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Senate Confirms John Brennan As New Head of CIA

Mar. 7, 2013 3:53pm Becket Adams

John Brennan. (Getty Images).

John Brennan was confirmed Thursday to head the CIA after a late struggle that had more to do with presidential power to order drone strikes than with the nominee’s credentials to lead the spy agency.

The Senate voted 63-34 to give Brennan, the president’s counterterrorism adviser and a 25-year CIA veteran, the top job at the nation’s spy agency. He will replace Michael Morrell, the acting CIA director since November.

The vote came after the Obama administration finally responded to Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul’s request to specify limits on the president’s authority to order drone strikes against American citizens in the United States.

Sen. Paul declared he was satisfied with the administration’s statement, which said the president does not have the authority to use a drone to kill an American not engaged in combat on American soil.

Brennan’s credentials to head the CIA were scarcely mentioned in a final 24-hour stretch of political and constitutional drama surrounding his nomination.

Instead, Paul’s filibuster attracted widespread attention on Twitter and other social media and encouraged a parade of other Tea Party-backed senators to declare their support. Other Republicans were critical of the Kentucky Republican, harshly so.

Brennan — who is closely tied to the secretive drone program — has long appeared to hold enough votes to win confirmation.

Holder’s letter marked the administration’s third sorta’-concession in recent days in its attempt to bring the matter to a vote.

Earlier this week, responding to demands from lawmakers in both parties, the White House gave members of the Senate intelligence committee access to legal opinions justifying the use of lethal drone strikes against terror suspects. It also gave Republicans documents relating to last year’s deadly attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Sen. Paul, although he voted in favor of cloture, still voted against Brennan’s confirmation. So there you go.

Here’s a breakdown of how the senate voted today:

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Featured image Getty Images. The AP contributed to this report.

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Comments (71)

resme
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:59pm
“The Senate voted Thursday afternoon to confirm John Brennan as CIA director, 63-34. Paul voted no.”

Blazer’s already turning on rand without even looking up the vote — Predicted it.

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- Shiroi Raion
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:06pm
  I heard the Nays:being called Paul, Thune, Toomey, Cruz, Lee all voted against him… among others. Out of Kerry, Hagel and Brennan… Brennan has to be the worst. I’m glad Paul changed his mind and voted against him, though it made no difference, he did what I believe was correct this time.
  McCain and Graham are no surprise, they rarely do the right thing.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:13pm
  Hi Resme,
  
  Not me…. I always look up the votes first.
  
  I also read the Bills.
  
  Report this comment
- resme
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:24pm
  Hi Monk.
  
  I don’t count you as a blazer. You are a personal affiliate.
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:29pm
  RESME
  
  What is that icon, the low down version of the confederate flag?
  
  Spare us your attempt at trying to sway us on Rand Paul. I heard him speak on Rush Limbaugh’s show today. All you could do is use the language of Newspeak.
  
  Republican would need about 55 members in the Senate to stop an Obama nominee. That is to compensate for the RINOs who will vacillate & quiver like a supple reed.
  
  Report this comment
- resme
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:31pm
  “What is that icon, the low down version of the confederate flag?”
  
  Representing it automatically makes me a racist, gotcha.
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:45pm
  RESME
  
  You avoided the question. I have seen green yellow & black version of the confederate flag. They looked pretty good. I can find African Americans flying the regular confederate flag with pride. But I have not seen a flag like the one you display.
  
  Report this comment
momrules
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:55pm
Lest we forget, please read what British Muslim Anjem Choudary said about the flag of Islam flying over the White House.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/oct/4/islamic-flag-over-the-white-house/

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Doctor Bulldog
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:53pm
FYI – Rand Paul is reported to have voted against Brennan. After having voted for Kerry and Hagel, I guess he figured he’d throw us all a bone…

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- GoodStuff
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:58pm
  “After having voted for Kerry and Hagel, I guess he figured he’d throw us all a bone…”
  
  Rand is a fraud. He only cares about higher office, which he’ll never achieve due to his kookiness and his perm.
  
  Report this comment
- resme
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:01pm
  “Rand is a fraud. He only cares about higher office, which he’ll never achieve due to his kookiness and his perm.”
  
  Look it’s the hit and run troll. Giving Enicom a run for her money,eh ?
  
  Report this comment
- 1TrueOne55
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:29pm
  The biggest problem is that today’s politics are predicated on future outcomes. Look at the Reagan deal with the House in the 80′s for reforms on the way the Gov’t takes your money and uses it. He kept his promise on tax increases for spending cuts in the future. He never got them. Today’s Dem’s are playing the same Bait-n-Switch game as Woodrow Wilson did in 1913 when he claimed that the Federal Income Tax would only affect the millionaires and billionaires, the top 3%, it would only catch taxes not paid on Stocks and Inherited value of land etc. Today the FICA is used to tax labour profits of individual workers to pay for the retirement benefits of current retiree’s.
  
  Once Prog’s get a small bit of what they are really wanting they go big on a second round in the future. They do it now with the ACA of 2010 first it was Medicare/Medicaid in the 60′s now its the ACA.
  
  Report this comment
- Allseasonangler
  Posted on March 9, 2013 at 9:00pm
  Goodstuff,
  
  The only kookiness is attacking a Constitutional Conservative that voted no against John Brennan based on his hair.
  
  Go find a GOP board and praise John McCain and Marco Rubio for voting yes on Brennan. I’m sure Ambassador Bolden has a great blog on how kooky libertarians and constitutionalists are.
  
  Report this comment
neverending
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:51pm
And why am I not surprised? Too bad people didn’t wake up in November, When is the last time we heard any good news coming from this commie admin? That would be never and don’t hold your breath waiting for any.

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RabbiDRJerkins
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:46pm
Shalom,
Where is there a roll call of the traitors who voted to confirm this man? That list will be important to remember.

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Leopold
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:43pm
Has anybody ever thought about this pattern?

Democrat President Carter = Allowed for radical Muslims to take over Iran.

Democrat President Clinton = Helped Muslims to take over the Balkans

Democrat President Obama = Allowed Egypt to be taken over by Muslim Brotherhood.
and chaos in the Middle East in general.

And now Obama is just taking another step. Securing Islam in the US.
Fascinating is it not?

I wonder why this is?

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- Exrepublisheep
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 6:39pm
  Too bad their weren’t any Repub Presidents in between to fix those messes.
  
  Report this comment
- Leopold
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 8:46pm
  @ Ex
  
  You are absolutely right.
  
  Makes one wonder. Are they all on the same side?
  
  Just look at how McCain reacts if anybody says something against Islam.
  
  He stabs his own in the back. Every time!
  
  Report this comment
JEANNIEMAC
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:43pm
http://tomohalloran.com/2013/02/09/breaking-john-brennan-nominee-for-cia-director-is-a-muslim-convert-who-was-turned-to-islam-by-the-muslim-brotherhood/
Trust the radical Democrats to have a Muslim as head of our CIA. A Muslim in the Oval Office and now in the CIA. Have we all gone mad, to be taking this?

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- Xylliab_of_the_Znarghh
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:02pm
  If he converted, he was already a spy when he did it, so how do you know that he is not secretly not a Muslim behind the cover of being secretly a Muslim?
  
  Report this comment
jsl55
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:42pm
Great. Now the Muslim Brotherhood is going to run the CIA. What could possibly go wrong?

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G.E.R
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:41pm
If a drone strike could prevent another Oklahoma City bombing or stop some disillusioned ex-pat from carrying out something horrific. I’m all for it.

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jerryod1627
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:33pm
These traitors in the Senate have allowed another muslim to infiltrate another high position of leadership in our government. I thought the one in the White House was enough!

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- Leopold
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:41pm
  Why shouldn’d obama promote Islam here?
  
  Has anybody ever thought about this pattern?
  
  Democrat President Carter = Allowed for radical Muslims to take over Iran.
  
  Democrat President Clinton = Helped Muslims to take over the Balkans
  
  Democrat President Obama = Allowed Egypt to be taken over by Muslim Brotherhood.
  and chaos in the Middle East in general.
  
  Fascinating is it not?
  
  I wonder why this is?
  
  Report this comment
- resme
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:11pm
  “Democrat President Carter = Allowed for radical Muslims to take over Iran”
  
  We overthrew Mohammad Mosaddegh in 1953 in Iran and installed a Dictator so Britain could continue exploiting Iran’s oil. Mohammad Mosaddegh said; “The moral aspect of oil nationalization is more important than its economic aspect..” He was also headed towards women’s rights and a-lot more civil liberties than Iran has today.
  
  1953 Iranian coup d’état
  
  Report this comment
- asybot12
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 6:23pm
  Truman (Democrud) left the WH in January of 1953 do you really really think that Eisenhower had everything in place for a coup in a few weeks??? troll
  
  Report this comment
shorelineliz
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:27pm
So little Rand Paul gets an “official” letter from Eric Holder on the drones and all is well? LMAO. This crap never changes. Same crap. Different day. But it was a lovely SHOW.

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shorelineliz
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:26pm
And how did little Rand Paul VOTE on the nomination? Did he vote FOR Brennan? LIke he voted FOR Hagel? Still think Rand Paul is Conservative?

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- Shiroi Raion
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:01pm
  Who thought Rand was Conservative? He’s a Libertarian. That’s why the Progressive Republicans like Graham and McCain don’t like him. It’s not about left or right for most of us; it’s freedom vs tyranny. It’s you Liberal pinheads that can only see D and R. We know there’s more to it than that.
  And if you agree with your King Obama 100% of the time… you have no mind to call your own. I don’t agree with anyone 100% of the time. S.E. Cupp or Judge Napalitano are probably the closest to my way of thinking and still it’s not all of the time. Only Obama “drones” can agree 100% of the time, because they can’t think for themselves.
  I’m not a Conservative, but I’m registered as a Republican because I’m for smaller government, fewer regulations, a simplified tax code and against lies, hypocrisy, cronyism… and I choose to side with people who do not lie when they take the oath to uphold the Constitution. Nearly every Dem has broken their oaths and done so openly and many even choose to do harm to the people they’re supposed to serve.
  
  Report this comment
- Bonnieblue2A
  Posted on March 8, 2013 at 1:42am
  Are you daft? Do you even know how to look up a roll call vote?
  
  http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00032
  
  No, Sen. Paul did NOT vot to confirm Brennan.
  
  NAYs —34
  
  Ayotte (R-NH)
  Barrasso (R-WY)
  Blunt (R-MO)
  Boozman (R-AR)
  Chambliss (R-GA)
  Cochran (R-MS)
  Cornyn (R-TX)
  Crapo (R-ID)
  Cruz (R-TX)
  Enzi (R-WY)
  Fischer (R-NE)
  Grassley (R-IA)
  
  Heller (R-NV)
  Hoeven (R-ND)
  Inhofe (R-OK)
  Isakson (R-GA)
  Johanns (R-NE)
  Johnson (R-WI)
  Leahy (D-VT)
  Lee (R-UT)
  McConnell (R-KY)
  Merkley (D-OR)
  Moran (R-KS)
  Paul (R-KY)
  
  Portman (R-OH)
  Risch (R-ID)
  Roberts (R-KS)
  Sanders (I-VT)
  Scott (R-SC)
  Sessions (R-AL)
  Shelby (R-AL)
  Thune (R-SD)
  Toomey (R-PA)
  Wicker (R-MS)
  
  Report this comment
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:20pm
.
Well every _ _ _ _ _ needs a Head…….

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piper60
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:17pm
No body with an ounce of good sense will believe that the response letter will carry any weight when the next manufactured emergency comes along.

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theonlynana
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:12pm
All the “O” wanted was Brennan that is the only reason the so called letter was written. We get screwed again, don’t even get a thank you kiss my…………….. the SOB!

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marine249
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:12pm
and the drum beat goes on dumb,dunb, dumb,dumb,dumb,dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, d
u________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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WKRP_in_Cincy
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:11pm
I wouldn’t trust this Douche Nozzle. There are so many people in power in our government who are either openly Muslim, or Islamic friendly. One by one these syphilitic sewer rats are taking over. I wonder how the Hispanic popuation will like living Sharia Law? Get as many guns as you can RIGHT NOW, because you ARE going to need them in the future.

Locked, Loaded, and Ready……

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Steve28
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:08pm
I wonder if he was outed how would people feel? Looks like he’s getting all his Brotherhood friends in high places.

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momrules
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:08pm
Well, Obama got his team. Kerry, Hagel and Brennan. Was there any doubt that this would happen?

I wonder what we, as a nation, will be like within six months?

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- ihasa
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:34pm
  The new minaret for the Whitehouse is probably already on order…
  
  (In the fevered imagination of the average Blaze Reader!)
  
  Report this comment
- RabbiDRJerkins
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:38pm
  Shalom,
  What will we be like in another six months?
  
  Sadly, I think most of us already know exactly where this is heading.
  
  The decision before the people is: where do we draw the line? When do we fight back. We need a solid, agreed upon “do not cross” line so that we do not end up fighting by ones and twos and just getting slaughtered. When watering that tree of liberty, the blood of patriots and tyrants is indeed required; the blood of patriots, while it must be spent, is far too precious to waste.
  
  Report this comment
Penn
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:05pm
The fundamental change of America approaches completion. Welcome to the progressive version of the Fourth Reich.

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asybot12
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:04pm
And after this announcement The WH releases the news they have captured OBL’s son in law. They did his capture months ago and held him in NY of all places! But kept it a secret until they could make the CIA look “capable”. But the Bin Laden’s relationship ti Saudi Arabia’s royalty may just may have something to do with that, I am sure he will be released shortly.

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Lordbowler
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:04pm
Rand Paul voted No.

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Tri-ox
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:02pm
This is not going to turn out well – every single non-muslim American just became a target for the new, islamic CIA. It is well known that Brennan converted to islam when he worked in Saudi Arabia – he is a sworn enemy of the United States and Israel.

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- Popp40
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:13pm
  I hope he knows that he isn’t a real Muslim then. He is still considered a second class Muslim because you have to born a Muslim to be truly accepted. But I’m sure he is happy to be a second and even third class Muslim.
  
  Report this comment
yanki161
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:00pm
Great. Another muslim in the administration.

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- stopprintn
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:07pm
  IcuHaji
  
  Report this comment
- DLV
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:18pm
  Has he said he is a Muslim?
  
  Report this comment
- booger71
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:33pm
  Has he said he is a Muslim
  ===============
  Yes he did so in Saudi Arabia. he has many friends in the Mooseslime Brotherhood.
  
  Report this comment
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 7, 2013 at 3:58pm
Thats it then, the drones will be used against Americans in the near future.

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- Popp40
  Posted on March 7, 2013 at 4:07pm
  Lets hope the “American” service men controlling those drones won’t fire on fellow Americans.
  
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