A DAY IN THE LIFE OF PRESIDENT BUSH (PHOTOS) 8.2.2004

The President held a press conference in the Rose Garden today. He requested that Congress act to create the position of a National Intelligence Director. That person -- the person in that office will be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, and will serve at the pleasure of the President. The National Intelligence Director will serve as the President's principal intelligence advisor and will oversee and coordinate the foreign and domestic activities of the intelligence committee. Under this reorganization, the CIA will be managed by a separate Director. The National Intelligence Director will assume the broader responsibility of leading the intelligence community across our government.

He announced that he would establish a National Counter-Terrorism Center. This new center will build on the analytical work, the really good analytical work of the Terrorist Threat Integration Center, and will become our government's knowledge bank for information about known and suspected terrorists.

Standing with members of his national security team, President George W. Bush discusses America's intelligence reforms in the Rose Garden Monday, Aug. 2, 2004. White House photo by Paul Morse. Recently, the commission on the terrorist attacks upon the United States came to a conclusion that I share: that our country is safer than it was on September the 11th, 2001, yet, we're still not safe. The commission members have worked hard and served our country well. I speak for all Americans in thanking them for their fine work.

[snip]

Yet, the work of securing this vast nation is not done. The elevation of the threat level in New York and New Jersey and Washington, D.C. is a serious reminder, a solemn reminder of the threat we continue to face. All the institutions of our government must be fully prepared for a struggle against terror that will last into the future. Our goal is an integrated, unified national intelligence effort. Therefore, my administration will continue moving forward with additional changes to the structure and organization of our intelligence agencies.

Many of these changes are specific recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Other will go further than the proposal of the commission's report. All these reforms have a single goal: We will ensure that the people in government responsible for defending America and countering terrorism have the best possible information to make the best decisions.

Today I'm asking Congress to create the position of a National Intelligence Director. That person -- the person in that office will be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, and will serve at the pleasure of the President. The National Intelligence Director will serve as the President's principal intelligence advisor and will oversee and coordinate the foreign and domestic activities of the intelligence committee. Under this reorganization, the CIA will be managed by a separate Director. The National Intelligence Director will assume the broader responsibility of leading the intelligence community across our government.

I want, and every President must have, the best, unbiased, unvarnished assessment of America's intelligence professionals. Creating the position of the National Intelligence Director will require a substantial revision of the 1947 National Security Act. I look forward to working with the members of Congress to move ahead on this important reform.

The 9/11 Commission also made several recommendations about Congress, itself. I strongly agree with the commission's recommendation that oversight and intelligence -- oversight of intelligence and of the homeland security must be restructured and made more effective. There are too many committees with overlapping jurisdiction, which wastes time and makes it difficult for meaningful oversight and reform.

Today, I also announce that we will establish a National Counter-Terrorism Center. This new center will build on the analytical work, the really good analytical work of the Terrorist Threat Integration Center, and will become our government's knowledge bank for information about known and suspected terrorists. The new center will coordinate and monitor counter-terrorism plans and activities of all government agencies and departments to ensure effective joint action, and that our efforts are unified in priority and purpose. The center will also be responsible for preparing the daily terrorism threat report for the President and senior officials.

The Director of the National Counterterrorism Center will report to the National Intelligence Director, once that position is created. Until then, the center will report to the Director of the CIA. Given the growing threat of weapons and missile proliferation in our world, it may also be necessary to create a similar center in our government to bring together our intelligence analysis planning and operations to track and prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

NO!!! You were Number ONE!!! Imagine that. Please see Brad's Gramma for your prize.

President George W. Bush (R) and First Lady Laura Bush wave as they enter St. John's Episcopal Church for Sunday services in Washington, DC.

Notice the grip the First Lady has on her husband's arm? It almost looks like there isn't anything in that arm of his suit jacket!

President George W. Bush walks to attend a Sunday church services, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004 in Washington, while an unidentified Secret Service agent stands nearby.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush, left, are followed by unidentified Secret Service agents, back, as they leave St. John's Church, after attending a church services, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004, in Washington.

Caption says the President waves after attending services at St. John's on Sunday.

Me, too, Bahbah. You'll see a reprise of it later!

President Bush walks from the Oval Office to the Rose Garden for the start of his press conference Monday, Aug. 2, 2004 in Washington.

President Bush walks past the presidential flag as he arrives to make remarks in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, Aug. 2.

President George W. Bush (C) called for the creation of a national counter-terrorism center that would serve as a 'knowledge bank' for information about known and suspected terrorists during a Rose Garden press conference at the White House in Washington, DC. Seen in this photo L-R are acting CIA Director John McLaughlin, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, Secretary of State Colin Powell , Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller.

When I saw this photo, I just had to post it. My title: the adults are back in town.

President Bush walks back to the Oval Office after holding a press conference in the Rose Garden of the White House Monday, Aug. 2.

Nice shot of the South side of the White House. (Caption was nasty - not going to include it.)

Me, too! Me, too!

First lady Laura Bush (L) sits with Governor George Pataki during a visit to Citigroup headquarters in New York on August 2, 2004. New York's major banks and other large companies tightened security on Monday, a day after a government warning of possible al Queda truck or suicide bomb attacks on financial targets in the city. Bush and Pataki visited the site to comfort workers and show confidence in the city's ability to secure threatened locations.

New York Governor George Pataki, and First Lady Laura Bush, react to applause while visiting the Citigroup Center Monday Aug. 2, 2004 in New York. To show confidence in the city's response to the warning about possible terrorist attacks against major financial institutions Pataki and Bush visited the Citigroup Center, one of several buildings cited by the government in a detailed warning Sunday.

New York Gov. George Pataki, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, center and first lady Laura Bush, order coffee while visiting the CitiGroup.

Laura Bush christens the U.S.S. Texas, a Virginia class submarine, in Newport News, Va., July 31, 2004. "Today, we celebrate the devoted service of the men and women of the United States Navy and the skill of America's shipbuilders. I'm honored to christen the triumph that is the Texas," said Mrs. Bush in her remarks.

We expect a full and complete after trip report! That will make up for having to wait for the pics.

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, left, talks with Fran Townsend, advisor on terrorism, as President Bush's Chief of Staff Andrew Card, right, and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, center, brief reporters at the White House, Monday, Aug. 2, 2004, about Bush's plans to implement the Sept. 11. Commission's recommendation to create a national intelligence director.

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice answers a question next to White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card after U.S. President George W. Bush announced his support for the 9/11 commission's recommendation to create a national intelligence director earlier in the White House, August 2, 2004.

Vice President Dick Cheney and wife Lynne wave to the crowd of Northern American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command troops as they enter the hanger at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., Monday, Aug. 2, 2004. Cheney told nearly 1,000 military personnel the Bush administration is 'doing everything' it can to protect the nation against terrorists and other threats.

Some photos that didn't come up in time for the Saturday Dose that GretchenM did for us.

President George W. Bush waves to supporters as he boards Air Force One at Pittsburgh International Airport Saturday, July 31.

President George W. Bush reaches for a baby after delivering remarks during a campaign stop in Canton, Ohio July 31, 2004.

President George W. Bush and Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) wave from the stage before the president delivered remarks at the Canton Memorial Civic Center in Canton, Ohio July 31, 2004.

President George W. Bush delivers remarks to the athletes at the International Children's Games and Cultural Festival in Cleveland, Ohio, July 30, 2004.

The President tosses a pigskin. Notice the snap of the wrist? That's how it's done, sKerry!

I'm gonna hear about that above photo because I posted a pic with the Brown's quarterback, Jim Garcia again. I confess - I went to Church with a famous Brown's quarterback's son, and just needed to post the follow-through to the President's throw.)

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