This Sunday, we looked at two of the country's most pressing issues: terrorism and the recession.
On terrorism:
Deputy National Security Adviser John Brennan told me he is "tiring of politicians using national security issues, such as terrorism, as a political football...They're unknowing of the facts."
More specifically it seemed Brennan was tired of Republicans using Abdulmutallab's failed attack and the KSM trial as ammo against Obama. The Obama adviser said he called Republican leaders Christmas evening to inform them how the terrorist was being handled. "None of those individuals raised any concerns with me at that point," he said.
In response to the criticism, Brennan said Abdulmutallab was being treated as a terrorist, not as an ordinary citizen. He added that concerns from New York officials have to be taken into account before KSM would be tried there, but made no commitment as to where the trial would be held.
His comments came days after security officials told Congress that an attempted attack on the U.S. in the next 3 to 6 months is "certain."
Brennan seemed to echo those concerns. "It shouldn't have come as a surprise to anybody that Al Qaeda is attempting to carry out an attack," he said.
The types of attacks are changing. In an acknowledgment of U.S. success in stopping terrorism, Brennan said Al Qaeda is no longer focused on another 9/11 scaled strike. They are now interested in smaller strikes. "I think the Abdulmutallab attempt is a reflection of just how difficult it has become for Al Qaeda to carry out attacks," he said.
On the economy
Alan Greenspan told me the recession is over, but warned it is difficult to predict if unemployment will come down soon.
Henry Paulson said the economy is "clearly recovering" but also was unsure when the unemployment rate would dramatically decrease.
Greenspan said cutting taxes for small businesses is a key for economic recovery, and Paulson said housing is a critically important issue for stability.
Both economists warned of the trouble running a high deficit will cause. Paulson said, "I just have no doubt that it is by far the most serious long-term challenge we as a nation face."
Greenspan added, "History tell us that great powers, when they've gotten into significant fiscal problems, have ceased to be great powers."
For more from Brennan, Paulson, Greenspan and our roundtable with Ed Gillespie and Dee Dee Myers, visit our Web site.
