Yeah, right...

"General Hayden, we understand you have some bad news for the American people?"

"Yes, Katie. As you know, I'm no 'yes-man,' and I'm not afraid to break bad news when necessary. So, here's the bad news: we've misplaced our copy of the Constitution, and we're just going to have to re-write it from memory. I've been assigned the 4th Amendment, by the way."

Nominee Has Ability To Bear Bad News

Of all the unpleasant tasks Gen. Michael V. Hayden will face if confirmed as CIA director, perhaps the most important will be bringing the president bad news.

Or as Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) put it yesterday during his confirmation hearing: Will Hayden succumb to "the gaga factor" when he stands next to the president? Will he be "a 'Yes, sir,' Mr. Slam-Dunk, rather than speaking truth to power?"

In the midst of three major crises -- the Iraq war, the tensions with Iran and worldwide terrorist attacks -- will Hayden have the fortitude to give Bush straightforward intelligence, even if it contradicts the president's views?

The consensus among officials who have worked with Hayden is that he possesses a well-developed ability and willingness to deliver contrarian views, albeit diplomatically, as he did during yesterday's hearing.

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