Speaking on ABC's This Week shortly after September 11, 2001, Hillary Clinton refused to rule out profiling as a security-enhancing measure to stop terrorism.
"Let's talk about American life now, though," said ABC host Sam Donaldson. "What happens in the future from the standpoint of the question of security versus relaxation or giving up some of the freedoms that we've enjoyed in this country? How far do we go, for instance, on airline security?"
"Well, I think everyone recognizes we have to tighten security. We have to do whatever it takes to keep our people safe," Hillary Clinton replied.
Donaldson said, "Including profiling, senator?"
"I think we have to do whatever it takes, Sam. And I believe that, you know, Tuesday changed everything. Tuesday was a day that America has never, ever had to experience. And I hope to heaven that we never have to again. But we are in a war situation, and we're going to have to do things people do in times of war. I just heard your interview with the mayor, and I think he's right to look at examples in history like the Battle of Britain. Many of us have been studying what others did to carry on. And we know that we have to make tradeoffs in convenience, in our freedom of movement, without undercutting or losing our way of life and our values, which I really want to make America special and great. And we can't ever let anyone undermine that."
Clinton's response to the 9/11 terror attacks is worth considering now that candidates are being asked to respond to the Friday terror attacks in Paris, France.