Fergie's Tech Blog

Hayden Selection For CIA Post Ensures Revival of Wiretap Debate

Peter Wallsten and Janet Hook write in The Los Angeles Times:

By picking Air Force Gen. Michael V. Hayden as the next CIA director, President Bush faces another brawl over his controversial program to eavesdrop on suspected terrorists — including people on American soil — without court approval.

But far from fearing such a fight, the White House walked right into it by nominating the program's leading defender to head the spy agency.

Administration allies said Monday that by reviving debate over the spy program, which Hayden oversaw when he led the National Security Agency, his nomination would provide a welcome opportunity to reopen a tried-and-true election-year playbook in which Republicans attempt to portray Democrats as weak on national security.

posted by Fergie @ 5/09/2006 12:30:00 PM