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Mr. Gibbs:
Before we get into the
normal drill of things today,
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we do have an
important announcement.
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And we brought today IRS
Commissioner Doug Shulman,
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and Education Secretary Arne
Duncan here to talk about
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something that is extremely
important to millions of
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families each and every year,
and that is the simplification
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of the federal financial
aid application.
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And I will turn it over
to the Commissioner.
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Commissioner Shulman:
Thanks.
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I'm very proud to be here today
on behalf of the IRS and the
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Treasury Department, to partner
with the Department of Education
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to be part of the President's
initiative to simplify the
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student financial aid
application process.
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The current application is
lengthy and burdensome --
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and the Secretary brought
a chart you can see --
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it becomes an endurance test for
students and their families.
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They're faced with pages of
financial information --
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financial information they don't
even need to put on their tax
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forms, and many simply
don't apply for aid.
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It's a great loss for students,
it's a great loss for families,
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and it's a great
loss for the nation.
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However, by removing needless
obstacles and using data that
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the IRS already has, we can
put students on the path to a
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college education and
the road to success.
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This is a real example, I think,
of this administration having
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agencies work together and
departments work together not to
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further the IRS's goal or the
Education Department's goal,
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but really to further the
goals of the American people.
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And so I'm very proud to support
the Secretary on this effort.
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Secretary Duncan:
Thank you, Doug.
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This is a really exciting day
for us and I want to thank a
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number of people before I begin.
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First, to our Treasury Secretary
Tim Geithner for his leadership;
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to Doug and the IRS -- and
it was actually interesting,
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we have lots of people internally and externally who
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said the IRS will
never participate,
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they'll never do anything --
and these guys have moved at
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lightning speed and it's really been because of Doug's great leadership.
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So thank you so
much for pushing.
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And as you may know, Rahm
Emmanuel, the Chief of Staff,
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worked very, very hard on
this when he was in Congress.
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So all that collective
effort has been great.
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Internally, Bob Shyman has been
the driving force on our team.
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I want to thank Bob for
all of his hard work.
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And the real innovation and
creativity has really come from
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our career staff, and there are
four people I want to thank
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quickly: Michelle Brown,
Shamarli Kollock, Ginger Klock,
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and Andrew Jones.
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They're the ones that
made this happen.
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Today I'm proud to announce
another major step to make
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college more affordable and
accessible for students.
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We have made major changes to
the federal student application
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form, known as FAFSA.
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The debate about how to simplify
FAFSA I think has been going on
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for over 20 years, so this
change is long, long overdue.
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In the past students who were
looking to apply for aid online
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were presented with over 29
screens filled with questions --
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you get a little bit of a sense
here of the reality of what our
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young people are facing.
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It was an intimidating hurdle.
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Too many students who qualified
found applying for student loans
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was too difficult to understand.
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Too often, they simply got
frustrated and they gave up.
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The form itself was literally
a barrier to entry in college.
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That has to change; it was
something that was of great
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consternation to me when
I was back in Chicago.
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That's why we've worked hard to
make the form shorter, simpler,
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and more user-friendly.
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Next year's applicants should see a 20% reduction in the
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number of questions and a 50% reduction in the number of
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webpages to navigate.
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And I'll try and give you a
little bit of before and after.
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This is before.
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And this is after.
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Instead of navigating through
every possible question,
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whether it applied
to you or not,
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applicants will only be
presented with the questions
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relevant to them based
upon previous answers.
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For example, if you indicate
that your mailing address is in
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Chicago and you plan on
attending the University of
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Illinois, we won't follow up by
asking you if you're a resident.
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In the coming months, we will
further modernize the online
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application by creating an easy
process for students to apply by
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using data that the
IRS already has.
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The improvements will reduce
the burden on the 16 million
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students and families who apply
for federal financial aid every
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year, and are designed to help
increase college enrollment
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among low-income and
middle-income students by making
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it easier to apply
for financial aid.
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We absolutely have to educate
our way to a better economy.
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Our young people and adult
learners deserve the chance to
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go to college and to know the
money they need is available.
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Earlier this year, as you know,
the President laid out a very,
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very clear goal -- that America will once again have the highest
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proportion of college
graduates in the world.
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The administration has taken
several important steps in that direction.
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In addition to Vice President
Biden's work on college
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affordability through the
Middle Class Task Force,
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we've made changes to the direct
loan program that will help make
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it a more reliable, stable, and
efficient resource for students
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and for parents.
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In the Recovery Act, we provided
$14 billion in tuition tax
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credits, and $17 billion to
shore up the Pell grant program.
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Now we're taking steps to make
sure that there are no more
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budget shortfalls in the Pell
program by making it a mandatory
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part of the budget.
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We also plan to create
incentives to reward
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universities that keep
tuition costs down.
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And we have proposed $2.5
billion in funding for states to
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improve college completion
rates attainment for low-income students.
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These are all important steps in
increasing access to college and
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opportunity for
America's students.
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Thank you.
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The Press:
What's the total amount of
loans that are outstanding
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at this point?
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Secretary Duncan:
Very, very significant.
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Bob, do you know?
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Yes, half a trillion dollars.
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Yes, sir.
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The Press:
How much should universities be held accountable for the fact
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that they -- they took advantage of the fact that students had
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easy access to credit, so they jacked up their tuition rates?
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And now, you know, you guys are
announcing all of these student
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loan things that -- and you
said you're providing some assistance.
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Can you talk more
about what it is --
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how you can encourage
these universities that --
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maybe they overpriced
their education?
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Secretary Duncan:
We're going to put --
we're thinking this through
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collectively, but we want to put significant incentives on the
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table to reward those universities that are keeping
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tuition costs down.
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But I really think the
marketplace is going to correct this.
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What you're seeing
now is, you know,
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families have thousands of
great colleges to choose from.
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And going to college has
never been more important,
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it's never been more expensive,
and families have never been
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under more financial stress
and duress, as you guys know.
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And what you're seeing is more
universities starting to think
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creatively, whether it's
three-year options,
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whether it's no-frills campuses.
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And you know, our parents are
smart, our students are smart.
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In places where costs
are skyrocketing,
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I can think you're going to see
people vote with their feet.
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The Press:
What are the incentives?
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Secretary Duncan:
Well, we're working
through that package now.
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We're going to create some
financial incentives to really
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reward those universities that
are doing the right thing.
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The Press:
I mean, when you say that,
is it more research dollars,
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stuff like that?
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Secretary Duncan:
Yes, more money.
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More money.
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We're going to put money on the
table to reward people who are
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doing the right thing -- we
want to do the right incentive package.
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Yes, sir.
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The Press:
Can I ask Mr. Shulman something?
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I know that the IRS right now
is working on the President's
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efforts to close the tax gap.
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You're getting more
IRS agents on the job.
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I'm wondering how big a
responsibility this is for the
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IRS and what kind of burden or
extra resources you might have
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to deal with this?
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Commissioner Shulman:
As you said, closing the
tax gap is a major priority.
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The President gave us
significant new resources in the
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budget that's been
sent for 2010.
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You know, we also have a
huge service organization.
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There's a lot of Americans who
are just trying to pay the right
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amount of taxes.
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We have phone operators, we have
a heavily-trafficked website.
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And so this folds right in with
our view that what we need to do
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is help American
people where we can.
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This is something that we
can do that demonstrates that
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government can work together.
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We can do it in a way that
isn't going to divert a lot of
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resources, especially -- it won't divert any enforcement resources.
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The Press:
Can you just explain a little bit more what the IRS's role is
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going to be in helping --
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Commissioner Shulman:
Yes, it's very simple.
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The Department of Education
owns the FAFSA form.
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It's responsible
for getting it out,
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but there's a lot of
financial questions,
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and a lot of those
questions right now,
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people have to tick and tie
between their tax form and FAFSA
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with complicated questions.
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So we're actually working with
the Department of Education.
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When you're online, you'll be
able to hit a button and say,
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do you want to go
get your IRS data?
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A screen will pop up; you'll get
yourself into the IRS website
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and we'll feed back to the
taxpayer the exact data that
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they need to put on the FAFSA.
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So it's -- you know, we have a web application that lets you
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know where's your refund, where's a lot of different information.
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This will just be one of
those web applications.
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The Press:
Mr. Duncan, I want to ask you, are financial aid stipends and
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Pell grants going to students
instead of directly to the
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university still?
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Is that still the case?
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Secretary Duncan:
Yes, yes.
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And again, I just want to be
clear: this form itself was a
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huge barrier to entry.
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This was something that was
literally preventing tens of
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thousands, hundreds of thousands
of students from around the
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country from going to college
that couldn't negotiate this form.
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And so I just want to thank both
teams for working so hard to fix this.
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Yes, ma'am.
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The Press:
I understand this administration wants to make sure that colleges
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and universities are getting
the Pell grant monies.
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I understand that, what is it,
$637 million is expected to go
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to HBCUs from Pell grant money,
but many of the university
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presidents are very
upset, saying, you know,
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we may not get this money, all
of the money that is allocated,
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because it goes to the students.
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And sometimes you have
to rob Peter to pay Paul,
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some of these
students are saying.
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Secretary Duncan:
No, I really don't see
it that way at all.
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What we want to do is
dramatically increase access for
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families -- middle-income families, low-income families.
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On the HBCUs, our estimate is
actually over the next decade,
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over the next 10 years,
there will be an additional
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$3.2 billion that will
go to those universities.
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So think of all the students out
there who don't have access,
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will have much more access.
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We're increasing the dollars
involved in the Pell grant each
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year, as well.
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And so this is a huge win, long
term, for the universities,
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but most importantly for young
people who have this college dream.
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And I worry a lot about this.
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This is part of the reason we
want to make the Pell grant mandatory.
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I worry a lot about dreams
dying young for children,
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that at nine and 10 and
11 years old, smart kids,
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kids that are working hard, if
mom or dad loses their job or
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takes a big pay cut, they
might start thinking,
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college isn't for me.
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So it's like saying this
money is going to be there,
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00:10:55,867 --> 00:10:57,967
regardless of the craziness that
your family might be dealing with.
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We think it's very important.
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The Press:
But even though they give
the checks personally,
237
00:11:01,333 --> 00:11:03,503
you believe that the vast
majority of the money still goes
238
00:11:03,500 --> 00:11:04,470
to the college?
239
00:11:04,467 --> 00:11:05,897
Secretary Duncan:
Yes, it's creating access
for students to go to
240
00:11:05,900 --> 00:11:07,230
college, absolutely.
241
00:11:07,233 --> 00:11:08,403
That's what it does.
242
00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:10,370
The Press:
But given the kind of budget pressure many states are under,
243
00:11:10,367 --> 00:11:13,267
do you find that many states are
having to raise tuition right
244
00:11:13,266 --> 00:11:15,466
now, even if you're
trying to increase aid?
245
00:11:15,467 --> 00:11:17,437
Secretary Duncan:
Yes, sure, some universities
are raising tuition,
246
00:11:17,433 --> 00:11:18,933
but what we're seeing
is the question --
247
00:11:18,934 --> 00:11:21,534
as we said earlier, we see some
places where it's skyrocketing.
248
00:11:21,533 --> 00:11:24,033
And so what we want to do is
really reward those folks that
249
00:11:24,033 --> 00:11:26,063
despite the budget pressures
everybody is feeling --
250
00:11:26,066 --> 00:11:28,896
universities, states, local
governments, families --
251
00:11:28,900 --> 00:11:31,700
we want to reward those places
that are doing the right thing.
252
00:11:31,700 --> 00:11:34,170
And we also want to have a
greater focus going forward on attainment.
253
00:11:34,166 --> 00:11:38,536
So, again, we have $2.5 billion
in the FY'010 budget to reward
254
00:11:38,533 --> 00:11:41,333
and to help build a culture at
those universities where it's
255
00:11:41,333 --> 00:11:43,403
not just about students
getting in the front door,
256
00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:47,270
but where they're graduating
with that piece of paper.
257
00:11:47,266 --> 00:11:50,196
The Press:
I noticed that the IRS
pre-population for FAFSA is
258
00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:51,700
spring filers only.
259
00:11:51,700 --> 00:11:54,570
What percentage of FAFSA
filers does this constitute,
260
00:11:54,567 --> 00:11:58,237
and do you plan to expand it to
all FAFSA filers eventually?
261
00:11:58,233 --> 00:12:01,003
Secretary Duncan:
Yes, we're going to pilot it obviously in January with those
262
00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:02,900
students that are starting
school then and then go look for
263
00:12:02,900 --> 00:12:05,500
the following year to do
it on a more broad basis.
264
00:12:05,500 --> 00:12:08,600
It gives us a chance to really
test this thing and figure it out.
265
00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:10,730
The Press:
Was the thinking of going with the spring semester to avoid the
266
00:12:10,734 --> 00:12:14,104
prior prior-year issue and the
tax data not being out of date?
267
00:12:14,100 --> 00:12:15,900
Secretary Duncan:
And also just to pilot, make sure we're doing this right
268
00:12:15,900 --> 00:12:17,300
before you go
nationwide, you know,
269
00:12:17,300 --> 00:12:19,570
start it on a smaller number
and make sure we're doing this
270
00:12:19,567 --> 00:12:22,897
exactly right.
271
00:12:22,900 --> 00:12:24,930
The Press:
You talked about reducing
the amount of paperwork.
272
00:12:24,934 --> 00:12:27,904
Do you have any idea of how
much time would be reduced?
273
00:12:27,900 --> 00:12:29,100
Secretary Duncan:
Yes, we're trying to
get those estimates.
274
00:12:29,100 --> 00:12:30,700
We think it's a very
significant amount of time.
275
00:12:30,700 --> 00:12:32,330
I don't have a hard
number on that,
276
00:12:32,333 --> 00:12:35,233
but when you think about
dramatically fewer questions,
277
00:12:35,233 --> 00:12:38,203
half the number screens, we
think the time savings is going
278
00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:40,600
to be very, very significant.
279
00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:41,900
And it's not just --
it's not just the time,
280
00:12:41,900 --> 00:12:44,500
it's the complication, it's
the degree of difficulty.
281
00:12:44,500 --> 00:12:46,100
You've got to worry a lot
about families that are
282
00:12:46,100 --> 00:12:48,630
first-generation going to
college families, you know,
283
00:12:48,633 --> 00:12:50,233
English the second language.
284
00:12:50,233 --> 00:12:51,933
That first slide is
pretty intimidating.
285
00:12:51,934 --> 00:12:55,904
This thing is a little
bit more friendly.
286
00:12:55,900 --> 00:12:57,900
The Press:
If this means that more students will fill out the application
287
00:12:57,900 --> 00:12:59,500
and more students will
get student loans,
288
00:12:59,500 --> 00:13:02,330
do you have an estimate of how
much more it's going to cost, ultimately?
289
00:13:02,333 --> 00:13:04,563
Secretary Duncan:
I don't have a firm
estimate on that.
290
00:13:04,567 --> 00:13:05,967
But, again, we think
that's not a cost,
291
00:13:05,967 --> 00:13:07,197
we think that's an investment.
292
00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,170
We think the best thing we can
do as a country is have more
293
00:13:09,166 --> 00:13:10,596
young people going
on to college.
294
00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:12,430
So we think this is absolutely
the right thing to do.
295
00:13:12,433 --> 00:13:14,533
This has to cease being
a barrier to entry.
296
00:13:14,533 --> 00:13:15,933
The Press:
So you'll expand
the pool of money?
297
00:13:15,934 --> 00:13:17,634
Secretary Duncan:
Yes, we want to take
care of our kids.
298
00:13:17,633 --> 00:13:19,533
What we actually have
now -- it's interesting,
299
00:13:19,533 --> 00:13:22,133
we have significant resources in the Pell grant program that go
300
00:13:22,133 --> 00:13:23,663
unused each year.
301
00:13:23,667 --> 00:13:25,637
We think part of the reason it
goes unused is because this
302
00:13:25,633 --> 00:13:27,263
thing scares people off.
303
00:13:27,266 --> 00:13:29,666
And so we may have to increase
the pool; we may not.
304
00:13:29,667 --> 00:13:32,267
We may just have more people
taking advantage of the
305
00:13:32,266 --> 00:13:34,296
resources that are
already out there.
306
00:13:34,300 --> 00:13:35,600
Yes, ma'am.
307
00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:36,800
The Press:
Thank you.
308
00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:39,730
A high percentage of
Hispanic students,
309
00:13:39,734 --> 00:13:42,004
because of their
parents being poor,
310
00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:47,130
their fathers losing their jobs,
they cannot afford to go to college.
311
00:13:47,133 --> 00:13:48,233
And that's their dream.
312
00:13:48,233 --> 00:13:51,803
They want to go to college to
have a better life than maybe
313
00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:54,000
their parents.
314
00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:57,370
How can we get this
information to them?
315
00:13:57,367 --> 00:13:58,597
Secretary Duncan:
That's a great question.
316
00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:01,870
We're actually going to launch
a campaign starting this fall,
317
00:14:01,867 --> 00:14:04,667
the upcoming school year, to
make sure that every high school
318
00:14:04,667 --> 00:14:06,667
student knows that
this is available.
319
00:14:06,667 --> 00:14:08,597
And to be clear, what we want is
not just to campaign for high
320
00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:11,370
school students, but if we can
move the Pell grants to the
321
00:14:11,367 --> 00:14:14,267
mandatory side of the budget -- I want to get that message out,
322
00:14:14,266 --> 00:14:16,166
again, to 10- and 11-
and 12-year-olds,
323
00:14:16,166 --> 00:14:17,596
because I worry
about those families,
324
00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:20,230
where the dream starts
to die at an early age.
325
00:14:20,233 --> 00:14:23,633
And so this is a campaign to do
the right thing and to spread the word.
326
00:14:23,633 --> 00:14:25,903
The fact that we have money
that goes unused each year is
327
00:14:25,900 --> 00:14:27,570
absolutely crazy; it's
no good for families,
328
00:14:27,567 --> 00:14:29,067
no good for the country.
329
00:14:29,066 --> 00:14:31,496
And so we're going to work very,
very hard to publicize this
330
00:14:31,500 --> 00:14:34,300
around the country so that
students know if they work hard,
331
00:14:34,300 --> 00:14:36,600
if they have that dream, we're
going to try and meet them more
332
00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:37,430
than halfway.
333
00:14:37,433 --> 00:14:41,063
That's very important.
334
00:14:41,066 --> 00:14:43,066
The Press:
I understand that part of this would require legislation.
335
00:14:43,066 --> 00:14:45,336
What are some of the key things
that would require that and
336
00:14:45,333 --> 00:14:47,033
what's your read on Congress --
337
00:14:47,033 --> 00:14:48,703
Secretary Duncan:
This part requires
no legislation.
338
00:14:48,700 --> 00:14:49,930
So this is a done deal.
339
00:14:49,934 --> 00:14:50,904
This is moving.
340
00:14:50,900 --> 00:14:53,570
There are some other questions
about other assets family
341
00:14:53,567 --> 00:14:56,297
members have that would
require us to go to Congress.
342
00:14:56,300 --> 00:14:57,670
We want to do that.
343
00:14:57,667 --> 00:15:00,067
Chairman Miller has been very,
very supportive and we're hoping
344
00:15:00,066 --> 00:15:01,296
that will move, as well.
345
00:15:01,300 --> 00:15:03,500
So this is a very, very
significant first step,
346
00:15:03,500 --> 00:15:06,730
but there are subsequent
steps that will --
347
00:15:06,734 --> 00:15:11,004
the partnership with the IRS,
and then even removing further
348
00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,100
questions from the form we think
will get the thing simpler and simpler.
349
00:15:14,100 --> 00:15:16,670
So we're going to keep pushing
hard in this direction.
350
00:15:16,667 --> 00:15:18,367
The Press:
Can I ask a question
about a separate subject,
351
00:15:18,367 --> 00:15:21,037
but having to do with education?
352
00:15:21,033 --> 00:15:23,403
It's about the race to the top.
353
00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:28,570
Are you worried at all the
states are going to run out of money?
354
00:15:28,567 --> 00:15:29,697
I'm sorry, not run
out of money --
355
00:15:29,700 --> 00:15:31,770
miss out on money, in
the race to the top,
356
00:15:31,767 --> 00:15:34,337
in the $5 billion
that you can allocate?
357
00:15:34,333 --> 00:15:35,733
Secretary Duncan:
It's not about states
missing out on money.
358
00:15:35,734 --> 00:15:37,504
What we're going to do is
we're going to invest very
359
00:15:37,500 --> 00:15:39,970
significantly in a number of
states who are going to lead the
360
00:15:39,967 --> 00:15:41,467
country where we need to go.
361
00:15:41,467 --> 00:15:42,897
It's going to be
very competitive.
362
00:15:42,900 --> 00:15:44,770
We'll be coming out in the next
couple of weeks with what that
363
00:15:44,767 --> 00:15:46,667
application is
going to look like.
364
00:15:46,667 --> 00:15:48,897
As you know, with the
President's tremendous
365
00:15:48,900 --> 00:15:50,830
leadership and
Congress's support,
366
00:15:50,834 --> 00:15:52,264
we have unprecedented resources.
367
00:15:52,266 --> 00:15:55,196
But we're being very clear, with
unprecedented resources has to
368
00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:57,000
come unprecedented reform.
369
00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:58,970
And if all we're doing is
investing in the status quo,
370
00:15:58,967 --> 00:16:01,297
that's not going to get
us where we need to go.
371
00:16:01,300 --> 00:16:04,170
So we're going to invest lots of
money in a number of states that
372
00:16:04,166 --> 00:16:06,266
will literally lead the
country where we need to go.
373
00:16:06,266 --> 00:16:08,196
I think we've had a race to the
bottom around the country --
374
00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:09,700
that has to stop.
375
00:16:09,700 --> 00:16:11,770
And it will be a
competitive process.
376
00:16:11,767 --> 00:16:14,397
We're going to be very, very
objective and transparent about
377
00:16:14,400 --> 00:16:17,500
this, and we want a set of
states to demonstrate to the
378
00:16:17,500 --> 00:16:19,970
country what's possible
educationally.
379
00:16:19,967 --> 00:16:21,937
We'll probably do
this in two rounds,
380
00:16:21,934 --> 00:16:23,834
so states that don't get in the
first round will have a chance
381
00:16:23,834 --> 00:16:26,504
to go back and look at
where they're deficient.
382
00:16:26,500 --> 00:16:28,600
And every state that doesn't
-- who applies who doesn't get
383
00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:30,500
through, we'll send
them a letter saying,
384
00:16:30,500 --> 00:16:32,730
this is where you missed and this is what you have to work on.
385
00:16:32,734 --> 00:16:35,364
But investing in the status quo
is not going to get our country
386
00:16:35,367 --> 00:16:36,267
where we need to go.
387
00:16:36,266 --> 00:16:39,396
This is about a very
strong reform agenda.
388
00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:41,400
Mr. Gibbs:
Thanks, guys.
389
00:17:02,233 --> 00:17:07,033
Just one quick announcement
before we get going with questions.
390
00:17:07,033 --> 00:17:12,463
On his upcoming trip
overseas, on Friday, July 10th,
391
00:17:12,467 --> 00:17:16,537
the President will visit with
the Holy Father Pope Benedict
392
00:17:16,533 --> 00:17:21,703
XVI to discuss a
range of issues,
393
00:17:21,700 --> 00:17:26,530
including their shared belief
in the dignity of all people.
394
00:17:26,533 --> 00:17:28,863
That's on the upcoming trip.
395
00:17:28,867 --> 00:17:30,267
The Press:
Does he have a church --
396
00:17:30,266 --> 00:17:34,096
Mr. Gibbs:
I can assure you, April, we're not joining a church in Italy.
397
00:17:34,100 --> 00:17:36,630
(laughter)
398
00:17:36,633 --> 00:17:37,863
The Press:
I didn't ask that.
399
00:17:37,867 --> 00:17:38,897
Mr. Gibbs:
I know.
400
00:17:38,900 --> 00:17:39,730
But you know what I did?
401
00:17:39,734 --> 00:17:41,234
I just fast-forwarded
right to the follow-up.
402
00:17:41,233 --> 00:17:42,803
(laughter)
403
00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:44,370
I'm going to do that -- that's actually what I'm going to do
404
00:17:44,367 --> 00:17:45,097
all today.
405
00:17:45,100 --> 00:17:46,900
So if I don't answer
your question,
406
00:17:46,900 --> 00:17:49,400
I will presume your follow-up
and answer that instead.
407
00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:50,700
(laughter)
408
00:17:50,700 --> 00:17:52,670
The Press:
That's very efficient.
409
00:17:52,667 --> 00:17:55,997
Mr. Gibbs:
Right, this will be
like a 10-minute deal.
410
00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:58,900
The Press:
Is Mrs. Obama going to
the Vatican, as well?
411
00:17:58,900 --> 00:18:03,230
Mr. Gibbs:
She will, as far as I know,
be on the entire trip, yes.
412
00:18:03,233 --> 00:18:04,233
The Press:
Okay.
413
00:18:04,233 --> 00:18:07,933
Syria, sending an ambassador, U.S. ambassador to Syria.
414
00:18:07,934 --> 00:18:13,134
Was there any behavioral or
policy change or discussion on
415
00:18:13,133 --> 00:18:15,963
Syria's part that
prompted this decision?
416
00:18:15,967 --> 00:18:21,737
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, Jennifer, I think you know that we have had a series of
417
00:18:21,734 --> 00:18:27,734
meetings with administration
officials and Syrian leadership.
418
00:18:27,734 --> 00:18:33,734
I think this strongly reflects
the administration's recognition
419
00:18:33,734 --> 00:18:40,064
of the role Syria plays and the
hope of the role that the Syrian
420
00:18:40,066 --> 00:18:43,366
government can play
constructively to promote peace
421
00:18:43,367 --> 00:18:45,637
and stability in the region.
422
00:18:45,633 --> 00:18:50,103
And it continues the President's
call to be more fully engaged in
423
00:18:50,100 --> 00:18:51,700
the region.
424
00:18:51,700 --> 00:18:54,870
So there have been a series
of meetings throughout the
425
00:18:54,867 --> 00:18:56,867
beginning of this
administration.
426
00:18:56,867 --> 00:18:59,637
The Press:
But no policy change
on their part?
427
00:18:59,633 --> 00:19:05,833
Mr. Gibbs:
Not anything explicit in order for the President to move to
428
00:19:05,834 --> 00:19:09,964
fulfill his promise to more
fully engage in the region.
429
00:19:09,967 --> 00:19:11,437
The Press:
Robert --
430
00:19:11,433 --> 00:19:12,633
Mr. Gibbs:
Hold on one second,
let me go here.
431
00:19:12,633 --> 00:19:13,603
Yes.
432
00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:17,470
The Press:
Sort of on a related subject, as you're now sending an ambassador
433
00:19:17,467 --> 00:19:21,437
to Syria, on the
subject of Iran,
434
00:19:21,433 --> 00:19:24,903
the leaders there continue to blame the U.S. and the West for
435
00:19:24,900 --> 00:19:28,300
the protest that
occurred afterwards.
436
00:19:28,300 --> 00:19:32,700
Does that just make it more
difficult to engage Iran as
437
00:19:32,700 --> 00:19:35,170
President Obama has indicated
he's willing to do?
438
00:19:35,166 --> 00:19:38,436
Does that push that off for
later in this year or even
439
00:19:38,433 --> 00:19:39,803
longer, at the earliest?
440
00:19:39,800 --> 00:19:43,800
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think the President addressed this pretty clearly
441
00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:50,300
yesterday, in the notion that
the focus right now is on --
442
00:19:50,300 --> 00:19:53,570
our focus right now are on the
events that are ongoing on the
443
00:19:53,567 --> 00:20:01,137
ground that we've watched for
the past many days since the election.
444
00:20:01,133 --> 00:20:03,403
Again, there is,
I think I said --
445
00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:06,070
I said this recently, or
said this to somebody --
446
00:20:06,066 --> 00:20:09,736
that there's an outstanding
direct request that the
447
00:20:09,734 --> 00:20:15,234
P5-plus-1 made to
Iran on April the 8th,
448
00:20:15,233 --> 00:20:22,103
an invitation that has yet
to be responded by them.
449
00:20:22,100 --> 00:20:23,230
Yes, sir.
450
00:20:23,233 --> 00:20:27,133
The Press:
During the campaign,
then-Senator Obama and
451
00:20:27,133 --> 00:20:31,663
then-Senator Clinton fought
quite a bit about the question
452
00:20:31,667 --> 00:20:33,167
of individual mandates.
453
00:20:33,166 --> 00:20:37,766
And the President, I understand,
said to Diane Sawyer that his
454
00:20:37,767 --> 00:20:40,067
thinking has evolved
on the issue.
455
00:20:40,066 --> 00:20:42,136
Can you just explain the process
by which his thinking has
456
00:20:42,133 --> 00:20:47,203
evolved and why it has, and why
he has changed his position?
457
00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:50,870
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think -- look, I think what's paramount in this, Jake,
458
00:20:50,867 --> 00:20:56,037
is that as the process moves
forward in the Senate and the
459
00:20:56,033 --> 00:21:04,603
House, the President wants to be
flexible to the degree to which
460
00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:06,900
a piece of legislation
will come forward.
461
00:21:06,900 --> 00:21:12,770
In terms of ensuring that
everyone is covered,
462
00:21:12,767 --> 00:21:22,197
the President is now
open to this idea.
463
00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:26,330
I think there have been -- in discussions with all the parties
464
00:21:26,333 --> 00:21:32,833
and stakeholders involved, there has been discussion about --
465
00:21:32,834 --> 00:21:37,434
that it will be harder to get
everyone at the table to stay at
466
00:21:37,433 --> 00:21:45,363
the table if you're not getting
that larger universe of people covered.
467
00:21:45,367 --> 00:21:47,437
And I believe that on both
the left and the right.
468
00:21:47,433 --> 00:21:49,303
The Press:
Does he see --
469
00:21:49,300 --> 00:21:52,100
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me also say that -- and I think as the President said in
470
00:21:52,100 --> 00:21:57,430
the interview -- there are a lot of obviously specifics to work
471
00:21:57,433 --> 00:22:02,333
out, including -- he's a big believer in the notion that
472
00:22:02,333 --> 00:22:06,833
there has to be a pretty stringent hardship waiver.
473
00:22:06,834 --> 00:22:08,504
I think the President said
throughout the campaign,
474
00:22:08,500 --> 00:22:12,330
very few people can afford it -- don't have it because they can
475
00:22:12,333 --> 00:22:15,863
afford and don't want it; it's because they can't afford it.
476
00:22:15,867 --> 00:22:20,037
If the help that they're getting
is still not sufficient enough
477
00:22:20,033 --> 00:22:23,163
to have them afford it, then
we have to examine a robust
478
00:22:23,166 --> 00:22:24,636
hardship waiver.
479
00:22:24,633 --> 00:22:29,903
The Press:
Does he have any specific lines that he would not cross when it
480
00:22:29,900 --> 00:22:31,970
comes to what
penalty people get?
481
00:22:31,967 --> 00:22:34,667
And does he view health
insurance the same way that some
482
00:22:34,667 --> 00:22:37,837
people view -- well, the same way that all states view auto
483
00:22:37,834 --> 00:22:39,404
insurance -- if
you want to drive,
484
00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:40,700
you have to have car insurance?
485
00:22:40,700 --> 00:22:46,530
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know that -- I've not heard him speak about the first
486
00:22:46,533 --> 00:22:49,963
part, about the specifics or details of something like that,
487
00:22:49,967 --> 00:22:52,697
except for the broader
hardship waiver.
488
00:22:52,700 --> 00:22:53,600
Yes, sir.
489
00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:56,100
The Press:
Robert, can you tell us a little bit more about what was in the
490
00:22:56,100 --> 00:22:59,230
letter that was sent to the
Ayatollah prior to the elections
491
00:22:59,233 --> 00:23:00,303
in Iran?
492
00:23:00,300 --> 00:23:04,600
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think as
each of you know,
493
00:23:04,600 --> 00:23:11,100
the administration has indicated
a willingness to talk with the
494
00:23:11,100 --> 00:23:14,530
leadership in Iran and have
sought to communicate with the
495
00:23:14,533 --> 00:23:18,803
Iranian people in
a variety of ways.
496
00:23:18,800 --> 00:23:24,770
But I am not going to get into
anything other than the notion
497
00:23:24,767 --> 00:23:29,367
that you all understand the
President has spoken throughout
498
00:23:29,367 --> 00:23:31,237
the campaign about
being engaged.
499
00:23:31,233 --> 00:23:34,833
The Press:
And is that communication continuing at this time?
500
00:23:34,834 --> 00:23:41,564
Mr. Gibbs:
There has been no communication with Iranian officials since
501
00:23:41,567 --> 00:23:42,337
the election.
502
00:23:42,333 --> 00:23:48,163
But I'm not going to confirm
or deny anything around this.
503
00:23:48,166 --> 00:23:51,436
The Press:
And then briefly, we had -- there was a woman on the phone
504
00:23:51,433 --> 00:23:55,203
with CNN describing some of the violence that was taking place
505
00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:57,630
as people were leaving a mosque.
506
00:23:57,633 --> 00:24:00,803
What has the administration been
able to find out about this
507
00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:04,730
incident, and is there -- are you troubled at all by this
508
00:24:04,734 --> 00:24:06,704
continuing violence
on the ground?
509
00:24:06,700 --> 00:24:07,970
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I mean, absolutely.
510
00:24:07,967 --> 00:24:16,267
I think you heard the President
address this yesterday.
511
00:24:16,266 --> 00:24:18,636
You know, obviously, there are
many here at the White House
512
00:24:18,633 --> 00:24:22,033
that continue to
monitor the situation.
513
00:24:22,033 --> 00:24:31,263
The President is updated
routinely on what we see and,
514
00:24:31,266 --> 00:24:37,796
obviously, continues, as he's
expressed since the Monday after
515
00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:41,630
the election, great concern
about the violence.
516
00:24:41,633 --> 00:24:43,163
The Press:
Can I just follow?
517
00:24:43,166 --> 00:24:44,596
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.
518
00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:46,970
The Press:
Thank you, Robert.
519
00:24:46,967 --> 00:24:51,737
Since President spoke in Turkey
and also in Cairo in Egypt,
520
00:24:51,734 --> 00:24:53,704
and also yesterday at
the press conference,
521
00:24:53,700 --> 00:24:57,070
he made it very clear that his
message would go very loud and
522
00:24:57,066 --> 00:24:59,366
clear in the Muslim world.
523
00:24:59,367 --> 00:25:01,397
But since -- (inaudible) -- told me that they are not hearing yet
524
00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:02,730
his message.
525
00:25:02,734 --> 00:25:06,734
You think he's going to change
any strategy or any new way to
526
00:25:06,734 --> 00:25:08,434
reach them out?
527
00:25:08,433 --> 00:25:09,803
And also, Chinese --
528
00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:11,200
Mr. Gibbs:
Do you mean the
larger Muslim world,
529
00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:13,230
or do you mean the Islamic --
530
00:25:13,233 --> 00:25:14,133
The Press:
Yes, in Iran.
531
00:25:14,133 --> 00:25:14,903
Yes, sir.
532
00:25:14,900 --> 00:25:15,830
But also --
533
00:25:15,834 --> 00:25:17,934
Mr. Gibbs:
I mean, I think from what I
can read in the newspaper,
534
00:25:17,934 --> 00:25:23,734
I think there are a number
of Iranians that are --
535
00:25:23,734 --> 00:25:26,664
or at least, I read a couple of
articles in the newspaper this
536
00:25:26,667 --> 00:25:32,037
morning that denoted that some
of those messages that the
537
00:25:32,033 --> 00:25:33,933
President has talked
about have been heard.
538
00:25:33,934 --> 00:25:40,264
I think you saw that we went to
some lengths yesterday to ensure
539
00:25:40,266 --> 00:25:46,896
that what the President said was
translated in a way that was
540
00:25:46,900 --> 00:25:51,900
protected in terms of ensuring
that we were comfortable with
541
00:25:51,900 --> 00:25:55,100
that translation.
542
00:25:55,100 --> 00:25:57,770
But I would separate this from
the broader engagement of the world.
543
00:25:57,767 --> 00:26:04,537
I think the President is and
will continue to focus on
544
00:26:04,533 --> 00:26:08,363
improving our relations to
strengthen our own foreign policy.
545
00:26:08,367 --> 00:26:10,997
The Press:
Also Robert, Chinese and Iranians are warning the United
546
00:26:11,000 --> 00:26:13,630
States, including the President,
not to meddle in the Iranian
547
00:26:13,633 --> 00:26:17,003
affairs after election because
the outcome has not changed.
548
00:26:17,000 --> 00:26:20,570
Mr. Gibbs:
I think the President has been clear about enunciating the
549
00:26:20,567 --> 00:26:24,137
universal principles that we all
hold dear and that we all stand
550
00:26:24,133 --> 00:26:29,863
up for, while at the same time
ensuring that he's not a foil or
551
00:26:29,867 --> 00:26:33,837
a political football to be used
by the regime against those that
552
00:26:33,834 --> 00:26:34,934
are demonstrating.
553
00:26:34,934 --> 00:26:35,934
Chip.
554
00:26:35,934 --> 00:26:39,804
The Press:
Secretary Sebelius on Capitol Hill today suggested that the
555
00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:42,070
President or that the
administration would be flexible
556
00:26:42,066 --> 00:26:45,566
on the issue of taxing employee
health benefits if that's what
557
00:26:45,567 --> 00:26:46,937
it takes to get a bill.
558
00:26:46,934 --> 00:26:49,304
Where exactly does the
President stand on that now,
559
00:26:49,300 --> 00:26:51,830
and has his thinking
on that evolved also?
560
00:26:51,834 --> 00:26:54,104
Mr. Gibbs:
I think the President
-- if I'm not mistaken,
561
00:26:54,100 --> 00:26:58,030
in the same interview that
Jake just made mention of --
562
00:26:58,033 --> 00:26:59,963
was asked this question.
563
00:26:59,967 --> 00:27:05,567
I think he and I have had the
opportunity to be asked and
564
00:27:05,567 --> 00:27:10,037
answer that question for some
consecutive number of weeks that
565
00:27:10,033 --> 00:27:13,863
I don't have at my
immediate grasp.
566
00:27:13,867 --> 00:27:17,067
I think the President
has laid out $900 --
567
00:27:17,066 --> 00:27:24,196
almost $950 billion that he
believes is the best way forward
568
00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:28,400
to ensuring that each and every
penny spent on health care
569
00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:30,070
reform is fully paid for.
570
00:27:30,066 --> 00:27:31,766
The Press:
So he's not flexible on --
571
00:27:31,767 --> 00:27:34,167
Mr. Gibbs:
I would refer you to the transcript of the President's
572
00:27:34,166 --> 00:27:40,966
own eloquent words on that.
573
00:27:40,967 --> 00:27:42,867
The Press:
Can you tell us what he told --
574
00:27:42,867 --> 00:27:47,937
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, Chip, I'd point you to the transcript that he said on ABC,
575
00:27:47,934 --> 00:27:51,264
taped yesterday, printed today.
576
00:27:51,266 --> 00:27:56,096
I think I would point you to his
interview with Bloomberg and
577
00:27:56,100 --> 00:28:02,070
MSNBC the week before that, and
any number of times in which
578
00:28:02,066 --> 00:28:04,236
I've discussed this with
questioners on the first,
579
00:28:04,233 --> 00:28:08,403
second, third, fourth, and
likely fifth rows of the
580
00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:09,770
briefing room.
581
00:28:09,767 --> 00:28:10,537
Yes, sir.
582
00:28:10,533 --> 00:28:15,403
The Press:
Robert, there was a wire report having to do with possibly the
583
00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:17,670
administration was rethinking
these invitations to Iranian
584
00:28:17,667 --> 00:28:19,067
diplomats on the 4th.
585
00:28:19,066 --> 00:28:20,336
Did something change?
586
00:28:20,333 --> 00:28:21,463
Has that changed?
587
00:28:21,467 --> 00:28:26,467
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think as you all
know, many weeks ago the
588
00:28:26,467 --> 00:28:32,397
administration extended an
invitation to celebrate the
589
00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:36,600
freedom that this
country enjoys.
590
00:28:36,600 --> 00:28:41,470
Not surprisingly, based on what
we see going on in Tehran,
591
00:28:41,467 --> 00:28:44,297
nobody's RSVP'd.
592
00:28:44,300 --> 00:28:45,270
The Press:
So that's what it is?
593
00:28:45,266 --> 00:28:47,766
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, no, let me finish.
594
00:28:47,767 --> 00:28:49,397
Understand what --
and you all do --
595
00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:54,300
July 4th allows us to celebrate
the freedom and the liberty we
596
00:28:54,300 --> 00:28:57,870
enjoy: freedom of speech,
freedom of religion,
597
00:28:57,867 --> 00:29:03,267
freedom to assemble peacefully,
freedom of the press.
598
00:29:03,266 --> 00:29:09,666
So I don't think it's surprising
that nobody's signed up to come.
599
00:29:09,667 --> 00:29:14,167
Given the events of
the past many days,
600
00:29:14,166 --> 00:29:18,396
those invitations will
no longer be extended.
601
00:29:18,400 --> 00:29:19,630
The Press:
Fair enough.
602
00:29:19,633 --> 00:29:20,903
Mr. Gibbs:
Jonathan.
603
00:29:20,900 --> 00:29:22,170
The Press:
Let me clarify.
604
00:29:22,166 --> 00:29:23,436
You just said that
those invitations --
605
00:29:23,433 --> 00:29:25,103
Mr. Gibbs:
There's nothing to clarify.
606
00:29:25,100 --> 00:29:27,270
I think I was pretty
-- let's just say this,
607
00:29:27,266 --> 00:29:28,936
I was clear enough that
Chuck didn't follow up.
608
00:29:28,934 --> 00:29:30,834
(laughter)
609
00:29:30,834 --> 00:29:34,564
The Press:
What you're saying is
that somebody RSVP'd --
610
00:29:34,567 --> 00:29:37,297
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I said nobody's RSVP'd --
611
00:29:37,300 --> 00:29:40,270
The Press:
Had somebody RSVP'd, would they have been allowed in the door?
612
00:29:40,266 --> 00:29:42,936
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I appreciate the hypothetical that no longer
613
00:29:42,934 --> 00:29:44,704
exists on God's green Earth.
614
00:29:44,700 --> 00:29:46,070
But again --
615
00:29:46,066 --> 00:29:47,136
The Press:
But you took a follow up --
616
00:29:47,133 --> 00:29:50,363
Mr. Gibbs:
I know -- why I scratched
the scab, I'll never know.
617
00:29:50,367 --> 00:29:53,397
(laughter)
618
00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:55,570
The Press:
Are the invitations
rescinded, is the question.
619
00:29:55,567 --> 00:29:56,497
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.
620
00:29:56,500 --> 00:29:57,300
The Press:
Yes.
621
00:29:57,300 --> 00:29:58,200
Okay.
622
00:29:58,200 --> 00:29:59,270
Mr. Gibbs:
Was that your question?
623
00:29:59,266 --> 00:30:00,366
The Press:
That was going to
be my question.
624
00:30:00,367 --> 00:30:04,537
And to follow on, that
meaning of that would be --
625
00:30:04,533 --> 00:30:10,403
is that a signal that the
invitation for talks that were
626
00:30:10,400 --> 00:30:12,800
extended April 8th
at the P5-plus-1 --
627
00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:17,130
Mr. Gibbs:
That invitation has
also not been addressed.
628
00:30:17,133 --> 00:30:20,803
But that invitation continues.
629
00:30:20,800 --> 00:30:23,570
The Press:
Now, along that line,
the President yesterday,
630
00:30:23,567 --> 00:30:28,467
he spoke of a pathway
that Iran has,
631
00:30:28,467 --> 00:30:33,537
including these universal
rights of freedom of speech,
632
00:30:33,533 --> 00:30:39,403
freedom of expression, freedom
to not be repressed violently.
633
00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:45,770
Would you consider those as new
impediments or new hurtles for
634
00:30:45,767 --> 00:30:49,897
the Iranians to cross before
they could get down that path?
635
00:30:49,900 --> 00:30:51,170
Mr. Gibbs:
Toward direct engagement?
636
00:30:51,166 --> 00:30:52,836
The Press:
Toward direct engagement.
637
00:30:52,834 --> 00:30:55,804
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I'm not going to add a
lot to what the President said.
638
00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:59,130
I think our focus right now are
on the events on the ground,
639
00:30:59,133 --> 00:31:03,103
understanding that we continue
to have long-term interests in Iran.
640
00:31:03,100 --> 00:31:04,530
Yes, sir.
641
00:31:04,533 --> 00:31:06,433
The Press:
You said that there hadn't been any communications with Iranian
642
00:31:06,433 --> 00:31:09,263
officials since the election.
643
00:31:09,266 --> 00:31:13,536
What was the most recent
communication with them?
644
00:31:13,533 --> 00:31:15,233
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm not going to get into that.
645
00:31:15,233 --> 00:31:16,003
The Press:
All right.
646
00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:18,030
I've got a procedural question
about yesterday's news conference.
647
00:31:18,033 --> 00:31:23,003
What led to your decision to
plant a designated hitter right
648
00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:24,970
here to ask the
President a question?
649
00:31:24,967 --> 00:31:29,767
And what kind of a message do
you think that sends to the
650
00:31:29,767 --> 00:31:34,697
American people and to the world
about the kind of free-flow and
651
00:31:34,700 --> 00:31:39,100
pure questioning that's been
expected at presidential news conferences?
652
00:31:39,100 --> 00:31:42,000
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think it did
nothing more than underscore
653
00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:44,370
that free-flow.
654
00:31:44,367 --> 00:31:50,337
Peter, that was a question
from an Iranian in Iran,
655
00:31:50,333 --> 00:31:56,703
using the same type of manner
and method to get that
656
00:31:56,700 --> 00:32:01,730
information as, I guess, many of
you and virtually every one of
657
00:32:01,734 --> 00:32:06,164
your outlets has done, because
in this country we enjoy the
658
00:32:06,166 --> 00:32:07,636
freedom of the press.
659
00:32:07,633 --> 00:32:13,333
In Iran, as many of you know,
your colleagues have been dismissed.
660
00:32:13,333 --> 00:32:15,333
They've been kicked out.
661
00:32:15,333 --> 00:32:18,333
Some of them have
been rounded up.
662
00:32:18,333 --> 00:32:21,633
There aren't journalists that
can speak for the Iranian people.
663
00:32:21,633 --> 00:32:28,133
What the President did was take
a question from an Iranian.
664
00:32:28,133 --> 00:32:32,263
That's, I think, the very
powerful message that that sent
665
00:32:32,266 --> 00:32:33,496
just yesterday.
666
00:32:33,500 --> 00:32:37,270
The Press:
Couldn't he have accomplished that without you guys escorting
667
00:32:37,266 --> 00:32:39,866
someone through here and
planting him the room?
668
00:32:39,867 --> 00:32:42,767
Mr. Gibbs:
Did you get a question yesterday from an Iranian that you had
669
00:32:42,767 --> 00:32:44,067
hoped to ask the President?
670
00:32:44,066 --> 00:32:45,036
The Press:
No, I did not.
671
00:32:45,033 --> 00:32:47,703
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, then I guess the answer
to that would have been, no.
672
00:32:47,700 --> 00:32:51,470
The Press:
Is this going to become a regular feature of President
673
00:32:51,467 --> 00:32:54,097
Obama's news conference, that
you all are going to bring
674
00:32:54,100 --> 00:32:57,570
people in here that you
select to ask questions?
675
00:32:57,567 --> 00:32:59,437
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, let's understand
-- let's be clear, Peter.
676
00:32:59,433 --> 00:33:01,263
I think you
understand this, so --
677
00:33:01,266 --> 00:33:06,396
but I'll repeat it
for your benefit.
678
00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:11,800
There was no guarantee that the
questioner would be picked.
679
00:33:11,800 --> 00:33:20,370
There was no idea of what
the exact question would be.
680
00:33:20,367 --> 00:33:23,167
I'll let you down easily: A
number of questions that we went
681
00:33:23,166 --> 00:33:26,666
through in prep you all asked.
682
00:33:26,667 --> 00:33:31,537
Iran dominated the news
conference, not surprisingly.
683
00:33:31,533 --> 00:33:34,503
But Peter, I think it was
important and the President
684
00:33:34,500 --> 00:33:39,270
thought it was important to take
a question using the very same
685
00:33:39,266 --> 00:33:41,936
methods, again, that many of
you all are using to report
686
00:33:41,934 --> 00:33:44,304
information on the ground.
687
00:33:44,300 --> 00:33:47,200
I don't have any -- I won't
make any apologies for that.
688
00:33:47,200 --> 00:33:48,900
The Press:
Can I follow that
one up, please?
689
00:33:48,900 --> 00:33:49,900
Mr. Gibbs:
Sure.
690
00:33:49,900 --> 00:33:50,770
The Press:
Thank you.
691
00:33:50,767 --> 00:33:51,997
Mr. Gibbs:
Get the mic ready.
692
00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:56,630
The Press:
Aren't you -- you and the President aware that this cast
693
00:33:56,633 --> 00:34:03,403
suspicion that all of such questions may be presidentially planted?
694
00:34:03,400 --> 00:34:05,170
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, you know what?
695
00:34:05,166 --> 00:34:08,666
Instead, Lester, of giving
you an answer from here,
696
00:34:08,667 --> 00:34:14,797
I'll ask that you ask Chuck,
Jennifer, Chip, Jake --
697
00:34:14,800 --> 00:34:15,870
The Press:
I'm not throwing
suspicion on them; you are.
698
00:34:15,867 --> 00:34:16,737
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no --
699
00:34:16,734 --> 00:34:18,234
The Press:
I mean, no, no --
700
00:34:18,233 --> 00:34:19,263
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm sorry.
701
00:34:19,266 --> 00:34:22,366
I was -- can I give you 30 seconds to get your question straight?
702
00:34:22,367 --> 00:34:23,297
The Press:
Yes, of course.
703
00:34:23,300 --> 00:34:26,400
Mr. Gibbs:
Major and others that
asked questions yesterday,
704
00:34:26,400 --> 00:34:31,200
ask them right now if they knew
they were getting a question
705
00:34:31,200 --> 00:34:34,130
yesterday -- go
ahead, ask one of them.
706
00:34:34,133 --> 00:34:35,133
Go ahead.
707
00:34:35,133 --> 00:34:36,103
The Press:
Well, he makes a good
point, because --
708
00:34:36,100 --> 00:34:37,000
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no, I make --
709
00:34:37,000 --> 00:34:38,100
The Press:
-- there are a lot of
people out there --
710
00:34:38,100 --> 00:34:39,230
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me make -- hold on, Chip.
711
00:34:39,233 --> 00:34:41,603
The Press:
-- who incorrectly believe
that we ask questions that
712
00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:42,770
are preapproved.
713
00:34:42,767 --> 00:34:43,697
And doesn't this add --
714
00:34:43,700 --> 00:34:44,500
Mr. Gibbs:
Do you?
715
00:34:44,500 --> 00:34:45,400
Do you?
716
00:34:45,400 --> 00:34:46,200
The Press:
Of course not.
717
00:34:46,200 --> 00:34:47,330
Mr. Gibbs:
Okay, so how did they
get that misperception --
718
00:34:47,333 --> 00:34:48,663
The Press:
But doesn't this add
to that perception --
719
00:34:48,667 --> 00:34:49,967
Mr. Gibbs:
No.
720
00:34:49,967 --> 00:34:51,297
The Press:
-- and doesn't this allow --
721
00:34:51,300 --> 00:34:52,430
Mr. Gibbs:
Chip, I feel like you have --
722
00:34:52,433 --> 00:34:53,833
The Press:
(inaudible) -- do what we do?
723
00:34:53,834 --> 00:34:54,904
Mr. Gibbs:
I feel -- hold on, hold on.
724
00:34:54,900 --> 00:34:55,970
The Press:
So you don't know --
725
00:34:55,967 --> 00:34:56,897
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, let me --
726
00:34:56,900 --> 00:34:57,900
The Press:
You don't know --
727
00:34:57,900 --> 00:34:59,900
Mr. Gibbs:
Since I'm not a journalist and
I play the spokesman on TV,
728
00:34:59,900 --> 00:35:01,530
let me answer one of
the questions, okay?
729
00:35:01,533 --> 00:35:03,803
(laughter)
730
00:35:03,800 --> 00:35:05,270
One of the things
I love, Lester,
731
00:35:05,266 --> 00:35:06,996
is you move the microphone
toward your mouth when you laugh
732
00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:08,730
as if the sound might
not pick that up.
733
00:35:08,734 --> 00:35:09,934
(laughter)
734
00:35:09,934 --> 00:35:11,104
All right.
735
00:35:11,100 --> 00:35:12,930
Leaving that aside for a second,
leaving that aside for a
second --
736
00:35:12,934 --> 00:35:13,934
The Press:
I have one follow-up.
737
00:35:13,934 --> 00:35:15,634
(laughter)
738
00:35:15,633 --> 00:35:18,263
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no, I can -- I can't in my wildest dreams believe it's only
739
00:35:18,266 --> 00:35:19,436
one, but just hold on --
740
00:35:19,433 --> 00:35:20,363
The Press:
It's only one.
741
00:35:20,367 --> 00:35:22,497
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no, I know, but let me -- Chip and Chuck have questions
742
00:35:22,500 --> 00:35:25,300
that I think are
important to answer.
743
00:35:25,300 --> 00:35:27,970
I don't know how that
perception comes out there,
744
00:35:27,967 --> 00:35:33,097
but I feel confident that if
you feel that perception is out
745
00:35:33,100 --> 00:35:35,330
there, that you
could deal with it.
746
00:35:35,333 --> 00:35:39,003
CBS has gotten a question on all
four of the news conferences.
747
00:35:39,000 --> 00:35:42,330
I don't know if it's
been you on all four.
748
00:35:42,333 --> 00:35:45,303
Have you ever told us
what your question is?
749
00:35:45,300 --> 00:35:46,070
The Press:
Certainly not.
750
00:35:46,066 --> 00:35:46,836
Mr. Gibbs:
Have you?
751
00:35:46,834 --> 00:35:47,704
The Press:
Of course not.
752
00:35:47,700 --> 00:35:48,530
Mr. Gibbs:
Have you?
753
00:35:48,533 --> 00:35:49,403
The Press:
Nope.
754
00:35:49,400 --> 00:35:50,370
Mr. Gibbs:
You've only gotten
one, so -- have you?
755
00:35:50,367 --> 00:35:51,337
(laughter)
756
00:35:51,333 --> 00:35:52,463
Peter, have you?
757
00:35:52,467 --> 00:35:53,537
The Press:
Certainly not.
758
00:35:53,533 --> 00:35:54,433
Mr. Gibbs:
Did Mark know?
759
00:35:54,433 --> 00:35:55,433
Did Mark tell us?
760
00:35:55,433 --> 00:35:56,403
The Press:
Certainly not, and
neither would I.
761
00:35:56,400 --> 00:35:57,670
Mr. Gibbs:
Major?
762
00:35:57,667 --> 00:35:58,637
The Press:
No.
763
00:35:58,633 --> 00:35:59,733
Mr. Gibbs:
Jake?
764
00:35:59,734 --> 00:36:00,834
The Press:
I don't think he would
have called on me.
765
00:36:00,834 --> 00:36:01,834
Mr. Gibbs:
Michael?
766
00:36:01,834 --> 00:36:02,734
The Press:
We didn't get one.
767
00:36:02,734 --> 00:36:03,704
We didn't get one.
768
00:36:03,700 --> 00:36:04,830
Mr. Gibbs:
But did you give us a heads up on your question last time?
769
00:36:04,834 --> 00:36:05,704
The Press:
What do you think?
770
00:36:05,700 --> 00:36:07,170
(laughter)
771
00:36:07,166 --> 00:36:08,136
Mr. Gibbs:
There you go.
772
00:36:08,133 --> 00:36:09,133
Good answer.
773
00:36:09,133 --> 00:36:10,133
I like that.
774
00:36:10,133 --> 00:36:11,233
That's actually -- you might get one next time because that was a
775
00:36:11,233 --> 00:36:12,303
keen answer.
776
00:36:12,300 --> 00:36:13,400
Ann, did you let us know?
777
00:36:13,400 --> 00:36:14,500
The Press:
I think these are rhetorical --
778
00:36:14,500 --> 00:36:15,630
Mr. Gibbs:
Okay.
779
00:36:15,633 --> 00:36:16,963
They are rhetorical questions
because they're easily answered.
780
00:36:16,967 --> 00:36:19,197
The Press:
Robert, in a
third-world country --
781
00:36:19,200 --> 00:36:22,730
in a third-world country, and
we've seen a press conference with --
782
00:36:22,734 --> 00:36:23,204
The Press:
A planted question.
783
00:36:23,200 --> 00:36:24,570
The Press:
-- a planted question,
the perception --
784
00:36:24,567 --> 00:36:26,137
Mr. Gibbs:
The question wasn't planted.
785
00:36:26,133 --> 00:36:27,703
That question wasn't planted.
786
00:36:27,700 --> 00:36:29,870
The Press:
Questioner, planted
questioner --
787
00:36:29,867 --> 00:36:31,967
the perception, you know, it's
something that would have
788
00:36:31,967 --> 00:36:33,197
colored the entire --
789
00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:34,430
Mr. Gibbs:
Chuck, is Richard Engel reporting from Tehran
790
00:36:34,433 --> 00:36:35,863
using Twitter?
791
00:36:35,867 --> 00:36:36,937
The Press:
We have a reporter --
792
00:36:36,934 --> 00:36:38,034
Mr. Gibbs:
Is he?
793
00:36:38,033 --> 00:36:39,103
The Press:
We have a reporter in Tehran.
794
00:36:39,100 --> 00:36:40,000
Mr. Gibbs:
So Richard's not.
795
00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:41,170
The Press:
Richard is not, no.
796
00:36:41,166 --> 00:36:42,436
But have a reporter in Tehran.
797
00:36:42,433 --> 00:36:43,503
Mr. Gibbs:
But Richard is
not using Twitter?
798
00:36:43,500 --> 00:36:45,330
Richard is not using information
he got from people --
799
00:36:45,333 --> 00:36:46,663
The Press:
Of course, we're using information all over the place,
800
00:36:46,667 --> 00:36:48,167
but we usually have live
bodies on the ground --
801
00:36:48,166 --> 00:36:51,196
The Press:
But, Robert, as many of us
who were on the campaign trail
802
00:36:51,200 --> 00:36:55,900
remember, in Iowa, when there
were two episodes where
803
00:36:55,900 --> 00:36:58,000
candidate Obama's chief
rival, Hillary Clinton,
804
00:36:58,000 --> 00:37:01,500
was accused of having planted
questioners in town halls --
805
00:37:01,500 --> 00:37:02,770
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
806
00:37:02,767 --> 00:37:03,797
No, no, no, no --
807
00:37:03,800 --> 00:37:04,930
The Press:
-- it became a question
of her authenticity --
808
00:37:04,934 --> 00:37:06,104
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no, no, no.
809
00:37:06,100 --> 00:37:08,100
The Press:
-- or her ability
to handle town halls.
810
00:37:08,100 --> 00:37:09,130
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no, no, no.
811
00:37:09,133 --> 00:37:10,463
Let's be clear.
812
00:37:10,467 --> 00:37:12,197
Not that I knew I should
call on Major, right?
813
00:37:12,200 --> 00:37:14,300
I don't know what --
forget the Iowa outlet --
814
00:37:14,300 --> 00:37:18,830
call on Major, because the
question he's going to ask is X, okay?
815
00:37:18,834 --> 00:37:20,934
You're saying -- and I
will be definitive --
816
00:37:20,934 --> 00:37:25,634
nobody at any outlet has ever
told me that they were going to
817
00:37:25,633 --> 00:37:28,463
ask a certain question,
including the fact that I was
818
00:37:28,467 --> 00:37:31,767
going to pick or the President
might pick somebody from the
819
00:37:31,767 --> 00:37:34,767
Huffington Post to ask a
question by an Iranian,
820
00:37:34,767 --> 00:37:36,797
but didn't know what
the question was.
821
00:37:36,800 --> 00:37:38,000
The Press:
That's a big difference.
822
00:37:38,000 --> 00:37:40,130
The Press:
Why not use a seating chart and just let the President call on
823
00:37:40,133 --> 00:37:41,763
who he is, rather
than go to specific --
824
00:37:41,767 --> 00:37:43,297
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, you know --
825
00:37:43,300 --> 00:37:45,430
The Press:
Robert, what are the rules to be followed by the President at the
826
00:37:45,433 --> 00:37:46,563
press conference?
827
00:37:46,567 --> 00:37:47,537
Mr. Gibbs:
What are the rules?
828
00:37:47,533 --> 00:37:48,633
The Press:
Yes.
829
00:37:48,633 --> 00:37:50,563
Mr. Gibbs:
They're not written.
830
00:37:50,567 --> 00:37:52,867
I'm happy -- look, I'm
happy to have you guys yell.
831
00:37:52,867 --> 00:37:53,937
I'm cool with that.
832
00:37:53,934 --> 00:37:55,034
The Press:
Okay.
833
00:37:55,033 --> 00:37:56,163
Mr. Gibbs:
You want to do that?
834
00:37:56,166 --> 00:37:57,196
The Press:
Just one more.
835
00:37:57,200 --> 00:37:58,130
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no.
836
00:37:58,133 --> 00:37:59,163
Let's -- you know what?
837
00:37:59,166 --> 00:38:00,566
I'll forget where
I've gone, right?
838
00:38:00,567 --> 00:38:04,067
I'm going to -- go ahead, yell
a little bit louder so I can
839
00:38:04,066 --> 00:38:05,636
almost hardly hear you.
840
00:38:05,633 --> 00:38:06,733
Yes, ma'am.
841
00:38:06,734 --> 00:38:08,204
The Press:
The perception is
though, however --
842
00:38:08,200 --> 00:38:09,270
Mr. Gibbs:
Well --
843
00:38:09,266 --> 00:38:10,466
The Press:
Let me finish, please.
844
00:38:10,467 --> 00:38:11,567
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no.
845
00:38:11,567 --> 00:38:12,697
I'm not even going
to let you finish.
846
00:38:12,700 --> 00:38:14,430
On the first day in political
science class, the teacher says,
847
00:38:14,433 --> 00:38:16,063
there's perception,
and there's reality.
848
00:38:16,066 --> 00:38:17,336
The Press:
Well, the reality is --
849
00:38:17,333 --> 00:38:18,563
Mr. Gibbs:
Every one of you all has
talked about the reality --
850
00:38:18,567 --> 00:38:19,837
The Press:
-- printed out this --
851
00:38:19,834 --> 00:38:20,964
Mr. Gibbs:
-- so I'm not going to
deal with the perception.
852
00:38:20,967 --> 00:38:22,337
The Press:
Robert, allow me -- please
allow me to finish, okay?
853
00:38:22,333 --> 00:38:23,233
Mr. Gibbs:
We live in America.
854
00:38:23,233 --> 00:38:24,263
Speak.
855
00:38:24,266 --> 00:38:25,366
The Press:
Thank you.
856
00:38:25,367 --> 00:38:26,497
Mr. Gibbs:
There you go.
857
00:38:26,500 --> 00:38:28,200
The Press:
The perception is this is scripted, from the day --
858
00:38:28,200 --> 00:38:29,270
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, it's wrong.
859
00:38:29,266 --> 00:38:30,266
The Press:
Okay.
860
00:38:30,266 --> 00:38:31,336
Mr. Gibbs:
It's wrong.
861
00:38:31,333 --> 00:38:32,563
The Press:
But from the day this administration walked in the
862
00:38:32,567 --> 00:38:34,997
door, there was a perception
that you were calling people,
863
00:38:35,000 --> 00:38:37,170
telling them, you
will be picked.
864
00:38:37,166 --> 00:38:39,766
And that was the perception,
and it's out there.
865
00:38:39,767 --> 00:38:43,197
And then to put this person
from the Huffington Post,
866
00:38:43,200 --> 00:38:45,000
it was awkward --
867
00:38:45,000 --> 00:38:45,970
Mr. Gibbs:
April, you got picked.
868
00:38:45,967 --> 00:38:47,297
Did you get told you
were going to get picked?
869
00:38:47,300 --> 00:38:48,630
The Press:
I got picked, it was my
first White House press
870
00:38:48,633 --> 00:38:49,703
conference pick.
871
00:38:49,700 --> 00:38:51,300
No, I was not told.
872
00:38:51,300 --> 00:38:52,470
I was surprised --
873
00:38:52,467 --> 00:38:55,297
Mr. Gibbs:
Were you -- did you know what -- did I ask you what question?
874
00:38:55,300 --> 00:38:56,930
The Press:
I don't think you know what
I'm going to ask you when I
875
00:38:56,934 --> 00:38:58,004
ask questions.
876
00:38:58,000 --> 00:38:59,700
Mr. Gibbs:
That is more than a safe bet.
877
00:38:59,700 --> 00:39:02,530
The Press:
But how do you decide on that list of people that you're going
878
00:39:02,533 --> 00:39:03,903
to say, the
President has a list,
879
00:39:03,900 --> 00:39:05,230
I'm going to go through that?
880
00:39:05,233 --> 00:39:08,103
Mr. Gibbs:
It's just a series
of educated guesses.
881
00:39:08,100 --> 00:39:09,430
The Press:
Can anyone ask about something that the American people
882
00:39:09,433 --> 00:39:10,903
actually care about?
883
00:39:10,900 --> 00:39:12,330
The Press:
They do care about this, Jake.
884
00:39:12,333 --> 00:39:15,733
They want to make sure that we
are out there being accountable for them.
885
00:39:15,734 --> 00:39:17,034
They do want to know.
886
00:39:17,033 --> 00:39:18,303
Mr. Gibbs:
Jeff.
887
00:39:18,300 --> 00:39:19,730
The Press:
On immigration meetings
tomorrow at the White House,
888
00:39:19,734 --> 00:39:22,604
what is the President's -- a lot of people on the Hill are saying
889
00:39:22,600 --> 00:39:24,870
that it's up to the President
to lead on this issue.
890
00:39:24,867 --> 00:39:27,837
What is his time frame
for an immigration bill,
891
00:39:27,834 --> 00:39:31,134
and does he think it's better
in the second two years of his
892
00:39:31,133 --> 00:39:33,633
first term as opposed
to the first two?
893
00:39:33,633 --> 00:39:37,403
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, Jeff, I think tomorrow -- again, the President has started
894
00:39:37,400 --> 00:39:42,770
some conversations
on this issue.
895
00:39:42,767 --> 00:39:45,767
The President had the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus at
896
00:39:45,767 --> 00:39:47,867
the White House
earlier this year,
897
00:39:47,867 --> 00:39:50,567
and tomorrow both sides of the
aisle and both sides of the
898
00:39:50,567 --> 00:39:52,967
issue will be represented.
899
00:39:52,967 --> 00:39:58,167
I think in many ways,
how this moves forward --
900
00:39:58,166 --> 00:40:01,736
I think the President wants to
talk with members of Congress
901
00:40:01,734 --> 00:40:07,134
and share different opinions and
viewpoints as to what the best
902
00:40:07,133 --> 00:40:11,063
path forward is, understanding
that the President strongly
903
00:40:11,066 --> 00:40:14,466
believes that the only way to
deal with this is through a
904
00:40:14,467 --> 00:40:16,037
comprehensive reform plan.
905
00:40:16,033 --> 00:40:19,863
So I think the President hopes
that tomorrow we continue that
906
00:40:19,867 --> 00:40:25,167
conversation, and he'll get more
information from Congress about
907
00:40:25,166 --> 00:40:26,996
what they see as the
path forward, as well.
908
00:40:27,000 --> 00:40:29,930
The Press:
It sounds like he's following Congress on this issue as
909
00:40:29,934 --> 00:40:31,534
opposed to leading
Congress on it.
910
00:40:31,533 --> 00:40:33,733
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, no, I think he's working with Congress to try to figure
911
00:40:33,734 --> 00:40:38,864
out how best to move forward
and ultimately pass into law
912
00:40:38,867 --> 00:40:41,337
comprehensive immigration law.
913
00:40:41,333 --> 00:40:45,003
The Press:
How is this on sort of his promise to kind of create a path
914
00:40:45,000 --> 00:40:48,430
to citizenship for
illegal residents?
915
00:40:48,433 --> 00:40:51,533
How is that affected by the
current economic climate in this country?
916
00:40:51,533 --> 00:40:54,163
Has that made the politics
harder for him on something like that?
917
00:40:54,166 --> 00:40:59,766
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, you know, look, I
think the politics of this --
918
00:40:59,767 --> 00:41:03,167
I'm not sure I want to get into
really discussing the politics of this.
919
00:41:03,166 --> 00:41:08,836
I think many of us have watched
the debate over the course of
920
00:41:08,834 --> 00:41:09,804
many years.
921
00:41:09,800 --> 00:41:17,100
The President was a participant
in the debate in 2006 in the Senate.
922
00:41:17,100 --> 00:41:22,130
And I think, quite honestly -- I think one of the things that he
923
00:41:22,133 --> 00:41:26,103
hopes to hear and wants
to hear from folks is,
924
00:41:26,100 --> 00:41:29,430
based on what we know and have learned from those debates,
925
00:41:29,433 --> 00:41:34,403
does that affect
the path forward?
926
00:41:34,400 --> 00:41:36,430
And I think that's part of the
dialogue and the continuing
927
00:41:36,433 --> 00:41:37,533
dialogue he wants to have.
928
00:41:37,533 --> 00:41:38,503
Major.
929
00:41:38,500 --> 00:41:40,070
The Press:
Robert, in advance of
tonight's town hall,
930
00:41:40,066 --> 00:41:43,196
an ABC/Washington Post
poll shows that --
931
00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:46,000
and I'll read five categories
where more than three-quarters
932
00:41:46,000 --> 00:41:50,330
of those who responded said they
were either somewhat concerned
933
00:41:50,333 --> 00:41:54,533
or very concerned: They would
suffer reduction in the quality
934
00:41:54,533 --> 00:41:57,363
of their health care; they
reduce health care coverage;
935
00:41:57,367 --> 00:42:00,637
that they have had their choices
of doctors or treatments
936
00:42:00,633 --> 00:42:03,563
limited; that it would increase
government bureaucracy in the
937
00:42:03,567 --> 00:42:07,767
health care system; and it would
sharply increase the federal deficit.
938
00:42:07,767 --> 00:42:11,637
The President has extensively
addressed all of these issues,
939
00:42:11,633 --> 00:42:14,603
trying as hard as he can,
and as hard as you can,
940
00:42:14,600 --> 00:42:17,770
to reassure the American
people this wouldn't happen.
941
00:42:17,767 --> 00:42:22,167
And yet more than three-quarters
of those surveyed have either
942
00:42:22,166 --> 00:42:27,636
somewhat heavy concerns or very
heavy concerns about all of these.
943
00:42:27,633 --> 00:42:30,133
What is -- what is the missing link here between what the
944
00:42:30,133 --> 00:42:32,503
President has said and you have said and what the American
945
00:42:32,500 --> 00:42:35,300
people are hearing and responding to about this debate?
946
00:42:35,300 --> 00:42:38,670
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think -- look, I
think there are a lot of
947
00:42:38,667 --> 00:42:39,867
numbers out there.
948
00:42:39,867 --> 00:42:41,897
I think there -- I mean, I think that one of the top line numbers
949
00:42:41,900 --> 00:42:49,970
in the poll showed a similar number very or somewhat
950
00:42:49,967 --> 00:42:53,897
concerned about the rising cost and the notion that that rising
951
00:42:53,900 --> 00:42:59,400
cost will greatly impede either their ability to gain access to
952
00:42:59,400 --> 00:43:04,470
health insurance or for their family or business to continue
953
00:43:04,467 --> 00:43:05,667
to have it.
954
00:43:05,667 --> 00:43:06,767
Look, I think --
955
00:43:06,767 --> 00:43:09,137
The Press:
But as the President conceded, we're going to get closer and
956
00:43:09,133 --> 00:43:10,663
closer to the details.
957
00:43:10,667 --> 00:43:14,767
And these questions and these
levels of concern speak to the details.
958
00:43:14,767 --> 00:43:15,737
Mr. Gibbs:
Right.
959
00:43:15,734 --> 00:43:17,234
Well, I think, one --
I mean, I think, one,
960
00:43:17,233 --> 00:43:22,963
I think the President is anxious to address many of the very
961
00:43:22,967 --> 00:43:25,637
issues that are in this poll directly with the American
962
00:43:25,633 --> 00:43:29,003
people through the town hall, and I think he's found this an
963
00:43:29,000 --> 00:43:40,930
engaging way, in direct questioning, to set aside myths from fact.
964
00:43:40,934 --> 00:43:43,534
I think -- I mean,
increasing the deficit,
965
00:43:43,533 --> 00:43:47,963
as we talked about a minute ago, this is a plan that will be
966
00:43:47,967 --> 00:43:48,897
fully paid for.
967
00:43:48,900 --> 00:43:53,100
And in many ways, because
the President will require a
968
00:43:53,100 --> 00:43:58,600
significant change in the way
and the efficiency with which
969
00:43:58,600 --> 00:44:03,100
health care is done through
Medicare and Medicaid,
970
00:44:03,100 --> 00:44:07,470
that that's actually going
to, over the long term,
971
00:44:07,467 --> 00:44:14,697
help us get back on a path
toward fiscal responsibility.
972
00:44:14,700 --> 00:44:17,370
Reductions in the
amount of coverage --
973
00:44:17,367 --> 00:44:20,067
obviously one of the goals,
ultimately of this legislation,
974
00:44:20,066 --> 00:44:21,996
is to increase.
975
00:44:22,000 --> 00:44:23,200
Look, I think --
976
00:44:23,200 --> 00:44:25,070
The Press:
My question -- obviously
tonight he looks forward to the
977
00:44:25,066 --> 00:44:27,796
opportunity, but he has had several bites at this apple.
978
00:44:27,800 --> 00:44:30,600
He has had many opportunities,
he's had town halls,
979
00:44:30,600 --> 00:44:32,070
he's addressed a lot
of these questions,
980
00:44:32,066 --> 00:44:34,866
and yet these detailed
levels of anxiety remain.
981
00:44:34,867 --> 00:44:35,837
And it --
982
00:44:35,834 --> 00:44:38,864
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, my sense is, Major, that because this is an issue that
983
00:44:38,867 --> 00:44:44,597
we've debated and dealt with
and not acted on in 40 years,
984
00:44:44,600 --> 00:44:49,230
that -- and I think
people of the --
985
00:44:49,233 --> 00:44:53,033
veterans of the past few battles
can tell you that the numbers
986
00:44:53,033 --> 00:44:59,733
that they see in some of these
cases crop up each and every year.
987
00:44:59,734 --> 00:45:05,464
It is a complex and difficult
issue to work through in order
988
00:45:05,467 --> 00:45:07,167
to make sure that
people understand.
989
00:45:07,166 --> 00:45:09,966
I think that's what the
President hopes tonight will
990
00:45:09,967 --> 00:45:14,597
begin to do, is lessen --
991
00:45:14,600 --> 00:45:17,330
The Press:
Does he need to do
something different?
992
00:45:17,333 --> 00:45:20,903
Mr. Gibbs:
I think the only thing he needs to continue to do is discuss the
993
00:45:20,900 --> 00:45:27,730
issue and do it in a way that
addresses directly from the
994
00:45:27,734 --> 00:45:30,364
American people the
concerns that they have.
995
00:45:30,367 --> 00:45:35,667
I think the President believes
that if the American people have
996
00:45:35,667 --> 00:45:39,237
a chance to hear all of
the sides of the argument,
997
00:45:39,233 --> 00:45:45,763
pro and con, that in the end
they'll believe quite strongly
998
00:45:45,767 --> 00:45:49,497
that health care reform is
something that must be done,
999
00:45:49,500 --> 00:45:56,270
that can be done, and
ultimately will be done.
1000
00:45:56,266 --> 00:45:58,496
The Press:
The President, of course, has expressed his sadness and --
1001
00:45:58,500 --> 00:45:59,600
I'm sorry, do you want to --
1002
00:45:59,600 --> 00:46:00,770
Mr. Gibbs:
No, go ahead, go ahead.
1003
00:46:00,767 --> 00:46:01,537
The Press:
Thank you.
1004
00:46:01,533 --> 00:46:02,703
Thank you very much.
1005
00:46:02,700 --> 00:46:05,530
The President's obviously
expressed his sadness and
1006
00:46:05,533 --> 00:46:08,633
condolences for those who were
killed in the horrible tragedy
1007
00:46:08,633 --> 00:46:13,133
of the subway accident
-- and you have, too.
1008
00:46:13,133 --> 00:46:16,103
But there's a growing concern
that a lack of funding may have
1009
00:46:16,100 --> 00:46:18,230
contributed to what happened.
1010
00:46:18,233 --> 00:46:21,533
And as I understand it, there
is no line-item mention,
1011
00:46:21,533 --> 00:46:25,463
no line-item in the President's
budget for metro funding,
1012
00:46:25,467 --> 00:46:27,467
for the Washington,
D.C., funding.
1013
00:46:27,467 --> 00:46:29,437
And I was wondering, are you
planning to move on that,
1014
00:46:29,433 --> 00:46:31,733
what your general take is on
that, what your reaction is,
1015
00:46:31,734 --> 00:46:33,104
and where do we go from here?
1016
00:46:33,100 --> 00:46:36,500
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't have anything directly with me on the funding,
1017
00:46:36,500 --> 00:46:37,530
but I will try to --
1018
00:46:37,533 --> 00:46:39,763
we'll get you an
answer right after --
1019
00:46:39,767 --> 00:46:40,797
right after this.
1020
00:46:40,800 --> 00:46:42,600
The Press:
Any comments on what caused
it or where we're going?
1021
00:46:42,600 --> 00:46:47,400
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I mean, look,
I think we're all --
1022
00:46:47,400 --> 00:46:52,030
I think it's probably a safe bet
that each and every person in
1023
00:46:52,033 --> 00:46:58,233
this room either -- takes
part in using the metro system;
1024
00:46:58,233 --> 00:47:03,833
it's a wonderful system.
1025
00:47:03,834 --> 00:47:07,604
I think the President wants to
be assured and wants to be able
1026
00:47:07,600 --> 00:47:13,570
to assure people that it's up
to date and it's fully safe.
1027
00:47:13,567 --> 00:47:20,467
I think the record of metro in
many ways demonstrates that.
1028
00:47:20,467 --> 00:47:27,337
And I think he wants to ensure
that NTSB and others have all
1029
00:47:27,333 --> 00:47:30,703
that they need to find out what
may or may not have caused this
1030
00:47:30,700 --> 00:47:35,070
accident and how best to deal
with ensuring that this sort of
1031
00:47:35,066 --> 00:47:37,966
tragedy never happens again.
1032
00:47:37,967 --> 00:47:39,767
The Press:
Back to Iraq, Robert.
1033
00:47:39,767 --> 00:47:42,037
As you know, there was
another bombing today;
1034
00:47:42,033 --> 00:47:47,363
death toll at last count was 56,
the latest in a series of these.
1035
00:47:47,367 --> 00:47:50,197
Has the President given any
thought to asking that U.S.
1036
00:47:50,200 --> 00:47:53,430
troops remain in cities beyond
the deadline that they talked about?
1037
00:47:53,433 --> 00:47:55,333
If not, why not, because
it's pretty horrific.
1038
00:47:55,333 --> 00:47:57,933
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think the
President has heard,
1039
00:47:57,934 --> 00:48:00,704
and I think many of
you have heard from --
1040
00:48:00,700 --> 00:48:11,070
directly from General Odierno
that we are going to keep our
1041
00:48:11,066 --> 00:48:19,566
deadline of June 30th, as the
agreement states, with Iraq.
1042
00:48:19,567 --> 00:48:24,737
I think the President -- I know the President has had meetings
1043
00:48:24,734 --> 00:48:29,164
and continues to have meetings about ensuring that we're making
1044
00:48:29,166 --> 00:48:33,066
sufficient political
progress on the ground.
1045
00:48:33,066 --> 00:48:37,666
And I think you'll see in the
coming weeks an even greater
1046
00:48:37,667 --> 00:48:44,667
focus from our part on that.
1047
00:48:44,667 --> 00:48:50,697
But, again, I think General
Odierno has mentioned that we
1048
00:48:50,700 --> 00:48:56,200
have seen violence greatly
decrease even in the past many
1049
00:48:56,200 --> 00:49:02,430
months from what it was, and
he feels confident in moving forward.
1050
00:49:02,433 --> 00:49:04,733
The Press:
The President has had no second thoughts on this subject?
1051
00:49:04,734 --> 00:49:07,434
He's not approached the
Iraqis about changing it?
1052
00:49:07,433 --> 00:49:08,333
Mr. Gibbs:
No.
1053
00:49:08,333 --> 00:49:09,303
No.
1054
00:49:09,300 --> 00:49:10,300
Ann.
1055
00:49:10,300 --> 00:49:11,300
The Press:
Back on health care.
1056
00:49:11,300 --> 00:49:13,030
What the President
said nine days ago --
1057
00:49:13,033 --> 00:49:15,633
what he said: "If you like
your health care plan,
1058
00:49:15,633 --> 00:49:18,233
you'll be able to keep your
health care plan, period.
1059
00:49:18,233 --> 00:49:21,203
No one will take it
away no matter what."
1060
00:49:21,200 --> 00:49:24,600
Is that statement
now inoperative?
1061
00:49:24,600 --> 00:49:28,330
Mr. Gibbs:
No, let me -- let me talk a little bit about that statement.
1062
00:49:28,333 --> 00:49:34,233
I think what the President --
as the President said yesterday,
1063
00:49:34,233 --> 00:49:39,803
our failure to act means thousands of people each day are
1064
00:49:39,800 --> 00:49:44,730
losing their doctor because they're losing their health care.
1065
00:49:44,734 --> 00:49:49,764
They're losing access to -- through an insurance plan that
1066
00:49:49,767 --> 00:49:55,397
they either buy individually or as a family or buy as part of an
1067
00:49:55,400 --> 00:50:01,800
employer system, that they get an opportunity to see a doctor.
1068
00:50:01,800 --> 00:50:04,470
And if we don't do anything,
there's no question that people
1069
00:50:04,467 --> 00:50:08,937
are going to lose
that opportunity.
1070
00:50:08,934 --> 00:50:13,764
There have been discussions -- I know we've gotten questions here
1071
00:50:13,767 --> 00:50:20,197
about CBO's looking at unfinished products and
1072
00:50:20,200 --> 00:50:26,070
discussing the notion of what number of people might move from
1073
00:50:26,066 --> 00:50:31,066
a private insurance plan into the health exchange or health
1074
00:50:31,066 --> 00:50:36,996
marketplace, if there is a
so-called public option.
1075
00:50:37,000 --> 00:50:42,470
Now, what -- and I don't know which specific bill has these
1076
00:50:42,467 --> 00:50:46,497
firewalls in them, but in some of the pieces of legislation
1077
00:50:46,500 --> 00:50:54,870
there are mechanisms that prevent an individual from --
1078
00:50:54,867 --> 00:50:57,437
prevent an employer
from doing this,
1079
00:50:57,433 --> 00:51:00,463
and prevent an
individual from --
1080
00:51:00,467 --> 00:51:03,537
that already has insurance
-- from declining their
1081
00:51:03,533 --> 00:51:09,033
employer-based insurance in order to go on to a public option.
1082
00:51:09,033 --> 00:51:13,563
In other words, if you decline
ABC's health insurance,
1083
00:51:13,567 --> 00:51:16,167
and if you can't -- you're
not going to be able to --
1084
00:51:16,166 --> 00:51:17,996
under some of the provisions
in this legislation,
1085
00:51:18,000 --> 00:51:21,170
you're not going to be able to
decline that coverage from your
1086
00:51:21,166 --> 00:51:26,266
employer and go out into these
health marketplaces and these
1087
00:51:26,266 --> 00:51:29,366
health exchanges.
1088
00:51:29,367 --> 00:51:33,637
The health exchanges are in
place primarily to deal with
1089
00:51:33,633 --> 00:51:39,803
those that either don't have
access to a health insurance
1090
00:51:39,800 --> 00:51:44,830
plan as part of their employer,
or have found that on the
1091
00:51:44,834 --> 00:51:50,964
individual market it's far
too complicated and far too expensive.
1092
00:51:50,967 --> 00:51:54,737
The Press:
The point, though,
is the concept.
1093
00:51:54,734 --> 00:51:56,064
The President has
told America --
1094
00:51:56,066 --> 00:51:57,666
Mr. Gibbs:
Oh, and I should say this,
that the President --
1095
00:51:57,667 --> 00:51:59,237
I think the President
said clearly yesterday,
1096
00:51:59,233 --> 00:52:04,333
nothing that we do on health
reform will cause the government
1097
00:52:04,333 --> 00:52:07,863
to say, Ann, you can't
go see Dr. Smith anymore;
1098
00:52:07,867 --> 00:52:12,397
you've got to go see Dr. George.
1099
00:52:12,400 --> 00:52:15,730
The Press:
But the concept is that -- the concept that the people heard
1100
00:52:15,734 --> 00:52:18,304
from the President is:
If you like your plan,
1101
00:52:18,300 --> 00:52:21,830
you're paying for your plan, you like your doctor, you can keep it.
1102
00:52:21,834 --> 00:52:22,864
Mr. Gibbs:
That's still true.
1103
00:52:22,867 --> 00:52:29,237
The Press:
And that concept no longer really can hold for those whose
1104
00:52:29,233 --> 00:52:32,703
employers might change.
1105
00:52:32,700 --> 00:52:36,230
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, if an employer -- explain your last part of your example.
1106
00:52:36,233 --> 00:52:39,703
If an employer decides --
help me understand here.
1107
00:52:39,700 --> 00:52:42,530
The Press:
For Americans who want to keep the plan and the doctor they've
1108
00:52:42,533 --> 00:52:47,303
got now, that concept isn't
going to work if there's --
1109
00:52:47,300 --> 00:52:52,630
if companies do opt out
of the current coverage.
1110
00:52:52,633 --> 00:52:54,333
You can't -- the President --
1111
00:52:54,333 --> 00:52:55,463
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, but understand
that there will be --
1112
00:52:55,467 --> 00:53:00,567
well, understand, Ann, there
will be incentives to ensure
1113
00:53:00,567 --> 00:53:05,097
that if an employer -- monetarily, that there will be
1114
00:53:05,100 --> 00:53:09,130
an incentive that will -- in almost all rational economic
1115
00:53:09,133 --> 00:53:15,863
decision-making -- prevent an employer from dropping their
1116
00:53:15,867 --> 00:53:23,097
insurance and simply dumping you out into the health exchange, right?
1117
00:53:23,100 --> 00:53:31,400
You won't -- without getting into what detail or what level
1118
00:53:31,400 --> 00:53:35,970
-- let's use ABC; that's
a fairly large company.
1119
00:53:35,967 --> 00:53:39,667
If ABC were to do that, they're
going to have to pay into a
1120
00:53:39,667 --> 00:53:44,637
system -- they're going to
have to pay into a system.
1121
00:53:44,633 --> 00:53:49,233
I think almost every company
would find it far more
1122
00:53:49,233 --> 00:53:55,133
economical, or else the
incentive would be perverse to
1123
00:53:55,133 --> 00:53:57,133
ensure that that doesn't happen.
1124
00:53:57,133 --> 00:53:59,133
The Press:
Will he continue
to use this phrase,
1125
00:53:59,133 --> 00:54:00,233
"You can keep your plan?"
1126
00:54:00,233 --> 00:54:01,163
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.
1127
00:54:01,166 --> 00:54:05,736
I think based on, again, the
firewalls in many of these
1128
00:54:05,734 --> 00:54:09,534
pieces of legislation,
there are incentives, again,
1129
00:54:09,533 --> 00:54:14,933
that prevent businesses from
unnecessarily dropping coverage,
1130
00:54:14,934 --> 00:54:18,634
mostly because, one, we think
businesses want very much to
1131
00:54:18,633 --> 00:54:19,863
provide coverage.
1132
00:54:19,867 --> 00:54:21,337
That's an incentive.
1133
00:54:21,333 --> 00:54:24,333
That's in many ways that we've
seen industries throughout
1134
00:54:24,333 --> 00:54:29,403
America that have used health
benefits as an incentive to find workers.
1135
00:54:29,400 --> 00:54:33,800
And as I said, somebody --
you can't simply decline --
1136
00:54:33,800 --> 00:54:38,170
I can't decline my employer's
insurance in order to go out
1137
00:54:38,166 --> 00:54:42,566
onto the public market or --
and I think I should also just clarify.
1138
00:54:42,567 --> 00:54:45,767
Understand that the health
exchange or the health
1139
00:54:45,767 --> 00:54:52,737
marketplace is simply an avenue
with which you will be able to
1140
00:54:52,734 --> 00:54:56,634
-- an individual will be able
to choose among many different
1141
00:54:56,633 --> 00:55:00,563
options, one of which
might be a public option.
1142
00:55:00,567 --> 00:55:01,397
The Press:
Thank you, Robert.
1143
00:55:01,400 --> 00:55:02,500
Mr. Gibbs:
Thanks, guys.
