Goss’ record doesn’t bode well for reform

Our intelligence community is preparing to undergo sweeping reforms that will change “business as usual” for the 13 agencies that comprise the nation’s intelligence services. Reports from the 9/11 commission and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence have sounded the death knell for traditional intelligence practices, especially those of the CIA, which is currently without a permanent leader.

Common sense would dictate that the Bush administration either wait until the reforms take shape to see what exactly the CIA director’s job will entail, or nominate a non-partisan professional who is committed to guiding the CIA through the needed reforms without favoritism.

That’s not what President Bush has done.

Instead, he has nominated former CIA agent and current Republican Rep. Porter Goss to be the next CIA director.

Goss has the CIA experience – he was an undercover agent in the 1960s and ’70s. But the problem with Goss is what he has done since he left the CIA: He became a politician, and a highly partisan one at that.

Goss has a track record of resisting inquiries and changes to the intelligence bureaucracy that might have damaged President Bush. He opposed the creation of the 9/11 commission, opposed inquiries into the Abu Ghraib prison scandal and Ahmed Chalabi, and when asked about a possible investigation into the White House’s alleged outing of a CIA agent for political purposes, he responded, “Somebody sends me a blue dress and some DNA, I’ll have an investigation.”

Goss does not appear to be an independent-minded leader who will work to reform the CIA in an evenhanded fashion.

Goss also is no friend of his potential new boss, presidential candidate John Kerry. Goss frequently used his speaking time in the House of Representatives to criticize Kerry’s record on intelligence funding. If Kerry wins the presidency in November, Goss will most likely serve a very short term as CIA director.

What the CIA needs is someone who doesn’t listen to Republicans or Democrats, one who will guide the agency away from the politicization and tainted credibility of the past few years and back toward independence and reliability. Given his partisan record, we wonder whether Goss has what it will take to complete such a task.

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