ROBERT HARDING: TSA TOP JOB EXPECTED TO GO TO RETIRED ARMY GENERAL

This is what I know about the retired General chosen to lead TSA - the federal agency charged with keeping terrorists and bombs off airplanes: Major General (Retired) Harding retired from the military in 2001 after 33 years of service; he most recently served as director for operations at the Defense Intelligence Agency, where he oversaw security for more than 200 U.S. embassies and government offices around the world. In 2003, he founded a defense and intelligence contracting firm, which he sold in 2009. General Harding is a member of a closed-list HUMINT/CI group; it will be interesting to see what the new appointee can change in this horrific organization . . . I'll let you know if anything insightful pops up - S.L.



OBAMA PICKS FORMER ARMY INTEL OFFICER TO LEAD TSA


AP WASHINGTON - An Obama administration official says the president plans to nominate a former top Army intelligence official to lead the Transportation Security Administration.

The administration official says President Barack Obama has chosen retired General Robert Harding to lead the federal agency charged with keeping terrorists and bombs off airplanes.


The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement is not yet public. Harding's intelligence background is significant because the administration has stepped up its counter-terrorism efforts since the attempted airplane bombing on Christmas Day.

Obama's original pick for the TSA job withdrew his name from consideration when it became clear he would face a tough confirmation battle in the Senate.