BIDEN SAYS AMERICANS "HAVE GOTTEN THEIR MONEY'S WORTH" FROM $787 BILLION STIMULUS

            Vice President Joe Biden tells EARLY SHOW co-anchor Harry Smith that he is "very concerned about a terrorist attack in the United States along the lines of the Christmas Day bomber."  Smith's interview with the Vice President was conducted earlier today (16) in Saginaw, Mich., and will be broadcast tomorrow (17) on THE EARLY SHOW (7:00-9:00 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. 

            Following are excerpts from Smith's interview with Biden.  You must credit:  CBS News' Harry Smith and THE EARLY SHOW.

            On Former Vice President Dick Cheney's Criticism of Vice President Joe Biden:

            Harry Smith: "So most of [Cheney's] criticism is based on the issue of terrorism.  He basically says, ‘We don't feel like you guys are taking it seriously.'"

            Joe Biden: "I know the success we've made against the Al-Qaeda central, these complicated networks and evidence of that is now they're going to lone bombers as the means to get there.  I'm more worried about, and harder to detect, and I'm very concerned about a terrorist attack in the United States along the lines of the Christmas Day bomber.  You get a disgruntled student, someone who has some relationship with the United States who is able to be recruited quickly, able to be indoctrinated quickly." 

Vice President Joe Biden On the Economy:

Harry Smith: "We're right at the one-year anniversary of the American recovery and reinvestment act, also known as the stimulus package, $787 billion price tag.  Are Americans getting their bang for the buck from this?"

Joe Biden: "Absolutely, but I don't think they realize it, number one.  Number two, we-- it was designed to have two stages to it.  We've only been halfway through the act.  The job-creating portions are really loaded at the second half here, and the major projects that are going to be being built.  But yes, they have gotten their money's worth."

            David Friedman is the executive producer of THE EARLY SHOW.

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Press Contact:              Kelli Halyard    212-975-6795             kee@cbsnews.com