If Obama was President on 9/11/2001: Transcript of the first press conference after the attack

"You're travelling to another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound, but also of mind....your next stop, the twilight zone."

Barack Obama was elected President of the United States on November 7, 2000. On Sept. 11, 2001, the United States was attacked as hijacked airplanes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, and the Pentagon.

Here is the transcript of the first presidential press conference, held the day after the attacks...

Q: Mr. President, how did you first learn about the attacks?
Obama: I had just completed an early morning round of golf with Rahm Emanuel, Tom Daschle, and Reggie Love. Michelle called me. She was watching "Regis and Kathie Lee, " when Barbara Walters broke in with the news...

Q: Mr. President, with all due respect..how is that relevant?
Obama: Well, you asked me how I learned about the attack, and as you know, I promised the American people the most transparent administration in history...so, that's how I found out about it.

Q: Mr. President,what have you learned about who is responsible for these attacks, and what are you planning as a response?
Obama: I can assure the American people that the full resources of their government are focused on finding the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. I have asked the Attorney General to open a criminal investigation, and the FBI is assigning its best agents to the investigation.

Q: Mr. President! The US was attacked. Thousands of Americans are dead.....
Obama: (interrupting reporter) That's absolutely correct. And that's why it is so important that we conduct a careful and thorough investigation, and allow the process to go forward.

Q: We have heard through various sources that Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden are responsible for these attacks. Can you confirm that?
Obama: I can't comment on an ongoing investigation. It could prejudice any possible prosecution. And as you know, I promised the American people a thorough investigation into these attacks, and that we will bring the perpetrators to justice.

Q: Mr. President, are we not at war?
Obama: That all depends on what the definition of "war" is. Look, there's no nation that is claiming responsibility for these attacks. We don't even know who is responsible, so how can we declare war? I can't just go up to Congress and ask for a Declaration of War against "fill in the blank...."

Q: Mr. President, some sources have suggested that Al Qaeda is responsible, and that they are upset with the USA because of our support for Israel, and because we have troops stationed in Saudi Arabia, as well as our continuing sanctions against Iraq and Saddam Hussein since the end of the Gulf War. Would you comment on that?
Obama: Look, it's important not to jump to conclusions, to start profiling any one individual or group. Again, I promised the American people a thorough investigation into these attacks, but as you know, I can't comment on an ongoing investigation until the Inspector General's report is complete. Look, we haven't even begun to audit the number of dead people in NYC and Washington.

However, I can tell you that last night I received a phone call from Susan Rice, my very capable and talented ambassador at the United Nations. She informed me that she had learned from her sources that thousands of bootleg copies of "Black Hawk Down," which as you may know, is scheduled for limited release on Dec 28th, and worldwide release on January 18th next year, have been circulating in the Arab world. And I should mention here that Hollywood is a key contributor to both the American economy, and my election campaign, and it is vital that we develop methods to prevent video piracy, and vigorously prosecute those responsible.

Ambassador Rice believes that these attacks may have been spontaneous expressions of outrage throughout the Arab world over how Muslims are depicted in the movie "Black Hawk Down."

Q: Mr. President, do you really believe that's possible?
Obama: Look, as I said, we don't know anything at this time. But I have promised the American people that we will have a complete investigation of these attacks, find out who is responsible, and bring them to justice. I have every confidence in the FBI, and my Attorney General, Eric Holder...that they will get to the bottom of this. But as you know, I can't comment until the investigation is complete.

I have to leave now. Obviously, there is much to do. And in all the confusion yesterday morning, I just realized that I forgot to sign my score card. If you're interested, I broke 90 for the first time this year.

May God bless the United States of America.

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