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Obama slams Bush on deficit, vows changes at the CIA

Steven Thomma | McClatchy Newspapers • Published January 06, 2009

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His team also worked to repair some of the political damage caused by failing to notify Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the incoming chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, of the coming nomination.

"It's always good to talk to the requisite members of Congress," Vice President-elect Joe Biden told reporters on Capitol Hill. "I think it was just a mistake."

Feinstein, who'd been critical of the Panetta choice, said later she'd been contacted by both Obama and Biden, though it was unclear that they'd won her over to the selection.

"They have explained to me the reasons why they believe Leon Panetta is the best candidate for CIA director," a statement from Feinstein's office said. "I look forward to speaking with Mr. Panetta about the critical issues facing the intelligence community and his plans to address them."

On the Middle East violence, Obama said he's deeply concerned about the loss of life, but stood by his decision to let Bush be the country's one voice on foreign affairs. He said he'd speak out after he's inaugurated on Jan. 20, and that he'll play an active role in seeking peace.

On the budget, the specter of deficits and debt dominated Obama's meeting and comments to reporters as he prepared to give a major speech Thursday on the economy.

The federal debt nearly doubled under Bush's watch, from $5.7 trillion to $10.6 trillion. With trillion-dollar-a-year deficits added to that, the total debt burden could soar much higher. And it would come just as the government starts to face the growing burdens of medical care for the retiring and aging Baby Boom generation.

The government already was living beyond its means when the financial meltdown last year threatened tax revenues and sent spending soaring for financial bailouts and tax rebates to try to stimulate the economy.

Obama said he'd take steps to assure taxpayers that the added spending and tax cuts now to further stimulate the economy would be well spent.