CIA Director Porter Goss Resigns

President George W. Bush has just held a press conference announcing that he has accepted the resignation of CIA Director Porter Goss. This is a shocking development for those of us who follow national politics.

Goss led the charge within the CIA to find and seal information leaks. This has led to the recent firing of a major leak in former CIA analyst Mary McCarthy.

Both Goss and Bush made statements about his tenure as CIA director:

“I appreciate his integrity, I appreciate the honor in which he brought to the job,” the President stated in regard to Goss’ service at the CIA.

Goss added in his remarks:

“It has been a very distinct honor and privilege to serve you,” the country and agency, Goss said after Bush’s remarks. “The trust and confidence you’ve given me … to work is something I could never have imagined and I am most grateful. …I believe the agency is on a very even keel, sailing well. … I honestly believe we have improved dramatically.”

Regarding bridging the intelligence gaps to succeed in the War on Terror, Goss continued: “I honestly would report to you, sir, that we are safer for your efforts, your leadership and for the men and women in the communities who are working so well.”

Chris Wallace, FoxNews Channel’s host of Fox News Sunday reports of a telephone interview with a “senior White House official” that he was given the impression that the resignation of Goss was planned as part of the changes being made after the resignation of Andrew Card and the appointment of Josh Bolten as White House Chief of Staff.

Wallace reports that he was given the impression that Goss had completed the job that he was appointed Director of the CIA for. Finding and sealing the leaks in the senior American intelligence agency.

“He has had to shake up a lot of dust and now that the dust is settling, it is time to move forward,” Wallace stated quoting this unnamed “senior White House official”.

Bill Kristol, senior editor of The Weekly Standard and a Fox News Channel contributor believes that there is some yet unknown development at the CIA which prompted this hasty announcement. He states that he believes that had this been planned that it would have been more coordinated with an announcement for a replacement and that there would have been some rumors about the resignation and a prospective replacement this week. But there wasn’t.

Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Wendell Goler also reports that the resignation of Goss was part of the over-all White House staff “shake up” according to White House Officials.

Goler was asked about his opinion and he honestly stated that he couldn’t offer one and echoed the President’s comment that Porter Goss’ tenure as the Director of the CIA was part of a “transition” at the CIA.

This is a late breaking story and is still developing.

Hot Air rounds up the details.
Expose The Left has video.
Also see: Rightwing Nuthouse

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