Feingold Nudges Obama To Select "New Leadership" For Intelligence Agencies

In a gentle yet clear nudge to President-elect Barack Obama, Sen. Russ Feingold released a statement on Thursday calling for "new leadership" in the nation's various intelligence services.

"I am confident President-elect Obama understands the need for new leadership of the intelligence community and will appoint competent, capable people who will work aggressively to ensure the safety and security of Americans without undermining our laws and Constitution," Feingold said in the statement.

"For eight years, the current Administration has shown contempt for the rule of law, including in intelligence-related matters, while repeatedly refusing to work cooperatively with Congress. At the same time, the Administration has failed to develop comprehensive strategies to protect our nation against our most immediate threat, al Qaeda and its affiliates. New leadership is needed to move our intelligence policies in the right direction," Feingold's statement concludes.

Feingold -- perhaps the Senate's most indefatigable civil libertarian -- has been a stalwart opponent of the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program, as well as extensive searches of Americans' laptops and other property at airports by the TSA. It would be practically impossible to read his statement as anything but a reaction to a Wall Street Journal report earlier this week that claimed Obama is "unlikely to radically overhaul controversial Bush administration intelligence policies."

Comments

[afraid]

Russ Feingold held a hearing-I think it was in September regarding this issue and wanted to help whomever was elected...his website states... get back to the rule of law, after abuses by the Bush admin. We are lucky to have him in the senate. He is doing his job.

[honeydiva]

He's going to hire whomever he pleases. I didn't read this b s when bushwhack chose his people.

[truegreen]

I agree. Obama needs new blood w/ fresh ideas and perspectives.

[Chapmanp2]

Good on ya' Russ.
I agree 100%. I understand the whole bi partisan thing & I agree with it. But Bush's hench men stink of rotting flesh & need to be purged before we can go down that road with any confidence. My bet is that they'll wait for the transition to be completed & purge em' slowly so as to insure that if there is an attack that aspect can't be criticized. Probably a prudent move to some extent but the capacity for sabotage is certainly something that MUST be considered as well.

[Ping]

Let's be careful not to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Intelligence and national security matters are not for the "pure" or weak at heart.

Feingold, like I said, is too much of a purist and an idealist to be considered a serious candidate for President.

[lagumbo]

I hope president OBAMA takes Fiengold's advice, because those Bushies can't be trusted.

[liberallondre]

As a Wisconsin resident myself who voted proudly for Pres-elect Obama, let me say that I absolutely love Russ Feingold!

[happycat]

I went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison many moons ago and became a great fan of Feingolds then. You guys have one helluva Senator!

[courageunderfire]

You are so lucky, I think he is awesome too!

[brynn6]

You have Feingold and I have Cornyn and Hutchinson. Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! I must have been a really bad person in my last lifetime. (grin)

[Plowboy]

Thanks, Russ! I'm glad somebody is saying this. It has been looking as though Obama was going to stock his administration solid with DLC Neocon-lites like Emanuel! We need a bit from the Democcratic wing of the Party. Frankly, I sincerely doubt that that other wing, the one that cooperated sdo well with the Darth Vader bunch and W, could have won without Dean.
And while the Party bigs are falling all overe themselves to reward Liebermaan for his unAmerican activities, we are not hearing the right names for leadership roles in the new administration! Why not?
Does Obama not like the people who won for him? Does he despise those like Feingold who refuses to bow to the Great W and his Neocontemptables?
I am puzzled! I had HOPED for CHANGE!
Thanks, Russ, for speaking for doubting folks like me.

[courageunderfire]

We won't really know what exactly President Obama will do after he is sworn in as POTUS.
I won't start to speculate now. However, I will say that I do believe that Feingold has a really good point here in suggesting such an idea.
Kind of like when a football team has lost the entire season miserably for 3 years (or 8 consecutive years.) The new guy should come in and clean house, really clean and get all new fresh people to revitalize the team. I see Feingold's idea as merely this, stating that it is time for a whole new fresh team. Why not?

[peacegurl48]

I trust that Obama intends to clean house in this area and several others.

[Ohg]

It is time to reorder the priorities in the Middle East. Democratic nation building is a nice thought - but stability is more important - and the capture of Bin Laden is impaired with the politics of two war fronts. ....................

http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/11/11/afghanistan-and-osama-bin-laden/

[GuyFawkes]

Is this why Feingold was so effusive in his praise of McCain during the heat of the election? Because McCain is so great on intelligence? (insert snark)

[MontereyJack]

jm would rather lose his e rec.tion than tell tru.th re in.tel. he had one for 4 hrs. take. him to ER.

[DJ23]

Was release a public statement the only way to have the President Elect, and fellow Senator, know your position on this issue.

I fail to see any logical reason for Feingold to do it this way.

Unless his wants his party to soon relinquish its majority and he's doing all that he can to make sure that happens.

Then I totally understand it!!!

DEMS will find a way to f**k anything.

[MontereyJack]

well, then--just bend over.

[truth2008]

Feingold should discuss this with Obama, not in the media. What is the point of going to the media when you can talk to the Obama team. It's strange that the Dems now want to stand up and challenge Obama/Biden, when they didn't have the guts to stand up and challenge Bushco.

Dems, you are the majority, please work together!

[DJ23]

Thank you. I don't understand this. It's like Feingold is already trying to undermine Obama.

[faith]

What is the matter with you? Feingold's comments were not inappropriate. The commentary lets the public know that both the incoming WH administration as well as Congress, which do have separate and distinct roles, per the U.S. Constitution, have considered the weighty matters of intelligence, war, economy and are expressing views. That is a very good thing. In fact, it allows us regular folks to recall that there is separation of powers per the Constitution and that our leaders know that as well. Good for you Feingold !!! We do need new minds in government !

[Omidal]

Did you read the Wall Street Journal article?

That is the point.

If we do not fight those kind of attacks they will undermine the Democratic party on national security credentials.

We need to compete and these spheres.

Good job Senator Feingold. Replace all the Bush people except Robert Gates.

[rafael44]

everyone should go everyone dont keep anyone
including Gates there all guilty by association dont give that of continuity crap this is about sending a message a clean house
Gates did his job I am sure we can get a good substitute with integrity and principles

[PKSSK]

Obama must listen to Senator Feingold if he seeks to follow through on his promise to restore our constitutional rights!!!! Feingold should be involved in the selection of new leaders for the intelligience agencies!!!!