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Mr. Carney:
Here we go. Here we go.
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The Press:
How's camp?
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00:00:05,734 --> 00:00:06,867
Mr. Carney:
I really can't talk about it.
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(laughter)
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The Press:
About what?
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Mr. Carney:
I was asked about --
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I took my son to his first
overnight camp yesterday.
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And it's a big moment
-- you say goodbye.
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He's very excited.
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I'm sure he's having a
great time and I'm not
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at all worried about it.
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(laughter)
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The Press:
-- watching this now?
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Mr. Carney:
No, you can be sure
no TV allowed, I hope.
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Aside from that, I will --
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I'm sorry, Connie, what?
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The Press:
-- the mother and father.
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Mr. Carney:
He's supposed to
write every day.
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But I have no other
announcements.
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But thank you for asking.
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Ben.
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The Press:
Thanks, Jay. A few topics.
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Consumer confidence in July
was better but not nearly at
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the level of a
healthy economy,
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a healthy level of confidence.
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Does the White House think
that public attitudes about
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the economy are set now as to
where they're going to be in
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November, or is there a sense
that there's still time for
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things to move in
either direction?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, the way I would
address that question, Ben,
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is simply to say that the
President is not satisfied
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with where the economy is.
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He knows that the American
people, by and large,
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are not satisfied with
where the economy is.
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And that's why he's
doing everything he can,
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and he is urging Congress
to do everything it can,
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to take action to help the
economy grow faster and to
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help it create more jobs.
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We're in a situation now
where Congress is about to
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leave town.
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The House should act to pass
the tax cuts for the middle
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class -- 98 percent of
American taxpayers --
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and do what everyone in
Washington agrees should be
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done, which is to extend
those tax cuts, pass that law,
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the President will sign it,
and it will create certainty
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for 98 percent of
the American people.
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It will give the economy
certainty and it will help the
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economy grow faster
and create more jobs.
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This is the President's
central preoccupation.
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And it is I think the central
issue for the American people
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in this election year.
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That's why he's focused on it
and that's why he continues to
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believe that while there
are great disagreements --
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and he talks about the
stalemate that exists here
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in Washington, a stalemate
that the voters can settle
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in November --
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prior to that, there are
things that we do agree on
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that we can act on: tax
cuts for the middle class.
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I think Republican Congressman
Steve LaTourette has announced
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his resignation today, and he
talked about his frustration
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over the fact that Congress
finds itself arguing over
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no-brainers like building
roads and bridges.
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I have no doubt that the
Republican Congressman and the
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President haven't agreed
on all the issues,
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but they agree on this one --
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Congress should
pass legislation,
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as the President outlined
in the American Jobs Act,
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that would put construction
workers on the job building
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roads, bridges,
highways, ports, schools.
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This is the kind of thing
that has traditionally enjoyed
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bipartisan support.
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It's the kind of thing that
pays benefits not just to the
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workers who are on the job,
but to the broader economy
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in the near term because it
generates economic activity,
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but also to the economy in the
long term because better roads
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and bridges and highways,
infrastructure helps our
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economy long into the future.
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So this is, again,
the President's
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central preoccupation.
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The Press:
We know that the President's
campaign is about to have a
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call about Governor
Romney's trip abroad,
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but I wanted to see if the
White House had any comment
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about how you see the
Governor's trip as having
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gone, and whether it did
anything to help or hurt
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his credentials.
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Mr. Carney:
Well, I think the campaign
can handle some of that,
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and I think that the press
will make its own judgments.
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What I can tell you, having
been both a reporter covering
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foreign trips by candidates as
well as incumbent Presidents,
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and now as a staffer, I
understand that these are
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high-stakes enterprises; that
pulling them off is a lot
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harder than it looks; that
they can be very tense,
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especially if they're
not going well, and --
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(laughter)
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-- seriously, for reporters
as well as staffers and
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the principal.
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And I think one thing that the
news reports remind us of is
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that when American Presidents,
American senators and
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congressmen and would-be
leaders go abroad,
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what they say is placed under
a magnifying glass and it
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carries great impact.
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And Presidents,
senators, congressmen,
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former governors need to be
very mindful of the impact
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because of the diplomatic
implications of what you
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say overseas.
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So without offering
a broad assessment,
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which I'll leave
to the campaign,
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I think that it's a reminder
that this is a high-stakes
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situation; that the
job of President --
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even though the focus in this
campaign and the focus of this
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President at this time
is on the economy,
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the job includes as an
enormous part of it the
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exercise of national security
policy and diplomacy.
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And it's a very important
part of the job,
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and getting it right matters
greatly to America's standing
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00:06:17,667 --> 00:06:21,933
in the world and to the
successful execution of
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American foreign policy.
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The Press:
One other quick one on
a very different topic.
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The House is scheduled to
vote on a bill that would ban
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abortions in the District
of Columbia after 20 weeks
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of pregnancy.
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I'm wondering the White
House's position on that.
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Mr. Carney:
Well, I haven't spoken to
the President about this
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particular piece of
legislation, Ben,
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but the President's position
on a woman's reproductive
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freedom is well known.
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I would note that, as
I mentioned earlier,
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we're on the verge
of a recess here,
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and rather than focusing
on controversial, divisive,
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00:06:56,967 --> 00:07:00,332
social legislation, the House
ought to be passing a tax cut
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00:07:00,333 --> 00:07:02,133
for 98 percent of
the middle class --
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00:07:02,133 --> 00:07:03,599
98 percent of
American taxpayers,
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00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:07,867
for the middle class,
that everyone agrees on.
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That should be the focus of
the House's work right now.
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That's what the
American people want.
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It's something that
everyone agrees on.
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We can debate for the rest of
this election cycle the merits
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of providing extended tax
breaks to the top 2 percent of
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00:07:31,900 --> 00:07:34,799
American earners, and that's
an important debate to have.
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You know the
President's position;
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00:07:35,867 --> 00:07:39,200
we know the other
side's position.
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00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:41,200
But here's a situation
where Republicans and
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Democrats agree --
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00:07:42,533 --> 00:07:44,033
and the President feels
strongly about this --
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that we should extend those
tax cuts for the middle class.
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00:07:47,667 --> 00:07:49,799
And we should do
that right away,
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00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:53,200
and then debate about the
issues that still divide us.
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The Press:
Thank you.
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00:07:55,166 --> 00:07:56,533
Mr. Carney:
Reuters, and then -- yes.
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00:07:56,533 --> 00:07:57,633
The Press:
Thanks, Jay.
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00:07:57,633 --> 00:08:00,099
House prices rose for
the fourth straight month
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00:08:00,100 --> 00:08:02,934
in May, and --
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00:08:02,934 --> 00:08:04,934
an indication that the
market is gaining strength.
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00:08:04,934 --> 00:08:07,667
I wondered if it's your
assessment that the market
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00:08:07,667 --> 00:08:10,299
has bottomed out, and how
confident are you that the
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direction will continue?
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00:08:12,967 --> 00:08:15,767
Mr. Carney:
Well, I would leave the
broader assessments about
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00:08:15,767 --> 00:08:19,200
the state of the market to
experts who analyze that.
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This President has been
very focused on taking every
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measure available, both
administratively and
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00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:29,734
legislatively, to
assist homeowners who,
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00:08:29,734 --> 00:08:31,000
through no fault
of their own --
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they've been responsible, they
met their mortgage payments,
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00:08:34,166 --> 00:08:35,400
but they find
themselves underwater --
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00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:36,667
helping them refinance.
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00:08:36,667 --> 00:08:39,967
That's been a very important
initiative that this President
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has pressed.
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And we're very mindful of the
fact that the collapse of the
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housing market has contributed
mightily to the great
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00:08:48,900 --> 00:08:54,233
recession and has been
a drag on the recovery.
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So we need to continue to take
the steps necessary to assist
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responsible homeowners to
keep making their payments,
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00:09:04,633 --> 00:09:05,633
to stay in their homes --
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and obviously there's a
virtuous cycle here hopefully
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that begins to take effect
gradually that will help lift
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00:09:15,967 --> 00:09:18,100
the housing market
and, with it,
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00:09:18,100 --> 00:09:24,000
create some economic
growth as a benefit.
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But this is still a
difficult issue for many,
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00:09:28,300 --> 00:09:31,467
many Americans who
find themselves, again,
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00:09:31,467 --> 00:09:34,400
through no fault of their own,
they've been very responsible,
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00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:38,066
but find themselves underwater
with their mortgages.
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And that's why the President
has been focusing --
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00:09:41,433 --> 00:09:44,834
focused on getting the kind of
assistance to them so they can
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00:09:44,834 --> 00:09:49,900
take advantage of historically
low interest rates that
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00:09:49,900 --> 00:09:52,100
Washington can help provide.
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The Press:
Did the improvement in prices
reduce the urgency of debt
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00:09:55,500 --> 00:09:58,166
forgiveness from Fannie
Mae or Freddie Mac?
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00:09:58,166 --> 00:10:01,500
Mr. Carney:
I don't have a specific
reaction to that question.
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00:10:01,500 --> 00:10:09,333
I simply will say that we are
far from where we want to be
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00:10:09,333 --> 00:10:14,433
-- both broadly in the economy,
as I was saying to Ben,
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00:10:14,433 --> 00:10:15,867
but certainly in
the housing market.
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00:10:15,867 --> 00:10:16,467
And I would --
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00:10:16,467 --> 00:10:20,266
I think it would be way
premature to suggest that
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00:10:20,266 --> 00:10:24,733
we don't need to take more
steps to assist homeowners.
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00:10:24,734 --> 00:10:26,200
The Press:
Just one other question.
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00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:28,834
North Korea has had some
quite serious flooding.
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00:10:28,834 --> 00:10:31,699
There's a U.N. team that's
on the way there to assess
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00:10:31,700 --> 00:10:36,700
the needs and put
together an aid plan.
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00:10:36,700 --> 00:10:38,867
Is the United States
involved in that discussion?
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00:10:38,867 --> 00:10:41,800
Is there a plan to contribute
humanitarian aid to North
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00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:43,666
Korea if they need it?
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00:10:43,667 --> 00:10:46,867
Mr. Carney:
I haven't had any discussions
about that issue here at the
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00:10:46,867 --> 00:10:47,599
White House.
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00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:51,967
I would probably refer you to
the United States mission at
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00:10:51,967 --> 00:10:55,133
the U.N. or perhaps
the State Department.
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00:10:55,133 --> 00:10:59,600
Obviously, for North
Koreans who are suffering,
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00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:01,567
our hearts go out to them.
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00:11:01,567 --> 00:11:05,700
But I don't have anything
specific on assistance.
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00:11:05,700 --> 00:11:06,800
Welcome, Nancy.
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00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:07,766
The Press:
Thank you very much, Jay.
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00:11:07,767 --> 00:11:11,133
You said that things
can be tense when things
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00:11:11,133 --> 00:11:12,233
aren't going well.
213
00:11:12,233 --> 00:11:13,934
Does that mean that the White
House thinks that things for
214
00:11:13,934 --> 00:11:17,065
Mr. Romney on his overseas
trip did not go well?
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00:11:17,066 --> 00:11:19,233
And is there anything that he
said while he was abroad that
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00:11:19,233 --> 00:11:22,032
was of concern
to the President?
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00:11:22,033 --> 00:11:26,633
Mr. Carney:
Well, again, I'll leave the
assessments to the media and
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00:11:26,633 --> 00:11:29,400
to others about his trip.
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00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:32,100
I was trying to make a broader
point about the significance
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00:11:32,100 --> 00:11:35,200
of foreign travel
for Presidents,
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00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:39,800
for would-be presidents,
senators, congressmen,
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00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:44,300
because of the weight of
their words when they travel
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00:11:44,300 --> 00:11:49,467
overseas and the impact it
can have on the execution
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00:11:49,467 --> 00:11:51,066
of U.S. foreign policy.
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00:11:51,066 --> 00:11:54,367
Now, I think there are a
number of things that have
226
00:11:54,367 --> 00:11:57,733
been said about the
President's foreign policy
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00:11:57,734 --> 00:12:03,200
record that are inaccurate and
that I'd be happy to contest,
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00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:04,834
but I think --
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00:12:04,834 --> 00:12:07,967
The Press:
Notably?
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00:12:07,967 --> 00:12:13,300
Mr. Carney:
Well, look, I think
we've talked about,
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00:12:13,300 --> 00:12:15,666
on the issue of
missile defense,
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00:12:15,667 --> 00:12:20,734
it is very clear that
this President has pursued
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00:12:20,734 --> 00:12:23,367
aggressively the development
and implementation of a
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00:12:23,367 --> 00:12:27,699
missile defense program in
Europe that includes, notably,
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00:12:27,700 --> 00:12:32,300
an installation in
Poland, and that,
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00:12:32,300 --> 00:12:35,632
contrary to suggestions
to the contrary --
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00:12:35,633 --> 00:12:37,667
contrary to suggestions
from critics,
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00:12:37,667 --> 00:12:41,800
the Russians continue to
oppose and we continue to
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00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,333
press forward with that
missile defense program
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00:12:44,333 --> 00:12:45,632
because it's the
right thing to do.
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00:12:45,633 --> 00:12:49,900
It's based on
tested technology,
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00:12:49,900 --> 00:12:53,300
and it's the most effective
missile defense program in
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00:12:53,300 --> 00:12:56,065
terms of combating
the threat from Iran.
244
00:12:56,066 --> 00:13:00,433
That would be one issue where
some of the criticism was off
245
00:13:00,433 --> 00:13:01,900
the mark, to say the least.
246
00:13:01,900 --> 00:13:06,600
The Press:
On birth control, your
new mandate for insurance
247
00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:08,467
companies goes into
effect tomorrow --
248
00:13:08,467 --> 00:13:11,033
they have to add birth control
coverage to their plans.
249
00:13:11,033 --> 00:13:13,000
Obviously there are already
a number of challenges from
250
00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:17,467
businesses around the
country on religious grounds.
251
00:13:17,467 --> 00:13:23,033
Some of those challenges have
been upheld in state courts.
252
00:13:23,033 --> 00:13:26,967
Are you concerned that this is
going to become the new front
253
00:13:26,967 --> 00:13:30,600
in the war over the
Affordable Care Act?
254
00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:36,467
Mr. Carney:
Well, I would simply point you
to the President's policy and
255
00:13:36,467 --> 00:13:43,133
the position that he oversaw
and had developed that ensures
256
00:13:43,133 --> 00:13:44,667
that these important
preventive services are
257
00:13:44,667 --> 00:13:47,900
available to all women
and that also respects
258
00:13:47,900 --> 00:13:49,033
religious liberty.
259
00:13:49,033 --> 00:13:50,934
As you know, no
religious institution,
260
00:13:50,934 --> 00:13:56,367
no university has to provide
contraceptive services or --
261
00:13:56,367 --> 00:14:05,233
and the President's position
was very clearly that there
262
00:14:05,233 --> 00:14:08,632
needed to be that respect for
religious liberty that created
263
00:14:08,633 --> 00:14:14,000
that balance while ensuring
that women get these important
264
00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:15,000
preventive services.
265
00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:18,967
So we're still
implementing the rule,
266
00:14:18,967 --> 00:14:25,033
but I think the President
sought and found the right
267
00:14:25,033 --> 00:14:26,934
position in terms of
respecting religious liberty
268
00:14:26,934 --> 00:14:29,233
and making sure these
services are provided.
269
00:14:29,233 --> 00:14:31,632
The Press:
What do you think about these
lawsuits that are going on all
270
00:14:31,633 --> 00:14:32,700
around the country?
271
00:14:32,700 --> 00:14:36,667
How much does that hamper the
administration's ability to
272
00:14:36,667 --> 00:14:37,800
implement this rule?
273
00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:39,800
Mr. Carney:
I'm not going to comment
on specific legislation or
274
00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:43,500
broadly -- I mean, litigation
or even broadly on it.
275
00:14:43,500 --> 00:14:46,300
I can tell you that we're
moving forward to implement
276
00:14:46,300 --> 00:14:48,666
this important rule that will
ensure that women across the
277
00:14:48,667 --> 00:14:51,233
country have access to
preventive services.
278
00:14:51,233 --> 00:14:56,032
It's a rule that also makes
sure that religious liberty
279
00:14:56,033 --> 00:14:57,967
is respected.
280
00:14:57,967 --> 00:14:58,766
Yes, Ed.
281
00:14:58,767 --> 00:15:00,333
The Press:
Jay, I don't know if this is
related to the Romney trip or
282
00:15:00,333 --> 00:15:02,934
not, but the President had a
phone call yesterday with the
283
00:15:02,934 --> 00:15:05,000
Turkish Prime Minister and the
White House put out a photo
284
00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:06,767
and the President was sitting
at his desk on the phone and
285
00:15:06,767 --> 00:15:09,834
he had a baseball
bat in his hand.
286
00:15:09,834 --> 00:15:10,967
Or maybe you were
traveling yesterday.
287
00:15:10,967 --> 00:15:11,934
But the official
White House photo --
288
00:15:11,934 --> 00:15:13,367
The Press:
Was it aluminum or wood?
289
00:15:13,367 --> 00:15:14,400
The Press:
He had a baseball
bat in his hand.
290
00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:16,699
Do you know did he get that
from a Major League player,
291
00:15:16,700 --> 00:15:18,900
or is there some sort of back
story about the foreign policy
292
00:15:18,900 --> 00:15:19,699
approach or --
293
00:15:19,700 --> 00:15:20,900
(laughter)
294
00:15:20,900 --> 00:15:22,900
-- he was holding
a baseball bat.
295
00:15:22,900 --> 00:15:23,766
Mr. Carney:
He's a baseball fan.
296
00:15:23,767 --> 00:15:24,600
What can I tell you.
297
00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:30,066
As I think he said, White
Sox but also watching the
298
00:15:30,066 --> 00:15:32,367
remarkable
Washington Nationals.
299
00:15:32,367 --> 00:15:33,300
The Press:
Can you take the question?
300
00:15:33,300 --> 00:15:34,300
Mr. Carney:
I can find out, yes.
301
00:15:34,300 --> 00:15:36,032
(laughter)
302
00:15:36,033 --> 00:15:38,633
The Press:
Perhaps it was a
diplomatic gift?
303
00:15:38,633 --> 00:15:40,166
The Press:
On the economy, there was a --
304
00:15:40,166 --> 00:15:42,400
you talk a lot here at the
podium about the President's
305
00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:43,934
approach, the
balanced approach,
306
00:15:43,934 --> 00:15:45,934
and how many Americans
agree with that.
307
00:15:45,934 --> 00:15:48,733
There was a Gallup poll in
the last 24 hours or so that
308
00:15:48,734 --> 00:15:52,166
suggested that government
corruption, job creation,
309
00:15:52,166 --> 00:15:54,533
other issues like that are
far more important on voters'
310
00:15:54,533 --> 00:15:55,633
minds right now.
311
00:15:55,633 --> 00:15:58,633
And raising taxes was far down
the list, I think around 8, 9,
312
00:15:58,633 --> 00:16:01,500
10, in that range -- much
further down the list.
313
00:16:01,500 --> 00:16:04,834
How does that square with the
claim that the American people
314
00:16:04,834 --> 00:16:07,433
support the balanced approach
and that's sort of what they
315
00:16:07,433 --> 00:16:09,300
want in this election year?
316
00:16:09,300 --> 00:16:12,032
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think you've
mixed a bunch of different
317
00:16:12,033 --> 00:16:13,533
elements here.
318
00:16:13,533 --> 00:16:18,967
I think the documentation and
the data that shows support
319
00:16:18,967 --> 00:16:21,699
for a balanced approach
is very conclusive.
320
00:16:23,867 --> 00:16:25,467
What is also true is that
the American people are
321
00:16:25,467 --> 00:16:29,133
principally focused on
the economy writ large,
322
00:16:29,133 --> 00:16:32,800
and on job creation and
their own economic situation.
323
00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:35,800
It doesn't mean that most
Americans wake up every
324
00:16:35,800 --> 00:16:41,400
morning thinking about how to
implement a balanced approach
325
00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:43,165
to long-term
deficit reduction.
326
00:16:43,166 --> 00:16:46,367
It means that they want
Washington to work in a way
327
00:16:46,367 --> 00:16:49,199
that helps the economy,
helps it create jobs,
328
00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:54,533
and demonstrates the capacity
of its leaders here to get
329
00:16:54,533 --> 00:16:56,333
America's fiscal
house in order.
330
00:16:56,333 --> 00:17:00,934
And when we talk about
what's the right approach,
331
00:17:00,934 --> 00:17:04,133
overwhelmingly the answer
is a balanced approach that
332
00:17:04,133 --> 00:17:08,667
includes significant spending
cuts to discretionary
333
00:17:08,666 --> 00:17:13,332
spending; it includes
entitlement reforms that,
334
00:17:13,333 --> 00:17:16,367
while saving money, also
strengthen programs like
335
00:17:16,367 --> 00:17:21,466
Medicare and Medicaid;
and it includes revenues.
336
00:17:21,467 --> 00:17:27,600
And that is the conclusion
not just of the President,
337
00:17:27,599 --> 00:17:30,667
but of every
outside, independent,
338
00:17:30,667 --> 00:17:32,833
bipartisan commission
that's looked at this.
339
00:17:32,834 --> 00:17:35,567
It's the conclusion of
the so-called Gang of Six,
340
00:17:35,567 --> 00:17:38,533
a bipartisan group of
United States senators.
341
00:17:40,934 --> 00:17:44,233
And we have so much work
that's been done on this that
342
00:17:44,233 --> 00:17:47,200
there's not a lot of mystery
about what it would take to
343
00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:52,533
achieve the amount of deficit
reduction that would get
344
00:17:52,533 --> 00:17:57,300
control of our fiscal outlook,
in excess of $4 trillion over
345
00:17:57,300 --> 00:17:58,300
10 years.
346
00:17:58,300 --> 00:18:02,533
And it's clear that the only
way to do that without putting
347
00:18:02,533 --> 00:18:07,065
undue burdens on seniors,
undue burdens on people
348
00:18:07,066 --> 00:18:09,333
who have children
with disabilities,
349
00:18:09,333 --> 00:18:10,633
undue burdens on
the middle class,
350
00:18:10,633 --> 00:18:12,633
is to do this in
a balanced way.
351
00:18:12,633 --> 00:18:21,100
And the roadblock since last
summer has consistently been
352
00:18:21,100 --> 00:18:26,166
a refusal by Republicans in
Congress in anything like the
353
00:18:26,166 --> 00:18:30,600
numbers necessary to agree
to the basic principle that
354
00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:33,166
everybody ought to
pay their fair share,
355
00:18:33,166 --> 00:18:40,399
and a willingness to see
the United States default,
356
00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:44,433
a willingness to see taxes
go up on the middle class,
357
00:18:44,433 --> 00:18:49,734
a willingness to see defense
cuts that are far deeper than
358
00:18:49,734 --> 00:18:53,100
anybody here in Washington
thinks are responsible,
359
00:18:53,100 --> 00:18:59,132
all because of the principal
judgment that what needs to
360
00:18:59,133 --> 00:19:04,100
be protected is tax relief for
millionaires and billionaires.
361
00:19:04,100 --> 00:19:06,600
That's just, understandably,
not a position that has a
362
00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:11,533
great deal of support among
the broader American populous.
363
00:19:11,533 --> 00:19:14,399
The Press:
Jay -- and part of me knows
the answer to the question,
364
00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:16,367
but I feel like I
have to ask it anyway.
365
00:19:16,367 --> 00:19:17,033
Mr. Carney:
I'll take it anyway.
366
00:19:17,033 --> 00:19:19,132
(laughter)
367
00:19:19,133 --> 00:19:22,133
The Press:
Everything is an extension
now here in Washington.
368
00:19:22,133 --> 00:19:24,033
And I know you just went
through a litany of reasons
369
00:19:24,033 --> 00:19:26,332
and you say it is all
the Republicans fault.
370
00:19:26,333 --> 00:19:28,266
But you just talked
about sequester,
371
00:19:28,266 --> 00:19:30,133
and there is a tour
going around --
372
00:19:30,133 --> 00:19:33,233
John McCain is leading
a tour on sequester.
373
00:19:33,233 --> 00:19:37,100
And everything is --
374
00:19:37,100 --> 00:19:39,300
do you guys have any
responsibility here of the
375
00:19:39,300 --> 00:19:42,734
fact that we live in a town
that only passes everything by
376
00:19:42,734 --> 00:19:44,100
six-month extensions?
377
00:19:44,100 --> 00:19:45,766
You have a six-month
extension on the budget.
378
00:19:45,767 --> 00:19:48,066
Everything is about
avoiding the next delay.
379
00:19:48,066 --> 00:19:50,500
The sequester, everybody
is finger-pointing now,
380
00:19:50,500 --> 00:19:51,000
but it's --
381
00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:52,734
I mean, it is just
a kick the can --
382
00:19:52,734 --> 00:19:54,600
and I understand you just
went through and said, hey,
383
00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:55,433
it's all their fault.
384
00:19:55,433 --> 00:19:56,433
It's all their fault?
385
00:19:56,433 --> 00:19:57,934
You guys have no
responsibility on
386
00:19:57,934 --> 00:19:59,066
this whatsoever?
387
00:19:59,066 --> 00:20:01,233
Should you be having
more summits here?
388
00:20:01,233 --> 00:20:03,934
Should you be forcing Boehner
to just sit there and not
389
00:20:03,934 --> 00:20:04,834
answer you?
390
00:20:04,834 --> 00:20:07,333
I mean, I guess is there a
different way you guys should
391
00:20:07,333 --> 00:20:09,500
be going about this?
392
00:20:09,500 --> 00:20:13,233
Mr. Carney:
It's a fair question about
what is the best way to bring
393
00:20:13,233 --> 00:20:18,133
about the kind of consensus
that has been lacking.
394
00:20:18,133 --> 00:20:21,000
And what I think all of
us here have learned,
395
00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:25,367
and certainly those of us in
the White House have learned,
396
00:20:25,367 --> 00:20:31,200
in the last year and a half
is that getting things through
397
00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:34,333
this Congress that enjoy broad
public support but which are
398
00:20:34,333 --> 00:20:39,934
opposed by a particularly
powerful wing of the
399
00:20:39,934 --> 00:20:42,066
Republican Party,
especially in the House,
400
00:20:42,066 --> 00:20:47,533
requires taking
it to the people.
401
00:20:47,533 --> 00:20:55,300
It requires making the
argument out in the country.
402
00:20:55,300 --> 00:20:56,934
And I think you know,
because you covered it,
403
00:20:56,934 --> 00:21:01,033
that we have tried
it all ways --
404
00:21:01,033 --> 00:21:02,734
both ways, if you will --
405
00:21:02,734 --> 00:21:05,899
and that includes lots of
negotiations and sitting
406
00:21:05,900 --> 00:21:08,567
across the table with
leaders in Congress.
407
00:21:08,567 --> 00:21:11,734
And I'm not precluding
that in the future,
408
00:21:11,734 --> 00:21:15,399
but what we need is a
demonstration of a seriousness
409
00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:22,166
of purpose by Republicans in
Congress and a willingness to
410
00:21:22,166 --> 00:21:27,100
accept the premise that there
needs to be balance in this.
411
00:21:27,100 --> 00:21:33,166
There needs to be a
willingness to ask the
412
00:21:33,166 --> 00:21:36,300
wealthiest Americans to
pay a little bit more,
413
00:21:36,300 --> 00:21:41,332
so that the middle class
doesn't get stuck with the
414
00:21:41,333 --> 00:21:42,066
burden so that --
415
00:21:42,066 --> 00:21:43,333
The Press:
The last nine months you
guys have had this sort of
416
00:21:43,333 --> 00:21:45,066
throw-up-your-hands approach.
417
00:21:45,066 --> 00:21:46,734
You know what -- they're
not willing to talk.
418
00:21:46,734 --> 00:21:47,800
They're not willing
to negotiate.
419
00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:49,899
Mr. Carney:
But my point is that
on a number of issues,
420
00:21:49,900 --> 00:21:52,100
including extension of
the payroll tax cut,
421
00:21:52,100 --> 00:21:54,533
extension of
unemployment insurance,
422
00:21:54,533 --> 00:21:57,766
including ensuring that
student loans didn't double --
423
00:21:57,767 --> 00:22:01,633
the rates didn't double for
millions of young Americans
424
00:22:01,633 --> 00:22:02,934
across the country --
425
00:22:02,934 --> 00:22:06,800
the President worked
both here in Washington,
426
00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:09,767
but worked in raising the
profile of these issues
427
00:22:09,767 --> 00:22:10,767
across the country.
428
00:22:10,767 --> 00:22:14,867
And that had the
effect, fortunately,
429
00:22:14,867 --> 00:22:18,433
of bringing about a vote in
Congress that was the right
430
00:22:18,433 --> 00:22:20,400
one that broke the
back, if you will,
431
00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:22,567
of what initially was
opposition to the
432
00:22:22,567 --> 00:22:24,300
President's position.
433
00:22:24,300 --> 00:22:28,332
And I think that's what
we believe can bring
434
00:22:28,333 --> 00:22:29,367
about consensus here.
435
00:22:29,367 --> 00:22:31,500
The Press:
Go back to the fundamental
question: Do you guys own
436
00:22:31,500 --> 00:22:32,867
any of this?
437
00:22:32,867 --> 00:22:34,265
Mr. Carney:
The President is President.
438
00:22:34,266 --> 00:22:37,667
He has pushed a
lot of policies.
439
00:22:37,667 --> 00:22:41,734
He has implemented a
number of policies,
440
00:22:41,734 --> 00:22:45,399
and very significant ones,
that reversed the course
441
00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:47,066
economically that we were
on in this country that
442
00:22:47,066 --> 00:22:54,100
was cataclysmic of economic
decline that we hadn't seen
443
00:22:54,100 --> 00:22:56,934
since the Great Depression, of
job loss that we hadn't seen
444
00:22:56,934 --> 00:23:02,033
in decades, and took other
measures like what was
445
00:23:02,033 --> 00:23:07,100
considered political folly at
the time to ensure that the
446
00:23:07,100 --> 00:23:11,934
American automobile
industry was saved,
447
00:23:11,934 --> 00:23:15,133
as well as making sure that
we didn't precipitate an even
448
00:23:15,133 --> 00:23:19,367
greater crisis by allowing the
financial sector to collapse.
449
00:23:19,367 --> 00:23:20,367
I mean, these were not --
450
00:23:20,367 --> 00:23:25,033
these were tough choices, but
they were the right choices.
451
00:23:25,033 --> 00:23:26,867
And the President is
responsible for those
452
00:23:26,867 --> 00:23:28,100
decisions and he
stands by them.
453
00:23:28,100 --> 00:23:29,300
And he is obviously
running on that record.
454
00:23:29,300 --> 00:23:32,433
The Press:
-- what we're facing now.
455
00:23:32,433 --> 00:23:33,000
Mr. Carney:
Look, he made --
456
00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,533
this was part of the
problem that we faced.
457
00:23:35,533 --> 00:23:38,100
And I think you and others
who are veterans around here
458
00:23:38,100 --> 00:23:43,867
understand the continuum that
we're on here is that the
459
00:23:43,867 --> 00:23:45,166
President and --
460
00:23:45,166 --> 00:23:47,633
not always with a great
deal of alacrity --
461
00:23:47,633 --> 00:23:51,233
his party has come along on
these budget negotiations,
462
00:23:51,233 --> 00:23:56,500
on these debates about what
the right course is on fiscal
463
00:23:56,500 --> 00:24:00,734
policy, and taken
positions that represent
464
00:24:00,734 --> 00:24:01,734
real compromise.
465
00:24:01,734 --> 00:24:06,533
Two trillion dollars
in spending cuts --
466
00:24:06,533 --> 00:24:08,265
that's a lot of spending
cuts that this President
467
00:24:08,266 --> 00:24:09,233
signed into law.
468
00:24:09,233 --> 00:24:13,300
He took positions on
entitlement reforms that
469
00:24:13,300 --> 00:24:16,867
I'm sure there are members
of his party would rather
470
00:24:16,867 --> 00:24:19,000
he did not take.
471
00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:21,367
But he was willing to do that
because he believed that the
472
00:24:21,367 --> 00:24:24,533
greater good would be
served by a compromise
473
00:24:24,533 --> 00:24:27,667
with Republican leaders in
the Senate and the House,
474
00:24:27,667 --> 00:24:31,567
and the economy would be
served by a bargain --
475
00:24:31,567 --> 00:24:35,200
a grand bargain last summer
that would have locked in the
476
00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:37,800
kind of long-term deficit
reduction that would be
477
00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:39,000
beneficial for the country.
478
00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:41,667
That's the position
he continues to take.
479
00:24:41,667 --> 00:24:47,132
And I take your
point that there's --
480
00:24:47,133 --> 00:24:51,633
it's frustrating that despite
the overwhelming evidence that
481
00:24:51,633 --> 00:24:53,100
that's the right
course of action,
482
00:24:53,100 --> 00:24:55,766
despite the demonstrated
willingness of the President
483
00:24:55,767 --> 00:24:59,233
and Democrats to compromise
and to come some distance
484
00:24:59,233 --> 00:25:03,567
towards Republicans, that
there has yet to be in any
485
00:25:03,567 --> 00:25:08,066
significant numbers in
Congress among Republicans a
486
00:25:08,066 --> 00:25:11,000
similar willingness to accept
the principle that they're not
487
00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:14,934
going to get everything
that they want,
488
00:25:14,934 --> 00:25:16,800
that they might reach a
deal that could leave Grover
489
00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:18,500
Norquist unhappy.
490
00:25:18,500 --> 00:25:21,033
But that is the only deal
that's available that would
491
00:25:21,033 --> 00:25:23,600
protect the middle
class, protect seniors,
492
00:25:23,600 --> 00:25:26,500
and ensure that our
economy continues to grow.
493
00:25:26,500 --> 00:25:27,266
Ann.
494
00:25:27,266 --> 00:25:29,600
The Press:
Speaking of budget cuts, can
you talk a little bit about
495
00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:31,632
why the President is going
back to the same area of
496
00:25:31,633 --> 00:25:34,834
Akron, Ohio, tomorrow
that he's visited before?
497
00:25:34,834 --> 00:25:37,967
And in Mansfield, the
local paper is reporting
498
00:25:37,967 --> 00:25:41,467
if President Obama has his
way his Air Force One arrival
499
00:25:41,467 --> 00:25:45,133
would be one of the final
flights into the Mansfield
500
00:25:45,133 --> 00:25:48,700
airport because the President
wants to do away with the
501
00:25:48,700 --> 00:25:52,433
mission for the 800
guardsmen at the Mansfield --
502
00:25:52,433 --> 00:25:53,600
Mr. Carney:
I'll have to take
the question.
503
00:25:53,600 --> 00:25:57,065
I'm not aware of that
particular issue.
504
00:25:57,066 --> 00:26:00,500
And in terms of why is he
going to Ohio, I think --
505
00:26:00,500 --> 00:26:03,400
The Press:
No, to that area of Ohio
-- Mansfield and Akron.
506
00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:05,166
I mean, he was just
there on a bus tour.
507
00:26:05,166 --> 00:26:08,899
Mr. Carney:
There's not an inch of Ohio
that the President does not
508
00:26:08,900 --> 00:26:09,500
love to visit.
509
00:26:09,500 --> 00:26:12,867
(laughter)
510
00:26:12,867 --> 00:26:14,300
It's a great state --
511
00:26:14,300 --> 00:26:17,700
my wife's home state.
512
00:26:17,700 --> 00:26:21,433
The Press:
In terms of Mansfield, can we
get you to take that question?
513
00:26:21,433 --> 00:26:26,000
Mr. Carney:
Sure. I'm not aware of even the
policy implications or what
514
00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:26,800
issue you're discussing.
515
00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:29,567
The Press:
It is a base -- or is a
National Guard operation,
516
00:26:29,567 --> 00:26:30,934
Air National Guard operation.
517
00:26:30,934 --> 00:26:32,000
Mr. Carney:
I'm not sure what this
is in reference to,
518
00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:34,433
but if this is in reference to
defense cuts that are related
519
00:26:34,433 --> 00:26:37,166
to the sequester, I think it's
worth going back and looking
520
00:26:37,166 --> 00:26:41,233
at the vote on the Budget
Control Act and all the
521
00:26:41,233 --> 00:26:44,332
Republicans, including those
who are running around leading
522
00:26:44,333 --> 00:26:50,900
efforts to undo that vote, who
voted for it because they said
523
00:26:50,900 --> 00:26:53,433
-- this was not -- the
President didn't say,
524
00:26:53,433 --> 00:26:54,734
let's have a sequester.
525
00:26:54,734 --> 00:26:58,265
He pushed a deal, a balanced
approach to deficit reduction
526
00:26:58,266 --> 00:27:01,767
that would have resulted in
all the positive benefits that
527
00:27:01,767 --> 00:27:05,834
I just talked
about with Chuck.
528
00:27:05,834 --> 00:27:09,333
The Budget Control Act was
the result of a failure by
529
00:27:09,333 --> 00:27:13,300
Congress to agree to a
balanced approach to deficit
530
00:27:13,300 --> 00:27:16,367
reduction, and it was the
result of Republicans willing
531
00:27:16,367 --> 00:27:19,367
to play chicken with the full
faith and credit of the United
532
00:27:19,367 --> 00:27:22,233
States, willing
to risk default,
533
00:27:22,233 --> 00:27:27,834
some of them even seemed
to anticipate with glee
534
00:27:27,834 --> 00:27:30,567
the prospect of default.
535
00:27:30,567 --> 00:27:33,934
And the President could
not let that happen to the
536
00:27:33,934 --> 00:27:35,700
economy, to the
American people.
537
00:27:35,700 --> 00:27:42,367
And thus we got the
Budget Control Act, which,
538
00:27:42,367 --> 00:27:44,734
in something that
was designed by --
539
00:27:44,734 --> 00:27:48,934
or with leaders in Congress, a
sequester was written into law
540
00:27:48,934 --> 00:27:52,700
that included cuts
that nobody wants --
541
00:27:52,700 --> 00:27:55,900
not the President, not
Democrats, not Republicans.
542
00:27:55,900 --> 00:27:58,500
And the whole point of it was
to create a forcing mechanism
543
00:27:58,500 --> 00:28:00,667
so that Congress
would do its job.
544
00:28:00,667 --> 00:28:04,934
Congress still
needs to do its job.
545
00:28:04,934 --> 00:28:06,033
Andrei.
546
00:28:06,033 --> 00:28:10,466
The Press:
Thank you, Jay.
547
00:28:10,467 --> 00:28:15,367
The PNTR, the Permanent Normal
Trade Relations for Russia has
548
00:28:15,367 --> 00:28:20,233
passed through a couple of
key committees on the Hill.
549
00:28:20,233 --> 00:28:26,533
And Speaker Boehner said that
if the administration wants it
550
00:28:26,533 --> 00:28:30,033
to pass through the House then
the President needs to be out
551
00:28:30,033 --> 00:28:32,867
there and argue
for it personally.
552
00:28:32,867 --> 00:28:34,265
So my question is very simple.
553
00:28:34,266 --> 00:28:37,967
Does the President think that
it's worthwhile to personally
554
00:28:37,967 --> 00:28:42,367
interfere in the situation and
then do something about it?
555
00:28:42,367 --> 00:28:44,834
Mr. Carney:
The President has
worked very closely,
556
00:28:44,834 --> 00:28:49,300
his administration has, with
Congress on this matter and
557
00:28:49,300 --> 00:28:50,433
will continue to do so.
558
00:28:50,433 --> 00:28:56,467
I'm not sure that there's
any dispute over that.
559
00:28:56,467 --> 00:29:04,400
And the President will
instruct the members of his
560
00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:06,166
Cabinet and administration
to continue to do that,
561
00:29:06,166 --> 00:29:09,399
and we hope for
congressional action.
562
00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:16,467
The Press:
And if there is no PNTR for
Russia in two or three weeks,
563
00:29:16,467 --> 00:29:19,700
and Russia enters the
WTO without the PNTR,
564
00:29:19,700 --> 00:29:24,033
what specifically do the
American companies lose by it?
565
00:29:24,033 --> 00:29:26,367
Because everybody knows that
the American business lose --
566
00:29:26,367 --> 00:29:29,633
but what specifically
does it mean for --
567
00:29:29,633 --> 00:29:31,734
Mr. Carney:
Well, it's a good question and
I confess it's outside of my
568
00:29:31,734 --> 00:29:33,265
expertise, so I'll
have to take it.
569
00:29:33,266 --> 00:29:35,867
But you can be sure that
we're working with Congress
570
00:29:35,867 --> 00:29:39,100
on this matter.
571
00:29:39,100 --> 00:29:40,300
The Press:
Jay, at the start of the
briefing you were asked
572
00:29:40,300 --> 00:29:44,500
if the Romney trip has had
any detrimental effect on
573
00:29:44,500 --> 00:29:45,333
foreign policy.
574
00:29:45,333 --> 00:29:48,100
You eventually wound your way
around to the missile defense
575
00:29:48,100 --> 00:29:50,166
comments and things like that.
576
00:29:50,166 --> 00:29:53,300
Would you say specifically
that that was detrimental to --
577
00:29:53,300 --> 00:29:55,399
Mr. Carney:
No, no, no.
578
00:29:55,400 --> 00:29:57,867
There's nothing that I can
say that's detrimental --
579
00:29:57,867 --> 00:30:01,300
at least not to the President.
580
00:30:01,300 --> 00:30:04,265
(laughter)
581
00:30:04,266 --> 00:30:07,834
But my point was that there
were certainly things said
582
00:30:07,834 --> 00:30:11,400
about the President's foreign
policy record that were
583
00:30:11,400 --> 00:30:15,066
inaccurate or that
we would contest.
584
00:30:15,066 --> 00:30:17,200
And part of my job in
speaking for the President
585
00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:22,834
is to contest inaccurate
representations of his
586
00:30:22,834 --> 00:30:23,700
policy positions.
587
00:30:23,700 --> 00:30:26,934
So that was all.
588
00:30:26,934 --> 00:30:28,066
Brianna.
589
00:30:28,066 --> 00:30:31,367
The Press:
Jay, the White House and the
Obama campaign have made clear
590
00:30:31,367 --> 00:30:34,433
they feel that Bill Clinton
is a very good messenger for
591
00:30:34,433 --> 00:30:36,633
President Obama
on the economy.
592
00:30:36,633 --> 00:30:39,000
There's now this ad out from
the Romney campaign and the
593
00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:43,834
RNC using Clinton's words
where he said that Romney
594
00:30:43,834 --> 00:30:45,600
had a sterling business career.
595
00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:48,766
So they're trying to use your
messenger as their messenger.
596
00:30:48,767 --> 00:30:50,367
What's your reaction to that?
597
00:30:50,367 --> 00:30:51,633
Mr. Carney:
Well, I would --
598
00:30:51,633 --> 00:30:54,500
on a matter purely of
campaign advertising,
599
00:30:54,500 --> 00:30:56,500
I think you should
ask the campaign.
600
00:30:56,500 --> 00:31:02,433
I can tell you that, as we've
discussed here on several
601
00:31:02,433 --> 00:31:08,066
occasions, President Clinton's
experience in office,
602
00:31:08,066 --> 00:31:13,934
his economic record, and the
fact that the marginal tax
603
00:31:13,934 --> 00:31:17,966
rates for the top earners in
America that were in place
604
00:31:17,967 --> 00:31:22,533
under Bill Clinton are the
ones that President Obama
605
00:31:22,533 --> 00:31:25,867
believes we should return to,
because we cannot afford to
606
00:31:25,867 --> 00:31:31,633
give another tax cut to
the wealthiest 2 percent.
607
00:31:31,633 --> 00:31:34,633
Those rates were in place when
we saw the greatest peacetime
608
00:31:34,633 --> 00:31:36,667
economic expansion in our
history and we saw the
609
00:31:36,667 --> 00:31:38,934
creation of 24 million jobs.
610
00:31:38,934 --> 00:31:45,734
So it's a useful piece of
recent history to examine
611
00:31:45,734 --> 00:31:51,000
when we hear protests from
Republicans about the calamity
612
00:31:51,000 --> 00:31:54,133
that would ensue if the
wealthiest 2 percent in
613
00:31:54,133 --> 00:31:57,033
America were asked to pay
marginal tax rates at the
614
00:31:57,033 --> 00:31:59,367
level that they
paid in the 1990s --
615
00:31:59,367 --> 00:32:03,767
because some of those very
Republicans made the same
616
00:32:03,767 --> 00:32:07,600
predictions in 1993
and they could not
617
00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:09,033
have been more wrong.
618
00:32:09,033 --> 00:32:12,332
The facts prove
them utterly wrong.
619
00:32:12,333 --> 00:32:15,266
The Press:
Is it detrimental to
the President that this
620
00:32:15,266 --> 00:32:19,000
characterization of Romney's
career can be used, though,
621
00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:19,633
at a time when --
622
00:32:19,633 --> 00:32:20,433
Mr. Carney:
Again, that's a pure --
623
00:32:20,433 --> 00:32:24,266
I mean, you're asking about a
campaign ad that I confess I
624
00:32:24,266 --> 00:32:25,834
have not seen.
625
00:32:25,834 --> 00:32:28,233
I think I know the comment
you're referring to and I know
626
00:32:28,233 --> 00:32:31,399
everything else that President
Clinton has said about it,
627
00:32:31,400 --> 00:32:35,600
so I would refer you
to him and to Chicago.
628
00:32:35,600 --> 00:32:39,533
The Press:
Okay. And then ancestry.com
says that President Obama may
629
00:32:39,533 --> 00:32:42,433
be related to the first
documented African slave
630
00:32:42,433 --> 00:32:45,333
in pre-revolutionary America --
631
00:32:45,333 --> 00:32:48,700
a guy named John Punch, who
was an indentured servant,
632
00:32:48,700 --> 00:32:50,934
who was sentenced to a life of
slavery after an unsuccessful
633
00:32:50,934 --> 00:32:53,567
escape attempt in
pre-revolutionary Virginia.
634
00:32:53,567 --> 00:32:56,200
Is the President aware that
ancestry.com has said this and
635
00:32:56,200 --> 00:32:57,333
does he have any
reaction to it?
636
00:32:57,333 --> 00:32:58,967
Mr. Carney:
I think that sort of came out
yesterday and, as you know,
637
00:32:58,967 --> 00:33:00,767
I was traveling with my son.
638
00:33:00,767 --> 00:33:02,900
I haven't had that
discussion with him.
639
00:33:02,900 --> 00:33:06,600
I have no idea
if it's accurate.
640
00:33:06,600 --> 00:33:11,567
All I can tell you is it
certainly reflects the
641
00:33:11,567 --> 00:33:12,967
remarkable nature of
our country and the
642
00:33:12,967 --> 00:33:14,266
diversity within it.
643
00:33:14,266 --> 00:33:18,734
But again, I can't
vouch for the findings.
644
00:33:18,734 --> 00:33:20,199
The Press:
Can you ask him?
645
00:33:20,200 --> 00:33:23,000
Mr. Carney:
I might. Ari.
646
00:33:23,000 --> 00:33:24,500
The Press:
In Romney's speech
in Poland, he said,
647
00:33:24,500 --> 00:33:26,834
"When economists
speak of Poland today,
648
00:33:26,834 --> 00:33:28,967
it's not to lament chronic
problems but to describe how
649
00:33:28,967 --> 00:33:31,266
this nation empowered
the individual,
650
00:33:31,266 --> 00:33:33,367
lifted the heavy hand of
government and became the
651
00:33:33,367 --> 00:33:35,033
fastest-growing economy
in all of Europe."
652
00:33:35,033 --> 00:33:36,600
And I wondered what you think
of that assessment of the
653
00:33:36,600 --> 00:33:39,000
connection between lifting
the "heavy hand of government,"
654
00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:42,934
"empowering the individual"
and fast economic growth.
655
00:33:42,934 --> 00:33:47,367
Mr. Carney:
Well, I would simply say that
Poland's success have indeed
656
00:33:47,367 --> 00:33:49,066
been impressive.
657
00:33:49,066 --> 00:33:52,600
And this administration has
stood by our close ally,
658
00:33:52,600 --> 00:33:57,332
Poland, throughout the past
three and a half years and
659
00:33:57,333 --> 00:34:00,834
worked with the Poles
on numerous fronts --
660
00:34:00,834 --> 00:34:09,033
both national security matters
and global economic matters.
661
00:34:09,033 --> 00:34:12,866
I'm not sure what your
question is in terms of
662
00:34:12,867 --> 00:34:15,533
the broader themes.
663
00:34:15,533 --> 00:34:19,266
The Press:
Well, the suggestion being
that regulation impedes
664
00:34:19,266 --> 00:34:21,500
economic growth
-- the opposite --
665
00:34:21,500 --> 00:34:23,900
empowering the individual
promotes economic growth --
666
00:34:23,900 --> 00:34:25,834
and that Poland is an example
of the kind of economic
667
00:34:25,833 --> 00:34:27,567
proposals that Romney
would put in place if
668
00:34:27,567 --> 00:34:29,233
he were President.
669
00:34:29,233 --> 00:34:31,400
Mr. Carney:
Well, here's what
I would say --
670
00:34:31,400 --> 00:34:34,667
and it goes back to the
answer I gave Briana about
671
00:34:34,667 --> 00:34:38,400
the Clinton years.
672
00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:44,133
This President believes deeply
in the power of business in
673
00:34:44,132 --> 00:34:48,734
America to create jobs; the
importance of making sure that
674
00:34:48,734 --> 00:34:52,699
regulations that are in place
do not hamper economic growth
675
00:34:52,699 --> 00:34:55,799
and job creation, even as they
ensure the protection of the
676
00:34:55,800 --> 00:35:03,900
American people, of the air we
breathe, the water we drink.
677
00:35:03,900 --> 00:35:07,166
And I would say
this: What we know --
678
00:35:07,800 --> 00:35:10,000
this is the beauty of
the recent past here,
679
00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:15,400
and the stark clarity of the
debate that we're having --
680
00:35:15,400 --> 00:35:19,200
the rules that were
in place in the 1990s,
681
00:35:19,200 --> 00:35:23,332
the tax rates that were
in place in the 1990s,
682
00:35:23,333 --> 00:35:25,433
the rules and tax rates
that were decried by many
683
00:35:25,433 --> 00:35:31,367
Republican leaders at the time
had something to do with the
684
00:35:31,367 --> 00:35:34,000
greatest economic expansion
and peace time in our history,
685
00:35:34,000 --> 00:35:38,900
had something to do with the
creation of 24 million jobs
686
00:35:38,900 --> 00:35:41,667
over the course of 8 years.
687
00:35:41,667 --> 00:35:47,200
We then tried the opposite
approach for eight years;
688
00:35:47,200 --> 00:35:50,899
we had the slowest economic
growth of any expansion in
689
00:35:50,900 --> 00:35:52,333
50 years.
690
00:35:52,333 --> 00:35:55,300
We had anemic job creation.
691
00:35:57,700 --> 00:36:01,433
We had a situation that --
692
00:36:01,433 --> 00:36:03,066
and if that
weren't bad enough,
693
00:36:03,066 --> 00:36:05,899
then we had the worst
economic collapse since
694
00:36:05,900 --> 00:36:08,033
the Great Depression.
695
00:36:08,033 --> 00:36:12,933
Everything that I have heard
in this debate from the other
696
00:36:12,934 --> 00:36:20,600
side has been a call to return
to the policies that we know
697
00:36:20,600 --> 00:36:27,433
from recent unhappy experience
led to a very bad economic
698
00:36:27,433 --> 00:36:29,900
situation in this country --
699
00:36:29,900 --> 00:36:32,200
particularly bad for
the middle class.
700
00:36:32,200 --> 00:36:36,700
Everything we know about
some of the policies that are
701
00:36:36,700 --> 00:36:43,265
opposed by the Republicans is
that they were in place in the
702
00:36:43,266 --> 00:36:47,700
1990s when we saw significant
economic growth and
703
00:36:47,700 --> 00:36:54,332
significant job creation, and
a level of expansion for the
704
00:36:54,333 --> 00:36:59,800
middle class and expansion of
middle-class incomes that we
705
00:36:59,800 --> 00:37:02,333
would very much like to see
again and that this President
706
00:37:02,333 --> 00:37:04,300
is focused on every day.
707
00:37:04,300 --> 00:37:08,467
So I think that's the
debate we're having.
708
00:37:08,467 --> 00:37:14,400
I think that's the debate that
hangs over the kind of policy
709
00:37:14,400 --> 00:37:18,767
discussions that Chuck
and I were talking about,
710
00:37:18,767 --> 00:37:23,933
and it is useful to have
these two recent examples
711
00:37:23,934 --> 00:37:25,533
to compare.
712
00:37:25,533 --> 00:37:27,600
There's a record out
there that exists,
713
00:37:27,600 --> 00:37:29,967
and it includes the last
three and a half years.
714
00:37:29,967 --> 00:37:33,233
Again, when this
President took office,
715
00:37:33,233 --> 00:37:36,433
when he was sworn into
office in January of 2009,
716
00:37:36,433 --> 00:37:42,166
the economy was in freefall,
hemorrhaging jobs 750,000
717
00:37:42,166 --> 00:37:47,467
to 800,000 a month, economic
decline of nearly 9 percent in
718
00:37:47,467 --> 00:37:49,600
the fourth quarter of 2008.
719
00:37:49,600 --> 00:37:53,232
That's the situation
that we faced in 2009.
720
00:37:53,233 --> 00:37:57,000
And using a new metric
put forward by a leading
721
00:37:57,000 --> 00:38:00,266
Republican, if we measure this
President's performance after
722
00:38:00,266 --> 00:38:02,867
the first six months in office
and his policies began to take
723
00:38:02,867 --> 00:38:09,266
effect, we think it shows
sustained economic growth,
724
00:38:09,266 --> 00:38:10,867
sustained job creation.
725
00:38:10,867 --> 00:38:13,166
Nowhere near where
we need to be,
726
00:38:13,166 --> 00:38:17,233
but certainly a far better
circumstance than the one
727
00:38:17,233 --> 00:38:19,000
we found ourselves in.
728
00:38:19,000 --> 00:38:19,900
Jared.
729
00:38:19,900 --> 00:38:22,266
The Press:
Jay, now that it looks like
the DNC will be adopting
730
00:38:22,266 --> 00:38:25,100
national gay marriage as
part of their platform,
731
00:38:25,100 --> 00:38:27,200
will the embrace of
that platform be a
732
00:38:27,200 --> 00:38:30,232
further evolution for the
President on the issue
733
00:38:30,233 --> 00:38:32,333
of marriage equality?
734
00:38:32,333 --> 00:38:34,867
Mr. Carney:
I think you heard the
President discuss his position
735
00:38:34,867 --> 00:38:37,133
and his personal view that
it's wrong to prevent couples
736
00:38:37,133 --> 00:38:40,066
who are in loving, committed
relationships and want to
737
00:38:40,066 --> 00:38:42,165
marry from doing so.
738
00:38:42,166 --> 00:38:43,800
With regards to
the DNC platform,
739
00:38:43,800 --> 00:38:45,533
I think that issue is
still being worked out,
740
00:38:45,533 --> 00:38:47,333
and I would refer
you to the DNC.
741
00:38:47,333 --> 00:38:48,967
The Press:
But when the President
did discuss that issue,
742
00:38:48,967 --> 00:38:52,767
his focus was still on
states dealing with it,
743
00:38:52,767 --> 00:38:55,567
and this would be something
from a national perspective.
744
00:38:55,567 --> 00:38:58,867
Would the President, based
on what he said in those
745
00:38:58,867 --> 00:39:02,400
interviews at that time, would
he embrace a national campaign
746
00:39:02,400 --> 00:39:04,934
to promote marriage equality?
747
00:39:04,934 --> 00:39:06,233
Mr. Carney:
Well, you're conflating
a bunch of things about a
748
00:39:06,233 --> 00:39:08,467
discussion at the DNC
about a party platform
749
00:39:08,467 --> 00:39:10,367
to a national campaign.
750
00:39:10,367 --> 00:39:12,800
And I would simply refer you
to what the President has said
751
00:39:12,800 --> 00:39:14,100
and what his
personal views are,
752
00:39:14,100 --> 00:39:18,600
and then to the DNC for what
I understand is a process that
753
00:39:18,600 --> 00:39:23,333
is still developing as
regards to their platform.
754
00:39:23,333 --> 00:39:24,133
The Press:
Can I jump in here?
755
00:39:24,133 --> 00:39:25,332
Mr. Carney:
Sure.
756
00:39:25,333 --> 00:39:26,433
The Press:
Now that we have --
757
00:39:26,433 --> 00:39:29,500
I spoke to you yesterday on
how platform committee on
758
00:39:29,500 --> 00:39:31,934
Sunday said to include the
marriage equality plank in
759
00:39:31,934 --> 00:39:32,667
the platform.
760
00:39:32,667 --> 00:39:38,266
I'm wondering if now
that that establishes --
761
00:39:38,266 --> 00:39:40,700
there are several Democrats
down ticket who do not hold
762
00:39:40,700 --> 00:39:42,165
the view that they support
same-sex marriage including
763
00:39:42,166 --> 00:39:46,033
Jon Tester in Montana,
Tim Kaine in Virginia,
764
00:39:46,033 --> 00:39:47,799
and Claire McCaskill
in Missouri.
765
00:39:47,800 --> 00:39:50,066
Does the administration
believe that the adoption of
766
00:39:50,066 --> 00:39:53,165
that language in the platform
should prompt these Democrats
767
00:39:53,166 --> 00:39:55,266
to reconsider a position
as they pursue office?
768
00:39:55,266 --> 00:39:56,900
Mr. Carney:
I would refer you
to the DNC, Chris.
769
00:39:56,900 --> 00:39:59,633
It's, again, as I just
said, an issue that's being
770
00:39:59,633 --> 00:40:06,567
developed in the usual fashion
as they work on a platform,
771
00:40:06,567 --> 00:40:09,500
and I would send you
there for that question.
772
00:40:09,500 --> 00:40:10,433
Yes, Olivier.
773
00:40:10,433 --> 00:40:11,934
The Press:
Jay, there's a new debate --
774
00:40:11,934 --> 00:40:14,433
a renewed debate on Capitol
Hill about the targeted
775
00:40:14,433 --> 00:40:16,233
killings policy.
776
00:40:16,233 --> 00:40:18,233
I'm wondering whether as
a matter of principle,
777
00:40:18,233 --> 00:40:21,033
you think that the
courts, the Congress,
778
00:40:21,033 --> 00:40:24,165
or the American people need to
bless or endorse this policy,
779
00:40:24,166 --> 00:40:29,500
or what will they have in
judging the policy and letting
780
00:40:29,500 --> 00:40:32,333
it go forward?
781
00:40:32,333 --> 00:40:35,433
Mr. Carney:
There are aspects of that
question that make it
782
00:40:35,433 --> 00:40:36,800
difficult for me to respond.
783
00:40:36,800 --> 00:40:41,367
I can tell you that the
President takes the national
784
00:40:41,367 --> 00:40:46,700
security of this country
very seriously and the fight
785
00:40:46,700 --> 00:40:51,866
against al Qaeda
very seriously.
786
00:40:51,867 --> 00:40:58,467
And he pursues
policies that best --
787
00:40:58,467 --> 00:41:00,533
that he believes are the
right ones to protect the
788
00:41:00,533 --> 00:41:04,066
American people, to
protect our interests
789
00:41:04,066 --> 00:41:06,433
and Americans abroad.
790
00:41:06,433 --> 00:41:07,433
But I can't --
791
00:41:07,433 --> 00:41:11,233
I think, broadly speaking in
terms of some of these issues,
792
00:41:11,233 --> 00:41:15,467
you've heard John Brennan
and others discuss them.
793
00:41:15,467 --> 00:41:17,400
But without a more
specific question,
794
00:41:17,400 --> 00:41:18,834
I can't really address
that from here.
795
00:41:18,834 --> 00:41:21,899
The Press:
What's your reaction then
to the legislative proposals
796
00:41:21,900 --> 00:41:23,467
floating around the Hill --
797
00:41:23,467 --> 00:41:25,200
Mr. Carney:
I haven't seen them, so
I'd have to have something
798
00:41:25,200 --> 00:41:27,165
more specific.
799
00:41:27,166 --> 00:41:29,467
The Press:
How does the President
stand on polygamy?
800
00:41:29,467 --> 00:41:30,700
Mr. Carney:
Kristen.
801
00:41:30,700 --> 00:41:32,500
The Press:
How does he stand on polygamy?
802
00:41:32,500 --> 00:41:33,633
Could you answer
that question?
803
00:41:33,633 --> 00:41:34,567
Mr. Carney:
Kristen.
804
00:41:34,567 --> 00:41:36,400
The Press:
So you want to
dodge that issue.
805
00:41:36,400 --> 00:41:39,000
The Press:
Jay, last week I asked you if
the President supported the
806
00:41:39,000 --> 00:41:41,166
amendment to the cyber
security legislation that's
807
00:41:41,166 --> 00:41:44,066
being supported by Senator
Schumer and other Democrats
808
00:41:44,066 --> 00:41:46,200
that would limit the
purchase of high-capacity
809
00:41:46,200 --> 00:41:47,299
gun magazines.
810
00:41:47,300 --> 00:41:49,300
Have you had a chance to talk
to the President about this
811
00:41:49,300 --> 00:41:51,000
and whether or not
he supports it?
812
00:41:51,000 --> 00:41:52,700
Last week, you didn't know.
813
00:41:52,700 --> 00:41:53,834
Mr. Carney:
I haven't spoken
to him about it.
814
00:41:53,834 --> 00:41:57,066
But I do know and have talked
to him generally about his
815
00:41:57,066 --> 00:41:59,567
approach to this, which is
that he believes we ought to
816
00:41:59,567 --> 00:42:06,066
take action on common-sense
measures that protect the
817
00:42:06,066 --> 00:42:10,767
Second Amendment rights of the
American people while making
818
00:42:10,767 --> 00:42:14,667
it harder for criminals and
others who should not have
819
00:42:14,667 --> 00:42:17,533
weapons under existing law --
820
00:42:17,533 --> 00:42:20,200
harder for them
to obtain them.
821
00:42:20,200 --> 00:42:22,866
And I think that any
legislation that might
822
00:42:22,867 --> 00:42:24,700
emerge from Congress
would have to --
823
00:42:24,700 --> 00:42:28,633
would be viewed with
those principles in mind.
824
00:42:28,633 --> 00:42:30,966
The Press:
Given the fact that
the President talked --
825
00:42:30,967 --> 00:42:33,600
spoke at the Urban League
about the importance of having
826
00:42:33,600 --> 00:42:36,900
a dialogue, about cracking
down on gun violence,
827
00:42:36,900 --> 00:42:39,900
has he moved any closer to
deciding whether to hold any
828
00:42:39,900 --> 00:42:43,166
sort of gun policy event to
open a dialogue about this
829
00:42:43,166 --> 00:42:44,433
any further?
830
00:42:44,433 --> 00:42:46,200
Mr. Carney:
Well, I have no announcements
to make in terms of his
831
00:42:46,200 --> 00:42:49,200
schedule or speaking plans.
832
00:42:49,200 --> 00:42:52,500
But I would point you to the
fact that he gave that address
833
00:42:52,500 --> 00:42:58,000
and to the fact that he spoke
about the issue of violence at
834
00:42:58,000 --> 00:43:02,100
a higher level, that this is
not just an issue of specific
835
00:43:02,100 --> 00:43:04,834
horrific incidents like that
one that took place in Aurora,
836
00:43:04,834 --> 00:43:09,366
but the fact that we have
levels of violence that are
837
00:43:09,367 --> 00:43:14,033
too high in many cities
across this country,
838
00:43:14,033 --> 00:43:17,834
and that we need to address
the problem from a variety
839
00:43:17,834 --> 00:43:18,834
of directions --
840
00:43:18,834 --> 00:43:22,500
not just through legislation
that relates to guns but
841
00:43:22,500 --> 00:43:27,133
through action that we
could take and are taking
842
00:43:27,133 --> 00:43:32,066
in assisting local law
enforcement, local government;
843
00:43:32,066 --> 00:43:38,100
action that we can take to
ensure that teenagers who
844
00:43:38,100 --> 00:43:43,500
might be prone to or
vulnerable to falling into
845
00:43:43,500 --> 00:43:49,934
gangs are instead in school or
have summer programs that keep
846
00:43:49,934 --> 00:43:51,300
them off the streets.
847
00:43:51,300 --> 00:43:54,834
These are the kinds of things
that are part of a broader
848
00:43:54,834 --> 00:43:57,100
approach to dealing
with violence.
849
00:43:57,100 --> 00:43:58,799
The Press:
Well, I guess,
what's the next step?
850
00:43:58,800 --> 00:44:00,633
In addition to speaking about
it at the union (phonetic)
851
00:44:00,633 --> 00:44:01,633
league, what's he --
852
00:44:01,633 --> 00:44:02,399
Mr. Carney:
Well, I don't have --
853
00:44:02,400 --> 00:44:05,133
the President has directed
his Department of Justice
854
00:44:05,133 --> 00:44:12,533
to continue to take action,
common-sense action that makes
855
00:44:12,533 --> 00:44:16,667
enforcement of our existing
laws more effective,
856
00:44:16,667 --> 00:44:18,933
prevents criminals and others
who should not have weapons
857
00:44:18,934 --> 00:44:20,867
from getting them.
858
00:44:20,867 --> 00:44:27,100
And he will, I'm sure,
continue to hold the position
859
00:44:27,100 --> 00:44:30,700
that he talked about at the
Urban League and talked about
860
00:44:30,700 --> 00:44:34,899
in Tucson and talked about in
the op-ed that he wrote about
861
00:44:34,900 --> 00:44:37,700
the broader issues of violence
and how we should address it.
862
00:44:37,700 --> 00:44:38,265
Thank you.
863
00:44:38,266 --> 00:44:39,767
The Press:
Is the President watching
any of the Olympics?
864
00:44:39,767 --> 00:44:41,232
Mr. Carney:
I think whenever
he gets a chance.
