This was a background news briefing by a career civil servant who was clearly told to go out there and make it look as good as possible.

Some tips. He says that the Clinton Administration had no strategy. Then he says that the Clinton strategies were implemented by Bush.

He also says, twice, that some aspect of the CIA budget was increased 5-fold. (Probably to hide money, but that's another story.)

What he doesn't say is that the FBI counter-terrorism budget proposal by Ashcroft slashed the Clinton Administration proposal.

Were he giving a balanced view of what GWB & Co. were doing, he would have HAD to include that.

Now, notice, that this was a background briefing which on superficial examination makes Bush look good. NOTICE HOW RAPIDLY IT WAS RELEASED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. No lawsuit, no FOIA, no nothing.

Funny how that works.