After enough ring-kissing on the part of Obama and Biden, Feinstein says Panetta will be just fine.
Emerging from a policy luncheon this afternoon, Senator Dianne Feinstein disclosed that she had spoken with Leon Panetta last night, after raising objections earlier this week about his qualifications to become the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Asked whether she planned to support his confirmation now — following telephone conversations initiated by both President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr., she said: "I believe all systems are go."
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"President-elect Obama made the comment that he doesn’t want to be told what they think he wants to hear but what they think he should hear, and that’s good enough for me."
She also noted, after speaking with both Mr. Obama, Mr. Biden and Mr. Panetta, that she believed there was a "high likelihood" that Mr. Panetta would surround himself with those who were knowledgeable about intelligence and had experience in the field. She said she would be meeting with him again next week. Specifically, when asked whether she had received assurances in these discussions that Stephen R. Kappes, the No. 2 at the agency, would remain in the job, the senator pursed her lips and wouldn’t comment directly.
Good. Of course, this comes after she unleashed the traditional media on their usual Dems in Disarray, Obama Drama feeding frenzy, playing into the hands of those trying to undermine Obama on national security and intelligence even before he takes office. But at least it will help make for a smooth confirmation process.