July 22, 2004—"I am more grateful than ever before that the War Against Terror fought by the United States is led by President Bush.  The 9/11 Commission report clearly demonstrates that we have a president who has acted with urgency, wise deliberation and strength—in sharp contrast to the previous administration—related to terrorism and keeping America safe

Today’s report issues recommendations that I believe the President and this Congress have already begun to set in motion, including increased border control, enactment of the Patriot Act, improved relations with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Libya, and better airline security.

I am also grateful to the Commission for their astute analysis of the information sharing policies of our various intelligence agencies.  It is time we closely examine how to better coordinate agency activities and better handle the transition from policy established during the Cold War to policies that will be more effective in fighting radical Islamic terrorism. 

In the Cold War we knew what our enemies’ capabilities were, we just didn’t know their intentions.  Now we face an enemy where we know their intentions.  The greatest challenge we face now is dealing with an enemy who we know has intentions of doing anything they can to destroy the American way of life, and to destroy freedom.  Our challenge as a nation is to ensure these hate-based extremists do not succeed. 

Further, the arguments outlined in a recent so-called documentary film are disproved over and over in this 567-page report.  There was no personal vendetta against Iraq, and there was no special treatment of certain individuals from Saudi Arabia immediately following the attacks of 9-11.  I hope that the American public will now recognize that film for what it is: a complete distortion of reality and pure fiction.”