Why was McConnell chosen by Cheney? Scary stuff from Lala:

[babylonsister]

I hope the Dems really scrutinize this nominee, for all our sakes. And apologies if this has been posted before. I haven't seen it. Also, emphasis mine.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Intelligence_officials_believe_White_House_chose_0108.html

Officials believe White House chose new Intelligence chief in effort to darken Iran Intelligence Estimate, broaden domestic surveillance

Larisa Alexandrovna
Published: Monday January 8, 2007


Nominee's company audited
SWIFT banking spy program

The nomination of retired Vice Admiral John Michael "Mike" McConnell to be Director of National Intelligence is part of an effort by the Vice President to tighten the Administration’s grip on domestic intelligence and grease the wheels for a more aggressive stance towards Iran, current and former intelligence officials believe.

If confirmed, McConnell will replace current National Intelligence Director John Negroponte, who was tapped Friday to become Deputy Secretary of State under Secretary Condoleezza Rice. According to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, Negroponte’s exit followed a lengthy internal administration battle between the Office of the Vice President and the two-year-old Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

According to officials close to both men, two issues surround Negroponte’s departure and McConnell’s nomination: a forthcoming National Intelligence Estimate on Iran – which the White House could use to buttress a case for military force – and pressure from the Vice President to augment domestic surveillance.

Negroponte had resisted both efforts. Tensions soared after Negroponte made a public statement last year that countered the administration position that Iran was an immediate threat and that its alleged nuclear weapons program was in an advanced stage.

snip//

“McConnell will go along with whatever and make sure that no objective NIE comes out,” one former senior intelligence officer said.

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