Mike McConnell Salutes Denny Blair
Just emailed to reporters: outgoing Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell’s praise for incoming DNI Denny Blair.
“„I am very pleased to learn that President-elect Obama has nominated Admiral Dennis C. Blair to be the next DNI.
“„Admiral Blair has been a colleague and friend for more than 20 years. His reputation for intelligence, insight and leadership skill earned over a wide-ranging 34-year Navy career is exceptional.
“„If confirmed by the Senate, he will build on the efforts of the first DNI, Ambassador John Negroponte, and me to address information sharing, analytic transformation and Intelligence Community integration to make us better able to protect the Nation.
“„I congratulate Admiral Blair and look forward to working with him.
McConnell, who really enjoyed lying during his tenure as DNI, will unfortunately retain a position on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. On the other hand, the PFIAB has become a backwater in recent years, so maybe that’s the sort of substance-free appointment made to please David Broder.