CNN is following the story:

“Obama said Panetta and Blair are "public servants with unquestioned integrity, broad experience, strong management skills and the core pragmatism we need in dangerous times."” (CNN)

Panetta faces a tough job should he be confirmed according to the International Herald Tribune:

“On the day he walks into his seventh-floor office, if confirmed by the Senate, Panetta will be managing employees who are under federal investigation for participating in the destruction of videotapes recording the interrogations of two prisoners suspected of being members of Al Qaeda. The prosecutor in the case, John Durham, recently told a federal judge that he would need until the end of February to interview witnesses as he considers whether to bring criminal charges in the case.” (IHT)