Obama Rolls Out Panetta As CIA Head

Retired Adm. Dennis Blair Tapped As Nat'l Intelligence Director; Both Choices Face Questions

(CBS/AP)  Promising to protect the United States while adhering to its core human values, President-elect Barack Obama formally unveiled his intelligence team Friday, praising their integrity, management skills and willingness to tell him the truth.

"We must adhere to our values as diligently as we protect our safety with no exceptions," Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Obama picked retired Adm. Dennis Blair as the national intelligence director and Leon Panetta to head the CIA.

He called them "public servants with unquestioned integrity, broad experience, and strong managers with the core pragmatism that we need in dangerous times."

Mr. Obama said he has given the men the clear charge to restore the United States' record on human rights.

"I was clear throughout this campaign and was clear throughout this transition that under my administration the United States does not torture. We will abide by the Geneva Conventions. We will uphold our highest ideals," he said.

Mr. Obama said that the country learned "tough lessons" under the Bush administration, and he will demand intelligence assessments "grounded solely in the facts, and not seek information to suit any ideological agenda."

Blair, a former head of the U.S. Pacific Command, pledged to uphold the standards that Mr. Obama articulated "and that the American people have a right to expect."

Blair won high marks for countering terrorism in southeast Asia after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He worked closely with foreign partners in crafting offensives that crippled the Jemaah Islamiyah terror faction in Indonesia and the Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippines.

Panetta, a former congressman, White House chief of staff and budget director with no direct intelligence experience, will have the president's "complete trust and substantial clout," Mr. Obama said.

"He has handled intelligence daily at the very highest levels, and time and again he has demonstrated sound judgment, grace under fire, and complete integrity," he said.

Panetta's prospects for a smooth nomination hearing appeared to improve this week. Word he had been selected was greeted by incoming Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein with shock. She said Monday she had not been consulted on the pick and told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer that it would be an uphill battle to get confirmed.

But on Tuesday, she and Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the outgoing Democratic intelligence chairman, had spoken to Mr. Obama, who apologized for the slight, and to Panetta and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. Those conversations may help smooth the process.

Panetta said he would work to assuage a Congress bruised from eight years of abrasive relations with the Bush administration and promised "to form the kind of partnership we need if we're to win the war on terror."

Mr. Obama praised the intelligence professionals working at 16 U.S. agencies even as he criticized the current administration for directing them in carrying out harsh interrogation and secret rendition policies.

"They have served in the shadows, saved American lives, advanced our interests, and earned the respect of a grateful nation," Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Obama is also tapping John Brennan to head homeland security and counterterrorism on the National Security Council. Michael Leiter will remain on as the director of the national Counterterrorism Center. And outgoing National Intelligence Director Michael McConnell will serve on Obama's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Mr. Obama has also asked the CIA's current deputy, Steve Kappes, to remain at the agency.

Current CIA director Michael Hayden said in a message to employees Friday that he has been asked to remain at the agency until Panetta is confirmed by the Senate.

He said he and Kappes met with and are "deeply impressed with his candor and clear commitment to the welfare of the men and women of CIA."

McConnell said in a statement Friday he was pleased with the selection of Blair.

Blair and Panetta are both garnering substantial support on Capitol Hill, although concerns exist about each. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., told The Associated Press on Thursday that he plans to question Blair about the role he played 10 years ago in U.S. efforts to rein in the Indonesian military as it brutally cracked down on civilians in East Timor. Staff aides to other members said they would be listening closely to the answers.

Paramilitary groups sponsored by the Indonesian military with U.S. financial and political patronage slaughtered more than 200,000 East Timorese over two decades. In 1999, as civilians were being massacred, Congress and the Clinton administration cut off all military ties.

Blair, then U.S. Pacific Command chief, pushed for renewing relations with the Indonesian army, reasoning that drawing it closer would give the U.S. more leverage. Mr. Obama spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said Blair was acting in accordance with U.S. policy.

"Admiral Blair condemned the conduct of Indonesian troops in East Timor, and he conveyed that if they behaved responsibly, the U.S. was prepared to resume normal relations. If they did not, they risked further negative consequences," she said.

The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network, a human rights group, called Blair a poor choice for intelligence director this week.

Ed McWilliams, who was political officer at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta at the time and is now with the human rights group, told the AP "the matter raises the larger question of our cooperation with militaries and intelligence agencies which abuse human rights, are unaccountable before their own justice systems and not subordinate to civilian control."

But McWilliams credited Blair for trying to lead a human rights delegation to Indonesia's province of West Papua where terrible abuses were occurring. He and his delegation were blocked by security forces.

[petro49l]

O.P.E.C. is a hostile oil cartel. The Organization should be a subject. William Clinton accepted vast amounts of Saudi money. A real security threat would come from the Middle East.

[martin9p2]

Panetta was never in the CIA? That''s what he wants us to THINK!

[hatesthecolt]

demswin08, I was also serving 82-86 and remember it differently...you could get away with serving and being gay but you had to keep a very low profile and it wasn''t don''t ask don''t tell because the CO could investigate and go after someone if they chose to, whether or not there was any ''telling.'' It happened a lot in the combat units, less so in the MI units (tended to be more educated and more tolerant). Clinton''s don''t ask don''t tell was definitely a change implemented in 1990s. I was with Defense Dept at that time and it caused a huge uproar.

[krazytaz312]

Hate to tell you this Peace but the don''''t ask don''''t tell policy in gay people in the military was active and in full force when I was in in 1983 so don''''t ry to make it look like Clinton did something evil that caused problems there.

Posted by demswin08 at 12:31 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Sorry demswin08 but "Don''t Ask, Don''t Tell" was not around during the 80''s. As a matter of fact I sat on a Court Martial Board on a case concerning this matter. According to the CNN, the policy was adopted in 1993 under Bill Clinton.
"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A House panel weighed overturning the military''s "don''t ask, don''t tell" policy Wednesday, the first time Congress has considered the rule since it was implemented 15 years ago.

The policy, adopted in 1993, allows gay and lesbian individuals to serve in the armed forces as long as they do not publicly engage in homosexual behavior. The law also prevents military leaders from asking a service member about his or her sexual orientation."

[hatesthecolt]

TexHilskank I see you are still shooting your mouth off about things you know NOTHING about. IPS is a public policy institute run out of Johns Hopkins U. Must be nice to have somewhere you can display your ignorance anonymously.

[hatesthecolt]

Texhillskank, also still reading websites for your info? Sorry, but I know people who work at the institute and it is not a front. Can you say the same? I thought not. You need to take the tin foil off your head and get some oxygen back to your brain so you can think straight.

[thrdarmored]

The LAST thing we need is a re-tread from the Clinton administration as CIA chief. This guy has no credentials. What happened to all of Obama''s talk about "Change"? This isn''t change. This idiot is from the administration that had it''s priorities mixed up and basically caused 9-11 and now one of them is going to run the CIA? Get real. I thought Obama would bring in some HOT, NEW Intelligence chief. I could do a better Job than this idiot Panetta!

[hatesthecolt]

thrdarmored, where are you going to get a "not new intel chief" except within intel? Intel is currently broken at CIA all the way down the ranks. It had to be someone from outside with no links to CIA. Panetta is smart enough to ask the hard questions and he has ADM Blair and GEN Jones to lean on. It was a good pick.

[observantx]

I respect Leon Panetta and recognize his contributions to our country.

However, I don''t believe he is the right man at the right time to head up the CIA. We need deep, timely and useful intelligence to keep this country safe. That means we need someone in that capacity who has experience in the field. This is not a place like somewhere in the Commerce department where on the job training is appropriate.

Mr. President, please rethink this appointment.

[thrdarmored]

You''re lost! Panetta is a horrible pick. It''s obviously a political pick. He''s probably been picked just to drudge up some garbage on Cheney and Bush for torture. Again, another Clintonite looking at ridiculous things while terrorists plan. I''ll bet there will be another major terrorist attack on the U.S. If panetta gets in there.

[ms1-1-1]

- Let''s talk... say what ...

- Leon Panetta M.A.F.I.A as in Leon Panetta of Monetery California Leon Panetta

- Leon Panetta as in CLINTONs little YES boy Leon Panetta this is serious $hit

-Mr. Fake Leon Panetta to head CIA, no direct intelligence experience Mr. Fake Leon Panetta,ok since we''re in the mood for ''SURPRISE'' here''s my candidate of choice:

"Ozzy" Osbourne this is retarded...

Leon Panetta recommended Ford Ord California for base closure BRAC ... it destroyed the economy in Seaside, California, Leon Panetta then demands to be President of Monterey University and collects a mamouth salary, as for this imaginary FOUNDATION he and his so called wife "SYLVIA" founded they used government grants keep it real people do your homework.

God help me I need a load of twinkies ...

[thrdarmored]

You''re lost! Panetta is a horrible pick. It''s obviously a political pick. He''s probably been picked just to drudge up some garbage on Cheney and Bush for torture. Again, another Clintonite looking at ridiculous things while terrorists plan. I''ll bet there will be another major terrorist attack on the U.S. If panetta gets in there.

[ms1-1-1]

May I say GOD BLESS YOU I love you to the following:

thrdarmored
TheMasses100
thrdarmored
TheMasses100
thrdarmored
ObservantX

I think it should have been GARFIELD you since were in SURPIRSE modality ...

WHEW! God almighty the hell is Obama thinking? DUH triple duh, and then some duh...

[hatesthecolt]

However, I don''''t believe he is the right man at the right time to head up the CIA. We need deep, timely and useful intelligence to keep this country safe. That means we need someone in that capacity who has experience in the field. This is not a place like somewhere in the Commerce department where on the job training is appropriate.

Mr. President, please rethink this appointment.

Posted by ObservantX

Panetta is not being sent there to collect or analyze, he''s being sent there to manage and make policy decisions which he is more than qualified to do.

As for the aspersions that he is "out to get" CIA personnel, there''s absolutely no evidence of that but if they did something illegal, the need to be ''gotten.'' More likely though is that he will be responsible for putting intelligence back in its role as something that is gathered legally and analyzed thoughtfully and then presented for consumption (as opposed to being prepared at the behest of the White House regardless of support or lack of support for the conclusions to meet their . If Panetta does nothing but this, he will be successful.

[hatesthecolt]

Leon Panetta recommended Ford Ord California for base closure BRAC ... it destroyed the economy in Seaside, California.


Fort Ord met all the prerequisites for BRAC: no real military value, opportunities for private development, etc. It was a legitimate selection. We need about 3 more rounds of BRAC to close some of these other pissant installations that are a dead drain on the defense budget.

[thrdarmored]

This bonehead will probably halt the successful missle strikes against targets in Whaziristan and other areas of pakistan where the Taliban and Al Queda are hiding.

He''ll probably do away with the secret clandestine programs that are effectively halting Al Queda operations.

He''ll probably halt work on the new, more advanced UAV''s that have been crucial in the search for Taliban and Al Queda terrorists.

He''ll probably stop the secret listening posts we have in friendly countries and some unfriendly countries.

[hatesthecolt]

He''ll probably stop illegal wiretaps of US citizens.

He''ll probably allow an environment where junior and midlevel analysts can report their findings without fear of censure or negative career impact from the inbred senior level managers.

He''ll probably discontinue torture as a means of interrogation in part because interrogators believe it''s not an effective method for obtaining information.

[hatesthecolt]

(By the way, I was being facetious about the wiretaps. That''s NSA not CIA. The NDI, ADM Blair will have some impact on that but not Panetta).

[usclimey]

Not even in office officially and most people can''''t accept him, any more. Amazing, the buyers remorse, but I am not surprised..that is how American''''s function..on impulse and advertisement.

Posted by peace4321

I don''t know what the fvck planet you''re listening to the news from, but from where I''m sitting Obama''s done to save the country in two months before getting into office than that idiot Bush has done in eight whole years. So just quit you''re whining and fvck off back where you came from.

[usclimey]

Posted by thrdarmored

Well they sure attacked while Shrub was fvcking off reading to school kids didn''t they. I have just about had it with you GOPig morons whining about ewverything Obama''s done. If your boy had had any wits about him we wouldn''t have to be clearing up his clusterfvck for him would we.

[ms1-1-1]

hatesthecolt

not so fast, Leon Panetta alleges he served in Ford Ord then without my assistance you should have known code ''DIVORCE POST'' further look at his M.O.S.

7th is now in Fort Carson Colorado they get the job done, nothing useless about them, they should however close Sierra Army Depot, without my posting should be obvious they misplaced new load of 45s that were to be shipped to Iraq and never made it, this Captain is Comical at best and worthless.

[libh8er]

Ole PEBO sure can pick um.

[ms1-1-1]

hatesthecolt

warrantless wiretapping as in Blagojevich case is ILLEGAL ... and may not be used in any court its that simple.

under BUSH FBI agents came forward under "whistle blower act" here is a refresher for you Two FBI agents claim that the Bureau has violated FISA by illegally wiretapping high-level government officials. (Source:Two FBI Whistleblowers Confirm ...
President Bush confirmed the existence of a National Security Administration wiretapping

warrantless wiretapping from the outset. ...it is illegal it is inadmissible in court period. Its like these lie detector test during our test we ran the following after I was hooked up, when ask my name I said GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS the lie detector did not register that it was false reply, it was look up the location hello...

[nanc12]

Not even in office officially and most people can''''''''t accept him, any more. Amazing, the buyers remorse, but I am not surprised..that is how American''''''''s function..on impulse and advertisement.

Posted by peace4321

80% approval rating. I guess in your world 20% is ''most people.''

[ms1-1-1]

(By the way, I was being facetious about the wiretaps. That''''s NSA not CIA. The NDI, ADM Blair will have some impact on that but not Panetta).
---------------------------
Posted by hatesthecolt at 04:45 PM : Jan 09, 2009


WHEW! You had us worried for a miniscule moment in time..

Leon Panetta recommended Ford Ord California for base closure BRAC ... it destroyed the economy in Seaside, California,
Posted by ms1-1-1
---------------
Try as hard as I can, I can''t come up with any sympathy for any community that depends solely on "fleecing the military" for survival..

[thrdarmored]

usclimey. Screw you. All the planning for 9-11 was done under Clintons watch not bush''s. I get sick of all you democratic pig morons who like to forget about that fact.

[debinok1]

ROWDY aka TexHillGirl,

Where is the announcement from the Supreme Court?

Where is the announcement that the Inaguration is on hold until the Berg case is heard?

Where is the announcement that Obama cannot serve as President?

Today is the 9th, where is it?

usclimey. Screw you. All the planning for 9-11 was done under Clintons watch not bush''''s. I get sick of all you democratic pig morons who like to forget about that fact.

Posted by thrdarmored
---------------------------
You can get sick all you want, dude. They not only passed on the info to the idiot-son, but warned him! He consistently ignored the warnings!!
Why? Because he and the neo-cons were looking for an "incident" in order to activate that Iraq agenda. 9/11 was more than they bargained for, though.

DebinOK1
-----------------

Chuckle, chuckle...nice...

[debinok1]

Chuckle, chuckle...nice...

Posted by hadenough43
*********************
I have been waiting ALL WEEK. to bad she is on another board. Even ignored me. :)

[debinok1]

I figure the 20th she will explode. Probably be able to see her smoke from here.

[thrdarmored]

Hadenough43: They didn''t pass anything on to Bush, because they didn''t know anything, they were too worried about not having their president impeached. Yeah, great guy, cared more about his dikk than the countries safety. I''m expecting more from Obama. I didn''t vote for him but I certainly want him to do well. He needs to put politics aside when comes to intel and defending the country. I''ve agreed with his choices more or less so far but this one is just not right. he needs to pick a general from the air force who''s specialty is intel.

[vanfer-2009]

Hey Demmies, where''s the change?????????? The old Clinton farts. hahahahaahahaha

I figure the 20th she will explode. Probably be able to see her smoke from here.

Posted by DebinOK1
-------------------------
Don''t think so. I think we''re gonna spend the next eight years listining to ''em gripe about the "illegal" President.
I have been listening to the lunatic fringe since the fifties - there''s absolutely no limit to the "caca" they will come up with to deny the truth.

[gce65]

Obama needs a strong Democrat with a good reputation such as Panetta''s to publicly rebuke and change the torture and rendition policies Bush and his cronies have done so much harm with.

Watch for Panetta and Obama to issue very clearly worded changes in CIA policy shortly after January.

[renojmc]

Just one of many enormous Obama mistakes. God help us.

[gce65]

Bush and his cronies judt dropped the ball with 9/11. You RepubliCONS who still suport him are the lunatic fringe, all part of the 25% club (Bush''s ratings).

[debinok1]

I have been listening to the lunatic fringe since the fifties - there''''s absolutely no limit to the "caca" they will come up with to deny the truth.

Posted by hadenough43
*********************
Probably so. It would be so nice if we could come together for once as "americans".

Bush and his cronies judt dropped the ball with 9/11. You RepubliCONS who still suport him are the lunatic fringe, all part of the 25% club (Bush''''s ratings).

Posted by gce65
---------------------
Doesn''t it ever occur to anybody that during WW2, Hitler was more popular in this country than the idiot-son is now.

I have been listening to the lunatic fringe since the fifties - there''''''''s absolutely no limit to the "caca" they will come up with to deny the truth.

Posted by hadenough43
*********************
Probably so. It would be so nice if we could come together for once as "americans".

Posted by DebinOK1
-----------------
Obama''s gonna try it...."bring us together" that is.
I hope he''s watching his backside...I can hear the sounds of an awful lot of knives getting sharpened out there right now.

[debinok1]

Hitler was more popular in this country than the idiot-son is now.

Posted by hadenough43
********************
You have to give credit where credit is due. While Hitler was bad, he did have a mind and he used it, not for the best of purposes, but he used it.
Bush on the other hand, never did.

[debinok1]

I can hear the sounds of an awful lot of knives getting sharpened out there right now.

Posted by hadenough43
*********************
Oh yeah. Already it has started he promised this or said that. The man hasn''t even taken office yet. Give him a break. Plus, he had no idea when he was campaigning that the economy was going to tank so fast.

Hitler was more popular in this country than the idiot-son is now.

Posted by hadenough43
********************
You have to give credit where credit is due. While Hitler was bad, he did have a mind and he used it, not for the best of purposes, but he used it.
Bush on the other hand, never did.

Posted by DebinOK1
----------------------------
The idiot-son with a functioning brain?? Whooooo
I don''t EVEN want to go there...

[lopezf11]

Hitler was more popular in this country than the idiot-son is now.

Posted by hadenough43
********************
You have to give credit where credit is due. While Hitler was bad, he did have a mind and he used it, not for the best of purposes, but he used it.
Bush on the other hand, never did.

Posted by DebinOK1

Only very informed peoples don''t know that Hitler was loved by most German''s to the very end. Tens of thousands on Nazi''s died protecting the F|rerbunker from the Soviets. The were fanatics much like alot of Obama''s minions.

[thrdarmored]

What''s wrong with torturing a bunch of terrorists that just killed your sons and daughters. NO MERCY. Do whatever it takes to get rid of these maniacs. If you be nice to them they will rape and kill your mother in return. These people are NOT human. they are Religious maniacs with no remorse or feelings for anyone. Don''t you get it??!!

What''''s wrong with torturing a bunch of terrorists that just killed your sons and daughters. NO MERCY. Do whatever it takes to get rid of these maniacs. If you be nice to them they will rape and kill your mother in return. These people are NOT human. they are Religious maniacs with no remorse or feelings for anyone. Don''''t you get it??!!

Posted by thrdarmored
------------------
Torture is not about our enemies and what they have done.
Torture is about who we are.
You see, you have to ask yourself. What is torture about? Is it about inflicting pain and satisfying a drive for vengeance? Or is it about gathering intelligence?
If it''s about gathering intelligence, then there are better ways to do that.
If it''s about inflicting pain and getting vengeance. Then you are lost.

[thrdarmored]

Torture is one of the BEST ways to gather intelligence. It has worked very well the last 7 years. The U.S. Has used it in the past, when and only when it is absolutely necessary. and with these terrorist dogs it IS necessary.

Torture is one of the BEST ways to gather intelligence. It has worked very well the last 7 years. The U.S. Has used it in the past, when and only when it is absolutely necessary. and with these terrorist dogs it IS necessary.

Posted by thrdarmored
----------------------------
All of that info that YOU SAY Clinton had about 9/11...did we get any of it through torture.
Those drones that are picking off Al-Quaida leaders in Pakistan right now. Is that the result of torture?
Torture is the tactic of the limited of intellect.

ROWDY aka TexHillGirl,

Where is the announcement from the Supreme Court?

Where is the announcement that the Inaguration is on hold until the Berg case is heard?

Where is the announcement that Obama cannot serve as President?

Today is the 9th, where is it?

Posted by DebinOK1
-------------------------------
We KNOW you''re out there, Rowdy....