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Mr. Carney:
Good afternoon, everyone.
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Thanks for being here.
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I have no announcements.
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I'll go straight to questions.
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Julie.
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The Press:
Thank you.
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There's a lot of conflicting
information coming out of
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Algeria today.
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I'm wondering if you can tell
us what the status is of the
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Americans that had
been held hostage.
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Mr. Carney:
It is our understanding that
there are Americans involved,
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but I would say a
couple of things.
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One, we condemn in the strongest
terms a terrorist attack on BP
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personnel and
facilities in Algeria,
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and we are closely
monitoring the situation.
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We are in contact with
Algerian authorities and our
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international partners, as well
as with BP's security office
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in London.
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Unfortunately, the best
information we have at this
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time, as I said, indicates
that U.S. citizens are among
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the hostages.
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But we don't have at this point
more details to provide to you.
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We're certainly concerned about
reports of loss of life and are
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seeking clarity from the
government of Algeria.
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The Press:
But at this point you can't
say whether those Americans are
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alive or dead?
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Mr. Carney:
Again, I just can only say that
we are deeply concerned about
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any loss of innocent life and
are seeking clarity from the
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government of Algeria.
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The Press:
The U.S. obviously has helped
other countries with hostage
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rescue missions, just last week,
with the French in Somalia.
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Did the U.S. offer to assist
the Algerians in this mission?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, I can say that we're
in contact with Algerian
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authorities and our
international partners.
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I don't have anything more
on that context for you.
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I mean, this is a
situation, as you know,
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that involved a BP facility
with, as we understand it,
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personnel from a variety
of different countries.
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The Press:
But in those conversations
with the Algerians,
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has there been discussion about
what role the U.S. could play?
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Any offers of assistance?
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Mr. Carney:
Not that I'm aware of.
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But I just don't have details to
provide on those conversations.
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This is an ongoing situation
and we're seeking clarity.
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The Press:
And just quickly on the
President's gun violence
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proposals from yesterday, he
said he would put the full
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weight of the office behind
efforts to push for those
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measures, and I'm wondering
what that actually means.
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Will we see him travel?
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Will we see him
get OFA involved?
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There was obviously an email
from Messina today on this.
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Mr. Carney:
Well, I think as you
saw, that email went out,
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and I think that the
President meant what he said.
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I don't have a schedule
of events for you,
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a schedule of actions or a
strategy to lay out to you.
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But the President absolutely
meant what he said,
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that he is going to put the
weight of his office behind
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this effort.
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He also meant what he said when
he acknowledged that achieving
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these proposals
will be difficult.
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If having an assault weapons ban
become law again were easy it
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would never have expired.
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If the variety of other actions
that the President proposes we
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take as a nation were without
conflict we wouldn't be having
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this discussion.
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So he's made clear that it
requires everyone coming
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together, including people who
have not traditionally supported
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the idea of taking further
action to reduce gun violence or
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some of these ideas.
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We've already heard
a number of voices,
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from both the Democratic Party
and the Republican Party of
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individuals who've said they are
looking at this problem in a new
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way because of what
happened in Newtown,
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and that's very important
to this process.
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It's also very important,
as the President said,
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that the American
public speak out,
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because we cannot achieve this
if the American people don't
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demand it.
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And so, as I think I
mentioned earlier in the week,
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you can fully expect that as
part of this effort we will
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continue to try to engage the
American people and have their
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voices heard and their concerns
heard and their demands heard
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when it comes to taking
common-sense action to reduce
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gun violence in America.
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The Press:
But at this point, no
specifics about what that
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actually entails?
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Mr. Carney:
I don't have any
-- I mean, again,
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he just made this
announcement yesterday.
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He has a piece of business
to take care of on Monday,
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and a whole host
of other matters.
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But this is a priority, as
I think he made very clear
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yesterday, and there
will be more to come.
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The Press:
Jay, going back to Algeria, was
the Algerian government in touch
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with the United States
before the raid?
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Mr. Carney:
I can simply say that it's
premature to get into these
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types of questions.
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Right now our priority is
determining the status of the
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Americans involved and gaining
a full understanding of
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what took place.
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As I said to Julie, this
is a fluid situation.
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We are seeking clarity from the
Algerian government about this
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matter, and obviously, we are
focused most intently on the
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status of Americans.
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We are in conversations with --
consultation with the Algerian
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government, but I just don't
have any more details for you.
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The Press:
I mean, you said that you
were in consultations.
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I'm just curious if you were in
consultations before the raid.
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Mr. Carney:
Again, I just don't have any
more details for you on that.
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This is a fluid situation.
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I wouldn't want to say something
that turned out not to be true,
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so I'll leave it at that.
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The Press:
What is the U.S.
assessment of --
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Mr. Carney:
Jackie got that --
I appreciate it.
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(laughter)
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The Press:
What is the U.S. assessment
of al Qaeda's link to this?
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Mr. Carney:
We certainly heard reports of
people taking responsibility,
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claims -- making claims
of responsibility for this
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terrorist attack, but we have
not been able to, thus far,
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confirm those claims.
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The Press:
But is that something that
the U.S. is involved in,
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in trying to figure that out?
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Mr. Carney:
Certainly.
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As a broad matter, we're
obviously very interested in and
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focused on terrorist groups and
terrorist actions in the region
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and around the world, and
so trying to find out who's
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responsible for something
like this is something we are
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endeavoring to do.
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But we just have not -- I don't
have information now that allows
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me to confirm or
rebut those reports.
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The Press:
You said earlier in the week
that the United States would
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consider providing logistical
support to France and Mali.
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How does this
development affect that?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, I'm not sure that it does.
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I mean, we share the goal --
the French goal of denying
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terrorists in Mali a safe haven,
denying terrorists in the region
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a safe haven, and we'd note that
the government of Mali has asked
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for French support in
their fight against AQIM.
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As you know, the government
of France has asked for some
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additional intelligence and
logistic support from the United
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States and, as I
said the other day,
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we're considering
those requests.
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We have some unique airlift
capability and we are working
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with the French to provide
them support in moving troops
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and equipment.
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As we've said previously,
we are also providing
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intelligence support.
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The Press:
All right, just briefly
on one other topic.
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You mentioned that the President
has an event on Monday.
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Can you give us any color about
how he's preparing for his
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speech, and any little tidbits
about what he might say?
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Mr. Carney:
I have no preview
of his remarks.
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The President I think is very
appreciative of the fact that
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the American people have given
him this opportunity to deliver
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a second inaugural address.
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He, as you know, takes very
seriously speeches of this kind
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and is very engaged
in the process.
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He's working on his remarks.
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But I don't have
any details for you.
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I think it's the kind of thing
we really want to turn over to
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him for Monday.
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The Press:
Is that open coverage on Monday?
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(laughter)
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Mr. Carney:
Yes, it is.
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The Press:
Jay, what do you say
to the local officials,
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including the governor
of Mississippi,
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who are suggesting that if you
succeed in getting new laws
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passed they won't enforce
them on the gun issue?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, I didn't see those
particular remarks, John.
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There are a variety of actions
that the President has proposed.
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Some of them are
executive actions.
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Some of the most
important of them,
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as the President made clear,
require congressional action.
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And I'll leave it to
lawyers to sort out,
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if we are fortunate enough
to achieve these pieces of
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legislation, how those
laws would be enforced.
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But let's be clear here.
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There is nothing the President
proposed yesterday that would
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result, if enacted, in anyone
-- any law-abiding citizen in
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America losing a gun.
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The President made clear
yesterday his full support for
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the Second Amendment and the
Second Amendment rights of
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American citizens.
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He also made clear that
we have an obligation,
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and American citizens,
including our most vulnerable,
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youngest American
citizens, have rights, too.
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And we have an obligation
to uphold those rights,
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including the rights of
seven-year-olds to live without
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the fear of being gunned
down in their own school.
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So we as a society need to come
together and take common-sense
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actions that do not affect
Americans' Second Amendment
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rights, which the
President supports,
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but do put in place laws and
actions that address this
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problem; that, for example,
provide for a system of
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background checks for those who
would purchase weapons that is
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comprehensive, that does not
contain gaping loopholes.
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That's something that a vast
majority of the American people
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believe is sensible
and they support.
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And the President sincerely
hopes that that support,
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which comes from
around the country,
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that comes from Democrats
and Republicans,
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that comes from NRA members,
sportsmen and women,
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from suburban areas, rural
areas and urban areas,
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will result in Congress
taking appropriate action.
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The Press:
So what happens to
the, by some estimates,
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2 million assault-style weapons
that are out there now and more?
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What happens to
those after a ban?
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Is this a ban on --
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Mr. Carney:
This is not --
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The Press:
-- the old ones are grandfathered in?
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It's a ban on --
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Mr. Carney:
Yes, this is a ban on further
manufacture, on new weapons.
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The Press:
So how effective can something
like that be, given that the --
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I mean, look at the sales
that are going on even now.
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Mr. Carney:
Well, I think the President said
that there is no question --
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that there's no single
piece of legislation,
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no single action that we can
take that would eradicate all
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acts of evil, all
acts of violence,
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that would absolutely prevent
every terrible shooting in
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the future.
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We know that, and the
President is aware of that.
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But we should take actions
that reduce the possibility;
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that through the reduction in
the possibility of the kinds of
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things we saw in Newtown
and Aurora and Columbine and
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elsewhere, lives are saved.
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And we can't let the perfect
be the enemy of the good here.
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We can't let the fact that there
will of course continue to be
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gun violence in America prevent
us from taking actions to reduce
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gun violence in America, taking
actions to make sure that we are
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doing everything we can to live
up to our first obligation,
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which is to protect
our children.
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There's no single action here
that solves this problem.
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Even this collection of actions
won't solve the problem.
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But it will, the President
believes, reduce gun violence,
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and that's a worthy goal.
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The Press:
And with the
high-capacity magazines,
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the same thing holds true,
that that would just prevent --
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00:12:03,467 --> 00:12:06,367
ban the manufacture of new --
238
00:12:06,367 --> 00:12:07,367
Mr. Carney:
That's my understanding.
239
00:12:07,367 --> 00:12:11,266
I think we provided a bunch of
fact sheets and stuff yesterday
240
00:12:11,266 --> 00:12:13,867
on the details, but that
is my understanding.
241
00:12:13,867 --> 00:12:17,033
But I would encourage you to
look at the stuff that the
242
00:12:17,033 --> 00:12:19,467
policy people put together
and provided to you yesterday.
243
00:12:19,467 --> 00:12:22,233
The Press:
And then just two questions on
how you go about getting this
244
00:12:22,233 --> 00:12:25,433
passed -- the obvious uphill
battle you face in Congress --
245
00:12:25,433 --> 00:12:28,967
one, that the grassroots
campaign Robert Gibbs is
246
00:12:28,967 --> 00:12:32,667
suggesting, that the great
campaign apparatus that helped
247
00:12:32,667 --> 00:12:36,467
the President win reelection
should now be activated full
248
00:12:36,467 --> 00:12:37,900
force on this.
249
00:12:37,900 --> 00:12:38,900
Will it be?
250
00:12:38,900 --> 00:12:42,000
And will the President be
reaching out personally to --
251
00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:45,367
that there are 11 Democrats in
the Senate with either an A or B
252
00:12:45,367 --> 00:12:46,467
rating to the NRA.
253
00:12:46,467 --> 00:12:48,467
Is he going to be talking
individually to each of those
254
00:12:48,467 --> 00:12:49,667
Democratic senators?
255
00:12:49,667 --> 00:12:51,533
Mr. Carney:
I think you can expect the
President to be engaged with
256
00:12:51,533 --> 00:12:54,333
members of Congress,
including Democratic senators.
257
00:12:54,333 --> 00:12:56,233
I think as you saw in
the wake of Newtown,
258
00:12:56,233 --> 00:12:59,065
the President actually spoke
with some Democratic senators
259
00:12:59,066 --> 00:13:01,734
about this issue, including
Senator Manchin of
260
00:13:01,734 --> 00:13:03,266
West Virginia.
261
00:13:03,266 --> 00:13:05,533
Those conversations
will continue.
262
00:13:05,533 --> 00:13:09,066
And I have no specific
announcement to make about next
263
00:13:09,066 --> 00:13:11,166
steps in this effort.
264
00:13:11,166 --> 00:13:14,500
But you can be sure that the
President will use the power of
265
00:13:14,500 --> 00:13:23,100
his office to try to bring about
fulfillment of these proposals,
266
00:13:23,100 --> 00:13:24,633
because he thinks they're
the right things to do,
267
00:13:24,633 --> 00:13:27,433
and he thinks that we as a
nation need to move forward,
268
00:13:27,433 --> 00:13:33,867
and that we can take steps that
help reduce gun violence in this
269
00:13:33,867 --> 00:13:37,367
country and help
protect our children,
270
00:13:37,367 --> 00:13:40,867
including our youngest children.
271
00:13:40,867 --> 00:13:42,599
I'll move around a little bit.
272
00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:43,600
Jackie.
273
00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:46,500
The Press:
Could you just expand a little
more on the Inaugural on Sunday?
274
00:13:46,500 --> 00:13:50,533
I mean, it sounds like it's
going to be just family.
275
00:13:50,533 --> 00:13:51,533
Mr. Carney:
I can try.
276
00:13:51,533 --> 00:13:54,533
The Press:
Could you say exactly
who is going to be there;
277
00:13:54,533 --> 00:14:00,700
that it will be no advisors
or -- and why that is?
278
00:14:00,700 --> 00:14:04,033
Mr. Carney:
It's a small room, and --
279
00:14:04,033 --> 00:14:05,967
The Press:
But you could
choose another room.
280
00:14:05,967 --> 00:14:09,867
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think it's -- this
is the official swearing-in,
281
00:14:09,867 --> 00:14:12,165
as called for by
the Constitution.
282
00:14:12,166 --> 00:14:19,033
And the Chief Justice will
swear in the President.
283
00:14:19,033 --> 00:14:20,433
I gave some details.
284
00:14:20,433 --> 00:14:22,400
I think we corrected about
the Bible that will be used
285
00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:23,867
on Sunday.
286
00:14:23,867 --> 00:14:24,934
It will be family.
287
00:14:24,934 --> 00:14:28,233
I don't have a list of names
for which family members
288
00:14:28,233 --> 00:14:29,300
will be there.
289
00:14:29,300 --> 00:14:32,567
There will be a full
press pool there.
290
00:14:32,567 --> 00:14:36,734
And that's a pretty large
group, with a lot of equipment.
291
00:14:36,734 --> 00:14:37,734
And I'll be there.
292
00:14:37,734 --> 00:14:41,433
The Press:
But it will be more presumably
than just Mrs. Obama and the
293
00:14:41,433 --> 00:14:42,600
daughters and the President?
294
00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:44,033
Mr. Carney:
I believe there will
be some family members,
295
00:14:44,033 --> 00:14:46,967
but I don't have --
I'll see if I have --
296
00:14:46,967 --> 00:14:49,367
if I can get information
on which additional members
297
00:14:49,367 --> 00:14:50,367
will be there.
298
00:14:50,367 --> 00:14:52,333
The Press:
And then at the dinner
affair afterwards,
299
00:14:52,333 --> 00:14:55,834
who would be involved?
300
00:14:55,834 --> 00:14:57,065
Mr. Carney:
I'm sorry, which affair?
301
00:14:57,066 --> 00:15:00,700
The Press:
On Sunday, after the
private swearing-in.
302
00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:02,467
Mr. Carney:
I'll have to check on that.
303
00:15:02,467 --> 00:15:03,467
I'm not sure.
304
00:15:03,467 --> 00:15:07,066
There's a series of events, but
I'm not sure which one you're
305
00:15:07,066 --> 00:15:08,433
referring to.
306
00:15:08,433 --> 00:15:10,266
The Press:
Well, just what he will be --
307
00:15:10,266 --> 00:15:12,900
Mr. Carney:
What's he going to do
after he's sworn in?
308
00:15:12,900 --> 00:15:15,367
The Press:
-- participating in
immediately after he's sworn in.
309
00:15:15,367 --> 00:15:17,333
Mr. Carney:
I'll try to find out.
310
00:15:17,333 --> 00:15:19,567
The Press:
There have been several news
reports about an incident
311
00:15:19,567 --> 00:15:20,567
in Syria.
312
00:15:20,567 --> 00:15:22,867
December 23rd, six people died
from some sort of gas attack.
313
00:15:22,867 --> 00:15:26,567
Several people on the ground
seem to believe that it was a
314
00:15:26,567 --> 00:15:28,000
chemical agent.
315
00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,433
The State Department did a
couple of investigations.
316
00:15:30,433 --> 00:15:31,667
They couldn't corroborate that.
317
00:15:31,667 --> 00:15:34,433
On Tuesday, the White House put
out a statement saying only that
318
00:15:34,433 --> 00:15:36,600
it didn't match what you
know about Syria's chemical
319
00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:37,600
weapons program.
320
00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:39,233
They didn't say what you
think happened that day.
321
00:15:39,233 --> 00:15:42,233
And I'm also wondering, are
you 100% sure that no chemical
322
00:15:42,233 --> 00:15:44,766
weapons have been used in Syria?
323
00:15:44,767 --> 00:15:46,967
Mr. Carney:
The State Department
addressed this issue yesterday.
324
00:15:46,967 --> 00:15:50,100
One of our diplomatic posts
received anecdotal information
325
00:15:50,100 --> 00:15:52,934
from a third party regarding
an alleged incident in Syria
326
00:15:52,934 --> 00:15:54,165
in December.
327
00:15:54,166 --> 00:15:57,300
Per normal procedure, this
information was relayed to the
328
00:15:57,300 --> 00:15:59,065
State Department in Washington.
329
00:15:59,066 --> 00:16:01,800
We looked into these allegations
at the time we received the
330
00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:06,099
information, and found no
credible evidence to corroborate
331
00:16:06,100 --> 00:16:09,200
or confirm that chemical
weapons were used.
332
00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:11,834
We continue to closely monitor
Syria's proliferation of
333
00:16:11,834 --> 00:16:14,132
sensitive materials
and facilities,
334
00:16:14,133 --> 00:16:16,600
and have been consistent and
clear about our red lines
335
00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:18,567
regarding chemical
weapons in Syria.
336
00:16:18,567 --> 00:16:21,300
As the President said, if the
Assad regime makes the tragic
337
00:16:21,300 --> 00:16:24,400
mistake of using chemical
weapons or fails to meet its
338
00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:27,400
obligation to secure them,
they will be held accountable.
339
00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:30,066
In other words, we received
third-party information.
340
00:16:30,066 --> 00:16:33,033
We checked it out and found no
credible evidence to corroborate
341
00:16:33,033 --> 00:16:34,033
or confirm it.
342
00:16:34,033 --> 00:16:36,400
The Press:
Of course, the problem is that
this evidence is unattainable
343
00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:37,500
inside Homs.
344
00:16:37,500 --> 00:16:41,734
And use of chemical agents is
notoriously hard to verify.
345
00:16:41,734 --> 00:16:43,233
What is your level
of confidence that --
346
00:16:43,233 --> 00:16:45,400
Mr. Carney:
Again, we found no
credible evidence,
347
00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:51,100
and the fact that a third
party provided this anecdotal
348
00:16:51,100 --> 00:16:57,533
information led to us
checking it out appropriately,
349
00:16:57,533 --> 00:17:00,200
and we found no credible
information that would
350
00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:01,200
confirm it.
351
00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:02,200
The Press:
My question is --
352
00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:03,200
Mr. Carney:
But your question is --
353
00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:06,165
The Press:
What is your level of confidence
that if a chemical agent was
354
00:17:06,165 --> 00:17:09,066
used, that you would
be able to tell?
355
00:17:09,066 --> 00:17:13,165
Mr. Carney:
Well, again, I'm not able from
here to discuss the procedures
356
00:17:13,165 --> 00:17:15,867
by which we evaluate
these kinds of things.
357
00:17:15,867 --> 00:17:18,867
But I can tell you that we
found no credible evidence,
358
00:17:18,867 --> 00:17:26,000
and we are -- we remain,
as we have been throughout,
359
00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:30,000
vigilant about this issue and
very clear with the Assad regime
360
00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,200
about our red lines.
361
00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:35,200
The Press:
Jay, on Algeria, can you just
talk about the President's level
362
00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:36,200
of involvement in this?
363
00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:38,200
I didn't catch that
earlier, in terms of --
364
00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:39,533
has he been working the phones?
365
00:17:39,533 --> 00:17:41,867
Is he being briefed regularly
since so many Americans
366
00:17:41,867 --> 00:17:42,867
are involved?
367
00:17:42,867 --> 00:17:44,734
What is the President's
level of engagement?
368
00:17:44,734 --> 00:17:46,966
Mr. Carney:
Well, the President has been
updated regularly by his
369
00:17:46,967 --> 00:17:48,900
national security
team on this matter.
370
00:17:48,900 --> 00:17:51,500
As you would expect, I have
no other details for you,
371
00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:52,500
no calls to read out.
372
00:17:52,500 --> 00:17:55,734
But we are, as an
administration,
373
00:17:55,734 --> 00:17:59,233
in contact with the Algerian
government and seeking clarity
374
00:17:59,233 --> 00:18:01,000
about the events that
have been reported.
375
00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:04,233
And as you know, there's been a
variety of conflicting reports
376
00:18:04,233 --> 00:18:07,300
about the events there.
377
00:18:07,300 --> 00:18:11,500
So we are in communication
with the Algerian government,
378
00:18:11,500 --> 00:18:13,667
and the President is
being regularly updated.
379
00:18:13,667 --> 00:18:17,332
The Press:
The Secretary of State yesterday
spoke to the head of their
380
00:18:17,333 --> 00:18:19,033
government, I believe, but
there's been no calls between
381
00:18:19,033 --> 00:18:20,367
the President and --
382
00:18:20,367 --> 00:18:23,200
Mr. Carney:
I have no calls of the
President to read out to you.
383
00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:24,200
The Press:
Okay.
384
00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:25,300
Following on John about guns,
when the President has traveled
385
00:18:25,300 --> 00:18:27,567
on other issues like payroll tax
cut or other things to engage
386
00:18:27,567 --> 00:18:30,000
the American public, as you say,
he's mostly been pressuring
387
00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:31,233
the Republicans.
388
00:18:31,233 --> 00:18:33,500
How -- as you mentioned
after Newtown,
389
00:18:33,500 --> 00:18:36,200
he spoke to Senator Manchin,
and at that time in December,
390
00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:39,000
Senator Manchin was suggesting
he was open to the idea of an
391
00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:40,000
assault weapons ban.
392
00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:42,900
This past weekend he seemed
to suggest he wasn't.
393
00:18:42,900 --> 00:18:45,400
Yesterday, Al Franken, who
is a more liberal Democrat,
394
00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:48,133
kind of hesitated about whether
he supported the assault weapons
395
00:18:48,133 --> 00:18:50,767
ban; today he says he supports
the principle of it --
396
00:18:50,767 --> 00:18:52,967
not making clear he
supports the bill.
397
00:18:52,967 --> 00:18:55,834
My question is: You've
pressured Republicans before;
398
00:18:55,834 --> 00:18:58,734
what is going to do different
this time to convince his fellow
399
00:18:58,734 --> 00:19:01,233
Democrats who are the swing
votes here that this is the
400
00:19:01,233 --> 00:19:02,300
right thing to do?
401
00:19:02,300 --> 00:19:05,367
Mr. Carney:
He's been very clear about
this as recently as yesterday,
402
00:19:05,367 --> 00:19:11,466
which he believes we all need
to reflect upon the problem,
403
00:19:11,467 --> 00:19:14,967
examine our consciences, and
decide what the right course of
404
00:19:14,967 --> 00:19:20,834
action is, and decide whether or
not common-sense measures that
405
00:19:20,834 --> 00:19:26,767
help protect our most vulnerable
citizens, our children,
406
00:19:26,767 --> 00:19:28,266
from gun violence are
the right thing to do.
407
00:19:28,266 --> 00:19:29,400
He firmly believes they are,
and he'll be having that
408
00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:30,400
conversation with Republicans
and Democrats and with Americans
409
00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:31,400
more broadly.
410
00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:47,767
Again, I think that we've seen
some change in the atmosphere
411
00:19:47,767 --> 00:19:51,400
around this issue since
the tragedy in Newtown,
412
00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:58,467
and we've seen some gun rights
supporters who haven't abandoned
413
00:19:58,467 --> 00:20:02,133
their support for gun rights,
just as the President has not,
414
00:20:02,133 --> 00:20:05,400
but who view this issue now in
a different way and believe that
415
00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:08,300
common-sense action is
the right way to go.
416
00:20:08,300 --> 00:20:09,867
And the President
hopes to build on that.
417
00:20:09,867 --> 00:20:15,033
But he made very clear yesterday
that he understands that this is
418
00:20:15,033 --> 00:20:19,265
a challenge.
419
00:20:19,266 --> 00:20:21,834
These things aren't law --
at least the things that he's
420
00:20:21,834 --> 00:20:24,700
proposed Congress pass
-- because they're hard.
421
00:20:24,700 --> 00:20:26,066
If they weren't,
they would be law.
422
00:20:26,066 --> 00:20:31,266
And he will work with members
of both parties to try to
423
00:20:31,266 --> 00:20:32,567
get them passed.
424
00:20:32,567 --> 00:20:35,000
The Press:
But when you repeat today the
full weight of the presidency --
425
00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:36,667
yesterday I went back to
the transcript and the word
426
00:20:36,667 --> 00:20:39,899
"Hollywood" was never used
by the President or the Vice
427
00:20:39,900 --> 00:20:41,166
President in remarks yesterday.
428
00:20:41,166 --> 00:20:42,899
Obviously, guns are
a big part here,
429
00:20:42,900 --> 00:20:45,467
but why not also
take on Hollywood?
430
00:20:45,467 --> 00:20:46,834
He's taking on the NRA.
431
00:20:46,834 --> 00:20:48,467
If this is the full
weight of the presidency,
432
00:20:48,467 --> 00:20:49,467
why not take on --
433
00:20:49,467 --> 00:20:53,266
Mr. Carney:
Well, he's directed as part of
the actions he took that the CDC
434
00:20:53,266 --> 00:20:56,900
study gun violence and
causes of gun violence.
435
00:20:56,900 --> 00:21:06,100
I mean, there's a -- ignorance
is not an acceptable position to
436
00:21:06,100 --> 00:21:07,632
adopt, that it's
better not to know.
437
00:21:07,633 --> 00:21:09,433
We need to know and
it's worth studying,
438
00:21:09,433 --> 00:21:15,400
and we should embrace the
science and allow the research
439
00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:20,567
to go forward so we can learn
more about the effect of
440
00:21:20,567 --> 00:21:24,500
violence in the
entertainment industry --
441
00:21:24,500 --> 00:21:27,033
depicted through
entertainment --
442
00:21:27,033 --> 00:21:31,533
and the impact it may or may not
have on society and on children.
443
00:21:31,533 --> 00:21:34,699
So that was a very specific item
that he did include as part of
444
00:21:34,700 --> 00:21:36,400
his package.
445
00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:42,867
And I think generally, the
proposals the President put
446
00:21:42,867 --> 00:21:47,332
forward yesterday were
recognized as fairly substantive
447
00:21:47,333 --> 00:21:49,834
and comprehensive, and
that's one of them.
448
00:21:49,834 --> 00:21:51,266
The Press:
Very last thing, on
the debt ceiling.
449
00:21:51,266 --> 00:21:54,166
Republicans like Pat Toomey
have suggested that you should
450
00:21:54,166 --> 00:21:57,833
prioritize what debts you pay
off so that things like Social
451
00:21:57,834 --> 00:21:59,433
Security get paid -- payments.
452
00:21:59,433 --> 00:22:02,300
As the President said in his
press conference last week,
453
00:22:02,300 --> 00:22:05,966
he wants them to be paid; wants
to make sure people don't lose
454
00:22:05,967 --> 00:22:06,967
their benefits.
455
00:22:06,967 --> 00:22:07,967
Why not prioritize
those payments?
456
00:22:07,967 --> 00:22:11,567
I just want to give you a chance
to respond to the Republican
457
00:22:11,567 --> 00:22:13,533
plan that's out there.
458
00:22:13,533 --> 00:22:14,533
Mr. Carney:
Sure.
459
00:22:14,533 --> 00:22:15,533
Well, there's not
a specific plan;
460
00:22:15,533 --> 00:22:16,899
there's somebody
talking about it.
461
00:22:16,900 --> 00:22:18,333
But let's be real here.
462
00:22:18,333 --> 00:22:19,934
There is no off-ramp.
463
00:22:19,934 --> 00:22:24,166
There is no way to mitigate the
horrific economic consequences
464
00:22:24,166 --> 00:22:25,633
of default.
465
00:22:25,633 --> 00:22:30,300
Choosing whether you pay Social
Security beneficiaries or combat
466
00:22:30,300 --> 00:22:37,867
troops in Afghanistan, or
veterans who depend on the VA
467
00:22:37,867 --> 00:22:44,533
for benefits, or bondholders
-- these are choices that are
468
00:22:44,533 --> 00:22:45,899
about default.
469
00:22:45,900 --> 00:22:51,133
And the fact is default is
not an acceptable option here.
470
00:22:51,133 --> 00:22:55,100
Congress has to simply do its
job and pay the bills that
471
00:22:55,100 --> 00:22:58,132
they've already racked up, meet
the obligations that they have
472
00:22:58,133 --> 00:22:59,800
already made.
473
00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:06,700
And then we continue to debate
how we move forward to reduce
474
00:23:06,700 --> 00:23:10,767
our deficit in a balanced way,
how we move forward to get our
475
00:23:10,767 --> 00:23:16,834
health care spending under
control and reform our
476
00:23:16,834 --> 00:23:18,066
tax system.
477
00:23:18,066 --> 00:23:23,166
But we cannot play chicken with
the full faith and credit of the
478
00:23:23,166 --> 00:23:24,166
United States.
479
00:23:24,166 --> 00:23:32,265
We have seen in recent days and
weeks a number of Republicans
480
00:23:32,266 --> 00:23:37,066
and a number of interest groups
allied with Republicans make
481
00:23:37,066 --> 00:23:41,166
clear their position that
flirting with default is a
482
00:23:41,166 --> 00:23:48,133
disastrous idea, it
is a terrible idea.
483
00:23:48,133 --> 00:23:50,033
And we certainly
agree with that.
484
00:23:50,033 --> 00:23:53,300
And I think you've seen it
now from a number of places,
485
00:23:53,300 --> 00:23:59,066
and the President has made clear
he's not going to negotiate over
486
00:23:59,066 --> 00:24:00,133
raising the debt ceiling.
487
00:24:00,133 --> 00:24:03,533
It is an obligation that
Congress retains for itself.
488
00:24:03,533 --> 00:24:08,433
If it feels it can't handle
it, we would happily,
489
00:24:08,433 --> 00:24:12,300
as the President said, take
that obligation on to the
490
00:24:12,300 --> 00:24:14,834
executive branch.
491
00:24:14,834 --> 00:24:16,867
But we have to pay our bills.
492
00:24:16,867 --> 00:24:18,100
We're the United
States of America;
493
00:24:18,100 --> 00:24:25,833
we are not a third-tier economy
that goes month to month or
494
00:24:25,834 --> 00:24:29,900
every half year and casting
doubt on whether or not we're
495
00:24:29,900 --> 00:24:30,967
going to meet our obligations.
496
00:24:30,967 --> 00:24:33,033
That's not who we are.
497
00:24:33,033 --> 00:24:34,934
Major, then Alexis.
498
00:24:34,934 --> 00:24:37,899
The Press:
As you noted, Jay, the situation
in Algeria is very fluid and you
499
00:24:37,900 --> 00:24:40,533
are trying to discern
fact from fiction.
500
00:24:40,533 --> 00:24:43,466
Once that process is finished,
does the President intend to
501
00:24:43,467 --> 00:24:46,100
communicate with the country
about what he knows and what
502
00:24:46,100 --> 00:24:47,399
has happened?
503
00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:50,300
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think -- I have no
scheduling announcements to make
504
00:24:50,300 --> 00:24:53,433
on behalf of the President, and
I think we're focused now on
505
00:24:53,433 --> 00:24:56,200
finding out and seeking clarity
about the events in Algeria.
506
00:24:56,200 --> 00:25:01,667
And once we know more and once
we have more that we can convey
507
00:25:01,667 --> 00:25:04,966
to you, we'll make
assessments based on that.
508
00:25:04,967 --> 00:25:08,567
The Press:
Does the White House believe
that there is something at work
509
00:25:08,567 --> 00:25:11,867
in Mali or Algeria that is
moving or shifting in a way
510
00:25:11,867 --> 00:25:14,867
that's maybe catching the
American public's attention for
511
00:25:14,867 --> 00:25:15,899
the first time?
512
00:25:15,900 --> 00:25:17,200
Threat patterns?
513
00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:18,400
Different areas of conflict?
514
00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:24,467
An aggressiveness on al Qaeda or
affiliates that needs perhaps
515
00:25:24,467 --> 00:25:26,133
more communication with
the American public,
516
00:25:26,133 --> 00:25:30,834
a greater sense of what's
actually going on here?
517
00:25:30,834 --> 00:25:33,367
Mr. Carney:
We here in the White House and
throughout the administration
518
00:25:33,367 --> 00:25:38,800
are intensely focused on al
Qaeda and its affiliates.
519
00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:42,966
I think that has been made
abundantly clear by the actions
520
00:25:42,967 --> 00:25:46,900
that we've taken, and that
continues to be the case.
521
00:25:46,900 --> 00:25:52,834
We work with our allies to
counter the activities of AQIM;
522
00:25:52,834 --> 00:25:54,066
and clearly, AQIM and affiliated
extremist groups do pose a
523
00:25:54,066 --> 00:26:01,734
threat to our interests
in that region,
524
00:26:01,734 --> 00:26:04,332
even if they have not posed a
direct threat to the homeland,
525
00:26:04,333 --> 00:26:08,033
like al Qaeda central in
Afghanistan and Pakistan,
526
00:26:08,033 --> 00:26:11,934
or al Qaeda in the
Arabian Peninsula.
527
00:26:11,934 --> 00:26:15,899
But this is something -- this
is a multi-headed beast,
528
00:26:15,900 --> 00:26:25,767
if you will, and we are vigorous
in our efforts to combat
529
00:26:25,767 --> 00:26:29,467
organizations like this and work
with our allies to do so around
530
00:26:29,467 --> 00:26:31,066
the region and the world.
531
00:26:31,066 --> 00:26:32,767
The Press:
On the question of
gun legislation,
532
00:26:32,767 --> 00:26:36,200
it was made clear to us in the
briefing yesterday that the
533
00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:39,033
White House will not send a
comprehensive bill that contains
534
00:26:39,033 --> 00:26:41,332
all of gun control
measures to Capitol Hill.
535
00:26:41,333 --> 00:26:45,100
It will defer to, in the case
of the assault weapons ban and
536
00:26:45,100 --> 00:26:48,867
magazine size,
Senator Feinstein,
537
00:26:48,867 --> 00:26:51,899
Senator Schumer on
one aspect of it;
538
00:26:51,900 --> 00:26:53,066
Senator Gillibrand to another.
539
00:26:53,066 --> 00:26:55,400
And there are some House
Democrats who would prefer just
540
00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:58,000
the opposite approach -- a
comprehensive bill, one vote,
541
00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:01,200
one package to concentrate the
mind of the American public and
542
00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:02,700
to achieve a better
legislative result.
543
00:27:02,700 --> 00:27:05,667
Can you explain to us the
strategic insight the White
544
00:27:05,667 --> 00:27:08,000
House has as to why it's better
that the White House not to
545
00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:10,900
write it and send it up
in one comprehensive bill?
546
00:27:10,900 --> 00:27:12,000
Mr. Carney:
Well, I'd answer it two ways.
547
00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:15,800
One, some of the legislation
that we are talking about here,
548
00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:18,367
specifically the legislation
that has to do with the assault
549
00:27:18,367 --> 00:27:23,700
weapons and with high-capacity
ammunition clips preexisted,
550
00:27:23,700 --> 00:27:27,166
and Senator Feinstein has done a
lot of work on these issues and
551
00:27:27,166 --> 00:27:31,200
is working, and we are working
with her to develop updated
552
00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:34,000
legislation that
addresses these matters.
553
00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:37,667
And so that -- we believe that's
the appropriate way to go.
554
00:27:37,667 --> 00:27:41,667
How this plays out legislatively
is obviously hard to know,
555
00:27:41,667 --> 00:27:47,533
and I would point you to experts
on the Hill about how it will in
556
00:27:47,533 --> 00:27:48,667
both the Senate and the House.
557
00:27:48,667 --> 00:27:53,766
Our interest is in moving this
entire package in a way that is
558
00:27:53,767 --> 00:27:55,100
most successful.
559
00:27:55,100 --> 00:28:00,132
And we obviously depend in part
for our decisions about strategy
560
00:28:00,133 --> 00:28:04,367
on our allies in Congress
and how they see the best
561
00:28:04,367 --> 00:28:05,367
direction to move.
562
00:28:05,367 --> 00:28:07,899
The Press:
But it is an organic White House
decision not to send a piece of
563
00:28:07,900 --> 00:28:10,567
legislation it drafts in one big
package, and I'm just curious --
564
00:28:10,567 --> 00:28:12,233
Mr. Carney:
Yes, we haven't --
we're not doing that.
565
00:28:12,233 --> 00:28:14,867
But we're doing that -- I
mean, there's a reason here,
566
00:28:14,867 --> 00:28:17,834
which is that the assault
weapons ban did exist,
567
00:28:17,834 --> 00:28:22,166
was on the books for 10 years,
including a portion of it that
568
00:28:22,166 --> 00:28:23,767
dealt with ammunition clips.
569
00:28:23,767 --> 00:28:27,400
That legislation has
been something --
570
00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:30,400
renewal of it is something the
President has supported for
571
00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:31,400
a long time.
572
00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:34,500
And Senator Feinstein is
the author of that bill,
573
00:28:34,500 --> 00:28:39,367
and we support efforts to
update it and move it forward.
574
00:28:39,367 --> 00:28:41,700
The Press:
Does this strategy reflect a
fear that if you put everything
575
00:28:41,700 --> 00:28:42,934
in there with the
assault weapons ban,
576
00:28:42,934 --> 00:28:45,033
that could pull it down and
that you have a better chance of
577
00:28:45,033 --> 00:28:48,332
achieving some of these other
goals if they're adjudicated,
578
00:28:48,333 --> 00:28:51,066
if you will, in
Congress separately?
579
00:28:51,066 --> 00:28:52,367
Mr. Carney:
I can't speak to that directly.
580
00:28:52,367 --> 00:28:55,533
I just know that we are
working with Senator Feinstein,
581
00:28:55,533 --> 00:28:59,233
working with other
Senators in the Senate,
582
00:28:59,233 --> 00:29:02,000
and we'll work with House
members to try to move something
583
00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:03,000
forward here.
584
00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:06,133
The reality is, as
we've talked about,
585
00:29:06,133 --> 00:29:08,734
that none of this
is going to be easy.
586
00:29:08,734 --> 00:29:13,667
But the fact that it's not easy
doesn't mean we shouldn't try.
587
00:29:13,667 --> 00:29:14,734
The Press:
-- some of it
easier in isolation?
588
00:29:14,734 --> 00:29:18,066
Mr. Carney:
Well, again, I think that's
a question about legislative
589
00:29:18,066 --> 00:29:22,600
tactics that you can address to
Congress, members of Congress,
590
00:29:22,600 --> 00:29:24,033
and that I think
I've addressed here.
591
00:29:24,033 --> 00:29:27,033
We are pursuing a course here
that includes the legislation
592
00:29:27,033 --> 00:29:29,500
that Senator Feinstein is
working on, other legislation --
593
00:29:29,500 --> 00:29:31,066
you mentioned Senator Schumer.
594
00:29:31,066 --> 00:29:33,900
And we will continue to press
the entire agenda the President
595
00:29:33,900 --> 00:29:34,900
put forward.
596
00:29:34,900 --> 00:29:36,400
Ari.
597
00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:37,400
The Press:
I'd like to --
598
00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:40,166
Mr. Carney:
Sorry, I did say
Alexis, and then Ari.
599
00:29:40,166 --> 00:29:43,233
Getting the "A"s here
-- then Alexander.
600
00:29:43,233 --> 00:29:45,000
The Press:
Two quick follow-ups.
601
00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:49,100
On Ed's question:
If Congress today --
602
00:29:49,100 --> 00:29:53,332
I'm confused about --
603
00:29:53,333 --> 00:29:54,867
Mr. Carney:
Are they even here?
604
00:29:54,867 --> 00:29:57,399
The Press:
I'm just saying, in a
hypothetical, perfect world,
605
00:29:57,400 --> 00:29:59,066
if they were going
to do this today,
606
00:29:59,066 --> 00:30:01,767
I'm not sure I understand
whether the President has
607
00:30:01,767 --> 00:30:04,600
signaled how long a
duration he's seeking,
608
00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:07,100
what dollar amount
for the debt ceiling.
609
00:30:07,100 --> 00:30:09,800
How would they act if he's
not negotiating and he hasn't
610
00:30:09,800 --> 00:30:11,500
suggested what it is he'd sign?
611
00:30:11,500 --> 00:30:14,433
Mr. Carney:
Look, there is a long tradition
here of Congress acting to raise
612
00:30:14,433 --> 00:30:15,433
the debt ceiling.
613
00:30:15,433 --> 00:30:16,600
This is a power that
they've brought --
614
00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:18,367
that they've given
themselves to do.
615
00:30:18,367 --> 00:30:21,966
And the point is --
without drama and delay.
616
00:30:21,967 --> 00:30:24,867
A monthly extension
is drama, okay?
617
00:30:24,867 --> 00:30:27,667
Congress should
simply do its job.
618
00:30:27,667 --> 00:30:32,934
It should not -- we're not going
to negotiate over extending the
619
00:30:32,934 --> 00:30:34,133
debt ceiling.
620
00:30:34,133 --> 00:30:36,367
The Press:
But is the President saying
he's willing to revisit this
621
00:30:36,367 --> 00:30:37,367
within a year?
622
00:30:37,367 --> 00:30:38,800
Would he like five years?
623
00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:40,100
I mean, what is he saying?
624
00:30:40,100 --> 00:30:42,699
Mr. Carney:
I think the President made clear
the other day that he would
625
00:30:42,700 --> 00:30:45,000
happily take on the
responsibility himself if
626
00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:46,333
Congress can't handle it.
627
00:30:46,333 --> 00:30:47,333
So the fact is, Congress should
simply extend the debt ceiling,
628
00:30:47,333 --> 00:30:55,600
and do so in a manner that
causes no concern to the economy
629
00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:59,632
and to global markets, that
does not in any way suggest that
630
00:30:59,633 --> 00:31:02,100
Washington is about to engage in
another process that results in
631
00:31:02,100 --> 00:31:08,132
a self-inflicted
wound to the economy.
632
00:31:08,133 --> 00:31:11,967
So it's sort of a moot point
because it should just be
633
00:31:11,967 --> 00:31:15,300
extended in a way that does not
raise concern about whether or
634
00:31:15,300 --> 00:31:18,867
not the United States of
America pays its bills.
635
00:31:18,867 --> 00:31:19,867
The Press:
Okay.
636
00:31:19,867 --> 00:31:21,667
Another follow-up to
what Major was saying.
637
00:31:21,667 --> 00:31:25,199
Legislative strategy on guns:
The President obviously tasked
638
00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:26,900
Vice President Biden to do this.
639
00:31:26,900 --> 00:31:30,633
Is Vice President Biden going to
be the White House lobbyist on
640
00:31:30,633 --> 00:31:31,867
guns on the Hill?
641
00:31:31,867 --> 00:31:34,700
And then, secondarily, it's been
reported that the President's
642
00:31:34,700 --> 00:31:36,233
White House
lobbyist, Rob Nabors,
643
00:31:36,233 --> 00:31:39,667
is going to be elevated to
be Deputy Chief of Staff.
644
00:31:39,667 --> 00:31:42,166
So my question is, do
lawmakers and staffers,
645
00:31:42,166 --> 00:31:46,200
are they going to learn soon who
the contact person is for the
646
00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:49,533
legislative affairs if
strategy is so important?
647
00:31:49,533 --> 00:31:52,800
Mr. Carney:
Let me take the end of your
question first by saying that I
648
00:31:52,800 --> 00:31:54,834
have no personnel
announcements to make.
649
00:31:54,834 --> 00:31:56,567
(laughter)
650
00:31:56,567 --> 00:32:00,800
Secondly, you can fully expect
the Vice President to be engaged
651
00:32:00,800 --> 00:32:01,800
in this process.
652
00:32:01,800 --> 00:32:05,734
It makes sense since he led
the effort that produced the
653
00:32:05,734 --> 00:32:08,899
recommendations that led to the
President's event yesterday and
654
00:32:08,900 --> 00:32:11,500
the proposals he put forward,
and the Vice President has a
655
00:32:11,500 --> 00:32:14,533
long history on these matters.
656
00:32:14,533 --> 00:32:16,533
He was Chairman of the Judiciary
Committee in the Senate.
657
00:32:16,533 --> 00:32:21,966
He was a primary author of the
Crime Bill that included the
658
00:32:21,967 --> 00:32:24,166
assault weapons ban in 1994.
659
00:32:24,166 --> 00:32:27,100
And we'll continue to be
engaged in these issues.
660
00:32:27,100 --> 00:32:32,033
But I don't have a roster of
individuals who will make up the
661
00:32:32,033 --> 00:32:36,265
legislative team, but you can
absolutely report with great
662
00:32:36,266 --> 00:32:39,300
certainty that the Vice
President will be involved.
663
00:32:39,300 --> 00:32:40,433
Ari.
664
00:32:40,433 --> 00:32:43,200
The Press:
I'd just like to try to
take another crack at the
665
00:32:43,200 --> 00:32:45,700
inauguration questions, since
this may be the last briefing of
666
00:32:45,700 --> 00:32:46,700
the President's first term.
667
00:32:46,700 --> 00:32:49,734
He's been so busy the last few
weeks with the fiscal cliff
668
00:32:49,734 --> 00:32:50,734
and with guns.
669
00:32:50,734 --> 00:32:53,033
Have you seen any moments of
introspection you could share
670
00:32:53,033 --> 00:32:55,367
with us about reaching the
end of this momentous term and
671
00:32:55,367 --> 00:32:59,500
beginning a new one?
672
00:32:59,500 --> 00:33:00,900
Mr. Carney:
Yes.
673
00:33:00,900 --> 00:33:02,433
(laughter)
674
00:33:02,433 --> 00:33:03,600
The Press:
That you can share with us?
675
00:33:03,600 --> 00:33:07,000
The Press:
And you can share --
that was the key phrase.
676
00:33:07,000 --> 00:33:10,333
And will this be the last
briefing of the first term?
677
00:33:10,333 --> 00:33:11,834
The Press:
The important question first.
678
00:33:11,834 --> 00:33:14,066
What moments of introspection --
679
00:33:14,066 --> 00:33:15,767
Mr. Carney:
Somebody voted over
here and said yes.
680
00:33:15,767 --> 00:33:17,967
(laughter)
681
00:33:17,967 --> 00:33:24,800
I think the President
takes, obviously,
682
00:33:24,800 --> 00:33:27,667
this responsibility
enormously seriously,
683
00:33:27,667 --> 00:33:36,766
and feels grateful for the
opportunity that the American
684
00:33:36,767 --> 00:33:37,767
people have given him.
685
00:33:37,767 --> 00:33:45,500
I'm not -- he said I think in
the wake of the election that he
686
00:33:45,500 --> 00:33:52,700
didn't get -- he didn't seek
reelection just to be reelected.
687
00:33:52,700 --> 00:33:54,533
He believes that
we have work to do,
688
00:33:54,533 --> 00:33:59,332
and he believes that both the
agenda he has put forward so far
689
00:33:59,333 --> 00:34:03,033
and the agenda he will put
forward in the future will help
690
00:34:03,033 --> 00:34:06,332
this country move forward
in a variety of ways.
691
00:34:06,333 --> 00:34:13,633
This is something he
feels very deeply.
692
00:34:13,632 --> 00:34:19,667
I think it's been reported and I
think it's fair to say that the
693
00:34:19,667 --> 00:34:28,000
reelection was in some ways
for all of us here a humbling
694
00:34:28,000 --> 00:34:32,766
experience because it was an
assertion by the electorate that
695
00:34:32,766 --> 00:34:38,500
said, despite how hard the last
four years have been on this
696
00:34:38,500 --> 00:34:43,433
country because of the grave
economic crisis that we were in
697
00:34:43,433 --> 00:34:46,467
when the President took office,
the steps that we've taken have
698
00:34:46,467 --> 00:34:50,200
been the right steps and
more work needs to be done.
699
00:34:50,199 --> 00:34:52,833
And I know he views it that way.
700
00:34:52,833 --> 00:34:56,899
As far as -- all I can tell you
is the President in general when
701
00:34:56,900 --> 00:35:01,133
he works on a speech writes
in longhand on a yellow pad,
702
00:35:01,133 --> 00:35:05,767
and I've seen some yellow pads
filled with writing of late
703
00:35:05,767 --> 00:35:08,533
around, but I don't have any
more details on the speech.
704
00:35:08,533 --> 00:35:09,933
Peter.
705
00:35:09,934 --> 00:35:12,333
The Press:
A couple of questions following
up first on what you said
706
00:35:12,333 --> 00:35:13,333
about weapons.
707
00:35:13,333 --> 00:35:15,567
You said this is a ban on
further manufacture on
708
00:35:15,567 --> 00:35:16,567
future weapons.
709
00:35:16,567 --> 00:35:19,367
I'm curious what that means for
weapons that already have been
710
00:35:19,367 --> 00:35:22,300
manufactured and exist in the
stocks of retailers around this
711
00:35:22,300 --> 00:35:25,600
country, and why that wouldn't
motivate manufacturers now to
712
00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:29,100
manufacture them in bulk and
then store them up if they have
713
00:35:29,100 --> 00:35:31,900
the ability to
distribute them after.
714
00:35:31,900 --> 00:35:33,433
Mr. Carney:
Well, it's a fair question.
715
00:35:33,433 --> 00:35:36,567
I think the original assault
weapons ban was on future
716
00:35:36,567 --> 00:35:40,300
manufacture, and I think Senator
Feinstein and others can speak
717
00:35:40,300 --> 00:35:46,133
with you about the writing of
the legislation and some of the
718
00:35:46,133 --> 00:35:48,299
reasoning behind that.
719
00:35:48,300 --> 00:35:53,433
Again, we do not believe that
any single measure that Congress
720
00:35:53,433 --> 00:35:57,000
can turn into law or that
the President can take,
721
00:35:57,000 --> 00:36:02,700
or that even we as a nation can
do, will eliminate this problem,
722
00:36:02,700 --> 00:36:08,734
will assure us that there
won't be another terrible mass
723
00:36:08,734 --> 00:36:10,165
shooting in the future.
724
00:36:10,166 --> 00:36:13,900
But these actions --
if we take them --
725
00:36:13,900 --> 00:36:17,600
will, the President believes,
reduce the possibility and
726
00:36:17,600 --> 00:36:20,866
therefore save lives and
that's why they're so
727
00:36:20,867 --> 00:36:21,967
important to take.
728
00:36:21,967 --> 00:36:24,433
The Press:
And then following up perhaps
on what Ari said a second ago --
729
00:36:24,433 --> 00:36:26,767
as opposed to the introspective
moments about the past four
730
00:36:26,767 --> 00:36:29,734
years in this place, I'm curious
the President's thoughts as we
731
00:36:29,734 --> 00:36:32,500
now head into this weekend,
given the fact that four years
732
00:36:32,500 --> 00:36:34,834
ago they were approaching 2
million people expected here;
733
00:36:34,834 --> 00:36:37,366
this time, maybe 800,000
per the estimates.
734
00:36:37,367 --> 00:36:40,300
There were 10 inaugural balls;
this time, just a couple.
735
00:36:40,300 --> 00:36:44,333
How does he view this moment
differently than he did four
736
00:36:44,333 --> 00:36:49,567
years ago as a sort of milestone
moment in his presidency?
737
00:36:49,567 --> 00:36:52,300
Mr. Carney:
Well, I'm not -- I don't really
have anything more for you on
738
00:36:52,300 --> 00:36:57,066
his perspective.
739
00:36:57,066 --> 00:37:00,500
I think he'll provide that
when he speaks on Monday.
740
00:37:00,500 --> 00:37:03,400
I would suggest to you that
there will be a very good crowd
741
00:37:03,400 --> 00:37:04,700
on Monday.
742
00:37:04,700 --> 00:37:08,734
And I would point you to
PIC, the inaugural committee,
743
00:37:08,734 --> 00:37:14,165
to explain to you that the
number of balls does not --
744
00:37:14,166 --> 00:37:16,734
there's not an exact coefficient
between the number of people
745
00:37:16,734 --> 00:37:17,834
going to the balls.
746
00:37:17,834 --> 00:37:21,433
But there was, we felt I think,
and the President felt and the
747
00:37:21,433 --> 00:37:27,367
committee felt that this
appropriate in terms of the
748
00:37:27,367 --> 00:37:31,200
number of events and the
participants in them.
749
00:37:31,200 --> 00:37:33,299
Stephen.
750
00:37:33,300 --> 00:37:37,500
The Press:
As a general matter when
American hostages are in a
751
00:37:37,500 --> 00:37:41,200
situation overseas, would the
government expect or hope to be
752
00:37:41,200 --> 00:37:44,799
informed in advance before some
kind of rescue operation or
753
00:37:44,800 --> 00:37:47,700
attack on the hostage takers?
754
00:37:47,700 --> 00:37:51,966
Mr. Carney:
That's a very clever way of
asking a question that has
755
00:37:51,967 --> 00:37:52,967
already been asked.
756
00:37:52,967 --> 00:37:55,600
And I just don't have -- as it
relates to the situation in
757
00:37:55,600 --> 00:37:57,533
Algeria, I just don't have
more information for you
758
00:37:57,533 --> 00:37:58,533
at this time.
759
00:37:58,533 --> 00:38:01,667
We'll certainly try to get you
more information as we have it
760
00:38:01,667 --> 00:38:05,900
and as we have in a way that
we believe is verifiable.
761
00:38:05,900 --> 00:38:08,600
The Press:
Okay, can I try one on Iran?
762
00:38:08,600 --> 00:38:11,600
How did the White House
interpret President
763
00:38:11,600 --> 00:38:16,500
Ahmadinejad's remarks yesterday
that he would have to transform
764
00:38:16,500 --> 00:38:19,166
the Iranian economy because of
the impact of Western sanctions?
765
00:38:19,166 --> 00:38:23,166
Does that augur any hope for
any flexibility in the Iranian
766
00:38:23,166 --> 00:38:25,500
position, do you think?
767
00:38:25,500 --> 00:38:26,500
Mr. Carney:
I wouldn't look at it that way.
768
00:38:26,500 --> 00:38:28,333
I would say that it
is another indicator,
769
00:38:28,333 --> 00:38:31,667
of which there have been
many in recent weeks,
770
00:38:31,667 --> 00:38:34,567
months and the past year, that
the comprehensive international,
771
00:38:34,567 --> 00:38:35,567
multinational effort to sanction
Iran has been effective in the
772
00:38:35,567 --> 00:38:49,700
sense that it has had a profound
impact on the Iranian economy
773
00:38:49,700 --> 00:38:52,133
and has had an impact,
because of that,
774
00:38:52,133 --> 00:38:58,265
on the internal political
situation in Iran.
775
00:38:58,266 --> 00:39:04,100
Iran is paying a high price
for its refusal to abide by its
776
00:39:04,100 --> 00:39:07,967
obligations under United Nations
Security Council resolutions and
777
00:39:07,967 --> 00:39:11,166
will continue to
pay a high price.
778
00:39:11,166 --> 00:39:14,200
There is a different
path available to Iran,
779
00:39:14,200 --> 00:39:18,533
a path that would allow it to
rejoin the community of nations,
780
00:39:18,533 --> 00:39:26,100
to alleviate the burdens placed
on it by all these sanctions.
781
00:39:26,100 --> 00:39:30,266
They simply have to in a
verifiable way abide by their
782
00:39:30,266 --> 00:39:33,667
commitments to forsake their
nuclear weapons ambitions and to
783
00:39:33,667 --> 00:39:39,266
do so in a way that the
United States and our broad
784
00:39:39,266 --> 00:39:43,700
international consensus
here believes is verifiable.
785
00:39:43,700 --> 00:39:45,700
Donovan -- I'm sorry, Brianna.
786
00:39:45,700 --> 00:39:46,700
The Press:
Thanks, Jay.
787
00:39:46,700 --> 00:39:49,433
Mr. Carney:
You know it's like you
were right in there with
788
00:39:49,433 --> 00:39:50,867
that lovely --
789
00:39:50,867 --> 00:39:51,700
The Press:
Fluorescent --
790
00:39:51,700 --> 00:39:52,633
Mr. Carney:
Yes, fluorescent jacket.
791
00:39:52,633 --> 00:39:53,433
(laughter)
792
00:39:53,433 --> 00:39:57,100
The Press:
It's been widely reported that
Denis McDonough will likely be
793
00:39:57,100 --> 00:40:00,799
announced as the President's
next Chief of Staff.
794
00:40:00,800 --> 00:40:02,066
Is that true -- no
I'm just kidding.
795
00:40:02,066 --> 00:40:03,533
Not is that true.
796
00:40:03,533 --> 00:40:09,900
But I'm wondering how sensitive
is the President to what
797
00:40:09,900 --> 00:40:13,800
appearances might look like if
his next personnel announcement
798
00:40:13,800 --> 00:40:16,600
is a white man, instead of
a pick who might add more
799
00:40:16,600 --> 00:40:23,433
diversity to his
staff or his Cabinet?
800
00:40:23,433 --> 00:40:26,633
Mr. Carney:
I think it's impossible to
answer that question since I
801
00:40:26,633 --> 00:40:30,533
have no information for you
today that would allow you to
802
00:40:30,533 --> 00:40:33,967
deduce anything about what the
next personnel announcement will
803
00:40:33,967 --> 00:40:38,400
be because I have none today,
and I wouldn't expect one today.
804
00:40:38,400 --> 00:40:41,066
The Press:
Is it a determining
factor as he considers --
805
00:40:41,066 --> 00:40:44,133
Mr. Carney:
I think the President is
considering a variety of
806
00:40:44,133 --> 00:40:50,667
personnel decisions carefully
and will make announcements when
807
00:40:50,667 --> 00:40:51,700
he's made the decision.
808
00:40:51,700 --> 00:40:53,933
And I think that there's a lot
of reporting and has been in the
809
00:40:53,934 --> 00:40:56,867
past that is
speculative in nature,
810
00:40:56,867 --> 00:40:59,000
that sometimes proves
to be -- it's like a --
811
00:40:59,000 --> 00:41:00,066
rolling the dice, right?
812
00:41:00,066 --> 00:41:03,066
Sometimes if you say
it's going to be three,
813
00:41:03,066 --> 00:41:08,066
it turns out to be three,
but often it's not.
814
00:41:08,066 --> 00:41:10,500
So the fact that some of that
reporting about who is going to
815
00:41:10,500 --> 00:41:12,734
have which position or be named
to which position turns out to
816
00:41:12,734 --> 00:41:16,066
be true, there's a whole bunch
of reporting that people forget
817
00:41:16,066 --> 00:41:19,200
where reporters assert that so
and so is going to get this job
818
00:41:19,200 --> 00:41:20,332
and it turns out
not to be the case;
819
00:41:20,333 --> 00:41:22,367
and so and so gets another job,
and it turns out not to be the
820
00:41:22,367 --> 00:41:24,066
case -- which is not
to cast dispersions.
821
00:41:24,066 --> 00:41:29,165
It's just simply to say the
President hasn't made a decision
822
00:41:29,166 --> 00:41:33,400
that he's ready to announce on
that post or any of the others
823
00:41:33,400 --> 00:41:34,500
that he has yet to announce.
824
00:41:34,500 --> 00:41:38,633
And when he does, he'll
present them to you.
825
00:41:38,633 --> 00:41:43,232
On the broader issue about the
makeup of his Cabinet and White
826
00:41:43,233 --> 00:41:45,200
House staff, I think the
President addressed this pretty
827
00:41:45,200 --> 00:41:48,500
directly in answer to
Jackie just the other day.
828
00:41:48,500 --> 00:41:51,834
The Press:
But is he sensitive
to the criticism?
829
00:41:51,834 --> 00:41:55,265
Mr. Carney:
Well, I would make your
assessment on that by looking at
830
00:41:55,266 --> 00:42:00,300
the answer he gave, which is
that diversity matters to him.
831
00:42:00,300 --> 00:42:06,367
That is in part why a woman
was his chief diplomat,
832
00:42:06,367 --> 00:42:10,000
a woman has been his homeland
-- top homeland security Cabinet
833
00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:13,000
official, a woman has
been representing --
834
00:42:13,000 --> 00:42:14,500
The Press:
He said those were the
announcements to judge by all of
835
00:42:14,500 --> 00:42:15,500
his announcements.
836
00:42:15,500 --> 00:42:16,500
So obviously --
837
00:42:16,500 --> 00:42:17,500
Mr. Carney:
Right, but that's in the future.
838
00:42:17,500 --> 00:42:18,500
But I'm just saying -- I mean,
I think his record is pretty --
839
00:42:18,500 --> 00:42:19,900
demonstrates the value
he places on diversity.
840
00:42:19,900 --> 00:42:25,033
And I think he made clear
that you should wait to make
841
00:42:25,033 --> 00:42:28,433
judgments about his personnel
decisions and the diversity of
842
00:42:28,433 --> 00:42:31,700
them after he's made
them and announced them.
843
00:42:31,700 --> 00:42:35,000
The Press:
So then after he makes some
more personnel assessments --
844
00:42:35,000 --> 00:42:37,233
or personnel announcements,
he makes his next one,
845
00:42:37,233 --> 00:42:38,400
then after that --
846
00:42:38,400 --> 00:42:40,567
Mr. Carney:
I think he said to all of them.
847
00:42:40,567 --> 00:42:43,433
So I would -- I mean, obviously,
you're free to make any
848
00:42:43,433 --> 00:42:45,233
assessments you want at
any time that you want,
849
00:42:45,233 --> 00:42:49,367
but I think his -- he was urging
folks to sort of stand back and
850
00:42:49,367 --> 00:42:52,467
wait until he's made what
will be another series of
851
00:42:52,467 --> 00:42:54,433
announcements, because
obviously there are some
852
00:42:54,433 --> 00:42:55,900
positions to fill.
853
00:42:55,900 --> 00:42:57,767
The Press:
And finally, it's the First
Lady's birthday today,
854
00:42:57,767 --> 00:42:58,933
I believe.
855
00:42:58,934 --> 00:43:00,166
Mr. Carney:
It is.
856
00:43:00,166 --> 00:43:02,734
The Press:
Can you tell us anything about
how the President and First
857
00:43:02,734 --> 00:43:04,700
Family are celebrating
her birthday?
858
00:43:04,700 --> 00:43:06,366
Mr. Carney:
I don't want to
ruin the surprise.
859
00:43:06,367 --> 00:43:08,633
The Press:
But anything that may
have already happened?
860
00:43:08,633 --> 00:43:09,734
Mr. Carney:
No, you know, I --
861
00:43:09,734 --> 00:43:12,400
The Press:
He's not waiting until the very
end of the day to acknowledge --
862
00:43:12,400 --> 00:43:15,000
Mr. Carney:
That's a personal thing.
863
00:43:15,000 --> 00:43:18,367
I don't have anything for
that on you -- on that for you.
864
00:43:18,367 --> 00:43:19,734
(laughter)
865
00:43:19,734 --> 00:43:21,700
Seriously, I asked, but I
don't have anything for you.
866
00:43:21,700 --> 00:43:22,567
The Press:
Any outing tonight?
867
00:43:22,567 --> 00:43:23,266
Mr. Carney:
I'm sorry?
868
00:43:23,266 --> 00:43:24,300
The Press:
Outing tonight?
869
00:43:24,300 --> 00:43:27,400
Mr. Carney:
I don't have anything for you
on the President's schedule.
870
00:43:27,400 --> 00:43:29,200
Donovan.
871
00:43:29,200 --> 00:43:30,433
The Press:
Two quick questions.
872
00:43:30,433 --> 00:43:32,367
On Manti Te'o --
873
00:43:32,367 --> 00:43:34,266
(laughter)
874
00:43:34,266 --> 00:43:40,233
-- have you spoken --
someone had to ask.
875
00:43:40,233 --> 00:43:43,000
Have you spoken with the
President about it and has he
876
00:43:43,000 --> 00:43:44,433
had any thoughts about it?
877
00:43:44,433 --> 00:43:45,567
I know he's a big sports fan.
878
00:43:45,567 --> 00:43:49,200
Mr. Carney:
I have not spoken with him.
879
00:43:49,200 --> 00:43:55,700
I read the article in question
yesterday evening and it
880
00:43:55,700 --> 00:43:56,700
was fascinating.
881
00:43:56,700 --> 00:44:00,700
But I don't have anything
for you from the President.
882
00:44:00,700 --> 00:44:02,667
The Press:
Did you have thoughts on it?
883
00:44:02,667 --> 00:44:04,366
Mr. Carney:
I mean, I just thought it
was a very interesting story.
884
00:44:04,367 --> 00:44:09,266
But I just don't, obviously,
have any comment on it.
885
00:44:09,266 --> 00:44:11,533
The Press:
And then, secondly,
on Algeria --
886
00:44:11,533 --> 00:44:19,567
(laughter)
887
00:44:19,567 --> 00:44:23,700
On Algeria, Sky News is
reporting that U.S. drones,
888
00:44:23,700 --> 00:44:27,033
at least one, have been
spotted over the area.
889
00:44:27,033 --> 00:44:30,667
When you said earlier that
we are providing logistical
890
00:44:30,667 --> 00:44:33,433
support, does that
include drones?
891
00:44:33,433 --> 00:44:37,867
Mr. Carney:
I was referring to Mali when
I was talking about logistical
892
00:44:37,867 --> 00:44:41,567
support to the French
effort, which is essentially
893
00:44:41,567 --> 00:44:42,567
airlift support.
894
00:44:42,567 --> 00:44:44,367
But I mean, I just
don't have any --
895
00:44:44,367 --> 00:44:45,367
The Press:
And U.S. drones over Algeria?
896
00:44:45,367 --> 00:44:48,333
Mr. Carney:
I don't have any other details
for you on the support we're
897
00:44:48,333 --> 00:44:51,300
providing beyond
what I said before.
898
00:44:51,300 --> 00:44:55,200
The Press:
This may sound very mundane, but
the Vice President is meeting
899
00:44:55,200 --> 00:44:56,633
with mayors this afternoon.
900
00:44:56,633 --> 00:44:59,466
So I'm just wondering --
901
00:44:59,467 --> 00:45:01,333
Mr. Carney:
That's important.
902
00:45:01,333 --> 00:45:05,600
The Press:
Yes, well, so I just wanted
to try to put some meat
903
00:45:05,600 --> 00:45:06,667
on the bone.
904
00:45:06,667 --> 00:45:10,667
Is there any specific asks of
the mayors or anything specific
905
00:45:10,667 --> 00:45:14,467
that he needs to tell them from
the administration on some of
906
00:45:14,467 --> 00:45:17,133
these big issues that we're
dealing with this week,
907
00:45:17,133 --> 00:45:19,799
both guns and the debt ceiling?
908
00:45:19,800 --> 00:45:23,066
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think you can expect
that the Vice President will,
909
00:45:23,066 --> 00:45:26,433
in his discussion with mayors,
raise the issue that he worked
910
00:45:26,433 --> 00:45:28,166
hard on and the President
announced yesterday,
911
00:45:28,166 --> 00:45:31,900
which is a series of initiatives
and proposals that make up the
912
00:45:31,900 --> 00:45:37,000
President's plan to try
to reduce gun violence.
913
00:45:37,000 --> 00:45:39,867
I think that will be a
focus of the conversation.
914
00:45:39,867 --> 00:45:42,567
I don't know that they'll
talk about the debt ceiling.
915
00:45:42,567 --> 00:45:46,900
I suppose that's possible, but
I think gun violence will be a
916
00:45:46,900 --> 00:45:48,834
topic of, and an
appropriate one,
917
00:45:48,834 --> 00:45:50,600
when the Vice President
meets with mayors.
918
00:45:50,600 --> 00:45:52,000
The Press:
What's he asking them for?
919
00:45:52,000 --> 00:45:53,000
Mr. Carney:
Support.
920
00:45:53,000 --> 00:45:54,000
The Press:
How?
921
00:45:54,000 --> 00:45:55,000
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think --
922
00:45:55,000 --> 00:45:56,000
The Press:
Does he want mayors to
call their congressmen
923
00:45:56,000 --> 00:45:57,333
and ask them --
924
00:45:57,333 --> 00:45:58,333
Mr. Carney:
Sure.
925
00:45:58,333 --> 00:46:01,333
I think the whole point that
the President made and the Vice
926
00:46:01,333 --> 00:46:04,900
President will make is that we
need everybody who believes this
927
00:46:04,900 --> 00:46:09,400
is a matter of concern and
it needs to be addressed,
928
00:46:09,400 --> 00:46:12,333
and who supports the
common-sense measures the
929
00:46:12,333 --> 00:46:14,600
President put forward
yesterday, to speak up.
930
00:46:14,600 --> 00:46:17,500
And that includes elected
officials at the local level and
931
00:46:17,500 --> 00:46:19,600
the state level, as well
as at the national level.
932
00:46:19,600 --> 00:46:22,000
And it includes average
Americans and interest groups
933
00:46:22,000 --> 00:46:26,433
and civic groups that are
concerned about gun violence and
934
00:46:26,433 --> 00:46:31,333
who want to see common-sense
action taken that respects and
935
00:46:31,333 --> 00:46:37,367
protects our Second Amendment
rights but helps prevent those
936
00:46:37,367 --> 00:46:41,600
who should not have
weapons from getting them,
937
00:46:41,600 --> 00:46:49,900
from attaining them, and helps
prevent potential violent actors
938
00:46:49,900 --> 00:46:53,133
from obtaining the kinds of
weapons that could inflict so
939
00:46:53,133 --> 00:46:57,433
much damage -- which addresses
the ammunition clip issue.
940
00:46:57,433 --> 00:47:02,800
So he will, I'm sure, be
calling on mayors to support
941
00:47:02,800 --> 00:47:03,800
this effort.
942
00:47:03,800 --> 00:47:06,233
And that's just the start of it.
943
00:47:06,233 --> 00:47:09,333
The Press:
On the debt ceiling, top
administration officials did a
944
00:47:09,333 --> 00:47:12,100
call with, like, dozens
of executives today --
945
00:47:12,100 --> 00:47:13,133
CEOs and stuff.
946
00:47:13,133 --> 00:47:16,667
I'm just wondering if you could
flesh that out a little for
947
00:47:16,667 --> 00:47:17,667
us as well.
948
00:47:17,667 --> 00:47:20,066
What is it that the
administration is looking for
949
00:47:20,066 --> 00:47:23,165
the business community and
corporate executives to do in
950
00:47:23,166 --> 00:47:26,633
terms of exerting pressure on
Congress for the debt ceiling?
951
00:47:26,633 --> 00:47:30,399
How much do you think you
can count on them explicitly?
952
00:47:30,400 --> 00:47:33,500
Like beyond urging
members not to hold it up,
953
00:47:33,500 --> 00:47:37,266
what do you actually
expect them to do?
954
00:47:37,266 --> 00:47:40,100
Mr. Carney:
Speak up about any
concern they may have --
955
00:47:40,100 --> 00:47:43,433
and this applies to anyone who
has this concern who is in a
956
00:47:43,433 --> 00:47:46,700
position of influence -- to
speak up about any concern they
957
00:47:46,700 --> 00:47:51,133
may have about Congress --
in this case, Republicans,
958
00:47:51,133 --> 00:47:56,667
in particular in the House --
using flirtation with default as
959
00:47:56,667 --> 00:48:01,165
a tactic because the
implications of that are so
960
00:48:01,166 --> 00:48:02,467
profound for our economy.
961
00:48:02,467 --> 00:48:08,266
I mentioned this earlier, but
here's Honeywell chairman and
962
00:48:08,266 --> 00:48:11,233
CEO, David Cote, saying, "You
should not be using the debt
963
00:48:11,233 --> 00:48:13,433
"limit as a bargaining chip
when it comes to how you run
964
00:48:13,433 --> 00:48:14,834
"the country.
965
00:48:14,834 --> 00:48:17,033
"You don't put the full faith
and credit of the United
966
00:48:17,033 --> 00:48:18,533
"States at risk."
967
00:48:18,533 --> 00:48:21,700
Again, the Chamber of
Commerce -- I quote --
968
00:48:21,700 --> 00:48:25,600
"The Chamber believes we
should not risk defaulting and
969
00:48:25,600 --> 00:48:29,066
"therefore the debt ceiling
needs to be raised."
970
00:48:29,066 --> 00:48:31,232
That's the Chamber of Commerce.
971
00:48:31,233 --> 00:48:34,934
Alan Simpson, co-author of the
world-famous Simpson-Bowles
972
00:48:34,934 --> 00:48:40,533
plan, says of the proposition
that the GOP might use the debt
973
00:48:40,533 --> 00:48:42,866
ceiling as a leverage
point, he says,
974
00:48:42,867 --> 00:48:44,233
"I think that would
be a grave mistake.
975
00:48:44,233 --> 00:48:45,967
"I don't think that
would solve anything.
976
00:48:45,967 --> 00:48:47,900
"I think they are
going to try it" --
977
00:48:47,900 --> 00:48:50,333
I hope he's wrong about that --
"and how far they will go with
978
00:48:50,333 --> 00:48:52,900
"that game of chicken
I have no idea.
979
00:48:52,900 --> 00:48:56,233
"But I can tell you, you
can't, you really can't.
980
00:48:56,233 --> 00:48:58,500
"This is stuff that we've
already indebted ourselves.
981
00:48:58,500 --> 00:49:01,433
"I mean, if you're a
real conservative,
982
00:49:01,433 --> 00:49:05,100
"a really honest conservative,
without hypocrisy,
983
00:49:05,100 --> 00:49:07,767
"you would want to
pay your debt."
984
00:49:07,767 --> 00:49:09,866
Let me repeat: "If you
are a real conservative,
985
00:49:09,867 --> 00:49:13,000
"a really honest conservative,
without hypocrisy,
986
00:49:13,000 --> 00:49:14,166
"you would want to
pay your debt."
987
00:49:14,166 --> 00:49:17,100
That's Alan Simpson,
former Republican senator.
988
00:49:17,100 --> 00:49:20,967
And the number of voices out
there making that point I think
989
00:49:20,967 --> 00:49:25,800
is a positive thing when we talk
about the absolute necessity for
990
00:49:25,800 --> 00:49:30,033
Congress to do its job, for
Republicans in Congress not to
991
00:49:30,033 --> 00:49:34,299
play chicken with the full faith
and credit of the United States,
992
00:49:34,300 --> 00:49:38,233
to raise the debt ceiling
without drama, without delay;
993
00:49:38,233 --> 00:49:39,767
and then to engage
in positive, healthy,
994
00:49:39,767 --> 00:49:46,133
constructive discussion and
negotiation about how we move
995
00:49:46,133 --> 00:49:49,332
forward in reducing our
deficit in a balanced way,
996
00:49:49,333 --> 00:49:52,033
and doing so in a way that
allows the economy to continue
997
00:49:52,033 --> 00:49:55,165
to grow so that we're making
investments in education,
998
00:49:55,166 --> 00:49:57,266
and research and
development, and elsewhere,
999
00:49:57,266 --> 00:50:01,533
in a way that doesn't ask
seniors to bear the burden of
1000
00:50:01,533 --> 00:50:04,834
deficit reduction entirely
-- in a balanced way.
1001
00:50:04,834 --> 00:50:07,866
And the President is eager
to have those negotiations,
1002
00:50:07,867 --> 00:50:12,433
and is eager to compromise
in a way that protects his
1003
00:50:12,433 --> 00:50:15,166
principles, as he has
demonstrated in the past.
1004
00:50:15,166 --> 00:50:16,166
Thanks, guys.
1005
00:50:16,166 --> 00:50:20,934
Oh, I do owe Mr. Knoller --
you're looking a little forlorn.
1006
00:50:20,934 --> 00:50:25,033
The Press:
Jay, what prompted President
Obama to change the license
1007
00:50:25,033 --> 00:50:26,567
plate on his limousines?
1008
00:50:26,567 --> 00:50:29,166
For four years he didn't
use the "Taxation Without
1009
00:50:29,166 --> 00:50:32,600
"Representation" plates, but
on Saturday we hear he will be
1010
00:50:32,600 --> 00:50:33,600
putting them on it.
1011
00:50:33,600 --> 00:50:36,467
Why did he change
his mind about that?
1012
00:50:36,467 --> 00:50:37,467
Mr. Carney:
That's a good question.
1013
00:50:37,467 --> 00:50:38,467
I appreciate it.
1014
00:50:38,467 --> 00:50:41,433
President Obama now has lived in
the District for four years and
1015
00:50:41,433 --> 00:50:44,934
has seen firsthand how patently
unfair it is for working
1016
00:50:44,934 --> 00:50:48,000
families in D.C. to work
hard, raise children,
1017
00:50:48,000 --> 00:50:50,533
and pay taxes without
having a vote in Congress.
1018
00:50:50,533 --> 00:50:53,133
Attaching these plates to
the presidential vehicles
1019
00:50:53,133 --> 00:50:55,600
demonstrates the President's
commitment to the principle of
1020
00:50:55,600 --> 00:50:57,600
full representation for the
people of the District of
1021
00:50:57,600 --> 00:51:00,600
Columbia and his willingness
to fight for voting rights,
1022
00:51:00,600 --> 00:51:04,567
home rule, and budget
autonomy for the district.
1023
00:51:04,567 --> 00:51:05,633
That's your answer.
1024
00:51:05,633 --> 00:51:06,633
Sorry, I've got to go.
1025
00:51:06,633 --> 00:51:07,633
Thanks.
1026
00:51:07,633 --> 00:51:10,500
The Press:
Week ahead or are you
going to brief tomorrow?
1027
00:51:10,500 --> 00:51:12,300
The Press:
See you tomorrow?
1028
00:51:12,300 --> 00:51:15,300
Mr. Carney:
I'm sure you'll hear from
me in some fashion tomorrow.
1029
00:51:15,300 --> 00:51:17,300
We haven't decided yet.
