English subtitles for clip: File:5-17-10- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,700 --> 00:00:02,970 Mr. Gibbs: Good afternoon. Chuck, take us away. 2 00:00:02,967 --> 00:00:03,797 The Press: Okay, thank you -- 3 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:07,400 The Press: Robert, why is the White House pressuring Democrats to back off 4 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:12,530 from the Cantwell-McCain attempt to bring back Glass-Steagall? 5 00:00:12,533 --> 00:00:14,203 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have anything on that. 6 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:15,930 The Press: Why is it opposed to Glass-Steagall? 7 00:00:15,934 --> 00:00:16,634 The Press: Robert -- 8 00:00:16,633 --> 00:00:18,103 The Press: Why is the White House opposed to it? 9 00:00:18,100 --> 00:00:19,130 Mr. Gibbs: I'm sorry? 10 00:00:19,133 --> 00:00:22,163 The Press: Is the White House opposed to reestablishing Glass-Steagall? 11 00:00:22,166 --> 00:00:23,736 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have any information on the amendment. 12 00:00:23,734 --> 00:00:26,264 I'm happy to look at it. 13 00:00:26,266 --> 00:00:30,396 The Press: Robert, in the Iranian uranium statements today, 14 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:32,170 is there anything at all that changes the 15 00:00:32,166 --> 00:00:35,696 administration's position or posture towards Iran on the 16 00:00:35,700 --> 00:00:37,970 whole nuclear question? 17 00:00:37,967 --> 00:00:41,137 Mr. Gibbs: No, Chuck, because I think -- look, 18 00:00:41,133 --> 00:00:48,703 let's look at the totality of what this proposal is. 19 00:00:48,700 --> 00:00:54,270 You certainly have my statement that their shipping their 20 00:00:54,266 --> 00:00:58,596 low-enriched uranium out would be a positive sign. 21 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:00,370 That would be progress. 22 00:01:00,367 --> 00:01:09,797 But understand that the proposal does not appear to address 23 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:12,670 Tehran's recent announcement of increasing its enrichment 24 00:01:12,667 --> 00:01:17,537 to 20 percent, a justification that -- the research reactor 25 00:01:17,533 --> 00:01:21,003 was used as the direct justification for doing so. 26 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:25,770 That, in and of itself, would make them non-compliant with 27 00:01:25,767 --> 00:01:29,097 their obligations and responsibilities. 28 00:01:29,100 --> 00:01:34,300 First and foremost, this is -- a proposal should be submitted 29 00:01:34,300 --> 00:01:40,070 directly to the IAEA to evaluate, fine print and all, 30 00:01:40,066 --> 00:01:44,436 so that the international community can take a look. 31 00:01:44,433 --> 00:01:51,363 But it does not change the steps that we are taking to hold Iran 32 00:01:51,367 --> 00:01:54,367 responsible for its obligations, and those 33 00:01:54,367 --> 00:01:55,737 -- including sanctions. 34 00:01:55,734 --> 00:01:57,034 The Press: Or the timetable of those steps? 35 00:01:57,033 --> 00:01:57,903 Mr. Gibbs: Not at all. 36 00:01:57,900 --> 00:02:00,100 The Press: Can I follow up? 37 00:02:00,100 --> 00:02:03,000 Has the White House heard back directly from Russia 38 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,100 and China in terms of their commitment to keep going -- 39 00:02:05,100 --> 00:02:06,500 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know if the White House directly has. 40 00:02:06,500 --> 00:02:12,170 I know that State has been in touch with -- and certainly I 41 00:02:12,166 --> 00:02:15,896 have no doubt that our representatives at the 42 00:02:15,900 --> 00:02:18,600 U.N. through the P5-plus-1 continue to work through this. 43 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:20,900 The Press: You're not concerned at this point that this is going to 44 00:02:20,900 --> 00:02:22,600 unravel the whole deal? 45 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:25,730 Mr. Gibbs: No. Again, I think there's -- as I said, 46 00:02:25,734 --> 00:02:27,764 there are certain steps that would certainly be progress. 47 00:02:27,767 --> 00:02:31,267 I think it's important to understand what this proposal 48 00:02:31,266 --> 00:02:35,236 signifies is less than what they agreed to last October -- an 49 00:02:35,233 --> 00:02:37,833 understanding that the words and the deeds of the Iranian 50 00:02:37,834 --> 00:02:41,234 leadership rarely coincide. 51 00:02:41,233 --> 00:02:48,503 So I think before we have -- I think we have to get -- the 52 00:02:48,500 --> 00:02:52,030 international community has to see the proposal in its detail 53 00:02:52,033 --> 00:02:55,933 through the IAEA before it can make a final determination. 54 00:02:55,934 --> 00:02:59,664 The Press: President Medvedev has suggested a small pause 55 00:02:59,667 --> 00:03:01,397 in the sanctions process. 56 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:05,300 Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan says there should be no 57 00:03:05,300 --> 00:03:06,800 sanctions push at all. 58 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:09,330 Are you saying, though, it's full-speed ahead on sanctions, 59 00:03:09,333 --> 00:03:12,703 that you're not going to take time to hold off or ease the 60 00:03:12,700 --> 00:03:14,770 pressure for a swift passage of sanctions? 61 00:03:14,767 --> 00:03:17,837 Mr. Gibbs: No, we are continuing to work through the Security 62 00:03:17,834 --> 00:03:21,134 Council and through the P5-plus-1, as I said, 63 00:03:21,133 --> 00:03:23,403 to hold them accountable not just for their words, 64 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:26,400 but for their deeds -- a willingness 65 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:28,630 to live up to their international obligations 66 00:03:28,633 --> 00:03:31,663 or face consequences including sanctions. 67 00:03:31,667 --> 00:03:39,597 I would point out that Medvedev also mentioned a concern about 68 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:40,970 the 20-percent enrichment -- again, 69 00:03:40,967 --> 00:03:47,367 done as a justification that -- their unwillingness to accept 70 00:03:47,367 --> 00:03:52,137 this last October, that was used as justification 71 00:03:52,133 --> 00:03:53,633 for increasing enrichment. 72 00:03:53,633 --> 00:03:56,563 That in and of itself puts them in non-compliance. 73 00:03:56,567 --> 00:03:59,437 The Press: Has the President spoken directly to any world leaders, 74 00:03:59,433 --> 00:04:01,763 or will he be speaking to leaders like Medvedev or 75 00:04:01,767 --> 00:04:04,537 President Hu in coming days about this deal? 76 00:04:04,533 --> 00:04:06,863 Mr. Gibbs: He talked with Medvedev late last week. 77 00:04:06,867 --> 00:04:11,867 But I am not aware of any calls that have been made today. 78 00:04:11,867 --> 00:04:15,267 The Press: And did the President speak with leaders of Turkey or 79 00:04:15,266 --> 00:04:17,896 Brazil as this proposal was being put together? 80 00:04:17,900 --> 00:04:20,670 Mr. Gibbs: No, again, I believe the State Department has been 81 00:04:20,667 --> 00:04:21,597 in contact with them. 82 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:25,130 But the President has not talked directly with any leaders. 83 00:04:25,133 --> 00:04:31,133 The Press: Just the fact that Iran appears to be agreeing to something, 84 00:04:31,133 --> 00:04:33,203 even though you want more information to be sent to 85 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,270 the IAEA, is this a step in the right direction? 86 00:04:36,266 --> 00:04:41,466 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, I'm reticent to -- well, 87 00:04:41,467 --> 00:04:47,467 even as I said -- if they were to make good on this and ship 88 00:04:47,467 --> 00:04:50,267 out 1,200 kilograms of low-enriched uranium, yes, 89 00:04:50,266 --> 00:04:51,536 that would represent progress. 90 00:04:51,533 --> 00:04:55,203 But, again, Dan, I think it is important to understand that 91 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:59,230 this is less than -- this agreement is -- or proposal 92 00:04:59,233 --> 00:05:02,003 is less than what they agreed to last October. 93 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:05,870 And understand that even though they agreed to this last October, 94 00:05:05,867 --> 00:05:08,637 it never came to pass because they changed their mind. 95 00:05:08,633 --> 00:05:13,163 So that's why I say the words and the deeds of the leadership 96 00:05:13,166 --> 00:05:16,596 in Iran have rarely coincided. 97 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:20,500 So I think obviously, while shipping out the 98 00:05:20,500 --> 00:05:23,070 low-enriched uranium would represent some progress, 99 00:05:23,066 --> 00:05:26,466 we still have concerns about the overall thrust of the nuclear 100 00:05:26,467 --> 00:05:30,567 program, and certainly the 20-percent enrichment 101 00:05:30,567 --> 00:05:34,097 is something that, as I mentioned a minute ago, 102 00:05:34,100 --> 00:05:37,800 President Medvedev and others, including us, 103 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:39,200 share great concern about. 104 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:43,070 The Press: On the Black Farmers, John Boyd, who is the chief lobbyist, 105 00:05:43,066 --> 00:05:46,766 has expressed concerns about the pace of getting them what 106 00:05:46,767 --> 00:05:48,167 they are owed. 107 00:05:48,166 --> 00:05:50,196 And his claim is that the administration, 108 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:53,570 the President in particular is slow in moving in this direction 109 00:05:53,567 --> 00:06:01,067 because this is a black issue, it has to do with race. 110 00:06:01,066 --> 00:06:02,636 Is there any truth to that claim at all? 111 00:06:02,633 --> 00:06:06,033 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Dan, I think precisely because this shouldn't have 112 00:06:06,033 --> 00:06:09,433 anything to do with race is exact why the President 113 00:06:09,433 --> 00:06:11,033 is involved in this issue. 114 00:06:11,033 --> 00:06:15,463 This is a lawsuit that dates back to the late 1990s, 115 00:06:15,467 --> 00:06:18,637 that also includes -- there's a separate case, the Cobell case, 116 00:06:18,633 --> 00:06:27,063 that includes Native Americans, who sought and were -- the case 117 00:06:27,066 --> 00:06:30,836 was settled for discrimination against the Department of 118 00:06:30,834 --> 00:06:33,964 Agriculture dating back many years. 119 00:06:33,967 --> 00:06:38,567 So the President's approach to this is not based on the color 120 00:06:38,567 --> 00:06:40,797 of skin, but because of what is right. 121 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:43,370 The Press: Why won't you get involved more so? 122 00:06:43,367 --> 00:06:44,667 Mr. Gibbs: We are very involved, April. 123 00:06:44,667 --> 00:06:50,537 We're -- representatives have met with the staffers that are 124 00:06:50,533 --> 00:06:53,933 working directly on this in the West Wing in order to try 125 00:06:53,934 --> 00:06:56,064 to bring this to an end. 126 00:06:56,066 --> 00:06:58,636 The Press: The reason why I ask why isn't he more involved, 127 00:06:58,633 --> 00:07:01,463 granted he put out a statement, a written statement showing 128 00:07:01,467 --> 00:07:04,337 strong support, but many have said that the President could 129 00:07:04,333 --> 00:07:07,863 have declared an emergency designation for the farmers to 130 00:07:07,867 --> 00:07:09,997 get their money, and then you could -- 131 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:13,400 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, I think -- I understand that that -- if 132 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:15,000 he had done that, that was objected 133 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:16,600 to last week in the Senate. 134 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:18,770 The Press: Right, but the way I understand it, 135 00:07:18,767 --> 00:07:21,167 Nancy Pelosi had said early on that it could have happened, 136 00:07:21,166 --> 00:07:22,566 and this was -- 137 00:07:22,567 --> 00:07:25,167 Mr. Gibbs: That seems like hypothetical -- 138 00:07:25,166 --> 00:07:26,996 The Press: And then -- and this administration was 139 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:28,930 supposed to come back to find something to 140 00:07:28,934 --> 00:07:32,164 attach the monies to, and the Congressional Black Caucus -- 141 00:07:32,166 --> 00:07:34,536 Mr. Gibbs: April, I would say that's what the President and the 142 00:07:34,533 --> 00:07:36,863 team here continue to work on. Helen? 143 00:07:36,867 --> 00:07:39,197 The Press: What's the difference between your foreign policy 144 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:40,900 and Bush's foreign policy? 145 00:07:40,900 --> 00:07:43,300 Mr. Gibbs: In what respect? In what issue? 146 00:07:43,300 --> 00:07:46,330 The Press: In terms of the rest of the world -- Afghanistan, 147 00:07:46,333 --> 00:07:47,633 Iraq and so forth. 148 00:07:47,633 --> 00:07:49,703 Mr. Gibbs: Well, in Afghanistan, we committed three times the 149 00:07:49,700 --> 00:07:51,530 number of troops that were there during the Bush administration 150 00:07:51,533 --> 00:07:53,963 because we believe that was the central front on 151 00:07:53,967 --> 00:07:55,167 the war on terror. 152 00:07:55,166 --> 00:07:56,166 The Press: Do you still think so? 153 00:07:56,166 --> 00:07:56,996 Mr. Gibbs: Absolutely. 154 00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:00,670 The Press: Eight Americans killed on Saturday and so forth; 155 00:08:00,667 --> 00:08:03,037 we keep killing and dying there. 156 00:08:03,033 --> 00:08:06,733 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think there's any doubt that Afghanistan and 157 00:08:06,734 --> 00:08:12,764 that region of the world present the most significant danger to 158 00:08:12,767 --> 00:08:15,667 our homeland in terms of the possible planning of attacks 159 00:08:15,667 --> 00:08:18,997 and the possible providing of a safe haven if the Taliban 160 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:24,770 were to come back in control as they were before 2001 and 9/11 -- 161 00:08:24,767 --> 00:08:28,297 The Press: You're in their country. 162 00:08:28,300 --> 00:08:29,430 Mr. Gibbs: I'm sorry? 163 00:08:29,433 --> 00:08:31,703 The Press: Who's the enemy when you invade a country? 164 00:08:31,700 --> 00:08:35,370 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, I think as you saw last week, 165 00:08:35,367 --> 00:08:39,397 we are working with the -- in a partnership with the government 166 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:44,370 of Afghanistan to secure an area and ultimately turn it over to 167 00:08:44,367 --> 00:08:47,297 them to provide peace and security for their people. 168 00:08:47,300 --> 00:08:50,100 The Press: And one other question. 169 00:08:50,100 --> 00:08:53,270 Why don't you know your position on Glass-Steagall, 170 00:08:53,266 --> 00:08:55,196 in view of the economy? 171 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:57,030 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have any information on the 172 00:08:57,033 --> 00:08:58,463 amendment that might come up. 173 00:08:58,467 --> 00:09:00,137 The Press: That's to take care of all the bankers in 174 00:09:00,133 --> 00:09:02,363 the Treasury Department. 175 00:09:02,367 --> 00:09:03,237 Mr. Gibbs: I'm sorry? 176 00:09:03,233 --> 00:09:05,803 The Press: I said, why do they have such a dominance of bankers 177 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:06,570 in the Treasury? 178 00:09:06,567 --> 00:09:09,867 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think, based on what the Treasury Department is doing on 179 00:09:09,867 --> 00:09:12,267 financial reform and the way that banks are fighting us, 180 00:09:12,266 --> 00:09:14,936 I'm not sure that the two -- I'm not sure that statement 181 00:09:14,934 --> 00:09:18,164 actually lines up with what's going on in terms of financial 182 00:09:18,166 --> 00:09:19,496 reform right now. Chip. 183 00:09:19,500 --> 00:09:20,770 The Press: Thank you, Robert. 184 00:09:20,767 --> 00:09:23,997 On the oil spill, it's kind of a good news/bad news day. 185 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,100 The good news is that they did get a pipe down and 186 00:09:26,100 --> 00:09:28,130 they're siphoning off what they estimate to be about one-fifth 187 00:09:28,133 --> 00:09:29,533 of the oil. 188 00:09:29,533 --> 00:09:31,633 But the bad news is that on BP -- well, 189 00:09:31,633 --> 00:09:35,103 there's plenty of bad news, but one piece of bad news is that BP 190 00:09:35,100 --> 00:09:39,000 refineries -- according to a report by the Center for Public 191 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:43,430 Integrity, two BP refineries are responsible for well over 90 192 00:09:43,433 --> 00:09:48,263 percent -- 97 percent, according to one statistic -- of all 193 00:09:48,266 --> 00:09:50,996 flagrant safety violations in the United States over 194 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:52,170 the last three years. 195 00:09:52,166 --> 00:09:55,796 The question is, does the President still have confidence 196 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:57,430 in BP, and should he? 197 00:09:57,433 --> 00:10:02,633 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I'd have to take a look at the particular report. 198 00:10:02,633 --> 00:10:10,203 I have not, Chip, looked deeply into penalties for refining. 199 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:11,870 I would say there's no doubt that, 200 00:10:11,867 --> 00:10:14,997 as you heard the President talk about on Friday, 201 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:18,000 there are failings of -- there have been failings 202 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:23,170 of corporations and companies -- Transocean, 203 00:10:23,166 --> 00:10:30,096 Halliburton and BP all pointing fingers at each other and 204 00:10:30,100 --> 00:10:32,570 walking away from the responsibility that must 205 00:10:32,567 --> 00:10:34,737 be taken in this instance. 206 00:10:34,734 --> 00:10:38,664 But there's no doubt there's been a failing of government in 207 00:10:38,667 --> 00:10:43,167 a regulatory approach, which is on of the reasons why Secretary 208 00:10:43,166 --> 00:10:50,396 Salazar began reform at MMS when he took over. 209 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:55,270 And that's why the President and Secretary Salazar agree that 210 00:10:55,266 --> 00:11:00,436 this department should be split; that we should have a regulatory 211 00:11:00,433 --> 00:11:03,133 approach for safety and inspections that doesn't 212 00:11:03,133 --> 00:11:07,203 coincide with drilling permits and royalty checks. 213 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:08,530 The Press: In that statement on Friday, 214 00:11:08,533 --> 00:11:10,163 the President of course denounced all the 215 00:11:10,166 --> 00:11:12,496 finger-pointing, but then he seemed to point the finger at 216 00:11:12,500 --> 00:11:15,500 the Bush administration, saying that over the last decade or 217 00:11:15,500 --> 00:11:19,030 more that it's -- as you said, problems with government. 218 00:11:19,033 --> 00:11:20,133 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Chip, the last decade or more includes us, 219 00:11:20,133 --> 00:11:21,063 so I don't -- 220 00:11:21,066 --> 00:11:23,166 The Press: So he was pointing the finger at himself -- at his 221 00:11:23,166 --> 00:11:24,466 own administration, too? 222 00:11:24,467 --> 00:11:27,667 Mr. Gibbs: Chip, we -- I think the President was clear that 223 00:11:27,667 --> 00:11:31,697 there have been failings at a government level and certainly 224 00:11:31,700 --> 00:11:32,800 those include us. 225 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:37,930 But my guess is you guys did some stories in the previous 226 00:11:37,934 --> 00:11:40,904 decade on what was going on at MMS, 227 00:11:40,900 --> 00:11:42,970 which is what caused Secretary Salazar, when he came in, 228 00:11:42,967 --> 00:11:44,837 to begin reforming that. 229 00:11:44,834 --> 00:11:46,404 The Press: Right, but that's what the President, in his statement, 230 00:11:46,400 --> 00:11:50,500 pointed the finger at the last 10 years, 231 00:11:50,500 --> 00:11:53,070 but then said ever since we came into office, 232 00:11:53,066 --> 00:11:54,896 Secretary Salazar has been trying to change this, 233 00:11:54,900 --> 00:11:57,530 as though this administration was not part of the problem. 234 00:11:57,533 --> 00:12:00,263 Mr. Gibbs: No, I think I just was pretty clear on that. 235 00:12:00,266 --> 00:12:02,596 I don't think there is any doubt, though, Chip, 236 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:06,000 that -- again, I don't have the story log in front of me, 237 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:09,230 but my guess is that your network and others did stories 238 00:12:09,233 --> 00:12:15,363 on MMS, which is what caused Secretary Salazar to begin that 239 00:12:15,367 --> 00:12:19,897 reform upon taking office in 2009. 240 00:12:19,900 --> 00:12:21,700 The Press: One other question on a different topic. 241 00:12:21,700 --> 00:12:25,130 You have another state dinner this week. 242 00:12:25,133 --> 00:12:28,833 Is the White House confident that all procedures have been 243 00:12:28,834 --> 00:12:31,564 corrected, changed, whatever needs to be done to make sure 244 00:12:31,567 --> 00:12:33,267 you don't have the kind of security problem you 245 00:12:33,266 --> 00:12:34,166 had last time? 246 00:12:34,166 --> 00:12:35,496 Mr. Gibbs: We are. We are. 247 00:12:35,500 --> 00:12:37,270 The Press: Can you elaborate what has been done? 248 00:12:37,266 --> 00:12:39,866 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not going to elaborate on increased security procedures. 249 00:12:39,867 --> 00:12:45,067 That would be -- that would invite people to try to figure 250 00:12:45,066 --> 00:12:47,136 out how to evade them. 251 00:12:47,133 --> 00:12:49,863 The Press: Going back on the BP, there's a -- the Washington Post is just 252 00:12:49,867 --> 00:12:53,337 reporting that a top official in MMS has announced his retirement 253 00:12:53,333 --> 00:12:55,503 as of May 31st. 254 00:12:55,500 --> 00:12:59,400 Is this a firing, or is there a forced retirement? 255 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:00,930 Mr. Gibbs: Chuck, I don't -- 256 00:13:00,934 --> 00:13:02,334 The Press: You don't know anything about this? 257 00:13:02,333 --> 00:13:03,163 Mr. Gibbs: I don't -- 258 00:13:03,166 --> 00:13:04,536 The Press: No, but you guys -- 259 00:13:04,533 --> 00:13:06,363 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have my BlackBerry. 260 00:13:06,367 --> 00:13:07,297 The Press: No, I understand that -- 261 00:13:07,300 --> 00:13:08,630 Mr. Gibbs: I got to change that somehow, though, 262 00:13:08,633 --> 00:13:11,533 because whenever you guys are asking questions off of your 263 00:13:11,533 --> 00:13:13,103 BlackBerry, I know it's something that I am -- 264 00:13:13,100 --> 00:13:14,500 The Press: But this is an administration decision, 265 00:13:14,500 --> 00:13:15,930 this is a senior person -- 266 00:13:15,934 --> 00:13:16,864 Mr. Gibbs: Let me check on it. 267 00:13:16,867 --> 00:13:21,837 I will check on it as soon as I either get a BlackBerry up here 268 00:13:21,834 --> 00:13:23,634 or get off of -- 269 00:13:23,633 --> 00:13:24,663 (laughter) 270 00:13:24,667 --> 00:13:25,667 The Press: That's the last thing you need -- 271 00:13:25,667 --> 00:13:26,767 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, could you imagine? 272 00:13:26,767 --> 00:13:27,837 The Press: We'll take a vote. 273 00:13:27,834 --> 00:13:29,204 We don't want you to have a BlackBerry up there. 274 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:30,430 Let Bill be the BlackBerry. 275 00:13:30,433 --> 00:13:31,963 Mr. Gibbs: They have a Brick-Breaker up here, so -- 276 00:13:31,967 --> 00:13:32,767 (laughter) 277 00:13:32,767 --> 00:13:33,637 The Press: How does that work? 278 00:13:33,633 --> 00:13:34,533 (laughter) 279 00:13:34,533 --> 00:13:35,403 Mr. Gibbs: If that appears -- high score. 280 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:36,570 The Press: What about Bill's crossword? 281 00:13:36,567 --> 00:13:40,437 (laughter) 282 00:13:40,433 --> 00:13:43,503 The Press: Is it -- at what point do you think the 283 00:13:43,500 --> 00:13:47,500 government is going to be able to know how much oil 284 00:13:47,500 --> 00:13:48,270 has been spilled? 285 00:13:48,266 --> 00:13:49,866 BP clearly doesn't have the answer. 286 00:13:49,867 --> 00:13:51,397 Scientists are telling us one thing. 287 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:53,100 I mean, where are you guys getting your information 288 00:13:53,100 --> 00:13:54,500 about how much oil has been spilled out there? 289 00:13:54,500 --> 00:13:59,500 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, NOAA does projections on a whole host of 290 00:13:59,500 --> 00:14:04,730 -- look, off obviously satellite imagery on what's come up. 291 00:14:04,734 --> 00:14:08,564 We know through the use of subsea dispersants that NOAA is 292 00:14:08,567 --> 00:14:12,867 also investigating the degree to which we may 293 00:14:12,867 --> 00:14:14,867 have oil underneath the surface. 294 00:14:14,867 --> 00:14:17,697 And I know there's been reporting on that today. 295 00:14:17,700 --> 00:14:19,570 I think as the President said on Friday, 296 00:14:19,567 --> 00:14:28,167 our -- and I think that Admiral Allen said on Friday, 297 00:14:28,166 --> 00:14:34,396 as well -- that our response was for a catastrophic event. 298 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:41,530 So there's not -- let's just say this -- we did not employ a 299 00:14:41,533 --> 00:14:46,603 5,000-barrel-a-day response for a 10,000-barrel-a-day accident. 300 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:51,770 It has been -- always been predicated on what he said 301 00:14:51,767 --> 00:14:53,737 was a catastrophic event. 302 00:14:53,734 --> 00:14:55,834 The Press: As you guys are skimming this oil -- and I know that 303 00:14:55,834 --> 00:14:57,934 there is some skimming -- where is it going? 304 00:14:57,934 --> 00:15:02,134 Mr. Gibbs: I know that they're -- I know certainly that what is 305 00:15:02,133 --> 00:15:08,033 being vacuumed up from the insertion tube goes onto a 306 00:15:08,033 --> 00:15:11,933 tanker, and I assume that that tanker -- and the skimming goes 307 00:15:11,934 --> 00:15:16,604 into -- when they've collected I don't know how many gallons of 308 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:20,870 oil-water mix, that that goes to a port 309 00:15:20,867 --> 00:15:22,537 and that that is separated. 310 00:15:22,533 --> 00:15:27,833 The Press: Tomorrow's elections in four states -- do you see any -- 311 00:15:27,834 --> 00:15:30,604 do you accept the fact that any of them have some bearing to the 312 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:33,200 President's political standing, his agenda, 313 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:34,530 and things like that? 314 00:15:34,533 --> 00:15:38,863 Mr. Gibbs: Well, we'll I assume get a chance on either later on 315 00:15:38,867 --> 00:15:42,197 Tuesday or on Wednesday to talk -- I hate to sort of do the 316 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:43,170 "what does it mean" -- 317 00:15:43,166 --> 00:15:44,136 The Press: I'll be honest. 318 00:15:44,133 --> 00:15:46,133 That says that you're waiting to see what the results are to tell 319 00:15:46,133 --> 00:15:47,403 us what it means. 320 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:48,970 Mr. Gibbs: Well, it's going to be hard to tell you what it 321 00:15:48,967 --> 00:15:50,397 means until I know the results. 322 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:53,230 I mean I'm -- trust me, even if they give me a BlackBerry, 323 00:15:53,233 --> 00:15:56,503 it's unlikely to tell me what happens on Tuesday before -- 324 00:15:56,500 --> 00:15:59,670 The Press: But that says something obviously if they go one way, 325 00:15:59,667 --> 00:16:02,797 yes, a referendum on the President; 326 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:03,900 he's done well with -- 327 00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:04,970 Mr. Gibbs: Chuck, if you're asking me to -- 328 00:16:04,967 --> 00:16:07,037 The Press: Do you think it's fair that these Democratic 329 00:16:07,033 --> 00:16:09,763 primaries, specifically in Arkansas and Pennsylvania -- 330 00:16:09,767 --> 00:16:11,867 Mr. Gibbs: What value would you give my opinion if I told you 331 00:16:11,867 --> 00:16:13,367 what it meant right now if it didn't actually 332 00:16:13,367 --> 00:16:14,767 correlate with the result? 333 00:16:14,767 --> 00:16:16,137 The Press: But is it you -- is it fair to say -- 334 00:16:16,133 --> 00:16:17,563 Mr. Gibbs: I mean I hate to be picky about how to -- 335 00:16:17,567 --> 00:16:19,097 The Press: -- want to get you on the record before it happens -- 336 00:16:19,100 --> 00:16:20,100 Mr. Gibbs: Right, exactly. 337 00:16:20,100 --> 00:16:20,770 (laughter) 338 00:16:20,767 --> 00:16:22,037 The Press: No, it's not about -- but the President -- 339 00:16:22,033 --> 00:16:22,763 Mr. Gibbs: I feel like I'm -- 340 00:16:22,767 --> 00:16:25,667 The Press: Is it fair to say the President -- I mean he's 341 00:16:25,667 --> 00:16:26,937 endorsed the two incumbent -- 342 00:16:26,934 --> 00:16:27,804 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 343 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:29,200 The Press: Senator Lincoln and Senator Specter -- 344 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:31,130 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. Look, I -- 345 00:16:31,133 --> 00:16:32,663 The Press: So what does it say about the President, 346 00:16:32,667 --> 00:16:34,397 if one of them lose -- if one or both of them loses? 347 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:37,300 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, I'm happy to talk about the results 348 00:16:37,300 --> 00:16:38,330 when they happen. 349 00:16:38,333 --> 00:16:41,633 Obviously, I don't think it's breaking news to say that this 350 00:16:41,633 --> 00:16:46,163 has been, based on the election results that we do know, 351 00:16:46,166 --> 00:16:49,696 it's been a tough year for incumbents. 352 00:16:49,700 --> 00:16:53,130 Everyone noticed that a senator from Utah, 353 00:16:53,133 --> 00:16:57,263 reelected just six years ago with 70 percent of the vote, 354 00:16:57,266 --> 00:17:03,266 got a quarter of the convention vote to be re-nominated. 355 00:17:03,266 --> 00:17:05,236 We will get a chance to look at a whole host 356 00:17:05,233 --> 00:17:07,903 of primaries tomorrow. 357 00:17:07,900 --> 00:17:12,700 And my guess is -- look, you've got interesting races in places 358 00:17:12,700 --> 00:17:14,100 like Kentucky, as well. 359 00:17:14,100 --> 00:17:17,600 So, again, I'm happy to spend some time on -- like I said, 360 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:20,930 either Tuesday night if we -- when we get results, 361 00:17:20,934 --> 00:17:24,234 or Wednesday, talking about what they mean. 362 00:17:24,233 --> 00:17:25,763 The Press: Just briefly, the President and Vice President are both 363 00:17:25,767 --> 00:17:25,997 traveling tomorrow. 364 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:26,400 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 365 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:27,500 The Press: Both going to be in swing states, 366 00:17:27,500 --> 00:17:29,330 and neither one of them is going to be in Pennsylvania. 367 00:17:29,333 --> 00:17:31,433 Anything to read into that? 368 00:17:31,433 --> 00:17:32,903 Mr. Gibbs: The President is in Ohio to talk about the economy. 369 00:17:32,900 --> 00:17:36,270 The Press: The Vice President -- the Vice President is going to be Iowa? 370 00:17:36,266 --> 00:17:41,636 Mr. Gibbs: I mean, look, I think we have, for both in Pennsylvania and 371 00:17:41,633 --> 00:17:44,133 Arkansas, done quite a bit for each candidate. John? 372 00:17:44,133 --> 00:17:46,533 The Press: How closely has the President been following these campaigns? 373 00:17:46,533 --> 00:17:48,433 Mr. Gibbs: Not that closely. 374 00:17:48,433 --> 00:17:49,263 The Press: A couple of timing questions. 375 00:17:49,266 --> 00:17:50,236 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 376 00:17:50,233 --> 00:17:53,703 The Press: At one point, you had said that -- well, 377 00:17:53,700 --> 00:17:57,600 the deadline at one point for Iran was the end of last year. 378 00:17:57,600 --> 00:17:59,270 We were going to see sanctions -- 379 00:17:59,266 --> 00:18:03,296 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, no -- right, yes, I think -- just in fairness, 380 00:18:03,300 --> 00:18:10,730 I think that -- I think as to your first point, 381 00:18:10,734 --> 00:18:13,764 our government and the governments of those 382 00:18:13,767 --> 00:18:19,367 involved in the P5-plus-1 said that Iran had a 383 00:18:19,367 --> 00:18:22,897 year-end deadline to change its behavior, yes. 384 00:18:22,900 --> 00:18:27,230 The Press: Okay. And then you said fairly recently that you thought that 385 00:18:27,233 --> 00:18:31,163 the sanctions could be moving by the end of -- by spring. 386 00:18:31,166 --> 00:18:31,996 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 387 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,470 The Press: I'm not sure when you're defining "spring," 388 00:18:34,467 --> 00:18:36,037 but could you give us a sense -- 389 00:18:36,033 --> 00:18:37,463 Mr. Gibbs: Well, when do you define spring? 390 00:18:37,467 --> 00:18:38,567 The Press: I kind of think the end of May. 391 00:18:38,567 --> 00:18:39,637 The Press: We've been through this before -- 392 00:18:39,633 --> 00:18:41,503 Mr. Gibbs: Walk outside right now and tell me it's the middle of summer. 393 00:18:41,500 --> 00:18:43,800 (laughter) 394 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:45,700 It's about 60 degrees out there, so I don't know. 395 00:18:45,700 --> 00:18:48,000 The Press: Are you still aiming for roughly the end of May or 396 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:48,930 something like that? 397 00:18:48,934 --> 00:18:55,134 Mr. Gibbs: I would -- again, not to get cute with when spring starts, 398 00:18:55,133 --> 00:18:59,003 but I think we are making steady progress 399 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:00,800 on a sanctions resolution, yes. 400 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:01,300 The Press: Okay. 401 00:19:01,300 --> 00:19:06,100 And the other timing issue was on financial regulation. 402 00:19:06,100 --> 00:19:08,830 At one point, the President hoped to get a bill to his 403 00:19:08,834 --> 00:19:10,934 desk by Memorial Day. 404 00:19:10,934 --> 00:19:12,434 Is that still realistic? 405 00:19:12,433 --> 00:19:16,633 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I think there's some reason to believe that the 406 00:19:16,633 --> 00:19:19,863 Senate will conclude its business this week. 407 00:19:19,867 --> 00:19:21,037 We're hopeful. 408 00:19:21,033 --> 00:19:26,663 And I think the bill is a very strong piece of legislation in 409 00:19:26,667 --> 00:19:31,937 changing the rules that govern our financial system. 410 00:19:31,934 --> 00:19:34,764 Obviously, the next steps will be working through those 411 00:19:34,767 --> 00:19:35,737 differences with the House. 412 00:19:35,734 --> 00:19:38,804 And I think we'll have a bill to the President's 413 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:40,970 desk somewhat shortly. 414 00:19:40,967 --> 00:19:43,297 The Press: Somewhat shortly -- by July 4th? 415 00:19:43,300 --> 00:19:46,070 Mr. Gibbs: That sounds about right. 416 00:19:46,066 --> 00:19:49,666 The Press: Robert, Christy Romer yesterday said that 417 00:19:49,667 --> 00:19:52,167 there was more to do in terms of jobs and stuff like that. 418 00:19:52,166 --> 00:19:55,196 Is that going to the President's message in Youngstown tomorrow? 419 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:56,870 Is that going to be the main message? 420 00:19:56,867 --> 00:19:58,767 Mr. Gibbs: Well, the President is going to -- certainly going to talk 421 00:19:58,767 --> 00:19:59,837 about the economic recovery. 422 00:19:59,834 --> 00:20:02,464 I think we're going to speak specifically about a business 423 00:20:02,467 --> 00:20:07,597 that, through an investment in -- through an investment by the 424 00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:12,900 Recovery Act, is greatly expanding its business and 425 00:20:12,900 --> 00:20:16,200 it's going to hire several hundred people. 426 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:20,070 I think what Dr. Romer spoke about were many of the things 427 00:20:20,066 --> 00:20:23,536 that the President continues to believe need to happen -- 428 00:20:23,533 --> 00:20:27,203 sending legislation to Capitol Hill to increase small business 429 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:34,230 lending, the housing retrofit plan that will help create jobs 430 00:20:34,233 --> 00:20:37,933 -- all of those things the President believes, 431 00:20:37,934 --> 00:20:42,134 and the economic team, believe still need to happen as our 432 00:20:42,133 --> 00:20:46,633 economy improves and is on a positive trajectory. 433 00:20:46,633 --> 00:20:51,133 The Press: Is there anything else -- anything else new about -- 434 00:20:51,133 --> 00:20:52,933 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think that he's going to talk 435 00:20:52,934 --> 00:20:54,504 about tomorrow, no. 436 00:20:54,500 --> 00:20:56,670 The Press: The New York Federal Reserve says the pace 437 00:20:56,667 --> 00:21:01,167 of the recovery may be slowing, and cites a couple of stats. 438 00:21:01,166 --> 00:21:01,996 Does that trouble you? 439 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:06,230 Does the President intend to act based on that? 440 00:21:06,233 --> 00:21:09,333 Mr. Gibbs: Wendell, I'm not familiar with what the New York Fed 441 00:21:09,333 --> 00:21:11,163 specifically has said. 442 00:21:11,166 --> 00:21:15,536 I think the President was pretty clear the other day that if you 443 00:21:15,533 --> 00:21:17,633 want a job and don't have one, then there's still a 444 00:21:17,633 --> 00:21:20,263 recession going on. 445 00:21:20,266 --> 00:21:26,966 Again, we have seen three quarters of economic growth, 446 00:21:26,967 --> 00:21:30,897 positive economic growth, for the first time in more than a 447 00:21:30,900 --> 00:21:33,670 year -- that economic growth for the first time 448 00:21:33,667 --> 00:21:34,637 in more than a year. 449 00:21:34,633 --> 00:21:39,233 We've seen four consecutive jobs reports that show positive job 450 00:21:39,233 --> 00:21:43,303 growth and the largest job growth in more than four years, 451 00:21:43,300 --> 00:21:46,270 the largest job growth in manufacturing in more than 10. 452 00:21:46,266 --> 00:21:52,796 So, look, we are -- today is -- next month's economy will 453 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:54,600 be stronger than this month's. 454 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:57,670 This year's economy is stronger than last year's economy. 455 00:21:57,667 --> 00:21:59,837 So we're continuing to make progress. 456 00:21:59,834 --> 00:22:02,104 Again, I think the President is concerned, Wendell, 457 00:22:02,100 --> 00:22:06,130 each and every day about our recovery and about 458 00:22:06,133 --> 00:22:07,503 the strength of our economy. 459 00:22:07,500 --> 00:22:13,830 The Press: And on the primaries in Arkansas and Pennsylvania in particular, 460 00:22:13,834 --> 00:22:17,004 is the President -- does he have less a stake in 461 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:22,970 these primaries than he did, say, in the races in New Jersey, 462 00:22:22,967 --> 00:22:27,067 Virginia, Massachusetts, that everyone wanted to 463 00:22:27,066 --> 00:22:28,796 make a referendum on him? 464 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:31,930 Is he less an issue in Blanche Lincoln's race, 465 00:22:31,934 --> 00:22:34,434 less an issue in the Arlen Specter race? 466 00:22:34,433 --> 00:22:40,503 Mr. Gibbs: I mean, I don't think in either one of those races the -- I 467 00:22:40,500 --> 00:22:42,000 mean, obviously we've appeared in commercials, 468 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:45,300 but I don't think that's been a political -- I don't 469 00:22:45,300 --> 00:22:49,130 think the two sides have argued about that per se. 470 00:22:49,133 --> 00:22:54,803 Again, we'll have a chance to talk about the results and the 471 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:57,000 outcomes and what they may or may not mean. 472 00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:04,200 The Press: I'm sensing -- before the races last year -- I sense 473 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:07,030 the kind of animate White House insistence that the President 474 00:23:07,033 --> 00:23:08,333 was not an issue here. 475 00:23:08,333 --> 00:23:12,563 And you don't seem to be arguing that strongly this time. 476 00:23:12,567 --> 00:23:16,037 Mr. Gibbs: I don't -- maybe I'm not following you. 477 00:23:16,033 --> 00:23:19,833 I just -- I guess I just -- it's just hard for me to tell you 478 00:23:19,834 --> 00:23:24,164 what the results of Tuesday mean on Monday. 479 00:23:24,166 --> 00:23:27,266 I can't tell you how the MBA finals are going to go and 480 00:23:27,266 --> 00:23:29,996 why just because they really haven't happened. 481 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:32,300 The Press: Not so much tell you what the results mean as to try 482 00:23:32,300 --> 00:23:35,000 and get a sense of whether the President feels he's got 483 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:38,130 something to gain or lose in -- 484 00:23:38,133 --> 00:23:41,433 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, Wendell, I think everyone knows that 485 00:23:41,433 --> 00:23:44,103 we've supported -- who we support in those two races. 486 00:23:44,100 --> 00:23:51,870 Again, we have supported incumbent Democratic senators 487 00:23:51,867 --> 00:23:55,397 and we've done a lot on behalf of each campaign. 488 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:59,030 Again, there are races all over the country that we'll 489 00:23:59,033 --> 00:24:03,163 have a chance to look at from a Democratic and Republican side 490 00:24:03,166 --> 00:24:04,096 as to what it means. 491 00:24:04,100 --> 00:24:06,400 The Press: Well, you want to handicap the Kentucky race then if 492 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:07,370 you won't do the -- 493 00:24:07,367 --> 00:24:10,567 Mr. Gibbs: No, but I'm looking forward to the results and the analysis of 494 00:24:10,567 --> 00:24:13,767 that just as much as everybody else. 495 00:24:13,767 --> 00:24:14,867 The Press: What about the NBA finals? 496 00:24:14,867 --> 00:24:18,937 Mr. Gibbs: That's -- hold on, let me get my -- I'm sorry, nothing on that. 497 00:24:18,934 --> 00:24:20,004 (laughter) 498 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:21,470 The Press: First, I'd like to encourage you, 499 00:24:21,467 --> 00:24:23,867 to follow on Chuck, to find out something about 500 00:24:23,867 --> 00:24:27,767 this resignation of the MMS official, when you can. 501 00:24:27,767 --> 00:24:28,497 Mr. Gibbs: You want me go to now? 502 00:24:28,500 --> 00:24:29,330 (laughter) 503 00:24:29,333 --> 00:24:30,063 The Press: Well, no -- 504 00:24:30,066 --> 00:24:32,336 Mr. Gibbs: Would you defer your question time for me to go find that out? 505 00:24:32,333 --> 00:24:36,633 I will as soon as I get -- 506 00:24:36,633 --> 00:24:40,463 The Press: And then, on West Point at the end of the week, 507 00:24:40,467 --> 00:24:44,067 do you have some sense yet whether that's a speech that's 508 00:24:44,066 --> 00:24:46,496 likely to produce something other than the typical 509 00:24:46,500 --> 00:24:47,300 graduation speech? 510 00:24:47,300 --> 00:24:47,870 I mean, is he -- 511 00:24:47,867 --> 00:24:52,467 Mr. Gibbs: I do, but I don't have -- I'm not at a point where 512 00:24:52,467 --> 00:24:54,137 -- we'll get into that I guess a little bit later in the week, 513 00:24:54,133 --> 00:24:56,103 I should say. 514 00:24:56,100 --> 00:24:59,300 The Press: Robert, McClatchy had a story out of Kandahar saying that key 515 00:24:59,300 --> 00:25:02,900 military operations have been delayed until fall, 516 00:25:02,900 --> 00:25:04,770 and that NATO officials who once spoke of demonstrating major 517 00:25:04,767 --> 00:25:07,167 progress by mid-August now say the turning might 518 00:25:07,166 --> 00:25:11,396 not be till November. 519 00:25:11,400 --> 00:25:12,470 Do you want to say anything about -- 520 00:25:12,467 --> 00:25:16,297 Mr. Gibbs: No, I haven't seen that, Peter, 521 00:25:16,300 --> 00:25:20,600 and I think General McChrystal briefed at the Pentagon on this. 522 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:24,830 This is not a -- the notion of major military operations, 523 00:25:24,834 --> 00:25:28,434 I'd have to see exactly what the writer means about that. 524 00:25:28,433 --> 00:25:31,803 This is not going to, as General McChrystal I think said at the 525 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:34,470 Pentagon briefing and certainly has said in the Situation Room 526 00:25:34,467 --> 00:25:36,297 meetings, this is not going to look like the 527 00:25:36,300 --> 00:25:37,630 battle of Fallujah. 528 00:25:37,633 --> 00:25:42,533 This is not going to have -- rushing across the field in 529 00:25:42,533 --> 00:25:44,163 a D-day-type moment. 530 00:25:44,166 --> 00:25:49,666 And in some instances, Peter, those operations around and in 531 00:25:49,667 --> 00:25:52,737 Kandahar have already begun. 532 00:25:52,734 --> 00:25:57,034 I've heard General McChrystal say that this is something -- 533 00:25:57,033 --> 00:26:02,433 this is an operation that is likely to dominate our focus 534 00:26:02,433 --> 00:26:03,903 through the end of the year. 535 00:26:03,900 --> 00:26:08,130 So the notion of August or -- I forget whether August or the 536 00:26:08,133 --> 00:26:14,333 fall -- I think in many ways would be a false deadline in the 537 00:26:14,333 --> 00:26:19,603 sense that we've -- again, this is something that is going to 538 00:26:19,600 --> 00:26:22,270 take some time and last through the duration of the year. 539 00:26:22,266 --> 00:26:23,996 The Press: Did President Karzai, when he was here, ask, 540 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:27,500 or did the President agree to any changes in a timetable? 541 00:26:27,500 --> 00:26:29,630 Mr. Gibbs: None that I'm aware of, but I will double-check 542 00:26:29,633 --> 00:26:31,803 with a few people. Yes. 543 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:33,130 The Press: Thank you, Robert. 544 00:26:33,133 --> 00:26:36,033 During the campaign the President was highly critical 545 00:26:36,033 --> 00:26:40,203 of Halliburton and the process of no-bid contracts. 546 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:41,430 His exact quotes were -- 547 00:26:41,433 --> 00:26:43,033 Mr. Gibbs: I know the quotes. 548 00:26:43,033 --> 00:26:43,833 The Press: What? 549 00:26:43,834 --> 00:26:44,664 Mr. Gibbs: I know the quotes. 550 00:26:44,667 --> 00:26:45,297 The Press: You know the quotes? 551 00:26:45,300 --> 00:26:45,570 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 552 00:26:45,567 --> 00:26:46,397 The Press: All right. 553 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:49,500 What's the administration's reaction to the news that 554 00:26:49,500 --> 00:26:54,600 Halliburton has just been given a $568 million no-bid contract 555 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:56,100 by the administration? 556 00:26:56,100 --> 00:26:59,370 Mr. Gibbs: On what issue? 557 00:26:59,367 --> 00:27:01,137 The Press: Not sure yet what that was. 558 00:27:01,133 --> 00:27:03,263 Mr. Gibbs: Well, how about we reconnoiter on both 559 00:27:03,266 --> 00:27:05,236 and we'll figure that out. 560 00:27:05,233 --> 00:27:06,163 Do you have another? 561 00:27:06,166 --> 00:27:08,336 The Press: No. Well, yes. 562 00:27:08,333 --> 00:27:11,063 (laughter) 563 00:27:11,066 --> 00:27:15,196 You will give me an answer on that when I find the reports on 564 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:16,230 what it was exactly? 565 00:27:16,233 --> 00:27:16,833 (laughter) 566 00:27:16,834 --> 00:27:18,304 Mr. Gibbs: Like I said, we'll meet somewhere in 567 00:27:18,300 --> 00:27:19,400 the middle on that one. 568 00:27:19,400 --> 00:27:21,670 Yes, I will find that one out. 569 00:27:21,667 --> 00:27:25,037 The Press: I was going to ask you about -- you didn't discuss, 570 00:27:25,033 --> 00:27:28,063 in talking about the primaries, Pennsylvania's 12th district, 571 00:27:28,066 --> 00:27:33,336 which is a special election, not a primary, tomorrow. 572 00:27:33,333 --> 00:27:36,533 You said the President is not following very 573 00:27:36,533 --> 00:27:37,963 closely the campaigns. 574 00:27:37,967 --> 00:27:40,737 Is he aware the Democratic nominee ran against the 575 00:27:40,734 --> 00:27:42,004 health care program -- 576 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:42,630 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 577 00:27:42,633 --> 00:27:44,103 The Press: -- and said he would have voted against that? 578 00:27:44,100 --> 00:27:45,530 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know if he's directly aware. 579 00:27:45,533 --> 00:27:48,133 I mean, obviously -- I've certainly seen 580 00:27:48,133 --> 00:27:50,133 those reports, sure. 581 00:27:50,133 --> 00:27:51,533 The Press: Robert, just two questions? 582 00:27:51,533 --> 00:27:52,063 Mr. Gibbs: Go ahead. 583 00:27:52,066 --> 00:27:56,536 The Press: Only two. The New York Times reported that, 584 00:27:56,533 --> 00:28:01,733 "Democrats said the White House is not eager to be embarrassed 585 00:28:01,734 --> 00:28:05,634 by having the President make a last-minute visit on behalf of 586 00:28:05,633 --> 00:28:09,903 a candidate who goes on to lose, as happened in the Massachusetts 587 00:28:09,900 --> 00:28:13,200 Senate and New Jersey governors races." 588 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:17,500 And my question: Is that the reason the President has not 589 00:28:17,500 --> 00:28:20,630 campaigned for Senator Specter this month? 590 00:28:20,633 --> 00:28:22,803 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I don't think that -- I doubt The New York 591 00:28:22,800 --> 00:28:25,230 Times reported "Democrats is" -- but I'm going to check on 592 00:28:25,233 --> 00:28:27,333 -- I'm going to check on -- I'm going to -- 593 00:28:27,333 --> 00:28:29,433 The Press: They didn't identify them -- 594 00:28:29,433 --> 00:28:31,503 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know if Peter wrote that -- 595 00:28:31,500 --> 00:28:32,170 (laughter) 596 00:28:32,166 --> 00:28:33,636 -- but I'm going to -- I wrote that down on -- 597 00:28:33,633 --> 00:28:34,763 The Press: Subject/verb was never my strong suit. 598 00:28:34,767 --> 00:28:35,637 (laughter) 599 00:28:35,633 --> 00:28:38,463 Mr. Gibbs: Right, exactly. I struggle the same way. 600 00:28:38,467 --> 00:28:42,697 The President, as I answered last week, 601 00:28:42,700 --> 00:28:47,000 had not -- did not have plans to return to Pennsylvania. 602 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:50,700 The Press: Okay. Why does the President believe that the people who 603 00:28:50,700 --> 00:28:54,770 wrote the Obama health care bill were justified 604 00:28:54,767 --> 00:28:57,397 in exempting themselves from it? 605 00:28:57,400 --> 00:29:00,530 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think you've heard the President discuss and I 606 00:29:00,533 --> 00:29:04,033 think we've pledged to put the President into his own plan, 607 00:29:04,033 --> 00:29:06,963 so I think that's been dealt with. 608 00:29:06,967 --> 00:29:09,637 The Press: Quickly, any reaction to apparently an immigration 609 00:29:09,633 --> 00:29:12,833 court in Ohio has just granted asylum to the President's aunt? 610 00:29:12,834 --> 00:29:17,234 Mr. Gibbs: This is an issue I think that first came up at some 611 00:29:17,233 --> 00:29:19,463 point during the campaign. 612 00:29:19,467 --> 00:29:23,267 The President was clear that this is an issue that is -- that 613 00:29:23,266 --> 00:29:26,996 he was not aware of and should be dealt with through the 614 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:29,830 necessary legal proceedings. 615 00:29:29,834 --> 00:29:33,904 You're telling me for the first time what the decision is. 616 00:29:33,900 --> 00:29:38,430 We had no involvement in that, and that's something that we've 617 00:29:38,433 --> 00:29:41,463 always said should be dealt with through the normal course of how 618 00:29:41,467 --> 00:29:42,797 these cases are determined. 619 00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:45,470 The Press: And then looking ahead to the Ohio trip tomorrow, 620 00:29:45,467 --> 00:29:47,837 there have been several of these White House to Main Street trips 621 00:29:47,834 --> 00:29:50,104 at this point, and I wonder whether -- if you have any 622 00:29:50,100 --> 00:29:52,870 measure of whether the President's project to 623 00:29:52,867 --> 00:29:55,497 sell his economic policies to the American people has been 624 00:29:55,500 --> 00:29:56,900 successful through these trips? 625 00:29:56,900 --> 00:30:02,300 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I think more and more people, 626 00:30:02,300 --> 00:30:05,800 because of the economic news, are feeling more optimistic 627 00:30:05,800 --> 00:30:10,430 about the direction of the economy. 628 00:30:10,433 --> 00:30:14,463 I think that's both a result of -- well, 629 00:30:14,467 --> 00:30:16,297 I think it's primarily a result of the fact that, 630 00:30:16,300 --> 00:30:19,000 as I said earlier, three consecutive quarters of 631 00:30:19,000 --> 00:30:21,530 economic growth, four consecutive months of 632 00:30:21,533 --> 00:30:30,263 positive job growth, some of which is because of the 633 00:30:30,266 --> 00:30:32,536 actions that the President took on the Recovery Act. 634 00:30:32,533 --> 00:30:33,803 The Press: Can I follow on that? 635 00:30:33,800 --> 00:30:34,270 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 636 00:30:34,266 --> 00:30:36,796 The Press: Robert, Eric Holder came under fire last week for 637 00:30:36,800 --> 00:30:39,600 not having read the Arizona immigration law. 638 00:30:39,600 --> 00:30:42,000 And knowing that the President clearly shares some strong views 639 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:44,570 on that issue, I'm wondering has he read the law? 640 00:30:44,567 --> 00:30:45,237 Mr. Gibbs: I will check. 641 00:30:45,233 --> 00:30:48,463 I believe in the very -- when we were first discussing this, 642 00:30:48,467 --> 00:30:52,597 he asked counsel to provide him some information on that. Yes. 643 00:30:52,600 --> 00:30:54,330 The Press: Yes, thanks. 644 00:30:54,333 --> 00:30:58,033 As far as the CMS nominee, you mentioned this last week, 645 00:30:58,033 --> 00:31:01,003 but just as recently as last summer, 646 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:05,730 he had said that "The decision is not whether we will ration 647 00:31:05,734 --> 00:31:07,964 care, the decision is whether we will ration 648 00:31:07,967 --> 00:31:09,267 care with our eyes open." 649 00:31:09,266 --> 00:31:13,096 Since part of the selling point on health care reform was that 650 00:31:13,100 --> 00:31:14,200 it is not rationing -- 651 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:16,870 Mr. Gibbs: What were the circumstances, though, which he was talking 652 00:31:16,867 --> 00:31:19,467 about that law -- which he's talking about that quote? 653 00:31:19,467 --> 00:31:22,997 The Press: He wasn't speaking directly on the health care reform. 654 00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:25,900 Mr. Gibbs: Right, but I'm suggesting what are the circumstances -- if it 655 00:31:25,900 --> 00:31:28,130 wasn't about the law that you're asking me about, 656 00:31:28,133 --> 00:31:30,263 what were the circumstances around that quote that he 657 00:31:30,266 --> 00:31:31,536 was speaking about? 658 00:31:31,533 --> 00:31:35,433 The Press: I think he might -- 659 00:31:35,433 --> 00:31:37,933 Mr. Gibbs: You can get with -- you guys can -- yes, 660 00:31:37,934 --> 00:31:39,004 and then we'll -- go ahead. 661 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:43,270 The Press: Robert, the administration has emphasized its desire for BP to 662 00:31:43,266 --> 00:31:46,666 fully reimburse costs beyond -- there was a 663 00:31:46,667 --> 00:31:47,867 letter to that effect. 664 00:31:47,867 --> 00:31:49,337 BP has written back. 665 00:31:49,333 --> 00:31:52,433 I want to ask you -- I understand why you push for it. 666 00:31:52,433 --> 00:31:56,863 Are you entirely confident that BP will -- is good for whatever 667 00:31:56,867 --> 00:31:58,637 you guys say the money is? 668 00:31:58,633 --> 00:32:00,563 And what are you prepared to do, beyond letters, 669 00:32:00,567 --> 00:32:02,837 to -- does case law support you? 670 00:32:02,834 --> 00:32:05,864 Mr. Gibbs: Margaret, first and foremost, obviously the letter sent by 671 00:32:05,867 --> 00:32:10,767 Secretaries Salazar and Napolitano late last week 672 00:32:10,767 --> 00:32:14,937 and reported on, on Saturday obviously was an attempt to 673 00:32:14,934 --> 00:32:18,364 understand the degree to which -- the responsibility that 674 00:32:18,367 --> 00:32:24,867 they've said they will and which we believe they should take. 675 00:32:24,867 --> 00:32:29,737 We're evaluating the response to their letter from a legal 676 00:32:29,734 --> 00:32:33,404 perspective, and understanding that we have asked for in 677 00:32:33,400 --> 00:32:40,030 legislation that the $75 million economic damages cap be lifted 678 00:32:40,033 --> 00:32:47,463 retroactively to ensure that the Oil Pollution Act covers the 679 00:32:47,467 --> 00:32:50,367 type of damage that is obviously happening as a result of this 680 00:32:50,367 --> 00:32:54,837 spill, and that taxpayers -- as the President has said numerous 681 00:32:54,834 --> 00:32:58,164 times, including last Friday -- are not on the hook for the 682 00:32:58,166 --> 00:33:03,036 damages caused by BP or Transocean or Halliburton 683 00:33:03,033 --> 00:33:05,363 as a result of this damage. 684 00:33:05,367 --> 00:33:08,667 The Press: Does case law support the likelihood that they'll be 685 00:33:08,667 --> 00:33:10,637 good for the money, whatever you -- 686 00:33:10,633 --> 00:33:14,163 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, we're -- Margaret, we're evaluating their response 687 00:33:14,166 --> 00:33:17,796 to ensure that they will do all that is necessary. 688 00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:19,770 The Press: But what would the next step be if you don't think -- 689 00:33:19,767 --> 00:33:21,067 Mr. Gibbs: Well, let me have them evaluate that, 690 00:33:21,066 --> 00:33:22,596 and we'll have some -- we'll have an update on that. 691 00:33:22,600 --> 00:33:23,570 The Press: Robert, can I follow up on that question? 692 00:33:23,567 --> 00:33:24,137 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 693 00:33:24,133 --> 00:33:26,133 The Press: One of the arguments that you're hearing from the 694 00:33:26,133 --> 00:33:29,033 Republican leadership is that if you raise the liability it's 695 00:33:29,033 --> 00:33:31,763 going to effectively eliminate the possibility that smaller oil 696 00:33:31,767 --> 00:33:33,437 shops can drill offshore. 697 00:33:33,433 --> 00:33:35,733 And I'm wondering if there is a White House response to that. 698 00:33:35,734 --> 00:33:38,934 Are you essentially creating a system that only benefits big 699 00:33:38,934 --> 00:33:40,304 oil companies now? 700 00:33:40,300 --> 00:33:48,670 Mr. Gibbs: No, but, Sam, I think somebody has to understand that if the 701 00:33:48,667 --> 00:33:52,297 project that you're undertaking has the potential to cause the 702 00:33:52,300 --> 00:33:58,400 type of damage that exceeds what is -- what could or may happen, 703 00:33:58,400 --> 00:34:01,570 that the law take that into account regardless of the size 704 00:34:01,567 --> 00:34:03,067 of your firm. 705 00:34:03,066 --> 00:34:09,836 I think if -- I think that's, quite frankly, 706 00:34:09,834 --> 00:34:14,234 a series of steps based on common sense to ensure that the 707 00:34:14,233 --> 00:34:17,533 protections are there for people in the event that something 708 00:34:17,533 --> 00:34:18,803 catastrophic does happen. 709 00:34:18,800 --> 00:34:20,270 The Press: So how are you going to move this legislatively forward? 710 00:34:20,266 --> 00:34:22,666 It looks like you're at an impasse right now. 711 00:34:22,667 --> 00:34:26,737 Mr. Gibbs: Well, obviously, there was an objection last week. 712 00:34:26,734 --> 00:34:32,604 I think that was -- and I think the administration believes that 713 00:34:32,600 --> 00:34:37,430 that was -- that Senator Murkowski was wrong in objecting 714 00:34:37,433 --> 00:34:43,163 to that, and the only possible way to move forward is to 715 00:34:43,166 --> 00:34:48,566 ensure, again, that there are a series of protections to take 716 00:34:48,567 --> 00:34:53,037 into account the potential size of a catastrophe. April. 717 00:34:53,033 --> 00:34:56,303 The Press: I want to find out about two White House topics 718 00:34:56,300 --> 00:34:58,770 and two White House conversations on these 719 00:34:58,767 --> 00:35:01,837 topics -- one on Halliburton. 720 00:35:01,834 --> 00:35:04,564 What is the White House -- what is the conversation with the 721 00:35:04,567 --> 00:35:06,837 White House and Halliburton officials as it relates to 722 00:35:06,834 --> 00:35:07,564 the oil spill? 723 00:35:07,567 --> 00:35:10,737 We've heard the President say he was very upset and frustrated 724 00:35:10,734 --> 00:35:13,264 about what was said on Capitol Hill, 725 00:35:13,266 --> 00:35:15,536 everybody is pointing fingers at one another and not wanting 726 00:35:15,533 --> 00:35:16,503 take responsibility. 727 00:35:16,500 --> 00:35:19,400 What is the conversation from this White House with 728 00:35:19,400 --> 00:35:21,530 Halliburton right now, as they are partly responsible 729 00:35:21,533 --> 00:35:23,133 for what's happening? 730 00:35:23,133 --> 00:35:27,403 Mr. Gibbs: I can check the degree to which counsel or Carol 731 00:35:27,400 --> 00:35:29,870 or others are dealing directly with Halliburton. 732 00:35:29,867 --> 00:35:32,797 Obviously, the letter on Friday dealt primarily 733 00:35:32,800 --> 00:35:34,930 with British Petroleum. 734 00:35:34,934 --> 00:35:36,404 The Press: Right, but so are you saying there are 735 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:37,830 conversations with Halliburton? 736 00:35:37,834 --> 00:35:39,404 Mr. Gibbs: Well, that's what I said I would check on. 737 00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:41,970 The Press: Okay. And also another conversation -- could 738 00:35:41,967 --> 00:35:45,937 you talk to me, give me a little tic-tock this weekend about this 739 00:35:45,934 --> 00:35:49,604 White House's efforts in trying to bring in the civil right's 740 00:35:49,600 --> 00:35:53,330 community as it relates to Elena Kagan, when there were questions 741 00:35:53,333 --> 00:35:56,933 as late as Friday about her record on affirmative action? 742 00:35:56,934 --> 00:35:59,904 And now we're hearing that the NAACP is on board. 743 00:35:59,900 --> 00:36:02,600 And we understand that the White House made some outreach calls. 744 00:36:02,600 --> 00:36:04,200 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think they -- not just on board, 745 00:36:04,200 --> 00:36:05,970 I think they endorsed the nomination of -- 746 00:36:05,967 --> 00:36:06,767 The Press: They did -- they did endorse. 747 00:36:06,767 --> 00:36:07,937 Yes, yes. Well, that's "on board." 748 00:36:07,934 --> 00:36:09,604 Okay, you say tomato, I say tomato. 749 00:36:09,600 --> 00:36:13,670 But the bottom line is could you talk to me about what the White 750 00:36:13,667 --> 00:36:16,737 House gave to these civil right's organizations so 751 00:36:16,734 --> 00:36:17,734 they could come on board? 752 00:36:17,734 --> 00:36:21,034 Because there was a dearth of information from this White 753 00:36:21,033 --> 00:36:22,433 House to them, and they were very concerned. 754 00:36:22,433 --> 00:36:26,533 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know if -- I can't speak to -- let me just 755 00:36:26,533 --> 00:36:27,263 say this, April. 756 00:36:27,266 --> 00:36:32,696 Obviously what we've shared with that organization is what we'd 757 00:36:32,700 --> 00:36:35,000 share with any organization, is her record on these issues. 758 00:36:35,000 --> 00:36:39,900 I think there -- look, I think we saw it on the -- we saw it 759 00:36:39,900 --> 00:36:42,130 on the Sunday talk shows. 760 00:36:42,133 --> 00:36:46,763 There's -- I don't know whether it's a dearth of information or 761 00:36:46,767 --> 00:36:49,467 a dearth of understanding, but we're happy to provide 762 00:36:49,467 --> 00:36:52,467 information on what the facts are. 763 00:36:52,467 --> 00:36:53,537 I think that's what -- 764 00:36:53,533 --> 00:36:54,163 The Press: Can you just -- 765 00:36:54,166 --> 00:36:56,036 The Press: Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, 766 00:36:56,033 --> 00:36:57,663 wait a minute -- Lynn, Lynn, Lynn, let me finish -- 767 00:36:57,667 --> 00:36:58,897 The Press: You wanted to tell him what happened. 768 00:36:58,900 --> 00:37:00,400 The Press: Right, right, but -- okay. 769 00:37:00,400 --> 00:37:02,330 Mr. Gibbs: That's what I'm in the process of trying to do. 770 00:37:02,333 --> 00:37:03,163 The Press: The names, the names. 771 00:37:03,166 --> 00:37:04,436 Mr. Gibbs: Lynn, Lynn, Lynn, hold on. 772 00:37:04,433 --> 00:37:07,133 I'm trying to do that. Just give me a -- 773 00:37:07,133 --> 00:37:08,403 The Press: You're slow-pitching. 774 00:37:08,400 --> 00:37:11,930 (laughter) 775 00:37:11,934 --> 00:37:14,304 Mr. Gibbs: I'm from the South; we do things a little slower, Lynn. 776 00:37:14,300 --> 00:37:18,870 So just buckle your seatbelt and just hold on. 777 00:37:18,867 --> 00:37:21,037 She interrupted me -- just let the record reflect that it's 778 00:37:21,033 --> 00:37:23,733 harder -- you delay the windup, it's harder to 779 00:37:23,734 --> 00:37:24,664 deliver the pitch. 780 00:37:24,667 --> 00:37:25,867 The Press: I understand what Lynn -- Lynn's frustrations, 781 00:37:25,867 --> 00:37:26,867 but go ahead. 782 00:37:26,867 --> 00:37:30,167 Mr. Gibbs: I've been dealing with that same frustration for seven years. 783 00:37:30,166 --> 00:37:43,096 (laughter) 784 00:37:43,100 --> 00:37:45,730 No, but we provided information. 785 00:37:45,734 --> 00:37:48,734 I'm happy to get Josh and others to talk to you all about the 786 00:37:48,734 --> 00:37:52,104 process by which they contacted board members that would be 787 00:37:52,100 --> 00:37:58,770 voting in and weighing in on an endorsement for our Solicitor 788 00:37:58,767 --> 00:38:01,137 General to be the next Supreme Court justice, 789 00:38:01,133 --> 00:38:06,503 just as we've shared information via the blog and other places 790 00:38:06,500 --> 00:38:09,800 about her record on a whole host of other issues -- some of which 791 00:38:09,800 --> 00:38:14,400 was misunderstood -- like many comments that you heard over 792 00:38:14,400 --> 00:38:16,930 the weekend that were inaccurate about her 793 00:38:16,934 --> 00:38:18,464 involvement on the military. 794 00:38:18,467 --> 00:38:20,537 The Press: Okay, well, many of these civil rights leaders have 795 00:38:20,533 --> 00:38:23,103 come to this White House and had conversations, 796 00:38:23,100 --> 00:38:27,400 and they felt that was the time to have all of her civil rights 797 00:38:27,400 --> 00:38:31,970 and affirmative action letters, what have you, laid out to them. 798 00:38:31,967 --> 00:38:35,267 And many of them said that it would -- they laid the blame on 799 00:38:35,266 --> 00:38:38,366 this White House for this delay in their endorsement. 800 00:38:38,367 --> 00:38:39,797 What say you to that? 801 00:38:39,800 --> 00:38:42,370 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I can't speak of any delay about the endorsement. 802 00:38:42,367 --> 00:38:45,867 Look, the White House has -- over the weekend, April, 803 00:38:45,867 --> 00:38:52,297 asked that the Clinton Library speed up the production and the 804 00:38:52,300 --> 00:38:57,700 release of a 160,000 pages of documents from her service 805 00:38:57,700 --> 00:39:03,430 at the White House -- letters, writings, emails, 806 00:39:03,433 --> 00:39:09,603 as well as the release of papers that she wrote at both Princeton 807 00:39:09,600 --> 00:39:12,530 and Oxford, despite the fact that they haven't been asked 808 00:39:12,533 --> 00:39:14,033 for by the committee. 809 00:39:14,033 --> 00:39:16,163 The Press: And what do you say to the fact that she was one of the 810 00:39:16,166 --> 00:39:18,366 ones who was in the Clinton administration at the time 811 00:39:18,367 --> 00:39:22,637 who was fighting against the President putting out more of 812 00:39:22,633 --> 00:39:24,563 a civil rights agenda that had more teeth? 813 00:39:24,567 --> 00:39:28,267 She wanted -- she was one of the ones who wanted to water it down. 814 00:39:28,266 --> 00:39:31,436 Back then, there was a big fight of factions over race, 815 00:39:31,433 --> 00:39:33,463 and she was one of the ones allegedly who wanted 816 00:39:33,467 --> 00:39:34,367 to tone it down -- 817 00:39:34,367 --> 00:39:37,497 Mr. Gibbs: I think that the documents will show that she's a 818 00:39:37,500 --> 00:39:40,000 strong supporter of civil rights. 819 00:39:40,000 --> 00:39:44,300 This is -- she's a clerk for -- she was a clerk for Thurgood Marshall. 820 00:39:44,300 --> 00:39:45,130 The Press: But that doesn't -- 821 00:39:45,133 --> 00:39:46,663 Mr. Gibbs: She works for Eric Holder and she was 822 00:39:46,667 --> 00:39:48,097 nominated by Barack Obama. 823 00:39:48,100 --> 00:39:49,130 I think that -- 824 00:39:49,133 --> 00:39:50,703 The Press: But some people would say that's symbolism -- or they 825 00:39:50,700 --> 00:39:52,200 have said that it might be symbolism versus substance -- 826 00:39:52,200 --> 00:39:55,000 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I don't think the NAACP would endorse on 827 00:39:55,000 --> 00:39:56,570 symbolism rather than substance. 828 00:39:56,567 --> 00:39:59,667 I think they would endorse based on the fact that she has a very 829 00:39:59,667 --> 00:40:00,897 strong record on these issues. 830 00:40:00,900 --> 00:40:04,800 She has a strong record on these issues as a solicitor general. 831 00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:09,370 And that's why she's pleased to enjoy their support. 832 00:40:09,367 --> 00:40:12,667 The Press: I have two questions, but can I do one follow-up first? 833 00:40:12,667 --> 00:40:13,567 Is that okay -- 834 00:40:13,567 --> 00:40:15,597 Mr. Gibbs: A follow-up to your question or to somebody else? 835 00:40:15,600 --> 00:40:17,130 The Press: Chuck's question about the state dinner. 836 00:40:17,133 --> 00:40:18,233 Can you say whether -- 837 00:40:18,233 --> 00:40:19,563 Mr. Gibbs: Chip's question, I think. 838 00:40:19,567 --> 00:40:25,737 The Press: Was it? Okay, can you say whether it's going to be -- 839 00:40:25,734 --> 00:40:27,834 The Press: -- another good-looking TV guy -- 840 00:40:27,834 --> 00:40:30,504 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, all those TV guys look alike. Go ahead. 841 00:40:30,500 --> 00:40:32,530 The Press: All right, can you whether there's going to be a 842 00:40:32,533 --> 00:40:35,533 representative from the Social Secretary's office 843 00:40:35,533 --> 00:40:36,403 at the checkpoints? 844 00:40:36,400 --> 00:40:36,730 Mr. Gibbs: Let me check on the procedures. 845 00:40:36,734 --> 00:40:38,234 My understanding is there will be. 846 00:40:38,233 --> 00:40:43,503 The Press: Okay. And my first question is, yesterday Greg Craig said that 847 00:40:43,500 --> 00:40:47,200 the Elana Kagan is a progressive in the mold of Barack Obama. 848 00:40:47,200 --> 00:40:48,700 Is that something the White House agrees with? 849 00:40:48,700 --> 00:40:49,770 And is that going to be -- 850 00:40:49,767 --> 00:40:56,937 Mr. Gibbs: I think Ron Klain, when describing her judicial -- 851 00:40:56,934 --> 00:40:58,164 describing her political beliefs, 852 00:40:58,166 --> 00:40:59,936 put her on the progressive side, yes. 853 00:40:59,934 --> 00:41:02,404 The Press: I mean is that going to be the White House strategy 854 00:41:02,400 --> 00:41:03,570 going forward to -- 855 00:41:03,567 --> 00:41:05,997 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I don't think it's a strategy as much as it is 856 00:41:06,000 --> 00:41:08,630 a belief in that's where she is. 857 00:41:08,633 --> 00:41:11,963 The Press: My second question: Do you have any on the -- 858 00:41:11,967 --> 00:41:14,197 there's a new book that's quoting someone from the White 859 00:41:14,200 --> 00:41:19,470 House on Rush Limbaugh, telling him what he can do with himself. 860 00:41:19,467 --> 00:41:20,937 Have you -- 861 00:41:20,934 --> 00:41:22,804 Mr. Gibbs: You're going to have to be more specific. 862 00:41:22,800 --> 00:41:30,130 (laughter) 863 00:41:30,133 --> 00:41:31,003 The Press: What do you think? 864 00:41:31,000 --> 00:41:37,230 Mr. Gibbs: You guys are just -- 865 00:41:37,233 --> 00:41:39,403 The Press: Limbaugh is our colleague on talk radio. 866 00:41:39,400 --> 00:41:42,000 Mr. Gibbs: I'm just asking you to be more specific. 867 00:41:42,000 --> 00:41:43,770 I don't know why you think I'm disparaging anybody. 868 00:41:43,767 --> 00:41:46,537 The Press: There's a book quoting a senior White House 869 00:41:46,533 --> 00:41:50,103 official responding to an invitation to golf with Rush 870 00:41:50,100 --> 00:41:53,570 Limbaugh by saying that Limbaugh can play with himself. 871 00:41:53,567 --> 00:41:56,397 And there are some that have speculated that the 872 00:41:56,400 --> 00:41:59,830 source of that quote was the President via an aide. 873 00:41:59,834 --> 00:42:01,364 I'm wondering if you can -- 874 00:42:01,367 --> 00:42:03,037 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know the answer to that. 875 00:42:03,033 --> 00:42:04,203 Lynn, do you have -- 876 00:42:04,200 --> 00:42:06,030 The Press: Has the President ever said anything like that? 877 00:42:06,033 --> 00:42:08,503 Mr. Gibbs: Not that I -- not in my presence, no. 878 00:42:08,500 --> 00:42:09,770 Lynn, do you have -- 879 00:42:09,767 --> 00:42:11,837 The Press: Thank you, that's very nice of you. 880 00:42:11,834 --> 00:42:13,764 (laughter) 881 00:42:13,767 --> 00:42:18,097 Mr. Gibbs: I know that, too. I know the -- that's a slow windup as well. 882 00:42:18,100 --> 00:42:19,000 Go ahead. 883 00:42:19,000 --> 00:42:21,270 The Press: Just to get back to April's question, 884 00:42:21,266 --> 00:42:25,436 I think it would be -- the question is not so much that 885 00:42:25,433 --> 00:42:29,663 overview that you gave but simply who met with who when 886 00:42:29,667 --> 00:42:32,237 and called, who had meetings. 887 00:42:32,233 --> 00:42:34,333 I think Valerie Jarrett had one meeting, I believe. 888 00:42:34,333 --> 00:42:35,233 That's what I think -- 889 00:42:35,233 --> 00:42:36,603 Mr. Gibbs: Right, I think Valerie met with people. 890 00:42:36,600 --> 00:42:38,600 The Press: So that's -- the tick-tock. 891 00:42:38,600 --> 00:42:39,170 The Press: Eric Holder. 892 00:42:39,166 --> 00:42:39,936 Mr. Gibbs: Let me find out from Josh. 893 00:42:39,934 --> 00:42:43,534 I know Mike Strautmanis talked with people. 894 00:42:43,533 --> 00:42:48,533 I'm sure Eric Holder, who's, as you know, 895 00:42:48,533 --> 00:42:51,103 her boss at the Department of Justice, 896 00:42:51,100 --> 00:42:53,430 I'm sure either talked to or would be happy to talk to 897 00:42:53,433 --> 00:42:55,833 anybody about her record. 898 00:42:55,834 --> 00:42:57,164 The Press: Did the President get on the phone, by any chance? 899 00:42:57,166 --> 00:42:58,396 Mr. Gibbs: Not that I'm aware of, no. 900 00:42:58,400 --> 00:42:59,330 The Press: Thank you, Robert. 901 00:42:59,333 --> 00:43:00,463 The Press: So the people you named -- do you think there's 902 00:43:00,467 --> 00:43:01,797 more than that that were involved -- 903 00:43:01,800 --> 00:43:03,430 Mr. Gibbs: Let me check with Josh. Let me just check with Josh. 904 00:43:03,433 --> 00:43:04,003 The Press: Okay. 905 00:43:04,000 --> 00:43:04,800 Mr. Gibbs: David. 906 00:43:04,800 --> 00:43:05,600 The Press: Thanks, Robert. 907 00:43:05,600 --> 00:43:09,630 Last October, you said that in terms of Afghanistan, 908 00:43:09,633 --> 00:43:13,033 we needed to work with a partner that was "free of 909 00:43:13,033 --> 00:43:15,603 corruption and transparent." 910 00:43:15,600 --> 00:43:18,670 Given all the conversations that happened last week, 911 00:43:18,667 --> 00:43:21,067 including the one between President Obama and President 912 00:43:21,066 --> 00:43:25,136 Karzai, how close do you think the Afghan government is to the 913 00:43:25,133 --> 00:43:27,933 standard that you set back in October -- being free of 914 00:43:27,934 --> 00:43:29,334 corruption and transparent? 915 00:43:29,333 --> 00:43:34,003 Mr. Gibbs: Well, obviously, David, we've got progress that 916 00:43:34,000 --> 00:43:35,530 needs to be made. 917 00:43:35,533 --> 00:43:40,203 I outlined steps that the government had taken last week 918 00:43:40,200 --> 00:43:43,400 prior to the visit, whether it was on the Electoral Complaints 919 00:43:43,400 --> 00:43:49,070 Commission, whether it was on laws on subnational government, 920 00:43:49,066 --> 00:43:53,096 whether it was on the high office of corruption, 921 00:43:53,100 --> 00:43:56,300 that there had been steps that had been taken, 922 00:43:56,300 --> 00:43:58,930 and we were watching the implementation of those steps to 923 00:43:58,934 --> 00:44:06,264 ensure increased transparency, increased accountability, 924 00:44:06,266 --> 00:44:10,436 as well as the promotion of fair and transparent parliamentary 925 00:44:10,433 --> 00:44:14,063 elections, which are upcoming. 926 00:44:14,066 --> 00:44:17,336 The Press: Now, a lot of people who have been to Afghanistan recently 927 00:44:17,333 --> 00:44:19,833 talk about corruption in historic terms, 928 00:44:19,834 --> 00:44:22,864 that -- people there, they say their parents and their 929 00:44:22,867 --> 00:44:24,997 grandparents were used to a certain level, 930 00:44:25,000 --> 00:44:28,100 find what's going on now completely unbelievable; 931 00:44:28,100 --> 00:44:29,530 it's almost hyper-corruption. 932 00:44:29,533 --> 00:44:32,463 You have to pay to pay your taxes. 933 00:44:32,467 --> 00:44:36,297 So do you think, on the ground, people -- Afghans 934 00:44:36,300 --> 00:44:39,030 -- are seeing any change in terms of corruption? 935 00:44:39,033 --> 00:44:41,203 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I'm not sure I'm the person to talk about 936 00:44:41,200 --> 00:44:44,030 what Afghans are seeing on the ground. 937 00:44:44,033 --> 00:44:48,003 Again, I think -- I would simply impart what we have seen and 938 00:44:48,000 --> 00:44:52,370 what -- some of the steps that we've asked the government of 939 00:44:52,367 --> 00:44:56,037 Afghanistan to take in terms of making those steps -- 940 00:44:56,033 --> 00:44:58,433 The Press: I guess the question is, is that sufficient? 941 00:44:58,433 --> 00:45:02,833 Mr. Gibbs: No, I -- look, I think there's no doubt that we 942 00:45:02,834 --> 00:45:07,104 have -- we will continue to work with and move them in 943 00:45:07,100 --> 00:45:10,500 the direction that we think is in everybody's interests. 944 00:45:10,500 --> 00:45:12,400 I'll take Bill, and then I'll -- yes. 945 00:45:12,400 --> 00:45:15,570 The Press: Robert, we talked about this a little last week, 946 00:45:15,567 --> 00:45:18,837 but the bar was raised yesterday by Senator Jeff Sessions who 947 00:45:18,834 --> 00:45:21,634 said that when she was dean at Harvard that Elena Kagan 948 00:45:21,633 --> 00:45:25,333 actually broke the law by not allowing the military on campus. 949 00:45:25,333 --> 00:45:27,063 Has the White House researched that, 950 00:45:27,066 --> 00:45:28,736 the White House Counsel is confident that she's 951 00:45:28,734 --> 00:45:29,804 within the law? 952 00:45:29,800 --> 00:45:31,630 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think the White House Counsel had to research that. 953 00:45:31,633 --> 00:45:37,963 There's -- I don't think anybody has brought anything that would 954 00:45:37,967 --> 00:45:41,937 say that she's ever been in violation of the law. 955 00:45:41,934 --> 00:45:49,104 I think last week the former dean of the Harvard Law School 956 00:45:49,100 --> 00:45:53,330 wrote about the series of events that happened. 957 00:45:53,333 --> 00:45:56,933 Military recruiters were never barred from the campus. 958 00:45:56,934 --> 00:45:58,964 They were not afforded access to the Office of 959 00:45:58,967 --> 00:46:02,737 Career Services but had access to students through 960 00:46:02,734 --> 00:46:04,634 the veteran's organization. 961 00:46:04,633 --> 00:46:09,533 Military recruitment for the semester that is being looked 962 00:46:09,533 --> 00:46:16,333 at actually increased from the prior semesters. 963 00:46:16,333 --> 00:46:21,303 I think last week Senator Scott Brown spoke pretty eloquently 964 00:46:21,300 --> 00:46:29,370 about the notion that Elena Kagan was a friend 965 00:46:29,367 --> 00:46:30,967 of the military. 966 00:46:30,967 --> 00:46:34,967 And I think, to quote the dean of West Point, 967 00:46:34,967 --> 00:46:37,737 it is ludicrous for anyone to accuse her 968 00:46:37,734 --> 00:46:40,564 of being anti-military. 969 00:46:40,567 --> 00:46:44,767 So, again, I think if one actually looks at the facts 970 00:46:44,767 --> 00:46:48,137 and the record, they see the truth. 971 00:46:48,133 --> 00:46:48,733 Thank you.