Gov. Ridge’s challenge

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge has a reputation as a man of courage and determination; as a political leader, he is highly regarded for his innovative thinking and his ability forge consensus among competing interests. These traits will be surely needed, and sorely tested, in his new position as head of President Bush’s Office of Homeland Security.

He grew up in public housing in Erie, Pa., won a scholarship to Harvard but left law school to serve in Vietnam, where he won the Bronze Star for valor. He first ran for Congress in 1982, bringing Republicans five straight victories in one of that state’s most Democratic districts. As two-term governor of a state hit hard by Rust Belt decline, he marshaled through anti-crime legislation deemed tough but fair, his package of business incentives is considered one of the most productive in the nation. His only substantial legislative disappointment is the defeat of his school-voucher program, but even critics praise him for not allowing that issue to color his relationship with legislators on other issues.

Now comes the real challenge. There are at least 40 federal agencies with some degree of responsibility for a wide range of activities concerned with internal security. Gov. Ridge’s new job will be to get them to cooperate with each other.

At the top of his “to do” list must be better – that is, full – cooperation between the CIA and the FBI. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, Americans have learned shocking details about the lack of cooperation between these two agencies; both knew terrorist groups had shown keen interest in receiving airliner flight training for several years, neither reached out to the other for a coordinated investigation.

Incompatible computer systems hinder information sharing, when information is shared, there is no context and precious

little follow-up. Beyond being the hub for all information relating to terrorist activity, Gov. Ridge must be able to steer conflicting policies toward the same goal. There are three agencies on the front lines of protecting the nation’s borders – the Coast Guard, Customs and the Border Patrol. In the past, the tug-of-war between the economic benefits of speedy and efficient flow of goods and people from across the border and the desire for tighter security has resulted in stalemate.

Unlike the “drug-czar” model, this new cabinet position must have the authority to do more than make suggestions to agencies and speeches to the public. The director of homeland security must have clear authority within agencies and their budgets – there is nothing harder than taking power from government agencies, yet that is precisely what Gov. Ridge must do.

There will be a public-relations component to this job as well. Terrorism experts agree that perhaps the greatest potential attack is not from suicidal hijackers but from unaccompanied cargo shipments, trucks or containers bearing nuclear, biological or chemical weapons. Gov. Ridge must make the case that businesses importing goods should exercise more diligence in choosing suppliers and shippers, even if it increases costs. If a national identification card is determined to be necessary to expedite the return of Americans from abroad and keep border crossings from becoming hopelessly clogged, it is Gov. Ridge who will have to make that tough case to the public.

The sheer volume of details that will be under Gov. Ridge’s authority is daunting. Even more daunting, though, is the fundamental challenge he faces to protect the freedom that gives the United States its value and, at the same time, its vulnerability.