Leon Panetta

Posted on January 7th, 2009 by ecthompson

There’s been a lot of handwringing and consternation over Barack Obama’s choice of Leon Panetta to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. Dianne Feinstein (Democrat-California) issued a terse statement on Monday afternoon letting everyone know that she wasn’t consulted and she did not approve. Remember that I was reserved in my comments. Now that the dust has settled, I think it is clearer that Barack Obama has probably made the right decision. Leon Panetta will not be someone easily pushed around and isolated from the White House by any of the senators on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Instead, known as an excellent manager, Leon Panetta should be able to organize that agency.

I don’t think that this was a slap in the face. Instead, I think that it was an announcement that things are really going to be different. This will not be business as usual. After renditions, torture, illegal wiretaps and the like, I think that this strong signal that things are going to be different and different is a very good thing. Finally, I would add that the Obama team didn’t leak Panetta’s name. It was leaked by someone on the Hill who wasn’t happy. (Feinstein or Rockerfeller’s offices..? I’m just guessing but I bet that I’m close.)


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From WaPo:

President-elect Barack Obama said yesterday that he has selected a “top-notch intelligence team” that would provide the “unvarnished” information his administration needs, rather than “what they think the president wants to hear.”

But current and former intelligence officials expressed sharp resentment over Obama’s choice of Leon E. Panetta as CIA director and suggested that the agency suffers from incompetent leadership and low morale. “People who suggest morale is low don’t have a clue about what’s going on now,” said CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield, citing recent personnel reforms under Director Michael V. Hayden.

On Capitol Hill, Democrats on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence were still stewing over Obama not consulting them on the choice before it was leaked Monday and continued to question Panetta’s intelligence experience. Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. acknowledged that the transition team had made a “mistake” in not consulting or even notifying congressional leaders, and Obama telephoned committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and her predecessor, Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), yesterday to apologize. (more… )

Tags: National Intelligence, Obama administration // View Comments

  • Everett Williams
    My only disappointment here is that Panetta was not made head of Homeland Security rather than just the CIA. No insider could possibly clean this up, because any of them high up enough to be capable would also be culpable in the actions of recent years. We need to prosecute under international law at least a few of those involved. Only an outsider can manage that.
  • Everett Williams
    My only disappointment here is that Panetta was not made head of Homeland Security rather than just the CIA. No insider could possibly clean this up, because any of them high up enough to be capable would also be culpable in the actions of recent years. We need to prosecute under international law at least a few of those involved. Only an outsider can manage that.
  • Adrian Snare
    In the past, the Washington politicians have had a bad habit of surrounding themselves with "yes" men, toadies, and stooges.This is the easy way of doing things, particularly if ones intellect is short..
    Thus far, Obama does not fall into this category..
    This, to Feinstein, complaining that she was not consulted, well, neither was I.....lol.....
    So, Mr Obama has one tough job ahead of him, lets just wish him well...
  • Adrian Snare
    In the past, the Washington politicians have had a bad habit of surrounding themselves with "yes" men, toadies, and stooges.This is the easy way of doing things, particularly if ones intellect is short..
    Thus far, Obama does not fall into this category..
    This, to Feinstein, complaining that she was not consulted, well, neither was I.....lol.....
    So, Mr Obama has one tough job ahead of him, lets just wish him well...
  • Elizabeth Sholes
    He is the most outspoken opponent of torture and on behalf of civil rights and is NOT from the CIA embedded community. He is perfect for this pick - savvy about Congress and the Hill, devoted to the issues we all care about. Feinstein's nose is out of join about not being consulted, but her track record leaves NO room for her to be in charge.
  • Elizabeth Sholes
    He is the most outspoken opponent of torture and on behalf of civil rights and is NOT from the CIA embedded community. He is perfect for this pick - savvy about Congress and the Hill, devoted to the issues we all care about. Feinstein's nose is out of join about not being consulted, but her track record leaves NO room for her to be in charge.
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