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American Morning

Ask CNN: What is the Difference Between National Security Advisor and Homeland Security Advisor?

Aired December 03, 2001 - 07:55   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.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBIN ROUSSEAU, DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIPRE: This is Robin Rousseau from Durham, New Hampshire, and I would like to ASK CNN: What is the difference between the position of National Security Advisor and Homeland Security Advisor?

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, Homeland Security Advisor, that's former Pennsylvania governor, Tom Ridge, and the National Security Advisor, that's former university professor, Condoleezza Rice, are both high-level advisors to the president, appointed by the president and responsible only him.

What's the difference between them? Ms. Rice deals with threats from abroad; Mr. Ridge deals with threats from within the United States.

Now, obviously a lot of threats from within originate abroad, like the attacks on September 11. So the two advisors have to work together very closely to coordinate activities like, for instance, intelligence gathering.

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