Feinstein not told about CIA pick

Posted: Monday, January 05, 2009 4:52 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
It appears President-elect Obama forgot to tell the incoming chairwoman of the Senate intelligence committee about Leon Panetta as his choice to head up the Central Intelligence Agency.

Here's the statement from Sen. Dianne Feinstein's office:

" 'I was not informed about the selection of Leon Panetta to be the CIA Director. 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.'"

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Hell has officially frozen over-I agree with something Diane Feinstein has to say.

The dog chased the mail truck and caught it-now he has to deliver the mail.

Leon Panetta is NOT QUALIFIED to head the CIA.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:10 PM)

I can't believe that MSNBC would have such a shocking disrepectful article on Tim Kaine where he is called "milquetoast little nothing". Check it out and you too can be flabbergasted

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28508580

nuanced (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:11 PM)

Is anyone suprised here? This transition team has proven inept and we can only hope they soon get their act together. Jan 20 is coming fast and there is no time for on the job training. Our country has been safe from attack since the 2001 attack. We need strength, courage and wisdom in leadership.

Did Obama ask his PS if he could answer questions today in Pelosi's office?

Marcus D., Chicago (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:12 PM)

Check out Roland Burris' Press Conference Today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYAKQGb1b8k

Now we know why he was rejected by the people of Illinois 5 Times

PBrown (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:15 PM)

Feinstein should have had her own intellegence operatives out and thus should have known about Panetta. So what is this about experience, Diane?

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:16 PM)

" 'My position has consistently been that I believe the Agency is best-served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time.'"

Where do you plan to find one? MI6, Mossad? KGB (FSB)?

Didn't George Tenet come from the Senate Intelligence Committee -- how did that work out?

nuanced (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:19 PM)

Lighten up Diane! You helped confirm the current US Attorney, and haven't exactly had a great record of late!

Obama 08/12 (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:19 PM)

If no one from the Obama camp informed Feinstein of Peneta's appointment this was a big mistake and not a way of keeping the troops happy. Good, Open and Honest "Communication" is the key to any successful organization, not to mention an Administration.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:20 PM)

Let's examine Feinstein's credentials to criticize this choice and we find that she has always voted wrong on civil liberties, security and intelligence issues. According to Wikipedia:

"Feinstein voted to give the attorney general and the director of national intelligence the power to approve international surveillance of the communications of Americans entirely within the executive branch, rather than through the special intelligence court established by FISA. Many privacy advocates have decried this law and Senator Feinstein's vote in favor of it.[21] In February 2008, Feinstein joined Republicans in the Senate in voting "Nay" to strike the provisions providing immunity from civil liability to electronic communication service providers for certain assistance provided to the Government.[22] On July 9, 2008, Feinstein broke with counterpart Sen. Barbara Boxer and voted for the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, H.R. 6304.[23]

Feinstein was the original Democratic cosponsor of a bill to extend the USA PATRIOT Act. In a December 2005 statement, Senator Feinstein stated, "I believe the Patriot Act is vital to the protection of the American people."[24] She was the main Democratic sponsor of the failed 2006 constitutional Flag Desecration Amendment.[25] In November 2007, Feinstein was one of only six Democrats to vote to confirm Michael Mukasey as Attorney General.[

Who's Sane (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:25 PM)

It is too early to criticize but after taking the oath of office if Obama (who I supported) does not act as an independent voice for the people and push for the major changes he spoke of during the campaign (from the grass roots up) I will be deeply disappointed. When Obama stated "Enough"! during his victory speech in Chicago I was assuming (and hoping)that he was as fed up as the rest of us with all the power brokering, special interests control, bickering, lack of honesty and poorly administered kiss my bu*@ good ole boy government that goes on in Washington. I will be watching.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:27 PM)

I heard of this appointment and went WTF???!!!

He did a good job as Clinton's Chief of Staff - but WHAT qualifications for CIA director does he have? Absolutely none.

Next to Richardson, this one is the worst so far!

While Panetta had a long tenure in Congress, his confirmation is not going to be an easy ride!

Paul, Syracuse (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:27 PM)

obama/biden aren't obliged to inform diane of their selection prior to announcement. they have proven to be smart so far. maybe they have a handle on this better than she has. maybe she doesn't like the fact that this is not the normal type that is selected. maybe she doesn't like that this guy will seek opinions beyond her sphere of influence. it is obama's burden to bare. i am sure he has his reasons.

ace (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:33 PM)

Obama forgot to tell Feinstein. FORGOT. Now there's the mark of a real president.

I can't wait to see his calendar full of Obama-ism's.

You forget your watch or your wallet, not your intelligence info when your an elected official.

Reminds me of the Carrie Underwood song "I Don't Even Know My Last Name." Come on, Barack.

Now O'Reilly's gonna paint you as a "pinhead."

Sarah in Cincinnati (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:36 PM)

Oops! This is not a small oversight, and clearly Senator Feinstein was pissed, or she wouldn't have issued the statement. She is someone he'll want to have on his side.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:37 PM)

Com'on Feinstein, just fall in line like all the other drones in the Democratic party. It's Obama-mania Diane! Catch the Fever!

Fever Catcher (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:37 PM)

all that's left to bring back in thr fold is Bill and Monica. Homecoming and dinner on the ground.

Merl Dickson Monroe, Louisiana (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:39 PM)

That the new head of the CIA's name has been leaked does not bode well for the super secret agency. Is this appointment yet another mark of Mr. Obama's promise for change? I'm finding less and less to feel confident about with our soon to be president. Same old, same old is seems to me.

keepsonhoping, charleston, sc (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:39 PM)

Well, here is mistake number two. I was, as a Republican, at first pleasantly pleased with out Mr. Obama was starting out. Now, I see, he has made two mistakes, choosing Richardson when he knew there was an investigation going on re ethics in awarding a contract in NM to someone who gave a big donation, now this, appointing someone with no experience to one of the most important positions in government at a critical time in the history of the United States, a time when we need someone in the know to run the CIA, someone who doesn't have to learn "on the job" so to say. Perhaps my Republican friends were correct all along when they said, "Obama is going to ruin this country and expose us to dangers we have not yet seen."

Judith Ruggles (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:41 PM)

Unless there is a new and (Protected) definition for the word Intelligence, I wish 'My' Government would FIND some or employ some! The oxymoron currently being employed has long since reached the point of "being acceptable".

Ron D. Maxwell, Austin, Colorado (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:42 PM)

I figured my tax cut on the Obama/Biden calculator as promised by PE Obama. I am looking to receive that amount since he was elected.

Daryl T., NC (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:42 PM)

this seems petty; but what do I know?
------
I see the monitoring isn't any more effective this year? Ricardo, you seem a little insensitive towards hispanics - Are you stupid or just mean?

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:42 PM)

I would think you should have some before being appointed to chair this important position.

Norm, Denver, CO (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:44 PM)

To put someone with no experience in the world of intelligence gathering is to undermine our National Security interest. Obama is showing his inexperience here as he has also done in nominating to head the Department of Education, the Superintendent of the Chicago Public Schools, a city with more problems in public education than most. Why not pick someone for intelligence within that body who has shown a unique understanding of what is required? Why not Gov. James Doyle from Wisconsin who guarantees students in that state who sign their contract a seat in any of the state's university. We are not seeing change as much as Clinton lite in too many of these appointments.

Dr. Ada M. Fisher (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:47 PM)

To put someone with no experience in the world of intelligence gathering as CIA Director is to undermine our National Security interest. Obama is showing his inexperience here as he has also done in nominating to head the Department of Education, the Superintendent of the Chicago Public Schools, a city with more problems in public education than most. Why not pick someone for intelligence within that body who has shown a unique understanding of what is required? Why not Gov. James Doyle from Wisconsin who guarantees students in that state who sign their contract a seat in any of the state's university? We are not seeing change as much as Clinton lite in too many of these appointments.

Dr. Ada M. Fisher (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:49 PM)

Feinstein quote:
" 'My position has consistently been that I believe the Agency is best-served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time.'"

Well I see NObama is getting off to a hot start.

Len Che (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:49 PM)

FR: Is there a problem? Panette is an intelligence professional.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:50 PM)

Who cares what either one has to say there both all about me me me me o iam sorry that the way screw the public.Andrea Mitchell was told i think whT CRAP

hugh hill,nyc,ny (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:52 PM)

the new president is making a big,big mistake by having Panetta as head of the C.I.A.,plain and simple, no experience of what the job is about in time of crisis of terrorism. He failed with Clinton and he would fail with new in coming president.

nick nicholas,drexel hill, pa. (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:55 PM)

Hey Feinstein, keep rocking the boat and you'll eventually get thrown off.

Shut your trap DF (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:55 PM)

Yep! Breaking from Bush policies, and going back to Clinton Policies. So much for change. I knew Obama would be a Dem puppet!

officiator, Grand Junction Colorado (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:58 PM)

Hmmm...

Leon Panetta has a very strong and positive record as a former member of the U.S House of Representatives, and as Director of the the United States Office of Management and Budget; and, as Chief of Staff to President Clinton.

Most important, however, Leon Panetta was the main person responsible for balancing the budget.

According to Wikipedia, "In 1993, the beginning of his ninth term ( in Congress), he was chosen by then-President Bill Clinton to be Director of the United States Office of Management and Budget. He is credited with developing the budget package that would eventually result in the balanced budget of 1998. On July 17, 1994, he was appointed White House Chief of Staff by Clinton, a position he held until January 20, 1997. He was an important negotiator of the 1996 budget, which was another important step towards balancing the budget."

His reputation and credentials are flawless. Plus, he is a very good person, to boot! He most assuredly would meet with the approval of Dianne Feinstein.

G. B. Clark, Marysville, Washington (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:59 PM)

Very impressed with Sen. Dianne Feinstein's position:

" 'My position has consistently been that I believe the Agency is best-served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time.'"

Jerry, Houston, TX (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:04 PM)

Oops!

Bill Carrick, Reading, Ma (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:05 PM)

Leon Panetta was a highly competent manager of the OMB, has integrity and Washington experience, has been a civil rights lawyer and, as a White House aide, been a consumer of classified information; moreover, he has written against torture, will be surrounded by trained professionals and knows how Congress works. Having national security 'professionals' was not particularly helpful in preventing the worst intelligence debacle in recent memory. I trust Panetta and somebody's got to make that nearly unmanageable bureaucracy work. Why not Panetta?

George (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:07 PM)

The only missing Clinton gang and not yet appointed (selected) by Obama might be the White House kitchen staff..

Jerry Nilsson, Caldwell, Idaho (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:08 PM)

I am totally opposed to any "political" appointments. Who hasn't had enough "Katrina Competence?" Good grief! I think the whole intelligence function needs to be reviewed and revised. May be this is something Collin Powell would undertake on our behalf. No to Panetta, no to any other polital hack and no to cronyism.

William A Stuart, Philly (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:09 PM)

Diane Feinstein voted FOR:

The First Gulf War
The Iraq War (Great job, Di!)
The Patriot Act
War with Iran (Kyl-Lieberman)
NAFTA (killing our middle class jobs)
WTO
The Bankruptcy Bill (to help the credit card companies)
The millenium Tele-Communitacions Act
(legalizing media monopoly)
The Bush Tax cuts for the rich
The Financial 'Modernization' Act
(which led to our economic meltdown as well as legalizing usury)

Don't tell THAT BOZO ANYTHING !!

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:10 PM)

No offense, but putting Leon Panetta in charge of the CIA is the same as having a blind person pick the scheme for your house. At a time when intelligence gathering is at its most important and dangerous, it is not the time to try out an amateur. To do so will only jeopardize of too many military and civilian lives. What is needed is a professional who knows how and when to insert the necessary people that can and will do the jobs assingened. Covert people whom this country has trained to do exactly what is required.
Braveheart.

Brian Hartnett, Sanford, ME (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:11 PM)

Dianne Feinstein was in favor of confirming Michael B. Mukasey as attorney general, so I wouldn't think her opinion would be of much value to the transition team.

Jay Johnson (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:13 PM)

Clearly he did not "forget" to tell Senator Feinstein. This man does not forget. That would be incompetent and we know he carefully calculates and executes every move flawlessly, all the while exuding a warm and bright aura of judgement,community organization, understanding and light.

The Richardson appointment blowing up was also a planned event. There is no way it was a mistake or the first squeak in the well-oiled Obama machine. No sirree! Every move is precise, calculated and absolutely incontestable. That's why you elected him.

Panetta appears to have virtually no background as an intelligence professional, which is interesting in light of Senator Diane Feinstein's comments above.

So,it was a deliberate snub to Feinstein. Now we just need to know why.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:15 PM)

"Columbo" - Raincoat and all, would have been a much better pick for CIA Director than this guy. Certainly looks like "Old Crony Week" is back in business. It's gotta be "payoff time" for the Obama Troops.

Ralph J. Bianco - St. George, Ut. (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:24 PM)

With exception of the current director, none of the previous 3 or 4 had any sort of tangible experience in the intel or CI. You have to be a good manager, which he is, to run this organization. Give him a chance.

CI pro (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:25 PM)

Our country has been safe from attack since the 2001 attack.

Marcus, bad comment. You could have said the same thing after the attack on the WTC in 1993 up til 9/11/2001. With that in mind, are you admitting the Bush team lacked strength, courage and wisdom in leadership?

Dan St. Louis, MO (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:26 PM)

Everyone Chill out- Get serious- you weren't concerned about needed experience or qualifications during the compaign- if it is experience you are arguing over and worried about what experience does Obama have to run anything yet alone our country- but then again, he was elected to be President and therefore, everyone who voted for him said he must be given a pass and the benefit of the doubt so all who voted for him shutup and do what you are asking everyone else to do let him do his thing and don't worry about the consequences you can recover by voting differently during the next presidential election. Experience, Integrity, Qualifications, Truthfulness, Character, Respected Associations, credible backgrounds, Honor and Forthrightness mean nothing in this new Administration- You get what you vote for- pickin on the Porch

Pickin on the Porch (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:28 PM)

leon panetta, nor any member of clintons staff is qualified. clinton rarely conferred with the cia. he was too busy emasculating it.saudi oil princes had better access to clinton than the cia. 911 was planned during clinton & panettas time.

a field spook, not a desk jockey, needs to be promoted within to head the department. the cia needs someone experienced, and who really knows what going on overseas to run the dept. instead obama has put the blinders on. stay away from the high rises, nuke plants, ports and dams. it is a matter of time.

S Anderson, Diego (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:30 PM)

I doubt the president-elect "forgot". We only know what the media has reported. He was elected to do the job, so let him do it. It is a little early to judge.

We have lots of congressmen with "experience". The members of Wallstreet had experience. The S.E.C is headed by credentialed people. Mr. Madoff had experience. Sometimes experience simply means more of the same, without question or innovation.

This appointment is an example of change which is what the electorate mandated. I, too, find it puzzleing, but I was not smart enough to get elected so I will not second guess the guy who was this early in the game. I will wait to be a "monday morning quaterback" like all the rest of the know it alls that have no comparable achievements.

petecrayton, maggie valley, north carolina (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:31 PM)

What a clown this Obama character is. He picks Hillary for Secretary of State; she has no experience whatsoever in foreign affairs. Now he picks one of Bill Clintons' staff for CIA director; he has no experience whatsoever in the intel world. As one who spent his career in the intel system, I'm concerned at the threat to national security Obama represents.

Bill Bowden, Ellensburg, WA (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:33 PM)

An oxymoron could be taught to do some work but a NARCISSIST TO BE ELECTED TO THE PRESIDENCY IS ONE WHO HAS A VERY SHALLOW MIND/NOTHING IN BETWEEN THE EARS but power. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Joseph Martin, Sta Cruz, CA (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:36 PM)

You folks seem to be jumping the gun a bit,Even though the Obama hasn't taken Office yet there has to be a good reason for what he is doing,and besides know bodies perfect mistakes will be made,think about it. And look at this out going administration they made more than just a few mistakes.

Michael, Bismarck,ND (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:41 PM)

Atleast he didnt appoint William Aires. Although that would of been classic.

Brad, Mesa, az (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:43 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=1732447