English subtitles for clip: File:8-11-10- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:06,533 --> 00:00:09,663 Mr. Gibbs: I am going to apologize in advance for my voice. 2 00:00:09,667 --> 00:00:12,797 It is not my Barry White imitation, 3 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:17,630 but it is still a little on the scratchy side. 4 00:00:17,633 --> 00:00:20,103 Let me give you a quick readout of the President's meeting this 5 00:00:20,100 --> 00:00:23,670 morning with his national security team. 6 00:00:23,667 --> 00:00:27,767 They met today, as you know, to discuss Iraq. 7 00:00:27,767 --> 00:00:30,767 The President heard directly from General Odierno who said 8 00:00:30,767 --> 00:00:32,967 that we're on target to complete our drawdown by 9 00:00:32,967 --> 00:00:34,337 the end of August. 10 00:00:34,333 --> 00:00:37,203 Already we've removed over 80,000 troops from Iraq since 11 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:39,500 President Obama took office. 12 00:00:39,500 --> 00:00:43,730 General Odierno also reported that the security situation 13 00:00:43,734 --> 00:00:46,534 has retained the significant improvements made over the last 14 00:00:46,533 --> 00:00:49,433 couple of years and that Iraqi security forces are 15 00:00:49,433 --> 00:00:52,763 fully prepared to be in the lead when we end our combat 16 00:00:52,767 --> 00:00:54,897 mission later this month. 17 00:00:54,900 --> 00:00:57,870 The President also received an update from Vice President Biden 18 00:00:57,867 --> 00:01:01,337 and Ambassador Hill on our efforts to support Iraq's 19 00:01:01,333 --> 00:01:05,903 leaders as they form a new government and to transition to 20 00:01:05,900 --> 00:01:09,770 civilian lead within Iraq. 21 00:01:09,767 --> 00:01:11,697 That meeting was this morning. 22 00:01:11,700 --> 00:01:13,200 Ms. Loven. 23 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:16,900 The Press: On Iraq, is there anything that you all can envision, 24 00:01:16,900 --> 00:01:19,330 anything that came up in the meeting that could change that 25 00:01:19,333 --> 00:01:23,433 August 31st date for ending combat operations? 26 00:01:23,433 --> 00:01:28,063 Mr. Gibbs: No. And I would say that one of the things that General Odierno 27 00:01:28,066 --> 00:01:32,366 told the President and others in the meeting was that the level 28 00:01:32,367 --> 00:01:36,167 of violence observed over the past two weeks had been among 29 00:01:36,166 --> 00:01:40,836 the lowest in number of incidents that the coalition 30 00:01:40,834 --> 00:01:46,304 has seen since record-keeping on those incidences began. 31 00:01:46,300 --> 00:01:48,530 I'd say, obviously, that is a positive development. 32 00:01:48,533 --> 00:01:56,833 We continue to anticipate as we get closer to the 31st of August 33 00:01:56,834 --> 00:02:08,164 a traditional uptick of violence around Ramadan and as those that 34 00:02:08,166 --> 00:02:11,566 are left try to gain attention. 35 00:02:11,567 --> 00:02:13,737 I would say the President also got, as I said, 36 00:02:13,734 --> 00:02:18,464 an update on government formation. 37 00:02:18,467 --> 00:02:23,637 I think you probably are aware of meetings that have happened 38 00:02:23,633 --> 00:02:28,663 over the past couple of days with Kurdish leader Barzani 39 00:02:28,667 --> 00:02:30,997 and Prime Minister Maliki. 40 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:35,670 They had a press conference very recently to discuss efforts at 41 00:02:35,667 --> 00:02:37,367 making progress to form a government. 42 00:02:37,367 --> 00:02:40,297 So the President was satisfied with the 43 00:02:40,300 --> 00:02:45,430 progress that we continue to see on the security side; 44 00:02:45,433 --> 00:02:49,233 got an update and continue to pursue progress on a formation 45 00:02:49,233 --> 00:02:52,203 of a government -- understanding the last one took six months, 46 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:54,870 we understood this was not going to be a quick process. 47 00:02:54,867 --> 00:03:02,067 But we are on target by the end of the month to end our combat 48 00:03:02,066 --> 00:03:08,336 mission, turn over bases that Americans have been on to the 49 00:03:08,333 --> 00:03:11,203 Iraqis, and transition our role there. 50 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:14,570 The Press: So there's no turning back, no matter what? 51 00:03:14,567 --> 00:03:18,897 Mr. Gibbs: Nothing was brought up with the President that would necessitate 52 00:03:18,900 --> 00:03:20,270 us needing to turn back. 53 00:03:20,266 --> 00:03:21,336 And I would say this. 54 00:03:21,333 --> 00:03:28,763 The security situation -- security forces in Iraq 55 00:03:28,767 --> 00:03:31,497 were in the lead on Election Day. 56 00:03:31,500 --> 00:03:32,800 They provided that security. 57 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:36,070 So we have seen tremendous progress. 58 00:03:36,066 --> 00:03:39,336 And obviously one of the things that we're trying to do in 59 00:03:39,333 --> 00:03:45,003 Afghanistan is to build a similar capacity with both 60 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:47,500 police and a national army. 61 00:03:47,500 --> 00:03:50,630 The Press: Just on another topic, what do you think the consequences 62 00:03:50,633 --> 00:03:54,103 should be of the comments that you made about this 63 00:03:54,100 --> 00:03:55,670 "professional left"? 64 00:03:55,667 --> 00:03:56,997 Mr. Gibbs: The consequences? 65 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:58,270 The Press: Yes. 66 00:03:58,266 --> 00:03:59,136 Mr. Gibbs: Do you have anything in mind? 67 00:03:59,133 --> 00:04:00,933 (laughter) 68 00:04:00,934 --> 00:04:02,534 The Press: No supper. 69 00:04:02,533 --> 00:04:04,303 The Press: One House member suggested resignation, 70 00:04:04,300 --> 00:04:06,200 so I'm asking what you think your view is. 71 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:09,770 Mr. Gibbs: I don't plan on leaving, so -- and there's no truth 72 00:04:09,767 --> 00:04:14,067 to the rumor that I've added an inflatable exit to my office. 73 00:04:14,066 --> 00:04:17,796 (laughter) 74 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:18,770 The Press: Hard to transition from that -- 75 00:04:18,767 --> 00:04:20,037 (laughter) 76 00:04:20,033 --> 00:04:21,303 -- but a question on the economy. 77 00:04:21,300 --> 00:04:25,300 Is the White House concerned about signs from data today that 78 00:04:25,300 --> 00:04:27,100 the Chinese economy is slowing? 79 00:04:27,100 --> 00:04:31,370 Is that something that has the risk of affecting the U.S. in 80 00:04:31,367 --> 00:04:35,337 making the economic situation here even worse? 81 00:04:35,333 --> 00:04:38,503 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, Jeff, I think that -- and the President 82 00:04:38,500 --> 00:04:43,030 will talk later today in signing an important piece 83 00:04:43,033 --> 00:04:49,963 of legislation on manufacturing to help companies here at home. 84 00:04:49,967 --> 00:04:53,297 I think without a doubt we've all seen data, 85 00:04:53,300 --> 00:04:58,800 and the President continues to get letters from people all over 86 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:05,730 the country that continue to feel the pain of the economic 87 00:05:05,734 --> 00:05:09,164 recession that we've been in for more than two years. 88 00:05:09,166 --> 00:05:12,996 I think there's no doubt that in April, 89 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:17,230 events that -- events in Europe began to play 90 00:05:17,233 --> 00:05:21,803 a role in where we are now. 91 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:27,730 We have some things that clearly have to be done to continue to 92 00:05:27,734 --> 00:05:30,564 make progress on our economic front. 93 00:05:30,567 --> 00:05:33,097 There is no doubt that if you look back to where we were a 94 00:05:33,100 --> 00:05:38,600 year ago, we were discussing the depth of economic -- the 95 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:40,430 depth of job loss. 96 00:05:40,433 --> 00:05:43,263 Now, we are seeing positive job gains -- not enough for the 97 00:05:43,266 --> 00:05:47,566 President, and I doubt enough for -- certainly not enough for 98 00:05:47,567 --> 00:05:51,737 those that continue to be out of work. 99 00:05:51,734 --> 00:05:55,434 Yesterday, the House came back and passed a very important 100 00:05:55,433 --> 00:06:02,203 proposal, particularly to ensure that 160,000 101 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:07,270 plus teachers didn't get fired as a result of bad state budgets. 102 00:06:07,266 --> 00:06:10,436 And we hope that when the Senate comes back they'll quickly take 103 00:06:10,433 --> 00:06:13,103 up a small business bill that will increase the amount of 104 00:06:13,100 --> 00:06:16,100 credit that small businesses will have access to and cut 105 00:06:16,100 --> 00:06:19,200 taxes -- cut capital gains tax on small businesses. 106 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:22,170 So we're certainly monitoring what's 107 00:06:22,166 --> 00:06:25,296 going on throughout the world. 108 00:06:25,300 --> 00:06:28,530 We'll continue to do so and understanding that we've got 109 00:06:28,533 --> 00:06:30,203 some ways to go. 110 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:32,570 The Press: You've often, just as you did now, been happy to highlight the 111 00:06:32,567 --> 00:06:35,097 fact that Europe is part of the problem that's affecting 112 00:06:35,100 --> 00:06:36,330 the United States right now. 113 00:06:36,333 --> 00:06:38,833 I'm just wondering if China is now getting closer to -- 114 00:06:38,834 --> 00:06:41,404 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I think that -- I would say this. 115 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:46,170 I think the events in -- I don't know if it's highlighting as 116 00:06:46,166 --> 00:06:51,366 much as understanding the effect that we -- in living in a vast 117 00:06:51,367 --> 00:06:56,167 global economy that our economy or economies throughout the 118 00:06:56,166 --> 00:07:02,566 world are -- we're not immune to slowdowns that might start 119 00:07:02,567 --> 00:07:03,837 in other parts of the world. 120 00:07:03,834 --> 00:07:09,834 Again, I think the trajectory of where we were in April is 121 00:07:09,834 --> 00:07:12,204 different than where we are right now. 122 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:17,000 And certainly Europe was one of the first signs of that. 123 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:20,200 The Press: One last follow-up to that -- do you have a time frame at all 124 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:22,530 for a replacement for Christy Romer? 125 00:07:22,533 --> 00:07:25,433 Mr. Gibbs: No, Christy, obviously, will continue to serve, 126 00:07:25,433 --> 00:07:27,833 I believe through September 3rd. 127 00:07:27,834 --> 00:07:31,864 I do not have a timeline on a replacement for her. 128 00:07:31,867 --> 00:07:32,937 Yes, ma'am. 129 00:07:32,934 --> 00:07:34,434 The Press: Robert, following on Jennifer's question, 130 00:07:34,433 --> 00:07:38,563 I mean do you regret any of what you said to The Hill? 131 00:07:38,567 --> 00:07:40,837 Mr. Gibbs: I will say I think there are many times when I read 132 00:07:40,834 --> 00:07:43,464 the transcripts even of answers I give in here that I could have 133 00:07:43,467 --> 00:07:48,067 done -- could have said things slightly differently. 134 00:07:48,066 --> 00:07:53,366 I will say I watch a lot of cable TV, 135 00:07:53,367 --> 00:07:58,797 and you don't have to watch long to get frustrated by some of 136 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:02,100 what is said, and I think that's what that answer has borne out. 137 00:08:02,100 --> 00:08:03,870 The Press: But do you feel like there's still substance to what you 138 00:08:03,867 --> 00:08:06,867 said, not necessarily -- maybe not in the way you said it, 139 00:08:06,867 --> 00:08:10,537 but that there is too much of a demand or too much pressure 140 00:08:10,533 --> 00:08:13,063 perhaps from the left of the party and that -- 141 00:08:13,066 --> 00:08:14,566 Mr. Gibbs: I didn't say there was too much of a demand. 142 00:08:14,567 --> 00:08:16,297 I think -- or too much pressure. 143 00:08:16,300 --> 00:08:22,900 I think that a lot of what -- a lot of the issues that Democrats 144 00:08:22,900 --> 00:08:28,900 throughout the party have worked to see happen have come to 145 00:08:28,900 --> 00:08:31,530 fruition as part of what this President has accomplished in 146 00:08:31,533 --> 00:08:33,203 the first 17 months. 147 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,100 Health care was an issue that was worked on for 148 00:08:36,100 --> 00:08:39,670 a hundred years. 149 00:08:39,667 --> 00:08:42,137 President after President after President discussed the 150 00:08:42,133 --> 00:08:46,633 importance of passing something comprehensive and historic that 151 00:08:46,633 --> 00:08:49,763 cut how much we were paying for health care, 152 00:08:49,767 --> 00:08:51,437 that extended the life, as we saw last week, 153 00:08:51,433 --> 00:08:54,863 of the Medicare trust fund. 154 00:08:54,867 --> 00:08:55,967 I think those are accomplishments that 155 00:08:55,967 --> 00:08:58,567 we all should be proud of regardless of whether it 156 00:08:58,567 --> 00:09:02,137 encompasses a hundred percent of what we had 157 00:09:02,133 --> 00:09:03,603 wanted in the beginning. 158 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:05,800 The Press: And what about the rest that is outstanding -- gay rights, 159 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:07,700 Guantanamo -- 160 00:09:07,700 --> 00:09:09,700 Mr. Gibbs: I will say this -- all things that the President 161 00:09:09,700 --> 00:09:14,730 made commitments on and is focused on doing. 162 00:09:14,734 --> 00:09:19,564 We have a process underway with the Pentagon to make changes, 163 00:09:19,567 --> 00:09:21,637 as the President outlined in the campaign and, 164 00:09:21,633 --> 00:09:24,733 quite frankly, even before the campaign, in "don't ask, 165 00:09:24,734 --> 00:09:28,664 don't tell" as somebody running for the U.S. Senate in 2004. 166 00:09:28,667 --> 00:09:31,837 We have a process to make good on overturning 167 00:09:31,834 --> 00:09:33,564 "don't ask, don't tell." 168 00:09:33,567 --> 00:09:36,197 The Press: What do you say to progressives who on reading your comments 169 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:38,070 yesterday say, well, if that's their attitude, 170 00:09:38,066 --> 00:09:41,166 I'm staying home in November? 171 00:09:41,166 --> 00:09:42,766 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think they will, because I think what's 172 00:09:42,767 --> 00:09:46,837 at stake in November is too important to do that. 173 00:09:46,834 --> 00:09:48,964 I think what's at stake in November, 174 00:09:48,967 --> 00:09:52,637 as you've heard the President outline throughout trips -- on 175 00:09:52,633 --> 00:09:55,533 trips throughout this country, are exactly the choices that 176 00:09:55,533 --> 00:09:58,333 we face in November. 177 00:09:58,333 --> 00:10:01,663 Are we going to go back to the economic policies that got us 178 00:10:01,667 --> 00:10:07,367 into this mess, or are we going to go forward and see the type 179 00:10:07,367 --> 00:10:12,937 of progress that we've seen over the past 18 months. 180 00:10:12,934 --> 00:10:18,734 I don't think it's any -- you look at the -- today the 181 00:10:18,734 --> 00:10:25,804 President had a meeting, probably, what, two, 182 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:28,830 two and a half weeks before ending our combat 183 00:10:28,834 --> 00:10:29,704 mission in Iraq. 184 00:10:29,700 --> 00:10:33,730 That was a significant part of -- we don't talk about it 185 00:10:33,734 --> 00:10:38,704 as much, but I think we all remember we spent almost all 186 00:10:38,700 --> 00:10:43,030 of 2007 and a hefty part of 2008 debating our role 187 00:10:43,033 --> 00:10:46,733 in Iraq almost exclusively. Dan. 188 00:10:46,734 --> 00:10:48,664 The Press: Have you reached out to anyone in the Democratic 189 00:10:48,667 --> 00:10:50,067 Party to explain your comments? 190 00:10:50,066 --> 00:10:51,796 Mr. Gibbs: No. 191 00:10:51,800 --> 00:10:55,800 The Press: On the government formation aspect of the briefing that the 192 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:59,330 President got today, you talked about how everyone 193 00:10:59,333 --> 00:11:01,533 expected that it would take some time, 194 00:11:01,533 --> 00:11:04,263 but did the President express any frustration at the pace? 195 00:11:04,266 --> 00:11:09,366 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, the last government took nearly 196 00:11:09,367 --> 00:11:12,797 six months to form. 197 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:16,200 The President is encouraged that we see signs of progress. 198 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:23,130 And I think as long as we're moving toward that eventual 199 00:11:23,133 --> 00:11:26,833 setup and making progress in doing that, 200 00:11:26,834 --> 00:11:29,564 we'll feel good about the direction we're heading. 201 00:11:29,567 --> 00:11:34,437 Obviously we want that to happen as soon as possible. 202 00:11:34,433 --> 00:11:39,203 As August 31st comes, there's a significant transition on our 203 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:43,600 part that the Iraqis will now be more responsible. 204 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:47,330 The Press: The $20 billion BP fund, I know that -- 205 00:11:47,333 --> 00:11:49,903 I believe $3 billion has already been put into that. 206 00:11:49,900 --> 00:11:53,270 Is there a timeline or some sort of payment plan 207 00:11:53,266 --> 00:11:54,696 to fully fund that? 208 00:11:54,700 --> 00:12:02,530 Mr. Gibbs: Well, the escrow documents -- the escrow agreement calls for 209 00:12:02,533 --> 00:12:06,403 -- called for $5 billion before the end of this year, 210 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:12,870 $5 billion in each year in 2011, 2012 and 2013, 211 00:12:12,867 --> 00:12:16,037 for a total of $20 billion. 212 00:12:16,033 --> 00:12:21,533 So that's the timeline that was agreed to during the meetings 213 00:12:21,533 --> 00:12:24,263 in the Roosevelt Room. 214 00:12:24,266 --> 00:12:28,366 I understand that Ken Feinberg has said that next week he will 215 00:12:28,367 --> 00:12:34,137 release documentation around the protocols for individual 216 00:12:34,133 --> 00:12:38,963 compensation claims to the trust fund. 217 00:12:38,967 --> 00:12:41,167 And I know there have been requests for, 218 00:12:41,166 --> 00:12:44,896 and we will make public the documentation -- 219 00:12:44,900 --> 00:12:49,630 the escrow trust documents. 220 00:12:49,633 --> 00:12:50,803 There was some question about that. 221 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:52,630 We talked to counsel and DOJ today, 222 00:12:52,633 --> 00:12:57,363 and I anticipate putting that out in the next hour or so. 223 00:12:57,367 --> 00:12:58,597 Yes, sir. 224 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:01,530 The Press: On Iraq, were there any doubts expressed today 225 00:13:01,533 --> 00:13:03,603 about the 2011 deadline? 226 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:07,770 Was there a discussion about the do-ability of that? 227 00:13:07,767 --> 00:13:08,767 Mr. Gibbs: Not that I'm aware of. 228 00:13:08,767 --> 00:13:13,337 I was not in the whole meeting. 229 00:13:13,333 --> 00:13:18,633 I can check and see whether there was any discussion of 230 00:13:18,633 --> 00:13:20,233 the SOFA agreement or not. 231 00:13:20,233 --> 00:13:22,833 The Press: There was a long piece in The New York Times today about how 232 00:13:22,834 --> 00:13:25,904 -- with some people expressing the opinion that it's just impossible. 233 00:13:25,900 --> 00:13:30,130 There are going to be troops on the ground after 2011 -- border 234 00:13:30,133 --> 00:13:34,033 security, weapons training, a lot of different missions that 235 00:13:34,033 --> 00:13:35,963 simply can't be done by then. 236 00:13:35,967 --> 00:13:41,767 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, again, it would be premature to get into a 237 00:13:41,767 --> 00:13:46,197 discussion about -- obviously, as we speak, 238 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:51,300 there is a SOFA agreement. 239 00:13:51,300 --> 00:13:54,230 I don't want to get ahead of anything and 240 00:13:54,233 --> 00:13:57,963 ahead of government formation. 241 00:13:57,967 --> 00:14:04,567 I think there is without a doubt a change in our mission in Iraq, 242 00:14:04,567 --> 00:14:08,467 who is in the lead in Iraq, the progress that has been 243 00:14:08,467 --> 00:14:12,967 made from a security aspect. 244 00:14:12,967 --> 00:14:16,837 And what we hope and what was always envisioned is that the 245 00:14:16,834 --> 00:14:21,434 security gains would lead to political gains, 246 00:14:21,433 --> 00:14:22,703 and that's what we're hoping to see in the 247 00:14:22,700 --> 00:14:24,030 formation of a new government. 248 00:14:24,033 --> 00:14:26,463 The Press: Are we going to see something happen on August -- is there 249 00:14:26,467 --> 00:14:29,137 going to be something different on August -- on September 1st, 250 00:14:29,133 --> 00:14:32,063 compared to August 31st, or is this just kind of 251 00:14:32,066 --> 00:14:33,796 an arbitrary date as we move into -- 252 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:35,630 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, no, I think we should be clear, 253 00:14:35,633 --> 00:14:38,203 it's not an arbitrary date because there will be 80,000 254 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:43,100 fewer troops from when the President took office in 255 00:14:43,100 --> 00:14:44,770 that country, on that day. 256 00:14:44,767 --> 00:14:48,467 Obviously there will be a transition ceremony. 257 00:14:48,467 --> 00:14:51,197 There will be a new mission, we'll have a new commanding 258 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:58,400 general, and the Iraqis will fully be in the lead. 259 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:02,070 We've transitioned -- we've moved out -- I forget the exact 260 00:15:02,066 --> 00:15:05,466 number -- on the order of 2 million of equipment have been 261 00:15:05,467 --> 00:15:08,567 moved out of Iraq; as I said, 80,000 troops; 262 00:15:08,567 --> 00:15:14,937 bases have been turned over, and there will be a new mission. 263 00:15:14,934 --> 00:15:17,234 The Press: On the "professional left," there are some people out there 264 00:15:17,233 --> 00:15:19,303 who believe you're smarter than you're admitting, 265 00:15:19,300 --> 00:15:20,870 and that this actually was a calculated -- 266 00:15:20,867 --> 00:15:21,767 (laughter) 267 00:15:21,767 --> 00:15:22,697 Mr. Gibbs: One of those is my mom. 268 00:15:22,700 --> 00:15:24,130 (laughter) 269 00:15:24,133 --> 00:15:27,233 The Press: This actually was a calculated, premeditated effort to send a 270 00:15:27,233 --> 00:15:31,703 message to the so-called "professional left." 271 00:15:31,700 --> 00:15:33,030 Did you misstep? 272 00:15:33,033 --> 00:15:33,933 Did you put your foot in your mouth, 273 00:15:33,934 --> 00:15:35,504 or did you say something that you meant? 274 00:15:35,500 --> 00:15:38,830 (laughter) 275 00:15:38,834 --> 00:15:42,434 Mr. Gibbs: I think I have both my feet planted firmly on the floor, 276 00:15:42,433 --> 00:15:47,203 and nothing in my mouth to speak of. 277 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:49,370 The Press: Your esteemed substitute yesterday that you answered 278 00:15:49,367 --> 00:15:51,297 -- said that you answered honestly. 279 00:15:51,300 --> 00:15:54,830 Was this an honest, correct answer that you have to those 280 00:15:54,834 --> 00:15:55,904 questions when you -- 281 00:15:55,900 --> 00:15:57,600 Mr. Gibbs: I would not contradict my able substitute. 282 00:15:57,600 --> 00:15:59,270 The Press: So this was an honest answer? 283 00:15:59,266 --> 00:16:01,736 You're not backing away from it? 284 00:16:01,734 --> 00:16:03,464 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think that -- I think many of you all have 285 00:16:03,467 --> 00:16:07,697 heard frustration voiced in here and around, sure. 286 00:16:07,700 --> 00:16:10,970 I don't -- I doubt I said anything that 287 00:16:10,967 --> 00:16:12,097 you haven't already heard. 288 00:16:12,100 --> 00:16:13,000 The Press: This wasn't a mistake? 289 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,430 It was not something you said in error? 290 00:16:15,433 --> 00:16:19,563 Mr. Gibbs: It was borne out of frustration, but I don't think it was -- 291 00:16:19,567 --> 00:16:21,697 again, I think it was borne out of frustration. 292 00:16:21,700 --> 00:16:22,730 The Press: But you stand by it? 293 00:16:22,734 --> 00:16:26,334 It's private frustration that you expressed publicly 294 00:16:26,333 --> 00:16:27,303 and accurately? 295 00:16:27,300 --> 00:16:30,670 Mr. Gibbs: Well, public frustration that was written down publicly. 296 00:16:30,667 --> 00:16:34,497 The Press: Do you want to name any names? 297 00:16:34,500 --> 00:16:37,300 Mr. Gibbs: I left my membership list back in the office. 298 00:16:37,300 --> 00:16:38,470 The Press: Of the professional left? 299 00:16:38,467 --> 00:16:41,197 The Press: Well, who wants to eliminate the Pentagon? 300 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:42,700 Mr. Gibbs: I think that was -- wasn't that a proposal 301 00:16:42,700 --> 00:16:45,470 during the presidential campaign? 302 00:16:45,467 --> 00:16:47,497 Didn't Dennis Kucinich -- or maybe it was adding the 303 00:16:47,500 --> 00:16:48,500 Department of Peace. 304 00:16:48,500 --> 00:16:50,100 The Press: The Department of Peace -- 305 00:16:50,100 --> 00:16:52,330 The Press: There's a big difference between adding a Department of Peace and 306 00:16:52,333 --> 00:16:56,503 eliminating the Pentagon. 307 00:16:56,500 --> 00:16:58,970 Some people today are trying to step back from this, 308 00:16:58,967 --> 00:17:01,537 some of the liberal bloggers and such, and say, okay, 309 00:17:01,533 --> 00:17:03,503 the White House does deserve some credit for things, 310 00:17:03,500 --> 00:17:06,770 but part of the problem is that when they don't go as far as 311 00:17:06,767 --> 00:17:09,297 we'd like them to go, they don't reach out to us; 312 00:17:09,300 --> 00:17:12,370 they don't pat us on the back and say, hey, we tried, 313 00:17:12,367 --> 00:17:13,767 there's no communication. 314 00:17:13,767 --> 00:17:16,697 Do you think there is a lack of communication with what you call 315 00:17:16,700 --> 00:17:17,530 the professional left's -- 316 00:17:17,533 --> 00:17:18,403 Mr. Gibbs: I have not seen -- 317 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:19,500 The Press: -- lack of outreach from this White House? 318 00:17:19,500 --> 00:17:21,730 Mr. Gibbs: I have not seen that criticism today. 319 00:17:21,734 --> 00:17:24,204 I think obviously there are a number of people in the White 320 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,630 House in public engagement and political affairs and other 321 00:17:27,633 --> 00:17:33,203 places that spend a lot of time communicating. 322 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:36,870 I don't doubt -- I doubt that there's a time in which 323 00:17:36,867 --> 00:17:39,667 everybody feels completely satisfied at the level of 324 00:17:39,667 --> 00:17:42,237 communication and we would always strive to do better. 325 00:17:42,233 --> 00:17:49,433 I would say this. 326 00:17:49,433 --> 00:17:54,103 I think it's important -- let's put some of what the Democratic 327 00:17:54,100 --> 00:17:57,500 Party is doing into some real context. 328 00:17:57,500 --> 00:18:02,830 I think yesterday's vote in Colorado was a pretty good 329 00:18:02,834 --> 00:18:06,934 example of the type of coalition that the President put together 330 00:18:06,934 --> 00:18:11,634 in 2008 and that the President helped -- through his 331 00:18:11,633 --> 00:18:18,403 endorsements and appearances -- helped a candidate in Michael 332 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:24,700 Bennet, that he believes is the best voice to represent Colorado 333 00:18:24,700 --> 00:18:27,400 in the Senate -- somebody with a long track record on education 334 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:31,630 reform, a long track record -- or a track record in the 335 00:18:31,633 --> 00:18:36,203 Senate of pushing for needed congressional 336 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:37,300 and ethics reforms. 337 00:18:37,300 --> 00:18:42,730 And 60 percent of -- these are figures as of midday yesterday 338 00:18:42,734 --> 00:18:47,164 -- 60 percent of the electorate in the Democratic primary had 339 00:18:47,166 --> 00:18:50,696 either not voted in or voted in only one past 340 00:18:50,700 --> 00:18:52,400 Democratic primary. 341 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:54,870 That's an important obviously part of the coalition that the 342 00:18:54,867 --> 00:19:01,197 President put together in 2008 to get new voters that wanted 343 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:02,930 to see change to the polls. 344 00:19:02,934 --> 00:19:04,464 The Press: You told Dan that you haven't reached out to 345 00:19:04,467 --> 00:19:08,237 anybody on the -- in the so called "professional left," 346 00:19:08,233 --> 00:19:10,663 so you don't believe you owe anybody an apology? 347 00:19:10,667 --> 00:19:15,637 Mr. Gibbs: I have not talked to anybody outside of the building other 348 00:19:15,633 --> 00:19:18,133 than normal friends that I talk to each and every day. 349 00:19:18,133 --> 00:19:19,903 The Press: Have you talked to the President about it? 350 00:19:19,900 --> 00:19:22,370 Mr. Gibbs: We haven't talked about this, no. Yes, sir. 351 00:19:22,367 --> 00:19:23,897 The Press: Do you have any comments about Keith Olbermann's 352 00:19:23,900 --> 00:19:26,370 "special comment" last night? 353 00:19:26,367 --> 00:19:29,397 Mr. Gibbs: I got to tell you I was watching my BlackBerry for 354 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:32,300 primary returns and watching the Braves game on the Internet. 355 00:19:32,300 --> 00:19:36,170 The Press: Speaking of your '08 coalition, Dennis Kucinich says you've 356 00:19:36,166 --> 00:19:38,496 forgotten the role that progressives played in 357 00:19:38,500 --> 00:19:40,870 that and his own personal role, he says, 358 00:19:40,867 --> 00:19:45,297 in passing health care reform. 359 00:19:45,300 --> 00:19:48,500 Are you not giving liberals, the left side of the party, 360 00:19:48,500 --> 00:19:49,530 enough credit? 361 00:19:49,533 --> 00:19:52,133 Mr. Gibbs: How so? 362 00:19:52,133 --> 00:19:55,463 The Press: For being a significant part of the coalition. 363 00:19:55,467 --> 00:19:58,037 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think I'm -- I don't remember having any comment 364 00:19:58,033 --> 00:20:00,603 on that at all. 365 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:05,770 The Press: The measure the House passed yesterday to help teachers 366 00:20:05,767 --> 00:20:09,297 retain their jobs calls for an eventual 367 00:20:09,300 --> 00:20:11,830 cut in food stamps. 368 00:20:11,834 --> 00:20:14,264 What's likely to be the impact of that? 369 00:20:14,266 --> 00:20:15,936 And that's brought on some criticism from 370 00:20:15,934 --> 00:20:17,404 progressives as well. 371 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:25,970 Mr. Gibbs: I think it's important to understand that is not -- 372 00:20:25,967 --> 00:20:31,897 that is -- the Recovery Act changed food stamps through 2018. 373 00:20:31,900 --> 00:20:35,300 The redirection of that money only accounts for 374 00:20:35,300 --> 00:20:41,330 years 2014 through 2017. 375 00:20:41,333 --> 00:20:47,233 So the measures that were passed as a part of the Recovery Act 376 00:20:47,233 --> 00:20:51,263 for the foreseeable future are left intact for those 377 00:20:51,266 --> 00:20:52,936 that need help. 378 00:20:52,934 --> 00:20:55,504 The Press: So it's thinking that the help won't be needed by -- 379 00:20:55,500 --> 00:21:01,630 Mr. Gibbs: I think also that help -- rather than money programmed for 2017, 380 00:21:01,633 --> 00:21:08,503 given the fact that here we sit in early August with 381 00:21:08,500 --> 00:21:11,730 160,000-plus teachers facing a layoff, 382 00:21:11,734 --> 00:21:17,934 that redirecting that money made more sense. 383 00:21:17,934 --> 00:21:20,634 The Press: You just talked a minute ago about how the early 384 00:21:20,633 --> 00:21:23,303 part of the campaign was a lot about the war in Iraq, 385 00:21:23,300 --> 00:21:26,270 and the President was pretty critical of the surge. 386 00:21:26,266 --> 00:21:28,436 Does the President now think the surge worked 387 00:21:28,433 --> 00:21:29,403 and was a good idea? 388 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:31,000 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I would give you the answer that I think 389 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:37,800 the President gave standing both in and near Iraq in 2008 390 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:43,000 that the surge was intended to do two things -- it was 391 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:46,400 intended to augment the security environment so that we could 392 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:49,600 change the political environment. Right? 393 00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:54,570 There's no doubt that the bravery and heroism of our 394 00:21:54,567 --> 00:22:00,237 troops and those additions added to impacting that 395 00:22:00,233 --> 00:22:03,203 security environment. 396 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:11,200 What we wanted to see more of is a change in 397 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:12,430 the political environment. 398 00:22:12,433 --> 00:22:15,803 And we are making progress toward establishing -- we've had 399 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:20,030 another election -- establishing a new government and enabling us 400 00:22:20,033 --> 00:22:23,863 to change our mission in Iraq. 401 00:22:23,867 --> 00:22:26,167 The Press: So was that improved security environment provided -- 402 00:22:26,166 --> 00:22:29,136 Mr. Gibbs: As the President said it would when it happened, yes, 403 00:22:29,133 --> 00:22:33,163 the adding X number -- X thousand number of troops 404 00:22:33,166 --> 00:22:34,866 is likely to improve the security environment. 405 00:22:34,867 --> 00:22:39,967 But again, the security environment alone wasn't 406 00:22:39,967 --> 00:22:43,537 going to change our mission in Iraq. Right? 407 00:22:43,533 --> 00:22:48,263 We can't -- we have a stability in a political system now and 408 00:22:48,266 --> 00:22:51,266 making progress toward a new government that does allow 409 00:22:51,266 --> 00:22:54,866 us to meet the President's commitment of transitioning 410 00:22:54,867 --> 00:22:57,437 our combat role. 411 00:22:57,433 --> 00:22:59,463 That was tremendously important. 412 00:22:59,467 --> 00:23:02,567 The Press: So I guess just bottom line, do you think he does think 413 00:23:02,567 --> 00:23:06,337 it worked in the sense that perhaps under his own tenure, 414 00:23:06,333 --> 00:23:08,203 because the security environment was improved, 415 00:23:08,200 --> 00:23:09,970 he was able to bring about these changes? 416 00:23:09,967 --> 00:23:15,667 Mr. Gibbs: Again, the security improved as we all believed that it would. 417 00:23:15,667 --> 00:23:20,537 It has taken longer to see the correlating political gains, 418 00:23:20,533 --> 00:23:23,563 but we're far enough along now in some of those political 419 00:23:23,567 --> 00:23:25,867 gains that we can transition that role. 420 00:23:25,867 --> 00:23:28,537 I think the role that Vice President Biden and others 421 00:23:28,533 --> 00:23:32,833 have played in changing that political environment has been 422 00:23:32,834 --> 00:23:35,934 tremendously important to the overall cause. 423 00:23:35,934 --> 00:23:38,034 And I will say this. 424 00:23:38,033 --> 00:23:47,063 Lest we not forget that it was Iraqi leaders in 2008 that said 425 00:23:47,066 --> 00:23:49,336 -- they also not just in the SOFA, 426 00:23:49,333 --> 00:23:51,403 but there was discussion obviously by Prime Minister 427 00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:58,800 Maliki about a timetable for transition that was enormously 428 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:02,530 similar to that proposed by then-candidate Obama. 429 00:24:02,533 --> 00:24:04,503 The Press: It just seems like you guys are pointing to Iraq and this 430 00:24:04,500 --> 00:24:06,400 drawdown and this date as a success, 431 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:10,970 and I wondered if you give any credit to former President Bush 432 00:24:10,967 --> 00:24:14,037 and the surge as contributing to what you guys regard as a success. 433 00:24:14,033 --> 00:24:18,403 Mr. Gibbs: Again, I think that there's no doubt that, 434 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:21,400 as Democrats and Republicans said, 435 00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:25,000 we would have security gains -- that as we talked about 436 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:27,800 throughout the campaign and I think were criticized for, 437 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:31,000 a military role alone was not going to change our mission 438 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:35,230 in Iraq, because if you have security gains but not the 439 00:24:35,233 --> 00:24:40,133 responsibility of a functioning government to take the 440 00:24:40,133 --> 00:24:46,033 responsibility of both providing the security and executing its 441 00:24:46,033 --> 00:24:51,433 civilian duties, it would be hard to transition. Laura. 442 00:24:51,433 --> 00:24:54,363 The Press: Is the White House concerned at all that you will not get 443 00:24:54,367 --> 00:24:57,737 proper credit, if you will, for what's happening in Iraq, given 444 00:24:57,734 --> 00:25:01,434 the situation in Afghanistan? 445 00:25:01,433 --> 00:25:04,503 Mr. Gibbs: No, I think -- I will say -- look, 446 00:25:04,500 --> 00:25:11,500 we'll leave -- I'm sure many people will either decide 447 00:25:11,500 --> 00:25:16,300 to or decide not to give different entities credit. 448 00:25:16,300 --> 00:25:22,000 I think, again, I look back at a lot of time that I spent in 2007 449 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:26,700 and 2008 in a fairly vociferous debate about our role there. 450 00:25:26,700 --> 00:25:32,300 I think it is safe to say that even as the President pledged 451 00:25:32,300 --> 00:25:34,530 during that campaign, at the beginning of this 452 00:25:34,533 --> 00:25:37,333 administration, and even on the day that he traveled to North 453 00:25:37,333 --> 00:25:40,863 Carolina to give that speech, there were a lot of people 454 00:25:40,867 --> 00:25:44,337 that said it was not -- the date that we'd outlined, 455 00:25:44,333 --> 00:25:48,233 the end of August of 2010, was simply not doable. 456 00:25:48,233 --> 00:25:52,663 It not only is doable, we're on track to do it. 457 00:25:52,667 --> 00:25:59,367 In 20 or so days, that mission transitions. 458 00:25:59,367 --> 00:26:02,967 I think if you look at the sheer number of troops that are 459 00:26:02,967 --> 00:26:08,167 deployed between right now and when the President took office, 460 00:26:08,166 --> 00:26:11,536 even with the additional troops in Afghanistan, 461 00:26:11,533 --> 00:26:16,233 I think by a little more than 30,000 -- by a number of a 462 00:26:16,233 --> 00:26:21,003 little more than 30,000, there are fewer troops deployed overseas. 463 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:23,770 The Press: Do you think the American people understand and appreciate that 464 00:26:23,767 --> 00:26:25,937 accomplishment, what you just described? 465 00:26:25,934 --> 00:26:35,204 Mr. Gibbs: I do think that, because we do know so many years 466 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:42,600 later the amount of sacrifice that was made on behalf of our 467 00:26:42,600 --> 00:26:46,130 men and women in the military, some paying the ultimate price. 468 00:26:46,133 --> 00:26:51,863 I harken back to -- remember when I forget who the advisor 469 00:26:51,867 --> 00:26:57,837 was who said it might cost $150 billion in Iraq. 470 00:26:57,834 --> 00:27:04,064 I'm pretty sure we're multitudes beyond $150 billion. 471 00:27:04,066 --> 00:27:10,366 We have a -- we're ending a commitment that -- we're ending 472 00:27:10,367 --> 00:27:15,167 a combat commitment there and transitioning our role in a way 473 00:27:15,166 --> 00:27:20,536 that will help our military and will help our treasure. 474 00:27:20,533 --> 00:27:21,633 Mark. 475 00:27:21,633 --> 00:27:26,003 The Press: Robert, is there a contingency that if conditions in Iraq turn 476 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:29,130 sour that the U.S. role, military role, 477 00:27:29,133 --> 00:27:33,633 could resume a combat role there after August 31st? 478 00:27:33,633 --> 00:27:40,233 Mr. Gibbs: I will say, Mark, that I think it is always safe 479 00:27:40,233 --> 00:27:43,963 to say that the military has plans drawn up for a 480 00:27:43,967 --> 00:27:46,967 1,001 different scenarios. 481 00:27:46,967 --> 00:27:51,297 Again, the report that the President got, though, 482 00:27:51,300 --> 00:27:56,230 was clear in the progress that was being made. 483 00:27:56,233 --> 00:28:02,203 The level of violence at a rate over the course of the past two 484 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:08,300 weeks, as General Odierno said, which was among the lowest that 485 00:28:08,300 --> 00:28:13,830 had been recorded since they had kept records on this may all of 486 00:28:13,834 --> 00:28:18,334 -- has made the transition possible. 487 00:28:18,333 --> 00:28:22,363 The Press: On August 31st, do we end up with 50,000 U.S. troops? 488 00:28:22,367 --> 00:28:23,367 Is that what the number is? 489 00:28:23,367 --> 00:28:24,567 Mr. Gibbs: I think that's the approximate number, yes. 490 00:28:24,567 --> 00:28:26,497 I think that's the approximate number. 491 00:28:26,500 --> 00:28:29,000 The Press: On another issue, have you heard the President offer 492 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:33,370 a view on the exceedingly bad press the First Lady got 493 00:28:33,367 --> 00:28:34,867 about her trip to Spain? 494 00:28:34,867 --> 00:28:37,837 Mr. Gibbs: I have not. Roger. 495 00:28:37,834 --> 00:28:39,604 The Press: Robert, I'd like to go back to the economy again. 496 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:43,930 The markets are down between 2 and 3 percent worldwide today -- 497 00:28:43,934 --> 00:28:46,664 I'm sure you know that -- largely brought on by the 498 00:28:46,667 --> 00:28:49,697 Fed's action yesterday. 499 00:28:49,700 --> 00:28:52,730 We're out with a survey of 67 economists saying the GDP for 500 00:28:52,734 --> 00:28:56,064 the U.S. for the last -- for the six months of this year, 501 00:28:56,066 --> 00:29:01,166 the last half of this year, it's going to be only 2.55 percent, 502 00:29:01,166 --> 00:29:05,066 which is really an economy sort of treading water. 503 00:29:05,066 --> 00:29:07,836 Is there any -- number one, do you have any comment on that? 504 00:29:07,834 --> 00:29:12,564 And second, has the President asked Mr. Summers or Ms. Romer 505 00:29:12,567 --> 00:29:15,197 to take a look at is there anything else we can do? 506 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:18,900 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Roger, I want to not get into commenting 507 00:29:18,900 --> 00:29:23,300 on Fed actions, obviously. 508 00:29:23,300 --> 00:29:32,330 The President met with and talked through some scenarios 509 00:29:32,333 --> 00:29:38,963 today with Dr. Summers on what we were seeing worldwide -- in 510 00:29:38,967 --> 00:29:40,137 the Oval Office. 511 00:29:40,133 --> 00:29:48,163 And I think he will continue to talk to the team about any 512 00:29:48,166 --> 00:29:53,166 efforts that they think are necessary to ensure that we 513 00:29:53,166 --> 00:29:57,736 continue positive job growth, that we see 514 00:29:57,734 --> 00:29:59,264 positive economic growth. 515 00:29:59,266 --> 00:30:04,636 Again, it wasn't long ago where the debate was the depth of that 516 00:30:04,633 --> 00:30:10,533 job loss, the depth of that economic retraction. 517 00:30:10,533 --> 00:30:13,903 I know that a great number of meetings and discussions were 518 00:30:13,900 --> 00:30:19,500 held on the legislation that the House passed and the President 519 00:30:19,500 --> 00:30:22,470 signed late yesterday. 520 00:30:22,467 --> 00:30:27,397 If you think about both the short-term economic impacts of 521 00:30:27,400 --> 00:30:30,670 160,000 teachers losing their job, 522 00:30:30,667 --> 00:30:35,497 the long-term impacts of 160,000 classrooms without a teacher, 523 00:30:35,500 --> 00:30:38,570 the impact that that has on educating a workforce that we 524 00:30:38,567 --> 00:30:44,267 need for the jobs of tomorrow, it's why the President wanted 525 00:30:44,266 --> 00:30:46,266 and why he appreciates the actions of the House and the 526 00:30:46,266 --> 00:30:48,436 Senate so much in making it happen. 527 00:30:48,433 --> 00:30:51,233 Obviously, I mentioned earlier, the President wants to see 528 00:30:51,233 --> 00:30:54,163 progress on a small business bill, 529 00:30:54,166 --> 00:30:59,896 on cutting taxes and on increasing credit. 530 00:30:59,900 --> 00:31:04,300 And certainly they'll continue to talk about whatever steps 531 00:31:04,300 --> 00:31:07,800 those in the White House or others deem might be necessary. 532 00:31:07,800 --> 00:31:10,130 The Press: But if these economists are right and the economy 533 00:31:10,133 --> 00:31:13,263 only grows 2.6 percent in the last half of this year, 534 00:31:13,266 --> 00:31:17,896 that's not good as it compares with the 3.1 percent in the 535 00:31:17,900 --> 00:31:20,400 Mid-Session Review that was just out last month. 536 00:31:20,400 --> 00:31:23,500 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, as I said earlier, I don't think there's any doubt 537 00:31:23,500 --> 00:31:29,070 that the trajectory of where we were in April is somewhat 538 00:31:29,066 --> 00:31:31,236 different than we are today. 539 00:31:31,233 --> 00:31:34,663 Our goal is to continue that positive action. 540 00:31:34,667 --> 00:31:38,397 I will say this -- I've said this a bunch -- I don't have my 541 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:46,330 favorite graph, but nobody here believed that the depths of what 542 00:31:46,333 --> 00:31:52,203 we were entering into was going to be easy to get out of, 543 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:55,000 because you didn't have just one problem, 544 00:31:55,000 --> 00:31:57,400 you didn't just have a collapse in the financial industry, 545 00:31:57,400 --> 00:32:01,070 you didn't just have -- which led to tightening of credit. 546 00:32:01,066 --> 00:32:05,496 You didn't just have a huge housing crisis. 547 00:32:05,500 --> 00:32:09,000 You didn't just have 8 million jobs lost. 548 00:32:09,000 --> 00:32:11,200 You had all that at one time. 549 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:14,400 It's going to take quite a bit of time to move out of that. 550 00:32:14,400 --> 00:32:21,530 Again, we are at a point where instead of discussing where we 551 00:32:21,533 --> 00:32:24,863 are on the downward trend of that hole, 552 00:32:24,867 --> 00:32:29,397 where we are on an upswing -- not satisfied, 553 00:32:29,400 --> 00:32:31,970 the President and the team not satisfied with all of 554 00:32:31,967 --> 00:32:32,897 what they see. 555 00:32:32,900 --> 00:32:36,300 Obviously different sectors are going to do better than others 556 00:32:36,300 --> 00:32:39,870 and we have to keep working at whatever is necessary to 557 00:32:39,867 --> 00:32:42,797 continue to get the economy growing again. 558 00:32:42,800 --> 00:32:44,770 The Press: Just a quick follow -- who did he meet with this morning? 559 00:32:44,767 --> 00:32:47,297 And can you give us a sense of what they -- 560 00:32:47,300 --> 00:32:50,270 Mr. Gibbs: I don't -- we were going into a meeting, 561 00:32:50,266 --> 00:32:54,096 Dr. Summers was coming out of the Oval. 562 00:32:54,100 --> 00:32:57,730 But best I can tell -- I don't know who else was in that 563 00:32:57,734 --> 00:33:00,304 meeting with the President and Dr. Summers. 564 00:33:00,300 --> 00:33:02,230 The Press: What's going on with the President's export initiatives 565 00:33:02,233 --> 00:33:05,163 that exports actually fell in June? 566 00:33:05,166 --> 00:33:11,166 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I will say obviously there are monthly numbers 567 00:33:11,166 --> 00:33:13,936 that will bounce around -- increases in imports, 568 00:33:13,934 --> 00:33:16,434 decreases in exports. 569 00:33:16,433 --> 00:33:18,563 We still have the same goals. 570 00:33:18,567 --> 00:33:21,067 I think today's event on manufacturing furthers 571 00:33:21,066 --> 00:33:22,836 those goals. 572 00:33:22,834 --> 00:33:25,834 And I do point out that the year-to-year change 573 00:33:25,834 --> 00:33:27,764 in exports is up 18 percent. 574 00:33:27,767 --> 00:33:30,737 So while there will be some monthly bouncing around, 575 00:33:30,734 --> 00:33:35,404 our commitment and our goal of doubling exports remains a huge 576 00:33:35,400 --> 00:33:40,030 priority, because, as you've heard the President say, 577 00:33:40,033 --> 00:33:42,833 world economic growth can't hinge entirely 578 00:33:42,834 --> 00:33:47,234 on United States demand. 579 00:33:47,233 --> 00:33:49,463 We have good products that we want to sell overseas. 580 00:33:49,467 --> 00:33:54,067 The President -- just last week at an auto plant outside of 581 00:33:54,066 --> 00:33:56,636 Chicago that makes the Explorer that will be 582 00:33:56,633 --> 00:33:59,363 exported to 90 countries. 583 00:33:59,367 --> 00:34:02,697 Those are -- that's tremendously important. 584 00:34:02,700 --> 00:34:04,670 Scott. 585 00:34:04,667 --> 00:34:07,567 The Press: In setting these deadlines, there was some concern that 586 00:34:07,567 --> 00:34:09,997 al Qaeda in Iraq or other insurgent groups 587 00:34:10,000 --> 00:34:11,700 would just wait out. 588 00:34:11,700 --> 00:34:14,830 I know SOFA sets out deadlines, but this August 31, 2010, 589 00:34:14,834 --> 00:34:15,934 deadline was the President's. 590 00:34:15,934 --> 00:34:19,564 Was there any conversation this morning about whether or not 591 00:34:19,567 --> 00:34:20,997 that's taking place? 592 00:34:21,000 --> 00:34:22,700 Any sense of that's the reason why this is -- 593 00:34:22,700 --> 00:34:27,170 Mr. Gibbs: Let me get somebody to get a longer answer on that. 594 00:34:27,166 --> 00:34:32,096 There was some discussion and has been over the past few days 595 00:34:32,100 --> 00:34:37,930 of just the, quite honestly, the severe degradation of 596 00:34:37,934 --> 00:34:41,564 al Qaeda in Iraq. 597 00:34:41,567 --> 00:34:45,197 I've been in meetings where that's been discussed in terms 598 00:34:45,200 --> 00:34:48,530 of General Odierno's viewpoint. 599 00:34:48,533 --> 00:34:54,363 And obviously we are -- we see a different security environment 600 00:34:54,367 --> 00:34:57,337 on the ground than we saw just a few years ago, 601 00:34:57,333 --> 00:35:01,533 particularly as it relates to al Qaeda insurgents there. 602 00:35:01,533 --> 00:35:06,163 The Press: One other. That roughly 50,000 there will be there at the end 603 00:35:06,166 --> 00:35:08,436 of this month -- is there a drawdown schedule, 604 00:35:08,433 --> 00:35:12,433 or is there conversations around one for the next -- 605 00:35:12,433 --> 00:35:14,463 Mr. Gibbs: Let me check. I don't know the answer to that but I can check 606 00:35:14,467 --> 00:35:16,097 on the phasing of that. Sheryl. 607 00:35:16,100 --> 00:35:17,170 The Press: Robert, a couple things. 608 00:35:17,166 --> 00:35:19,866 On the Panama City trip coming up, 609 00:35:19,867 --> 00:35:23,437 can you talk to us about what the President and his family 610 00:35:23,433 --> 00:35:26,103 plan to do over the weekend? 611 00:35:26,100 --> 00:35:28,200 And why only one night? 612 00:35:28,200 --> 00:35:32,430 Some questions came up yesterday about the short 613 00:35:32,433 --> 00:35:34,003 duration of their stay. 614 00:35:34,000 --> 00:35:36,770 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Sheryl, let me -- we'll have more 615 00:35:36,767 --> 00:35:38,937 information on their schedule. 616 00:35:38,934 --> 00:35:42,404 Some of it will be -- some of the events that he will 617 00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:46,470 do will be treated as OTRs. 618 00:35:46,467 --> 00:35:53,537 Secretary Mabus will be going to the region with the President, 619 00:35:53,533 --> 00:35:59,663 and I think when they arrive the President will meet with 620 00:35:59,667 --> 00:36:04,137 business and tourism leaders to discuss the impacts that they've 621 00:36:04,133 --> 00:36:09,333 seen on their business because of the oil spill. 622 00:36:09,333 --> 00:36:15,763 The President will meet with those folks and have a chance to 623 00:36:15,767 --> 00:36:21,367 update, I think, the region on where we are both from a relief 624 00:36:21,367 --> 00:36:26,267 well standpoint -- obviously the weather has -- the weather will 625 00:36:26,266 --> 00:36:30,166 likely delay the relief well completion by two to three days, 626 00:36:30,166 --> 00:36:34,736 but we anticipate that the work will continue again 627 00:36:34,734 --> 00:36:36,604 over the weekend. 628 00:36:36,600 --> 00:36:39,330 And I think it will be important for the President to talk about 629 00:36:39,333 --> 00:36:47,333 what are the next steps in bringing the region back. 630 00:36:47,333 --> 00:36:53,063 The primary point of the President's trip is to highlight 631 00:36:53,066 --> 00:36:57,366 that -- obviously many of you know this because you traveled 632 00:36:57,367 --> 00:37:00,897 there during the summer, I grew up not too far from there -- 633 00:37:00,900 --> 00:37:07,270 tourism is the economic issue -- those hotels along the beaches, 634 00:37:07,266 --> 00:37:10,196 the businesses that they support. 635 00:37:10,200 --> 00:37:13,170 And because of the spill -- even in places where oil didn't 636 00:37:13,166 --> 00:37:18,236 necessarily wash ashore have, because of the environment 637 00:37:18,233 --> 00:37:23,203 around the spill, seen a huge contraction in 638 00:37:23,200 --> 00:37:25,170 their own business. 639 00:37:25,166 --> 00:37:27,466 It was something that the governor of Florida specifically 640 00:37:27,467 --> 00:37:29,767 talked to the President and to the First Lady 641 00:37:29,767 --> 00:37:31,967 about when she was down. 642 00:37:31,967 --> 00:37:36,037 And they both believed that it was important to highlight that, 643 00:37:36,033 --> 00:37:41,603 indeed, the Gulf Coast is, during a busy summer, 644 00:37:41,600 --> 00:37:45,170 open for business and the families that are there are 645 00:37:45,166 --> 00:37:51,166 enjoying their time there. 646 00:37:51,166 --> 00:37:55,796 Even as the President talks about what our next steps are in 647 00:37:55,800 --> 00:38:00,530 our response, obviously part of this will be highlighting the 648 00:38:00,533 --> 00:38:04,433 tremendous economic toll that has taken place -- as I said, 649 00:38:04,433 --> 00:38:09,133 even on places that didn't necessarily see a large amount 650 00:38:09,133 --> 00:38:12,433 of oil wash up, are still very much open for business. 651 00:38:12,433 --> 00:38:14,403 The Press: It doesn't sound like much of a vacation for him if he's 652 00:38:14,400 --> 00:38:17,670 going to be meeting with business leaders and -- 653 00:38:17,667 --> 00:38:18,467 Mr. Gibbs: Sheryl, I think -- 654 00:38:18,467 --> 00:38:19,897 The Press: Is he going to be -- is his family going 655 00:38:19,900 --> 00:38:20,830 to be doing social -- 656 00:38:20,834 --> 00:38:23,704 Mr. Gibbs: I think if you've been in the pool in either Martha's Vineyard 657 00:38:23,700 --> 00:38:27,330 or Hawaii, I think you could attest to the fact that the 658 00:38:27,333 --> 00:38:32,763 notion of a presidential vacation is one Sit Room call 659 00:38:32,767 --> 00:38:37,337 away from becoming a -- I just heard a lot of groans -- they 660 00:38:37,333 --> 00:38:41,733 watched their Hawaii trips disappear. 661 00:38:41,734 --> 00:38:44,564 The Press: Will we see his family doing sort of more 662 00:38:44,567 --> 00:38:45,467 recreational activities -- 663 00:38:45,467 --> 00:38:46,967 Mr. Gibbs: You'll see he and the family out there. 664 00:38:46,967 --> 00:38:48,267 You'll see all of them out there. 665 00:38:48,266 --> 00:38:50,796 The Press: And can we also talk a little bit about Colorado? 666 00:38:50,800 --> 00:38:52,370 Can you tell us, did the President watch 667 00:38:52,367 --> 00:38:53,567 the returns last night? 668 00:38:53,567 --> 00:38:57,637 Does he draw any broader message from Michael Bennet's victory 669 00:38:57,633 --> 00:38:59,563 and his own involvement -- 670 00:38:59,567 --> 00:39:00,997 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I would say this. 671 00:39:01,000 --> 00:39:05,670 The President called Senator Bennet not long after the 672 00:39:05,667 --> 00:39:09,437 race was called. 673 00:39:09,433 --> 00:39:12,763 The President obviously had traveled out there to help 674 00:39:12,767 --> 00:39:18,437 Senator Bennet gain support, raise money. 675 00:39:18,433 --> 00:39:23,463 The President was proud to lend his name -- I 676 00:39:23,467 --> 00:39:25,097 think appeared over the course of the last week, 677 00:39:25,100 --> 00:39:31,130 in "Get Out The Vote" mailings, television ads. 678 00:39:31,133 --> 00:39:37,103 The President participated in Senator Bennet's tele-town hall. 679 00:39:37,100 --> 00:39:43,370 I gave you those figures earlier about what comprised 680 00:39:43,367 --> 00:39:47,197 voter turnout in the Democratic primary, 681 00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:56,970 in seeing first-time and nearly first-time voters come back out 682 00:39:56,967 --> 00:40:04,397 again to participate in an important primary. 683 00:40:04,400 --> 00:40:07,930 Look, I think it's hard to take away from the results of last 684 00:40:07,934 --> 00:40:11,704 night -- whether it's in Colorado, in Connecticut, 685 00:40:11,700 --> 00:40:17,200 or in Georgia, in some cases gubernatorial races, 686 00:40:17,200 --> 00:40:21,370 in some cases gubernatorial and Senate races -- to think that 687 00:40:21,367 --> 00:40:23,797 the Democratic Party as a whole didn't have a very good night. 688 00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:27,970 I think if you look at -- Senator Bennet will now go up 689 00:40:27,967 --> 00:40:32,837 against somebody who believes that Social Security is bad 690 00:40:32,834 --> 00:40:37,904 policy and that we should do away with our involvement in a 691 00:40:37,900 --> 00:40:42,470 student loan program that allows thousands to send their kids to 692 00:40:42,467 --> 00:40:46,737 college without having to pay exorbitant interest rates. 693 00:40:46,734 --> 00:40:50,934 I think that is a debate that will turn out quite well for 694 00:40:50,934 --> 00:40:52,064 us in November. 695 00:40:52,066 --> 00:40:54,736 The Press: He also was non-committal about -- when asked if he 696 00:40:54,734 --> 00:40:57,464 would want the President to campaign for him through 697 00:40:57,467 --> 00:40:58,437 the general election. 698 00:40:58,433 --> 00:40:59,803 He was non-committal about that. 699 00:40:59,800 --> 00:41:00,900 Any reaction to that? 700 00:41:00,900 --> 00:41:05,170 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I think our involvement in that race, 701 00:41:05,166 --> 00:41:09,096 whether on the television out there, 702 00:41:09,100 --> 00:41:11,970 or in the mailboxes out there, or in the news out there, 703 00:41:11,967 --> 00:41:15,237 is fairly well documented. 704 00:41:15,233 --> 00:41:20,403 We were -- again, I think Senator Bennet has -- he's a 705 00:41:20,400 --> 00:41:23,070 first-time political candidate. 706 00:41:23,066 --> 00:41:27,236 His substantive professional experience was superintendent 707 00:41:27,233 --> 00:41:32,503 of a Denver school system that saw an enormous amount 708 00:41:32,500 --> 00:41:37,830 of reforms that he can proud of. 709 00:41:37,834 --> 00:41:41,164 And I think he'll be an enormously strong 710 00:41:41,166 --> 00:41:42,366 candidate in the fall. 711 00:41:42,367 --> 00:41:44,837 The Press: Are you saying that Democrats should feel better 712 00:41:44,834 --> 00:41:51,404 about the prospects in 2010 and what the impact of the economy 713 00:41:51,400 --> 00:41:53,230 will be two, three months from now? 714 00:41:53,233 --> 00:41:57,063 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, obviously our hope is to try to get the 715 00:41:57,066 --> 00:41:59,796 economy turned around not just in two or three months, 716 00:41:59,800 --> 00:42:01,770 but tomorrow. 717 00:42:01,767 --> 00:42:06,967 I think the outcome of last night's elections in the states 718 00:42:06,967 --> 00:42:11,337 that those primaries were had, were nothing but good news for 719 00:42:11,333 --> 00:42:14,363 the Democratic Party. 720 00:42:14,367 --> 00:42:18,297 I'm hard pressed to think of a race where -- last night -- 721 00:42:18,300 --> 00:42:23,930 where we didn't end up in good position either with who won or 722 00:42:23,934 --> 00:42:28,734 in good position with who the eventual Democratic nominee will 723 00:42:28,734 --> 00:42:30,104 face in a general election. 724 00:42:30,100 --> 00:42:31,430 The Press: And could I ask you real quickly, 725 00:42:31,433 --> 00:42:35,103 if tomorrow the Senate does come back and pass that immigration 726 00:42:35,100 --> 00:42:38,370 -- the $600 million for the border security, 727 00:42:38,367 --> 00:42:40,797 is that it for the year for immigration? 728 00:42:40,800 --> 00:42:43,830 Is there anything else President Obama thinks can be done? 729 00:42:43,834 --> 00:42:46,734 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I think you've heard the President on any 730 00:42:46,734 --> 00:42:52,634 number of occasions discuss the importance of dealing 731 00:42:52,633 --> 00:42:54,833 comprehensively with immigration reform. 732 00:42:54,834 --> 00:42:59,334 That was the bedrock of the suit that the Justice 733 00:42:59,333 --> 00:43:06,303 Department filed in Arizona. 734 00:43:06,300 --> 00:43:08,000 It's going to take 60 votes to get something 735 00:43:08,000 --> 00:43:09,000 through the Senate. 736 00:43:09,000 --> 00:43:12,400 It takes 60 votes to get the nominee at an agency you've 737 00:43:12,400 --> 00:43:15,000 previously never heard of through the Senate. 738 00:43:15,000 --> 00:43:16,570 The Press: So it's a yes, nothing else this year? 739 00:43:16,567 --> 00:43:19,237 Mr. Gibbs: No, I think that's up to -- that is up to Republicans 740 00:43:19,233 --> 00:43:23,933 about whether -- Republicans are going to have to ask themselves 741 00:43:23,934 --> 00:43:26,664 do they want to roll up their sleeves and be leaders on a 742 00:43:26,667 --> 00:43:32,567 very tough issue, or do they want to play politics? 743 00:43:32,567 --> 00:43:35,897 It is fascinating to watch the strict constructionists and 744 00:43:35,900 --> 00:43:40,200 those that have great fidelity to our Constitution want to 745 00:43:40,200 --> 00:43:43,000 tamper with the very amendment that provides -- that has 746 00:43:43,000 --> 00:43:48,470 provided for 150 years equal protection under the law and 747 00:43:48,467 --> 00:43:52,337 a due process. 748 00:43:52,333 --> 00:43:56,203 That's not how we're going to solve the very hard issue 749 00:43:56,200 --> 00:43:57,730 of immigration reform. 750 00:43:57,734 --> 00:44:00,964 That's not how we should solve immigration reform. 751 00:44:00,967 --> 00:44:06,967 Only by comprehensively addressing border security, 752 00:44:06,967 --> 00:44:12,397 the workplace, those that are here -- only by doing that 753 00:44:12,400 --> 00:44:14,730 comprehensively are we going to make progress. 754 00:44:14,734 --> 00:44:17,064 The Press: Some of the people on the Gulf are asking will the President 755 00:44:17,066 --> 00:44:19,496 go in the water. 756 00:44:19,500 --> 00:44:21,970 (laughter) 757 00:44:21,967 --> 00:44:28,397 Mr. Gibbs: I will let that dangle until sometime over the weekend. 758 00:44:28,400 --> 00:44:31,030 We all know that it's hot enough that the one place you want to 759 00:44:31,033 --> 00:44:34,403 be most quickly is -- having spent some time in Panama City 760 00:44:34,400 --> 00:44:36,530 -- is in the water. 761 00:44:36,533 --> 00:44:38,663 The Press: I have a question on Iran. 762 00:44:38,667 --> 00:44:41,837 The seven Baha'i leaders who have been imprisoned for the 763 00:44:41,834 --> 00:44:45,004 last two years have just been sentenced 764 00:44:45,000 --> 00:44:47,700 to 20 years imprisonment. 765 00:44:47,700 --> 00:44:50,430 What is the President's reaction to this? 766 00:44:50,433 --> 00:44:55,463 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have anything on that, but let me get something from 767 00:44:55,467 --> 00:44:58,397 NSC on that. 768 00:44:58,400 --> 00:44:59,600 The Press: Thank you. 769 00:44:59,600 --> 00:45:00,230 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, sir. 770 00:45:00,233 --> 00:45:04,003 The Press: Thank you. Did the President encourage the First Lady to go 771 00:45:04,000 --> 00:45:07,170 out on the campaign trail during this midterm season? 772 00:45:07,166 --> 00:45:12,596 And what message might the First Lady offer in her travels? 773 00:45:12,600 --> 00:45:14,330 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I don't want to get ahead of 774 00:45:14,333 --> 00:45:15,303 announcements on that. 775 00:45:15,300 --> 00:45:22,500 I think that -- I think you've heard others and I know David 776 00:45:22,500 --> 00:45:25,630 Axelrod said it, and I anticipate that at some 777 00:45:25,633 --> 00:45:31,963 point she will likely make some appearances. 778 00:45:31,967 --> 00:45:39,937 She is -- she's a mom and has to focus on the importance of 779 00:45:39,934 --> 00:45:43,804 raising two children, and we'll get into that closer 780 00:45:43,800 --> 00:45:44,770 to the political season. 781 00:45:44,767 --> 00:45:46,267 Yes, ma'am. 782 00:45:46,266 --> 00:45:48,966 The Press: The President has launched a pretty good push on education, 783 00:45:48,967 --> 00:45:50,867 talking up his education reforms. 784 00:45:50,867 --> 00:45:53,097 I'm wondering why now and if this has anything to do 785 00:45:53,100 --> 00:45:55,030 with the midterms? 786 00:45:55,033 --> 00:45:57,603 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I think the President has spent a lot of time 787 00:45:57,600 --> 00:45:58,830 talking about education. 788 00:45:58,834 --> 00:46:04,304 It has not -- sometimes when there's not a lot of 789 00:46:04,300 --> 00:46:09,870 back-and-forth, sometimes when there's not a lot of resistance 790 00:46:09,867 --> 00:46:15,467 and debate, an issue like that doesn't get as much attention. 791 00:46:15,467 --> 00:46:20,297 I think the investments that the Recovery Act made in things like 792 00:46:20,300 --> 00:46:26,970 Race to the Top, I think reforms that have been instituted to 793 00:46:26,967 --> 00:46:29,767 take banks out of the role that they traditionally had 794 00:46:29,767 --> 00:46:35,537 played in student loans, are all extremely important 795 00:46:35,533 --> 00:46:37,803 achievements for this administration. 796 00:46:37,800 --> 00:46:40,600 I think the President will likely continue to talk about 797 00:46:40,600 --> 00:46:46,500 them, particularly as families get closer to sending their 798 00:46:46,500 --> 00:46:48,600 children back to school for the year. 799 00:46:48,600 --> 00:46:49,400 April. 800 00:46:49,400 --> 00:46:53,130 The Press: Robert, on the economy and something else. 801 00:46:53,133 --> 00:46:56,363 The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities says 44 802 00:46:56,367 --> 00:47:02,367 states are addressing 2011 budget shortfalls. 803 00:47:02,367 --> 00:47:05,167 What's next after this jobs bill? 804 00:47:05,166 --> 00:47:08,236 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think, again, the next thing that we'd like to 805 00:47:08,233 --> 00:47:11,403 see the Senate complete -- the House has voted on this and the 806 00:47:11,400 --> 00:47:16,070 bill lies with the Senate, and that is a small business bill, 807 00:47:16,066 --> 00:47:19,836 a bill that, as I've said, cuts capital gains taxes for small 808 00:47:19,834 --> 00:47:26,804 businesses, allows them to deduct a greater amount of 809 00:47:26,800 --> 00:47:32,170 their investments, and opens up the lines of credit through 810 00:47:32,166 --> 00:47:34,866 community banks that they need to expand. 811 00:47:34,867 --> 00:47:37,767 I think that is -- I think you've heard the President talk 812 00:47:37,767 --> 00:47:40,137 about that, and that's the thing that the President will talk 813 00:47:40,133 --> 00:47:43,163 about as the Senate comes back. 814 00:47:43,166 --> 00:47:46,036 The Press: Included in the Recovery Act was an increase in funding for 815 00:47:46,033 --> 00:47:48,333 food stamps, for the food stamp recipients. 816 00:47:48,333 --> 00:47:54,903 And food stamps were pretty much cut to fund the teacher jobs and -- 817 00:47:54,900 --> 00:47:55,970 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I will say this again. 818 00:47:55,967 --> 00:48:00,867 I don't -- I forget who exactly asked the question -- the 819 00:48:00,867 --> 00:48:05,067 Recovery Act extended that through 2018. 820 00:48:05,066 --> 00:48:12,736 The reprogramming took place for the latter four years because 821 00:48:12,734 --> 00:48:16,734 the belief was that instead of programming money for 2017 when 822 00:48:16,734 --> 00:48:20,804 you have 160,000 teachers that are about to be given pink 823 00:48:20,800 --> 00:48:28,570 slips, that at the time-being, that was the more urgent need. 824 00:48:28,567 --> 00:48:31,167 The Press: So is there going to be any kind of recalibration? 825 00:48:31,166 --> 00:48:33,936 Is the administration going to go back -- because there are 826 00:48:33,934 --> 00:48:37,804 advocacy groups for many of those who are on food stamps 827 00:48:37,800 --> 00:48:40,170 saying this is just not fair, there is a need, 828 00:48:40,166 --> 00:48:42,266 and it was put in place originally because there 829 00:48:42,266 --> 00:48:43,296 was a need. 830 00:48:43,300 --> 00:48:48,400 Mr. Gibbs: But, again, I think -- we understand that. 831 00:48:48,400 --> 00:48:52,270 That's why it was in the original bill. 832 00:48:52,266 --> 00:49:01,636 I think redirecting money from 2017 to 2010 we believe 833 00:49:01,633 --> 00:49:08,033 addressed the most urgent need that states and localities faced 834 00:49:08,033 --> 00:49:09,003 at that time. 835 00:49:09,000 --> 00:49:11,530 The Press: And what did you say to the President about your faux pas 836 00:49:11,533 --> 00:49:13,563 or your misspeak -- 837 00:49:13,567 --> 00:49:15,837 Mr. Gibbs: As I said, I haven't talked to the President about it. 838 00:49:15,834 --> 00:49:19,564 The Press: Has he made note to you by email that he knows about 839 00:49:19,567 --> 00:49:20,397 it or anything? 840 00:49:20,400 --> 00:49:22,170 Mr. Gibbs: We haven't emailed about it either. 841 00:49:22,166 --> 00:49:26,866 The Press: On another economic issue, the tax cut extensions for 842 00:49:26,867 --> 00:49:30,097 the top 2 percent, the Democrats' desire not to extend those. 843 00:49:30,100 --> 00:49:32,800 It's been the White House's position that you'd like to 844 00:49:32,800 --> 00:49:35,930 see Congress -- I guess both chambers do these votes before 845 00:49:35,934 --> 00:49:37,304 the November election. 846 00:49:37,300 --> 00:49:39,630 And I just wanted to get an update on that. 847 00:49:39,633 --> 00:49:42,033 Do you still feel that that's the right way to go? 848 00:49:42,033 --> 00:49:45,663 Do you have any concern that it could backfire either if the 849 00:49:45,667 --> 00:49:51,737 Democrats lose the votes within their own caucus to split the 850 00:49:51,734 --> 00:49:54,764 difference that way or -- 851 00:49:54,767 --> 00:49:57,897 Mr. Gibbs: Let me say, I don't -- go ahead, finish your question. 852 00:49:57,900 --> 00:50:00,900 I don't think -- I have to say, I don't think the President's 853 00:50:00,900 --> 00:50:03,970 position on allowing the tax cuts for those that make more 854 00:50:03,967 --> 00:50:06,667 than $250,000 is splitting the difference. 855 00:50:06,667 --> 00:50:09,867 The President has supported middle-class tax cuts. 856 00:50:09,867 --> 00:50:14,197 The bedrock of the Recovery Act was a tax cut for 95 percent 857 00:50:14,200 --> 00:50:16,400 of working Americans. 858 00:50:16,400 --> 00:50:23,300 What the President has not and never supported is tax cuts for 859 00:50:23,300 --> 00:50:25,400 wealthy, upper-end income earners. 860 00:50:25,400 --> 00:50:26,800 The Press: I don't mean split the difference on what you want. 861 00:50:26,800 --> 00:50:28,270 That's not what I'm trying to get at. 862 00:50:28,266 --> 00:50:29,636 I mean, I'm asking you a tactical question. 863 00:50:29,633 --> 00:50:32,463 Do you still think that pushing this before November is the 864 00:50:32,467 --> 00:50:34,337 right way for Democrats to go? 865 00:50:34,333 --> 00:50:35,733 Do you have any concern it will backfire? 866 00:50:35,734 --> 00:50:38,334 And do you have any update on the timing of how -- 867 00:50:38,333 --> 00:50:39,733 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have any update on the timing. 868 00:50:39,734 --> 00:50:41,464 I think that's probably a question better directed 869 00:50:41,467 --> 00:50:42,537 to the Hill. 870 00:50:42,533 --> 00:50:46,063 I will say, Margaret, that this is obviously going to be a part 871 00:50:46,066 --> 00:50:49,766 of the debate over the course of the next 80 days. 872 00:50:49,767 --> 00:50:52,467 So I don't -- whether there's a vote or not, 873 00:50:52,467 --> 00:50:55,837 this is going to be hotly debated. 874 00:50:55,834 --> 00:51:04,134 I don't -- you had a series of tax cuts that were designed 875 00:51:04,133 --> 00:51:07,063 to take on varying levels, depending on what taxes were 876 00:51:07,066 --> 00:51:13,966 cut, and then December 31, 2010, they drop off a cliff. 877 00:51:13,967 --> 00:51:15,837 I think it's safe to say that's not how the President would have 878 00:51:15,834 --> 00:51:18,434 designed the tax cut. 879 00:51:18,433 --> 00:51:25,863 And there will be a debate that I think will be a big part of 880 00:51:25,867 --> 00:51:31,837 the 2010 election, particularly as it relates to -- I mean, 881 00:51:31,834 --> 00:51:35,604 look, that was the centerpiece of the economic policies of the 882 00:51:35,600 --> 00:51:36,830 previous eight years. 883 00:51:36,834 --> 00:51:38,564 The Press: But the White House wants not just a debate but a 884 00:51:38,567 --> 00:51:40,197 vote before the election? 885 00:51:40,200 --> 00:51:44,200 Mr. Gibbs: I can double-check particularly with Legislative Affairs and see 886 00:51:44,200 --> 00:51:46,600 if there's -- I don't know of any clarity on that. 887 00:51:46,600 --> 00:51:50,930 Again, I think I would point you to the House and the Senate in 888 00:51:50,934 --> 00:51:53,034 terms of the scheduling. 889 00:51:53,033 --> 00:51:55,803 The Press: -- question about Chip's earlier question, 890 00:51:55,800 --> 00:51:58,430 not on the "professional left" but on Iraq. 891 00:51:58,433 --> 00:52:02,363 Did I understand you to say that with regard to pulling out the 892 00:52:02,367 --> 00:52:07,397 remaining 50,000 troops that will be there under a sort of 893 00:52:07,400 --> 00:52:11,230 different purpose after August 31st, 894 00:52:11,233 --> 00:52:14,433 that that is an issue that exists as long as the SOFA 895 00:52:14,433 --> 00:52:17,133 says so, but it's theoretically possible that that could change? 896 00:52:17,133 --> 00:52:18,703 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I just didn't want to get into the 897 00:52:18,700 --> 00:52:21,770 hypothetical of what's next. 898 00:52:21,767 --> 00:52:25,367 Obviously the agreement that has been signed by the two 899 00:52:25,367 --> 00:52:30,437 governments is a status of forces agreement that ends all 900 00:52:30,433 --> 00:52:35,033 American personnel by the end of 2011. 901 00:52:35,033 --> 00:52:38,363 The Press: Was this discussed today during today's meeting with 902 00:52:38,367 --> 00:52:42,767 the President -- you know, if things take a really bad turn 903 00:52:42,767 --> 00:52:46,797 after August 31st, what the mechanism is for sort of a 904 00:52:46,800 --> 00:52:48,730 U.N.-turn or a slowdown or anything like that? 905 00:52:48,734 --> 00:52:55,834 Mr. Gibbs: Well, as I said to Mark, look, there are -- suffice to say the 906 00:52:55,834 --> 00:52:59,734 Pentagon has plans for a lot. 907 00:52:59,734 --> 00:53:01,404 That's their job. Right? 908 00:53:01,400 --> 00:53:03,370 They're military planners. 909 00:53:03,367 --> 00:53:08,867 Again, the President did not hear from those on the ground -- 910 00:53:08,867 --> 00:53:12,497 both on the diplomatic side and on the security and military 911 00:53:12,500 --> 00:53:18,300 side -- did not hear anything that would lead him to believe 912 00:53:18,300 --> 00:53:22,900 that any of those plans would ultimately be necessary. 913 00:53:22,900 --> 00:53:25,600 The Press: But there are contingency plans that always get discussed that 914 00:53:25,600 --> 00:53:26,430 you can't talk about? 915 00:53:26,433 --> 00:53:29,863 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I don't know the degree to which those 916 00:53:29,867 --> 00:53:31,167 were talked about today. 917 00:53:31,166 --> 00:53:35,066 My guess is not a lot, simply because the update on the 918 00:53:35,066 --> 00:53:42,296 situation doesn't necessarily -- again, 919 00:53:42,300 --> 00:53:45,300 the situation is such that we see no impediment to what's 920 00:53:45,300 --> 00:53:48,000 happening on the 31st and going forward, 921 00:53:48,000 --> 00:53:49,600 starting September the 1st. 922 00:53:49,600 --> 00:53:54,230 Like I said, there are on any number of occasions in any 923 00:53:54,233 --> 00:53:57,403 number of places in the world very, 924 00:53:57,400 --> 00:54:00,530 very detailed contingency plans for a lot of different things. 925 00:54:00,533 --> 00:54:01,403 Yes, ma'am. 926 00:54:01,400 --> 00:54:04,230 The Press: Thank you, Robert. Going forward, what is the U.S. 927 00:54:04,233 --> 00:54:06,703 involvement politically in Iraq? 928 00:54:06,700 --> 00:54:08,930 Because I think a lot of people, especially in the Middle East, 929 00:54:08,934 --> 00:54:11,434 were kind of holding on a lot of hope for the President's 930 00:54:11,433 --> 00:54:14,833 announcement last week as far as what the U.S. will 931 00:54:14,834 --> 00:54:18,604 do for the political situation, which has reached a pretty 932 00:54:18,600 --> 00:54:22,370 significant stalemate now between Allawi and Maliki. 933 00:54:22,367 --> 00:54:25,497 So how much of that was discussed in the meeting today? 934 00:54:25,500 --> 00:54:32,770 Mr. Gibbs: The Vice President remains actively involved in the 935 00:54:32,767 --> 00:54:37,267 continuing talks about forming a new government. 936 00:54:37,266 --> 00:54:45,196 We had staff in the region not too long ago that -- meeting 937 00:54:45,200 --> 00:54:50,500 directly with the parties to try to continue to get progress 938 00:54:50,500 --> 00:54:52,670 along the road to setting up a new government. 939 00:54:52,667 --> 00:54:58,097 We will remain active in them. 940 00:54:58,100 --> 00:55:01,730 The military role transitions to one led by civilians, 941 00:55:01,734 --> 00:55:07,934 and the formation of a new government in Iraq remains a 942 00:55:07,934 --> 00:55:12,004 significant priority for our government. 943 00:55:12,000 --> 00:55:13,970 The Press: And this was discussed in the meeting today? 944 00:55:13,967 --> 00:55:17,367 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, Vice President Biden specifically provided the 945 00:55:17,367 --> 00:55:18,667 President with an update. 946 00:55:18,667 --> 00:55:25,137 And as I said earlier, I think you can see developments in the 947 00:55:25,133 --> 00:55:32,303 region that are positive, meetings that are happening 948 00:55:32,300 --> 00:55:37,270 between the parties that are ultimately necessary for what's 949 00:55:37,266 --> 00:55:38,666 going to need to happen to form a government. 950 00:55:38,667 --> 00:55:40,097 The Press: But there are no deadlines or anything set up? 951 00:55:40,100 --> 00:55:41,300 Mr. Gibbs: No deadline timelines. 952 00:55:41,300 --> 00:55:42,230 The Press: And no discussion of such? 953 00:55:42,233 --> 00:55:43,263 Mr. Gibbs: No. Michael. 954 00:55:43,266 --> 00:55:46,336 The Press: The President in the past has been a very vocal supporter 955 00:55:46,333 --> 00:55:47,263 of net neutrality. 956 00:55:47,266 --> 00:55:50,096 There's a proposal by Google and Verizon that would allow 957 00:55:50,100 --> 00:55:56,600 for prioritization of Internet content over wireless networks 958 00:55:56,600 --> 00:56:02,070 and also for building sort of premium Internet services on 959 00:56:02,066 --> 00:56:03,696 top of the public Internet. 960 00:56:03,700 --> 00:56:05,630 Does the President and the White House have a view on that? 961 00:56:05,633 --> 00:56:10,863 Mr. Gibbs: Let me get some information on that for you. Sam. 962 00:56:10,867 --> 00:56:13,767 The Press: Back on Iraq, I wonder if you can -- throughout 963 00:56:13,767 --> 00:56:15,797 the debates on the Iraq war, Republicans, 964 00:56:15,800 --> 00:56:18,900 with some notable exceptions, have asked for -- have called 965 00:56:18,900 --> 00:56:20,300 for victory in Iraq. 966 00:56:20,300 --> 00:56:22,270 Is that we'll have after August 31st? 967 00:56:22,266 --> 00:56:26,296 Will it be -- did we win? 968 00:56:26,300 --> 00:56:28,800 Mr. Gibbs: We are transitioning from -- to a new mission. 969 00:56:28,800 --> 00:56:36,130 I think that by any account there is still progress to 970 00:56:36,133 --> 00:56:37,763 be made in Iraq. 971 00:56:37,767 --> 00:56:45,267 I think that the President will celebrate the role and, 972 00:56:45,266 --> 00:56:50,696 as I talked about earlier, the effort and the heroism that our 973 00:56:50,700 --> 00:56:54,300 men and women in uniform -- the role that they played and the 974 00:56:54,300 --> 00:56:59,770 role that they contributed in bringing about stability 975 00:56:59,767 --> 00:57:00,937 to that country. 976 00:57:00,934 --> 00:57:02,604 But I will say this, Sam. 977 00:57:02,600 --> 00:57:08,100 I don't think -- again, there's a formation of government that 978 00:57:08,100 --> 00:57:09,600 has to take place. 979 00:57:09,600 --> 00:57:16,770 The next government will have challenges as it relates to 980 00:57:16,767 --> 00:57:21,667 services that any government of a country provides. 981 00:57:21,667 --> 00:57:24,867 And there's still progress that has to be made. 982 00:57:24,867 --> 00:57:29,997 I think we can -- we, though, can celebrate the transitioning 983 00:57:30,000 --> 00:57:35,700 of responsibility to the Iraqis. 984 00:57:35,700 --> 00:57:38,030 The Press: Going back -- sorry -- going back to your comments 985 00:57:38,033 --> 00:57:40,703 on Ken Buck's win, I want to expand it out a little bit. 986 00:57:40,700 --> 00:57:43,130 In the Georgia Republican gubernatorial primary, 987 00:57:43,133 --> 00:57:45,203 the winner in that race, Representative Deal, 988 00:57:45,200 --> 00:57:49,200 has actually dabbled in birther conspiracies. 989 00:57:49,200 --> 00:57:50,630 I don't know if he is an avowed birther, 990 00:57:50,633 --> 00:57:52,933 but he certainly has pushed the notion that the President wasn't 991 00:57:52,934 --> 00:57:54,334 born in this country. 992 00:57:54,333 --> 00:57:56,803 And I'm wondering if you -- upon reflection, 993 00:57:56,800 --> 00:57:59,030 what do you think of the fact that the Republican Party has 994 00:57:59,033 --> 00:58:01,433 put forth someone to run a state who doesn't believe 995 00:58:01,433 --> 00:58:03,033 in the President's birthplace? 996 00:58:03,033 --> 00:58:09,203 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think if you look at what Nathan Deal is probably 997 00:58:09,200 --> 00:58:11,300 going to have to explain over the course of this primary, 998 00:58:11,300 --> 00:58:16,000 that might be some of the least of his concerns -- 999 00:58:16,000 --> 00:58:19,730 in terms of some ethics investigations that are 1000 00:58:19,734 --> 00:58:22,004 currently ongoing. 1001 00:58:22,000 --> 00:58:27,300 I think having -- the last I checked, 1002 00:58:27,300 --> 00:58:30,800 the results in that race were within a few thousand votes, 1003 00:58:30,800 --> 00:58:34,070 which means even as you're hoping to find a nominee, 1004 00:58:34,066 --> 00:58:39,036 you have a very divided party, with somebody in Roy Barnes 1005 00:58:39,033 --> 00:58:45,603 who has a track record that Georgians can be proud of. 1006 00:58:45,600 --> 00:58:48,200 The Press: Handel conceded. 1007 00:58:48,200 --> 00:58:51,030 Mr. Gibbs: But you still have a very splintered party. 1008 00:58:51,033 --> 00:58:53,963 Again, I think you are hard-pressed to see, 1009 00:58:53,967 --> 00:58:58,597 whether it is gubernatorial races in Georgia, Connecticut, 1010 00:58:58,600 --> 00:59:02,430 Denver -- I'm sorry, Colorado -- and Senate races in Connecticut 1011 00:59:02,433 --> 00:59:06,563 and Colorado, where Democrats didn't have an extraordinarily 1012 00:59:06,567 --> 00:59:09,437 good night and are faced with I think, quite frankly, 1013 00:59:09,433 --> 00:59:15,733 candidates that are largely out of step with the states 1014 00:59:15,734 --> 00:59:20,034 and areas that they wish to ultimately represent. 1015 00:59:20,033 --> 00:59:23,463 The Press: Thanks, Robert. Following up on Sam's question, 1016 00:59:23,467 --> 00:59:25,897 in your view and the President's view, 1017 00:59:25,900 --> 00:59:28,770 is Iraq a success story? 1018 00:59:28,767 --> 00:59:32,697 Can you view what the U.S. has done in Iraq -- now having a 1019 00:59:32,700 --> 00:59:37,130 reliable ally in the region -- as being a success in terms of 1020 00:59:37,133 --> 00:59:38,733 U.S. foreign policy? 1021 00:59:38,734 --> 00:59:39,964 Mr. Gibbs: I would say this. 1022 00:59:39,967 --> 00:59:44,567 I think there are -- as I enumerated in Sam's question, 1023 00:59:44,567 --> 00:59:52,837 I think there's progress that the Iraqis leading and being 1024 00:59:52,834 --> 00:59:54,834 responsible for their own country now are going 1025 00:59:54,834 --> 00:59:57,934 to have to make. 1026 00:59:57,934 --> 01:00:06,064 Again, I think that what has never been in doubt is -- and 1027 01:00:06,066 --> 01:00:08,666 the President said this in announcing his opposition 1028 01:00:08,667 --> 01:00:17,237 to the war in 2002 -- we all support our troops. 1029 01:00:17,233 --> 01:00:20,663 We all recognize the tremendous sacrifice that they and their 1030 01:00:20,667 --> 01:00:24,097 families and all of their loved ones make when a 1031 01:00:24,100 --> 01:00:27,230 Commander-in-Chief, regardless of who that is, 1032 01:00:27,233 --> 01:00:30,703 makes the decision to deploy them. 1033 01:00:30,700 --> 01:00:33,530 That's a role that the President toward the end of the month will 1034 01:00:33,533 --> 01:00:43,363 celebrate -- again, even as Iraqis turn to governing 1035 01:00:43,367 --> 01:00:47,997 their country, providing exclusively for its security, 1036 01:00:48,000 --> 01:00:52,500 warding off potential insurgents, and ultimately 1037 01:00:52,500 --> 01:00:54,370 making progress in their own quality of life. 1038 01:00:54,367 --> 01:00:54,967 Thank you.