A multisource video news service that highlights nuances in reporting from media outlets around the world.
President-elect Barack Obama is facing another bump in his transition into the White House as Leon Panetta, his pick for CIA Director, is facing criticism from senior Democratic officials and conservatives.

We’re examining all sides of the debate from CNN, MSNBC’s Hardball, MotherJones.com, FOX News and Politico.com.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 examined the conflict coming from senior Democratic leaders about Panetta’s nomination.

“Anchor 1: Senator Dianne Feinstein, incoming chairmen for the select committee on intelligence, thinks someone from the intelligence community should run the CIA, and it didn't help that she found out about Obama's pick from the New York Times.  Bad form. On Capitol Hill for a senate swearing in ceremonies even Obama's vice president elect couldn't defend it.
Biden: I think it's always good to talk to -- to talk to the requisite members of congress.
Reporter: Why didn’t that happen?
Biden: I think it was just a mistake.” (CNN)

Another piece of the contention around Panetta comes from his very vocal position against the use of torture in national security, in particular the controversial water -boarding tactic.

ON MSNBC’s Hardball the benefits of having a CIA director opposed to torture is discussed.

“Leon Panetta is very strongly against torture. He's denounced it as being immoral, unethical, ineffective. I think that's part of the message that Barack Obama wants to send, that if you send up to the senate someone from the intelligence community, the first six questions are going to be, have you ever waterboarded anybody? Do you know somebody who has? How do you feel about waterboarding? How do you feel about extreme measures and all the rest? With Leon Panetta, you avoid all that.” (MSNBC)

Over on MotherJones.com, Panetta’s nomination is seen as a signal of real change in the White House. Their online article states:

"By picking Panetta, Obama is repudiating the waterboarding ways of the Bush-Cheney administration.
A CIA director who has denounced torture, advocated intelligence cuts, and backed greater congressional control of covert operations--that would be....different." (MotherJones.com)

FOX News presents one of the conservative complaints against Panetta that he lacks the experience needed to oversee national security intelligence.

“The problem is that he had prominent democrats in senior leadership who are, "A," Surprised, “B” annoyed that they weren't informed, and “C” realized that this doesn't lend itself to credibility when you talk about putting together a foreign policy team involving and other agencies where you've got this weak link. The guy has no experience in intelligence.” (FOX News)

Politico.com talked to a Republican strategist who had this to say:

"If America is attacked on its soil again, the Obama Administration will get blamed immediately for not having the nation’s top intelligence office possessing steep intelligence credentials." (Politico.com)

And over at the Chicago Sun Times, a commentary says the criticism is justified and that Panetta may be facing a steep learning curve inside the CIA. But they say that’s not a bad thing:

“We like where this is going: a United States of America that once again holds sacred civil liberties and human rights.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

What are you thoughts on the Panetta pick? Does he have the right credentials? Will his position on torture influence confirmation hearings? Please visit our links and give us your thoughts.

Login|Register|Newsy Blog|Press|Mobile
HOME
|
WORLD
|
U.S.
|
POLITICS
|
BUSINESS
|
TECH
|
ENTERTAINMENT
|
SCI/HEALTH
|
SPORTS

U.S. News

Panetta Obama Intelligence

January 9, 2009
RSS Feeds
Share
UPDATE: US President Barack Obama has reiterated his choice of Leon Panetta for CIA Director and Admiral Dennis Blair as National Intelligence Director. The President-elect reiterated his confidence in Panetta and Blair and campaigned for their nominati
   
Sources:Chicago Sun-TimesCNNFox NewsMother JonesMSNBCPolitico
YOU NEED FLASH TO VIEW THIS VIDEO
TRANSCRIPT
EMBEDSHARECOMMENTS

To leave a comment, please log in with Facebook Connect or your Newsy account. Register here to create one.
MOST RECENT|MOST POPULAR|MOST COMMENTED|HIGHEST RATED

Palin Fires Up CPAC Crowd
Analyst debate how will Sarah Palin's speech impact the GOP race?
POLITICS
Palin Fires Up CPAC Crowd
(1:46)
February 13, 2012
Media Runs Rampant With Houston Death Speculation
Just after Houston’s death news broke, the media began to speculate on the cause behind it.
ENTERTAINMENT
Media Runs Rampant With Houston Death Speculation
(2:08)
February 12, 2012
Obama’s 2013 Budget Invests in Infrastructure, Raises Taxes
The proposed budget sends more money to transportation, cuts from military spending and relies on tax increases for high-income Americans.
POLITICS
Obama’s 2013 Budget Invests in...
(2:23)
February 12, 2012
Al Qaeda Increasingly Involved in Syria
Al Qaeda's leader urged followers to join anti-Assad rebels. U.S. officials claim the organization is already responsible for several bombings.
WORLD
Al Qaeda Increasingly Involved in Syria
(1:46)
February 12, 2012
Will 'Lin-Sanity' Last Long?
Undrafted Jeremy Lin might be the next great NBA star, but can he sustain his high level of play?
SPORTS
Will 'Lin-Sanity' Last Long?
(2:23)
February 12, 2012
Grammys Preview: What to Expect
From Adele's comeback performance to the always-surprising Kanye West to a last-minute Whitney Houston tribute, find out what to watch for tonight.
ENTERTAINMENT
Grammys Preview: What to Expect
(1:58)
February 12, 2012
Sunday Soundbite Analysis 02/12/12
Chief of Staff Jack Lew, speaks about the fragile US economy and Obama’s controversial policy.
POLITICS
Sunday Soundbite Analysis 02/12/12
(3:10)
February 12, 2012
Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston had won 6 Grammys, 2 Emmys, 16 Billboard Music Awards and 23 Music Awards.
ENTERTAINMENT
Whitney Houston Dies at 48
(2:37)
February 12, 2012
Did John Wayne Gacy Have An Accomplice?
New theories from two Chicago attorneys suggest the infamous serial killer did not work alone.
U.S.
Did John Wayne Gacy Have An Accomplice?
(2:17)
February 12, 2012
Madonna Stalker Recaptured After Escape
Madonna stalker Robert Dewey Hoskins escaped from a mental institution a week ago. On Friday, officers picked up Hoskins on a sidewalk in Long Beach.
ENTERTAINMENT
Madonna Stalker Recaptured After Escape
(1:21)
February 12, 2012
Waffle House Hosts Special Menu for Valentine’s Day
Waffle House will be offering a special menu which will include items such as ribeye, eggs, pork chop and T-bone dinners.
U.S.
Waffle House Hosts Special Menu for...
(1:20)
February 12, 2012
Newsy Now: February 12 (GMT 1330)
Whitney Houston's body taken to morgue for autopsy; Romney wraps up Maine and CPAC; European cold snap continues; Microsoft's answer to iPad?
U.S.
Newsy Now: February 12 (GMT 1330)
(1:51)
February 12, 2012
Children’s Leukemia Drug Supply Dangerously Low
A lifesaving drug that cures childhood leukemia is running out of supply, which has doctors and the FDA scrambling to find more.
SCI/HEALTH
Children’s Leukemia Drug Supply Dangerously Low
(1:30)
February 12, 2012
Murdoch Faces Scandal at The Sun
Less than a year after the shutdown of The News of The World, News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch faces a new scandal at British paper The Sun.
BUSINESS
Murdoch Faces Scandal at The Sun
(1:35)
February 12, 2012
More Videos
What is Newsy?

Meet the Newsy Team

Newsy in the News

COMMUNITY

Join & Comment

Share Your Story Ideas

Sign Up for Newsyletter

Newsy Blog

afghanistananalysisapplebarack obamabusiness newschinacongressdemocratseconomyentertainment newsfacebookgooglegopgovernmenthealth newsmediamilitarymultisourcenewsnewsyobamapakistanpolicepoliticspolitics newspresidentpresident obamarepublicanscience newssports newstech newstechnologyterrorismtwitteru s newsunited statesus newsvideovideo newsworld news

Newsy

Home
Login
Register
About Newsy
RSSRSS Feeds
Team
Links
Newsy Blog
Sitemap
Support / FAQ
Privacy Policy
RSS Sitemap
Terms of Use
Contact Us
© 2012 Newsy.com. All Rights Reserved.