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Mr. Carney:
Good afternoon, everyone.
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Thanks for being here.
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Sorry I am late.
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I apologize.
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I will go straight
to your questions.
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Julie.
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The Press:
Thank you.
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Is there anything you can say
at this point about these three
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other people that have
been arrested in Boston,
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who they are or what they're
going to be charged with?
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Mr. Carney:
I have seen reports about
arrests, but I don't have any
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information for you at this time
from here, so I have to refer
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you to the FBI and to
local law enforcement.
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The Press:
Has the President been briefed
about these latest arrests?
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Mr. Carney:
I don't know that he has,
although I expect that if --
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again, I'm just seeing reports,
we've just seen reports and I
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can't confirm anything or get
into charges that are written
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about in these reports.
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I can simply say that the
President is regularly updated
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on developments in the
investigation into the
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Boston Marathon bombings.
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But I haven't had a specific
conversation about these reports
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with him.
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The Press:
I also wanted to ask about the
FDA decision yesterday on the
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Plan B pill.
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Is this something that
the President sees as
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a compromise decision?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, two things.
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First of all, this is a decision
that the FDA made and that is
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appropriate because it's
an independent agency.
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The President, the White
House did not weigh in on this
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decision and I have not had a
discussion with the President
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about that issue.
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What I can say is, as you
saw in the past when there
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was a decision that was more
sweeping, Secretary Sebelius
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made a decision to modify that
or change it based on her views
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about the inadequacy of the data
available for younger girls and
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teens of reproductive age
that the President supported.
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But this is a different
decision and I haven't got any
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presidential input
for you on it.
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The Press:
So you can't say whether he
supports this decision or not?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, I think when you heard
the President address Secretary
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Sebelius's decision in the past,
he was echoing her concern about
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the lack of data available that
examined the appropriateness and
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effect of this medication
on younger girls and teens.
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And this decision, as I
understand it, is about --
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in reaction to an
amended application
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from the manufacturer is in
response to that application and
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makes available or would make
available this medication for
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teens 15 and older.
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The Press:
But that's still a young girl,
a young teenager, is it not?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, it's a
15-year-old and older.
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I think that -- again, I would
refer you to Secretary Sebelius
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for the rationale behind the
decision she made in the past
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that the President supported.
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But I think when you heard the
President speak about this,
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and Secretary Sebelius,
they were speaking about
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younger girls.
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The Press:
And just quickly, when is
the President going to sign
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the FAA bill?
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Mr. Carney:
I'm not sure, I believe it may
be here or on its way, and he'll
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sign it soon.
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As with all bill signings, we'll
put out a statement when he has
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signed it.
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Yes, Mark.
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The Press:
On Guantanamo, the President
said yesterday he was thinking
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about revisiting that issue.
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What options are
you considering?
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What plans does he have to
move that issue forward?
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It sounded like you've
been thinking about it.
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Mr. Carney:
Well, it is an issue that he
feels strong about, as he made
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clear yesterday
at this podium.
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He's determined and this
administration is determined
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to see the Guantanamo Bay
Detention Facility closed.
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Keeping it open is not
efficient, effective,
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or in the interest of
our national security.
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It is a recruitment
tool for extremists.
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It is something that hurts our
ability to cooperate with other
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nations and their
agencies of government.
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It is extremely expensive.
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It is just not the way we need
to go about handling these kinds
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of individuals.
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And as he said yesterday, our
system of justice has proven
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itself fully capable of
dealing with terrorists.
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Unfortunately, Congress has
thrown up obstacles to the
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achievement of that
goal, as you know.
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And that has made it, to
date, impossible to close
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that facility.
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We have made progress in moving
detainees to third countries.
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And we are continuing to
evaluate detainees and look at
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ways to continue that
process going forward.
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So there are things
that the President can
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do administratively, but
this will also require
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congressional agreement.
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And we will work with Congress
to try to persuade them of the
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overriding national security
interests as well as economic
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interests in closing
Guantanamo Bay.
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Don't forget, this is something
that is supported by the last
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two -- well, actually not the
last two, but the 2008 nominee
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for President of the Republican
Party, John McCain; the last
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Republican President, George W.
Bush; senior military leaders.
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And the President agrees
with all of them that this
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is something we should do.
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The Press:
I wanted to ask you, on
Mexico, the President was
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asked yesterday as well about
the statements by Mexican
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officials sort of restricting
access to their agencies on
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stemming drug trafficking.
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Is there a concern that the new
government will be less open to
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U.S. help and that that will
be a less positive direction
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to go in?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, we have an important
relationship -- security
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relationship with Mexico, and we
will continue to work with the
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Mexican government
on that relationship.
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Our relationship with
Mexico is broader than that.
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We have deep economic, cultural,
and familial ties with Mexico as
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well as other countries
in the region.
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And that will also
be part of the trip.
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So dealing with
trafficking, narcotics,
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and those security issues is one
piece of the relationship with
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Mexico, but it is not by any
means the only piece, and we
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are looking to make progress on
all fronts, including our trade
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relationship, economic
relationship, cultural
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relationship and other areas.
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So the President looks
forward to his meetings.
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We'll have a briefing for you
before the President leaves on
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the trip that will lay out in
more detail what to expect and
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what topics of discussion
the leaders will engage in.
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But, again, I just want to make
the point that this is one piece
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of a broad relationship.
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The Press:
Finally, the President, talking
about fiscal issues yesterday,
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said he hoped to create a
permission structure to get
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cooperation from
congressional Republicans.
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What does he mean by that?
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Mr. Carney:
The President has for a long
time now demonstrated his
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willingness to compromise in
order to achieve a so-called
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grand bargain, in order to
achieve a bigger deficit
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reduction deal, and he's proven
his willingness to make some
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tough choices as long as there
is a commensurate willingness by
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Republicans to do the same --
to, in the current situation, go
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along with the idea that there
should be balance in our deficit
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reduction plan; that we should
not ask seniors and middle-class
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families to be the only ones who
shoulder the burden; that we
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should produce savings from
reforming our entitlement
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programs as well as savings
by reforming our tax system by
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closing loopholes and capping
deductions for the wealthy and
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well-connected, and combine
that in a way that reduces
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our deficit and helps
strengthen our economy.
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And what he is exploring in his
conversations with Republican
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senators is whether or
not that space exists.
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And we have had -- he has
had and others have had good
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discussions with Republican
lawmakers, some of whom have
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been explicit in suggesting that
they are willing to explore
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common ground.
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The next step is finding out
what that means concretely in
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terms of policy, because thus
far, it's the President who
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is out there with a highly
detailed, specific proposal
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that demonstrates his
willingness to compromise.
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It's his budget, and within that
budget, his deficit reduction,
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the offer he made to Speaker
Boehner at the end of last year.
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So we are continuing to explore
whether or not there is a way
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for Republicans to join us
in this balanced approach to
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deficit reduction.
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And we certainly hope there
should be, because that's what
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the public wants.
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And ultimately on all of these
issues, as the President said,
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it's not just that he can urge
them to do the right thing,
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in this case, to reach a
compromise, it's that the
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public, the constituents that
lawmakers represent can and
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should urge their senators and
congressmen to compromise and
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achieve objectives that
help the economy grow and
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help create jobs, reduce our
deficit in a balanced way.
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We had a lot of conflict over
this issue in the last few
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years, and yet, the President
has signed into law over $2.5
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trillion in deficit reduction.
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And because of the fiscal cliff
deal, that has included balanced
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deficit reduction.
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And that has resulted in a
situation where our deficits are
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coming down at a faster
pace than at any time since
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demobilization
after World War II.
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So that's no small feat.
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But the work is not done, and
the President is exploring
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whether or not there is a
willingness to get that work
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done, to achieve balance.
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Yes, Jim.
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The Press:
Yesterday, the President
suggested that the Tsarnaev
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brothers were self-radicalized.
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Given these new arrests today,
is he confident that there was
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not a wider network responsible
for what happened in Boston?
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Mr. Carney:
I'm not going to address the
reports about the arrests that
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Julie mentioned.
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There's obviously been a lot of
information provided thus far in
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some of the reporting
that's been done.
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As the President said on
Saturday night -- some of
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the excellent reporting that
has been done -- but this is
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an ongoing investigation, and
part of the responsibility of
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investigators is to explore
all possible associations or
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connections even if we posit
that it may seem at this point
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based on the information that's
been gathered and produced and
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reported on that it looks as
though these might have been
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self-radicalized individuals.
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That's a supposition that has to
be proven through investigation.
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And investigations need
to follow all paths.
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And I know that the President
expects that's what the FBI,
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which is the lead agency
in this investigation,
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is making sure is what's
happening in this investigation.
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So I don't want to make any
characterizations about the
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developments today at this stage
or say conclusively one way or
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the other beyond sort of the
basis of what we know so far.
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The Press:
Jay?
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Mr. Carney:
Yes.
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The Press:
Yesterday, Senator Kelly Ayotte
had a confrontation at a town
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hall meeting with a
relative of a victim of
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the Sandy Hook massacre.
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Jeff Flake, Senator from
Arizona, posted on his
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Facebook page because of his gun
control vote that his popularity
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is roughly the same level
as that of pond scum.
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Do these statements give the
White House any confidence that
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you may be able to go back and
pass some kind of gun control
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legislation in the coming
days, weeks, months?
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Mr. Carney:
I think what we have seen is
that Americans out there who
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engage on an issue, who feel
passionately about an issue and
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feel like it's the right,
common-sense thing to do
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don't appreciate it when
their representatives
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disagree with them.
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And when I say "them," I mean
85% of the American people,
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and vast majorities of the
constituents of Arizona or New
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Hampshire -- virtually
every state in the country.
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What the President made clear
in the Rose Garden after the
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background checks vote went
down is that Americans who are
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disappointed by that action, by
that failure of the Senate to
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listen to the people they
represent, need to speak up --
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because in the end, change
comes from the bottom up.
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Congress acts when the people
they represent insist on it.
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And when there are entrenched
interests that oppose action,
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it's all the more important
that average citizens make
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their voices heard,
that they speak up,
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00:13:01,834 --> 00:13:04,900
that they hold their
leaders accountable.
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00:13:04,900 --> 00:13:11,367
And I wouldn't want to predict
at this point whether that means
239
00:13:11,367 --> 00:13:14,599
we'll get this done
sooner rather than later,
240
00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:18,400
but we will get it done, because
it is the right and sensible and
241
00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:22,033
common-sense thing to do,
and the American people
242
00:13:22,033 --> 00:13:23,900
overwhelmingly support it.
243
00:13:23,900 --> 00:13:25,500
The Press:
This administration
will get it done?
244
00:13:25,500 --> 00:13:29,166
Mr. Carney:
I think that is absolutely
what we're going to try to do.
245
00:13:29,166 --> 00:13:31,500
This President made clear
that we are in round one,
246
00:13:31,500 --> 00:13:32,500
and we are going to push --
247
00:13:32,500 --> 00:13:34,834
and we're pushing
now to get it done.
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00:13:34,834 --> 00:13:36,099
Somebody asked me
the other day, well,
249
00:13:36,100 --> 00:13:37,900
won't you wait until
after the next elections?
250
00:13:37,900 --> 00:13:39,766
And the answer is no.
251
00:13:39,767 --> 00:13:41,367
We're going to keep pushing.
252
00:13:41,367 --> 00:13:45,599
And it will get done because the
American people demand that it
253
00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:46,667
get done.
254
00:13:46,667 --> 00:13:50,800
But it requires the voices
and the participation and the
255
00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:55,032
engagement of average Americans,
especially in a situation on an
256
00:13:55,033 --> 00:13:58,433
issue like this where we're
dealing with entrenched
257
00:13:58,433 --> 00:14:04,900
interests that don't represent
the majority but have powerful
258
00:14:04,900 --> 00:14:07,233
sway in Congress.
259
00:14:07,233 --> 00:14:08,367
Jon.
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00:14:08,367 --> 00:14:11,766
The Press:
Jay, as I understand it,
the administration is now
261
00:14:11,767 --> 00:14:16,300
considering providing arms
to the rebels in Syria.
262
00:14:16,300 --> 00:14:19,867
I'm wondering what has changed
in the President's view since he
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00:14:19,867 --> 00:14:22,766
rejected this idea last year.
264
00:14:22,767 --> 00:14:28,100
What has changed to make
him open to this idea now?
265
00:14:28,100 --> 00:14:31,367
Mr. Carney:
As you know, Jon, we have been
stepping up our assistance to
266
00:14:31,367 --> 00:14:39,834
the opposition significantly,
and we are constantly reviewing
267
00:14:39,834 --> 00:14:43,532
our assistance programs and
what kinds of assistance we
268
00:14:43,533 --> 00:14:44,734
will provide.
269
00:14:44,734 --> 00:14:49,500
It is our policy that we have
not and are not providing
270
00:14:49,500 --> 00:14:51,900
weapons to the
Syrian opposition.
271
00:14:51,900 --> 00:14:56,600
But we are continuing
to review our options.
272
00:14:56,600 --> 00:15:01,767
And in this period that we
have stepped up our assistance,
273
00:15:01,767 --> 00:15:04,033
including direct assistance for
the first time to the Syrian
274
00:15:04,033 --> 00:15:13,200
Military Council, we have also
been engaged with our allies and
275
00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:15,834
partners in an effort to
prop up the opposition --
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00:15:15,834 --> 00:15:18,632
to help stand it up, rather,
and to get to know it better and
277
00:15:18,633 --> 00:15:24,200
understand the elements of it,
and to associate ourselves with
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00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:28,367
and provide aid to those
elements that we have confidence
279
00:15:28,367 --> 00:15:37,632
in and confidence in their
support for a more democratic
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00:15:37,633 --> 00:15:43,200
Syria, and confidence that they
do not oppose United States
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00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:45,133
interests, U.S. interests.
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00:15:45,133 --> 00:15:46,633
And that is a process
that's ongoing.
283
00:15:46,633 --> 00:15:48,800
So we have learned more
about the opposition.
284
00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:50,400
We have worked more
closely with the opposition.
285
00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:53,567
We have stepped up our aid and
assistance to the opposition,
286
00:15:53,567 --> 00:15:55,133
and these evaluations
are ongoing.
287
00:15:55,133 --> 00:15:59,767
But I have no announcement to
make of any new developments on
288
00:15:59,767 --> 00:16:01,967
the assistance front.
289
00:16:01,967 --> 00:16:06,633
As of now, we have provided
various forms of assistance,
290
00:16:06,633 --> 00:16:08,367
but no weapons.
291
00:16:08,367 --> 00:16:12,500
The Press:
So as I understand it, one of
the President's concerns at that
292
00:16:12,500 --> 00:16:16,633
earlier time was that weapons
provided to the opposition could
293
00:16:16,633 --> 00:16:17,767
fall into the wrong hands.
294
00:16:17,767 --> 00:16:21,834
There are extremist elements
in the opposition groups.
295
00:16:21,834 --> 00:16:27,132
Does he feel more comfortable
now that assistance given to the
296
00:16:27,133 --> 00:16:32,367
rebel fighters will not get
into the hands of extremists?
297
00:16:32,367 --> 00:16:36,033
Mr. Carney:
Well, these are evaluations that
we have been making all along as
298
00:16:36,033 --> 00:16:42,333
we engage with the opposition,
and that is what I was trying to
299
00:16:42,333 --> 00:16:47,266
explain in my other answer
about in our dealings with the
300
00:16:47,266 --> 00:16:54,065
opposition, making evaluations
about what their intentions are
301
00:16:54,066 --> 00:16:58,400
for Syria, what their interests
are when it comes to the United
302
00:16:58,400 --> 00:17:01,834
States and our allies.
303
00:17:01,834 --> 00:17:07,099
And for example, the Supreme
Military Council that we deal
304
00:17:07,099 --> 00:17:10,332
with -- the leaders of that
council have made very clear
305
00:17:10,333 --> 00:17:15,367
statements about their positions
that reflect positions that we
306
00:17:15,367 --> 00:17:16,332
can support.
307
00:17:16,333 --> 00:17:19,166
So we are engaging
with the opposition.
308
00:17:19,165 --> 00:17:21,767
We are getting to know the
opposition better and we're
309
00:17:21,767 --> 00:17:24,867
evaluating just the very
questions that you ask.
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00:17:24,867 --> 00:17:26,834
The Press:
And the aid here, and all
of this aid, the aid that's
311
00:17:26,834 --> 00:17:29,934
happening now and the aid that
may come later is to bring the
312
00:17:29,934 --> 00:17:31,500
downfall of the Assad regime?
313
00:17:31,500 --> 00:17:34,367
Mr. Carney:
Well, the aim has always been
to bring about a transition in
314
00:17:34,367 --> 00:17:38,834
Syria that results in the
departure from power of
315
00:17:38,834 --> 00:17:39,900
Bashar al Assad.
316
00:17:39,900 --> 00:17:44,166
There's no question Syria's
future cannot include Assad.
317
00:17:44,166 --> 00:17:47,734
His hands are bathed in blood,
the blood of his own people,
318
00:17:47,734 --> 00:17:53,766
and his actions have continually
reinforced the fact that he has
319
00:17:53,767 --> 00:17:56,967
no place in Syria's
future and no support
320
00:17:56,967 --> 00:17:58,800
from the Syrian people.
321
00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:01,867
So the transition that we
seek and that so many seek,
322
00:18:01,867 --> 00:18:05,466
including the Syrian
people themselves,
323
00:18:05,467 --> 00:18:11,200
is a transition from Assad
to a better future for Syria.
324
00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:13,033
Bill.
325
00:18:13,033 --> 00:18:16,899
The Press:
Is it correct to say then that
you are preparing to send lethal
326
00:18:16,900 --> 00:18:18,266
weaponry to the Syrian people?
327
00:18:18,266 --> 00:18:21,233
Mr. Carney:
That's the phrasing from a story
that I think later on, a few
328
00:18:21,233 --> 00:18:23,500
paragraphs later said no
final decision had been made.
329
00:18:23,500 --> 00:18:25,700
So I think the language
here is important.
330
00:18:25,700 --> 00:18:28,333
We're evaluating all
decisions -- I mean all options.
331
00:18:28,333 --> 00:18:31,000
The President made clear just
yesterday that all options are
332
00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:33,967
on the table when it comes to
his policy actions with regard
333
00:18:33,967 --> 00:18:35,266
to Syria.
334
00:18:35,266 --> 00:18:39,333
But I have no policy change to
announce today with regards to
335
00:18:39,333 --> 00:18:40,533
our assistance programs.
336
00:18:40,533 --> 00:18:42,500
The Press:
But when you say that
you're continuing to review
337
00:18:42,500 --> 00:18:43,734
all the options --
338
00:18:43,734 --> 00:18:46,265
Mr. Carney:
Something I have said
for weeks if not months now.
339
00:18:46,266 --> 00:18:49,934
The Press:
-- that you are making
evaluations, are you backing
340
00:18:49,934 --> 00:18:53,867
the door open, suggesting that
down the road this could happen,
341
00:18:53,867 --> 00:18:55,233
that there could be arms?
342
00:18:55,233 --> 00:18:56,734
Mr. Carney:
Well, I've said all along --
I've never ruled it out and I've
343
00:18:56,734 --> 00:19:00,500
said all along that all options
remain on the table, and that is
344
00:19:00,500 --> 00:19:02,700
an option, obviously.
345
00:19:02,700 --> 00:19:06,667
It has been our position
that we do not provide arms.
346
00:19:06,667 --> 00:19:12,899
But we have -- if you set arms
aside here, we have stepped up
347
00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:17,033
significantly our assistance to
the opposition, including to the
348
00:19:17,033 --> 00:19:18,766
Supreme Military Council.
349
00:19:18,767 --> 00:19:20,000
The Press:
Stipulated.
350
00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:21,400
It's the arms that
we're all caring about.
351
00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:24,667
I mean, are you opening
the door to sending arms?
352
00:19:24,667 --> 00:19:26,600
Mr. Carney:
Bill, my position on this and
what I'm saying about it is no
353
00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:28,265
different now than
it was before.
354
00:19:28,266 --> 00:19:31,367
So if the answer to that
question is the door remains
355
00:19:31,367 --> 00:19:33,934
open, it has remained open in
the sense that those options
356
00:19:33,934 --> 00:19:35,500
have always been available
to the President.
357
00:19:35,500 --> 00:19:39,467
And we are reviewing those
options today just as we have
358
00:19:39,467 --> 00:19:43,033
been reviewing them in
recent weeks and months.
359
00:19:43,033 --> 00:19:47,934
Our position is what it is, but
we are constantly evaluating our
360
00:19:47,934 --> 00:19:49,934
posture and our
assistance programs.
361
00:19:49,934 --> 00:19:51,433
We have stepped
them up over time.
362
00:19:51,433 --> 00:19:54,200
So our assistance program is
bigger and greater and more
363
00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:57,000
comprehensive, including direct
aid to the Military Council,
364
00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:59,567
which is qualitatively different
from what it was three or four
365
00:19:59,567 --> 00:20:01,667
weeks ago, or two months ago.
366
00:20:01,667 --> 00:20:05,300
And we will see what
developments there are
367
00:20:05,300 --> 00:20:06,899
and what decisions
are made in the future.
368
00:20:06,900 --> 00:20:09,767
What I can tell you as of
now is what our program is
369
00:20:09,767 --> 00:20:10,767
and what it isn't.
370
00:20:10,767 --> 00:20:12,100
But I can also tell you
that we are evaluating
371
00:20:12,100 --> 00:20:13,399
different options.
372
00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:16,467
The Press:
Sure, but I mean you're
laying this out as a continuing
373
00:20:16,467 --> 00:20:19,934
escalation, and it would
be logical then to assume,
374
00:20:19,934 --> 00:20:23,633
wouldn't it, that at some
point that could include arms?
375
00:20:23,633 --> 00:20:24,900
Mr. Carney:
I'm not ruling that out.
376
00:20:24,900 --> 00:20:26,567
I'm just not ruling
it in either.
377
00:20:26,567 --> 00:20:30,500
I'm not here to announce
a change in policy,
378
00:20:30,500 --> 00:20:34,333
I'm saying that these
options are always under --
379
00:20:34,333 --> 00:20:37,100
have been under review and
continue to be under review.
380
00:20:37,100 --> 00:20:38,934
The Press:
Is it closer than it was?
381
00:20:38,934 --> 00:20:44,033
Mr. Carney:
I'm just not in a position to
make that assessment from here.
382
00:20:44,033 --> 00:20:47,300
I'm simply saying that we
have obviously escalated our
383
00:20:47,300 --> 00:20:51,100
assistance and broadened the
type of assistance that we've
384
00:20:51,100 --> 00:20:52,833
been providing.
385
00:20:52,834 --> 00:20:57,033
And I think that represents
a deeper engagement with the
386
00:20:57,033 --> 00:20:59,699
opposition, including
the military opposition.
387
00:20:59,700 --> 00:21:03,567
And I won't foreshadow what
decisions or actions may be
388
00:21:03,567 --> 00:21:07,633
taken in the coming days and
weeks and months except to say
389
00:21:07,633 --> 00:21:09,767
that we will evaluate
all possible options.
390
00:21:09,767 --> 00:21:14,800
We've been very clear that we
haven't ruled out any option
391
00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:18,800
even as we've chosen to exercise
the ones that we've exercised.
392
00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:22,567
The Press:
Are you aware of a letter from
General Idriss yesterday asking
393
00:21:22,567 --> 00:21:27,166
-- pleading, really, for help
countering chemical weapons?
394
00:21:27,166 --> 00:21:28,433
Mr. Carney:
I am aware of that letter.
395
00:21:28,433 --> 00:21:32,533
And as you heard the President
say yesterday and make clear
396
00:21:32,533 --> 00:21:38,300
again, the clear use of chemical
weapons by the Assad regime
397
00:21:38,300 --> 00:21:39,300
would cross the red line.
398
00:21:39,300 --> 00:21:41,399
And that is why we are so
assiduously engaged in the
399
00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:46,567
process of gathering
evidence to build on this --
400
00:21:46,567 --> 00:21:47,433
The Press:
Are we going to send him help?
401
00:21:47,433 --> 00:21:48,700
He's asking for help.
402
00:21:48,700 --> 00:21:50,433
Mr. Carney:
We are sending him help.
403
00:21:50,433 --> 00:21:52,300
The Press:
To specifically
counter chemical weapons.
404
00:21:52,300 --> 00:21:55,265
Mr. Carney:
We are providing
assistance to the opposition.
405
00:21:55,266 --> 00:21:59,767
The different types of
assistance that don't have
406
00:21:59,767 --> 00:22:05,567
to do with weapons I think you
can get details on from the
407
00:22:05,567 --> 00:22:07,100
State Department and
Defense Department.
408
00:22:07,100 --> 00:22:11,065
But we will continue to
evaluate the kinds of assistance
409
00:22:11,066 --> 00:22:15,667
we provide, working very closely
with General Idriss and others
410
00:22:15,667 --> 00:22:17,033
in the opposition.
411
00:22:17,033 --> 00:22:20,399
The Press:
On Guantanamo, you said a moment
ago that there are things the
412
00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:23,066
President can do
administratively.
413
00:22:23,066 --> 00:22:27,600
What are they and is he doing
them, or is he going to do them?
414
00:22:27,600 --> 00:22:32,800
Mr. Carney:
The answer is there are a
number of things that we can do.
415
00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:35,367
One of the options available
to us that we're examining is
416
00:22:35,367 --> 00:22:39,899
reappointing a senior official
at the State Department to renew
417
00:22:39,900 --> 00:22:44,066
our focus again on repatriating
or transferring detainees that
418
00:22:44,066 --> 00:22:46,367
we determine can be returned
to their home countries or
419
00:22:46,367 --> 00:22:47,700
third countries.
420
00:22:47,700 --> 00:22:51,233
And we will also work to fully
implement the periodic review
421
00:22:51,233 --> 00:22:54,899
board process, which has not
moved forward quickly enough,
422
00:22:54,900 --> 00:22:58,867
and we're going to continue to
work to get that implemented so
423
00:22:58,867 --> 00:22:59,966
that it is up and standing.
424
00:22:59,967 --> 00:23:02,600
And those are some of the
things that we can do.
425
00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:07,065
We have obstacles that were
thrown up by Congress that
426
00:23:07,066 --> 00:23:10,734
prevent us from -- well, they
refuse to provide the funding
427
00:23:10,734 --> 00:23:15,000
that would allow us to transfer
detainees to incarceration
428
00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,934
facilities here in
the United States.
429
00:23:17,934 --> 00:23:22,600
And they have circumscribed our
ability to take action on this
430
00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:23,766
front in other ways.
431
00:23:23,767 --> 00:23:27,700
So we have to work with Congress
and try to convince members of
432
00:23:27,700 --> 00:23:30,767
Congress that the overriding
interest here in terms of our
433
00:23:30,767 --> 00:23:35,200
national security as
well as our budget is to
434
00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:37,133
close Guantanamo Bay.
435
00:23:37,133 --> 00:23:38,433
The Press:
But will he be
talking to Congress
436
00:23:38,433 --> 00:23:39,934
about this specifically?
437
00:23:39,934 --> 00:23:41,266
Mr. Carney:
Yes.
438
00:23:41,266 --> 00:23:42,667
The Press:
When?
439
00:23:42,667 --> 00:23:45,399
Mr. Carney:
I don't have any conversations
to preview with you, but I think
440
00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:48,734
you heard from the President
yesterday that he feels very
441
00:23:48,734 --> 00:23:50,233
strongly about this.
442
00:23:50,233 --> 00:23:52,500
The Press:
Jay, can I follow on the
morning-after pill questions
443
00:23:52,500 --> 00:23:53,834
from Julie?
444
00:23:53,834 --> 00:23:56,734
Because I was just curious --
when the previous decision you
445
00:23:56,734 --> 00:23:59,466
were talking about was made I
believe in December of 2011, the
446
00:23:59,467 --> 00:24:02,066
President was in this room and
spoke pretty emotionally --
447
00:24:02,066 --> 00:24:03,567
I think he mentioned
his own daughters --
448
00:24:03,567 --> 00:24:06,367
and he said that a 10-year old
or an 11-year old should not be
449
00:24:06,367 --> 00:24:09,033
able to go to a grocery
store and buy this alongside
450
00:24:09,033 --> 00:24:11,166
"bubblegum or batteries."
451
00:24:11,166 --> 00:24:13,367
So are you saying the President
is comfortable now with a
452
00:24:13,367 --> 00:24:18,934
15-year old buying this pill
next to bubblegum or batteries?
453
00:24:18,934 --> 00:24:21,667
Mr. Carney:
Well, as I mentioned earlier, I
haven't spoken about this with
454
00:24:21,667 --> 00:24:24,199
the President, and this is not a
decision that the White House or
455
00:24:24,200 --> 00:24:24,633
the President --
456
00:24:24,633 --> 00:24:25,400
The Press:
Why not?
457
00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:26,300
I mean, he was pretty
direct about it --
458
00:24:26,300 --> 00:24:27,399
Mr. Carney:
It was just announced.
459
00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:28,800
So I think --
460
00:24:28,800 --> 00:24:30,700
The Press:
Oh, we've known about it all --
it was announced late yesterday.
461
00:24:30,700 --> 00:24:33,433
Mr. Carney:
Well, I didn't talk about this
particular issue with him.
462
00:24:33,433 --> 00:24:34,734
But let's be clear.
463
00:24:34,734 --> 00:24:37,066
When the President was
asked about this and made the
464
00:24:37,066 --> 00:24:40,200
statement that you quoted, he
was speaking in support of a
465
00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:46,934
decision by Secretary Sebelius
with regards to the proposition
466
00:24:46,934 --> 00:24:50,899
that this medication could be
made available over the counter
467
00:24:50,900 --> 00:24:53,166
to anyone, of any age.
468
00:24:53,166 --> 00:24:57,200
And the President supported
Secretary Sebelius's decision
469
00:24:57,200 --> 00:25:02,900
and her view that not enough
data was available to make her
470
00:25:02,900 --> 00:25:06,233
comfortable with the
decision that younger girls
471
00:25:06,233 --> 00:25:10,834
of reproductive age could use
this medicine in an appropriate
472
00:25:10,834 --> 00:25:12,834
and safe and effective manner.
473
00:25:12,834 --> 00:25:17,567
The FDA has made a decision
based on an amended application
474
00:25:17,567 --> 00:25:21,000
by a manufacturer that
stipulates that it would
475
00:25:21,000 --> 00:25:25,033
be made available to
teens 15 and older.
476
00:25:25,033 --> 00:25:30,300
And as you cited, the President
referred to younger girls,
477
00:25:30,300 --> 00:25:32,133
and I believe so did
Secretary Sebelius.
478
00:25:32,133 --> 00:25:36,133
But in terms of the assessments
made about this decision,
479
00:25:36,133 --> 00:25:39,734
I think you could go to HHS
to get the Secretary's views,
480
00:25:39,734 --> 00:25:43,233
because, again, the President
was speaking in support of a
481
00:25:43,233 --> 00:25:46,066
decision that Secretary
Sebelius had made at the time.
482
00:25:46,066 --> 00:25:48,100
The Press:
I want to ask you about two
other personnel moves the
483
00:25:48,100 --> 00:25:49,667
President is going to
announce this afternoon.
484
00:25:49,667 --> 00:25:51,233
I think it's pretty
widely known --
485
00:25:51,233 --> 00:25:54,265
FCC and the Housing Finance job.
486
00:25:54,266 --> 00:25:57,000
My question is -- I'll give you
a chance to talk about their
487
00:25:57,000 --> 00:25:58,500
attributes and whatnot.
488
00:25:58,500 --> 00:26:01,000
But in 2008, during the
campaign, the President
489
00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:05,300
specifically said lobbyists are
not going to be part of my team.
490
00:26:05,300 --> 00:26:09,800
He said that -- John McCain --
you can't just take the same
491
00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:11,600
people who have been in
Washington a long time and
492
00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:14,300
move them to different chairs
and expect different results,
493
00:26:14,300 --> 00:26:15,500
as I recall him saying.
494
00:26:15,500 --> 00:26:18,400
And now you've got a congressman
who's been around some 20 years
495
00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:21,300
-- good record, but around
a long time -- and a cable
496
00:26:21,300 --> 00:26:22,767
industry lobbyist taking a job.
497
00:26:22,767 --> 00:26:25,600
How does that square with
the talk about change?
498
00:26:25,600 --> 00:26:26,667
The Press:
Well, I appreciate the question.
499
00:26:26,667 --> 00:26:27,766
I would say two things.
500
00:26:27,767 --> 00:26:31,200
First of all, with regards to
Tom Wheeler, the nominee for the
501
00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:33,834
chair of the FCC, he's an
experienced telecommunications
502
00:26:33,834 --> 00:26:36,233
leader who shares the
President's commitment to
503
00:26:36,233 --> 00:26:38,966
protecting consumers,
promoting innovation,
504
00:26:38,967 --> 00:26:41,100
enhancing competition and
encouraging investment.
505
00:26:41,100 --> 00:26:45,934
Now, with regards
to his past career,
506
00:26:45,934 --> 00:26:51,033
he has not worked for the
wireless industry in a decade --
507
00:26:51,033 --> 00:26:56,500
nearly a decade, and his
representation for the cable
508
00:26:56,500 --> 00:26:58,567
industry is nearly
three decades old.
509
00:26:58,567 --> 00:27:01,667
So he has extensive experience
in business, extensive
510
00:27:01,667 --> 00:27:02,766
experience in the field.
511
00:27:02,767 --> 00:27:07,467
He is a promoter of consumers
and innovation and competition.
512
00:27:07,467 --> 00:27:09,233
And when he worked for the --
it's important to know that when
513
00:27:09,233 --> 00:27:11,633
he worked for the
wireless industry --
514
00:27:11,633 --> 00:27:13,934
and this is how much
the world has changed --
515
00:27:13,934 --> 00:27:16,100
he represented smaller
companies that thrived on
516
00:27:16,100 --> 00:27:18,233
innovation and competition.
517
00:27:18,233 --> 00:27:21,000
So the President thinks that
Mr. Wheeler is an excellent
518
00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:23,767
candidate for this position,
that he brings broad experience
519
00:27:23,767 --> 00:27:27,500
and has already, as
I think you've seen,
520
00:27:27,500 --> 00:27:31,967
received positive reviews
from a number of quarters.
521
00:27:31,967 --> 00:27:33,900
With regards to
Congressman Watt,
522
00:27:33,900 --> 00:27:36,767
he has spent 20 years on the
House Financial Services and
523
00:27:36,767 --> 00:27:39,700
Judiciary Committees, and he's
got a proven track record of
524
00:27:39,700 --> 00:27:43,033
fighting to rein in deceptive
mortgage lenders, protect
525
00:27:43,033 --> 00:27:45,500
consumers from abusive
financial practices, and
526
00:27:45,500 --> 00:27:47,300
expand affordable housing.
527
00:27:47,300 --> 00:27:51,166
And he has been an advocate
essentially for the little guy
528
00:27:51,166 --> 00:27:52,934
in that position.
529
00:27:52,934 --> 00:27:54,867
And I think that you
would find in him,
530
00:27:54,867 --> 00:27:58,834
as representing the FHFA,
somebody with vast experience,
531
00:27:58,834 --> 00:28:03,734
great knowledge from his time
on these committees of the
532
00:28:03,734 --> 00:28:07,867
financial marketplace and of
the mortgage lending business,
533
00:28:07,867 --> 00:28:11,399
and that he would bring his
experience to bear in a positive
534
00:28:11,400 --> 00:28:14,133
way representing
this organization.
535
00:28:14,133 --> 00:28:16,667
The Press:
So experience in Washington is
not such a bad thing anymore?
536
00:28:16,667 --> 00:28:18,500
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think the President
looks for people who are
537
00:28:18,500 --> 00:28:21,133
experienced in a
broad variety of ways.
538
00:28:21,133 --> 00:28:27,166
I think that there are a number
of ways to look at a nominee,
539
00:28:27,166 --> 00:28:28,667
for example, like
Congressman Watt.
540
00:28:28,667 --> 00:28:34,132
I mean, he comes from his
experience on these committees
541
00:28:34,133 --> 00:28:40,834
and his efforts to, again,
fight against deceptive mortgage
542
00:28:40,834 --> 00:28:43,367
lending practices and
to protect consumers.
543
00:28:43,367 --> 00:28:46,000
And those are the kinds of --
that's the kind of experience
544
00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:48,600
the President wants
in this position.
545
00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:49,600
The Press:
Last thing, on Benghazi.
546
00:28:49,600 --> 00:28:52,166
Since the President spoke
yesterday briefly about that,
547
00:28:52,166 --> 00:28:55,332
the Defense Department and
the State Department both have
548
00:28:55,333 --> 00:28:58,166
written letters, as I understand
it, to Republican Darrell Issa,
549
00:28:58,166 --> 00:29:02,233
saying that they're not aware of
anyone coming to them asking for
550
00:29:02,233 --> 00:29:04,734
security clearances for
their counsel or anything
551
00:29:04,734 --> 00:29:05,867
to come forward.
552
00:29:05,867 --> 00:29:07,066
First, is that
your understanding?
553
00:29:07,066 --> 00:29:09,900
And second, if someone
were to come forward,
554
00:29:09,900 --> 00:29:11,633
if they just haven't
technically told their
555
00:29:11,633 --> 00:29:15,533
superior or something, if they
were to come forward, is the
556
00:29:15,533 --> 00:29:16,699
White House willing
to let them testify?
557
00:29:16,700 --> 00:29:18,433
Mr. Carney:
Well, again, I mean,
that's a hypothetical.
558
00:29:18,433 --> 00:29:19,900
But let's be clear.
559
00:29:19,900 --> 00:29:22,233
Benghazi happened
a long time ago.
560
00:29:22,233 --> 00:29:25,567
We are unaware of any agency
blocking an employee who would
561
00:29:25,567 --> 00:29:27,867
like to appear before Congress
to provide information related
562
00:29:27,867 --> 00:29:30,533
to Benghazi.
563
00:29:30,533 --> 00:29:34,600
The Accountability Review Board
which investigated this matter
564
00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:38,934
-- and I think in no one's
estimation sugarcoated what
565
00:29:38,934 --> 00:29:44,567
happened there or pulled any
punches when it came to holding
566
00:29:44,567 --> 00:29:49,934
accountable individuals that
they felt had not successfully
567
00:29:49,934 --> 00:29:53,100
executed their responsibilities
-- heard from everyone and
568
00:29:53,100 --> 00:29:54,233
invited everyone.
569
00:29:54,233 --> 00:29:59,367
So there was a clear indication
there that everyone who had
570
00:29:59,367 --> 00:30:04,233
something to say was welcome
to provide information to the
571
00:30:04,233 --> 00:30:05,367
Accountability Review Board.
572
00:30:05,367 --> 00:30:09,466
But again, with regards to
these stories, to our knowledge,
573
00:30:09,467 --> 00:30:12,066
we're not aware of any agency
that has blocked an employee who
574
00:30:12,066 --> 00:30:13,367
would like to appear
before Congress.
575
00:30:13,367 --> 00:30:17,734
And as you noted, both the State
Department and Department of
576
00:30:17,734 --> 00:30:19,934
Defense have made clear that
they are not aware of any
577
00:30:19,934 --> 00:30:22,266
requests for a security
clearance for a private attorney
578
00:30:22,266 --> 00:30:24,633
having been made in connection
with the Benghazi investigation.
579
00:30:24,633 --> 00:30:29,567
So what you have is an attorney
saying she represents somebody,
580
00:30:29,567 --> 00:30:33,633
claiming that she's not getting
this security clearance, and
581
00:30:33,633 --> 00:30:37,266
yet the agencies involved have
no information about that at
582
00:30:37,266 --> 00:30:39,567
all, which falls into
the broader story here,
583
00:30:39,567 --> 00:30:47,633
which this is these allegations
are part of an unfortunate
584
00:30:47,633 --> 00:30:49,467
pattern of spreading
misinformation and
585
00:30:49,467 --> 00:30:51,266
politicizing this issue.
586
00:30:51,266 --> 00:30:54,200
Just last week, Republicans
accused Secretary Clinton of
587
00:30:54,200 --> 00:30:57,934
authoring a cable that went out
under her automatic signature,
588
00:30:57,934 --> 00:31:00,600
pursuant to standard protocol
that State has followed across
589
00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:02,300
administrations of both parties.
590
00:31:02,300 --> 00:31:04,533
Secretary Clinton -- and this,
of course, was left out of the
591
00:31:04,533 --> 00:31:07,367
Republican charge -- had
previously testified under
592
00:31:07,367 --> 00:31:09,166
oath that she had
never seen the cable.
593
00:31:09,166 --> 00:31:12,399
It was simply put out under
automatic signature as thousands
594
00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:15,734
and thousands of emails
are, according to protocol.
595
00:31:15,734 --> 00:31:19,667
So the politicization of
this issue is unfortunate,
596
00:31:19,667 --> 00:31:21,766
and it continues unabated.
597
00:31:21,767 --> 00:31:27,633
We have had numerous hearings,
numerous -- I mean vast numbers
598
00:31:27,633 --> 00:31:30,867
of documents, vast numbers of
individuals who have testified
599
00:31:30,867 --> 00:31:38,265
before Congress, and anybody who
wants to be heard by Congress is
600
00:31:38,266 --> 00:31:40,200
welcome to be heard by
Congress, in our view.
601
00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:43,767
And that has been our approach,
our cooperative approach to this
602
00:31:43,767 --> 00:31:46,800
matter and to this investigation
from the beginning.
603
00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:48,066
The Press:
Jay, I want to go
back to the idea of
604
00:31:48,066 --> 00:31:49,400
the permission structure.
605
00:31:49,400 --> 00:31:51,967
I know you defined it, but how
specifically does the President
606
00:31:51,967 --> 00:31:54,033
plan to create a
permission structure?
607
00:31:54,033 --> 00:31:54,966
What does that look like?
608
00:31:54,967 --> 00:31:56,567
What steps is he going to take?
609
00:31:56,567 --> 00:31:58,300
Mr. Carney:
What the President is
seeking in his conversations
610
00:31:58,300 --> 00:32:03,399
with Republican lawmakers
is common ground, basically
611
00:32:03,400 --> 00:32:08,333
a willingness by Republicans to
agree to the principle that some
612
00:32:08,333 --> 00:32:15,500
of them supported explicitly not
that long ago that we could both
613
00:32:15,500 --> 00:32:18,333
achieve savings through
entitlement reforms and
614
00:32:18,333 --> 00:32:22,066
achieve savings through tax
reform by closing loopholes
615
00:32:22,066 --> 00:32:24,400
and capping deductions.
616
00:32:24,400 --> 00:32:29,767
And the permission structure, if
you will, is basically a broad
617
00:32:29,767 --> 00:32:34,633
proposal that allows
Republicans, like
618
00:32:34,633 --> 00:32:37,233
Democrats, to go along with
some things that they do not
619
00:32:37,233 --> 00:32:42,133
love, would not be top of their
list in terms of legislation,
620
00:32:42,133 --> 00:32:45,867
in order to achieve the broader
objective here, which is broad,
621
00:32:45,867 --> 00:32:48,399
deep deficit reduction that
would bring us past the
622
00:32:48,400 --> 00:32:50,367
$4 trillion mark over 10 years.
623
00:32:50,367 --> 00:32:51,332
The Press:
Permission from voters?
624
00:32:51,333 --> 00:32:52,734
Permission from
their constituents?
625
00:32:52,734 --> 00:32:55,433
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think that this
is a phrase that is in
626
00:32:55,433 --> 00:32:57,300
common usage here.
627
00:32:57,300 --> 00:32:59,966
I think he's basically looking
for a way to find enough
628
00:32:59,967 --> 00:33:05,066
Republicans who are comfortable
with a proposal that would
629
00:33:05,066 --> 00:33:08,100
achieve some of their
long-stated goals,
630
00:33:08,100 --> 00:33:10,033
including significant
deficit reduction,
631
00:33:10,033 --> 00:33:14,734
including entitlement reform and
savings from entitlement reform,
632
00:33:14,734 --> 00:33:16,533
and including tax reform.
633
00:33:16,533 --> 00:33:19,399
The President's proposition is
that we should use some of the
634
00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:23,300
savings from tax reform produced
by closing loopholes and capping
635
00:33:23,300 --> 00:33:25,899
deductions for the wealthy and
well-connected, and apply them
636
00:33:25,900 --> 00:33:29,266
to deficit reduction, not as
existing Republican proposals
637
00:33:29,266 --> 00:33:33,033
would do, apply them to tax cuts
for the wealthy, which makes no
638
00:33:33,033 --> 00:33:35,667
sense as far as this
President is concerned.
639
00:33:35,667 --> 00:33:38,567
One of the significant
achievements of the last six
640
00:33:38,567 --> 00:33:42,133
months was his ability to,
against great resistance --
641
00:33:42,133 --> 00:33:45,667
despite great resistance -- to
achieve a stated goal, which was
642
00:33:45,667 --> 00:33:49,667
to make permanent tax cuts for
the middle class and to raise
643
00:33:49,667 --> 00:33:52,899
rates on the wealthiest
Americans back to where
644
00:33:52,900 --> 00:33:56,600
they were under Bill Clinton,
when this economy thrived
645
00:33:56,600 --> 00:33:57,934
quite handsomely.
646
00:33:57,934 --> 00:34:01,734
The Press:
Jay, on immigration, Marco Rubio
said in a radio interview,
647
00:34:01,734 --> 00:34:05,000
"The bill, the immigration
bill that's in place right now
648
00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:07,400
"probably can't pass the House."
649
00:34:07,400 --> 00:34:09,700
Does the President agree
with that assessment?
650
00:34:09,699 --> 00:34:12,667
Is he concerned that that
message is moving forward?
651
00:34:12,667 --> 00:34:14,033
Mr. Carney:
Well, I haven't
heard that assessment.
652
00:34:14,033 --> 00:34:17,199
I think that as the President
and others have made clear,
653
00:34:17,199 --> 00:34:19,199
we are still in our
early stages here.
654
00:34:19,199 --> 00:34:23,265
We have a comprehensive
immigration reform bill that
655
00:34:23,266 --> 00:34:27,166
was authored by Republicans and
Democrats in the Senate that has
656
00:34:27,166 --> 00:34:30,700
significant bipartisan
support, but that process
657
00:34:30,699 --> 00:34:31,766
is still moving forward.
658
00:34:31,766 --> 00:34:35,833
And it is clearly something
that everyone in Washington who
659
00:34:35,833 --> 00:34:39,567
supports broad, comprehensive
immigration reform is going to
660
00:34:39,567 --> 00:34:44,500
have to work on because
there are a few steps in
661
00:34:44,500 --> 00:34:45,500
the process here.
662
00:34:45,500 --> 00:34:49,233
We need to move that
bill through committee.
663
00:34:49,233 --> 00:34:52,934
We need to see it voted
on by the full Senate.
664
00:34:52,934 --> 00:34:54,967
We need broad,
bipartisan support.
665
00:34:54,967 --> 00:34:56,767
That is something the
President has always
666
00:34:56,766 --> 00:34:58,232
believed is necessary.
667
00:34:58,233 --> 00:35:00,767
And then obviously there's
activity in the House that we
668
00:35:00,767 --> 00:35:04,966
have to monitor and we have to
see what the House will support.
669
00:35:04,967 --> 00:35:10,233
So like everything that's
significant and big when it
670
00:35:10,233 --> 00:35:16,600
comes to progress and change,
this is not necessarily easy.
671
00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:18,900
But there has been
significant progress,
672
00:35:18,900 --> 00:35:20,233
as the President said yesterday.
673
00:35:20,233 --> 00:35:23,633
And we remain optimistic that
this is going to get done.
674
00:35:23,633 --> 00:35:26,100
The Press:
Does this type of language
set the process back at all?
675
00:35:26,100 --> 00:35:27,200
Mr. Carney:
No, no.
676
00:35:27,200 --> 00:35:31,500
I think that language like that,
comments like that acknowledge
677
00:35:31,500 --> 00:35:33,500
the fact that, as
I was just saying,
678
00:35:33,500 --> 00:35:34,500
this is not going to be easy.
679
00:35:34,500 --> 00:35:38,300
I think it's -- we have
sometimes a phenomenon here
680
00:35:38,300 --> 00:35:42,767
in Washington that everybody
sometimes participates in or
681
00:35:42,767 --> 00:35:46,700
gets caught up in where signs of
progress are immediately deduced
682
00:35:46,700 --> 00:35:48,834
to mean success --
final success.
683
00:35:48,834 --> 00:35:52,966
And there's a lot of work to
be done between today and final
684
00:35:52,967 --> 00:35:55,433
passage of comprehensive
immigration reform.
685
00:35:55,433 --> 00:35:55,934
Peter.
686
00:35:55,934 --> 00:35:56,600
The Press:
Follow-up?
687
00:35:56,600 --> 00:35:57,165
Mr. Carney:
Peter.
688
00:35:57,166 --> 00:35:58,266
The Press:
Thank you, Jay.
689
00:35:58,266 --> 00:36:01,767
General Dempsey was on Capitol
Hill last month and talked a bit
690
00:36:01,767 --> 00:36:03,767
about what he called the
confusing situation on the
691
00:36:03,767 --> 00:36:05,000
ground in Syria.
692
00:36:05,000 --> 00:36:08,133
He said it's difficult to
identify rebels who could be
693
00:36:08,133 --> 00:36:12,265
entrusted with arms -- quote
here that "It's actually
694
00:36:12,266 --> 00:36:14,066
"more confusing on the
opposition side today
695
00:36:14,066 --> 00:36:16,000
"than it was six months ago."
696
00:36:16,000 --> 00:36:18,367
Given that, why would arming
the rebels be on the table?
697
00:36:18,367 --> 00:36:20,767
Why would the
administration consider it?
698
00:36:20,767 --> 00:36:23,533
Mr. Carney:
Well, we have made clear in
the past that this has been an
699
00:36:23,533 --> 00:36:28,799
issue that we have
evaluated consistently.
700
00:36:28,800 --> 00:36:33,433
As I was saying earlier to Jon,
we have spent a lot of time
701
00:36:33,433 --> 00:36:36,300
working with the opposition,
becoming more familiar with
702
00:36:36,300 --> 00:36:39,900
the opposition, evaluating
the various groups within
703
00:36:39,900 --> 00:36:41,533
the opposition.
704
00:36:41,533 --> 00:36:46,567
And that has given us the
confidence that has allowed us
705
00:36:46,567 --> 00:36:50,633
to step up the assistance that
we have already provided or
706
00:36:50,633 --> 00:36:51,767
agreed to provide.
707
00:36:51,767 --> 00:36:57,165
And we'll continue to evaluate
this situation and our options.
708
00:36:57,166 --> 00:37:00,100
But the General's comments are
certainly correct that this is
709
00:37:00,100 --> 00:37:04,232
one of the reasons why we need
to make very careful evaluations
710
00:37:04,233 --> 00:37:07,400
about the opposition.
711
00:37:07,400 --> 00:37:09,333
Let me -- Donovan, yes.
712
00:37:09,333 --> 00:37:09,867
And then Zach.
713
00:37:09,867 --> 00:37:10,400
The Press:
Thanks, Jay.
714
00:37:10,400 --> 00:37:12,800
Quick question on Guantanamo.
715
00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:15,500
The ACLU says there's two
things the President can do
716
00:37:15,500 --> 00:37:16,800
today without Congress.
717
00:37:16,800 --> 00:37:20,600
One of them is appointing a
senior person and taking over
718
00:37:20,600 --> 00:37:22,600
the closure policy
from the Pentagon, and
719
00:37:22,600 --> 00:37:25,834
the other thing is ordering
the Secretary of Defense
720
00:37:25,834 --> 00:37:30,700
to begin certifying
detainees for transfer.
721
00:37:30,700 --> 00:37:35,100
And I was wondering,
will he do these things?
722
00:37:35,100 --> 00:37:38,165
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think I mentioned a
couple of things that we are
723
00:37:38,166 --> 00:37:40,867
looking at doing and
could do administratively.
724
00:37:40,867 --> 00:37:43,033
I'm sure other suggestions --
one of these sounds somewhat
725
00:37:43,033 --> 00:37:44,767
similar to what I
was talking about.
726
00:37:44,767 --> 00:37:48,533
We are certainly going to
look at other possibilities.
727
00:37:48,533 --> 00:37:51,633
And as the President made
clear yesterday from here,
728
00:37:51,633 --> 00:37:59,100
he will look at every potential
use of his authority to move
729
00:37:59,100 --> 00:38:02,133
towards the eventual
closure of Guantanamo Bay.
730
00:38:02,133 --> 00:38:07,700
But unfortunately, achieving
that ultimate goal requires
731
00:38:07,700 --> 00:38:09,500
cooperation from Congress.
732
00:38:09,500 --> 00:38:11,367
The Press:
Right, but these are moves
that he could take -- so
733
00:38:11,367 --> 00:38:12,767
are you saying --
734
00:38:12,767 --> 00:38:15,200
Mr. Carney:
Well, somebody is saying that we
could take them -- I'm sure that
735
00:38:15,200 --> 00:38:20,466
we would have to evaluate those
suggestions and see whether they
736
00:38:20,467 --> 00:38:23,433
make sense in terms of policy
and whether, in fact, they are
737
00:38:23,433 --> 00:38:25,333
things that we can do.
738
00:38:25,333 --> 00:38:25,934
The Press:
Okay.
739
00:38:25,934 --> 00:38:27,033
And then just one
other quick one,
740
00:38:27,033 --> 00:38:31,734
on the nominee for the FHFA.
741
00:38:31,734 --> 00:38:34,533
New York Attorney General Eric
Schneiderman is asking the
742
00:38:34,533 --> 00:38:38,933
President to remove Mr. DeMarco
immediately because he is
743
00:38:38,934 --> 00:38:43,834
against principal write-downs
for struggling homeowners.
744
00:38:43,834 --> 00:38:45,332
A couple of questions.
745
00:38:45,333 --> 00:38:46,767
Is the President open to that?
746
00:38:46,767 --> 00:38:49,899
And separately, does the
President believe that
747
00:38:49,900 --> 00:38:53,166
Congressman Watt will back
principal write-downs and does
748
00:38:53,166 --> 00:38:57,333
that factor into his
selection of him?
749
00:38:57,333 --> 00:38:58,467
Mr. Carney:
I'll say a couple of things.
750
00:38:58,467 --> 00:39:02,567
First of all, the President has
nominated someone for this job
751
00:39:02,567 --> 00:39:06,867
and hopes that Congress will
act swiftly to confirm him,
752
00:39:06,867 --> 00:39:11,333
and that's our
focus at the moment.
753
00:39:11,333 --> 00:39:15,400
When it comes to the policies
the President supports and that
754
00:39:15,400 --> 00:39:22,166
he thinks ought to be acted on,
he has clearly selected nominees
755
00:39:22,166 --> 00:39:26,500
for this area and others -- for
this position and others that
756
00:39:26,500 --> 00:39:30,333
have, as a general principle,
shared visions of how we can
757
00:39:30,333 --> 00:39:31,467
move forward.
758
00:39:31,467 --> 00:39:37,266
So on specific actions that the
potential director of an agency
759
00:39:37,266 --> 00:39:39,967
might take, I'm not
going to predict.
760
00:39:39,967 --> 00:39:44,200
But the President believes
strongly that Congressman Watt
761
00:39:44,200 --> 00:39:50,366
would be an excellent director
and would take action to protect
762
00:39:50,367 --> 00:39:54,500
consumers and rein in deceptive
mortgage lenders and to do the
763
00:39:54,500 --> 00:39:59,700
kinds of things that he
would hope the FHFA would do.
764
00:39:59,700 --> 00:40:01,799
Peter, did you have a question?
765
00:40:01,800 --> 00:40:05,633
The Press:
No, it was asked.
766
00:40:05,633 --> 00:40:07,399
Mr. Carney:
Yes, and then Zach.
767
00:40:07,400 --> 00:40:07,867
The Press:
Me?
768
00:40:07,867 --> 00:40:09,667
Okay.
769
00:40:09,667 --> 00:40:10,799
A quick question.
770
00:40:10,800 --> 00:40:13,567
I understand the furlough
notices at the White House
771
00:40:13,567 --> 00:40:15,133
are supposed to go out today.
772
00:40:15,133 --> 00:40:17,667
How many people were furloughed
and what impact will it have on
773
00:40:17,667 --> 00:40:19,000
White House operations?
774
00:40:19,000 --> 00:40:23,200
Mr. Carney:
I believe that process is
already underway and has been.
775
00:40:23,200 --> 00:40:24,567
So we can get you the numbers.
776
00:40:24,567 --> 00:40:29,367
But it affects -- I'm not
sure if I have this information
777
00:40:29,367 --> 00:40:30,734
today, but I can get it to you.
778
00:40:30,734 --> 00:40:33,299
As I've said in the past,
it affects everyone in the
779
00:40:33,300 --> 00:40:34,400
White House Office.
780
00:40:34,400 --> 00:40:37,700
And non-commissioned officers
have to take a furlough day and
781
00:40:37,700 --> 00:40:40,899
non-commissioned officers have
a reduction in pay in the pay
782
00:40:40,900 --> 00:40:42,300
period that there
are furlough days for
783
00:40:42,300 --> 00:40:44,033
non-commissioned officers.
784
00:40:44,033 --> 00:40:46,700
The Press:
A more general follow-up
question to Ed and my
785
00:40:46,700 --> 00:40:51,033
colleague's question -- with
these appointments today of Watt
786
00:40:51,033 --> 00:40:55,933
and Wheeler, what's the message
that the President wants to send
787
00:40:55,934 --> 00:40:58,500
to these industries?
788
00:40:58,500 --> 00:41:01,100
Mr. Carney:
That we need strong and
effective oversight, and
789
00:41:01,100 --> 00:41:03,900
that we need strong and
effective heads of these
790
00:41:03,900 --> 00:41:11,633
agencies that are very important
to sections of our economy and
791
00:41:11,633 --> 00:41:17,366
that have a huge impact
on people's lives,
792
00:41:17,367 --> 00:41:20,400
especially in the case of FHFA.
793
00:41:20,400 --> 00:41:24,066
So he's looking for
strength and wisdom.
794
00:41:24,066 --> 00:41:25,033
Zach.
795
00:41:25,033 --> 00:41:26,066
The Press:
I also have a few
questions about the
796
00:41:26,066 --> 00:41:29,100
FHFA and Congressman Watt.
797
00:41:29,100 --> 00:41:32,500
So if he's confirmed, it will be
the first time the President's
798
00:41:32,500 --> 00:41:34,266
choice will be in that job.
799
00:41:34,266 --> 00:41:37,433
It's been Bush administration
and career officers left over.
800
00:41:37,433 --> 00:41:41,734
Does the President see this as
an -- and unlike the FDC, FHFA,
801
00:41:41,734 --> 00:41:43,667
mainly oversees Fannie and
Freddie, which are taxpayer
802
00:41:43,667 --> 00:41:45,767
owned and federally
run, et cetera.
803
00:41:45,767 --> 00:41:48,533
Does the President see this as
a moment where he's saying it's
804
00:41:48,533 --> 00:41:51,000
time we should take a look at
the ownership of those companies
805
00:41:51,000 --> 00:41:53,734
and begin to reform them --
the leftovers from the
806
00:41:53,734 --> 00:41:55,933
financial crisis?
807
00:41:55,934 --> 00:42:02,233
Mr. Carney:
I think that you're attaching --
the President's views on what we
808
00:42:02,233 --> 00:42:05,467
need to do in terms of housing
and Fannie and Freddie have not
809
00:42:05,467 --> 00:42:06,867
changed and are well-known.
810
00:42:06,867 --> 00:42:10,433
He is certainly looking for
someone in his nominee to head
811
00:42:10,433 --> 00:42:13,166
up that agency to be an
effective advocate and an
812
00:42:13,166 --> 00:42:15,066
effective administrator
and director.
813
00:42:15,066 --> 00:42:24,133
Again, I'm not going to predict
or schedule in advance actions
814
00:42:24,133 --> 00:42:28,466
that might be taken once
this nominee is confirmed,
815
00:42:28,467 --> 00:42:30,166
as we hope he is.
816
00:42:30,166 --> 00:42:33,500
But the President, as you know,
has throughout his time in
817
00:42:33,500 --> 00:42:39,066
office put in place policies
to address our housing crisis,
818
00:42:39,066 --> 00:42:45,100
to address the drag that it
has produced on growth and the
819
00:42:45,100 --> 00:42:46,467
effect it's had on homeowners.
820
00:42:46,467 --> 00:42:49,967
And he continues to urge
Congress to take action to allow
821
00:42:49,967 --> 00:42:53,166
responsible homeowners to take
advantage of historically low
822
00:42:53,166 --> 00:42:56,867
rates to refinance their homes.
823
00:42:56,867 --> 00:42:59,433
That would be both good for
those families and the bottom
824
00:42:59,433 --> 00:43:01,400
lines that these families
have, and their budgets.
825
00:43:01,400 --> 00:43:03,834
It would also be enormously
helpful to our economy because
826
00:43:03,834 --> 00:43:07,265
it would inject, in each case,
cash directly into our economy.
827
00:43:07,266 --> 00:43:10,600
The money saved by refinancing
would allow -- would put money
828
00:43:10,600 --> 00:43:12,066
in the pockets of
all these families.
829
00:43:12,066 --> 00:43:16,799
And like most middle-class
families, a lot of that money
830
00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:18,900
is going to be spent and njected
back into the economy, and that
831
00:43:18,900 --> 00:43:21,300
would be a very helpful thing
when it comes to growth and
832
00:43:21,300 --> 00:43:22,367
job creation.
833
00:43:22,367 --> 00:43:23,400
The Press:
Just one other question on that.
834
00:43:23,400 --> 00:43:26,133
Senator Corker is out with
a very critical statement,
835
00:43:26,133 --> 00:43:29,066
saying he's disappointed
in the choice, saying that
836
00:43:29,066 --> 00:43:32,265
Mr. Watt sort of represented the
point of view that protected
837
00:43:32,266 --> 00:43:35,066
housing policies that led to the
original crisis, and it's really
838
00:43:35,066 --> 00:43:37,533
a danger putting someone like
that in charge of the biggest
839
00:43:37,533 --> 00:43:39,533
housing companies
in the country.
840
00:43:39,533 --> 00:43:40,767
Do you have a response to --
841
00:43:40,767 --> 00:43:43,000
Mr. Carney:
Well, I am not aware of
that particular statement.
842
00:43:43,000 --> 00:43:46,900
I would simply say that
Congressman Watt has worked
843
00:43:46,900 --> 00:43:49,934
tirelessly to expand economic
opportunity for the middle class
844
00:43:49,934 --> 00:43:51,700
and those striving to get
into the middle class.
845
00:43:51,700 --> 00:43:54,033
And he's brought together
consumer advocates and industry
846
00:43:54,033 --> 00:43:57,066
leaders to enact common-sense
reforms that promote economic
847
00:43:57,066 --> 00:44:00,100
growth and protect
consumers from fraud.
848
00:44:00,100 --> 00:44:04,133
Most recently -- and I think
this goes to the question about
849
00:44:04,133 --> 00:44:08,000
whose interests are being
advocated for -- Congressman
850
00:44:08,000 --> 00:44:11,233
Watt played a critical role in
passing the Wall Street reform
851
00:44:11,233 --> 00:44:13,800
bill, the Dodd-Frank Act, and
spearheaded legislation to
852
00:44:13,800 --> 00:44:15,967
eliminate predatory lending
practices in the real
853
00:44:15,967 --> 00:44:17,967
estate market.
854
00:44:17,967 --> 00:44:22,533
So, again, this President fought
hard for Wall Street reform,
855
00:44:22,533 --> 00:44:25,700
and he fought hard with
advocates like Congressman
856
00:44:25,700 --> 00:44:26,799
Watt on his side.
857
00:44:26,800 --> 00:44:32,333
And he fought hard against, in
large measure, the Wall Street
858
00:44:32,333 --> 00:44:36,900
bankers and their lobbyists
here and those who endorse
859
00:44:36,900 --> 00:44:41,800
the interests of those
bankers and their lobbyists.
860
00:44:41,800 --> 00:44:45,033
And he continues to fight
rearguard actions by Republicans
861
00:44:45,033 --> 00:44:51,333
on Capitol Hill to water down
Dodd-Frank, to empower banks at
862
00:44:51,333 --> 00:44:53,567
the expense of consumers.
863
00:44:53,567 --> 00:44:56,300
There's still an effort to
undermine the Consumer Financial
864
00:44:56,300 --> 00:44:59,834
Protection Board, which is doing
enormously beneficial work on
865
00:44:59,834 --> 00:45:01,567
behalf of consumers.
866
00:45:01,567 --> 00:45:05,266
So this is a big
accomplishment of the
867
00:45:05,266 --> 00:45:07,367
President's and Congress --
Wall Street reform --
868
00:45:07,367 --> 00:45:10,200
and we need to continue to
implement it in a way that does
869
00:45:10,200 --> 00:45:12,966
right by America's consumers
and ensures that we have the
870
00:45:12,967 --> 00:45:16,500
regulations in place and the
laws in place to prevent the
871
00:45:16,500 --> 00:45:22,000
kind of unraveling in our
financial industry that we saw
872
00:45:22,000 --> 00:45:24,233
in 2007, 2008.
873
00:45:24,233 --> 00:45:27,633
The Press:
Jay, quickly on Benghazi,
because in the last hour or so,
874
00:45:27,633 --> 00:45:31,200
a colleague in New York passes
on that the FBI there is out
875
00:45:31,200 --> 00:45:33,399
today with three new
surveillance photos of
876
00:45:33,400 --> 00:45:36,300
men who they say were on the
grounds of the compound when
877
00:45:36,300 --> 00:45:37,367
it was attacked.
878
00:45:37,367 --> 00:45:40,166
Do you have any more insight
you can share from the podium?
879
00:45:40,166 --> 00:45:42,667
And is the President any
more hopeful today that the
880
00:45:42,667 --> 00:45:44,266
perpetrators will be
caught and prosecuted?
881
00:45:44,266 --> 00:45:45,800
Mr. Carney:
Well, I don't have any
information with regards to
882
00:45:45,800 --> 00:45:47,000
that specific report.
883
00:45:47,000 --> 00:45:52,066
What I can say is that it has
been the focus of the President
884
00:45:52,066 --> 00:45:56,899
and of his team to both
investigate through the
885
00:45:56,900 --> 00:45:59,767
Accountability Review Board what
happened in Benghazi and why,
886
00:45:59,767 --> 00:46:02,133
and to take action to ensure
it doesn't happen again,
887
00:46:02,133 --> 00:46:05,567
and to investigate the act
itself and to bring to justice
888
00:46:05,567 --> 00:46:09,300
those responsible for the
deaths of Americans in Benghazi.
889
00:46:09,300 --> 00:46:12,200
And that work is not done.
890
00:46:12,200 --> 00:46:15,000
And he is very
focused on ensuring
891
00:46:15,000 --> 00:46:16,734
that it is accomplished.
892
00:46:16,734 --> 00:46:18,700
The Press:
Quickly, just a follow-up on
last week, because I'm not
893
00:46:18,700 --> 00:46:21,633
sure that you were asked this
directly or whether there's
894
00:46:21,633 --> 00:46:23,533
anything you'd like to add on
the public safety exception.
895
00:46:23,533 --> 00:46:28,667
Is the President satisfied that
the FBI got all it needed to
896
00:46:28,667 --> 00:46:33,734
know out of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
before he was read his rights?
897
00:46:33,734 --> 00:46:37,799
Mr. Carney:
Well, we're not going to
comment on the specific case.
898
00:46:37,800 --> 00:46:40,000
What we will say, as the
President and others have said,
899
00:46:40,000 --> 00:46:49,000
is that our system has proven
effective when it comes to
900
00:46:49,000 --> 00:46:53,600
detaining, incarcerating, and
prosecuting and bringing to
901
00:46:53,600 --> 00:46:56,400
justice terrorists.
902
00:46:56,400 --> 00:47:00,300
There has been a great deal --
there is now a great deal of
903
00:47:00,300 --> 00:47:01,400
precedent to successful
interrogations of terrorists
904
00:47:01,400 --> 00:47:11,066
arrested and brought through
the American system of justice,
905
00:47:11,066 --> 00:47:17,200
cooperation from those who have
been arrested that has provided
906
00:47:17,200 --> 00:47:18,332
substantial information.
907
00:47:18,333 --> 00:47:23,166
I think the President addressed
that to some degree yesterday.
908
00:47:23,166 --> 00:47:29,867
So the President feels that the
FBI has handled this case from
909
00:47:29,867 --> 00:47:35,400
the moment of the bombings
through the successful capture
910
00:47:35,400 --> 00:47:41,400
of the individuals believed
responsible and through today,
911
00:47:41,400 --> 00:47:42,600
very well.
912
00:47:42,600 --> 00:47:46,834
But I'm not going to comment
on specific actions taken.
913
00:47:46,834 --> 00:47:49,767
It is important to note that
there is the public safety
914
00:47:49,767 --> 00:47:53,899
exception to Miranda, and that
is in place precisely because it
915
00:47:53,900 --> 00:47:59,467
allows investigators to gather
information that could prevent
916
00:47:59,467 --> 00:48:05,266
an imminent attack and could
help them find potential
917
00:48:05,266 --> 00:48:07,400
collaborators in an attack.
918
00:48:07,400 --> 00:48:09,533
And that exemption
is very important,
919
00:48:09,533 --> 00:48:11,834
but I'm not going to get into
the specifics of this case.
920
00:48:11,834 --> 00:48:13,700
Stephen Collinson.
921
00:48:13,700 --> 00:48:14,734
The Press:
Thanks.
922
00:48:14,734 --> 00:48:16,900
What's the reason that the
administration has not sought to
923
00:48:16,900 --> 00:48:20,900
use the national security waiver
in the Defense Authorization Act
924
00:48:20,900 --> 00:48:24,166
that would allow it to get
around some of the restrictions
925
00:48:24,166 --> 00:48:26,533
that Congress has
placed on transferring
926
00:48:26,533 --> 00:48:28,200
Guantanamo detainees?
927
00:48:28,200 --> 00:48:31,667
Mr. Carney:
I don't have a specific
response to that question.
928
00:48:31,667 --> 00:48:37,366
I can tell you that Congress has
repeatedly, through the NDAA,
929
00:48:37,367 --> 00:48:43,834
thrown up obstacles to the
policy goal that the President
930
00:48:43,834 --> 00:48:46,232
has made clear he supports
and that others, including
931
00:48:46,233 --> 00:48:48,033
President George W. Bush
and Senator McCain and
932
00:48:48,033 --> 00:48:49,200
others, support.
933
00:48:49,200 --> 00:48:53,000
And he's going to work with
Congress to try to eliminate
934
00:48:53,000 --> 00:48:57,300
those obstacles, and he
made that clear yesterday.
935
00:48:57,300 --> 00:49:01,900
The Press:
Will the review include a look
at whether the administration
936
00:49:01,900 --> 00:49:05,834
will change its position that
right now it's not feasible to
937
00:49:05,834 --> 00:49:10,165
return Yemeni detainees who have
been cleared for at least Yemen
938
00:49:10,166 --> 00:49:11,834
because of the
security situation?
939
00:49:11,834 --> 00:49:15,700
Mr. Carney:
Well, we have a moratorium on
the transfer of Yemeni detainees
940
00:49:15,700 --> 00:49:20,567
to Yemen -- 50%, roughly, I
think, of those detainees still
941
00:49:20,567 --> 00:49:26,667
at Guantanamo are Yemeni, so
that is a significant bloc and
942
00:49:26,667 --> 00:49:31,734
it is one reason why there are
the number of detainees at
943
00:49:31,734 --> 00:49:33,600
Guantanamo who remain there.
944
00:49:33,600 --> 00:49:36,767
But that moratorium is in
place because, as you know,
945
00:49:36,767 --> 00:49:41,232
there was a transfer of
detainees that resulted in
946
00:49:41,233 --> 00:49:48,533
their release, and it was the
judgment that we made that it
947
00:49:48,533 --> 00:49:52,567
was no longer the right thing to
do to transfer detainees when we
948
00:49:52,567 --> 00:49:55,533
had agreements from the
host government to keep
949
00:49:55,533 --> 00:49:56,600
them incarcerated.
950
00:49:56,600 --> 00:50:03,200
So we're obviously evaluating
this and other aspects of the
951
00:50:03,200 --> 00:50:05,700
situation in Guantanamo,
but that is our policy.
952
00:50:05,700 --> 00:50:08,165
The moratorium remains in place.
953
00:50:08,166 --> 00:50:11,166
Thanks, all.
