The work of the CIA was crucial in winning the Cold War. In fighting terror its intelligence work is even more important. Our preponderance in arms mattered in conventional war. It matters less in defeating terrorists. What is crucial now is to penetrate their cells from whence they wish to send suicidal maniacs armed with lethal concoctions.
In a week, we shall have the 9-11 Commission?s proposals on improving our sclerotic CIA. By that time, the president had best have a replacement ready to fill the presently empty director?s chair at Langley. Ultimately, the 9-11 Commission?s recommendations will probably make that position of secondary importance in the new intelligence scheme of things, but for now that post must be filled. The war against terror cannot await the implementation of reform. The presidential campaign will transform that empty chair into a campaign issue.
Liberals and Democrats are already making the appointment of a new CIA director a political issue. The leading candidate, former CIA case officer and chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence Rep. Porter Goss, has already been vetoed by Senate and House Democrats who claim he is ?too partisan.? Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Sen. Pat Roberts apparently has acquiesced.
So who will the president nominate to head off partisan bickering and indecision at CIA in time of war? Conservatives are talking up two candidates with superb credentials, former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman and Rep. Chris Cox.
Lehman during the Reagan administration shook up the Department of the Navy, made good on the administration?s goal to create a 600 ship navy and consequently played a huge role in bankrupting the Soviet Union and winning the Cold War. From his position on the 9-11 Commission, Lehman has demonstrated an enormous knowledge of intelligence and of the CIA?'s failures. He is among the best and brightest of his generation. Then there is Cox. In chairing the investigation of the Chinese fund-raising scandal of 1996, he established a record of fairness and a reputation for understanding espionage.
Either of these men would do a fine job at CIA and in any leadership position that the 9-11 Commission might establish. One hopes that the president will act soon. He has both terrorists and opportunistic political opponents breathing down on him.