My experience is that the director of the FBI is particularly important to just how aggressive an investigation will be into an issue. And once you remove James Comey, it creates a vacuum at the top. And the fundamental issue will be whether or not there is support at the highest levels within the FBI to continue to conduct that investigation. That's going to be the question mark.
Leon PanettaCaution is an important quality in a leader, but it has to be caution followed by decision. Caution followed by ambivalence can be a weakness.
Leon PanettaThe president is out there today trying to talk about health care, and the reality is nobody cares about what he's saying on health care because this news is consuming everything. No president could tolerate that or should tolerate it.
Leon PanettaThe terrorism from 9/11 has metastasized. It's metastasized in Iraq and Syria, in Nigeria, in Somalia, in Yemen and in other places in North Africa. We need a very comprehensive strategy to deal with that threat.
Leon PanettaI know that young people sometimes, caught up in the moment, make some very foolish decisions.
Leon PanettaThe United States has to be a leader in the world, because the problem is: If we are not leading, nobody else will.
Leon PanettaMy experience is that the director of the FBI is particularly important to just how aggressive an investigation will be into an issue. And once you remove James Comey, it creates a vacuum at the top. And the fundamental issue will be whether or not there is support at the highest levels within the FBI to continue to conduct that investigation. That's going to be the question mark.
Leon Panetta