FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
In light of the botched Christmas Day terror attack - some are suggesting it's time for heads to roll in the Obama administration. And quite a few fingers are pointed at Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/01/06/art.napolitano.jpg caption="Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano."]
For one thing she couldn't wait to utter the inane comment, "the system worked," right after someone tried to blow an airplane out of the sky. She later clarified her remarks…but the damage was done.
Republican Senator John Kyl, from her home state of Arizona, told reporters he no longer feels "totally safe" with his former governor in charge of homeland security... Kyl said this with Arizona's other Senator - John McCain - by his side. Quite a different tune from last year - when both Republicans cheered her nomination. Other Republicans have actually called for the secretary's resignation.
Defenders of Napolitano say it's one of the toughest jobs in government - managing 20-plus agencies and a nearly $50 billion budget. And there is precious little in Janet Napolitano's background that qualifies her to be in charge of homeland security.
At the end of the day, the buck stops at the top. It's one thing for President Obama to express righteous indignation - which he did yesterday - but quite another to lead by example. The president is already developing a reputation for being indecisive, wishy-washy, governing by consensus, etc. Here's a chance for him to break out of that.
Besides, if he fired Napolitano, it would likely get a lot of other people's attention in government.
Here’s my question to you: In the wake of the latest attempted terror attack, should Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano be fired?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
D. writes:
Napolitano did a reasonable job as governor of Arizona, but she is in way over her head in her present position. You could see it by the expression on her face during her "the system worked" comment. The head of Homeland Security is a major-league job. So much for political appointments. Maybe Obama should put Dick Cheney in that position.
Arlene from Wiesbaden, Germany writes:
No way, Jack. Her remarks were taken out of context. She has explained them. I do not expect our Commander-in-Chief to throw a qualified and competent secretary under the bus for an error not of her making.
David from Georgia writes:
Jack, I don't believe she should have ever been appointed. Any excuse to fire her suits me. Her record on illegal immigration should have disqualified her. The most important thing Homeland Security needs to do is close our borders. This lady thinks the illegal invasion from Mexico is good for our country. Even if the Mexicans were acceptable, how do we know how many are from Mexico and how many are from the Middle East? The smugglers are hardly going to screen their clients.
Troy from Fairview, Texas writes:
Janet Napolitano was never qualified to be the Secretary of Homeland Security in the first place… Napolitano has no formal law enforcement experience, NO CIA experience, NO FBI experience, NO Secret Service experience and NO business being in charge of anything having to do with those issues. You do not hire a lawyer to protect America from terrorists, Jack. That is not their expertise.
Dominic from Chicago writes:
Am I the only one noticing that once again, the FBI and CIA aren't sharing information? It sounds just like the conversations we had after 9/11. I don't think Napolitano should be fired, I think that the FBI and CIA should play nice with the DHS and share their intel. Isn't that why we created the DHS to begin with?
Laura from Raleigh, North Carolina writes:
Well, Jack, it’s like this: With the way things are going, she is likely to receive a Nobel Peace Prize because she had good intentions.