James M. Jeffords: “I am casting my vote today in favor of GEN Michael V. Hayden to be Director of Central Intelligence. General Hayden has…”

“I am casting my vote today in favor of GEN Michael V. Hayden to be Director of Central Intelligence. General Hayden has a strong background in intelligence. He has spent his career in national security and particularly intelligence, serving as Commander of the Air Intelligence Agency and as Director of the National Security Agency. General Hayden has served overseas in leadership positions with the U.S. Government in South Korea and Bulgaria, and is currently Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, serving directly under Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte. General Hayden was straightforward in his answers to tough questions during his confirmation process, showing a clear command of the issues of national security and the challenges facing the intelligence community. The confirmation process has also brought to light General Hayden's leadership qualities. At this time of change and realignment at the CIA, strong leaders are clearly needed. The agency has had a difficult time adapting to the changes in the intelligence community structure and has suffered a decline in morale and sense of mission. By all accounts, General Hayden will bring a welcome change at the top, hopefully infusing the agency with a new sense of direction and relevance that is badly needed. I remain very concerned, however, that the wiretapping activities of the NSA have been insufficiently investigated.…”