Wednesday
19 Mar 2008
Newsweek: Two Top Counter-Terror Jobs Still Vacant
By Annie Jacobsen in category U.S. Homeland Security
Interesting, albeit embarrassing, article in Newsweek. "Help Wanted. Why Can't the President Fill Two Top Terror Jobs?"
Frances Townsend, former Homeland Security advisor to the President, resigned last January and so far no one's taken her place. Former TSA Under Secretary Admiral James Loy is among those who's said 'no' to the job.
The same goes for a Chief for the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) — a post previously filled by Vice Admiral John Scott Redd but vacant since October. Newsweek says they know why:
Why is the White House having such trouble filling jobs? Intelligence and counterterrorism officials say that with less than a year to go in the Bush administration, well-known candidates aren't eager to volunteer for a round-the-clock, high-pressure job—especially one that could ruin their reputations if something goes wrong on their watch.
I think it's that private consulting pays more.