Obama seeks extension for Robert Mueller as FBI director

Source: The Washington Post

President Obama announced Thursday that he is seeking a two-year extension of Robert S. Mueller III’s term as FBI director, saying he cannot afford to lose the longtime FBI chief at a time of terrorist threats.

The request for Congress to extend Mueller’s 10-year term comes as the White House had been searching for a candidate to succeed him. Mueller, 66, is facing mandatory retirement in September after a decade in which he oversaw the crackdown on terrorism following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, along with the bureau’s ongoing transformation into an intelligence-driven agency.

“In his 10 years at the FBI, Bob Mueller has set the gold standard for leading the Bureau,’’ Obama said in a statement. “Given the ongoing threats facing the United States, as well as the leadership transitions at other agencies like the Defense Department and Central Intelligence Agency, I believe continuity and stability at the FBI is critical at this time.’’

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-seeks-extension-for-robert-mueller-as-fbi-director/2011/05/12/AFdmE8zG_story.html

Mandatory is mandatory!

Very much like Hoover, in one regard - he keeps state secrets shut-in really well.

...and not the best time to change horses... in the middle of the stream.

If he appointed someone now they would have 10 years. That would be the smart move. Is there only one person in the U.S. that can be director of the FBI?

But since the FBI excels at both, it's hard to see how Mueller is crucial to either effort.

And Eric Holder is fine with it.

that middle of the stream thing... it's a conservative action that swing vote farmers in Wisconsin will vote for him 2012.

When it's not a DLC'er like Rahm Emmanuel --???

"...request for Congress to extend Mueller’s 10-year term..."

....why?