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The President:
Good afternoon, everybody.
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Please have a seat.
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As President and
Commander-in-Chief,
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my most solemn obligation is the
security of the American people.
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Over the past four years, we've
met that responsibility by
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ending the war in Iraq, and
beginning a transition in
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Afghanistan; by decimating the
al Qaeda core and taking out
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Osama bin Laden; by disrupting
terrorist plots and saving
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countless American lives.
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Among an outstanding
national security team,
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I am especially grateful
to Leon Panetta,
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who has led the CIA and our
military with incredible skill.
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Leon, after nearly five
decades of service,
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you have more than earned
the right to return to
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civilian life.
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I'll have much more to say about
Leon's distinguished service in
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the days ahead.
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Today, I simply want to convey
both to you and to Sylvia the
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eternal gratitude of
the entire nation.
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Thank you so much, Leon.
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I also want to thank
Michael Morell,
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who has earned the admiration of
all of us who've worked with him
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across government and
here in the White House.
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In moments of transition, he's
guided the CIA with a steady
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hand as Acting Director
-- not once, but twice.
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And he is a consummate
professional.
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As I said, everybody in the
White House who works with him,
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everybody across agencies who
works with him considers him
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truly to be one of our most
outstanding national security
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team members.
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And so, Michael, on
behalf of all of us,
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thank you and Mary Beth
for your continued service.
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As these leaders know, the work
of protecting our nation is
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never done, and we've
still got much to do:
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Ending the war in Afghanistan
and caring for those who have
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borne the battle; preparing
for the full range of threats,
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from the unconventional
to the conventional,
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including things
like cyber security;
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and within our military,
continuing to ensure that our
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men and women in uniform can
serve the country they love,
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no matter who they love.
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To help meet the
challenges of our time,
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I'm proud to announce my choice
for two key members of my
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national security team -- Chuck
Hagel for Secretary of Defense
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and John Brennan for Director of
the Central Intelligence Agency.
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Chuck Hagel is the leader
that our troops deserve.
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He is an American patriot.
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He enlisted in the Army and
volunteered for Vietnam.
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As a young private, and then a
sergeant, he served with honor,
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alongside his own brother.
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When Chuck was hit by shrapnel,
his brother saved him.
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When his brother was
injured by a mine,
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Chuck risked his life
to pull him to safety.
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To this day, Chuck bears the
scars -- and the shrapnel --
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from the battles he
fought in our name.
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Chuck Hagel's leadership of
our military would be historic.
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He'd be the first person of
enlisted rank to serve as
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Secretary of Defense, one of the
few secretaries who have been
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wounded in war, and the first
Vietnam veteran to lead
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the department.
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As I saw during our visits
together to Afghanistan and
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Iraq, in Chuck Hagel our troops
see a decorated combat veteran
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of character and strength.
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They see one of their own.
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Chuck's a champion of our
troops and our veterans and our
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military families.
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As a leader at the VA, he
fought to give our veterans the
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benefits they deserved.
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As head of the USO, he
devoted himself to caring
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for our troops.
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Having studied under
the GI Bill himself,
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he helped lead the fight for
the Post-9/11 GI Bill so today's
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returning heroes can get
their education, too.
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Having co-chaired my
Intelligence Advisory Board,
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he knows that our armed
forces collect, analyze,
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and depend on good intelligence.
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And Chuck recognizes that
American leadership is
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indispensable in
a dangerous world.
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I saw this in our travels
together across the Middle East.
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He understands that America
stands strongest when we stand
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with allies and with friends.
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As a successful businessman, he
also knows that even as we make
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tough fiscal choices,
we have to do so wisely,
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guided by our strategy, and
keep our military the strongest
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fighting force the
world has ever known.
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Maybe most importantly,
Chuck knows that war is not
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an abstraction.
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He understands that sending
young Americans to fight and
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bleed in the dirt and mud,
that's something we only do when
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it's absolutely necessary.
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"My frame of
reference," he has said,
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is "geared towards the guy
at the bottom who's doing the
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"fighting and the dying."
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With Chuck, our troops
will always know,
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just like Sergeant Hagel was
there for his own brother,
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Secretary Hagel will
be there for you.
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And finally, Chuck represents
the bipartisan tradition that we
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need more of in Washington.
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For his independence and
commitment to consensus,
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he's earned the respect of
national security and military
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leaders, Republicans and
Democrats -- including me.
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In the Senate, I came to admire
his courage and his judgment,
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his willingness to
speak his mind --
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even if it wasn't popular,
even if it defied the
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conventional wisdom.
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And that's exactly the spirit
I want on my national security
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team -- a recognition that when
it comes to the defense of our
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country, we are not Democrats or
Republicans; we are Americans.
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Each of us has a
responsibility, Chuck has said,
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to be guided not by the interest
of our party or our President
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even, but by "the
interests of our country."
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So, Chuck, I thank you and
Lilibet for agreeing to serve
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once more in the
interests of our country.
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Now, when I'm on the
subject of patriots,
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let me say a few words
about John Brennan.
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In John Brennan, the men and
women of the CIA will have the
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leadership of one of our
nation's most skilled and
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respected intelligence
professionals --
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not to mention that unique
combination of smarts and
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strength that he claims comes
from growing up in New Jersey.
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[laughter]
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A 25-year veteran of the CIA,
John knows what our national
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security demands -- intelligence
that provides policymakers with
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the facts, strong
analytic insights,
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and a keen understanding
of a dynamic world.
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Given his extensive
experience and travels --
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which include, by the way,
traveling through the Arabian
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Peninsula where he camped with
tribesmen in the desert --
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John has an invaluable
perspective on the forces --
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the history, the culture,
the politics, economics,
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the desire for human dignity
driving so much of the changes
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in today's world.
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Having held senior
management, analytic,
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and operational
positions at the agency,
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John is committed to investing
in the range of intelligence
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capabilities we need
-- technical and human.
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He literally built
-- and then led --
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the National
Counterterrorism Center.
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And he knows the risks that our
intelligence professionals face
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every day.
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John has lost colleagues
and friends --
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heroes whose stars now grace
that memorial wall at Langley.
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For the last four years, as my
Advisor for Counterterrorism and
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Homeland Security, John
developed and has overseen our
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comprehensive
counterterrorism strategy --
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a collaborative effort
across the government,
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including intelligence and
defense and homeland security,
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and law enforcement agencies.
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And so think about the results.
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More al Qaeda leaders and
commanders have been removed
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from the battlefield than
at any time since 9/11.
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Their communications,
recruiting, training,
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finances are all under
enormous strain --
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all of which makes it harder to
plan and carry out large-scale
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attacks against our homeland.
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And our entire team, including
our exceptional Director of
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National Intelligence,
Jim Clapper,
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will remain relentless against
al Qaeda and its affiliates.
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In all this work, John
has been tireless.
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People here in the
White House work hard.
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But John is legendary,
even in the White House,
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for working hard.
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[laughter]
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He is one of the hardest-working
public servants I've ever seen.
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I'm not sure he's
slept in four years.
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[laughter]
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When I was on Martha's Vineyard,
John came and did the press
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briefing -- this is in summer,
it's August, he's in full
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suit and tie.
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And one of the
reporters asked him,
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don't you ever
get any down time?
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And John said, "I
don't do down time."
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[laughter]
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He's not even smiling now.
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[laughter]
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There's another reason
I value John so much,
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and that is his integrity and
his commitment to the values
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that define us as Americans.
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He has worked to embed
our efforts in a strong
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legal framework.
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He understands we
are a nation of laws.
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In moments of
debate and decision,
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he asks the tough question
and he insists on high and
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rigorous standards.
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Time and again, he's spoken to
the American people about our
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counterterrorism policies
because he recognizes we have a
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responsibility to be open
and transparent as possible.
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And so, John, you've been
one of my closest advisors.
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You've been a great friend.
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I am deeply grateful for
your extraordinary service.
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I'm even more grateful for
Kathy's willingness to put
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up with you.
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And I'm grateful to both of you
for your willingness to take
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this assignment.
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Today, I can say to the
men and women of the CIA:
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In Director John Brennan you
will have one of your own;
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a leader who knows you;
who cares for you, deeply;
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and who will fight for
you every single day.
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And you'll have a leader who has
my complete confidence and my
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complete trust.
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As I said, the work of defending
our nation is never done.
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My number-one criteria in making
these decisions was simple --
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who is going to do the best
job in securing America.
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These two leaders have dedicated
their lives to protecting
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our country.
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I'm confident they will
do an outstanding job.
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I urge the Senate to confirm
them as soon as possible so we
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can keep our nation secure
and the American people safe.
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And so, Chuck and John
-- congratulations.
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And with that, I want to invite
each of these leaders on stage
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to say a few words, starting
with Mr. Leon Panetta.
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Secretary Panetta:
First of all, let me express
my deepest gratitude to the
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President for giving me the
honor and the privilege of
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serving in your administration
these last four years as
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Director of the CIA and now
as Secretary of Defense.
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I have been extremely proud
to be part of your national
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security team, Mr. President,
and to be proud of what it has
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accomplished in your first term.
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Looking ahead to
the second term,
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I want to commend President
Obama on his decision to
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nominate Chuck Hagel as the
next Secretary of the Defense.
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And let me also add, as
former Director of the CIA,
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to commend the President for
his choice of John Brennan.
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I have had the opportunity
to work with John on
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counterterrorism issues
these last four years.
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He knows the CIA.
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He will be a strong leader of
that great intelligence agency.
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I've also known Chuck for a
long period of time as well,
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and I had the opportunity
to work with him closely --
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particularly in his capacity
as Chairman of the President's
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Intelligence Advisory Board.
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I greatly appreciate the work
he has done to strengthen our
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intelligence enterprise.
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It has been extremely important
to our ability to improve our
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intelligence capabilities.
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And as Secretary of Defense,
I also benefited from his work
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when he served on our
Defense Policy Board.
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Chuck Hagel is a patriot, he's
a decorated combat veteran,
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and he is a dedicated
public servant.
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I believe his
experience, his judgment,
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his deep understanding of the
security issues facing this
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country make him the right
choice to be Secretary
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of Defense.
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00:13:56,166 --> 00:14:02,296
As for me, after close to 50
years of serving the American
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00:14:02,300 --> 00:14:08,330
people -- began in 1964 when I
served as a first lieutenant in
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00:14:08,333 --> 00:14:12,733
the United States Army, and
then in both the legislative and
247
00:14:12,734 --> 00:14:16,604
executive branch positions
in Washington --
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00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:21,100
the time has come for me to
return to my wife Sylvia,
249
00:14:21,100 --> 00:14:25,570
our three sons, their families,
our six grandchildren,
250
00:14:25,567 --> 00:14:26,767
and my walnut farm --
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00:14:26,767 --> 00:14:28,197
[laughter]
252
00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:30,070
-- dealing with a
different set of nuts.
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00:14:30,066 --> 00:14:36,866
[laughter]
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00:14:36,867 --> 00:14:42,237
I want to deeply thank my
family for giving me the fullest
255
00:14:42,233 --> 00:14:45,703
measure of love and support
during my many absences from
256
00:14:45,700 --> 00:14:49,930
home throughout my long
career in public service.
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00:14:49,934 --> 00:14:54,704
But I will leave Washington with
a very deep sense of pride in
258
00:14:54,700 --> 00:14:59,930
what we have accomplished during
these last four years being on
259
00:14:59,934 --> 00:15:02,964
the President's
national security team.
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00:15:02,967 --> 00:15:07,137
As both Director of the CIA
and as Secretary of Defense,
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00:15:07,133 --> 00:15:11,003
I have always believed that our
fundamental mission is to keep
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00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,470
America safe, to
keep America secure.
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00:15:14,467 --> 00:15:17,897
And because of the outstanding
dedication of our intelligence
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00:15:17,900 --> 00:15:23,270
and military professionals,
America is safer and more secure
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00:15:23,266 --> 00:15:27,296
than it was four years ago, and
we have reached a turning point
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after more than a decade of war.
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00:15:30,567 --> 00:15:34,937
And on that, as we've
reached that turning point,
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00:15:34,934 --> 00:15:40,134
we've developed a new defense
strategy for the 21st century.
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00:15:40,133 --> 00:15:45,963
We have, with John's leadership,
decimated al Qaeda's leadership
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00:15:45,967 --> 00:15:52,337
and weakened their effort
to attack this country.
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00:15:52,333 --> 00:15:55,263
We have brought wars in Iraq
and we will bring the war in
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00:15:55,266 --> 00:15:58,336
Afghanistan to an
honorable conclusion.
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00:15:58,333 --> 00:16:01,633
We've opened up opportunities
for all Americans to serve in
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our military.
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00:16:03,500 --> 00:16:06,730
And we continue to strongly
support our forces,
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00:16:06,734 --> 00:16:10,664
their families, and
our wounded warriors.
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00:16:10,667 --> 00:16:13,897
These are some of the
achievements that I am proud of.
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00:16:13,900 --> 00:16:17,770
Let me close by expressing
my profound gratitude to the
279
00:16:17,767 --> 00:16:22,337
outstanding team of military and
civilian staff and leaders that
280
00:16:22,333 --> 00:16:25,963
I've had the honor to serve with
at the Department of Defense and
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00:16:25,967 --> 00:16:27,697
at the White House.
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00:16:27,700 --> 00:16:32,330
In particular, let me deeply
thank the outstanding men and
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00:16:32,333 --> 00:16:36,933
women in uniform, who I've had
the privilege to serve and to
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00:16:36,934 --> 00:16:43,034
lead, those who put their lives
on the line every day on distant
285
00:16:43,033 --> 00:16:45,903
battlefields for this country.
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00:16:45,900 --> 00:16:50,430
Their sacrifices teach us
that freedom is not free;
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00:16:50,433 --> 00:16:55,003
a strong democracy depends
on a strong defense.
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00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:59,170
But you can also not have
a strong and stable defense
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00:16:59,166 --> 00:17:03,136
without a strong and
stable democracy.
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00:17:03,133 --> 00:17:06,203
As we continue to confront
strategic challenges and fiscal
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00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:11,470
austerity, my hope for the
future is that the sense of duty
292
00:17:11,467 --> 00:17:15,497
our servicemembers and their
families exhibit every day
293
00:17:15,500 --> 00:17:19,900
inspires the leaders of this
nation to have the courage to do
294
00:17:19,900 --> 00:17:23,600
what is right, to achieve
the American Dream,
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00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:25,930
to give our children
a better life,
296
00:17:25,934 --> 00:17:27,734
and to build a
more secure future.
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00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:43,100
Senator Hagel:
Thank you, Mr. President.
298
00:17:43,100 --> 00:17:46,330
I'm honored by your trust
and your confidence in me,
299
00:17:46,333 --> 00:17:49,603
and not unmindful of the
immense responsibilities that
300
00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:50,600
go with it.
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00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:54,170
I want to also acknowledge my
wife, Lilibet; my daughter,
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00:17:54,166 --> 00:18:01,336
Allyn; and our son, Ziller, who
is in Chicago today, we hope,
303
00:18:01,333 --> 00:18:05,133
back attending his first day of
classes at DePaul University.
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00:18:05,133 --> 00:18:09,333
[laughter]
305
00:18:09,333 --> 00:18:12,933
And to my friend, Leon Panetta,
thank you for your extraordinary
306
00:18:12,934 --> 00:18:16,734
service to our country
over so many years in so
307
00:18:16,734 --> 00:18:18,804
many capacities.
308
00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:23,430
You are one of the premier
public servants of our time.
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00:18:23,433 --> 00:18:25,833
To follow you at the Department
of Defense will be a most
310
00:18:25,834 --> 00:18:30,534
challenging task, but I will try
to live up to the standards that
311
00:18:30,533 --> 00:18:34,563
you, Bob Gates and others
have set for this job and
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00:18:34,567 --> 00:18:36,437
this nation.
313
00:18:36,433 --> 00:18:40,663
Let me also express my deep
appreciation and congratulations
314
00:18:40,667 --> 00:18:46,437
to my friend, John Brennan,
and to also acknowledge the
315
00:18:46,433 --> 00:18:50,603
President's confidence
and trust in John Brennan.
316
00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:52,870
Thank you, John, for your
service and what you will
317
00:18:52,867 --> 00:18:54,337
continue to do for our country.
318
00:18:54,333 --> 00:18:58,763
To Mike Morell -- who I have
gotten to know over the years
319
00:18:58,767 --> 00:19:02,597
not just serving on the Senate
Intelligence Committee,
320
00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:04,600
but also, as the
President has noted,
321
00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:07,800
the privilege of co-chairing
the President's Intelligence
322
00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:11,430
Advisory Board with former
Senator Dave Boren --
323
00:19:11,433 --> 00:19:14,833
thank you, Mike, for
your continued service.
324
00:19:14,834 --> 00:19:17,364
Mr. President, I am grateful for
this opportunity to serve our
325
00:19:17,367 --> 00:19:22,437
country again and especially
its men and women in uniform and
326
00:19:22,433 --> 00:19:25,133
their families.
327
00:19:25,133 --> 00:19:30,433
These are people who give so
much to this nation every day
328
00:19:30,433 --> 00:19:33,903
with such dignity
and selflessness.
329
00:19:33,900 --> 00:19:37,700
This is particularly important
at a time as we complete our
330
00:19:37,700 --> 00:19:40,830
mission in Afghanistan and
support the troops and military
331
00:19:40,834 --> 00:19:45,104
families who have sacrificed
so much over more than a
332
00:19:45,100 --> 00:19:47,170
decade of war.
333
00:19:47,166 --> 00:19:49,636
I'm also grateful for an
opportunity to help continue to
334
00:19:49,633 --> 00:19:52,233
strengthen our country and
strengthen our country's
335
00:19:52,233 --> 00:19:56,733
alliances, and advance
global freedom, decency,
336
00:19:56,734 --> 00:20:02,004
and humanity as we help build
a better world for all mankind.
337
00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:04,470
I will always do my best.
338
00:20:04,467 --> 00:20:07,167
I will do my best
for our country,
339
00:20:07,166 --> 00:20:10,936
for those I represent
at the Pentagon,
340
00:20:10,934 --> 00:20:12,264
and for all our citizens.
341
00:20:12,266 --> 00:20:15,636
And, Mr. President, I will
always give you my honest and
342
00:20:15,633 --> 00:20:17,663
most informed counsel.
343
00:20:17,667 --> 00:20:25,337
Thank you very much.
344
00:20:25,333 --> 00:20:29,833
Acting Director Morell:
Mr. President, thank you
for your very kind remarks,
345
00:20:29,834 --> 00:20:32,234
and thank you for the trust that
you placed in me when you asked
346
00:20:32,233 --> 00:20:35,333
me to be Acting Director twice.
347
00:20:35,333 --> 00:20:40,563
I have had the honor of knowing
and working with John Brennan
348
00:20:40,567 --> 00:20:43,397
for the last 20 years.
349
00:20:43,400 --> 00:20:48,570
We have worked particularly
closely the last three years.
350
00:20:48,567 --> 00:20:52,697
John Brennan is a intelligence
professional with deep
351
00:20:52,700 --> 00:20:57,870
experience in our business,
a public servant with
352
00:20:57,867 --> 00:21:05,837
extraordinary dedication,
and a man of deep integrity.
353
00:21:05,834 --> 00:21:10,164
With Senate confirmation, I know
that he will be an outstanding
354
00:21:10,166 --> 00:21:13,566
Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency.
355
00:21:13,567 --> 00:21:17,837
As the President noted, John
started his career at CIA and
356
00:21:17,834 --> 00:21:21,534
spent nearly a quarter century.
357
00:21:21,533 --> 00:21:24,063
So this is a
homecoming for John.
358
00:21:24,066 --> 00:21:28,466
John, on behalf of the talented
and dedicated men and women of
359
00:21:28,467 --> 00:21:39,497
CIA, it is my deep honor
to say, welcome home.
360
00:21:39,500 --> 00:21:43,770
Mr. Brennan:
Mr. President, it is indeed a
tremendous honor to be nominated
361
00:21:43,767 --> 00:21:47,837
to be the Director of the
Central Intelligence Agency.
362
00:21:47,834 --> 00:21:51,634
The women and men of the CIA
are among the most dedicated,
363
00:21:51,633 --> 00:21:55,663
courageous, selfless and
hardworking individuals who have
364
00:21:55,667 --> 00:21:57,937
ever served this country.
365
00:21:57,934 --> 00:22:01,334
At great personal
risk and sacrifice,
366
00:22:01,333 --> 00:22:04,663
they have made countless
invaluable contributions to our
367
00:22:04,667 --> 00:22:07,667
national security and to
the safety and security of
368
00:22:07,667 --> 00:22:09,397
all Americans.
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00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:13,000
Most times, their successes
will never be known outside the
370
00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:16,830
hallowed halls of Langley
and the Oval Office.
371
00:22:16,834 --> 00:22:20,664
Leading the agency in which I
served for 25 years would be the
372
00:22:20,667 --> 00:22:24,297
greatest privilege as well as
the greatest responsibility of
373
00:22:24,300 --> 00:22:26,530
my professional life.
374
00:22:26,533 --> 00:22:30,533
Mr. President, I want to thank
you for your confidence in me,
375
00:22:30,533 --> 00:22:34,263
but even more for your
confidence and constant support
376
00:22:34,266 --> 00:22:37,596
to the CIA and to
those who serve in the
377
00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:39,670
intelligence community.
378
00:22:39,667 --> 00:22:42,967
They need and deserve the
support of all of their fellow
379
00:22:42,967 --> 00:22:46,837
Americans, especially at a time
of such tremendous national
380
00:22:46,834 --> 00:22:49,034
security challenges.
381
00:22:49,033 --> 00:22:52,503
If confirmed as Director, I will
make it my mission to ensure
382
00:22:52,500 --> 00:22:57,000
that the CIA has the tools it
needs to keep our nation safe,
383
00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:00,430
and that its work always
reflects the liberties,
384
00:23:00,433 --> 00:23:05,033
the freedoms and the values
that we hold so dear.
385
00:23:05,033 --> 00:23:09,263
I'm especially proud to stand
here today with such patriots as
386
00:23:09,266 --> 00:23:12,636
Leon Panetta, Chuck
Hagel and Michael Morell.
387
00:23:12,633 --> 00:23:16,103
It was a tremendous honor to
serve with Leon over the past
388
00:23:16,100 --> 00:23:19,770
four years, and I very much look
forward to the opportunity and
389
00:23:19,767 --> 00:23:22,897
privilege to serve with another
of America's great patriots,
390
00:23:22,900 --> 00:23:25,000
Chuck Hagel.
391
00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:27,800
And I am especially proud and
touched to be able to stand here
392
00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:31,370
today with my close friend
and colleague, Michael Morell,
393
00:23:31,367 --> 00:23:35,937
who epitomizes what it means to
be an intelligence professional.
394
00:23:35,934 --> 00:23:41,264
Michael's leadership at the CIA,
as well as his 32-year career,
395
00:23:41,266 --> 00:23:44,066
has been nothing
short of exemplary.
396
00:23:44,066 --> 00:23:46,336
Michael, I very much look
forward to working with you in
397
00:23:46,333 --> 00:23:49,863
the weeks, months,
and years ahead.
398
00:23:49,867 --> 00:23:51,937
And I also look forward
to working with Congress,
399
00:23:51,934 --> 00:23:55,104
as our national security rests
on the ability of the executive
400
00:23:55,100 --> 00:23:59,970
and legislative branches of our
government to work as a team.
401
00:23:59,967 --> 00:24:02,597
While the intelligence
profession oftentimes demands
402
00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:06,130
secrecy, it is critically
important that there be a full
403
00:24:06,133 --> 00:24:09,833
and open discourse on
intelligence matters with the
404
00:24:09,834 --> 00:24:11,934
appropriate elected
representatives of the
405
00:24:11,934 --> 00:24:13,904
American people.
406
00:24:13,900 --> 00:24:16,270
Although I consider myself
neither a Republican nor a
407
00:24:16,266 --> 00:24:19,496
Democrat, I very much look
forward to working closely with
408
00:24:19,500 --> 00:24:22,330
those on both
sides of the aisle.
409
00:24:22,333 --> 00:24:25,703
Finally, and most
importantly, to my wife Kathy;
410
00:24:25,700 --> 00:24:28,730
to my children
Kyle, Jaclyn, Kelly;
411
00:24:28,734 --> 00:24:31,104
to my parents in New
Jersey, a shout-out --
412
00:24:31,100 --> 00:24:33,400
[laughter]
413
00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:36,600
-- Owen, who is 92 and my
mom, Dorothy, who is 91;
414
00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:40,130
my brother Tom and my sister
Kathleen and my Jersey roots:
415
00:24:40,133 --> 00:24:42,933
I could not be where I am
today without their love,
416
00:24:42,934 --> 00:24:45,734
their patience, their
understanding and their support.
417
00:24:45,734 --> 00:24:48,164
And there is no way that
I can ever repay that,
418
00:24:48,166 --> 00:24:50,096
except to say I think I'm
going to need it for a little
419
00:24:50,100 --> 00:24:51,070
bit longer.
420
00:24:51,066 --> 00:24:53,336
[laughter]
421
00:24:53,333 --> 00:24:55,303
So again, Mr. President, I
am deeply grateful for this
422
00:24:55,300 --> 00:24:56,800
opportunity.
423
00:24:56,800 --> 00:25:00,370
It will be bittersweet to leave
all of my close colleagues and
424
00:25:00,367 --> 00:25:02,797
friends here at the White House
and at the national security
425
00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:07,000
staff, who I have come to work
with and respect so deeply over
426
00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:08,730
the last four years.
427
00:25:08,734 --> 00:25:12,034
But if confirmed by the Senate,
I will consider it to be the
428
00:25:12,033 --> 00:25:14,833
honor of my life to serve as
the 21st Director of the Central
429
00:25:14,834 --> 00:25:15,834
Intelligence Agency.
430
00:25:19,066 --> 00:25:25,036
The President:
Well, these are four
outstanding individuals.
431
00:25:25,033 --> 00:25:27,463
We are grateful to all of them.
432
00:25:27,467 --> 00:25:34,037
I want, in particular, to thank
Mike Morell and Leon Panetta for
433
00:25:34,033 --> 00:25:36,533
their extraordinary service.
434
00:25:36,533 --> 00:25:40,933
And I just want to repeat, I
hope that the Senate will act on
435
00:25:40,934 --> 00:25:42,734
these confirmations promptly.
436
00:25:42,734 --> 00:25:45,234
When it comes to
national security,
437
00:25:45,233 --> 00:25:51,533
we don't like to leave a lot of
gaps between the time that one
438
00:25:51,533 --> 00:25:55,033
set of leaders transitions out
and another transitions in.
439
00:25:55,033 --> 00:25:56,903
So we need to get
moving quickly on this.
440
00:25:56,900 --> 00:26:00,430
The final point I will make:
One of the reasons that I am so
441
00:26:00,433 --> 00:26:03,133
confident that Chuck Hagel is
going to be an outstanding
442
00:26:03,133 --> 00:26:05,563
Secretary of Defense and John
Brennan is going to be an
443
00:26:05,567 --> 00:26:10,367
outstanding Director of the
Central Intelligence Agency is
444
00:26:10,367 --> 00:26:15,897
they understand that we are only
successful because of the folks
445
00:26:15,900 --> 00:26:21,870
up and down the line in these
respective institutions --
446
00:26:21,867 --> 00:26:25,897
the folks on the ground who are
oftentimes putting their lives
447
00:26:25,900 --> 00:26:33,030
at risk for us, and are
oftentimes at great remove from
448
00:26:33,033 --> 00:26:36,703
Washington and its politics.
449
00:26:36,700 --> 00:26:41,030
To have those who have
been in the field,
450
00:26:41,033 --> 00:26:43,233
who have been in
the heat of battle,
451
00:26:43,233 --> 00:26:46,663
who understand the consequences
of decisions that we make in
452
00:26:46,667 --> 00:26:52,037
this town and how it has an
impact and ramifications for
453
00:26:52,033 --> 00:26:54,903
everybody who actually has to
execute our national security
454
00:26:54,900 --> 00:26:58,870
strategies, that's
something invaluable.
455
00:26:58,867 --> 00:27:03,667
It will provide me the kinds of
insights that I need in making
456
00:27:03,667 --> 00:27:06,767
very difficult decisions, but it
will also mean that these folks
457
00:27:06,767 --> 00:27:10,537
are going to be looking out for
the people who work for them.
458
00:27:10,533 --> 00:27:13,103
And that's something
that, I think,
459
00:27:13,100 --> 00:27:15,400
in these leadership positions
is absolutely critical.
460
00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:18,130
So I'm looking forward
to working with these
461
00:27:18,133 --> 00:27:19,133
two gentlemen.
462
00:27:19,133 --> 00:27:20,133
They are going to
be outstanding.
463
00:27:20,133 --> 00:27:21,203
Thank you very much, everybody.
464
00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:22,330
[applause]
