Leon Panetta, a Defense Secretary With a Long History of Cooperation with Israel http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/leon-panetta-a-defense-secretary-with-a-long-history-of-cooperation-with-israel/

A son of Italian immigrants, Panetta took his first steps in politics on the Republican side, where he served in the Nixon administration, working on civil rights issues. Frustrated by what he saw as a rightward turn in the GOP, Panetta switched sides and ran for Congress as a Democrat in his home district in California. He served nine terms and won the influential position of chairman of the House Budget Committee before being asked by President Clinton to be his White House chief of staff.

At first, Panetta showed practically no sign of interest in Jewish issues.“He didn’t stand out on issues that the Jewish community worked on,” recalled Doug Bloomfield, who at the time was a lobbyist for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Panetta had little to do with issues relating to Israel and was focused mainly on government budget concerns. “He has a reputation of a no-nonsense guy,” Bloomfield added.That changed to some extent during his years in Inside the Beltway Democratic politics.

Panetta shared a house in Washington with a prominent Jewish roommate, Democratic New York Senator Charles Schumer. This partnership helped lead to Panetta’s first visit to Israel.In 1991, Schumer helped put together a congressional mission to Israel, organized by the Anti-Defamation League. Panetta was the senior congressman in the group, which also included Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat George Miller and Rep. Martin Russo, an Illinois Democrat. Both Miller and Russo were also roommates of Schumer and Panetta.The numbers cruncher made an immediate positive impression on the Israelis.

[AND SEE.....Panetta Vows Measures Against Iran After Violence Spike in Iraq http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/panetta-vows-measures-against-iran-after-violence-spike-in-iraq/