This really isn't Feinstein's finest moment. She seems to have had a nutty over not being consulted. Perhaps, she was dissed, but she could have expressed her anger privately rather than publicly. One thing I admire about her new-found approval of his nomination is that she demonstrated that she can back-up, collect herself, and get back on track.

I am a little surprised (not) at the mysogyny, racism, agism and general intolerance of the lefties on this forum. Feinstein is a "typical woman". There are endless comments about Republicans being "old, white men". Would you tolerate a comment about one of Barack's decisions being that of a "typical black man"?

'BRAVE' NEW DEMOCRATS

Now that Barack Obama & Joe Biden won the White House, thereby completing the Democrats rise to political leadership; prima donnas like Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein have suddenly become cocky as though the nation installed her as President and Vice President. Senator Feinstein was a Bush/Cheney rubberstamp the past 8-years, and suddenly she found a backbone now that the nation has chosen Obama & Biden to lead. Same thing is true with Senate Leader Harry Reid, he suddenly found a backbone now that the big bad wolves Bush & Cheney are leaving town.

This is what Americans hate about back door politics. Obama has clearly offered something of value to Feinstein to change her mind The Democratic Party in DC is no different than the IL Governor — the only difference is that Fitzgerald does not have federal wire taps on the phone of the US Senate

This cannot be lost on you dems; Barack's operatives "convinced" Feinstein that her original, reasoned opinion was incorrect. Get used to much, much more. Don't be surprised if Biden doesn't last for four years.

Fay Tx, not sure what a rethug heater is; is that something like a pug in heat? Anyway, people like you, Proud American, Texas Teacher are fine examples of citizens who should never be trusted with the right to vote…or procreate… or teach.

The democrats are doing a good job at kicking their own A$$ during the days leading up to Obama taking the office.

With Bill Richards being forced to withdraw, the Chicago Pay to Play scandal and questionable appointment of a junior senator, the "you never told me" tantrums, the Reid/Pelosi "Obama ain't the boss of me" showboating, the "keep your enemy closer" selection of Hillary as the Sec of State, and we still have 12 days to go….

If this way things will happen in the Obama administration, then by day 100, Jeb Bush will be measuring drapes in the Oval Office.

Hold to your conviction Feinstein? She always felt that the intelligence community should be headed by an intelligence professional?

I'm laughing at the change.

Oh my, Amber……….Vichy – Democrats? LOL. Nicely done.

Dianne = Old, rich, white woman trying to tell me what's up.

Shuttee, please.

Well Chirs if I had a low IQ I could be a democrat too. I think the french fry machine is calling you.

Fay Tx :ALL YOU RETHUG HEATERS
LOOK WHERE SO CALLED EXPERIENCE GOT US.
WE NEED INTELLIGENCE THAT EQUALS OBAMA, WHO HAS MADE SOME GREAT CHOICES. DEAL WITH IT!!!!!!!!

The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me !!!! this is not a republican or democrat issue !!!! you have to have the best person suited for this kind of job in other words you need someone that has experience in human intel, black ops, and espionage !!! you dont throw in someone who has no experience !!!! we are still at war with people that seek to destroy us I am sure the new president elect knows that !!!!!!

these disgusting politicians we have pinned our and our children's and our grandchildren's future on seem to change their minds day by day. DISGUSTING!!

Feinstein changes her mind more often than Obama changes his socks! She's against Panetta today and for Panetta tomorrow. Another spirited conversation with the right people, a wind change, or hot flashes and who knows where she'll be next!

Good Grief; even Charlie Brown would say. Each and every time I, unfortunately, encounter anything uttered by her I just say to myself: Self: "make no change inopinion; she is a professional political idiot."

Ah yes,the battle of the "Hormones", testrogen's triumph over estrogin in the esoteric world of american triumvirate politics,…

Diane Fienstein is behaving like a typical woman. If you don't do things her way, she'll kick and scream and try to destroy. That's why I couldn't stand Hillary.

@Chuck-

You are right, when people flip flop so quick like that, they do have mental issues. Gee reminds me of…hmmm….someone with Hussein in their middle name that just hoodwinked the American people.

The best part about all of this is that you all were voting him into office expecting a tax cut and are going to get screwed because he is already talking about setting a new lower cap. 250k ummmm der 200k ehhh errrr 150k….ummmm errr 100k….uuuuuhhh ummmm errr 50k….ummm middle east is Bush' problem now….duhhhh errrr…

You sheep fell for that one hook line and sinker and Scott L is laughing all the way to the bank because of recent shifts in my portfolio I have made to protect myself against the trauma that BHO and Democrats are going to inflict on American wealth.

Man the Democrats look like a bunch of morons right about now…

Funny how Obama will come out and talk about every single burning issue right now, but when it comes to the middle east crisis going on, he defers to Bush.

Get used to Obama not being able to do anything as President.

Be careful what you wish for BHO, you just got it.

Ah,yea? The ,"battle of the hormones",testerone triumphs over estrogin in the esoteric world of american politic's,…

I support Barack but Sen. Feinstein, when you don't agree with something, there is nothing wrong with speaking your mind.

Typical Democrats—-Knuckle under—politics as usual ,flip flop.

Obama isn't even sworn in yet and already such pettiness from the right……presidents 1-42…little over 5 trillion in debt, president 43 leaving office with around 11 trillion in debt. Bush ran more debt than the previous 42 presidents including all those "tax and spend" liberals. So, quit your whining already and wait till the next election till you start spewing your idiocy.

@ illinois209 historically functionaly iliterates qualified for office which leads me to believe that 99 percent of public office seekers are qualfied as the constitution does require much since we live in world of over reachers with opinions .Everytime you turn on the news somebody is over reaching. "the racecard" over reaching, "not seating Burris just because it was said the governor is no good ,not proven but simply said, congress over reaching, "right wing nuts trying to tie Obama to everybodies elses indiscretions" major over reaching.and for the GOP to throw up qualification of the PE but had the audacity to entertain sara palin being anywhere near the office because she's a governor of bout what 20 people in a state so far removed from American reality.talk about over reaching. this is the 21st century and a young black man was elected to lead who i firmly believe paced his entire career on the path to the white house I'm sure when he made President of Harvard Law Review he saw himself in the whitehouse don't think he didn't. remember many may want to lead but few are born to Lead….

but I'm glad that she was consulted

After the debacle in Vietnam, the US military completely revised its relationship with the civilian authority. To this day they try to maintain a trusted advisor status to the president and congress. The lessons learned in our most deadly war can stand the Intelligence community in good stead. If Panetta guides the CIA, NSA and other branches through such a review and implementation he will have achieved much.

@tee January 7th, 2009 7:53 pm ET
ALL YOU RETHUG HEATERS
LOOK WHERE SO CALLED EXPERIENCE GOT US.
WE NEED INTELLIGENCE THAT EQUALS OBAMA, WHO HAS MADE SOME GREAT CHOICES. DEAL WITH IT!!!!!!!!
****You are SOOOOO RIGHT!!!!

She's a moron

Who put the squeeze on Dianne? She was right in the first place.

Looks like the only non-Clinton person in this new administration is Obama.

@ Willy Brown…..you and Griff must be on the same meds, you make as much sense as he does….NONE!

Come again, I'm sure in your simple mind your comment made sense, now pull firmly with your back and sholders until you hear a loud POP!!! take a deep breath, explain your inane comment, then feel free to insert your head up your arse again!!! The world awaits.

THIS WOMAN NEEDS MENTAL HELP QUICKLY. WHEN SOMEONE STARTS CHANGING THEIR MIND SO OFTEN I GET SCARED. I STILL WOULD LOOK AT THIS WOMAN WITH FOUR EYES.

I get tired even hearing about her continually and even more looking at her isnt there someone better some where?

I don't understand, if she felt she was being ignored by Obama or had some other beef with him, why didn't she just pick up the phone and call his office. Was it really necessary to issue a statement to the press?

all that fuss about nothing, shame on her selfishness.

I don't feel too good about the security situation under the new administration. Just give me my govt. check and I will go hide somewhere for four years. Quick, please.

Just another fine example of the "party before principles" standpoint of the Democratic party.

Better get a grip on your posterior, Feinstein… whose side are you on…. ? the Repubs are going OUT…. unless you want to follow, you need to put your Dem hat on, and then pray that not Too Many remember how often you sided with Repubs…. like just about every time. You rolled over so much, that you might qualify for the White House Pet vetting!

Does Feinstein know that the Church Age is over ?

Diane gets to changer her mind.. There are alot of people who are afraid of someone like Panetta.. He doesnt have anything to hide .. Many people around the CIA do, and they knew he might be effective in getting them to crawl out from under the rock where the are hiding..

And now you know why Congress has betrayed Americans. Not a one of them can stand their ground. They are all in bed together.

And all we have heard from these people is about incompentence of the Repubs. The last few days the Dems have shown that they are both inept and incompentent.

Hmmm? Let's see "intelligence" in the context of an Obama appointee is a bit confusing. OK, so Leon has no qualifications to be head of the CIA but heck Obama's not qualified to be President so what's one more inept political hack in D.C.
Think I'm kidding? Al Franken. I rest my case.

The CIA is a rat's nest that's dirty from the inside out. Obama wants someone he can trust to tell him the truth. No way could he put an experienced 'insider" in that position. Obama knows what he's doing.

Sounds to me like she was reminded who the President is going to be…….and its not her!

ALL YOU RETHUG HEATERS

LOOK WHERE SO CALLED EXPERIENCE GOT US.
WE NEED INTELLIGENCE THAT EQUALS OBAMA, WHO HAS MADE SOME GREAT CHOICES. DEAL WITH IT!!!!!!!!

Dear Liz,
Where have you been for 8 years, the Bush Regime has already run this country into the ground, WE ARE BROKE, WE ARE FIGHTING WARS THAT WILL SOLVE NOTHING, THE WHOLE WORLD HATES US, THEY JUST GAVE AWAY 700 BILLION WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED TO AN INDUSTRY THAT HAS LOST MORE THAN THAT, and you are sick! ha ha ha ha ha ha. What exactly do you think the new president is going to do, start a war, put us in debt, start a recession, there is really not much for him do except improve things. Just think in about 12 days the Bush legacy will just be a nightmare in every persons mind around the globe, may the death and misery he has caused go with him.

when does our new american police force roll,? our new policy ,, if u did not vote for the fuh,, u will be rounded up,,, and deported,,,, haha

Why doesn't anyone talk about helping our young people with their student loans–bailing them out?? They are the future of this country and they are saddled with enormous debt and no jobs. We bail out corporations, consumers that purchased SUV's and flat panel TVs with the home equity, etc., and noww the porn industry needs a bail out!!!! What about our kids?

See, all the lady wanted was a little respect and to have her a….. kissed.

The CIA needs a good cleaning out. This could not be done by an insider. More power to Panetta – he'll need a lot of fortitude and some hip-boots.

stupid person can't make up her mind in office or out of office, Kalifornia, please don't elect her again!

Nice to see that people can still change their minds. Penetta is exactly what we need. No more yes men to push our country to use torture to get confessions. No more dick cheney clones to ignore the laws and to violate international laws.

Of Course She Does … Barack spanked her I suspect.

Feinstein and Pelosi need to retired from Politics. They haven't done anything positive for our country or the state of California. Let Obama be our true voice of reason and not the old guards from Congress and Senate.

Lady Di is off her meds. Time to put her out to pasture with the rest of the dead wood in the Washington. The Senate and House needs some young new faces who want to work for the people and get things done.

Good thinking Dianne. No wonder this country is so ……up.; keep the
stupid broads out of politics and on PMS. They really think better that
way!

Paul

She simply needed to shift her own paradigm and she sees their point of view on why Panetta was picked instead of an insider. What's wrong with that.

Chris in VA. please show up for work tomorrow at with your paper hat this time please. Thanks the mgt..

I'm glad she knows that he'll “surround himself with very qualified intelligence professionals in the top positions.” Why, 'cause maybe he's smart enough to know that he don't know crap about running an intelligence agency.

Got to toe the party line, Dianne. There is no opportunity for independent opinion and truth, just fall in line with all the other sheep because the messiah says it's so.

"the American people are starving, homeless and jobless….
Stop bailing out the rich ponzi makers of the banks and Wall Street and start helping the American workers…" says Charles L. Shaw, Liverpool, NY…

Totally ignoring the fact that the Republican President and too many obstructive Republicans are still wandering the hall of Congress!

The Democrats have had a majority for three days now and Obama isn't even sworn in … its gonna take awhile to clean up 8 years of the mess the GOP has left ….

Betting Charles L. Shaw, Liverpool, NY will be whining on February 1st about Obama not accomplishing all he promised … sour grapes made into GOP whine….

Power…it goes to everyone's head that is in this business for a job. Maybe that is why being a politician shouldn't be a career opportunity?

Ummm…. so we complain about Bush and now we put in these jokers? OK…. hmmmm…. I don't get it.

Obama
Blagovich
Biden
Franken
Panetta
Etc.

Dianne should change her name to Sybil, or maybe Legion.

Anyway, it's nice to see her in with the crowd, for now.

Strange Change Indeed January 7th, 2009 6:55 pm ET
Panetta lacks the qualifications, but it's no longer necessary to have qualifications to be in public office (See Obama, Caroline Kennedy, Franken, etc.). …How about Bush Senior??

this is boring

Look at her eyes in the picture. Looks like Cheech and chong might have joined her and obama in the meeting. I'm sure obama served up some of his famous kool-aid to.

The problem here is politics not government. The government will NEVER get better with political actors like Panetta. Remember the campaign" We can't get Change using the same people and hoping for a DIFFERENT OUTCOME."

I;m sure Obama and the rest of them pulled the Democrate garbage up over her head just like they have done to the rest of those who voted for him. within 2 years things will change, taxes will go up, and our lives will be run by the government. When it happens, I hope those who voted for them are happy

may your lord have pity on this country,, may the basketball hands of the almighty obama , lift you high in the air,,, may he bounce you around, as he has b4,, may he slam dunk u,, into the hell we will see… good luck amerika,,, from a former democrat

Panetta lacks the qualifications, but it's no longer necessary to have qualifications to be in public office (See Obama, Caroline Kennedy, Franken, etc.).

Senator Feinstein was obviously pleased as punch that Obama ignored her in selecting the head of the CIA! He probably knew she'd tell him choosing a man with no intelligence experience would be a disaster that could cost thousands or tens of thousands of American lives. If Obama's choice causes new intelligence failures that allow another devastating terrorist attack on the mainland U.S. after George Bush kept us safe for 7 years Diane Feinstein will be glad that she had no part in it.

my god , the god father was not that good,,,,,,,,,,,,ooops,,, sorry, obama,, i did not do nothin,,, i just want u to rule the earth,,, as i said ,, i is sorry

Oh, Oh, Panetta. I thought you said Banetta. Yeah, Panetta's OK. Good thing it wasn't that lame-o Leon Banetta.

I'd like to know why the White House is spending $485,000 on china when we have a 1.2 trillion dollar deficit, just this year. Is this really necessary?

bam-o showed feinstein bill's donor list, and she saw the light. next up: blago for secretary of commerce. lieberman uber alles!

http://poltiqs.tommyjonq.com

presidents depend on our intelligence agencies, but most spies are weak, sniveling, vouyeristic, peeping toms that get a kick out of peeking at others. they need a "normal" person to supervise them, not an insider…insider top management is the primary problem with our intelligence agencies.

“Yesterday morning the president-elect called, the vice president-elect called. I had a thorough, thoughtful conversation with both of them. They said sorry, we screwed up. I understand that,” she said. “This is his choice and I understand that. He wants to make a clean cut, open a new chapter. And I support that.”

Geez, I wouldv'e give her a grand if she wouldv'e made my boy cry for cryin out loud, LOL!! Heck, I'll pay the GOP two grand if one of them can make my boy cry, LOL!!

"He's the greatest dancer…na'h, na'h, that I ever seen…

He';s the greatest dancer…na'h, na'h, that I ever seen!" LOL!!

As you can see we are jammin baby!!

since barak called diane, all's well?

and we the people believe whatever ou guys in washington tell us, LOL.

be afraid, be very afraid, if you have truth to tell to power!

I wonder why?

One of at least two things is obvious:
1. Congressmen and Senators don't stop to think before spewing at the piehole, or
2. None of them has a spine.

So, Obama got onto Reid, who got onto Feinstein and told her to straighten up, huh?

Obama stated "there can only be one president at a time". The sooner these swollen heads in D.C. realize that we will be able to make some progress.

P.S. to Willy Brown…..you sure do love those Nazis don't you, but you have it backwards, the Republicans covet the swastika, none more-so than your Dick "Das Fuher" Cheney. Besides Willy, I'm sure you have a N.S.D.A.P. banner displayed prominently in your slime pit.

She was obviously suffering from withdrawals. All she needed was another dixie cup full of the koolaid and all was well again.

Bet she backs down on her position regarding Burris tomorrow.

Makes one wonder what PE Obama and VPE Biden said to her to make her do such a 180. She had been pretty miffed about not being included. Could it be she had one of her cronies in mine for the job?

Anyway, I guess however it was accomplished, it's kind of good to see everyone appearing to be on the same page.

Oh well, if that worthless hypocrite bat Sen. Feinstein thinks he is good then I am all for him too! To hell with experience!

Obama, what a sweet talker!!! Changed her mind over night. I bet he did it in a most gracious way as well.

Sounds like she got promised something she wanted in that phone call, cause lets face it, she was too rip-roarin' mad the day before and logically said it was a dumb move on Obama's part.
Now her tune is that Panetta will "surround himself with competent people." We know what that means…Panetta will do what incompetent but promoted managers do all the time in everyday life…he will have his subordinates do the job for him. Those poor CIA employees…I bet they stop jumping ship.

FEINSTINE JUST WANTED TO HEAR HERSELF TALK.

SHE IS ONE OF THE BEST REASONS FOR TERM LIMITS.

WOW, NOW I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER.

TERM LIMITS, TERM LIMITS, TERM LIMITS !!!!

FEINSTEIN MUST BE JUST COMING OUT OF A LONG COMMA

OR A VERY LONG SLEEP. SAID NOTHING ABOUT TORTURE ETC..

I'm really not comfortable having this silly immature strop as the Senate Intelligence Committee Chair!! What are the Dems playing at keeping Reid and this Feinstein douchebag?!! Obama may have the White House but Change has not come to America until we take out the trash in both houses!!

reality hurts doesn't it feinstien? your grandstanding only made you look foolish now that you have had to eat crow. Seems that Obama CAN control her now doesn't it all you Obama haters?

oh and Charles i know it is hard to tell with bush doing nothing the last couple of months but writing executive orders to try to keep the government as screwed up as he can possible make it before he leaves but the democrats do not yet have "the rock" 13 more days before that happens.

idiots

Thats the problem with politicians… never stick to your convictions. This man is not qualified to be head of the CIA. He is a politician not intelligence agent. Bad choice!

Anonymous January 7th, 2009 5:46 pm ET

"rich people need to be taxed more than anyone else because like the bushes that "tax money" they are throwing it away on 500,000 dollar dishes. pathetic."

So people who don't pay taxes can continue to get rewarded with welfare… Maybe I should quite my job so some stranger can support me and pay for health care for my children through their taxes.

Yes Ms. Feinstein, the President Elect knows what he wants and the right people for the job. Your initial reaction did not put you in a favorable light. Sometimes you come off as another old politician who can't see beyond the tip of your old nose. No depth. Blech.

I take that back, Junior High Schoolers are more mature and has more integrity

Flip flop. Over and over. Just like Burris. Suddenly it was all a bluff. Are these politicians still in junior high?

One call from Obama and she got in line. Go Obama.

Hmm…wonder when she got the call to get on message?

Uncle Obama is taking charge. Better stay on board with the program!

This is the bunch that is going to lead the country out of the woods into the promise land?

Now that she got a little attention she's satisfied. Big baby. Someone should slap her in the forehead.

Ha, Ha. Way to stick to your convictions. You must have gotten wire brushed good By Obama and Biden.

She must have been taken to the wood shed by Hippie Harry for not goose stepping with the democrats and Das Obama Fuhrer

So it was all just a petty tantrum. Why am I not surprised…

Only Issue Feinstein had, President-elect Obama didn't consult with her first!

Get this Woman out of Washington!

Well Diane maybe your not that important after all HUH! Come on Dems you got the rock, lets see some movement out there, the American people are starving, homeless and jobless….
Stop bailing out the rich ponzi makers of the banks and Wall Street and start helping the American workers.

Now wait a minute here. Am I to understand that a Senator had a problem with the Admninisrtation, voiced her concern, and got an explanation that was acceptable to her? That's it? No sniping? No one had their patriotism questioned? No one was attacked on some morinic radio program for daring to question?

Obama, now that is change I can believe in.

Thanks.

She seems to have changed her tune, now everything is just hunky dory…it wasn't her decision anyway, Obama knows who he wants for that position and it was his choice to make.

If Obama wants to make an appointment that hasn't been cross-checked with Vichy-Democrats that coluded with the Bush regime, then that's FINE BY ME.

rich people need to be taxed more than anyone else because like the bushes that "tax money" they are throwing it away on 500,000 dollar dishes. pathetic.

I knew 'ol Clayface would come around sooner, or later.

Folks, you just can't make this stuff up.

Best part of it all is, that there is more from these bozos to come over the next four years.

Feinstein sounds like an egotistical shrew to me. She likes Panetta now that Obama and Biden called her and apologized to her. I'll bet her husband is terrified of her. And as far as "telling truth to power" Ms. Feinstein obviously has her Presidents confused. Obama wants to hear the truth, and will not twist it around to serve his ends, unlike Bush.

It will be interesting to see how Feinstein's back will be scratched. I love politicians. She seems to flip flop more than "I voted for it before I voted against it…" John Kerry.

I have lost all respect for Diane Feinstein! What a hypocrite! She did not like Panetta because OBAMA did not ask for her opinion……. its all about her ………ego.

Hail South Afrifca,,,, He was in prison in 1961….. America what did Obama do????

Even though this article has nothing to do with Republicans, ignorant anti-Republican remark from "Proud American" in 3… 2… 1…

Democrats are pathetic. They say one thing…get nailed…take a little heat and then flip flop to PC position.

Good, we will have to wait and see what kind of administration Barack will have. He has a good head on his shoulders and I'm sure he'll do fine. We might not understand his reasons, but I'm sure everything will come together.

Of course she is going to support him now. He's a liberal Democrat just like she and the rest of the idiots who are "running the show" now. Who cares if he's qualified!!!!! This administration and this Congress is going to run the country into the ground just like the last administration did. It makes me sick!!! Could we get some REAL leaders in this country, please?

Hope we will replace Feinstein by somebody more progressive, like Boxer.

That's right, let's not consider actual qualifications. I'm sure he'll get the hang of it in a few years and our external enemies usually respect a grace period for new CIA chiefs anyway so no big whoop!

Makes one wonder what Obama and Biden said to her to make her do such a 180. She had been pretty miffed about not being included.

Anyway, I guess how ever it was accomplished, it's kind of good to see everyone appearing to be on the same page. Politics at it's best?!

Well, hope she's sincere. She also supported most of the Bush follies, didn't she? Too bad SF didn't elect Cindy Sheehan to replace Pelosi-there might be a chance of real policy change then.

Good grief, they got to her. she told the truth a couple of days ago. Leon Panetta is a rank amateur when it comes to intelligence and does not need to come close to heading up any intelligence agency.