Q Do you have a reaction to the Osama bin Laden tape?
MR. McCLELLAN: First of all, our intelligence community has said that they
believe it is authentic and that it was taped recently. The intelligence
community continues to analyze the tape. If there is actionable intelligence,
we will act on it.
Q What does that mean?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that they continue to analyze the tape. If there is
any actionable intelligence that they determine from the tape, then they will
act on it.
We are doing everything we can to prevail in the war on terrorism and
defeat the ideology of hatred that bin Laden articulates in this tape.
Q When you refer to “actionable intelligence,” are you talking about
clues that might be imbedded on the tape; is that what you’re saying?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I said if there is any. That’s why I said our
intelligence community continues to analyze the tape. If there is any
actionable intelligence then we will act on it.
Q Threat level? Are you looking at raising the threat level before the
election?
MR. McCLELLAN: That is something that we analyze all the time. We are on
a heightened state of awareness already, and there is no change in it at this
time. But it’s something that we analyze all the time.
Q Does the President take this as an effort to influence this election?
MR. McCLELLAN: I’ll leave the political analysis to others.
Q Does he see this, though, as some — as Osama speaking directly to
him, or trying to insert him in his –
MR. McCLELLAN: You’re asking me to get into the political analysis and as
I said, I think I’ll leave that to others.
Q Well, stepping back as a matter — not just about the President, but
to try to influence the American political process –
MR. McCLELLAN: We look at it as that we will continue to act — the law
enforcement community, the intelligence community, our homeland security
officials — to make sure we are doing everything we can to disrupt and prevent
attacks from happening. Our military will remain on the offensive to prevail in
the war on terrorism, and that’s where our focus is.
Q Was the President — when was the President notified of the tape?
What was his immediate reaction?
MR. McCLELLAN: Late this morning. Dr. Rice was in touch with officials
back at the White House, including Fran Townsend, our Homeland Security Advisor.
And she informed the President shortly after that, aboard the plane.
Q Flying from where –
MR. McCLELLAN: I’ll check the schedule.
Q First flight?
MR. McCLELLAN: It was late this morning, probably shortly before noon.
Q Did the President have a reaction –
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I’m giving you the –
Q — to Dr. Rice?
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, I’m sorry.
Q Did the President have a reaction when he heard about the tape?
MR. McCLELLAN: The reaction is what I gave you, from the White House.
Q So you guys are taking this seriously, obviously — you’re not blowing
it off, or anything? And for the political part of it, you don’t want to
comment on –
MR. McCLELLAN: I’ll leave that to others. I’ll talk about what we’re
doing. All Americans are united in our strength and resolve to defeat the
ideology of hatred that bin Laden articulates in this tape.
Q Are we going to hear him talk about this, or address this tape at all?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I’m speaking for him now, giving you the White House
reaction. Obviously, you will be there to cover him. At this point, you have
comment from me….