We’ve heard quite a bit about the objections raised by intelligence insiders Diane Feinstein, Jay Rockefeller and Jane Harmon about Barack Obama’s pick (made official today) of Leon Panetta for CIA director. It is useful to note, as Rachel Maddow (They’ve apparently changed their minds — or at least Feinstein has — making it even more clear that this was about some sort of false sense of decorum and not about qualifications.)
It probably would be useful, however, to hear from someone who has been right on all the major intelligence questions raised during the Bush years — the war in Iraq, rendition, torture, warrantless wiretapping. U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, D-12, has been right in each case.
“Having served in Congress in the wake of Watergate and the domestic surveillance abuses that surfaced during the 1970s, Mr. Panetta understands how a democratic government should operate. He also demonstrated skill in running the Office of Management and Budget and as Chief of Staff under President Clinton. We need the CIA to collect reliable, actionable intelligence in ways that respect American values and honor the Constitution. Mr. Panetta’s background and reputation indicate he would serve the intelligence community, the President, and the country well.”
He issued a joint statement this morning with the Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, following the official Panetta announcement:
“We support President-Elect Barack Obama’s choice of Leon Panetta to serve as Director of the CIA. Mr. Panetta has a 40-year record in public service – notably as a member of Congress, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Chief of Staff under President Clinton, and recently as a member of the Iraq Study Group. A consumer of intelligence for years, he consistently has demonstrated an ability to lead in a bipartisan fashion and always see the big picture – attributes that would benefit the CIA and our nation.”
Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., a member of the Senate intelligence panel, also has been right and supports Panetta, saying “he was pleased with Panetta’s nomination from the onset.”
“I was thanked for my positive remarks and urged to keep making them,” he said.
And Ron Wyden, D-Ore., also a member of the intelligence committee, is supporting him:
Wyden said he expects Panetta will be “seriously grilled” during his confirmation hearing by members who want to ensure he’s the best person for the job.
But after that, the country will have “someone who will be a change agent and an outstanding head of the CIA.”
Hank Kalet 