I hear that when Porter Goss went to meet with Negroponte today, he didn't know he was going to be leaving the job. And that it would have been the President's decision, not Negroponte's. And that this may have to do with how Goss handled a management issue concerning Foggo. And perhaps with a tie in to HIPSI. And I hear that Fran Townsend has already been approached about taking Goss's job -- and turned it down. And I hear that agency folks are worried this is the end of the Agency as they know it -- Pentagon role over intelligence will only increase. "I think there's another shoe to drop," said one source. Justin Rood has more on this.

The statement put out by Goss via CIA public affairs is one of those bizarre historical documents ("distinct pleasure" ... "smooth and professional transition" ... "I am proud of the CIA's management team") for failing to hint why he's leaving, when one can imagine that some of the back story is going to come out between now and tomorrow morning.

Update: Pentagon undersecretary also to go? ?

Update II: I'm told if you watch the video at this MSNBC link, there's a shot of Dusty.

Update III: Are you coming to this story late, and haven't a clue what's going on and who's who?

Here's your Bible, useful intelligence, and two decent background stories that caught the drift of this early on. And a profile of Goss's helm at the Agency.

Update IV: Hill source: they were totally surprised. When the announcement of Goss's resignation came on a bank of TVs turned to CNN today, "Literally people were running" -- to their offices, etc. to figure out what's going on.

Posted by Laura at May 5, 2006 02:19 PM