McClellan Explains NSA Spying

From today's White House presser: MR. McCLELLAN: I just told you why I'm not going to get into discussing ongoing intelligence activities. Q You mean you cannot say whether it's lawful to spy on Americans or not? MR. McCLELLAN: We have a Constitution and we have laws. Q We're not asking for any details. We're asking you -- MR. McCLELLAN: That's why I'm making a broad statement to let you know that we -- Q It is broad. Is it legal to spy on Americans? MR. McCLELLAN: We have a Constitution and we have laws in place, and we follow those -- Q You say you are abiding by the law? MR. McCLELLAN: Absolutely. And there's congressional oversight of intelligence activities, there's other oversight of intelligence activities. Q Why do you have to have secret orders then? MR. McCLELLAN: Does anybody have a question? Go ahead. Q And how many secret orders have been issued by this President? MR. McCLELLAN: I think the American people appreciate what we do to work within the law to prevent attacks from happening. The Patriot Act is being debated right now.