More Panetta reaction (Updated)

The LATimes adds Sen Rockefeller to the dissension list. The Cable has a collection of insider responses. Danger Room has some more.

Again, there must be some backstory that we're not getting. I don't know if it's reining in/cleaning up policies (torture, renditions, ops) or if it's controlling the way they distribute information, but there's some reason the Obama folks want a savvy loyalist manager/outsider in that post. And you gotta figure Obama's DNI, Dennis Blair had to have signed off on this.

It's interesting to contrast that motivation with the negative responses of long time intel insiders and Sens. Rockefeller and Feinstein, the outgoing and incoming Senate intel chairs.

On the other hand, I would see this appointment as a sign that the CIA may regain its prominence over military intel, the way the Bush administration ran things.

Later: Interesting. It looks like Feinstein and Rockefeller may have been intentionally cut out of the loop. That's a big deal considering Feinstein runs the confirmation hearing. And this is worth reading, too.

And more interesting here, although I don't agree with it all.

I'm tellin' ya. There's more story here than we know.

Also: Sorta related. A story from a US rendered detainee who was shuttled through Egypt and tortured before being brought to Guantanamo. Within the first few days many suspected he was a nobody, "a braggart," but he was sent through the torture system anyway.

Later Still: Perle, Feith and Ledeen approve of Panetta?