By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – U.S. Senator Kit Bond supports President Bush's pick to head the CIA despite the fact that he's an Air Force general.
Both Republicans and Democrats have voiced concerns that General Michael Hayden is too close to the Pentagon.
But Senator Bond says the general understands that the military should not take over the civilian agency.
"Having had a good visit by telephone with General Hayden this morning, I think he clearly understands that intelligence is not just a military function," Bond said.
Bond also pointed out that Stansfield Turner, the CIA director under President Jimmy Carter, was a Navy Admiral.
The Republican senator says Hayden is one of the most qualified leaders in the intelligence community.