OPINION > AROUND THE WATER COOLER

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

"Do you support the appointment of Leon Panetta as CIA director?"

Yes: 10

No: 1

■ Bert Berson: "He is the perfect person to clean up the mess."

■ Chris Bryant: "Yes, he has a good range of experience and it's good to have more West Coast representation in the administration."

■ David Cohen: "Yes. He has proven to be a good manager with a high sense of ethics."

■ Dennis Kennedy: Absolutely! Leon is eminently qualified having served in Congress and as a Presidential Chief of Staff. It is important to have an objective perspective from an outsider's view on the operations of the CIA.

■ Julian Mancias: "Yes. It seems to me that Pres. Obama values the qualities of honesty and integrity as more important for a CIA Director to possess than experience. Therefore, the appointment of Leon Panetta makes sense and I support this decision."

■ Linda McNulty: "No, he clearly does not have the experience. My concern is for the safety of the country. Many top CIA officials have indicated they will leave if he is confirmed. Obama's decision has made me uncomfortable especially since it has been documented that 'Obama is seeking someone with extensive field experience, especially in combating terrorist networks' ... already not seeing follow through with Obama promises.

■ Henry Miller: "Absolutely! He's a professional, proven manager whose integrity has never been questioned. Hopefully, he will restore our country's intelligence operations to their past glory. When she gets over her hurt feelings, even Senator Feinstein will agree. Glad he's on our side."

■ Lisa Pampuch: "Yes. He has extensive governmental administrative experience and he has been critical of torture of detainees. A competent outsider is probably just the kind of leader that the CIA needs."

■ John N. Quick: "Yes. The head of the CIA is a political position. Obama is making a strong political statement rejecting the anti-American attitudes expressed by the Bush Administration in relation to torturing prisoners. It will aid the return to a more ethical and patriotic way of doing things. Our democratic ideals are on the rise once again."

■ Emily Shem-Tov: "Yes, he brings lots of managerial experience and respect and will be part of a team that will off-set his lack of direct intelligence experience."

■ Steve Staloch: "Yes. Although a Washington Insider, he is highly credible, experienced, and one of the best and brightest."



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