CIA Director David Petraeus Resigns Because of Extramarital Affair, But Who Did He Sleep With? [Edit: His Biographer, Allegedly]

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David Petraeus resigned as director of the CIA today due what he called his “extremely poor judgment” regarding an extramarital affair.

Uh, what? Petraeus was a four-star general who served over 37 years in the United States Army, most recently as commander of the war in Afghanistan before taking over at the CIA. As anyone who has ever seen a vaguely political movie or television show knows, his preemptive resignation can only mean he’s being blackmailed for sleeping with someone extremely inappropriate. Who could it be?

Theories:

1. A coworker or a reporter.

Over at Gawker, John Cook says:

A source who knows Petraeus speculated that the affair was somehow particularly compromising: “It was either a foreign national or a reporter. He loves reporters.” Of course, if it were with a co-worker that would also make things complicated.
We hear he had a particular fondness for CBS News’ Lara Logan: He’s rumored to have asked one of his assistants to keep photographs of her handy on his computer.

2. An intern? It’s been known to happen.

3. Nobody. He’d just rather go down in history as another powerful dude who slept with someone who wasn’t his wife than the guy who fucked up the Benghazi attack.

Here’s the full letter to the CIA work force, from NBC:

HEADQUARTERS Central Intelligence Agency
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

Edit: It was his Paula Broadwell, his biographer, according to Slate.

 
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