Just breaking on MSNBC by Andrea Mitchell. General David Petraeus, head of the CIA, to resign from post due to "extra marital affair".
More as it comes in.
It's coming in very slowly. This from USA Today:
In a letter, Petraeus noted that he had been married for 37 years and had exercised "extremely poor judgment' in conducting an extramarital affair.
David Petraeus resigns from CIA- USA Today
From NBC
"Yesterday afternoon, I went to the White House and asked the President to be allowed, for personal reasons, to resign from my position," Petraeus said in his resignation letter. "After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours."
"This afternoon, the President graciously accepted my resignation," Petraeus said in the letter.
CIA Director Petraeus Resigns, Cites Extra-Marital Affair
Full Resignation Letter from NBC
9 November 2012
Yesterday afternoon, I went to the White House and asked the President to be allowed, for personal reasons, to resign from my position as D/CIA. After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours. This afternoon, the President graciously accepted my resignation.
As I depart Langley, I want you to know that it has been the greatest of privileges to have served with you, the officers of our Nation's Silent Service, a work force that is truly exceptional in every regard. Indeed, you did extraordinary work on a host of critical missions during my time as director, and I am deeply grateful to you for that.
Teddy Roosevelt once observed that life's greatest gift is the opportunity to work hard at work worth doing. I will always treasure my opportunity to have done that with you and I will always regret the circumstances that brought that work with you to an end.
Thank you for your extraordinary service to our country, and best wishes for continued success in the important endeavors that lie ahead for our country and our Agency.
With admiration and appreciation,
David H. Petraeus
CIA Director David Petraeus resigns, cites extramarital affair p2
Having the news on all day, I had been prepared for a Petraeus resignation. However, what I was not prepared for were the reasons. The media all day had prepared me for the reasons being Petraeus and the national security team not getting along; or because he and President Obama never really quite gelled. But an extra-marital affair has me at a lost for words! Just WOW!