The knock on President Bush is that he made selections based on
personal loyalty rather than qualifications, and Barack Obama has
earned praise for moving away from this practice. However, it's
hard to reconcile that narrative of Obama's appointments with his
naming of Leon Panetta -- a key political ally with no relevant
experience -- as director of the CIA during a time of war.
Even
Dianne Feinstein was caught off guard by the bizzare pick,
according to the NY Times: "'My position has
consistently been that I believe the agency is best-served by
having an intelligence professional in charge at this time,' said
Senator Dianne Feinstein who, as chairman of the Senate
Intelligence Committee, would be in charge of Mr. Panetta's
confirmation."
