President Obama announced on Saturday that he is nominating retired Air Force Lieutenant General and current Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, James Clapper, to become Director of National Intelligence (DNI).  I have a Jim Clapper story of my own.  It is pretty lame, but taught me an important lesson:  always look your best in the Pentagon, especially when you’re walking around the “E” ring.

A couple of years ago, I was working in the Pentagon.  I typically arrived pretty early, around 6:30am each morning.  I got in and decided to grab some coffee.  In the “E” ring, near the Secretary of Defense’s office, there’s beautiful wood paneling and portraits of previous Pentagon chiefs.  Because it was early, I decided to take a stroll down the “E” ring, in the Secretary’s corridor.  I figured that it was early enough that I would probably be alone and wouldn’t run into any VIPs.  I had done this before, as a I am a student of history and liked to admire the portraits.  I passed through the automatic doors and entered the Secretary’s corridor.  Right away, I noticed a gentleman at the other end of the corridor, walking toward me at a fairly brisk pace.  Then, I remembered that I hadn’t put my tie on yet.  I had a suit on–but with no tie.  It was about 6:45am at this point.  When you’re walking in the Pentagon, and especially in the Secretary’s corridor, there’s a good shot you’ll see one of the Pentagon’s senior leaders.  I noticed that the man had a shaved head and glasses.  As he got closer, I realized that it was Jim Clapper, the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.

I thought for a few seconds about what I was going to say.  When we were about 10 feet away, we made eye contact.  ”Good morning, sir,” I said confidently.  He starred at me, expressionless.  After a second, I flashed an awkward, half grin.  There was nothing but silence.  We passed each other and I continued my walk down the remainder of the corridor.  I wasn’t entirely surprised by the response (or lack thereof).  Was it because I wasn’t wearing a tie?  Maybe he thought I was an intern?  Even so, he couldn’t muster a “hello.”  Maybe he just got out of a rough meeting with the Secretary, or maybe it was just a tough week.  I don’t know.  My experience with Jim Clapper is much different than my brief exchange with General Michael Hayden, former Director of the CIA.  I met General Hayden several years ago at conference and exchanged pleasantries.  His sunny disposition was in sharp contrast to Clapper’s near-grimace.

I really don’t have any input on whether or not he’d be an effective DNI.  I know there’s some opposition on the Hill (I hope he at least says “hello” to members of the Senate who hold is (confirmation) fate in their hands).  The DNI position is a tough job.  It has a wide mandate but too little authority to actually enforce the mandate.  I don’t think that Clapper, a legacy Bush appointment, will be able to penetrate Obama’s inner circle of advisers.  The DNI needs to have a close working relationship with the White House to be effective.  That’s my Jim Clapper story.