The “decider-in-chief” may have miscalculated this one.

Following the abrupt and mysterious resignation of Porter Goss as CIA director (more on that below), President Bush has nominated Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden to become the nation’s top spy. Hayden, currently John Negroponte’s top deputy as Director of National Intelligence, is a four-star Air Force general, and former director of the National Security Agency.

During his tenure at the NSA, Gen. Hayden oversaw Bush’s controversial (and illegal) domestic surveillance program. Hayden has been one of the most vocal defenders of the wiretapping program, arguing that the program is necessary to help defend the nation against terrorist threats. I would argue that the violation of the Constitution and the laws of our nation by our own government is a greater threat to our country and our way of life.

Another issue that is making Hayden a controversial pick to head the CIA is his current status as a U.S. military officer. Many are arguing that the CIA should be independent of the military, and should be headed by civilian leadership. Some defenders of Hayden have suggested that this concern could be diffused by the general resigning his commission. While on paper that may look good, the choice of Michael Hayden will still be tainted by his close ties to the military, especially the unpopular Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld.

And those of us on the left aren’t the only ones questioning the choice of Gen. Hayden. Several Republicans have also raised concerns over the President’s choice for CIA director. The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Pete Hoekstra, was quoted as saying of Hayden “I do believe he's the wrong person, the wrong place at the wrong time”. Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss, a member of the Intelligence Committee, said that while he respected Hayden, the CIA "is a civilian agency; it operates differently." With this type of concern on the right side of the aisle, I’m betting that the President will have an uphill battle getting the general confirmed. As a matter of fact, this choice may backfire on Bush, as it will allow a critical, public debate over the details, scope, and legality of the NSA domestic wiretapping program. Bush’s brain (Karl Rove) may not have thought this one through. Of course, how can you blame Rove for being somewhat distracted, after all, he’s about an inch away from being indicted.

Of course, Hayden does have his defenders as well. A Kool-aide drinking recent convert to the dark side, Sen. John McCain, trying to downplay Hayden’s military ties, said,”Gen. Hayden is really more of an intelligence person than he is an Air Force officer... As you know, his career has been spent in that area, and his background -- of course, he comes from the [National Security Agency]”. Beside, the Senator said, “He is the President’s choice.” Oh, well that makes it all OK – If the “decider” has decided on Hayden, who are we, as mere mortals, to question it?

As for the mystery that started this whole fiasco, the abrupt resignation of Porter Goss as CIA director, there is much speculation as to the reasons. Administration leakers have suggested that there was an ongoing power struggle between Goss and DNI head John Negroponte. That may well be the case, but you do have to wonder, given the recent scandal involving Goss’s hand-picked number three at the CIA, Kyle "Dusty" Foggo, whether there was much more to this than meets the eye. Don’t be surprised if sometime in the not-too-distant future, we hear about a connection between Goss and the mess that Foggo got himself into, involving bribery, shady defense contractor deals, and wild poker parties involving prostitution at the infamous Watergate complex.

This administration just keeps stepping on land mines of it’s own planting, and keeps working overtime to create diversions in the hopes that you and I won’t notice. America, don’t be fooled, and don’t ease up on the pressure. As more and more of this administration’s “base” distances themselves from the “thug-in-chief”, more of the truth will come to light. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s a freight train that is going to plow this illegitimate regime right out of office.