English subtitles for clip: File:6-16-09- White House Press Briefing.webm

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The Press:
President Lee talked about new measures and policies that he

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and President Obama had agreed
to talk to the other members of

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the five-party talks -- about
new measures and policies on North Korea.

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Can you elaborate on what he
meant by that and what they agreed on?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I don't have anything
additional on that, in terms of

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the statement that went out
and what the two Presidents discussed.

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Obviously we have a longstanding
commitment in the defense of the

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Republic of Korea, and I think,
obviously, the steps -- the

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important steps that the
Security Council took over the

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past several days -- we had
Ambassador Rice in here to

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discuss that last week --
demonstrates the seriousness

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with which the international
community is addressing what is

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happening with North Korea.

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The Press:
You said -- Susan Rice also said last week when she was

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talking about this new resolution that the United States

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has other measures that
it's considering taking, not

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waiting to take but
considering taking now.

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And so if you're not willing to
talk about what those might be

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or what's on the table, isn't
this sort of an empty threat to North Korea?

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Mr. Gibbs:
No, because we
don't discuss things publicly.

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The Press:
And what about on
Iran, is the President prepared

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at some point to more forcefully
denounce what's happening there

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against the protestors?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think the
President has been quite

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forceful on two occasions in the
past 24 hours, in discussing the

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universal right that people
have to peaceably demonstrate.

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He's deplored the violence --
deplored and condemned the

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violence that we've seen, and
underscored that the world is

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seeing in Iran a
yearning for change.

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I think the President has also,
rightly, underscored that this

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is a vigorous debate inside of
Iran by Iranians about who is

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going to -- about the
leadership in their country.

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And as he said this afternoon,
it's not a good idea to meddle

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in that sovereignty.

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The Press:
I just wanted to
follow up on the President's

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remarks about the financial
regulatory reform that's going to come out.

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He said that you would not,
in fact, see a host of new

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regulatory agencies added.

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Does that mean there will not
be any new regulatory agencies added?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I think he said "a host of."

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` The Press:
There could be maybe one -- some lawmakers think --

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would like to see a new
agency to look out on behalf of consumers.

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Could that be part of the plan?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I will, as the
President said -- I'd be hard

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pressed to get ahead of the
President saying he wasn't going

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to get ahead of himself.

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The Press:
Oh, show a little ankle.

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(laughter)

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Mr. Gibbs:
Maybe if I can get
work -- get a job with CBS.

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But, no, I think the President
underscored again today the

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strong need for
regulatory reform.

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We've all witnessed over the
past many months what happens in

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an environment that doesn't
have the regulations and the

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watchdogs that are needed to
ensure that we don't ever again

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get to the precipice of where we
were just a few months ago and

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what caused that.

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Yes.

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I'm sorry --

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The Press:
Well, I just -- kind
of a different side of the same question.

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When he talked about
consolidating, does that mean

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that some agencies may be closed
or merged into other agencies?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Trust me, you'll have plenty of opportunity to do all this tomorrow.

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The Press:
The President went a
little farther today than he did

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yesterday, saying he had
concerns about the election,

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when directly talking about the
election results, the legitimacy

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of the election.

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What are his concerns, and
what are they based on?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, we've
enumerated some of those

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concerns over the course
of the past few days.

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I think irregularities
in general.

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I think you've seen -- I think
I saw reports that one of the

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candidates overwhelmingly
lost their home region.

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But I think obviously the
international community is

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watching with some concern.

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Obviously even those in Iran
have noted concern with the

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outcome, and that's why they're
also looking into this.

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But I think -- again, I think
the international community has

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concern not just about what
happened in the election but

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what has happened
in the aftermath.

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The Press:
Has the President
reached out to Arab allies or

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other conduits, to Khamenei or
any other of the power structure

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in Iran, to talk about
what happens next?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Not that I'm aware of.

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Again, I think I would stress
for you the importance of what

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the President discussed, also in
his comments both yesterday and

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today, about ensuring that while
we abhor the violence associated

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with this vigorous Iranian
debate, that we also respect

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their sovereignty.

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The Press:
Thank you.

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Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, ma'am.

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The Press:
Robert, back on North Korea.

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The AP was saying that the two
American journalists who had

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been sentenced last week to 12
years of hard labor had admitted

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to illegally crossing
into North Korea.

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First, can you tell us if you
know whether or not that's true?

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And secondly, what is the
administration doing to follow

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up on this?

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Is there a special
representative or an envoy who

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is responsible or working
towards their release?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Look, I don't have
much to add to what we've said

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in the past few days, that we
think -- that the administration

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is working to ensure their
safe release; that we strongly

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believe -- and I think the
Presidents reiterated this today

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-- that these two journalists
should be released on

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humanitarian grounds.

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But I'm not going to get into
envoys and things like that.

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The Press:
On another matter, it
was last week the President said

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that he wanted to make sure
taxpayer dollars were spent

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well, the stimulus package,
against potential boondoggles

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and wasteful spending.

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Since then, Senator Coburn has
come out with a report saying

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that he's taking a look at a
hundred different programs,

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saying that he has found
wasteful spending, including a

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turtle wildlife crossing that he
says cost $3 million, and 8,000

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Social Security checks that were
sent to people who are deceased.

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First, can you tell me whether
or not this report is credible

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in your opinion?

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And if so, has the
administration addressed some of those concerns?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I've seen parts
of this report and I've seen

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parts of our response and I
think there's a longer, more

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detailed response that we'd
be happy to provide you.

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But a number of things look to
be inaccurate in the "second

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opinion" itself.

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There appear to be the
assumption that projects are

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being funded using recovery
money, which isn't true.

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I think the very first project
that's outlined is a decision

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that's ultimately made by the
state, not by the feds, in terms

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of how particular revolving
fund money is used.

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So I think there are a number of
entries throughout this report

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that are just simply wrong.

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This President has taken
historic steps to ensure that

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there is adequate transparency,
and that this money is spent the

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way it's intended to be used.

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There are projects within the
report that haven't been funded;

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have been canceled based on
our own looking into this.

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So again, I think the report
appears to be, in many, many

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cases, just flat out wrong.

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The Press:
Are there any examples that were correct that

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the administration
is addressing?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I have not looked through each and every one of them.

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I'd have to look through
each and every one of them.

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Yes, ma'am.

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The Press:
Is Dennis Ross moving into the White House with larger powers?

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And also, is the President
calling for nuclear disarmament

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of the whole region of Asia?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I don't have any personnel announcements about

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the State Department
or the White House.

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I know the President has
enormous confidence, and has for

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quite some time, in Dennis
Ross and what he brings to our

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foreign policy team.

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I think the President has stated
clearly in terms of -- and I

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think he reiterated in the first
question he got today -- the

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priority of ensuring the
denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

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The Press:
But why can't you speak on Ross?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Because there's no policy -- there's no personnel announcements to make.

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The Press:
Is he here?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know where he is.

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But I can assure you, wherever
he is, he's working for the

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administration on behalf
of the administration.

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The Press:
Is the story wrong?

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Mr. Gibbs:
It's not right.

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(laughter)

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The Press:
Okay, what does that mean?

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Mr. Gibbs:
It means I don't have any policy or personnel

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announcements regarding Dennis Ross.

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The Press:
It doesn't necessarily mean the story is wrong.

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Is that what you're suggesting?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I'm suggesting that, if I had a personnel announcement to make

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regarding Dennis Ross, I'd make it.

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The Press:
But you're notknocking down the story that appeared --

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Mr. Gibbs:
I'm telling you that the President has enormous confidence in him.

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The President doesn't have any
personnel announcements to make-

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The Press:
Why don't you reallytell us what you're trying to say?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I have no personnel announcements to make today, Helen.

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(laughter)

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The Press:
You didn't ask for a retraction -- I'm not going to belabor the point.

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(laughter) No retraction.

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Mr. Gibbs:
I'd be one busy -- I'd be one busy man if that were the case.

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The Press:
Can you translate
some of this diplo-speak?

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Three times President Lee
said -- talked about the firm

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relationship between South Korea
and the United States when

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responding to a question about
the North Korean threat.

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Is that -- did he ask for an
assurance from the President

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that if there's a military
strike against South Korea that

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the U.S. will respond, that's unequivocal?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, Chuck, we've had that type of relationship

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with the Republic
of Korea for --

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The Press:
So nothing has changed on that front?

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And that was reiterated today
and that's the way we should

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read the words "firm,"
and all of that?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Absolutely. Absolutely.

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I mean, obviously this is
something that has -- that we've responded to.

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I think as we've said many times
before, the increasingly -- the

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reactions of the North Koreans
in alienating themselves from

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their own responsibilities and
from those responsibilities and

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isolating themselves from the
rest of the world, that they're

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going alone down
a different path.

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The President believes there's a
different way for North Korea.

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And I think what he discussed
today with President Lee was a

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continuation of the strong
relationship that we have with

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the Republic of Korea and the
strong international reactions

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and steps that have been taken
to coordinate that response, and

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to take some extremely tough
actions, all of what Ambassador

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Rice outlined just last week.

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I remember not long after the
first launch in late March and

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early April, there was some vast
skepticism that tough actions

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and steps could be agreed upon
by a group of five nations, a

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group of 15 nations.

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Not only were they agreed
upon, but they're now being implemented.

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The Press:
How is the President
getting his information on Iran right now?

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Is he just reacting to the news
reports that everybody has seen,

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or do you guys feel like you
have some intelligence on the

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ground that's telling
you where things stand?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I can assure youthe President gets a regular

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intelligence briefing,
but I'll demure the --

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The Press:
Has he had any conversations with allies about a coordinated response?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Notthat I'm aware of. Yes, sir.

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The Press:
I understand that the
President doesn't want to look

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like he's meddling in the
Iranian elections, but at what

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point does the President's
position that he is willing to

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speak with the Ahmadinejad
government bolster the

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Ahmadinejad regime?

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And is there a time when he
would suspend that offer as the

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election results go
through a contestation?

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The Press:
Is that a word?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I'm almost
sure that it's not.

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(laughter)

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But leaving that
aside for one moment --

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The Press:
It's a print guy that made up --

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(laughter)

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Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know, let me
say, if that's -- I'm going to

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do my crossword puzzle tonight;
I don't know if that's -- look,

233
00:13:38,233 --> 00:13:40,203
I would say this, Jonathan.

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00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:46,130
The concerns that we have about
Iran are no different than we

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00:13:46,133 --> 00:13:49,833
had last Thursday
or last Friday.

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00:13:49,834 --> 00:13:53,534
Our primary concerns are
obviously the state sponsorship

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00:13:53,533 --> 00:14:01,233
and the spread of terror, and
their efforts to secure a nuclear weapon.

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00:14:01,233 --> 00:14:04,733
Those interests -- our interests
are no different today than they

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00:14:04,734 --> 00:14:09,804
were before the election.

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00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:15,270
The President remains committed
to strong action and principled

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00:14:15,266 --> 00:14:18,796
diplomacy to address our
national interests; that our

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00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:27,770
interest haven't changed
regardless of ultimately who the Iranians pick.

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00:14:27,767 --> 00:14:29,867
Yes, sir.

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00:14:29,867 --> 00:14:32,737
The Press:
What's the policygoing to be on release of the

245
00:14:32,734 --> 00:14:36,564
names of White House visitors?

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00:14:36,567 --> 00:14:40,497
Mr. Gibbs:
The policy -- as you
know, I think many of you know,

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00:14:40,500 --> 00:14:44,400
this has involved -- visitor
logs have been involved in some

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00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:51,100
litigation dating back
to some time in 2006.

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00:14:51,100 --> 00:14:58,830
The White House is reviewing
that policy based on some of that litigation.

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00:14:58,834 --> 00:15:01,804
The Press:
So it's just you're
not going either way on it now,

251
00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:03,470
and you're not refusing to --

252
00:15:03,467 --> 00:15:11,167
Mr. Gibbs:
We're reviewing what
has been the policy of
-- the previous policy.

253
00:15:11,166 --> 00:15:13,136
The Press:
Who is doing that review?

254
00:15:13,133 --> 00:15:16,133
Mr. Gibbs:
The White House Counsel's Office and other people in the administration.

255
00:15:16,133 --> 00:15:17,733
The Press:
What's the length of the review?

256
00:15:17,734 --> 00:15:19,304
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know the exact timeline.

257
00:15:19,300 --> 00:15:22,230
The Press:
Is there a mandate to be more transparent than the previous administration?

258
00:15:22,233 --> 00:15:25,703
Mr. Gibbs:
I think we ran on that --

259
00:15:25,700 --> 00:15:28,370
The Press:
In this specific regard?

260
00:15:28,367 --> 00:15:30,497
Mr. Gibbs:
That's what's under review.

261
00:15:30,500 --> 00:15:31,970
The Press:
Is that the goal?

262
00:15:31,967 --> 00:15:32,797
Mr. Gibbs:
What's the goal?

263
00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:34,870
The Press:
Isn't that the goal, to be more transparent on these

264
00:15:34,867 --> 00:15:37,437
visitor logs than the
previous administration?

265
00:15:37,433 --> 00:15:41,263
Mr. Gibbs:
The goal is -- and I think the President, who

266
00:15:41,266 --> 00:15:45,666
underscored his commitment to
transparency on his first full

267
00:15:45,667 --> 00:15:49,997
day in office -- this is
not a contest between this

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00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:52,070
administration or that
administration, or any

269
00:15:52,066 --> 00:15:56,566
administration; it's to
uphold the principle of open government.

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00:15:56,567 --> 00:15:58,797
The Press:
Why would the President have any objection to

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00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:02,400
the public knowing who is
coming in here to visit?

272
00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:06,100
Mr. Gibbs:
I think we've taken actions to let people know who are.

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00:16:06,100 --> 00:16:11,500
I think again, Peter, this dates
back to litigation long before

274
00:16:11,500 --> 00:16:14,600
we ever showed up.

275
00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:17,900
The Press:
Do you think you might have to uphold precedent here, possibly?

276
00:16:17,900 --> 00:16:21,170
Mr. Gibbs:
That's part of what's being reviewed by the Counsel's Office.

277
00:16:21,166 --> 00:16:22,096
Yes, ma'am.

278
00:16:22,100 --> 00:16:25,030
The Press:
Will the administration provide emergency aid to California,

279
00:16:25,033 --> 00:16:29,203
or are you rejecting that to avoid similar requests from other states?

280
00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:33,670
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, obviously many states throughout the

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00:16:33,667 --> 00:16:40,667
country, because of the slowdown
in our economy, find themselves

282
00:16:40,667 --> 00:16:46,497
with severe budgetary
constraints.

283
00:16:46,500 --> 00:16:50,300
The President believed and
addressed part of this in the

284
00:16:50,300 --> 00:16:55,970
recovery and reinvestment plan
by ensuring the largest amount

285
00:16:55,967 --> 00:17:04,867
of fiscal relief that we've seen
moved to states in the history of our country.

286
00:17:04,867 --> 00:17:07,997
It's obviously not an easy time
for the state of California.

287
00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:12,000
We'll continue to monitor the
challenges that they have.

288
00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:15,870
But this budgetary problem,
unfortunately, is one that

289
00:17:15,867 --> 00:17:19,867
they're going to have to solve.

290
00:17:19,867 --> 00:17:21,867
The Press:
Following up on that, is the administration

291
00:17:21,867 --> 00:17:24,537
comfortable with the kind of
precedent California would have

292
00:17:24,533 --> 00:17:28,033
to impose, specifically on its
participation in Medicaid and

293
00:17:28,033 --> 00:17:30,863
SCHIP, which the President
has identified as significant

294
00:17:30,867 --> 00:17:32,937
priorities of his
administration, and in one

295
00:17:32,934 --> 00:17:36,604
regard, SCHIP, an achievement
of this administration?

296
00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:38,970
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know if -- I don't know the degree to which

297
00:17:38,967 --> 00:17:44,667
we've analyzed each of
California's individual cuts.

298
00:17:44,667 --> 00:17:49,697
Obviously we've had to make --
and states have had to make very

299
00:17:49,700 --> 00:17:54,670
difficult decisions as it
relates to our budget.

300
00:17:54,667 --> 00:17:58,767
And these aren't easy
times for states.

301
00:17:58,767 --> 00:18:00,197
The Press:
I want to follow up on Jonathan's question,

302
00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:01,900
just to have it on the record.

303
00:18:01,900 --> 00:18:06,630
The President is still willing
to talk to Ahmadinejad about

304
00:18:06,633 --> 00:18:10,803
U.S.-Iranian issues, even
currently, is that correct?

305
00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:11,700
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm sorry?

306
00:18:11,700 --> 00:18:14,470
The Press:
The President is still willing to talk to Ahmadinejad about

307
00:18:14,467 --> 00:18:18,367
the various U.S. issues, and that's not been changed at all by the --

308
00:18:18,367 --> 00:18:19,997
Mr. Gibbs:
The President is committed to --

309
00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,100
The Press:
-- status of this election?

310
00:18:21,100 --> 00:18:24,800
Mr. Gibbs:
The President is committed to direct engagement

311
00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:30,430
with the Iranian government on
issues of our national interest,

312
00:18:30,433 --> 00:18:37,703
including their pursuit of
a nuclear weapon and their sponsorship for terror.

313
00:18:37,700 --> 00:18:40,270
The Press:
And the disputed election does not in any way change that?

314
00:18:40,266 --> 00:18:42,696
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, the disputed election is something

315
00:18:42,700 --> 00:18:44,930
for Iranians to work out.

316
00:18:44,934 --> 00:18:46,034
The Press:
Does the administration have an opinion

317
00:18:46,033 --> 00:18:47,563
as to whether or not foreign
journalists should be allowed to

318
00:18:47,567 --> 00:18:50,637
cover that story and
remain inside Iran?

319
00:18:50,633 --> 00:18:55,763
Mr. Gibbs:
Obviously the President spoke both yesterday

320
00:18:55,767 --> 00:19:00,697
and today about what he thinks
of his universal values, and obviously --

321
00:19:00,700 --> 00:19:02,830
The Press:
He spoke about people in the streets and Iranians --

322
00:19:02,834 --> 00:19:03,704
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me --

323
00:19:03,700 --> 00:19:04,470
The Press:
I'm sorry.

324
00:19:04,467 --> 00:19:11,537
Mr. Gibbs:
I think having a robust free press that covers an

325
00:19:11,533 --> 00:19:14,533
important story for the world
is something that the President

326
00:19:14,533 --> 00:19:17,463
believes strongly in.

327
00:19:17,467 --> 00:19:18,897
The Press:
Does the administration believe the Internet

328
00:19:18,900 --> 00:19:21,200
and texting
access should be restored?

329
00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:22,630
Mr. Gibbs:
Absolutely.

330
00:19:22,633 --> 00:19:23,863
Yes, sir.

331
00:19:23,867 --> 00:19:25,197
The Press:
A follow-up?

332
00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:28,730
Sky News has designated a spot
on their Web site, as other

333
00:19:28,734 --> 00:19:31,504
organizations have, for people
who are tweeting, who are

334
00:19:31,500 --> 00:19:34,070
sending SMS's, et cetera.

335
00:19:34,066 --> 00:19:36,136
In light of the fact that
we don't have a diplomatic

336
00:19:36,133 --> 00:19:38,603
relationship, is the White House
monitoring these various Web

337
00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:40,000
sites for that information?

338
00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:43,800
Mr. Gibbs:
I can check withsomebody at NSC, but I don't have anything specific.

339
00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:48,530
The Press:
The President said in Cairo that countries that elect

340
00:19:48,533 --> 00:19:52,163
their governments are better --
the governments are better, more

341
00:19:52,166 --> 00:19:57,196
stable, better able to provide
economic opportunities.

342
00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:03,500
Does the United States have a
national interest in the will of

343
00:20:03,500 --> 00:20:07,500
the Iranian people being
accurately reflected in this election?

344
00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:11,030
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think that he's expressed concern, as the

345
00:20:11,033 --> 00:20:14,103
international community has.

346
00:20:14,100 --> 00:20:19,700
Obviously any election, if it's
going to -- any election should

347
00:20:19,700 --> 00:20:21,200
reflect the will of the people.

348
00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:23,900
That, by definition,
is an election.

349
00:20:23,900 --> 00:20:26,200
I would also mention, Scott,
that the President said that

350
00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:28,730
it's important -- elections
are important, but also the

351
00:20:28,734 --> 00:20:32,504
decisions that governments make
after elections are important.

352
00:20:32,500 --> 00:20:39,000
That's why our interests as they
relate to the Iranian government are unchanged.

353
00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:43,600
The Press:
Robert, are you at all concerned that the measured

354
00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:48,230
response of the United States
so far to the Iranian elections

355
00:20:48,233 --> 00:20:52,433
could harm America or the
President's image among

356
00:20:52,433 --> 00:20:56,703
democracy advocates not only
in Iran but around the world?

357
00:20:56,700 --> 00:21:00,330
Mr. Gibbs:
No, I think this administration's commitment to

358
00:21:00,333 --> 00:21:07,563
democracy has been demonstrated
in the commitment in resources

359
00:21:07,567 --> 00:21:12,997
that we've put forward.

360
00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:18,400
But at the same time, I
think it's important that I

361
00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:23,030
reemphasize what the President
said about sovereignty, but more

362
00:21:23,033 --> 00:21:29,103
importantly, that I emphasize
that this is a debate inside of

363
00:21:29,100 --> 00:21:31,600
Iran for Iranians.

364
00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:32,130
Yes, sir.

365
00:21:32,133 --> 00:21:34,063
The Press:
Robert, health care.

366
00:21:34,066 --> 00:21:38,496
CBO, as I think you know, has
scored Ted Kennedy's bill as

367
00:21:38,500 --> 00:21:41,300
costing over a trillion dollars,
and yet it still is only going

368
00:21:41,300 --> 00:21:44,730
to ensure about a
third of the uninsured.

369
00:21:44,734 --> 00:21:47,264
Doesn't that -- I realized you
said that that's his bill and

370
00:21:47,266 --> 00:21:50,496
not your bill, but doesn't that
bode ill for health care reform

371
00:21:50,500 --> 00:21:55,600
in general and the President's
hope of ensuring everybody?

372
00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:56,730
Mr. Gibbs:
How so?

373
00:21:56,734 --> 00:21:58,964
The Press:
Well, to the extent that you spend that amount of

374
00:21:58,967 --> 00:22:01,767
money, which is in the ballpark
of what the administration has

375
00:22:01,767 --> 00:22:03,197
said it's going to cost --

376
00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:07,770
Mr. Gibbs:
In reading stories on this, I think it's clear that

377
00:22:07,767 --> 00:22:13,597
this is an old proposal,
an incomplete proposal.

378
00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:17,300
I think what's important is
what the President outlined

379
00:22:17,300 --> 00:22:22,070
yesterday, in his speech to the
doctors, that we know clearly

380
00:22:22,066 --> 00:22:24,896
what the cost of inaction is.

381
00:22:24,900 --> 00:22:28,170
We know what that cost is to the
federal budget; we know what it

382
00:22:28,166 --> 00:22:30,966
is to state budgets; we know
what it is to budgets of

383
00:22:30,967 --> 00:22:34,597
families and to businesses,
large and small.

384
00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:41,500
And that inaction is something
we simply can't afford.

385
00:22:41,500 --> 00:22:46,200
The President I think has laid
out strong principles that he

386
00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:53,770
believes should be contained in
legislation so that we can see

387
00:22:53,767 --> 00:22:57,237
significant cost-saving for
families and small businesses

388
00:22:57,233 --> 00:22:59,463
that are struggling.

389
00:22:59,467 --> 00:23:05,037
But, again, I think this has
many twists and turns to go.

390
00:23:05,033 --> 00:23:11,163
I mean, one incomplete, older
proposal I don't think is

391
00:23:11,166 --> 00:23:14,296
indicative of where we are now.

392
00:23:14,300 --> 00:23:16,470
And I would also mention this
-- I think the President has

393
00:23:16,467 --> 00:23:26,437
outlined close to $950 billion
in savings that he believes

394
00:23:26,433 --> 00:23:32,303
could be used to ensure that a
plan for health care reform is

395
00:23:32,300 --> 00:23:33,730
deficit-neutral.

396
00:23:33,734 --> 00:23:36,334
The Press:
But you're confident that the President's proposal or

397
00:23:36,333 --> 00:23:39,333
what he wants to sign is going
to be so dramatically different

398
00:23:39,333 --> 00:23:41,963
from what CBO looked at, that
you will ensure the bulk of the

399
00:23:41,967 --> 00:23:43,037
unemployed --

400
00:23:43,033 --> 00:23:45,263
Mr. Gibbs:
I think the committeethat's worked on that bill will

401
00:23:45,266 --> 00:23:48,136
tell you the bill
they have now is.

402
00:23:48,133 --> 00:23:53,933
Look, as I've said, Mark, the
President isn't looking to pass

403
00:23:53,934 --> 00:23:57,134
-- for Congress to pass and
for him to sign something that

404
00:23:57,133 --> 00:24:04,033
doesn't significantly cut the
amount of cost that families and

405
00:24:04,033 --> 00:24:06,033
small businesses
are struggling with.

406
00:24:06,033 --> 00:24:09,903
The President reiterated
yesterday that we shouldn't be a

407
00:24:09,900 --> 00:24:13,800
nation that sees tens of
millions of uninsured.

408
00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:19,400
And he has some very firm
principles in mind that have to

409
00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:21,470
be met as part of
health care reform.

410
00:24:21,467 --> 00:24:22,497
Ann.

411
00:24:22,500 --> 00:24:24,070
The Press:
How does that principle work, though?

412
00:24:24,066 --> 00:24:28,236
If he promises repeatedly that
Americans can keep the doctors

413
00:24:28,233 --> 00:24:32,463
and the health insurance they
like, if they like it, but if he

414
00:24:32,467 --> 00:24:35,497
succeeds in getting a kind
of a government plan, small

415
00:24:35,500 --> 00:24:38,830
businesses desert their private
insurers and go to a government

416
00:24:38,834 --> 00:24:43,234
plan, how can people keep the
doctors and plans they want if

417
00:24:43,233 --> 00:24:46,003
their employers opt out for --

418
00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:49,700
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, I guess I wouldn't necessarily subscribe

419
00:24:49,700 --> 00:24:56,000
to this notion that presenting a
public option with better choice

420
00:24:56,000 --> 00:25:02,830
and more competition will result
dramatically in employers

421
00:25:02,834 --> 00:25:06,104
dropping what they already have.

422
00:25:06,100 --> 00:25:10,970
The notion of injecting a public
option, we believe, will do

423
00:25:10,967 --> 00:25:15,537
exactly what I said in terms
of choice and competition.

424
00:25:15,533 --> 00:25:19,963
Having somebody ensure that
there is an affordable

425
00:25:19,967 --> 00:25:24,467
placeholder in the market I
think will have a dramatic

426
00:25:24,467 --> 00:25:26,737
effect in terms of driving
down costs, exactly what the

427
00:25:26,734 --> 00:25:28,734
President talks about each and
every time he talks

428
00:25:28,734 --> 00:25:30,004
about health care reform.

429
00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,270
The Press:
By the time Air Force
One arrived back here yesterday,

430
00:25:32,266 --> 00:25:35,896
the complaints on Capitol Hill
were that the government option

431
00:25:35,900 --> 00:25:39,570
would drive private
insurance out of business.

432
00:25:39,567 --> 00:25:42,167
How can he make sure
that doesn't happen?

433
00:25:42,166 --> 00:25:46,066
Mr. Gibbs:
I think the President
outlined pretty clearly

434
00:25:46,066 --> 00:25:49,236
yesterday, the principle to
ensure that if you like what you

435
00:25:49,233 --> 00:25:54,063
have, you can keep it; that the
injection of an option that

436
00:25:54,066 --> 00:26:00,596
ensures greater choice among
those that don't have access and

437
00:26:00,600 --> 00:26:05,000
competition that drives down
costs is an important option

438
00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:09,270
that has to be preserved
in this entire debate.

439
00:26:09,266 --> 00:26:10,196
The Press:
How can you promise that?

440
00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:13,130
How can you promise -- if
employers are in charge of

441
00:26:13,133 --> 00:26:16,633
providing insurance for their
employees, how can the President say --

442
00:26:16,633 --> 00:26:20,833
Mr. Gibbs:
Because the injection of competition will drive down costs.

443
00:26:20,834 --> 00:26:23,504
People -- other insurance
companies will follow that.

444
00:26:23,500 --> 00:26:27,600
You can't set a market -- if a
marketplace is set that is so

445
00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:30,430
vastly out of whack, people
have to make decisions.

446
00:26:30,433 --> 00:26:31,363
That's what we're --

447
00:26:31,367 --> 00:26:35,567
The Press:
But the reportsaid that there would be some millions

448
00:26:35,567 --> 00:26:40,037
knocked off of their private plans as a public option.

449
00:26:40,033 --> 00:26:42,063
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, Major, based on what I think we all acknowledge

450
00:26:42,066 --> 00:26:46,236
is an older proposal and not
one that's fully laid out.

451
00:26:46,233 --> 00:26:48,163
The Press:
Do you guys think you can offer a plan that's less

452
00:26:48,166 --> 00:26:51,996
expensive and people aren't
going to flock to it?

453
00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:54,670
Mr. Gibbs:
I think what happens in a marketplace like that, if I

454
00:26:54,667 --> 00:26:58,737
understand the free enterprise
system, is that increased choice

455
00:26:58,734 --> 00:27:02,104
in competition drives down the
prices for other insurance.

456
00:27:02,100 --> 00:27:07,100
That's why a strong public
option is necessary to ensure that competition.

457
00:27:07,100 --> 00:27:09,070
The Press:
But a free enterprise system, if the competitor -- one

458
00:27:09,066 --> 00:27:12,066
has an inexhaustible source of
tax revenue as a public option

459
00:27:12,066 --> 00:27:15,196
funded by the government might,
then the private sector can't --

460
00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:18,130
The Press:
That's the 11th question up there.

461
00:27:18,133 --> 00:27:19,633
Could we get some back here?

462
00:27:19,633 --> 00:27:21,263
Mr. Gibbs: Just by Major,
or by the first two rows?

463
00:27:21,266 --> 00:27:22,896
(laughter)

464
00:27:22,900 --> 00:27:26,030
The Press:
By Major -- 11, 11. We've counted.

465
00:27:26,033 --> 00:27:27,433
The Press:
We have a new record.

466
00:27:27,433 --> 00:27:28,863
The Press:
Could I ask just one?

467
00:27:28,867 --> 00:27:32,197
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me work my way back, Lester, so that I ensure

468
00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:35,000
that the 11 questions that Major
has had during our short period

469
00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:38,470
of time together -- let me give
a chance for somebody in the

470
00:27:38,467 --> 00:27:40,067
third and fourth row
to break that record.

471
00:27:40,066 --> 00:27:41,266
Peter.

472
00:27:41,266 --> 00:27:42,666
The Press:
Thank you, Robert.

473
00:27:42,667 --> 00:27:44,797
Back to the turtles
for a moment.

474
00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:49,530
How do you ensure the priorities
in the stimulus package are met?

475
00:27:49,533 --> 00:27:53,563
In Florida, 200 faculty and
staff are going to be laid off

476
00:27:53,567 --> 00:27:56,037
at a time when the state
transportation department is

477
00:27:56,033 --> 00:28:00,303
going to spend $3 million paving
a pathway for turtles so that

478
00:28:00,300 --> 00:28:02,430
they can safely cross a highway.

479
00:28:02,433 --> 00:28:05,003
Is that a priority --

480
00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:07,800
Mr. Gibbs:
I have not looked through the entire report.

481
00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:13,070
I think that, again, I'd point
out the number of inaccuracies

482
00:28:13,066 --> 00:28:17,866
and simply -- the entries in the
report that are simply wrong.

483
00:28:17,867 --> 00:28:20,737
The Press:
But I just have arebuttal on that one, and I

484
00:28:20,734 --> 00:28:24,264
guess the broader question is,
is it possible with a stimulus

485
00:28:24,266 --> 00:28:27,396
package of this size to
prioritize in a way to ensure

486
00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:29,770
that the money goes to
the worthiest projects?

487
00:28:29,767 --> 00:28:30,737
Mr. Gibbs:
Absolutely.

488
00:28:30,734 --> 00:28:38,804
That's exactly the system that
the President has set up.

489
00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:42,870
That's the priority
of any recovery plan.

490
00:28:42,867 --> 00:28:48,067
And I think that a reasonable
look at the spending thus far

491
00:28:48,066 --> 00:28:50,896
denotes that that's happened in
this case, that the priorities

492
00:28:50,900 --> 00:28:55,830
are being met, that funding is
going to where it's needed.

493
00:28:55,834 --> 00:29:02,504
But, look, you're using an
example of state budget priorities.

494
00:29:02,500 --> 00:29:07,670
As I said earlier in relation to
California, there are very few

495
00:29:07,667 --> 00:29:12,597
entities -- business, states,
the federal government -- that

496
00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:16,500
are immune to the type of
dramatic downturn that we've

497
00:29:16,500 --> 00:29:18,900
seen in the economy.

498
00:29:18,900 --> 00:29:24,830
I think that's why the President
endeavored to seek a recovery

499
00:29:24,834 --> 00:29:27,834
and reinvestment plan that would
actually make a difference.

500
00:29:27,834 --> 00:29:28,434
April.

501
00:29:28,433 --> 00:29:32,433
The Press:
Robert, the U.S. Conference of Mayors was very happy early on in this

502
00:29:32,433 --> 00:29:35,803
administration, saying they had
a friend in the White House when

503
00:29:35,800 --> 00:29:40,470
the President was engaging
them on the recovery plan.

504
00:29:40,467 --> 00:29:44,637
Now they're very, very upset
about the White House not

505
00:29:44,633 --> 00:29:46,433
crossing this picketing.

506
00:29:46,433 --> 00:29:48,763
Could you talk about that?

507
00:29:48,767 --> 00:29:54,067
Is the good of the whole
being neglected for one city?

508
00:29:54,066 --> 00:29:58,196
Mr. Gibbs:
No, I think the administration has denoted pretty clearly

509
00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:04,600
that obviously we
have worked with officials at a

510
00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:09,300
city, county, state level,
particularly as it relates to

511
00:30:09,300 --> 00:30:11,270
the recovery plan.

512
00:30:11,266 --> 00:30:16,966
But I think, as the statement
from me says clearly, it's not

513
00:30:16,967 --> 00:30:18,767
our policy to cross
the picket line.

514
00:30:18,767 --> 00:30:21,037
The Press:
So -- okay.

515
00:30:21,033 --> 00:30:23,363
And I'm going to go
hypothetically, but I want an

516
00:30:23,367 --> 00:30:25,067
answer, a real answer.

517
00:30:25,066 --> 00:30:27,236
(laughter)

518
00:30:27,233 --> 00:30:29,403
Mr. Gibbs:
I won't "contestation" then.

519
00:30:29,400 --> 00:30:30,000
(laughter)

520
00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:33,100
The Press:
Is that a real word? But here's the deal.

521
00:30:33,100 --> 00:30:38,800
If the conference, the three-day
conference, was in another city,

522
00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:42,230
would the high-profile White
House officials have attended?

523
00:30:42,233 --> 00:30:45,563
If it were in another city that
did not have any kind of picket-

524
00:30:45,567 --> 00:30:48,967
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, let me see if I'm accurately paraphrasing your question.

525
00:30:48,967 --> 00:30:53,697
If there wasn a picket line that
we wouldn't cross, would we go?

526
00:30:53,700 --> 00:30:55,800
The Press:
Right. In another city.

527
00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:58,370
Mr. Gibbs:
Again, our policy is we don't want to cross a picket line.

528
00:30:58,367 --> 00:31:03,497
So if there's not a picket line
in Smithville and that's where

529
00:31:03,500 --> 00:31:06,400
the conference is, we'll
go to the conference.

530
00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:09,970
The Press:
And also, another conference in July, the NAACP.

531
00:31:09,967 --> 00:31:12,497
We understand it looks very
favorable that the President

532
00:31:12,500 --> 00:31:15,000
could be speaking to the
nation's oldest civil rights organization?

533
00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:15,670
Is that true?

534
00:31:15,667 --> 00:31:17,397
And tell us why.

535
00:31:17,400 --> 00:31:21,800
Mr. Gibbs:
I think the President has spoken on a number of occasions.

536
00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:23,400
I have not seen the final thing.

537
00:31:23,400 --> 00:31:30,730
I assume, strongly, that he'll
go, and looks forward to

538
00:31:30,734 --> 00:31:35,134
honoring their
historic commitment.

539
00:31:35,133 --> 00:31:36,163
The Press:
What is his message?

540
00:31:36,166 --> 00:31:39,296
He's gone to Muslim America,
he's gone to Hispanic America.

541
00:31:39,300 --> 00:31:42,930
What is his message to black
America as the first African

542
00:31:42,934 --> 00:31:44,064
American President?

543
00:31:44,066 --> 00:31:46,436
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, let me not get
ahead of a speech that probably

544
00:31:46,433 --> 00:31:47,463
hasn't been written.

545
00:31:47,467 --> 00:31:48,397
David.

546
00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:50,630
The Press:
Thanks. Thirteen questions.

547
00:31:50,633 --> 00:31:53,263
(laughter)

548
00:31:53,266 --> 00:31:55,936
I'll settle for two.

549
00:31:55,934 --> 00:32:07,164
On the visitor log issue, while
the policy is under review

550
00:32:07,166 --> 00:32:12,166
you've denied two requests from
MSNBC and from crew, and then

551
00:32:12,166 --> 00:32:18,496
was quoted up by MSNBC, saying
that, in essence, there should

552
00:32:18,500 --> 00:32:20,630
be the right to hold secret
meetings in the White House, and

553
00:32:20,633 --> 00:32:24,433
he gave a forward examples
when that might be needed.

554
00:32:24,433 --> 00:32:27,363
Is it the position of the White
House that you need to hold

555
00:32:27,367 --> 00:32:30,397
secret meetings on
occasion here, and thus --

556
00:32:30,400 --> 00:32:34,170
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think there
are obviously occasions in which

557
00:32:34,166 --> 00:32:39,236
the President is going to meet
privately with advisors on

558
00:32:39,233 --> 00:32:47,563
topics that are of great
national importance, yes.

559
00:32:47,567 --> 00:32:50,997
The Press:
Okay, so then how does that square with a policy

560
00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:54,530
that might end up -- a policy
review that might end up

561
00:32:54,533 --> 00:32:56,233
releasing some visitor logs?

562
00:32:56,233 --> 00:33:03,733
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, let me not conclude the review that's underway.

563
00:33:03,734 --> 00:33:05,034
The Press:
And then secondly, just --

564
00:33:05,033 --> 00:33:07,103
The Press:
Why can't you give us a length of that review?

565
00:33:07,100 --> 00:33:08,270
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't have it.

566
00:33:08,266 --> 00:33:09,966
The Press:
But can you find it? Can you find out?

567
00:33:09,967 --> 00:33:11,367
Mr. Gibbs:
I will see if they have one, yes.

568
00:33:11,367 --> 00:33:12,937
The Press:
CNN is reporting that --

569
00:33:12,934 --> 00:33:13,864
Mr. Gibbs:
This is two --

570
00:33:13,867 --> 00:33:15,237
The Press:
This is two.

571
00:33:15,233 --> 00:33:17,033
The Press:
I just have one -- just one.

572
00:33:17,033 --> 00:33:20,533
Mr. Gibbs:
Just one big microphone, or just one big question?

573
00:33:20,533 --> 00:33:22,563
(laughter)

574
00:33:22,567 --> 00:33:23,737
The Press:
Both. Both.

575
00:33:23,734 --> 00:33:24,534
Mr. Gibbs:
Okay.

576
00:33:24,533 --> 00:33:26,663
The Press:
CNN is reporting that
State Department officials are

577
00:33:26,667 --> 00:33:30,197
working with Twitter and
other social networks to keep

578
00:33:30,200 --> 00:33:33,030
communications open with Iran.

579
00:33:33,033 --> 00:33:35,133
Is that something the White
House is involved with, too?

580
00:33:35,133 --> 00:33:35,963
Mr. Gibbs:
I will check.

581
00:33:35,967 --> 00:33:44,167
Obviously I think, as I said
earlier, ensuring an active free

582
00:33:44,166 --> 00:33:49,436
press on the ground, as well as
communications either through

583
00:33:49,433 --> 00:33:52,333
texting or Twitter are
incredibly important.

584
00:33:52,333 --> 00:33:58,633
I think, David, you are seeing
the yearning for change that the

585
00:33:58,633 --> 00:34:05,803
President talked about, and the
President has talked about, right now.

586
00:34:05,800 --> 00:34:13,670
I think the peaceable
demonstration and that yearning

587
00:34:13,667 --> 00:34:18,697
especially by youth in Iran is
heartening for the world to see

588
00:34:18,700 --> 00:34:20,500
and is important for
the world to see.

589
00:34:20,500 --> 00:34:26,070
The Press:
You said that U.S. interest with Iran haven't changed since last Thursday or Friday.

590
00:34:26,066 --> 00:34:29,736
Is it fair to say that
the talks the U.S.

591
00:34:29,734 --> 00:34:33,304
-- (inaudible) -- in addressing
those interests has gone much

592
00:34:33,300 --> 00:34:34,600
harder because of the
events of the last week?

593
00:34:34,600 --> 00:34:37,230
And is it going to be much more
difficult to build domestic

594
00:34:37,233 --> 00:34:39,803
political support for an
engagement strategy with

595
00:34:39,800 --> 00:34:43,100
Ahmadinejad as President
after a disputed election?

596
00:34:43,100 --> 00:34:46,900
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I've seen quite a few people in the last 24

597
00:34:46,900 --> 00:34:52,000
hours discuss a more vigorous
policy in engaging Iran, quite

598
00:34:52,000 --> 00:34:55,400
frankly, than I've seen
in any number of months.

599
00:34:55,400 --> 00:35:00,300
I think -- again, I'll go back
to what I said just a moment ago.

600
00:35:00,300 --> 00:35:05,430
I think you're seeing
the yearning for change.

601
00:35:05,433 --> 00:35:15,763
I think we're witnessing
something that we believe -- the

602
00:35:15,767 --> 00:35:19,637
world is witnessing something
that's tremendously important.

603
00:35:19,633 --> 00:35:24,733
The Press:
Robert, on the war funding, the Republicans have announced

604
00:35:24,734 --> 00:35:28,834
they're going to vote
en bloc against the war-funding measure.

605
00:35:28,834 --> 00:35:31,504
Does the administration believe
that Republicans or Democrats

606
00:35:31,500 --> 00:35:37,300
who vote against the war-funding
measure are putting our troops in danger?

607
00:35:37,300 --> 00:35:44,100
Mr. Gibbs:
I would note with
some irony the new message

608
00:35:44,100 --> 00:35:50,800
position of Republicans
on Capitol Hill.

609
00:35:50,800 --> 00:35:55,600
As I said last week, I think
there are many important reasons

610
00:35:55,600 --> 00:36:02,600
to support this supplemental
funding: ensuring our efforts in

611
00:36:02,600 --> 00:36:09,730
Afghanistan and Iraq; the
commitments that we've made to

612
00:36:09,734 --> 00:36:17,564
Pakistan to help; and as I
said last week, the extremely

613
00:36:17,567 --> 00:36:20,797
important efforts -- as the
World Health Organization

614
00:36:20,800 --> 00:36:24,070
denotes we have reached
internationally a pandemic

615
00:36:24,066 --> 00:36:28,396
stage, the important money
that's there for the preparation

616
00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:32,770
and response to what we and
others throughout the world

617
00:36:32,767 --> 00:36:40,967
assume will be another
visit from H1N1 this fall.

618
00:36:40,967 --> 00:36:44,697
I think for any number of
reasons, the administration

619
00:36:44,700 --> 00:36:50,670
strongly believes that a vote in
support of all of these measures

620
00:36:50,667 --> 00:36:52,297
is truly important.

621
00:36:52,300 --> 00:36:54,970
The Press:
And their reasoning they say is because of the IMF funding.

622
00:36:54,967 --> 00:36:58,737
In 1998, John Boehner said:
"Given the crises we have around

623
00:36:58,734 --> 00:37:02,234
the world, the U.S. needs to provide leadership.

624
00:37:02,233 --> 00:37:06,333
The only real
avenue is the IMF."

625
00:37:06,333 --> 00:37:07,803
Interesting change of position.

626
00:37:07,800 --> 00:37:09,270
Mr. Gibbs:
Have you gotten his response on that?

627
00:37:09,266 --> 00:37:12,596
The Press:
I'd like to hear yours.

628
00:37:12,600 --> 00:37:17,470
Mr. Gibbs:
The President made a
commitment at the G20 to ensure

629
00:37:17,467 --> 00:37:23,767
that as we watched an economic
downturn, we watched an even

630
00:37:23,767 --> 00:37:33,237
steeper downturn in exports,
which hurts not only -- it hurts

631
00:37:33,233 --> 00:37:37,233
all countries, but it hurts
particularly developing nations.

632
00:37:37,233 --> 00:37:46,633
This is important relief to
ensure that we have strong global trade.

633
00:37:46,633 --> 00:37:50,663
I don't think, given where we
are in the world economy, that

634
00:37:50,667 --> 00:37:57,037
we would want to see a
pullback in that commitment.

635
00:37:57,033 --> 00:38:01,233
And I think we should understand
that exports create jobs right

636
00:38:01,233 --> 00:38:02,433
here at home.

637
00:38:02,433 --> 00:38:07,163
The Press:
Robert, on immigration, what's the reason that the

638
00:38:07,166 --> 00:38:09,936
meeting has been
delayed week after week?

639
00:38:09,934 --> 00:38:12,304
Some Hispanic organizations
are saying that's because the

640
00:38:12,300 --> 00:38:16,030
President is losing ground in
the support in the House and in

641
00:38:16,033 --> 00:38:19,703
the Senate on immigration
reform discussion.

642
00:38:19,700 --> 00:38:24,570
Mr. Gibbs:
Unfortunately, the
schedule here is, as always, a

643
00:38:24,567 --> 00:38:26,137
work in progress.

644
00:38:26,133 --> 00:38:29,703
And for those reasons, the
meeting has been I think

645
00:38:29,700 --> 00:38:32,930
rescheduled to the -- I think
it's the 25th, if I have it off

646
00:38:32,934 --> 00:38:34,734
the top of my head.

647
00:38:34,734 --> 00:38:39,264
But the President remains
committed to working with

648
00:38:39,266 --> 00:38:41,636
Congress to seek changes
in our immigration law.

649
00:38:41,633 --> 00:38:47,303
But that doesn't -- but that's
not shifted because a meeting

650
00:38:47,300 --> 00:38:48,700
got pushed back on the schedule.

651
00:38:48,700 --> 00:38:49,570
Tim.

652
00:38:49,567 --> 00:38:51,967
The Press:
The House majority
leader said he has reason to

653
00:38:51,967 --> 00:38:55,367
believe that the President is
considering an executive order

654
00:38:55,367 --> 00:38:58,967
that would prevent the release
of the detainee abuse photos.

655
00:38:58,967 --> 00:39:01,297
Is that something the
President is considering?

656
00:39:01,300 --> 00:39:02,970
Mr. Gibbs:
Tim, all I'm going to say on this is that the

657
00:39:02,967 --> 00:39:11,737
President has committed to all
interested parties that he

658
00:39:11,734 --> 00:39:17,734
intends to do what's necessary
to keep those photos from being

659
00:39:17,734 --> 00:39:22,434
released, and that he intends
to keep that commitment.

660
00:39:22,433 --> 00:39:24,603
The Press:
Did he give Hoyer a reason to believe that?

661
00:39:24,600 --> 00:39:27,900
Mr. Gibbs:
I won't get into any private conversations.

662
00:39:27,900 --> 00:39:29,300
Lester, yes.

663
00:39:29,300 --> 00:39:31,270
The Press:
Thank you very much.

664
00:39:31,266 --> 00:39:36,236
Historian Victor Davis Hanson
cites what he terms, "The

665
00:39:36,233 --> 00:39:41,233
President's politically correct
canard that the Renaissance was

666
00:39:41,233 --> 00:39:45,433
fueled by Arab learning, and
the President's statement that

667
00:39:45,433 --> 00:39:48,303
abolition of slavery and
civil rights in the U.S.

668
00:39:48,300 --> 00:39:52,600
were accomplished without
violence," as two of seven

669
00:39:52,600 --> 00:39:54,400
presidential errors.

670
00:39:54,400 --> 00:39:57,030
And my question: Does the White
House believe Dr. Hanson is

671
00:39:57,033 --> 00:40:00,933
wrong, or do you believe your
speechwriters and the President

672
00:40:00,934 --> 00:40:04,204
made some mistakes?

673
00:40:04,200 --> 00:40:07,500
Mr. Gibbs:
Lester, I have to hand it to you that you have in only one

674
00:40:07,500 --> 00:40:12,130
question covered some
five or six centuries of world history.

675
00:40:12,133 --> 00:40:13,833
(laughter)

676
00:40:13,834 --> 00:40:19,834
The Press:
No, no, just mistakes
-- White House mistakes.

677
00:40:19,834 --> 00:40:23,464
Mr. Gibbs:
Should I ask you a question and you respond, or should I give a --

678
00:40:23,467 --> 00:40:25,367
The Press:
I'd be delighted --

679
00:40:25,367 --> 00:40:27,837
Mr. Gibbs:
At least you're not leaning into where you think the answer

680
00:40:27,834 --> 00:40:32,304
to such a historically significant and important question --

681
00:40:32,300 --> 00:40:35,900
I'm not familiar
with the work of the esteemed historian.

682
00:40:35,900 --> 00:40:38,100
I haven't seen it.

683
00:40:38,100 --> 00:40:44,870
I can assure you that not
knowing who this historian is,

684
00:40:44,867 --> 00:40:47,267
I'll put my money on
our speechwriters.

685
00:40:47,266 --> 00:40:50,796
The Press:
Thank you very much for getting back to us.