Bush Meltdown Continues

It's getting rather chaotic in Washington. The resignation (or firing) of CIA Director Porter Goss is a big deal after such a short tenure. Here's a Yahoo story (via the Huffington Post) on the resignation:

CIA Director Porter Goss resigned unexpectedly Friday, nudged from the helm of a spy agency still reeling from intelligence failures before America's worst terrorist attack and faulty information that formed the U.S. rationale for invading Iraq.

The decision was the latest in a series of moves by President Bush to shake up his team and reinvigorate his second term. A successor to Goss could come as early as Monday, a senior administration official said.

Among those talked about as possible candidates were Bush's homeland security adviser, Frances Fragos Townsend; David Shedd, chief of staff to National Intelligence Director John Negroponte, and Mary Margaret Graham, Negroponte's deputy for intelligence collection.

Neither Bush nor Goss offered a reason for his departure.

Making the announcement from the Oval Office, Bush said Goss' tenure had been one of transition.

"He has led ably," Bush said, Goss at his side. "He has a five-year plan to increase the analysts and operatives."

Goss said the trust, confidence and latitude that Bush placed in him "is something I could have never imagined."

"I believe the agency is on a very even keel, sailing well," Goss said. "I honestly believe that we have improved dramatically."

Sometimes the spin is so brazen and so ridiculous you can only laugh. He has a five-year plan to increase the analysts and operatives. Porter Goss was forced out after only 19 months. I doubt the next guy will be paying much attention to the plan. I believe the agency is on a very even keel, sailing well. Actually, there's real concern that Rumsfeld will use the problems at the CIA to grab more power for himself. Rumsfeld's intelligience claims and operations are themselves probably under more criticism than the CIA from those concerned about accurate, non-politicized intelligience.

Under Bush's gross incompetence, the government is breaking down. That's something America cannot afford.