Feinstein's Temper Tantrum

The Central Intelligence Agency has become use to operating a certain way. It used torture to get the information it wanted and generally has acted less like an intelligence agency and more like the nation's secret police.

While I understand California Senator Dianne Feinstein's concern about Leon Panetta's nomination, I think she misses the point of his nomination. He's a good candidate for the position because he's a good administrator with no prior experience with the CIA. Perhaps, then, he can change the culture of the organization from one of thuggery to one more reputable.

SFGate.com also points out that this is likely not personal, but rather the senator's attempt to wear the daddy-pants in the Democratic Party.

My problem? Feinstein is as bad as that snake in the grass Joe Lieberman for piping up about her problems with Leon Panetta, especially for the reasons suggested.

Sure, she has the wonderfully powerful committee chairmanship in a post relevant to Panetta's position. But in a moment when it's important for the Democrats to be circling around the Republicans armed with the regulation sticks and welfare stones in preparation for the mugging of a life time, it emboldens your political foes to see dissension in the ranks after less than two days in power.

Feinstein is helping no one with this temper tantrum. She needs to stop, and save her concerns for the confirmation hearing.