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CNN Sunday Morning

Homeland Security Director to Increase Profile

Aired October 28, 2001 - 08:19   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: The Bush administration says it is not ruling out international or domestic sources in the anthrax scare. President Bush has been discussing such issues with his security advisers from Camp David, Maryland.

CNN's Kelly Wallace is near Camp David with more, including a preview of the president's week ahead.

Kelly, no doubt he'll be talking about homeland security.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Definitely topping the agenda, Kyra because, as you know, the Bush administration has been criticized a bit about the way it has handled these cases of anthrax. Some questioning if the federal government responded too slowly to the threat; others saying different agencies were saying different things.

And I'm told -- talking to a senior administration official this morning -- that beginning this week, we will see a much more increased profile for Tom Ridge, who is the director of the Office of Homeland Security. This official saying we could see Ridge briefing reporters almost daily. And that he would be joined, as he has been during his past briefings, by other federal officials, including leaders of public health.

Now this, officials saying the administration believing that Ridge is getting rave reviews from lawmakers, from the public. That he's a very calm and reassuring presence. But sources also admitting that the White House needs to do a better job coordinating the information flow when it comes to homeland security, that the Pentagon has really been the point place for any information concerning the military campaign overseas, and that now Ridge needs to become the point person for any information about anthrax or other concerns about bioterrorism.

And this coming after a new poll by "Newsweek" magazine on Saturday showing that some Americans seem to be a bit more concerned about the administration's handling of terrorist threats in the United States as opposed to overseas.

In this poll, which was released on Saturday, 48 percent of those polled said they believe the administration had a well thought-out plan to deal with bioterrorism and other terrorist attacks at home, while 43 percent said they did not believe the administration had a very well thought-out plan.

And to give you some perspective, in that same poll, the president getting, I think, an approval rating in the high 80s; 88 percent supporting a military campaign, and 75 percent saying they believe the administration has a well thought-out plan to deal with terrorism overseas. So clearly, more Americans more confident about dealing with the threat overseas than here in the United States.

And Kyra, as you mentioned, President Bush remaining at the presidential retreat. He'll head back to the White House later. And then on Monday he will chair the first meeting of this Homeland Security Council. It's a new council he put together, very much like the National Security Council. And again, to coordinate the information flow, the response of all different federal agencies when it comes to protecting Americans from terrorist attacks in the United States -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Kelly Wallace, live from Camp David. Thank so much.

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