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Bayh Stands By Panetta as CIA Director
January 06, 2009 12:31 PM
ABC's Z. Byron Wolf reports: After yesterday's high profile snubbing of Panetta by soon-to-be intelligence Chair Dianne Feinstein and outgoing Chair Jay Rockefeller, here's a Democratic member of the Committee sticking up for the former Congressman, White House Chief of Staff under President Clinton and OMB Director.
Sen. Evan Bayh says he'll support Panetta as CIA Director. "We should respect the judgment of President-elect Obama and his commitment to do what's right for our country" said Bayh in a statement.
He answered Feinstein's frustration that Panetta is not a career spook by pointing to the career spooks Panetta will have around him.
“I have very high regard for Steve Kappes, the deputy director of the CIA. I’ve been in some extremely sensitive meetings involving matters of life and death with him and have been impressed by his competency. I hope we can convince both Mr. Panetta and Mr. Kappes to work together at the CIA for the sake of our country’s national security," Bayh said.
And a note on Feinstein's frustration with Panetta if she should eventually oppose him: as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee she played the role of ersatz Sandra Day O'Connor; Support from her -- she pointed to the right of the President to appoint whoever he wanted -- helped get Michael Mukasey into the AG job and helped conservative judges like Leslie Southwick of Mississippi get their federal judgeships.
Things to consider, especially since Democrats are short of a filibuster proof majority.
January 6, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (6)
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Maybe Bayh can defend Panetta to the thousands of families, when America is attacked..THIS shows Obamas concern with Americas safety..........NONE
Posted by: MSN exposed | Jan 6, 2009 1:09:59 PM
I used to think that Senator Bayh was
an independent thinker who was looking
out for the best interests of his state
and the nation!
It appears that he has become nothing
more than a "yes man" for
President-Elect Obama.
Your job, Senator, regarding presidential appointments is
"advise and consent" not bow and wither
away!
The CIA should Not Be Politicized!
Panetta is a Bad Choice and should
be Rejected, Period!
Posted by: reaganfan | Jan 6, 2009 1:14:50 PM
Panetta will not politicise the CIA. He is a wonderful pick who will be a great Director and who will protect us against terror and he is not tinted, has never accepted or been part of torture.
Posted by: Panama Canal | Jan 6, 2009 1:42:42 PM
So PEBO bends to the will of the far left-wing and chooses Panetta as CIA Director!
Reid, who is a racist, refuses Senator Burris who should have been sworn in.
And Blago who is no more corrupt than the guy who bought his way into Washington is under the gun.
Not to mention Franken...!
Hail PEBO! :)
Posted by: aware2u | Jan 6, 2009 2:26:45 PM
Panetta will not politicise the CIA. He is a wonderful pick who will be a great Director and who will protect us against terror and he is not tinted, has never accepted or been part of torture.
------------------------------------
No, a former Clinton Chief of staff would "never" get political.....LOL
As far as getting tough, I am curious about all you bleeding hearts out there.
If you have a person in custody who you are absolutely certain has details about a nerve gas attack in a major US city, but he is not talking. Exactly what are you going to do?
I believe this is a very fair question to ask since the citizens of this country deserve to know how you plan to defend them from these kinds of situations. If your in a time crunch to prevent an attack, ALL methods must be in play to obtain the information. That includes torture!
Before you all go and get high and mighty on me, be honest with yourself. If your wife, husband or child's life were on the line, you would be ok if the people in charge of keeping them safe did not use torture as a means to save their lives?
If you were in the room with that person and you knew their group had taken your child, you would just walk away from them after begging them to spare your child ? Or would you start going BS and getting the information you needed by any means necessary ?
I am not advocating torture as a primary method of intelligence gathering, but there are times when that option needs to be available.
Posted by: Mike_C | Jan 6, 2009 2:55:29 PM
"So PEBO bends to the will of the far left-wing and chooses Panetta as CIA Director!"
Bends to the will of the far left-wing? The far-left wing is totally p-d off at him. Pay attention.
Posted by: Silky | Jan 7, 2009 9:55:57 AM
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