So Dianne Feinstein doesn't think that Leon Panetta is qualified to head the CIA and Senator John D. Rockefeller agrees.  They want somebody with "operational intelligence experience" for the job and there's some implication that this political post shouldn't be filled by somebody from the political world.

Besides, the argument goes, the CIA staffers don't like outsiders and they don't like to have political appointees telling them what to do.

Tough.  Senators Feinstein and Rockefeller, along with the entire staff of the CIA need to realize that they're meant to work for the people and the people are represented by... yes... people from the political sphere!  Politics is not a dirty word. Indeed, the CIA needs a director who represents the public and not the agency.  The CIA protects America but sometimes, Americans need protection from the CIA.

I don't know Panetta's plans for the agency so I'll reserve judgment on him specifically. But Feinstein and Rockefeller are wrong to demand that the assignment go to an intelligence community insider. The job should go to somebody who will put the rights of American people before the interests of the CIA.