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Mr. Carney:
Well, thank you all
for being here on Friday
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for your daily briefing.
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00:00:06,834 --> 00:00:11,433
I might sound a little under the
weather and that's because I am.
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If I have to, I'm just going to
turn it over to these guys here
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00:00:14,467 --> 00:00:17,033
at some point
if I need to sneeze.
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But before I take
your questions,
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I have a couple of things.
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I can certainly do the week
ahead as well at the top.
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But, first of all, I know a
lot of you have been asking --
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00:00:26,266 --> 00:00:28,099
I can confirm that
the Speaker of the House
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has invited the President to
deliver the State of the Union
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address on January 28th.
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So that's one.
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Two, I have --
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The Press:
Did he accept?
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Mr. Carney:
Oh, yes -- yes,
he will be there.
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And second, I have a topper
related to implementation
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00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:47,900
of the Affordable Care Act.
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Today, we are highlighting the
millions of uninsured Americans
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who can gain access to quality,
affordable health insurance
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plans because of the
Affordable Care Act.
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Nearly six in ten of these
uninsured Americans will be
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eligible for coverage at a
cost of $100 per month or less.
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And if all states expanded
their Medicaid programs,
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nearly 8 in 10 of these
uninsured Americans would be
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able to purchase coverage for
$100 or less per person --
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or rather, per month in 2014.
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Just yesterday, Iowa joined a
growing number of states led by
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both Republican and Democratic
governors that have chosen to
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put politics aside in expanding
Medicaid under the Affordable
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Care Act to reduce the rate of
uninsured and help their states,
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hospitals, and businesses save
on uncompensated care costs.
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It is an example of how when
both parties are flexible and
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work together, we can
move the country forward
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for the good of all Americans.
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This stands in stark contrast to
the congressional Republicans'
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repeal plan, where every
middle-class American enrolled
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with tax credits would see their
premiums skyrocket and every
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American covered through
Medicaid expansion would be
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kicked out of their coverage.
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If there were ever a time for
Republicans to change course
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and help Americans who,
without their obstruction,
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would be able to gain
access to health insurance
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in less than
a month, it would be now.
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Finally, by popular demand,
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I'm going to do
the week ahead at the top.
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On Saturday, the President and
First Lady will honor the lives
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and legacies of the
children and educators lost
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at Sandy Hook
Elementary School one year ago
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by observing a moment
of silence at the White House.
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On Sunday, the First Family will
attend Christmas in Washington
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at the National Building Museum.
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Next week, on the week days,
the President will be here
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at the White House
attending meetings.
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And Friday evening,
the First Family will depart
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the White House
for Honolulu, Hawaii.
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And that is your week ahead.
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The Press:
Where's the moment of silence?
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Mr. Carney:
Here at the White House.
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We'll have more details for
you later, but it will be here.
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The Press:
Inside, outside?
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Mr. Carney:
Again, we'll have more details
for you shortly, I hope.
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Julie.
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The Press:
Thank you.
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00:03:08,300 --> 00:03:09,633
I had a couple questions
about Bob Levinson.
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The AP has reported, based in
part on documents that reporters
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have reviewed, that Levinson
was in Iran working for the CIA.
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Why did the administration
falsely say for years that
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Levinson was a private citizen
in Iran on a business trip?
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And will you continue to say
that now that it's been proven
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to be untrue?
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Mr. Carney:
Bob Levinson was not
a U.S. government employee
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when he went missing in Iran.
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As there is an ongoing
investigation into his
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disappearance, I am
not going to comment further
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00:03:41,233 --> 00:03:45,133
on what he may or may not
have been doing in Iran.
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I'm not going to fact-check
every allegation made
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in the story you reference --
a story we believe it was highly
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irresponsible to publish and
which we strongly urged
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the outlet not
to publish out of concerns
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for Mr. Levinson's safety.
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I'm also not going to say
anything that might further harm
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our efforts to bring
Mr. Levinson home safe,
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which has been our goal
for the six and a half years
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he has been missing.
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Since Bob disappeared,
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the U.S. government
has vigorously pursued
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and continues to pursue
all investigative leads
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as we would with any
American citizen missing
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or detained overseas.
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We continue to be focused
on doing everything we can
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to bring Bob home
safely to his family.
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This remains a top priority
of the U.S. government.
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The Press:
So you see the statements
that the administration made
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saying he was a private citizen
there on private business
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as being the same as him
being there working for the CIA?
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00:04:38,867 --> 00:04:41,033
Mr. Carney:
Julie, what I can say
is that he was not --
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00:04:41,033 --> 00:04:44,000
first of all, I'm not going
to comment on every allegation
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00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:45,333
in that story.
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00:04:45,333 --> 00:04:46,834
The Press:
It's a pretty
substantial allegation.
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00:04:46,834 --> 00:04:49,000
Mr. Carney:
I would say that if there
is somebody detained overseas
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00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,400
and it is published,
true or false,
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that he is working for the CIA,
I think it is dictated by logic
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that that very likely puts
that person in greater danger.
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What I can tell you is he was
not a U.S. government employee
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when he made that trip,
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but I'm not going to get
into any more detail.
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00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,567
I mean, look, I understand that
this is a complicated issue.
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It is also very sensitive, and
deals obviously with the safety
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and security and the life of
an American citizen overseas.
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It also deals with matters
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that are under
investigation by the FBI.
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00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:30,133
So I am limited, for
a variety of reasons,
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00:05:30,133 --> 00:05:31,900
in what I can say
about it, really,
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beyond what I've just said.
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The Press:
Can you say what the
administration believes
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00:05:37,367 --> 00:05:39,300
Bob Levinson's
status is currently?
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00:05:39,300 --> 00:05:43,166
And can you be specific about
what efforts the administration
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00:05:43,166 --> 00:05:47,834
is undertaking to have him
returned to the U.S.?
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00:05:47,834 --> 00:05:50,333
Mr. Carney:
As you know,
Mr. Levinson disappeared
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from Kish Island in Iran.
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00:05:52,433 --> 00:05:57,033
In 2011, we received indications
that Mr. Levinson was being held
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00:05:57,033 --> 00:05:59,834
somewhere in Southwest Asia.
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At the time, Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton publicly asked
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00:06:03,300 --> 00:06:06,033
the Iranian government to
undertake humanitarian efforts
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to safely return and
reunite Bob with his family --
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because the Iranian government
had previously offered
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its assistance in this matter.
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More recently, obviously,
President Obama raised
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00:06:18,066 --> 00:06:21,433
Mr. Levinson's case in his phone
call with President Rouhani,
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00:06:21,433 --> 00:06:24,734
in addition to the cases of
detained American citizens
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Saeed Abedini and Amir Hekmati.
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Secretary Kerry has also raised
these three cases directly
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with Iran's foreign minister.
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And today we reiterate that same
request to the government of
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Iran or to anyone else who
might have information about
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Mr. Levinson's whereabouts to
undertake efforts to ensure that
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he returns safely to his family.
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And again, this is something
that we continue to raise at the
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00:06:56,767 --> 00:07:04,033
highest levels and to press --
or to make clear to the Iranians
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that we seek their assistance
in having him returned home,
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and to express that anyone else
who might have information about
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Mr. Levinson's whereabouts
undertake efforts to return him
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00:07:16,333 --> 00:07:21,533
back home to his family.
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The Press:
Does the administration
believe he's still alive?
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00:07:24,166 --> 00:07:27,266
Mr. Carney:
Again, we were made aware
in 2011 that he was in,
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at the time, Southwest Asia.
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But I don't have
more details on --
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or any more specifics about what
we know about his whereabouts.
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00:07:37,867 --> 00:07:42,166
Obviously, we're very concerned
about him and call on anyone
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with knowledge of his
whereabouts to undertake efforts
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00:07:45,066 --> 00:07:47,332
to ensure that he
returns safely home.
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00:07:47,333 --> 00:07:48,367
Steve.
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The Press:
Was Rouhani aware of the case
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00:07:50,166 --> 00:07:52,166
when the President
raised it with him?
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00:07:54,333 --> 00:07:56,266
Mr. Carney:
I'd be surprised if he weren't.
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00:07:56,266 --> 00:08:01,700
I don't have a direct
memory of that conversation
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00:08:01,700 --> 00:08:05,033
or the readout I received
of it to say with assurance.
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00:08:05,033 --> 00:08:07,333
But it would be surprising,
since this is something going
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00:08:07,333 --> 00:08:12,200
back to at least 2011 when
Secretary Clinton raised this
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00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:16,233
issue and called on
and asked for Iran's help --
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because they had offered help
in the past in helping us
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00:08:19,900 --> 00:08:22,532
locate and return him safely.
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00:08:22,533 --> 00:08:23,600
The Press: Okay.
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00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,000
Separately, there was
a high-profile execution
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00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:26,734
in North Korea yesterday.
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00:08:26,734 --> 00:08:29,532
What's your assessment
of what's behind this execution?
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Is this Kim trying
to consolidate power?
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00:08:32,967 --> 00:08:35,332
Mr. Carney:
I can say a couple of
things about that, Steve.
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First, we can't independently
verify this development,
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00:08:41,633 --> 00:08:45,233
but we have no reason
to doubt the official report
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that he has been executed.
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And this is another example
of the extreme brutality
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of the North Korean regime.
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In terms of our assessments
of what it means,
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there are obviously assessments
made by the intelligence
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00:09:01,233 --> 00:09:06,000
community and others, but I
wouldn't get into speculating
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00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,333
on internal DPRK decision-making
or the motivations
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00:09:09,333 --> 00:09:10,666
of the leadership.
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What it is indicative
of, however,
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00:09:13,500 --> 00:09:18,433
is the values of the regime --
their low regard for human life
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00:09:18,433 --> 00:09:21,033
and what is probably the worst
human rights record
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00:09:21,033 --> 00:09:22,033
in the world.
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And that's saying something.
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So it's a very opaque
regime, as you know.
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00:09:28,333 --> 00:09:32,567
But we can certainly
make that assertion
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00:09:32,567 --> 00:09:34,533
based on the reports we've seen.
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The Press:
And lastly, is the President
nearing a conclusion
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00:09:38,300 --> 00:09:40,165
on what to do about the NSA?
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00:09:40,166 --> 00:09:42,266
And is he going to
announce them soon?
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00:09:42,266 --> 00:09:44,099
Are there going to be
additional constraints,
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00:09:44,100 --> 00:09:46,300
as you've talked about before?
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00:09:46,300 --> 00:09:48,367
Mr. Carney:
Well, the President
himself mentioned
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00:09:48,367 --> 00:09:52,000
in an interview recently that
he will be "proposing some
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00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:53,600
self-restraint on the NSA."
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00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:55,867
So the answer to
that question is yes.
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00:09:55,867 --> 00:09:57,834
And he will be initiating
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00:09:57,834 --> 00:10:01,132
"some reforms that can
give people more confidence."
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00:10:01,133 --> 00:10:02,800
That's a quote
from the President.
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00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:05,867
The overall review will be
complete by the end of the year.
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00:10:05,867 --> 00:10:08,599
The review is being led by
the White House and includes
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00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:12,233
agencies from across
the White House.
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00:10:12,233 --> 00:10:13,834
Beyond what the
President has said,
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00:10:13,834 --> 00:10:15,467
the administration's
review is ongoing,
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00:10:15,467 --> 00:10:19,467
so I'm not in a position to
discuss reports about what may
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00:10:19,467 --> 00:10:26,900
or may not be recommended by
either the Review Group on
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00:10:26,900 --> 00:10:29,500
Intelligence and Communications
Technology or the Privacy and
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00:10:29,500 --> 00:10:31,600
Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
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00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:35,166
We have not yet received the
review group's final report
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00:10:35,166 --> 00:10:36,600
and are not going to comment
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00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:38,533
on a report that has
not been submitted.
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00:10:38,533 --> 00:10:41,533
We expect, however,
that that review group's report
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00:10:41,533 --> 00:10:45,333
will be delivered by the
December 15th due date.
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00:10:45,333 --> 00:10:49,567
Let me move up, as
I've been promising.
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00:10:49,567 --> 00:10:50,567
Yes, sir.
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00:10:50,567 --> 00:10:51,767
The Press:
Thank you very much.
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00:10:51,767 --> 00:10:56,100
Following this week's
designations of Iranian entities
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00:10:56,100 --> 00:10:59,533
by the Treasury Department,
the Iranian delegation that had
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00:10:59,533 --> 00:11:02,967
implementation talks in Geneva
protested and suspended those
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00:11:02,967 --> 00:11:05,667
talks, claiming that those
designations are tantamount
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00:11:05,667 --> 00:11:09,433
to new sanctions and violate
the spirit of the deal reached
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00:11:09,433 --> 00:11:11,433
in Geneva only weeks ago.
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00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:16,266
How do you plan to convince
the Iranians that designations
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00:11:16,266 --> 00:11:18,099
and sanctions
are two different things?
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00:11:18,100 --> 00:11:21,000
And what is the strategy
for getting back to the
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00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:22,367
implementation talks
so that we can start
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00:11:22,367 --> 00:11:24,099
the clock ticking on this deal?
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00:11:24,100 --> 00:11:26,233
Mr. Carney:
Well, the agreement
very clearly referred
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00:11:26,233 --> 00:11:30,132
to nuclear sanctions and
also very clearly referred
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00:11:30,133 --> 00:11:32,967
to the fact that existing
sanctions would continue.
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00:11:32,967 --> 00:11:36,600
Technical talks between the
P5-plus-1 and Iran were held
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00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:39,000
from December 9th through
December 12th in Vienna
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00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:40,633
to discuss the
implementation details
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00:11:40,633 --> 00:11:41,800
of the Joint Plan of Action.
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00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:44,699
And we made progress
in those discussions,
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00:11:44,700 --> 00:11:45,967
and we consider the atmosphere
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00:11:45,967 --> 00:11:48,266
during those discussions
constructive.
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00:11:48,266 --> 00:11:50,065
Now, these are complicated,
technical issues,
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00:11:50,066 --> 00:11:52,500
and after four days
of detailed talks,
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00:11:52,500 --> 00:11:55,367
all teams have returned to
their capitals for further
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00:11:55,367 --> 00:11:58,867
consultations, and that
was always the plan.
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00:11:58,867 --> 00:12:01,934
We continue to do the necessary
work to prepare to implement the
243
00:12:01,934 --> 00:12:04,132
Joint Plan of Action, and are
prepared to meet again
244
00:12:04,133 --> 00:12:08,266
with our P5-plus-1 partners
and Iran as soon as possible
245
00:12:08,266 --> 00:12:10,867
to resume these technical talks.
246
00:12:10,867 --> 00:12:15,165
Now, in terms of what the
Iranians have said about their
247
00:12:15,166 --> 00:12:17,900
delegation, I will simply
point you to the delegation
248
00:12:17,900 --> 00:12:21,266
and to Iran for them
to speak for their actions.
249
00:12:21,266 --> 00:12:22,333
But let's be clear:
250
00:12:22,333 --> 00:12:24,433
The designations
announced yesterday were related
251
00:12:24,433 --> 00:12:26,766
to the enforcement
of existing sanctions,
252
00:12:26,767 --> 00:12:29,734
and we have made clear all
along that we would continue
253
00:12:29,734 --> 00:12:31,967
to enforce existing sanctions.
254
00:12:31,967 --> 00:12:33,967
As the President said,
to the extent permissible
255
00:12:33,967 --> 00:12:35,567
within our political system,
256
00:12:35,567 --> 00:12:36,834
we have committed to refrain
257
00:12:36,834 --> 00:12:40,132
from imposing new
nuclear-related sanctions.
258
00:12:40,133 --> 00:12:42,166
That does not prevent us from
implementing and enforcing
259
00:12:42,166 --> 00:12:44,533
our existing
nuclear-related sanctions --
260
00:12:44,533 --> 00:12:46,800
which of course
we will do, as we said --
261
00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:49,433
or from imposing new
sanctions targeting Iran's
262
00:12:49,433 --> 00:12:53,600
sponsorship of terrorism or
its abysmal human rights record.
263
00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:56,533
We have been clear with Iran
throughout this process that
264
00:12:56,533 --> 00:12:59,000
we will continue to enforce
existing sanctions,
265
00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:02,166
which is consistent with
what was done yesterday,
266
00:13:02,166 --> 00:13:04,166
the action taken yesterday.
267
00:13:04,166 --> 00:13:10,200
But let's be clear also that we
continue to oppose the passage
268
00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:13,600
of new nuclear-related sanctions
for the reasons that we have
269
00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:15,133
discussed now for several weeks,
270
00:13:15,133 --> 00:13:20,667
because we believe that the
purpose of this most effective
271
00:13:20,667 --> 00:13:22,333
and comprehensive
sanctions regime
272
00:13:22,333 --> 00:13:24,666
that has been built up
by this administration
273
00:13:24,667 --> 00:13:29,467
with our partners was to
see if we could compel Tehran
274
00:13:29,467 --> 00:13:32,600
to change its behavior, to
come to the negotiating table,
275
00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:37,166
and to commit itself
to actions aimed at proving
276
00:13:37,166 --> 00:13:39,266
to the international community
that Iran was prepared
277
00:13:39,266 --> 00:13:42,065
to abide by its
international obligations
278
00:13:42,066 --> 00:13:44,667
and to forsake a
nuclear weapons program.
279
00:13:44,667 --> 00:13:46,800
So we have a
preliminary agreement,
280
00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:48,099
the Joint Plan of Action,
281
00:13:48,100 --> 00:13:51,000
and these technical
discussions continue.
282
00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:52,533
The Press:
Quick follow-up.
283
00:13:52,533 --> 00:13:56,867
As the Daily Beast reported,
in the six months since Rouhani
284
00:13:56,867 --> 00:13:59,699
was elected, the pace of
designation slowed dramatically.
285
00:13:59,700 --> 00:14:00,767
There were almost
no designations
286
00:14:00,767 --> 00:14:01,867
in that six-month period.
287
00:14:01,867 --> 00:14:05,666
Administration officials
claim that was meant
288
00:14:05,667 --> 00:14:10,433
to provide an atmosphere
conducive to talks of progress.
289
00:14:10,433 --> 00:14:12,633
So why all these
designations now?
290
00:14:12,633 --> 00:14:15,133
Doesn't that do the opposite --
create an atmosphere
291
00:14:15,133 --> 00:14:17,734
that's not conducive
for further talks of progress?
292
00:14:17,734 --> 00:14:20,166
Mr. Carney:
We have been clear
all along that we would
293
00:14:20,166 --> 00:14:23,767
continue to implement
the existing sanctions.
294
00:14:23,767 --> 00:14:29,533
And throughout President
Obama's time in office, we have,
295
00:14:29,533 --> 00:14:32,367
both unilaterally and
working with our partners,
296
00:14:32,367 --> 00:14:34,699
ramped up sanctions.
297
00:14:34,700 --> 00:14:39,600
So I don't know that I would
characterize actions taken
298
00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:42,533
in the last weeks or
months in any other way,
299
00:14:42,533 --> 00:14:45,033
except to say that we have been
continuing the implementation
300
00:14:45,033 --> 00:14:49,166
of existing sanctions as we have
pursued the possibility
301
00:14:49,166 --> 00:14:52,166
and now the reality of
reaching a preliminary agreement
302
00:14:52,166 --> 00:14:55,166
with Iran with
a unified P5-plus-1.
303
00:14:55,166 --> 00:14:59,033
And now that we have, it is our
view, and has been our view,
304
00:14:59,033 --> 00:15:01,967
that Congress should refrain
from passing new sanctions
305
00:15:01,967 --> 00:15:04,367
precisely because Congress has
been an excellent partner
306
00:15:04,367 --> 00:15:09,367
in this effort and
has within its power the ability
307
00:15:09,367 --> 00:15:13,000
to time the passages
of sanctions, if necessary,
308
00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:17,133
to affect Iranian behavior.
309
00:15:17,133 --> 00:15:22,367
We believe that if Iran
demonstrates that it will comply
310
00:15:22,367 --> 00:15:26,666
with the agreement it made, that
that would obviously be a good
311
00:15:26,667 --> 00:15:31,900
thing, and then progress could
be made on the potential for
312
00:15:31,900 --> 00:15:36,333
a more comprehensive solution to
this challenge over six months.
313
00:15:36,333 --> 00:15:38,266
But if Iran were
to fail to comply,
314
00:15:38,266 --> 00:15:39,834
or fail to come to agreement
with the P5-plus-1
315
00:15:39,834 --> 00:15:45,632
on a comprehensive solution,
comprehensive agreement,
316
00:15:45,633 --> 00:15:49,500
then it would be entirely
appropriate for the Congress
317
00:15:49,500 --> 00:15:50,734
to take action.
318
00:15:50,734 --> 00:15:53,600
And I think that, once again,
if that were to happen,
319
00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:58,767
that we would be in a situation,
as we helped create in 2009,
320
00:15:58,767 --> 00:16:01,700
where the
international community
321
00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:08,300
would be united in
opposition to Iran's refusal
322
00:16:08,300 --> 00:16:09,900
to live up to its
international obligations.
323
00:16:09,900 --> 00:16:12,567
Now, that's a lot
of speculation,
324
00:16:12,567 --> 00:16:13,700
which I try not to engage in,
325
00:16:13,700 --> 00:16:16,300
but I'm simply saying that
that would be a situation
326
00:16:16,300 --> 00:16:18,900
that would mirror what we have
seen in the past, which is --
327
00:16:18,900 --> 00:16:20,000
The Press:
So we can expect
new designations
328
00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:21,700
to be continued for --
329
00:16:21,700 --> 00:16:23,467
Mr. Carney:
I think you can
expect us to continue
330
00:16:23,467 --> 00:16:25,066
to implement existing sanctions,
331
00:16:25,066 --> 00:16:27,800
and where that requires
new designations,
332
00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:31,632
that, I'm sure,
will be what we do.
333
00:16:31,633 --> 00:16:32,633
The Press:
Thank you.
334
00:16:32,633 --> 00:16:33,633
Mr. Carney:
You bet.
335
00:16:33,633 --> 00:16:34,800
Jon.
336
00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,766
The Press:
On the NSA taskforce
recommendations
337
00:16:37,767 --> 00:16:38,767
will come in on time,
338
00:16:38,767 --> 00:16:41,300
will you make
that report public?
339
00:16:41,300 --> 00:16:43,233
Mr. Carney:
What I can tell you
is that we will have
340
00:16:43,233 --> 00:16:47,367
a lot more to say to
make the outcomes public
341
00:16:47,367 --> 00:16:49,233
in an appropriate way
after we receive it.
342
00:16:49,233 --> 00:16:50,867
Obviously, we're talking
about fairly sensitive
343
00:16:50,867 --> 00:16:54,934
and classified information.
344
00:16:54,934 --> 00:17:02,199
But part of this process that
the President has asked for
345
00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:05,734
is one that will allow us
to be as transparent as possible
346
00:17:05,733 --> 00:17:09,833
and to, as he said,
347
00:17:09,834 --> 00:17:13,000
propose some self-restraint
on the NSA and initiate
348
00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,099
some reforms that can
give people more confidence.
349
00:17:15,099 --> 00:17:17,800
And giving people more
confidence obviously involves
350
00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:19,032
giving people more information.
351
00:17:19,032 --> 00:17:22,966
Beyond that, exactly how
352
00:17:22,967 --> 00:17:26,266
and when making
those outcomes public
353
00:17:26,266 --> 00:17:27,700
is still being determined,
354
00:17:27,700 --> 00:17:29,867
but I expect we'll have more
information on those questions
355
00:17:29,867 --> 00:17:32,166
soon, because as
I noted earlier,
356
00:17:32,166 --> 00:17:37,466
the review group's report is
expected here on December 15th.
357
00:17:37,467 --> 00:17:38,700
The Press:
Because the review
group's report,
358
00:17:38,700 --> 00:17:40,767
as I understand it,
has been declassified,
359
00:17:40,767 --> 00:17:43,567
gone through a
declassification process.
360
00:17:43,567 --> 00:17:44,767
Mr. Carney:
I'll have to take the question.
361
00:17:44,767 --> 00:17:46,200
I don't have the answer to that.
362
00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:47,200
What I can --
363
00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:48,300
The Press:
But you won't --
364
00:17:48,300 --> 00:17:49,332
you're not going to
release their full report?
365
00:17:49,333 --> 00:17:51,600
Mr. Carney:
I'm not sure about that, Jon.
366
00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,332
What I can tell you is that we
will endeavor to release as much
367
00:17:54,333 --> 00:18:00,667
information as we can, mindful
of the fact that these are
368
00:18:00,667 --> 00:18:03,265
sensitive matters involving
intelligence-gathering.
369
00:18:03,266 --> 00:18:04,800
The Press:
But in terms of this group,
370
00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:07,100
the internal reviews
you've been doing,
371
00:18:07,100 --> 00:18:10,300
and the self-restraint
that the President will be --
372
00:18:10,300 --> 00:18:13,533
the changes he'll be making,
would any of this be happening
373
00:18:13,533 --> 00:18:16,632
if it weren't for
Edward Snowden?
374
00:18:16,633 --> 00:18:18,533
Mr. Carney:
Well, that's an
excellent question
375
00:18:18,533 --> 00:18:19,867
that's impossible to answer.
376
00:18:19,867 --> 00:18:24,332
The President, as you know,
believes that what has happened
377
00:18:24,333 --> 00:18:31,467
this year has made it clear that
we need to review our activities
378
00:18:31,467 --> 00:18:34,500
with a basic principle in
mind: that we should be doing
379
00:18:34,500 --> 00:18:37,934
everything we should and must
be doing to ensure our safety
380
00:18:37,934 --> 00:18:40,934
within the law,
but not doing things simply
381
00:18:40,934 --> 00:18:42,600
because we can do them,
382
00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:47,533
because we have the
assets and resources
383
00:18:47,533 --> 00:18:48,734
that allow us to do them.
384
00:18:48,734 --> 00:18:52,899
So I can't imagine what
that world would look like,
385
00:18:52,900 --> 00:18:55,867
but this is very consistent
with the President's views
386
00:18:55,867 --> 00:18:57,100
for a long time now.
387
00:18:57,100 --> 00:19:03,867
And he has initiated this effort
and looks forward to both
388
00:19:03,867 --> 00:19:06,399
the review group's
report and to actions
389
00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:08,500
being taken in response to it.
390
00:19:08,500 --> 00:19:11,800
The Press:
But would you acknowledge
that this entire effort,
391
00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:13,800
this multi-agency effort,
independent taskforce,
392
00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:16,166
wouldn't be happening --
393
00:19:16,166 --> 00:19:19,200
Mr. Carney:
I think if you look
back to the speech
394
00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:21,567
the President gave
prior to the revelations,
395
00:19:21,567 --> 00:19:23,567
the disclosures that
we're talking about,
396
00:19:23,567 --> 00:19:26,633
I think he indicated very
clearly that he wanted
397
00:19:26,633 --> 00:19:30,300
to engage in a broader review
of our posture, if you will,
398
00:19:30,300 --> 00:19:32,000
and how we do things --
399
00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:33,467
I'm speaking at
a high altitude here,
400
00:19:33,467 --> 00:19:39,200
but this involves
his view that,
401
00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,600
now 12 years after
9/11 and after the wars
402
00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:44,100
that we've engaged in,
403
00:19:44,100 --> 00:19:49,100
that we required a new
look at the way we conduct
404
00:19:49,100 --> 00:19:50,233
this kind of business.
405
00:19:50,233 --> 00:19:54,166
The Press:
And on Levinson,
17 days ago you issued
406
00:19:54,166 --> 00:19:57,500
a statement saying
Robert Levinson went missing
407
00:19:57,500 --> 00:20:00,667
during a business trip
to Kish Island, Iran.
408
00:20:00,667 --> 00:20:02,632
When you talked
about it just now,
409
00:20:02,633 --> 00:20:05,200
you simply said when he
went to Kish Island, Iran.
410
00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:08,233
I'm wondering is that
statement from 17 days ago --
411
00:20:08,233 --> 00:20:10,567
that he went missing
during a business trip
412
00:20:10,567 --> 00:20:11,800
on Kish Island, Iran --
413
00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:14,667
is that still operative or
is that no longer the story?
414
00:20:14,667 --> 00:20:16,734
Mr. Carney:
I mean, I'm simply
saying that he was not
415
00:20:16,734 --> 00:20:17,966
a U.S. government employee.
416
00:20:17,967 --> 00:20:21,633
This is in reaction to a story
that was published today.
417
00:20:21,633 --> 00:20:23,900
I'm not adjusting what
was said in the past;
418
00:20:23,900 --> 00:20:25,500
I'm making clear in
response to this story
419
00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:28,533
that that is what we can say.
420
00:20:28,533 --> 00:20:32,833
We cannot say more for some
of the reasons that I just
421
00:20:32,834 --> 00:20:35,333
described in answering
Julie's question.
422
00:20:35,333 --> 00:20:36,600
The Press:
But is this statement then,
423
00:20:36,600 --> 00:20:38,000
it's just to clarify?
424
00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:39,934
Mr. Carney:
Again, I'm not changing
or altering what was said
425
00:20:39,934 --> 00:20:42,500
in the past, but in
response to stories today
426
00:20:42,500 --> 00:20:45,900
I'm making clear that he was
not a U.S. government employee
427
00:20:45,900 --> 00:20:47,033
when he went missing in Iran.
428
00:20:47,033 --> 00:20:50,166
As there's an ongoing
investigation
429
00:20:50,166 --> 00:20:51,265
into his disappearance,
430
00:20:51,266 --> 00:20:53,333
I can't comment further
on what he may or may
431
00:20:53,333 --> 00:20:57,567
not have been doing in Iran.
432
00:20:57,567 --> 00:21:00,333
And, again, I think that it's --
433
00:21:00,333 --> 00:21:04,700
this is a fairly
dicey proposition here to be --
434
00:21:04,700 --> 00:21:08,367
when you have somebody
who is potentially clearly --
435
00:21:08,367 --> 00:21:12,567
clearly in harm's
way and whose safety
436
00:21:12,567 --> 00:21:14,000
we're all concerned about.
437
00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:15,667
The Press:
Can I ask you just a
philosophical question on this?
438
00:21:15,667 --> 00:21:19,632
If by putting out a statement
that isn't exactly accurate
439
00:21:19,633 --> 00:21:24,433
or is misleading,
you could save somebody's life
440
00:21:24,433 --> 00:21:28,133
or hasten his return,
would that be justified?
441
00:21:28,133 --> 00:21:30,800
Would that be something you'd be
willing to do from the podium?
442
00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:32,767
Mr. Carney:
I'm not going to
speculate about that.
443
00:21:32,767 --> 00:21:36,033
We provide the information
that we can, as accurate, Jon.
444
00:21:36,033 --> 00:21:40,199
And we're talking about a matter
that's under investigation,
445
00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:43,000
we're talking about
an individual's disappearance
446
00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:46,333
and his safety.
447
00:21:46,333 --> 00:21:52,600
So I just can't describe
further what he was doing.
448
00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:53,899
That's under investigation.
449
00:21:53,900 --> 00:21:56,934
But I can tell you he was not
a U.S. government employee.
450
00:21:56,934 --> 00:21:59,100
Brianna.
451
00:21:59,100 --> 00:22:00,399
The Press:
Thanks, Jay.
452
00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:02,900
The fact-checking
website, PolitiFact,
453
00:22:02,900 --> 00:22:04,567
named as the Lie of the Year,
454
00:22:04,567 --> 00:22:08,200
"If you like your health
care plan, you can keep it."
455
00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:10,800
Is the White House,
is President Obama worried
456
00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:15,533
that this false promise is being
cemented sort of in history?
457
00:22:15,533 --> 00:22:16,667
Mr. Carney:
Brianna, as you know,
458
00:22:16,667 --> 00:22:21,934
the President in an
interview earlier this fall
459
00:22:21,934 --> 00:22:25,667
took this question head
on and expressed his concern
460
00:22:25,667 --> 00:22:26,833
for those individuals,
461
00:22:26,834 --> 00:22:28,166
those Americans who
received cancellation notices
462
00:22:28,166 --> 00:22:33,633
and were potentially adversely
impacted by or affected by that,
463
00:22:36,100 --> 00:22:41,699
and took action to encourage
states and state insurance
464
00:22:41,700 --> 00:22:48,233
commissioners to allow those who
wanted to stay on existing plans
465
00:22:48,233 --> 00:22:49,700
to stay on them longer.
466
00:22:49,700 --> 00:22:53,467
So I think he's,
in a very honest way,
467
00:22:53,467 --> 00:22:57,800
addressed this question.
468
00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:00,934
End-of-the-year categorizations
like that are always fun,
469
00:23:00,934 --> 00:23:03,667
even when they don't jive
with past characterizations
470
00:23:03,667 --> 00:23:04,934
of the very same statement.
471
00:23:04,934 --> 00:23:08,500
But we're focused
on implementation
472
00:23:08,500 --> 00:23:09,767
of the Affordable Care Act.
473
00:23:09,767 --> 00:23:14,867
We have owned and acknowledged
where that rollout this fall
474
00:23:14,867 --> 00:23:19,300
has not been up to the
standards that we expected
475
00:23:19,300 --> 00:23:20,433
and where there
have been problems.
476
00:23:20,433 --> 00:23:25,367
And we've taken action
so that the fundamental
477
00:23:25,367 --> 00:23:27,567
promise here is met,
478
00:23:27,567 --> 00:23:33,900
which is making affordable,
quality health insurance
479
00:23:33,900 --> 00:23:35,867
available and accessible
to millions of American
480
00:23:35,867 --> 00:23:37,100
across the country,
481
00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:40,734
many of whom did not have
that opportunity in the past.
482
00:23:40,734 --> 00:23:41,966
The Press:
But some of these things --
483
00:23:41,967 --> 00:23:45,233
for instance, in the past,
one of the lies of the year
484
00:23:45,233 --> 00:23:46,800
was Sarah Palin's death panels.
485
00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:50,265
And it sort of I guess
highlights something
486
00:23:50,266 --> 00:23:53,900
that becomes I guess a line
in popular consciousness.
487
00:23:53,900 --> 00:23:56,934
It sort of takes on, in a way --
488
00:23:56,934 --> 00:23:59,667
it's something that will
be in history books.
489
00:23:59,667 --> 00:24:03,466
I mean, is there
a concern about that?
490
00:24:03,467 --> 00:24:06,233
Mr. Carney:
Brianna, there's a concern
here about the problems
491
00:24:06,233 --> 00:24:09,734
with the rollout
of the Affordable Care Act.
492
00:24:09,734 --> 00:24:12,300
We've talked a lot about
that here since October,
493
00:24:12,300 --> 00:24:14,367
and the President has
talked a lot about it
494
00:24:14,367 --> 00:24:16,066
in very candid terms.
495
00:24:16,066 --> 00:24:21,266
So I don't think that history's
assessment of this period will
496
00:24:21,266 --> 00:24:24,233
depend on end-of-the-year lists.
497
00:24:24,233 --> 00:24:28,700
I think it will depend
on, in our view,
498
00:24:28,700 --> 00:24:33,433
how we responded to the absolute
necessity of making the fixes
499
00:24:33,433 --> 00:24:36,767
to healthcare.gov, the absolute
necessity of addressing
500
00:24:36,767 --> 00:24:40,166
the problem for those
who receive cancellations,
501
00:24:40,166 --> 00:24:44,100
and the absolute necessity of
ensuring that we are making
502
00:24:44,100 --> 00:24:50,265
it possible for the millions of
Americans who have so clearly
503
00:24:50,266 --> 00:24:54,066
demonstrated their desire
for and interest in enrolling
504
00:24:54,066 --> 00:24:56,400
in health insurance plans
505
00:24:56,400 --> 00:24:58,066
through the marketplace
that they're able to do that.
506
00:24:58,066 --> 00:25:01,367
And that will be the
test in the long run.
507
00:25:01,367 --> 00:25:06,300
But you're going to get no
argument from me that we had
508
00:25:06,300 --> 00:25:10,300
and have had a rocky period here
in rolling out the marketplaces
509
00:25:10,300 --> 00:25:12,934
and the healthcare.gov website.
510
00:25:12,934 --> 00:25:14,266
And that's on us.
511
00:25:14,266 --> 00:25:19,967
And we have taken steps to both
acknowledge that and address
512
00:25:19,967 --> 00:25:23,900
it through policy decisions
and better implementation
513
00:25:23,900 --> 00:25:27,266
of the policy and the law.
514
00:25:27,266 --> 00:25:28,567
The Press:
You have announced today,
515
00:25:28,567 --> 00:25:30,834
or the White House
has announced today,
516
00:25:30,834 --> 00:25:32,100
that Katie Beirne Fallon
517
00:25:32,100 --> 00:25:35,033
will be the new Director
of Legislative Affairs --
518
00:25:35,033 --> 00:25:36,632
obviously someone
who is liked
519
00:25:36,633 --> 00:25:40,100
and believed to be very
capable by a lot of folks.
520
00:25:40,100 --> 00:25:41,533
But she's also unfamiliar --
521
00:25:41,533 --> 00:25:42,966
though she has
Senate background,
522
00:25:42,967 --> 00:25:45,867
she's unfamiliar to a lot
of people in the House,
523
00:25:45,867 --> 00:25:48,166
and you have House
Republicans who are wondering
524
00:25:48,166 --> 00:25:50,200
what this sort of means for them
525
00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:53,100
if they're factoring it all
into the White House's plans
526
00:25:53,100 --> 00:25:54,533
for relations
with Capitol Hill.
527
00:25:54,533 --> 00:25:57,899
Can you talk a little
bit about that?
528
00:25:57,900 --> 00:25:59,166
Mr. Carney:
Well, you've seen, I think,
529
00:25:59,166 --> 00:26:01,066
statements from the Chief
of Staff as well as from
530
00:26:01,066 --> 00:26:04,100
the President about
both Miguel Rodriguez
531
00:26:04,100 --> 00:26:07,399
and his excellent
five-year service.
532
00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:09,767
The Press:
And he didn't have
a very deep relationship
533
00:26:09,767 --> 00:26:11,233
with the House side, either.
534
00:26:11,233 --> 00:26:13,466
So I think that's
-- building on that,
535
00:26:13,467 --> 00:26:15,967
it's part of the concerns
of House Republicans.
536
00:26:15,967 --> 00:26:17,900
We've just seen this
bipartisan budget deal.
537
00:26:17,900 --> 00:26:19,834
Is that a priority?
538
00:26:19,834 --> 00:26:21,834
Mr. Carney:
We believe improving
on the progress
539
00:26:21,834 --> 00:26:24,400
we have already made in our
relationship with Congress
540
00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:26,500
and working with Congress
and getting things done
541
00:26:26,500 --> 00:26:28,100
with Congress
is always a priority,
542
00:26:28,100 --> 00:26:34,567
and we believe that Katie
will bring a lot of experience
543
00:26:34,567 --> 00:26:36,367
to bear on that challenge.
544
00:26:36,367 --> 00:26:39,934
She'll be spending the next few
weeks consulting with members
545
00:26:39,934 --> 00:26:41,734
on 2014 agenda priorities
546
00:26:41,734 --> 00:26:44,667
before stepping into
her new role in January.
547
00:26:44,667 --> 00:26:47,233
She will be coordinating
implementation
548
00:26:47,233 --> 00:26:50,200
of the President's Climate
Action Plan with the Hill.
549
00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:52,633
She'll be managing legislative
strategy around immigration
550
00:26:52,633 --> 00:26:56,667
reform and ensuring a better
flow of communication between
551
00:26:56,667 --> 00:27:00,766
the White House and the Hill
on ACA implementation --
552
00:27:00,767 --> 00:27:01,934
Obamacare implementation.
553
00:27:01,934 --> 00:27:04,367
So she brings
a lot of experience.
554
00:27:04,367 --> 00:27:08,667
She, as you noted,
is well liked
555
00:27:08,667 --> 00:27:12,265
around this building
and all around Capitol Hill,
556
00:27:12,266 --> 00:27:16,500
so we're very confident that
she will build on the progress
557
00:27:16,500 --> 00:27:20,767
we've already made in our
efforts to work with Congress
558
00:27:20,767 --> 00:27:22,200
and get things
done with Congress.
559
00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:25,233
And again,
as I mentioned yesterday,
560
00:27:25,233 --> 00:27:30,800
expectations have for good
reason been set pretty low
561
00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:32,966
when it comes to
compromise in Congress,
562
00:27:32,967 --> 00:27:36,867
but the budget deal
negotiated by Congressman Ryan
563
00:27:36,867 --> 00:27:40,300
and Senator Murray
represents just that.
564
00:27:40,300 --> 00:27:43,633
And it's not a huge step
but an important step forward
565
00:27:43,633 --> 00:27:51,333
in what we believe can
be done if both sides
566
00:27:51,333 --> 00:27:53,533
address these challenges
that the American people
567
00:27:53,533 --> 00:27:55,199
want us to address
in a way that acknowledges
568
00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:56,200
that compromise means
569
00:27:56,200 --> 00:27:58,900
you're not going to
get everything you want.
570
00:27:58,900 --> 00:28:02,467
And immigration reform
represents a huge opportunity.
571
00:28:02,467 --> 00:28:06,667
The array of economic
initiatives we could engage
572
00:28:06,667 --> 00:28:08,000
in that the President
has put forward
573
00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:09,333
and there has
historically been interest
574
00:28:09,333 --> 00:28:10,367
in from the Republicans,
575
00:28:10,367 --> 00:28:12,332
whether it's investment
in infrastructure
576
00:28:12,333 --> 00:28:17,500
or improving our
corporate tax code,
577
00:28:17,500 --> 00:28:21,467
investing in early education
for America's children --
578
00:28:21,467 --> 00:28:24,100
these are ways
that we can invest
579
00:28:24,100 --> 00:28:25,800
in our economic future,
580
00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:27,867
improve economic growth
and job creation --
581
00:28:27,867 --> 00:28:29,367
the President's
number-one priorities.
582
00:28:29,367 --> 00:28:32,133
And Katie is going
to be very much
583
00:28:32,133 --> 00:28:35,367
in the front of the team
effort to get that done
584
00:28:35,367 --> 00:28:36,700
in coordination with Congress.
585
00:28:36,700 --> 00:28:37,967
Mike.
586
00:28:37,967 --> 00:28:39,266
The Press:
Thank you very much.
587
00:28:39,266 --> 00:28:42,767
I just wanted to circle back
to what Brianna was saying
588
00:28:42,767 --> 00:28:45,400
about the PolitiFact
Lie of the Year statement.
589
00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:46,567
What I wanted to get at is --
590
00:28:46,567 --> 00:28:47,934
I mean, they're
saying it was a lie;
591
00:28:47,934 --> 00:28:50,200
by extension they're saying
that the President was lying.
592
00:28:50,200 --> 00:28:52,767
Do you not take
exception with that?
593
00:28:52,767 --> 00:28:55,500
Mr. Carney:
I think that, as I said before,
594
00:28:55,500 --> 00:28:59,867
our focus is on the challenges
595
00:28:59,867 --> 00:29:02,100
that have been associated
with this period
596
00:29:02,100 --> 00:29:04,100
of rolling out
the Affordable Care Act
597
00:29:04,100 --> 00:29:06,567
and what we can do to
address those challenges.
598
00:29:06,567 --> 00:29:09,734
And again, I think
the assessments
599
00:29:09,734 --> 00:29:13,332
of how we respond to
those challenges will determine
600
00:29:13,333 --> 00:29:21,266
how the Affordable Care Act
is viewed in coming years.
601
00:29:21,266 --> 00:29:24,433
And that's because what will
determine that is whether or not
602
00:29:24,433 --> 00:29:26,767
we deliver on the promise
of getting affordable,
603
00:29:26,767 --> 00:29:29,400
quality health insurance
to those Americans
604
00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:31,367
who so clearly want it.
605
00:29:31,367 --> 00:29:32,867
And, I mean, one of
the remarkable facts
606
00:29:32,867 --> 00:29:35,700
about the dismal situation
we were in and created
607
00:29:35,700 --> 00:29:38,734
for ourselves with
the poor rollout of the website
608
00:29:38,734 --> 00:29:41,233
is that despite all
the obstacles that were thrown
609
00:29:41,233 --> 00:29:45,332
in the way of Americans who
so clearly wanted to enroll
610
00:29:45,333 --> 00:29:47,934
and wanted information
about the options available
611
00:29:47,934 --> 00:29:50,066
to them, they came back.
612
00:29:50,066 --> 00:29:54,066
And they've come back in
extraordinary numbers so that --
613
00:29:54,066 --> 00:29:58,467
we made it harder for
them, and that's on us,
614
00:29:58,467 --> 00:30:00,333
which was why everybody
has worked so hard
615
00:30:00,333 --> 00:30:01,967
to make it easier.
616
00:30:01,967 --> 00:30:03,934
And you've seen
those improvements.
617
00:30:03,934 --> 00:30:09,166
Somebody noted, appropriately,
when the healthcare.gov site
618
00:30:09,166 --> 00:30:14,399
was functioning miserably,
it was front-page news.
619
00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:18,300
I think yesterday the fact that
we had quadrupled enrollments,
620
00:30:18,300 --> 00:30:19,567
November over October,
621
00:30:19,567 --> 00:30:24,500
it made page 22 in the front
section of a major newspaper.
622
00:30:24,500 --> 00:30:25,800
We'll take that.
623
00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:28,867
Because our focus is on
getting the policy right,
624
00:30:28,867 --> 00:30:31,500
making sure that Americans
who want quality,
625
00:30:31,500 --> 00:30:33,834
affordable health insurance
are able to get it.
626
00:30:33,834 --> 00:30:35,200
The Press:
But when the President
did say that statement,
627
00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:37,066
just to be clear,
I mean, did he --
628
00:30:37,066 --> 00:30:40,500
Mr. Carney:
People say -- hey, Mike,
the President has addressed --
629
00:30:40,500 --> 00:30:42,934
The Press:
But did he believe that
that would be the outcome?
630
00:30:42,934 --> 00:30:44,066
Mr. Carney:
Obviously, the President
addressed this.
631
00:30:44,066 --> 00:30:45,734
I would point you to the
extensive comments he gave
632
00:30:45,734 --> 00:30:48,966
in answer to an interviewer's
questions about this.
633
00:30:48,967 --> 00:30:51,967
So you've already
gotten it from him,
634
00:30:51,967 --> 00:30:53,700
so I can't improve upon that.
635
00:30:53,700 --> 00:30:54,867
What I can tell you
636
00:30:54,867 --> 00:30:57,166
is that we're focused
on implementing the policy.
637
00:30:57,166 --> 00:30:59,166
We're focused on delivering
to the American --
638
00:30:59,166 --> 00:31:03,700
the millions of American people
who so clearly demonstrated
639
00:31:03,700 --> 00:31:07,500
a desire for what the
Affordable Care Act offers.
640
00:31:07,500 --> 00:31:09,500
Chuck.
641
00:31:12,300 --> 00:31:13,300
The Press:
You were very careful
to say that Mr. Levinson
642
00:31:13,300 --> 00:31:14,567
was not a government employee.
643
00:31:14,567 --> 00:31:18,433
Are government contractors
considered government employees?
644
00:31:18,433 --> 00:31:22,133
Mr. Carney:
I appreciate the opportunity
to violate what I said earlier
645
00:31:22,133 --> 00:31:23,867
that I'm not going to
get into any more detail
646
00:31:23,867 --> 00:31:27,300
about a matter that's
under investigation.
647
00:31:29,600 --> 00:31:34,367
There's obviously a significant
matter at stake here,
648
00:31:34,367 --> 00:31:37,966
which is the safety and
security of Mr. Levinson
649
00:31:37,967 --> 00:31:43,734
and our hope that he can be
returned to his family safely.
650
00:31:43,734 --> 00:31:48,100
So I just -- I would point
to what I've said before
651
00:31:48,100 --> 00:31:52,199
and understand
that I can't say more.
652
00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:53,200
The Press:
In general,
are government contractors
653
00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:54,567
considered government employees?
654
00:31:54,567 --> 00:31:58,033
Mr. Carney:
I'm not going to get
into that kind of parsing.
655
00:31:58,033 --> 00:32:00,233
I can tell you that he was
not a U.S. government employee.
656
00:32:00,233 --> 00:32:03,633
The rest of this
is under investigation.
657
00:32:03,633 --> 00:32:08,200
The Press:
Should we be questioning
the version of the story
658
00:32:08,200 --> 00:32:10,233
that the government
has been giving
659
00:32:10,233 --> 00:32:12,265
on what Alan Gross was doing?
660
00:32:12,266 --> 00:32:16,333
Do you understand why that
question would come up?
661
00:32:16,333 --> 00:32:17,700
Mr. Carney:
I understand your question.
662
00:32:17,700 --> 00:32:20,133
And, again, I would
point you to what we've said
663
00:32:20,133 --> 00:32:24,467
about the absolute necessity
for Alan Gross, in our view,
664
00:32:24,467 --> 00:32:29,333
to be released and obviously
for the other two individuals
665
00:32:29,333 --> 00:32:31,200
that I mentioned earlier
in Iran to be released.
666
00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:37,834
We're dealing with people's
lives here and we're working
667
00:32:37,834 --> 00:32:42,400
very hard on the effort
to get all of them back here
668
00:32:42,400 --> 00:32:44,433
to the United States.
669
00:32:44,433 --> 00:32:47,433
The Press:
Why do you believe
that a news organization
670
00:32:47,433 --> 00:32:50,133
that gave the government
three years --
671
00:32:50,133 --> 00:32:51,467
held a story for three years --
672
00:32:51,467 --> 00:32:54,433
was being irresponsible after
holding a story for three years?
673
00:32:54,433 --> 00:32:56,367
I mean, that seemed to be --
674
00:32:56,367 --> 00:32:58,033
that was a
highly charged accusation
675
00:32:58,033 --> 00:32:59,433
you threw out there --
676
00:32:59,433 --> 00:33:01,433
thrown at as irresponsible.
677
00:33:01,433 --> 00:33:03,367
Mr. Carney:
I don't want to engage in --
678
00:33:03,367 --> 00:33:06,133
obviously, we institutionally
engage in conversations --
679
00:33:06,133 --> 00:33:09,934
The Press:
It sounds like the media
was very cooperative on this.
680
00:33:09,934 --> 00:33:17,066
Mr. Carney:
All I can tell you is that
Mr. Levinson is still missing.
681
00:33:17,066 --> 00:33:20,367
He is still potentially,
if not likely, in harm's way.
682
00:33:20,367 --> 00:33:24,700
And it is our belief
that it was certainly
683
00:33:24,700 --> 00:33:26,767
not the right thing
to do to publish a story
684
00:33:26,767 --> 00:33:30,633
that could reasonably
be expected to put
685
00:33:30,633 --> 00:33:32,233
him at greater risk.
686
00:33:32,233 --> 00:33:33,633
The Press:
Is the President fully --
687
00:33:33,633 --> 00:33:36,500
can you say the President
was always fully briefed
688
00:33:36,500 --> 00:33:41,100
about all of Mr. Levinson's
ties to the federal government?
689
00:33:41,100 --> 00:33:44,000
Mr. Carney:
I don't have any information
on those briefings
690
00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:46,200
so I can't characterize them.
691
00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:47,633
Yes.
692
00:33:47,633 --> 00:33:48,700
The Press:
Thank you, Jay.
693
00:33:48,700 --> 00:33:50,900
We've seen some personnel
changes announced.
694
00:33:50,900 --> 00:33:53,667
Are these one-off changes
in White House staffing,
695
00:33:53,667 --> 00:33:57,466
or is there any sort of more
systematic review going on or
696
00:33:57,467 --> 00:33:59,600
effort to make the White House
operate or function
697
00:33:59,600 --> 00:34:01,199
in a more optimal way?
698
00:34:01,200 --> 00:34:06,967
Mr. Carney:
It sounds like an effort
to -- well -- nothing.
699
00:34:06,967 --> 00:34:10,533
The Press:
Finish that --
700
00:34:10,533 --> 00:34:13,199
Mr. Carney:
That was a press critique.
701
00:34:13,199 --> 00:34:15,966
But I would simply say that --
702
00:34:15,967 --> 00:34:17,734
The Press:
Don't be shy.
703
00:34:17,734 --> 00:34:19,467
Mr. Carney:
-- we're in year five
of an administration,
704
00:34:19,467 --> 00:34:21,967
and as is the case
and has been the case
705
00:34:21,967 --> 00:34:24,000
with every administration
that I've paid attention to,
706
00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:30,000
people come and people go after
working harder in these jobs,
707
00:34:32,833 --> 00:34:35,132
probably than they'll
ever work in their lives.
708
00:34:35,132 --> 00:34:37,899
And we noted the other day,
709
00:34:37,900 --> 00:34:40,467
and I think the
New York Times wrote about it,
710
00:34:40,467 --> 00:34:43,000
about Pete Rouse leaving
and his extraordinary
711
00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:46,734
service to both Senator
Obama and President Obama,
712
00:34:46,734 --> 00:34:53,967
and for the kind of specific
assistance that they can provide
713
00:34:53,967 --> 00:34:57,633
and help they can provide;
Phil Schiliro has returned,
714
00:34:57,633 --> 00:34:59,799
John Podesta is coming in.
715
00:34:59,800 --> 00:35:06,667
But I think those
are specific, one-off,
716
00:35:06,667 --> 00:35:12,700
if you will, assignments
and personnel moves that I think
717
00:35:12,700 --> 00:35:16,633
reflect the normal kind
of churn you see in White Houses
718
00:35:16,633 --> 00:35:20,066
over the years.
719
00:35:20,066 --> 00:35:22,799
The Press:
Miguel Rodriguez was
there less than a year.
720
00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:24,500
Is he --
721
00:35:24,500 --> 00:35:26,400
Mr. Carney:
He's been working
for Barack Obama
722
00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:28,433
and the Obama administration
since the day President Obama
723
00:35:28,433 --> 00:35:30,000
was sworn into office.
724
00:35:30,000 --> 00:35:31,800
The Press:
He was in the legislative
affairs director position
725
00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:33,400
less than a year.
726
00:35:33,400 --> 00:35:35,734
Mr. Carney:
But he's been serving
here for five years, Peter.
727
00:35:35,734 --> 00:35:37,100
And he's done an
extraordinary job,
728
00:35:37,100 --> 00:35:40,333
and the President is greatly
appreciative of his service.
729
00:35:40,333 --> 00:35:41,967
The Press:
And the White House is happy
730
00:35:41,967 --> 00:35:43,567
with the legislative
outreach from --
731
00:35:43,567 --> 00:35:46,333
to the Hill,
and that's working optimally?
732
00:35:46,333 --> 00:35:48,300
Mr. Carney:
We are going to --
733
00:35:48,300 --> 00:35:55,033
I mean, we're never going to
be happy until we are able to,
734
00:35:55,033 --> 00:35:57,600
with Congress,
produce the results
735
00:35:57,600 --> 00:35:59,467
that the American people demand.
736
00:35:59,467 --> 00:36:05,600
Now, you've heard me say, so
I'll try to do it in short form,
737
00:36:05,600 --> 00:36:07,467
that this President has
demonstrated again and again
738
00:36:07,467 --> 00:36:10,033
and again on immigration
reform, on his budget,
739
00:36:10,033 --> 00:36:12,799
on issue after
issue his willingness
740
00:36:12,800 --> 00:36:15,233
to meet Republicans halfway.
741
00:36:15,233 --> 00:36:17,233
And we talked a lot about,
742
00:36:17,233 --> 00:36:20,266
for at least the first
half of this year,
743
00:36:20,266 --> 00:36:23,166
all the efforts he's made
and this White House has made
744
00:36:23,166 --> 00:36:28,400
to engage with
Republicans in Congress,
745
00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:30,700
and we're going to continue that
746
00:36:30,700 --> 00:36:35,767
because we think everything
we can do to help bring about
747
00:36:35,767 --> 00:36:39,033
the results the American
people want is worth the effort.
748
00:36:39,033 --> 00:36:42,866
So as I said earlier, when it
comes to Katie Beirne Fallon,
749
00:36:42,867 --> 00:36:47,000
she's going to help build on
the progress we've already made.
750
00:36:47,000 --> 00:36:50,200
And I think that, as I think
Josh mentioned when he briefed
751
00:36:50,200 --> 00:36:51,533
earlier this week, sometimes it
goes unnoticed or little notice.
752
00:36:51,533 --> 00:36:58,232
We're getting a lot of
things done of late,
753
00:36:58,233 --> 00:37:00,400
and we have a lot more
we need to get done.
754
00:37:00,400 --> 00:37:06,367
And there's enormous potential
if we have a modicum of
755
00:37:06,367 --> 00:37:11,033
compromise and cooperation from
Capitol Hill for getting even
756
00:37:11,033 --> 00:37:13,767
more done, and that
includes immigration reform,
757
00:37:13,767 --> 00:37:16,399
it includes implementation
of the climate action plan,
758
00:37:16,400 --> 00:37:21,333
it includes investments in the
economy that help the middle
759
00:37:21,333 --> 00:37:24,734
class be more secure and help
those who are trying
760
00:37:24,734 --> 00:37:27,433
to lift themselves
up into the middle class.
761
00:37:27,433 --> 00:37:31,300
So we're, in spite
of everything,
762
00:37:31,300 --> 00:37:34,200
optimistic because there's
reason to be optimistic.
763
00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:38,165
And the President
expects all of us here --
764
00:37:38,166 --> 00:37:39,967
those of us who have been
here a while and those of us
765
00:37:39,967 --> 00:37:43,700
who are returning or
coming for the first time --
766
00:37:43,700 --> 00:37:45,933
to be focused on that goal,
767
00:37:45,934 --> 00:37:48,467
which is to improve the lives
of middle-class Americans
768
00:37:48,467 --> 00:37:51,100
by making sure
that what Washington
769
00:37:51,100 --> 00:37:54,500
is doing is
improving the chances
770
00:37:54,500 --> 00:37:57,200
that we'll grow faster
and create better jobs,
771
00:37:57,200 --> 00:38:01,567
rather than throwing up
obstacles, which, unfortunately,
772
00:38:01,567 --> 00:38:03,500
because of Republicans
in Congress,
773
00:38:03,500 --> 00:38:05,467
Washington has been doing.
774
00:38:05,467 --> 00:38:07,000
Maybe we can build on
some of what we've seen
775
00:38:07,000 --> 00:38:09,834
this week and turn it
into something even better.
776
00:38:09,834 --> 00:38:12,500
Mike.
777
00:38:12,500 --> 00:38:15,600
The Press:
So on that, the President
spoke quite forcefully
778
00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:17,667
recently about
the malign influences
779
00:38:17,667 --> 00:38:19,900
he sees as ideologically --
780
00:38:19,900 --> 00:38:21,900
Mr. Carney:
I like that, good word.
781
00:38:21,900 --> 00:38:23,633
The Press:
Super PACs -- my words, not his,
782
00:38:23,633 --> 00:38:25,332
but I think I captured
it pretty well.
783
00:38:25,333 --> 00:38:29,233
He thinks that ideologically
driven super PACs on the right
784
00:38:29,233 --> 00:38:32,233
are distorting the
legislative process.
785
00:38:32,233 --> 00:38:36,734
Speaker Boehner appears to be --
have vanquished that revolt
786
00:38:36,734 --> 00:38:39,799
on his right flank
for the time being,
787
00:38:39,800 --> 00:38:42,867
very forceful terms
yesterday and the day before.
788
00:38:42,867 --> 00:38:45,934
Is this an opening
for the White House,
789
00:38:45,934 --> 00:38:48,233
particularly on immigration?
790
00:38:48,233 --> 00:38:51,800
Mr. Carney:
We remain not just
optimistic but confident
791
00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:55,734
that Congress will
pass and the President
792
00:38:55,734 --> 00:38:58,633
will sign comprehensive
immigration reform.
793
00:38:58,633 --> 00:39:00,933
It's the right -- I've talked
to you about it in the past.
794
00:39:00,934 --> 00:39:05,800
There is a long list
of conservative reasons
795
00:39:05,800 --> 00:39:08,467
to support comprehensive
immigration reform.
796
00:39:08,467 --> 00:39:10,900
There is also, as many
of you have reported on,
797
00:39:10,900 --> 00:39:14,834
significant political
reason for the Republican Party
798
00:39:14,834 --> 00:39:18,000
to embrace comprehensive
immigration reform.
799
00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:23,233
And that confluence of good
things for Republicans
800
00:39:23,233 --> 00:39:25,734
and Democrats, not to mention
the economy and middle-class
801
00:39:25,734 --> 00:39:28,400
Americans, I think
creates the opportunity
802
00:39:28,400 --> 00:39:29,867
for getting this done.
803
00:39:29,867 --> 00:39:31,834
We believed it should have
gotten done this year,
804
00:39:31,834 --> 00:39:34,299
and we did everything we
could to make that happen.
805
00:39:34,300 --> 00:39:37,500
But we are convinced
that it's going to happen.
806
00:39:37,500 --> 00:39:41,700
And we hope, without doing what
I would have done as a reporter,
807
00:39:41,700 --> 00:39:45,000
which is spend
a lot of time examining
808
00:39:45,000 --> 00:39:47,066
that press
conference yesterday --
809
00:39:47,066 --> 00:39:48,433
without analyzing that,
810
00:39:48,433 --> 00:39:52,100
I'll say that we look forward to
working with any willing member
811
00:39:52,100 --> 00:39:57,467
of Congress of either party
to advance these objectives,
812
00:39:57,467 --> 00:40:00,066
principally with the
focus of creating jobs
813
00:40:00,066 --> 00:40:02,899
and expanding broad-based
growth in this country
814
00:40:02,900 --> 00:40:04,900
on behalf of the middle class.
815
00:40:06,133 --> 00:40:09,466
If that opportunity is
there, we will take it.
816
00:40:09,467 --> 00:40:11,734
And where it's not there,
we will do everything we can,
817
00:40:11,734 --> 00:40:16,100
through the President's
administrative authority,
818
00:40:16,100 --> 00:40:22,033
to advance a middle-class
growth agenda wherever we can.
819
00:40:22,033 --> 00:40:23,467
The Press:
So how did he view --
820
00:40:23,467 --> 00:40:25,367
or how was that press
conference viewed here,
821
00:40:25,367 --> 00:40:27,300
the statement by the Speaker?
822
00:40:27,300 --> 00:40:29,133
Mr. Carney:
Look, I would simply
say that we believe
823
00:40:29,133 --> 00:40:31,165
it was the right thing
to do to pass the budget.
824
00:40:31,166 --> 00:40:33,767
And it was a
compromise document.
825
00:40:33,767 --> 00:40:37,265
It was not a grand bargain;
it was a small step,
826
00:40:37,266 --> 00:40:38,600
but it was the
right thing to do.
827
00:40:38,600 --> 00:40:41,467
And it will, as I think
outside analysts have said,
828
00:40:41,467 --> 00:40:46,533
if passed out of Congress
and signed into law by this
829
00:40:46,533 --> 00:40:51,333
President, will help economic
growth and job creation,
830
00:40:51,333 --> 00:40:55,100
which stands in contrast
to the actions that Congress
831
00:40:55,100 --> 00:40:56,500
has taken in the past.
832
00:40:56,500 --> 00:40:57,500
The Press:
I don't want to belabor this,
833
00:40:57,500 --> 00:40:58,867
but the President
did speak specifically
834
00:40:58,867 --> 00:41:00,900
to the outside groups,
and I'm wondering,
835
00:41:00,900 --> 00:41:02,400
now that they have
been marginalized,
836
00:41:02,400 --> 00:41:03,500
at least in this instance,
837
00:41:03,500 --> 00:41:07,200
what do you think
of that development?
838
00:41:07,200 --> 00:41:10,332
Mr. Carney:
Well, we're not going to
make those kind of assessments
839
00:41:10,333 --> 00:41:12,734
of internal Republican
Party dynamics.
840
00:41:12,734 --> 00:41:14,433
We're looking for
willing partners,
841
00:41:14,433 --> 00:41:15,900
regardless of their affiliation.
842
00:41:15,900 --> 00:41:18,500
And where we can compromise
and get things done
843
00:41:18,500 --> 00:41:21,367
that the American people
want to see done in Washington,
844
00:41:21,367 --> 00:41:22,600
we will do that,
845
00:41:22,600 --> 00:41:25,366
and look forward to the
opportunity to do it more
846
00:41:25,367 --> 00:41:27,033
and hope those
opportunities arise.
847
00:41:27,033 --> 00:41:28,633
Wendell.
848
00:41:28,633 --> 00:41:31,265
The Press:
You've acknowledged the rollout
of the Affordable Care Act
849
00:41:31,266 --> 00:41:33,133
was rocky,
and in just the past --
850
00:41:33,133 --> 00:41:35,033
less than a day,
the administration
851
00:41:35,033 --> 00:41:37,165
has asked insurance companies
852
00:41:37,166 --> 00:41:39,100
to give people more
time to sign up,
853
00:41:39,100 --> 00:41:44,266
make concessions about
paying their premiums.
854
00:41:44,266 --> 00:41:46,600
Would you admit that
it's still rocky?
855
00:41:46,600 --> 00:41:48,467
Mr. Carney: Sure.
856
00:41:48,467 --> 00:41:53,867
There's no question that we set
ourselves back with the delays
857
00:41:53,867 --> 00:41:57,066
caused by and the
problems with the website,
858
00:41:57,066 --> 00:42:01,966
and that -- you know,
I go out of my way,
859
00:42:01,967 --> 00:42:04,533
as I think everyone else
working on this does,
860
00:42:04,533 --> 00:42:07,633
to acknowledge that we have
improvements to make and a lot
861
00:42:07,633 --> 00:42:10,834
more work to do, both to the
website and to other aspects
862
00:42:10,834 --> 00:42:12,466
of implementation of the ACA.
863
00:42:12,467 --> 00:42:17,800
Having said that, we've seen a
lot of progress and improvement.
864
00:42:17,800 --> 00:42:21,266
We've seen an increase
in enrollment,
865
00:42:21,266 --> 00:42:23,734
an obvious improvement
in the website.
866
00:42:23,734 --> 00:42:27,333
And we're going to continue
to take steps to make sure that
867
00:42:27,333 --> 00:42:31,100
where we can make some fixes
that will help consumers,
868
00:42:34,633 --> 00:42:38,332
we'll do that --
because the goal here is, again,
869
00:42:38,333 --> 00:42:44,967
not a perfect website, it's not
the elegance of the rollout.
870
00:42:44,967 --> 00:42:46,667
I think we failed that, right?
871
00:42:46,667 --> 00:42:48,967
I think the goal
is to, in the end,
872
00:42:48,967 --> 00:42:53,867
have the ACA and the exchanges
work for the American people
873
00:42:53,867 --> 00:42:58,834
who so clearly are interested
in this new opportunity
874
00:42:58,834 --> 00:43:04,332
to get quality,
affordable health insurance.
875
00:43:04,333 --> 00:43:07,333
The Press:
Given that, why is it
you say there's no Plan B
876
00:43:07,333 --> 00:43:09,934
for the overall schedule
of the launch?
877
00:43:09,934 --> 00:43:13,033
Are you whistling past
the graveyard here?
878
00:43:13,033 --> 00:43:15,600
Mr. Carney:
We have made significant
improvements,
879
00:43:15,600 --> 00:43:17,767
and while there is
still more work to do,
880
00:43:17,767 --> 00:43:21,165
we are confident that we will
continue to see improvements
881
00:43:21,166 --> 00:43:26,500
result in more enrollments
and more progress,
882
00:43:26,500 --> 00:43:30,200
like Iowa's decision
to expand Medicaid,
883
00:43:30,200 --> 00:43:35,265
and that will result in more
Americans getting insurance,
884
00:43:35,266 --> 00:43:36,633
getting covered.
885
00:43:36,633 --> 00:43:42,265
So we created some problems for
Americans who were interested
886
00:43:42,266 --> 00:43:44,800
in this and for ourselves,
and we acknowledge that.
887
00:43:44,800 --> 00:43:47,500
But we're working as hard as we
can to overcome that and to make
888
00:43:47,500 --> 00:43:52,100
sure that we deliver on
the promise of quality,
889
00:43:52,100 --> 00:43:55,200
affordable health insurance
to every American.
890
00:43:55,200 --> 00:43:57,366
The Press:
We asked Secretary Sebelius
today if she had offered
891
00:43:57,367 --> 00:43:58,600
her resignation
to the President,
892
00:43:58,600 --> 00:43:59,600
and she wouldn't say.
893
00:43:59,600 --> 00:44:01,133
Will you?
894
00:44:01,133 --> 00:44:03,033
Mr. Carney:
Well, I'm not going to
speak for Secretary Sebelius.
895
00:44:03,033 --> 00:44:05,967
I can tell you that as
I have said in the past,
896
00:44:05,967 --> 00:44:07,667
the President has confidence
in Secretary Sebelius
897
00:44:07,667 --> 00:44:09,633
and appreciates the work
that she's done.
898
00:44:09,633 --> 00:44:14,066
And she, like every member of
her team engaged in this effort,
899
00:44:14,066 --> 00:44:21,700
is focused everyday on
making fixes to the website,
900
00:44:21,700 --> 00:44:26,133
or making improvements in the
implementation of the exchanges
901
00:44:26,133 --> 00:44:28,600
so that we can deliver on the
promise that I just promised.
902
00:44:28,600 --> 00:44:32,000
The Press:
On the NSA, the President
clearly has concerns about it.
903
00:44:32,000 --> 00:44:33,834
Are his concerns about
904
00:44:33,834 --> 00:44:36,734
the amount of information
the NSA collects,
905
00:44:36,734 --> 00:44:41,299
or the public's
perception of that?
906
00:44:41,300 --> 00:44:42,567
Mr. Carney:
That's a very good question.
907
00:44:42,567 --> 00:44:49,133
I think that the answer
I'll give is that the President
908
00:44:49,133 --> 00:44:52,299
has indicated that in
this review he would be,
909
00:44:52,300 --> 00:44:55,367
and he would hope that those
who are working on it with him
910
00:44:55,367 --> 00:44:58,934
would be looking at what
we do through the prism
911
00:44:58,934 --> 00:45:01,033
of what he's described
as making sure we're doing
912
00:45:01,033 --> 00:45:03,834
everything we should do,
913
00:45:03,834 --> 00:45:06,299
but nothing we can do
just because we can.
914
00:45:06,300 --> 00:45:08,867
Just being --
you know, making sure
915
00:45:08,867 --> 00:45:13,033
that we're running this
process through that filter.
916
00:45:13,033 --> 00:45:16,366
But he has also, I think,
emphasized that it is important
917
00:45:16,367 --> 00:45:19,300
to remember that the men and
women who work at the NSA and
918
00:45:19,300 --> 00:45:22,133
the men and the women who work
in the rest of our intelligence
919
00:45:22,133 --> 00:45:26,033
community work every day to
protect everyone in this country
920
00:45:26,033 --> 00:45:29,834
and every American overseas,
in uniform and out,
921
00:45:29,834 --> 00:45:31,567
and they do extraordinary work.
922
00:45:31,567 --> 00:45:36,533
And they are highly skilled
and highly professional
923
00:45:36,533 --> 00:45:37,533
in what they do.
924
00:45:37,533 --> 00:45:39,000
And it is important to remember
925
00:45:39,000 --> 00:45:43,400
that there are threats
to the United States.
926
00:45:43,400 --> 00:45:45,200
There are threats
to the American people.
927
00:45:45,200 --> 00:45:46,700
There are threats to our allies.
928
00:45:46,700 --> 00:45:52,399
And it is important to gather
intelligence that allows us
929
00:45:52,400 --> 00:45:56,800
to confront and hopefully
mitigate those threats.
930
00:45:56,800 --> 00:46:02,900
So I think that's the
balance that the President
931
00:46:02,900 --> 00:46:08,000
has talked about in the past
as he makes this review.
932
00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:09,333
Yes, sir.
933
00:46:09,333 --> 00:46:11,600
The Press:
Does the administration
worry that the execution
934
00:46:11,600 --> 00:46:14,533
in North Korea signals
that Kim Jong-un is maybe
935
00:46:14,533 --> 00:46:17,467
more reckless than previously
imagined and that this could
936
00:46:17,467 --> 00:46:21,367
lead to him making a decision to
engage in more nuclear tests
937
00:46:21,367 --> 00:46:23,633
and missile launches with
perhaps limited conflicts
938
00:46:23,633 --> 00:46:26,232
with neighbors like South Korea?
939
00:46:26,233 --> 00:46:27,867
Mr. Carney:
Well, as I said earlier,
940
00:46:27,867 --> 00:46:30,467
I'm not going to provide an
intelligence assessment
941
00:46:30,467 --> 00:46:33,266
of what we believe this
indicates or these reports
942
00:46:33,266 --> 00:46:36,867
indicate about internal
North Korean dynamics
943
00:46:36,867 --> 00:46:38,867
or leadership dynamics.
944
00:46:40,033 --> 00:46:44,400
What it does reflect
is the brutality of the regime
945
00:46:44,400 --> 00:46:46,967
and the disregard for
human life that the regime
946
00:46:46,967 --> 00:46:50,133
has shown historically.
947
00:46:50,133 --> 00:46:51,866
It also reflects the fact that
the North Korean regime has
948
00:46:51,867 --> 00:46:57,867
for a long time now,
949
00:47:01,400 --> 00:47:05,433
in refusing to live up
to its international obligations
950
00:47:05,433 --> 00:47:11,667
and thereby ensuring its
greater and greater isolation,
951
00:47:11,667 --> 00:47:17,734
that it prefers to pursue
the purchase of and development
952
00:47:17,734 --> 00:47:21,834
of military assets
and hardware at the expense
953
00:47:21,834 --> 00:47:25,866
of the nourishment
of their own people --
954
00:47:25,867 --> 00:47:27,066
of its own people.
955
00:47:27,066 --> 00:47:32,500
And we have always believed
that that's a bad choice.
956
00:47:32,500 --> 00:47:38,633
But beyond that, I'm not
going to be a Kremlinologist
957
00:47:38,633 --> 00:47:46,232
from here to assess
what is obviously a fascinating
958
00:47:46,233 --> 00:47:48,700
and disturbing
series of reports.
959
00:47:48,700 --> 00:47:50,265
Peter Baker.
960
00:47:50,266 --> 00:47:53,433
The Press:
Jay, can I ask you -- I think
you were asked about yesterday
961
00:47:53,433 --> 00:47:55,433
the interpreter from
the Mandela funeral.
962
00:47:55,433 --> 00:47:58,867
I think since then, it's now
come to light that this person
963
00:47:58,867 --> 00:48:01,200
was actually at one point
accused of murder and rape,
964
00:48:01,200 --> 00:48:04,299
even more disturbing perhaps
than we had previously known.
965
00:48:04,300 --> 00:48:07,233
Is there any additional
information the White House has
966
00:48:07,233 --> 00:48:11,333
or is seeking about how this
person got so close to the
967
00:48:11,333 --> 00:48:13,433
President of the United States?
968
00:48:13,433 --> 00:48:15,667
Mr. Carney:
Well, I can say
a couple of things.
969
00:48:15,667 --> 00:48:20,266
As I said yesterday, this is --
in any situation like this
970
00:48:20,266 --> 00:48:22,567
when this President or any
President travels overseas,
971
00:48:22,567 --> 00:48:27,700
the Secret Service does
extraordinary work
972
00:48:27,700 --> 00:48:33,533
to ensure the safety and
security of its protectees,
973
00:48:33,533 --> 00:48:35,600
principally the President
of the United States.
974
00:48:35,600 --> 00:48:38,633
And I would refer you
to them for more details.
975
00:48:38,633 --> 00:48:39,966
And for reasons I'm
sure you can understand,
976
00:48:39,967 --> 00:48:46,200
I'm not and they're probably
not going to get into specifics
977
00:48:46,200 --> 00:48:49,232
about what they
do and how they do it,
978
00:48:49,233 --> 00:48:54,433
but they take measures necessary
to ensure the safety
979
00:48:54,433 --> 00:48:56,500
of the President
and other protectees,
980
00:48:56,500 --> 00:48:59,233
and they do a very
good job at it.
981
00:48:59,233 --> 00:49:01,033
I think the Service has
addressed questions
982
00:49:01,033 --> 00:49:04,866
about the interpreter,
and I would refer you to them
983
00:49:04,867 --> 00:49:06,867
for any more
specifics about that.
984
00:49:06,867 --> 00:49:09,734
But I think -- for those of you
who have covered the White House
985
00:49:09,734 --> 00:49:15,700
for a while and have traveled
with us abroad to places like
986
00:49:15,700 --> 00:49:18,200
South Africa on a moment's
notice because of a service
987
00:49:18,200 --> 00:49:21,500
or to Afghanistan, for example,
988
00:49:21,500 --> 00:49:23,233
you know that
the Secret Service,
989
00:49:23,233 --> 00:49:29,066
working with the security
services of host countries
990
00:49:29,066 --> 00:49:32,433
as well as in the
case of a place like Afghanistan
991
00:49:32,433 --> 00:49:39,367
with U.S. military assets,
takes an extraordinary amount
992
00:49:39,367 --> 00:49:43,967
of necessary precautions to
ensure the President's safety.
993
00:49:43,967 --> 00:49:46,166
And that's a broad statement.
994
00:49:46,166 --> 00:49:49,834
For specifics about this
incident or potential incident,
995
00:49:49,834 --> 00:49:52,000
I would refer you
to the Service.
996
00:49:52,000 --> 00:49:53,967
The Press:
Is it true?
997
00:49:53,967 --> 00:49:55,900
Mr. Carney:
Again, I'm not going to
make an assessment about it.
998
00:49:55,900 --> 00:50:00,800
I think that the Service is
the best place to go for that.
999
00:50:00,800 --> 00:50:01,867
Yes.
1000
00:50:01,867 --> 00:50:03,166
The Press:
Two specific questions.
1001
00:50:03,166 --> 00:50:06,633
Number one, would the Obama
administration support requiring
1002
00:50:06,633 --> 00:50:10,265
the nation's phone companies to
retain bulk phone records
1003
00:50:10,266 --> 00:50:14,433
for spy programs for various
business reasons --
1004
00:50:14,433 --> 00:50:16,767
Mr. Carney:
I wouldn't even know how
to answer that question.
1005
00:50:16,767 --> 00:50:20,734
I think you ought to -- I mean,
if you're going at NSA stuff,
1006
00:50:20,734 --> 00:50:25,133
obviously these issues
are under review.
1007
00:50:25,133 --> 00:50:29,767
The review group's report
is due in a couple of days,
1008
00:50:29,767 --> 00:50:33,734
and we'll be providing
information about that
1009
00:50:33,734 --> 00:50:35,799
and more information about
the steps the President
1010
00:50:35,800 --> 00:50:40,000
intends to take
in the near future.
1011
00:50:40,000 --> 00:50:44,667
The Press:
Second question -- U.S. Internet
companies like Apple and Google,
1012
00:50:44,667 --> 00:50:48,900
as you're well aware, have
expressed concerns about their
1013
00:50:48,900 --> 00:50:52,700
competitive position in the
world-wide market because of
1014
00:50:52,700 --> 00:50:55,700
reports that there's
NSA spying on people
1015
00:50:55,700 --> 00:50:59,767
around the world
through their products.
1016
00:50:59,767 --> 00:51:03,866
Is their ability to compete
in the world-wide market
1017
00:51:03,867 --> 00:51:08,100
a consideration the
White House will take
1018
00:51:08,100 --> 00:51:11,100
in its final actions on this,
1019
00:51:11,100 --> 00:51:13,033
the competitiveness
of U.S. Internet --
1020
00:51:13,033 --> 00:51:15,266
Mr. Carney:
Well, I'm not going to preview
actions that we're taking.
1021
00:51:15,266 --> 00:51:17,033
I can tell you that,
specifically with regard
1022
00:51:17,033 --> 00:51:19,066
to the letter from a --
1023
00:51:19,066 --> 00:51:20,633
The Press:
And does the President
share their concerns
1024
00:51:20,633 --> 00:51:22,165
about their
competitive standpoint?
1025
00:51:22,166 --> 00:51:23,533
Mr. Carney:
Well, the President
is very interested
1026
00:51:23,533 --> 00:51:25,200
in U.S. companies
being competitive,
1027
00:51:25,200 --> 00:51:30,866
and U.S. technology
companies are the best
1028
00:51:30,867 --> 00:51:33,233
and biggest in the
world, in many cases.
1029
00:51:33,233 --> 00:51:39,133
But separate from that, on this
matter I can tell you that,
1030
00:51:39,133 --> 00:51:42,232
with regard to a letter
sent by a company,
1031
00:51:42,233 --> 00:51:44,767
we appreciate the concerns
expressed and the recognition
1032
00:51:44,767 --> 00:51:46,700
of this important global issue.
1033
00:51:46,700 --> 00:51:48,767
As you know, the President
directed a review of our
1034
00:51:48,767 --> 00:51:51,299
surveillance capabilities and
programs several months ago,
1035
00:51:51,300 --> 00:51:53,900
and we are working toward
the completion of that review,
1036
00:51:53,900 --> 00:51:55,133
as I discussed.
1037
00:51:55,133 --> 00:51:57,600
Throughout this process,
we have engaged with these
1038
00:51:57,600 --> 00:51:59,933
and other companies,
with civil society,
1039
00:51:59,934 --> 00:52:02,467
and with national security
and privacy experts
1040
00:52:02,467 --> 00:52:05,934
in a dialogue about privacy
and the security of our nation,
1041
00:52:05,934 --> 00:52:07,133
and our partners and allies.
1042
00:52:07,133 --> 00:52:09,533
We are going to continue
that engagement
1043
00:52:09,533 --> 00:52:12,200
through the end
of our review and after.
1044
00:52:12,200 --> 00:52:14,600
Without getting into the
specific details of the
1045
00:52:14,600 --> 00:52:17,799
proposals, we agree with the
company's calls for government's
1046
00:52:17,800 --> 00:52:20,734
attention on practices
and laws regulating
1047
00:52:20,734 --> 00:52:21,967
government surveillance.
1048
00:52:21,967 --> 00:52:24,300
And respect for privacy is
deeply embedded in American
1049
00:52:24,300 --> 00:52:26,900
values and laws, and the
United States is the source
1050
00:52:26,900 --> 00:52:28,600
of many of the
privacy principles
1051
00:52:28,600 --> 00:52:32,133
that underlie modern privacy
regimes around the globe.
1052
00:52:32,133 --> 00:52:35,533
We share the company's goals
of ensuring that all nations
1053
00:52:35,533 --> 00:52:38,467
live up to the letter and spirit
of commitments to fundamental
1054
00:52:38,467 --> 00:52:42,266
freedoms while ensuring the
safety and security of citizens.
1055
00:52:42,266 --> 00:52:49,000
So we have been engaging with
companies that have expressed
1056
00:52:49,000 --> 00:52:51,533
concerns along the lines
that you mentioned,
1057
00:52:51,533 --> 00:52:54,266
and we're going to continue
that engagement not just
1058
00:52:54,266 --> 00:52:58,133
through this period of
review but on into the future.
1059
00:52:58,133 --> 00:52:59,133
All right.
1060
00:52:59,133 --> 00:53:00,933
Lesley, last one.
1061
00:53:00,934 --> 00:53:02,967
The Press:
Thanks a lot, Jay,
appreciate it.
1062
00:53:02,967 --> 00:53:05,367
You got a variation
of this yesterday,
1063
00:53:05,367 --> 00:53:07,734
but Human Rights
First has asked --
1064
00:53:07,734 --> 00:53:10,799
has sent a letter
to the White House asking
1065
00:53:10,800 --> 00:53:14,233
that when you do the official
delegation to the Olympics
1066
00:53:14,233 --> 00:53:17,367
in Sochi that you
include either LGBT leaders
1067
00:53:17,367 --> 00:53:22,066
or allies of LGBT people
to the -- on the delegation.
1068
00:53:22,066 --> 00:53:25,399
Is that under consideration?
1069
00:53:25,400 --> 00:53:28,600
Mr. Carney:
I don't have any update
for you on the selection
1070
00:53:28,600 --> 00:53:31,667
of members of the delegation.
1071
00:53:31,667 --> 00:53:34,700
But I would refer you to what
I said yesterday or the day --
1072
00:53:34,700 --> 00:53:36,567
whenever it was I took
a question on this,
1073
00:53:36,567 --> 00:53:39,467
it might have been yesterday;
that was a long briefing.
1074
00:53:39,467 --> 00:53:41,333
But I don't have anything
more for you on it.
1075
00:53:41,333 --> 00:53:44,767
When we do, I can assure
you we'll let you know.
1076
00:53:44,767 --> 00:53:50,265
And I think we've been very
clear in our views about both
1077
00:53:50,266 --> 00:53:55,834
the laws in place and the
issues in Russia surrounding
1078
00:53:55,834 --> 00:54:00,966
LGBT rights, and our
expectations of Russia
1079
00:54:00,967 --> 00:54:04,900
when it comes to
conducting the Olympics.
1080
00:54:04,900 --> 00:54:06,900
Thanks, all.