In the entire history of the US, only forty-four men have known exactly what it feels like to have the full weight of the nations security on their shoulders. Even fewer have assumed that mantel in a time of war. As Barack Obama took office, the terrorist threat swirled around him. A year later, the failed Christmas day attack refocused Obama and the country on the threat of domestic terrorism. Suddenly it wasn't just policy papers or briefings, but lives hung in the balance. N.Y. Times White House correspondent
Peter Baker writes about this as
the cover story in this Sunday's New York Times Magazine.
My conversation with Peter Baker:
