Posted on 05/20/2010 6:24:13 PM PDT by jazusamo
(CNSNews.com) - Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, the ranking Republican on the House intelligence committee, says the resignation of Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair “is the result of the Obama administration’s rampant politicization of national security and outright disregard for congressional intelligence oversight.”
ABC News reported today that President Barack Obama would be accepting Blair’s resignation tomorrow, and the Associated Press reported that the administration has already interviewed several candidates to replace him.
Hoekstra, who formerly served as chairman of the intelligence committee, issued a written statement saying that Blair’s readiness to step down, considering his record of service to the country, was “a disturbing sign of the stranglehold the Obama White House has placed on America’s intelligence agencies.” Blair is a retired admiral.
Here is the full text of Hoekstra’s statement:
"Dennis Blair was the consummate public servant who dedicated much of his professional life to the safety and defense of our great nation. He pushed for openness, transparency and the participation of the congressional intelligence committees in conducting intelligence oversight. I had high hopes for his willingness to work with Congress on a bipartisan basis to ensure that America’s intelligence professional had the tools, resources and authorities they need to help protect our homeland.
"That a man who has willingly dedicated himself to the cause of our nation’s freedom would rather step down than continue to serve as America’s top intelligence officer is a disturbing sign of the stranglehold the Obama White House has placed on America’s intelligence agencies. Clearly, and understandably, Director Blair was frustrated by the White House’s micromanagement and sidelining of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on national security issues.
"Blair’s resignation is the result of the Obama administration’s rampant politicization of national security and outright disregard for congressional intelligence oversight. Blair’s resignation is disturbing and unfortunate. The concerns I have come from how the Obama administration conducts national security, not over the director of national intelligence, who they never allowed to do it.
"Congressional Republicans we will be watching closely who the president plans to name as a successor. Right now, the Obama administration’s national security apparatus is broken, dysfunctional and in disarray. Dennis Blair was the one person you could count on for rationality among Holder, Napolitano and Brennan—and he’s the one the president let go."
Absolutely! He’s the rational one among the four.
The list, ping
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.dni.gov/press_releases/DNI_Statement.pdf
DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
WASHINGTON, DC 20511
May 20, 2010
STATEMENT FROM DIRECTOR DENNIS C. BLAIR TO
THE ODNI AND INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WORKFORCE
It is with deep regret that I informed the President today that I will step down as Director of National Intelligence effective Friday, May 28th.
I have had no greater honor or pleasure than to lead the remarkably talented and patriotic men and women of the Intelligence Community.
Every day, you have worked tirelessly to provide intelligence support for two wars and to prevent an attack on our homeland.
You are true heroes, just like the members of the Armed Forces, firefighters, and police whose job it is to keep our nation safe.
Your work over the past 16 months has made the Intelligence Community more integrated, agile, and representative of American values. Keep it up – I will be cheering for you.
Dennis C. Blair
# # #
and so what? you little people need to follow the Republican leadership and just go along with obama!
ADDING to post no. 23:
Director’s Statement on Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair
Statement by Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Leon E. Panetta on Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair
May 20, 2010
Dennis Blair has served our country in many roles over the course of his distinguished career, most recently as Director of National Intelligence. Since early last year, we have worked together to meet the full range of national security challenges facing our country. He deserves the gratitude of the Intelligence Community that he led, and of the American public that he sought always to protect.
Posted: May 21, 2010 11:28 AM
Last Updated: May 21, 2010 11:49 AM
Last Reviewed: May 21, 2010 11:28 AM
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