The stakes are significant. Within weeks, the Obama administration will be in charge of overseeing a sprawling intelligence empire engaged in two wars and scarred by criticism surrounding its failure to prevent the Sept. 11 attacks or accurately assess Iraq's weapons programs.
The former agency official described the Panetta pick as a "Hail Mary pass, where they found themselves a couple weeks before the inauguration with no candidate and needed someone plausible in the role."
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday, January 08, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 41 words Type of Material: Correction
CIA director: An article in Wednesday's Section A about the selection of Leon E. Panetta as CIA director described the job as a Cabinet position. A CIA director must be confirmed by the Senate, but it is not a Cabinet post.
Obama has not formally announced the nominations of Panetta as CIA director and retired Navy Adm. Dennis C. Blair as the director of national intelligence, which oversees all 16 U.S. spy agencies.
Nevertheless, Obama's team lobbied on Capitol Hill to win support for the pair. Vice President-elect Joe Biden even said in an interview that it was a mistake not to have consulted with lawmakers about the selections.
The push appeared to have some success. A number of key members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, which will conduct hearings on Panetta's confirmation, came out in support of the candidate. Among them were Democrats Evan Bayh of Indiana and Russell D. Feingold of Wisconsin.
And a day after signaling that she might oppose the nomination, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) discussed phone calls she received from Obama and Biden.
"They have explained to me the reasons why they believe Leon Panetta is the best candidate for CIA director," said Feinstein, who as chairwoman of the intelligence panel would preside over his confirmation hearings.
Without offering praise or criticism, Feinstein said she was looking forward to a conversation with Panetta about "the critical issues facing the intelligence community and his plans to address them."
Feinstein said Panetta's prospects might be "enhanced" if the CIA's deputy director, Stephen Kappes, remained in place.
Kappes, a career CIA officer, has been credited with helping to restore morale at the agency and is regarded as a seasoned hand who could compensate for Panetta's inexperience.
Former U.S. intelligence officials close to the Obama team said there would be an effort to convince Kappes to stay.
Obama aides declined to comment on whether anyone else had been offered the CIA post before Panetta. But former U.S. intelligence officials familiar with the process said several other candidates, including Clarke, had been approached.
