[Marine_Uncle]

"Where are the old and wise hands of the CIA?"
Firstly one must establish if there where any such over the past fifty years or so. And I am not being flip. Let us go back in time to the CIA where so many Soviet plants where in place. Need I say more. As for the goons such as Paneta being present. It does not matter. If these Intel agencies where really working properly the big boss could spend 350 days a year on golf courses.
If some local problem at say a Home Depot comes up, say a customer complaint.... one does not expect the CEO of the company from dealing with it.
Sure. The top leader(s) of any organization can help lead and foster teamwork, vertically download specific concerns as well as perhaps changes in business practice they feel better streamline their organizations, that is what they are being paid the big bucks to do. But not have to micromanage their operations. For no one is capable of performing such a task with any level of efficiency It is the job of these agencies to put in place a fully experienced and competent staff and then let them manage all their operations.

[combat_boots]

But a politician can send a word through other assets in order to accomplish the opposite. Who stands to benefit from this event? Why? What’s the leverage?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I contend that they were being micro managed...from afar...they were all gathered to send the word to Obama...why else have so many there...at least it seems that way from the reports.