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Mr. Gibbs:
Normally we start with
the week ahead, but --
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00:00:04,934 --> 00:00:07,934
which is somewhat short,
given the week ahead.
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00:00:07,934 --> 00:00:11,234
I know we've changed this
time a couple of times.
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00:00:11,233 --> 00:00:13,903
The President will depart the
White House this afternoon at
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00:00:13,900 --> 00:00:20,600
1:30, and have a brief statement on the Afghan elections at 1:20.
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00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:22,300
The schedule for
Sunday, at 9:00 a.m.,
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00:00:22,300 --> 00:00:25,700
the First Family will depart Camp David en route to Andrews
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Air Force Base, arriving
at Andrews at 9:40 --
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00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:31,800
was somebody cheering
for that in the back?
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00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:34,470
(laughter)
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00:00:34,467 --> 00:00:37,797
Somebody seemed particularly
excited about that helicopter ride.
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00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:40,870
At 9:45, the First Family
will depart Andrews en route to
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00:00:40,867 --> 00:00:47,937
Martha's Vineyard, arriving at approximately 10:55 at Cape Cod
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00:00:47,934 --> 00:00:50,704
Coast Guard Air Station.
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That is open arrival.
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00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,000
Bill will gaggle
on the flight up.
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00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:58,430
The President will return
to Washington sometime --
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right now in the late afternoon of Sunday, August 30th.
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I do not have an
exact time for you.
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But as that gets closer, we'll
have a chance to talk about it.
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And with that, take us away.
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The Press:
Thank you.
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00:01:11,734 --> 00:01:14,004
On the meeting with
former Senator Daschle,
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can you tell us a little bit about what they're talking about?
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00:01:16,700 --> 00:01:19,700
Is it just health
care or other topics?
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00:01:19,700 --> 00:01:22,800
Mr. Gibbs:
The guidance I have, that
they'll talk some about
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health care. I'm sure they'll
touch on other things that are
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going on. The meeting
started a few minutes late,
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so I don't have a
readout on it yet.
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We'll try to get a couple of
sentences for you on what they
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00:01:31,633 --> 00:01:33,333
go over in the meeting.
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The Press:
Does the former Senator
have any sort of role
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00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:38,230
for the administration in the
debate over overhauling the
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00:01:38,233 --> 00:01:39,303
health care system?
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00:01:39,300 --> 00:01:41,000
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, I think that
Senator Daschle,
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00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:46,830
along with former Senator Dole
and others have put together
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00:01:46,834 --> 00:01:53,304
ideas for bipartisan plans to
get through Congress and to the
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President's desk. Obviously it's
an issue that he's been working
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on for quite some time.
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00:01:57,467 --> 00:01:59,467
He doesn't have a formal
role at the White House,
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00:01:59,467 --> 00:02:02,967
but the President certainly
listens to his advice and
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00:02:02,967 --> 00:02:06,037
counsel as he does
to many others.
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00:02:06,033 --> 00:02:07,433
Yes, ma'am.
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00:02:07,433 --> 00:02:09,303
The Press:
I have a question
on the economy.
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00:02:09,300 --> 00:02:14,730
Ben Bernanke gave a speech today
that was more optimistic than a
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00:02:14,734 --> 00:02:19,004
lot of people had expected, and
also the existing home sales
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were up more than 7% to their highest pace in two years.
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What do you -- what does the
White House think of that
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00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:28,900
assessment that things
are getting better?
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00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:31,230
And is it a sign that things are
getting better and that housing
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00:02:31,233 --> 00:02:32,703
maybe is healing?
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00:02:32,700 --> 00:02:36,500
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think, not wanting
to read too much into
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one day's statistics, I think
if you look over the course of
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several months, it does appear
that the housing market is
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00:02:45,467 --> 00:02:49,597
bottoming out a bit, which
obviously was one of the reasons
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00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:52,900
we got into the severity of the
economic downturn that we're in
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00:02:52,900 --> 00:02:59,130
now. Obviously there's an
independence to the Fed that I
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00:02:59,133 --> 00:03:06,203
don't want to get tremendously
involved in violating on an
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August Friday. But I would
simply reiterate what we've said
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before, which is the economy
that the President inherited
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00:03:16,900 --> 00:03:23,070
upon taking office was at
the brink, as many said,
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of sliding into a far deeper
recession or a possible
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00:03:26,467 --> 00:03:30,497
depression. Actions taken to
stabilize our financial system,
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00:03:30,500 --> 00:03:34,270
to get our economy moving again
through the recovery plan,
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00:03:34,266 --> 00:03:40,836
to work to make the housing
market work more for Americans,
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00:03:40,834 --> 00:03:44,034
to deal and address
foreclosures,
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00:03:44,033 --> 00:03:47,733
pulled the American economy
back from that brink.
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00:03:47,734 --> 00:03:50,164
Obviously, not unlike
the housing statistics,
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00:03:50,166 --> 00:03:55,566
we see -- you see some good
and some not so good news,
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as the government releases its
statistics throughout the week.
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The President is pleased with
the fact that it appears we're
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00:04:06,834 --> 00:04:09,464
making some progress in
stabilizing that economy,
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as I've talked about, but won't
be satisfied until we get the
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economy fully back on track, and
that we're growing the economy
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in a way that creates jobs for
the millions of Americans who
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continue to look for work
and thus far can't find it.
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Yes, sir.
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The Press:
Tell us how you see things
playing out after the
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00:04:31,300 --> 00:04:33,170
President returns in September.
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00:04:33,166 --> 00:04:36,866
Yesterday again Nancy Pelosi
said she couldn't pass the bill
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in the House without
the public option.
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00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:42,170
You've got people like Kent
Conrad saying you can't pass a
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00:04:42,166 --> 00:04:46,536
bill in the Senate
with the public option.
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How do you see things
unfolding in September?
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00:04:48,500 --> 00:04:52,470
And eventually does it come down
to a conference committee kind
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00:04:52,467 --> 00:04:55,667
of resolving differences between
the Senate and the House?
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00:04:55,667 --> 00:04:59,197
Or just how do you kind of
project things in the fall?
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Mr. Gibbs:
Right. Well, look; obviously
you've got a myriad of opinions
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00:05:05,734 --> 00:05:13,104
on either side. I know last
night the six Senate Finance
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00:05:13,100 --> 00:05:18,230
Committee members spent about 90
minutes, I'm told, on the phone
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working through and making progress on their ideas.
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The White House has gotten an update on that phone call. Look --
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The Press:
How did you feel about that?
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00:05:31,533 --> 00:05:33,463
Mr. Gibbs:
The reports from the phone call
were that they were making
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progress. I think they believe,
as the President strongly
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00:05:39,033 --> 00:05:45,333
believes, that they should
continue to work on a bipartisan
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00:05:45,333 --> 00:05:48,833
basis to try to get agreement on
what's outstanding in order to
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00:05:48,834 --> 00:05:52,334
get a bill to their committee
and hopefully out of their
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00:05:52,333 --> 00:05:55,663
committee in a timely fashion
when Congress returns in
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September. So it's hard to know
exactly what's going to happen
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00:06:03,667 --> 00:06:08,167
then. We hope that the Senate
Finance Committee will continue
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to work to make progress on that
side and we'll see what happens
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in the House. In terms of --
it's hard for me to peer too far
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into the future in terms of conference committees
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00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:18,130
and all that stuff.
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00:06:18,133 --> 00:06:20,703
The Press:
How about this thing that
was floated out there,
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00:06:20,700 --> 00:06:23,670
splitting the bill and
having reconciliation?
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00:06:23,667 --> 00:06:26,637
Because, that way -- with 51
votes you can get some things.
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00:06:26,633 --> 00:06:30,633
Mr. Gibbs:
You know, I've certainly
read the reports on that.
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I haven't gotten a lot
from in here about that.
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Our focus is, as we've talked
about in this room over the past
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00:06:38,300 --> 00:06:42,270
several days, our focus is on
working with Republicans and
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00:06:42,266 --> 00:06:44,936
Democrats to get agreement on
something that the President can
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00:06:44,934 --> 00:06:46,964
sign. Yes, ma'am.
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00:06:46,967 --> 00:06:48,597
The Press:
As the President
leaves for vacation,
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00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:52,930
it's been a long month of August
in the health care debate.
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00:06:52,934 --> 00:06:53,964
Mr. Gibbs:
It's been a long week.
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00:06:53,967 --> 00:06:55,297
The Press:
It's been a long
day already for me.
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(laughter)
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00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,630
What has the President
learned this month,
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00:06:59,633 --> 00:07:03,333
this make-it-or-break-it month,
as he heads into vacation,
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00:07:03,333 --> 00:07:07,003
in terms of the
health care debate?
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00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:10,300
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I hesitate to call
August the make-it-or -- no
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00:07:10,300 --> 00:07:12,930
offense to -- I know you guys
have spent a lot of money on
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00:07:12,934 --> 00:07:14,634
branding it the
make-it-or-break-it month.
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00:07:14,633 --> 00:07:16,003
The Press:
It's been an important
month in the debate.
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00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,830
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no -- right,
but here's my hunch.
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00:07:18,834 --> 00:07:21,004
My hunch is that -- I don't know
which cable network will make
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00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:25,000
September an even more
important month than August,
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00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:27,430
and then if this thing gets to
October I can only imagine that
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that will soon be a
more important month.
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00:07:31,667 --> 00:07:34,897
My sense of that is that -- not
to quote the President yesterday
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00:07:34,900 --> 00:07:43,070
at the DNC -- but I think that
-- I think that much is always
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00:07:43,066 --> 00:07:49,496
made of where things are at a
certain point in the process.
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00:07:49,500 --> 00:07:52,870
The President's viewpoint
is, as you said in here,
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00:07:52,867 --> 00:07:55,637
not to worry too much about the
24-hour news cycle and focus
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00:07:55,633 --> 00:08:01,503
more on the overall process
and the overall policy.
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00:08:01,500 --> 00:08:05,270
So, you know, I don't -- I
don't know that I would read a
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00:08:05,266 --> 00:08:11,166
tremendous amount into any
specific time period like
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00:08:11,166 --> 00:08:15,796
August. I mean, I think if you
look at -- if you look at the
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00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:20,470
NBC poll, there's been obviously
a lot of heat and light around
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00:08:20,467 --> 00:08:21,467
town hall meetings.
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00:08:21,467 --> 00:08:26,397
But the NBC poll showed that I
think roughly an equal number of
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00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:29,730
people were more favorable about
health care based on town halls
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00:08:29,734 --> 00:08:33,664
as they were less favorable, and
three-fifths of the country it
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00:08:33,667 --> 00:08:35,067
didn't make any difference.
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00:08:35,066 --> 00:08:39,696
So I do think the President has
used August in the town hall
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00:08:39,700 --> 00:08:42,470
meetings that we've had
and the appearances,
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00:08:42,467 --> 00:08:44,567
including the one
we had yesterday,
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00:08:44,567 --> 00:08:48,697
and we'll do again in September
to continue to tell people about
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00:08:48,700 --> 00:08:50,400
why health care
reform is important,
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00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:52,830
why we can't afford
to do nothing,
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00:08:52,834 --> 00:08:55,464
the stakes that are involved,
and to try to push back on the
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00:08:55,467 --> 00:08:59,237
mistruths and misrepresentations
that we all know are still out
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00:08:59,233 --> 00:09:01,803
there about health care reform.
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00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:03,670
The Press:
I know you love it when
we do this -- so you're not
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00:09:03,667 --> 00:09:06,067
saying that the President hasn't
learned anything over some pre
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00:09:06,066 --> 00:09:08,466
-- some determined
amount of time, but --
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00:09:08,467 --> 00:09:09,697
Mr. Gibbs:
No, you know, we haven't --
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00:09:09,700 --> 00:09:11,330
The Press:
-- I mean, does he see
it as he needs to be now
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00:09:11,333 --> 00:09:14,533
more of a vocal -- more of a
face out there in order to keep
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00:09:14,533 --> 00:09:17,263
the message out there of what
reform he wants to see?
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00:09:17,266 --> 00:09:20,096
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, you know, again, you know, I'm balancing that against all
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00:09:20,100 --> 00:09:22,700
that I read about how the President is overexposed.
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00:09:22,700 --> 00:09:25,700
So, you know, look, I think the
President is going to continue
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00:09:25,700 --> 00:09:29,670
to be out front in September
and October in trying to get
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00:09:29,667 --> 00:09:32,597
something done. I think he
understands, and I think we've
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00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:38,070
made progress. Again, if you
look at what the NBC poll has,
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00:09:38,066 --> 00:09:40,436
I think there's obviously --
the President's made some
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00:09:40,433 --> 00:09:44,403
discernible progress on the
mistruth about government making
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00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:46,400
end-of-life health care
decisions for seniors,
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00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:49,500
which obviously isn't going to
happen; it's not in the bill.
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00:09:49,500 --> 00:09:54,670
And I think him being out there
pushing forward on that rumor is
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00:09:54,667 --> 00:09:58,397
why the American people and
seniors, based on that polling,
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00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:02,130
don't believe that that exists
in the piece of legislation
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00:10:02,133 --> 00:10:03,303
that's being considered now.
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00:10:03,300 --> 00:10:05,900
The Press:
So, just a side note before
I get to my question --
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00:10:05,900 --> 00:10:07,170
(laughter)
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00:10:07,166 --> 00:10:10,466
-- the polling numbers, the polling stuff that you cited
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00:10:10,467 --> 00:10:12,337
makes it look much better
than it actually is.
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00:10:12,333 --> 00:10:16,003
The polling stuff shows a significant drop in support for
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00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:17,630
a health care plan --
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00:10:17,633 --> 00:10:19,233
Mr. Gibbs:
The NBC poll did not show that.
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00:10:19,233 --> 00:10:20,733
The Press:
-- it shows a right
track/wrong track that has
185
00:10:20,734 --> 00:10:22,034
gotten much worse.
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00:10:22,033 --> 00:10:23,163
Mr. Gibbs:
You want to help him
out with the poll?
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00:10:23,166 --> 00:10:24,236
The Press:
It's a mixed bag.
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00:10:24,233 --> 00:10:25,703
No, I would say
it's a mixed bag.
189
00:10:25,700 --> 00:10:26,800
(laughter)
190
00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:27,800
The Press:
All right, well, anyway --
191
00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:29,000
Mr. Gibbs:
I'll give you 30
seconds to respond.
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00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,470
(laughter)
193
00:10:31,467 --> 00:10:34,967
The Press:
Despite official protests
from this government,
194
00:10:34,967 --> 00:10:38,637
on every level, the Scots
released the Lockerbie bomber.
195
00:10:38,633 --> 00:10:41,833
The President yesterday said he
hoped that they would place him
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00:10:41,834 --> 00:10:44,804
under -- in Libya
under house arrest.
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00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:48,530
Instead he gets a hero's
welcome; people are outraged.
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00:10:48,533 --> 00:10:56,063
Mr. Gibbs:
Rightly so. I think the images
that we saw in Libya yesterday
199
00:10:56,066 --> 00:11:01,796
were outrageous and disgusting.
200
00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:08,330
We continue to express our
condolences to the families that
201
00:11:08,333 --> 00:11:18,203
lost a loved one as a result
of this terrorist murder.
202
00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:20,970
We communicated with
the Libyan government,
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00:11:20,967 --> 00:11:25,737
and we continue to watch what
they do in the days going
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00:11:25,734 --> 00:11:31,764
forward about this individual,
and understand that the video
205
00:11:31,767 --> 00:11:36,097
that you saw yesterday is
tremendously offensive to the
206
00:11:36,100 --> 00:11:39,900
survivors that, as I said,
lost a loved one in 1988.
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00:11:39,900 --> 00:11:41,370
The Press:
They're like blowing
off the President.
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00:11:41,367 --> 00:11:44,497
I mean, the guy who shook the
President's hand at the G8,
209
00:11:44,500 --> 00:11:46,630
who runs Libya, is
basically thumbing his
210
00:11:46,633 --> 00:11:48,033
nose at the President.
211
00:11:48,033 --> 00:11:49,903
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, we're watching the
government to see how
212
00:11:49,900 --> 00:11:51,700
they respond. Yes, Helen.
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00:11:51,700 --> 00:11:55,330
The Press:
Has the President ordered
any end of the contracts
214
00:11:55,333 --> 00:12:00,433
we have with the
assassination mercenaries?
215
00:12:00,433 --> 00:12:02,103
Mr. Gibbs:
Do you mean Blackwater?
216
00:12:02,100 --> 00:12:03,400
The Press:
Or anybody else.
217
00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:07,000
Mr. Gibbs:
I have -- I asked for an update,
218
00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:11,200
which I have not yet gotten,
on where we are in different
219
00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:14,470
contracts. I would -- as it
relates to CIA's use of
220
00:12:14,467 --> 00:12:21,337
contracting, I would point you
specifically to them for
221
00:12:21,333 --> 00:12:22,803
responses on that.
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00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:24,700
The Press:
I don't think they
would tell us.
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00:12:24,700 --> 00:12:26,970
Mr. Gibbs:
They may tell you, Helen.
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00:12:26,967 --> 00:12:29,267
If you use that sweet
voice on the phone,
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00:12:29,266 --> 00:12:30,996
you never know
what you could get.
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00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,070
(laughter)
227
00:12:33,066 --> 00:12:34,066
Savannah.
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00:12:34,066 --> 00:12:36,066
The Press:
I want them to stop
killing people.
229
00:12:36,066 --> 00:12:37,236
Mr. Gibbs:
You should let them know.
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00:12:37,233 --> 00:12:38,563
The Press:
You should, too.
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00:12:38,567 --> 00:12:41,697
(laughter)
232
00:12:41,700 --> 00:12:44,270
You have the orders
-- you have the power.
233
00:12:44,266 --> 00:12:46,466
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, ma'am.
234
00:12:46,467 --> 00:12:48,267
The Press:
Did you say -- and I know
you were going to get a
235
00:12:48,266 --> 00:12:50,666
read on this, whether the
administration supports the idea
236
00:12:50,667 --> 00:12:52,167
of this split bill?
237
00:12:52,166 --> 00:12:57,066
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, like I said, almost
all of Legislative
238
00:12:57,066 --> 00:13:00,736
Affairs is happily on vacation.
Most of them are bad at e-mail
239
00:13:00,734 --> 00:13:02,464
when they're sitting
in the building.
240
00:13:02,467 --> 00:13:03,467
(laughter)
241
00:13:03,467 --> 00:13:04,867
The Press:
Is there really -- you've
been trying but you
242
00:13:04,867 --> 00:13:07,137
cannot get an answer?
243
00:13:07,133 --> 00:13:09,833
Mr. Gibbs:
Bill is at a house he described
as a beautiful place
244
00:13:09,834 --> 00:13:12,964
in the mountains of New Mexico,
and go figure that when my
245
00:13:12,967 --> 00:13:18,097
number comes up on his caller
ID that it gets ignored -- it
246
00:13:18,100 --> 00:13:19,900
somehow goes to voicemail.
247
00:13:19,900 --> 00:13:21,400
The Press:
So you have no idea whether
the administration --
248
00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:23,300
Mr. Gibbs:
I have not gotten any
further guidance on that.
249
00:13:23,300 --> 00:13:26,200
Again, I would tell you, as I've
told you all here throughout the
250
00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:31,970
week, our focus is on continuing
the process that's going on now,
251
00:13:31,967 --> 00:13:36,497
and the focus that Democrats and
Republicans work together to get
252
00:13:36,500 --> 00:13:38,970
a bill through the
Senate, the House,
253
00:13:38,967 --> 00:13:40,897
and ultimately to the
President's desk.
254
00:13:40,900 --> 00:13:43,600
The Press:
Okay, on that issue, one
of the readouts from the
255
00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:47,400
call last night suggested that
the Gang of Six is looking at
256
00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:50,930
scaling back ambitions, in
terms of health care reform.
257
00:13:50,934 --> 00:13:55,864
And my question to you is, is
bipartisanship so important to
258
00:13:55,867 --> 00:13:59,767
the President that he is willing
to scale back some of his plans
259
00:13:59,767 --> 00:14:01,467
to accomplish bipartisanship?
260
00:14:01,467 --> 00:14:03,037
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, again, I think
you'd have to look at what
261
00:14:03,033 --> 00:14:07,703
ultimately any -- the President
is going to evaluate ultimately
262
00:14:07,700 --> 00:14:11,170
any piece of legislation as to
whether it meets his goals and
263
00:14:11,166 --> 00:14:13,536
his principles for
health care reform.
264
00:14:13,533 --> 00:14:22,033
I've seen -- I'm told as part of
the 90-minute call that there
265
00:14:22,033 --> 00:14:26,363
wasn't a large amount of
time spent on this topic;
266
00:14:26,367 --> 00:14:32,437
that the focus was on continuing
their negotiations around
267
00:14:32,433 --> 00:14:35,903
comprehensive reform.
268
00:14:35,900 --> 00:14:41,570
The President's goal is not to
print a banner and sign a bill
269
00:14:41,567 --> 00:14:44,397
just so somebody can say
we've reformed health care.
270
00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:48,800
Specific goals and
principles -- cutting costs,
271
00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:52,530
increasing coverage, ensuring
that we have the type of
272
00:14:52,533 --> 00:14:57,703
insurance reforms that protect
consumers against the type of
273
00:14:57,700 --> 00:15:01,730
practices that we've seen in the
past -- those are part of the
274
00:15:01,734 --> 00:15:03,904
goals and principles
that he has.
275
00:15:03,900 --> 00:15:05,800
The Press:
Some of these members of
Congress have talked about
276
00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:07,970
something of a change of
heart or that they've learned
277
00:15:07,967 --> 00:15:10,297
something from attending
these town halls,
278
00:15:10,300 --> 00:15:13,200
and that it's changed how they
feel about what they should do
279
00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:16,370
with health care. And I wonder,
has the President learned
280
00:15:16,367 --> 00:15:19,637
anything or taken away
anything from the town halls?
281
00:15:19,633 --> 00:15:23,233
I mean, he seems to be in the
same place he was on health care
282
00:15:23,233 --> 00:15:27,033
reform. So have they had --
seeing those constituents -- has
283
00:15:27,033 --> 00:15:29,563
that had no impact on what he
thinks should be done?
284
00:15:29,567 --> 00:15:34,937
Mr. Gibbs:
No, look, I think -- I think
the President's -- what
285
00:15:34,934 --> 00:15:40,534
the President has taken away
from his town halls are, one,
286
00:15:40,533 --> 00:15:45,533
that we can have a discussion
about a very important issue,
287
00:15:45,533 --> 00:15:48,863
as he said, not above each
other but with each other.
288
00:15:48,867 --> 00:15:51,167
I think that was the case
yesterday on the phone calls
289
00:15:51,166 --> 00:15:57,066
that he got from the radio show,
the questions that he got in New
290
00:15:57,066 --> 00:16:00,136
Hampshire or Montana
or in Colorado,
291
00:16:00,133 --> 00:16:02,903
and other events that we've done
throughout the past few months
292
00:16:02,900 --> 00:16:05,330
on health care.
293
00:16:05,333 --> 00:16:08,333
And I think he continues to
be very resolved to getting
294
00:16:08,333 --> 00:16:11,263
something done on this issue.
295
00:16:11,266 --> 00:16:15,236
The President continues to
believe that the worst possible
296
00:16:15,233 --> 00:16:18,233
outcome is doing nothing,
because we know what happens
297
00:16:18,233 --> 00:16:20,363
when we do nothing, right?
298
00:16:20,367 --> 00:16:22,437
We know premiums are going
to continue to skyrocket.
299
00:16:22,433 --> 00:16:24,733
We know 14,000 people a day
are going to lose their health
300
00:16:24,734 --> 00:16:26,964
insurance. We know small
businesses are going to be
301
00:16:26,967 --> 00:16:28,937
unable to afford their coverage.
302
00:16:28,934 --> 00:16:32,434
They're either going to drop
the idea of covering employees,
303
00:16:32,433 --> 00:16:35,103
or drop the number of employees
that they have employed by the
304
00:16:35,100 --> 00:16:37,730
small business. And we know that
insurance companies are going to
305
00:16:37,734 --> 00:16:42,404
continue to discriminate based
on whether or not they believe
306
00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:44,600
somebody has a preexisting
condition, or make a
307
00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:47,930
determination about whether
somebody is too sick to receive
308
00:16:47,934 --> 00:16:52,104
coverage. That's what doing
nothing -- that's what doing
309
00:16:52,100 --> 00:16:55,000
nothing will do, and the
President is determined that
310
00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:58,970
we're going to do something to
move this process along.
311
00:16:58,967 --> 00:16:59,797
The Press:
And real quickly --
312
00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:00,730
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.
313
00:17:00,734 --> 00:17:01,664
The Press:
-- on vacation.
314
00:17:01,667 --> 00:17:03,897
You're probably aware that a
conservative group took a shot
315
00:17:03,900 --> 00:17:06,770
at the President for his
vacation on Martha's Vineyard.
316
00:17:06,767 --> 00:17:09,737
And I guess I just wanted to
get your response to that,
317
00:17:09,734 --> 00:17:14,504
but also just the larger issue
of him going somewhere -- the
318
00:17:14,500 --> 00:17:18,030
tony vacation spot, what your
response would be to those who
319
00:17:18,033 --> 00:17:19,433
say it's not appropriate.
320
00:17:19,433 --> 00:17:22,803
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think this is the
same individual that we've
321
00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:26,000
talked about in here who is the
recipient of -- just so we do
322
00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:31,670
this, so everybody understands
-- of the largest health care
323
00:17:31,667 --> 00:17:36,837
penalty ever issued by a federal
government for fraud for a
324
00:17:36,834 --> 00:17:39,834
company he was
the CEO of, right?
325
00:17:39,834 --> 00:17:41,334
So leaving that aside --
326
00:17:41,333 --> 00:17:47,933
(laughter)
327
00:17:47,934 --> 00:17:52,204
-- I don't think the American
people begrudge a President
328
00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:57,170
taking some time with his family
that's well earned and well
329
00:17:57,166 --> 00:18:03,696
deserved for a few days to see
and spend time with them.
330
00:18:03,700 --> 00:18:04,870
Yes, ma'am.
331
00:18:04,867 --> 00:18:06,667
The Press:
Robert, can you shed any
more light -- you mentioned
332
00:18:06,667 --> 00:18:10,137
a couple of days ago that there
might be some events during the
333
00:18:10,133 --> 00:18:13,303
scheduled Vineyard vacation,
some conference calls.
334
00:18:13,300 --> 00:18:19,630
And second part, what
is "wee-weed up"?
335
00:18:19,633 --> 00:18:21,103
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know if I should
do that from the podium.
336
00:18:21,100 --> 00:18:23,330
(laughter)
337
00:18:23,333 --> 00:18:24,663
It's a phrase I use, but --
338
00:18:24,667 --> 00:18:26,097
The Press:
I'm not asking for a
demonstration. I just --
339
00:18:26,100 --> 00:18:27,600
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I was going to
have Bill do that.
340
00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:32,000
(laughter)
341
00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:35,800
Mr. Gibbs:
Let's do this in a way
that is family friendly.
342
00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:38,370
I think wee-weed up is when
people just get all nervous for
343
00:18:38,367 --> 00:18:42,797
no particular reason,
when they -- look,
344
00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:48,100
I think the way the President
used it was -- and I've talked
345
00:18:48,100 --> 00:18:52,770
to a few of you guys about this
-- in August of 2007, right,
346
00:18:52,767 --> 00:18:58,237
the rap on the President and the
campaign was they can't -- first
347
00:18:58,233 --> 00:19:02,363
of all, they're doing poorly in
Iowa; they can't possibly win
348
00:19:02,367 --> 00:19:05,537
the nomination, let alone the
presidency, right, so I'll leave
349
00:19:05,533 --> 00:19:07,363
those predications aside.
350
00:19:07,367 --> 00:19:14,037
August of 2008, everybody was
nervous about whether the entire
351
00:19:14,033 --> 00:19:16,533
presidential campaign was
slipping out from underneath the
352
00:19:16,533 --> 00:19:19,733
hands of the President, who they
previously didn't think would
353
00:19:19,734 --> 00:19:21,604
actually be the nominee.
354
00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:26,270
So this is just -- this is sort
of an August pundit pattern
355
00:19:26,266 --> 00:19:34,236
between people getting overly
nervous for something that still
356
00:19:34,233 --> 00:19:37,233
has a long way to go.
357
00:19:37,233 --> 00:19:40,733
Bed-wetting is -- would
be probably the more
358
00:19:40,734 --> 00:19:42,264
consumer-friendly term for --
359
00:19:42,266 --> 00:19:44,836
(laughter)
360
00:19:44,834 --> 00:19:50,134
In terms of the first thing, I
think -- I think we'll have some
361
00:19:50,133 --> 00:19:51,803
surrogates out doing stuff.
362
00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:54,700
I don't anticipate the President
will break his vacation.
363
00:19:54,700 --> 00:19:57,000
The radio address later
today that we'll release,
364
00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:00,970
embargoed for tomorrow
morning, is on health care.
365
00:20:00,967 --> 00:20:03,597
And I do anticipate, as we
talked about -- have talked
366
00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:05,330
about throughout the
last several days,
367
00:20:05,333 --> 00:20:09,703
that he'll continue to touch
base with members of Congress in
368
00:20:09,700 --> 00:20:13,170
the House and the Senate on the
Finance Committee to check in
369
00:20:13,166 --> 00:20:16,766
with them about progress
that's being made. Yes, sir.
370
00:20:16,767 --> 00:20:17,637
The Press:
During vacation?
371
00:20:17,633 --> 00:20:18,933
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, sir.
372
00:20:18,934 --> 00:20:21,404
The Press:
Okay. Getting back to Bill's
questions about Libya,
373
00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:24,970
what effect is the show that
went on there on the tarmac
374
00:20:24,967 --> 00:20:29,637
yesterday going to have on
prospects for any improvement in
375
00:20:29,633 --> 00:20:31,063
relations with that country?
376
00:20:31,066 --> 00:20:39,166
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, we've
registered our outrage.
377
00:20:39,166 --> 00:20:44,736
We have discussed with the
Libyans what we think is
378
00:20:44,734 --> 00:20:50,664
appropriate, as we did with UK
and Scottish officials in our
379
00:20:50,667 --> 00:20:54,397
opposition to the
release to begin with.
380
00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:56,000
And all I can say,
going forward,
381
00:20:56,000 --> 00:21:02,630
is we'll continue to watch the
actions of this individual and
382
00:21:02,633 --> 00:21:03,833
the Libyan government.
383
00:21:03,834 --> 00:21:05,764
The Press:
Would you acknowledge that
the show that they put on
384
00:21:05,767 --> 00:21:08,997
yesterday when he arrived has
set back prospects for improved
385
00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:10,530
relations with Tripoli?
386
00:21:10,533 --> 00:21:13,363
Mr. Gibbs:
I'd feel comfortable saying
that the administration
387
00:21:13,367 --> 00:21:16,297
believes that the images that
were broadcast throughout the
388
00:21:16,300 --> 00:21:22,970
world were outrageous and
incredibly offensive to
389
00:21:22,967 --> 00:21:26,167
Americans, and particularly
offensive to those that lost a
390
00:21:26,166 --> 00:21:30,866
loved one on that flight many
years ago. Yes, ma'am.
391
00:21:30,867 --> 00:21:34,137
The Press:
What was the President's
specific reaction to
392
00:21:34,133 --> 00:21:36,333
the video when he saw it,
of Megrahi returning --
393
00:21:36,333 --> 00:21:42,403
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, I think I'm
conveying his sense and the
394
00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:46,600
administration's sense of what
those images encapsulated.
395
00:21:46,600 --> 00:21:48,500
The Press:
The President said the
Cash for Clunkers program
396
00:21:48,500 --> 00:21:51,400
was successful beyond
anybody's imagination.
397
00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:54,430
If that's the case,
why are you ending it?
398
00:21:54,433 --> 00:21:58,633
Mr. Gibbs:
Because this was a
temporary program to assist
399
00:21:58,633 --> 00:22:07,663
consumers, manufacturers, car
dealers, in replacing old,
400
00:22:07,667 --> 00:22:13,867
outdated cars that got far less
efficient miles per gallon -- to
401
00:22:13,867 --> 00:22:20,337
trade that in for one that gets
far better miles per gallon.
402
00:22:20,333 --> 00:22:24,763
The program was designed to
be temporary and has been
403
00:22:24,767 --> 00:22:30,437
enormously successful, so much
so that we're winding it down to
404
00:22:30,433 --> 00:22:34,303
ensure that all the applications
will be funded with the $3
405
00:22:34,300 --> 00:22:37,870
billion that Congress
approved in two steps.
406
00:22:37,867 --> 00:22:41,167
The Press:
So the money has been
ran out to keep funding it?
407
00:22:41,166 --> 00:22:46,066
Mr. Gibbs:
Right. The program
has reached its limit.
408
00:22:46,066 --> 00:22:49,836
Again, this wasn't a program
that was originally designed
409
00:22:49,834 --> 00:22:55,834
based on a time frame with an
unending amount of funding;
410
00:22:55,834 --> 00:22:58,104
there was, as you all know,
first a billion dollars
411
00:22:58,100 --> 00:23:01,400
appropriated through the
supplemental appropriations.
412
00:23:01,400 --> 00:23:10,570
Congress then, concerned that
the program needed more funding
413
00:23:10,567 --> 00:23:15,867
and was doing well, approved
an additional $2 billion.
414
00:23:15,867 --> 00:23:19,037
I will say that thus far the
government has approved and
415
00:23:19,033 --> 00:23:24,633
processed 170,000 applications
in roughly a three-week period
416
00:23:24,633 --> 00:23:28,233
of time. The program, as
it was originally designed,
417
00:23:28,233 --> 00:23:33,933
was to process about 250,000
applications in a three-month
418
00:23:33,934 --> 00:23:35,634
period of time.
419
00:23:35,633 --> 00:23:39,063
To address any concern about
the backlog and the number of
420
00:23:39,066 --> 00:23:42,036
applications that we've received
in that short period of time,
421
00:23:42,033 --> 00:23:45,063
as the President said yesterday,
we've tripled the number of
422
00:23:45,066 --> 00:23:48,796
people that are processing
those applications.
423
00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:52,000
And I know there's been a lot of
discussion out there about this,
424
00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:59,100
but the law states that a dealer
should receive reimbursement
425
00:23:59,100 --> 00:24:04,700
within 10 days of a completed
and approved -- meaning
426
00:24:04,700 --> 00:24:09,270
processed and approved --
application for reimbursement of
427
00:24:09,266 --> 00:24:11,766
assistance through the program.
428
00:24:11,767 --> 00:24:14,467
The program is
meeting that deadline.
429
00:24:14,467 --> 00:24:19,937
What we're experiencing is you
get these applications based on
430
00:24:19,934 --> 00:24:22,664
a sale, some of them
are not completed,
431
00:24:22,667 --> 00:24:26,697
some of them lack information
or have been filled out wrong.
432
00:24:26,700 --> 00:24:28,300
That takes some time.
433
00:24:28,300 --> 00:24:31,170
Once they're processed
and approved,
434
00:24:31,166 --> 00:24:36,466
we're meeting the 10-day
window of reimbursement.
435
00:24:36,467 --> 00:24:41,767
And I would also mention
that I think as of today,
436
00:24:41,767 --> 00:24:50,467
each of the -- or all major
automakers are now supporting
437
00:24:50,467 --> 00:24:55,097
any liquidity problems
that dealers might have,
438
00:24:55,100 --> 00:25:00,070
in that 10-day period of time,
by covering some of the money
439
00:25:00,066 --> 00:25:03,636
that's been extended for the
program. Again, I think the
440
00:25:03,633 --> 00:25:06,263
President was correct. The
program has been enormously
441
00:25:06,266 --> 00:25:09,136
successful. Yes, sir.
442
00:25:09,133 --> 00:25:11,033
The Press:
Just picking up on that, Robert,
443
00:25:11,033 --> 00:25:13,503
and I may be wrong on this -- I
thought when Congress originally
444
00:25:13,500 --> 00:25:16,800
authorized this, they
imagined up to $4 billion.
445
00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:19,870
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, we originally requested
-- our original idea
446
00:25:19,867 --> 00:25:21,837
was to request $4
billion, right?
447
00:25:21,834 --> 00:25:22,834
The Press:
Right, okay.
448
00:25:22,834 --> 00:25:25,034
Mr. Gibbs:
Congress, as part of the
supplemental appropriations,
449
00:25:25,033 --> 00:25:26,303
approved $1 billion.
450
00:25:26,300 --> 00:25:27,470
The Press:
Right, of appropriation.
451
00:25:27,467 --> 00:25:30,997
Mr. Gibbs:
Right. When that $1 billion
was nearing its finality,
452
00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:33,500
an additional $2
billion -- so, again --
453
00:25:33,500 --> 00:25:34,400
The Press:
I guess what I'm saying is,
454
00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:37,970
since you imagined $4 billion,
why stop at $3 billion?
455
00:25:37,967 --> 00:25:39,797
Mr. Gibbs:
Well --
456
00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:40,830
The Press:
It has been -- I mean,
457
00:25:40,834 --> 00:25:42,464
it has clearly been
successful. People like it.
458
00:25:42,467 --> 00:25:44,067
Why not go up to $4 billion?
459
00:25:44,066 --> 00:25:45,796
Mr. Gibbs:
It was designed to be
a temporary program.
460
00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:51,570
And there's no way now to get
-- I mean, in all honesty,
461
00:25:51,567 --> 00:25:54,667
there's no way to get additional
money with Congress out of town.
462
00:25:54,667 --> 00:26:00,067
So, obviously, in order to --
in order to move that money,
463
00:26:00,066 --> 00:26:01,036
we'd have to --
464
00:26:01,033 --> 00:26:02,303
The Press:
No, I understand the calendar.
465
00:26:02,300 --> 00:26:03,730
I'm just curious if once
they do come back --
466
00:26:03,734 --> 00:26:05,704
Mr. Gibbs:
It's more the
Constitution, but yes.
467
00:26:05,700 --> 00:26:08,400
The Press:
Well, calendars and
Constitution, pick a C-word.
468
00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:11,200
When they come back, would the
administration give thought to
469
00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:13,300
maybe seeking more
money, an extra billion,
470
00:26:13,300 --> 00:26:14,970
to go up to that $4
billion or reassess that?
471
00:26:14,967 --> 00:26:16,437
Mr. Gibbs:
At this point -- at
this point we --
472
00:26:16,433 --> 00:26:18,063
The Press:
Dealers should not
expect anything,
473
00:26:18,066 --> 00:26:19,296
another go-round?
474
00:26:19,300 --> 00:26:22,330
Mr. Gibbs:
No, they should not --
they have until I believe
475
00:26:22,333 --> 00:26:25,663
it's 8:00 p.m.
Eastern on Monday.
476
00:26:25,667 --> 00:26:28,997
Based on the flow of
applications that we received,
477
00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:34,430
the administration is confident
that that's an appropriate time
478
00:26:34,433 --> 00:26:38,803
to end the program and be able
to process and fund all the
479
00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:41,070
applications that
have been involved.
480
00:26:41,066 --> 00:26:44,236
The Press:
Okay. When Tom Daschle was with
the bipartisan group that you
481
00:26:44,233 --> 00:26:48,263
mentioned on June 17th, he
talked about the public option,
482
00:26:48,266 --> 00:26:51,266
and he said, "We're concerned
the ongoing health reform debate
483
00:26:51,266 --> 00:26:53,766
is beginning to show signs of
fracture on the public plan
484
00:26:53,767 --> 00:26:57,367
issue. So in order to advance a
process of developing bipartisan
485
00:26:57,367 --> 00:27:00,797
legislation and move it forward,
it is time to find consensus.
486
00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:03,370
We suggest allowing states the
option of establishing plans of
487
00:27:03,367 --> 00:27:06,937
their own." It goes on, but the
bottom line was, even then in
488
00:27:06,934 --> 00:27:10,534
mid-June, when the polling data
was a bit better than it is now,
489
00:27:10,533 --> 00:27:13,203
the town halls had not become a
topic of conversation across the
490
00:27:13,200 --> 00:27:17,630
country, then Tom Daschle was
saying the public plan is an
491
00:27:17,633 --> 00:27:20,703
impediment to a final product.
492
00:27:20,700 --> 00:27:23,200
Is the meeting today about
talking the President into
493
00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,030
believing that, or talking Tom
Daschle out of believing that?
494
00:27:26,033 --> 00:27:30,803
Or is this something that you'd
like to evaluate in what he said
495
00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:32,070
then and where we are now?
496
00:27:32,066 --> 00:27:34,366
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, first let me get a readout
on what is discussed, rather
497
00:27:34,367 --> 00:27:36,497
than predicting what
might be discussed.
498
00:27:36,500 --> 00:27:42,930
But more importantly, I think,
as the President said yesterday,
499
00:27:42,934 --> 00:27:47,364
said last Saturday,
as others have said,
500
00:27:47,367 --> 00:27:52,097
we have to have choice and
competition to ensure quality,
501
00:27:52,100 --> 00:27:54,530
to drive down cost.
502
00:27:54,533 --> 00:27:59,603
And to achieve that, the
preference is the public option,
503
00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:03,070
but we're open to discussing
other ideas like the one Senator
504
00:28:03,066 --> 00:28:06,766
Daschle, former Senator Dole
and I think former Senator --
505
00:28:06,767 --> 00:28:09,437
The Press:
So he would not disagree with
that assessment then or now?
506
00:28:09,433 --> 00:28:12,233
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think he would
-- I think he will use,
507
00:28:12,233 --> 00:28:15,833
no doubt, the opportunity to
talk about where we are on
508
00:28:15,834 --> 00:28:18,734
health care, ideas for
continuing to make progress,
509
00:28:18,734 --> 00:28:20,764
and I'm sure that's a
topic that will come up.
510
00:28:20,767 --> 00:28:22,597
The Press:
Following up on Bill's question,
511
00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:25,700
the Post poll this morning
has 49 percent of the country
512
00:28:25,700 --> 00:28:27,970
believes the President can and
will make the right decision;
513
00:28:27,967 --> 00:28:29,767
that's down from 60
at the 100-day mark.
514
00:28:29,767 --> 00:28:32,737
Fifty-five percent in the poll
-- I know it's just one poll --
515
00:28:32,734 --> 00:28:35,704
pretty seriously believe the
country is on the wrong track.
516
00:28:35,700 --> 00:28:37,200
And I'm just wondering
if the White House --
517
00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:40,670
Mr. Gibbs:
I think that's down
significantly -- what was that
518
00:28:40,667 --> 00:28:43,337
number in November of last year?
519
00:28:43,333 --> 00:28:44,663
The Press:
I can't tell you. I don't know.
520
00:28:44,667 --> 00:28:46,867
Mr. Gibbs:
I think it was in the
70s, but go ahead.
521
00:28:46,867 --> 00:28:49,737
The Press:
It's different than it was
in January or February,
522
00:28:49,734 --> 00:28:50,904
in a negative sense.
523
00:28:50,900 --> 00:28:53,030
I'm just wondering if you have
any -- or the White House has
524
00:28:53,033 --> 00:28:55,533
any anxiety that the broader
health care debate is not just
525
00:28:55,533 --> 00:28:59,103
changing the numbers possibly
temporarily on the health care
526
00:28:59,100 --> 00:29:02,230
question, but is having a
material effect on the way the
527
00:29:02,233 --> 00:29:03,863
entire presidency
is being viewed,
528
00:29:03,867 --> 00:29:07,367
and the way the public retains
confidence in the presidency.
529
00:29:07,367 --> 00:29:10,297
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, the short answer
would be no based on the
530
00:29:10,300 --> 00:29:13,900
fact that one of the numbers you
didn't discuss is the President,
531
00:29:13,900 --> 00:29:17,370
in that poll, his overall
approval rating is at 57 percent
532
00:29:17,367 --> 00:29:21,997
-- a fairly healthy number
for a President's
533
00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:23,970
approval rating. But --
534
00:29:23,967 --> 00:29:26,937
The Press:
-- gave you all the numbers
you'd have nothing to say.
535
00:29:26,934 --> 00:29:28,564
Mr. Gibbs:
I appreciate you giving
me the opportunity to
536
00:29:28,567 --> 00:29:32,297
fill in what's left.
537
00:29:32,300 --> 00:29:35,000
Look, I think the President
would be the first to tell you,
538
00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:40,430
as he said throughout this, that
this is a complex issue and that
539
00:29:40,433 --> 00:29:44,203
health care reform has never
been easy and that this process
540
00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:47,800
is one that is messy.
541
00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:53,530
I don't doubt that -- look, if
you look and just -- if you ask
542
00:29:53,533 --> 00:29:56,803
people -- again, going back to
some of these other polling --
543
00:29:56,800 --> 00:30:05,030
if you're seeing information
that as a result of this bill 55
544
00:30:05,033 --> 00:30:07,663
percent of the American people
believe illegal immigrants are
545
00:30:07,667 --> 00:30:11,097
going to get health care
as a result of this bill,
546
00:30:11,100 --> 00:30:15,730
despite the fact that the bill
prohibits that -- I don't doubt
547
00:30:15,734 --> 00:30:19,404
that that weighs down on
people's perception of the bill
548
00:30:19,400 --> 00:30:21,800
if a majority of the people
think something that we know is
549
00:30:21,800 --> 00:30:26,030
knowingly untrue and that if
people continue to hear that,
550
00:30:26,033 --> 00:30:29,233
something that's knowingly
untrue is repeated.
551
00:30:29,233 --> 00:30:30,663
The Press:
Well, I wasn't driving
nearly so much as the
552
00:30:30,667 --> 00:30:33,437
poll numbers on
health care itself,
553
00:30:33,433 --> 00:30:37,463
but on the overall view of the
presidency and his ability to
554
00:30:37,467 --> 00:30:40,767
bring change or be effective or
retain the confidence of the
555
00:30:40,767 --> 00:30:42,767
American people, because there
is some indication that the
556
00:30:42,767 --> 00:30:45,567
numbers have dipped here, during
the intensity of this health
557
00:30:45,567 --> 00:30:47,867
care debate. I'm just asking
you, is there a broader effect
558
00:30:47,867 --> 00:30:49,437
here on the White House?
559
00:30:49,433 --> 00:30:52,003
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, we'll continue
to evaluate that,
560
00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:58,930
but I'll tell you, Major,
whether it's looking at -- I
561
00:30:58,934 --> 00:31:02,234
think you can look at any poll
before the President made a
562
00:31:02,233 --> 00:31:06,663
decision about extending money
to the automobile companies so
563
00:31:06,667 --> 00:31:09,237
they didn't go out of business
-- not necessarily the most
564
00:31:09,233 --> 00:31:14,503
popular thing. Increasing our
troop strength in Afghanistan
565
00:31:14,500 --> 00:31:21,670
wasn't necessarily the
most popular thing.
566
00:31:21,667 --> 00:31:23,867
Those are decisions, though,
that the President believes was
567
00:31:23,867 --> 00:31:27,067
in the best interest -- in
the automobile decision,
568
00:31:27,066 --> 00:31:29,836
about the economy; in the
Afghanistan decision,
569
00:31:29,834 --> 00:31:32,604
about our national security
and ultimately in our national
570
00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:36,800
interest. So we'll certainly
continue to look at them,
571
00:31:36,800 --> 00:31:41,330
but the President will continue
to make decisions on what he
572
00:31:41,333 --> 00:31:44,403
believes is important and the
steps that have to be taken on
573
00:31:44,400 --> 00:31:47,600
the economy or on our national
security or on health care based
574
00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,700
on what he thinks is in the
country's best interest.
575
00:31:50,700 --> 00:31:55,300
Whether or not it starts out or
at the midpoint is less popular,
576
00:31:55,300 --> 00:31:58,830
that's our job to
fix. Yes, ma'am.
577
00:31:58,834 --> 00:32:02,164
The Press:
So, Robert, in addition to being the President's friend and the
578
00:32:02,166 --> 00:32:04,366
former Democratic leader, obviously Tom Daschle is also a
579
00:32:04,367 --> 00:32:07,067
paid consultant to health care industries -- UnitedHealth --
580
00:32:07,066 --> 00:32:10,266
there have been
stories about that.
581
00:32:10,266 --> 00:32:12,536
I'm wondering, does that
hinder his ability to give the
582
00:32:12,533 --> 00:32:14,003
President honest advice?
583
00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:15,330
Mr. Gibbs:
No.
584
00:32:15,333 --> 00:32:17,163
The Press:
Is there a vetting process
to know who exactly he's
585
00:32:17,166 --> 00:32:19,336
representing when he goes into
the Oval Office to talk to the
586
00:32:19,333 --> 00:32:20,703
President on health care?
587
00:32:20,700 --> 00:32:25,030
Mr. Gibbs:
We're not -- the President,
as you mentioned,
588
00:32:25,033 --> 00:32:29,103
has had a relationship with
Senator Daschle that dates back
589
00:32:29,100 --> 00:32:36,030
to 2003 and 2004 when they
were both on the ballot.
590
00:32:36,033 --> 00:32:39,803
The President knows and expects
that when he asks Senator
591
00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:43,230
Daschle a question, that he's
getting the opinion of Senator
592
00:32:43,233 --> 00:32:45,233
Daschle and not anybody else.
593
00:32:45,233 --> 00:32:46,903
The Press:
And how often have they
been in contact on --
594
00:32:46,900 --> 00:32:48,830
have they talked --
595
00:32:48,834 --> 00:32:49,734
Mr. Gibbs:
Currently.
596
00:32:49,734 --> 00:32:51,404
(laughter)
597
00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:52,800
The Press:
I realize that.
598
00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:56,870
(cell phone rings)
599
00:32:56,867 --> 00:32:57,937
The Press:
It wasn't me.
600
00:32:57,934 --> 00:33:00,804
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm itching to take a phone right before vacation.
601
00:33:00,800 --> 00:33:03,170
I don't know when the last
time they talked before this.
602
00:33:03,166 --> 00:33:04,696
I think it's been
quite some time.
603
00:33:04,700 --> 00:33:05,900
The Press:
And will we get a readout --
604
00:33:05,900 --> 00:33:08,200
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes. Yes, sir.
605
00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:10,600
The Press:
I was having a conversation
with Congressman
606
00:33:10,600 --> 00:33:13,330
Leonard Boswell a week or so ago
in Iowa and he said that the
607
00:33:13,333 --> 00:33:16,503
President had told him and a
group of other lawmakers that he
608
00:33:16,500 --> 00:33:20,100
was willing to be a one-term
President if it -- if that meant
609
00:33:20,100 --> 00:33:22,400
getting health care
reform through.
610
00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:25,370
Is that a message that you've
heard him say and that he has
611
00:33:25,367 --> 00:33:28,897
said to other groups, other
lawmakers, and is that his view?
612
00:33:28,900 --> 00:33:31,370
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I don't know that
I've specifically heard it
613
00:33:31,367 --> 00:33:33,667
around health care, Jeff, but I
have heard him -- I have heard
614
00:33:33,667 --> 00:33:40,837
the President say that if making
tough decisions in getting
615
00:33:40,834 --> 00:33:43,764
important things done that
Washington has failed to deal
616
00:33:43,767 --> 00:33:50,497
with for decades means that he
only lives in this house and
617
00:33:50,500 --> 00:33:52,430
makes those decisions
for four years,
618
00:33:52,433 --> 00:33:56,333
he's quite
comfortable with that.
619
00:33:56,333 --> 00:34:00,503
The way he approaches this
issue, the economy, Afghanistan,
620
00:34:00,500 --> 00:34:05,270
Iraq -- any of these issues
-- is not in a mode of
621
00:34:05,266 --> 00:34:10,596
self-preservation, but in a
mode of how best -- how best,
622
00:34:10,600 --> 00:34:12,430
given all of the
information out there,
623
00:34:12,433 --> 00:34:15,363
how best can he make decisions
that he thinks are in the best
624
00:34:15,367 --> 00:34:20,237
interest of the American people
-- not what's in the best
625
00:34:20,233 --> 00:34:24,963
interest of his personal
polling numbers. Yes, sir.
626
00:34:24,967 --> 00:34:27,837
The Press:
Does the President plan
any policy announcement
627
00:34:27,834 --> 00:34:31,834
next month regarding the closing
of the detention facility in
628
00:34:31,834 --> 00:34:36,234
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?
629
00:34:36,233 --> 00:34:38,533
Mr. Gibbs:
Obviously we've got several
task forces that are
630
00:34:38,533 --> 00:34:43,503
evaluating the detainees
that are there and making
631
00:34:43,500 --> 00:34:46,730
determinations about what comes
next in order to comply with the
632
00:34:46,734 --> 00:34:51,234
President's executive order of
January 21 to close Guantanamo
633
00:34:51,233 --> 00:34:55,663
Bay within a year. I don't know
of any specific timelines for
634
00:34:55,667 --> 00:35:00,197
announcements coming next month.
Obviously we've had -- the
635
00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:05,470
administration had a
multijurisdictional visit to a
636
00:35:05,467 --> 00:35:10,597
facility in Standish, Michigan,
and despite the fact that no
637
00:35:10,600 --> 00:35:15,470
final decisions had been made
and the principals committee on
638
00:35:15,467 --> 00:35:19,337
these issues continues to meet
with -- meet as a group and
639
00:35:19,333 --> 00:35:23,163
meet with the President. I don't
have in front of me any notion
640
00:35:23,166 --> 00:35:25,266
of a timeline for a decision.
641
00:35:25,266 --> 00:35:27,766
The Press:
It's my understanding that
the President needs to
642
00:35:27,767 --> 00:35:31,297
submit some sort of plan to
Congress before the start of the
643
00:35:31,300 --> 00:35:34,300
next fiscal year,
October 1. Is that your
644
00:35:34,300 --> 00:35:35,530
understanding, as well?
645
00:35:35,533 --> 00:35:37,403
Mr. Gibbs:
I would have to double-check.
646
00:35:37,400 --> 00:35:44,700
I know there's some -- I know
there's some requirements on --
647
00:35:44,700 --> 00:35:49,600
task force requirements that
relate to information that's in
648
00:35:49,600 --> 00:35:51,600
the -- that was passed as
part of the supplemental.
649
00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:53,270
I'd have to check
on where that is.
650
00:35:53,266 --> 00:35:58,436
As we talked about earlier, or
in one of the morning meetings,
651
00:35:58,433 --> 00:36:01,933
part of the legislation also
requires that Congress be
652
00:36:01,934 --> 00:36:06,104
notified about any potential
detainee transfers.
653
00:36:06,100 --> 00:36:09,730
I think I mentioned it on August
7, Congress was notified that up
654
00:36:09,734 --> 00:36:16,104
to six potential -- six current Guantanamo Bay detainees could
655
00:36:16,100 --> 00:36:18,800
be transferred within
the next few weeks.
656
00:36:18,800 --> 00:36:21,230
The Press:
There's a 60-day Obey
language in the supplemental
657
00:36:21,233 --> 00:36:22,863
about a report on Guantanamo.
658
00:36:22,867 --> 00:36:25,667
But I believe that the deadline
for that comes up next week.
659
00:36:25,667 --> 00:36:29,697
Mr. Gibbs:
Right. I think there is -- there
is some sort of -- I can't bring
660
00:36:29,700 --> 00:36:32,100
it out here, because it's
a classified document.
661
00:36:32,100 --> 00:36:33,630
But it's a -- it's --
662
00:36:33,633 --> 00:36:35,103
The Press:
Will any element of
that be released?
663
00:36:35,100 --> 00:36:36,830
Mr. Gibbs:
I will -- I will check on that.
664
00:36:36,834 --> 00:36:38,504
I know there's a
deadline that looms.
665
00:36:38,500 --> 00:36:40,470
It may be next Monday.
666
00:36:40,467 --> 00:36:42,167
The Press:
I think it's Sunday or Monday.
667
00:36:42,166 --> 00:36:44,866
The Press:
One final question
regarding this.
668
00:36:44,867 --> 00:36:48,097
Do you rule out the possibility
of President Obama traveling to
669
00:36:48,100 --> 00:36:50,830
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?
670
00:36:50,834 --> 00:36:56,464
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't see why he would. I
don't -- I don't necessarily see
671
00:36:56,467 --> 00:36:59,497
the need for him to go. Deb.
672
00:36:59,500 --> 00:37:01,130
The Press:
Congressman Pete Hoekstra,
673
00:37:01,133 --> 00:37:04,003
who is the ranking Republican
on the House Intel Committee,
674
00:37:04,000 --> 00:37:09,770
says that if Standish is picked
as the eventual place to keep
675
00:37:09,767 --> 00:37:14,667
the Guantanamo Bay detainees,
that it would be a magnet for
676
00:37:14,667 --> 00:37:19,537
terrorists. And the Michigan
State Senate passed a resolution
677
00:37:19,533 --> 00:37:24,503
asking the administration to
declassify information so that
678
00:37:24,500 --> 00:37:28,500
the governor and legislators can
make the decision for themselves
679
00:37:28,500 --> 00:37:31,200
about the safety of communities.
680
00:37:31,200 --> 00:37:34,230
What is the administration's
position on that?
681
00:37:34,233 --> 00:37:39,903
Mr. Gibbs:
I can certainly -- let me check
on the declassification.
682
00:37:39,900 --> 00:37:46,370
Deb, obviously, we are working
with local communities --
683
00:37:46,367 --> 00:37:50,967
obviously, the
multijurisdictional visit met
684
00:37:50,967 --> 00:37:57,597
with local officials to
discuss the possibilities.
685
00:37:57,600 --> 00:38:01,600
As I said, though, no final
decisions have been made.
686
00:38:01,600 --> 00:38:10,800
And I think it bears repeating,
you know, we -- I forget the
687
00:38:10,800 --> 00:38:12,900
number; I used to have
this number in my head.
688
00:38:12,900 --> 00:38:18,730
But, you know, we -- there are a
number of individuals that have
689
00:38:18,734 --> 00:38:25,034
been convicted of, or are
being held because of,
690
00:38:25,033 --> 00:38:28,463
their involvement in terrorism
in prisons throughout this
691
00:38:28,467 --> 00:38:31,697
country very safely.
692
00:38:31,700 --> 00:38:35,670
There's a supermax facility
in Colorado that holds some
693
00:38:35,667 --> 00:38:42,437
particularly gruesome
individuals that have yet to --
694
00:38:42,433 --> 00:38:49,933
the conditions around that town
have yet to devolve into what
695
00:38:49,934 --> 00:38:53,364
Congressman Hoekstra seems
to predict might happen in a
696
00:38:53,367 --> 00:38:55,697
different part of
the country. Josh.
697
00:38:55,700 --> 00:38:58,070
The Press:
Robert, did the President
tell rabbis on
698
00:38:58,066 --> 00:39:01,866
Wednesday that we're all God's
partners in matters of life and
699
00:39:01,867 --> 00:39:06,337
death? If so, what did he mean
by that? And are his religious
700
00:39:06,333 --> 00:39:09,303
convictions influencing his
views on what should and
701
00:39:09,300 --> 00:39:11,270
shouldn't be in the
health care --
702
00:39:11,266 --> 00:39:14,666
Mr. Gibbs:
I'd have to go back and look
at the transcript of the call.
703
00:39:14,667 --> 00:39:18,267
I think the
President has talked,
704
00:39:18,266 --> 00:39:22,766
and I think the rabbis
are a collection, a group,
705
00:39:22,767 --> 00:39:28,237
that invited him to be part of a
call because of their moral and
706
00:39:28,233 --> 00:39:30,963
ethical beliefs and how
they relate to health care.
707
00:39:30,967 --> 00:39:33,237
I think the President has talked
about -- obviously we have a
708
00:39:33,233 --> 00:39:37,863
very healthy and longstanding
separation of church and state,
709
00:39:37,867 --> 00:39:43,597
but obviously ethical and moral
matters are part of decisions
710
00:39:43,600 --> 00:39:45,230
that the President
makes. I'd have to --
711
00:39:45,233 --> 00:39:46,533
The Press:
Do you think we could get a
transcript -- look at the
712
00:39:46,533 --> 00:39:48,463
transcript so we could see
what he was talking about?
713
00:39:48,467 --> 00:39:51,667
Mr. Gibbs:
I can certainly try to
see whether that's
714
00:39:51,667 --> 00:39:54,037
there. Yes, ma'am.
715
00:39:54,033 --> 00:39:57,733
The Press:
Robert, I have seen --
716
00:39:57,734 --> 00:39:59,504
Mr. Gibbs:
I can hardly hear you.
717
00:39:59,500 --> 00:40:05,370
The Press:
I've seen many professionals with 10 years experience and
718
00:40:05,367 --> 00:40:08,997
making $50,000 in a year.
719
00:40:09,000 --> 00:40:13,570
These people have been
terminated for things.
720
00:40:13,567 --> 00:40:17,637
So what is the U.S. government
going to do about these
721
00:40:17,633 --> 00:40:23,933
companies -- hiring these
people, hiring young employees
722
00:40:23,934 --> 00:40:26,464
to reduced pay?
723
00:40:26,467 --> 00:40:28,667
Mr. Gibbs:
You know, I'd have to look
at some of the instances
724
00:40:28,667 --> 00:40:33,667
that you're talking about to
have a sense of what involvement
725
00:40:33,667 --> 00:40:36,367
the government would
have in that. Sam.
726
00:40:36,367 --> 00:40:37,867
The Press:
I know that Bill is on vacation,
727
00:40:37,867 --> 00:40:39,637
but have you spoken to the
President about the idea of
728
00:40:39,633 --> 00:40:42,003
splitting up the two bills,
since yesterday morning?
729
00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:43,670
Mr. Gibbs:
Only, as I said yesterday,
730
00:40:43,667 --> 00:40:47,767
only that he reiterated to me
that the focus is on seeking a
731
00:40:47,767 --> 00:40:49,167
bipartisan solution.
732
00:40:49,166 --> 00:40:51,336
The Press:
At the DNC he seemed -- he
very much seemed to open
733
00:40:51,333 --> 00:40:54,533
the door to reconciliation by
saying one way or another we're
734
00:40:54,533 --> 00:40:55,563
going to get something done.
735
00:40:55,567 --> 00:40:57,767
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, he didn't say --
he's said that for months.
736
00:40:57,767 --> 00:41:00,597
I mean, again, the President is
focused on getting something
737
00:41:00,600 --> 00:41:04,130
done because we know what
happens if something -- we know
738
00:41:04,133 --> 00:41:06,363
what happens if nothing
gets done. We know --
739
00:41:06,367 --> 00:41:07,497
The Press:
Is that a warning?
740
00:41:07,500 --> 00:41:11,230
Mr. Gibbs:
No, it was reality. Kirk.
741
00:41:11,233 --> 00:41:15,203
The Press:
Thanks, Robert. Two things. Why
did the White House not put out
742
00:41:15,200 --> 00:41:18,800
a statement on Bob
Novak's death?
743
00:41:18,800 --> 00:41:22,270
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't -- I'll talk to the
press secretary about that.
744
00:41:22,266 --> 00:41:27,396
I know the President obviously
-- look, I would say that --
745
00:41:27,400 --> 00:41:30,070
The Press:
But you're the press secretary.
746
00:41:30,066 --> 00:41:31,766
Mr. Gibbs:
I didn't know that.
747
00:41:31,767 --> 00:41:42,497
The -- obviously Mr. Novak was
somebody who wrote for one of
748
00:41:42,500 --> 00:41:51,130
the local Chicago papers, and
I think no matter how you felt
749
00:41:51,133 --> 00:41:55,363
personally about his
political leanings,
750
00:41:55,367 --> 00:42:01,237
I think the President would
agree with many that have said
751
00:42:01,233 --> 00:42:11,233
they had respect for his
reporting and for his ability
752
00:42:11,233 --> 00:42:14,133
and his opinions, even if
they didn't agree with him.
753
00:42:14,133 --> 00:42:20,033
And I think that's probably
a good lesson for all of us,
754
00:42:20,033 --> 00:42:23,533
either in August for town hall
meetings, or as we move forward
755
00:42:23,533 --> 00:42:26,103
on issues like health
care or anything else.
756
00:42:26,100 --> 00:42:30,970
The Press:
And unrelated, the -- in
Afghanistan, reports of voting
757
00:42:30,967 --> 00:42:35,697
irregularities -- any reaction
from the White House on that?
758
00:42:35,700 --> 00:42:38,830
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm not going to step on
the President speaking about
759
00:42:38,834 --> 00:42:44,134
the Afghan elections
in a little bit.
760
00:42:44,133 --> 00:42:45,663
I'll reiterate what
I said yesterday.
761
00:42:45,667 --> 00:42:48,037
Obviously, the President has
tremendous respect for the
762
00:42:48,033 --> 00:42:52,003
courage of millions of Afghans
that went to the polls in the
763
00:42:52,000 --> 00:43:01,670
face of threats of violence
and to choose their leaders.
764
00:43:01,667 --> 00:43:05,067
And we will -- I think it
will be quite some time,
765
00:43:05,066 --> 00:43:08,596
many days before we get
preliminary results,
766
00:43:08,600 --> 00:43:14,370
but that we'll watch
that as we move forward.
767
00:43:14,367 --> 00:43:16,237
The Press:
Can you give us a sense of
the President's vacation?
768
00:43:16,233 --> 00:43:19,003
We're hearing that he might
golf with Tiger Woods.
769
00:43:19,000 --> 00:43:20,200
Is that in the books?
770
00:43:20,200 --> 00:43:23,470
Or what's he going to
do with his time off?
771
00:43:23,467 --> 00:43:29,167
Mr. Gibbs:
I have no idea if he's going
to golf with Tiger Woods.
772
00:43:29,166 --> 00:43:33,736
I think he's going to spend a
decent part of his time relaxing
773
00:43:33,734 --> 00:43:37,964
with his family. There are no
official events scheduled in the
774
00:43:37,967 --> 00:43:41,837
week ahead. I anticipate that
he'll play golf a number of
775
00:43:41,834 --> 00:43:46,204
times. I do not have anything
that says though that he'll play
776
00:43:46,200 --> 00:43:50,070
with Tiger Woods in
the next few days. Yes.
777
00:43:50,066 --> 00:43:52,336
The Press:
Thank you, Robert.
778
00:43:52,333 --> 00:43:55,763
Did the White House make
decision who might be sent to
779
00:43:55,767 --> 00:44:01,767
funeral for the former President
Kim Jung -- I'm sorry,
780
00:44:01,767 --> 00:44:03,997
Kim Dae-jung in South Korea?
781
00:44:04,000 --> 00:44:06,670
Mr. Gibbs:
I think there is a
release going out,
782
00:44:06,667 --> 00:44:12,497
if it hasn't already, announcing
a delegation that will be sent
783
00:44:12,500 --> 00:44:16,330
to that. If it hasn't gone out,
it will go out fairly shortly.
784
00:44:16,333 --> 00:44:19,063
I don't have that list
in front of me. Yes, sir.
785
00:44:19,066 --> 00:44:20,536
The Press:
Thank you, Robert.
786
00:44:20,533 --> 00:44:24,163
After several reports about
Blackwater's involvement in CIA
787
00:44:24,166 --> 00:44:27,836
targeting programs and also
armoring drones with bombs in
788
00:44:27,834 --> 00:44:31,434
the war on terror, where does
the new Obama administration
789
00:44:31,433 --> 00:44:34,463
draw the line between the
government's monopoly to
790
00:44:34,467 --> 00:44:39,537
military force and legitimate
outsourcing of parts of this war
791
00:44:39,533 --> 00:44:42,333
business to private contractors?
792
00:44:42,333 --> 00:44:44,603
Generally, Western democracies
are very skeptical
793
00:44:44,600 --> 00:44:47,400
about outsourcing to --
794
00:44:47,400 --> 00:44:50,530
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, the President talked
about throughout the
795
00:44:50,533 --> 00:44:55,603
campaign, and has instituted an
openness and competitive bidding
796
00:44:55,600 --> 00:45:00,900
process for contracts as
part of a new administration.
797
00:45:00,900 --> 00:45:03,330
It was something that he worked
on as a member of the Senate
798
00:45:03,333 --> 00:45:09,033
with Tom Coburn. They first got
involved in contracting around
799
00:45:09,033 --> 00:45:12,433
many Katrina-related issues.
800
00:45:12,433 --> 00:45:20,303
As I told Helen, I've asked for
some guidance on what contracts
801
00:45:20,300 --> 00:45:24,830
we have and where we are with
those in relation to the company
802
00:45:24,834 --> 00:45:27,034
formerly known as Blackwater.
803
00:45:27,033 --> 00:45:31,603
I would, again, as I told
Helen, encourage you to contact
804
00:45:31,600 --> 00:45:36,300
individual governmental
departments for specific comment
805
00:45:36,300 --> 00:45:40,700
on contracts that obviously
had been let during prior
806
00:45:40,700 --> 00:45:43,300
administrations as part
of that department.
807
00:45:43,300 --> 00:45:44,730
The Press:
Thank you, Robert.
808
00:45:44,734 --> 00:45:46,004
The Press:
The hurricane?
809
00:45:46,000 --> 00:45:47,070
Mr. Gibbs:
Say again?
810
00:45:47,066 --> 00:45:51,436
The Press:
The hurricane. As you know,
there's a Hurricane Bill heading
811
00:45:51,433 --> 00:45:56,403
for Bermuda. And are we better
prepared now for hurricanes so
812
00:45:56,400 --> 00:45:59,070
we don't have another Katrina?
813
00:45:59,066 --> 00:46:02,596
Mr. Gibbs:
The President has received
regular updates from
814
00:46:02,600 --> 00:46:08,900
John Brennan throughout the week
on the progress of the hurricane
815
00:46:08,900 --> 00:46:23,070
across the Caribbean and
has great confidence in the
816
00:46:23,066 --> 00:46:25,936
personnel that he's
put in positions,
817
00:46:25,934 --> 00:46:29,204
whether it's in charge of the
Department of Homeland Security
818
00:46:29,200 --> 00:46:36,570
or particularly in FEMA, to deal
with whether it's a hurricane
819
00:46:36,567 --> 00:46:39,097
like Katrina that
could come ashore,
820
00:46:39,100 --> 00:46:42,300
or any other natural disaster
that the government and the
821
00:46:42,300 --> 00:46:45,570
American people could face.
822
00:46:45,567 --> 00:46:52,067
Certainly it's our hope that the
storm will avoid reaching the
823
00:46:52,066 --> 00:46:55,096
United States and turn
back out into the Atlantic.
824
00:46:55,100 --> 00:46:57,670
I anticipate, as we've
talked about in here,
825
00:46:57,667 --> 00:47:00,737
there will be a busy hurricane
season and that we'll continue
826
00:47:00,734 --> 00:47:03,004
to monitor throughout that time.
Thanks, guys. Have a good week.