State of the Union: Candy Crowley's Crib Sheet for Feb. 7

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/07/art.sotucandy0207.cnn.jpg caption="In her Crib Sheet, Candy Crowley wraps the news from Sunday's political talk shows."]
Terrorists, what are they up to, and what do we do with them was the talk of Sunday morning.

In a “State of the Union” exclusive interview, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says in the year since the Obama era opened, Al Qaeda has become “more creative, more flexible, more agile.”

White House Homeland Security Adviser John Brennan made it pretty clear the administration is intent on a civilian trial for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, while former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin predicted that if President Obama doesn’t change course on national security matters, he won’t be re-elected.

By way of comfort, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says there is no double-dip recession in sight.

All that and 30 inches of snow just to make the trek into work interesting. My cup runneth over on my first day on the job.

On now to the Sound of Sunday.

TALKING TERROR

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on CNN’s “State of the Union” on the ongoing threat from Al Qaeda
“They are more creative, more flexible, more agile. They evolve. You know, they are - they are unfortunately a very committed, clever, diabolical group of terrorists who are always looking for weaknesses and openings. And we just have to stay alert.”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on CNN’s “State of the Union” on whether Al Qaeda’s ranks have grown
“I don’t know whether there are more of them. We have certainly degraded their capacity in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We know that. As the president said the other night, we have killed and captured a significant number of Al Qaeda’s top leadership as well as people in the Taliban organizations in Afghanistan and Pakistan who cooperate with them.”

Deputy National Security Adviser John Brennan on NBC’s “Meet the Press”
“I have no doubt that the American justice system will prevail. Despite the claims and the criticisms of a lot of folks, including congress, that our judicial system is unable to handle these terrorists. I believe that our system of justice here is strong, and I'm not going to give Al Qaeda the victory of being able to overturn our system of jurisprudence here that is anchored in our constitution and reflects the values of the people.”

Deputy National Security Adviser John Brennan on NBC’s “Meet the Press”
“Quite frankly, I'm tiring of politicians using national security issues such as terrorism as a political football. They are going out there. They're unknowing of the facts, and they're making charges and allegations that are not anchored in reality.”

Former Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on “Fox News Sunday”
PALIN: “Say he played the war card, say he decided to declare war on Iran or decided really to come out and do whatever he could to support Israel, which I would like him to do. But that changes the dynamics in what we can assume is going to happen between now and three years. Because I think if the election were today I do not think Obama would be re-elected. Three years from now, things could change on the national security front—”
WALLACE: “You're not suggesting that he would cynically play the war card—”
PALIN: “I'm not suggesting that. I'm saying if he did, things would dramatically change if he decided to toughen up and do all that he can to secure our nation and our allies. I think people would perhaps shift their thinking a little bit. And decide well, maybe he's tougher than we think he - than he is today. And there wouldn't be as much passion to make sure that he doesn't serve another four years.”
WALLACE: “Assuming that he continues on the path that he's going on, and we don't have the rally around—”
PALIN: “Then he's not going to win.”

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on ABC’s “This Week” on the prospect of a double-dip recession
“I think we have much, much lower risk of that today than at any time over the last 12 months or so, again just think of where we are, we had a economy that was growing at the rate of 6% GDP, 4th quarter, last year, the most rapid rate in 6 years. So we are beginning the process of healing.”

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and have a great week,
Candy Crowley