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Mr. Carney:
Good afternoon,
ladies and gentlemen.
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Thank you for being here.
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Before I start, it is amazing,
in today's era of lightning
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communications, how this already
seems to be a moment that's
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passing, but it is worth pausing
to remember, perhaps in my mind,
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the greatest political
journalist ever,
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and that's Richard Ben Cramer.
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When I got to
Washington in 1993,
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in the spring of that
year, from Moscow,
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a colleague of mine
handed me that book --
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it has come out
the year before --
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as I began to cover politics,
and it was the best
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read imaginable.
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And if there's anyone in
this room who has not read
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"What It Takes," you should
run out and buy it now.
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Do a favor to his wife and
daughter and actually buy it,
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don't borrow it, because
it is a remarkable book.
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And what's remarkable
about it --
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it's funny because when I got
the job to work with the Vice
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President, I reread the chapters
on Senator Biden from his
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campaign in 1988, and it is
a series of portraits of men,
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in this case, running for the
highest office in the land,
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and they are all
affectionate portraits.
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They are appreciative
of each individual --
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their qualities and
their failings --
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but everything is done with
great affection for the process
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and the individuals.
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It's a joy to read, so if you
haven't already, go get it.
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With that, I'll
take your questions.
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The Press:
Thanks, Jay, and thanks for
the appreciation for one of
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our brethren.
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Two questions.
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Regarding yesterday's nomination
of John Brennan to be CIA
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director, Senator Lindsey Graham
today issued a statement saying,
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"I do not believe we should
confirm anyone as director of
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"the CIA until our
questions are answered,
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"like who changed Ambassador
Susan Rice's talking points and
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"deleted a reference
to al Qaeda."
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I think Major took a stab at
that question back in November,
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and I wondered if
we could revisit it.
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One, does that stand in the
way of Brennan's confirmation?
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Two, can you answer the
question that Graham has raised?
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Mr. Carney:
I'll start with
number two first.
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This question was
answered, I believe,
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in briefings on the Hill.
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Secondly, because the process
was one of declassifying
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classified information and in
that process the talking points
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that were provided to Ambassador
Rice, to members of Congress,
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and to others including myself
in the executive branch,
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were written in the way that was
presented by Ambassador Rice.
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On the first point, it would
be unfortunate I think if in
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pursuit of this issue, which
was highly politicized,
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the Senate would hold up the
nomination of John Brennan to be
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Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency.
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As the President said yesterday,
that post as well as the
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positions of Secretary of
Defense, Secretary of State,
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these are essential positions
that need to be filled if
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possible without delay.
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And that is why he called on the
Senate to act promptly to hold
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the necessary confirmation
hearings and to give each
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nominee a fair hearing
and then a vote.
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We certainly hope
that that happens.
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I think while it's not worth
going into in great detail,
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we certainly discussed a lot
last year, late in the year,
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the essential irrelevance of
the issue of what was said on a
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series of Sunday shows to what
actually happened in Benghazi.
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And this President is committed
to ensuring that those who were
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responsible for the deaths
of four Americans in Libya be
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brought to justice.
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There is an FBI-led
investigation with that
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as its goal.
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And there has been a process
ordered by the President,
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overseen by the
Secretary of State,
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an independent
Accountability Review Board,
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led by Ambassador Pickering
and Admiral Mullen,
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that produced an unsparing
assessment of diplomatic
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security both in
Benghazi and broadly,
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and that included a series
of recommendations which the
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Secretary of State and the
President of the United States
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accepted entirely and which
are already being implemented.
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And the President is
focused on those issues,
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not what seems to be the
continued political fascination
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with appearances
on Sunday shows.
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The Press:
Second point, I wanted to pick
up where you left off yesterday
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on fiscal issues.
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I wonder what lessons did the
President take away from his
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discussions in December?
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When does he expect to reengage
with Congress to if not deal
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with the debt ceiling, at least
negotiate over the sequester?
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And do you guys expect Senator
McConnell rather than Boehner --
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Speaker Boehner to be your dance
partner in coming negotiations?
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Mr. Carney:
The President said
not too many days ago,
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when the agreement on the fiscal
cliff was passed by both houses
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of Congress overwhelmingly, that
he would continue to seek to
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compromise with Congress when
it came to achieving a balanced
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approach for continued
deficit reduction.
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And he will do that.
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Congress is not
here, as you know,
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but he looks forward to working
with Congress in good faith to
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continue the work
that's already begun,
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and that began with the
Budget Control Act and the
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$1.1 trillion in spending
cuts signed into law by this
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President; that continued with
the agreement on the so-called
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fiscal cliff just last week that
achieved significant deficit
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reduction through revenues, and
enshrines into law the principle
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that we need to move forward
in a balanced way as we seek
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further deficit reduction.
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As I said yesterday, the
President has said and others
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have said he will not negotiate
with Congress when it comes to
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the essential responsibility of
Congress to pay the bills that
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Congress has incurred.
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It would be irresponsible
to flirt with default.
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We saw what happened in the
summer of 2011 when Congress did
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flirt with default, when House
Republicans in particular used
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that as an issue to try
to achieve some political
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objectives and just the mere
flirtation with default caused
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severe economic harm, which
I spelled out yesterday.
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The Press:
What's the window -- the timing
window that the President sees?
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I mean, the fiscal cliff deal
bought you two months for the
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sequester; speculation that the
debt ceiling could be hit by
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February 15th and March 1st.
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So when does the President want
to start those talks and when
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does he think they need to
be completed and in place?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, again, I would separate
the debt ceiling from
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negotiations over
eliminating the sequester.
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The fact is we have two months
because of the fiscal cliff
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agreement, and that is
not a great deal of time,
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and the President will,
and the White House will,
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engage with Congress on
those matters in I think the
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relatively near term.
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But when it comes to the debt
ceiling, as I said yesterday,
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we expect Congress
to do its job.
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The President expects that
Congress will fulfill its
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essential responsibility to
pay the bills that Congress
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has incurred.
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And remember, this is a
responsibility that Congress
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assigned to itself in order to
try to get Congress to spend
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less and be more focused
on deficit reduction.
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So this is -- Congress has the
power that it assigned itself to
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raise the debt ceiling,
and it should do so,
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because the alternative
is obviously unacceptable.
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And that's something I think
you remember from the period
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in 2011.
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Both Senator McConnell and
Speaker Boehner at the time said
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they would not let the
United States default,
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with all the consequences
that would ensue,
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and we hope that Congress
wouldn't let that happen again.
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Yes.
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The Press:
Thanks, Jay.
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Just a couple questions.
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First one is, given the fiscal
hurdles that are still looming,
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has the President asked or is
he considering asking Treasury
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Secretary Geithner to
stay on beyond January?
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And if not, when can we expect
the nomination of a successor?
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Mr. Carney:
I think Secretary Geithner has
expressed his timetable for
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departing after his service
as Treasury Secretary,
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which has been much
appreciated by the President.
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His record, I think
four years on now,
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reflects some very gutsy
decisions that were made by the
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President on the advice of the
Secretary of the Treasury that
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helped prevent a far worse
economic crisis than we endured.
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I think if you look at the
state of the American economy,
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the fact is while we are not
growing as much as we want,
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we are not creating jobs
as fast as we would like,
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we are doing far better than a
number of other countries that
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endured the fiscal crisis
and economic crisis of 2008,
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2007, 2009.
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And that is in part because of
some of the very tough calls
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made by this President and
this Treasury Secretary.
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I don't have a timetable for any
other personnel announcements,
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but I have no new information
or any change in information on
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Secretary Geithner's departure.
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The Press:
Okay.
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Another subject -- AIG says
its board will meet tomorrow to
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discuss whether to join a
lawsuit filed against the
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government alleging that the
massive bailout of the company
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was unfair.
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It's been compared to a
patient suing their doctor for
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saving their life.
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What's the administration's
response to this?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, I won't comment on
a lawsuit that's pending.
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I would refer you to the
Department of Justice.
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But I will step back,
and this, I think,
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contextually fits into my answer
about Secretary Geithner's time
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as Treasury Secretary, and
that is to note that the U.S.
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government acted in a bipartisan
fashion to prevent the
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disorderly failure of AIG after
concluding that such a failure
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would have caused catastrophic
damage to the economy and
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financial system.
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Again, the action was taken
because the failure would have
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done such great harm to
the American economy,
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to the American
financial system,
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and to the American people.
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Because of the successful
management of taxpayer dollars
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by the government and the
company's restructuring efforts,
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the company recently fully
repaid taxpayers with a profit.
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The overall positive return
on the Federal Reserve and
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Treasury's combined $182 billion
commitment to stabilize AIG
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during the financial crisis
is now $22.7 billion.
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Again, that's $22.7
billion in profit.
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It is also worth remembering,
in response to a question like
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this, that thanks to the
action of the President,
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thanks to the action of the
administration and Congress,
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an action like the kind that
was taken to deal with AIG's
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potential disorderly failure,
however necessary during the
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financial crisis,
should not happen again,
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and that's why this President
pursued Wall Street reform.
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And that's why it is essential
to continue to move forward with
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the implementation
of that reform.
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The Press:
So would you urge AIG's
board to just drop the --
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Mr. Carney:
Again, I will not comment
on a pending lawsuit.
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The Press:
Is the President
aware of the suit?
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Mr. Carney:
I haven't discussed it with him,
but I will not comment on a
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pending lawsuit.
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Dan.
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The Press:
Thanks.
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Can you tell us what kind of
progress the Biden gun group,
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if you will, is making?
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Do they give the President
frequent updates?
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And also, is the NRA
part of this process?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, let me say a
few things about that.
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The Vice President, at
the President's request,
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is overseeing a process that
is engaging a variety of
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stakeholders -- organizations
and individuals --
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to look broadly at the problem
of gun violence in America and
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to consider actions that could
be taken at both the legislative
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level and elsewhere.
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As I think has been reported,
the process is ongoing.
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The Vice President's effort
-- the Vice President has had
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several meetings and
conversations so far,
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and he will have many more
before presenting his
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recommendations
to the President.
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As for the President's
involvement,
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the President assigned the
Vice President to this task,
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asked him to do it.
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And as you know and saw just
at the end of last month,
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the President and the Vice
President spent a lot of time
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00:14:11,033 --> 00:14:13,400
together and they will continue
to spend a lot of time together,
239
00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:18,300
and I am sure, as they do that,
that this topic will come up and
240
00:14:18,300 --> 00:14:22,000
the Vice President will have the
opportunity to informally brief
241
00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,266
the President on the
progress of this effort.
242
00:14:24,266 --> 00:14:28,300
And then, when the Vice
President is ready to present a
243
00:14:28,300 --> 00:14:31,065
series of recommendations
to the President,
244
00:14:31,066 --> 00:14:33,033
the President will consider them
and then make decisions about
245
00:14:33,033 --> 00:14:34,100
how to proceed.
246
00:14:34,100 --> 00:14:36,066
The Press:
And is the NRA part
of these discussions?
247
00:14:36,066 --> 00:14:40,633
Mr. Carney:
We have invited -- the Vice
President's group has invited a
248
00:14:40,633 --> 00:14:45,467
number of organizations and
individuals to participate
249
00:14:45,467 --> 00:14:48,033
in meetings.
250
00:14:48,033 --> 00:14:54,600
They include gun owners and
-- groups that represent gun
251
00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:59,033
owners, groups that represent
sportsmen and sportswomen.
252
00:14:59,033 --> 00:15:01,333
The NRA has certainly
been one of the groups --
253
00:15:01,333 --> 00:15:02,567
one of the many groups invited.
254
00:15:02,567 --> 00:15:07,066
I would leave it to those groups
themselves to decide whether to
255
00:15:07,066 --> 00:15:10,500
say -- to make any comment
on their attendance in
256
00:15:10,500 --> 00:15:11,467
those meetings.
257
00:15:11,467 --> 00:15:13,734
The Press:
The NRA says they will be here
on Thursday in that meeting.
258
00:15:13,734 --> 00:15:15,800
So what is the message that
Vice President Biden or this
259
00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:18,233
administration will say to the
NRA in their first face-to-face
260
00:15:18,233 --> 00:15:21,566
conversation, given the only
conversations the NRA has had
261
00:15:21,567 --> 00:15:24,233
with the public has been a
public statement and then
262
00:15:24,233 --> 00:15:25,532
"Meet the Press"?
263
00:15:25,533 --> 00:15:27,266
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think as
the President said,
264
00:15:27,266 --> 00:15:30,567
he doesn't want to prejudge
any recommendations that any
265
00:15:30,567 --> 00:15:33,200
stakeholder might present.
266
00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:37,600
He did in his "Meet the Press"
interview respond to a question
267
00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:41,333
about the specific
recommendation that the NRA had
268
00:15:41,333 --> 00:15:48,699
made by saying that he was
skeptical that putting more guns
269
00:15:48,700 --> 00:15:53,533
in schools would
solve this problem.
270
00:15:53,533 --> 00:15:58,500
But again, we look forward
to hearing from a variety of
271
00:15:58,500 --> 00:16:04,333
organizations and civic groups
and others who have insights
272
00:16:04,333 --> 00:16:05,400
into this problem.
273
00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:08,066
The Press:
The NRA says it's here to hear
what the White House has to say.
274
00:16:08,066 --> 00:16:09,467
So if you guys are
here to listen to them,
275
00:16:09,467 --> 00:16:10,867
and they're here to listen
to you, and you guys are --
276
00:16:10,867 --> 00:16:15,065
Mr. Carney:
Well, the process is
designed to get input.
277
00:16:15,066 --> 00:16:21,367
And the Vice President's group
will assess different actions,
278
00:16:21,367 --> 00:16:25,433
make recommendations, and the
President will decide what he
279
00:16:25,433 --> 00:16:27,967
would like to pursue, what he
believes is the right course of
280
00:16:27,967 --> 00:16:31,400
action, in addition to what he
has already called on Congress
281
00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:33,266
to do, which is pass
the assault weapons ban,
282
00:16:33,266 --> 00:16:36,333
pass legislation that would
ban high-capacity magazines,
283
00:16:36,333 --> 00:16:40,632
pass a bill that would close
loopholes in our background
284
00:16:40,633 --> 00:16:43,600
check system.
285
00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:46,667
Those are things that Congress
could move on very quickly,
286
00:16:46,667 --> 00:16:51,600
and the President
urges them to do so.
287
00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:54,333
The Press:
On the nomination process, I
know you didn't want to spell
288
00:16:54,333 --> 00:16:57,533
out anything about who
would take over Treasury,
289
00:16:57,533 --> 00:17:02,367
but has the President settled
on who he wants to fill not only
290
00:17:02,367 --> 00:17:07,767
Treasury but also Commerce,
EPA, these high-profile roles?
291
00:17:07,767 --> 00:17:12,165
Has he settled on these names,
or is he still sifting through
292
00:17:12,165 --> 00:17:13,666
some top choices?
293
00:17:13,666 --> 00:17:17,433
Mr. Carney:
Well, Dan, as you know, I
refrain from commenting on the
294
00:17:17,433 --> 00:17:25,133
process of the selection of
nominees and don't give updates
295
00:17:25,133 --> 00:17:32,567
on the status of the search
or short lists, long lists,
296
00:17:32,567 --> 00:17:34,300
speculation about
individual nominees.
297
00:17:34,300 --> 00:17:37,200
I would simply say that the
President is obviously engaged
298
00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:42,100
in a process that will lead to
decisions on who should fill
299
00:17:42,100 --> 00:17:46,300
posts that are vacant, and as
was the case this week with the
300
00:17:46,300 --> 00:17:50,633
Defense Department and the
CIA, and prior to that,
301
00:17:50,633 --> 00:17:53,400
the State Department, he will
make announcements when he's
302
00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:54,300
made a decision.
303
00:17:54,300 --> 00:17:56,066
The Press:
I know you touched on this
a little bit yesterday,
304
00:17:56,066 --> 00:18:00,867
but is diversity a consideration
as the President goes through
305
00:18:00,867 --> 00:18:01,966
this process?
306
00:18:01,967 --> 00:18:03,200
The Press:
Check your binder for that.
307
00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:06,233
(laughter)
308
00:18:06,233 --> 00:18:08,934
Mr. Carney:
I can say that, as
I did yesterday,
309
00:18:08,934 --> 00:18:11,166
that the President
values diversity,
310
00:18:11,166 --> 00:18:21,934
believes it's important because
it enhances the quality of the
311
00:18:21,934 --> 00:18:24,899
pool of potential nominees
for positions across
312
00:18:24,900 --> 00:18:26,800
the administration.
313
00:18:26,800 --> 00:18:34,934
He believes that by looking
broadly for candidates for
314
00:18:34,934 --> 00:18:41,899
offices that he ups the chances
that he'll find the very best
315
00:18:41,900 --> 00:18:43,633
person for the job.
316
00:18:43,633 --> 00:18:48,333
And I think that the diversity
of his administration both at
317
00:18:48,333 --> 00:18:51,066
the Cabinet level and here at
the White House and elsewhere
318
00:18:51,066 --> 00:18:56,300
reflects a process that was
designed to allow him to find
319
00:18:56,300 --> 00:18:57,300
the very best candidates.
320
00:18:57,300 --> 00:19:02,166
And he thinks that diversity
enhances the process itself,
321
00:19:02,166 --> 00:19:08,667
the policy process, because it
sort of increases the likelihood
322
00:19:08,667 --> 00:19:12,233
of a broader
discussion potentially.
323
00:19:12,233 --> 00:19:15,367
But the goal in the end is to
find the very best individuals
324
00:19:15,367 --> 00:19:17,867
for these specific positions.
325
00:19:17,867 --> 00:19:20,066
And he feels he has done
that with Secretary Hagel,
326
00:19:20,066 --> 00:19:22,333
with John Brennan,
with Senator Kerry --
327
00:19:22,333 --> 00:19:23,767
I think I said
"Secretary Hagel" --
328
00:19:23,767 --> 00:19:26,166
getting ahead of myself
-- Senator Hagel.
329
00:19:26,166 --> 00:19:30,966
And that will be what guides him
as he makes further decisions.
330
00:19:30,967 --> 00:19:32,633
The Press:
Here's one more on guns.
331
00:19:32,633 --> 00:19:33,967
Mr. Carney:
Sure.
332
00:19:33,967 --> 00:19:36,767
The Press:
The President has talked about
this with some urgency in the
333
00:19:36,767 --> 00:19:38,400
past, saying he's not
going to wait around.
334
00:19:38,400 --> 00:19:41,667
Is this something -- the longer
you get away from a tragedy,
335
00:19:41,667 --> 00:19:48,100
the less interest there is
in gun control efforts that's
336
00:19:48,100 --> 00:19:49,199
happened in the past?
337
00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,400
Is this something that the
President is going to push very
338
00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:52,834
hard right out of the gate --
339
00:19:52,834 --> 00:19:57,033
Mr. Carney:
I think you heard the President
say that he expected and had
340
00:19:57,033 --> 00:20:03,000
asked the Vice President to
report back to him this month.
341
00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:07,867
I think that demonstrates the
speed with which the President
342
00:20:07,867 --> 00:20:09,466
hopes to act.
343
00:20:09,467 --> 00:20:17,700
Now, even prior to the action
under the work of the Vice
344
00:20:17,700 --> 00:20:20,767
President's group, the President
has already called on Congress
345
00:20:20,767 --> 00:20:23,166
and will continue to call on
Congress to take action on
346
00:20:23,166 --> 00:20:27,466
specific pieces of legislation
that either already exists or
347
00:20:27,467 --> 00:20:32,133
could easily come together, and
which some members of Congress
348
00:20:32,133 --> 00:20:33,467
have expressed an
interest in pursuing.
349
00:20:33,467 --> 00:20:37,433
So he is mindful
of the need to act.
350
00:20:37,433 --> 00:20:40,500
He is also mindful of the need
to have a process in place,
351
00:20:40,500 --> 00:20:43,967
led by the Vice President, that
allows for consideration of a
352
00:20:43,967 --> 00:20:47,266
variety of ideas, because he's
made the point that this is not
353
00:20:47,266 --> 00:20:51,367
a problem that can be solved
by gun legislation alone.
354
00:20:51,367 --> 00:20:54,633
It is not a problem that can be
solved by any specific action or
355
00:20:54,633 --> 00:20:58,266
single action that the
government might take.
356
00:20:58,266 --> 00:21:01,900
It's a problem that encompasses
issues of mental health,
357
00:21:01,900 --> 00:21:05,000
of education, as well
as access to guns.
358
00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:09,567
And that's why he's asked the
Vice President to undertake the
359
00:21:09,567 --> 00:21:11,967
effort that he's undertaking.
360
00:21:11,967 --> 00:21:12,734
Ann.
361
00:21:12,734 --> 00:21:13,934
The Press:
Thank you, Jay.
362
00:21:13,934 --> 00:21:17,200
On the inauguration, presumably
the President has begun work on
363
00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:18,567
an inaugural address.
364
00:21:18,567 --> 00:21:22,600
Will he also this year give
a State of the Union address?
365
00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:23,800
How would the two differ?
366
00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:25,834
Can you bring us up to
speed on what he's doing on
367
00:21:25,834 --> 00:21:27,100
the inaugural?
368
00:21:27,100 --> 00:21:29,966
Mr. Carney:
Well, the President, as
you know, looks forward --
369
00:21:29,967 --> 00:21:33,667
or as you would expect, looks
forward to the privilege of
370
00:21:33,667 --> 00:21:36,433
delivering his second
inaugural address.
371
00:21:36,433 --> 00:21:40,633
I have no content
to preview for you.
372
00:21:40,633 --> 00:21:41,700
I would expect --
373
00:21:41,700 --> 00:21:42,633
The Press:
Has he started --
374
00:21:42,633 --> 00:21:43,734
Mr. Carney:
Yes, he certainly has.
375
00:21:43,734 --> 00:21:47,033
And I would expect that -- or
you should expect that he will
376
00:21:47,033 --> 00:21:49,100
also deliver a State
of the Union address.
377
00:21:49,100 --> 00:21:51,132
The Press:
But how would they differ?
378
00:21:51,133 --> 00:21:52,567
Both of them looking forward?
379
00:21:52,567 --> 00:21:55,400
And would any of the gun
violence legislation or
380
00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:58,433
initiatives be ready in time
to be included in either one?
381
00:21:58,433 --> 00:22:02,266
Mr. Carney:
I would rather not preview
either of these speeches.
382
00:22:02,266 --> 00:22:05,934
I'll leave it to the
President to do that when he
383
00:22:05,934 --> 00:22:07,899
delivers them.
384
00:22:07,900 --> 00:22:15,967
I think that these are different
occasions that have historically
385
00:22:15,967 --> 00:22:21,233
sort of demanded different
types of addresses.
386
00:22:21,233 --> 00:22:26,533
But as you know, the President
takes the writing of these
387
00:22:26,533 --> 00:22:32,199
speeches quite seriously, and
I would not preview or prejudge
388
00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:33,467
the outcome of that process.
389
00:22:33,467 --> 00:22:36,100
The Press:
At his first inaugural, the
President signed several
390
00:22:36,100 --> 00:22:39,867
executive orders within, what,
an hour or so of taking the oath
391
00:22:39,867 --> 00:22:40,667
of office.
392
00:22:40,667 --> 00:22:42,567
This time there's no need to
do that since he can do it
393
00:22:42,567 --> 00:22:43,533
any time.
394
00:22:43,533 --> 00:22:48,466
But does he plan anything of
substance in addition to the
395
00:22:48,467 --> 00:22:51,033
inaugural address, any action
that he would likely be
396
00:22:51,033 --> 00:22:51,867
taking on?
397
00:22:51,867 --> 00:22:52,734
Mr. Carney:
On his first day in office?
398
00:22:52,734 --> 00:22:59,066
Again, I would ask you -- or ask
for your patience to wait for
399
00:22:59,066 --> 00:23:01,433
any announcements that we
might have along those lines.
400
00:23:01,433 --> 00:23:03,500
I'm not suggesting that there
might be because you rightly
401
00:23:03,500 --> 00:23:04,800
note that he's
already President,
402
00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:12,367
but I'm not going to preview
anything that far in advance.
403
00:23:12,367 --> 00:23:16,300
The Press:
Lately when you've been listing
the various elements of dealing
404
00:23:16,300 --> 00:23:19,834
with gun violence, you have not
mentioned either cultural issues
405
00:23:19,834 --> 00:23:21,400
or violent video
games and movies.
406
00:23:21,400 --> 00:23:23,066
The President did
the very first time.
407
00:23:23,066 --> 00:23:23,967
You did for a while.
408
00:23:23,967 --> 00:23:25,567
But that sort of dropped
off the radar screen.
409
00:23:25,567 --> 00:23:28,200
I wonder if that's reflective of
internal conversations with the
410
00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:30,266
Vice President, you no longer --
the President no longer thinks
411
00:23:30,266 --> 00:23:32,967
that's a part of the equation
any longer and is not looking
412
00:23:32,967 --> 00:23:35,633
for initiatives or ideas
to deal with that.
413
00:23:35,633 --> 00:23:38,900
Mr. Carney:
No, if that has been conveyed,
it should not have been.
414
00:23:38,900 --> 00:23:42,467
In fact, I should note that I
can tell you that this week the
415
00:23:42,467 --> 00:23:45,867
Vice President will be meeting
on Wednesday with victims groups
416
00:23:45,867 --> 00:23:47,633
as well as gun
safety organizations;
417
00:23:47,633 --> 00:23:50,600
on Thursday with advocates
for sportsmen and women,
418
00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:53,500
and then separately with
gun ownership groups.
419
00:23:53,500 --> 00:23:56,834
This is the meeting
that we discussed.
420
00:23:56,834 --> 00:23:59,500
This week he will also meet --
his group will also meet with
421
00:23:59,500 --> 00:24:01,266
representatives of the
entertainment and video
422
00:24:01,266 --> 00:24:02,967
game industries.
423
00:24:02,967 --> 00:24:05,100
Also, Secretary Duncan will
meet with representatives from
424
00:24:05,100 --> 00:24:07,466
parent, teacher, and
education groups.
425
00:24:07,467 --> 00:24:09,600
Secretary Sebelius will
meet with mental health and
426
00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:11,233
disability advocates.
427
00:24:11,233 --> 00:24:14,100
And senior White House staff
have also held and will continue
428
00:24:14,100 --> 00:24:16,132
to hold meetings with a
variety of stakeholders,
429
00:24:16,133 --> 00:24:19,266
including medical groups,
community organizations,
430
00:24:19,266 --> 00:24:22,433
child and family advocates,
business owners, faith leaders,
431
00:24:22,433 --> 00:24:23,433
and others.
432
00:24:23,433 --> 00:24:28,500
So to your question, one of the
meetings this week will be with
433
00:24:28,500 --> 00:24:30,600
representatives of the
entertainment and video
434
00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:32,533
game industries.
435
00:24:32,533 --> 00:24:33,567
The Press:
In the "Meet the
Press" interview,
436
00:24:33,567 --> 00:24:35,633
the President said something
to the effect of the American
437
00:24:35,633 --> 00:24:37,333
people are going to have
to make this happen,
438
00:24:37,333 --> 00:24:39,467
on the question
specifically of gun control.
439
00:24:39,467 --> 00:24:42,033
And in the minds of those who
are pressing the legislation,
440
00:24:42,033 --> 00:24:44,265
that made them feel a little bit
nervous that the President was
441
00:24:44,266 --> 00:24:47,667
sort of handing over at least
part of the responsibility for
442
00:24:47,667 --> 00:24:49,966
this, maybe drawing back
a little bit for his
443
00:24:49,967 --> 00:24:51,000
personal advocacy.
444
00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:52,367
Obviously, the things
you've laid out today
445
00:24:52,367 --> 00:24:53,200
suggest otherwise.
446
00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:54,934
I want to know if you
wanted to refer back --
447
00:24:54,934 --> 00:25:01,100
Mr. Carney:
I would simply say that the
President is noting a reality
448
00:25:01,100 --> 00:25:06,300
that I think applies not
just to issues of gun control
449
00:25:06,300 --> 00:25:13,133
legislation, but economic
or budget legislation.
450
00:25:13,133 --> 00:25:19,266
It is very important for the
public to be engaged in these
451
00:25:19,266 --> 00:25:24,166
issues, and for the public's
voice to be heard in Washington.
452
00:25:24,166 --> 00:25:31,600
And public opinion can help
propel issues forward and compel
453
00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:36,466
Congress to act when it
comes to legislative matters.
454
00:25:36,467 --> 00:25:40,567
There is also an element here
that I think transcends or is
455
00:25:40,567 --> 00:25:44,433
separate from legislative action
that also involves raising
456
00:25:44,433 --> 00:25:52,900
public awareness and raising the
voices of the American people
457
00:25:52,900 --> 00:25:56,900
who want to see change -- change
that would help reduce gun
458
00:25:56,900 --> 00:26:01,667
violence in America, change that
would help prevent the kinds of
459
00:26:01,667 --> 00:26:06,300
horrendous acts of violence that
we saw last year in Connecticut
460
00:26:06,300 --> 00:26:07,600
and Colorado and elsewhere.
461
00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:12,100
So I think it's just a
recognition of the role that the
462
00:26:12,100 --> 00:26:14,699
public plays in all
of these major issues.
463
00:26:14,700 --> 00:26:19,433
It is not -- a participatory
democracy is not --
464
00:26:19,433 --> 00:26:24,967
the participation is not just
limited to the vote you cast on
465
00:26:24,967 --> 00:26:32,066
an Election Day, but is, or can
be, or should be year round.
466
00:26:32,066 --> 00:26:36,033
And the President has I think
demonstrated his belief that
467
00:26:36,033 --> 00:26:38,033
that is an effective
way to get things done,
468
00:26:38,033 --> 00:26:41,433
and this is another case where
he believes that's the right
469
00:26:41,433 --> 00:26:42,433
way to go.
470
00:26:42,433 --> 00:26:44,367
The Press:
On the sequester, during the
negotiations the administration
471
00:26:44,367 --> 00:26:47,367
pushed for a year delay of the
limitation of the sequester.
472
00:26:47,367 --> 00:26:48,966
You obviously got two months.
473
00:26:48,967 --> 00:26:51,233
Republicans report that that was
a much higher priority for the
474
00:26:51,233 --> 00:26:53,533
administration to avoid
it than it was for them.
475
00:26:53,533 --> 00:26:56,966
First of all, do you accept that
premise that the administration
476
00:26:56,967 --> 00:27:00,667
was much more nervous about
delaying the implementation of
477
00:27:00,667 --> 00:27:02,734
the sequester than Republicans,
where they were more comfortable
478
00:27:02,734 --> 00:27:04,233
with it, generally, than
the administration is?
479
00:27:04,233 --> 00:27:06,700
Secondarily, if the
administration is so nervous
480
00:27:06,700 --> 00:27:09,834
about the implementation
of discretionary cuts,
481
00:27:09,834 --> 00:27:12,867
why not be more forceful and
more descriptive and more
482
00:27:12,867 --> 00:27:16,667
specific about entitlements
that would stave that off?
483
00:27:16,667 --> 00:27:21,966
Mr. Carney:
Well, let me address the
first assertion, which I think,
484
00:27:21,967 --> 00:27:27,033
as the assertion we heard
yesterday about a purported
485
00:27:27,033 --> 00:27:30,699
disinterest by Republicans in
tax incentives for business,
486
00:27:30,700 --> 00:27:33,767
I think the idea that
Republicans weren't interested
487
00:27:33,767 --> 00:27:41,800
in dealing with the sequester
conflicts with recent history.
488
00:27:41,800 --> 00:27:43,166
Last year, the Speaker
of the House said,
489
00:27:43,166 --> 00:27:46,166
"I think the sequester will
hurt our Department of Defense,
490
00:27:46,166 --> 00:27:49,633
"will hurt our ability to do
what Americans believe is our
491
00:27:49,633 --> 00:27:52,567
"most basic responsibility, and
that is to provide security for
492
00:27:52,567 --> 00:27:53,433
"the American people.
493
00:27:53,433 --> 00:27:55,467
"I believe that Secretary
Panetta believes
494
00:27:55,467 --> 00:27:56,533
"the same thing."
495
00:27:56,533 --> 00:27:58,766
Senator Lindsey Graham,
later in the year:
496
00:27:58,767 --> 00:28:02,233
"I and others, including Senator
Kelly Ayotte from New Hampshire,
497
00:28:02,233 --> 00:28:04,633
"have been begging the President
to sit down with us to avoid
498
00:28:04,633 --> 00:28:06,200
"what his own Secretary
of Defense said would be
499
00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:08,200
"devastating to
national security."
500
00:28:08,200 --> 00:28:10,700
And Senator McCain
and others repeatedly,
501
00:28:10,700 --> 00:28:13,200
as your colleagues
reported on last year,
502
00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:18,200
talked about their high
concern about the impact of
503
00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:22,100
implementation of the
sequester, specifically on our
504
00:28:22,100 --> 00:28:23,100
defense budget.
505
00:28:23,100 --> 00:28:26,199
But as you know, the
across-the-board cuts are
506
00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:29,600
equally divided between
non-defense and defense spending
507
00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:33,166
and would be onerous on
both sides of that coin.
508
00:28:33,166 --> 00:28:38,899
So if anything, late last year
I think you heard more vocal
509
00:28:38,900 --> 00:28:41,233
concern about the sequester from
Republicans than Democrats --
510
00:28:41,233 --> 00:28:44,700
not that Democrats were less
concerned about it but the
511
00:28:44,700 --> 00:28:47,633
volume was loudest I think
on the Republican side.
512
00:28:47,633 --> 00:28:51,033
So it doesn't stand to reason
that they suddenly are not
513
00:28:51,033 --> 00:28:52,734
interested in dealing with it.
514
00:28:52,734 --> 00:28:55,734
The Press:
And on the entitlement side?
515
00:28:55,734 --> 00:28:56,699
Mr. Carney:
Repeat your question.
516
00:28:56,700 --> 00:29:00,667
The Press:
Well, if you want to delay it,
one of the ways to work around
517
00:29:00,667 --> 00:29:05,399
it would be to offer up or
negotiate a more comprehensive,
518
00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:08,066
long-running restructuring
of entitlement programs.
519
00:29:08,066 --> 00:29:09,133
Republicans have put
that on the table --
520
00:29:09,133 --> 00:29:11,233
and that would take off
some of the pressure on the
521
00:29:11,233 --> 00:29:12,399
discretionary side.
522
00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:14,700
Simpson-Bowles, many others
looking on the outside say the
523
00:29:14,700 --> 00:29:17,800
discretionary side has been
squeezed for many years.
524
00:29:17,800 --> 00:29:18,899
It was in the BCA.
525
00:29:18,900 --> 00:29:20,100
It was before that.
526
00:29:20,100 --> 00:29:22,065
Yet entitlements tend not to be.
527
00:29:22,066 --> 00:29:24,567
Why not move more of the
entitlements up and take some of
528
00:29:24,567 --> 00:29:28,133
the pressure off the
discretionary side?
529
00:29:28,133 --> 00:29:32,367
Mr. Carney:
What the President said last
week and what he said repeatedly
530
00:29:32,367 --> 00:29:34,000
before that, and what
holds true today,
531
00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:38,467
is that he is committed to
further deficit reduction in a
532
00:29:38,467 --> 00:29:40,200
balanced way.
533
00:29:40,200 --> 00:29:44,834
What he will not accept is
deficit reduction that is borne
534
00:29:44,834 --> 00:29:48,500
solely by -- the burden which
is borne solely by seniors,
535
00:29:48,500 --> 00:29:50,934
solely by families
with disabled children,
536
00:29:50,934 --> 00:29:55,433
solely by families trying to
send their kids to college or
537
00:29:55,433 --> 00:29:59,433
other vulnerable groups.
538
00:29:59,433 --> 00:30:01,800
One of the things that we
learned through this process,
539
00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:09,033
through the negotiating process
and the sort of concurrent
540
00:30:09,033 --> 00:30:13,033
communications efforts
was that, in fact,
541
00:30:13,033 --> 00:30:16,500
specificity when it came to
spending cuts could be found
542
00:30:16,500 --> 00:30:18,834
more on our side than on theirs.
543
00:30:18,834 --> 00:30:24,166
And if the Republicans are
suggesting that the answer to
544
00:30:24,166 --> 00:30:27,066
the sequester, to the debt
ceiling, or any other thing,
545
00:30:27,066 --> 00:30:30,900
are simply to slash
benefits for seniors,
546
00:30:30,900 --> 00:30:32,533
they ought to say so and
they ought to provide a
547
00:30:32,533 --> 00:30:33,500
specified plan.
548
00:30:33,500 --> 00:30:35,700
They know that the
President won't accept that.
549
00:30:35,700 --> 00:30:37,467
We have to have balance.
550
00:30:37,467 --> 00:30:43,567
And balance means spending cuts;
it means entitlement reform and
551
00:30:43,567 --> 00:30:46,000
it means tax reform.
552
00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:48,667
Tax reform is something that
Republicans and Democrats have
553
00:30:48,667 --> 00:30:52,233
both expressed keen
interest in achieving.
554
00:30:52,233 --> 00:30:54,533
Tax reform is something that,
according to the Speaker of the
555
00:30:54,533 --> 00:30:59,132
House, could produce
significant revenue.
556
00:30:59,133 --> 00:31:02,567
When coupled with
additional spending cuts,
557
00:31:02,567 --> 00:31:06,066
that revenue and that savings
could further reduce our
558
00:31:06,066 --> 00:31:07,433
deficit significantly.
559
00:31:07,433 --> 00:31:11,333
And that's certainly what the
President hopes to achieve.
560
00:31:11,333 --> 00:31:12,533
Mr. Emanuel, welcome back.
561
00:31:12,533 --> 00:31:13,667
The Press:
Thank you, Jay.
562
00:31:13,667 --> 00:31:16,233
The top Senate Republican on the
Budget Committee says as part of
563
00:31:16,233 --> 00:31:20,200
a deal to raise the debt ceiling
the Senate should be forced to
564
00:31:20,200 --> 00:31:20,867
pass a budget.
565
00:31:20,867 --> 00:31:22,934
Do you have a thought on that?
566
00:31:22,934 --> 00:31:26,867
Mr. Carney:
Again, Congress -- the
Senate, the House --
567
00:31:26,867 --> 00:31:29,433
should act to raise
the debt ceiling.
568
00:31:29,433 --> 00:31:31,033
This is not a deal
that the White House --
569
00:31:31,033 --> 00:31:32,899
a negotiation the White
House is going to have.
570
00:31:32,900 --> 00:31:36,467
It is Congress's responsibility
to ensure that the bills
571
00:31:36,467 --> 00:31:41,333
Congress racked up are paid.
572
00:31:41,333 --> 00:31:45,633
It's sometimes a useful exercise
to look back when you hear the
573
00:31:45,633 --> 00:31:50,166
protests and the complaints
about deficits and spending from
574
00:31:50,166 --> 00:31:52,833
Republicans, especially in the
House but also in the Senate,
575
00:31:52,834 --> 00:31:56,000
to remember that many of these
legislators were in office when
576
00:31:56,000 --> 00:32:00,500
the deficits exploded under
the previous administration.
577
00:32:00,500 --> 00:32:03,900
It's often fun to look at
a charge of the deficit,
578
00:32:03,900 --> 00:32:09,066
the federal deficit over the
years and note that it went down
579
00:32:09,066 --> 00:32:12,233
consistently under Democratic
President Bill Clinton.
580
00:32:12,233 --> 00:32:15,934
It went up again, turning
surpluses into deficits,
581
00:32:15,934 --> 00:32:17,867
under George W. Bush.
582
00:32:17,867 --> 00:32:20,600
And from a high point, because
of the economic crisis,
583
00:32:20,600 --> 00:32:25,734
it has gone down again
under President Obama.
584
00:32:25,734 --> 00:32:26,734
That's a trend line.
585
00:32:26,734 --> 00:32:31,833
And the point is that
Republicans certainly do not
586
00:32:31,834 --> 00:32:36,300
have a corner on the market when
it comes to interest in reducing
587
00:32:36,300 --> 00:32:38,300
the deficit.
588
00:32:38,300 --> 00:32:41,433
The President believes it
is necessary to reduce our
589
00:32:41,433 --> 00:32:45,600
deficits, to get our
fiscal house in order.
590
00:32:45,600 --> 00:32:49,734
But he insists that we do it
in a fair and balanced way.
591
00:32:49,734 --> 00:32:56,132
That's the principle that he
took into negotiations over the
592
00:32:56,133 --> 00:33:00,100
debt ceiling, his presentation
to the super committee.
593
00:33:00,100 --> 00:33:03,699
It is the principle that
informs his budget proposals.
594
00:33:03,700 --> 00:33:05,734
It is the principle that
informed the proposals he put
595
00:33:05,734 --> 00:33:08,233
forward in his good-faith
negotiations with Speaker
596
00:33:08,233 --> 00:33:10,466
Boehner in December.
597
00:33:10,467 --> 00:33:13,700
And it's the principle he'll
carry forth as we continue to
598
00:33:13,700 --> 00:33:14,834
deal with these challenges.
599
00:33:14,834 --> 00:33:18,266
The Press:
With $16 trillion and
counting, the election is over,
600
00:33:18,266 --> 00:33:23,000
some could argue a budget right
now is probably more critical
601
00:33:23,000 --> 00:33:24,333
than ever -- no?
602
00:33:24,333 --> 00:33:27,433
Mr. Carney:
Well, again, you can address
-- those are questions for
603
00:33:27,433 --> 00:33:29,533
the Senate.
604
00:33:29,533 --> 00:33:32,233
When it comes to -- the
presentation of the question
605
00:33:32,233 --> 00:33:36,767
was, we will only raise the
debt ceiling if this and
606
00:33:36,767 --> 00:33:37,900
that happens.
607
00:33:37,900 --> 00:33:47,166
Let's just remember what danger
awaits the pursuit of that path,
608
00:33:47,166 --> 00:33:49,567
the harm that was brought to
this economy simply by the
609
00:33:49,567 --> 00:33:53,900
flirtation with default
in the summer of 2011.
610
00:33:53,900 --> 00:33:58,400
We should and -- we can and
should negotiate over how we
611
00:33:58,400 --> 00:34:02,000
continue to reduce our deficits
in a responsible and balanced
612
00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:06,133
way, but we should not play
chicken with the full faith and
613
00:34:06,133 --> 00:34:08,699
credit of the United States.
614
00:34:08,699 --> 00:34:11,699
The Press:
One other topic, real fast --
reported drone strike today
615
00:34:11,699 --> 00:34:13,466
along the AFPAC border region.
616
00:34:13,467 --> 00:34:17,033
As you know, Afghan and
Pakistani officials have been
617
00:34:17,033 --> 00:34:20,866
vocal about their concerns about
them possibly killing civilians
618
00:34:20,867 --> 00:34:22,834
as opposed to terrorists.
619
00:34:22,833 --> 00:34:25,866
What can you say to
address their concerns?
620
00:34:25,867 --> 00:34:29,300
And can you talk a little bit
about the President's thinking
621
00:34:29,300 --> 00:34:31,500
when it comes to drone strikes?
622
00:34:31,500 --> 00:34:37,333
Mr. Carney:
I won't talk about anything
specific like that.
623
00:34:37,333 --> 00:34:41,467
I can tell you that, as John
Brennan and others and the
624
00:34:41,467 --> 00:34:44,767
President have said, in the
effort to battle al Qaeda and
625
00:34:44,766 --> 00:34:55,533
other extremist groups, we
endeavor to reduce civilian
626
00:34:55,533 --> 00:34:57,799
casualties as much as possible.
627
00:34:57,800 --> 00:35:07,800
And I think that the broader
record here of success in taking
628
00:35:07,800 --> 00:35:12,166
the fight to al Qaeda and
eliminating al Qaeda leadership
629
00:35:12,166 --> 00:35:16,533
and leadership of al
Qaeda-affiliated organizations
630
00:35:16,533 --> 00:35:18,967
is one that has made
the United States safer.
631
00:35:18,967 --> 00:35:21,033
The Press:
If John Brennan is
confirmed as CIA director,
632
00:35:21,033 --> 00:35:24,567
is it safe to assume the drone
program will continue and --
633
00:35:24,567 --> 00:35:27,567
Mr. Carney:
Again, I'm just not going to --
I think that there has been some
634
00:35:27,567 --> 00:35:31,400
discussion of the drone program
as it relates to the Department
635
00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:34,133
of Defense, but I'm not going to
get into any further discussion
636
00:35:34,133 --> 00:35:36,100
of it from here.
637
00:35:36,100 --> 00:35:37,066
Yes, Peter.
638
00:35:37,066 --> 00:35:38,899
The Press:
There are several looming
battles for this White House
639
00:35:38,900 --> 00:35:40,467
that will be coming up over
the course of the next several
640
00:35:40,467 --> 00:35:42,700
months -- the debt ceiling;
we have gun control,
641
00:35:42,700 --> 00:35:46,265
as we've already addressed here;
and now with the nomination of
642
00:35:46,266 --> 00:35:48,367
Senator Hagel, there's the
likelihood of a contentious
643
00:35:48,367 --> 00:35:51,233
battle, as we heard from
members of the Senate, frankly,
644
00:35:51,233 --> 00:35:52,333
on both sides.
645
00:35:52,333 --> 00:35:55,834
Does this White House have any
concern that this fight right
646
00:35:55,834 --> 00:35:58,966
now will complicate
the ability to --
647
00:35:58,967 --> 00:35:59,600
Mr. Carney:
Which fight?
648
00:35:59,600 --> 00:36:00,567
You listed a bunch.
649
00:36:00,567 --> 00:36:02,934
The Press:
I'm saying that the fight over
Senator Hagel right now will
650
00:36:02,934 --> 00:36:05,667
complicate that for gun control
and debt ceiling and other ones
651
00:36:05,667 --> 00:36:08,567
where you're going to
need bipartisan support?
652
00:36:08,567 --> 00:36:14,767
Mr. Carney:
Well, we fully expect that --
after the fair hearing that
653
00:36:14,767 --> 00:36:19,100
Senator McConnell said he hoped
Senator Hagel would receive --
654
00:36:19,100 --> 00:36:23,533
that he will be confirmed as
the next Secretary of Defense.
655
00:36:23,533 --> 00:36:27,567
And we certainly hope and expect
that he will be supported by
656
00:36:27,567 --> 00:36:31,433
Democrats and Republicans,
and that he will then have the
657
00:36:31,433 --> 00:36:37,367
opportunity to serve as the
first Vietnam veteran and first
658
00:36:37,367 --> 00:36:42,834
enlisted serviceman to
lead that department.
659
00:36:42,834 --> 00:36:44,799
Look, we have a
lot of work to do.
660
00:36:44,800 --> 00:36:51,633
And we have disagreements on
some fundamental issues with
661
00:36:51,633 --> 00:36:53,033
members of Congress.
662
00:36:53,033 --> 00:36:58,633
But it is incumbent upon all of
us to press forward and confront
663
00:36:58,633 --> 00:37:01,133
those challenges and
get the work done.
664
00:37:01,133 --> 00:37:03,667
That applies to the
economy and budget matters,
665
00:37:03,667 --> 00:37:04,667
to fiscal matters.
666
00:37:04,667 --> 00:37:07,100
It applies to
immigration reform,
667
00:37:07,100 --> 00:37:11,400
to actions we can take
to reduce gun violence,
668
00:37:11,400 --> 00:37:15,166
to matters of energy
and climate change.
669
00:37:15,166 --> 00:37:17,900
These are all things that
need to be addressed.
670
00:37:17,900 --> 00:37:23,433
And we can't, either
here or in Congress,
671
00:37:23,433 --> 00:37:27,967
simply say there is too much to
be done so we're not going to
672
00:37:27,967 --> 00:37:28,734
press forward.
673
00:37:28,734 --> 00:37:31,667
We have to press
forward with all of it.
674
00:37:31,667 --> 00:37:33,700
The Press:
We heard within the last year
that the President says he
675
00:37:33,700 --> 00:37:34,933
supports gay marriage.
676
00:37:34,934 --> 00:37:37,633
He said at that time that that
issue would be worked at the
677
00:37:37,633 --> 00:37:38,433
local level.
678
00:37:38,433 --> 00:37:41,000
But given the fact that the
Supreme Court has now said that
679
00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:45,100
it will hear arguments just
two months from now, in March,
680
00:37:45,100 --> 00:37:48,967
should we expect the President
will publicly advocate against
681
00:37:48,967 --> 00:37:52,734
Proposition 8, and would he also
advocate for same-sex couples to
682
00:37:52,734 --> 00:37:54,900
have the right to
federal benefits?
683
00:37:54,900 --> 00:37:59,467
Mr. Carney:
Well, let's be clear
about a couple of things.
684
00:37:59,467 --> 00:38:01,967
For comment on specific
Supreme Court cases,
685
00:38:01,967 --> 00:38:04,266
I would point you to the
Department of Justice.
686
00:38:04,266 --> 00:38:08,867
On the issue of DOMA, the
Defense of Marriage Act,
687
00:38:08,867 --> 00:38:11,567
the administration's position on
this is well known and has been,
688
00:38:11,567 --> 00:38:14,600
and that's that the President
has determined that Section 3 of
689
00:38:14,600 --> 00:38:17,600
DOMA is unconstitutional, and
that his administration will no
690
00:38:17,600 --> 00:38:20,500
longer defend equal protection
challenges against it
691
00:38:20,500 --> 00:38:21,633
in the courts.
692
00:38:21,633 --> 00:38:24,799
The DOJ has participated in the
DOMA cases consistent with that
693
00:38:24,800 --> 00:38:28,500
position, and asked the Supreme
Court to resolve the questions.
694
00:38:28,500 --> 00:38:31,467
So that is the DOMA issue.
695
00:38:31,467 --> 00:38:35,934
On Prop 8, the administrative
is not a party to that case,
696
00:38:35,934 --> 00:38:39,033
and I have nothing
for you on that.
697
00:38:39,033 --> 00:38:40,467
The Press:
Whether he would speak out at --
698
00:38:40,467 --> 00:38:42,500
Mr. Carney:
I have nothing further on that.
699
00:38:42,500 --> 00:38:44,734
The Press:
And then to conclude, Hillary
Clinton arrived at the White
700
00:38:44,734 --> 00:38:45,767
House a short time ago.
701
00:38:45,767 --> 00:38:47,500
This will be the first
opportunity for the President to
702
00:38:47,500 --> 00:38:50,266
see the Secretary -- outgoing --
soon-to-be-outgoing Secretary of
703
00:38:50,266 --> 00:38:53,533
State since her accident.
704
00:38:53,533 --> 00:38:55,433
Did they have a
chance to speak yet?
705
00:38:55,433 --> 00:38:56,533
And how did that
conversation go?
706
00:38:56,533 --> 00:38:57,900
Mr. Carney:
Well, they have spoken --
707
00:38:57,900 --> 00:38:59,266
The Press:
Face to face, this
will be the first time.
708
00:38:59,266 --> 00:39:01,834
Mr. Carney:
Well, I'm not sure, but you
should know that he spoke with
709
00:39:01,834 --> 00:39:07,200
her not too many days ago, as
well as after her accident,
710
00:39:07,200 --> 00:39:10,200
and was keeping tabs on
her condition throughout.
711
00:39:10,200 --> 00:39:16,133
So this would not be -- when
they see each other today,
712
00:39:16,133 --> 00:39:17,899
it would not as if
they hadn't been --
713
00:39:17,900 --> 00:39:18,967
The Press:
There was no exchange
of helmets or something?
714
00:39:18,967 --> 00:39:19,767
(laughter)
715
00:39:19,767 --> 00:39:25,200
Mr. Carney:
Again, I wasn't there.
716
00:39:25,200 --> 00:39:26,332
Yes.
717
00:39:26,333 --> 00:39:27,600
The Press:
Back to Afghanistan.
718
00:39:27,600 --> 00:39:30,433
On the troop levels, reports say
the White House is considering
719
00:39:30,433 --> 00:39:34,533
keeping between 3,000 and 9,000
U.S. troops in Afghanistan
720
00:39:34,533 --> 00:39:36,033
after 2014.
721
00:39:36,033 --> 00:39:38,066
Are those numbers accurate?
722
00:39:38,066 --> 00:39:44,399
Mr. Carney:
I have no announcements to make
about the pace of the drawdown
723
00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:46,633
that will continue, that
continues as we speak,
724
00:39:46,633 --> 00:39:50,332
after the initial withdrawal
of the surge forces,
725
00:39:50,333 --> 00:39:55,734
nor do I have any decisions by
the President to make regarding
726
00:39:55,734 --> 00:39:59,066
post-2014 security arrangements.
727
00:39:59,066 --> 00:40:04,165
We've talked about the
possibility of assisting --
728
00:40:04,166 --> 00:40:09,533
a counterterrorism effort and
assisting in the training of --
729
00:40:09,533 --> 00:40:10,900
for the training
of Afghan forces.
730
00:40:10,900 --> 00:40:14,734
But beyond that, I have no
new numbers to report to you.
731
00:40:14,734 --> 00:40:17,066
As we've said in the past, the
President is in the process of
732
00:40:17,066 --> 00:40:23,165
reviewing proposals, and when he
is ready to announce a decision,
733
00:40:23,166 --> 00:40:24,700
he'll do that.
734
00:40:24,700 --> 00:40:27,100
The Press:
And is the administrative
encouraged by the reports that
735
00:40:27,100 --> 00:40:30,967
there's been some progress in
the talks involving the Karzai
736
00:40:30,967 --> 00:40:33,500
government and the Taliban?
737
00:40:33,500 --> 00:40:38,667
Mr. Carney:
We support, as you know,
reconciliation led by the Afghan
738
00:40:38,667 --> 00:40:41,933
government with the Taliban,
and our position on that
739
00:40:41,934 --> 00:40:42,934
hasn't changed.
740
00:40:42,934 --> 00:40:46,500
I don't have an assessment
to give to you from here of
741
00:40:46,500 --> 00:40:47,300
progress being made.
742
00:40:47,300 --> 00:40:50,800
I think the Afghan government is
a good place to look for that.
743
00:40:50,800 --> 00:40:52,667
But we do support it.
744
00:40:52,667 --> 00:40:57,200
We believe ultimately that is an
essential part of a process that
745
00:40:57,200 --> 00:41:01,734
would lead to a more peaceful
and stable Afghanistan.
746
00:41:01,734 --> 00:41:03,533
Connie.
747
00:41:03,533 --> 00:41:07,100
The Press:
On Palestine, does the President
have a position on the new
748
00:41:07,100 --> 00:41:10,767
Palestinian state that
Abbas has proclaimed?
749
00:41:10,767 --> 00:41:13,165
Mr. Carney:
Well, we've expressed
it many times,
750
00:41:13,166 --> 00:41:15,500
the fact that we oppose
unilateral actions.
751
00:41:15,500 --> 00:41:19,300
We oppose the unilateral action
taken by the Palestinians at the
752
00:41:19,300 --> 00:41:21,166
United Nations.
753
00:41:21,166 --> 00:41:24,867
We believe that when it comes
to Middle East peace between the
754
00:41:24,867 --> 00:41:29,467
Israelis and Palestinians,
it is essential for direct
755
00:41:29,467 --> 00:41:31,166
face-to-fact
negotiations to resume,
756
00:41:31,166 --> 00:41:34,467
and it is essential for each
side to refrain from taking
757
00:41:34,467 --> 00:41:40,433
unilateral actions that make
it more difficult to engage in
758
00:41:40,433 --> 00:41:45,000
face-to-face negotiations, and
to allow that process to proceed
759
00:41:45,000 --> 00:41:51,166
to a point where a
sustainable peace is possible.
760
00:41:51,166 --> 00:41:55,633
So our position was frequently
stated when this was an issue at
761
00:41:55,633 --> 00:41:58,232
the United Nations General
Assembly and prior to
762
00:41:58,233 --> 00:41:59,633
that last year.
763
00:41:59,633 --> 00:42:01,734
The Press:
-- talks with Abbas about this?
764
00:42:01,734 --> 00:42:02,900
Mr. Carney:
Well, I haven't personally, no.
765
00:42:02,900 --> 00:42:06,233
But obviously we as
an administration have
766
00:42:06,233 --> 00:42:09,367
conversations and made our
views on this directly known to
767
00:42:09,367 --> 00:42:10,400
Palestinian leaders.
768
00:42:10,400 --> 00:42:12,700
The Press:
A quick one on
Egypt and Pakistan.
769
00:42:12,700 --> 00:42:15,834
Does the U.S. still plan to give
billions of dollars of aid to
770
00:42:15,834 --> 00:42:17,799
each country?
771
00:42:17,800 --> 00:42:22,000
Mr. Carney:
Well, I don't have a breakdown
specifically on aid status for
772
00:42:22,000 --> 00:42:25,500
either country, but we believe
that it is important to continue
773
00:42:25,500 --> 00:42:31,300
to support progress in Egypt,
and we work with the Egyptian
774
00:42:31,300 --> 00:42:35,133
government to ensure
that progress is made.
775
00:42:35,133 --> 00:42:36,466
And that would be
true with Pakistan.
776
00:42:36,467 --> 00:42:39,433
We've talked a lot in this
room about the complicated
777
00:42:39,433 --> 00:42:43,500
relationship with Pakistan,
but it is one that is in the
778
00:42:43,500 --> 00:42:47,734
interests of U.S. national
security to pursue,
779
00:42:47,734 --> 00:42:49,734
and we continue to do
that with Pakistan.
780
00:42:49,734 --> 00:42:51,633
Laura.
781
00:42:51,633 --> 00:42:55,500
The Press:
There's a developing story in
France involving taxes on the
782
00:42:55,500 --> 00:42:59,500
wealthy, with Gerard Depardieu
who is leaving France because he
783
00:42:59,500 --> 00:43:02,433
wants to avoid to
pay higher taxes.
784
00:43:02,433 --> 00:43:06,767
He has been granted by Vladimir
Putin the Russian nationality,
785
00:43:06,767 --> 00:43:09,232
and now he is going to be
appointed Minister of Culture
786
00:43:09,233 --> 00:43:10,433
of Russia.
787
00:43:10,433 --> 00:43:11,433
(laughter)
788
00:43:11,433 --> 00:43:12,934
Is there any comment
from the White House?
789
00:43:12,934 --> 00:43:13,934
Mr. Carney:
Is Andrei here?
790
00:43:13,934 --> 00:43:15,867
(laughter)
791
00:43:15,867 --> 00:43:19,500
I want my friend Andrei's
opinion about that.
792
00:43:19,500 --> 00:43:25,633
I have no White House comment
on that startling development.
793
00:43:25,633 --> 00:43:26,966
(laughter)
794
00:43:26,967 --> 00:43:27,600
Mike.
795
00:43:27,600 --> 00:43:28,600
The Press:
Thanks.
796
00:43:28,600 --> 00:43:31,400
On the fiscal cliff,
moving into the --
797
00:43:31,400 --> 00:43:34,867
to talk about the debt ceiling,
it seems that the concern is not
798
00:43:34,867 --> 00:43:37,834
getting pushed up against that
deadline in March or whenever
799
00:43:37,834 --> 00:43:40,600
it's going to be, that probably
the best thing to do would be to
800
00:43:40,600 --> 00:43:43,933
get into those issues now and
see if you can't come to some
801
00:43:43,934 --> 00:43:47,767
sort of accommodation between
the two sides before that even
802
00:43:47,767 --> 00:43:49,133
becomes an issue.
803
00:43:49,133 --> 00:43:51,799
Is that something that the
President is looking at doing,
804
00:43:51,800 --> 00:43:55,734
to get those talks started
as soon as possible?
805
00:43:55,734 --> 00:43:57,933
Or how is the White
House viewing that?
806
00:43:57,934 --> 00:44:00,500
Mr. Carney:
Well, let me be clear.
807
00:44:00,500 --> 00:44:03,467
We will not negotiate with
Congress over the fulfillment of
808
00:44:03,467 --> 00:44:06,166
Congress's responsibility
to raise the debt ceiling.
809
00:44:06,166 --> 00:44:09,166
The President has been
very clear about that.
810
00:44:09,166 --> 00:44:14,200
I have, and others have.
811
00:44:14,200 --> 00:44:16,299
If Congress is concerned,
as it should be,
812
00:44:16,300 --> 00:44:22,100
about not showing any indication
of allowing a default,
813
00:44:22,100 --> 00:44:26,700
then it would be best to act
without drama or delay when
814
00:44:26,700 --> 00:44:29,633
Congress returns to
raise the debt ceiling.
815
00:44:29,633 --> 00:44:32,500
We would hope that
Congress would do that.
816
00:44:32,500 --> 00:44:33,967
But we won't negotiate over it.
817
00:44:33,967 --> 00:44:40,800
We won't ask -- the choice that
would be presented in such a
818
00:44:40,800 --> 00:44:47,266
negotiation presumably would be
to ask Americans to either --
819
00:44:47,266 --> 00:44:51,734
it's basically to pay Congress
through voucherization of
820
00:44:51,734 --> 00:44:57,900
Medicare or slashed benefits in
Social Security or other types
821
00:44:57,900 --> 00:45:03,633
of reductions in exchange
for Congress doing its job,
822
00:45:03,633 --> 00:45:05,567
and that is paying the bills
that it's already incurred.
823
00:45:05,567 --> 00:45:10,033
And that's not an equation
the President supports.
824
00:45:10,033 --> 00:45:14,333
There is absolutely room for
negotiation and discussion about
825
00:45:14,333 --> 00:45:17,166
how we continue to reduce our
deficit in a responsible and
826
00:45:17,166 --> 00:45:18,166
balanced way.
827
00:45:18,166 --> 00:45:21,266
The President has demonstrated,
through his proposal to the
828
00:45:21,266 --> 00:45:23,934
super committee, through
his budget proposals,
829
00:45:23,934 --> 00:45:27,934
through his negotiating
proposals with Secretary --
830
00:45:27,934 --> 00:45:31,300
I mean Speaker Boehner, that
he is willing to compromise;
831
00:45:31,300 --> 00:45:33,233
that he has been
willing, consistently,
832
00:45:33,233 --> 00:45:37,567
to meet Republicans at least
halfway when it comes to taking
833
00:45:37,567 --> 00:45:40,867
action to responsibly reduce our
deficit and get our fiscal house
834
00:45:40,867 --> 00:45:42,433
in order.
835
00:45:42,433 --> 00:45:46,433
And he is absolutely willing to
continue to do that when we talk
836
00:45:46,433 --> 00:45:49,000
about turning off the sequester,
or just simply dealing with our
837
00:45:49,000 --> 00:45:51,066
long-term fiscal challenges.
838
00:45:51,066 --> 00:45:56,633
But he does not in any way
accept the premise that he
839
00:45:56,633 --> 00:45:59,399
should negotiate with Congress
over Congress's fundamental
840
00:45:59,400 --> 00:46:02,500
responsibility to pay the bills
that it's already incurred.
841
00:46:02,500 --> 00:46:04,667
We are the greatest
nation on Earth.
842
00:46:04,667 --> 00:46:11,333
We are the wealthiest nation on
Earth and the largest economy.
843
00:46:11,333 --> 00:46:18,800
And one of the reasons why
we are what we are is because
844
00:46:18,800 --> 00:46:21,133
investors around the world,
people around the world
845
00:46:21,133 --> 00:46:24,466
understand that
we pay our bills.
846
00:46:24,467 --> 00:46:28,333
And we should never cast
doubt on that prospect.
847
00:46:28,333 --> 00:46:30,800
The Press:
So just to clarify, are
you saying you won't enter
848
00:46:30,800 --> 00:46:34,066
negotiations with them unless
they verbally or in writing or
849
00:46:34,066 --> 00:46:37,799
somehow say that they haven't
linked the two issues?
850
00:46:37,800 --> 00:46:40,900
I mean, what exactly
does that mean --
851
00:46:40,900 --> 00:46:43,033
that the President won't
talk to them unless they
852
00:46:43,033 --> 00:46:45,200
delink them or --
853
00:46:45,200 --> 00:46:47,567
Mr. Carney:
I think that -- it's
hard to be more clear:
854
00:46:47,567 --> 00:46:50,500
We won't negotiate over
raising the debt ceiling.
855
00:46:50,500 --> 00:46:54,400
The Press:
But would you be willing to
start talking to them now?
856
00:46:54,400 --> 00:46:58,000
Mr. Carney:
The President has been willing,
and I think demonstrated through
857
00:46:58,000 --> 00:47:01,133
his negotiations with the
Speaker and through the process
858
00:47:01,133 --> 00:47:07,633
that followed, to engage with
Congress on matters of deficit
859
00:47:07,633 --> 00:47:12,165
reduction and necessary measures
to help our economy grow and
860
00:47:12,166 --> 00:47:15,200
create jobs at any time.
861
00:47:15,200 --> 00:47:19,899
His principles remained
throughout that process,
862
00:47:19,900 --> 00:47:23,567
which is fundamentally that we
have to do it in a responsible
863
00:47:23,567 --> 00:47:25,934
way and a balanced way.
864
00:47:25,934 --> 00:47:28,400
But again, he won't have that
negotiation over the debt
865
00:47:28,400 --> 00:47:31,467
ceiling because Congress has
to simply pay these bills that
866
00:47:31,467 --> 00:47:37,333
they've incurred.
867
00:47:37,333 --> 00:47:39,533
Again, I could read through
it but I'll spare you --
868
00:47:39,533 --> 00:47:40,667
what happened last time.
869
00:47:40,667 --> 00:47:44,799
And throughout this recovery,
the weakest month of job
870
00:47:44,800 --> 00:47:48,667
creation was in August of 2011.
871
00:47:48,667 --> 00:47:51,500
And the primary reason for that
was because of the insistence by
872
00:47:51,500 --> 00:47:57,700
House Republicans
in July and June,
873
00:47:57,700 --> 00:48:03,232
the insistence by them to flirt
with the prospect of default.
874
00:48:03,233 --> 00:48:09,934
And consumer confidence
plummeted, the DOW plummeted,
875
00:48:09,934 --> 00:48:15,033
investment dried up, and the
American people paid the price.
876
00:48:15,033 --> 00:48:17,799
And they were not happy
by having to pay that
877
00:48:17,800 --> 00:48:19,500
price, justifiably.
878
00:48:19,500 --> 00:48:20,367
The Press:
Jay, can you clarify?
879
00:48:20,367 --> 00:48:23,367
It sounds like you're sequencing
that Congress has to handle the
880
00:48:23,367 --> 00:48:25,767
debt ceiling first before
the President will discuss
881
00:48:25,767 --> 00:48:26,966
sequestration, or --
882
00:48:26,967 --> 00:48:28,600
Mr. Carney:
I'm separating.
883
00:48:28,600 --> 00:48:29,366
I'm separating.
884
00:48:29,367 --> 00:48:32,867
Congress -- we called on
Congress to act without drama or
885
00:48:32,867 --> 00:48:37,600
delay throughout the end
of the year last year.
886
00:48:37,600 --> 00:48:41,433
We continue to call on them to
act without drama or delay to
887
00:48:41,433 --> 00:48:44,734
deal with the debt ceiling, to
deal with its responsibility.
888
00:48:44,734 --> 00:48:46,967
But again we are
separating -- again,
889
00:48:46,967 --> 00:48:49,567
the process that you're
envisioning doesn't -- well,
890
00:48:49,567 --> 00:48:52,633
this is the question I
answered 45 minutes ago.
891
00:48:52,633 --> 00:48:53,767
Congress isn't here.
892
00:48:53,767 --> 00:48:58,366
When Congress returns, I
imagine that we will engage in
893
00:48:58,367 --> 00:49:01,233
conversations about the
sequester and other
894
00:49:01,233 --> 00:49:02,233
economic issues.
895
00:49:02,233 --> 00:49:05,633
But we will not negotiate over
the basic responsibility of
896
00:49:05,633 --> 00:49:09,633
Congress to do its job, which is
to pay the bills incurred by the
897
00:49:09,633 --> 00:49:12,767
United States.
898
00:49:12,767 --> 00:49:13,633
All the way in the back, yes.
899
00:49:13,633 --> 00:49:16,066
The Press:
A follow-up on Hagel with
a specific regard to his
900
00:49:16,066 --> 00:49:19,500
experience in China -- in
the '80s as a businessman.
901
00:49:19,500 --> 00:49:23,233
Can you talk about whether his
experience in China was a factor
902
00:49:23,233 --> 00:49:25,967
in his nomination, given the
fact that the Asia pivot is a
903
00:49:25,967 --> 00:49:28,567
big part of his responsibility
at the Pentagon?
904
00:49:28,567 --> 00:49:32,867
Mr. Carney:
Well, I don't know specifically
whether that experience --
905
00:49:32,867 --> 00:49:36,066
how much that experience played
into the President's decision.
906
00:49:36,066 --> 00:49:41,633
It is certainly a fact that
Senator Hagel has a varied and
907
00:49:41,633 --> 00:49:47,966
broad resume that includes his
experience as a businessman.
908
00:49:47,967 --> 00:49:51,700
But I think you heard the
President cite his service in
909
00:49:51,700 --> 00:49:56,433
Vietnam and his
service in the Senate,
910
00:49:56,433 --> 00:50:02,967
his service on the Intelligence
Advisory Board as well as his
911
00:50:02,967 --> 00:50:08,967
time as a CEO as part of a broad
package of experiences that make
912
00:50:08,967 --> 00:50:11,500
him the right choice to be
the next Secretary of Defense.
913
00:50:11,500 --> 00:50:12,500
Thank you all.
