January 8, 2009
Posted: 07:19 PM ET

From
Obama is expected to nominate Panetta as CIA director Friday.
Obama is expected to nominate Panetta as CIA director Friday.

(CNN) – Two officials close to the transition confirm to CNN that on Friday morning the President-elect will announce Leon Panetta as CIA Director and Dennis Blair as Director of National Intelligence. The officials also say that John Brennan will be named Friday as White House homeland security adviser and deputy national security adviser for counterterrorism.

While Pannetta and Blair will be at the event in Washington, Brennan will be announced at the same time but will not be attending the event, according to the officials.

The officials added that Brennan will be tasked with leading a top-to-bottom review of whether the Homeland Security Council within the White House, created after 9/11, should be folded into the National Security Council or remain a separate entity.

Transition officials are eager to push back on a report suggesting that the homeland security adviser post might be downgraded in the Obama administration, noting that Brennan will also carry the title of assistant to the president, a sign that he will have direct access to the Oval Office.

Filed under: Obama transition


Larry   January 8th, 2009 11:00 pm ET

The reason that there is confusion, on what Obama wants to do ,is because he has told who ever he is talking to he says what ever THEY wanted to hear—-this is what happens when everybody gets together and finds out they have all been had by a smooth talking conman from Chicago—-the media has promoted and protected him,too!!

Soon know one will be confused—the truth will be in your face .

legal in nc   January 8th, 2009 10:10 pm ET

Scott L…… you must have hit a nerve. I see the the antagonist have been antagonized!!

Funny how they can't take their own medicine especially when they realize that they've been had by "The Chosen One"

Chris in Va.   January 8th, 2009 10:08 pm ET

@ Scott L….."giving handouts to those that don't pay taxes and raising taxes on small businesses"….."saying nothing about Iran/Palestine", last time I checked he was in a position to do neither as he is not yet our president, perhaps you should stop listening to Rush and Hannity and try thinking for yourself if you are capable of independent thought unlike most Repugs.

Puff   January 8th, 2009 9:47 pm ET

Scott – you are right on the mark!

OBAMA IS SO FULL OF IT   January 8th, 2009 9:19 pm ET

Mark my word, Obama will get this country attacked.
The j.a.c.k.a.s.s. doesn't have a clue. He just wants to look good while he fakes it.

Mari   January 8th, 2009 8:46 pm ET

@ SCOTT L……… WHAT is BUSH doing? He has done nothing. He is already retired.

Since you like to attack OBAMA…… how about defending the Bush Legacy: $12…….TRILLION IN NATIONAL DEBT?

Anonymous   January 8th, 2009 8:20 pm ET

Scotty L,

The question is, what is our current president saying about Iran/Palestine?

Huh? I'm sorry, what was that again? That's what I thought! NOTHING!

That's right. He hasn't said a word for weeks about the economy, the stock market, Israel, Palestine or any other current issue affecting the world right now.

As far far as Obama "giving handouts to those that don't pay taxes…."

Please! Scotty, spare us the Joe-the-Plumber-here-comes-Obama-the-socialist crazy tak, ok?

Texas Teacher   January 8th, 2009 8:07 pm ET

Scott L… you are foaming at the mouth… find a napkin, man!

Let's let him get into office before we try to lynch him on the White House lawn… check yourself, your sheet is showing!

:( Bush is the one who lied through his teeth!

renee from oakland   January 8th, 2009 8:01 pm ET

@ scott l

well of course u r quick to point fingers b4 d guy is even in office
we can't be sending mixed messages at this time with the israel/gaza
conflict still brewing. if u were smart enough to listen u would know that but since u r so smart to know everything about taxes and foreign policy, u could run for office and become president.

but till then put a sock in it and go do smth useful….*hissssss*

Max, NY   January 8th, 2009 7:59 pm ET

Once again, we only have one president at a time. Barack and Bush can't compete for the world's attention. When it comes to the economy, Barack can speak out, when it comes to world affairs, he can not and should not.

Also, he is not giving money to anyone who DIDN'T pay taxes. I don't know how many times he has to say it. The election is over, he won, get over yourselves.

Claire, MT   January 8th, 2009 7:57 pm ET

@ Scott L,

Stop drinking the kool-aid. Don't get your pants in a wad because John McSame and Idiot-woman didn't win.

Talk about sheep, I'm sure you could use some sheers to cut the hair from over your eyes. Wake up, don't be a Debbie Downer.

Franky   January 8th, 2009 7:53 pm ET

@Scott L

You alright dude?? You know everybody is talking about Gaza now, right? And giving handouts to people don't pay taxes and small business?? I think you're talking about us dude…

Plus, tell Congress to get the heck out of there! The game is about to start! Time to share this beautiful moment in American history…

Foo   January 8th, 2009 7:53 pm ET

Good sheep are willing to follow a good shepard.
It is tha for which we elect a President.

realops   January 8th, 2009 7:51 pm ET

Someone with little foreign policy experience (Obama) making a politcal decision for polticial benefit (Obama) putting another person (Panetta) with little experience in a job where he isn't well suited.

Obama had better pray (it's his best chance with this announcement) that we don't get attacked again.

Gary of El Centro, Ca   January 8th, 2009 7:50 pm ET

So you've done well under the Republican rule Scott L? You're not open to trying a different approach? You must not have a 401K, or a job that may be on the cutting block…….

Albo58   January 8th, 2009 7:49 pm ET

If Panetta is qualified to be the CIA Director, then this retired USAF SMSgt fully expects to see the following headline in the AF Times any day now, "POTUS BALKS AT ADVISORS, NAMES ALBO58 AS NEXT CSAF"!

12 Days To Go   January 8th, 2009 7:45 pm ET

Scott: He wants to reduces taxes on small businesses. Try to at least get your facts straight.

al   January 8th, 2009 7:44 pm ET

scott, what planet are you from, you must be from the planet uranus, because that is where your head is at

Kathy   January 8th, 2009 7:40 pm ET

Wha,Wha,Wha, just another reason she was unfit to run. Just sit and enjoy your view of Russia from your back porch and let the country be run by people who have an IQ.

Scott L   January 8th, 2009 7:30 pm ET

What is Obama saying about Iran/Palestine?

NOTHING!

Yet he is giving handouts to those that don't pay taxes and raising taxes on small businesses.

HE IS LYING THROUGH HIS TEETH ALREADY! WAIT UNTIL THE TAX CUT THRESHHOLD IS LOWERED. You sheep fell hook line and sinker.

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah   January 8th, 2009 7:25 pm ET

Good!

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