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position,” Bush said during an Oval Office announcement with the 61-year-old nominee, who is principal deputy to National Intelligence Director John Negroponte.
“Hes the right man to lead the CIA at this critical moment in our history,” the president said. (Watch Bush say why he tapped Hayden — 6:38)
The Air Force four-star general would replace CIA Director Porter Goss, who abruptly resigned on Friday after losing what intelligence sources described as a power struggle with Negroponte — a report that Negroponte denied on Monday.
Haydens selection is likely to bring renewed attention to the controversy surrounding the Bush administrations program to monitor communication into the United States by suspected terrorists without court warrants. The president authorized the program when Hayden headed the National Security Agency in 2001. (Watch general unrest over nomination for top spy — 2:34)
“Theres probably no post more important in preserving our security and our values as a people than the head of the Central Intelligence Agency,” Hayden said.
He said he looked forward to the confirmation process in the Senate and working with Congress to continue to reform the intelligence agency.
“This is simply too important not to get absolutely right,” he said.
Negroponte, during a news conference shortly after the announcement, said Hayden is a “very independent minded person” whos also outspoken. He asked those with concerns about Haydens military affiliations to look at his qualifications as a former defense attachй in Bulgaria and as head of the National Security Agency.
“As far as this concern thats been expressed about the military