April 28, 2011

“President Obama’s decision to nominate Director Leon Panetta to be the next Secretary of Defense and General David Petraeus to be the next Director of the CIA has my wholehearted support. 

“Leon Panetta is a tremendous champion of the Intelligence Community, an outstanding leader of the CIA and a valued colleague and friend whose years of public service and wisdom have served the IC immeasurably.  He will be missed in his current post.  I know too, that those very attributes will make him a superb Secretary of Defense, where he will continue his service and further our invaluable collaboration.

“Dave Petraeus is a man I deeply admire. He is an experienced national security expert, a patriot dedicated to securing our homeland, and extremely knowledgeable about the importance of intelligence.  He understands that intelligence of the highest quality is essential to inform critical policy decisions across the spectrum of our national interests in a rapidly shifting international security landscape. I look forward to his Senate confirmation and to welcoming him to the IC as the leader of the CIA – an organization that is a true national treasure.

“Both Leon and Dave have the skills, determination and undying dedication to our national security that our community and this nation need and deserve. I look forward to continuing our close partnerships.”