Senate Intelligence head concerned about military ties of Obama’s pick to lead spy agencies
By APSunday, June 20, 2010
Top senator has concerns about Obama spy nominee
WASHINGTON — The Senate Intelligence Committee head says she has concerns about someone from the military heading U.S. spy agencies.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein prefers a civilian as national intelligence director. President Barack Obama has nominated retired Air Force Gen. James Clapper for the job. He heads intelligence services at the Pentagon.
Feinstein, D-Calif., says her preferred pick is CIA chief Leon Panetta. She tells CNN’s “State of the Union” that the right civilian leader would need to know “how to temper sharp elbows and how to really move” U.S. intelligence operations.
Obama wants quick Senate approval of Clapper. But a vote may not come until the fall because of questions about whether Clapper would be too close to the Pentagon.
Tags: Barack Obama, Military Intelligence, North America, United States, Washington
