Quotes

[on witnessing the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11]: When I came across the 14th Street Bridge fire and black smoke were coming out of the Pentagon, It was one of those moments where I said, 'Okay, this is a dream,' because it just seemed surreal. I actually kind of slapped my face to make sure I was awake. And I just said, 'Okay, this is real.'

[on hearing the first attacks on 9/11]: I was on Capitol Hill about ready to meet with Sen. Max Cleland, the former senator from Georgia, in preparation for my confirmation hearing. By the time I got to the office, the first tower had been hit. I went into the meeting with Senator Cleland. The second tower was hit. We knew we had something going besides an airplane running into a building.

[on President George W. Bush's feelings on September 11, 2001]: The president was very serious and very somber. I think he felt like, 'okay, I let the country down. One of my primary jobs is to protect the American citizens. I have failed.' He took that very personally.