Dennis Blair: Director Of National Intelligence?

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UPDATE 12/20, 9 AM

Citing "officials familiar with the selection process," the LA Times has reported that President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Dennis Blair to be his national intelligence director:

If confirmed, Blair would be Obama's point person on an array of highly charged intelligence issues the incoming administration will inherit from President Bush.

Among them are the allocation of resources amid two wars, the operation of secret CIA prisons overseas, and the ongoing wiretapping of e-mails and calls that pass through the United States.

The Washington Post also features a profile of Blaire today, anticipating his selection.

Reuters reports on Adm. Dennis Blair:

President-elect Barack Obama has chosen retired Navy Adm. Dennis Blair as the top U.S. intelligence official and could make an announcement as early as Friday, a source familiar with the nomination said on Thursday.

"We expect the announcement tomorrow," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Blair would oversee the entire U.S. intelligence apparatus and be responsible for delivering Obama's daily intelligence briefing.

The AP reported Wednesday that Blair's nomination was held up by disagreement over the office:

Blair met with the transition team on Tuesday and there was no hint of trouble at that point, a Democratic Party official familiar with the meeting said.

But the officials said the transition team and Blair appear to be split over who would choose his deputy. They also are said to disagree over the scope and purpose of the national intelligence director's office. The Obama transition is said to be discussing plans to downsize the office.

The American Prospect's Tim Fernholz notes that while Blair is "an interesting character who is considered smart about the possibility of engagement, not conflict, with countries like China, and he has made the right noises on terrorism reduction" he isn't perfect. "It seems that Blair, while serving as head of Pacific Command in 2000, had some unpleasant dealings with Indonesian leaders and displayed some remarkably poor judgment on intelligence about violence in East Timor."

Read more about Dennis Blair, Dennis Blair Intel Chief, Dennis Blair DNI, Dennis Blair Director of National Intelligence.

Comments

[Cunningham]

PLEASE READ THIS:


The nomination of Admiral Dennis C. Blair for head of the NIE.

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/7/obama_nominee_admiral_dennis_blair_aided

[Seeker14]

Colleagues:

Speaking of the intelligence community and the current auto sector/industrial base preservation concerns, you might find this analysis intriguing...to say the least.

http://www.slideshare.net/GHHLLC/hyperintelligence-toyota-cia-nsa-kgb-mossad-and-sun-tzu-presentation

[Maniza]

Give hope a chance? Don't be a cynic? Sure! I'm happy to do that. He's SO cute!

[Maniza]

Dahlings enjoy the aesthetics---that's all you can do. Because everything else is all sewn up--nothing anyone can do--its the age of Empire and its all about Armed Forces--How many men from the armed forces are holding civilian leadership positions? And how many of them are in the new Government of Hope? How much of the last 8 years is staying on? No point in discussing the merits of this appointment or that one and the character of the person. Stick to how he makes you feel. How he looks. Its all very, very, cute.

[Trill]

Maninza...Please don't be such a cynic. Give HOPE a chance.

[ShawnGrey]

I just want to know what he is going to do about the spying on Americans by the federal government. Those Bush's policies that have violated the rights of all Americans while still not catching those that threaten American safety.

[JulieSA]

They'll probably keep the programs in place, or modify them slightly. This is what congress, including Obama, voted for. He's getting the security briefings, and he's not dumb enough to toss out legal programs that've been working.

[ShawnGrey]

Are these American spy programs working? How do we know? We still can't find bin laden, but there is a housewife in Montana who's a threat.

[LoRiseAntlers]

Obama's considering a "Domestic Intelligence Agency",so I think this guy is the least of your worries in that department.

It really looks like we've been sold a bill of goods.Mr.Obama's gonna keep on the warpath and apparently is going to increase on Dubya's spying on the American people.

[Martymar74]

Spying on citizens is very concerning to me and Obama really remained silent on this issue during the campaign. The media needs to make him state his position on this so Americans can know if he's just pulling the wool over our eyes about upholding the Constitution. I want to know if it's going to be "same game different players" or "real change" on this issue. I think it's all part of a grander scheme so far.

[Rule Of Law]

As Cheney said, wait till they're in office and can enjoy some of the nifty new toys we've left them to play with. Every hear of Any government voluntarily giving up power?

[Trill]

ShawnGrey...post it on President-elect's website. Let's all speak out on this one. www.change.gov

[Maniza]

Attempting to water ski behing a the "Destroyer." Ohmygwad getting cuter and cuter.

[Madampotential]

Did anyone read the washpost story?? THe biggest story here is that Obama will be asking Hayden to stay on as CIA director. What??? Wait a minute. What?? Is he kidding?

This guy is a neocon that has broken the law and responsible for wiretapping onnocent Amercian citizens. I hope Leahy and the dems in congress go after this guy and don"t lay down for Obama on this one.

I love Obama but I love my constitution more.

[JulieSA]

Congress has approved what he's doing, so I don't think they'll go after him too hard.

[fishingriver]

If Hayden stays on with Gates we might as well have Bush Co. Oh wait, that would be Bush Co.

[fishingriver]

From Wikipedia - "Blair is somewhat renowned in U.S. Naval circles for attempting to water ski behind his Destroyer when he was the Skipper."

You gotta like that. Welcome aboard. Keep your nose outta my email.

[Bitsko]

Leave my rights alone, don't go starting obscene wars (covert or overt) and killing innocent civilians, and I don't care who this guy is.

[KHAAANNN]

I see a definite pattern here, and I like it.
Obama has chosen from Army, Navy, and Marine commanders, but NO ONE from the Air Force.
This is a message to what has become the most dangerous arm of the U.S. Military (from an insurrection point of view.)
The Air Force has been so thoroughly infiltrated by the Evangelical Reich-Wing that it can no longer be trusted with national or international decisions. Their constant attempts to proselytize within the Military and in Arab countries has lead the incoming Commander-in-Chief to give them the back of his hand. They need to clean up their house before they get any appointments in the future.
Good job Obama. Keep up the good work and hold these idiots feet to the fire.

[qofdisks]

Amen bro.!
The evangelical fly-boys are ready to rain down the fury of heaven in the name of Jesus Christ...on us.

[MattinChicago]

Or it could just be that the Air Force is finding it harder and harder to maintain its relevance in this day an age. Not a lot of strategic bombing going on... While the F-22 is an amazing plane, it still needs bases to operate from... the Navy and Marine Corps are currently in military/political accendency.

"Reich-Wing" - Nice demonstration of tolerance... gotta love the change.

[Maniza]

He is SOOOO cute.

[beaupritchard]

I guess when a "spook" get's appointed and you have to say ... "who"... that's a good thing.

[RogerRantjet]

At least he's a "director" and not a "czar".

[1murillo]

I agree. Now that we're tired of czars (I wanted them to name 'tsars'), perhaps we can start naming kings, or barons, or empresses's ...

Or, we can be creative and name Ghoul of Economics, Tyrant of Domestic Tranquility, etc. The list is endless, may I be the Bequeathor of Titles?

[JohnSawyer]

Also, "Lord and Master", "Great Old One" (HP Lovecraftian), etc.

[MattinChicago]

You've got my vote!!

[MattinChicago]

Couldn't agree more! I wish someone would tell our political masters that "czars" have not been historically all that successful... oh wait, neither has the "drug czar"... but I am sure the "car czar" and the "environment czar" and whatever else they come up with will change that! :)

[hrholmes]

When I first saw this guy's pic on HuffPo I thought it was a ad for the tv show 'The Unit'. Blair and the actor that plays 'Mac' look real similar, and he works for a black commander called 'Jonas'.... and... aaaa... omg, this is all becoming just a big TV show!!! lol

[incognito-ergo-sum]

Looks like one of the requirements for being an Obama pick is that a person got slammed by the B/C administration. I hope this makes Dick and Rummy pout.

[JohnSawyer]

And pout real hard too, so it hurts.