The Associated Press

How some of Obama’s associates have been treating him lately:

Leon Panetta, Obama’s former CIA director and defense secretary

On Obama’s Iraq policy: “My fear, as I voiced to the president and others, was that if the country split apart or slid back into the violence that we’d seen in the years immediately following the U.S. invasion, it could become a new haven for terrorists to plot attacks against the U.S.” — from his book “Worthy Fights.”

On Obama’s leadership: “Too often, in my view, the president relies on the logic of a law professor rather than the passion of a leader.” — from “Worthy Fights.”

Robert Gates, Obama’s former defense secretary

On Obama’s White House: “Suspicion and distrust of senior military officers by senior White House officials — including the president and vice president — became a big problem for me as I tried to manage the relationship between the commander in chief and his military leaders.” — From his book “Duty.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Obama’s former secretary of state

On Obama’s foreign policy doctrine: “Great nations need organizing principles, and ‘don’t do stupid stuff’ is not an organizing principle.” — Aug. 10, The Atlantic.

David Axelrod, Obama’s former White House and campaign adviser

On Obama saying his economic policies are on the ballot in November: “I wouldn’t put that line there. It was a mistake.” — Oct. 5 on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

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