Article Entry
05 Feb 2009
Comments:10
Panetta Confirmation Hearing – Is He The Right Choice?
Added by USGIF Category: Daily Intelligence Brief, General
Just a reminder to all of our got geoint? readers that today is Panetta’s confirmation hearing. If you can’t make it to the Hill today, or did not hire a “line stander” to hold a spot for you, be sure to check out our coverage of the hearing. But first, here is a primer on Panetta and whether or not he is the right choice. We have listed out the “pros and cons” and want to hear from you about what you think. The person with the most thoughtful response will have the chance to be a guest blogger for got geoint?
So here we have it:
PROS
- Deep ties and Washington DC experience from the Clinton years
- Has a reputation for being a competent manager in Washington DC
- No connections with controversial interrogation tactics (sort of…see the last bullet under the “cons”)
- Strong bipartisanship standing on Capitol Hill
- Wealth of knowledge about government
CONS
- Lack of experience in the intelligence community
- Sen. Dianne Feinstein vehemently opposed him as Obama’s choice in January
- Panetta vowed to keep Steve Kappes, the well-respected deputy director of the CIA,on board — which sparked speculation that Kappes would be running the show
- The lateness of his nomination…leads people to believe that Obama searched deep into his rolodex before choosing Panetta
- Could have played a role in the Clinton administration’s expanded use of renditions — an extra-judicial process of kidnapping a terrorist suspect abroad and taking him into custody
We want to hear from you on this!
Tags: CIA, Confirmation, GEOINT, Panetta
I think Panetta is the right choice even though he does not have intel experience. He’s a true DC insider.
I agree. Panetta is a good choice. He really has been around and will approach things with a knowledgeable voice.
though he lacks the specific agency experience, that might make his case even stronger given the insular nature of the CIA. his solid management credentials, along with his exemplary governmental resume make him an ideal ‘out-of-the box’ choice – typical of obama’s thinking to shake things up.
Stephen, great comment…very “out of the box” choice that is symbolic of Obama wanting to change government….however, if he really wanted to mix things up, he should have put a republican in…although he did keep Gates on board…
During the recent Presidential election a colleague told me that regardless of who is elected; it will have zero impact on your everyday life. I am starting to think he is right.
I voted for Hope and Change, and all I got was a third term of the Clinton Administration.
Did you all see that Panetta made $1 million last year?? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/us/politics/05panetta.html?ref=us
Panetta is a great choice. I just hope his confirmation doesn’t get bogged down by financial based questions and he becomes “Daschled”
Although Panetta is not considered “tainted” by present CIA interrogation methods and/or renditions, his declaration to keep Steve Kappes as CIA Deputy Director puts Obama’s assertion to change in question. Age might be considered a negative. As mentioned, this was almost a bottom-of-the-barrel nomination meant not to ruffle too many people; also as mentioned, he is a good administrator. I believe one of the reasons Diane Feinstein was so against the nomination was that she was not consulted prior to the announcement.
Very insightful comment, DD….politics is the name of the game, so makes sense that Feinstein was upset for not being “in the know” early.
I think his effectiveness will depend in part on the attitude that he takes towards the mission of the Agency. If he takes a distant or confrontational approach towards the career professionals there, he will be viewed as an “outsider” and will likely have little influence. If he uses his connections and experience to truly be an advocate for the CIA throughout Washington though, he could prove to be a wise choice as DCIA. So much of the intelligence business takes place at the seams between the IC and the policy maker, and if Panetta can use his knowledge of government and bipartisan standing in Washington to improve and strengthen this relationship, it will benefit both the CIA and the nation. Strong management skills in this time of ongoing transition and continued focus on breaking down barriers and sharing information will be invaluable as well.