Wittman endorses Petraeus and Panetta for top defense posts?
By JR Hoeft | Thursday, April 28th, 2011 | PolicyCongressman Rob Wittman seems to be a fan of General David Petraeus and former Clintonista Leon Panetta to get the top jobs in the Obama administration defending the homeland.
Panetta has been tapped for SECDEF and Petraeus for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
“I commend the dedicated and honorable military leadership of Secretary Robert Gates and General David Petraeus,” Wittman said. “Their dedicated service to our nation and their commitment to security and democracy around the world has furthered the cause for freedom. They led our nation’s all-volunteer military force through some of the toughest years in recent history as they engaged our enemies in combat operations overseas, all the while protecting the United States of America.”
“Pending his confirmation by the Senate, I look forward to working with Leon Panetta in his new capacity as Secretary of Defense. As we continue to face a challenging budgetary environment, I will continue to press for national defense policies supporting the strategic needs of this nation.”
Not like the congressman has much of a voice in these confirmations, as they take place with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate, but this certainly isn’t a voice of opposition.
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Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
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6 Responses to "Wittman endorses Petraeus and Panetta for top defense posts?"
What difference does it make since Valerie Jarrett is still in charge?
David Petraeus as the Director of Central Intelligence is something of a surprise to the military community; most of us expected him to be the next Chairman after Admiral Mullen retires in October. On the other hand, he has always been one to ride to the sound of the guns and there are reports that he actively sought this job. I suspect that he has been less than enthralled by the CIA’s performance in the CENTCOM AOR and wants to make some changes in the agency. After he stepped down from CINCCENT and took over in Afghanistan, I think that he could have had any job in the Obama administration that he wanted. It is interesting that, unlike Air Force General Michael Hayden, he will retire from the Army before assuming his position at the CIA. There has never been any warm, fuzzy feelings between the military and the CIA and he probably sees an advantage in arriving as a civilian Director.
Expect to see some major changes in CIA secret renditions and an end to the black “harsh interrogation” facilities overseas. Petraeus, like all capable military professionals, has no confidence in coerced information. There will most certainly be push-back from career CIA people and Petraeus will give them the choice of getting with the program or being crushed quietly. One of the most interesting aspects of his media presence is that they rarely profile him as the intellectual that he is. He is a Princeton Ph.D in International Relations.
Yeah well there will be some major changes to the military too. Panetta worked hand in glove with Les Aspin back in the Clinton ‘peace dividend’ days. Expect heavy hits in personnel and benefits.
Darrell,
I was in the Pentagon during the Aspen tenure. The cuts will be in force structure and high-end weapon systems, not direct personnel charges and benefits. If Hampton Roads thought that closing Jiffy Com was bad, wait until Panetta solves the Mayport re-stationing issue by just eliminating an entire carrier task force.
Here is some information on defense spending over the years-
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2011/04/27/disarming-while-at-war/
We are already at the lowest level of defense spending that we have been in a very long time. The radical muslims have only increased their hatred for the US, and have hightened their rhetoric and threats against the US. Panetta will do us in completely. He is a good follower of the One Worlders who want us on our knees.
Petraeus is a future potus
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