TPMDC David Petraeus
David Petraeus
Feinstein, Petraeus Say Wartime Contractors Must Go
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
After the ten-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the intelligence community, consisting of everything from the CIA to the Homeland Security Department, is outsourcing too much of its work to private contractors and is breaking a pledge to reduce the number of private contractors hired to help conduct, collect and analyze information.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who chairs the Intelligence Committee, pointed out the broken promise at a hearing Tuesday, noting that the intelligence community is not living up to a commitment to reduce private contractors by 5 percent a year.
"We had an agreement in 2009 to reduce [intelligence community] contractor numbers by 5 percent a year, but it's clear that progress has not been maintained and sufficient cuts are not being made," Feinstein told a joint-hearing of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees to assess progress in U.S. intelligence gathering and analysis over the last ten years.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Blackwater Worldwide, Commission on Wartime Contracting, David Petraeus, Dianne Feinstein, House Intelligence Committee, Senate intelligence committee, director of national intelligence
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Obama To Shake Up Security Team
Reuters reports: " President Barack Obama will on Thursday name CIA Director Leon Panetta to become defense secretary and nominate General David Petraeus, who is running the war in Afghanistan, to take over the spy agency. The shakeup ahead of the 2012 presidential election could have broad implications for the Obama administration, which is seeking deeper Pentagon spending cuts and aims to start drawing down U.S. forces from Afghanistan in July."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive his daily briefing at 10:15 a.m. ET, hold a meeting on Libya at 10:50 a.m. ET, and meet at 11:30 a.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. At 2:05 p.m. ET, he will meet with a group of influential Hispanics from across the country, to discuss fixing the country's immigration system. He will make a personnel announcement at 3:10 p.m. ET. He will meet at 3:45 p.m. ET with Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, and they will deliver statements to the press at 4:20 p.m. ET.
Topics: 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Birther, CIA, David Petraeus, Leon Panetta, Pres '12, Roundup
David Petraeus
Panetta To Move To Pentagon, Petraeus To CIA
Leon Panetta and David Petraeus
President Obama plans to tap CIA Director Leon Panetta to head the Defense Department to replace outgoing Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and David Petraeus will succeed Panetta at the CIA, according to media reports.
Petraeus, 58, currently serves as the commander of allied forces in Afghanistan and previously led operations in Iraq from 2006 to 2008.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, CIA, David Petraeus, Department of Defense, Leon Panetta, White House, pentagon
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
$350,000 Goal Is Set For Obama Re-election Donors
The New York Times reports: "The top contributors to President Obama's re-election campaign were given an ambitious set of marching orders on Thursday, with an elite group of 450 donors each asked to raise $350,000 this year to help finance what is likely to be the most expensive political race in the nation's history...The amount is more than twice what top Democrats were asked to raise four years ago, several participants of the meeting said, and the donors could be given an even bigger goal next year."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive his daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. Then at 10:55 a.m. ET, he will be interviewed by WSOC Charlotte, WSVN Miami and WPVI Philadelphia, to preview his trip to Latin America. Later, the First Family will depart from the White House at 10:15 p.m. ET, and depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 10:35 p.m. ET, en route to Brasilia, Brazil.
Topics: 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Budget, Citizens United, David Petraeus, Fundraising, Joe Biden, Lobbying, Robert Gates, Roundup
David Petraeus
Dem Rep Accuses Petraeus Of Using 'Charlie Sheen' PR Strategy On Afghanistan
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) accused Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, of employing a "Charlie Sheen" strategy in trying to convince the American public to stay the course in Afghanistan.
"General Petraeus is giving us the Charlie Sheen counter-insurgency strategy, which is to give exclusive interviews to every major network, and to keep saying 'we're winning' and hope the public actually agrees with you," Woolsey said during a speech on the House floor Wednesday.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 'Mission Accomplished', 'Obama's Wars', Afghanistan, Charlie Sheen, David Petraeus, House Armed Services Committee, House Democrats, Iraq, Lynn Woolsey, Senate Armed Services Committee
David Petraeus
Petraeus on Afghan War: 'We Have To Remember Why We're There'
General David Petraeus
Gen. David Petraeus urged the American people to remember the reasons why U.S. forces continue to fight in Afghanistan in the face of a new poll showing the lowest level of American support for the longest war in U.S. history.
Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday that he understands the level of American frustration with the Afghan war, but warned of the growth of al Qaeda in the country and region if the U.S. abandons its mission and allows the Taliban to regain control.
Topics: 'Obama's Wars', Afghanistan, Budget, Carl Levin, Continuing Resolution, David Petraeus, Iraq, John McCain, Walter Reed
Barack Obama
Pentagon Knocks Down Report That Petraeus Is Out
General David Petraeus
The Pentagon is knocking down reports that David Petraeus is expected to immediately leave his post as commander of United States troops in Afghanistan while also noting that he would not stay forever.
Earlier Tuesday evening the Times of London reported that Petraeus would leave and the headline appeared to suggest that his departure was imminent.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, David Petraeus, Stanley McChrystal
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Gillespie: Obama 'Has A Very Disdainful View Of The American People' On Muslim Center
Appearing on Face The Nation, former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie criticized President Obama's remarks in support of the Muslim community center in New York. "I thought it was a revealing comment by the president. He said that the 70% of Americans who are opposed to this controversial imam building this mosque at ground zero are denying the freedom of Muslims in this country. That's how he cast it," Gillespie said. "It was said in the reporting this morning that he made a conscious decision to weigh in on it in that regard. I think it tells you that he has a very disdainful view of the American people. I think that's why his favorability ratings have come down. People see that in him. There's a kind of condescension towards them they don't like."
Kaine: Religious Freedom Is In The Constitution For A Reason
Also appearing on Face The Nation, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine stood by Obama's remarks on the Muslim center. "I'm going with my Virginian, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson on this one. They put the religious freedom to worship in the First Amendment of the Constitution for a reason," Kaine said. "This wouldn't be a controversial if it was to build a synagogue or church. I'm not the New York zoning commissioner, don't know the reason for this decision, but we can't stop people from doing something that others could do because of the religion they practice."
Topics: 'Ground Zero Mosque', Afghanistan, Bob Corker, DNC, David Petraeus, Ed Gillespie, Jack Reed, Jerrold Nadler, Peter King, Roundup, Sunday Shows
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Petraeus: We Must Demonstrate That 'We Are In This To Win'
Gen. David Petraeus formally took command of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan on Sunday. "We are engaged in a contest of wills," said Petraeus, who also added: "In answer, we must demonstrate to the people and to the Taliban that Afghan and international forces are here to safeguard the Afghan people, and that we are in this to win."
Biden To Iraqi Leaders: 'My Plea To You Is Finish What You Started'
Speaking in Baghdad, Vice President Joe Biden urged Iraqi leaders to end their political deadlock. "You should not, and I'm sure you will not, let any state -- from the United States to any state in the region -- dictate what will become of you," said Biden. "So my plea to you is finish what you started through legitimate representative government that meets the needs and aspirations of all Iraqi people."
Topics: 2010 elections, Afghanistan, Arne Duncan, Barack Obama, David Petraeus, Hillary Clinton, Iraq, Joe Biden, Roundup, Social Security, Trade
Roundup
TPMDC Saturday Roundup
Obama: GOP Senators 'Using Their Power To Hold This Relief Hostage'
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama announced the funding of two solar energy companies by the Department of Energy, with nearly $2 billion. He also attacked Republican leaders for blocking his economic relief proposals.
"In the short term, we're fighting to speed up this recovery and keep the economy growing by all means possible. That means extending unemployment insurance for workers who lost their job. That means getting small businesses the loans they need to keep their doors open and hire new workers. And that means sending relief to states so they don't have to lay off thousands of teachers and firefighters and police officers," said Obama. "Still, at a time when millions of Americans feel a deep sense of urgency in their own lives, Republican leaders in Washington just don't get it. While a majority of Senators support taking these steps to help the American people, some are playing the same old Washington games and using their power to hold this relief hostage - a move that only ends up holding back our recovery. It doesn't make sense."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, David Petraeus, Deficit, Gary Emineth, Hillary Clinton, Iraq, Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Liz Cheney, Michael Steele, RNC, Robert Gates, Roundup, Stanley McChrystal
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Dems Shaping Battle Plan Against Republicans For November
The Washington Post reports: "Architects of President Obama's 2008 victory are braced for potentially sizable Democratic losses in November's midterm elections. But they say voters' unease about a GOP takeover will help their party maintain congressional majorities. 'I think the prospect of a Republican takeover -- while not likely, but plausible -- will be very much part of the dynamic in October, and I think that will help us with turnout and some of this enthusiasm gap,' said David Plouffe, who was Obama's campaign manager two years ago and is helping to oversee Democratic efforts this fall. Still, he put all Democrats on notice, saying: 'We'd better act as a party as if the House and the Senate and every major governor's race is at stake and in danger, because they could be.'"
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will depart the White House at 9:20 a.m. ET, and will make a 9:35 a.m. ET statement to the press on the economy at Andrews Air Force Base. Obama and Vice President Biden will depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 9:50 a.m. ET, arriving at 10:55 a.m. ET in Charleston, West Virginia. Obama and Biden will deliver remarks at an 11:30 a.m. ET memorial service for the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) at the West Virginia State Capitol. They will depart from Charleston at 1:55 p.m. ET, arriving at 3 p.m. ET at Andrews Air Force Base. Obama will then depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 3:05 p.m. ET, en route to Camp David.
Topics: 2010 elections, Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Budget, David Petraeus, Lobbying, Mike Simpson, Nancy Pelosi, Roundup, Steny Hoyer, Tony Podesta
Barack Obama
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Byrd's Death Complicates Democrats' Strategy
The New York Times reports: "The death of Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia threw into doubt the ability of Democrats to win approval this week of a financial regulation bill and underscored how the smallest changes in the size and composition of their Congressional majority have complicated their efforts to pass ambitious legislation over near-unanimous Republican opposition...'We are down a vote,' said Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat. 'We have got some work to do.'"
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. He will meet at 10:50 a.m. ET with a bipartisan group of Senators, to discuss passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation this year. He will receive a briefing at 12 p.m. ET on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He will have a working lunch at 1:05 p.m. ET with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, and meet in the Oval Office with King Abdullah at 2:10 p.m. ET. He will meet at 3:40 p.m. ET with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Topics: Afghanistan, Arizona, Barack Obama, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, David Petraeus, Elena Kagan, Immigration, Joe Biden, Roundup, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Sessions: 'It's Conceivable A Filibuster Might Occur' Against Kagan
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) did not rule out a filibuster against the Supreme Court nomination of Elena Kagan. "I think the first thing we need to decide is, is she committed to the rule of law even if she may not like the law?" Sessions said. "Will she as a judge subordinate herself to the Constitution and keep her political views at bay? And then secondly, if things come out to indicate she's so far outside the mainstream, it's conceivable a filibuster might occur."
Leahy: If Obama Had Nominated Moses, Some Would Say He Hasn't Produced A Birth Certificate
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) joked that Republican lines have already been drawn against any Supreme Court nomination by President Obama: "It's reached the point that if [Obama] had nominated Moses the law giver, some would have said we can't have him because among other things he hasn't produced a birth certificate."
Topics: 2010 elections, Afghanistan, David Petraeus, Dianne Feinstein, Elena Kagan, Jack Reed, Jeff Sessions, John McCain, Leon Panetta, Lindsey Graham, Patrick Leahy, Roundup, Stanley McChrystal, Sunday Shows, Supreme Court, Supreme Court vacancy
Carl Levin
Levin: Lightning Quick Confirmation For Petraeus
Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)
General Petraeus won't have to wait long.
Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin says his committee will take up Petraeus' nomination to serve as Afghanistan commander within days.
"It would be no later than next Tuesday," Levin told reporters this afternoon. "We're going to try make it out obviously as quickly as we possibly can."
There are some technical issues that need to be sorted out before the entire Senate can take up Petraeus' nomination, though Levin predicted he'd be confirmed before the July 4 recess. But the first steps are poised to proceed smoothly. Levin's minority counterpart, ranking member John McCain told reporters today that the hearings and vote on Petraeus' nomination might well be "the fastest in the history of the Armed Services Committee."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Afghanistan, Carl Levin, David Petraeus, John McCain
Stanley McChrystal
GOP Praise Petraeus, Continue Hammering Obama Afghanistan Policy
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
You won't likely hear broad opposition from the GOP to President Obama's decision to replace General McChrystal with General Petraeus in Afghanistan. But they will continue to hammer the administration for having set a 2011 troop withdrawal date in that war, and criticize the civilian leadership in Afghanistan, particularly Ambassador Karl Eikenberry. In other words, McChrystal's expected firing, and all the coy warnings that came with it, will ultimately change little about the politics of the Afghanistan war on the Hill.
"We are confident that General Petraeus' leadership will have a very positive effect on the situation in the region," Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said at a press conference this afternoon. "The hearing for General Petraeus' confirmation will probably be the fastest in the history of the Armed Services Committee."
McCain serves as ranking member of that committee. He appeared alongside Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) to weigh in on Obama's decision, and to highlight continuing differences, including over the withdrawal date, and the civilian leadership in Afghanistan.
The senators even tiptoed toward suggesting that Eikenberry should go as well.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, David Petraeus, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Karl Eikenberry, Kit Bond, Lindsey Graham, Republicans, Stanley McChrystal, White House
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Gen. David Petraeus, Head of U.S. Central Command
Petraeus Calls For 'Living Our Values,' Rejects 'Expedient Measures' In Interrogations
Appearing on Meet The Press, Gen. David Petraeus was asked by David Gregory whether he wished he had the interrogation methods that were available under the Bush administration. Petraeus appeared to say no: " I have always been on the record, in fact, since 2003, with the concept of living our values. And I think that whenever we have, perhaps, taken expedient measures, they have turned around and bitten us in the backside. We decided early on in the 101st Airborne Division we're just going to--look, we just said we'd decide to obey the Geneva Convention, to, to move forward with that. That has, I think, stood elements in good stead. "
Petraeus: 'I'm Not Sure' That Soldiers Care About Gays In The Military
Also during his appearance on Meet The Press, Gen. David Petraeus was asked whether soldiers in the field care one way or the other about the issue of gays in the military. "I'm not sure that they do. We'll see," said Petraeus. "Again, that's why this review panel. You know, all we have are, are personal soundings to go on, and I've certainly done some of that myself... I served in fact in combat with individuals who were gay and who were lesbian in combat situations and, frankly, you know, over time you said, 'Hey, how's, how's this guy's shooting?' Or 'How is her analysis,' or what have you."
Topics: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Colin Powell, David Petraeus, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Ed Rendell, Haley Barbour, Health Care, Jim Douglas, Roundup, Sunday Shows, Torture
WWE
'The Barack Is Cookin' A Troops Tribute For The WWE
President Obama will appear on a World Wrestling Entertainment special this weekend to pay tribute to troops serving abroad, the wrestling network announced.
Obama, no stranger to WWE, has recorded a holiday message for the Saturday 9 p.m. "Tribute to the Troops," which will detail wrestling stars who have performed for troops at bases in the Middle East.
Gen. David Petraeus also will be on the program, which airs on NBC.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2008 campaign, Barack Obama, David Petraeus, Troops, WWE, White House
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Gates: July 2011 Not An Afghanistan 'Exit Strategy,' But A 'Transition'
Appearing on This Week, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said the plan for Afghanistan is not properly called an exit strategy. "Well, first of all, I don't consider this an exit strategy. And I try to avoid using that term. I think this is a transition," said Gates. He further explained: "Well, from my standpoint, the decision in terms of when a district or a cluster of districts or a province is ready to be turned over to the Afghan security forces is a judgment that will be made by our commanders on the ground, not here in Washington."
Feingold: Stopping Afghanistan Surge Will Be Difficult, 'We'll Do Whatever We Can'
Appearing on This Week, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) said he would do what he could to fight the Afghanistan troop surge. "And what's going to happen here is that it's probably going to be difficult to stop it now. We'll do whatever we can," said Feingold. "We're already working with members of both parties in both houses to question whether this funding should be approved. We're going to fight any attempts to use sort of accounting gimmicks to allow it to be funded. If there's an attempt to have an emergency supplemental, I think that's something we're going to oppose, not only on the grounds of it being an unwise policy, but also being fiscally irresponsible."
Topics: Afghanistan, David Petraeus, Hamid Karzai, Hillary Clinton, James Jones, John McCain, Roundup, Sarah Palin
Afghanistan
Defense Sec. Gates 'Appalled' By Leaks On Afghanistan And Threatens Firings
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has threatened to fire Pentagon employees who are leaking details of President Obama's deliberations on whether to send more troops to Afghanistan.
Gates addressed the leaks today in a press briefing while flying to Wisconsin, according to an article in the Pentagon's own American Forces Press Service.
"I am appalled by the amount of leaking that has been going on," he said.
From the article:
Gates said he has little doubt that some of those leaks have come from within the Defense Department. "If I found out who" was involved, he said, "it would probably be a career ender."
The official line from the White House and Pentagon is that Obama remains undecided on how many troops to send.
He also condemned leaks on the Ft. Hood shootings, saying: "Everybody out there with their own little piece of the action" doesn't understand how it fits into the big picture.
"Everybody out there ought to just shut up."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, David Petraeus, Robert Gates, War council, pentagon
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Report: Obama Wants Revised Afghanistan Options
President Obama reportedly wants revisions to all the options for Afghanistan that have been presented to him. This comes after Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, a former commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, has strongly disagreed with sending more troops, arguing that more troops would only make the Afghan government more dependent on the United States.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will make a statement at 9:15 a.m. ET, on the economy. He will depart the White House at 9:30 a.m. ET, en route to Alaska. He will arrive in Anchorage at 4:50 p.m. ET, will meet with service members at 5:10 p.m. ET, and will deliver remarks at 5:30 p.m. ET. He will depart form Anchorage at 6:55 p.m. ET, en route to Tokyo, Japan.
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, David Petraeus, Harry Reid, Health Care, Joe Biden, Karl Eikenberry, Roundup, Sidwell Friends School
Afghanistan
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Gates: "We're Not Leaving Afghanistan"
In an interview with CNN, held jointly with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates bluntly declared that "we're not leaving Afghanistan." He explained: "There should be no uncertainly in terms of our determination to remain in Afghanistan and to continue to build a relationship of partnership ... with the Pakistanis."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with the National Counterterrorism Center leadership at 11:10 a.m. ET, and will deliver remarks to NCTC staff members at 11:40 a.m. ET. Obama and Vice President will meet with the Congressional leadership and the chairs and ranking members of the relevant committees to discuss Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, CA-GOV, David Petraeus, Gavin Newsom, Hillary Clinton, Jerry Brown, NRCC, Pete Sessions, Robert Gates
© 2011 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
