The American Association of Retired People, the nation's largest organization of senior citizens, has praised the pharmaceutical industry agreement as a step toward health care reform.

CNN: Obama praises drug industry deal to cut costs for elderly

In particular, he defended the need for popular entitlement programs that provide government benefits to senior citizens, the poor and the disabled, saying they were part of the American fabric.

CNN: Obama's speech ties current issues to founding principles

But there is no question that senior operational leaders of al Qaeda are continually planning to attack the United States, to attack American citizens.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing