PEBO Taps Panetta to Head CIA

Leon Panetta??? Lord help us!! We are doomed.

One unqualified candidate appoints another. Let’s hope Panetta can produce a valid birth certificate at the very least.

Inexperienced managers tend to prefer hiring inexperienced staff.

Great choice. Panetta can organize anything, even the spooks at the CIA.

LEAD IT!!!! This bureau should be shutdown and disband. What do they do that any of us can say is worthwhile? What ever they do…..we aren’t allowed to know about, but we sure are tapped to pay for it.

I thought “CHANGE” was coming to Washington? I guess we’ll just shuffle the deck instead……

PEBO loves the Clintonites, the more things “change” the more they stay the SAME! Meet the new boss, SAME as the old boss. The only change that’s coming is what’s gonna be sucked out of YOUR pocket… at the barrell of a gun, mind you! Jimmy Carter Part II only gets one term, that I promise you! Hope you guys liked the ’70′s cause we’re going right back to that kind of empty thinking and policy. Yeay! You asked for it!

Panetta’s resume makes him sound well rounded…for another position rather than the Directer of the CIA.

I used to look forward to Jan. 20 as the end of the Bush era.
Now I’m looking forward to it as an end to the use of “PEBO.”
Horrible, horrible acronym.

It is the Clinton Admin. all over again.

Seems to me that Panetta has as much experience as George H. W. Bush had when he lead the CIA for President Ford. Also being a former Chief of Staff leads me to believe that he knew a lot more of what was going on. That should have been the headline instead of former Representative. I didn’t know he had even held that job.

Hi! I’m every conservative on this board. *ahem*
“Oh No! Obama picked (Ctl V) Leon Panetta for (Ctl V) CIA head!”
“This guy was (flips over to Wikipedia, returns) part of the Clinton administration and is terrible because he (flips back over to Wiki, returns) wasn’t part of the same CIA group that’s done such a bang up job what with the 9/11 intel, Iraq Weapons intel, torture and stuff. ”
“We’re doomed! This isn’t (Ctl. V) Change We Can Believe In! It’s more of the same!”
I’m available for parties and weddings. Every Conservative OUT!

Just remember: the CIA does primarily fact-finding stuff: intelligence gathering. Unfortunately 1% of what they do gets 99% of the press, and 100% of the movie coverage.
Panetta’s a decent guy but seems an odd fit for the CIA…

It will be nice to have someone lead the CIA that didn’t make their life within the CIA.

Everyone makes a stink about Clintonites do you guys realize the last Dem admin was carters prior to Clinton.He obviously trying to pick competent people.We gave GWB time to work out his agendas please give PEBO the same for christ sake.Obama is the worst president ever!Wait a minute he hasn’t been sworn in yet.

” but some of you naysayers are too funny”
It really not funny at all. The head of CIA is a serious position. Caroline Kennedy cant do much harm as a senator but a mismanaged CIA can.
The CIA is full of fiefdoms and independent groups going in their own direction. Not to say that the environment cant be learned but having people milling around for a year doing their own thing while Panetta gets up to speed will be dangerous.

You know what sounds like fun to me, Todd? Let’s all rush to judgement, chips fall where they may. Even if it means prophesying the failure of our own native land….sound familiar? To anyone who was paying attention to what the Rev. Wright actually said, it probably does.
It’s just amusing now to find the doom-and-gloom now pouring out of the mouth of the same right wing corpse that wanted to make Wright the central issue in November.

I bet Obama requires his pilot on Air Force One to have some “flying” experience. You would think his director of “spying” would have experience “spying”.

I hope the new CIA chief works his ass off to protect AMERICA. I believe 911 was allowed to happen for political advancement. Unbelieveable but it happened. No more political BS, just protect us.
-M

” but some of you naysayers are too funny”
It really not funny at all. The head of CIA is a serious position. Caroline Kennedy cant do much harm as a senator but a mismanaged CIA can.
The CIA is full of fiefdoms and independent groups going in their own direction. Not to say that the environment cant be learned but having people milling around for a year doing their own thing while Panetta gets up to speed will be dangerous.
No it’s not funny however if he picked a lifer in the CIA then Rush and Hannity would say ” Hows that for change” So it’s a lose-lose situation.Panetta has not been affirmed by the Senate yet.This is serious business I understand that I just think it’s funny how Obama can’t get any of his picks right according to do the Repubs.I don’t agree with every pick but come on guys….

At least Panetta is a clean break from the counterterrorism programs of the Bush administration. Though I don’t know if good intentions can trump all the goons and their goonery in the CIA.

He is a domestic policy wonk. I would happy if he came from the foreign affairs or military arena, but this guy is Michael Dukakis in a Tank. The big winner is DNI Blair. Perhaps with this appointment, the DNI really will run the show in McLean.

Guess it is time to start building bomb shetlers again. After eight years of saftey and a re-building of the intellengce community it is about to be destroyed and the Unites States will once again be subjected to terrorism.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA This is CHANGE alright, another ex clinton goon with no intellegence experience that is going to be in charge of the CIA. HA HA HA HA HA HA. What a joke.

mikalxs “We gave GWB time to work out his agendas please give PEBO the same”.
Didn’t Congress (Dems) take 8 months (August) to confirm GWB’s cabinet appointments? The Dems filibustered or threatened to every step of the way.
BHO will have all of appointments confirmed or indicted for crimes within 30 days.

I will not dispute we are safer now, then 911.But we are not safer overseas troops and civilians alike.GWB did what he had to protect us in turn he may have done too much, which makes vulnerable elsewhere and other interests.

I remember this guy from the Clinton years! And the hits just keep on coming!

Does anyone remember the experienced George Tenet backing the faulty…..? sorry cooked intelligence by Bush, Cheney, Rummy and (enabler)Powell. Only thing I want know is when are we gona prosecute these criminals?
I too hate all these damn Clintonites

I continue to be amused and amzed at the number who apparently equate “change” with all new faces in the administration, with no prior experience. Wise up, people. “Change” is the agenda, the approach, the philosophy, the goals of the President. Not all new faces! Carter did that (inexperienced, new people) and his term was a disaster. Obama has assembled a great team of experienced people who will implement HIS agenda of change.

Isn’t change wonderful? Does Obama know anybody other than these old stale Clinton retreads?

Has anyone else noticed how the Obamanots have dissapeared??? Once the one was elected they are all of the sudden missing in action when it comes to anything that Obama does. It is like they woke up when Obama ran for president and now they have gone back to sleep. Scary.

Billy Bob: that is all the McCan’t supporters that have disappeared. They are still off sulking and pouting somewhere.

LOL. Fox News. News for the thought impaired.

William J. LePetomane Sorry, but we are involved like we have been for years. The Obama generation was the ones whos attention span only lasted until he was elected.

William J. LePetomane Let me guess you watch CNBC

Never seen CNBC. Not even sure what channel it is on my cable. As for you, I imagine you watch ONLY Fox News.

Whew! Thought he might appoint his buddy Blagoievich!!!!
What would Obama do without the Clintons!!!!!!
Obama shows, over and over, how little he knows, and how he is not capable of judging competence on his own!!!

Jim Jones was a marxist and supported by most of the major Democrat players in California.
Maybe you should get additional news sources.

Here’s the deal, people. The head of CIA needs to be an ADMINISTRATOR. He is not going to be out in the field spying on people! The first Geo. Bush was a CIA Director. He had no intelligence experience. Someone that high up needs to be an outstanding manager, leader and administrator first and foremost.

“Does anyone remember the experienced George Tenet backing the faulty . . . sorry cooked intelligence by Bush, Cheney, Rummy and (enabler)Powell. Only thing I want know is when are we gonna prosecute these criminals?”
Worthwhile thoughts . .

Anyone who complained about GWB pick of Brown as Fema director should be astounded and the stupidity of this pick. This is no time for the HEAD of the CIA to be someone with no intelligence experience. OMG So both the President AND the CIA director will have no experience in fighting terror. God help us all!!!

I bet those his supporters used to mock “Clintonites”, NO more Clintons…
So..what happen now?
Expect more changes?
He has lots of copies of Clinton’s people in his drawer, I guess!

I said administrator “first and foremost” Pay attention.

Do you people realize that the President’s Chief of Staff is a member of the National Security Council? Panetta was a former Chief of Staff. Get it? He is not a complete neophyte in the intelligence field! Do your homework!

billy bob, we know how it works: if a particular news organization doesn’t shill for your cause or dares to question the “brilliant” Bush, it’s a “left-leaning liberal rag.” We know how it works.

Billy Bob: Fox News = 90% right-wing exptremism. See how easy that is to say?

I dont think LePetomane reads any of those sources- probably just the sidebar on Kos.
Quickly William- which new sources have have consumers with the most current event knowledge?

The National Enquirer?

Rolling Stone?

Thanks, man.

Well, enough amusement for one day. It sure has been fun poking holes in the faulty logic of the right wing, but hey, it is almost cocktail time!

All the liberal Pollyanna’s must love this pick? A Cali-lib CIA Director, wonderful. I’m sure this is well regarded appointment among those watching in Waziristan. Soft is as soft does.

It is getting very deep on the left.
Soon we will be in our waders , then up to our necks with change. Get me a boat with a shovel, we have already started up that creek.

kat..Another pearl of wisdom from an Obama supporter…Where in my comment did I endorse the present administration???

What’s with all the negative comments? Didn’t anyone ever tell you that it’s unpatriotic to not support a new President?
————————————
Pat,
LOL….then by definition all the liberals in the country are UNPATRIOTIC!
None of them supported Bush in 2001 !!!!
Most of them were STILL whining in 2008 that he “stole” the 2000 election.

Could someone tell how his administration demonstrates “Change?” It’s just a recycled Clinton administration!

Has Obama picked his Secretary of Labor? I think Reno, being a proven task master, would make a real good one.

“FOX is by far the most acurate news agency.”
That would be ‘accurate’. It’s inaccurate to say ‘acurate’.

“The head of intelligence should have some. Panetta does. For you $12/hr types that are critiquing this pick, submit your resume and save America.”
Hahaha . ..

I see FOX news really hits a chord with you libs. You whiners cannot take it when someone calls you out on you extremist left views. You guys like to dish it out but you really need to learn how to take it. Most of you simply resort to name calling.

Too late. Hilda Solis has been nominated as secretary of labor. Former head of the office for Hispanic affairs under Carter from California. At least it wasn’t another Clinton retread.

Bertie, you’re right. But those same “expert current events” respondents say that Saddam Hussein was behind 9/11. And they continue to claim that Bush is doing a good job. If the quiz on current events is based on what was on Fox and Friends that morning, kind of a predictable result, isn’t it?

I’m thinking back fondly to the use of the CIA by Bush and Cheney to cook skewed intelligence on Iraq in order to justify their neo-con agenda to go ahead and attack.
That’s when ‘experienced’ leadership in the CIA really counted and look what happened. Tens of thousands killed (many civilians) and still counting – and the country virtually bankrupted by hundreds of billions of dollars of war debt – which continues to build as we speak.

I’m also thinking back to ‘experienced’ CIA leadership under Bush that had such excellent intelligence that 9/11 took place on their shift . ..

Joe, Art & your fellow libbies,
It never ceases to amaze me. You guys have such a preoccupation with Bush and how terrible he is.
Lets examine your case. On one hand he is this incredible mastermind who fooled the entire world into commiting to “his war” in Iraq. He would stop at nothing to do this.
Then with EVERY other single policy issue for 8 years, he is this incompetent country bumpkin. He cant do anything right.
Hell of a Jeckle & Hyde act huh ?

“I continue to be amused and amzed at the number who apparently equate “change” with all new faces in the administration, with no prior experience. Wise up, people. “Change” is the agenda, the approach, the philosophy, the goals of the President. Not all new faces! Carter did that (inexperienced, new people) and his term was a disaster. Obama has assembled a great team of experienced people who will implement HIS agenda of change.”

Joe,
I watched the coverage of the election most nights from the conventions on…usually switcihng between the channels looking for how each network was presenting things.
When it comes to ABC, CBS, NBC (MSNBC), CNN if Christ had returned in a blaze of glory, those networks never would have known. they were so enamored by Obama is was truely pathetic.
What is so interesting now, is they are having to go back a prove they are still news agencies by acting having to report things now. It really burns at them that Obama is what most of us said he was. Just another “Chicago-Style” politician. Better presentation, but still the same old thing. There is no “change” here. I find it extremely amusing that bloggers here are constantly having to define what “change” is. Obama sure is not doing it.
This whole Richardson thing is the concrete proof that nothing has changed in Washington. You can believe whatever you want to, but only a total fool can stand up now and defend this as “Change We Need”. I will continue to criticize when I believe it is required. I hope he is successful, the country need to get out of this mess the liberals created because of their need to for social experiments.
I just wonder if he is strong enough to stand up to Pelosi Reid when its required.

Still Joe,
LOL…come on .. have a set son. At least be man enough to realize how much of this mess was created by design by liberals.
All the way back into the Clinton years up to Barney Frank shoving this stupid concept of everyone should have a house with a mortgage even if they can’t possibly pay for it. Then when Bush did try to put regulations in place, the Dems stopped it. Its always interesting how you libbies never include that part of the story.

So Bush wasn’t strong enough to chose someone other than Tenet? That was Bush’s choice to leave the man in the position . . . you can’t blame Clinton for that.

Mike_C, if ALL we get is the following for “change,” America will be well-served: (1) a Justice Department whose head doesn’t lie to Congress and say he “forgot” everything he ever did in order to stonewall (2) A Vice-President who doesn’t throw a CIA agent under the bus for DARING to state the facts about weapons of mass destruction (3) A President who goes after the man who attacked us on 9/11 instead of diverting 99% of our military resources to a ginned up war and 4) General competence in running the government that you and I pay for. All the rest of this ridiculous rambling about what is and what is not change is a waste of time and a distraction from the huge challenges Bush is leaving this country to confront.

Mike_C, I could write these response you’re given: it’s so predictable. Yes, Barney Frank, blah, blah. So predictable. It’s as if I’m listening to Hannity’s show again. Any idea whose responsibility it is to enforce the laws and regulations in our capital markets and economy? Yes, that’s correct: the Administration. An Administration that considers oversight a curse word will do precisely what this one did: nothing. By the way, I don’t think Barney Frank is blameless. Of course not. Although if you want to blame somebody in Congress, the Dems didn’t take over until ’06, at which point the cows were well out of the barn. But by absolving Bush of responsibility for the economy, you demonstrate a wholesale lack of understanding of how the country works.

Mike_C, again, the time-bomb that blew our economy to shreds 3 months ago was set in place long before the Dems took over the House in ’06. And with the Senate deadlocked at near 50-50, Dems had barely any say in things anyway (anything of substance was going to get stonewalled in the Senate). Look, I’ll say it again, the President has responsibility for regulation in the markets. He abdicated this responsibility. He thus bears responsibility for the outcome. And btw, I’m not a Democrat. But I don’t run around licking Bush’s boots just because he’s the President. Signing off, still Average Joe.

I don’t know much about the Intelligence Agency and the job of the director. But Leon Panetta is just a good pick for about any top Washington job.

So Todd, Bush wasn’t strong enough to chose someone other than Tenet? That was Bush’s choice to leave the man in the position . . . you can’t blame Clinton for that. Try to use some common sense.

Is Janet Reno coming back to..????
The Clinton administration is back.!!!
Change you can believe in….lol

Terrible pick, I am astounded at the stupidity of this decision.

Frist read “Legacy of Ashes.” Forget the Tom Clancy books. Leon Panetta is one heck of an administrator and that is exactly what the CIA needs. The CIA has been burdened by poor management from the spook type administrators.

CW Obama is preparing the groundwork for a stimulus package that will come into effect AFTER he takes office. The current situation in the middle east has to be dealt with by the acting President.

Leon Panetta is 70 years old. I thought Obama was bringing new faces to Washington. Instead we have the RETIRED Clinton administration.

“If the quiz on current events is based on what was on Fox and Friends that morning, kind of a predictable result, isn’t it?”
Is it cozy in the cocoon? A majority of people who voted for Obama dont know who controls Congress. Thats not a trick question. If you dont know the answer, we really dont need you participating, regardless of what the ACORN dude told you.
“The current situation in the middle east has to be dealt with by the acting President.”
‘acting president’? What is with these Obamaites and non-existant titles.

I predict Panetta will withdraw within a week. The CIA post should not be politicized and is not a position for a novice. The position is too vital to our nation’s security. He won’t get the votes.

Why would anyone expect the least-qualified, least-experienced, least-accomplished president-elect we’ve ever had to do any better? Why would anyone expect a Chicago politician to do any different (It’s not about qualifications, it’s about politics!)

Why would anyone expect the least-qualified, least-experienced, least-accomplished president-elect we’ve ever had to do any better? Why would anyone expect a Chicago politician to do any different (It’s not about qualifications, it’s about politics!)

I don’t think the intelligence was bad per se during the Bush years, but selectively and destructively used. Which is all the more reason for bringing an outsider in.

-First WTC bombing, Feb. ’93
-Khobar Towers bombing, Jun. ’96
-African Embassy bombings, Aug. ’98
-USS Cole bombing, Oct. ’00
-9/11 – WTC – Pentagon, Sep. ’01
All occurred during the tenure of Clinton Administration (Panetta, Berger, et al.) appointed CIA Directors including Woolsey, Deutch, and Tenet. Under Bush?

“Which is all the more reason for bringing an outsider in.”
Actually just the opposite. Intelligence gathering isnt going to give you a picture of a terrorist holding up a sign with his GPS coordinates or a photo of boxes labeled Acme WMD.
You get part of a picture from here and part from there. There may be some intercepts that mean something but then maybe they dont. When the Iraqi general says “We evacuated everything. We don’t have anything left.” does that mean they destroyed it or they hid it? Are those aluminum tubes for nuclear use or conventional weapons.
What about the rumors you get from other countries intelligence services? Do you trust those or ignore them?
You very seldom going to get full information. This job requires you to make judgments on muddied waters. And if you dont do it you are going to get 9/11 and USS Cole.
When you have someone with no experience then tend to over rely on staff and are scared to make decisions. Not what we need.

“When you have someone with no experience then tend to over rely on staff and are scared to make decisions. Not what we need.”
The claim doesn’t hold that Panetta has no experience. He had substantial intelligence experience as the Clinton Chief of Staff. Plus, he also was a head of intelligence operations at Fort Ord in Monterey, CA. And thankfully, he’s not a good old boy with the water boarding club.

“He had substantial intelligence experience as the Clinton Chief of Staff. Plus, he also was a head of intelligence operations at Fort Ord in Monterey, CA. ”
Sounds like Caroline Kennedy’s experience going to JLo’s old school.
I really dont know what this Fort Ord thing is or why its relevant. I understand how being head of the NSA is relevant. I understand how being on the House Intelligence Committee is valuable. It looks on the face of it, unless he has been hiding his light under a bushel for a decade, like Panetta is the least qualified Director since Schlesinger.
Now if you want to spin that as a good thing its up to you.

Its a name check.
Look I had a job that had security in it. Somewhere.
At a military base that closed in 1994.
How does a job in physical security decades ago at a base used by reservists prepare you for a job in human and signal intelligence? I suppose that Panetta might have had to guard against the possibility of Obama’s neighbors trying to blow it up but outside of that there is no relevance to today’s situation.
How does it prepare him for the factionalization and turf wars inside of the CIA? It doesnt.

Yeah, Bush was stupid to trust that any of Bubba’s appointments were bright enough. Now you’re saying we should trust that his unqualified former Chief of Staff is up to the CIA job? Not even Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) is buying that pal. Panetta was their when Bin Laden got his start and did nothing to stop him when they could have.

“Yeah, Bush was stupid to trust that any of Bubba’s appointments were bright enough”
Well Todd, now you’re simply revealing your blanket bias against and condemnation of anyone appointed by Clinton or a Democrat – a rigid, prejudiced and almost idiotic stance.
You’re prejudging large numbers of people you know nothing about.

Lightnin, not one commentor has made the clever connection between “Chicago politician” and our newly-elected President. It’s picks like these that really quell our cynisism of politicians possessing integrity and independent thought.
What we need to remember to do is to pray for this President, and for wisdom.
P.S. Also our Troops.

Todd it was not a personal attack against you, it was an attack against your position of issuing a blanket condemnation of anyone appointed by Clinton. That is what I criticized and called ‘rigid, prejudiced and almost idiotic’. You’ve got to read what people actually say, not what you imagined they said.

“I’m sure Fort Ord had more classified areas of intelligence beyond the linguistic. It may have very well dealt with the signal and human intelligence you mentioned, also. I mean those two areas certainly sound compatible with military language training.”
If any of that classified diphthong research had leaked out the Republic would have been in big trouble.
Sorry this experience doesnt sounds very relevant to me. As far as we know, he has no knowledge of the operational structure of the CIA, and very little about their methods of intelligence gathering and collation.
Your position is either
1. hey we wouldnt want someone with experience
or
2. look he really does have experience
I dont think you are going to convince anyone with this “no experience needed” ploy. The standard has always been that the candidate had actual operation experience before he took over the job. That seems to have been relaxed with Deutch with bad results.
Fort Ord doesnt seem significant. And attending summarized briefings a decade ago really isnt much help either.

Its very obvious that Leon Panetta’s selection to head CIA points to Obama’s plan for bringing drastic changes into CIA’s operation philosophy, that he could not have achieved through a career intelligence professional. Leon Panetta is no dummy, he sat through daily intelligence briefings at White House, had been a congressman for six terms and many assignments at WH. Obama has very competent team including Gen. James Jones and Blair to consult complex intelligence issues in daily briefings at WH,where {anetta will be present. We ought to think of Panetta as a trusted competent implementor at CIA oof decisions made daily by inyelligence team. So, please do not jumo to any conclusions yet.

obama has finally lost his marbles and he isn’t even sworn in as potus. panetta is as qualified to be cia as my brother and my brother had been deceased for years. the nation’s security will be in deep jeopardy, deep weeds, with panetta. our enemies will slide right by panetta and morale in our intelligence structure will collapse adding further to the danger of our nation’s security. obama is turning out to be close to incompetent in making good decisions. emanuel, richardson, and now panetta. who knows what other dumb decisons, staffing, appointments obama has already made that americans know nothing about to date. time for all journalists to start doing excellent investigative reporting. the honeymoon is way over for obama. heat up the impeachment process, just in case.

Not a lot of appreciation for this appointment, other than from the Obama-Amen chorus. But then they could approve of any Clinton holdover being appointed- including Socks.
“Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who this week begins her tenure as the first female head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said she was not consulted on the choice and indicated she might oppose it.
“I was not informed about the selection of Leon Panetta to be the CIA director,” Feinstein said. “My position has consistently been that I believe the agency is best served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time.”
A senior aide to Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), the outgoing chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the senator “would have concerns” about a Panetta nomination.
Rockefeller “thinks very highly of Panetta,” the aide said. “But he’s puzzled by the selection. He has concerns because he has always believed that the director of CIA needs to be someone with significant operational intelligence experience and someone outside the political realm.”"

“but not like George Tenet and other former CIA heads who are advocating for him. ”
such as who?

After watching the American government under the Republicans cosying up to Saddam Hussein and supplying him with weapons (Iran war) AND cosying up with the islamic radicals in Afghanistan and supplying them with weapons (Russia), there seems to be lots of blame to go round. The United States has been speaking out of many sides of its mouth.
Let’s give this new man a chance and some support; without a doubt the country could use some guidelines back on a better moral, economic and social compass.

“Let’s give this new man a chance and some support; without a doubt the country could use some guidelines back on a better moral, economic and social compass.”
————————————-
pefros,
LOL, and the “anoited one”, the one who knows nothing of the “Chicago-Style” of politics from which he sprang, will give us this guidance…..
LOL, and you wonder why people use the phrases – “anoited one”, “messiah”, etc…
PLEASE, he has already shown with his handling of Richardson, that he is just another politician. Nothing more, Notihng less !
the last place anyone should be looking for moral guidance is to any politician of any party!

Obama wants a more enemy friendly CIA. It’s important that the enemy like us more so they won’t be so angry. It might be a good idea for Obama to order our soldiers to only wound enemy combatants rather than killing them. That would be a friendly gesture and would lessen their hatred, no?