Ending His ‘Low Profile,’ Domestic Security Chief Ridge Takes Administration’s Lead on Anthrax Briefings

The Bush administration on Oct. 18 launched a "broad campaign," led by new Office of Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, to "quell criticism" that the administration "lacks a unified plan" to address the "growing number" of anthrax cases and has provided the public with "confusing or inaccurate information," the Washington Post reports. At a press conference, Ridge appeared with Attorney General John Ashcroft, Surgeon General David Satcher, Postmaster General John Potter and CDC officials to "reassure" the public that the government has responded to the anthrax threat. Ridge said that the government has "adequate supplies" of Cipro, the only FDA approved drug to treat inhaled anthrax, and that the government would stockpile the smallpox vaccine in the event that officials mandate inoculations for all Americans (Pianin, Washington Post, 10/19). Ridge also said that he would "transform" the 46 government agencies that have homeland defense duties to allow them to respond to bioterrorism threats, but he "played down discussion" about whether he would recommend "drastic changes." In addition, he said that he would coordinate an "agency-wide, cross-government-wide" response in the event of a bioterrorist attack (Purdum/Becker, New York Times, 10/19). However, Ridge said that would not have "day-to-day operational, tactical authority" over the agencies (Washington Post, 10/19). Ridge also promised to deliver "regular briefings" to provide Americans with "as much accurate information as we can, as soon as we can."

Damage Control
USA Today reports that Ridge's Oct. 18 press conference "followed a chaotic Wednesday," when "angry" lawmakers "grilled" Bush administration officials about their response to the anthrax attacks at the U.S. Capitol (Hall/Lawrence, USA Today, 10/19). According to the Washington Post, amid "conflicting and sometimes false messages" from the administration, officials "witnessed a textbook example of how a crisis should not be managed" (Washington Post, 10/19). "You turn on CNN and you get a lot more than you get from one of these jerks," Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said (Borenstein, Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/19). "Clearly stung" by criticism, Ridge said that he would "take the lead" as the administration's spokesperson on the issue, adding, "There has been some concern there were mixed messages" (Washington Post, 10/19). After the press conference, Ridge briefed state, county and local officials on the anthrax incidents, while HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson and Satcher conducted a conference call with health care and physician groups (Washington Post, 10/19).

'Out of his Depth'?
The Los Angeles Times reports that the "escalating" concern over the anthrax cases has raised concerns that Thompson "is out of his depth" and prompted some to "wonder if Thompson is the best choice for explaining one of the most frightening public health crises in memory." Thompson has "virtually no medical or scientific experience" and has often "sounded confused" about the anthrax incidents (Fiore/Cimons, Los Angeles Times, 10/19). Thompson, for example, "suggested wrongly" that environmental agents, rather than bioterrorism, triggered the first case of anthrax in Florida (Washington Post, 10/19). Critics have said that Thompson "may have been to eager to reassure the country at the expense of credibility." Thompson also said that the nation could address "any kind of bioterrorism attack," an "assertion" that many experts dispute. Some health experts said that Thompson should have allowed physicians "better qualified to explain the science" of anthrax to discuss the issue with the public. According to former HHS Secretary Donna Shalala, Thompson "ought to put people" from the CDC, FDA and NIH "out front to educate the public and to reassure the public." Still, the Los Angeles Times reports that Thompson has a "plainspoken ability to relate to ordinary people" and has "won praise" from some for "seizing the opportunity to secure resources" to prepare for future bioterrorist attacks. "His main job is getting the money, and he's been artful and all over that," Kaiser Family Foundation President Drew Altman said (Los Angeles Times, 10/19).

Frist's 'Soothing' Voice
Meanwhile, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), who is a physician, has "taken over as the chief congressional briefer" on anthrax and has become a "soothing public voice, comforting his colleagues, their aides and the American public," the Baltimore Sun reports. Following the news that Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) had received a letter that contained anthrax, Frist has "been on the case around the clock." He has helped colleagues by "translating the medical jargon" about anthrax and offered "authoritative advice" about testing and treatment. "This is what I do, crisis management, counseling people who don't know whether they are going to live or die," Frist said (Hosler, Baltimore Sun, 10/19).