CIA Director Porter Goss resigned suddenly Friday, nudged out after a
turmoil-filled 18 months at the spy agency as it struggled to forge a new
identity in an era of intelligence blunders and government overhauls.
President Bush, right,
shakes hands with CIA Director Porter Goss after it was announced that
Goss was resigning in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 5,
2006 in Washington. [AP] |
Goss offered little explanation in a brief appearance with
President
Bush, a televised address to agency personnel and a written statement.
"CIA remains the gold standard," he said. "When I came to CIA in September of
2004, I wanted to accomplish some very specific things, and we have made great
strides on all fronts."
But the agency, as well as the Bush administration, has been far from
peaceful. Goss' departure was the White House's third major personnel move in
just over a month, aimed at reinvigorating Bush's second term.
Among those talked about as possible replacements are Bush's homeland
security adviser, Frances Fragos Townsend; Gen. Michael Hayden, top deputy to
National Intelligence Director John Negroponte; David Shedd, Negroponte's chief
of staff; and Mary Margaret Graham, Negroponte's deputy for intelligence
collection.
Goss said he was willing to stay awhile for a smooth transition, but there
also was talk that an acting chief could be named.
Making Friday afternoon's announcement from the Oval Office, Bush said Goss'
tenure had been one of transition. The director, a former CIA operative and then
Florida congressman, had been given the job only a little over a year and a half
ago.
The president said, with Goss at his side, "He's instilled a sense of
professionalism. He honors the proud history of the CIA, an organization that is
known for its secrecy and accountability."
It was not entirely clear why Goss resigned so unexpectedly. An intelligence
official, speaking only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of
his position, said Goss had stood up for the agency when there were differences
with National Intelligence Director John Negroponte's office, which was created
about a year ago.
Goss was taking a stand against "micromanagement," the official said and
wanted the agency to "remain what its name says, the 'Central' Intelligence
Agency."
With the backing of the White House, Negroponte recently raised with Goss the
prospect that he should leave, and the two talked about that possibility, a
senior administration official said. That official also spoke on condition of
anonymity, in order to give a fuller account of events.
Agency officials dismissed suggestions that the resignation was tied to
controversy surrounding the CIA's executive director, Kyle "Dusty" Foggo. The
FBI is investigating whether Foggo's longtime friend, defense contractor
Brent Wilkes, provided prostitutes, limousines and hotel suites to a California
congressman who pleaded guilty to taking bribes from Wilkes and others in
exchange for government contracts.
CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said Goss' resignation also was not related to
the recent firing of a CIA officer the director said had unauthorized contacts
with the press — a firing that found support within the agency and the White
House.
Rep. Darrell Issa (news, bio, voting record), R-Calif., an Intelligence
Committee member, said many in Washington want to know the full story. "I
suspect that his decision could be based on any number of things that weren't
stated, including a strong desire just to get on with his personal life after
many years of public service," Issa said.
Bush nominated Goss in 2004, in the midst of a re-election campaign that was
riddled with accusations about the botched prewar intelligence on
Iraq.
Bush said he would rely on the advice of Goss on the sensitive issue of
intelligence reform.
Goss, the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, came under
fire almost immediately, in part because he brought with him several top aides
from Congress who were considered highly political for the CIA. They developed
particularly poor relations with segments of the agency's clandestine service.
By December, Congress passed the most sweeping intelligence overhaul in 50
years. One result: The CIA that took pride in being the premier element of the
spy community found itself relegated to a crowded second tier of 15 other
agencies.
California Rep. Jane Harman (news, bio, voting record), the Intelligence
Committee's top Democrat, said CIA employees with a combined 300 years of
experience have left or been pushed out. "This has left the agency in free
fall," she said.
Goss also had some public missteps. In March 2005, just before Negroponte
took over, he told an audience at the
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
that he was overwhelmed by the duties of his job.
"The jobs I'm being asked to do, the five hats that I wear, are too much for
this mortal," Goss said. "I'm a little amazed at the workload."
A number of former congressional colleagues released statements praising Goss
on Friday, but not all were kind. Sen. Ron Wyden (news, bio, voting record),
D-Ore., said his concerns about Goss, whose nomination he opposed, were never
resolved.
"Mr. Goss resisted efforts to lift the veil of secrecy around the
intelligence failures of 9/11," he said, urging public release of the CIA
inspector general's report on the Sept. 11 attacks.
Bush aides have been looking for ways to rescue his presidency from sagging
poll ratings and difficulties with the Iraq war and his agenda in Congress.
The shake-up began with the resignation of Andrew Card as chief of staff and
his replacement by Joshua Bolten. Other changes have included the replacement of
press secretary Scott McClellan with Fox News commentator Tony Snow.
It wasn't immediately clear what's next for Goss, 67. He was supposed to
retire after representing a Republican district on Florida's West Coast for 16
years, but he became CIA director when Bush called in 2004.
Many former directors take consulting positions on various corporate boards.
Goss and his wife own a central Virginia farm, where they raise cattle, sheep
and chickens.