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CNN Sunday Morning

Bush Chief of Staff Says More Letters Could be 'Stuck in the System'

Aired October 28, 2001 - 10:08   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.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: This weekend, President Bush has been meeting with Secretary Rumsfeld and other national security advisers from Camp David, Maryland. The Bush Administration preparing for a busy week ahead. Kelly Wallace is following the president and is near Camp David with more -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Jeanne, as you know, the Bush administration continues to say there are two fronts to this war, the military campaign, which you and Kathleen just discussed, and also homeland security, in particular, dealing with more and more cases of anthrax.

Now, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card appeared on a couple of television shows this morning. He did say that it is possible that there could be more letters containing anthrax -- quote -- "Stuck in the system." And he said that is why the post office as well as other federal agencies are taking extra precautions, especially, in places where traces of anthrax have already been found.

Card also responding to criticism of the federal government handling of the anthrax situation, whether the Bush administration happened to be slow to respond to the threat, Card saying that this is really a brand new threat against the United States, something really no one could have anticipated. He indicated the administration is doing the best that it can.

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ANDY CARD, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: The early days of any battle introduced, was called, "The Fog Of War," and we're still looking through that fog to find the truth, and this president wants to make decisions based on the truth, but in the meantime, he is going to do everything he can to disrupt the terrorist network and make sure that America is safe as it possibly can be.

WALLACE: And one step we do know that the administration will be taking, according to senior administration officials, the administration will be increasing the profile of Tom Ridge, the Director of the Office of Homeland Security. We understand Ridge could start doing almost daily briefings with reporters, and he will be joined by federal -- other federal officials.

Again, the administration not admitting that it bobbled the ball here, but sources definitely saying the White House needs to do a better job coordinating the information flow, making sure all federal agencies are working together, sharing information, and that Ridge will now become really the point man for any questions when it comes to homeland security and of course, this continued anthrax investigation.

And Jeanne, we also know, of course, President Bush still at the presidential retreat at Camp David. He heads back to the White House later and then on Monday he will chair the first meeting of his Homeland Security Council. This was put in place by an executive order several weeks ago. It is very much like the National Security Council. Again, an effort to coordinate all federal agencies and their responses to concerns of terrorism in the United States. Jeanne, back to you.

MESERVE: And Kelly Wallace, thanks for the update.

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