(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
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
If anybody thinks that Obama marches to the beat of a master, you are simply clueless!
And if you think he is inexperienced, you are brain dead!
Feinstein just does not get it......
Obama is not her boy, but her Master!
I didnt know that the President Elect had to check with Senator Fienstein on the decisions of the people he wants in his cabinet, Not who she feels has the most experience as head of the Intelligence Committee.
@ Maria
I hardly think Feinstein's bitter blather bothers the rest of the Senate. It's just sour grapes that she didn't get the nod...well, that and a little free press via some fabricated controversy.
Based on what I have seen so far he or really anyone else could do no worse. Maybe we need someone who doesn't have a lot of " intelligence experience" to run the department the right way.
Oh, I didn't realize she has to approve. I still think her "I am God" attitute isn't going to help her any. She should have listened BEFORE she spoke out.
Senator Feinstein if you want a CIA director that you like, please run for the presidency and if you win you will have the chance to appoint one. Else, accept it.
Sen. Feinstein's idea of a worthy nominee was John Roberts for Chief Justice. It should also be recalled that she was an ardent supporter of Hillary Clinton as the party's nominee. Thanks, Dianne, for going so far out of your way to criticize publicly our next President. Perhaps you should keep your ego and your unfortunate self-serving opinions to yourself.
What a surprise that Obama doesn't know what he's doing! It takes more than "hope" and a slogan to actually be the president. Look at his resume! (Oh, there isn't one.) Didn't any of you learn ANYTHING from the failure of the Bush presidency? You just elected jimmy carter back into office because he promised everything would be wonderful (again). “Those who don't learn from history, are doomed to repeat it”.
Did the chairman of all of the other committees know of the selections before they were announced? Probably not. She seems to think she was slighted because of her importance but maybe they have a policy of not telling anyone outside of their circle to keep leaks from spilling out. She should be supporting her President now more than at any other time. Did she want the job herself?
Senator Feinstein, since when does President elect Obama needed your permission? I'm a Democrat and the people that voters choose in California amazes me...Regan, Nancy, Arnold...I agree with Dr. Miami that all elected officials should be termed limited...We always need new and fresh blood in there..We are in the 21st century and have members of congress who are still thinking the way they did in the 19th and 20th century's..Some so old that they need help getting to the podium...LOL
Feinstein needs to shut up and keep quiet or she will get the boot. She's another useless politician and we need to bring in people that know how to fix our problems and Barack has done a great with that thus far.
To adequately defend and best protect our country from those who would harm us, one would expect those americans most seasoned and experienced in the intelligence community to be among those from whom a CIA chief is chosen. I'm unaware of any such distinctly essential and clearly indispensable experience in Leon Panetta's background.
She can reject this position for all I care, LOL!! What is she gonna do, huh? Give a essay on how to be a member of the CIA?? LOL!!!
Wow, I'm scarred of her, she looks more tough than Gov Palin...
LOL...pretty soon the only person in this administration that is not from the Clinton administration will be Obama. So, Hillary really did win this thing after all!
Nothing inappropriate about a Senator responsible for intelligence matters (Feinstein) becing consulted first, before an appointment was made; nor is it inappropriate for her, as said senator, to voice her objection and the reasoning for it (which she did) Some of you supporting Obama seem to think it necessary to "destroy" verbally any credibility in a belief in the Constitutional doctrine of balance of power. The President represents the Executive Branch, one important part of our government. Senators and House Representatives were originally intended, by our Founders, as representing the most important branch - Congress. So, why not educate yourselves a little more and shoot off at the mouth a little less about issues some of you seem unbelievable ignorant of.
Who's picking all these people Clinton or Obama its going to be Clinton years for the next 4 years and that wasn't great big change huh maybe next he might pick Monica for a title
Don't judge the man before he is even in office. Just because he doesn't have experience in the intelligence field isn't a foregone conclusion he will not be efficient in performing what is necessary for the position. Anyone going into a new position will be a novice until they have been in that position for awhile. Give the man and all the others he has chosen a chance before screaming "help".
Who cares if Feinstein agree....Last time I checked Obama was the President Elect. I'm sure he is going to make alot of decisions the old crew will not like but change is never easy........ PE the majority of the people are behind you!!!!!!!
Ms. Feinstein did voice her concerns to BO before he made his choice. His mistake was not informing her of his decision before making it public. After all, she is the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence committee. Another sign that BO does not have total respect for women or the proper political protocol to be president. Ted, John Kerry, talk to your puppet – pull those strings in before he does more damage to the democrats he needs on his side.
Dianne Feinstein is a smart woman. She should be respected as a senior member of the senate. I am proud to have her represent California.
This Democratic administration and Congress is looking sillier every day. As in the Keystone Kops. And just to prove the point to us all, Obama has just nominated Al Franken as the Secretary of Comedy. LOL! Thank you all for making Bush look good!
pres. elect. does not have to let you know whom he is selecting. he is the pres. elect. thank you.
To adequately defend and best protect our country from those who would harm us, one would expect those most seasoned and experienced in the intelligence community to be among those from whom a CIA chief is chosen. Though Leon Panetta is an outstanding American, I'm unaware of any such distinctly essential and clearly indispensable experience in his background.
The way this is going I cant wait for 2012....then get all the crooks out after you've learned your lesson
Those of you insulting Feinstein: How about giving a logical argument against her criticism of the pick? Between a woman saying "The CIA Director should be a person with professional intelligence experience" and someone saying "The person saying this should shut up," whose argument do you think is more convincing and logical?
And "Democratic voter" who posted at "January 5th, 2009 5:30 pm ET," As the article pointed out, Obama did not call her in the first place. She found about this pick through her aides who found out through the newspaper. If the media is how Obama lets her know about his pick, then the media is she can let Obama know what she thinks about it.
Mrs. Frinstein what you think or feel don't really matter Mr Obama is the next president and he nominates who he wants, so when you get to be the president you can then nominate who you want also.