Evan Bayh (D-IN), a member of the Senate intelligence committee, just reiterated his support for the Leon Panetta nomination at CIA -- with a telling addition.

Bayh vowed to support Panetta, whose unexpected selection has opened a schism among Senate Democrats. But he also hailed the skills of Steve Kappes, the current CIA No 2 who is reportedly Dianne Feinstein and Jay Rockefeller's preferred pick to lead the agency. Here's Bayh's statement:

Leon Panetta is an outstanding public servant, and I intend to support his nomination for CIA director. We should respect the judgment of President-elect Obama and his commitment to do what's right for our country.

At the same time, I have very high regard for Steve Kappes, the deputy director of the CIA. I've been in some extremely sensitive meetings involving matters of life and death with him and have been impressed by his competency. I hope we can convince both Mr. Panetta and Mr. Kappes to work together at the CIA for the sake of our country's national security.

It remains to be seen whether keeping Kappes at the CIA, working under Panetta, would be enough to assuage Feinstein's concerns as the incoming chairman of the intel committee. What may have to emerge first is whether the Obama camp's failure to inform Feinstein in advance about the pick was anything more than a slip-up...