Tense hours at the White House

this image released by the White House, President Barack Obama makes a point during one in a series of meetings in the Situation Room of the White House discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, Sunday, May 1, 2011. National Security Adviser Tom Don — AP Photo/The White House, Pete Souza

President Barack Obama listens during one in a series of meetings discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, in the Situation Room of the White House, Sunday, May 1, 2011, in Washington. These images released by the White House show the tension that existed as officials waited for events to unfold in Pakistan.

Special report: The killing of Osama bin Laden

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden, in the Situation Room of the White House, Sunday, May 1, 2011, in Washington. The image has been digitally altered by the source (the White House) to diffuse the paper in front of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Special report: The killing of Osama bin Laden

From left, James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, CIA Director Leon Panetta, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Vice President Joe Biden. They are listening as President Barack Obama delivers a televised speech from the East Room at the White House in Washington on Sunday, May 1, 2011, announcing the death of Osama bin Laden.

Special report: The killing of Osama bin Laden

President Barack Obama listens during one in a series of meetings discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, in the Situation Room of the White House, Sunday, May 1, 2011, in Washington. At right is National Security Adviser Tom Donilon.

Special report: The killing of Osama bin Laden

President Barack Obama talks with members of the national security team at the conclusion of one in a series of meetings discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, in the Situation Room of the White House, Sunday, May 1, 2011, in Washington.

Special report: The killing of Osama bin Laden

President Barack Obama talks on the phone in the Oval Office before making a statement to the media about the mission against Osama bin Laden, May 1, 2011. in Washington. The President made a series of calls, including to Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and others, to inform them of the successful mission.

Special report: The killing of Osama bin Laden

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the Green Room of the White House in Washington, following his statement detailing the mission against Osama bin Laden, Sunday May 1, 2011. CIA Director Leon Panetta, left, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton are pictured at left.

Special report: The killing of Osama bin Laden

Barack Obama edits his speech in the Oval Office prior to making a televised statement detailing the mission against Osama bin Laden, Sunday, May 1, 2011, at the White House in Washington.

Special report: The killing of Osama bin Laden

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney pauses during his daily news briefing at the White House in Washington, May 3, 2011. The White House struggled to craft its account of the audacious raid that killed Osama bin Laden to both a jubilant American public and a skeptical Muslim world, correcting parts of its narrative, withholding others and hesitating to release photos that could be considered too provocative.

Special report: The killing of Osama bin Laden

President Barack Obama arrives through the Cross Hall to announce al-Qaida terror leader Osama bin Laden is dead in the East Room of the White House on May 1, 2011, in Washington.

Special report: The killing of Osama bin Laden

President Barack Obama stands after addressing the nation on TV from the East Room of the White House to make a televised statement May 1, 2011, in Washington.

Special report: The killing of Osama bin Laden