Obama, Biden 'apologized profusely'

Posted: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:14 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Ken Strickland
Incoming Senate Intelligence Committee Chairperson Dianne Feinstein today said she's had a "substantial conversation" with President- and Vice President-elect Obama and Biden.

"They've apologized profusely," for not consulting with her before naming Leon Panetta as the nominee to head the CIA.

She called the oversight a "mistake," but suggested it was an honest one.

"I've been around a long time," said Feinstein, who's serving her fourth term. "I know this happens… so that's not an issue."

But she reiterated her concerns that Mr. Panetta wouldn't come to the job with significant intelligence experience. While acknowledging the CIA Director's job requires an operational skill set, "it's also a clandestine and covert service agency for the country. And as such, I think on the ground experience as a station agent in various parts of the world is vital."

She told Obama and Biden that she'd keep an open mind about their nominee, but "I'm going to ask some hard questions."

Fellow Intel Committee Democrat Russ Feingold had a different take on the nomination.

"My impression is this may have been a very good appointment as opposed to a questionable one," he told reporters.

Feingold made it clear he hadn't come to a final conclusion and wanted to examine it more.

"Of course it would be nice if he had more direct experience in terms of the intelligence issue," he said, "but there are so many issues here: trying to coordinate our foreign policy issues with intelligence issues with other government agencies."

He suggested as "a very effective" former chief of staff to President Clinton, Panetta "in some ways would be an ideal person for this role."

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Comments

Bow To Your Sensei!!

Nancy P, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:18 PM)

Looks like Feingold is drinking the Obama Kool-aide. Someone better cut him off before he starts snuggling with Joe B.

Thad Collins (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:19 PM)

Is it just a coincidence that Panetta looks like Inspector Clouseau?

PP (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:21 PM)

Lee, Denver, CO (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:22 PM)

Pee Wee Herman. Bozo the Clown. Panetta. All the same.

MGM Grand (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:22 PM)

"They've apologized profusely," for not consulting with her before naming Leon Panetta as the nominee to head the CIA.

For a brand new Committee Chair she sure is full of herself. I could've sworn there was something about in the Constitution that said the President appoints the people, not the Committee Chairwoman. You'll find out like the rest of the Senators.

Jimmy Dean (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:23 PM)

Sounds like someone giving the collaborator some cover. She was a solid bushco supporter and walked the line on criminal behavior promoted by the WH.

Keith Gargus coatesville pa (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:23 PM)

--> But she [Feinstein] reiterated her concerns that Mr. Panetta wouldn't come to the job with significant intelligence experience.

In fact, Panetta has shown he doesn't have any intelligence at all!

Murrey, SC (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:24 PM)

So how would that work? Would Burris vote 'Present' on Panetta?

Votes a Vote (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:25 PM)

SHUT UP, DiFi !!

Nobody questions Panetta's 'interrogation techniques'
So those mean Liberals won't complain about him

'...But at this point, Feinstein and Rockefeller are hardly the most credible of critics. Rockefeller was a feckless ranking member of the Intelligence Committee during much of Bush's presidency. As for Feinstein, as John Cole noted, she "had no problem voting yea for Porter Goss, George Tenet, and Michael Hayden, as well as Mike Mukasey, Robert Mueller, and Donald Rumsfeld," so it's odd that she'd try to "knee-cap her own party's nominee for CIA." Digby added, "The fact is that DiFi is actually implicated in the torture regime and should just shut up on this."

Feinstein and Rockefeller notwithstanding, the Panetta selection, which won't be official until later this week, has drawn a fair amount of praise from credible voices. Rep. Rush D. Holt (D-N.J.), chairman of a House Intelligence Committee oversight panel, said Panetta would help bring some needed accountability and reform to the agency. David Corn offered a similar sentiment. CQ's Jeff Stein, a leading voice on intelligence reporting, explained that Obama is demonstrating his commitment to breaking with Bush-era policies, and Panetta would be well positioned to make a significant difference....'

When will DiFi apologize for supporting the Iraq War catastrophe ?
How aobut for wire tapping ?
Silently approving TORTURE by not objecting ?

MSierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:26 PM)

Did Obama and Biden cross their hearts and hope to die? I mean, unless they do that, then it's all just talk.

Lionel Tranes (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:27 PM)

So if it's not not an issue why it out to be one. At Panaetta would invade American citizens' privacy as Fienstien advocates. One thing we don't need is another Yale cowboy!
===========================================
It's Great, Nancy Pelosi to many people appeared spineless; but, the reality is she's a strong leader.
========================================
Denise (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 2:05 PM)
Yeah Blago, why don't you and Bobby Rush continue to help out this mediocre Politian who wasn't qualified to even beat you?

I must say good job Roland Burris you are so unqualified that you have to hide behind a corrupt governor like Blago and the out of date Former Black Panther Bobby Rush to make your case for you.
===========================================
Dear Denise,
Mind what you say. First of all, Roland Burris is no mediocre Politican . He was AG and comptroller which he did a fabulous job at. He was the top vote getter in downstate IL; however, it wasn't until he made an unsavory remark that he lost his popularity.
Second of all, Bobby Rush is as you said former Black Panther; that is the operative word. Unfortuanetly, he is suffering from Cancer.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:28 PM)

{Feingold made it clear he hadn't come to a final conclusion and wanted to examine it more.}

Another Pay-to-Play guy I see.

Milwaukee Mile (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:30 PM)

I'm just sure the apologies were "sincere," too. Ha.

Sandy (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:32 PM)

I like Panetta....I believe this choice to be prudent.
BTW...what is with all the cackling on MSNBC this morning. Melissa Frances and Contessa Brewer's giggling and cackling was too much for me. I had to change the channel to CNN

Lee, Denver, CO

=======

It was no panties day at MSNBC. Didn't you notice Mike Barnicle giggling too?

Josh, Utah (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:32 PM)

Rockefeller and Feinstein enabled the CIA to commit torture. Their concern about the nomination is a fabulous sign that real "change" may be imminent.

Michael, Montreal (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:35 PM)

Kids and people dying in Gaza and Israel. Kids and people starving and being murdered in Zimbawai. Kids and people still dying in Iraq and Afhanistan. Kids and people ramaging through the trash heaps in many parts if the world to find food, and all we can do is argue or bitch about Obama's CIA Director appointment. What a world.

If you guys at MSNBC and other News Organizations gave as much attention to those dying, starving and living in filth in this world as you do Obama's cabinet picks perhaps our discussions just might hold a little more weight regarding priorities and importance.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:36 PM)

I believe that Pelosi CAN be a good Speaker of the House - if she puts her politics and ego aside and remembers why she was elected to the Senate in the first place.

JustThinkin

<Blink> Then you wonder why us conservatives cringe at the thought of liberals being in charge.

JustTellin (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:39 PM)

It is not like Panetta is going to be all alone in the CIA. He will have people to assist him with the hush hush stuff. Both Feingold and Feinstein are Jews and may have an affinity for Israel that others may not have. This special affinity might cause one to be more pro Israel and anti anything Arab thus making them think it is okay for waterboarding if the victim is an Arab or that special spy techniques coming from the top are necessary when field operatives could do a fine job.

What I see is an agency with some internal problems, much of it doing with organization and personel more than the actual craft of espionage. Panetta may just be the one to fix those internal problems thus making the CIA better than ever. As for clandestine service experience, I wonder how much George H W Bush had before he was made the chief of the CIA.

If things don't work out we can replace him but give Panetta a chance. Don't let the hype from the Bush Administration color your opinion of the CIA. They did a lousey job on 9/11 and in other times. People, including those in the CIA don't understand the culture of the Middle East. While the CIA has been learning and is better equipped today than ever before to handle tribalism etc in the region I don't believe that is due to the CIA being led by a spy but by someone with the ability to bring the organization together. They also need to work with the FBI and other groups and Panetta has a track record of working with others to get the job done.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:39 PM)

Feinstein is a real prize. It is amazing that a Senator that gave the nod of approval to most of Bush's law breaking and picks and yet creates this firestorm only to inflate her own self-importance.

Whether or not the Obama transition team was wrong in what they did, it seems the Senate is more concerned with their own self-importance than the desperate needs and issues of this country rank below that. Ask the person getting their home foreclosed by shady lending if he/she cares if Feinsteins feelings were hurt.

Truly inane.

Chicago Todd, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:41 PM)

Shut up Difi...your whole political career can be summed up as sheerluck...I wouldn't trust you and your kind with my used rubbers let alone the nations intelligence gathering

Rick, NC (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:42 PM)

I find this facinating.

She gets mad at them for not consulting her, but she was the same person who, as Mayor of Los Angeles, did not consult the police when she went on statewide television and gave out vital police information during the Nightstalker case.

What a damn hypocrite.

Roman (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:48 PM)

it is amazing that so many would shoot down a man they know nothing about. as usaul anything the obama/biden administration does or will do will be frowned upon negatively with ignorance by a small minded few.

the world of these few is threatened by anything or anyone that doesn't fit into their small confined world of false reality and ignorant belief in just their way of thinking alone.they are the imaginary offspring of anne coulter. better not to be born.

it is good some of you have been left behind. diane did her best to stop panetta fron running for govenor of cali. she stalled long enough for that to occur. she and panetta have never been on the best of terms. more than that, panetta is a threat to finding out the things that diane and jay turned their heads on when baby bush was violating constitutional law.

she is nervous now. some of you don't want to indulge in sensible conversation. you just want to resort to something you are capable of understanding such as kool-aid. what ashame. a mind is a terrible thing to waste. i guess this will get some of you pumped up.

to the donkeys that are called asses (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:51 PM)

Lucky for Diane Feinstein this is not about her and she is not the President-Elect.

However, we are all relieved that she has been apologized to.

(It is amazing to what a huge role ego plays in the disfunction of our government.)

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:52 PM)

I don't think it was a "mistake" at all. I think it was an intentional snub. Ms. Feinstein and Mr. Rockefeller were bush enablers. They truly failed in their duties. Think they got Obama's message? Let's hope so. I personally think Panetta was a great choice. We've had so-called "intelligence experts" in office for the last 8 years, and look where that landed us.

Julie, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:54 PM)

Leon Panetta is a good decent,honest and capable man who was outstanding as Chief of Staff of the White House, OMB Director and a member of Congress. The CIA building is named after George H W Bush, who many consider to have been an outstanding Director with zero intelligence experience. I say let the President have his team and hold them and him accountable

Gerry Kent, WA (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:55 PM)

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