General David Petraeus Resigns From CIA, Citing Extramarital Affair

 

General David Petraeus resigned suddenly today as head of the CIA, citing an extramarital affair as the cause.

Here is the full text of Petraeus' letter:

HEADQUARTERS Central Intelligence Agency

9 November 2012
Yesterday afternoon, I went to the White House and asked the President to be allowed, for personal reasons, to resign from my position as D/CIA. After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours. This afternoon, the President graciously accepted my resignation.

As I depart Langley, I want you to know that it has been the greatest of privileges to have served with you, the officers of our Nation's Silent Service, a work force that is truly exceptional in every regard. Indeed, you did extraordinary work on a host of critical missions during my time as director, and I am deeply grateful to you for that.

Teddy Roosevelt once observed that life's greatest gift is the opportunity to work hard at work worth doing. I will always treasure my opportunity to have done that with you and I will always regret the circumstances that brought that work with you to an end.
Thank you for your extraordinary service to our country, and best wishes for continued success in the important endeavors that lie ahead for our country and our Agency.

With admiration and appreciation,
David H. Petraeus

Mike Morrell, the deputy CIA director and a longtime CIA officer will take over for now as acting head. It's the first occassion in quite some time that America's premier intelligence agency has actually been run by a professional spook.

Petraeus, 60, has been married to Holly, née Knowlton, since 1975, after they meet when he was a military cadet at West Point and she was the daughter of the academy's superintendent.

It would be interesting to know how much of this was due to an affair and how much of it might have been due to pressure over the Benghazzi debacle.

Ah well.Petraeus was essentially a place holder at the CIA,with little power or input.

Hillary is said to be leaving soon as well,with UN Ambassador Susan Rice taking over in her place.