February 19, 2009 2:54 PM

Panetta Sworn In As Spy Chief; Pokes Fun At Rahm

By
Brent Lang
Topics
White House
(AP)
Leon Panetta was sworn in today as the head of the CIA. Vice President Joe Biden administered the oath of office.

In his remarks, Leon Panetta noted the presence in the audience of many people he has worked with over the years - including the man who is now the White House chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel worked for Panetta when Panetta was chief of staff in the Clinton White House.

"Rahm Emanuel. Thank you for being here. I taught him everything he knows," Panetta joked, as CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller reports. "On the other hand – if he screws up – it's not my fault."

Panetta is an old Washington hand, having served as a congressman for nearly two decades and in the Clinton administration. His appointment was nonetheless initially criticized because he lacked experience in intelligence gathering.

Panetta pledged to turn the page on the contentious Bush years during his confirmation hearings, but he also said that he will not seek prosecutions for people who participated in the controversial interrogations of foreign detainees, even if they constituted torture.

Panetta was confirmed last Thursday by a voice vote in the Senate.

Before accepting the job as CIA chief, Panetta and his wife, Sylvia, directed the Leon & Sylvia Panetta Institute for Public Policy based at California State University, Monterey Bay.

Add a Comment
by beachbumlyn April 28, 2009 11:50 PM EDT
mostly we should be praying for our leaders ,I dought if most of the people makeing smart remarks (that to them selves seems to make them look like a big shot )well surly they would of made some bad desitions at times to,I just think its time to get serious and stop the slurs and the press as well Our new president and leaders wasnt left with a bowl of peaches and cream so lets pray instead of being wise guys.
Reply to this comment
by popstom124 February 20, 2009 12:20 AM EST
Naw he learned spying from spying
for dummies
Reply to this comment
by formerdem-2009 February 19, 2009 7:55 PM EST
This cabinet is shaping up to be the sequel to "lost" unfortunately this is REALITY not sme tv show.
Reply to this comment
.

Follow Political Hotsheet

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...