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Robert C. O'Brien and Penny Lee discuss if Brennan has the trust needed to be CIA director
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He had second big action of the day on Capitol Hill -- often we get via confirmation hearing penny -- John Brennan to go to the CIA.
Big that one looks as though that we may be perhaps even more contentious than the Chuck Hagel -- -- He had an isn't an amazing.
Had you know these these are not easy times in these are not easy confirmation there's a lot of questions that are out there.
And now we are starting to learn a little bit more about this drone program.
And questions.
That need to be asked in by the oversight committees that are there and so it's the responsible thing.
For these senators it was a right thing for their for the White House.
To turn over.
These memos that outlined what this program is -- there are serious questions.
As there always is in -- that delicate balance between whether or not giving someone their due process and also taking -- a serious threat and where did those.
Lines blurred.
Where do they separate and what was the rationale the legal rationale.
For you know -- for.
-- going forth with these drone attacks.
And literally killing.
Known.
-- al-Qaeda members even though they might -- American.
Known al-Qaeda terrorists so we what was -- rationale some of the questions are asked omni you know enhanced interrogation questions as well.
Which John Brenner.
Was part.
In his role previous role in it was actually a stumbling block -- why he wasn't.
Able to because as CIA director previously when he was thought to be nominated so lot of questions surrounding him he is.
He is on and he does have the confidence that the the president that there are a lot of questions as -- -- the methodology.
Whether or not due process is actually being followed.
What is the rationale what is the legal and ethical and moral.
Rationale for these attacks.
All right we have Joseph we I do now have Robert CEO Brian former senior advisor.
Two governor Romney's presidential campaign joining us from our LA bureau good to see you as always Robert.
Good to be with you Jonathan thank you what's your take on -- how just how contentious.
That being John Brennan -- hearing to be confirmed as CIA director will be it does other end.
But will it -- will this all be about the drones and his role in drawing up.
The guidelines for use of it for the use of drones.
Yeah I don't I don't think it's -- -- be about the drawn policy.
Particularly.
I think Republicans and Democrats believe in the use of drones President Bush -- -- President Obama has stepped up the use of drones.
I think the questions with -- really questions of trust because this is an administration that -- Minnesota was going to be the most transparent administration in American history.
And yet we're now finding out about these secret memos that.
Perhaps should not -- with the general public but had not been shared with the congressional oversight committees.
And I think the committee is are now looking at these documents first having been leaked.
I am wondering why Brandon and the present hadn't come forward and brief the proper congressional committees.
On these policies and so.
When you want to become the director of the CIA you have to have a large reservoir of trust with the congress and what the house and senate intelligence.
Oversight committees because.
They have a role in the process and I think there's some real concern now.
That these programs have been going on in the white house with no oversight I think that's -- I think it's an issue of trust.
That the senators and congressman frankly from both parties have to be worried about.
Is that a valid point penny that -- trust is the issue here from an administration that is as Robert rightly says.
I did promise -- him promise it would be the most transparent in history.
-- -- and I had I do agree with -- on that point and you know stepping further is you know it really is amazing to see and when you win you are candidate vs when you -- president and -- information that has been afforded to you is much different.
There are many progressives are quite upset with the president for -- pursuing this policy.
And pursuing other policies that are with they would consider more in line -- George W.
Bush.
Then where they are and where he campaigned on and how he -- what he questioned when he was a candidate so.
There is a lot of anxiousness or there's a lot of thanks -- -- amongst the progressive.
In his own party about not only the policies he pursued -- the way in the method in which she has pursued him.
There's -- and yet do you big need to have the gut feeling that ultimately.
-- -- goes to defense -- it happens and John Brennan goes to the CIA.
I think the presumption is -- the president gets the cabinet members that he wants absent some major issue now.
Senator hagel did not acquit himself particularly well and his confirmation hearings.
It'll be interesting to see how the Brennan hearings play out especially with respect to.
The comfort level that the senators can get.
With trusting him to come to them as the CIA director and get the approvals he needs to.
On many of the programs and activities that the CIA undertakes an end -- is required by a lot of -- -- provide information to that the house and senate intelligence oversight committees.
But of my assumption is is that they will both be confirmed.
I think the hearings provide an opportunity though to get some information and some questions answered that haven't been so for example.
We saw what they hagel confirmation hearings set tough questions about Iran.
I'd like to see some questions -- -- -- the -- policy about Ben Ghazi with that with -- this afternoon are.
