(CNN) –- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Senate’s incoming Intelligence committee chair, slammed President-elect Barack Obama’s choice of Leon Panetta as director of the CIA Monday.
“I was not informed about the selection of Leon Panetta to be the CIA Director. I know nothing about this, other than what I’ve read,” Feinstein said in a statement. “My position has consistently been that I believe the Agency is best-served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time.”
A Feinstein spokesman told CNN’s Dana Bash that the California senator found out about Obama’s pick after her staff showed her a New York Times report.
"The President-elect will now have a chance to make his arguments,” the spokesman said. “Her next move is to listen."
Feinstein is the new chairwoman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. While Panetta’s political career - as a congressman, and as President Clinton’s chief of staff - spans three decades, he has little hands-on intelligence experience.
–CNN’s Pam Benson contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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Nice. No intelligence "experience". Bush's war in Iraq is loaded with people like this. Probably good people, but don't have the experience for the job. History always seems to repeat itself
proud American- you don't have to be GOP to read what is going on. You must be an idiot not to see.
It would be better to consult with the committees on the hill
WHERE WAS THE OLD HACK WHEN BUSH WAS TARING
THE CONSTITUTION & OUR ECONOMY TO PIECES ???
My understanding, PE Obama dosen't need the approval of Congress in making his Cabinet Selections.
Congress has the authority to "DISMISS" any Appointment, once the Appointment comes before them!
He was the chief of staff, in the clinton years, so he's got experience.
You all are all such experts on everything political. Maybe one of you should have run for President. I'm sure you would have gotten at least 2 or 3 votes.
Ms. Feinstein could have found a better way to communicate with Mr. Obama about her concerns. It's not like there aren't enough communications devices. Last time I looked, phones seemed to work pretty well.
I've always said Obama had poor judgement. Here's yet another example.
Methinks someone is angry she wasn't nominated.
I've said from the start that i didn't believe the "old guard" dems wanted Obama but they knew he was their best shot at the White House. Repubs didnt want Palin but they needed the christian/womens votes. You can put on a fresh coat of paint but its still an old house....
she's just mad because she found out by reading the NY TImes... guess what Sen. Feinstein, YOU are not the one we elected to make there choices!
I DONT CARE
She looks like she is having a hissy fit in this picture. Is she still mad that Hillary wasn't the presidential nominee? Just curious what her qualification are .... In 1985, at a press conference, she revealed details about the hunt for Richard Ramírez, otherwise known as the Night Stalker, and in so doing angered detectives by giving away details of his crimes, including displaying actual evidence at the press conference. These revelations subverted their investigation and Ramirez left the San Francisco area to commit another murder before he was finally captured in the Los Angeles area
pretty darn scary!!!!
Penatta was picked for his organizational and business skills. He's a great organizer and I do believe the CIA needs a lot of revamping!!!
I think ms. feinstein forgot who's the president, and who's the senator. Back off Di.
I think what she meant to say was "My position has consistently been that I believe the Agency is best-served by having ME in charge at this time.”
She "slammed" him? Exaggeration much?
Sen. Feinstein. You forgot, experience doesn't matter, just judgement. Don't worry, I'm sure they'll have another gallon of Obama koolade to you ASAP.
SO WHAT DIANE!!!
She's a very liberal, but a very smart individual. I agree with the California Senator's statements. I would never support Barbara Boxer, but I more than definitely agree with her on this issue.
Panetta didn't serve well in the Clinton Administration, so why would he do any better in an Obama Administration?
Oh...and that remind me, here's ANOTHER member of Clinton's cabinet coming into Obama's. Come on President-Elect Obama, be yourself. Don't follow Bill Clinton's horrid path.
Good for Al, he did not let Coleman steal his seat. You just cant be nice with Republican politicians, you know what they say, "you give them an inch, they will take a mile."
Not this time.
Wow . . . how arrogant is that on Feinstein's part? I wish I could handle the "official response" to this one......LOL
"Senator Feinstein's advice was not required for PE Obama to make the decision on his next CIA Direstor. Ms. Feinsteins views are well documented and known to the Transition Team. Sen. Feinstein's only input to the decision is the one vote she holds in the confirmation process."
When pressed for details, the spokesman offered this additional observation, "If Ms. Feinstein wants to name a cabinet, she needs to run for executive office."
I'm confused did Bill Clinton get elected again?,Seems to be a huge amount of reruns that were not stars in their last jobs.
Lucky you Feinstein you objected to this as aSenator, but the moderator of this forum would have nixed you if you posted a comment. long live fascism at CNN