Obama to tap retired admiral as intel head

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Retired Adm. Dennis Blair is U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be director of National Intelligence, Democratic insiders said Monday.

In addition to Blair, Obama was settling on naming Leon Panetta, who was chief of staff in former President Bill Clinton's White House, as his Central Intelligence Agency chief, Democratic sources told CNN.

If their nominations are approved by the Senate, Blair would be Panetta's boss.

Blair headed the U.S. Navy's Pacific Command during the Clinton administration and during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks under President George Bush, The New York Times reported. He served in the Navy for 34 years.