh? as opposed to those directors who just break down and cry like a baby?

what the fuck?