Thus, Petraeus' proclivities and vulnerabilities were well known among those with a reason to care. It is also worth studying the man who, in some respects, was his chief competitor: John O. Brennan. Well before Petraeus landed the CIA chieftain prize, stunning and angering CIA insiders who could hardly have been happy to get a military guy rather than a real spook, agency ultra-insider Brennan made clear that he wanted the slot.
As we have noted, Brennan got into Obama's good graces way back in the first presidential campaign, having seemingly had something to do with "checking out" and quashing the chatter about Obama's place of birth.
Come victory in November, 2008, he was Obama's first choice for CIA director, but was sidelined over public statements in support of torture. Brennan had to settle for counterterrorism adviser, which did not require confirmation by the Senate. Within hours of Obama's re-election, though, Petraeus's transgressions were made public. Although extramarital relationships are as common in Washington and everywhere as birth and death, Petraeus's was somehow selected for the world's attention. The take-down was never properly scrutinized for the role played in it by intelligence-connected figures, the FBI, and other shadowy figures in the constant intrigues that define our world but barely exist for our media.
Nonetheless, Petraeus, once a hero, was out like James Bond from his ejection seat.
And there was Mr. Brennan, just so very glad to step in and serve his country in its hour of need. This time, the Senate was in a more compliant mood, and in a hurry to get past the Petraeus embarrassment. The spook sailed through confirmation with nary a nick.
Score: CIA one, Pentagon zero.
But Petraeus, notwithstanding his loyalty to his own interests, remains at heart a man who will take his orders from the system. And so, we can bet, he will soon be readmitted to the club. In fact, judging from the media coverage, it's already a done deal.
See GRAPHIC Info here
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
