Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden is standing up for the man Barack Obama picked to lead the CIA.

The flap over Leon Panetta's appointment has to do with his experience. He's had many jobs in government over four decades:  Congressman, chief of staff to President Clinton.

But running the CIA would be his first foray into the intelligence world.

Senator Wyden's colleague on the Intelligence Committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein, says she thinks the agency's better off with an insider in charge.

Wyden says he has no quarrel with Feinstein, but he told OPB's Think Out Loud he thinks Panetta deserves a chance.

Ron Wyden: "I think when Leon Panetta shows up at the witness table, for the confirmation hearings, people will walk away having listened to Leon Panetta. I think the American people will walk away and say it's a good appointment."

Wyden says Panetta might be considered among the fifteen most experienced administrators in Washington, and not lacking in familiarity with foreign policy issues.

No timetable has yet been set for confirmation hearings.