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Tenet Address Intelligence Community
Aired June 03, 2004 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: America's top spy is stepping down. Who will step in to lead the CIA during America's war on terror?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They want to complain. They want to cry. They want to shout. They want to sing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Will free speech translate into true democracy? Iraqis tune in to talk radio to find out.
PHILLIPS: Saving your skin from cancer. Why Americans cannot get their hands on one of the most effective sunscreens available.
WHITFIELD: And look closely at this surveillance video. And early morning surprise lights up the skies and the switchboards in Seattle. I'm
From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Fredricka Whitfield.
PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Miles is off today. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM... starts right now.
Under pressure in a high pressure job. The head of America's intelligence community says he's had enough. A surprising but not necessarily unexpected move. Let's go first to our national security correspondent David Ensor -- David.
DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, calling it "the best job I will ever have," George Tenet made his announcement -- or explained his announcement to the employees of the Central Intelligence Agency not too long ago. We'll have some of those remarks soon.
He said that "while the record is not without flaws, we are not perfect," as he put it. "But one of our best kept secrets is that we are very, very good." He said, "Whatever our shortcomings, the American people know that we constantly evaluate our performance, always strive to do better and always tell the truth."
Senior intelligence officials tell me that Tenet informed the president at 7:00 last night that he would like to leave. They insist that this was a personal decision on Tenet's part. He had forewarned very few people, although he made no secret over the last year or so of his interest in leaving the job at some point.
And in fact, officials tell me, he raised that question with the president around a year ago. And the president asked him to stay on, which of course he's done until now.
The personal reasons include his desire to spend more time with his family, his son who's going into high school soon. He feels he's been neglecting them while serving in this high powered job for seven years.
At the same time, the timing may be in some ways politically convenient. It may make it a little easier for the president to weather some of the upcoming reports, the 9/11 Commission report. And some of the recommendations, some of criticism that will likely come out, further criticism of the intelligence community's handling of the Iraq weapons of mass destruction issue and some of the 9/11 issues.
So it may make it a little easier for Mr. Bush, but as you heard Mr. Bush say earlier today, he is not pleased to see what he regards as a very loyal public servant leaving office -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: David, George Tenet did address his fellow employees at the CIA and other parts of the U.S. intelligence community. That is on tape. When will we all get to see the tape and hear from him?
ENSOR: It's on its way by car as we speak, is my understanding. And it will be distributed to all the networks simultaneously. Although it is coming here, we will be distributing it.
These are the words that the DCI, the director of Central Intelligence gave to his employees and to, as you say, employees of other intelligence agencies. And, of course, as the director of Central Intelligence, he's in nominal charge of 14 or 15 different agencies, but in direct charge at the CIA.
PHILLIPS: We'll air it as soon as we get it. David Ensor, thanks.
WHITFIELD: George Tenet had been one of the president's most trusted advisers. And President Bush said he still regarded the CIA chief as a strong leader in the war on terror.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is joining us with that from the White House. And we know that President Bush is airborne on his way to Europe. What are the other rumblings at the White House right now, Suzanne?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: We're getting new details about how this all unfolded. I spoke with a White House official who said that the president would have preferred that Tenet stay, that he did not want Tenet to leave his position.
He said that he considered him to be a strong leader during a difficult time. And the way that it was described very much how David described is that when Tenet told him he was leaving for personal reasons that the president said he had respected that. But official saying that this notion that they had arranged something beforehand or that it was engineered is totally false. And we are also told that the president did not know ahead of time that Tenet was going to say that he wanted to resign.
This all, of course, before President Bush made the announcement this morning and accepted his letter of resignation. These two men have a very close relationship. Tenet speaks with the president on a daily basis to give him his intelligence briefings. Tenet is a very -- is a tough guy but a straight shooter.
They have a good relationship. But it is a relationship that has been tested at times. He's been a lightning rod for this administration and certainly has tested Mr. Bush's loyalty.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: George Tenet is the kind of public servant you like to work with. He's strong, he's resolute. He served his nation as director for seven years. He has been a strong and able leader at the agency. He's been a strong leader in the war on terror.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So, Kyra, the White House today is trying to really play down and certainly try to bury the speculation here in Washington that perhaps he was pushed out or forced out by the president. Officials here saying that the president did not expect this and that he would have preferred that he had stayed on for the rest of the term -- Kyra (sic).
WHITFIELD: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Thanks very much.
Well word of Tenet's resignation came as Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry campaigned in Independence, Missouri. Our senior political correspondent Candy Crowley is there. And, Candy, already some quick response, but in the form of a written response, right, from the Kerry camp?
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, right. This is a campaign that doesn't like to get involved in what they call the daily ups and downs of the news. They have a message they want to get out there. Today at the Truman Library it was about reshaping the military for these new age threats of terrorism and the like.
So we get a paper statement. As John Kerry was walking into the Truman Library here we asked him about it. But he said, Look, I've already put that out on paper. So for the record, on paper, he said, "I've known George Tenet for many years. I thank him for all his service. I wish him well."
The senator took note of what he said was significant intelligence failures and said that the administration has to accept responsibility for these failures. He added that sometimes with change come an opportunity. And this is an opportunity for the president to lead.
As I said, Kerry said, "We must reshape our intelligence community for the 21st century." Kerry proposed a director of national intelligence that would oversee all intelligence operations. That's it. Just a short couple of paragraphs on paper.
Now, privately, Suzanne was talking about the speculation in Washington that Tenet was forced out. Some of that coming from camp Kerry where aides say they believe he was indeed forced to fall on his sword because of these intelligence failures. They noted, you know, 9/11 as well as weapons of mass destruction.
So some of that is coming from the Kerry campaign. But it is also the way of Washington that when someone leaves for personal reasons, that's usually sort of code that they were forced out. Obviously, the administration denying this -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: So according to your sources, are they saying that the political ramifications of Tenet staying far outweigh those if he indeed left a little sooner?
CROWLEY: You know -- no, I don't think they see any political gain for them or any political gain really for George Bush at this point. They don't really believe that George Tenet is responsible for all this. They say this is something they want to pin directly on the top man, where the buck stops. We are, after all, here in Harry Truman territory.
So they don't really see a political advantage to this one way or the other for George Bush. But it is always a good time to remind the audience and others who might be listening to the campaign that there have been what they believe to be failures in intelligence gathering.
And John Kerry, of course, main pitch is that he would be a better leader in the fight against terrorism at home and abroad.
WHITFIELD: And is it your feeling, Candy, based on some of the sources that you've been in contact with, that there's a response already coming from Capitol Hill that some senators and representatives are saying that this certainly leaves the U.S. a lot more vulnerable, that Tenet would step down before Election Day. What are some of your sources saying?
CROWLEY: You know, they really, honestly, it is sort of hard to describe this, but when you are out here, there is a bubble, as I know you've heard that term. This is a campaign that has very much focused on John Kerry's message for the day, which I said is military readiness.
As far as does it put us in any further danger? That's really been the source of all of John Kerry's comments for the last 11 days when he's been focusing on national security. Saying, look, you know we're not as safe as we used to be.
But we should also mention that John Kerry said earlier this year that he thought George Tenet should resign. So you're not hearing a lot of private conversation that this puts us in some sort of more danger.
WHITFIELD: Candy Crowley, traveling with John Kerry, Democratic presidential candidate. Thanks very much -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Now that Tenet is leaving, who be coming? Someone will replace the resigning spy chief. Who will it be and what will it take?
Joining me now with some insight, CNN military intelligence analyst Ken Robinson. Ken, you've talked to your sources within the intelligence community. You laid out a number of things that they are telling you.
First of all, somebody that isn't an intelligence professional, not a political type. Tell me why because you see someone like "Buzzy" Kromgard who's sort of running the day-to-day business and this is a man with a background of a business.
KEN ROBINSON, CNN MILITARY INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: Well, this is one of the largest budgets within the United States government. The director of Central Intelligence has 15 agencies that he's responsible for overseeing in terms of budget and director of Central Intelligence directives in terms of how the community works.
As well, the intelligence community of the '90s was in great decline. Our infrastructure, the satellite, aging satellite imagery declined in human intelligence capabilities. So the person that needs to take over next, people in the community are hoping, will be an intelligence professional who understands what the requirements are and how to fix them, and not a political appointee.
PHILLIPS: Ken, we have about a minute or so before we're actually going to hear from George Tenet. So we'll have to move on to that.
But just real quickly, while we're waiting for that tape turnaround, No. 1 you said a bridge builder. Someone with bipart respects. What do you mean by that ?
KAGAN: George Tenet was that. He was respected on both sides of the aisle. He had been in the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence as staff director prior to coming over to the CIA. And he understood the community, he understood the legislative branch and how to move actions.
And someone like is going to be important respected by the entire community because there's a push right now to throw the baby out with the bath water and create a director of national intelligence and create a new department, a new agency.
And with that comes unintended consequences that it may not be right for the country at this time. Many people in the community are saying let's make the system we have now work, not try to create a whole new system during this dangerous time.
PHILLIPS: Ken, the clock is ticking. We have about 20 seconds. Why don't I have you do this? Let's talk about John McLaughlin, the deputy director of the CIA. As he steps up to the podium, gets ready to introduce George Tenet -- actually, I'm being told we're going to go right now and listen in. Be right back, Ken.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE TENET, CIA DIRECTOR: A little bit like a State of the Union speech.
(LAUGHTER)
Good morning to all of you.
For the past nine years, I've been privileged to be part of a great American family: the family of American intelligence. I've lived in the heart of the CIA family.
TENET: In that long and eventful time we've shared moments of success and disappointment, of happiness and of sorrow.
Today I share with you the news that I gave the president last evening.
I've decided to step down as director of central intelligence effective July 11th, the seventh anniversary of my being sworn in as DCI.
I did not make this decision quickly or easily, but I know in my heart that the time is right to move on to the next phase of our lives.
In an organization as vital as this one, there is never a good time to leave. There will always be critical work to be done, threats to be dealt with and challenges that demand every ounce of energy that a DCI can muster.
We've thrown our heart into rebuilding our intelligence community, and I've been richly rewarded with the gratification of working with the finest group of men and women our nation can produce.
I want to say a word of special thanks to President Bush. On entering office he immediately recognized the importance of rebuilding our intelligence capabilities. He spends time with us almost every day. He has shown great care for our officers. He's a great champion for the men and women of U.S. intelligence and a constant source of support.
It's been an honor for me to serve as his director of central intelligence.
TENET: And I'm especially proud of the leadership team that we have assembled in the intelligence community, and which will continue fighting the good fight long after I have taken my leave.
I want to thank Mike Hayden (ph) and Jim Clapper (ph) and Jake Jacoby (ph) and Pete Teets and John Russack (ph) and Tom Fingar (ph) for their friendship and support.
As I look back on how the intelligence community has evolved over the past decade, there is much to be proud of.
First, as deputy director of central intelligence, and then as director, I've had a chance to be part of a massive transformation of our intelligence capabilities. That revolution may not make headlines, but it will continue to benefit our country for years to come.
American intelligence has, after the drought of the post-Cold War years, begun to receive the investments in people and dollars and attention that we need to meet the security challenges of a new century and a new world.
You, the men and women of American intelligence, have put those investments to powerful use. And I believe the American people will continue to demand that this great community of patriots receive the funding and support that you so richly deserve.
At CIA, we have made good progress in rebuilding the clandestine service. We've expanded and empowered our corps of analysts. We've restructured and streamlined our support to operations. We've developed and acquired technologies on which intelligence and espionage depend.
With new schools and training facilities we've sharpened instruction for each of our core professions. We are recruiting the finest men and women in our history in record numbers.
These initiatives -- and I can only talk of a few -- complement those of other intelligence agencies and our enduring efforts to build what we call ourselves, what I believe us to be, a true community working more closely than ever with our partners in military and in law enforcement and overseas.
TENET: We have done these things together, not out of some bureaucratic imperative, but to be better at our mission of protecting American families and the freedoms that make America worth protecting.
For many years now, we have been at war with the deadly threat to the United States and its values, the threat of terrorism. Like other wars, it has been a struggle of battles won and tragically, battles lost. You have acted with focus and courage through it all, before and after 9/11.
What you have achieved in this fight against the clever, fanatical enemy around the world, the cells destroyed, the conspiracies defeated, the innocent lives saved, will for most Americans be forever unknown and uncounted. But for those privileged to observe these often hidden successes, there will be an unforgettable testament to your dedication and your valor.
On other issues, too, you have done magnificent work, outstanding support to American forces, not only in Iraq and Afghanistan, but around the world; remarkable successes against weapons proliferators and drug traffickers; unique insights into the full range of dangers and opportunities that face the United States beyond its borders.
In short, each day here and abroad, from diverse backgrounds with varied skills, you have come together for a single purpose: to give our country an essential advantage in its understanding of the conditions in the world and in its ability to change those conditions for the better.
To be sure, there is much, yes, yet to do. But there is a strong foundation of talents and resources on which to build.
This I say with exceptional pride: The Central Intelligence Agency and the American intelligence community are stronger now than they were when I became DCI seven years ago, and they will be stronger tomorrow than they are today.
TENET: This is not my legacy, it is yours. You have done the hard work, turning new ideas into actions and new recruits into seasoned officers. You have taken bold risks, analytically, operationally and with powerful technology.
As I often tell younger and older officers, we have put this agency and our community on an irreversible course.
Directors are stewards of a great institution for very limited periods of time. You are the owners of the institution, and in your hands we have placed enormous confidence and trust.
I want you to always believe in yourselves and the power that you have, each and every one of you, to make sure that we stay on course, to ensure that our families are taken care of, that young officers are nourished, and our mission always comes first.
Our record is not without flaws. The world of intelligence is uniquely a human endeavor and, as in all human endeavors, we all understand the need to always do better.
We're not perfect, but one of our best-kept secrets is that we are very, very, very good.
Whatever our shortcomings, the American people know that we constantly evaluate our performance, always strive to do better and always tell the truth. These are our values as professional intelligence officers.
We get up every day with only one purpose: to protect this country and its families. And I believe to the depth of my soul that Americans are proud of each and every one of you. They have said thank you to me in Peoria, Illinois, in Norman, Oklahoma, in College Station, Texas, in Rochester, New York: everywhere I ever have had a chance to speak about the wonderful men and women that work here.
When I tell people that being director of central intelligence is the best job in government -- and I say it every day -- I say it because of you, because of your passion, your creativity, your spirit and everything that you do every day in meeting risks and perils around the world. TENET: Here at CIA, I have had the greatest of colleagues, starting with John McLaughlin, a man of magical warmth, wit -- you know his nickname is Merlin -- wisdom and decency; the finest deputy and friend I could ever have. And he will be a great acting director.
This is the most difficult decision I've ever had to make. And while Washington and the media will put many different faces on the decision, it was a personal decision and had only one basis in fact: the well-being of my wonderful family, nothing more and nothing less.
Nine years ago when I became the deputy director, a wonderful young man sitting in the front row was in the second grade. He came right up to my belt. I just saw a picture of the day that Judge Freeh swore me in, and he's grown up to be -- anyway, the point is, so Michael's going to be a senior next year. I'm going to be a senior with him in high school.
(LAUGHTER)
We're going to go to class together. We're going to party together.
(LAUGHTER)
I'm going to learn how to instant message all of his friends.
(LAUGHTER)
That would be an achievement.
(LAUGHTER)
You have just been a great son, and I'm now going to be a great dad.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank God you look like your mother. You're damn good looking.
(LAUGHTER)
The most important woman in my life, whom I refer to as the home minister.
(LAUGHTER)
TENET: Look, if I could tell you the number of times I get an elbow in the middle of the night about what I forgot to do for families at CIA and for our spouses and for our kids -- Honey, you'll be the best first lady this institution has ever had and I love you. You're terrific.
(APPLAUSE)
You have all given us so much warmth and so much support and so much encouragement. The most difficult part of this decision was knowing that I would not be here with you every day in our offices, the cafeteria, conference rooms or even the gym, where I do hope I've earned a lifetime membership.
(LAUGHTER)
It is difficult in knowing that I will not be as directly connected to the thousands of men and women overseas who, along with their families, sacrifice so much to protect our country.
But there's also great joy in knowing that I will never be far away in heart and spirit from all of you. You will have no greater advocate wherever I may be for you and your families.
So I wanted to see you all today to tell you personally about all of this, fully recognizing that we will have more time over the next few weeks to be together in your work spaces so that we can thank you for what you've done for us.
So as I tell you about my plans to depart with sadness, but with head held very, very high, as yours should always be, because what you do is so critical to everything our nation stands for: its goodness, its decency and its courage.
I want to thank you for all the support you've given to me and my family, for being colleagues and friends. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
It has been an honor for us, for Stephanie, for John Michael to be by your side. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be your director.
May God always bless you, and bless your families.
As Dick Helmsless (ph) used to say, "Let's get on with it and get back to work." Thank you all very, very much.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Wow. An incredibly heartfelt farewell from CIA Chief George Tenet there. That was actually a videotape. CIA videotape. George Tenet addressing his fellow employees at the CIA and other members of the intelligence community, saying why he was leaving. Very emotional side to the director that has been under fire since 9/11 and what has taken place inside the intelligence community.
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Aired June 3, 2004 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: America's top spy is stepping down. Who will step in to lead the CIA during America's war on terror?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They want to complain. They want to cry. They want to shout. They want to sing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Will free speech translate into true democracy? Iraqis tune in to talk radio to find out.
PHILLIPS: Saving your skin from cancer. Why Americans cannot get their hands on one of the most effective sunscreens available.
WHITFIELD: And look closely at this surveillance video. And early morning surprise lights up the skies and the switchboards in Seattle. I'm
From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Fredricka Whitfield.
PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Miles is off today. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM... starts right now.
Under pressure in a high pressure job. The head of America's intelligence community says he's had enough. A surprising but not necessarily unexpected move. Let's go first to our national security correspondent David Ensor -- David.
DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, calling it "the best job I will ever have," George Tenet made his announcement -- or explained his announcement to the employees of the Central Intelligence Agency not too long ago. We'll have some of those remarks soon.
He said that "while the record is not without flaws, we are not perfect," as he put it. "But one of our best kept secrets is that we are very, very good." He said, "Whatever our shortcomings, the American people know that we constantly evaluate our performance, always strive to do better and always tell the truth."
Senior intelligence officials tell me that Tenet informed the president at 7:00 last night that he would like to leave. They insist that this was a personal decision on Tenet's part. He had forewarned very few people, although he made no secret over the last year or so of his interest in leaving the job at some point.
And in fact, officials tell me, he raised that question with the president around a year ago. And the president asked him to stay on, which of course he's done until now.
The personal reasons include his desire to spend more time with his family, his son who's going into high school soon. He feels he's been neglecting them while serving in this high powered job for seven years.
At the same time, the timing may be in some ways politically convenient. It may make it a little easier for the president to weather some of the upcoming reports, the 9/11 Commission report. And some of the recommendations, some of criticism that will likely come out, further criticism of the intelligence community's handling of the Iraq weapons of mass destruction issue and some of the 9/11 issues.
So it may make it a little easier for Mr. Bush, but as you heard Mr. Bush say earlier today, he is not pleased to see what he regards as a very loyal public servant leaving office -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: David, George Tenet did address his fellow employees at the CIA and other parts of the U.S. intelligence community. That is on tape. When will we all get to see the tape and hear from him?
ENSOR: It's on its way by car as we speak, is my understanding. And it will be distributed to all the networks simultaneously. Although it is coming here, we will be distributing it.
These are the words that the DCI, the director of Central Intelligence gave to his employees and to, as you say, employees of other intelligence agencies. And, of course, as the director of Central Intelligence, he's in nominal charge of 14 or 15 different agencies, but in direct charge at the CIA.
PHILLIPS: We'll air it as soon as we get it. David Ensor, thanks.
WHITFIELD: George Tenet had been one of the president's most trusted advisers. And President Bush said he still regarded the CIA chief as a strong leader in the war on terror.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is joining us with that from the White House. And we know that President Bush is airborne on his way to Europe. What are the other rumblings at the White House right now, Suzanne?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: We're getting new details about how this all unfolded. I spoke with a White House official who said that the president would have preferred that Tenet stay, that he did not want Tenet to leave his position.
He said that he considered him to be a strong leader during a difficult time. And the way that it was described very much how David described is that when Tenet told him he was leaving for personal reasons that the president said he had respected that. But official saying that this notion that they had arranged something beforehand or that it was engineered is totally false. And we are also told that the president did not know ahead of time that Tenet was going to say that he wanted to resign.
This all, of course, before President Bush made the announcement this morning and accepted his letter of resignation. These two men have a very close relationship. Tenet speaks with the president on a daily basis to give him his intelligence briefings. Tenet is a very -- is a tough guy but a straight shooter.
They have a good relationship. But it is a relationship that has been tested at times. He's been a lightning rod for this administration and certainly has tested Mr. Bush's loyalty.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: George Tenet is the kind of public servant you like to work with. He's strong, he's resolute. He served his nation as director for seven years. He has been a strong and able leader at the agency. He's been a strong leader in the war on terror.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So, Kyra, the White House today is trying to really play down and certainly try to bury the speculation here in Washington that perhaps he was pushed out or forced out by the president. Officials here saying that the president did not expect this and that he would have preferred that he had stayed on for the rest of the term -- Kyra (sic).
WHITFIELD: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Thanks very much.
Well word of Tenet's resignation came as Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry campaigned in Independence, Missouri. Our senior political correspondent Candy Crowley is there. And, Candy, already some quick response, but in the form of a written response, right, from the Kerry camp?
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, right. This is a campaign that doesn't like to get involved in what they call the daily ups and downs of the news. They have a message they want to get out there. Today at the Truman Library it was about reshaping the military for these new age threats of terrorism and the like.
So we get a paper statement. As John Kerry was walking into the Truman Library here we asked him about it. But he said, Look, I've already put that out on paper. So for the record, on paper, he said, "I've known George Tenet for many years. I thank him for all his service. I wish him well."
The senator took note of what he said was significant intelligence failures and said that the administration has to accept responsibility for these failures. He added that sometimes with change come an opportunity. And this is an opportunity for the president to lead.
As I said, Kerry said, "We must reshape our intelligence community for the 21st century." Kerry proposed a director of national intelligence that would oversee all intelligence operations. That's it. Just a short couple of paragraphs on paper.
Now, privately, Suzanne was talking about the speculation in Washington that Tenet was forced out. Some of that coming from camp Kerry where aides say they believe he was indeed forced to fall on his sword because of these intelligence failures. They noted, you know, 9/11 as well as weapons of mass destruction.
So some of that is coming from the Kerry campaign. But it is also the way of Washington that when someone leaves for personal reasons, that's usually sort of code that they were forced out. Obviously, the administration denying this -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: So according to your sources, are they saying that the political ramifications of Tenet staying far outweigh those if he indeed left a little sooner?
CROWLEY: You know -- no, I don't think they see any political gain for them or any political gain really for George Bush at this point. They don't really believe that George Tenet is responsible for all this. They say this is something they want to pin directly on the top man, where the buck stops. We are, after all, here in Harry Truman territory.
So they don't really see a political advantage to this one way or the other for George Bush. But it is always a good time to remind the audience and others who might be listening to the campaign that there have been what they believe to be failures in intelligence gathering.
And John Kerry, of course, main pitch is that he would be a better leader in the fight against terrorism at home and abroad.
WHITFIELD: And is it your feeling, Candy, based on some of the sources that you've been in contact with, that there's a response already coming from Capitol Hill that some senators and representatives are saying that this certainly leaves the U.S. a lot more vulnerable, that Tenet would step down before Election Day. What are some of your sources saying?
CROWLEY: You know, they really, honestly, it is sort of hard to describe this, but when you are out here, there is a bubble, as I know you've heard that term. This is a campaign that has very much focused on John Kerry's message for the day, which I said is military readiness.
As far as does it put us in any further danger? That's really been the source of all of John Kerry's comments for the last 11 days when he's been focusing on national security. Saying, look, you know we're not as safe as we used to be.
But we should also mention that John Kerry said earlier this year that he thought George Tenet should resign. So you're not hearing a lot of private conversation that this puts us in some sort of more danger.
WHITFIELD: Candy Crowley, traveling with John Kerry, Democratic presidential candidate. Thanks very much -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Now that Tenet is leaving, who be coming? Someone will replace the resigning spy chief. Who will it be and what will it take?
Joining me now with some insight, CNN military intelligence analyst Ken Robinson. Ken, you've talked to your sources within the intelligence community. You laid out a number of things that they are telling you.
First of all, somebody that isn't an intelligence professional, not a political type. Tell me why because you see someone like "Buzzy" Kromgard who's sort of running the day-to-day business and this is a man with a background of a business.
KEN ROBINSON, CNN MILITARY INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: Well, this is one of the largest budgets within the United States government. The director of Central Intelligence has 15 agencies that he's responsible for overseeing in terms of budget and director of Central Intelligence directives in terms of how the community works.
As well, the intelligence community of the '90s was in great decline. Our infrastructure, the satellite, aging satellite imagery declined in human intelligence capabilities. So the person that needs to take over next, people in the community are hoping, will be an intelligence professional who understands what the requirements are and how to fix them, and not a political appointee.
PHILLIPS: Ken, we have about a minute or so before we're actually going to hear from George Tenet. So we'll have to move on to that.
But just real quickly, while we're waiting for that tape turnaround, No. 1 you said a bridge builder. Someone with bipart respects. What do you mean by that ?
KAGAN: George Tenet was that. He was respected on both sides of the aisle. He had been in the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence as staff director prior to coming over to the CIA. And he understood the community, he understood the legislative branch and how to move actions.
And someone like is going to be important respected by the entire community because there's a push right now to throw the baby out with the bath water and create a director of national intelligence and create a new department, a new agency.
And with that comes unintended consequences that it may not be right for the country at this time. Many people in the community are saying let's make the system we have now work, not try to create a whole new system during this dangerous time.
PHILLIPS: Ken, the clock is ticking. We have about 20 seconds. Why don't I have you do this? Let's talk about John McLaughlin, the deputy director of the CIA. As he steps up to the podium, gets ready to introduce George Tenet -- actually, I'm being told we're going to go right now and listen in. Be right back, Ken.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE TENET, CIA DIRECTOR: A little bit like a State of the Union speech.
(LAUGHTER)
Good morning to all of you.
For the past nine years, I've been privileged to be part of a great American family: the family of American intelligence. I've lived in the heart of the CIA family.
TENET: In that long and eventful time we've shared moments of success and disappointment, of happiness and of sorrow.
Today I share with you the news that I gave the president last evening.
I've decided to step down as director of central intelligence effective July 11th, the seventh anniversary of my being sworn in as DCI.
I did not make this decision quickly or easily, but I know in my heart that the time is right to move on to the next phase of our lives.
In an organization as vital as this one, there is never a good time to leave. There will always be critical work to be done, threats to be dealt with and challenges that demand every ounce of energy that a DCI can muster.
We've thrown our heart into rebuilding our intelligence community, and I've been richly rewarded with the gratification of working with the finest group of men and women our nation can produce.
I want to say a word of special thanks to President Bush. On entering office he immediately recognized the importance of rebuilding our intelligence capabilities. He spends time with us almost every day. He has shown great care for our officers. He's a great champion for the men and women of U.S. intelligence and a constant source of support.
It's been an honor for me to serve as his director of central intelligence.
TENET: And I'm especially proud of the leadership team that we have assembled in the intelligence community, and which will continue fighting the good fight long after I have taken my leave.
I want to thank Mike Hayden (ph) and Jim Clapper (ph) and Jake Jacoby (ph) and Pete Teets and John Russack (ph) and Tom Fingar (ph) for their friendship and support.
As I look back on how the intelligence community has evolved over the past decade, there is much to be proud of.
First, as deputy director of central intelligence, and then as director, I've had a chance to be part of a massive transformation of our intelligence capabilities. That revolution may not make headlines, but it will continue to benefit our country for years to come.
American intelligence has, after the drought of the post-Cold War years, begun to receive the investments in people and dollars and attention that we need to meet the security challenges of a new century and a new world.
You, the men and women of American intelligence, have put those investments to powerful use. And I believe the American people will continue to demand that this great community of patriots receive the funding and support that you so richly deserve.
At CIA, we have made good progress in rebuilding the clandestine service. We've expanded and empowered our corps of analysts. We've restructured and streamlined our support to operations. We've developed and acquired technologies on which intelligence and espionage depend.
With new schools and training facilities we've sharpened instruction for each of our core professions. We are recruiting the finest men and women in our history in record numbers.
These initiatives -- and I can only talk of a few -- complement those of other intelligence agencies and our enduring efforts to build what we call ourselves, what I believe us to be, a true community working more closely than ever with our partners in military and in law enforcement and overseas.
TENET: We have done these things together, not out of some bureaucratic imperative, but to be better at our mission of protecting American families and the freedoms that make America worth protecting.
For many years now, we have been at war with the deadly threat to the United States and its values, the threat of terrorism. Like other wars, it has been a struggle of battles won and tragically, battles lost. You have acted with focus and courage through it all, before and after 9/11.
What you have achieved in this fight against the clever, fanatical enemy around the world, the cells destroyed, the conspiracies defeated, the innocent lives saved, will for most Americans be forever unknown and uncounted. But for those privileged to observe these often hidden successes, there will be an unforgettable testament to your dedication and your valor.
On other issues, too, you have done magnificent work, outstanding support to American forces, not only in Iraq and Afghanistan, but around the world; remarkable successes against weapons proliferators and drug traffickers; unique insights into the full range of dangers and opportunities that face the United States beyond its borders.
In short, each day here and abroad, from diverse backgrounds with varied skills, you have come together for a single purpose: to give our country an essential advantage in its understanding of the conditions in the world and in its ability to change those conditions for the better.
To be sure, there is much, yes, yet to do. But there is a strong foundation of talents and resources on which to build.
This I say with exceptional pride: The Central Intelligence Agency and the American intelligence community are stronger now than they were when I became DCI seven years ago, and they will be stronger tomorrow than they are today.
TENET: This is not my legacy, it is yours. You have done the hard work, turning new ideas into actions and new recruits into seasoned officers. You have taken bold risks, analytically, operationally and with powerful technology.
As I often tell younger and older officers, we have put this agency and our community on an irreversible course.
Directors are stewards of a great institution for very limited periods of time. You are the owners of the institution, and in your hands we have placed enormous confidence and trust.
I want you to always believe in yourselves and the power that you have, each and every one of you, to make sure that we stay on course, to ensure that our families are taken care of, that young officers are nourished, and our mission always comes first.
Our record is not without flaws. The world of intelligence is uniquely a human endeavor and, as in all human endeavors, we all understand the need to always do better.
We're not perfect, but one of our best-kept secrets is that we are very, very, very good.
Whatever our shortcomings, the American people know that we constantly evaluate our performance, always strive to do better and always tell the truth. These are our values as professional intelligence officers.
We get up every day with only one purpose: to protect this country and its families. And I believe to the depth of my soul that Americans are proud of each and every one of you. They have said thank you to me in Peoria, Illinois, in Norman, Oklahoma, in College Station, Texas, in Rochester, New York: everywhere I ever have had a chance to speak about the wonderful men and women that work here.
When I tell people that being director of central intelligence is the best job in government -- and I say it every day -- I say it because of you, because of your passion, your creativity, your spirit and everything that you do every day in meeting risks and perils around the world. TENET: Here at CIA, I have had the greatest of colleagues, starting with John McLaughlin, a man of magical warmth, wit -- you know his nickname is Merlin -- wisdom and decency; the finest deputy and friend I could ever have. And he will be a great acting director.
This is the most difficult decision I've ever had to make. And while Washington and the media will put many different faces on the decision, it was a personal decision and had only one basis in fact: the well-being of my wonderful family, nothing more and nothing less.
Nine years ago when I became the deputy director, a wonderful young man sitting in the front row was in the second grade. He came right up to my belt. I just saw a picture of the day that Judge Freeh swore me in, and he's grown up to be -- anyway, the point is, so Michael's going to be a senior next year. I'm going to be a senior with him in high school.
(LAUGHTER)
We're going to go to class together. We're going to party together.
(LAUGHTER)
I'm going to learn how to instant message all of his friends.
(LAUGHTER)
That would be an achievement.
(LAUGHTER)
You have just been a great son, and I'm now going to be a great dad.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank God you look like your mother. You're damn good looking.
(LAUGHTER)
The most important woman in my life, whom I refer to as the home minister.
(LAUGHTER)
TENET: Look, if I could tell you the number of times I get an elbow in the middle of the night about what I forgot to do for families at CIA and for our spouses and for our kids -- Honey, you'll be the best first lady this institution has ever had and I love you. You're terrific.
(APPLAUSE)
You have all given us so much warmth and so much support and so much encouragement. The most difficult part of this decision was knowing that I would not be here with you every day in our offices, the cafeteria, conference rooms or even the gym, where I do hope I've earned a lifetime membership.
(LAUGHTER)
It is difficult in knowing that I will not be as directly connected to the thousands of men and women overseas who, along with their families, sacrifice so much to protect our country.
But there's also great joy in knowing that I will never be far away in heart and spirit from all of you. You will have no greater advocate wherever I may be for you and your families.
So I wanted to see you all today to tell you personally about all of this, fully recognizing that we will have more time over the next few weeks to be together in your work spaces so that we can thank you for what you've done for us.
So as I tell you about my plans to depart with sadness, but with head held very, very high, as yours should always be, because what you do is so critical to everything our nation stands for: its goodness, its decency and its courage.
I want to thank you for all the support you've given to me and my family, for being colleagues and friends. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
It has been an honor for us, for Stephanie, for John Michael to be by your side. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be your director.
May God always bless you, and bless your families.
As Dick Helmsless (ph) used to say, "Let's get on with it and get back to work." Thank you all very, very much.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Wow. An incredibly heartfelt farewell from CIA Chief George Tenet there. That was actually a videotape. CIA videotape. George Tenet addressing his fellow employees at the CIA and other members of the intelligence community, saying why he was leaving. Very emotional side to the director that has been under fire since 9/11 and what has taken place inside the intelligence community.
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