The sad disablement of CIA Director Bill Casey means that a successor will be named shortly. Being mentioned for the position are Deputy Director Robert Gates, former Texas Senator John Tower, National Security Agency head Lieutenant General William Odom, former Deputy Director Bobby Ray Inman, renowned attorney Edward Bennett Williams, and Senator Malcolm Wallop (R., Wyo.).
Howard Baker had been front-runner, but in mid January he decided against accepting, despite strong pressure. Gates and Tower are now neck and neck, with the former’s relative youth seen as something of a minus, and the latter’s chronic gruffness likewise. Williams is definitely in the running, his principal drawback being health (cancer surgery), but he looks fit and is as sharp as ever. Tower has the advantage that he would have smooth sailing through Senate confirmation, whereas if Inman gets the nod, he will meet merciless resistance.
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