Ridge says Boston warning showed intelligence woes

Ridge, a former Pennsylvania governor, described himself as the ''biggest patron" of state and local officials' efforts to deter and combat terrorism.

But regarding the Boston situation, he said: ''Could we have handled the information a little bit differently on our part? Maybe. Could they have handled the information when we shared it with them and told them everything around it? Absolutely."

The incident, Ridge said, highlighted the need for the Homeland Security Department to be the primary federal contact for state and local authorities as they grapple with threats or other security needs.

Ridge said he was not included in the conversation during which FBI agents briefed local authorities about the tip.

''Secretary Ridge is 100 percent, absolutely correct," said Eric Fehrnstrom, communications director for Romney. ''When details of the threat were leaked to the news media, it forced law enforcement and elected officials to publicly address this information, even though it was unsubstantiated and uncorroborated."

Seth Gitell, a spokesman for Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, said, ''Mayor Menino is happy that Boston is safe."

Ridge said he has seen no credible information that would signal an attack against the United States as a result of the Iraqi election this weekend.

He also said the United States should look at revising what he called the ''doggone immigration laws that we have in place now" to allow legitimate temporary workers into the country more easily. US border agents are afraid, he said, ''to make a mistake, so they're turning everybody back."

''We have to keep the doors open," he said.

Ridge said he has no immediate plans after he leaves office Tuesday -- the day before his nominated successor, federal appeals court Judge Michael Chertoff, goes before the Senate for his confirmation hearing.

At some point, Ridge said, he plans to write a book chronicling his experiences in the largest federal government reorganization since World War II.

''I'll put some thoughts on paper. I don't know if anybody will pay for what I think," he said.