Press Conference: Whats the delay on the replacement of Homeland Security Adviser?

White House press conference

Elaine.

Q Mr. President, you've stressed over and over in recent days particularly the importance of FISA reform to help keep America safe, and yet you have not yet filled a key national security post. Fran Townsend announced her resignation months ago, in November. What is the delay there, and what are Americans to make of that delay? Is America less safe because of it?

THE PRESIDENT: We got a fine man named Joel Bagnal working that office right now. He's a professional. I trust his judgment. He's a real good guy. And no, they shouldn't worry about Joel. He knows what he's doing.

John.

Q But, sir, the American --

THE PRESIDENT: John.

Q The Homeland Security Advisor is a key post. What's taking so long?

THE PRESIDENT: Joel Bagnal has occupied the position, Elaine. He's doing the job, and I've got confidence in him. And so should the American people have confidence in him. He's a fine professional. He knows what he's doing. And I'm very comfortable in saying, on your cameras, that our staff in the White House, led by Joel Bagnal, knows what they're doing when it comes to advising the President on matters of homeland security.

Well, Bu$h is right about one thing, this guy knows what he is doing, and he doesn't have an internet presence like Fran Townsend had. Mr. Bagnal came to the White House after serving as a Special Assistant to the Director of the Homeland Security Task Force, Office of the Secretary of Defense. Prior to this position, he served as a Senior Advisor to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs of the United States Army from June 2000 to September 2001. He served as a Domestic Preparedness Officer from September 1999 to May 2000 training First Responders on weapons of mass destruction consequence management in the nation's largest cities. From August 1998 to August 1999, Mr. Bagnal served as Chief of Operations for Multinational Division North and Task Force Eagle in Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Kosovo Air Campaign.


JOEL BAGNAL...He is at the bottom of the page on this link