The ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee, who has never pulled punches in his criticism of what he believes to be national security shortcomings in the Obama administration, simply had praise for the White House's work in the foiled parcel bomb plot. Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), who will likely become committee chairman if Republicans take control of the House on Tuesday, said on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday that the administration handled the threat "perfectly."
"In this particular matter, I think the administration has handled it perfectly," he said, acknowledging his history of calling out the administration.
Intelligence sharing was done right as was interagency cooperation, he said, "and they continue to do it right."
The close call, however, is a reminder that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is a "major force in the Islamic terrorist world."
If it wasn't for the Saudi tip that led to the unraveling of the plot, King said, "at least two planes go up" if the bombs had detonated mid-flight as officials have speculated was the intention.
