    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [December 8, 2008]
    [Pages 1432-1433]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Briefings at the National Counterterrorism Center in
    McLean, Virginia
    December 8, 2008

        I have just spent a fascinating morning here at the NCTC. The NCTC
    is a place where our Government gathers threat assess--or threats and
    intelligence to better protect the American people.

        I want to thank both Mikes for taking a strong lead in doing our most
    important job, which is to motivate people to protect this country, and
    that's what takes place here.

        There's a lot of hard-working Americans who--this--by the way, this
    center is up 24/7. And any time a piece of data comes in that portends
    any kind of threat, it's analyzed and, if need be, acted upon.

        So most Americans don't know this facility exists. It came to be
    after the September the 11th attacks, when we all came around and asked
    the question: How better can we protect the country?

        And so I've come by to thank the--all the people who work here,
    and--because they deserve our thanks. They deserve a Government that
    understands that the biggest danger we face is from a terrorist attack,
    and that the best way to defend the country is to stay on the offense
    and keep the pressure on them constantly and, at the same time, spread
    freedom as the great alternative to the ideology of those--of the
    killers.

        This is a challenge that's going to face this country for a while.
    But it's a challenge that can be better met because of facilities like
    the NCTC and the fact that we've given the professionals the tools, such
    as listening to the terrorist phone calls, to better protect America.

        And so I want to thank you all for your leadership. Appreciate you
    having me. And again, I thank all the good folks who work here for their
    dedication.

        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:23 p.m. at the National Counterterrorism
    Center. In his remarks, he referred to Director of National Intelligence
    J. Michael McConnell; and Michael E. Leiter, Acting Director, National
    Counterterrorism Center.

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