American Duties 4 of 11

Bush on Bernard Kerik

QUESTION: Any lessons you have learned, sir, from the failed nomination of Bernard Kerik? As you look forward now to pick a new director of the Homeland Security Department, and also as you pick a director of national intelligence, any lessons learned in terms of vetting? And particularly with the DNI, what sort of qualities are you going to be looking for in that man or that woman that you choose?

BUSH: Well, first, let me say that I was disappointed that the nomination of Bernard Kerik didn't go forward. In retrospect, he made the right decision to pull his name down. And he made the decision.

When the process gets going, our counsel asks a lot of questions and the prospective nominee listens to the questions and answers them and takes a look at what we feel is necessary to be cleared before the FBI check and before the hearings take place on the Hill.

And Bernard Kerik, after answering questions and thinking about the questions, decided to pull his name down.

I think he would have done a fine job as the secretary of homeland security, and I appreciate his service to our country.

We vetted a lot of people in this administration. I mean, we vetted people in the first term. We're vetting people in the second term. And I've got great confidence in our vetting process.

And so, the lessons learned is continue to vet and ask good questions, and get these candidates, the prospective nominees, to understand what we expect a candidate will face during a background check -- FBI background check, as well as congressional hearings.

Now, in terms of the DNI, I'm going to find somebody who knows something about intelligence, and capable and honest and ready to do the job. And I'll let you know at the appropriate time when I find such a person.

OPINION

Seems to me that what Bush says is pretty clear cut. America needs a Homeland Security guy and a DNI guy. And as he stated, America is working to find one. Basically, no one can really blame him for the failure that happened with Kerik. Something was there that made him refuse to do the job and I admire him for passing on this position.