Former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta explained his reasoning for criticizing President Obama's leadership in his new book, even though some have said that he should have waited until the president left office, in an interview that was broadcast today, Oct. 8, 2014 on CBS THIS MORNING (7:00-9:00 AM) on the CBS Television Network.
"You know what," Panetta told co-host Charlie Rose, "it's exactly because I am very loyal to this president and because I want him to succeed that I think it's important to raise these issues now. So that hopefully in two and a half years, you know, we can make sure that he really does have the kind of legacy that I think he deserves as president."
Panetta added, "And besides that, I don't think you put a hold on history. I think the American people are entitled to understand history and what's involved in the policy decisions that this country makes. And I believe in the judgment of the American people. And I believe history is what that's all about."
A partial transcript of the interview follows along with video of the appearance
LEON PANETTA: I think the President needs to keep all of his options on the table. I think a commander in chief needs to have the flexibility to do whatever is necessary in order to confront this threat.
CHARLIE ROSE: Here's what you have said about the president, talking about his legacy. "We're at a point where I think the jury's still out. For the first four years and the time I spent there, I thought he was a strong leader on security issues, including Osama bin Laden. With this two years since then, I think he's kind of lost his way, you know, it's been a mixed message, a little ambivalence in trying to approach these issues and try to clarify what the role of this country's all about." He's lost his way?
PANETTA: Well, I think what happened-and look, first four years, when I was there as CIA Director and Secretary of Defense, he was very strong in supporting our operations. He supported our operations. He supported expanding those operations. The last two years, I think, what happened was he looked at a country that was frustrated, exhausted by over 10 years of war. And he wanted to turn a corner. He wanted to be able to get away from Iraq, get away from Afghanistan and begin to refocus on this country. But also hopefully to get other countries to step up to the plate to deal with it. What we've learned by recent events is that if the United States isn't providing that leadership, nobody else will.
ROSE: But you said he lost his way.
PANETTA: Well, I think he lost his conviction that we had to constantly go after terrorism, that we had to constantly be involved in a very troubled world because I think he really wanted to hopefully be able to focus again on this country and what needed to be done here.
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