English subtitles for clip: File:8-21-09- White House Press Briefing.webm

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Mr. Gibbs:
Normally we start with
the week ahead, but --

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which is somewhat short,
given the week ahead.

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I know we've changed this
time a couple of times.

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The President will depart the
White House this afternoon at

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1:30, and have a brief statement on the Afghan elections at 1:20.

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The schedule for
Sunday, at 9:00 a.m.,

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the First Family will depart Camp David en route to Andrews

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Air Force Base, arriving
at Andrews at 9:40 --

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was somebody cheering
for that in the back?

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(laughter)

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Somebody seemed particularly
excited about that helicopter ride.

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At 9:45, the First Family
will depart Andrews en route to

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Martha's Vineyard, arriving at approximately 10:55 at Cape Cod 

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Coast Guard Air Station.

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That is open arrival.

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Bill will gaggle
on the flight up.

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The President will return
to Washington sometime --

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right now in the late afternoon of Sunday, August 30th.

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I do not have an
exact time for you.

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But as that gets closer, we'll
have a chance to talk about it.

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And with that, take us away.

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The Press:
Thank you.

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On the meeting with
former Senator Daschle,

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can you tell us a little bit about what they're talking about?

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Is it just health
care or other topics?

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Mr. Gibbs:
The guidance I have, that
they'll talk some about

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health care. I'm sure they'll
touch on other things that are

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going on. The meeting
started a few minutes late,

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so I don't have a
readout on it yet.

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We'll try to get a couple of
sentences for you on what they

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go over in the meeting.

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The Press:
Does the former Senator
have any sort of role

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for the administration in the
debate over overhauling the

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health care system?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Look, I think that
Senator Daschle,

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along with former Senator Dole
and others have put together

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ideas for bipartisan plans to
get through Congress and to the

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President's desk. Obviously it's
an issue that he's been working

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on for quite some time.

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He doesn't have a formal
role at the White House,

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but the President certainly
listens to his advice and

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counsel as he does
to many others.

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Yes, ma'am.

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The Press:
I have a question
on the economy.

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Ben Bernanke gave a speech today
that was more optimistic than a

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lot of people had expected, and
also the existing home sales

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were up more than 7% to their highest pace in two years.

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What do you -- what does the
White House think of that

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assessment that things
are getting better?

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And is it a sign that things are
getting better and that housing

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maybe is healing?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think, not wanting
to read too much into

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one day's statistics, I think
if you look over the course of

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several months, it does appear
that the housing market is

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bottoming out a bit, which
obviously was one of the reasons

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we got into the severity of the
economic downturn that we're in

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now. Obviously there's an
independence to the Fed that I

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don't want to get tremendously
involved in violating on an

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August Friday. But I would
simply reiterate what we've said

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before, which is the economy
that the President inherited 

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upon taking office was at
the brink, as many said,

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of sliding into a far deeper
recession or a possible

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depression. Actions taken to
stabilize our financial system,

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to get our economy moving again
through the recovery plan,

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to work to make the housing
market work more for Americans,

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to deal and address
foreclosures,

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pulled the American economy
back from that brink.

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Obviously, not unlike
the housing statistics,

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we see -- you see some good
and some not so good news,

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as the government releases its
statistics throughout the week.

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The President is pleased with
the fact that it appears we're

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making some progress in
stabilizing that economy,

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as I've talked about, but won't
be satisfied until we get the

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economy fully back on track, and
that we're growing the economy

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in a way that creates jobs for
the millions of Americans who

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continue to look for work
and thus far can't find it.

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Yes, sir.

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The Press:
Tell us how you see things
playing out after the

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President returns in September.

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Yesterday again Nancy Pelosi
said she couldn't pass the bill

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in the House without
the public option.

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You've got people like Kent
Conrad saying you can't pass a

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bill in the Senate
with the public option.

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How do you see things
unfolding in September?

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And eventually does it come down
to a conference committee kind

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of resolving differences between
the Senate and the House?

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Or just how do you kind of
project things in the fall?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Right. Well, look; obviously
you've got a myriad of opinions

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on either side. I know last
night the six Senate Finance 

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Committee members spent about 90
minutes, I'm told, on the phone 

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working through and making progress on their ideas.

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The White House has gotten an update on that phone call. Look --

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The Press:
How did you feel about that?

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Mr. Gibbs:
The reports from the phone call
were that they were making

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progress. I think they believe,
as the President strongly 

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believes, that they should
continue to work on a bipartisan 

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basis to try to get agreement on
what's outstanding in order to 

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get a bill to their committee
and hopefully out of their 

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committee in a timely fashion
when Congress returns in 

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September. So it's hard to know
exactly what's going to happen 

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then. We hope that the Senate
Finance Committee will continue 

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to work to make progress on that
side and we'll see what happens 

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in the House. In terms of --
it's hard for me to peer too far

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into the future in terms of conference committees 

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and all that stuff.

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The Press:
How about this thing that
was floated out there,

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splitting the bill and
having reconciliation?

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Because, that way -- with 51
votes you can get some things.

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Mr. Gibbs:
You know, I've certainly
read the reports on that.

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I haven't gotten a lot
from in here about that.

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Our focus is, as we've talked
about in this room over the past

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several days, our focus is on
working with Republicans and

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Democrats to get agreement on
something that the President can

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sign. Yes, ma'am.

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The Press:
As the President
leaves for vacation,

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it's been a long month of August
in the health care debate.

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Mr. Gibbs:
It's been a long week.

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The Press:
It's been a long
day already for me.

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(laughter)

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What has the President
learned this month,

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this make-it-or-break-it month,
as he heads into vacation,

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in terms of the
health care debate?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I hesitate to call
August the make-it-or -- no

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offense to -- I know you guys
have spent a lot of money on

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branding it the
make-it-or-break-it month.

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The Press:
It's been an important
month in the debate.

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Mr. Gibbs:
No, no -- right,
but here's my hunch.

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My hunch is that -- I don't know
which cable network will make

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September an even more
important month than August,

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and then if this thing gets to
October I can only imagine that

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that will soon be a
more important month.

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My sense of that is that -- not
to quote the President yesterday

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at the DNC -- but I think that
-- I think that much is always

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made of where things are at a
certain point in the process.

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The President's viewpoint
is, as you said in here,

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not to worry too much about the
24-hour news cycle and focus

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more on the overall process
and the overall policy.

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So, you know, I don't -- I
don't know that I would read a

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tremendous amount into any
specific time period like

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August. I mean, I think if you
look at -- if you look at the

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NBC poll, there's been obviously
a lot of heat and light around 

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town hall meetings.

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But the NBC poll showed that I
think roughly an equal number of

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people were more favorable about
health care based on town halls

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as they were less favorable, and
three-fifths of the country it

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didn't make any difference.

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So I do think the President has
used August in the town hall

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meetings that we've had
and the appearances,

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including the one
we had yesterday,

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and we'll do again in September
to continue to tell people about

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why health care
reform is important,

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why we can't afford
to do nothing,

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the stakes that are involved,
and to try to push back on the

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mistruths and misrepresentations
that we all know are still out

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there about health care reform.

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The Press:
I know you love it when
we do this -- so you're not

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saying that the President hasn't
learned anything over some pre

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-- some determined
amount of time, but --

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Mr. Gibbs:
No, you know, we haven't --

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The Press:
-- I mean, does he see
it as he needs to be now

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more of a vocal -- more of a
face out there in order to keep

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the message out there of what
reform he wants to see?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, you know, again, you know, I'm balancing that against all

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that I read about how the President is overexposed.

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So, you know, look, I think the
President is going to continue

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to be out front in September
and October in trying to get

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something done. I think he
understands, and I think we've

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made progress. Again, if you
look at what the NBC poll has,

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I think there's obviously --
the President's made some

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discernible progress on the
mistruth about government making

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end-of-life health care
decisions for seniors,

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which obviously isn't going to
happen; it's not in the bill.

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And I think him being out there
pushing forward on that rumor is

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why the American people and
seniors, based on that polling,

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don't believe that that exists
in the piece of legislation

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that's being considered now.

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The Press:
So, just a side note before
I get to my question --

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(laughter)

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-- the polling numbers, the polling stuff that you cited

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makes it look much better
than it actually is.

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The polling stuff shows a significant drop in support for

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a health care plan --

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Mr. Gibbs:
The NBC poll did not show that.

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The Press:
-- it shows a right
track/wrong track that has

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gotten much worse.

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Mr. Gibbs:
You want to help him
out with the poll?

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The Press:
It's a mixed bag.

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No, I would say
it's a mixed bag.

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(laughter)

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The Press:
All right, well, anyway --

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Mr. Gibbs:
I'll give you 30
seconds to respond.

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(laughter)

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The Press:
Despite official protests
from this government,

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on every level, the Scots
released the Lockerbie bomber.

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The President yesterday said he
hoped that they would place him

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under -- in Libya
under house arrest.

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Instead he gets a hero's
welcome; people are outraged.

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Mr. Gibbs:
Rightly so. I think the images
that we saw in Libya yesterday

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were outrageous and disgusting.

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We continue to express our
condolences to the families that

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lost a loved one as a result
of this terrorist murder.

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We communicated with
the Libyan government,

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and we continue to watch what
they do in the days going

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forward about this individual,
and understand that the video

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that you saw yesterday is
tremendously offensive to the

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survivors that, as I said,
lost a loved one in 1988.

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The Press:
They're like blowing
off the President.

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I mean, the guy who shook the
President's hand at the G8,

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who runs Libya, is
basically thumbing his

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nose at the President.

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, we're watching the
government to see how

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they respond. Yes, Helen.

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The Press:
Has the President ordered
any end of the contracts

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we have with the
assassination mercenaries?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Do you mean Blackwater?

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The Press:
Or anybody else.

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Mr. Gibbs:
I have -- I asked for an update,

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which I have not yet gotten,
on where we are in different

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contracts. I would -- as it
relates to CIA's use of

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contracting, I would point you
specifically to them for 

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responses on that.

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The Press:
I don't think they
would tell us.

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Mr. Gibbs:
They may tell you, Helen.

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If you use that sweet
voice on the phone,

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you never know
what you could get.

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(laughter)

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Savannah.

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The Press:
I want them to stop
killing people.

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Mr. Gibbs:
You should let them know.

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The Press:
You should, too.

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00:12:38,567 --> 00:12:41,697
(laughter)

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00:12:41,700 --> 00:12:44,270
You have the orders
-- you have the power.

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00:12:44,266 --> 00:12:46,466
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, ma'am.

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00:12:46,467 --> 00:12:48,267
The Press:
Did you say -- and I know
you were going to get a

235
00:12:48,266 --> 00:12:50,666
read on this, whether the
administration supports the idea

236
00:12:50,667 --> 00:12:52,167
of this split bill?

237
00:12:52,166 --> 00:12:57,066
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, like I said, almost
all of Legislative

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00:12:57,066 --> 00:13:00,736
Affairs is happily on vacation.
Most of them are bad at e-mail

239
00:13:00,734 --> 00:13:02,464
when they're sitting
in the building.

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00:13:02,467 --> 00:13:03,467
(laughter)

241
00:13:03,467 --> 00:13:04,867
The Press:
Is there really -- you've
been trying but you

242
00:13:04,867 --> 00:13:07,137
cannot get an answer?

243
00:13:07,133 --> 00:13:09,833
Mr. Gibbs:
Bill is at a house he described
as a beautiful place

244
00:13:09,834 --> 00:13:12,964
in the mountains of New Mexico,
and go figure that when my

245
00:13:12,967 --> 00:13:18,097
number comes up on his caller
ID that it gets ignored -- it

246
00:13:18,100 --> 00:13:19,900
somehow goes to voicemail.

247
00:13:19,900 --> 00:13:21,400
The Press:
So you have no idea whether
the administration --

248
00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:23,300
Mr. Gibbs:
I have not gotten any
further guidance on that.

249
00:13:23,300 --> 00:13:26,200
Again, I would tell you, as I've
told you all here throughout the

250
00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:31,970
week, our focus is on continuing
the process that's going on now,

251
00:13:31,967 --> 00:13:36,497
and the focus that Democrats and
Republicans work together to get

252
00:13:36,500 --> 00:13:38,970
a bill through the
Senate, the House,

253
00:13:38,967 --> 00:13:40,897
and ultimately to the
President's desk.

254
00:13:40,900 --> 00:13:43,600
The Press:
Okay, on that issue, one
of the readouts from the

255
00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:47,400
call last night suggested that
the Gang of Six is looking at

256
00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:50,930
scaling back ambitions, in
terms of health care reform.

257
00:13:50,934 --> 00:13:55,864
And my question to you is, is
bipartisanship so important to

258
00:13:55,867 --> 00:13:59,767
the President that he is willing
to scale back some of his plans

259
00:13:59,767 --> 00:14:01,467
to accomplish bipartisanship?

260
00:14:01,467 --> 00:14:03,037
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, again, I think
you'd have to look at what

261
00:14:03,033 --> 00:14:07,703
ultimately any -- the President
is going to evaluate ultimately

262
00:14:07,700 --> 00:14:11,170
any piece of legislation as to
whether it meets his goals and

263
00:14:11,166 --> 00:14:13,536
his principles for
health care reform.

264
00:14:13,533 --> 00:14:22,033
I've seen -- I'm told as part of
the 90-minute call that there

265
00:14:22,033 --> 00:14:26,363
wasn't a large amount of
time spent on this topic;

266
00:14:26,367 --> 00:14:32,437
that the focus was on continuing
their negotiations around

267
00:14:32,433 --> 00:14:35,903
comprehensive reform.

268
00:14:35,900 --> 00:14:41,570
The President's goal is not to
print a banner and sign a bill

269
00:14:41,567 --> 00:14:44,397
just so somebody can say
we've reformed health care.

270
00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:48,800
Specific goals and
principles -- cutting costs,

271
00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:52,530
increasing coverage, ensuring
that we have the type of

272
00:14:52,533 --> 00:14:57,703
insurance reforms that protect
consumers against the type of

273
00:14:57,700 --> 00:15:01,730
practices that we've seen in the
past -- those are part of the

274
00:15:01,734 --> 00:15:03,904
goals and principles
that he has.

275
00:15:03,900 --> 00:15:05,800
The Press:
Some of these members of
Congress have talked about

276
00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:07,970
something of a change of
heart or that they've learned

277
00:15:07,967 --> 00:15:10,297
something from attending
these town halls,

278
00:15:10,300 --> 00:15:13,200
and that it's changed how they
feel about what they should do

279
00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:16,370
with health care. And I wonder,
has the President learned

280
00:15:16,367 --> 00:15:19,637
anything or taken away
anything from the town halls?

281
00:15:19,633 --> 00:15:23,233
I mean, he seems to be in the
same place he was on health care

282
00:15:23,233 --> 00:15:27,033
reform. So have they had --
seeing those constituents -- has

283
00:15:27,033 --> 00:15:29,563
that had no impact on what he
thinks should be done?

284
00:15:29,567 --> 00:15:34,937
Mr. Gibbs:
No, look, I think -- I think
the President's -- what

285
00:15:34,934 --> 00:15:40,534
the President has taken away
from his town halls are, one,

286
00:15:40,533 --> 00:15:45,533
that we can have a discussion
about a very important issue,

287
00:15:45,533 --> 00:15:48,863
as he said, not above each
other but with each other.

288
00:15:48,867 --> 00:15:51,167
I think that was the case
yesterday on the phone calls

289
00:15:51,166 --> 00:15:57,066
that he got from the radio show,
the questions that he got in New

290
00:15:57,066 --> 00:16:00,136
Hampshire or Montana
or in Colorado,

291
00:16:00,133 --> 00:16:02,903
and other events that we've done
throughout the past few months

292
00:16:02,900 --> 00:16:05,330
on health care.

293
00:16:05,333 --> 00:16:08,333
And I think he continues to
be very resolved to getting

294
00:16:08,333 --> 00:16:11,263
something done on this issue.

295
00:16:11,266 --> 00:16:15,236
The President continues to
believe that the worst possible

296
00:16:15,233 --> 00:16:18,233
outcome is doing nothing,
because we know what happens

297
00:16:18,233 --> 00:16:20,363
when we do nothing, right?

298
00:16:20,367 --> 00:16:22,437
We know premiums are going
to continue to skyrocket.

299
00:16:22,433 --> 00:16:24,733
We know 14,000 people a day
are going to lose their health

300
00:16:24,734 --> 00:16:26,964
insurance. We know small
businesses are going to be

301
00:16:26,967 --> 00:16:28,937
unable to afford their coverage.

302
00:16:28,934 --> 00:16:32,434
They're either going to drop
the idea of covering employees,

303
00:16:32,433 --> 00:16:35,103
or drop the number of employees
that they have employed by the

304
00:16:35,100 --> 00:16:37,730
small business. And we know that
insurance companies are going to

305
00:16:37,734 --> 00:16:42,404
continue to discriminate based
on whether or not they believe 

306
00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:44,600
somebody has a preexisting
condition, or make a

307
00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:47,930
determination about whether
somebody is too sick to receive

308
00:16:47,934 --> 00:16:52,104
coverage. That's what doing
nothing -- that's what doing 

309
00:16:52,100 --> 00:16:55,000
nothing will do, and the
President is determined that 

310
00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:58,970
we're going to do something to
move this process along.

311
00:16:58,967 --> 00:16:59,797
The Press:
And real quickly --

312
00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:00,730
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

313
00:17:00,734 --> 00:17:01,664
The Press:
-- on vacation.

314
00:17:01,667 --> 00:17:03,897
You're probably aware that a
conservative group took a shot

315
00:17:03,900 --> 00:17:06,770
at the President for his
vacation on Martha's Vineyard.

316
00:17:06,767 --> 00:17:09,737
And I guess I just wanted to
get your response to that,

317
00:17:09,734 --> 00:17:14,504
but also just the larger issue
of him going somewhere -- the

318
00:17:14,500 --> 00:17:18,030
tony vacation spot, what your
response would be to those who

319
00:17:18,033 --> 00:17:19,433
say it's not appropriate.

320
00:17:19,433 --> 00:17:22,803
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think this is the
same individual that we've

321
00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:26,000
talked about in here who is the
recipient of -- just so we do

322
00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:31,670
this, so everybody understands
-- of the largest health care

323
00:17:31,667 --> 00:17:36,837
penalty ever issued by a federal
government for fraud for a

324
00:17:36,834 --> 00:17:39,834
company he was
the CEO of, right?

325
00:17:39,834 --> 00:17:41,334
So leaving that aside --

326
00:17:41,333 --> 00:17:47,933
(laughter)

327
00:17:47,934 --> 00:17:52,204
-- I don't think the American
people begrudge a President

328
00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:57,170
taking some time with his family
that's well earned and well 

329
00:17:57,166 --> 00:18:03,696
deserved for a few days to see
and spend time with them.

330
00:18:03,700 --> 00:18:04,870
Yes, ma'am.

331
00:18:04,867 --> 00:18:06,667
The Press:
Robert, can you shed any
more light -- you mentioned

332
00:18:06,667 --> 00:18:10,137
a couple of days ago that there
might be some events during the

333
00:18:10,133 --> 00:18:13,303
scheduled Vineyard vacation,
some conference calls.

334
00:18:13,300 --> 00:18:19,630
And second part, what
is "wee-weed up"?

335
00:18:19,633 --> 00:18:21,103
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know if I should
do that from the podium.

336
00:18:21,100 --> 00:18:23,330
(laughter)

337
00:18:23,333 --> 00:18:24,663
It's a phrase I use, but --

338
00:18:24,667 --> 00:18:26,097
The Press:
I'm not asking for a
demonstration. I just --

339
00:18:26,100 --> 00:18:27,600
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I was going to
have Bill do that.

340
00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:32,000
(laughter)

341
00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:35,800
Mr. Gibbs:
Let's do this in a way
that is family friendly.

342
00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:38,370
I think wee-weed up is when
people just get all nervous for

343
00:18:38,367 --> 00:18:42,797
no particular reason,
when they -- look,

344
00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:48,100
I think the way the President
used it was -- and I've talked

345
00:18:48,100 --> 00:18:52,770
to a few of you guys about this
-- in August of 2007, right,

346
00:18:52,767 --> 00:18:58,237
the rap on the President and the
campaign was they can't -- first

347
00:18:58,233 --> 00:19:02,363
of all, they're doing poorly in
Iowa; they can't possibly win

348
00:19:02,367 --> 00:19:05,537
the nomination, let alone the
presidency, right, so I'll leave 

349
00:19:05,533 --> 00:19:07,363
those predications aside.

350
00:19:07,367 --> 00:19:14,037
August of 2008, everybody was
nervous about whether the entire

351
00:19:14,033 --> 00:19:16,533
presidential campaign was
slipping out from underneath the

352
00:19:16,533 --> 00:19:19,733
hands of the President, who they
previously didn't think would

353
00:19:19,734 --> 00:19:21,604
actually be the nominee.

354
00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:26,270
So this is just -- this is sort
of an August pundit pattern

355
00:19:26,266 --> 00:19:34,236
between people getting overly
nervous for something that still

356
00:19:34,233 --> 00:19:37,233
has a long way to go.

357
00:19:37,233 --> 00:19:40,733
Bed-wetting is -- would
be probably the more

358
00:19:40,734 --> 00:19:42,264
consumer-friendly term for --

359
00:19:42,266 --> 00:19:44,836
(laughter)

360
00:19:44,834 --> 00:19:50,134
In terms of the first thing, I
think -- I think we'll have some

361
00:19:50,133 --> 00:19:51,803
surrogates out doing stuff.

362
00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:54,700
I don't anticipate the President
will break his vacation.

363
00:19:54,700 --> 00:19:57,000
The radio address later
today that we'll release,

364
00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:00,970
embargoed for tomorrow
morning, is on health care.

365
00:20:00,967 --> 00:20:03,597
And I do anticipate, as we
talked about -- have talked

366
00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:05,330
about throughout the
last several days,

367
00:20:05,333 --> 00:20:09,703
that he'll continue to touch
base with members of Congress in

368
00:20:09,700 --> 00:20:13,170
the House and the Senate on the
Finance Committee to check in

369
00:20:13,166 --> 00:20:16,766
with them about progress
that's being made. Yes, sir.

370
00:20:16,767 --> 00:20:17,637
The Press:
During vacation?

371
00:20:17,633 --> 00:20:18,933
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, sir.

372
00:20:18,934 --> 00:20:21,404
The Press:
Okay. Getting back to Bill's
questions about Libya,

373
00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:24,970
what effect is the show that
went on there on the tarmac

374
00:20:24,967 --> 00:20:29,637
yesterday going to have on
prospects for any improvement in

375
00:20:29,633 --> 00:20:31,063
relations with that country?

376
00:20:31,066 --> 00:20:39,166
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, we've
registered our outrage.

377
00:20:39,166 --> 00:20:44,736
We have discussed with the
Libyans what we think is

378
00:20:44,734 --> 00:20:50,664
appropriate, as we did with UK
and Scottish officials in our

379
00:20:50,667 --> 00:20:54,397
opposition to the
release to begin with.

380
00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:56,000
And all I can say,
going forward,

381
00:20:56,000 --> 00:21:02,630
is we'll continue to watch the
actions of this individual and

382
00:21:02,633 --> 00:21:03,833
the Libyan government.

383
00:21:03,834 --> 00:21:05,764
The Press:
Would you acknowledge that
the show that they put on

384
00:21:05,767 --> 00:21:08,997
yesterday when he arrived has
set back prospects for improved

385
00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:10,530
relations with Tripoli?

386
00:21:10,533 --> 00:21:13,363
Mr. Gibbs:
I'd feel comfortable saying
that the administration

387
00:21:13,367 --> 00:21:16,297
believes that the images that
were broadcast throughout the

388
00:21:16,300 --> 00:21:22,970
world were outrageous and
incredibly offensive to

389
00:21:22,967 --> 00:21:26,167
Americans, and particularly
offensive to those that lost a

390
00:21:26,166 --> 00:21:30,866
loved one on that flight many
years ago. Yes, ma'am.

391
00:21:30,867 --> 00:21:34,137
The Press:
What was the President's
specific reaction to

392
00:21:34,133 --> 00:21:36,333
the video when he saw it,
of Megrahi returning --

393
00:21:36,333 --> 00:21:42,403
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, I think I'm
conveying his sense and the

394
00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:46,600
administration's sense of what
those images encapsulated.

395
00:21:46,600 --> 00:21:48,500
The Press:
The President said the
Cash for Clunkers program

396
00:21:48,500 --> 00:21:51,400
was successful beyond
anybody's imagination.

397
00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:54,430
If that's the case,
why are you ending it?

398
00:21:54,433 --> 00:21:58,633
Mr. Gibbs:
Because this was a
temporary program to assist

399
00:21:58,633 --> 00:22:07,663
consumers, manufacturers, car
dealers, in replacing old,

400
00:22:07,667 --> 00:22:13,867
outdated cars that got far less
efficient miles per gallon -- to

401
00:22:13,867 --> 00:22:20,337
trade that in for one that gets
far better miles per gallon.

402
00:22:20,333 --> 00:22:24,763
The program was designed to
be temporary and has been

403
00:22:24,767 --> 00:22:30,437
enormously successful, so much
so that we're winding it down to

404
00:22:30,433 --> 00:22:34,303
ensure that all the applications
will be funded with the $3

405
00:22:34,300 --> 00:22:37,870
billion that Congress
approved in two steps.

406
00:22:37,867 --> 00:22:41,167
The Press:
So the money has been
ran out to keep funding it?

407
00:22:41,166 --> 00:22:46,066
Mr. Gibbs:
Right. The program
has reached its limit.

408
00:22:46,066 --> 00:22:49,836
Again, this wasn't a program
that was originally designed

409
00:22:49,834 --> 00:22:55,834
based on a time frame with an
unending amount of funding;

410
00:22:55,834 --> 00:22:58,104
there was, as you all know,
first a billion dollars

411
00:22:58,100 --> 00:23:01,400
appropriated through the
supplemental appropriations.

412
00:23:01,400 --> 00:23:10,570
Congress then, concerned that
the program needed more funding

413
00:23:10,567 --> 00:23:15,867
and was doing well, approved
an additional $2 billion.

414
00:23:15,867 --> 00:23:19,037
I will say that thus far the
government has approved and

415
00:23:19,033 --> 00:23:24,633
processed 170,000 applications
in roughly a three-week period

416
00:23:24,633 --> 00:23:28,233
of time. The program, as
it was originally designed,

417
00:23:28,233 --> 00:23:33,933
was to process about 250,000
applications in a three-month

418
00:23:33,934 --> 00:23:35,634
period of time.

419
00:23:35,633 --> 00:23:39,063
To address any concern about
the backlog and the number of

420
00:23:39,066 --> 00:23:42,036
applications that we've received
in that short period of time,

421
00:23:42,033 --> 00:23:45,063
as the President said yesterday,
we've tripled the number of

422
00:23:45,066 --> 00:23:48,796
people that are processing
those applications.

423
00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:52,000
And I know there's been a lot of
discussion out there about this,

424
00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:59,100
but the law states that a dealer
should receive reimbursement

425
00:23:59,100 --> 00:24:04,700
within 10 days of a completed
and approved -- meaning

426
00:24:04,700 --> 00:24:09,270
processed and approved --
application for reimbursement of

427
00:24:09,266 --> 00:24:11,766
assistance through the program.

428
00:24:11,767 --> 00:24:14,467
The program is
meeting that deadline.

429
00:24:14,467 --> 00:24:19,937
What we're experiencing is you
get these applications based on

430
00:24:19,934 --> 00:24:22,664
a sale, some of them
are not completed,

431
00:24:22,667 --> 00:24:26,697
some of them lack information
or have been filled out wrong.

432
00:24:26,700 --> 00:24:28,300
That takes some time.

433
00:24:28,300 --> 00:24:31,170
Once they're processed
and approved,

434
00:24:31,166 --> 00:24:36,466
we're meeting the 10-day
window of reimbursement.

435
00:24:36,467 --> 00:24:41,767
And I would also mention
that I think as of today,

436
00:24:41,767 --> 00:24:50,467
each of the -- or all major
automakers are now supporting

437
00:24:50,467 --> 00:24:55,097
any liquidity problems
that dealers might have,

438
00:24:55,100 --> 00:25:00,070
in that 10-day period of time,
by covering some of the money

439
00:25:00,066 --> 00:25:03,636
that's been extended for the
program. Again, I think the

440
00:25:03,633 --> 00:25:06,263
President was correct. The
program has been enormously 

441
00:25:06,266 --> 00:25:09,136
successful. Yes, sir.

442
00:25:09,133 --> 00:25:11,033
The Press:
Just picking up on that, Robert,

443
00:25:11,033 --> 00:25:13,503
and I may be wrong on this -- I
thought when Congress originally

444
00:25:13,500 --> 00:25:16,800
authorized this, they
imagined up to $4 billion.

445
00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:19,870
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, we originally requested
-- our original idea

446
00:25:19,867 --> 00:25:21,837
was to request $4
billion, right?

447
00:25:21,834 --> 00:25:22,834
The Press:
Right, okay.

448
00:25:22,834 --> 00:25:25,034
Mr. Gibbs:
Congress, as part of the
supplemental appropriations,

449
00:25:25,033 --> 00:25:26,303
approved $1 billion.

450
00:25:26,300 --> 00:25:27,470
The Press:
Right, of appropriation.

451
00:25:27,467 --> 00:25:30,997
Mr. Gibbs:
Right. When that $1 billion
was nearing its finality,

452
00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:33,500
an additional $2
billion -- so, again --

453
00:25:33,500 --> 00:25:34,400
The Press:
I guess what I'm saying is,

454
00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:37,970
since you imagined $4 billion,
why stop at $3 billion?

455
00:25:37,967 --> 00:25:39,797
Mr. Gibbs:
Well --

456
00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:40,830
The Press:
It has been -- I mean,

457
00:25:40,834 --> 00:25:42,464
it has clearly been
successful. People like it.

458
00:25:42,467 --> 00:25:44,067
Why not go up to $4 billion?

459
00:25:44,066 --> 00:25:45,796
Mr. Gibbs:
It was designed to be
a temporary program.

460
00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:51,570
And there's no way now to get
-- I mean, in all honesty,

461
00:25:51,567 --> 00:25:54,667
there's no way to get additional
money with Congress out of town.

462
00:25:54,667 --> 00:26:00,067
So, obviously, in order to --
in order to move that money,

463
00:26:00,066 --> 00:26:01,036
we'd have to --

464
00:26:01,033 --> 00:26:02,303
The Press:
No, I understand the calendar.

465
00:26:02,300 --> 00:26:03,730
I'm just curious if once
they do come back --

466
00:26:03,734 --> 00:26:05,704
Mr. Gibbs:
It's more the
Constitution, but yes.

467
00:26:05,700 --> 00:26:08,400
The Press:
Well, calendars and
Constitution, pick a C-word.

468
00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:11,200
When they come back, would the
administration give thought to

469
00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:13,300
maybe seeking more
money, an extra billion,

470
00:26:13,300 --> 00:26:14,970
to go up to that $4
billion or reassess that?

471
00:26:14,967 --> 00:26:16,437
Mr. Gibbs:
At this point -- at
this point we --

472
00:26:16,433 --> 00:26:18,063
The Press:
Dealers should not
expect anything,

473
00:26:18,066 --> 00:26:19,296
another go-round?

474
00:26:19,300 --> 00:26:22,330
Mr. Gibbs:
No, they should not --
they have until I believe

475
00:26:22,333 --> 00:26:25,663
it's 8:00 p.m.
Eastern on Monday.

476
00:26:25,667 --> 00:26:28,997
Based on the flow of
applications that we received,

477
00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:34,430
the administration is confident
that that's an appropriate time

478
00:26:34,433 --> 00:26:38,803
to end the program and be able
to process and fund all the

479
00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:41,070
applications that
have been involved.

480
00:26:41,066 --> 00:26:44,236
The Press:
Okay. When Tom Daschle was with
the bipartisan group that you

481
00:26:44,233 --> 00:26:48,263
mentioned on June 17th, he
talked about the public option,

482
00:26:48,266 --> 00:26:51,266
and he said, "We're concerned
the ongoing health reform debate

483
00:26:51,266 --> 00:26:53,766
is beginning to show signs of
fracture on the public plan

484
00:26:53,767 --> 00:26:57,367
issue. So in order to advance a
process of developing bipartisan

485
00:26:57,367 --> 00:27:00,797
legislation and move it forward,
it is time to find consensus.

486
00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:03,370
We suggest allowing states the
option of establishing plans of

487
00:27:03,367 --> 00:27:06,937
their own." It goes on, but the
bottom line was, even then in

488
00:27:06,934 --> 00:27:10,534
mid-June, when the polling data
was a bit better than it is now,

489
00:27:10,533 --> 00:27:13,203
the town halls had not become a
topic of conversation across the

490
00:27:13,200 --> 00:27:17,630
country, then Tom Daschle was
saying the public plan is an

491
00:27:17,633 --> 00:27:20,703
impediment to a final product.

492
00:27:20,700 --> 00:27:23,200
Is the meeting today about
talking the President into

493
00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,030
believing that, or talking Tom
Daschle out of believing that?

494
00:27:26,033 --> 00:27:30,803
Or is this something that you'd
like to evaluate in what he said

495
00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:32,070
then and where we are now?

496
00:27:32,066 --> 00:27:34,366
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, first let me get a readout
on what is discussed, rather

497
00:27:34,367 --> 00:27:36,497
than predicting what
might be discussed.

498
00:27:36,500 --> 00:27:42,930
But more importantly, I think,
as the President said yesterday,

499
00:27:42,934 --> 00:27:47,364
said last Saturday,
as others have said,

500
00:27:47,367 --> 00:27:52,097
we have to have choice and
competition to ensure quality,

501
00:27:52,100 --> 00:27:54,530
to drive down cost.

502
00:27:54,533 --> 00:27:59,603
And to achieve that, the
preference is the public option,

503
00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:03,070
but we're open to discussing
other ideas like the one Senator

504
00:28:03,066 --> 00:28:06,766
Daschle, former Senator Dole
and I think former Senator --

505
00:28:06,767 --> 00:28:09,437
The Press:
So he would not disagree with
that assessment then or now?

506
00:28:09,433 --> 00:28:12,233
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think he would
-- I think he will use,

507
00:28:12,233 --> 00:28:15,833
no doubt, the opportunity to
talk about where we are on

508
00:28:15,834 --> 00:28:18,734
health care, ideas for
continuing to make progress,

509
00:28:18,734 --> 00:28:20,764
and I'm sure that's a
topic that will come up.

510
00:28:20,767 --> 00:28:22,597
The Press:
Following up on Bill's question,

511
00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:25,700
the Post poll this morning
has 49 percent of the country

512
00:28:25,700 --> 00:28:27,970
believes the President can and
will make the right decision;

513
00:28:27,967 --> 00:28:29,767
that's down from 60
at the 100-day mark.

514
00:28:29,767 --> 00:28:32,737
Fifty-five percent in the poll
-- I know it's just one poll --

515
00:28:32,734 --> 00:28:35,704
pretty seriously believe the
country is on the wrong track.

516
00:28:35,700 --> 00:28:37,200
And I'm just wondering
if the White House --

517
00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:40,670
Mr. Gibbs:
I think that's down
significantly -- what was that

518
00:28:40,667 --> 00:28:43,337
number in November of last year?

519
00:28:43,333 --> 00:28:44,663
The Press:
I can't tell you. I don't know.

520
00:28:44,667 --> 00:28:46,867
Mr. Gibbs:
I think it was in the
70s, but go ahead.

521
00:28:46,867 --> 00:28:49,737
The Press:
It's different than it was
in January or February,

522
00:28:49,734 --> 00:28:50,904
in a negative sense.

523
00:28:50,900 --> 00:28:53,030
I'm just wondering if you have
any -- or the White House has

524
00:28:53,033 --> 00:28:55,533
any anxiety that the broader
health care debate is not just

525
00:28:55,533 --> 00:28:59,103
changing the numbers possibly
temporarily on the health care

526
00:28:59,100 --> 00:29:02,230
question, but is having a
material effect on the way the

527
00:29:02,233 --> 00:29:03,863
entire presidency
is being viewed,

528
00:29:03,867 --> 00:29:07,367
and the way the public retains
confidence in the presidency.

529
00:29:07,367 --> 00:29:10,297
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, the short answer
would be no based on the

530
00:29:10,300 --> 00:29:13,900
fact that one of the numbers you
didn't discuss is the President,

531
00:29:13,900 --> 00:29:17,370
in that poll, his overall
approval rating is at 57 percent

532
00:29:17,367 --> 00:29:21,997
-- a fairly healthy number
for a President's

533
00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:23,970
approval rating. But --

534
00:29:23,967 --> 00:29:26,937
The Press:
-- gave you all the numbers
you'd have nothing to say.

535
00:29:26,934 --> 00:29:28,564
Mr. Gibbs:
I appreciate you giving
me the opportunity to

536
00:29:28,567 --> 00:29:32,297
fill in what's left.

537
00:29:32,300 --> 00:29:35,000
Look, I think the President
would be the first to tell you,

538
00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:40,430
as he said throughout this, that
this is a complex issue and that

539
00:29:40,433 --> 00:29:44,203
health care reform has never
been easy and that this process

540
00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:47,800
is one that is messy.

541
00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:53,530
I don't doubt that -- look, if
you look and just -- if you ask

542
00:29:53,533 --> 00:29:56,803
people -- again, going back to
some of these other polling --

543
00:29:56,800 --> 00:30:05,030
if you're seeing information
that as a result of this bill 55

544
00:30:05,033 --> 00:30:07,663
percent of the American people
believe illegal immigrants are

545
00:30:07,667 --> 00:30:11,097
going to get health care
as a result of this bill,

546
00:30:11,100 --> 00:30:15,730
despite the fact that the bill
prohibits that -- I don't doubt

547
00:30:15,734 --> 00:30:19,404
that that weighs down on
people's perception of the bill

548
00:30:19,400 --> 00:30:21,800
if a majority of the people
think something that we know is

549
00:30:21,800 --> 00:30:26,030
knowingly untrue and that if
people continue to hear that,

550
00:30:26,033 --> 00:30:29,233
something that's knowingly
untrue is repeated.

551
00:30:29,233 --> 00:30:30,663
The Press:
Well, I wasn't driving
nearly so much as the

552
00:30:30,667 --> 00:30:33,437
poll numbers on
health care itself,

553
00:30:33,433 --> 00:30:37,463
but on the overall view of the
presidency and his ability to

554
00:30:37,467 --> 00:30:40,767
bring change or be effective or
retain the confidence of the

555
00:30:40,767 --> 00:30:42,767
American people, because there
is some indication that the

556
00:30:42,767 --> 00:30:45,567
numbers have dipped here, during
the intensity of this health

557
00:30:45,567 --> 00:30:47,867
care debate. I'm just asking
you, is there a broader effect

558
00:30:47,867 --> 00:30:49,437
here on the White House?

559
00:30:49,433 --> 00:30:52,003
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, we'll continue
to evaluate that,

560
00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:58,930
but I'll tell you, Major,
whether it's looking at -- I

561
00:30:58,934 --> 00:31:02,234
think you can look at any poll
before the President made a

562
00:31:02,233 --> 00:31:06,663
decision about extending money
to the automobile companies so

563
00:31:06,667 --> 00:31:09,237
they didn't go out of business
-- not necessarily the most

564
00:31:09,233 --> 00:31:14,503
popular thing. Increasing our
troop strength in Afghanistan

565
00:31:14,500 --> 00:31:21,670
wasn't necessarily the
most popular thing.

566
00:31:21,667 --> 00:31:23,867
Those are decisions, though,
that the President believes was

567
00:31:23,867 --> 00:31:27,067
in the best interest -- in
the automobile decision,

568
00:31:27,066 --> 00:31:29,836
about the economy; in the
Afghanistan decision,

569
00:31:29,834 --> 00:31:32,604
about our national security
and ultimately in our national

570
00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:36,800
interest. So we'll certainly
continue to look at them,

571
00:31:36,800 --> 00:31:41,330
but the President will continue
to make decisions on what he

572
00:31:41,333 --> 00:31:44,403
believes is important and the
steps that have to be taken on

573
00:31:44,400 --> 00:31:47,600
the economy or on our national
security or on health care based

574
00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,700
on what he thinks is in the
country's best interest.

575
00:31:50,700 --> 00:31:55,300
Whether or not it starts out or
at the midpoint is less popular,

576
00:31:55,300 --> 00:31:58,830
that's our job to
fix. Yes, ma'am.

577
00:31:58,834 --> 00:32:02,164
The Press:
So, Robert, in addition to being the President's friend and the

578
00:32:02,166 --> 00:32:04,366
former Democratic leader, obviously Tom Daschle is also a

579
00:32:04,367 --> 00:32:07,067
paid consultant to health care industries -- UnitedHealth --

580
00:32:07,066 --> 00:32:10,266
there have been
stories about that.

581
00:32:10,266 --> 00:32:12,536
I'm wondering, does that
hinder his ability to give the

582
00:32:12,533 --> 00:32:14,003
President honest advice?

583
00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:15,330
Mr. Gibbs:
No.

584
00:32:15,333 --> 00:32:17,163
The Press:
Is there a vetting process
to know who exactly he's

585
00:32:17,166 --> 00:32:19,336
representing when he goes into
the Oval Office to talk to the

586
00:32:19,333 --> 00:32:20,703
President on health care?

587
00:32:20,700 --> 00:32:25,030
Mr. Gibbs:
We're not -- the President,
as you mentioned,

588
00:32:25,033 --> 00:32:29,103
has had a relationship with
Senator Daschle that dates back

589
00:32:29,100 --> 00:32:36,030
to 2003 and 2004 when they
were both on the ballot.

590
00:32:36,033 --> 00:32:39,803
The President knows and expects
that when he asks Senator

591
00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:43,230
Daschle a question, that he's
getting the opinion of Senator

592
00:32:43,233 --> 00:32:45,233
Daschle and not anybody else.

593
00:32:45,233 --> 00:32:46,903
The Press:
And how often have they
been in contact on --

594
00:32:46,900 --> 00:32:48,830
have they talked --

595
00:32:48,834 --> 00:32:49,734
Mr. Gibbs:
Currently.

596
00:32:49,734 --> 00:32:51,404
(laughter)

597
00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:52,800
The Press:
I realize that.

598
00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:56,870
(cell phone rings)

599
00:32:56,867 --> 00:32:57,937
The Press:
It wasn't me.

600
00:32:57,934 --> 00:33:00,804
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm itching to take a phone right before vacation.

601
00:33:00,800 --> 00:33:03,170
I don't know when the last
time they talked before this.

602
00:33:03,166 --> 00:33:04,696
I think it's been
quite some time.

603
00:33:04,700 --> 00:33:05,900
The Press:
And will we get a readout --

604
00:33:05,900 --> 00:33:08,200
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes. Yes, sir.

605
00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:10,600
The Press:
I was having a conversation
with Congressman

606
00:33:10,600 --> 00:33:13,330
Leonard Boswell a week or so ago
in Iowa and he said that the

607
00:33:13,333 --> 00:33:16,503
President had told him and a
group of other lawmakers that he

608
00:33:16,500 --> 00:33:20,100
was willing to be a one-term
President if it -- if that meant

609
00:33:20,100 --> 00:33:22,400
getting health care
reform through.

610
00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:25,370
Is that a message that you've
heard him say and that he has

611
00:33:25,367 --> 00:33:28,897
said to other groups, other
lawmakers, and is that his view?

612
00:33:28,900 --> 00:33:31,370
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I don't know that
I've specifically heard it

613
00:33:31,367 --> 00:33:33,667
around health care, Jeff, but I
have heard him -- I have heard

614
00:33:33,667 --> 00:33:40,837
the President say that if making
tough decisions in getting

615
00:33:40,834 --> 00:33:43,764
important things done that
Washington has failed to deal

616
00:33:43,767 --> 00:33:50,497
with for decades means that he
only lives in this house and

617
00:33:50,500 --> 00:33:52,430
makes those decisions
for four years,

618
00:33:52,433 --> 00:33:56,333
he's quite
comfortable with that.

619
00:33:56,333 --> 00:34:00,503
The way he approaches this
issue, the economy, Afghanistan,

620
00:34:00,500 --> 00:34:05,270
Iraq -- any of these issues
-- is not in a mode of

621
00:34:05,266 --> 00:34:10,596
self-preservation, but in a
mode of how best -- how best,

622
00:34:10,600 --> 00:34:12,430
given all of the
information out there,

623
00:34:12,433 --> 00:34:15,363
how best can he make decisions
that he thinks are in the best

624
00:34:15,367 --> 00:34:20,237
interest of the American people
-- not what's in the best

625
00:34:20,233 --> 00:34:24,963
interest of his personal
polling numbers. Yes, sir.

626
00:34:24,967 --> 00:34:27,837
The Press:
Does the President plan
any policy announcement

627
00:34:27,834 --> 00:34:31,834
next month regarding the closing
of the detention facility in

628
00:34:31,834 --> 00:34:36,234
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?

629
00:34:36,233 --> 00:34:38,533
Mr. Gibbs:
Obviously we've got several
task forces that are

630
00:34:38,533 --> 00:34:43,503
evaluating the detainees
that are there and making

631
00:34:43,500 --> 00:34:46,730
determinations about what comes
next in order to comply with the

632
00:34:46,734 --> 00:34:51,234
President's executive order of
January 21 to close Guantanamo

633
00:34:51,233 --> 00:34:55,663
Bay within a year. I don't know
of any specific timelines for

634
00:34:55,667 --> 00:35:00,197
announcements coming next month.
Obviously we've had -- the 

635
00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:05,470
administration had a
multijurisdictional visit to a

636
00:35:05,467 --> 00:35:10,597
facility in Standish, Michigan,
and despite the fact that no

637
00:35:10,600 --> 00:35:15,470
final decisions had been made
and the principals committee on

638
00:35:15,467 --> 00:35:19,337
these issues continues to meet
with -- meet as a group and

639
00:35:19,333 --> 00:35:23,163
meet with the President. I don't
have in front of me any notion 

640
00:35:23,166 --> 00:35:25,266
of a timeline for a decision.

641
00:35:25,266 --> 00:35:27,766
The Press:
It's my understanding that
the President needs to

642
00:35:27,767 --> 00:35:31,297
submit some sort of plan to
Congress before the start of the

643
00:35:31,300 --> 00:35:34,300
next fiscal year,
October 1. Is that your

644
00:35:34,300 --> 00:35:35,530
understanding, as well?

645
00:35:35,533 --> 00:35:37,403
Mr. Gibbs:
I would have to double-check.

646
00:35:37,400 --> 00:35:44,700
I know there's some -- I know
there's some requirements on --

647
00:35:44,700 --> 00:35:49,600
task force requirements that
relate to information that's in

648
00:35:49,600 --> 00:35:51,600
the -- that was passed as
part of the supplemental.

649
00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:53,270
I'd have to check
on where that is.

650
00:35:53,266 --> 00:35:58,436
As we talked about earlier, or
in one of the morning meetings,

651
00:35:58,433 --> 00:36:01,933
part of the legislation also
requires that Congress be

652
00:36:01,934 --> 00:36:06,104
notified about any potential
detainee transfers.

653
00:36:06,100 --> 00:36:09,730
I think I mentioned it on August
7, Congress was notified that up

654
00:36:09,734 --> 00:36:16,104
to six potential -- six current Guantanamo Bay detainees could

655
00:36:16,100 --> 00:36:18,800
be transferred within
the next few weeks.

656
00:36:18,800 --> 00:36:21,230
The Press:
There's a 60-day Obey
language in the supplemental

657
00:36:21,233 --> 00:36:22,863
about a report on Guantanamo.

658
00:36:22,867 --> 00:36:25,667
But I believe that the deadline
for that comes up next week.

659
00:36:25,667 --> 00:36:29,697
Mr. Gibbs:
Right. I think there is -- there
is some sort of -- I can't bring

660
00:36:29,700 --> 00:36:32,100
it out here, because it's
a classified document.

661
00:36:32,100 --> 00:36:33,630
But it's a -- it's --

662
00:36:33,633 --> 00:36:35,103
The Press:
Will any element of
that be released?

663
00:36:35,100 --> 00:36:36,830
Mr. Gibbs:
I will -- I will check on that.

664
00:36:36,834 --> 00:36:38,504
I know there's a
deadline that looms.

665
00:36:38,500 --> 00:36:40,470
It may be next Monday.

666
00:36:40,467 --> 00:36:42,167
The Press:
I think it's Sunday or Monday.

667
00:36:42,166 --> 00:36:44,866
The Press:
One final question
regarding this.

668
00:36:44,867 --> 00:36:48,097
Do you rule out the possibility
of President Obama traveling to

669
00:36:48,100 --> 00:36:50,830
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?

670
00:36:50,834 --> 00:36:56,464
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't see why he would. I
don't -- I don't necessarily see

671
00:36:56,467 --> 00:36:59,497
the need for him to go. Deb.

672
00:36:59,500 --> 00:37:01,130
The Press:
Congressman Pete Hoekstra,

673
00:37:01,133 --> 00:37:04,003
who is the ranking Republican
on the House Intel Committee,

674
00:37:04,000 --> 00:37:09,770
says that if Standish is picked
as the eventual place to keep

675
00:37:09,767 --> 00:37:14,667
the Guantanamo Bay detainees,
that it would be a magnet for

676
00:37:14,667 --> 00:37:19,537
terrorists. And the Michigan
State Senate passed a resolution

677
00:37:19,533 --> 00:37:24,503
asking the administration to
declassify information so that 

678
00:37:24,500 --> 00:37:28,500
the governor and legislators can
make the decision for themselves 

679
00:37:28,500 --> 00:37:31,200
about the safety of communities.

680
00:37:31,200 --> 00:37:34,230
What is the administration's
position on that?

681
00:37:34,233 --> 00:37:39,903
Mr. Gibbs:
I can certainly -- let me check
on the declassification.

682
00:37:39,900 --> 00:37:46,370
Deb, obviously, we are working
with local communities --

683
00:37:46,367 --> 00:37:50,967
obviously, the
multijurisdictional visit met

684
00:37:50,967 --> 00:37:57,597
with local officials to
discuss the possibilities.

685
00:37:57,600 --> 00:38:01,600
As I said, though, no final
decisions have been made.

686
00:38:01,600 --> 00:38:10,800
And I think it bears repeating,
you know, we -- I forget the

687
00:38:10,800 --> 00:38:12,900
number; I used to have
this number in my head.

688
00:38:12,900 --> 00:38:18,730
But, you know, we -- there are a
number of individuals that have

689
00:38:18,734 --> 00:38:25,034
been convicted of, or are
being held because of,

690
00:38:25,033 --> 00:38:28,463
their involvement in terrorism
in prisons throughout this

691
00:38:28,467 --> 00:38:31,697
country very safely.

692
00:38:31,700 --> 00:38:35,670
There's a supermax facility
in Colorado that holds some

693
00:38:35,667 --> 00:38:42,437
particularly gruesome
individuals that have yet to --

694
00:38:42,433 --> 00:38:49,933
the conditions around that town
have yet to devolve into what

695
00:38:49,934 --> 00:38:53,364
Congressman Hoekstra seems
to predict might happen in a

696
00:38:53,367 --> 00:38:55,697
different part of
the country. Josh.

697
00:38:55,700 --> 00:38:58,070
The Press:
Robert, did the President
tell rabbis on

698
00:38:58,066 --> 00:39:01,866
Wednesday that we're all God's
partners in matters of life and

699
00:39:01,867 --> 00:39:06,337
death? If so, what did he mean
by that? And are his religious

700
00:39:06,333 --> 00:39:09,303
convictions influencing his
views on what should and

701
00:39:09,300 --> 00:39:11,270
shouldn't be in the
health care --

702
00:39:11,266 --> 00:39:14,666
Mr. Gibbs:
I'd have to go back and look
at the transcript of the call.

703
00:39:14,667 --> 00:39:18,267
I think the
President has talked,

704
00:39:18,266 --> 00:39:22,766
and I think the rabbis
are a collection, a group,

705
00:39:22,767 --> 00:39:28,237
that invited him to be part of a
call because of their moral and

706
00:39:28,233 --> 00:39:30,963
ethical beliefs and how
they relate to health care.

707
00:39:30,967 --> 00:39:33,237
I think the President has talked
about -- obviously we have a

708
00:39:33,233 --> 00:39:37,863
very healthy and longstanding
separation of church and state,

709
00:39:37,867 --> 00:39:43,597
but obviously ethical and moral
matters are part of decisions

710
00:39:43,600 --> 00:39:45,230
that the President
makes. I'd have to --

711
00:39:45,233 --> 00:39:46,533
The Press:
Do you think we could get a
transcript -- look at the

712
00:39:46,533 --> 00:39:48,463
transcript so we could see
what he was talking about?

713
00:39:48,467 --> 00:39:51,667
Mr. Gibbs:
I can certainly try to
see whether that's

714
00:39:51,667 --> 00:39:54,037
there. Yes, ma'am.

715
00:39:54,033 --> 00:39:57,733
The Press:
Robert, I have seen --

716
00:39:57,734 --> 00:39:59,504
Mr. Gibbs:
I can hardly hear you.

717
00:39:59,500 --> 00:40:05,370
The Press:
I've seen many professionals with 10 years experience and

718
00:40:05,367 --> 00:40:08,997
making $50,000 in a year.

719
00:40:09,000 --> 00:40:13,570
These people have been
terminated for things.

720
00:40:13,567 --> 00:40:17,637
So what is the U.S. government
going to do about these

721
00:40:17,633 --> 00:40:23,933
companies -- hiring these
people, hiring young employees 

722
00:40:23,934 --> 00:40:26,464
to reduced pay?

723
00:40:26,467 --> 00:40:28,667
Mr. Gibbs:
You know, I'd have to look
at some of the instances

724
00:40:28,667 --> 00:40:33,667
that you're talking about to
have a sense of what involvement

725
00:40:33,667 --> 00:40:36,367
the government would
have in that. Sam.

726
00:40:36,367 --> 00:40:37,867
The Press:
I know that Bill is on vacation,

727
00:40:37,867 --> 00:40:39,637
but have you spoken to the
President about the idea of

728
00:40:39,633 --> 00:40:42,003
splitting up the two bills,
since yesterday morning?

729
00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:43,670
Mr. Gibbs:
Only, as I said yesterday,

730
00:40:43,667 --> 00:40:47,767
only that he reiterated to me
that the focus is on seeking a

731
00:40:47,767 --> 00:40:49,167
bipartisan solution.

732
00:40:49,166 --> 00:40:51,336
The Press:
At the DNC he seemed -- he
very much seemed to open

733
00:40:51,333 --> 00:40:54,533
the door to reconciliation by
saying one way or another we're

734
00:40:54,533 --> 00:40:55,563
going to get something done.

735
00:40:55,567 --> 00:40:57,767
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, he didn't say --
he's said that for months.

736
00:40:57,767 --> 00:41:00,597
I mean, again, the President is
focused on getting something

737
00:41:00,600 --> 00:41:04,130
done because we know what
happens if something -- we know

738
00:41:04,133 --> 00:41:06,363
what happens if nothing
gets done. We know --

739
00:41:06,367 --> 00:41:07,497
The Press:
Is that a warning?

740
00:41:07,500 --> 00:41:11,230
Mr. Gibbs:
No, it was reality. Kirk.

741
00:41:11,233 --> 00:41:15,203
The Press:
Thanks, Robert. Two things. Why
did the White House not put out

742
00:41:15,200 --> 00:41:18,800
a statement on Bob
Novak's death?

743
00:41:18,800 --> 00:41:22,270
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't -- I'll talk to the
press secretary about that.

744
00:41:22,266 --> 00:41:27,396
I know the President obviously
-- look, I would say that --

745
00:41:27,400 --> 00:41:30,070
The Press:
But you're the press secretary.

746
00:41:30,066 --> 00:41:31,766
Mr. Gibbs:
I didn't know that.

747
00:41:31,767 --> 00:41:42,497
The -- obviously Mr. Novak was
somebody who wrote for one of

748
00:41:42,500 --> 00:41:51,130
the local Chicago papers, and
I think no matter how you felt

749
00:41:51,133 --> 00:41:55,363
personally about his
political leanings,

750
00:41:55,367 --> 00:42:01,237
I think the President would
agree with many that have said

751
00:42:01,233 --> 00:42:11,233
they had respect for his
reporting and for his ability

752
00:42:11,233 --> 00:42:14,133
and his opinions, even if
they didn't agree with him.

753
00:42:14,133 --> 00:42:20,033
And I think that's probably
a good lesson for all of us,

754
00:42:20,033 --> 00:42:23,533
either in August for town hall
meetings, or as we move forward

755
00:42:23,533 --> 00:42:26,103
on issues like health
care or anything else.

756
00:42:26,100 --> 00:42:30,970
The Press:
And unrelated, the -- in
Afghanistan, reports of voting

757
00:42:30,967 --> 00:42:35,697
irregularities -- any reaction
from the White House on that?

758
00:42:35,700 --> 00:42:38,830
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm not going to step on
the President speaking about

759
00:42:38,834 --> 00:42:44,134
the Afghan elections
in a little bit.

760
00:42:44,133 --> 00:42:45,663
I'll reiterate what
I said yesterday.

761
00:42:45,667 --> 00:42:48,037
Obviously, the President has
tremendous respect for the

762
00:42:48,033 --> 00:42:52,003
courage of millions of Afghans
that went to the polls in the

763
00:42:52,000 --> 00:43:01,670
face of threats of violence
and to choose their leaders.

764
00:43:01,667 --> 00:43:05,067
And we will -- I think it
will be quite some time,

765
00:43:05,066 --> 00:43:08,596
many days before we get
preliminary results,

766
00:43:08,600 --> 00:43:14,370
but that we'll watch
that as we move forward.

767
00:43:14,367 --> 00:43:16,237
The Press:
Can you give us a sense of
the President's vacation?

768
00:43:16,233 --> 00:43:19,003
We're hearing that he might
golf with Tiger Woods.

769
00:43:19,000 --> 00:43:20,200
Is that in the books?

770
00:43:20,200 --> 00:43:23,470
Or what's he going to
do with his time off?

771
00:43:23,467 --> 00:43:29,167
Mr. Gibbs:
I have no idea if he's going
to golf with Tiger Woods.

772
00:43:29,166 --> 00:43:33,736
I think he's going to spend a
decent part of his time relaxing

773
00:43:33,734 --> 00:43:37,964
with his family. There are no
official events scheduled in the

774
00:43:37,967 --> 00:43:41,837
week ahead. I anticipate that
he'll play golf a number of 

775
00:43:41,834 --> 00:43:46,204
times. I do not have anything
that says though that he'll play 

776
00:43:46,200 --> 00:43:50,070
with Tiger Woods in
the next few days. Yes.

777
00:43:50,066 --> 00:43:52,336
The Press:
Thank you, Robert.

778
00:43:52,333 --> 00:43:55,763
Did the White House make
decision who might be sent to

779
00:43:55,767 --> 00:44:01,767
funeral for the former President
Kim Jung -- I'm sorry,

780
00:44:01,767 --> 00:44:03,997
Kim Dae-jung in South Korea?

781
00:44:04,000 --> 00:44:06,670
Mr. Gibbs:
I think there is a
release going out,

782
00:44:06,667 --> 00:44:12,497
if it hasn't already, announcing
a delegation that will be sent

783
00:44:12,500 --> 00:44:16,330
to that. If it hasn't gone out,
it will go out fairly shortly.

784
00:44:16,333 --> 00:44:19,063
I don't have that list
in front of me. Yes, sir.

785
00:44:19,066 --> 00:44:20,536
The Press:
Thank you, Robert.

786
00:44:20,533 --> 00:44:24,163
After several reports about
Blackwater's involvement in CIA

787
00:44:24,166 --> 00:44:27,836
targeting programs and also
armoring drones with bombs in

788
00:44:27,834 --> 00:44:31,434
the war on terror, where does
the new Obama administration

789
00:44:31,433 --> 00:44:34,463
draw the line between the
government's monopoly to

790
00:44:34,467 --> 00:44:39,537
military force and legitimate
outsourcing of parts of this war

791
00:44:39,533 --> 00:44:42,333
business to private contractors?

792
00:44:42,333 --> 00:44:44,603
Generally, Western democracies
are very skeptical

793
00:44:44,600 --> 00:44:47,400
about outsourcing to --

794
00:44:47,400 --> 00:44:50,530
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, the President talked
about throughout the

795
00:44:50,533 --> 00:44:55,603
campaign, and has instituted an
openness and competitive bidding

796
00:44:55,600 --> 00:45:00,900
process for contracts as
part of a new administration.

797
00:45:00,900 --> 00:45:03,330
It was something that he worked
on as a member of the Senate

798
00:45:03,333 --> 00:45:09,033
with Tom Coburn. They first got
involved in contracting around

799
00:45:09,033 --> 00:45:12,433
many Katrina-related issues.

800
00:45:12,433 --> 00:45:20,303
As I told Helen, I've asked for
some guidance on what contracts

801
00:45:20,300 --> 00:45:24,830
we have and where we are with
those in relation to the company

802
00:45:24,834 --> 00:45:27,034
formerly known as Blackwater.

803
00:45:27,033 --> 00:45:31,603
I would, again, as I told
Helen, encourage you to contact

804
00:45:31,600 --> 00:45:36,300
individual governmental
departments for specific comment

805
00:45:36,300 --> 00:45:40,700
on contracts that obviously
had been let during prior

806
00:45:40,700 --> 00:45:43,300
administrations as part
of that department.

807
00:45:43,300 --> 00:45:44,730
The Press:
Thank you, Robert.

808
00:45:44,734 --> 00:45:46,004
The Press:
The hurricane?

809
00:45:46,000 --> 00:45:47,070
Mr. Gibbs:
Say again?

810
00:45:47,066 --> 00:45:51,436
The Press:
The hurricane. As you know,
there's a Hurricane Bill heading

811
00:45:51,433 --> 00:45:56,403
for Bermuda. And are we better
prepared now for hurricanes so 

812
00:45:56,400 --> 00:45:59,070
we don't have another Katrina?

813
00:45:59,066 --> 00:46:02,596
Mr. Gibbs:
The President has received
regular updates from

814
00:46:02,600 --> 00:46:08,900
John Brennan throughout the week
on the progress of the hurricane

815
00:46:08,900 --> 00:46:23,070
across the Caribbean and
has great confidence in the

816
00:46:23,066 --> 00:46:25,936
personnel that he's
put in positions,

817
00:46:25,934 --> 00:46:29,204
whether it's in charge of the
Department of Homeland Security

818
00:46:29,200 --> 00:46:36,570
or particularly in FEMA, to deal
with whether it's a hurricane

819
00:46:36,567 --> 00:46:39,097
like Katrina that
could come ashore,

820
00:46:39,100 --> 00:46:42,300
or any other natural disaster
that the government and the

821
00:46:42,300 --> 00:46:45,570
American people could face.

822
00:46:45,567 --> 00:46:52,067
Certainly it's our hope that the
storm will avoid reaching the

823
00:46:52,066 --> 00:46:55,096
United States and turn
back out into the Atlantic.

824
00:46:55,100 --> 00:46:57,670
I anticipate, as we've
talked about in here,

825
00:46:57,667 --> 00:47:00,737
there will be a busy hurricane
season and that we'll continue

826
00:47:00,734 --> 00:47:03,004
to monitor throughout that time.
Thanks, guys. Have a good week.