John Kerry's position on:

Director of Intelligence: After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the intelligence agencies of our country have been under scrutiny for the failures which culminated in the deaths of over three thousand Americans, causing a commission to recommend the creation of a National Director of Intelligence position. The current debate is over where this new position will be locarted (under the executive or legislative branch), as well as how much power it will hold.

Description of candidate's position: Kerry supports the creation of the creation of a position of National Intelligence Director as described by the 9-11 Commission. In fact, Kerry supports implementing all the recommendations of the 9-11 Commission. He has stated his support for this, stating that he has been challenging the legislature and president to go forward with the creation of this position. Kerry's website.

Quotation from the candidate: "But, as you know, winning the war on terror demands a team effort. We all know that the best intelligence comes from working cooperatively with other nations &endash; through real intelligence sharing and joint operations. That's why for months now, I have been calling for the creation of a National Director of Intelligence with the authority to oversee all of our intelligence agencies." August 18, 2004, from the Kerry website.

Assessment of the proposal:

Positive: The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, an independent bipartisan commission created by legislation and the signature of the president, recommended replacing the current position of Director of Central Intelligence with a National Intelligence Director. This new position would have two areas of responsibility: "(1) to oversee national intelligence centers on specific subjects of interest across the U.S. government and (2) to manage the national intelligence program and oversee the agencies that contribute to it. National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States website.

Negative: According to the Heritage Foundation, a research and educational institute since 1973, appointing a National Intelligence Director with direct influence over both foreign and domestic operations would put too much power into the hands of one person. They suggest to create a position which has oversight of the intelligence community, establishing priorities and coordinating strategies for them. Heritage Foundation website.

Comparison: While both candidates support the creation of this position, there are differences in how the position will be located organizationally. In President Bush's proposal, the Director will be coordinating, not controlling all intelligence agencies and will be appointed by the President. Kerry's proposal would allow the Director to directly oversee the agencies, instead only coordinating them. Bush's website.

Sources: All sources are linked to the relevant passage.

Link to Bush's director of intelligence issue page