Numerous lawmakers have already expressed concern over Hayden’s nomination because of his close ties to the military.

• Republican Congressman Pete Hoekstra, head of the House Intelligence Committee: “I have a lot of respect for Mike Hayden. I think he has done a very good job in the positions that he has had, he has had a very distinguished career. The bottom line — I do believe he is the wrong person at the wrong place at the wrong time. We should not have a military person leading a civilian agency at this time.”

House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi also questioned President Bush’s nominee.

• House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi: “I have serious concerns about General Hayden. First of all, he is to closely tied into this issue of domestic surveillance that should be looked into but not in the course of a confirmation hearing for the head of the Central Intelligence Agency. But I harken back to what I said before, there is a power struggle going on between the Department of Defense and the entire rest of the intelligence community so I don’t see how you have a four star general heading up the CIA.”