House intelligence committee chairman Silvestre Reyes may not get to preside over Leon Panetta's confirmation hearing, but he's pretty psyched to see the former White House chief of staff get tapped as Barack Obama's CIA director. From Reyes' statement:

Leon Panetta is highly qualified to serve in this critically important national security position. He has been a long-time consumer of intelligence as a Member of Congress, the White House Chief of Staff, and as a member of the Iraq Study Group. His knowledge of what is expected from the intelligence agencies will help him guide the CIA's mission.

His time-tested and proven management experience is unparalleled. He values excellence and when combined with a strong operational Deputy and leadership staff, he will be able to continue the CIA's return to preeminence. His ability to build coalitions and work across all elements of government will make him a good partner for the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

It's worth noting here, as Reyes does, that Panetta would report to DNI-designate Dennis Blair, who is a decorated former Pacific command chairman.

But one lawmaker who's very unconvinced is Jay Rockefeller, the outgoing Senate intelligence chairman who was not consulted in advance about Panetta's nomination. I was stuck behind the very tall Rockefeller as he answered reporters' questions about the pick, so couldn't hear much -- but when asked if Panetta joining the CIA would make the nation less secure, the senator said: "That's a provocative way to put it."

Not quite a ringing endorsement.

Late Update: Sen. Barbara Mikulski's (D-MD) office just got back to me with her statement and -- what do you know -- she thinks Panetta's great:

Whatever direct intelligence experience Leon Panetta lacks, he more than makes up for in smarts, savvy, and deep governmental and managerial experience. These are the skills needed by our incoming director to bring about change at the CIA and establish strong relationships with Congress.

Now, the committee membership for this Congress hasn't been set yet, and two members (Chuck Hagel and John Warner) have retired. But looking at the numbers on the intelligence panel now, Feinstein would need to corral Sheldon Whitehouse and Bill Nelson as well as another Dem vote or two in order to bring down Panetta in committee. There's no sign today that she plans to fight that hard -- but if that battle is drawn, it looks like she might lose.