When I first heard that Barack Obama had selected Leon Panetta to head the CIA, my first reaction was that it must be a joke. Didn't they really mean Lou Piniella-another "Chicago insider"? Seriously though, this is just another case of a high level job going to another Washington/Clinton insider, experienced politically, respected on both sides of the fence, but with very little experience in the area of international security.
What can we expect the 70-year-old Panetta to do with the CIA, besides rein it in, make it kinder and gentler, and preside over another dismantling of our intelligence capability-just as Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton did while in office?
Fortunately (perhaps) the CIA Director is no longer the top dog in the intelligence hierarchy. That position is held by the Director of National Intelligence, who, under Obama, will be retired Navy Admiral Dennis Blair.
Yet, it is hard to see the CIA becoming more capable and ready to protect this country under Panetta. perhaps, I will be proved wrong, and I hope I am.
Also perhaps, the steady selection of former Clinton hands will provide steadier leadership than had Obama brought in a bunch of wild academics and known leftists to run the country. It's all a guess at this point.
As for Panetta, however, it hardly represents change-for better or worse.
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