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Mr. Gibbs:
Good afternoon, everyone.
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Take us away, Mr. Feller.
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The Press:
All right, thanks, Robert.
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Starting with the Mideast trip,
specifically the Cairo speech,
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the President obviously has
talked about the importance in
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his view of improving relations
with the Muslim world.
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I'm wondering, for starters, how
much does the President think he
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can accomplish with one speech?
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Mr. Gibbs:
Look, Ben, I think it is important to understand
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that this is -- the President has always looked at this as a
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process, not as a
single point in time.
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And I think if you look at the
efforts that the administration
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has undertaken thus far
in terms of outreach --
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whether it's in interviews, whether it's speeches,
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the speech in Turkey -- this is about resetting our relationship
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with the Muslim world.
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It's not about, as I said and I
think you'll hear the President
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say, we don't expect that
everything will change after one speech.
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I think it will take a sustained
effort and that's what the
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President's in for.
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The Press:
And how do you -- how does the White House measure success in
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something as important but broad as that, this process you're describing?
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How do you know that you're
seeing an improved relation in
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a way that affects the
lives of everyday Americans?
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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think you can see
-- I mean, you certainly --
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we see public polling that
measures the perception of the
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country throughout the world,
and particularly in the Muslim world.
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Look, I think there will be a
great effort on our part to
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distribute this through
different means,
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social networking sites, in
order to get this in front of as
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many eyes throughout
the world as we can.
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The Press:
I'm sorry, one
other quick topic.
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With Judge Sotomayor
on the Hill today,
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I'm wondering what your early
read is on the types of comments
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you're seeing, particularly
from Republican senators?
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Is the White House confident
that she's going to get a fair shake?
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Mr. Gibbs:
I think if you look at -- I don't know what in particular,
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in terms of comments, you
want me to respond to --
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The Press:
There's been both a
range about, obviously,
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the senators wanted to take a
rigorous look at her record.
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And also particularly Republican
senators feeling that they want
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to do so on their own time
table and not be rushed.
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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, let's take a
couple of points.
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I think first of all, obviously
we believe that she will get a
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fair shake and a
fair set of hearings.
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I think the meetings that
she's had thus far have been productive.
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She'll see others
throughout the day,
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including Senator McConnell I
think a little bit after lunch here.
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So I do think that that almost
universally the comments have
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been, I think, productive.
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I think it's obvious that
Republicans understand and take
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their duties as it relates to
the Supreme Court extremely
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seriously, as one would expect.
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I would say a couple of
things in terms of timing.
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First of all, we anticipate that
her Senate questionnaire will go
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up at some point this week.
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And I don't want
to belabor this,
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but if you look at the time
frame of number of days between
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the announcement of a Supreme
Court pick and the hearings,
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for the last nine confirmed
justices it's been 51 days
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between the announcement and
the beginning of the hearing.
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For the last four justices -- that includes Justice Ginsburg,
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Justice Breyer, Justice
Roberts, and Justice Alito --
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that has been 54 days.
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That would put her hearing
sometime in mid-July,
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which would I think provide
a timetable by which the due
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diligence of senators on both
sides of the aisle can be accomplished.
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I think what's important
about the timing, Ben,
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is that we get a Supreme Court
justice not simply ready to hear
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cases at the beginning of
the Court's work in October,
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but obviously so that that
person can take part in the very
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important discussions in
September as the new court
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decides which cases
it's going to hear.
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I think obviously to be part
of that process is extremely important.
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And given the historical norms
of hearings I think that can
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easily be accomplished, while
giving everyone the time they
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need to examine the record.
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Yes, sir.
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The Press:
I have a question about the speech that President Obama is
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going to give to
the Muslim world.
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I was wondering, will there be an economic component to that speech?
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Will he talk at all about U.S. interest in increasing trade
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with countries -- countries
like Egypt, Pakistan,
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that face relatively high tariffs on their exports to the
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United States?
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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, obviously, I think some economic component of this
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you'll hear from the President.
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I don't want to get into
specifics at this point,
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but we'll have a little bit
longer time to discuss exactly
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what's in there as we
get a little closer.
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Yes, sir.
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The Press:
Give us some guideposts, some signposts other than public
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polling as to how when you leave
Cairo you know that it's been a
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successful speech.
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The President's given
the Turkey speech;
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he's had several meetings here
with other Middle Eastern leaders.
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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, again, I think our perception in the world is a big
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measurement by which
to look at this.
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I think the willingness and to
be able to work with countries
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on our common interests
are important.
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But I mean I guess I -- let me just in some ways caution or
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hesitate that this is
-- as I said earlier,
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the President sees this
as a series of events,
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not something that may or may not be easily quantifiable at
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any given -- or after
the end of one speech.
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Let's just say this, I think if
the President thought one speech
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would cure that relationship I
doubt we'd be giving that in June.
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The Press:
Have you seen signs already that the relationship has changed
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with the speech in Turkey and
what he's done here in the past
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couple weeks, the meetings here?
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Mr. Gibbs:
I think the President
feels like --
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again, as it relates to many of
the problems that we've talked
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about, particularly
in this room,
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we didn't get where we are
overnight and it's not going to
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get solved overnight.
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I think the President believes
using his time and resources on
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an issue as important as
this will pay dividends.
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Yes, ma'am.
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The Press:
Does the President have
any sense that he feels any
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responsibility to bring up any
issues of human rights in Cairo
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during his speech?
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Mr. Gibbs:
Again, I don't want
to get ahead of this.
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But I think the President will
talk about a series of things
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that are important
throughout the Muslim world.
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Yes, ma'am.
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The Press:
I've got two questions.
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What's in the
questionnaire to the judge?
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Mr. Gibbs:
I think it's a
basic series of --
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not having been a Supreme
Court nominee, Helen,
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they haven't given me the
questionnaire to fill out.
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The Press:
What does it cover?
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Mr. Gibbs:
Let me see if we
have a copy of --
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I'm sure there's a series of
financial stuff as well as
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writings and things like that,
that typical nominees have to send up.
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The Press:
My second question is, is this against any international law to
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annex occupied land?
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Is the United States going to
stick by its guns in terms of
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new settlements?
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Mr. Gibbs:
Helen, I think the President has been clear with everyone where
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we stand on settlements.
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I think the Secretary of State
has been clear on settlements.
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And I think that message is -- the President said no new
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construction and
that's what we mean.
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The Press:
A General Motors question.
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There's a report that a Chinese
company is looking to buy,
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basically, the Hummer division.
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What's your understanding of
what that means or what that
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will mean for jobs in the U.S.?
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Mr. Gibbs:
I have not seen that report.
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I would have you talk to
somebody in communications at GM.
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I haven't seen that report, so
I don't want to comment on it.
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The Press:
A second question.
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On the announcement today about
the Army Secretary nominee --
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can you just talk a little
bit about the timing of that?
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Was there a thought of
maybe waiting, perhaps,
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until Secretary Gates
was back in town or --
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I know he's traveling.
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Mr. Gibbs:
He is traveling.
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Obviously he's involved
in some important stuff.
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The President believed with all
that we need to do to protect
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and to take care of our troops
that it was important to get the
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process of that nomination started as quickly as possible
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-- so nothing out
of the ordinary.
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Yes, sir.
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The Press:
Health care.
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Up until now the White House,
the President has been
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relatively low key, sort
of allowing the Senate in
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particular to develop something
organically through the
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legislative process.
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But today you're having
Democrats up here,
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so I'd like to see if I could
get you on the record on a
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couple of things.
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Will the President insist on a
so-called public option version
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to health care?
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Mr. Gibbs:
I don't -- again, I don't want to get ahead of where he's going
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to be in the meeting.
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They're going to have I think a
robust discussion about health care.
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And I think you'll hear the
President reiterate once again
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how important it is
to get something done,
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that businesses -- small businesses and families and the
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government, quite frankly, are being crushed by health care
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costs; that it is something that I know people have said whether
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or not we have the
luxury to deal with,
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but many families are each and every day struggling with those
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costs, our budget is weighed down by a lot of those costs and
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we have to take steps
to address it --
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that's part of laying the
foundation for our long-term
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economic growth.
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I don't know how
detailed he'll get today.
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I know the President -- obviously the President outlined
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a plan that he thought could accomplish a lot of his goals
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during the campaign.
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The Press:
The OMB director is quoted in
an article today as getting some
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distance between Max Baucus
and himself on the question of
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taxation of employer-provided
health care benefits.
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What is the White House
position on that issue?
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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think we've covered this any number of times in here.
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I think we've been pretty
clear on where we are on that
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throughout the campaign.
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The Press:
Okay.
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Finally, 145 social
conservatives have written to
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the Senate Republican leadership
asking them to please use at the
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least what they term a
traditional filibuster to make
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sure there's a full and
fair debate and so forth,
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and that the base can be
catalyzed, to use their terms.
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What do you say to Republican
senators who might be inclined
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to heed that advice?
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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, I think
it's important,
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building on the earlier
question that Ben asked,
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I think the White House, from
quite honestly both sides of the
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aisle, sees a strong desire to
have a fair series of hearings.
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We believe those hearings can be
done in a time frame that allows
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senators to do the duty of due
diligence and understanding and
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being able to
question the nominee,
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but doing so that can get the
nominee seated in time not just
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to hear cases, but to take part
in the choosing of which cases
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the court will hear.
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So I don't want to get in
the middle of that argument,
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except to say that I think
we believe that we're making
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progress toward all those ends.
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Yes, sir.
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The Press:
Robert, did Judge Sotomayor consent to the statements by the
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President and you that she would
now use different words in that
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Latina white male statement
that has been out there?
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Mr. Gibbs:
Again, I think the basis for what I said and the basis for
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what the President said were the
result of conversations that had
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been had with the Justice -- with the Judge, excuse me --
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and members of the team
working on the confirmation.
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The Press:
Is there a possibility she
would issue a statement to
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that effect?
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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I assume that she'll likely get this today,
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maybe in her meetings, and I
think she'll have a chance to
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talk to senators about that.
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And I have no doubt that the
working press will get good
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readouts from their senators.
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The Press:
On the Reagan Commission today, when was an invitation issued to
237
00:13:45,734 --> 00:13:47,464
former First Lady Nancy Reagan?
238
00:13:47,467 --> 00:13:50,267
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know when it
was formally issued.
239
00:13:50,266 --> 00:13:57,466
I know that she's in town and
the President thought it would
240
00:13:57,467 --> 00:14:01,867
be a good opportunity to
have her take part in that.
241
00:14:01,867 --> 00:14:04,637
I'll try to find out if we can
figure out exactly when it was.
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00:14:04,633 --> 00:14:08,403
The Press:
Were you surprised to learn she felt snubbed that she wasn't
243
00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:12,430
invited to the stem cell
announcement some weeks back?
244
00:14:12,433 --> 00:14:16,233
Mr. Gibbs:
I think the President lauded
her active involvement in this
245
00:14:16,233 --> 00:14:17,333
issue, Mark.
246
00:14:17,333 --> 00:14:23,463
I think it is safe to say that
without her courageous and
247
00:14:23,467 --> 00:14:31,697
eloquent voice that the changes
that have gone through Congress
248
00:14:31,700 --> 00:14:34,800
and that have been proposed by
the President would have been
249
00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:37,370
much, much more
difficult to get.
250
00:14:37,367 --> 00:14:43,837
I think she speaks in real,
personal terms about the issue.
251
00:14:43,834 --> 00:14:50,804
I think, like I said, her candor
and her courage have been heartening.
252
00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:55,930
We certainly meant
no slight whatsoever.
253
00:14:55,934 --> 00:14:57,864
The Press:
Thanks.
254
00:14:57,867 --> 00:15:02,837
The Press:
Just to clarify on
the Baucus issue.
255
00:15:02,834 --> 00:15:05,834
I know that the administration
has said that it's not part of
256
00:15:05,834 --> 00:15:08,904
their plan, but have you said
whether President Obama would
257
00:15:08,900 --> 00:15:11,400
sign a bill?
258
00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,630
Mr. Gibbs:
If you can show me the bill
that we're about to sign I'll be
259
00:15:13,633 --> 00:15:18,833
happy to thumb through it and
give you a sense of what we like
260
00:15:18,834 --> 00:15:20,134
and what we might not.
261
00:15:20,133 --> 00:15:21,903
The Press:
And a related follow up.
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00:15:21,900 --> 00:15:29,470
Later this week you'll -- a health campaign is kicking off.
263
00:15:29,467 --> 00:15:34,397
Will there be anything
similar for cap and trade?
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00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:36,730
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, cap and trade seems ahead of health care at the moment.
265
00:15:36,734 --> 00:15:39,264
(laughter)
266
00:15:39,266 --> 00:15:44,896
I think that you've heard the
President not just throughout
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00:15:44,900 --> 00:15:46,830
his few months here
at the White House,
268
00:15:46,834 --> 00:15:52,234
but throughout the campaign talk
passionately about both issues.
269
00:15:52,233 --> 00:15:55,233
And I think we continue to be
heartened by progress that's
270
00:15:55,233 --> 00:15:58,963
being made in Congress to
address how to make ourselves
271
00:15:58,967 --> 00:16:01,667
more energy independent
and protect our planet,
272
00:16:01,667 --> 00:16:05,237
and how do we drive down the
costs for families and small
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00:16:05,233 --> 00:16:09,563
businesses struggling with the
rising cost of health care.
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00:16:09,567 --> 00:16:13,137
So I think we're --
obviously there will be --
275
00:16:13,133 --> 00:16:16,103
a lot of the President's time
will be involved over the next
276
00:16:16,100 --> 00:16:19,530
many months following up on
these and other priorities,
277
00:16:19,533 --> 00:16:22,733
including financial regulation.
278
00:16:22,734 --> 00:16:23,664
Yes, sir.
279
00:16:23,667 --> 00:16:25,637
The Press:
One on North Korea and
a couple on Guantanamo.
280
00:16:25,633 --> 00:16:29,203
There are reports in North Korea
that there has been some effort
281
00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:33,930
to secure the secession of the
current leader of North Korea,
282
00:16:33,934 --> 00:16:34,834
Kim Jong-il.
283
00:16:34,834 --> 00:16:38,564
And a U.S. official is quoted on background in a Reuter's story
284
00:16:38,567 --> 00:16:40,737
saying, "It's my guess that the North Koreans are likely to come
285
00:16:40,734 --> 00:16:43,734
back to the bargaining table, especially now that it appears
286
00:16:43,734 --> 00:16:46,404
that the secession
has been secured."
287
00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:48,930
Does the White House have any
overall comment on what appears
288
00:16:48,934 --> 00:16:50,064
to be happening in North Korea?
289
00:16:50,066 --> 00:16:53,266
And is that quote I just read to
you reflective of what the White
290
00:16:53,266 --> 00:16:55,736
House thinks may be
happening in North Korea?
291
00:16:55,734 --> 00:16:56,764
Mr. Gibbs:
I can check.
292
00:16:56,767 --> 00:16:58,667
Let me see what NSC has on that.
293
00:16:58,667 --> 00:17:02,697
I don't have anything in
particular on the quote relating
294
00:17:02,700 --> 00:17:06,330
to secession.
295
00:17:06,333 --> 00:17:11,233
I think, Major, what's
tremendously important is that
296
00:17:11,233 --> 00:17:14,863
the administration, and I think
all our allies involved in the
297
00:17:14,867 --> 00:17:20,037
talks, believe that it's
important for North Korea to
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00:17:20,033 --> 00:17:31,003
take the necessary steps to live
up to the responsibilities and
299
00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:34,700
the agreements that
it entered into;
300
00:17:34,700 --> 00:17:39,830
that coming back to the table
to have productive talks are
301
00:17:39,834 --> 00:17:43,364
important because the actions
that they're undertaking,
302
00:17:43,367 --> 00:17:48,237
as we've said countless
times in the past many weeks,
303
00:17:48,233 --> 00:17:51,603
are simply steps that further
isolate them from the world.
304
00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:53,200
The Press:
Does the White House have an opinion as to whether or not
305
00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:56,630
these activities that you just
referred to at least partly have
306
00:17:56,633 --> 00:18:01,363
been motivated or promoted by
any battle over secession or
307
00:18:01,367 --> 00:18:03,967
internal dynamics within
North Korea as part of the
308
00:18:03,967 --> 00:18:05,697
understanding it has --
309
00:18:05,700 --> 00:18:07,200
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't think it would
be productive for me to
310
00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:09,470
speculate on that.
311
00:18:09,467 --> 00:18:12,197
The Press:
The administration through the solicitor general filed a brief
312
00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:13,870
on Friday about the Uighurs.
313
00:18:13,867 --> 00:18:17,567
I'm wondering if you could
explain or put forth publicly
314
00:18:17,567 --> 00:18:20,497
the White House position on why
they cannot be settled here in
315
00:18:20,500 --> 00:18:21,800
the United States.
316
00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:29,000
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, obviously -- let me just go a little broader on this.
317
00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:34,200
Obviously we continue to
work with allies and nations
318
00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:41,000
throughout the world about the
steps that will be needed to
319
00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:45,600
close Guantanamo Bay as the
President promised to do at the
320
00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:48,600
very beginning of
his administration.
321
00:18:48,600 --> 00:18:54,330
Obviously there are nations that
have taken detainees that have
322
00:18:54,333 --> 00:19:01,533
been ruled by judges and courts
that they need to be transferred
323
00:19:01,533 --> 00:19:05,363
from Guantanamo Bay.
324
00:19:05,367 --> 00:19:09,837
But we continue that progress
and continue to try to make
325
00:19:09,834 --> 00:19:13,604
progress on that issue, but I
don't have anything specific on that.
326
00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:17,930
The Press:
Well, the brief appears to link part of the reason they can't
327
00:19:17,934 --> 00:19:20,204
come here to existing
U.S. immigration law.
328
00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:22,470
And one of the things I want to
ask you about is the President,
329
00:19:22,467 --> 00:19:26,367
when he was a senator,
voted for the Real ID Act,
330
00:19:26,367 --> 00:19:28,837
and there's a provision in the
Real ID Act that says if you
331
00:19:28,834 --> 00:19:31,164
were involved or implicated in
terrorist activities you can't
332
00:19:31,166 --> 00:19:33,896
be settled in the United States
under any circumstances.
333
00:19:33,900 --> 00:19:36,300
And I'm wondering
if the White House,
334
00:19:36,300 --> 00:19:37,970
in taking a look at
this entire issue,
335
00:19:37,967 --> 00:19:42,467
has confronted the Real ID Act
as a genuine impediment legally
336
00:19:42,467 --> 00:19:45,037
to bringing anyone from
Guantanamo to the United States
337
00:19:45,033 --> 00:19:47,903
and, if so, would it need to
take redressive action in
338
00:19:47,900 --> 00:19:50,800
Congress to appeal that section?
339
00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:54,130
Mr. Gibbs:
That's a good question that
I will check on with the
340
00:19:54,133 --> 00:19:55,633
Department of Justice and NSC.
341
00:19:55,633 --> 00:20:01,103
I don't know if that's part of
what they've grappled with.
342
00:20:01,100 --> 00:20:02,930
The Press:
Will you confirm the reports from the Australian foreign
343
00:20:02,934 --> 00:20:04,964
minister over the weekend that
the administration has asked the
344
00:20:04,967 --> 00:20:08,937
Australians to
accept six Uighurs?
345
00:20:08,934 --> 00:20:11,964
Mr. Gibbs:
I shouldn't get ahead of anything that may or may not
346
00:20:11,967 --> 00:20:13,037
be official.
347
00:20:13,033 --> 00:20:14,003
Yes, sir.
348
00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:16,500
The Press:
Robert, is there any particular holdup with the completion of
349
00:20:16,500 --> 00:20:18,330
the questionnaire and the
delivery to the committee,
350
00:20:18,333 --> 00:20:22,233
which was expected at some
point maybe late last week,
351
00:20:22,233 --> 00:20:25,503
then Monday, and now it's
apparently going to be after today.
352
00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:27,800
I mean, is there anything that's
holding it up and why is it
353
00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:31,830
taking so long to -- I mean, you guys knew that this was coming.
354
00:20:31,834 --> 00:20:36,964
Mr. Gibbs:
Oh, sure.
355
00:20:36,967 --> 00:20:40,597
I don't know -- well, I haven't filled out one of these for the
356
00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:41,800
Supreme Court.
357
00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:48,270
I know just filling out some of
these questionnaires simply to
358
00:20:48,266 --> 00:20:57,036
get the ID that I possess is
not something that you can do overnight.
359
00:20:57,033 --> 00:21:01,063
They're fairly specific --
360
00:21:01,066 --> 00:21:04,536
The Press:
-- you're not having trouble finding her speeches, or --
361
00:21:04,533 --> 00:21:07,303
Mr. Gibbs:
April has pointed out
most of them and we've
362
00:21:07,300 --> 00:21:08,170
catalogued them and --
363
00:21:08,166 --> 00:21:09,966
(laughter)
364
00:21:09,967 --> 00:21:11,197
The Press:
Thanks.
365
00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:13,970
The Press:
Robert, just a quick
procedural question.
366
00:21:13,967 --> 00:21:16,737
You said that you guys are going
to distribute the Cairo speech
367
00:21:16,734 --> 00:21:18,264
on social networks.
368
00:21:18,266 --> 00:21:21,466
Are you guys going
to be Twittering it?
369
00:21:21,467 --> 00:21:26,997
Mr. Gibbs:
No -- that'd be
awkward, isn't it?
370
00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:29,970
We can't even get that on
the computers here, so --
371
00:21:29,967 --> 00:21:32,737
No, I think what
I mean by that --
372
00:21:32,734 --> 00:21:37,034
and we'll have some
more in-depth on this,
373
00:21:37,033 --> 00:21:44,363
but obviously our goal is to
ensure that the greatest number
374
00:21:44,367 --> 00:21:49,367
of people with an
interest to see this --
375
00:21:49,367 --> 00:21:52,267
not just through
newspapers and television,
376
00:21:52,266 --> 00:21:57,336
but can see this
through Websites,
377
00:21:57,333 --> 00:22:00,563
I think it will be broadcast -- I'm pretty sure it will be
378
00:22:00,567 --> 00:22:07,437
broadcast on our Website and the Internet team here is working
379
00:22:07,433 --> 00:22:11,933
with a host of others to get this information to as many
380
00:22:11,934 --> 00:22:17,604
platforms as humanly possible so that people will get a chance
381
00:22:17,600 --> 00:22:20,230
all over the world to see
what the President has to say.
382
00:22:20,233 --> 00:22:21,503
Mara.
383
00:22:21,500 --> 00:22:24,570
The Press:
I want to try to ask a better question about the inherent
384
00:22:24,567 --> 00:22:27,337
conflicts of owning 60% of
GM than I did yesterday.
385
00:22:27,333 --> 00:22:29,033
(laughter)
386
00:22:29,033 --> 00:22:29,933
Mr. Gibbs:
Take two.
387
00:22:29,934 --> 00:22:32,604
(laughter)
388
00:22:32,600 --> 00:22:36,300
The Press:
If it turns out that GM could make more profits for the
389
00:22:36,300 --> 00:22:39,070
taxpayer investors that you
represent by outsourcing some of
390
00:22:39,066 --> 00:22:42,996
its production to China, even at
the cost of maybe losing some
391
00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:47,430
U.S. jobs, is that something that you as the 60% owner would
392
00:22:47,433 --> 00:22:49,003
push them to do?
393
00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:57,470
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, I think we're -- there are core governance issues
394
00:22:57,467 --> 00:22:59,737
that, again, as I
talked about yesterday,
395
00:22:59,734 --> 00:23:09,234
that the government will take part in as a holder of almost
396
00:23:09,233 --> 00:23:13,103
60% or 60% of common equity.
397
00:23:13,100 --> 00:23:20,630
I think the major thrust will be
basically being involved in a
398
00:23:20,633 --> 00:23:25,833
majority of a new board of -- a newly constituted board of directors.
399
00:23:25,834 --> 00:23:33,704
But, look, business decisions
are going to be made by General Motors.
400
00:23:33,700 --> 00:23:38,300
I don't want to get involved in
making those business decisions for them.
401
00:23:38,300 --> 00:23:42,030
The Press:
So if they did out-source that would be a decision for them --
402
00:23:42,033 --> 00:23:42,963
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.
403
00:23:42,967 --> 00:23:45,867
The Press:
I mean, there are public policy goals that the government has
404
00:23:45,867 --> 00:23:47,897
and then there's the goal of
making the highest return for
405
00:23:47,900 --> 00:23:49,570
the taxpayers as you can.
406
00:23:49,567 --> 00:23:52,367
Mr. Gibbs:
And understand this -- I spent
a little time thinking about
407
00:23:52,367 --> 00:23:53,537
this yesterday.
408
00:23:53,533 --> 00:23:57,703
About half the questions
yesterday were, you know,
409
00:23:57,700 --> 00:23:59,600
good golly, you can't
possibly do that.
410
00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:01,500
And the other half of the
questions were, good golly,
411
00:24:01,500 --> 00:24:03,000
why aren't you doing that.
412
00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:04,170
The Press:
Well, that's the whole
point -- (inaudible)
413
00:24:04,166 --> 00:24:05,636
-- conflicting pressures, yes.
414
00:24:05,633 --> 00:24:12,633
Mr. Gibbs:
And the goal of the restructuring plan is to get a
415
00:24:12,633 --> 00:24:17,003
company that -- and again, I think when we got a look at some
416
00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,200
of the details yesterday
of the filings,
417
00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:22,670
we've got a company that
was -- these are rough,
418
00:24:22,667 --> 00:24:25,897
remembering these figures -- I think $85 billion in assets and
419
00:24:25,900 --> 00:24:28,900
$172 billion in debt.
420
00:24:28,900 --> 00:24:33,930
One gets a pretty good grasp on
why a company is where it is
421
00:24:33,934 --> 00:24:36,604
based on those numbers.
422
00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:40,700
Obviously now this is a company
that we hope in a short period
423
00:24:40,700 --> 00:24:48,770
of time -- 60 to 90 days --
that emerges restructured,
424
00:24:48,767 --> 00:24:55,967
competitive, and without the massive debt that it previously had.
425
00:24:55,967 --> 00:25:02,967
And that they'll be free to make
a series of decisions as a new
426
00:25:02,967 --> 00:25:07,097
car company in a new auto world.
427
00:25:07,100 --> 00:25:10,730
And I think our goal and
I think their goal, too,
428
00:25:10,734 --> 00:25:15,864
as a business is to produce
profit for its shareholders.
429
00:25:15,867 --> 00:25:18,767
And I can assure you the
President's goal is to get out
430
00:25:18,767 --> 00:25:23,667
of the equity business in
auto companies as quickly as possible.
431
00:25:23,667 --> 00:25:25,897
The Press:
So all of these topics are
for them to wrestle with and
432
00:25:25,900 --> 00:25:27,730
resolve, not for you.
433
00:25:27,734 --> 00:25:29,204
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.
434
00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:31,270
Yes, sir.
435
00:25:31,266 --> 00:25:34,436
The Press:
You're asking for expeditious consideration of Sotomayor,
436
00:25:34,433 --> 00:25:36,533
but is there any
conflict between --
437
00:25:36,533 --> 00:25:40,063
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think the
statistics that I read don't --
438
00:25:40,066 --> 00:25:43,866
I think the average I wouldn't
necessarily believe is "expeditious."
439
00:25:43,867 --> 00:25:48,067
I think it is within the norm of
what you've seen both the last
440
00:25:48,066 --> 00:25:50,336
four and, extending
back even further,
441
00:25:50,333 --> 00:25:54,103
the last nine have gone from
announcements to hearing.
442
00:25:54,100 --> 00:25:57,530
The Press:
Is there any inconsistency between that and both President
443
00:25:57,533 --> 00:26:02,003
Obama and the Vice President
having voted to filibuster the
444
00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:03,770
nomination of Alito?
445
00:26:03,767 --> 00:26:09,467
Mr. Gibbs:
No, I -- look, I think there is timing for when a hearing starts
446
00:26:09,467 --> 00:26:16,337
and then decisions that will be made after those hearings about
447
00:26:16,333 --> 00:26:20,163
each judge -- I'm sorry, about how each senator wishes to vote
448
00:26:20,166 --> 00:26:21,236
on each judge.
449
00:26:21,233 --> 00:26:25,303
The Press:
Why would they -- I mean,
it's a delaying tactic.
450
00:26:25,300 --> 00:26:27,030
So you're saying that
they were still --
451
00:26:27,033 --> 00:26:29,733
that he would still believe he
was justified in supporting what
452
00:26:29,734 --> 00:26:32,504
amounts to a delaying tactic
on a previous Supreme Court
453
00:26:32,500 --> 00:26:38,270
nomination, while trying to move
this forward by the end of the summer --
454
00:26:38,266 --> 00:26:41,736
Mr. Gibbs:
Again, we're talking about -- I'm sure we'll get a chance to
455
00:26:41,734 --> 00:26:47,534
traverse these issues at the conclusion of a hearing based on
456
00:26:47,533 --> 00:26:52,463
after senators have heard the testimony of the nominee and
457
00:26:52,467 --> 00:26:55,867
will render a decision, as they have twice before on this
458
00:26:55,867 --> 00:27:00,397
nominee about whether she should be elevated to the Supreme Court.
459
00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:05,200
The statistics that I read I
think denote that we believe
460
00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:08,930
that from announcement to the
beginning of hearings can be
461
00:27:08,934 --> 00:27:14,664
done well within the norm, put
her hearing probably sometime in mid-July.
462
00:27:14,667 --> 00:27:22,467
And we see the likelihood that
Judge Sotomayor can take part in
463
00:27:22,467 --> 00:27:29,937
the important pre-term work that
the Supreme Court is involved with.
464
00:27:29,934 --> 00:27:31,534
David.
465
00:27:31,533 --> 00:27:33,063
The Press:
Two unrelated question.
466
00:27:33,066 --> 00:27:37,766
But first, on George Tiller,
anything else for the President
467
00:27:37,767 --> 00:27:40,367
to say about that, or any
actions that he or the White
468
00:27:40,367 --> 00:27:43,267
House is contemplating in
the wake of that murder?
469
00:27:43,266 --> 00:27:48,036
Mr. Gibbs:
No, I mean, I think I would simply reiterate and point you
470
00:27:48,033 --> 00:27:50,933
to what the President
said on Sunday.
471
00:27:50,934 --> 00:27:56,664
Obviously it's a
shocking crime and it is,
472
00:27:56,667 --> 00:28:02,337
regardless of whatever your
viewpoint is, no way --
473
00:28:02,333 --> 00:28:04,903
no way at all to
settle differences,
474
00:28:04,900 --> 00:28:10,700
even on something that there's
obviously great disagreement on
475
00:28:10,700 --> 00:28:13,070
throughout this country.
476
00:28:13,066 --> 00:28:17,666
The Press:
And then secondly, when he
meets the King of Saudi Arabia,
477
00:28:17,667 --> 00:28:21,337
are there any specific human
rights issues he's going to raise?
478
00:28:21,333 --> 00:28:25,603
In particular there are some
Saudi critics here who point to
479
00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:29,270
the case of two U.S. citizens, two brothers, who were arrested,
480
00:28:29,266 --> 00:28:31,766
I believe, in March
at some silent vigil,
481
00:28:31,767 --> 00:28:36,497
who face punishment there who are, I'm told, U.S. citizens.
482
00:28:36,500 --> 00:28:38,400
Is that on his radar screen?
483
00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:42,400
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know if that case is something specifically the
484
00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:44,500
President will discuss.
485
00:28:44,500 --> 00:28:47,830
We will certainly look into
that and have a fairly fulsome
486
00:28:47,834 --> 00:28:50,904
readout for you at the
conclusion of the meeting.
487
00:28:50,900 --> 00:28:51,930
April.
488
00:28:51,934 --> 00:28:56,304
The Press:
Robert, back to the
speech in Cairo,
489
00:28:56,300 --> 00:28:58,570
at the end of the four
years, moving forward,
490
00:28:58,567 --> 00:29:01,867
what is the hope of this
administration from this
491
00:29:01,867 --> 00:29:06,637
succession of outreach speeches
from the President to the Muslim world?
492
00:29:06,633 --> 00:29:07,863
What's your hope?
493
00:29:07,867 --> 00:29:16,067
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, it's hard
to -- it may be hard to,
494
00:29:16,066 --> 00:29:24,866
in many ways or in some way, quantify in one term or one figure.
495
00:29:24,867 --> 00:29:31,837
I think what is important is
that we demonstrate that the
496
00:29:31,834 --> 00:29:38,564
United States wants to pursue
a different relationship and
497
00:29:38,567 --> 00:29:42,867
ensure that Muslims around the
world understand the message of
498
00:29:42,867 --> 00:29:48,037
the United States: that we
share common hopes and dreams,
499
00:29:48,033 --> 00:29:52,863
and that we can work together to
fulfill those hopes and dreams,
500
00:29:52,867 --> 00:29:59,837
understanding that there are -- separating that from that the
501
00:29:59,834 --> 00:30:03,564
extremism and extremists
that wish to do us harm.
502
00:30:03,567 --> 00:30:11,237
But I think the great -- as
the President has often said,
503
00:30:11,233 --> 00:30:15,903
we have more in common than
we have disagreement about,
504
00:30:15,900 --> 00:30:19,830
and I think that's what he wants to ensure that the vast majority
505
00:30:19,834 --> 00:30:21,334
of the Muslim world hears.
506
00:30:21,333 --> 00:30:25,333
The Press:
And a follow-up to that, is it mostly about hopes and dreams,
507
00:30:25,333 --> 00:30:31,733
or more about concrete
situations: economics, trade,
508
00:30:31,734 --> 00:30:32,664
things of that nature?
509
00:30:32,667 --> 00:30:33,837
Could you talk about that, too?
510
00:30:33,834 --> 00:30:36,304
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, I think
in many ways it's both.
511
00:30:36,300 --> 00:30:42,400
I think unless you have -- unless we improve economies,
512
00:30:42,400 --> 00:30:44,830
it's hard to have
hopes and dreams.
513
00:30:44,834 --> 00:30:50,704
If we have -- I think if
we don't have security,
514
00:30:50,700 --> 00:30:52,430
it's hard to have
hopes and dreams.
515
00:30:52,433 --> 00:30:57,003
So I think in many ways they're
intertwined in a way that I
516
00:30:57,000 --> 00:31:01,770
think you'll hear the President
continue to spell out in his speech.
517
00:31:01,767 --> 00:31:03,397
Bill.
518
00:31:03,400 --> 00:31:06,330
The Press:
Robert, the Employee Free Choice Act, you've got a full plate,
519
00:31:06,333 --> 00:31:08,363
but that seems to have
gotten pushed aside.
520
00:31:08,367 --> 00:31:10,537
There are some labor leaders who
feel that there has not been
521
00:31:10,533 --> 00:31:13,163
enough vocal support from the
administration on the Employee
522
00:31:13,166 --> 00:31:14,236
Free Choice Act.
523
00:31:14,233 --> 00:31:17,263
So two questions: Is this
something the President
524
00:31:17,266 --> 00:31:20,666
supports, and is it a
priority for this year?
525
00:31:20,667 --> 00:31:23,537
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't have anything new
on it from what we've --
526
00:31:23,533 --> 00:31:26,463
I don't know when the
last time we were asked.
527
00:31:26,467 --> 00:31:29,737
I think you heard the President
talk about his support for it
528
00:31:29,734 --> 00:31:35,034
throughout the campaign, and
it's obviously one of many
529
00:31:35,033 --> 00:31:42,503
things that we will work on
throughout our time here.
530
00:31:42,500 --> 00:31:44,670
The Press:
High priority for this year?
531
00:31:44,667 --> 00:31:45,737
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me check.
532
00:31:45,734 --> 00:31:47,834
I believe it is -- I
believe it is, again,
533
00:31:47,834 --> 00:31:49,834
something the President campaigned on and we'd like to
534
00:31:49,834 --> 00:31:51,404
see happen.
535
00:31:51,400 --> 00:31:52,830
Yes, sir.
536
00:31:52,834 --> 00:31:55,164
The Press:
Robert, I have a
quick question on Cuba.
537
00:31:55,166 --> 00:31:58,136
How did the White House
characterize the decision of
538
00:31:58,133 --> 00:32:00,603
Cuba to restart
negotiations on immigration?
539
00:32:00,600 --> 00:32:04,300
Is this kind of gesture that
the President is expecting for
540
00:32:04,300 --> 00:32:07,730
Havana to take for the
new face of relations --
541
00:32:07,734 --> 00:32:08,734
Mr. Gibbs:
For the migration talks?
542
00:32:08,734 --> 00:32:09,704
The Press:
Yes.
543
00:32:09,700 --> 00:32:13,500
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, I think we are -- we're pleased that the
544
00:32:13,500 --> 00:32:17,470
government has accepted the invitation to resume migration
545
00:32:17,467 --> 00:32:24,067
talks and to engage in discussions about direct mail service.
546
00:32:24,066 --> 00:32:26,096
Obviously they're in
the interest of --
547
00:32:26,100 --> 00:32:29,770
we think in the interest
of both governments.
548
00:32:29,767 --> 00:32:34,267
I think obviously direct mail
service would increase the
549
00:32:34,266 --> 00:32:41,366
ability for the President's
initiative to be able to reach
550
00:32:41,367 --> 00:32:44,197
out directly to the American -- I'm sorry, to the Cuban people
551
00:32:44,200 --> 00:32:47,500
and make communication
greater and easier.
552
00:32:47,500 --> 00:32:51,870
So I think it's --
the President is pleased.
553
00:32:51,867 --> 00:32:52,897
George.
554
00:32:52,900 --> 00:32:54,500
The Press:
I've got two
unrelated questions.
555
00:32:54,500 --> 00:32:57,200
First, do you want to preview
any of the wisdom the Churchill
556
00:32:57,200 --> 00:32:58,700
graduates are going to --
557
00:32:58,700 --> 00:33:00,070
(laughter)
558
00:33:00,066 --> 00:33:02,636
Mr. Gibbs:
No, I think it is important that I not get ahead of the Press
559
00:33:02,633 --> 00:33:03,733
Secretary's speech --
560
00:33:03,734 --> 00:33:04,834
(laughter)
561
00:33:04,834 --> 00:33:07,134
-- later today to --
why do you want to --
562
00:33:07,133 --> 00:33:10,163
you shouldn't up the
pressure on me like that.
563
00:33:10,166 --> 00:33:12,996
I've got enough pressure with my
cousin in the graduating class.
564
00:33:13,000 --> 00:33:15,330
The Press:
Oh, okay, I knew there was
some reason they invited you.
565
00:33:15,333 --> 00:33:20,303
(laughter)
566
00:33:20,300 --> 00:33:21,470
Mr. Gibbs:
Fair enough.
567
00:33:21,467 --> 00:33:23,067
(laughter)
568
00:33:23,066 --> 00:33:25,596
I will point out -- George, I will point out that Montgomery
569
00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:30,670
County public high schools apparently have not just
570
00:33:30,667 --> 00:33:33,967
inexplicably the current
Press Secretary speaking,
571
00:33:33,967 --> 00:33:37,967
but Scott McClellan and Mike McCurry are also speaking,
572
00:33:37,967 --> 00:33:41,397
and so maybe things just happen in threes and well, they needed a third.
573
00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:42,930
(laughter)
574
00:33:42,934 --> 00:33:44,834
The Press:
The second question --
575
00:33:44,834 --> 00:33:46,134
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm going to want to
see the transcript.
576
00:33:46,133 --> 00:33:47,763
(laughter)
577
00:33:47,767 --> 00:33:49,067
Go ahead.
578
00:33:49,066 --> 00:33:52,466
The Press:
The President's message to
the senators on health care --
579
00:33:52,467 --> 00:33:55,197
on the Hill they're saying that
the White House is saying,
580
00:33:55,200 --> 00:33:59,400
we want the markups in June,
whether you have CBO scoring or
581
00:33:59,400 --> 00:34:04,000
not, want a public option and
want a bill by October 1st.
582
00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:04,900
Is that the message --
583
00:34:04,900 --> 00:34:06,430
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm sorry, this is?
584
00:34:06,433 --> 00:34:07,963
The Press:
On health care.
585
00:34:07,967 --> 00:34:09,697
Mr. Gibbs:
Right, but tell me
who's speaking here.
586
00:34:09,700 --> 00:34:12,130
The Press:
On the Hill, some
of the senators --
587
00:34:12,133 --> 00:34:13,903
Mr. Gibbs:
The senators are saying
that's what they want?
588
00:34:13,900 --> 00:34:15,670
The Press:
No, that's what they're
hearing from the White House.
589
00:34:15,667 --> 00:34:16,597
Mr. Gibbs:
Oh, well --
590
00:34:16,600 --> 00:34:17,730
The Press:
Is that the message
of the President?
591
00:34:17,734 --> 00:34:24,464
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, I think, without getting into a lot of specifics,
592
00:34:24,467 --> 00:34:27,567
obviously this is -- we know
we have a sense of what the
593
00:34:27,567 --> 00:34:29,567
legislative calendar is.
594
00:34:29,567 --> 00:34:34,737
I think moving as quickly as
possible to get something done,
595
00:34:34,734 --> 00:34:36,964
as you've heard
the President say,
596
00:34:36,967 --> 00:34:40,697
it's important to get
that done this year.
597
00:34:40,700 --> 00:34:46,400
We can deal with a high cost of
health care in a way that helps
598
00:34:46,400 --> 00:34:49,470
families and small
businesses and creates jobs.
599
00:34:49,467 --> 00:34:51,937
So without getting into the
specifics on a time table,
600
00:34:51,934 --> 00:34:58,334
I think the President is hopeful
that it happens as quickly as we can.
601
00:34:58,333 --> 00:35:02,003
The Press:
On the nomination of Representative McHugh,
602
00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:04,800
last year during the "don't
ask, don't tell" period,
603
00:35:04,800 --> 00:35:07,770
he expressed a deep desire to
move forward with a review of
604
00:35:07,767 --> 00:35:10,837
the policy, and he said, "I
would hope and encourage both
605
00:35:10,834 --> 00:35:13,734
the Department of Defense
and the various services to
606
00:35:13,734 --> 00:35:17,334
reconsider the reluctance they
have displayed to this point."
607
00:35:17,333 --> 00:35:19,763
Was a review of the policy
something that the President
608
00:35:19,767 --> 00:35:22,337
took into consideration
with this nomination?
609
00:35:22,333 --> 00:35:25,963
And will Congressman McHugh be
encouraged to move forward with
610
00:35:25,967 --> 00:35:27,767
talks inside the Department?
611
00:35:27,767 --> 00:35:31,397
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think it is --
I think from --
612
00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:35,430
it's obvious from those
statements and other statements
613
00:35:35,433 --> 00:35:42,363
that Congressman McHugh has made
that he and the President are in
614
00:35:42,367 --> 00:35:47,567
agreement on changing a policy
they both don't think is working
615
00:35:47,567 --> 00:35:49,497
for this country right now.
616
00:35:49,500 --> 00:35:54,030
And it's a priority
of the President's,
617
00:35:54,033 --> 00:36:00,263
and I think for any number of
reasons we have a nominee that
618
00:36:00,266 --> 00:36:03,996
we hope will be confirmed
quickly and will have --
619
00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:07,130
based on his background
and experience,
620
00:36:07,133 --> 00:36:14,403
will help to improve
the lives of the Army.
621
00:36:14,400 --> 00:36:16,470
The Press:
Vice President Biden is
in New York right now.
622
00:36:16,467 --> 00:36:21,667
Last night at a fundraiser
he, in talking about Governor
623
00:36:21,667 --> 00:36:26,897
Paterson called him our
"once and future governor."
624
00:36:26,900 --> 00:36:30,970
It's being viewed very much
as either an endorsement or
625
00:36:30,967 --> 00:36:36,997
certainly a prediction about
his reelection chances.
626
00:36:37,000 --> 00:36:39,870
Is that something that's held -- a view held by the White House
627
00:36:39,867 --> 00:36:45,197
or was Biden
freelancing on that?
628
00:36:45,200 --> 00:36:50,800
Mr. Gibbs:
I have not seen the remark, but let me go see if I can find
629
00:36:50,800 --> 00:36:54,930
that, and see what
the context is.
630
00:36:54,934 --> 00:36:56,464
Yes, ma'am.
631
00:36:56,467 --> 00:36:57,437
Yes, ma'am, you.
632
00:36:57,433 --> 00:36:58,763
The Press:
Thank you, Robert.
633
00:36:58,767 --> 00:37:00,797
This is first time
I got a chance.
634
00:37:00,800 --> 00:37:02,170
(laughter)
635
00:37:02,166 --> 00:37:03,136
Mr. Gibbs:
Long-time listener --
636
00:37:03,133 --> 00:37:04,203
(laughter)
637
00:37:04,200 --> 00:37:05,470
-- first-time caller, right.
638
00:37:05,467 --> 00:37:09,167
(laughter)
639
00:37:09,166 --> 00:37:13,896
The Press:
On North Korea, do you have an update on two U.S. journalists
640
00:37:13,900 --> 00:37:15,730
in North Korea?
641
00:37:15,734 --> 00:37:20,034
Did you hear anything from them?
642
00:37:20,033 --> 00:37:22,263
Mr. Gibbs:
The only update I have that
I know is that the Swedish
643
00:37:22,266 --> 00:37:25,236
ambassador has met with each
of the two detained American
644
00:37:25,233 --> 00:37:26,203
citizen journalists.
645
00:37:26,200 --> 00:37:29,500
But I don't have
anything beyond that.
646
00:37:29,500 --> 00:37:30,800
The Press:
(inaudible)
647
00:37:30,800 --> 00:37:32,930
Mr. Gibbs:
I think that's been there
for a couple of days,
648
00:37:32,934 --> 00:37:34,334
but I don't have
anything beyond that.
649
00:37:34,333 --> 00:37:36,033
I can certainly check with NSC.
650
00:37:36,033 --> 00:37:39,133
Yes, sir.
651
00:37:39,133 --> 00:37:49,033
(cell phone rings)
652
00:37:49,033 --> 00:37:51,663
Mr. Gibbs:
Do you think I should confiscate cell phones at Churchill's --
653
00:37:51,667 --> 00:37:52,797
at the graduation today?
654
00:37:52,800 --> 00:37:54,800
(laughter)
655
00:37:54,800 --> 00:37:56,070
The Press:
Two questions.
656
00:37:56,066 --> 00:38:00,796
A fairly general
question on the GM issue,
657
00:38:00,800 --> 00:38:03,700
with the government actually
taking control of 60% of a
658
00:38:03,700 --> 00:38:06,670
company and putting
$30 billion in it,
659
00:38:06,667 --> 00:38:11,097
could you explain why
specifically the government
660
00:38:11,100 --> 00:38:16,230
should be able to do that
without direct congressional authorization?
661
00:38:16,233 --> 00:38:25,103
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think the money is based on Trouble Asset Relief and is
662
00:38:25,100 --> 00:38:29,700
related to money that was
approved in the prior
663
00:38:29,700 --> 00:38:37,430
administration through
that program to deal with,
664
00:38:37,433 --> 00:38:39,633
as they had in the
past administration,
665
00:38:39,633 --> 00:38:43,863
we were dealing with
loans to cover --
666
00:38:43,867 --> 00:38:49,037
basically to bridge
the operating costs.
667
00:38:49,033 --> 00:38:50,833
Obviously, you know
the history of this,
668
00:38:50,834 --> 00:38:54,704
the companies sought additional
money and the President believed
669
00:38:54,700 --> 00:38:57,630
that their restructuring plans
weren't sufficient enough to
670
00:38:57,633 --> 00:38:59,733
meet the requirements
of viability.
671
00:38:59,734 --> 00:39:05,764
And he's asked them to go back.
672
00:39:05,767 --> 00:39:09,767
We've seen one company emerge
from bankruptcy with a buyer and
673
00:39:09,767 --> 00:39:11,337
another company there now.
674
00:39:11,333 --> 00:39:12,663
The Press:
And if I could
follow up on that.
675
00:39:12,667 --> 00:39:16,897
I mean, could such
a large-scale,
676
00:39:16,900 --> 00:39:18,970
actually taking control
of 60% of the company,
677
00:39:18,967 --> 00:39:22,397
could that be viewed as beyond
anything anybody imagined and
678
00:39:22,400 --> 00:39:24,370
Congress, when they --
679
00:39:24,367 --> 00:39:35,767
Mr. Gibbs:
I can't speak to what people in Congress believed in terms of
680
00:39:35,767 --> 00:39:40,367
their motivations back in
September or October when this
681
00:39:40,367 --> 00:39:41,867
was being debated.
682
00:39:41,867 --> 00:39:46,637
But, look, I can assure you the
President shares any trepidation
683
00:39:46,633 --> 00:39:49,103
and reluctance to do this.
684
00:39:49,100 --> 00:39:51,130
As I said yesterday, if the
President wanted to run an auto
685
00:39:51,133 --> 00:39:54,503
company he could have saved
himself two years running for President.
686
00:39:54,500 --> 00:39:56,730
The Press:
And just one more.
687
00:39:56,734 --> 00:40:01,004
A couple weeks ago John Boehner
added his name to a letter of,
688
00:40:01,000 --> 00:40:04,030
like, 20 or so prominent Catholics asking that the
689
00:40:04,033 --> 00:40:08,403
President remove Harry Knox from the faith-based council for
690
00:40:08,400 --> 00:40:11,030
comments that he made about the Pope and the Catholic Church;
691
00:40:11,033 --> 00:40:14,603
he referred to the Pope
as a discredited leader.
692
00:40:14,600 --> 00:40:17,670
Does the President disagree
with those comments and is he
693
00:40:17,667 --> 00:40:18,967
planning any action on that?
694
00:40:18,967 --> 00:40:21,937
Mr. Gibbs:
I haven't seen that letter,
but I think the President is
695
00:40:21,934 --> 00:40:26,404
comfortable with the makeup of
his faith advisory council.
696
00:40:26,400 --> 00:40:27,400
Thanks, guys.
