CIA Update: Feinstein now supports Panetta

According to the AP, Sen. Dianne Feinstein spoke with Leon Panetta last night, and is now comfortable supporting him for CIA Director:

"I had a good discussion with him. I'm confident that he understands. I am supportive," Feinstein said. "I've known him for 20 years. I know him to be a man of credibility and a man of conscience and a man of talent, and I believe he will surround himself with top-notch staff from the intelligence community."

Feinstein had said she wanted an intelligence professional in the top job, possibly Steve Kappes, who is now a deputy to CIA Director Michael V. Hayden. Kappes is credited with restoring morale at the CIA in the wake of the morale-crushing tenure of Porter Goss. The New York Times reports that Panetta plans to keep Kappes as his Number Two.

Still no comment from Jane Harman.