Michael Hayden, the former chief of the National Security Agency, was nominated today by President Bush to be the new chief of the CIA.
Thus far, there have been no reports linking Hayden to hookers & poker games at the Watergate.
While serving as NSA chief, Hayden deceived Congress in October 17, 2002 testimony regarding the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Hayden told Rep. Porter Goss (axed last Friday as CIA chief) that once a person enters the United States, “that person would have protections as what the law defines as a U.S. person. And I would have no authorities to pursue it” (outside of a court authorized wiretap). But NSA was vigorously tapping the calls and emails of many people within the United States at that time regardless of the law.
The fact that Hayden was at the helm of the agency that carried out one of the most brazen violations of the Constitution in modern times should greatly boost his popularity among some conservative talk show hosts.
Will Bush nominate Hayden in spite of this falsehood, or because of it?
Jim, Do you think Bush is saying “F You” when he nominates this guy? Or is he just unaware of how much concern this guy raises? I think unaware…
Steve – maybe it is both “don’t care” and “don’t know.” I read something indicating that the Republicans think nominating Hayden is a way to revive their political prospects for the Fall campaign — GOPers expect that Democrats will look soft on terrorism if they criticize Hayden for trampling the law and the Constitution.
I am curious to see how many people fall for this simple scam this time around.