Dianne Feinstein Can Go Suck an Egg

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2010 -

Posted By WeNeedObama - Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 at 11:31 AM

| Report Abuse | RSS Feed

[Cross-Posted on my New Blog, Library Grape.]

The Obama team made what I consider to be a political masterstroke yesterday by announcing their selection of respected former Congressman Leon Panetta to head the CIA.

Although somewhat mixed, the reactions from the intelligence community have included a lot of praise for the Panetta pick:

Former intelligence analyst Greg Treverton, now with the Rand Corporation, said Panetta's experience as a former White House chief of staff might give him a unique understanding of the presidency and its needs for intelligence. "One of my experiences with people like Panetta who have been chief of staff is that they have a clear sense of what is helpful to the president that most senior officials don't," Treverton told me. "They get it. What he could do and couldn't do. And that's an interesting advantage Panetta brings. Knowledge of what the presidential stakes are like, how issues arise, and what they need to be protected from, for better or worse."
Retired CIA deputy director for the East Europe division Milt Bearden said Panetta is a "brilliant" choice. "It is not problematic that Panetta lacks experience in intelligence," Bearden e-mailed. "Intel experience is overrated. Good judgment, common sense, and an understanding of Washington is a far better mix to take to Langley than the presumption of experience in intelligence matters. Having a civilian in the intelligence community mix is, likewise, a useful balance. Why not DNI?"

Well, what could be the problem, considering that many successful past CIA directors have lacked direct intelligence experience (e.g. George H.W. Bush)?

3... 2... 1... Cue a tone-deaf, self-immolating Democrat shooting the Party in the foot:

"I was not informed about the selection of Leon Panetta to be the CIA director," incoming chairwoman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) was cited by the Los Angeles Times. "My position has consistently been that I believe the agency is best served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time."

Yep, that's right. As the Republican ~~obstruction machine~~ opposition in Congress gears up to turn some of Obama's appointments into partisan political theater, the incoming Democratic chairperson of a key intelligence committee decides to publicly cast doubts on one of Obama's key appointments.

Can't we Democrats even wait until Obama is inaugurated before we start shooting ourselves in the extremities?

Support Eyes On Obama!

Subscribe to the Eyes On Obama RSS Feed

Discussion:

Toggle Comment Form

[-] Dianne Feinstein Can Go Suck an Egg - Guest-bmaggiemay

She can suck more than eggs...she voted for the war....the old hag!!!

[ Posted at 3:34 PM on 1/6/09 | Reply ]

[-] Dianne Feinstein Can Go Suck an Egg - Guest-emosorines

I would have chosen worse words

[ Posted at 1:28 PM on 1/7/09 | Reply ]

[-] Let Feinstein bitch and moan. - Guest-ObamAmerica48

Let Leon pretend to be deferential. Ultimately the senate will accept his appointment.

[ Posted at 5:50 PM on 1/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] She's always been corrupt - Guest-stonebear

but now she's probably getting senile as well.

[ Posted at 7:42 PM on 1/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] The same Feinsterin that capitulated to everything the incompetent Bush administration asked for - Guest-Insightful

(Patriot Act, FISA, Mukasey, etc) now suddenly grows a pair when an intelligent, thoughtful, conciliatory President takes his place in history?

[ Posted at 8:08 PM on 1/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] The FBI is a joke. It needs to be abandoned - Guest-mediablitz

The FBI is also in Feinstein's cash/power cow. She wants to make sure the FBI continues on with doing a crappy job, while her committee handles "oversight".

This isn't about Panetta. It is about Feinstein wanting to keep control of power, no matter how poorly run the department remains.

[ Posted at 11:19 AM on 1/13/09 | Reply ]

[-] Leon Panetta isn't qualified - Guest-Phil

I know no one wants to hear this, but this was an awful pick. Whether you agree with Feinstein or not, putting someone completely unqualified for a position as important as the head of the CIA is idiotic. I voted for Obama, but this is short sighted and is dangerous for the defense of the United States. Even though he was a Chief of Staff, that is NOT enough experience to handle a bureaucracy as large or as important as CIA.

Let's keep in mind that terrorism is still a significant threat to the United States.

[ Posted at 4:38 PM on 1/13/09 | Reply ]

[-] Agreed - Guest-John Rawlins

She can go suck an egg and should!

www.privacy.de.tc

[ Posted at 4:42 PM on 1/13/09 | Reply ]

[-] Wisdom - Guest-HippyLover

I know it's natural for Democrats to turn touchy feely on issues when they don't like the press coverage but maybe Feinstein has it right?

She's been there, done that. If someone of experience had questioned the placement of George Bush senior would the reaction be so crazed?

It really doesn't matter... Obama's fans can have their little feel good fest and make America less safe - but if something bad happens on their watch - it's in their lap.

Accountability in gov't. That's exactly what another attack on the US will bring... lets hope it doesn't happen.

America faces an enemy with the patience, conviction, and ability to do US great harm... we'd better stay vigilant.

-Peace

[ Posted at 4:59 PM on 1/13/09 | Reply ]

[-] Um, no. - Guest-Robert Smith

A one-off comment like this one by Feinstein doesn't mean anything. She doesn't really oppose Panetta.

The important part in that statement was "I was not informed". In recent years the Executive has give short shrift to the oversight role Congress is supposed to play over the CIA. Feinstien believes that Congress should play a MUCH larger role in overseeing the activities of the CIA and other intelligence agencies. She's right.

Obama snubbed her by not seeking her explicit approval for Panetta. He was not required to do so, but NOT consuming her sends a message that he doesn't care what Congress thinks about intelligence.

[ Posted at 6:20 PM on 1/13/09 | Reply ]

[-] Read between the lines - Guest-Robert Smith

The important part of Feinstein's statement was not that she opposes Panetta. She doesn't and will end up voting for him.

The important part is "I was not informed".

In recent years the Executive has given short shrift to the oversight role of Congress, flat out lying to them on numerous occasions. From Reagan to the current Bush they ALL did it.

Feinstein is pissed because NOT consulting her is a sign that Obama is going to follow the trend of trying to dodge Congressional oversight on intelligence.

[ Posted at 6:27 PM on 1/13/09 | Reply ]

[-] Not My Eggs - Guest-Jet

I wouldn't let her near my eggs at all, whether edible or not.

[ Posted at 9:37 PM on 1/13/09 | Reply ]

[-] Obama team goofed - Guest-Mike

Careful, if Obama stops too quickly, you may break your nose. Feinstein is a very accomplished politician. Google for "Tip Jordan farthest" to see why the Obama team goofed.

[ Posted at 11:16 PM on 1/13/09 | Reply ]

[-] She will be exposed - Guest-Ddraig

I think she is probably running scared. Once Obama starts his investigation (I hope he goes through with it) into the prior administration it is going to tear down some of the democrats and I wouldn't be surprised if she was one of them. Primarily for knowing about torture and not doing anything about it to stop it. It is about time someone cleaned this government up and got rid of the dead wood and I hope Obama can do it.

[ Posted at 7:19 AM on 1/14/09 | Reply ]

[-] Wrong! - Guest-mbondr

Feinstein is not a Democrat, never has been, never will be. She can however, be easily bribed. In fact she demands it. She's just getting it straight that she will need one for each and every upcoming vote. Sadly, the idiot San Franciscians who keep electing her will see very little of it.

[ Posted at 11:51 AM on 1/14/09 | Reply ]

[-] Dianne Feinstein Can Go Suck an Egg - Guest-Bob Moore

Obama's appointments are nothing but "political theater". Where is all the change he told the suckers was coming? We have got a flaming extreme Left wing radical socialist in the White House and you complain about political theater? Get over it: this theater is about to become a Shakespearean tragedy.

[ Posted at 3:57 AM on 1/15/09 | Reply ]

[-] KILL the FBI/CIA Goliath - Guest-Leishtek

while out beating up/harrassing/stalking members of the anti-war movement, GreenPeace, Amnesty International, your local hippie group/marijuana smokers, etc, etc... a man named Osama bin Laden slipped through the fingers of an entire PLANET (well about 1/3) looking for him.
Shrub (W.) is a complete F**K UP of a MAN, a husband, and most certainly a PRESIDENT. If Feinstein was so keen on 'protecting us', she'd SHUT UP and get Panetta in so we can renew the search.

[ Posted at 2:51 PM on 1/15/09 | Reply ]

[-] Dianne Feinstein Can Go Suck an Egg - Guest-Hollywood

Obama said he'd bring change. Appointing tax cheats is change, his place in history will be very low.

[ Posted at 7:09 PM on 2/17/09 | Reply ]