President Barack Obama's nomination to head up Homeland Security is nothing but a "political hack," the chairman of the House committee with oversight of the department charged Tuesday.
"I don't want a political hack in that position. I want someone who can lead on national security issues," Rep. Mike McCaul said on "Fox & Friends." "I don't want a yes man for the president."
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McCaul, a Texas Republican, was talking about Jeh Johnson who Obama has proposed should become the next secretary of the sprawling department, replacing Janet Napolitano, who resigned in September.
McCaul noted Johnson's experience in counterterrorism and cybersecurity as a former lawyer in the Department of Defense. He said he would rather have seen a nominee with a police background, such as New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly or Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis.
"I would have liked to have had a guy who was not sort of on-the-job training, somebody that immediately could come in, command respect and stature," McCaul said.
Johnson will appear Wednesday before the
House Committee on Homeland Security for a hearing about his confirmation.
McCaul said he would keep an open mind about Johnson, but stressed the need for leadership from someone who can get started quickly.
"I'll give him the benefit of the doubt," he said. "I want a guy who can jump in from day one and really lead this organization that is crying out for leadership."
"This guy is going to have to earn our respect," he adde
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