Posted on 04/06/2016 3:14:51 PM PDT by markomalley
Former CIA director Gen. Michael Hayden endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president Wednesday, saying he has the best experience and leadership skills to run the country.
Hayden, who helmed both the NSA and the CIA through former President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama’s years in office, cited Kasich’s 18 years of experience on the House Armed Services Committee in a statement announcing his endorsement. He also praised Kasich’s proposals to increase defense spending and defeat Islamic State.
“Governor Kasich has serious proposals to strengthen our military, defeat ISIS and stand up for freedom around the world—proposals that rise far above bumper-stickers and amateur rhetoric,” Hayden said in the statement.
The Kasich campaign released the announcement and said Hayden would join the Republican presidential candidate’s national security advisory group, which includes former President Ronald Reagan’s national security advisor, Richard Allen, and former executive director of the CIA, Alvin “Buzzy” Krongard.
Hayden served as director of the CIA from 2006 to 2009 and as director of the NSA from 1999 to 2005. He’s been outspoken in his criticism of Republican front-runners Sen. Ted Cruz and businessman Donald Trump, and has denounced the rhetoric of the 2016 campaign.
“We have taken … very complicated, serious issues and we’ve pushed them down to the level of bumper stickers,” Hayden told CNN in February. “That scares me and I’m sure it scares a lot of the rest of the world.”
He called Trump’s proposals “incredibly” concerning, and said Cruz’s call to carpet bomb ISIS would be “immoral” and “unworthy of a republic like ourselves.”
While Trump and Cruz are leading the Republican field, a national Monmouth University poll released last month showed Kasich was the only candidate who could beat former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a hypothetical general election match-up.
Guess he was offered a job.
Where did Kasich’s 18 years get us???
Look where we are today...
‘Nuff said................
‘...Kasich was the only candidate who could beat former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a hypothetical general election match-up.’
‘Hypothetical,’ being the operative word here!
Nothing against Kasich. He seems like a decent enough fellow. But seriously? Beating The HildaBeast and her Machine? I don’t see it.
I’m fine with John but, he won’t make it...
Love. That. :)
I have always heard that Kasich is the only man who beats Hillary by a wide margin. It used to be Rubio. I understand why Rubio presented a threat. I don’t get it why Kasich presents any sort of threat to her. Is the ‘Retired Mailman’s Lobby” really that strong anymore? I tend to doubt it.
STATES WON:
TRUMP - 21
CRUZ - 9
KASICH - 1
Kasich is EASILY swayed by Bigger men than he is.
Me either. As a matter of fact - I see another Romney like campaign against an entrenched DNC candidate that the Pubbies are afraid of
Of course he could beat Hillary. Kasich is a Socialist. Politically he is just like Hillary minus all the corruption.
“Establishment Governor Kasich has serious establishment proposals to strengthen the establishment and stand up for the establishment around the world—proposals that rise far above bumper-stickers and amateur rhetoric,” said establishment representative Michael Hayden.
Well said. Kind of my take, too.
Doesn’t say much for the former top spy, does it.
He was as much the “top spy” as Valerie Plame was a “CIA Operative.”
this proves what a complete dork Hayden is
to put an AF General in charge of national intelligence was an oxymoron
Establishment is as Establishment does.
Um you know he was the director of NSA,then headed the CIA and also served as the Director of National Intelligence?
That makes him pretty qualified to be called “ top spy”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.