Ex-Pentagon official Carter emerges as leading contender for secretary, amid confusion over pick

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

In typical Washington Beltway form, an unconfirmed news report Tuesday morning that President Obama had picked Ashton Carter to be his defense secretary later was repeated by a top Republican senator to another news agency, which then urgently reported it as fact -- sourcing the senator.

 

What Fox News can report is that Carter is a leading contender to replace Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. But it's unclear whether he is the final pick, and it appears lawmakers have not yet been notified of his selection.

 

CNN initially reported that Carter, who was deputy Defense secretary from October 2011 to December 2013, is the pick. The Associated Press then quoted Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., as confirming the selection.

 

When reached by Fox News, however, an Inhofe spokeswoman said the senator was merely briefed that "CNN is reporting that it is Ash Carter but the committee has not been notified."

 

Hill sources, when contacted by Fox News, could not definitively confirm Carter, 60, is the pick.

 

And White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that while Carter is widely reported to be on the "short list," he could not provide further details.

 

"I don't have any personnel announcements to make today," he said.

 

If he is indeed nominated, and confirmed by the Senate, Carter would be Obama's fourth Pentagon chief in his roughly six-year administration. The development comes eight days after Hagel abruptly resigned under White House pressure, after less than two years on the job.

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We have a winner! Now let's see how long he lasts...