Monday, January 5, 2009

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is mad at Obama

I mean she is having a hissy fit....

“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.”

I am not sure that Obama meant to slight Feinstein, but his pick is one that she can not manipulate around her little finger.

And as for Obama's pick of Leon Panetta, he gets thumbs up by me, so far, for this statement:
Our forefathers prohibited "cruel and unusual punishment" because that was how tyrants and despots ruled in the 1700s. They wanted an America that was better than that. Torture is illegal, immoral, dangerous and counterproductive. And yet, the president is using fear to trump the law.

As Feinstein's lips are twisting in the wind, she is sending Obama a sound message that she is not happy with this pick. Hell she loves Bush's appointment in the CIA now, Mike Hayden. This same fellow who has indicated through leaks that he wants to retain the position as Director of the CIA. Obama did right, CLEAN HOUSE.
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."

I am not a Feinstein fan for several reasons, she is a product of the old "status quo", and I have some issues on her votes or mainly her loyalty for her husband's business through her votes:
Critics have argued that Feinstein's support, as a member of the Senate's Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee, of policies that may benefit her husband may raise the appearance of a conflict of interest.[5] Suburban newspaper Metro Silicon Valley reported in 2007 that Feinstein's husband holds large investments in companies that have won large government contracts without competitive bidding. In April 2007, Feinstein's office denied there was a conflict of interest and stated that her departure from the subcommittee had nothing to do with the reports in the Metro weeklies.

At any rate, she will play politics in this appointment, or attempt to. Obama, Panetta I am sure you got your game on.

The Real Deal on Dianne Feinstein's Positions
Feinstein's husband makes milions, thanks to the war

Obama's intel pick an intentional break from the Bush Admin policies

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