George's Bottom Line

Obama is the greatest president ever. He does NEED to consult with anyone.

He's the president, do as your told. Senate intelligence committe? all they can ask is how much do you need, by are not informed on what's being done. he don't need your advice

Panette is totally unqualified to be CIA director. This appointment shows that Obama will give up quality to pacify his lunatic left wing fringe constituents.

The only thing Panetta knows about the CIA is how to get there in a car. A sorry pick by the 'chosen one'.

CIA needs a strong, experienced hand at the helm (no pun intended), not another political hack.

Bruised egos

No professional willing to except position. Will try to do a job with your hands tied like the democrats want would be stupid.

It looks like Obama is bringing back the RETIRED Clinton administration. Leon Panetta is 70.

It is amazing that there are people saying Obama is the greatest president ever when he isn't even President yet. If you feel that way now it just shows you are drinking the Obama Kool-aid and it doesn't matter what he does because you will just say he is great, not matter what. It shows a lack of objectivity and intelligence on your part.

Yes, everyone is correct Obama can do what he wants, he doens't have to consider anyone else. He will be 'concerned' that they don't understand.

I don't think Panetta is without intelligence experience. According to the Wikepedia, he served as a chief of operations and intelligence planning at Ford Ord while he was in the army. I think a background in civil rights lends itself well to the CIA, especially in cleaning things up. It's a definite outside the box choice, and also a choice which is outside of Bush's counterterrorism programs.

Bad (read OLD) idea? Where IS the "change" here? Biden, Panetta, all of the Clinton retreads... 20th cetury answers to 21st century problems... Albeit after looking at the age of some of these folks, make that 19th century answers to 20th century problems! Good Lord! Obama is wet behind the ears, and his advisers are WAAY beyond their years! Yikes!

Check out Panetta's experience on George's column above. He's qualified. One would be a little hard pressed to find an experienced "intelligence" person not tainted by torture acquiescence. Yes, those speaking out against this nomination are crying and sucking their thumb. Their egos were bruised because their choice wasn't selected. WAAAAAA

Outdated - and totally unqualified for the job at hand - another political IOU being cashed in, and the ones that suffer will be our troops and field officers.

As much as I think that Panetta is a REALLY BAD choice for CIA Director, it IS Obama's choice. And he does NOT need to discuss it with Senators first. Although they need to confirm the choice, that is their ONLY role - not to tell Obama who he is allowed to pick. I think that one of the reasons so many Senators backed Obama is because they thought they could control him... I guess he's showing them (unfortunately, at our expense).

I'm a yellow dog Democrat and a Washington political junkie, and I don't recall a single appointment or nomination that was ever run by Congressional leaders for their approval prior to being announced, early courtesy notifications notwithstanding. Democratic leaders seem to idiotically be under some illusion that Obama's Presidency is going to be one that is shared by all members of the Party. It will not be, nor should it be, nor has any prior presidencies been.

Diane Feinstein, the incoming Chairperson of the Senate Intelligence Committee, someone I have met and respect, says she is astounded at this selection. I'm flaberghasted.

I know Leon Panetta is a good guy and hasn't been connected with any outrageous scandals (his friendship and political association with Bill Clinton notwithstanding) but he has absolutely no experience in leadership in the intelligence community. Appointing him as the chief of the largest and most sophisticated intelligence aparatus in the world is eliciting huge gaffaws in the inner offices of the British Secret Service, KGB, Massoud, and other renowned intelligance agencies.

I also know CIA agents. If they don't trust you, if you try to use the CIA for political shenanegans, or they just don't like the cut of your sails, they will react in the most unusual ways, none of them good ways, just like spoiled children - very deadly spoiled children.

Panetta does not fit and the Agency will go all out to run him off the reservation. I can hear the wheels at Langley turning now. I can hear Oliver Stone scribbling away on his new script "How the CIA Agent on the Grassy Knoll ...". Talk about a king-sized goof! Alfred E. Newman (What me worry?) of Mad Magazine would have been a better choice.

Swami Obami, the Ebony Oracle just doesn't seem to be able to shake those Chicago political genes.

One president at a time. What a joke..!!!

Apparently not even his Democrat Intelligence Committie Chair does'nt like this pick!! A very bad and dangerous choice indeed..... We can be assured of a major terrorist attack now.

Obama's first major mistake was made with this choice.. A very dangerous decision with large negative consiquences......

Why does he need experience? Obama has none either.

How do you defend a stupid choice? Have ABC and a more stupid pic of George on the cover defending the pic.....
GEEZE..... ABC. GET A LIFE......

Ha-- The poor old lying thieving Senate members are upset because Obama didnt tell them. I hope he keeps their crooked hands out of as much as he can.
And tell Palosi to go away!! Obama had my vote but I sure didnt vote to keep these representatives that have ripped us off back in office.

dear george:

stop trying to manufacture a story that isn't there!

you keep on trying to stir up the pot - give it up.

try learning to do a bit of HONEST journalism instead of inuendo and rumormongering, okay?

jeeeesh!!!! better yet, why not look for another career - the age of yellow journalism is coming to an end. thank god!

Panetta's appointment is at least consistent with the Obama spirit. One guy with not a clue appointing another guy with same credentials!!