DISQUS

Deacon_Blues · 10 months ago

Seems to me that everyone in Wah-shington is just looking for an excuse to get their panties in a wad. Note to politicians: This country is in big fucking trouble; leave your egos at the door and pitch in, for Christ's sake!

lynn47 · 10 months ago

She was not going to like the pick whether they briefed her or not. The fact that she went public tells us all we need to know.

grandma · 10 months ago

I posted this earlier....according to Ambinder it was prematurely leaked.

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/20...

Another Obama aide confirmed that the "hope was to roll it out later this week, which would obviously be after informing congress."

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/20...

scytherius · 10 months ago

Oh interesting. Thanks for the link.

grandma · 10 months ago

OT:

Norm Coleman to speak at 3 pm in St.Paul.

Republican Norm Coleman, who received 225 fewer votes than DFLer Al Franken in the U.S. Senate recount, will speak to the media at 3 p.m. today in St. Paul.

Coleman's campaign didn't say what he will talk about, but it's expected that he will announce whether he will file a lawsuit challenging the results of the recount,.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/37148...

Rufus · 10 months ago

Let's never forget that DiFi is a Republican wearing a Democrat suit. To be elected in California she needed to call herself a Democrat, but the Republican often shines through.

scytherius · 10 months ago

This Californian couldn't agree more. She knows that so many of us wouldn't vote for the name next to the "R" on a bet.

Soundboy_jeff_meanie · 10 months ago

joe lieberman in lipstick.

sukabi · 10 months ago

Obama probably hoped to get the other, more ameneble members of the committee on board with his pick and use them as leverage with DiFi... she'd look pretty out of touch with the committee if she was the only one not on board with his pick... but the leakage of this prior to DiFi being brought "into the loop" leads me to believe that one of O's aides isn't exactly on board the O change express...

renegademom · 10 months ago

Or, someone just goofed. I can't even imagine what it must be like to orchestrate this transition with so many fires burning. Also, the magnification of every move is huge.....the blogosphere has exploded since 2004, and not just in the number of blogs and/or commenters.

The bar has been raised, bloggers are well-informed, connected, and (for the most part) subject to editorial supervision.

renegademom · 10 months ago

oooops - NOT subject to editorial supervision. YIKES>

KarenMrsLloydRichards · 10 months ago

If it was a mistake, it was done on purpose. Let's call it a "mistake." Feinstein is deliberately being excluded from the decision-making process. To avoid her from planting her own stooge in the position. I say: Obama gains. Panetta gains. We as a nation gain.

scytherius · 10 months ago

I certainly don't pretend to know the strategy behind dissing DiFi (Lieberman in a dress). However, time and again Obama has made a move or decision that seems a bit odd but turns out to be genius. Until he changes that track record, I am sure this was very well calculated.

renegademom · 10 months ago

Although Obama's transition machine is well-oiled, more organized, better informed and doing better work (caveat: Warren) than any other I've seen, they are all human beings. And, they are getting ready to jump into the quagmire that the debacle that is the Bush administration created for them. I read Marc Ambinder's post, and think it sounds plausible. He also has VERY good sources within Obama's team, and he doesn't go out on limbs without good, confirmed info.

Either way, Di fi is exemplifying the petty political ego-based behaviors that Obama is trying to move beyond, and it is not very attractive.

KarenMrsLloydRichards · 10 months ago

Just up at Talking Points Memo: it's apparent Feinstein is pressuring Obama to keep CIA #2 Steven Kappes (her stooge) on as Deputy Director. Otherwise, she is mouthing politic words about "respecting" Obama's choice.

Soundboy_jeff_meanie · 10 months ago

that might explain their "mistake"... if I were Obama, I'd get a bit pissed off being pressured by a dino like Fienstein.

"oops, I forgot to inform her about my choice". makes sense.

Sally in Maine · 10 months ago

John Aravosis' "schooling" of us who live in the hinterlands on the ways of The Village is AmercaBlog at it's worst.

John was an intern of Republican Senator Ted Stevens in the '90's - and now he's been in the Village for 20! years. He probably reads the Wash Post every day too. So he knows how to behave in the village.

As Glenn Greenwald much more intelligently puts it, "Few things could reflect better on Panetta's selection than the fact that Feinstein and Rockefeller -- two of the most Bush-enabling Senators -- are unhappy with it."

renegademom · 10 months ago

I live in New Mexico and I didn't feel schooled. I thought this post was clear, concise, and incisive. I don't always agree with John Aravosis, but I do respect him: he meant what he said, and he said what he meant (from Horton Hatches a Who....)

Soundboy_jeff_meanie · 10 months ago

as opposed to Horton Hears a Ho...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kis8Vy6aZLA

:-)

renegademom · 10 months ago

Yes! Horton Hatches a who is where he sits on an egg for Mazie bird (that trollop), and says.....

"I meant what I said, and I said what I meant, an elephant faithful one-hundred percent."

Sorry, I can't see youtube at work.

Earl Scheib · 10 months ago

Sorry, John, but I agree with Sally. You're sounding like a Villager on this issue. Obama has been in Washington long enough for him to know how things work. Give him some slack.

tropicgirl · 10 months ago

Diane Feinstein, that bloated babykiller is an apportunistic profiteer of the war in Iraq, with her husband's company accused of war crimes (KBR).

Remember it is senators like Feinstein, who agreed with the torture by Cheney and Bush, is the reason we cannot prosecute Bush. Because she would have to go also as well as Pelosi, Reid, et al, and THEY KNOW IT. They are in the exact same guilty position as Bush. Thats why they are against prosecution.

We need the bloodthirsty torturers OUT of OUR government. She is one of them. NO wonder she is bent out of joint. She is a dried up old hag, with dried-up, decayed, non-female morals, who has no problems torturing even children. Why does CA still vote for her? The dems won't let anyone else run and they need to.

Good choice for once Barry. Panetta is an actual human being who can hold his head up high. (unlike Feinstein, Rockefeller and the lot).

Jay Randal · 10 months ago

Who cares what Feinstein thinks about anything. As a native born Californian, who presently lives in Georgia, I dislike Diane and consider her a traitor. She and her husband have made millions of dollars off the Iraq Fiasco Occupation by her hubby being a war profiteer. Feinstein disliking Panetta to be CIA Director means he must be a good guy. Diane loves thugs & fascists.

AdrianLesher · 10 months ago

It seems likely that Obama wanted to control the narrative at the outset, rather than have DiFi and Rockefeller start a negative whispering campaign in advance of the appointment. DiFi and Rockefeller certainly seem defensive and brittle about this; perhaps they're afraid that their complicity in torture will be further exposed.

lucky hussein · 10 months ago

I'll bet she's also up to her neck in the AG firings... wouldn't be surprised if there is a connection not just with purging votes, but with onvestigation of corruption of defence contractors

Indigo · 10 months ago

Shut up, Biden!

burro · 10 months ago

Ditto. Biden's scared of her. Barack is not.

Indigo · 10 months ago

You got that right!

Alarmed Citizen · 10 months ago

Desperate Plea from Norwegian Doctor in Gaza

Amid the tidal wave of human misery swamping Gaza City’s central hospital a horrified Norwegian volunteer doctor found a minute to type a text message on his mobile phone to friends back home.

“We are wading in death, blood, and amputees. Many children. A pregnant woman. I have never experienced anything so terrible. Now we hear tanks. Pass it on, send it around, shout it out. Anything. DO SOMETHING! DO MORE! We are living in a history book now, all of us.” It was signed Mads Gilbert, one of two Norwegian doctors toiling relentlessly alongside exhausted Palestinian medics....


Please post this article and do anything in your power to pass this message on, for the sake of our common humanity.

KarenMrsLloydRichards · 10 months ago

Wyden is the cool kid in school, Danny Zuko's confidant and best bud. Feinstein is a raddled Betty Rizzo. Nobody respects her, even though she's one scary chick.

Soundboy_jeff_meanie · 10 months ago

but... but... who is Sandy??

renegademom · 10 months ago

that would be......omg....there is no one nice enough in Congress. I'm gonna have to go with Rachel Maddow.

burro · 10 months ago

Feinstein and Rockefeller helped Shrubwit in many ways. But there's a new sheriff in town. That new sheriff is letting Feinstein/Rockefeller know that they are who they are but they aren't free agents. Feinstein is big for her britches and Rockefeller is just incompetent. Obama has helped to clarify their positions in his world. Feinstein is one, (the awful one), of two state senators. Obama is president of the U.S. Does Feinstein really want to get into a pissing match with this popular guy who has work to do.

Feinstein hasn't gotten it into her head that the nimrod Repuke president is leaving. Enabling the powers that be is going to look different. Obama has let her know that. Barack Obama is not afraid of Diane Feinstein. Sounds good to me. Sounds damn good. Get with the program Diane. Rockefeller, just go stick your head back in the toilet.

Boycottutah · 10 months ago

Off Topic:

Author of DOMA says it should be repealed!!!
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/...

He states:

"Moreover, the heterosexual definition of marriage for purposes of federal laws -- including, immigration, Social Security survivor rights and veteran's benefits -- has become a de facto club used to limit, if not thwart, the ability of a state to choose to recognize same-sex unions."

Older_Wiser · 10 months ago

Oh my dog...you know that Feinstein had someone on her staff leak this. Never trust a war profiteer. Shouldn't she be investigated? At least Panetta doesn't believe in torture and we need a shakeup in the CIA anyway.

Give peace a chance.

hm · 10 months ago

Maybe he didn't want to talk to that criminal.

interlude · 10 months ago

and what if DiFi didn't wanna support Panetta?
would you support Obama going against her advice?
just asking.

Snaggletooth · 10 months ago

This wasn't a big goof up, this was a loyalty test. Difi and Rockefeller just failed it. They just showed us whose team they play for. Now it's about to turn into a pissing match and I think Obama's ready to call their bluff.

bumpkis · 10 months ago

Thom Hartmann...says the gang of 8 KNEW and were complicit in all the war crimes and did nothing to prevent them. Panetta represents a real threat to them....

Older_Wiser · 10 months ago

Remember this?

http://www.alternet.org/blog/peek/49970/

(Nevermind. The page "can't be found." But it was about DiFi resigning from MilCom in 2007 abruptly. Before her husband, Richard Blum and she were investigated, no doubt. Google it if you're interested.

An_American_Karol · 10 months ago

I find it very hard to believe the good Senator Feinstein did not ask, or seek to know, who Obama was thinking of for this position. I can't believe she did not put her two cents in some weeks ago. Good grief, the election was the first week in November.
She would have us believe she did not take an interest until Obama put out a name? She didn't lobby, threaten, or strong arm?
There is a reason Obama did not talk to her.

nogopostal · 10 months ago

John...I could understand your position and multiple posts and objections regarding Warren..
but I am really confused over your multiple posts and objections on this.
Meanwhile...back at the ranch..
TPM and DiFi
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com...

A simple browse of comments on this subject since you went this way...
demonstrate most of us...disagree with you..
That is nothing to do with you/or us...being right or wrong...just an observation..

nogopostal · 10 months ago

oh John...
what is your opinion of Obama choice of Dawn Johnson?
I believe this is a powerful choice with a powerful message..
Your (or anyone's) take?
Everyone enjoy your day...
2 weeks until we can wake up from our 8 year nightmare...

naschkatzehussein · 10 months ago

I'm not John, but may I say how pleased I was with all of Obama's appoinments yesterday, including Panetta and the four DOJ appointments? There was a common theme among them of being anti-torture.

GaryBrush · 10 months ago

Both Obama and Biden called Feinstein to apologize. It could have been an honest mistake because someone leaked it to the press BEFORE the Obama team had time to talk to the Senate about it.

What's done is done. After Obama and Biden talked to Feinstein, she is now more open to the appointment.

naschkatzehussein · 10 months ago

The good will of the public is with Obama right now, 80% or more, who did vote for change, after all. When Feinstein was named chairperson, she indicated a willingness to maintain the status quo re torture and then had to backtrack, and I think she knows Obama has the upper hand and is changing her tune now. I regret Feinstein being on this committee let alone the chair because she may have a conflict of interest with her husband being a war profiteer.

MNUSA · 10 months ago

Too many of the Democrats averted their eyes when our government began to torture, wiretap and other illegalities making them complicit to the Bush administration. They didn't have the guts or the ethics it would take to say "No!"

Steve_in_CNJ · 10 months ago

after watching this, i think most liberals will be comfortable with Obama's intelligence team (as leaked but not yet announced) and with the way he is going to handle the related political conflicts:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/1/6/1659...

larry · 10 months ago

DiFi needs to go back into the shadows unless of course she wants her husbands companies exposed as Bush Iraq contractors...yes my pretties DiFi is a war profiteer....and you wonder why girlfriend voted consistently for all of the Bush war bullshit.