John Brennan, Torture-Tainted CIA Prospect, Alarms Obama Supporters

Marc Ambinder reported Thursday evening that former National Counterrorism Center head John Brennan is Barack Obama's "favorite to be nominated director of the Central Intelligence Agency." According to Ambinder's sources, Brennan has been vetted and even begun recruiting his team.

The news has alarmed Obama supporters who remember Brennan best for his role in both faulty pre-war intelligence and agreement with Vice President Dick Cheney on torture.

Glenn Greenwald writes, "I'm both entirely unsurprised and basically undisturbed by the fact that Obama's most significant appointments thus far are composed largely of standard Washington establishment figures and pro-Iraq-War hawks." But Brennan is "a different matter."

To appoint someone as CIA Director or Director of National Intelligence who was one of George Tenet's closest aides when The Dark Side of the last eight years was conceived and implemented, and who, to this day, continues to defend and support policies such as "enhanced interrogation techniques" and rendition (to say nothing of telecom immunity and warrantless eavesdropping), is to cross multiple lines that no Obama supporter should sanction. Truly turning a page on the grotesque abuses of the last eight years requires both symbolism (closing Guantanamo) and substantive policy changes (compelling adherence to the Army Field Manual, ensuring due process rights for all detainees, ending rendition, restoring safeguards on surveillance powers). Appointing John Brennan to a position of high authority would be to affirm and embrace, not repudiate, the darkest aspects of the last eight years.

Andrew Sullivan, in a post titled "No Way. No How. No Brennan," adds:

[T]he Republican, former chief-of-staff for George Tenet (who authorized war crimes as CIA head), admirer of Dick Cheney, CEO of the company one of whose contract employees improperly accessed Obama's and McCain's passports, and defender of renditions and "enhanced interrogations" is still Obama's front-runner pick to head the CIA. No, I'm not making this up. ...

Brennan was complicit and naive in the run-up to the Iraq war. And Obama wants to reward him? Brennan is also a believer in Cheney's term "the dark side," wishing merely to have some limits within it. He clearly has a mindset that has far more in common with the war crimes of his former boss than with the clear, and indisputable beliefs of the Obama movement.

...

The least we know is that Brennan is ambivalent about [torture]. Ambivalence on this matter is unacceptable. We haven't fought for decency and reform and a return to American values for so long to be turned back now. We didn't work our butts off to elect Obama only to get Bush another four years at CIA. If Brennan emerges as the pick, those of us against the continuation of war crimes and the prosecution of war criminals will have to oppose him strenuously in the nomination process. We will, in fact, have to go to war with Obama before he even takes office.

Melvin Goodman, a retired CIA intelligence analyst, lambasted Obama in the Baltimore Sun for relying on "discredited cronies" like Brennan.

Blogger and lawyer Anonymous Liberal says he shares their concerns, but he doesn't think the possibility is quite so dire. He points out that Brennan's actual involvement in illegal Bush-era programs is unclear, and that intelligence agencies don't set policy.

Every illegal program and policy during the Bush administration emanated from the White House and was given legal imprimatur by the Justice Department. Regardless of what John Brennan personally thinks about surveillance, torture, rendition, etc., he will only be able to do what the White House and the DOJ authorize him to do. That's why Eric Holder's nomination is reassuring. And if Obama really wants to reassure people like myself, he'll appoint someone with Holder's expressed views (perhaps Marty Lederman?) to head up the OLC.

So long story short, while some of Brennan's expressed views are troubling, his appointment may be more about operational competence than policy or ideology.

Comments

[puakev]

Say it ain't so, O. Please Barack, for the love of God, don't pick this Brennan character. You have better judgment and character than this. I am a huge fan of President-elect Obama, but if he nominates Brennan, I would hope that the Senate denies Brennan's confirmation despite whatever embarrassment that would cause for the Obama administration. As much as we might like Obama, sometimes the best thing we can do for him and for the country is to criticize him when he's wrong.

[Moshe]

You are correct.

Although I am increasingly alarmed, I still have great hopes for President-elect Obama, at a time when we desperately need hope.

But our loyalty must be to principles not to persons.

No real democracy, no real nation under the Rule of Law, would allow practitioners of torture to continue in government service, let alone appoint them.

The Clinton nomination can be written off as poor judgment.

But this one is a litmus test of fidelity to principles.

If Barack appoints a war criminal to head the CIA, he is not who we think he is.

[moonejes]

Moshe I purge Obama last night! He is NOT CHANGE at all....We all got punk !!

[ThePeacemakers]

Speculation or not.
When are we going to hear some controversy about 'bama trying to attempt (at least attempt) to appoint truly progressive aides, cabinet members, U name it....

Right now he's only reaching WAY TO THE RIGHT and no truly progressive appointments what so ever.
Reaching across the isles only extends one way.

[bushgirlsgone]

.

people aren't progessive, polices are. keep your hat on, for chrike's sake.

[Jezreel]

Thank you, bushgirlsgone.

[lmnop13]

Hit the nail on the head bushgirlsgone.

[hmmmmmer]

There should be no zero tolerance when it comes to anyone who remotely condoned anything Bush and Cheney did when it comes to torture. For Obama to even consider someone who would think that way is out of line and should be stopped.

[longislandlol]

Who else can he choose as top spy, James Bond?

[one4obama]

Damn, I would love to see Daniel Craig in that role!! Wowee!!

[weatherwaxx]

In a general sense, everyone in the US Intelligence system is tainted by Bush-Cheney policies. But just as rot starts from the top, so do ethics. If President Obama says "This will not be tolerated," and fires anyone who steps over the line, he can make the change.

What's the alternative? It's simply not possible to fire the whole shootin' match.

I hope he's looking among those ex-CIA employees who were ousted during the purge of those who were "disloyal" to the Bush regime. Odds are they're loyal to America.

[Moshe]

Well said.

[Moshe]

Here's a leak from the American People to Washington insiders: If those of you that gave the American People and the World the steaming heap we are now living with think you are going to continue business as usual, you are tragically mistaken.

We voted for change.

Positive change, not more of the same those at the top win, everyone else loses, Rule of Law be damned crap we have been getting.

And we will get change. That's not up to the Washington insiders.

Their only choice is whether they want to be on the right side of history or held accountable and pushed aside. No more free rides; no more passes. It's accountability time.

I truly hope this is a false report.

I held my nose on Clinton, but if Obama appoints one of the achitects of illegal torture to the CIA he's not getting a pass on this one.

Torture is evil, it is illegal, Obama told us he believes this and he had better damned well practice what he has been preaching.

We have been lied to enough.

No more.

[jackie4444]

What'cha gonna do, Moshe? Who are you gonna call? Do we have 30 days to make a refund
of our Obama purchase, no questions asked? Think his claim to fame will ultimately be that
he was both the first black president and the first black president to be impeached and convicted? With Holder as AG, for sure none of the Bushies will ever be prosecuted. My bet would be that about 90% of Americans agree with your sentiments. But what'cha gonna do?
Seriously.

[Moshe]

A great question my friend.

Here is a good place to start:

www.change.gov

President-elect Obama says he wants to know what you think.

Let him know.

And if the last 8 years should have taught us anything, it is that democracy is not a spectator sport.

The more directly We the People are involved in our government, the more directly our government works for We the People.

Sure. We are all busy with our lives.

But when we ignore our government and turn it over to the "pros" we get the steaming heap we now have.

Peaceful change is the only acceptable option, but as Dr. King, Ghandi, and others have demonstrated, a righteous and determined peaceful resistence can bring real change.

It is my great hope that Barack is who he says he is, but if he is not, in the words of John Mellencamp:

You see yourself as a leader
May my thoughts be with you.
If you try to divide and conquer
We'll rise up against you

[111]

NPR attributed Obama's reversal on FISA and telecom immunity to the fact that he was relying on the advice of Brennan, an emphatic supporter of those policies:

" What's important here is Obama's reference to the information he's received. He's advised on intelligence matters by John Brennan, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center. Like many intelligence professionals, Brennan says the FISA program is essential to the fight against terrorism. By adopting Brennan's view, Obama improves his standing with the intelligence community. For someone looking ahead to a presidential administration, that's important.­"

It scares me that Obama, who took such a strong stand against FISA, was so quickly influenced by this man to change his vote in favor of data mining information on Americans and granting telecoms immunity so that we could never find the truth about what had been going on.

Brennan was in favor of rendition and torture although recently seemed to be changing his public views. Has Brennan convinced Obama that rendition and torture are okay?

This, in addition to surrounding himself with the likes of Rahm Emanuel and Hillary Clinton, doesn't bode well.

[myangeldog1]

While I'm not c r a z y about this speculatio­n...(Brenn­an)...Obam­a is now privy to top secret national security issues which no doubt influenced his decision on FISA.

[BassMent]

I was going to wring my hands and gnash my teeth when I first read this article, even though I know this "appointment" is pure speculation. Then I decided that a better thing to do would be to visit change.gov and send my president-elect an email. After all, he has told us time and again that he wants us to participate.

It was a very calm, reasoned message in which I stated that IF in fact he chose to appoint John Brennan to ANY position in his administration, I would feel that my trust as a supporter, donor and voter had been betrayed.

Maybe if he gets enough messages like this at change.gov he'll think twice about bringing war criminals into his administration.

[macbabe]

yup, I sent in my concerns about SoS pick too ...
http://www.change.gov/page/s/yourvision

[myangeldog1]

Very well said.

[PATina]

After I received Plouffe's email requesting more financial support, I wrote an email yesterday asking if they planned on nominating any Progressive Dems in his administration.

This is the only way to make our voices heard. It doesn't make sense to me... especailly after the last 8 years... to just blindly trust those in government. We have to become actively involved. One of the things I liked about Barack Obama was his bottom-up, grassroots approach. I hope he really plans on listening to our concerns. The way he handled the FISA complaints though leave me doubting.

[weatherwaxx]

Waxman.

[HC4BO]

4 Years Folks ...

Judge Him THEN ... !

[PATina]

Four years may be too late. We need to get involved and stay involved. I supported, donated, campaigned and voted for President Obama... and I support him... but this is MY government­... and these folks work for me !

[jackie4444]

I hope there are millions like you! You are right on the money. Four years WILL be too
late. Sitting around waiting for things to get just a little worse - or someone else to take
care of it - is how we got (1) Bush, (2) the Patriot Act, (3) illegal wiretapping, (4) torture,
(5) economic disaster, (5) agencies run by insiders from the industries they supervise,
(6) a completely politicized DOJ; (7) price gouging, plundering, corporate manipulation,
outsourcing, greed and 'privatization'; (8) Katrina; (9) add others nightmares of your
choice. 'We the people, in order to .........i­nsure that none of our descendants ever has
to give a passing thought to keeping the democracy in good order.....­..........­" is never
the way it worked.

[valkyrie607]

No no. Judge him now for the choices he's making. Keep up the pressure!!

[kathy001]

I agree with keeping up the pressure but I think I'll wait until he's actually in office before I go into hysterics like some people on this site. People will do one thing when working for one person and another when working for another person.

[mcantwell]

RedState and Rush/Hannity lovers have taken over HuffPo.

[Sabreen60]

Yup! Yup!

[Grunty1]

Well, they certainly TRY to. That's why we need to keep our tr0ll bats ready.

[ElBruce]

The first six words of Armbinder's article read as follows: "Democratic and national security sources say..."

Doesn't sound like he has a source in the transition team, does it?

Chill out, people. Wait for announcements before lighting the torches and grabbing the pitchforks. But do keep 'em dry and sharpened.

[Wesneeds]

Just like the Minutemen of old. Look, this movement started because people are tired of the same old politics. I agee, pitchforks sharpened and waiting at the door.

[SickOfTheCorruption]

"To appoint someone as CIA Director or Director of National Intelligence who was one of George Tenet's closest aides when The Dark Side of the last eight years was conceived and implemented, and who, to this day, continues to defend and support policies such as "enhanced interrogation techniques" and rendition (to say nothing of telecom immunity and warrantless eavesdropping), is to cross multiple lines that no Obama supporter should sanction."

That right there says it all to me. I think we're all familiar with George Tenet by now. These people lied to the American people about Iraq. They are warmongers. If this is really true and Obama appoints this guy, I feel totally lied to and betrayed. I didn't vote for this!

[wayoutleft]

you should have wised up after the FISA sell-out at the very latest. i was out when he sold out rev wright.

[solbro]

who needs you, dork? maybe u should learn how the game is played.

[Sabreen60]

Why are you here????

[weatherwaxx]

I don't think Obama is the Second Coming, either; I didn't like his FISA stance. But it's hard to argue that he's not exponentially better than McPalin.

He's also not in office yet. Let's see what President Obama actually does.

[LiberalBuzz]

I worked danged hard to help put Obama in office and so far all it looks like is a mashup of Bush and Clinton.

Didn't we NOT vote for Cliinton and didn't we vote to get rid of Bush policies?

WHAT is going on?

Have we been completely and thoroughly betrayed?

[leftoflennon]

Give him his space.

Dang.

[osullivjos]

I think it is important to acknowledge the spectrum of meaning to the word "Change". If an orchestra changes its conductor, that represents real change--even though the orchestra remains the same. So if Obama seems to be picking several old faces for cabinet positions, it does not represent a failure to change rather. he is picking a better first violinist/oboeist etc but he is the conductor and he is change.

[Grunty1]

The primary fault in that analogy is that it is rare to find a Orchestra member who was originally hired specifically to destroy the Orchestra. Any Bush appointee would be exactly that!

[CitizenoftheRepublic]

not bad, but ideology invades all arenas and it creates friction during implementation of policy that is in direct contrast to the ideology of the policy dispenser. brennan is a bad choice and letting the President elect know this now is a good thing... that's why it is out in circulation. no to brennan for the repair and redefining of our intelligence community and its techniques. say it loud and clear at change.gov

[jacqmac]

Y'all are worse than a bunch of high school girls discussing prospective prom dates. Armbinder is merely attempting to make a name for himself and get a 'big scoop'. OF COURSE Brennan's been vetted. NEARLY everybody who is even HOPING for any job HAS been or is going through the process. Again--STOP TRYING TO RUN THE GOVERNMENT from your KEYBOARD and GIVE the SMART GUY (Obama) credit. Only HE knows what he is doing or GOING TO DO. The rest is open speculation and, in this instance, as with Pritzker, is MERE GUESSWORK!!

[wayoutleft]

stop trying to supress threads questioning onama's possible appointees. this is a place for that discussion and it's totally legitimate. SO STOP BEING CAPS CHALLENGED AND CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING BESIDES PUTTING DOWN PEOPLE'S COMMENTS. after all, obama's no bill clinton and you're no stalin.

[myangeldog1]

....and with a comment like that....wh­o might YOU be?!

[authoritarianbootlicker]

Worry wort! Calm down.

[Grunty1]

If people weren't flying off the handle in response to rumors and were truly discussing the merits of a pick (or lack thereof), people wouldn't be needing to "supress" anything.

[PATina]

And you're acting just like a Bushie... he's your guy and can't do any wrong. And last I checked... we had a government for, by and of the PEOPLE... that means all of us have a right to participat­e... even if it is from our keyboards.