[Amelia]

Can't reveal info from daily briefings: might lead to compromised info in the future.

Need full analysis done to better prepare homeland for future. This is about war. We need to be prepared for the future.

Will we capture OBL before the election (senator who says we will)? Pres. laughs ironically, says "I appreciate his optimism." Says we're doing well at dismantling al-Qaeda & we're looking hard for OBL.

[Amelia]

Response to those who say brought country to war under false pretences?

Fully expected to find WMD based on analysis over the years from our intelligence & that of other countries.

Made decision to take case to international community. Looked at intelligence; he had used WMD, funding suicide bombers & terrorist groups.

Pres. expected there to be stockpiles of weapons. Kay found capacity to produce...there are theories as to where weapons went (destroyed, hidden, to another country).

Kay did report *capacity* was there. Saddam dangerous with weapons or ability to produce. Went to international community. Can't stand by & wait for the madman.

Russert says adm. said there was no doubt; we know where the weapons are, urgent immediate threat. Pres. said he called it a "grave & gathering threat" but wasn't going to argue semantics. No doubt he was a threat - everyone thought he had weapons, he had capacity.

Important for everyone to understand context in which decision to go to war was made. President's most solemn responsibility is to protect the USA. Saddam was a threat & we couldn't trust his goodwill.