Why are DiFi and Jay Rockefeller so Upset about Panetta's CIA Appointment?

[SuperTrouper]

Both Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Sen. Dianne Feinstein are upset that they were not notified by Obama of his intentions to name Leon Panetta as CIA Director. Going through some blogs, there are reports that both may not support the nominee...I do not think that Obama did anything wrong in not informing these two Senators of his intentions, but he will need their support to get our agenda through the Congress. I hope he does not withdraw the nomination.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/05/panetta.cia/index.html?eref=onion

[Me.]

1. Secrets To Hide?

Collusion with * policies?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. simple:

Obama looked at the rule of law, looked at those who voted against it, who approved, either explicitly or tacitly, torture, who were behind Mukasey, Goss, and other disasters, and realized that two of the top co-conspirators were the top two intel democrats.

That tells them there is a new sheriff in town, and if you don't like it, tough.

LOVE IT!

[ellacott]

6. So true

And it's good for him to have his own man in that position. With the number of threats that he has received I would want my own man in this position.

I have been disappointed with DiFi because she has been complicit in many of the intelligence programs that have been mishandled.

[apnu]

14. Adding to that.

He didn't fluff their feathers and stroke their egos before making this pick. He just went with it, DiFi and Rocks be dammed.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

3. I think it is called change

[olkaz]

12. ding ding ding

Well done.

[atreides1]

4. Maybe

They have something to hide?

[grantcart]

5. I think they were upset that they were included in the process and that their

level of influence is diminished.

There are argurments for and against having career intelligence people involved, but it seems that Obama wants to maintain a personal level of control on the agency.

[monmouth]

7. Maybe 'cause he's clean, they're not....n/t

[bdamomma]

9. could very well be.

these Dem Senators will need to be watched very carefully.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

8. They are complicit in Dumbya's crimes, particularly with regard to torture

The Senate Dems knew fully well that Dumbya and Cheney were committing these crimes. They support torture every bit as much as the Bush Crime Family does. Again, he befuffles me why they continue to be reelected.

[ProSense]

10. There's a report that Wyden was consulted. Not sure why Feinstein wasn't. Still, this is interesting

Aides have said Mr. Obama had originally hoped to select a C.I.A. head with extensive field experience, especially in combating terrorist networks. But his first choice for the job, John O. Brennan, had to withdraw his name amidst criticism over his role in the formation of the C.I.A’s detention and interrogation program after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Members of Mr. Obama’s transition also raised concerns about other candidates, even some Democratic lawmakers with intelligence experience. Representative Jane Harman of California, formerly the senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, was considered for the job, but she was ruled out as a candidate in part because of her early support for some Bush administration programs like the domestic eavesdropping program.

link

[Captain Hilts]

11. They should NOT have learned of the appointment through the press. 'Nuff said. nt

[Rosa Luxemburg]

18. that's what they said but they probably did really hear before

they are probably out to cause trouble

[RaleighNCDUer]

20. Because they are SPECIAL.

They've been voting with the repukes for the past 8 years. Why would they expect to be consulted?

[DURHAM D]

13. This is just poor form on Obama's part.

He did not need to consult with either of them but they should have been informed of the decision prior to letting it out. Parts of this transition are beginning to remind me of some of Carter's bonehead mistakes.

[Solomon]

17. You guys kill me. LOL

I hope Obama hands out plenty of government cheese to go with all the whining.

[w4rma]

15. In that case, I may like this appointment. (nt)

[keepCAblue]

16. I have my reservations about Panetta

Just a quick glance at his homepage for his CSU-Monterey Bay Institute for Public Policy gives me a shiver. Obama picks yet another conservative Democrat to fill his admin? Here are the Panetta Institute's honorees for 2008:

Arnold Schwarzenegger (a Republican)
Rep. Jane Harman (a Blue Dog Dem)
Rep. Jim Saxton (a Republican)

From the Institute's site: http://www.panettainstitute.org/ucanhelp/jefferson-lincoln.htm

The Jefferson-Lincoln Dinner

Each year at a special gourmet dinner, the Institute presents its Jefferson-Lincoln Award to individuals who have demonstrated independence of judgment and dedication to good governance in addressing our nation's problems and protecting the principles of our democracy.

The ninth annual Jefferson-Lincoln Awards dinner, An Evening to Honor Lives of Public Service, was held on the evening of Saturday, November 8, 2008, at The Inn at Spanish Bay. The honorees were California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, U.S. Representative Jane Harman (D-CA), U.S. Representative Jim Saxton (R-NJ), and Ron Brownstein, Political Director of Atlantic Media.

Jefferson-Lincoln honorees are selected by a special committee consisting of former U.S. Senators Howard Baker and Nancy Kassebaum Baker, and former U.S. Representatives Lee Hamilton and Leon Panetta.

Previous honorees include:

Diane Feinstein
Joe Lieberman
John McCain

[Unsane]

19. probably because THEY wanted the job lmao