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American Morning

America Strikes Back: Gov. Tom Ridge to be Sworn in as Director of Homeland Defense

Aired October 08, 2001 - 10:28   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.
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: Jeanne, what about this debate over whether Governor Ridge has the power to get the job done. We know he is a close personal friend of the president, a man the president almost tapped as his runningmate back in campaign 2000. So certainly he has the right relationship with the president, but what about the questions of whether the job has the proper authority?

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Well, you know, there are a few questions about Tom Ridge himself. Most say he is a likable guy, very capable. If there's someone who could do the job, it probably is Tom Ridge.

But there's a lot of debate about whether or not he's going to be given the powers that this situation requires.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GOV. TOM RIDGE, PENNSYLVANIA: Terrorists changed our essential way of life.

MESERVE (voice-over): Governor Ridge said goodbye to Pennsylvania this week, but President Bush has yet to issue the executive order outlining precisely what Ridge's responsibilities in Washington will be, though congressional sources say the draft language is strong, giving Ridge input on budgetary matters and directing agencies to cooperate with him. According to the White House, the position will be comparable to that of national security adviser.

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: It's a coordinating post, it's policy post, but clearly, various agencies continue to have their vital functions, which are much more operational and mission- oriented.

MESERVE: But what a tangle. More than 40 federal departments and agencies play a part in counterterrorism. Some you'd expect -- Defense, Justice, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But the Interior Department? It turns out four of its branches, including the unlikely Fish and Wildlife Service have law enforcement components and manage 400 million acres of land. Can Ridge bring coherence to this? Some say reorganize, consolidate over a whole new agency. Bring the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Patrol under one umbrella for example. REP. WILLIAM THORNBERRY (R), TEXAS: It's happens on the ground on a day-to-day level. Are they using the same radar? Are they using the same radios so they can talk to one another? And that's really where reorganization below the top is so important.

MESERVE: Others argue that what Ridge really needs is congressionally granted budget authority. Without that power, they say, he won't be able to bring change.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He needs the force of law, more than just a bully pulpit.

MESERVE: But others, including the White House, disagree. They believe Ridge will succeed in winning cooperation from agency heads without budget threats.

REP. PORTER GOSS (R), INTELLIGENCE CMTE. CHAIRMAN: Because he's got something they don't have, and that is immediate access to the president if the president wants to get this job done. And believe me, the presidential cache on this will go a long way.

MESERVE: But will it go far enough? Tom Ridge, who takes up the reigns this week, may soon find out.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE: And Of course he has more than just those 40-plus federal agencies to worry about, John. He has to bring in this debate 50 state governments and thousands of localities who would be the first to respond if there were any terrorist attack.

Back to you.

KING: Jeanne Meserve, tracking what the government now calls homeland security.

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