English subtitles for clip: File:6-16-09- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:01,333 --> 00:00:04,903 The Press: President Lee talked about new measures and policies that he 2 00:00:04,900 --> 00:00:08,400 and President Obama had agreed to talk to the other members of 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:12,830 the five-party talks -- about new measures and policies on North Korea. 4 00:00:12,834 --> 00:00:16,164 Can you elaborate on what he meant by that and what they agreed on? 5 00:00:16,166 --> 00:00:20,566 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have anything additional on that, in terms of 6 00:00:20,567 --> 00:00:25,067 the statement that went out and what the two Presidents discussed. 7 00:00:25,066 --> 00:00:31,436 Obviously we have a longstanding commitment in the defense of the 8 00:00:31,433 --> 00:00:36,503 Republic of Korea, and I think, obviously, the steps -- the 9 00:00:36,500 --> 00:00:39,530 important steps that the Security Council took over the 10 00:00:39,533 --> 00:00:43,563 past several days -- we had Ambassador Rice in here to 11 00:00:43,567 --> 00:00:47,367 discuss that last week -- demonstrates the seriousness 12 00:00:47,367 --> 00:00:51,267 with which the international community is addressing what is 13 00:00:51,266 --> 00:00:53,066 happening with North Korea. 14 00:00:53,066 --> 00:00:55,566 The Press: You said -- Susan Rice also said last week when she was 15 00:00:55,567 --> 00:00:58,597 talking about this new resolution that the United States 16 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:02,630 has other measures that it's considering taking, not 17 00:01:02,633 --> 00:01:05,103 waiting to take but considering taking now. 18 00:01:05,100 --> 00:01:09,070 And so if you're not willing to talk about what those might be 19 00:01:09,066 --> 00:01:12,696 or what's on the table, isn't this sort of an empty threat to North Korea? 20 00:01:12,700 --> 00:01:17,430 Mr. Gibbs: No, because we don't discuss things publicly. 21 00:01:17,433 --> 00:01:22,203 The Press: And what about on Iran, is the President prepared 22 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:26,570 at some point to more forcefully denounce what's happening there 23 00:01:26,567 --> 00:01:28,437 against the protestors? 24 00:01:28,433 --> 00:01:30,633 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think the President has been quite 25 00:01:30,633 --> 00:01:36,163 forceful on two occasions in the past 24 hours, in discussing the 26 00:01:36,166 --> 00:01:44,266 universal right that people have to peaceably demonstrate. 27 00:01:44,266 --> 00:01:47,436 He's deplored the violence -- deplored and condemned the 28 00:01:47,433 --> 00:01:53,963 violence that we've seen, and underscored that the world is 29 00:01:53,967 --> 00:01:59,237 seeing in Iran a yearning for change. 30 00:01:59,233 --> 00:02:03,163 I think the President has also, rightly, underscored that this 31 00:02:03,166 --> 00:02:07,366 is a vigorous debate inside of Iran by Iranians about who is 32 00:02:07,367 --> 00:02:11,137 going to -- about the leadership in their country. 33 00:02:11,133 --> 00:02:15,233 And as he said this afternoon, it's not a good idea to meddle 34 00:02:15,233 --> 00:02:19,503 in that sovereignty. 35 00:02:19,500 --> 00:02:21,070 The Press: I just wanted to follow up on the President's 36 00:02:21,066 --> 00:02:24,836 remarks about the financial regulatory reform that's going to come out. 37 00:02:24,834 --> 00:02:28,064 He said that you would not, in fact, see a host of new 38 00:02:28,066 --> 00:02:30,566 regulatory agencies added. 39 00:02:30,567 --> 00:02:34,197 Does that mean there will not be any new regulatory agencies added? 40 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:36,000 Mr. Gibbs: I think he said "a host of." 41 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:39,730 ` The Press: There could be maybe one -- some lawmakers think -- 42 00:02:39,734 --> 00:02:44,004 would like to see a new agency to look out on behalf of consumers. 43 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:45,900 Could that be part of the plan? 44 00:02:45,900 --> 00:02:49,470 Mr. Gibbs: I will, as the President said -- I'd be hard 45 00:02:49,467 --> 00:02:51,597 pressed to get ahead of the President saying he wasn't going 46 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:55,500 to get ahead of himself. 47 00:02:55,500 --> 00:02:56,630 The Press: Oh, show a little ankle. 48 00:02:56,633 --> 00:02:58,163 (laughter) 49 00:02:58,166 --> 00:03:01,836 Mr. Gibbs: Maybe if I can get work -- get a job with CBS. 50 00:03:01,834 --> 00:03:07,204 But, no, I think the President underscored again today the 51 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:10,000 strong need for regulatory reform. 52 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:15,670 We've all witnessed over the past many months what happens in 53 00:03:15,667 --> 00:03:21,567 an environment that doesn't have the regulations and the 54 00:03:21,567 --> 00:03:25,897 watchdogs that are needed to ensure that we don't ever again 55 00:03:25,900 --> 00:03:30,230 get to the precipice of where we were just a few months ago and 56 00:03:30,233 --> 00:03:31,463 what caused that. 57 00:03:31,467 --> 00:03:32,767 Yes. 58 00:03:32,767 --> 00:03:33,967 I'm sorry -- 59 00:03:33,967 --> 00:03:36,897 The Press: Well, I just -- kind of a different side of the same question. 60 00:03:36,900 --> 00:03:39,430 When he talked about consolidating, does that mean 61 00:03:39,433 --> 00:03:44,403 that some agencies may be closed or merged into other agencies? 62 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:48,630 Mr. Gibbs: Trust me, you'll have plenty of opportunity to do all this tomorrow. 63 00:03:48,633 --> 00:03:50,433 The Press: The President went a little farther today than he did 64 00:03:50,433 --> 00:03:52,603 yesterday, saying he had concerns about the election, 65 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:54,300 when directly talking about the election results, the legitimacy 66 00:03:54,300 --> 00:03:56,700 of the election. 67 00:03:56,700 --> 00:03:59,130 What are his concerns, and what are they based on? 68 00:03:59,133 --> 00:04:01,703 Mr. Gibbs: Well, we've enumerated some of those 69 00:04:01,700 --> 00:04:08,400 concerns over the course of the past few days. 70 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:14,770 I think irregularities in general. 71 00:04:14,767 --> 00:04:22,397 I think you've seen -- I think I saw reports that one of the 72 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:27,470 candidates overwhelmingly lost their home region. 73 00:04:27,467 --> 00:04:30,937 But I think obviously the international community is 74 00:04:30,934 --> 00:04:35,064 watching with some concern. 75 00:04:35,066 --> 00:04:41,836 Obviously even those in Iran have noted concern with the 76 00:04:41,834 --> 00:04:47,304 outcome, and that's why they're also looking into this. 77 00:04:47,300 --> 00:04:50,930 But I think -- again, I think the international community has 78 00:04:50,934 --> 00:04:54,404 concern not just about what happened in the election but 79 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:56,200 what has happened in the aftermath. 80 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:59,130 The Press: Has the President reached out to Arab allies or 81 00:04:59,133 --> 00:05:06,033 other conduits, to Khamenei or any other of the power structure 82 00:05:06,033 --> 00:05:10,203 in Iran, to talk about what happens next? 83 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:11,870 Mr. Gibbs: Not that I'm aware of. 84 00:05:11,867 --> 00:05:15,837 Again, I think I would stress for you the importance of what 85 00:05:15,834 --> 00:05:19,634 the President discussed, also in his comments both yesterday and 86 00:05:19,633 --> 00:05:25,703 today, about ensuring that while we abhor the violence associated 87 00:05:25,700 --> 00:05:29,770 with this vigorous Iranian debate, that we also respect 88 00:05:29,767 --> 00:05:31,437 their sovereignty. 89 00:05:31,433 --> 00:05:32,133 The Press: Thank you. 90 00:05:32,133 --> 00:05:32,763 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, ma'am. 91 00:05:32,767 --> 00:05:34,167 The Press: Robert, back on North Korea. 92 00:05:34,166 --> 00:05:37,036 The AP was saying that the two American journalists who had 93 00:05:37,033 --> 00:05:41,103 been sentenced last week to 12 years of hard labor had admitted 94 00:05:41,100 --> 00:05:43,400 to illegally crossing into North Korea. 95 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:46,430 First, can you tell us if you know whether or not that's true? 96 00:05:46,433 --> 00:05:48,803 And secondly, what is the administration doing to follow 97 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:50,100 up on this? 98 00:05:50,100 --> 00:05:52,200 Is there a special representative or an envoy who 99 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:55,570 is responsible or working towards their release? 100 00:05:55,567 --> 00:05:58,937 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I don't have much to add to what we've said 101 00:05:58,934 --> 00:06:05,104 in the past few days, that we think -- that the administration 102 00:06:05,100 --> 00:06:11,030 is working to ensure their safe release; that we strongly 103 00:06:11,033 --> 00:06:15,803 believe -- and I think the Presidents reiterated this today 104 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:22,730 -- that these two journalists should be released on 105 00:06:22,734 --> 00:06:26,404 humanitarian grounds. 106 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:31,800 But I'm not going to get into envoys and things like that. 107 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,070 The Press: On another matter, it was last week the President said 108 00:06:34,066 --> 00:06:37,036 that he wanted to make sure taxpayer dollars were spent 109 00:06:37,033 --> 00:06:40,233 well, the stimulus package, against potential boondoggles 110 00:06:40,233 --> 00:06:42,663 and wasteful spending. 111 00:06:42,667 --> 00:06:46,997 Since then, Senator Coburn has come out with a report saying 112 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:50,170 that he's taking a look at a hundred different programs, 113 00:06:50,166 --> 00:06:52,536 saying that he has found wasteful spending, including a 114 00:06:52,533 --> 00:06:58,033 turtle wildlife crossing that he says cost $3 million, and 8,000 115 00:06:58,033 --> 00:07:01,503 Social Security checks that were sent to people who are deceased. 116 00:07:01,500 --> 00:07:04,030 First, can you tell me whether or not this report is credible 117 00:07:04,033 --> 00:07:05,433 in your opinion? 118 00:07:05,433 --> 00:07:09,063 And if so, has the administration addressed some of those concerns? 119 00:07:09,066 --> 00:07:12,196 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I've seen parts of this report and I've seen 120 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:14,730 parts of our response and I think there's a longer, more 121 00:07:14,734 --> 00:07:18,234 detailed response that we'd be happy to provide you. 122 00:07:18,233 --> 00:07:21,903 But a number of things look to be inaccurate in the "second 123 00:07:21,900 --> 00:07:24,330 opinion" itself. 124 00:07:24,333 --> 00:07:27,703 There appear to be the assumption that projects are 125 00:07:27,700 --> 00:07:32,230 being funded using recovery money, which isn't true. 126 00:07:32,233 --> 00:07:35,563 I think the very first project that's outlined is a decision 127 00:07:35,567 --> 00:07:40,367 that's ultimately made by the state, not by the feds, in terms 128 00:07:40,367 --> 00:07:45,437 of how particular revolving fund money is used. 129 00:07:45,433 --> 00:07:50,103 So I think there are a number of entries throughout this report 130 00:07:50,100 --> 00:07:53,700 that are just simply wrong. 131 00:07:53,700 --> 00:07:58,900 This President has taken historic steps to ensure that 132 00:07:58,900 --> 00:08:03,530 there is adequate transparency, and that this money is spent the 133 00:08:03,533 --> 00:08:06,163 way it's intended to be used. 134 00:08:06,166 --> 00:08:11,736 There are projects within the report that haven't been funded; 135 00:08:11,734 --> 00:08:17,264 have been canceled based on our own looking into this. 136 00:08:17,266 --> 00:08:24,196 So again, I think the report appears to be, in many, many 137 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:26,170 cases, just flat out wrong. 138 00:08:26,166 --> 00:08:27,996 The Press: Are there any examples that were correct that 139 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:29,370 the administration is addressing? 140 00:08:29,367 --> 00:08:32,497 Mr. Gibbs: I have not looked through each and every one of them. 141 00:08:32,500 --> 00:08:35,100 I'd have to look through each and every one of them. 142 00:08:35,100 --> 00:08:36,100 Yes, ma'am. 143 00:08:36,100 --> 00:08:41,830 The Press: Is Dennis Ross moving into the White House with larger powers? 144 00:08:41,834 --> 00:08:45,704 And also, is the President calling for nuclear disarmament 145 00:08:45,700 --> 00:08:49,870 of the whole region of Asia? 146 00:08:49,867 --> 00:08:51,667 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have any personnel announcements about 147 00:08:51,667 --> 00:08:54,237 the State Department or the White House. 148 00:08:54,233 --> 00:08:57,363 I know the President has enormous confidence, and has for 149 00:08:57,367 --> 00:09:02,137 quite some time, in Dennis Ross and what he brings to our 150 00:09:02,133 --> 00:09:05,563 foreign policy team. 151 00:09:05,567 --> 00:09:10,797 I think the President has stated clearly in terms of -- and I 152 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:13,870 think he reiterated in the first question he got today -- the 153 00:09:13,867 --> 00:09:19,667 priority of ensuring the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. 154 00:09:19,667 --> 00:09:22,437 The Press: But why can't you speak on Ross? 155 00:09:22,433 --> 00:09:27,033 Mr. Gibbs: Because there's no policy -- there's no personnel announcements to make. 156 00:09:27,033 --> 00:09:28,533 The Press: Is he here? 157 00:09:28,533 --> 00:09:30,103 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know where he is. 158 00:09:30,100 --> 00:09:31,930 But I can assure you, wherever he is, he's working for the 159 00:09:31,934 --> 00:09:34,634 administration on behalf of the administration. 160 00:09:34,633 --> 00:09:36,403 The Press: Is the story wrong? 161 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:38,630 Mr. Gibbs: It's not right. 162 00:09:38,633 --> 00:09:40,733 (laughter) 163 00:09:40,734 --> 00:09:43,134 The Press: Okay, what does that mean? 164 00:09:43,133 --> 00:09:44,903 Mr. Gibbs: It means I don't have any policy or personnel 165 00:09:44,900 --> 00:09:47,300 announcements regarding Dennis Ross. 166 00:09:47,300 --> 00:09:49,630 The Press: It doesn't necessarily mean the story is wrong. 167 00:09:49,633 --> 00:09:51,003 Is that what you're suggesting? 168 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:54,070 Mr. Gibbs: I'm suggesting that, if I had a personnel announcement to make 169 00:09:54,066 --> 00:09:56,896 regarding Dennis Ross, I'd make it. 170 00:09:56,900 --> 00:10:00,030 The Press: But you're notknocking down the story that appeared -- 171 00:10:00,033 --> 00:10:04,733 Mr. Gibbs: I'm telling you that the President has enormous confidence in him. 172 00:10:04,734 --> 00:10:07,064 The President doesn't have any personnel announcements to make- 173 00:10:07,066 --> 00:10:10,366 The Press: Why don't you reallytell us what you're trying to say? 174 00:10:10,367 --> 00:10:13,667 Mr. Gibbs: I have no personnel announcements to make today, Helen. 175 00:10:13,667 --> 00:10:15,037 (laughter) 176 00:10:15,033 --> 00:10:17,833 The Press: You didn't ask for a retraction -- I'm not going to belabor the point. 177 00:10:17,834 --> 00:10:20,904 (laughter) No retraction. 178 00:10:20,900 --> 00:10:25,200 Mr. Gibbs: I'd be one busy -- I'd be one busy man if that were the case. 179 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:28,400 The Press: Can you translate some of this diplo-speak? 180 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:31,700 Three times President Lee said -- talked about the firm 181 00:10:31,700 --> 00:10:34,430 relationship between South Korea and the United States when 182 00:10:34,433 --> 00:10:39,133 responding to a question about the North Korean threat. 183 00:10:39,133 --> 00:10:42,603 Is that -- did he ask for an assurance from the President 184 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,570 that if there's a military strike against South Korea that 185 00:10:45,567 --> 00:10:48,597 the U.S. will respond, that's unequivocal? 186 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:50,900 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Chuck, we've had that type of relationship 187 00:10:50,900 --> 00:10:52,470 with the Republic of Korea for -- 188 00:10:52,467 --> 00:10:54,167 The Press: So nothing has changed on that front? 189 00:10:54,166 --> 00:10:55,836 And that was reiterated today and that's the way we should 190 00:10:55,834 --> 00:10:57,604 read the words "firm," and all of that? 191 00:10:57,600 --> 00:10:58,830 Mr. Gibbs: Absolutely. Absolutely. 192 00:10:58,834 --> 00:11:07,264 I mean, obviously this is something that has -- that we've responded to. 193 00:11:07,266 --> 00:11:14,136 I think as we've said many times before, the increasingly -- the 194 00:11:14,133 --> 00:11:20,133 reactions of the North Koreans in alienating themselves from 195 00:11:20,133 --> 00:11:25,333 their own responsibilities and from those responsibilities and 196 00:11:25,333 --> 00:11:29,663 isolating themselves from the rest of the world, that they're 197 00:11:29,667 --> 00:11:31,637 going alone down a different path. 198 00:11:31,633 --> 00:11:36,403 The President believes there's a different way for North Korea. 199 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:40,600 And I think what he discussed today with President Lee was a 200 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:43,030 continuation of the strong relationship that we have with 201 00:11:43,033 --> 00:11:49,503 the Republic of Korea and the strong international reactions 202 00:11:49,500 --> 00:11:53,100 and steps that have been taken to coordinate that response, and 203 00:11:53,100 --> 00:11:57,470 to take some extremely tough actions, all of what Ambassador 204 00:11:57,467 --> 00:12:01,567 Rice outlined just last week. 205 00:12:01,567 --> 00:12:06,637 I remember not long after the first launch in late March and 206 00:12:06,633 --> 00:12:13,363 early April, there was some vast skepticism that tough actions 207 00:12:13,367 --> 00:12:18,697 and steps could be agreed upon by a group of five nations, a 208 00:12:18,700 --> 00:12:22,570 group of 15 nations. 209 00:12:22,567 --> 00:12:26,237 Not only were they agreed upon, but they're now being implemented. 210 00:12:26,233 --> 00:12:29,063 The Press: How is the President getting his information on Iran right now? 211 00:12:29,066 --> 00:12:32,596 Is he just reacting to the news reports that everybody has seen, 212 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:34,970 or do you guys feel like you have some intelligence on the 213 00:12:34,967 --> 00:12:37,597 ground that's telling you where things stand? 214 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:39,970 Mr. Gibbs: I can assure youthe President gets a regular 215 00:12:39,967 --> 00:12:44,567 intelligence briefing, but I'll demure the -- 216 00:12:44,567 --> 00:12:48,197 The Press: Has he had any conversations with allies about a coordinated response? 217 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:51,100 Mr. Gibbs: Notthat I'm aware of. Yes, sir. 218 00:12:51,100 --> 00:12:54,330 The Press: I understand that the President doesn't want to look 219 00:12:54,333 --> 00:12:57,363 like he's meddling in the Iranian elections, but at what 220 00:12:57,367 --> 00:13:01,397 point does the President's position that he is willing to 221 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:04,970 speak with the Ahmadinejad government bolster the 222 00:13:04,967 --> 00:13:06,797 Ahmadinejad regime? 223 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:13,800 And is there a time when he would suspend that offer as the 224 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:20,100 election results go through a contestation? 225 00:13:20,100 --> 00:13:21,100 The Press: Is that a word? 226 00:13:21,100 --> 00:13:22,570 Mr. Gibbs: I'm almost sure that it's not. 227 00:13:22,567 --> 00:13:25,597 (laughter) 228 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:29,830 But leaving that aside for one moment -- 229 00:13:29,834 --> 00:13:31,204 The Press: It's a print guy that made up -- 230 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:32,500 (laughter) 231 00:13:32,500 --> 00:13:34,800 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know, let me say, if that's -- I'm going to 232 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:38,230 do my crossword puzzle tonight; I don't know if that's -- look, 233 00:13:38,233 --> 00:13:40,203 I would say this, Jonathan. 234 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:46,130 The concerns that we have about Iran are no different than we 235 00:13:46,133 --> 00:13:49,833 had last Thursday or last Friday. 236 00:13:49,834 --> 00:13:53,534 Our primary concerns are obviously the state sponsorship 237 00:13:53,533 --> 00:14:01,233 and the spread of terror, and their efforts to secure a nuclear weapon. 238 00:14:01,233 --> 00:14:04,733 Those interests -- our interests are no different today than they 239 00:14:04,734 --> 00:14:09,804 were before the election. 240 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:15,270 The President remains committed to strong action and principled 241 00:14:15,266 --> 00:14:18,796 diplomacy to address our national interests; that our 242 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:27,770 interest haven't changed regardless of ultimately who the Iranians pick. 243 00:14:27,767 --> 00:14:29,867 Yes, sir. 244 00:14:29,867 --> 00:14:32,737 The Press: What's the policygoing to be on release of the 245 00:14:32,734 --> 00:14:36,564 names of White House visitors? 246 00:14:36,567 --> 00:14:40,497 Mr. Gibbs: The policy -- as you know, I think many of you know, 247 00:14:40,500 --> 00:14:44,400 this has involved -- visitor logs have been involved in some 248 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:51,100 litigation dating back to some time in 2006. 249 00:14:51,100 --> 00:14:58,830 The White House is reviewing that policy based on some of that litigation. 250 00:14:58,834 --> 00:15:01,804 The Press: So it's just you're not going either way on it now, 251 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:03,470 and you're not refusing to -- 252 00:15:03,467 --> 00:15:11,167 Mr. Gibbs: We're reviewing what has been the policy of -- the previous policy. 253 00:15:11,166 --> 00:15:13,136 The Press: Who is doing that review? 254 00:15:13,133 --> 00:15:16,133 Mr. Gibbs: The White House Counsel's Office and other people in the administration. 255 00:15:16,133 --> 00:15:17,733 The Press: What's the length of the review? 256 00:15:17,734 --> 00:15:19,304 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know the exact timeline. 257 00:15:19,300 --> 00:15:22,230 The Press: Is there a mandate to be more transparent than the previous administration? 258 00:15:22,233 --> 00:15:25,703 Mr. Gibbs: I think we ran on that -- 259 00:15:25,700 --> 00:15:28,370 The Press: In this specific regard? 260 00:15:28,367 --> 00:15:30,497 Mr. Gibbs: That's what's under review. 261 00:15:30,500 --> 00:15:31,970 The Press: Is that the goal? 262 00:15:31,967 --> 00:15:32,797 Mr. Gibbs: What's the goal? 263 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:34,870 The Press: Isn't that the goal, to be more transparent on these 264 00:15:34,867 --> 00:15:37,437 visitor logs than the previous administration? 265 00:15:37,433 --> 00:15:41,263 Mr. Gibbs: The goal is -- and I think the President, who 266 00:15:41,266 --> 00:15:45,666 underscored his commitment to transparency on his first full 267 00:15:45,667 --> 00:15:49,997 day in office -- this is not a contest between this 268 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:52,070 administration or that administration, or any 269 00:15:52,066 --> 00:15:56,566 administration; it's to uphold the principle of open government. 270 00:15:56,567 --> 00:15:58,797 The Press: Why would the President have any objection to 271 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:02,400 the public knowing who is coming in here to visit? 272 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:06,100 Mr. Gibbs: I think we've taken actions to let people know who are. 273 00:16:06,100 --> 00:16:11,500 I think again, Peter, this dates back to litigation long before 274 00:16:11,500 --> 00:16:14,600 we ever showed up. 275 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:17,900 The Press: Do you think you might have to uphold precedent here, possibly? 276 00:16:17,900 --> 00:16:21,170 Mr. Gibbs: That's part of what's being reviewed by the Counsel's Office. 277 00:16:21,166 --> 00:16:22,096 Yes, ma'am. 278 00:16:22,100 --> 00:16:25,030 The Press: Will the administration provide emergency aid to California, 279 00:16:25,033 --> 00:16:29,203 or are you rejecting that to avoid similar requests from other states? 280 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:33,670 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, obviously many states throughout the 281 00:16:33,667 --> 00:16:40,667 country, because of the slowdown in our economy, find themselves 282 00:16:40,667 --> 00:16:46,497 with severe budgetary constraints. 283 00:16:46,500 --> 00:16:50,300 The President believed and addressed part of this in the 284 00:16:50,300 --> 00:16:55,970 recovery and reinvestment plan by ensuring the largest amount 285 00:16:55,967 --> 00:17:04,867 of fiscal relief that we've seen moved to states in the history of our country. 286 00:17:04,867 --> 00:17:07,997 It's obviously not an easy time for the state of California. 287 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:12,000 We'll continue to monitor the challenges that they have. 288 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:15,870 But this budgetary problem, unfortunately, is one that 289 00:17:15,867 --> 00:17:19,867 they're going to have to solve. 290 00:17:19,867 --> 00:17:21,867 The Press: Following up on that, is the administration 291 00:17:21,867 --> 00:17:24,537 comfortable with the kind of precedent California would have 292 00:17:24,533 --> 00:17:28,033 to impose, specifically on its participation in Medicaid and 293 00:17:28,033 --> 00:17:30,863 SCHIP, which the President has identified as significant 294 00:17:30,867 --> 00:17:32,937 priorities of his administration, and in one 295 00:17:32,934 --> 00:17:36,604 regard, SCHIP, an achievement of this administration? 296 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:38,970 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know if -- I don't know the degree to which 297 00:17:38,967 --> 00:17:44,667 we've analyzed each of California's individual cuts. 298 00:17:44,667 --> 00:17:49,697 Obviously we've had to make -- and states have had to make very 299 00:17:49,700 --> 00:17:54,670 difficult decisions as it relates to our budget. 300 00:17:54,667 --> 00:17:58,767 And these aren't easy times for states. 301 00:17:58,767 --> 00:18:00,197 The Press: I want to follow up on Jonathan's question, 302 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:01,900 just to have it on the record. 303 00:18:01,900 --> 00:18:06,630 The President is still willing to talk to Ahmadinejad about 304 00:18:06,633 --> 00:18:10,803 U.S.-Iranian issues, even currently, is that correct? 305 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:11,700 Mr. Gibbs: I'm sorry? 306 00:18:11,700 --> 00:18:14,470 The Press: The President is still willing to talk to Ahmadinejad about 307 00:18:14,467 --> 00:18:18,367 the various U.S. issues, and that's not been changed at all by the -- 308 00:18:18,367 --> 00:18:19,997 Mr. Gibbs: The President is committed to -- 309 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,100 The Press: -- status of this election? 310 00:18:21,100 --> 00:18:24,800 Mr. Gibbs: The President is committed to direct engagement 311 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:30,430 with the Iranian government on issues of our national interest, 312 00:18:30,433 --> 00:18:37,703 including their pursuit of a nuclear weapon and their sponsorship for terror. 313 00:18:37,700 --> 00:18:40,270 The Press: And the disputed election does not in any way change that? 314 00:18:40,266 --> 00:18:42,696 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, the disputed election is something 315 00:18:42,700 --> 00:18:44,930 for Iranians to work out. 316 00:18:44,934 --> 00:18:46,034 The Press: Does the administration have an opinion 317 00:18:46,033 --> 00:18:47,563 as to whether or not foreign journalists should be allowed to 318 00:18:47,567 --> 00:18:50,637 cover that story and remain inside Iran? 319 00:18:50,633 --> 00:18:55,763 Mr. Gibbs: Obviously the President spoke both yesterday 320 00:18:55,767 --> 00:19:00,697 and today about what he thinks of his universal values, and obviously -- 321 00:19:00,700 --> 00:19:02,830 The Press: He spoke about people in the streets and Iranians -- 322 00:19:02,834 --> 00:19:03,704 Mr. Gibbs: Let me -- 323 00:19:03,700 --> 00:19:04,470 The Press: I'm sorry. 324 00:19:04,467 --> 00:19:11,537 Mr. Gibbs: I think having a robust free press that covers an 325 00:19:11,533 --> 00:19:14,533 important story for the world is something that the President 326 00:19:14,533 --> 00:19:17,463 believes strongly in. 327 00:19:17,467 --> 00:19:18,897 The Press: Does the administration believe the Internet 328 00:19:18,900 --> 00:19:21,200 and texting access should be restored? 329 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:22,630 Mr. Gibbs: Absolutely. 330 00:19:22,633 --> 00:19:23,863 Yes, sir. 331 00:19:23,867 --> 00:19:25,197 The Press: A follow-up? 332 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:28,730 Sky News has designated a spot on their Web site, as other 333 00:19:28,734 --> 00:19:31,504 organizations have, for people who are tweeting, who are 334 00:19:31,500 --> 00:19:34,070 sending SMS's, et cetera. 335 00:19:34,066 --> 00:19:36,136 In light of the fact that we don't have a diplomatic 336 00:19:36,133 --> 00:19:38,603 relationship, is the White House monitoring these various Web 337 00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:40,000 sites for that information? 338 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:43,800 Mr. Gibbs: I can check withsomebody at NSC, but I don't have anything specific. 339 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:48,530 The Press: The President said in Cairo that countries that elect 340 00:19:48,533 --> 00:19:52,163 their governments are better -- the governments are better, more 341 00:19:52,166 --> 00:19:57,196 stable, better able to provide economic opportunities. 342 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:03,500 Does the United States have a national interest in the will of 343 00:20:03,500 --> 00:20:07,500 the Iranian people being accurately reflected in this election? 344 00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:11,030 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think that he's expressed concern, as the 345 00:20:11,033 --> 00:20:14,103 international community has. 346 00:20:14,100 --> 00:20:19,700 Obviously any election, if it's going to -- any election should 347 00:20:19,700 --> 00:20:21,200 reflect the will of the people. 348 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:23,900 That, by definition, is an election. 349 00:20:23,900 --> 00:20:26,200 I would also mention, Scott, that the President said that 350 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:28,730 it's important -- elections are important, but also the 351 00:20:28,734 --> 00:20:32,504 decisions that governments make after elections are important. 352 00:20:32,500 --> 00:20:39,000 That's why our interests as they relate to the Iranian government are unchanged. 353 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:43,600 The Press: Robert, are you at all concerned that the measured 354 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:48,230 response of the United States so far to the Iranian elections 355 00:20:48,233 --> 00:20:52,433 could harm America or the President's image among 356 00:20:52,433 --> 00:20:56,703 democracy advocates not only in Iran but around the world? 357 00:20:56,700 --> 00:21:00,330 Mr. Gibbs: No, I think this administration's commitment to 358 00:21:00,333 --> 00:21:07,563 democracy has been demonstrated in the commitment in resources 359 00:21:07,567 --> 00:21:12,997 that we've put forward. 360 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:18,400 But at the same time, I think it's important that I 361 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:23,030 reemphasize what the President said about sovereignty, but more 362 00:21:23,033 --> 00:21:29,103 importantly, that I emphasize that this is a debate inside of 363 00:21:29,100 --> 00:21:31,600 Iran for Iranians. 364 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:32,130 Yes, sir. 365 00:21:32,133 --> 00:21:34,063 The Press: Robert, health care. 366 00:21:34,066 --> 00:21:38,496 CBO, as I think you know, has scored Ted Kennedy's bill as 367 00:21:38,500 --> 00:21:41,300 costing over a trillion dollars, and yet it still is only going 368 00:21:41,300 --> 00:21:44,730 to ensure about a third of the uninsured. 369 00:21:44,734 --> 00:21:47,264 Doesn't that -- I realized you said that that's his bill and 370 00:21:47,266 --> 00:21:50,496 not your bill, but doesn't that bode ill for health care reform 371 00:21:50,500 --> 00:21:55,600 in general and the President's hope of ensuring everybody? 372 00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:56,730 Mr. Gibbs: How so? 373 00:21:56,734 --> 00:21:58,964 The Press: Well, to the extent that you spend that amount of 374 00:21:58,967 --> 00:22:01,767 money, which is in the ballpark of what the administration has 375 00:22:01,767 --> 00:22:03,197 said it's going to cost -- 376 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:07,770 Mr. Gibbs: In reading stories on this, I think it's clear that 377 00:22:07,767 --> 00:22:13,597 this is an old proposal, an incomplete proposal. 378 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:17,300 I think what's important is what the President outlined 379 00:22:17,300 --> 00:22:22,070 yesterday, in his speech to the doctors, that we know clearly 380 00:22:22,066 --> 00:22:24,896 what the cost of inaction is. 381 00:22:24,900 --> 00:22:28,170 We know what that cost is to the federal budget; we know what it 382 00:22:28,166 --> 00:22:30,966 is to state budgets; we know what it is to budgets of 383 00:22:30,967 --> 00:22:34,597 families and to businesses, large and small. 384 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:41,500 And that inaction is something we simply can't afford. 385 00:22:41,500 --> 00:22:46,200 The President I think has laid out strong principles that he 386 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:53,770 believes should be contained in legislation so that we can see 387 00:22:53,767 --> 00:22:57,237 significant cost-saving for families and small businesses 388 00:22:57,233 --> 00:22:59,463 that are struggling. 389 00:22:59,467 --> 00:23:05,037 But, again, I think this has many twists and turns to go. 390 00:23:05,033 --> 00:23:11,163 I mean, one incomplete, older proposal I don't think is 391 00:23:11,166 --> 00:23:14,296 indicative of where we are now. 392 00:23:14,300 --> 00:23:16,470 And I would also mention this -- I think the President has 393 00:23:16,467 --> 00:23:26,437 outlined close to $950 billion in savings that he believes 394 00:23:26,433 --> 00:23:32,303 could be used to ensure that a plan for health care reform is 395 00:23:32,300 --> 00:23:33,730 deficit-neutral. 396 00:23:33,734 --> 00:23:36,334 The Press: But you're confident that the President's proposal or 397 00:23:36,333 --> 00:23:39,333 what he wants to sign is going to be so dramatically different 398 00:23:39,333 --> 00:23:41,963 from what CBO looked at, that you will ensure the bulk of the 399 00:23:41,967 --> 00:23:43,037 unemployed -- 400 00:23:43,033 --> 00:23:45,263 Mr. Gibbs: I think the committeethat's worked on that bill will 401 00:23:45,266 --> 00:23:48,136 tell you the bill they have now is. 402 00:23:48,133 --> 00:23:53,933 Look, as I've said, Mark, the President isn't looking to pass 403 00:23:53,934 --> 00:23:57,134 -- for Congress to pass and for him to sign something that 404 00:23:57,133 --> 00:24:04,033 doesn't significantly cut the amount of cost that families and 405 00:24:04,033 --> 00:24:06,033 small businesses are struggling with. 406 00:24:06,033 --> 00:24:09,903 The President reiterated yesterday that we shouldn't be a 407 00:24:09,900 --> 00:24:13,800 nation that sees tens of millions of uninsured. 408 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:19,400 And he has some very firm principles in mind that have to 409 00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:21,470 be met as part of health care reform. 410 00:24:21,467 --> 00:24:22,497 Ann. 411 00:24:22,500 --> 00:24:24,070 The Press: How does that principle work, though? 412 00:24:24,066 --> 00:24:28,236 If he promises repeatedly that Americans can keep the doctors 413 00:24:28,233 --> 00:24:32,463 and the health insurance they like, if they like it, but if he 414 00:24:32,467 --> 00:24:35,497 succeeds in getting a kind of a government plan, small 415 00:24:35,500 --> 00:24:38,830 businesses desert their private insurers and go to a government 416 00:24:38,834 --> 00:24:43,234 plan, how can people keep the doctors and plans they want if 417 00:24:43,233 --> 00:24:46,003 their employers opt out for -- 418 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:49,700 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I guess I wouldn't necessarily subscribe 419 00:24:49,700 --> 00:24:56,000 to this notion that presenting a public option with better choice 420 00:24:56,000 --> 00:25:02,830 and more competition will result dramatically in employers 421 00:25:02,834 --> 00:25:06,104 dropping what they already have. 422 00:25:06,100 --> 00:25:10,970 The notion of injecting a public option, we believe, will do 423 00:25:10,967 --> 00:25:15,537 exactly what I said in terms of choice and competition. 424 00:25:15,533 --> 00:25:19,963 Having somebody ensure that there is an affordable 425 00:25:19,967 --> 00:25:24,467 placeholder in the market I think will have a dramatic 426 00:25:24,467 --> 00:25:26,737 effect in terms of driving down costs, exactly what the 427 00:25:26,734 --> 00:25:28,734 President talks about each and every time he talks 428 00:25:28,734 --> 00:25:30,004 about health care reform. 429 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,270 The Press: By the time Air Force One arrived back here yesterday, 430 00:25:32,266 --> 00:25:35,896 the complaints on Capitol Hill were that the government option 431 00:25:35,900 --> 00:25:39,570 would drive private insurance out of business. 432 00:25:39,567 --> 00:25:42,167 How can he make sure that doesn't happen? 433 00:25:42,166 --> 00:25:46,066 Mr. Gibbs: I think the President outlined pretty clearly 434 00:25:46,066 --> 00:25:49,236 yesterday, the principle to ensure that if you like what you 435 00:25:49,233 --> 00:25:54,063 have, you can keep it; that the injection of an option that 436 00:25:54,066 --> 00:26:00,596 ensures greater choice among those that don't have access and 437 00:26:00,600 --> 00:26:05,000 competition that drives down costs is an important option 438 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:09,270 that has to be preserved in this entire debate. 439 00:26:09,266 --> 00:26:10,196 The Press: How can you promise that? 440 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:13,130 How can you promise -- if employers are in charge of 441 00:26:13,133 --> 00:26:16,633 providing insurance for their employees, how can the President say -- 442 00:26:16,633 --> 00:26:20,833 Mr. Gibbs: Because the injection of competition will drive down costs. 443 00:26:20,834 --> 00:26:23,504 People -- other insurance companies will follow that. 444 00:26:23,500 --> 00:26:27,600 You can't set a market -- if a marketplace is set that is so 445 00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:30,430 vastly out of whack, people have to make decisions. 446 00:26:30,433 --> 00:26:31,363 That's what we're -- 447 00:26:31,367 --> 00:26:35,567 The Press: But the reportsaid that there would be some millions 448 00:26:35,567 --> 00:26:40,037 knocked off of their private plans as a public option. 449 00:26:40,033 --> 00:26:42,063 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Major, based on what I think we all acknowledge 450 00:26:42,066 --> 00:26:46,236 is an older proposal and not one that's fully laid out. 451 00:26:46,233 --> 00:26:48,163 The Press: Do you guys think you can offer a plan that's less 452 00:26:48,166 --> 00:26:51,996 expensive and people aren't going to flock to it? 453 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:54,670 Mr. Gibbs: I think what happens in a marketplace like that, if I 454 00:26:54,667 --> 00:26:58,737 understand the free enterprise system, is that increased choice 455 00:26:58,734 --> 00:27:02,104 in competition drives down the prices for other insurance. 456 00:27:02,100 --> 00:27:07,100 That's why a strong public option is necessary to ensure that competition. 457 00:27:07,100 --> 00:27:09,070 The Press: But a free enterprise system, if the competitor -- one 458 00:27:09,066 --> 00:27:12,066 has an inexhaustible source of tax revenue as a public option 459 00:27:12,066 --> 00:27:15,196 funded by the government might, then the private sector can't -- 460 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:18,130 The Press: That's the 11th question up there. 461 00:27:18,133 --> 00:27:19,633 Could we get some back here? 462 00:27:19,633 --> 00:27:21,263 Mr. Gibbs: Just by Major, or by the first two rows? 463 00:27:21,266 --> 00:27:22,896 (laughter) 464 00:27:22,900 --> 00:27:26,030 The Press: By Major -- 11, 11. We've counted. 465 00:27:26,033 --> 00:27:27,433 The Press: We have a new record. 466 00:27:27,433 --> 00:27:28,863 The Press: Could I ask just one? 467 00:27:28,867 --> 00:27:32,197 Mr. Gibbs: Let me work my way back, Lester, so that I ensure 468 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:35,000 that the 11 questions that Major has had during our short period 469 00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:38,470 of time together -- let me give a chance for somebody in the 470 00:27:38,467 --> 00:27:40,067 third and fourth row to break that record. 471 00:27:40,066 --> 00:27:41,266 Peter. 472 00:27:41,266 --> 00:27:42,666 The Press: Thank you, Robert. 473 00:27:42,667 --> 00:27:44,797 Back to the turtles for a moment. 474 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:49,530 How do you ensure the priorities in the stimulus package are met? 475 00:27:49,533 --> 00:27:53,563 In Florida, 200 faculty and staff are going to be laid off 476 00:27:53,567 --> 00:27:56,037 at a time when the state transportation department is 477 00:27:56,033 --> 00:28:00,303 going to spend $3 million paving a pathway for turtles so that 478 00:28:00,300 --> 00:28:02,430 they can safely cross a highway. 479 00:28:02,433 --> 00:28:05,003 Is that a priority -- 480 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:07,800 Mr. Gibbs: I have not looked through the entire report. 481 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:13,070 I think that, again, I'd point out the number of inaccuracies 482 00:28:13,066 --> 00:28:17,866 and simply -- the entries in the report that are simply wrong. 483 00:28:17,867 --> 00:28:20,737 The Press: But I just have arebuttal on that one, and I 484 00:28:20,734 --> 00:28:24,264 guess the broader question is, is it possible with a stimulus 485 00:28:24,266 --> 00:28:27,396 package of this size to prioritize in a way to ensure 486 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:29,770 that the money goes to the worthiest projects? 487 00:28:29,767 --> 00:28:30,737 Mr. Gibbs: Absolutely. 488 00:28:30,734 --> 00:28:38,804 That's exactly the system that the President has set up. 489 00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:42,870 That's the priority of any recovery plan. 490 00:28:42,867 --> 00:28:48,067 And I think that a reasonable look at the spending thus far 491 00:28:48,066 --> 00:28:50,896 denotes that that's happened in this case, that the priorities 492 00:28:50,900 --> 00:28:55,830 are being met, that funding is going to where it's needed. 493 00:28:55,834 --> 00:29:02,504 But, look, you're using an example of state budget priorities. 494 00:29:02,500 --> 00:29:07,670 As I said earlier in relation to California, there are very few 495 00:29:07,667 --> 00:29:12,597 entities -- business, states, the federal government -- that 496 00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:16,500 are immune to the type of dramatic downturn that we've 497 00:29:16,500 --> 00:29:18,900 seen in the economy. 498 00:29:18,900 --> 00:29:24,830 I think that's why the President endeavored to seek a recovery 499 00:29:24,834 --> 00:29:27,834 and reinvestment plan that would actually make a difference. 500 00:29:27,834 --> 00:29:28,434 April. 501 00:29:28,433 --> 00:29:32,433 The Press: Robert, the U.S. Conference of Mayors was very happy early on in this 502 00:29:32,433 --> 00:29:35,803 administration, saying they had a friend in the White House when 503 00:29:35,800 --> 00:29:40,470 the President was engaging them on the recovery plan. 504 00:29:40,467 --> 00:29:44,637 Now they're very, very upset about the White House not 505 00:29:44,633 --> 00:29:46,433 crossing this picketing. 506 00:29:46,433 --> 00:29:48,763 Could you talk about that? 507 00:29:48,767 --> 00:29:54,067 Is the good of the whole being neglected for one city? 508 00:29:54,066 --> 00:29:58,196 Mr. Gibbs: No, I think the administration has denoted pretty clearly 509 00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:04,600 that obviously we have worked with officials at a 510 00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:09,300 city, county, state level, particularly as it relates to 511 00:30:09,300 --> 00:30:11,270 the recovery plan. 512 00:30:11,266 --> 00:30:16,966 But I think, as the statement from me says clearly, it's not 513 00:30:16,967 --> 00:30:18,767 our policy to cross the picket line. 514 00:30:18,767 --> 00:30:21,037 The Press: So -- okay. 515 00:30:21,033 --> 00:30:23,363 And I'm going to go hypothetically, but I want an 516 00:30:23,367 --> 00:30:25,067 answer, a real answer. 517 00:30:25,066 --> 00:30:27,236 (laughter) 518 00:30:27,233 --> 00:30:29,403 Mr. Gibbs: I won't "contestation" then. 519 00:30:29,400 --> 00:30:30,000 (laughter) 520 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:33,100 The Press: Is that a real word? But here's the deal. 521 00:30:33,100 --> 00:30:38,800 If the conference, the three-day conference, was in another city, 522 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:42,230 would the high-profile White House officials have attended? 523 00:30:42,233 --> 00:30:45,563 If it were in another city that did not have any kind of picket- 524 00:30:45,567 --> 00:30:48,967 Mr. Gibbs: Look, let me see if I'm accurately paraphrasing your question. 525 00:30:48,967 --> 00:30:53,697 If there wasn a picket line that we wouldn't cross, would we go? 526 00:30:53,700 --> 00:30:55,800 The Press: Right. In another city. 527 00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:58,370 Mr. Gibbs: Again, our policy is we don't want to cross a picket line. 528 00:30:58,367 --> 00:31:03,497 So if there's not a picket line in Smithville and that's where 529 00:31:03,500 --> 00:31:06,400 the conference is, we'll go to the conference. 530 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:09,970 The Press: And also, another conference in July, the NAACP. 531 00:31:09,967 --> 00:31:12,497 We understand it looks very favorable that the President 532 00:31:12,500 --> 00:31:15,000 could be speaking to the nation's oldest civil rights organization? 533 00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:15,670 Is that true? 534 00:31:15,667 --> 00:31:17,397 And tell us why. 535 00:31:17,400 --> 00:31:21,800 Mr. Gibbs: I think the President has spoken on a number of occasions. 536 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:23,400 I have not seen the final thing. 537 00:31:23,400 --> 00:31:30,730 I assume, strongly, that he'll go, and looks forward to 538 00:31:30,734 --> 00:31:35,134 honoring their historic commitment. 539 00:31:35,133 --> 00:31:36,163 The Press: What is his message? 540 00:31:36,166 --> 00:31:39,296 He's gone to Muslim America, he's gone to Hispanic America. 541 00:31:39,300 --> 00:31:42,930 What is his message to black America as the first African 542 00:31:42,934 --> 00:31:44,064 American President? 543 00:31:44,066 --> 00:31:46,436 Mr. Gibbs: Well, let me not get ahead of a speech that probably 544 00:31:46,433 --> 00:31:47,463 hasn't been written. 545 00:31:47,467 --> 00:31:48,397 David. 546 00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:50,630 The Press: Thanks. Thirteen questions. 547 00:31:50,633 --> 00:31:53,263 (laughter) 548 00:31:53,266 --> 00:31:55,936 I'll settle for two. 549 00:31:55,934 --> 00:32:07,164 On the visitor log issue, while the policy is under review 550 00:32:07,166 --> 00:32:12,166 you've denied two requests from MSNBC and from crew, and then 551 00:32:12,166 --> 00:32:18,496 was quoted up by MSNBC, saying that, in essence, there should 552 00:32:18,500 --> 00:32:20,630 be the right to hold secret meetings in the White House, and 553 00:32:20,633 --> 00:32:24,433 he gave a forward examples when that might be needed. 554 00:32:24,433 --> 00:32:27,363 Is it the position of the White House that you need to hold 555 00:32:27,367 --> 00:32:30,397 secret meetings on occasion here, and thus -- 556 00:32:30,400 --> 00:32:34,170 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think there are obviously occasions in which 557 00:32:34,166 --> 00:32:39,236 the President is going to meet privately with advisors on 558 00:32:39,233 --> 00:32:47,563 topics that are of great national importance, yes. 559 00:32:47,567 --> 00:32:50,997 The Press: Okay, so then how does that square with a policy 560 00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:54,530 that might end up -- a policy review that might end up 561 00:32:54,533 --> 00:32:56,233 releasing some visitor logs? 562 00:32:56,233 --> 00:33:03,733 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, let me not conclude the review that's underway. 563 00:33:03,734 --> 00:33:05,034 The Press: And then secondly, just -- 564 00:33:05,033 --> 00:33:07,103 The Press: Why can't you give us a length of that review? 565 00:33:07,100 --> 00:33:08,270 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have it. 566 00:33:08,266 --> 00:33:09,966 The Press: But can you find it? Can you find out? 567 00:33:09,967 --> 00:33:11,367 Mr. Gibbs: I will see if they have one, yes. 568 00:33:11,367 --> 00:33:12,937 The Press: CNN is reporting that -- 569 00:33:12,934 --> 00:33:13,864 Mr. Gibbs: This is two -- 570 00:33:13,867 --> 00:33:15,237 The Press: This is two. 571 00:33:15,233 --> 00:33:17,033 The Press: I just have one -- just one. 572 00:33:17,033 --> 00:33:20,533 Mr. Gibbs: Just one big microphone, or just one big question? 573 00:33:20,533 --> 00:33:22,563 (laughter) 574 00:33:22,567 --> 00:33:23,737 The Press: Both. Both. 575 00:33:23,734 --> 00:33:24,534 Mr. Gibbs: Okay. 576 00:33:24,533 --> 00:33:26,663 The Press: CNN is reporting that State Department officials are 577 00:33:26,667 --> 00:33:30,197 working with Twitter and other social networks to keep 578 00:33:30,200 --> 00:33:33,030 communications open with Iran. 579 00:33:33,033 --> 00:33:35,133 Is that something the White House is involved with, too? 580 00:33:35,133 --> 00:33:35,963 Mr. Gibbs: I will check. 581 00:33:35,967 --> 00:33:44,167 Obviously I think, as I said earlier, ensuring an active free 582 00:33:44,166 --> 00:33:49,436 press on the ground, as well as communications either through 583 00:33:49,433 --> 00:33:52,333 texting or Twitter are incredibly important. 584 00:33:52,333 --> 00:33:58,633 I think, David, you are seeing the yearning for change that the 585 00:33:58,633 --> 00:34:05,803 President talked about, and the President has talked about, right now. 586 00:34:05,800 --> 00:34:13,670 I think the peaceable demonstration and that yearning 587 00:34:13,667 --> 00:34:18,697 especially by youth in Iran is heartening for the world to see 588 00:34:18,700 --> 00:34:20,500 and is important for the world to see. 589 00:34:20,500 --> 00:34:26,070 The Press: You said that U.S. interest with Iran haven't changed since last Thursday or Friday. 590 00:34:26,066 --> 00:34:29,736 Is it fair to say that the talks the U.S. 591 00:34:29,734 --> 00:34:33,304 -- (inaudible) -- in addressing those interests has gone much 592 00:34:33,300 --> 00:34:34,600 harder because of the events of the last week? 593 00:34:34,600 --> 00:34:37,230 And is it going to be much more difficult to build domestic 594 00:34:37,233 --> 00:34:39,803 political support for an engagement strategy with 595 00:34:39,800 --> 00:34:43,100 Ahmadinejad as President after a disputed election? 596 00:34:43,100 --> 00:34:46,900 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I've seen quite a few people in the last 24 597 00:34:46,900 --> 00:34:52,000 hours discuss a more vigorous policy in engaging Iran, quite 598 00:34:52,000 --> 00:34:55,400 frankly, than I've seen in any number of months. 599 00:34:55,400 --> 00:35:00,300 I think -- again, I'll go back to what I said just a moment ago. 600 00:35:00,300 --> 00:35:05,430 I think you're seeing the yearning for change. 601 00:35:05,433 --> 00:35:15,763 I think we're witnessing something that we believe -- the 602 00:35:15,767 --> 00:35:19,637 world is witnessing something that's tremendously important. 603 00:35:19,633 --> 00:35:24,733 The Press: Robert, on the war funding, the Republicans have announced 604 00:35:24,734 --> 00:35:28,834 they're going to vote en bloc against the war-funding measure. 605 00:35:28,834 --> 00:35:31,504 Does the administration believe that Republicans or Democrats 606 00:35:31,500 --> 00:35:37,300 who vote against the war-funding measure are putting our troops in danger? 607 00:35:37,300 --> 00:35:44,100 Mr. Gibbs: I would note with some irony the new message 608 00:35:44,100 --> 00:35:50,800 position of Republicans on Capitol Hill. 609 00:35:50,800 --> 00:35:55,600 As I said last week, I think there are many important reasons 610 00:35:55,600 --> 00:36:02,600 to support this supplemental funding: ensuring our efforts in 611 00:36:02,600 --> 00:36:09,730 Afghanistan and Iraq; the commitments that we've made to 612 00:36:09,734 --> 00:36:17,564 Pakistan to help; and as I said last week, the extremely 613 00:36:17,567 --> 00:36:20,797 important efforts -- as the World Health Organization 614 00:36:20,800 --> 00:36:24,070 denotes we have reached internationally a pandemic 615 00:36:24,066 --> 00:36:28,396 stage, the important money that's there for the preparation 616 00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:32,770 and response to what we and others throughout the world 617 00:36:32,767 --> 00:36:40,967 assume will be another visit from H1N1 this fall. 618 00:36:40,967 --> 00:36:44,697 I think for any number of reasons, the administration 619 00:36:44,700 --> 00:36:50,670 strongly believes that a vote in support of all of these measures 620 00:36:50,667 --> 00:36:52,297 is truly important. 621 00:36:52,300 --> 00:36:54,970 The Press: And their reasoning they say is because of the IMF funding. 622 00:36:54,967 --> 00:36:58,737 In 1998, John Boehner said: "Given the crises we have around 623 00:36:58,734 --> 00:37:02,234 the world, the U.S. needs to provide leadership. 624 00:37:02,233 --> 00:37:06,333 The only real avenue is the IMF." 625 00:37:06,333 --> 00:37:07,803 Interesting change of position. 626 00:37:07,800 --> 00:37:09,270 Mr. Gibbs: Have you gotten his response on that? 627 00:37:09,266 --> 00:37:12,596 The Press: I'd like to hear yours. 628 00:37:12,600 --> 00:37:17,470 Mr. Gibbs: The President made a commitment at the G20 to ensure 629 00:37:17,467 --> 00:37:23,767 that as we watched an economic downturn, we watched an even 630 00:37:23,767 --> 00:37:33,237 steeper downturn in exports, which hurts not only -- it hurts 631 00:37:33,233 --> 00:37:37,233 all countries, but it hurts particularly developing nations. 632 00:37:37,233 --> 00:37:46,633 This is important relief to ensure that we have strong global trade. 633 00:37:46,633 --> 00:37:50,663 I don't think, given where we are in the world economy, that 634 00:37:50,667 --> 00:37:57,037 we would want to see a pullback in that commitment. 635 00:37:57,033 --> 00:38:01,233 And I think we should understand that exports create jobs right 636 00:38:01,233 --> 00:38:02,433 here at home. 637 00:38:02,433 --> 00:38:07,163 The Press: Robert, on immigration, what's the reason that the 638 00:38:07,166 --> 00:38:09,936 meeting has been delayed week after week? 639 00:38:09,934 --> 00:38:12,304 Some Hispanic organizations are saying that's because the 640 00:38:12,300 --> 00:38:16,030 President is losing ground in the support in the House and in 641 00:38:16,033 --> 00:38:19,703 the Senate on immigration reform discussion. 642 00:38:19,700 --> 00:38:24,570 Mr. Gibbs: Unfortunately, the schedule here is, as always, a 643 00:38:24,567 --> 00:38:26,137 work in progress. 644 00:38:26,133 --> 00:38:29,703 And for those reasons, the meeting has been I think 645 00:38:29,700 --> 00:38:32,930 rescheduled to the -- I think it's the 25th, if I have it off 646 00:38:32,934 --> 00:38:34,734 the top of my head. 647 00:38:34,734 --> 00:38:39,264 But the President remains committed to working with 648 00:38:39,266 --> 00:38:41,636 Congress to seek changes in our immigration law. 649 00:38:41,633 --> 00:38:47,303 But that doesn't -- but that's not shifted because a meeting 650 00:38:47,300 --> 00:38:48,700 got pushed back on the schedule. 651 00:38:48,700 --> 00:38:49,570 Tim. 652 00:38:49,567 --> 00:38:51,967 The Press: The House majority leader said he has reason to 653 00:38:51,967 --> 00:38:55,367 believe that the President is considering an executive order 654 00:38:55,367 --> 00:38:58,967 that would prevent the release of the detainee abuse photos. 655 00:38:58,967 --> 00:39:01,297 Is that something the President is considering? 656 00:39:01,300 --> 00:39:02,970 Mr. Gibbs: Tim, all I'm going to say on this is that the 657 00:39:02,967 --> 00:39:11,737 President has committed to all interested parties that he 658 00:39:11,734 --> 00:39:17,734 intends to do what's necessary to keep those photos from being 659 00:39:17,734 --> 00:39:22,434 released, and that he intends to keep that commitment. 660 00:39:22,433 --> 00:39:24,603 The Press: Did he give Hoyer a reason to believe that? 661 00:39:24,600 --> 00:39:27,900 Mr. Gibbs: I won't get into any private conversations. 662 00:39:27,900 --> 00:39:29,300 Lester, yes. 663 00:39:29,300 --> 00:39:31,270 The Press: Thank you very much. 664 00:39:31,266 --> 00:39:36,236 Historian Victor Davis Hanson cites what he terms, "The 665 00:39:36,233 --> 00:39:41,233 President's politically correct canard that the Renaissance was 666 00:39:41,233 --> 00:39:45,433 fueled by Arab learning, and the President's statement that 667 00:39:45,433 --> 00:39:48,303 abolition of slavery and civil rights in the U.S. 668 00:39:48,300 --> 00:39:52,600 were accomplished without violence," as two of seven 669 00:39:52,600 --> 00:39:54,400 presidential errors. 670 00:39:54,400 --> 00:39:57,030 And my question: Does the White House believe Dr. Hanson is 671 00:39:57,033 --> 00:40:00,933 wrong, or do you believe your speechwriters and the President 672 00:40:00,934 --> 00:40:04,204 made some mistakes? 673 00:40:04,200 --> 00:40:07,500 Mr. Gibbs: Lester, I have to hand it to you that you have in only one 674 00:40:07,500 --> 00:40:12,130 question covered some five or six centuries of world history. 675 00:40:12,133 --> 00:40:13,833 (laughter) 676 00:40:13,834 --> 00:40:19,834 The Press: No, no, just mistakes -- White House mistakes. 677 00:40:19,834 --> 00:40:23,464 Mr. Gibbs: Should I ask you a question and you respond, or should I give a -- 678 00:40:23,467 --> 00:40:25,367 The Press: I'd be delighted -- 679 00:40:25,367 --> 00:40:27,837 Mr. Gibbs: At least you're not leaning into where you think the answer 680 00:40:27,834 --> 00:40:32,304 to such a historically significant and important question -- 681 00:40:32,300 --> 00:40:35,900 I'm not familiar with the work of the esteemed historian. 682 00:40:35,900 --> 00:40:38,100 I haven't seen it. 683 00:40:38,100 --> 00:40:44,870 I can assure you that not knowing who this historian is, 684 00:40:44,867 --> 00:40:47,267 I'll put my money on our speechwriters. 685 00:40:47,266 --> 00:40:50,796 The Press: Thank you very much for getting back to us.