These "special-access programs" -- satellites, sensors, and other intelligence-gathering devices whose very existence is known only to those with compartmentalized security clearances

Why am I guessing that those with compartmentalized security clearances don't include the FISA court, but should. Or that the private contractors have other clients who shouldn't have access, but do.

Is this the same Feinstein who voted for everyone nominated by Bush? The same Feinstein who said nothing about torture or the violations of privacy?

If you say nothing against evil when it's your job to do so, why bother talking ever again?

The same goes for Rockefeller.

Would it be a bit paranoid to think perhaps someone has some very interesting wiretapped dirt on DiFi and Rockefeller? They both seem so ready to bend over.

It's painfully obvious when confronted with the solution, that Rockefeller and Feinstein are part of the problem. Judging from other whiners like Fran Townshend, I would say that the intensity of their whining is probably directly proportional to their guilt and involvement in the last eight years of treason and lawlessness.

I'm hoping there will be more of this from President Obama, much more of this. It's as if the sun is finally breaking through the fog that has hidden these scoundrels and their secret laws and narcissistic "legal" opinions.

Benen: I get the sense that Feinstein and Rockefeller probably shouldn't invest too heavily in fighting this one. They're probably going to lose.

You are underestimating the principles and spine that these two Alpha-democrats bring to the table...

[Insert a pin-drop here]

Michael Scheuer, a 22-year CIA analyst who worked in tracking Osama bin Laden, likened Panetta to a "political hack" Tuesday.

So, a CIA analyst who can't track down bin Laden calls Panetta a "hack?"

Seems like the analyst is the hack.

But former CIA official Robert Grenier is also skeptical of the nomination. Grenier was once the CIA station chief in Islamabad, Pakistan, where he helped plan covert operations in support of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and is now with the investigative firm Kroll.

So, another failure and partisan hack in the war on terrorism is criticizing Panetta.

Tell us, Mr. Grenier, if having experienced intelligence people is so vital to the war on terrorism, why did you leave your government job for a lucrative private section position? Are you placing your financial and personal success ahead of your country's national security interests? And you have the gall to criticize this selection.

Grenier: failure in the war on terror, man who abandons his country in a time of crisis, and partisan hack.

It's not really surprising that people are fighting so viciously to preserve their various turfs. Sometimes their agendas line up with the larger public interest, and sometimes they don't. Shrug...

Panetta will be confirmed but the fact that prominent democrats are saying IN PUBLIC that Obama's appointment is acceptable AS LONG AS Bush appointees like Kappes stay on is disturbing. They need to think about what impression they are leaving with the public by asking for this. Is Obama's appointment not good enough to lead the CIA unless Bush appointees are still there really running things?

What Obama is really saying is that Democrats can't do national security and need Republican help.

He's been issuing this "statement" since day one.

So much for the Wunderkid.

So much for change.

With his bumbling of the Richardson nomination, he's confirming the GOP election theme and one they will continue to jump on as long as it continues: not ready for prime time.

If Obama doesn't step it up and start listening to seasoned Democratic politicians, instead of being dismissive of their "old ways," his term is going to be rough.

Perception still counts and trying to implement changes without controlling that perception will result in failure, just like it did with Clinton and health care.

Obama needs to quit repeating the past, but not stop learning from it and from the people who lived it.

What about the notion that DiFi and Rockefeller want someone from inside the CIA to be appointed because anyone from inside the CIA would stonewall any investigations on wire-tapping and other things that DiFi and the Rock are complicit in and probably don't want investigated?

How did DiFi ever obtain the Intelligence position. When she was Mayor of SF, Richard Ramirez, the serial killer, was roaming California. The LA County Deputy detectives learned he read the local papers, and, perhaps, had gone north to the SF area. They were working with officers from that area to look for Ramirez. They were trying to set him up with phony news. When Mayor DiFi learned of this, she held a news conference and blurted out the info. Ramirez left the area and fled south. Yes, he was, ultimately, caught by local citizens in So Cal, but, DiFi blew the intelligence.

What I want to see is Attorney General Eric Holder bring Federal indictments against Bush, Cheney, Yoo, Gonzalez, Feinstein and Rockefeller among others.

They are all equally complicit in violating the United States Constitution.

How did DiFi ever obtain the Intelligence position. -berttheclock

Her husband owns significant shares of a defense contractor. His investment is second only to the Carlyle Group.

The Iraq war has been very profitable for Dianne.

Her entire Senatorial career is a shameful conflict of interest.

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