Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA), Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence & Terrorism Risk Assessment, issued the following statement following President Obama’s remarks at the National Archives:

President Obama’s speech on national security and values was comparable in breadth and depth to his historic speech on race delivered during his campaign.

Clearly, his background as a constitutional law professor and his first months as President immersed in the security challenges currently facing the US influenced his carefully chosen words.

How refreshing to hear our President’s nuanced mind at work on tough issues.  Instead of “with us or against us,” we are told that tough policies have a downside – Gitmo and the use of EITs have made us less safe.

I agree.

In my view, this was the best speech of Obama’s presidency – and appropriately delivered at the National Archives, where the founding documents of our democracy are preserved.