Obama nominates Panetta as CIA chief

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama introduced Washington veteran Leon Panetta as his nominee to head the CIA Friday.

Panetta "has unparalleled experience in making institutions of government work better for the American people," Obama said during a news conference.

The choice of Panetta has been met with skepticism on Capital Hill and in intelligence circles by some who believe a more effective spy leader should come from the intelligence community. Panetta, a former U.S. congressman and member of the Bill Clinton administration, is known as an astute manager but seen as lacking hands-on intelligence experience.

"Let me be clear, in Leon Panetta the agency will have a director who has my complete trust and substantial clout. He will be a strong manager and a strong advocate for the CIA," Obama said.

Obama also named retired Adm. Dennis Blair as his national intelligence director, a position that oversees the nation's 16 intelligence-gathering entities, including the CIA.

Obama said current national intelligence director Mick McConnell will serve on his foreign intelligence advisory board, Michael Leiter would remain as head of the National Counterterrorism Center and CIA veteran John Brennan would be his homeland security adviser.

"It is hard to overstate the importance of good intelligence in the 21st century," Obama said, adding later, "Good intelligence is not a luxury; it is a necessity."

Panetta said he would work "tirelessly" to defend the country and was "committed to consulting closely with my former colleagues in Congress to form the kind of partnership we need if we are to win the war on terror."