President Bush Details Foiled Al Qaeda Plot against LA

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Mayor Villaraigosa says, "I go to work every day knowing [LA is] a target." But he complains he was "blindsided" today by President Bush's public description of a terrorist plot on the city foiled back in 2002. While the President continues his campaign to gain support for what he calls the "war on terror," New York's Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton says the Bush White House is using "the fear card" to keep Republicans in control of Congress. Did the President reveal new details about an incident that was reported last October in the LA Times? Was the city really in danger? Are today's remarks good politics for President Bush? We hear from Josh Meyers of the LA Times, who wrote about the plot last year; Jim Hahn, who was Mayor of Los Angeles at the time of the foiled plot; City Councilman Jack Weiss chairs the Committee on Public Safety; and CNN political analyst Bill Schneider.

President Bush discusses progress in war on terror to National Guard

White House press briefing on West Coast terrorist plot

Meyer's article on failed al Qaeda plot against LA

Meyer's (October, 2005 LA Times) article on foiled plot

Weiss' 10-point plan preparing LA for terrorism

Los Angeles announces disaster preparedness and homeland security initiative

Credits

Host:
Warren Olney

Producer:
Frances Anderton