( CNN ) -- Dennis Blair , the president 's top intelligence adviser , announced his resignation after 16 months of power struggles , politics and personality clashes . Blair was the third person to serve as director of national intelligence since the position was created five years ago . His resignation is effective May 28 . Although President Obama praised Blair for his `` remarkable record of service , '' there has been tension between the two . Blair found himself at odds with the White House over the scope of his role , and there was indirect conflict with others in the intelligence community . `` From the beginning the White House did not have the same view of what the DNI should be , '' according to a source familiar with the situation . `` [ Blair ] is a manager and a leader . He is not a politico . He does n't run around doing political stuff , '' the source said , acknowledging the Blair 's candor got him in trouble . Blair , a retired four-star Navy admiral , has served in the post since January 2009 . His office oversees 17 federal intelligence agencies , including the CIA , FBI and Department of Homeland Security . Word of his resignation came two days after the Senate Intelligence Committee released a report that sharply criticized the National Counterterrorism Center , overseen by Blair 's office , for failing to coordinate properly intelligence activities to detect the attempted Christmas Day airline bombing . The report highlighted 14 points of failure and said that the center was not organized to fulfill its mission . Blair , who also caught some of the blame for the more recent failed Times Square bombing attempt , responded to the report by noting changes made in response to the Christmas incident , including creation of a National Counterterrorism Center analytical unit dedicated to following up on terrorist threat information . However , Blair 's statement noted that `` institutional and technological barriers remain that prevent seamless sharing of information . '' Although Blair 's resignation was not a complete surprise for those in the intelligence community , he was not expected to step down for another month , senior intelligence officials said . He decided to leave sooner than expected when Obama asked CIA Director Leon Panetta and national security adviser James Jones to go to Pakistan and Blair was not asked to participate , the sources said . `` When the president looked to Leon Panetta and Jim Jones to go to Pakistan on this very serious threat , it was a slap at him . It was an indication of a lack of confidence in Adm. Blair , '' said Fran Townsend , CNN national security contributor who was President George W. Bush 's chief anti-terrorism and homeland security adviser . One Senate source said Blair has been unhappy and frustrated . `` He was losing every turf battle to Panetta , '' the source said . Blair and Obama also did n't have a good connection , Townsend said . `` You 've got a very bright , engaged president and with a lot of charisma , and there was n't a real chemistry between them , '' she said . The DNI was intended to be the CEO of the intelligence community , looking at the 17 agencies ' budgets , capabilities , training and cross-department communication . When the position was created , the DNI was given a lot of responsibility but not enough authority , Townsend said . `` It 's clear in this case between Adm. Blair and President Obama there was a mismatch and misunderstanding of expectations and responsibilities . And it will be very important that whoever the new DNI is , understands and accepts what the president 's view of that position is , '' she said . Even before Blair officially turned in his resignation , the White House already had spoken to potential replacements , the senior intelligence officials said . John Hamre , a defense official in the Clinton administration ; retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Jim Clapper , defense undersecretary for intelligence ; and former Sen. Chuck Hagel , R-Nebraska , are considered top contenders . CNN 's Kristi Keck , Gloria Borger and Jeanne Meserve contributed to this report .
Blair resignation as director of national intelligence effective May 28 . Dennis Blair 's was n't expected to resign for another month , senior intelligence officials say . President asked CIA chief and national security adviser to go on Panetta trip , not Blair . CIA national security contributor : No `` real chemistry '' between Blair , President Dennis Blair 's .