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1 00:00:00,233 --> 00:00:02,133 Mr. Carney: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. 2 00:00:02,133 --> 00:00:03,533 Welcome to the White House. 3 00:00:03,533 --> 00:00:05,032 Thanks for coming. 4 00:00:05,033 --> 00:00:09,133 I have no announcements so I will go straight to questions. 5 00:00:09,133 --> 00:00:10,332 Mr. Babbington. 6 00:00:10,333 --> 00:00:11,533 The Press: Thank you, Jay. 7 00:00:11,533 --> 00:00:14,600 Mitt Romney, at the NAACP meeting today in Houston, 8 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:17,133 said that his policies and leadership would help the 9 00:00:17,133 --> 00:00:19,734 families of color more so than policies and leadership of 10 00:00:19,734 --> 00:00:21,200 President Obama. 11 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:24,433 What's your reaction to that? 12 00:00:24,433 --> 00:00:27,133 Mr. Carney: Well, I didn't see the speech. 13 00:00:27,133 --> 00:00:30,266 I can simply say that the President's policies from the 14 00:00:30,266 --> 00:00:36,065 day he took office have been focused on helping all Americans 15 00:00:36,066 --> 00:00:39,700 recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression. 16 00:00:39,700 --> 00:00:41,266 His policies have focused in particular 17 00:00:41,266 --> 00:00:43,567 on middle-class families. 18 00:00:43,567 --> 00:00:47,800 And one thing we know is that African Americans as well as 19 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:50,233 other minority communities were particularly hard hit by the 20 00:00:50,233 --> 00:00:56,833 recession, and therefore some of the policies the President put 21 00:00:56,834 --> 00:00:59,700 in place -- including the Recovery Act, 22 00:00:59,700 --> 00:01:06,400 and including his call this week for Congress to extend 23 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:12,266 middle-class tax cuts -- will benefit all Americans -- all 24 00:01:12,266 --> 00:01:15,500 middle-class Americans, including African Americans as 25 00:01:15,500 --> 00:01:17,066 well as other communities. 26 00:01:17,066 --> 00:01:23,400 So I think this is a broader debate about what the right 27 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,333 economic policies are for this country moving forward. 28 00:01:26,333 --> 00:01:31,500 The President is committed to policies that help expand the 29 00:01:31,500 --> 00:01:32,667 middle class. 30 00:01:32,667 --> 00:01:39,033 His vision is founded in the idea that our country grows best 31 00:01:39,033 --> 00:01:42,133 when it grows from the middle class out, 32 00:01:42,133 --> 00:01:44,866 rather than the top down. 33 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:52,033 And that's a vision and a theory that has been tested in practice 34 00:01:52,033 --> 00:01:58,133 within the last 15 years or so, and the top-down approach in the 35 00:01:58,133 --> 00:02:01,366 previous administration, the middle-out approach in the 36 00:02:01,367 --> 00:02:05,000 administration before that, and I know you've seen the 37 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:09,532 comparative statistics on how those policies worked out for 38 00:02:09,532 --> 00:02:11,867 the American economy and the middle class in particular. 39 00:02:11,867 --> 00:02:16,767 The Press: Did the President's decision not to the NAACP meeting suggest 40 00:02:16,767 --> 00:02:18,900 that he takes the black vote for granted? 41 00:02:18,900 --> 00:02:25,100 Mr. Carney: Well, for campaign-specific questions about voting blocs 42 00:02:25,100 --> 00:02:27,066 and things like that I'd refer you to the campaign. 43 00:02:27,066 --> 00:02:31,000 I can tell you that the President enjoyed addressing 44 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:34,867 the NAACP in 2009 for their centennial celebration, 45 00:02:34,867 --> 00:02:37,834 where he thanked the organization for being 46 00:02:37,834 --> 00:02:40,734 pioneers of social change and continuing a legacy of civil 47 00:02:40,734 --> 00:02:42,467 rights in our country. 48 00:02:42,467 --> 00:02:48,734 Last year -- rather in 2010, the First Lady addressed the 49 00:02:48,734 --> 00:02:51,367 convention, and last year the President met with Ben Jealous 50 00:02:51,367 --> 00:02:54,566 in the Oval Office to discuss many of the concerns in the 51 00:02:54,567 --> 00:02:55,734 African American community. 52 00:02:55,734 --> 00:03:01,967 The Vice President of the United States will be speaking at the 53 00:03:01,967 --> 00:03:03,000 convention this year. 54 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:07,467 The Press: Why did the President decide to skip it this year, 55 00:03:07,467 --> 00:03:08,834 given that he can -- 56 00:03:08,834 --> 00:03:09,867 Mr. Carney: For scheduling -- 57 00:03:09,867 --> 00:03:11,767 The Press: He can control the schedule, he's the President. 58 00:03:11,767 --> 00:03:12,767 Mr. Carney: Certainly. 59 00:03:12,767 --> 00:03:13,767 But again, he's spoken before the organization in the past, 60 00:03:13,767 --> 00:03:15,834 he met with Ben Jealous last year, 61 00:03:15,834 --> 00:03:19,333 his Vice President is speaking this year. 62 00:03:19,333 --> 00:03:23,033 He is -- for campaign scheduling I would refer 63 00:03:23,033 --> 00:03:26,000 you to the campaign. 64 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:33,100 But I think that his commitment to the organization and the 65 00:03:33,100 --> 00:03:36,900 broader community is easy to see. 66 00:03:38,967 --> 00:03:41,800 The Press: A couple of questions on Syria. 67 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:49,567 Kofi Annan has proposed, and the idea is backed by both Russia 68 00:03:49,567 --> 00:03:53,500 and China, that Iran be given a role in the diplomatic efforts 69 00:03:53,500 --> 00:03:55,133 to resolve the Syria crisis. 70 00:03:55,133 --> 00:03:58,100 Would the U.S., would the administration rule out an 71 00:03:58,100 --> 00:04:00,900 Iranian role in such efforts? 72 00:04:00,900 --> 00:04:05,734 Mr. Carney: Well, I would simply point to what the Iranian role has been 73 00:04:05,734 --> 00:04:10,700 thus far, and I think one would be hard pressed to plausibly 74 00:04:10,700 --> 00:04:14,266 suggest that it's been a constructive role. 75 00:04:14,266 --> 00:04:18,666 We're focused on working with the international community and 76 00:04:18,666 --> 00:04:21,632 international partners who want to play a constructive role in 77 00:04:21,632 --> 00:04:24,866 resolving the situation in Syria. 78 00:04:24,867 --> 00:04:28,934 We are working very closely, obviously, with Kofi Annan. 79 00:04:28,934 --> 00:04:32,800 We're in regular consultations with the Russians and others 80 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:35,667 about the steps we need to take to build a consensus around the 81 00:04:35,667 --> 00:04:40,667 idea of a transition for which time is running short. 82 00:04:43,533 --> 00:04:49,533 Our interest is in an outcome that gives the Syrian people the 83 00:04:51,667 --> 00:04:54,366 best chance for a brighter future. 84 00:04:54,367 --> 00:04:59,767 We believe very strongly that President Assad has no place in 85 00:04:59,767 --> 00:05:05,433 that transition, because he long ago lost all credibility he 86 00:05:05,433 --> 00:05:10,800 might have had and any claim to be a participant in a transition 87 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:14,400 to a democratic future for Syria. 88 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:17,500 I think that we have seen, increasingly, 89 00:05:17,500 --> 00:05:20,233 evidence that Assad is being isolated, 90 00:05:20,233 --> 00:05:24,734 both his regime internationally, but internally we've seen 91 00:05:24,734 --> 00:05:31,133 defections at a very high level, including from his inner circle. 92 00:05:31,133 --> 00:05:35,233 We have seen progress on the international front in terms of 93 00:05:35,233 --> 00:05:41,233 building a consensus, including announcements out of Moscow. 94 00:05:41,233 --> 00:05:47,700 And we firmly believe that Syria's future has to be 95 00:05:47,700 --> 00:05:53,099 determined by the Syrian people, and it does not have room for 96 00:05:53,100 --> 00:05:54,633 President Assad. 97 00:05:54,633 --> 00:05:56,799 The Press: You're saying that Iran has not been a constructive player so 98 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:58,200 far, up to this point. 99 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:00,900 Can they not -- is there not a possibility they could 100 00:06:00,900 --> 00:06:04,767 participate in future negotiations, 101 00:06:04,767 --> 00:06:07,000 either contact group negotiations or -- to 102 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:11,100 help push the process in the right direction? 103 00:06:11,100 --> 00:06:14,600 Mr. Carney: Well, look, I think countries in the region have interests 104 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:15,633 in the region. 105 00:06:15,633 --> 00:06:19,700 I think Iran's role has not been productive or helpful. 106 00:06:23,300 --> 00:06:28,033 Our interest is in working with nations that want to see 107 00:06:28,033 --> 00:06:30,433 stability in Syria, want to see an end to the bloodshed, 108 00:06:30,433 --> 00:06:35,800 want to see a democratic future for the Syrian people. 109 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:37,600 I'm not excluding anything. 110 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:42,600 I'm simply saying that we are very clear-eyed about what and 111 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:48,500 -- who are likely to be helpful participants in constructing 112 00:06:48,500 --> 00:06:51,800 that future, and who is not. 113 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:53,000 Again, without ruling anything out, 114 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:58,233 I'm simply focusing on where we think progress can be made. 115 00:06:58,233 --> 00:06:58,700 The Press: Okay. 116 00:06:58,700 --> 00:07:01,567 Does the U.S. reject the idea of Iran playing a role? 117 00:07:01,567 --> 00:07:04,166 Mr. Carney: We reject that it's likely that Iran could play a 118 00:07:04,166 --> 00:07:05,700 constructive role. 119 00:07:05,700 --> 00:07:11,599 But our interest is in moving forward towards a consensus that 120 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:15,000 allows for a transition that gives the Syrian people the 121 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:16,900 best chance for a brighter future. 122 00:07:16,900 --> 00:07:18,667 The Press: Okay. And last thing -- the Syrian opposition officials 123 00:07:18,667 --> 00:07:22,366 are saying that Syria's ambassador to Iraq has defected. 124 00:07:22,367 --> 00:07:24,300 Do you all have any confirmation of that? 125 00:07:24,300 --> 00:07:29,667 And if so, how significant is it that two major members of 126 00:07:29,667 --> 00:07:32,799 Assad's inner circle have gone in one week? 127 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:34,767 Mr. Carney: I don't have confirmation of that. 128 00:07:34,767 --> 00:07:39,433 I can tell you that there have been a number of high-level 129 00:07:39,433 --> 00:07:44,500 defections in recent days and weeks, 130 00:07:44,500 --> 00:07:46,467 and they are simply the tip of the iceberg. 131 00:07:46,467 --> 00:07:49,233 There have been many, many defections within the military 132 00:07:49,233 --> 00:07:51,300 leadership, within the government, 133 00:07:51,300 --> 00:07:55,333 and I think that that is an indication of the fact that 134 00:07:55,333 --> 00:07:58,734 support for Assad is crumbling -- internationally 135 00:07:58,734 --> 00:08:00,400 and internally. 136 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:01,500 And that's a welcome development. 137 00:08:01,500 --> 00:08:07,300 And we have, as you know, called on those around Assad to 138 00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:11,767 consider their options here, to see what Assad is doing to his 139 00:08:11,767 --> 00:08:20,734 own people, to understand that siding with Assad is allying 140 00:08:20,734 --> 00:08:24,332 with a tyrant who will go down in history as such, 141 00:08:24,333 --> 00:08:28,000 and that the right choice is to abandon him, 142 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:31,567 to abandon the regime, and support the Syrian people in 143 00:08:31,567 --> 00:08:35,567 their pursuit of a better future. 144 00:08:35,567 --> 00:08:36,265 Dan. 145 00:08:36,265 --> 00:08:37,533 The Press: Thank you. 146 00:08:37,533 --> 00:08:42,000 Yesterday, during -- or after the hearings to repeal health 147 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:46,600 care, there was a lot of colorful language used by 148 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:51,433 lawmakers, one Democrat making the comparison -- the obsession 149 00:08:51,433 --> 00:08:53,533 by Republicans -- making the comparison to the Fatal 150 00:08:53,533 --> 00:08:56,467 Attraction character of Glenn Close; 151 00:08:56,467 --> 00:09:00,633 a Republican making the comparison to Boss Hogg. 152 00:09:00,633 --> 00:09:04,900 Does the President think this kind of tone is appropriate? 153 00:09:04,900 --> 00:09:08,900 Mr. Carney: Both of those anecdotes are new to me and I haven't discussed 154 00:09:08,900 --> 00:09:09,433 them with -- 155 00:09:09,433 --> 00:09:10,500 The Press: You did not hear about that? 156 00:09:10,500 --> 00:09:11,200 Mr. Carney: I didn't. 157 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:13,367 The Press: We talked about it this morning on the air. 158 00:09:13,367 --> 00:09:13,934 Mr. Carney: On CNN? 159 00:09:13,934 --> 00:09:14,433 The Press: Yes, we did. 160 00:09:14,433 --> 00:09:15,900 Mr. Carney: I'm sorry, I was in a meeting. 161 00:09:15,900 --> 00:09:18,867 (laughter) 162 00:09:18,867 --> 00:09:28,467 But, look, I think the point I would make about this is that 163 00:09:28,467 --> 00:09:32,433 the President believes a couple of things. 164 00:09:32,433 --> 00:09:36,867 One, the Affordable Care Act was the right thing to do. 165 00:09:36,867 --> 00:09:40,165 It has been upheld by the Supreme Court. 166 00:09:40,166 --> 00:09:41,767 We are committed to implementing the law, 167 00:09:41,767 --> 00:09:44,734 which will bring benefits -- has brought benefits to millions of 168 00:09:44,734 --> 00:09:49,266 Americans, and will bring benefits to millions more. 169 00:09:49,266 --> 00:09:51,800 The fact that the House of Representatives has voted -- 170 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:58,000 Republicans have voted for the 33rd time, by my count, 171 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:02,533 to either repeal or defund the Affordable Care Act in a 172 00:10:02,533 --> 00:10:07,667 quixotic effort to try to score political points I think 173 00:10:07,667 --> 00:10:16,033 demonstrates exactly what people out in the country loathe about 174 00:10:16,033 --> 00:10:18,567 politics in Washington. 175 00:10:18,567 --> 00:10:22,567 We do not need to refight the battles of two years ago and 176 00:10:22,567 --> 00:10:23,633 three years ago. 177 00:10:23,633 --> 00:10:26,100 We need to take steps to help the American people, 178 00:10:26,100 --> 00:10:28,100 the American economy now. 179 00:10:34,233 --> 00:10:39,000 Casting these votes again and again and again -- it's probably 180 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:44,100 on average once every few weeks -- does nothing to improve the 181 00:10:44,100 --> 00:10:46,133 bottom line for middle-class families, 182 00:10:46,133 --> 00:10:53,467 does nothing to send a single 18-year-old American to college, 183 00:10:53,467 --> 00:10:58,567 does nothing to help build new industries in this country, 184 00:11:02,233 --> 00:11:08,532 and it certainly does nothing to help provide health care to the 185 00:11:08,533 --> 00:11:10,133 American people. 186 00:11:10,133 --> 00:11:15,100 So we're focused on implementing a law that has been passed, 187 00:11:15,100 --> 00:11:17,600 that has been upheld by the Supreme Court, 188 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:21,300 and in calling on Congress, as the President is this week, 189 00:11:21,300 --> 00:11:27,165 to take actions that will provide concrete results for the 190 00:11:27,166 --> 00:11:29,667 American people, for the middle class, and for the economy. 191 00:11:29,667 --> 00:11:34,033 They could do that by passing an extension of the middle-class 192 00:11:34,033 --> 00:11:39,633 tax cuts that would go to 98 percent of the American people. 193 00:11:39,633 --> 00:11:42,066 They could do that this week and the President would sign it into 194 00:11:42,066 --> 00:11:43,967 law right away. 195 00:11:43,967 --> 00:11:50,900 They could do it by passing the small business tax credits that 196 00:11:50,900 --> 00:11:53,433 -- or tax cuts that the President has put forward as 197 00:11:53,433 --> 00:11:55,700 part of his "To-Do" list that the Senate is acting on this 198 00:11:55,700 --> 00:12:01,567 week, that would reward small businesses that hire new 199 00:12:01,567 --> 00:12:07,900 employees or increase the wages of their existing employees. 200 00:12:07,900 --> 00:12:10,533 They could do it by passing the unpassed elements of the 201 00:12:10,533 --> 00:12:12,433 American Jobs Act that would put, 202 00:12:12,433 --> 00:12:15,100 by the estimate of outside economists, 203 00:12:15,100 --> 00:12:17,800 a million Americans back to work. 204 00:12:20,266 --> 00:12:24,099 Everyone seems to agree that the economy is the central issue of 205 00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:26,266 our time right now in this country; 206 00:12:26,266 --> 00:12:28,800 that we need to help it grow, we need to take measures that help 207 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,000 it create more jobs. 208 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,367 Congress should be focusing on that. 209 00:12:33,367 --> 00:12:34,567 That's our opinion. 210 00:12:34,567 --> 00:12:37,700 The Press: On the whole outsourcing debate, you folks, 211 00:12:37,700 --> 00:12:44,433 the Obama campaign has been for some time now accusing Romney of 212 00:12:44,433 --> 00:12:48,433 being part of a company that outsourced jobs, 213 00:12:48,433 --> 00:12:52,000 and now Romney making the sort of counterclaim that stimulus 214 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:54,867 dollars led to U.S. jobs going overseas. 215 00:12:54,867 --> 00:13:00,400 Was stimulus money sent to foreign companies? 216 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:02,733 Mr. Carney: Well, I think there is an element here -- I would refer 217 00:13:02,734 --> 00:13:05,133 you for campaign-specific things to the campaign. 218 00:13:05,133 --> 00:13:05,667 I think there is an element -- 219 00:13:05,667 --> 00:13:06,400 The Press: But the stimulus dollars -- 220 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:07,834 Mr. Carney: -- yes, no I appreciate the question. 221 00:13:07,834 --> 00:13:09,199 That's a policy question and I'll answer it. 222 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:13,700 There is an element here of "I know you are but what am I" to 223 00:13:13,700 --> 00:13:15,700 this charge. 224 00:13:15,700 --> 00:13:18,734 But the facts tell a different story. 225 00:13:18,734 --> 00:13:23,300 The Recovery Act, by, again, independent economists' 226 00:13:23,300 --> 00:13:28,165 estimation, saved or created over 3 million jobs. 227 00:13:28,166 --> 00:13:35,100 The Recovery Act helped create new industries in this country 228 00:13:35,100 --> 00:13:36,667 or build new industries in this country, 229 00:13:36,667 --> 00:13:39,100 including the advanced battery industry, 230 00:13:39,100 --> 00:13:41,700 that barely existed here in the past. 231 00:13:41,700 --> 00:13:47,400 And the investments in those industries helped fund thousands 232 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:49,800 and thousands of jobs. 233 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:54,699 On the insourcing point, making investments that encourage 234 00:13:54,700 --> 00:13:57,734 foreign companies to come here and build projects that hire 235 00:13:57,734 --> 00:14:01,133 American workers as opposed to doing it overseas -- that's a 236 00:14:01,133 --> 00:14:02,133 good thing. 237 00:14:02,133 --> 00:14:03,433 That's a good thing for the American economy, 238 00:14:03,433 --> 00:14:05,967 and it's a good thing for American workers. 239 00:14:05,967 --> 00:14:12,766 I mean, the charge is just -- it doesn't pass the laugh test. 240 00:14:12,767 --> 00:14:14,734 And I would point you to what the President supports now 241 00:14:14,734 --> 00:14:17,100 versus what Republicans oppose. 242 00:14:17,100 --> 00:14:22,333 The President has been pushing for Congress to take action to 243 00:14:22,333 --> 00:14:27,300 reward companies that bring jobs back home to the United States, 244 00:14:27,300 --> 00:14:30,867 and to cease incentivizing companies for moving 245 00:14:30,867 --> 00:14:32,266 jobs overseas. 246 00:14:32,266 --> 00:14:34,500 Republicans oppose that. 247 00:14:34,500 --> 00:14:39,633 So this President's record on bringing jobs home, 248 00:14:39,633 --> 00:14:42,767 creating jobs here in America I think is pretty clear, 249 00:14:42,767 --> 00:14:44,900 and it stands in stark contrast, unfortunately, 250 00:14:44,900 --> 00:14:47,367 to the opposition to those measures that we've seen 251 00:14:47,367 --> 00:14:49,132 from Republicans in Congress. 252 00:14:49,133 --> 00:14:51,467 The Press: So you're saying stimulus money did go to foreign companies but 253 00:14:51,467 --> 00:14:53,433 it was to create jobs here, domestically? 254 00:14:53,433 --> 00:14:56,333 Mr. Carney: I think in some cases it went to companies that have, 255 00:14:56,333 --> 00:15:01,367 like a lot of companies, that have operations both overseas 256 00:15:01,367 --> 00:15:02,433 and in the United States. 257 00:15:02,433 --> 00:15:05,934 The money -- and I think there's been some good reporting on this 258 00:15:05,934 --> 00:15:08,100 -- the funds from the Recovery Act that went to these companies 259 00:15:08,100 --> 00:15:12,133 went to operations in the United States that created jobs for 260 00:15:12,133 --> 00:15:14,066 American workers here at home. 261 00:15:14,066 --> 00:15:15,266 And that was the purpose. 262 00:15:15,266 --> 00:15:25,433 And again, the opposition to the Recovery Act -- at the time -- I 263 00:15:25,433 --> 00:15:30,800 know you were here -- there was a broad recognition that we had 264 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:36,567 to do something to stop what was a crisis the likes of which most 265 00:15:36,567 --> 00:15:39,033 of us had never seen, economically. 266 00:15:39,033 --> 00:15:41,333 We now know that the economy shrank in the fourth quarter of 267 00:15:41,333 --> 00:15:45,733 2008 by nearly 9 percent. 268 00:15:45,734 --> 00:15:49,300 We know that the economy was shedding jobs at a rate of 269 00:15:49,300 --> 00:15:55,733 750,000 to 800,000 per month in January of 2009. 270 00:15:55,734 --> 00:15:57,300 Significant action had to be taken. 271 00:15:57,300 --> 00:15:59,699 The President took that action, with the help of Congress, 272 00:15:59,700 --> 00:16:05,100 and the Recovery Act not only saved or created more than 3 273 00:16:05,100 --> 00:16:11,467 million jobs, it helped invest in industries that will do two 274 00:16:11,467 --> 00:16:16,400 things: one, continue to create American jobs in the United 275 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:21,699 States, and two, help develop industries in this country, 276 00:16:21,700 --> 00:16:25,900 especially in clean energy, that will provide us national 277 00:16:25,900 --> 00:16:29,000 security benefits and a competitive edge against China 278 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:31,700 and India and Europe and the rest of the world going into the 279 00:16:31,700 --> 00:16:33,700 21st century. 280 00:16:34,767 --> 00:16:39,967 It helped build a foundation for a 21st century economy that will 281 00:16:39,967 --> 00:16:43,834 allow us to compete at a level that otherwise we might not have 282 00:16:43,834 --> 00:16:45,199 been able to. 283 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:47,967 The Press: In the process, though, did it also help lose jobs for some of 284 00:16:47,967 --> 00:16:49,900 those companies overseas? 285 00:16:49,900 --> 00:16:52,000 Mr. Carney: Again, no. It did not. 286 00:16:54,467 --> 00:16:59,900 Not for Americans -- I would look at the reporting on this, 287 00:16:59,900 --> 00:17:02,766 it's pretty clear. 288 00:17:02,767 --> 00:17:03,800 Yes, in the back. 289 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:05,332 The Press: Thank you, Jay. Two questions. 290 00:17:05,333 --> 00:17:07,333 First is on Myanmar. 291 00:17:07,333 --> 00:17:10,533 What's the President's expectation to new ambassador 292 00:17:10,532 --> 00:17:13,332 to Myanmar, Derek Mitchell? 293 00:17:13,333 --> 00:17:14,233 Mr. Carney: What's the -- sorry? 294 00:17:14,233 --> 00:17:19,099 The Press: Expectation from the President to the new ambassador to Myanmar. 295 00:17:19,099 --> 00:17:20,567 Mr. Carney: What's his expectation? 296 00:17:20,567 --> 00:17:24,032 I think I'd refer you to the State Department on 297 00:17:24,032 --> 00:17:25,065 a new ambassador. 298 00:17:25,066 --> 00:17:30,767 There were actions taken today by the President to 299 00:17:30,767 --> 00:17:34,133 ease restrictions to allow U.S. companies to responsibly 300 00:17:34,133 --> 00:17:36,900 do business in Burma, as you know. 301 00:17:36,900 --> 00:17:39,867 And easing sanctions is a strong signal of our support 302 00:17:39,867 --> 00:17:42,433 for reform, and will provide immediate incentives for 303 00:17:42,433 --> 00:17:44,834 reformers and significant benefits to the people of Burma. 304 00:17:44,834 --> 00:17:48,633 I mean, I can provide more information for you on that. 305 00:17:48,633 --> 00:17:51,967 I don't have anything for you on the ambassador. 306 00:17:51,967 --> 00:17:56,367 The Press: The second question, Mr. Romney called China a cheater -- 307 00:17:56,367 --> 00:18:03,399 (inaudible) -- so does the President support his idea 308 00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:05,834 on clamping on China? 309 00:18:05,834 --> 00:18:08,834 Mr. Carney: The President has been very clear about his position on the 310 00:18:08,834 --> 00:18:11,867 need to take action to ensure that American companies and 311 00:18:11,867 --> 00:18:15,767 American workers are able to compete on a level playing field 312 00:18:15,767 --> 00:18:18,300 -- with China and other international competitors. 313 00:18:18,300 --> 00:18:21,466 And where this administration, this President, 314 00:18:21,467 --> 00:18:25,233 have seen unfair trade practices, 315 00:18:25,233 --> 00:18:28,233 we have taken action at twice the rate of the 316 00:18:28,233 --> 00:18:29,800 previous administration. 317 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:32,899 At the WTO, as you know, there was another action taken just 318 00:18:32,900 --> 00:18:41,767 last week at the WTO against China over duties on -- tariffs 319 00:18:41,767 --> 00:18:43,967 on American automobiles. 320 00:18:45,734 --> 00:18:50,867 We have a very important relationship with China that 321 00:18:50,867 --> 00:18:54,166 encompasses a lot of different areas. 322 00:18:54,166 --> 00:18:56,265 Where we have disagreements, we're very clear about those 323 00:18:56,266 --> 00:18:58,300 disagreements and we work through them in a methodical 324 00:18:58,300 --> 00:19:02,367 way, and we take action where we believe it's necessary. 325 00:19:02,367 --> 00:19:05,200 The Press: So does the President believe this kind of bashing China 326 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:08,467 strategy might hurt the future in U.S.-China relations? 327 00:19:08,467 --> 00:19:11,133 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not aware of the remarks that you cited. 328 00:19:11,133 --> 00:19:13,467 I think the President is committed to a relationship 329 00:19:13,467 --> 00:19:17,734 with China that is in the best interests of 330 00:19:17,734 --> 00:19:19,265 the American people. 331 00:19:19,266 --> 00:19:24,166 And he believes that achieving that relationship is also in the 332 00:19:24,166 --> 00:19:26,133 best interest of the Chinese people. 333 00:19:26,133 --> 00:19:30,500 But he is very focused on ensuring that American companies 334 00:19:30,500 --> 00:19:32,967 and American workers are able to compete on a level 335 00:19:32,967 --> 00:19:34,333 playing field. 336 00:19:34,333 --> 00:19:38,266 And that's why he has taken the kinds of aggressive actions he 337 00:19:38,266 --> 00:19:42,100 has -- his administration has -- in a very methodical, 338 00:19:42,100 --> 00:19:46,966 non-inflammatory way, but a very direct way, through the WTO. 339 00:19:46,967 --> 00:19:49,633 The seventh case was brought forward last week. 340 00:19:49,633 --> 00:19:51,767 The six previous cases under this administration 341 00:19:51,767 --> 00:19:53,333 were all successful. 342 00:19:53,333 --> 00:19:58,066 And those successes benefit American workers 343 00:19:58,066 --> 00:20:01,867 and American companies. 344 00:20:01,867 --> 00:20:03,433 Laura, then Wendell. 345 00:20:03,433 --> 00:20:05,600 The Press: First I want to follow up on Myanmar announcement. 346 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:08,667 Are you concerned -- or how would you respond I guess to the 347 00:20:08,667 --> 00:20:12,500 criticism from some activists who say that this opens the door 348 00:20:12,500 --> 00:20:17,166 to doing business with state oil firms that have not been part of 349 00:20:17,166 --> 00:20:24,367 the reforms and, in fact, that could be counterproductive? 350 00:20:24,367 --> 00:20:27,000 Mr. Carney: Well, I think that the actions announced today are fairly 351 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,233 complex, and I think it's important to understand what's 352 00:20:29,233 --> 00:20:32,100 at work here. 353 00:20:32,100 --> 00:20:37,033 We retain all the authorities to impose sanctions that we 354 00:20:37,033 --> 00:20:38,033 had previously. 355 00:20:38,033 --> 00:20:46,100 We have eased some sanctions, but as we indicated in May, 356 00:20:46,100 --> 00:20:49,065 the armed forces and Ministry of Defense-owned entities will not 357 00:20:49,066 --> 00:20:51,133 be covered by these general licenses that 358 00:20:51,133 --> 00:20:52,200 are covered by this. 359 00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:55,066 In addition, U.S. companies will be asked to report on 360 00:20:55,066 --> 00:20:57,734 their activities in line with international corporate 361 00:20:57,734 --> 00:20:59,233 governance standards. 362 00:20:59,233 --> 00:21:01,800 The President, as you know, also signed a new executive order 363 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:05,000 that expands the Secretary of Treasury's existing sanctions 364 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:08,300 authorities to those who undermine the reform process, 365 00:21:08,300 --> 00:21:11,300 engage in human rights abuses, contribute to ethnic conflict, 366 00:21:11,300 --> 00:21:15,567 or participate in military trade with North Korea. 367 00:21:15,567 --> 00:21:18,633 In sum, this order is a clear message to Burmese government 368 00:21:18,633 --> 00:21:21,166 and military officials: Those individuals who continue to 369 00:21:21,166 --> 00:21:25,600 engage in abusive, corrupt, or destabilizing behavior going 370 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:28,065 forward will not reap the rewards of reform. 371 00:21:28,066 --> 00:21:36,667 So the measures announced today are designed to recognize the 372 00:21:36,667 --> 00:21:38,433 progress that has been made on reform, 373 00:21:38,433 --> 00:21:44,533 but retain all the authorities to ensure that those individuals 374 00:21:44,533 --> 00:21:47,000 who continue, or companies that continue to engage in abusive, 375 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:52,200 corrupt, or destabilizing behavior do not benefit. 376 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:54,333 The Press: But do you anticipate that this will open the door for U.S. 377 00:21:54,333 --> 00:21:58,400 energy firms to do business with state-owned oil companies? 378 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:02,467 Mr. Carney: I don't have specific industry-based analysis for you. 379 00:22:02,467 --> 00:22:03,700 I can take the question. 380 00:22:03,700 --> 00:22:07,400 What I can tell you is that it will -- the actions taken today 381 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:14,600 are designed to ensure that our ability to enforce sanctions 382 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:21,399 against entities that are not engaged in positive steps 383 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:24,734 towards reform remain, while allowing U.S. 384 00:22:24,734 --> 00:22:30,899 companies to do business in Burma in ways that help 385 00:22:30,900 --> 00:22:33,800 acknowledge and reward the progress that has been made. 386 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:36,899 The Press: And on another topic -- there's a vote expected in the Senate in 387 00:22:36,900 --> 00:22:41,200 a couple weeks on the tax -- the President's tax proposal. 388 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:45,233 Are you at all concerned that some Democrats, 389 00:22:45,233 --> 00:22:47,800 perhaps who are in difficult races from more conservative 390 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:50,533 states are going to have trouble supporting the President's plan 391 00:22:50,533 --> 00:22:53,833 and that he may not -- the party may not pull together 392 00:22:53,834 --> 00:22:55,133 on this issue? 393 00:22:55,133 --> 00:22:56,066 Mr. Carney: I'd say two things. 394 00:22:56,066 --> 00:22:59,900 One, you will hear from the President in coming days what 395 00:22:59,900 --> 00:23:05,667 you heard yesterday, and that is his argument for why this is an 396 00:23:05,667 --> 00:23:10,667 area where there is absolute consensus in Washington, 397 00:23:10,667 --> 00:23:14,533 and that is the need to extend middle-class tax cuts, 398 00:23:14,533 --> 00:23:20,000 tax cuts that benefit 98 percent of the taxpaying public. 399 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:23,066 Since we agree on this, we should act on it. 400 00:23:23,066 --> 00:23:26,567 And I think every Democrat in the House and the Senate, 401 00:23:26,567 --> 00:23:30,633 and every Republican in the House and the Senate agrees at 402 00:23:30,633 --> 00:23:33,700 least in principle on the idea that we ought to extend those 403 00:23:33,700 --> 00:23:35,500 tax cuts. 404 00:23:35,500 --> 00:23:36,934 That's good for the American people. 405 00:23:36,934 --> 00:23:37,966 It's good for the middle class. 406 00:23:37,967 --> 00:23:39,967 It's good for the American economy. 407 00:23:41,567 --> 00:23:44,867 And you will continue to hear from him in coming days as he 408 00:23:44,867 --> 00:23:46,433 makes that case. 409 00:23:46,433 --> 00:23:49,266 I made the point yesterday on the plane, on Air Force One, 410 00:23:49,266 --> 00:23:53,433 that one lesson that I think we have all learned in the last 411 00:23:53,433 --> 00:24:01,333 several months, maybe a year, is that one way to produce movement 412 00:24:01,333 --> 00:24:04,567 in Congress on issues that have broad support from the American 413 00:24:04,567 --> 00:24:10,967 people but face intransigence on Capitol Hill is to take the case 414 00:24:10,967 --> 00:24:11,967 to the American people. 415 00:24:11,967 --> 00:24:14,066 And that's what the President did with the payroll tax cut 416 00:24:14,066 --> 00:24:17,934 extension and unemployment insurance extension. 417 00:24:17,934 --> 00:24:22,266 That's what he did with other measures like this need to take 418 00:24:22,266 --> 00:24:24,867 action to ensure that student loan rates didn't double. 419 00:24:24,867 --> 00:24:27,265 And what we have seen is that Republican opposition to the 420 00:24:27,266 --> 00:24:31,900 President's position has, at least in some cases, 421 00:24:31,900 --> 00:24:34,300 waned as the President made that public case, 422 00:24:34,300 --> 00:24:37,166 because there is great public support for the 423 00:24:37,166 --> 00:24:38,332 President's positions. 424 00:24:38,333 --> 00:24:40,867 I can't predict to you how individuals will vote, 425 00:24:40,867 --> 00:24:47,633 but I know that Democrats to a person support extending 426 00:24:47,633 --> 00:24:48,800 middle-class tax cuts. 427 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:53,700 The Press: You're not concerned, though, that there might be fissures? 428 00:24:53,700 --> 00:24:58,300 Mr. Carney: No. I think that what you'll see is overwhelming Democratic support. 429 00:24:58,300 --> 00:24:59,966 What we've seen today is overwhelming 430 00:24:59,967 --> 00:25:01,767 Republican opposition. 431 00:25:01,767 --> 00:25:10,500 What I hope is a change in that dynamic that produces 432 00:25:10,500 --> 00:25:13,834 significant bipartisan support for something that everyone says 433 00:25:13,834 --> 00:25:14,834 they agree on. 434 00:25:14,834 --> 00:25:19,900 It is -- you guys are the analysts now, 435 00:25:19,900 --> 00:25:21,934 and the observers of the sort of broader political scene. 436 00:25:21,934 --> 00:25:27,367 But it does seem to me a difficult argument to make that 437 00:25:27,367 --> 00:25:34,033 98 percent of Americans should not get a tax cut unless the 438 00:25:34,033 --> 00:25:37,233 wealthiest 2 percent get their tax cut -- the wealthiest 2 439 00:25:37,233 --> 00:25:43,533 percent that has done quite well at a time when the middle class 440 00:25:43,533 --> 00:25:47,265 has seen its incomes stagnate or decline. 441 00:25:47,266 --> 00:25:48,367 How you make that argument -- I mean, 442 00:25:48,367 --> 00:25:52,934 I know they'll find some rhetorical devices to make it, 443 00:25:52,934 --> 00:25:55,166 but it doesn't seem all that tenable. 444 00:25:55,166 --> 00:25:59,600 And one of the -- in the past, the refusal to move forward on 445 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:02,699 just extending the middle-class tax cuts is borne out of, 446 00:26:02,700 --> 00:26:06,066 I think, a recognition that there is not broad public 447 00:26:06,066 --> 00:26:08,300 support for the idea that the wealthiest Americans, 448 00:26:08,300 --> 00:26:09,700 those who make more than $250, 449 00:26:09,700 --> 00:26:15,467 000 a year -- which is just 2 percent -- need a tax cut at a 450 00:26:15,467 --> 00:26:17,934 time when we can't afford it. 451 00:26:17,934 --> 00:26:23,300 The middle class, I think everyone recognizes, 452 00:26:23,300 --> 00:26:25,466 suffered significantly during the recession, 453 00:26:25,467 --> 00:26:28,800 and even prior to the recession was under a 454 00:26:28,800 --> 00:26:30,834 great deal of pressure. 455 00:26:30,834 --> 00:26:35,266 And we all agree that those tax cuts should be extended 456 00:26:35,266 --> 00:26:36,700 for middle-class Americans. 457 00:26:36,700 --> 00:26:39,200 So let's get it done. 458 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:40,200 Wendell. 459 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:42,800 The Press: Jay, the Pentagon acknowledged yesterday that it had not made 460 00:26:42,800 --> 00:26:47,033 contingency plans for the $500 billion in spending cuts it 461 00:26:47,033 --> 00:26:50,833 would have to make if Congress and the White House don't come 462 00:26:50,834 --> 00:26:53,066 up with a deficit-cutting agreement by the end of 463 00:26:53,066 --> 00:26:54,400 the year. 464 00:26:54,400 --> 00:26:57,700 Your critics say that this is irresponsible on the part 465 00:26:57,700 --> 00:26:58,900 of the administration. 466 00:26:58,900 --> 00:27:00,834 What's your reaction? 467 00:27:00,834 --> 00:27:06,133 Mr. Carney: I can tell you that while OMB has not yet engaged agencies 468 00:27:06,133 --> 00:27:08,600 in planning, our staff is conducting the analysis that 469 00:27:08,600 --> 00:27:12,632 is necessary to move forward, should that be required. 470 00:27:12,633 --> 00:27:14,700 And as we have made clear in the past, 471 00:27:14,700 --> 00:27:17,266 should it get to the point where it appears that Congress will 472 00:27:17,266 --> 00:27:20,734 not do its job and the sequester may take effect, 473 00:27:20,734 --> 00:27:23,466 OMB, the Defense Department and the entire administration 474 00:27:23,467 --> 00:27:25,600 will be prepared. 475 00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:27,166 That said, as I've said in the past, 476 00:27:27,166 --> 00:27:30,166 when bipartisan majorities voted for the Budget Control Act and 477 00:27:30,166 --> 00:27:32,033 the President signed it into law, 478 00:27:32,033 --> 00:27:36,800 everyone agreed that the sequester would be, by design, 479 00:27:36,800 --> 00:27:40,233 harmful both to defense and non-defense programs. 480 00:27:40,233 --> 00:27:41,233 That was the purpose. 481 00:27:41,233 --> 00:27:44,233 It was designed to be onerous and objectionable and something 482 00:27:44,233 --> 00:27:48,734 that nobody wanted, so it would force action by Congress to come 483 00:27:48,734 --> 00:27:53,433 up with and to make the hard choices to create a balanced 484 00:27:53,433 --> 00:27:57,033 approach to further deficit reduction. 485 00:27:57,033 --> 00:28:00,567 What's needed is action to avoid the sequester by Congress by 486 00:28:00,567 --> 00:28:03,400 passing balanced deficit reduction along the lines that 487 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:04,400 the President has put forward. 488 00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:08,500 But not just the President -- every bipartisan commission 489 00:28:08,500 --> 00:28:11,567 that's looked at it has said that we need a balanced 490 00:28:11,567 --> 00:28:12,567 approach. 491 00:28:12,567 --> 00:28:15,433 The so-called Gang of Six that was bipartisan said we need a 492 00:28:15,433 --> 00:28:17,934 balanced approach. 493 00:28:17,934 --> 00:28:21,133 Thus far, the obstacle to passing legislation that 494 00:28:21,133 --> 00:28:26,100 embodies that balanced approach has been Republicans in 495 00:28:26,100 --> 00:28:35,966 Congress, who I guess object on principle to the notion that 496 00:28:35,967 --> 00:28:41,800 everybody should do their fair share when it comes to getting 497 00:28:41,800 --> 00:28:47,000 our medium- and long-term deficits and debt under control. 498 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:52,133 And that's, again, speaking of I think untenable positions, 499 00:28:52,133 --> 00:28:53,467 pretty untenable. 500 00:28:53,467 --> 00:28:56,300 Because the alternative we've seen -- we see it in the budget 501 00:28:56,300 --> 00:28:57,734 proposals that have come forward. 502 00:28:57,734 --> 00:29:02,000 The alternative to doing it in a way that's balanced is to put 503 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:09,633 all the burden on the middle class, the working poor, 504 00:29:09,633 --> 00:29:15,100 on seniors, on families with children with disabilities. 505 00:29:15,100 --> 00:29:17,966 I mean, if you take one approach that says, okay, 506 00:29:17,967 --> 00:29:21,133 we're not doing revenue, that's off the table, 507 00:29:21,133 --> 00:29:22,900 we're not doing defense cuts -- in fact, 508 00:29:22,900 --> 00:29:26,700 we're going to raise defense spending -- what's left? 509 00:29:26,700 --> 00:29:29,400 And who carries the burden? 510 00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:30,800 The only approach that's appropriate, 511 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:33,834 the one that Simpson-Bowles Commission endorsed, 512 00:29:33,834 --> 00:29:36,567 the one that the Rivlin-Domenici Commission endorsed, 513 00:29:36,567 --> 00:29:37,900 the one that the Gang of Six endorsed, 514 00:29:37,900 --> 00:29:40,734 the one that the President has endorsed is one that takes all 515 00:29:40,734 --> 00:29:43,600 three legs of the stool and says that we need a balanced approach 516 00:29:43,600 --> 00:29:47,166 that includes revenues, includes reforms to our entitlement 517 00:29:47,166 --> 00:29:51,833 programs that make them stronger and more financially stable, 518 00:29:51,834 --> 00:29:55,767 and one that includes substantial non-defense, 519 00:29:55,767 --> 00:29:58,000 discretionary spending cuts, as this President has signed 520 00:29:58,000 --> 00:29:59,266 into law. 521 00:29:59,266 --> 00:30:02,367 The Press: Why isn't this President leading that effort? 522 00:30:02,367 --> 00:30:04,934 Mr. Carney: He has led that effort. 523 00:30:04,934 --> 00:30:11,767 He has a very detailed proposal before Congress that embodies 524 00:30:11,767 --> 00:30:14,800 the principles in detail that I just described. 525 00:30:17,900 --> 00:30:21,734 Again, if it is -- if there is a broad consensus on what path 526 00:30:21,734 --> 00:30:25,166 needs to be taken, a broad, bipartisan consensus out in the 527 00:30:25,166 --> 00:30:28,734 real world on the path that needs to be taken, 528 00:30:28,734 --> 00:30:31,367 and then the one contingent here in Washington says, no, 529 00:30:31,367 --> 00:30:37,000 I won't accept a deficit reduction deal that includes $10 530 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:39,767 in spending cuts for every dollar in revenue -- which is 531 00:30:39,767 --> 00:30:45,700 just so far outside of the mainstream it's rather amazing 532 00:30:45,700 --> 00:30:47,567 -- I think the obstacle is clear, 533 00:30:47,567 --> 00:30:49,667 and I think it's incumbent upon all of us to say, look, wait. 534 00:30:49,667 --> 00:30:54,000 Step back and say, what is the problem here? 535 00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:55,400 What's preventing progress? 536 00:30:55,400 --> 00:30:57,433 What has created this stalemate? 537 00:31:00,834 --> 00:31:10,567 And it is a refusal to accept the simple premise that everyone 538 00:31:10,567 --> 00:31:17,467 needs to do their fair share, that achieving the kind of 539 00:31:17,467 --> 00:31:19,800 deficit reduction that's necessary to get our fiscal 540 00:31:19,800 --> 00:31:26,667 house in order requires that the burden be shared, 541 00:31:26,667 --> 00:31:33,734 and that includes a requirement that the wealthiest among us do 542 00:31:33,734 --> 00:31:38,567 not enjoy an extension of tax cuts and do not get a trillion 543 00:31:38,567 --> 00:31:44,233 dollars of additional tax cuts when we can't afford them. 544 00:31:44,233 --> 00:31:47,966 The Press: Do you still believe that this issue will be resolved in time 545 00:31:47,967 --> 00:31:49,667 to avoid the sequester? 546 00:31:49,667 --> 00:31:51,966 Would you accept -- I think Senator Graham is working on 547 00:31:51,967 --> 00:31:54,200 a one-year fix for this. 548 00:31:54,200 --> 00:31:56,967 Would you accept something like that? 549 00:31:56,967 --> 00:32:01,467 Mr. Carney: I think that -- there is certainly time. 550 00:32:01,467 --> 00:32:02,500 There's no question there's time. 551 00:32:02,500 --> 00:32:03,567 Because as I've said in the past, 552 00:32:03,567 --> 00:32:05,633 all the work that's necessary has been done. 553 00:32:05,633 --> 00:32:11,200 We know there is no magic here left in terms of how you make 554 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:14,533 the necessary hard decisions to get the kind of deficit 555 00:32:14,533 --> 00:32:16,966 reduction necessary. 556 00:32:16,967 --> 00:32:21,533 What is required here is a little will and spine. 557 00:32:21,533 --> 00:32:27,399 And that means saying, I know I signed a pledge, 558 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:31,433 but the right thing to do for the broader American economy and 559 00:32:31,433 --> 00:32:33,800 the American middle class is to take the balanced approach that 560 00:32:33,800 --> 00:32:35,800 everyone supports. 561 00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:41,400 And I think that now is the time to come together around that 562 00:32:41,400 --> 00:32:43,667 balanced approach and not search for ways to get out of the 563 00:32:43,667 --> 00:32:46,867 commitment that Congress made back in August in a bipartisan 564 00:32:46,867 --> 00:32:52,600 way, which is to hold their own feet to the fire so that tough 565 00:32:52,600 --> 00:32:56,265 decisions were made and balanced deficit reduction 566 00:32:56,266 --> 00:32:58,000 was put into place. 567 00:32:58,000 --> 00:32:58,967 Mike. 568 00:32:58,967 --> 00:32:59,867 The Press: A couple things. 569 00:32:59,867 --> 00:33:01,934 First, following on Mr. Babbington's earlier 570 00:33:01,934 --> 00:33:05,100 question about the NAACP, was the President invited? 571 00:33:05,100 --> 00:33:07,233 And this is purely a scheduling matter that keeps him from 572 00:33:07,233 --> 00:33:08,934 attending this year? 573 00:33:08,934 --> 00:33:12,332 Mr. Carney: I would refer -- again, I think this is a campaign issue. 574 00:33:12,333 --> 00:33:15,066 In terms of the scheduling of it, I don't know the answer -- 575 00:33:15,066 --> 00:33:16,400 The Press: Well, there wasn't a campaign in 2009. 576 00:33:16,400 --> 00:33:17,867 He spoke in 2009 and it wasn't a campaign issue. 577 00:33:17,867 --> 00:33:19,066 Mr. Carney: It wasn't a campaign issue there. 578 00:33:19,066 --> 00:33:20,400 I think this is -- I mean, I think the nominee for the other 579 00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:21,800 party spoke, as somebody just mentioned. 580 00:33:21,800 --> 00:33:22,899 I don't know. 581 00:33:22,900 --> 00:33:24,200 I think you have to ask the campaign. 582 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:28,567 I don't know about invitations and schedules when it relates 583 00:33:28,567 --> 00:33:30,433 to the campaign in this case. 584 00:33:30,433 --> 00:33:31,100 The Press: All right. 585 00:33:31,100 --> 00:33:33,934 So following up on Wendell, there is this economic calamity 586 00:33:33,934 --> 00:33:35,834 coming -- the fiscal cliff, the sequesters, 587 00:33:35,834 --> 00:33:38,900 the expiration of the tax cuts, a few other things. 588 00:33:38,900 --> 00:33:41,834 Both sides continue to talk past each other. 589 00:33:41,834 --> 00:33:44,300 The House vote today that you've already decried; 590 00:33:44,300 --> 00:33:47,867 Senator Reid blocked bringing up the President's tax cut proposal 591 00:33:47,867 --> 00:33:49,667 in the Senate -- you can call it gamesmanship, 592 00:33:49,667 --> 00:33:52,800 political posturing, whatever -- both sides talking past each 593 00:33:52,800 --> 00:33:54,200 other, but the President is speaking only to 594 00:33:54,200 --> 00:33:55,200 Democrats today. 595 00:33:55,200 --> 00:33:57,400 Why not get Republicans up here and get the ball 596 00:33:57,400 --> 00:33:58,133 rolling on this? 597 00:33:58,133 --> 00:33:59,133 Mr. Carney: Well, I'd answer that the way I've answered it before, 598 00:33:59,133 --> 00:34:01,900 which is that if all of us have learned something I think 599 00:34:01,900 --> 00:34:05,667 valuable in the last several months or close to a year it's 600 00:34:05,667 --> 00:34:11,833 that progress has been made on achieving bipartisan compromises 601 00:34:11,833 --> 00:34:16,033 in Congress when the President has taken an issue to the public 602 00:34:16,033 --> 00:34:19,132 and made his case to the American people. 603 00:34:19,132 --> 00:34:20,899 That was true with the payroll tax cut extension; 604 00:34:20,900 --> 00:34:23,967 it was true with the enactment of legislation to prevent 605 00:34:23,967 --> 00:34:26,400 student loans from doubling -- student loan rates from 606 00:34:26,400 --> 00:34:31,033 doubling; it was true with the so-called -- the JOBS Act and 607 00:34:31,033 --> 00:34:32,033 the STOCK Act. 608 00:34:32,033 --> 00:34:38,333 I mean, these are -- I think it's pretty apparent that the 609 00:34:38,333 --> 00:34:43,567 opposition to these mainstream, broadly supported proposals 610 00:34:46,166 --> 00:34:51,400 begins to dissipate when there is public consensus and public 611 00:34:51,400 --> 00:34:52,800 awareness of what the right thing to do is. 612 00:34:52,800 --> 00:34:53,800 So that's the -- 613 00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:55,700 The Press: -- a year and a half ago when the President extended all the 614 00:34:55,699 --> 00:34:58,200 tax cuts, including the ones for the most wealthy. 615 00:34:58,200 --> 00:35:00,100 So what's different? 616 00:35:00,100 --> 00:35:02,366 The President had the bully pulpit then. 617 00:35:02,367 --> 00:35:05,200 Mr. Carney: Well, first of all, there are significant differences. 618 00:35:05,200 --> 00:35:08,600 And I would remind you that there was a lot to that package, 619 00:35:08,600 --> 00:35:12,266 not just the extension of the so-called Bush tax cuts. 620 00:35:12,266 --> 00:35:16,367 Secondly, we have made, the President has made 621 00:35:16,367 --> 00:35:17,467 his position clear. 622 00:35:17,467 --> 00:35:22,233 Ninety-eight percent of the American people need to have 623 00:35:22,233 --> 00:35:24,700 and should get, and he supports them getting, 624 00:35:24,700 --> 00:35:26,332 an extension of tax cuts. 625 00:35:26,333 --> 00:35:30,266 And the tax cuts here include not just the Bush tax cuts, 626 00:35:30,266 --> 00:35:34,500 but the extension of tax cuts that he put into law in 2009 627 00:35:34,500 --> 00:35:39,066 that benefit the middle class and were not included in the 628 00:35:39,066 --> 00:35:45,066 gimmick vote -- or proposal today in the Senate, by the way. 629 00:35:48,600 --> 00:35:50,200 So the President believes that this is the way, 630 00:35:50,200 --> 00:35:54,966 and I think evidence suggests that this is the best way to try 631 00:35:54,967 --> 00:35:57,934 to get something done here that will help the American economy. 632 00:35:57,934 --> 00:36:01,433 And others have asked me -- this is just politics, 633 00:36:01,433 --> 00:36:04,600 you're trying to create a contrast. 634 00:36:04,600 --> 00:36:07,467 And my answer to that, and I know the President's answer is 635 00:36:07,467 --> 00:36:10,133 if that's what you believe, you think this is just politics that 636 00:36:10,133 --> 00:36:16,366 we want to take advantage of, deprive us of that opportunity 637 00:36:16,367 --> 00:36:19,333 by passing the legislation that we all support. 638 00:36:19,333 --> 00:36:20,333 Take it away. 639 00:36:20,333 --> 00:36:22,400 Take this away from the President and give it to 640 00:36:22,400 --> 00:36:23,767 the American people. 641 00:36:23,767 --> 00:36:24,799 Give them a tax cut. 642 00:36:24,800 --> 00:36:25,767 The Press: I just have one more question, and it's a 643 00:36:25,767 --> 00:36:27,033 completely unrelated topic. 644 00:36:27,033 --> 00:36:29,299 Some noted public officials from Illinois -- Dick Durbin, 645 00:36:29,300 --> 00:36:32,567 Luis Gutierrez, the minority whip in the House -- today all 646 00:36:32,567 --> 00:36:35,233 say that Congressman Jackson needs to divulge more 647 00:36:35,233 --> 00:36:39,800 information about what's keeping him from tending to his duties 648 00:36:39,800 --> 00:36:40,433 in Congress. 649 00:36:40,433 --> 00:36:41,667 What does the President think? 650 00:36:41,667 --> 00:36:43,033 Mr. Carney: I have no idea. 651 00:36:43,033 --> 00:36:44,700 I haven't spoken to him about it, 652 00:36:44,700 --> 00:36:47,066 and have not myself given a thought to it. 653 00:36:47,066 --> 00:36:48,366 So I don't know. 654 00:36:48,367 --> 00:36:50,800 Yes. 655 00:36:50,800 --> 00:36:52,467 And then Kevin. 656 00:36:52,467 --> 00:36:54,467 The Press: Will the President and congressional Democrats leave 657 00:36:54,467 --> 00:36:57,066 this meeting today with a timeline for a vote on the 658 00:36:57,066 --> 00:36:58,734 middle-class tax cut? 659 00:36:58,734 --> 00:37:00,700 Mr. Carney: Well, the President is meeting with congressional Democrats, 660 00:37:00,700 --> 00:37:04,399 and they will discuss a broad range of issues, 661 00:37:04,400 --> 00:37:07,867 including the need to extend middle-class tax cuts, 662 00:37:07,867 --> 00:37:10,400 but the need to take action to help small businesses; 663 00:37:10,400 --> 00:37:13,700 the need to pass elements of the American Jobs Act that have not 664 00:37:13,700 --> 00:37:16,667 been passed that would put up to a million Americans 665 00:37:16,667 --> 00:37:17,967 back to work. 666 00:37:17,967 --> 00:37:20,867 So it will be a discussion of the broader agenda, 667 00:37:20,867 --> 00:37:22,166 not just this issue. 668 00:37:22,166 --> 00:37:25,800 I am confident, just citing what Senator Reid said the other day, 669 00:37:25,800 --> 00:37:29,066 that the Senate will have an opportunity to vote on the 670 00:37:29,066 --> 00:37:32,399 proposals that the President has made to extend middle-class tax 671 00:37:32,400 --> 00:37:34,400 cuts to 98 percent of the American people. 672 00:37:36,367 --> 00:37:39,100 But I don't have any announcements to make from here 673 00:37:39,100 --> 00:37:41,066 in terms of Senate schedule. 674 00:37:41,066 --> 00:37:42,466 I leave that to the Majority Leader. 675 00:37:42,467 --> 00:37:44,600 The Press: Does the President agree with Senator Reid blocking 676 00:37:44,600 --> 00:37:46,200 the vote today? 677 00:37:46,200 --> 00:37:49,066 Mr. Carney: Well, I think I did it in sort of shorthand. 678 00:37:49,066 --> 00:37:51,899 The vote today -- first of all, the Senate is considering a very 679 00:37:51,900 --> 00:37:55,567 important proposal that would give a tax break to small 680 00:37:55,567 --> 00:38:01,633 businesses that hire new workers and expand their payroll. 681 00:38:03,900 --> 00:38:05,333 If we care about small businesses, 682 00:38:05,333 --> 00:38:08,400 as this President does, the Senate should overwhelmingly 683 00:38:08,400 --> 00:38:09,400 pass that. 684 00:38:09,400 --> 00:38:10,700 It should gain Republican support. 685 00:38:10,700 --> 00:38:15,366 It would be, I think, the 19th small business tax cut that this 686 00:38:15,367 --> 00:38:18,734 President has signed into law if it were to pass the Congress. 687 00:38:18,734 --> 00:38:25,834 On the issue of the -- I think it was the Hatch proposal that 688 00:38:25,834 --> 00:38:28,834 was put forward -- it was not the President's proposal. 689 00:38:28,834 --> 00:38:32,399 It did not include the other middle-class tax cuts that were 690 00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:35,533 part of the President's proposal and, in fact, would result in, 691 00:38:35,533 --> 00:38:38,533 if passed, raising taxes on 25 million American families. 692 00:38:38,533 --> 00:38:40,533 So the President doesn't support that. 693 00:38:44,000 --> 00:38:45,700 If it looks like a gimmick, it usually is, 694 00:38:45,700 --> 00:38:46,700 and that's a gimmick. 695 00:38:46,700 --> 00:38:49,165 And we know that, broadly, the American people, 696 00:38:49,166 --> 00:38:52,233 Republicans and Democrats in Congress, 697 00:38:52,233 --> 00:38:56,567 most folks even of no political persuasion at all, 698 00:38:56,567 --> 00:38:58,100 support the idea that we ought to extend these 699 00:38:58,100 --> 00:38:59,100 middle-class tax cuts. 700 00:38:59,100 --> 00:39:07,799 And the only thing holding it up is the idea that 98 percent of 701 00:39:07,800 --> 00:39:11,367 us -- 98 percent of the country shouldn't have a tax cut unless 702 00:39:11,367 --> 00:39:14,600 the top 2 percent get a tax cut. 703 00:39:14,600 --> 00:39:18,667 And the President's position is we can't afford it for the 704 00:39:18,667 --> 00:39:19,667 top 2 percent. 705 00:39:19,667 --> 00:39:20,834 The middle class needs it. 706 00:39:20,834 --> 00:39:23,133 The economy needs it. 707 00:39:23,133 --> 00:39:29,133 But we cannot afford tax cuts -- extending tax cuts that over a 708 00:39:29,133 --> 00:39:33,232 decade would cost close to a trillion dollars; 709 00:39:33,233 --> 00:39:36,467 tax cuts that contributed to the massive deficit that the 710 00:39:36,467 --> 00:39:39,433 President inherited when he took office in January 2009. 711 00:39:39,433 --> 00:39:42,500 The Press: And there's no compromise there between $250,000 and, say, 712 00:39:42,500 --> 00:39:45,066 $500,000 and $750,000? 713 00:39:45,066 --> 00:39:45,734 He would not sign -- 714 00:39:45,734 --> 00:39:49,799 Mr. Carney: I think this is something of a Bloomberg specialty in terms of 715 00:39:49,800 --> 00:39:52,633 like -- (laughter) -- the proposals that I'm aware 716 00:39:52,633 --> 00:39:54,866 of are $250,000, which is the President's position 717 00:39:54,867 --> 00:39:57,100 in extending the high-end tax cuts. 718 00:39:57,100 --> 00:39:59,700 The President would not support, would not sign into law, 719 00:39:59,700 --> 00:40:04,100 would veto legislation that extended the high-end tax cuts. 720 00:40:04,100 --> 00:40:06,500 He will sign tomorrow an extension of the 721 00:40:06,500 --> 00:40:07,867 middle-class tax cuts. 722 00:40:12,400 --> 00:40:15,834 The Press: Jay, in what way is Hugo Chavez's government in 723 00:40:15,834 --> 00:40:19,834 Venezuela not a serious security threat to the U.S.? 724 00:40:19,834 --> 00:40:21,567 Mr. Carney: You know what, I'm going to have to refer you to the State 725 00:40:21,567 --> 00:40:22,166 Department on that. 726 00:40:22,166 --> 00:40:23,433 I saw that story before I came out, 727 00:40:23,433 --> 00:40:25,867 but I haven't -- I didn't read it, 728 00:40:25,867 --> 00:40:29,734 so I don't know the underlying aspect of it. 729 00:40:29,734 --> 00:40:30,700 Kevin. 730 00:40:30,700 --> 00:40:31,734 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 731 00:40:31,734 --> 00:40:34,799 On outsourcing -- in 2008, candidate Obama promised to 732 00:40:34,800 --> 00:40:37,600 end tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas. 733 00:40:37,600 --> 00:40:39,567 We heard it yesterday in Cedar Rapids. 734 00:40:39,567 --> 00:40:41,233 We just touched on it again. 735 00:40:41,233 --> 00:40:43,800 Why hasn't that happened in three and a half years? 736 00:40:43,800 --> 00:40:46,033 Mr. Carney: Because unfortunately, there is a constituency in Congress 737 00:40:46,033 --> 00:40:50,333 that supports tax breaks for companies that ship 738 00:40:50,333 --> 00:40:51,033 jobs overseas. 739 00:40:51,033 --> 00:40:58,533 The President believes, again, that we need to have a tax code 740 00:40:58,533 --> 00:41:02,066 that creates incentives for companies to do the opposite, 741 00:41:02,066 --> 00:41:06,600 that bring jobs home, that create jobs at home. 742 00:41:06,600 --> 00:41:09,567 And we certainly shouldn't have a tax code that provides 743 00:41:09,567 --> 00:41:11,500 incentives to companies to move jobs overseas, 744 00:41:11,500 --> 00:41:15,166 and that's very much an initiative that he supports. 745 00:41:15,166 --> 00:41:19,500 The fact that it's not easily achieved I will acknowledge. 746 00:41:19,500 --> 00:41:21,967 But it is the right thing to do, and it is broadly supported by 747 00:41:21,967 --> 00:41:22,967 the American people. 748 00:41:22,967 --> 00:41:29,567 It is opposed, unfortunately, by the Republicans in Congress, 749 00:41:29,567 --> 00:41:35,600 although I think that -- I'm a firm believer in the possibility 750 00:41:35,600 --> 00:41:38,633 of compromise in the future. 751 00:41:38,633 --> 00:41:45,299 And I think that one of the things that's unique about our 752 00:41:45,300 --> 00:41:47,033 economic situation now is, as you know, 753 00:41:47,033 --> 00:41:51,533 we've seen a recovery in manufacturing jobs in this 754 00:41:51,533 --> 00:41:55,266 country that -- I just looked at some data recently that showed 755 00:41:55,266 --> 00:42:01,433 that in the recovery from the recession in 2001, 2002, 756 00:42:01,433 --> 00:42:02,934 manufacturing continued to lose jobs. 757 00:42:02,934 --> 00:42:07,467 But we have a situation where we have had a return of 758 00:42:07,467 --> 00:42:08,734 manufacturing jobs in this country, 759 00:42:08,734 --> 00:42:11,299 and we need to do everything we can to keep that going. 760 00:42:11,300 --> 00:42:15,166 One of the reasons why we have that happening is because of the 761 00:42:15,166 --> 00:42:18,266 actions the President took to save the automobile industry in 762 00:42:18,266 --> 00:42:19,266 the United States. 763 00:42:19,266 --> 00:42:21,200 But there are numerous other things that the President and 764 00:42:21,200 --> 00:42:23,700 Congress have done to help encourage investments in 765 00:42:23,700 --> 00:42:25,866 manufacturing that go back to the question that I think Dan 766 00:42:25,867 --> 00:42:28,200 asked about the Recovery Act. 767 00:42:28,200 --> 00:42:32,734 We need to do everything we can to encourage job creation here 768 00:42:32,734 --> 00:42:34,066 in the United States. 769 00:42:34,066 --> 00:42:37,332 The Press: But given the importance of these -- ending these breaks 770 00:42:37,333 --> 00:42:39,266 that the President has been really putting the spotlight 771 00:42:39,266 --> 00:42:41,367 on lately -- you just said a few minutes ago, 772 00:42:41,367 --> 00:42:44,834 Republican opposition waned when he made the case on student 773 00:42:44,834 --> 00:42:46,966 loans, on payroll taxes. 774 00:42:46,967 --> 00:42:50,367 Did he wait too long on this issue that was such 775 00:42:50,367 --> 00:42:51,633 a key part -- 776 00:42:51,633 --> 00:42:53,100 Mr. Carney: He has always supported this issue, 777 00:42:53,100 --> 00:42:59,400 and it would be a wonderful thing if you could get 778 00:42:59,400 --> 00:43:00,600 everything that needs to be done, 779 00:43:00,600 --> 00:43:03,333 done in your first month or year. 780 00:43:03,333 --> 00:43:07,467 This needs to get done, and that's why you're hearing him 781 00:43:07,467 --> 00:43:09,800 argue for it now. 782 00:43:09,800 --> 00:43:11,266 And he'll continue to make the case, 783 00:43:11,266 --> 00:43:13,433 and it's an important case. 784 00:43:13,433 --> 00:43:16,333 I mean, at the very least, we shouldn't be giving tax breaks 785 00:43:16,333 --> 00:43:20,567 to companies to take jobs overseas. 786 00:43:20,567 --> 00:43:23,800 And certainly the next step is to make sure that we're creating 787 00:43:23,800 --> 00:43:26,700 incentives for companies to bring jobs home. 788 00:43:26,700 --> 00:43:31,767 I think that's a principle that enjoys broad support. 789 00:43:31,767 --> 00:43:32,567 Jon-Christopher. 790 00:43:32,567 --> 00:43:35,233 The Press: Sky News is reporting Syrian opposition sources say the 791 00:43:35,233 --> 00:43:37,800 country's ambassador to Iraq had defected, 792 00:43:37,800 --> 00:43:40,300 becoming the latest Assad defector. 793 00:43:40,300 --> 00:43:40,934 Any comment? 794 00:43:40,934 --> 00:43:42,600 Mr. Carney: I got that question earlier -- I can't confirm it. 795 00:43:42,600 --> 00:43:48,232 What I can say is that we have seen an increasing number of 796 00:43:48,233 --> 00:43:52,500 defections, including a recent defection from President Assad's 797 00:43:52,500 --> 00:43:53,500 inner circle. 798 00:43:53,500 --> 00:43:57,767 And I think that just indicates, again, 799 00:43:57,767 --> 00:44:02,700 the deterioration of Assad's situation in that country, 800 00:44:02,700 --> 00:44:06,366 his lack of support, and the recognition around him -- both 801 00:44:06,367 --> 00:44:13,000 in the government and the military -- that he is not going 802 00:44:13,000 --> 00:44:14,333 to be part of Syria's future. 803 00:44:14,333 --> 00:44:18,967 And if they love Syria and they care about the Syrian people, 804 00:44:18,967 --> 00:44:21,433 the right choice, the right decision is to 805 00:44:21,433 --> 00:44:23,100 abandon the regime. 806 00:44:23,100 --> 00:44:26,232 But on that specific report I have not received confirmation. 807 00:44:30,900 --> 00:44:32,667 The Press: My McClatchy colleague, Marisa Taylor, 808 00:44:32,667 --> 00:44:39,600 yesterday published several articles that revealed 809 00:44:39,600 --> 00:44:45,266 startlingly aggressive use of polygraph tests by the National 810 00:44:45,266 --> 00:44:53,133 Reconnaissance Office of job applicants and employees to try 811 00:44:53,133 --> 00:44:55,734 to reveal personal information about these people, 812 00:44:55,734 --> 00:45:01,433 even going so far as to award bonuses to the polygraphers who 813 00:45:01,433 --> 00:45:04,367 have come up with the most intimate details. 814 00:45:04,367 --> 00:45:08,000 Is there any concern by you or the President or other 815 00:45:08,000 --> 00:45:09,700 administration officials about this? 816 00:45:09,700 --> 00:45:13,033 Mr. Carney: I confess that, although I have heard that those stories were 817 00:45:13,033 --> 00:45:15,366 published, I have not read them, so I don't have a 818 00:45:15,367 --> 00:45:16,367 detailed response. 819 00:45:16,367 --> 00:45:22,033 I do believe that the NRO has responded on the record, 820 00:45:22,033 --> 00:45:24,033 and I would point you to those statements. 821 00:45:24,033 --> 00:45:25,667 But I don't have more for you on it, 822 00:45:25,667 --> 00:45:27,467 and I have not discussed it with the President. 823 00:45:27,467 --> 00:45:29,467 Donovan -- sorry, I just don't have anything more 824 00:45:29,467 --> 00:45:30,533 for you on it. 825 00:45:30,533 --> 00:45:31,366 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 826 00:45:31,367 --> 00:45:33,567 Not to go back to another question -- 827 00:45:33,567 --> 00:45:34,400 Mr. Carney: No, that's fine. 828 00:45:34,400 --> 00:45:37,000 The Press: -- you said the "outsourcer-in-chief" claims by 829 00:45:37,000 --> 00:45:40,533 the RNC are part of the game of "I know you are, but what am I?" 830 00:45:40,533 --> 00:45:44,633 But can you -- so can you say that, yes, 831 00:45:44,633 --> 00:45:48,165 stimulus dollars did go overseas, or they did not? 832 00:45:48,166 --> 00:45:50,967 Mr. Carney: Look, I think -- I'm happy to provide you 833 00:45:50,967 --> 00:45:52,033 all the background on this. 834 00:45:52,033 --> 00:45:54,366 I think that there has been some very good reporting by your 835 00:45:54,367 --> 00:45:59,767 colleagues that demonstrate that -- and by -- from the companies 836 00:45:59,767 --> 00:46:02,433 themselves that have been cited here, 837 00:46:02,433 --> 00:46:07,333 that demonstrate that Recovery Act dollars helped create jobs 838 00:46:07,333 --> 00:46:09,967 for Americans here in the United States. 839 00:46:09,967 --> 00:46:12,567 And when you have foreign companies that are creating 840 00:46:12,567 --> 00:46:14,300 operations here in the United States, 841 00:46:14,300 --> 00:46:18,567 the fact that in one case some South Koreans were also part of 842 00:46:18,567 --> 00:46:23,800 that, the broader truth of it is, is that many, 843 00:46:23,800 --> 00:46:26,100 many jobs for Americans were created here, 844 00:46:26,100 --> 00:46:31,133 and facilities were built here that will continue to create 845 00:46:31,133 --> 00:46:36,767 jobs and give economic benefit here in the United States. 846 00:46:36,767 --> 00:46:38,600 That was the idea behind the Recovery Act. 847 00:46:38,600 --> 00:46:41,767 I mean, I think that the idea that investments that helped 848 00:46:41,767 --> 00:46:44,799 bring jobs here to the United States took place is something 849 00:46:44,800 --> 00:46:46,400 that is a very positive thing. 850 00:46:46,400 --> 00:46:50,600 And again, broadly speaking, the Recovery Act is widely 851 00:46:50,600 --> 00:46:53,232 recognized, even by many of its detractors, 852 00:46:53,233 --> 00:46:56,533 to have saved or created over 3 million jobs. 853 00:46:56,533 --> 00:46:59,000 The Press: So these accusations that some of the money went to pay for 854 00:46:59,000 --> 00:47:00,066 foreign workers -- 855 00:47:00,066 --> 00:47:01,133 Mr. Carney: I think they have been uncovered. 856 00:47:01,133 --> 00:47:03,734 I would simply -- because some people, 857 00:47:03,734 --> 00:47:06,767 for reasons I don't understand, might discount what I say, 858 00:47:06,767 --> 00:47:10,433 I would point you to the reporting of your colleagues 859 00:47:10,433 --> 00:47:15,500 that uncovered those charges and revealed them for what they are, 860 00:47:15,500 --> 00:47:16,633 which is specious. 861 00:47:16,633 --> 00:47:17,600 Yes, Scott. 862 00:47:17,600 --> 00:47:19,433 The Press: But, Jay, doesn't that sort of undermine the whole outsourcing 863 00:47:19,433 --> 00:47:22,533 argument, though -- the notion that if money invested overseas 864 00:47:22,533 --> 00:47:25,933 also creates jobs here, isn't that also true for the kinds of 865 00:47:25,934 --> 00:47:27,667 investments that Bain made? 866 00:47:27,667 --> 00:47:30,066 Mr. Carney: If you want to get into campaign-specific questions, 867 00:47:30,066 --> 00:47:32,533 I can refer you to the campaign. 868 00:47:32,533 --> 00:47:34,700 I can tell you what -- I can talk about the Recovery Act at 869 00:47:34,700 --> 00:47:37,232 length, having spent my first two years working for the Vice 870 00:47:37,233 --> 00:47:39,834 President as he oversaw the enactment of it. 871 00:47:39,834 --> 00:47:47,533 The point of distinction here is that those investments created 872 00:47:47,533 --> 00:47:48,533 jobs here. 873 00:47:48,533 --> 00:47:49,533 They didn't create jobs overseas, 874 00:47:49,533 --> 00:47:52,400 they created jobs here in the United States 875 00:47:52,400 --> 00:47:54,767 and for American workers. 876 00:47:54,767 --> 00:47:56,299 And that was the purpose of the Recovery Act, 877 00:47:56,300 --> 00:47:58,633 and it fulfilled that purpose. 878 00:47:58,633 --> 00:48:02,633 But for the campaign stuff I'd refer you to the campaign. 879 00:48:02,633 --> 00:48:03,667 The Press: Thank you, Jay. 880 00:48:03,667 --> 00:48:05,767 Mr. Carney: All right. Thanks, guys. 881 00:48:05,767 --> 00:48:06,567 I appreciate it.