Dan Coats: “We cannot afford to be behind the curve in terms of development of both the offensive and defensive capacities that we…”

You'll need to demonstrate to the American people that the Intelligence Community deserves their utmost confidence as a source of truth and insight.

One of the first things you can do--at this hearing, even--is to make a strong statement of support for professionalism in the IC and pledge that you will not tolerate politics influencing the analytical process.

I know others have talked about that here today, but when you and I had a chance to talk earlier in the last couple weeks, I mentioned one of my real concerns about China.

You will need to inspire a workforce that has unfortunately been hollowed out by years of firings, and remind them that their mission is critical--and still noble.