U.S. Vulnerable During First Year of New President -- Intelligence Chief

Security Management ^ | Oct. 31, 2008 | Matthew Harwood

[FocusNexus]

During a speech outlining the security problems the United States will face up to and through 2025, the Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell told an audience of intelligence officials and contractors yesterday that the U.S. is most vulnerable to attack during a new president's first year in office.

"What I highlight is the first attack on the World Trade Center was attacked in the first year of President Clinton," he said at the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation. "And the second attack was in the first year of President Bush. So those who wish us harm realize this is a period for us when we are still adjusting to making decisions and understanding and so on."

While the threat of an al Qaeda attack remains ever present, McConnell said that with the help of the intelligence community, al Qaeda in Iraq's leadership and its foot soldiers have been reduced by 65 to 80 percent. He called this an "incredible accomplishment."

But al Qaeda isn't the only threat the next president or his successors will face over the next decade and a half. The rise of economic powers such as China, India, and Russia; the growing strength of non-state actors, such as terrorist and criminal organizations; competition over scarce resources, such as water and agricultural products, magnified by climate change; on top of the spread of destructive technologies will create many possibilities for conflict.

[FocusNexus]

Whom do you trust more to continue the war on terror and keep Al Qaed on the defensive, not to mention to handle potential major international crises -- McCain or Obama.

Vote accordingly.

[FlingWingFlyer]

U.S. Vulnerable During First Year of New President -- Intelligence Chief

I know. Rimshot Joe told us.

[Doogle]

Hiden Biden

[Joe 6-pack]

Yes, but until a BHO regime comes to power, you’ll have no idea how prevalent and pervasive white supremacist groups, rogue rightwing militias and bitter clingers have become in this country. BHOs AG will easily identify tens of thousands in his first week that have gone entirely unchecked during the GWB Administration.

[Calif4Bush]

McCain and Palin are the ones I want there if it should happen! They will not BLINK!!!

We are going to win this!!!

[magslinger]

You mean terrorist groups like the NRA and the RNC, right?

[Doogle]

listen carefully

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcqhoiK8-Ww

[Joe 6-pack]

Yep....don’t forget the insidious Boy Scouts of America and Birthright as well. Those groups have basically been left unchecked during eight years of Bush.

[magslinger]

(slaps forehead) Yes, of course the elite paramilitary organization! There is no end to the trouble they cause.

[Republic_of_Secession.]

Well another official asserting that Obama will face a significant crisis which makes on wonder why most of them often choose him to be President.

[NonValueAdded]

But Clinton, George Bush (completely vilified at that point so any residual gravitas from daddy was gone, not that there was much to inherit) [my, how far I've come], and Obama are unknowns. Sure they'll be tested.

McCain is like Reagan - in their heart they know he might (ok, that was Goldwater but you get the point). Note well the Iranians had no stomach for continuing their hostage crisis post Carter. They knew. Same deal for McCain. John will keep Petraeus in Centcom; would Barry have the sense to do likewise?