On Saturday, President Barack Obama named James Clapper his nominee for the post of National Intelligence Director. The nomination has been received with mixed feelings and is yet to be ratified by the Senate.
Surprisingly the discontent with the nomination extends to both parties. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D), Intelligence Committee Chair, has that she would prefer someone with a civilian background to be in charge of things. Republican Senator Kit Bond, who is also on the committee, has expressed his reservations as well about the appointment. Pete Hoekstra, another republican, said that he is against Clapper because he has not been forthcoming or transparent in his dealings with Congress. Another criticism of Clapper is that he is far too focused on Department of Defense issues as well as giving more authority to the office of Director of National Intelligence.
President Obama, however, defended his appointment saying that Clapper understands the importance of working together with members of Congress. He also said that Clapper would keep members of Congress informed and seek their consent in matters before proceeding. Obama was supported strongly by Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the Clapper nomination. Gates said that Obama had made the right choice and couldn’t have found anyone better to do the job. According to Gates, Clapper is well respected by all the agencies and has good ties with them as well as the congressional committees that are in charge of overseeing them.
James Clapper is a retired Air Force Lieutenant General who is in line to take up the job left vacant by the resignation of Dennis Blair last month.