"Leon will be leaving," Hey Obama! Take this job and shove it!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Obama White House v. CIA; Panetta Threatened to Quit

A "profanity-laced screaming match" at the White House involving CIA Director Leon Panetta, and the expected release today of another damning internal investigation, has administration officials worrying about the direction of its newly-appoint intelligence team, current and former senior intelligence officials tell ABC News.com.

Amid reports that Panetta had threatened to quit just seven months after taking over at the spy agency, other insiders tell ABCNews.com that senior White House staff members are already discussing a possible shake-up of top national security officials.

"You can expect a larger than normal turnover in the next year," a senior adviser to Obama on intelligence matters told ABCNews.com.

Since 9/11, the CIA has had five directors or acting directors.

A White House spokesperson, Denis McDonough, said reports that Panetta had threatened to quit and that the White House was seeking a replacement were "inaccurate."

According to intelligence officials, Panetta erupted in a tirade last month during a meeting with a senior White House staff member. Panetta was reportedly upset over plans by Attorney General Eric Holder to open a criminal investigation of allegations that CIA officers broke the law in carrying out certain interrogation techniques that President Obama has termed "torture."

A CIA spokesman quoted Panetta as saying "it is absolutely untrue" that he has any plans to leave the CIA. As to the reported White House tirade, the spokesman said Panetta is known to use "salty language." CIA spokesman George Little said the report was "wrong, inaccurate, bogus and false."

Investigation by CIA Inspector General

Another source of contention for Panetta was today's public release of an investigation by the CIA inspector general on the first two years of the agency's interrogation and detention program. The report has been delayed by an internal administration debate over how much of the report should be kept secret.

One CIA official said colleagues involved in the interrogation program were preparing for a far-reaching criminal investigation.

In addition to concerns about the CIA's reputation and its legal exposure, other White House insiders say Panetta has been frustrated by what he perceives to be less of a role than he was promised in the administration's intelligence structure. Panetta has reportedly chafed at reporting through the director of National Intelligence, Dennis Blair, according to the senior adviser who said Blair is equally unhappy with Panetta.

"Leon will be leaving," predicted a former top U.S. intelligence official, citing the conflict with Blair. The former official said Panetta is also "uncomfortable" with some of the operations being carried out by the CIA that he did not know about until he took the job.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=8398902

Edited August 25, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Wow. Much ado about nothing.

[Danno 1,228]

Wow. Much ado about nothing.

With your team, "National security" always is.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Wow. Much ado about nothing.

With your team, "National security" always is.

Focus, Danno. This topic is about Leon Panetta getting angry, yelling out some explicatives and allegedly threatening to quit....only he hasn't quit. But if you see a story there in the OP, please tell me what it is.

[HAL 9000 96]

Wow. Much ado about nothing.

With your team, "National security" always is.

Focus, Danno. This topic is about Leon Panetta getting angry, yelling out some explicatives and allegedly threatening to quit....only he hasn't quit. But if you see a story there in the OP, please tell me what it is.

Yet another one. I hate to have to sign off for a while.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Wow. Much ado about nothing.

With your team, "National security" always is.

Focus, Danno. This topic is about Leon Panetta getting angry, yelling out some explicatives and allegedly threatening to quit....only he hasn't quit. But if you see a story there in the OP, please tell me what it is.

The story is the CIA is tired of being a whipping boy everytime Obama's numbers turn south. I have always respected Panetta: He is a favorite here in Northern California, and has produced some interesting debates. He is a professional, far from being a partisan, and pulls no punches, much to the dismay of your buddies Romm Emmanuel and David Axelrod.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Wow. Much ado about nothing.

With your team, "National security" always is.

Focus, Danno. This topic is about Leon Panetta getting angry, yelling out some explicatives and allegedly threatening to quit....only he hasn't quit. But if you see a story there in the OP, please tell me what it is.

The story is the CIA is tired of being a whipping boy everytime Obama's numbers turn south. I have always respected Panetta: He is a favorite here in Northern California, and has produced some interesting debates. He is a professional, far from being a partisan, and pulls no punches, much to the dismay of your buddies Romm Emmanuel and David Axelrod.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Wow. Much ado about nothing.

With your team, "National security" always is.

Focus, Danno. This topic is about Leon Panetta getting angry, yelling out some explicatives and allegedly threatening to quit....only he hasn't quit. But if you see a story there in the OP, please tell me what it is.

The story is the CIA is tired of being a whipping boy everytime Obama's numbers turn south. I have always respected Panetta: He is a favorite here in Northern California, and has produced some interesting debates. He is a professional, far from being a partisan, and pulls no punches, much to the dismay of your buddies Romm Emmanuel and David Axelrod.

Bill, that's about the most idiotic statement I've read you make. That falls under another Conspiracy Theory of the Right Wingers - that Democratic Presidents are most concerned about their poll numbers. Come on Mr. Blue Dog Democrat....that's the same stupid sh!t the Right Wingers said during Clinton's presidency. At least try and come up with some new theory instead the same rehashed lame blame sh!t. Oye.

[Niels Bohr 72]

The CIA is an old agency. When George Tenet became the director, he was plagued with 70s technology, old field agents who are about to retire, lack of agents, etc...I'm not surprised about the situation at CIA. They seriously need help regardless. Some of us needs to really understand how the CIA operates. Those who don't understand their current situation probably feel it best to jump to conclusions.

[Danno 1,228]

Wow. Much ado about nothing.

With your team, "National security" always is.

Focus, Danno. This topic is about Leon Panetta getting angry, yelling out some explicatives and allegedly threatening to quit....only he hasn't quit. But if you see a story there in the OP, please tell me what it is.

Wanna take bets that he does not finish out obamers first term?

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Wow. Much ado about nothing.

With your team, "National security" always is.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Wow. Much ado about nothing.

With your team, "National security" always is.

Focus, Danno. This topic is about Leon Panetta getting angry, yelling out some explicatives and allegedly threatening to quit....only he hasn't quit. But if you see a story there in the OP, please tell me what it is.

The story is the CIA is tired of being a whipping boy everytime Obama's numbers turn south. I have always respected Panetta: He is a favorite here in Northern California, and has produced some interesting debates. He is a professional, far from being a partisan, and pulls no punches, much to the dismay of your buddies Romm Emmanuel and David Axelrod.

Bill, that's about the most idiotic statement I've read you make. That falls under another Conspiracy Theory of the Right Wingers - that Democratic Presidents are most concerned about their poll numbers. Come on Mr. Blue Dog Democrat....that's the same stupid sh!t the Right Wingers said during Clinton's presidency. At least try and come up with some new theory instead the same rehashed lame blame sh!t. Oye.

Getting a little personal there Steve! I notice when logic escapes you turn to attacking the messenger, not the message. Just because I don't fit in your little box of what a Democrat should be, you never cease with the putrid responses.

[Niels Bohr 72]

The CIA is an obsolete organization. Period. Waste of taxpayers monies.

[Ban Hammer 13,347]

The CIA is an obsolete organization. Period. Waste of taxpayers monies.

this is more of an indictment of your knowledge about it than anything else.

[HAL 9000 96]

The CIA is an obsolete organization. Period. Waste of taxpayers monies.

Disagree.