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In Defense of Leon
Before others join them, they would all do well to scrutinize the history of past appointments of pros and non-pros. I would say that the non-pro defense secretaries Clark Clifford and Mel Laird were every bit as good in their handling of the Pentagon and of the Vietnam War as the highly experienced and professional Bob Gates is in handling Iraq and his present duties. George Shultz and James Baker, who had no particular backgrounds in foreign affairs or the State Department, served just as ably as secretary of state as did Henry Kissinger. As for the CIA, outsiders like John McCone performed about as well as the ultimate professional, Richard Helms.
Historically, CIA veterans are the toughest and most determined protectors of their turf, and they always want to be protected by one of their own. It’s just not going to happen this time, because the Agency has gone along with too many questionable practices and policies of the George W. Bush White House. The next best thing for the CIA and the best thing for the country is to have Leon Panetta in the job. He is a nonpartisan Democrat, a proven manager, a wise man without being a congenital middle-of-the-roader, and someone who truly knows how to navigate between the political pressures that so dominate Washington without being overcome by them.
The CIA veterans may never give up their fight against Panetta, but at least the Congress and the press should not let themselves be hoodwinked into believing that Panetta isn’t as good as a pro, and for the purposes of doing what needs to be done at the CIA, better than a pro.
Leslie H. Gelb, a former Times columnist and senior government official, is author of the forthcoming HarperCollins book Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy, which shows how to think about and use power in the 21st century. He is president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations.
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Leslie H. Gelb, a former New York Times columnist and senior government official, is author of Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy (HarperCollins 2009), a book that shows how to think about and use power in the 21st century. He is president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Amen..and lets not turn a blind eye to the idea that a "pro" read "insider" will have an automatic bias towards an ignore and cover-up to protect people attitude.
Because Panetta hasn't got any of this "torture sauce" or "illegal wiretapping gravy" spilled on his tie he may actually be able to more effectively clean up the agency of those who do.
And yes, Virginia, they are STILL tapping your phone.
Panetta is an "outsider?" Dir. of OMB, US Rep. for 8 (?) years, Clinton Chief of Staff. The CIA is run by second tier pros. They reveal what they want to each new Dir. Budget argument fails. Much of CIA budget is hidden in the DoD budget.
enoughroomvideo.blogspot.com
As I said before this is the best choice that one can make, for this position. Sometimes the substantive titles are not what count. The question is can he do the job? No one has said he can't do the job that needs to be done, so what's the problem.! I think that we need to get to the business of getting the job done style is a secondary issue!
Given that George Tenant, the ultimate professional, did such a horrible job as director, I can't imagine why anyone would automatically think that a CIA insider would be desirable. John McCone was probably one of the best director in the CIA's history and he was an engineer, not a spy. It is not like Panetta will be required to go undercover and slink about Eastern Europe or anything. And if the need arises, well I would just call on Sydney Bristow (aka Jennifer Garner).
Thank you.
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