Obama to Name Leon Panetta as Head of CIA, Prompting Criticism From Lawmakers
FOX news
Bill Clinton’s former chief of staff Leon Panetta has been tapped to head the CIA in President-elect Barack Obama’s administration, causing surprise and a bit of consternation from several individuals involved in the intelligence community.
Panetta is a surprise pick since he has no experience in the intelligence world, though as chief of staff he had considerable access to intelligence information and knows how the community operates.
FOX News has learned that outgoing Intelligence Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., does not approve of the Panetta pick either. Rockefeller, according to one official, also put forward Kappes for CIA chief.
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newsmax
Sen. Diane Feinstein is reportedly fuming that Barack Obama picked Leon Panetta as his new CIA Director and never consulted with her.
Feinstein, the incoming chairwoman of the Senate intelligence committee, issued a sharp statement Monday that was a thinly veiled criticism of the pick. The statement made it clear that she had expected a career intelligence professional – unlike Panetta, who has no intelligence expertise whatsoever – to be leading the CIA.
“I was not informed about the selection of Leon Panetta to be the CIA Director,’’ Feinstein said.
“I know nothing about this, other than what I’ve read,” said Senator Feinstein, who will chair the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in the 111th Congress. “My position has consistently been that I believe the agency is best served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time.”
Panetta could face tough questions at his nomination hearing about his background in intelligence.
A former senior CIA official who advises Obama defended the surprise choice of Panetta, whose only military and intelligence experience is a two-year stint in the mid-1960s as a U.S. Army lieutenant.
The official told the Associated Press that Panetta had been a consumer of CIA intelligence when he was at the White House.
The source said Panetta was selected for his administrative, management and political skills that will allow him both to control and advocate for the agency.
The official added that Panetta will rely on the expertise of CIA officers to balance his lack of personal intelligence experience.
Veterans of the CIA were caught off guard by the selection.
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Obama initially wanted to nominate John Brennan, but the “Obama team” forced him out, because leftists opposed him, because Brennan worked at the CIA under Tenet. Leftists want someone who will destroy the CIA, instead of use them to gather intelligence on terrorists.
Some Say Obama Team Forced Out CIA Contender
Former CIA official John Brennan, once considered the top choice to serve as CIA director in President-elect Barack Obama’s administration, was pressured by the Obama transition team to pull his name from consideration, according to friends and former intelligence associates.
Brennan’s withdrawal, offered in a Nov. 25 letter to Obama, came after liberal bloggers mounted an opposition campaign against his possible appointment. They said he was tainted by his service in the CIA at a time when the agency was employing coercive interrogation methods, including “waterboarding,” on detainees.
These associates pin the blame for Brennan’s withdrawal squarely on the Obama team. “They pulled the plug on him,” said one former intelligence official. Brennan himself declined to comment.
Wild Thing’s comment………
I guess after the Brennan push out , that Cynthia McKinney and Cindy Sheehan must have turned him down and he had to go with his third choice.
Of course he is not qualified at all, but maybe Panetta read all the “James Bond, 007” novels (while spending several nights at Holiday Inn Express?)
IMO this is not a place to put amateurs.
The terrorist cells are getting happier and happier every day hearing all this news. Unfortunately it is going to take another attack to remind people why they vote Republican.
I agree.
I just hope since he’s said to be a real smart guy and a great manager (you know, like Sarah) he’ll pull in al the real experts to surround himself with.
Another day, another magic wand waved by FauxBama. It’s something everyday with him, unless, of course, there’s a crisis and he reverts to the “one President at a time” stance.
Our enemies glee over his election is scary stuff.
I agree Chrissie…this post is extremly important and no place for novices. Lives are at stake and its not a place to fool around. Its 24/7/365.
The Clinton Administration was one of the most corrupt administrations this nation ever had and now it looks like they’re back in power.
The 41% of supposed ‘independent voters’ created this monster so sit back, pop your Rasinettes and sip your Prozac cocktails, shaken not stirred… and telepathically communicate with Dennis Hopper and the mother ship! “Hey buddy, can you spare a dime, er trillion dollars?”
– Socialism 2009 – 2012 / 2016?
This choice will make the Chinese happy. Now they can get back to buying American technology from the Clinton cartel. Now if they can just get Sandy Berger as head of the FBI.
Barry O’Vomit is leading America down a path for which she may never return. When will the lightning bolt strike this bastard down?
I agree with you that it is a quizzical pick, but “destroy the CIA.” Really? I understand that you disagree totally on policy, but really? Destroy the CIA?
Bush Derangement Syndrome still rules. Panetta, Pinatas??? Isn’t that one of those Mexican dummies, where they blind fold the players then break it open at parties? Aw hell !!! What’s the difference, same level of intelligence, it’s the Clintons all over again. History always repeats itself when arrogance exceeds reason and judgement. Step back and think.
Based on reports prepared by Lieut. T. E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill put forward his first plans for a naval attack on the Dardanelles under Sir Ian Hamilton. History remembers the great glory of that superb intelligence move by the Brits every April 25 in a stanza about Suvla Bay. Based on current intelligence I reckon that Americans can die for Uhmericans due to blind hate and ignorance once more.
Why not have a CIA Director without any experience or achievement in the intelligence community? We will have a President without any executive experience or meaningful achievements. Our allies and enemies have to be laughing themselves silly at the demise of the greatness, leadership, and skills of the United States.
Eden, good one, your right.
“It’s something everyday with him, unless, of course, there’s a crisis and he reverts to the “one President at a time” stance.”
James M, good way to put it…..”Its 24/7/365″
BobF, yes your right, they are back in power.
If this is what Obama calls change he is full of it from head to toe.
Darth, LOL….. and Dennis Hopper is a Republican, he has been donating to the Republican party since Reagan.
“communicate with Dennis Hopper and the mother ship”
Tom……..yes those old Clinton days are here again.
“Now they can get back to buying American technology from the Clinton cartel”
cuchieddie, I agree, we still have not recoved from the things Bill Clinton did during his regime.
Dutch, your disagreement is with the article. I never said anything about destroying the CIA. Please see where it says……Wild Thing’s comment…. there is nothing in what I said that says ” destroy the CIA”.
The quote you are speaking of is from the second article in the post.
Jack, well put thank you.
Les, I see what you mean, yes a President that is not qualified and then this guy.
Yes I am so embarassed at how the rest of the world must be thinking half of America has lost it’s mind. Not that they have not wanted us to be more socialist,liberal and communist but they have go to be with their jaws dropping at all this BS.
The Sec of the Army was not amused with this choice. That does NOT make me feel better at all…