English subtitles for clip: File:1-15-13- White House Press Briefing.webm

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Mr. Carney:
Good afternoon,
ladies and gentlemen.

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Welcome to the White
House Briefing Room.

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It is very good
to see you today.

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I have no announcements to make,
so I will head straight to the

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Associated Press.

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The Press:
Jay, on gun violence
to start off --

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do you expect the President to
release these plans tomorrow?

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And absent any specifics that
you can provide at this point,

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to what extent can the President
address this problem through

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executive order, and how much of
it needs to be addressed through

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congressional action?

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Mr. Carney:
Thank you for the question.

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I can tell you that tomorrow
the President and Vice President

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will hold an event here at the
White House to unveil a package

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of concrete proposals to reduce
gun violence and prevent future

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tragedies like the one
in Newtown, Connecticut.

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They will be joined by children
from around the country who

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wrote the President letters
in the wake of that tragedy

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expressing their concerns about
gun violence and school safety,

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along with their parents.

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That event will be at
approximately 11:45 a.m.

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I will not get ahead of the
President in terms of what his

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package of proposals
will include.

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I will simply note that the
President has made clear that he

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intends to take a
comprehensive approach.

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He has also made clear that
there are specific legislative

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actions that he will continue
to call on Congress to take,

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including the
assault weapons ban,

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including a measure to ban
high-capacity magazine clips,

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including an effort to close
the very big loopholes in the

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background check
system in our country.

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But I will, beyond that, leave
it to the President to announce

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what actions he
proposes tomorrow.

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The Press:
There's been some fears among
gun owners that the President

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might unilaterally try to
restrict their right to bear

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arms or access to weapons.

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Does the President believe that
his executive powers give him

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the authority to restrict
someone's right to access

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certain weapons or ammunition?

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Mr. Carney:
Well, let's be clear.

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The President, as he has said
often and said yesterday,

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believes that the Second
Amendment guarantees an

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individual right to bear arms.

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He believes and knows that
most all gun owners are highly

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responsible; they buy their
guns legally and they use

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them safely.

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He also has seen and believes
that most gun owners support the

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idea of common-sense measures
to prevent people who shouldn't

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have guns from getting them.

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And that includes closing
loopholes in our background

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check system, for example.

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But when it comes to --
the President will take a

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comprehensive approach.

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But it is a simple fact that
there are limits on what can be

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done within existing law.

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And Congress has to act on the
kinds of measures that we've

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already mentioned because the
power to do that is reserved by

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Congress and to Congress.

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So I'm not going to get
ahead of the President.

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He will announce a
series of proposals,

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but certainly a significant part
of what he hopes we together can

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achieve will have to be
done working with Congress.

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The Press:
Separate topic, on Egypt:
There are some comments,

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some anti-Semitic comments that
have emerged from President

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Morsi recently.

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He delivered a speech in 2010,
in which he instructed Eyptians

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to "nurse our children and our
grandchildren on hatred for Jews

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"and Zionists."

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He gave an interview around the
same time in which he described

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Zionists in very insulting
and derogatory terms.

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Does the President think that
President Morsi should retract

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his comments, offer an apology?

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And to your knowledge, has Morsi
offered any regrets to the White

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House over making
these comments?

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Mr. Carney:
We strongly condemn the remarks
that then-Muslim Brotherhood

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leader Morsi made in 2010.

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The language that we have
seen is deeply offensive.

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We completely reject
the statements,

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as we do any language that
espouses religious hatred.

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This discourse -- and this
is a broader point --

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this kind of discourse has been
acceptable in the region for far

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too long and is counter
to the goal of peace.

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President Morsi should make
clear that he respects people of

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all faiths, and that this type
of rhetoric is not acceptable or

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productive in a
democratic Egypt.

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Since taking office, President
Morsi has reaffirmed Egypt's

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commitment to its peace treaty
with Israel in both word and

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deed, and has proven willing
to work with us towards shared

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objectives, including a
cease-fire during the crisis in

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Gaza last year.

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These commitments are essential
for our bilateral relations with

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Egypt, as well as for
stability in the region.

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But we will always speak out
against language that espouses

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religious hatred or encourages
the use of violence.

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And we have raised our concerns
over these remarks with the

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government of Egypt.

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The Press:
Does the White House
believe, though,

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that Israelis can trust Morsi to
uphold his end of the bargain,

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given these comments?

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Mr. Carney:
Again, we strongly
condemn these comments.

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And we believe that President
Morsi should make clear that he

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respects people of all faiths
and that this type of rhetoric

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is unacceptable in
a democratic Egypt.

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We work with President Morsi
towards shared objectives

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because he is the
elected leader of Egypt.

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He has demonstrated in word and
deed his commitment to Egypt's

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peace treaty with Israel,
and that's significant.

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And he obviously worked
with us to resolve --

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or to achieve a
peace settlement --

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a ceasefire rather -- in
the Gaza conflict last year.

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So this is about action.

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It's about deeds.

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And we believe that language
like that is too tolerated in

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the region and it has been
acceptable in the region

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for too long.

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And we strongly condemn it,
because it's counter to peace.

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It is counter to the long-term
interests of everyone in the

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region who hopes for peace
and greater prosperity.

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Yes, Reuters.

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The Press:
Last week, the Vice President
met with makers of first-person

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shooter video games and with
the entertainment industry.

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And I'm just wondering if the
President is going to have a

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message tomorrow for people in
the entertainment industry about

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their role in the gun
violence problem or their --

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ways that they could
help address it.

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Mr. Carney:
I would ask you to wait for
the President's event tomorrow,

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where he will broadly address
the steps forward that he

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believes we need to take as
a nation to try to reduce the

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scourge of gun violence
in this country.

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But I don't want to get
ahead of the President.

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It's certainly correct that the
Vice President had that meeting.

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The Press:
Aside from legislative -- things
that could be addressed through

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legislation, is there a
sense, a building sense,

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a growing sense of how quickly
the administration will be able

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to move on some of the other
pieces of the proposal that can

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be done without legislation?

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And how quickly -- how
important is it to move quickly,

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to sort of not let what
happened fade away?

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Mr. Carney:
The President certainly hopes
that out of the tragedy of

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Newtown we can achieve progress
towards reducing gun violence in

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this country.

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He believes that we can no
longer stand by without taking

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action, even, as
he did yesterday,

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as he acknowledges that no
single thing that we can do will

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eliminate this problem.

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And he acknowledged yesterday
that achieving some of the goals

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that he has already
set might be difficult.

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Because they're difficult
does not mean they should not

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be pursued.

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As for timetables, when it
comes to congressional action,

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that obviously
depends on Congress.

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The President has called
for congressional action.

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In terms of other measures
that he might propose,

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I would leave it, again, to the
President to describe those in

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greater detail tomorrow and
perhaps address the question of

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timetable and speed tomorrow.

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The Press:
What commitment has he gotten
from leaders in Congress,

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particularly from Senator Reid,
to work on some of these things?

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Mr. Carney:
I don't have any conversations
of that nature to divulge today.

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He certainly believes
that congressional action

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is necessary.

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There is, I think, a significant
amount of interest in moving on

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these issues, and he will work
with members of Congress to try

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to advance these
important initiatives.

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In terms of timetables,
again, that's a congressional

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prerogative, but he will
certainly be urging Congress to

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act quickly.

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Jessica.

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The Press:
Following up on that
-- thanks, Jay --

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Senator Reid has said he doubts
whether an assault weapons ban

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can pass the House.

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And the Senate will only
move on something that can

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pass the House.

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So how frustrating is
this for the President?

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Mr. Carney:
I think we will put forward
a series of proposals.

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The President has made clear
that he supports and has long

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supported a renewal of
the assault weapons ban.

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We will look to Congress to put
together a legislative strategy.

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We'll work with them.

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And we will push for things that
are hard because they're the

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right things to do.

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We're not going to prejudge --

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The Press:
But do you think the assault
weapons ban is dead before it's

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started or --

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Mr. Carney:
I don't believe that.

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And I think that that doesn't
mean it's a sure thing, either.

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If these things were easy,
they would have been

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achieved already.

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If renewal of the assault
weapons ban were easily

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accomplished, it would not need
renewing because it would have

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happened already.

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The fact of the matter is
the President is committed to

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pushing these proposals.

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He is not naĂŻve about the
challenges that exist,

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but he believes that,
as he said yesterday,

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if even one child's life can
be saved by the actions we take

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here in Washington, we
must take those actions.

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The Press:
I know you all chafe at this,
but the President is not always

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very fond of working phones
and going up there and --

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Mr. Carney:
Going up there?

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Because there is such a
long history of Presidents

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going up there?

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(laughter)

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The Press:
Well, they do.

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And they also have
people over here.

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Mr. Carney:
I think that's in a
television program.

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But go ahead.

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(laughter)

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The Press:
Over our heads, Jay.

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Over our heads.

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Mr. Carney:
West Wing -- you know.

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Anyway, go ahead.

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The Press:
I'm not going to indulge
your West Wing fantasies.

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But he could also
have them over here,

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and there are a number
of things he can do.

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I know the history.

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My question is how much is he
willing to do that to win what

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he wants on the gun -- on the
assault weapons ban and on gun

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safety in general?

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I mean, is this the issue that
he'll really break the mold?

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Mr. Carney:
Well, I would start by
suggesting that premise is a

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little off.

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But I will simply say that the
President is committed to this.

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He believes it's
a high priority,

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not just for him
but for the country.

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And he will push a
series of proposals,

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and I think you will see that
clearly when you hear from

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him tomorrow.

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That includes working with
Congress to try to get some of

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these legislative actions
done on behalf of the

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American people.

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So I don't think you should
doubt the President's commitment

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to this, and he will work
to achieve what can be

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achieved here.

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The Press:
Okay.

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So just finally on this, does
he have any commitment from

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Democratic leadership, like
Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi,

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but especially Harry Reid,
that they will push the assault

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weapons ban?

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Mr. Carney:
Again, I think this was
addressed earlier --

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the legislative strategy will be
something that's worked out with

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legislative leaders.

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The fact is the President is
committed to the renewal of the

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assault weapons ban; a number
of senators are committed to it.

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I think there are a variety of
things that we need to act on

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00:12:58,300 --> 00:13:01,370
legislatively, and the President
has already put forward

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00:13:01,367 --> 00:13:02,367
some of those.

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00:13:02,367 --> 00:13:04,837
In terms of how that plays out,
I think we have to wait and see.

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00:13:04,834 --> 00:13:07,634
But he is committed to
acting and you'll --

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I mean, I think you've seen
something that reflects that,

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00:13:11,934 --> 00:13:15,664
which is the Vice President,
at the President's request,

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00:13:15,667 --> 00:13:18,767
took on this task of
bringing people together,

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00:13:18,767 --> 00:13:21,637
formulating proposals and
recommendations over the

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00:13:21,633 --> 00:13:26,503
holidays and in the midst of a
fiscal cliff fight and now other

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00:13:26,500 --> 00:13:29,430
fiscal challenges and debates
that we're having with Congress,

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00:13:29,433 --> 00:13:32,463
and did an extraordinary amount
of work in order to present to

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00:13:32,467 --> 00:13:35,897
the President a series of
recommendations that he could

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00:13:35,900 --> 00:13:39,130
choose from and put forward,
which he will do tomorrow.

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Major.

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00:13:41,567 --> 00:13:44,637
The Press:
Does the President believe
he can achieve his goals of

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00:13:44,633 --> 00:13:50,363
reducing gun violence without
an assault weapons ban?

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00:13:50,367 --> 00:13:55,737
Mr. Carney:
That's hard to analyze what
-- or quantify what that

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00:13:55,734 --> 00:13:56,734
means exactly.

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00:13:56,734 --> 00:13:59,004
The President will put forward a
series of proposals that is not

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00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:01,970
limited to one
legislative action.

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00:14:01,967 --> 00:14:05,367
And I don't think he believes --
I know he doesn't believe that

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00:14:05,367 --> 00:14:09,997
even if everything that he
put forward were acted on,

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00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,730
made law when it comes to
legislative action, or acted on

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00:14:12,734 --> 00:14:16,434
in other ways that we would
eliminate gun violence

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00:14:16,433 --> 00:14:17,433
in America.

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00:14:17,433 --> 00:14:19,433
He understands that
that's the case.

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00:14:19,433 --> 00:14:20,403
The Press:
You know why I ask.

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00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:22,870
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think our goal,
obviously, should be --

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00:14:22,867 --> 00:14:26,097
as a country should be never to
accept even one child's death as

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00:14:26,100 --> 00:14:27,930
a result of gun violence.

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00:14:27,934 --> 00:14:32,804
So he believes that the things
that we can do as a nation,

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00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:36,300
together, in a bipartisan way
when it comes to legislation,

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00:14:36,300 --> 00:14:40,300
together outside of
Washington, that, yes,

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00:14:40,300 --> 00:14:43,870
we can reduce gun violence.

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00:14:43,867 --> 00:14:45,167
But it's something we
have to do together.

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00:14:45,166 --> 00:14:48,096
It's something that cannot
be done by a President alone.

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00:14:48,100 --> 00:14:50,770
It can't be done by a
single community alone,

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00:14:50,767 --> 00:14:54,167
or a mayor or a governor,
or by Congress alone.

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00:14:54,166 --> 00:14:55,266
We all have to work together.

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00:14:55,266 --> 00:14:58,466
The Press:
Would he sign a package passed
by Congress that did not include

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00:14:58,467 --> 00:14:59,467
the assault weapons ban?

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00:14:59,467 --> 00:15:05,537
Mr. Carney:
The President is not saying that
any single measure has to be

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00:15:05,533 --> 00:15:08,903
part of -- let's say
there are -- I mean,

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00:15:08,900 --> 00:15:12,970
I don't want to quantify the
number of actions that he might

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00:15:12,967 --> 00:15:15,437
put forward tomorrow, but he
believes we ought to move on all

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00:15:15,433 --> 00:15:19,063
of them, and he's not going to
say that we have to move on this

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00:15:19,066 --> 00:15:20,536
one or else we don't
move on that one.

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00:15:20,533 --> 00:15:23,263
He believes we should pass
legislation that closes

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00:15:23,266 --> 00:15:25,736
loopholes in our
background check system.

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00:15:25,734 --> 00:15:29,404
That's something that I think
we've all seen has broad support

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00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:33,100
across the country, among gun
owners and non-gun owners,

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00:15:33,100 --> 00:15:39,130
among people in red
states and blue states,

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00:15:39,133 --> 00:15:40,463
Democrats and Republicans.

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00:15:40,467 --> 00:15:42,167
And that's something we
should act on because it's

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00:15:42,166 --> 00:15:43,166
very important.

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00:15:43,166 --> 00:15:45,736
There are a host of measures
that we can take that can

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00:15:45,734 --> 00:15:48,234
address this problem, and he
believes we should take them as

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00:15:48,233 --> 00:15:49,233
a nation.

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00:15:49,233 --> 00:15:52,863
The Press:
Just to clarify, on the question
of executive orders versus where

305
00:15:52,867 --> 00:15:55,367
Congress has to act, there
are legitimate constitutional

306
00:15:55,367 --> 00:15:58,067
questions and protections
in the Second Amendment.

307
00:15:58,066 --> 00:16:00,496
And just to make it
abundantly clear,

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00:16:00,500 --> 00:16:03,870
nothing that the President will
talk about tomorrow on executive

309
00:16:03,867 --> 00:16:06,237
orders would touch upon those
constitutionally protected

310
00:16:06,233 --> 00:16:08,263
Second Amendment rights?

311
00:16:08,266 --> 00:16:12,336
Mr. Carney:
There are -- first of all, the
President of the United States

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00:16:12,333 --> 00:16:14,703
believes that the Second
Amendment guarantees an

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00:16:14,700 --> 00:16:16,400
individual's right to bear arms.

314
00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:18,430
He has been explicit about this.

315
00:16:18,433 --> 00:16:20,403
And throughout his
time in office,

316
00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:22,770
he has made clear that he
believes we ought to take

317
00:16:22,767 --> 00:16:26,597
common-sense -- and enact
common-sense measures that

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00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:29,070
protect our Second Amendment
rights but prevent people who

319
00:16:29,066 --> 00:16:31,966
should not have weapons
from obtaining them.

320
00:16:31,967 --> 00:16:35,167
So his commitment to the Second
Amendment I think is very clear.

321
00:16:35,166 --> 00:16:39,896
There's a lot of speculation
about what actions he might

322
00:16:39,900 --> 00:16:42,670
propose tomorrow; we don't have
much longer to wait to see

323
00:16:42,667 --> 00:16:43,667
what they are.

324
00:16:43,667 --> 00:16:45,537
But his commitment to the
Second Amendment is very clear.

325
00:16:45,533 --> 00:16:47,533
The Press:
Let me take you a
little farther afield.

326
00:16:47,533 --> 00:16:50,463
What do you think, and what
does the President think,

327
00:16:50,467 --> 00:16:52,737
and what conversations has he
had either with representatives

328
00:16:52,734 --> 00:16:55,204
of the French government or
anyone else about what's going

329
00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:56,200
on in Mali?

330
00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:57,470
What are the U.S.
interests there?

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00:16:57,467 --> 00:17:00,767
What is the degree or level of
our cooperation now and in the

332
00:17:00,767 --> 00:17:03,997
future with the French and what
they're undertaking in Mali?

333
00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:05,000
Mr. Carney:
I appreciate the question.

334
00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:09,600
The President did speak with
President Hollande last week,

335
00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:13,030
and we share the French goal of
denying terrorists a safe haven

336
00:17:13,033 --> 00:17:16,863
in the region, and we
support the French operation.

337
00:17:16,867 --> 00:17:19,837
We are supporting the French
by sharing information,

338
00:17:19,834 --> 00:17:24,304
and we are considering a
request for logistical support.

339
00:17:24,300 --> 00:17:27,270
We will stay in close touch with
the French government and other

340
00:17:27,266 --> 00:17:30,636
international partners as
the situation develops.

341
00:17:30,633 --> 00:17:33,463
As I think you know, the
United Nations Security Council

342
00:17:33,467 --> 00:17:36,467
condemned recent attacks by
rebel and terrorist groups

343
00:17:36,467 --> 00:17:38,397
against Malian
government forces,

344
00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:41,600
and the government of
Mali asked for support.

345
00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:44,700
We call for swift implementation
of U.N. Security Council

346
00:17:44,700 --> 00:17:48,330
Resolution 2085 to restore
stability throughout Mali.

347
00:17:48,333 --> 00:17:53,003
It is also imperative that the
transitional government of Mali

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00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:55,870
present a political road map
for a return to democratic

349
00:17:55,867 --> 00:17:59,837
governance and negotiations with
groups that reject terrorism and

350
00:17:59,834 --> 00:18:01,834
accept a unified Mali.

351
00:18:01,834 --> 00:18:04,304
The Press:
What's at stake for
the United States?

352
00:18:04,300 --> 00:18:09,430
Mr. Carney:
Look, we work with our
international partners to combat

353
00:18:09,433 --> 00:18:12,733
al Qaeda-linked groups
around the world.

354
00:18:12,734 --> 00:18:18,004
We share an interest with the
French in depriving terrorists

355
00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:22,200
of a safe haven in North
Africa, in a country like Mali,

356
00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:26,830
and we work with nations like
France and others in that region

357
00:18:26,834 --> 00:18:31,564
and around the world to achieve
the shared goals that we share

358
00:18:31,567 --> 00:18:32,767
-- the goals that we share.

359
00:18:32,767 --> 00:18:37,767
So I think that that is
reflected in the actions that

360
00:18:37,767 --> 00:18:39,837
we've taken and the support
that we have given to the

361
00:18:39,834 --> 00:18:41,664
French operation.

362
00:18:41,667 --> 00:18:45,867
The Press:
On the executive orders
to be announced tomorrow,

363
00:18:45,867 --> 00:18:48,397
how do you address concerns
that these are an attempt to go

364
00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:51,030
around Congress?

365
00:18:51,033 --> 00:18:56,833
Mr. Carney:
Again, I think there have been
reports about possible items

366
00:18:56,834 --> 00:18:59,904
that may be proposed
by the President.

367
00:18:59,900 --> 00:19:02,730
Some of those reports have
been linked to suggestions and

368
00:19:02,734 --> 00:19:07,164
recommendations or conversations
that have occurred in the series

369
00:19:07,166 --> 00:19:09,596
of meetings that the Vice
President has held as part of

370
00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:13,800
his effort to consider
this issue on behalf of

371
00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:14,870
the President.

372
00:19:14,867 --> 00:19:18,897
I would urge you not to make
assumptions about what the

373
00:19:18,900 --> 00:19:23,400
President will announce tomorrow
based on reports that reflect at

374
00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:28,000
most an earlier
stage of the process.

375
00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:33,600
The President will announce a
plan that is the President's

376
00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:36,630
plan, and he'll
do that tomorrow.

377
00:19:36,633 --> 00:19:39,163
The Press:
That, I don't think, quite
answers the question I --

378
00:19:39,166 --> 00:19:40,566
Mr. Carney:
Well, you made an assertion
about what he's going to

379
00:19:40,567 --> 00:19:43,197
announce tomorrow, and I'm
saying that reports that suggest

380
00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:48,030
or speculate or ponder what he
might announce are premature.

381
00:19:48,033 --> 00:19:49,903
The Press:
In other words, there may
not be executive orders?

382
00:19:49,900 --> 00:19:52,170
Mr. Carney:
Well, in other words, I'm not
going to get specific about what

383
00:19:52,166 --> 00:19:53,536
the President will
announce tomorrow.

384
00:19:53,533 --> 00:19:54,733
What I have --

385
00:19:54,734 --> 00:19:56,564
The Press:
But what the President is
doing tomorrow some people are

386
00:19:56,567 --> 00:19:58,967
concerned is an attempt
to go around Congress.

387
00:19:58,967 --> 00:19:59,967
Mr. Carney:
Right.

388
00:19:59,967 --> 00:20:02,437
I think I've answered this
several times already in the

389
00:20:02,433 --> 00:20:05,063
short time I've been here, which
is that the President believes

390
00:20:05,066 --> 00:20:07,666
in and supports the
Second Amendment.

391
00:20:07,667 --> 00:20:10,497
He also understands that there
are limits to what can be

392
00:20:10,500 --> 00:20:12,830
achieved without
congressional action,

393
00:20:12,834 --> 00:20:16,164
which is why he is calling on
Congress to act appropriately.

394
00:20:16,166 --> 00:20:20,836
The Press:
The fact that the President
can propose or announce

395
00:20:20,834 --> 00:20:25,604
administrative actions also
suggests that the government

396
00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:29,100
hasn't been doing as much as it
could have been in the past in

397
00:20:29,100 --> 00:20:31,400
terms of enforcement,
for example.

398
00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:34,430
How do you address
that question?

399
00:20:34,433 --> 00:20:40,363
Mr. Carney:
The President has made clear
that we all need to do more,

400
00:20:40,367 --> 00:20:47,097
and we all need to examine our
consciences and acknowledge that

401
00:20:47,100 --> 00:20:51,470
we have not done enough
to protect our children.

402
00:20:51,467 --> 00:20:55,337
If we had, some of the tragedies
that we've seen in this country,

403
00:20:55,333 --> 00:20:58,563
most recently in Connecticut,
might not have happened.

404
00:20:58,567 --> 00:21:02,937
So you'll hear from the
President tomorrow about the

405
00:21:02,934 --> 00:21:06,104
package of proposals he believes
are the right ones to help

406
00:21:06,100 --> 00:21:07,330
address this problem.

407
00:21:07,333 --> 00:21:08,963
He looks forward to
working with Congress.

408
00:21:08,967 --> 00:21:14,067
He looks forward to continuing
to work with stakeholders in

409
00:21:14,066 --> 00:21:18,196
this issue of all
kinds moving forward.

410
00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:20,070
This is something that we
have to address as a nation.

411
00:21:20,066 --> 00:21:24,036
It's not something you can do
alone through executive action.

412
00:21:24,033 --> 00:21:28,633
It's not something you can do
with even a series of laws that

413
00:21:28,633 --> 00:21:30,063
Congress might pass.

414
00:21:30,066 --> 00:21:33,866
This is a problem that touches
on a variety of areas of

415
00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:41,030
American life, and it needs
to be approached broadly.

416
00:21:41,033 --> 00:21:42,763
And I think that's why the
President asked the Vice

417
00:21:42,767 --> 00:21:44,697
President to take
on this effort.

418
00:21:44,700 --> 00:21:47,830
It's why the Vice President met
with so many different groups --

419
00:21:47,834 --> 00:21:50,164
victims groups, gun
safety organizations,

420
00:21:50,166 --> 00:21:52,766
advocates for sportsmen
and sportswomen,

421
00:21:52,767 --> 00:21:55,167
gun ownership groups,
representatives of the

422
00:21:55,166 --> 00:21:57,436
entertainment and
video game industries,

423
00:21:57,433 --> 00:21:59,563
as well as members of the
House of Representatives.

424
00:21:59,567 --> 00:22:01,437
Secretary Duncan met
with representatives from

425
00:22:01,433 --> 00:22:03,363
parent-teacher and
education groups.

426
00:22:03,367 --> 00:22:05,337
Secretary Sebelius met
with mental health and

427
00:22:05,333 --> 00:22:06,803
disability advocates.

428
00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:09,500
Senior White House officials met
with a variety of stakeholders,

429
00:22:09,500 --> 00:22:11,870
including medical groups,
community organizations,

430
00:22:11,867 --> 00:22:14,467
child and family
advocates, business owners,

431
00:22:14,467 --> 00:22:16,137
faith leaders and others.

432
00:22:16,133 --> 00:22:20,033
And I think that -- the breadth
of the effort represents the

433
00:22:20,033 --> 00:22:21,033
scope of the problem.

434
00:22:21,033 --> 00:22:22,533
Peter.

435
00:22:22,533 --> 00:22:24,963
The Press:
Perhaps this is following up
on a question that was asked a

436
00:22:24,967 --> 00:22:27,297
moment before, but to try to
pin down a little bit more about

437
00:22:27,300 --> 00:22:30,100
what the word "push" means in
terms of the President's efforts

438
00:22:30,100 --> 00:22:32,770
-- given before the fiscal cliff
deadline that he traveled to

439
00:22:32,767 --> 00:22:34,367
places like Virginia,
Michigan, and Pennsylvania,

440
00:22:34,367 --> 00:22:38,367
will he go on the road for the
issue of gun violence to try to

441
00:22:38,367 --> 00:22:39,967
pursue this campaign?

442
00:22:39,967 --> 00:22:42,697
Mr. Carney:
I haven't any scheduling
announcements to make.

443
00:22:42,700 --> 00:22:45,200
The President considers
this a priority.

444
00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:50,870
I think that's been made clear
by the speed of action that

445
00:22:50,867 --> 00:22:54,437
you've seen represented here
by both the President and the

446
00:22:54,433 --> 00:22:55,633
Vice President.

447
00:22:55,633 --> 00:22:58,303
It will be represented by the
event you see tomorrow that the

448
00:22:58,300 --> 00:23:00,370
President and the Vice
President will hold.

449
00:23:00,367 --> 00:23:02,697
And I will leave it
to the President to

450
00:23:02,700 --> 00:23:04,130
announce next steps.

451
00:23:04,133 --> 00:23:07,403
But he believes we
need to act now.

452
00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:12,230
He believes that we need
to take steps that prevent,

453
00:23:12,233 --> 00:23:16,203
or help prevent the kind of
tragic violence against our

454
00:23:16,200 --> 00:23:18,470
children, in particular, that
we saw in Newtown, Connecticut,

455
00:23:18,467 --> 00:23:23,137
and we see in less spectacular
form around the country

456
00:23:23,133 --> 00:23:24,133
all the time.

457
00:23:24,133 --> 00:23:26,133
The Press:
Yesterday, on the one-month
anniversary of the awful

458
00:23:26,133 --> 00:23:30,903
shootings at Newtown, the NRA
put out a new app that is for

459
00:23:30,900 --> 00:23:33,830
children as young as age four,
at least according to its

460
00:23:33,834 --> 00:23:36,734
rating, on iTunes, that
allows children or adults,

461
00:23:36,734 --> 00:23:40,164
whoever chooses to, to go to
a shooting range and fire.

462
00:23:40,166 --> 00:23:42,636
Given the conversation with the
gaming industry taking place,

463
00:23:42,633 --> 00:23:44,533
and others, do you think
that's appropriate?

464
00:23:44,533 --> 00:23:46,963
Does the President think
that's appropriate?

465
00:23:46,967 --> 00:23:50,867
Mr. Carney:
I have heard about this, but
I have not had the conversation

466
00:23:50,867 --> 00:23:52,537
with the President about it.

467
00:23:52,533 --> 00:23:56,833
I really -- I haven't seen the
app that you're referring to.

468
00:23:56,834 --> 00:23:58,934
The Press:
Should four-year-olds be --

469
00:23:58,934 --> 00:24:01,304
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think that these
are good questions.

470
00:24:01,300 --> 00:24:06,800
And I think some of the
answers, we don't know,

471
00:24:06,800 --> 00:24:13,370
in terms of what impact and
influence apps and videogames

472
00:24:13,367 --> 00:24:15,097
and entertainment has.

473
00:24:15,100 --> 00:24:20,870
But that is why the Vice
President's group had some of

474
00:24:20,867 --> 00:24:24,237
the meetings that it had, and
that's why this conversation

475
00:24:24,233 --> 00:24:26,363
doesn't end tomorrow.

476
00:24:26,367 --> 00:24:27,667
It continues.

477
00:24:27,667 --> 00:24:30,967
And I think for parents
around the country,

478
00:24:30,967 --> 00:24:36,397
these are issues that
merit examination.

479
00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:39,400
And as a country, these are
issues that merit examination.

480
00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:43,870
And some of the issues that are
presented here are not ones that

481
00:24:43,867 --> 00:24:47,197
are solvable by Washington
action, necessarily.

482
00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:55,670
They are more of the nature that
bend to the will of community

483
00:24:55,667 --> 00:25:00,397
feelings and parental
guidance and the like.

484
00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:05,170
So, again, I don't know much
about the specific issue,

485
00:25:05,166 --> 00:25:08,936
but I think, broadly, that's
why this issue is so complex.

486
00:25:08,934 --> 00:25:11,234
The Press:
And then finally, very briefly,
in an interview that will air

487
00:25:11,233 --> 00:25:15,433
later this week, the cyclist
Lance Armstrong will admit to

488
00:25:15,433 --> 00:25:17,703
doping, using
performance-enhancing drugs

489
00:25:17,700 --> 00:25:20,470
during the time when
he won seven Tour de

490
00:25:20,467 --> 00:25:22,097
France championships.

491
00:25:22,100 --> 00:25:26,800
I'm curious, given the fact that
just last week we had a Hall of

492
00:25:26,800 --> 00:25:29,670
Fame induction where there were
zero baseball players inducted,

493
00:25:29,667 --> 00:25:32,667
what the President's view is of
the state of sports in America

494
00:25:32,667 --> 00:25:35,667
today, and if he has any opinion
on Lance Armstrong coming

495
00:25:35,667 --> 00:25:37,467
forward with these
acknowledgements,

496
00:25:37,467 --> 00:25:38,467
his admissions.

497
00:25:38,467 --> 00:25:40,867
Mr. Carney:
Well, I haven't spoken with
him about Lance Armstrong,

498
00:25:40,867 --> 00:25:43,697
and I know that there were
reports about what he said in

499
00:25:43,700 --> 00:25:45,870
this interview, but I haven't
seen the interview yet.

500
00:25:45,867 --> 00:25:51,667
What I will say is the President
feels very strongly that it's

501
00:25:51,667 --> 00:25:57,497
inappropriate to use
performance-enhancing drugs,

502
00:25:57,500 --> 00:26:03,330
and that any steps that any
individual athlete takes or

503
00:26:03,333 --> 00:26:08,933
organizations take to reduce
their use or eliminate them

504
00:26:08,934 --> 00:26:12,164
are good things.

505
00:26:12,166 --> 00:26:14,636
But beyond that, I haven't
got a specific reaction.

506
00:26:14,633 --> 00:26:15,763
The Press:
Can I follow up, Jay?

507
00:26:15,767 --> 00:26:16,767
Mr. Carney:
Okay.

508
00:26:16,767 --> 00:26:18,837
The Press:
Okay, if, in fact, Lance
Armstrong admits to doping,

509
00:26:18,834 --> 00:26:22,534
would the President consider
directing DOJ to investigate

510
00:26:22,533 --> 00:26:24,903
whether he violated his
agreement with U.S. Postal,

511
00:26:24,900 --> 00:26:28,200
and whether any of those
payments should be repaid?

512
00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:32,800
Mr. Carney:
It's a speculative matter, A; B,
it's a speculative matter about

513
00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:35,230
a possible legal action.

514
00:26:35,233 --> 00:26:36,233
That's two strikes.

515
00:26:36,233 --> 00:26:37,233
And in this case, you're out.

516
00:26:37,233 --> 00:26:39,103
(laughter)

517
00:26:39,100 --> 00:26:42,770
The Press:
Do you have any update on how
the President is preparing for

518
00:26:42,767 --> 00:26:43,797
his inaugural address?

519
00:26:43,800 --> 00:26:47,630
Any update for us on what
historical texts he might be

520
00:26:47,633 --> 00:26:50,763
consulting as he
drafts the speech?

521
00:26:50,767 --> 00:26:52,867
Mr. Carney:
I don't have much for you.

522
00:26:52,867 --> 00:26:55,067
He's obviously thinking
about and working on the

523
00:26:55,066 --> 00:26:57,536
address he'll give.

524
00:26:57,533 --> 00:27:01,563
It's something he feels
very fortunate to have the

525
00:27:01,567 --> 00:27:04,837
opportunity to do
for a second time.

526
00:27:04,834 --> 00:27:07,834
But beyond that, I just don't
have any details for you.

527
00:27:07,834 --> 00:27:10,134
The Press:
Turning back to gun
policy in recent days,

528
00:27:10,133 --> 00:27:13,003
the President said that just
because things are hard doesn't

529
00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:14,430
mean they shouldn't be tried.

530
00:27:14,433 --> 00:27:18,433
Is that the kind of tone we can
expect to hear from him next

531
00:27:18,433 --> 00:27:20,433
week during his speech?

532
00:27:20,433 --> 00:27:22,163
Mr. Carney:
You mean in the
inaugural speech?

533
00:27:22,166 --> 00:27:25,096
Well, I think he was referring
to specifically measures to

534
00:27:25,100 --> 00:27:26,930
reduce gun violence.

535
00:27:26,934 --> 00:27:37,664
I think broadly speaking, that
reflects I think a very American

536
00:27:37,667 --> 00:27:42,267
mind-set that says we don't
shy away from trying to do hard

537
00:27:42,266 --> 00:27:45,166
things because these
things are important to do.

538
00:27:45,166 --> 00:27:48,536
But I wouldn't read into that
anything about the inaugural

539
00:27:48,533 --> 00:27:49,833
address necessarily.

540
00:27:49,834 --> 00:27:54,734
It's certainly his view about
why it's important to push

541
00:27:54,734 --> 00:27:58,004
forward to take common-sense
measures to address

542
00:27:58,000 --> 00:27:59,100
gun violence.

543
00:27:59,100 --> 00:28:02,770
Even if some folks out there are
saying they're really hard or

544
00:28:02,767 --> 00:28:06,597
they can't be done,
we have to try.

545
00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:08,130
Jackie.

546
00:28:08,133 --> 00:28:10,463
The Press:
Jay, when it comes to not
just gun control but maybe

547
00:28:10,467 --> 00:28:14,667
immigration and other issues,
how is the President planning to

548
00:28:14,667 --> 00:28:19,197
use, if at all, the grassroots
network, OFA or some such,

549
00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:24,570
to engage the millions who were
supporters during the campaign,

550
00:28:24,567 --> 00:28:27,867
to help get Congress to act?

551
00:28:27,867 --> 00:28:31,637
Mr. Carney:
Well, I don't know specifically
about that particular network.

552
00:28:31,633 --> 00:28:34,863
I know that the President
believes and has learned over

553
00:28:34,867 --> 00:28:38,837
the course of his first term
that it is vitally important

554
00:28:38,834 --> 00:28:48,064
when trying to move forward on
an agenda that is both necessary

555
00:28:48,066 --> 00:28:54,636
and enjoys popular support
that we engage the public.

556
00:28:54,633 --> 00:28:57,663
And that's an approach he
has taken for some time now,

557
00:28:57,667 --> 00:28:59,767
and I think, broadly speaking,
it's an approach he'll

558
00:28:59,767 --> 00:29:02,237
continue to take.

559
00:29:02,233 --> 00:29:05,303
It's not a question of do you
sit down in a room with leaders

560
00:29:05,300 --> 00:29:09,500
of Congress, or do you go out
and engage the American people.

561
00:29:09,500 --> 00:29:10,500
You do both.

562
00:29:10,500 --> 00:29:13,200
And he has, I think,
demonstrated especially for the

563
00:29:13,200 --> 00:29:18,470
last two years that that's --
the both-and approach is the

564
00:29:18,467 --> 00:29:21,337
approach that's effective, and
it's the approach I think you

565
00:29:21,333 --> 00:29:22,603
can expect he'll
continue to take.

566
00:29:22,600 --> 00:29:25,070
The Press:
It was never that successful
in the first term.

567
00:29:25,066 --> 00:29:26,966
The payroll tax cut,
a couple other things,

568
00:29:26,967 --> 00:29:28,997
but nothing on a large scale.

569
00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:33,330
Is there going to be -- can we
expect to see sort of greater

570
00:29:33,333 --> 00:29:35,063
use or mobilization of that --

571
00:29:35,066 --> 00:29:38,096
Mr. Carney:
I think for millions of
Americans who saw their payroll

572
00:29:38,100 --> 00:29:42,070
tax cut extended, for millions
of students who saw their

573
00:29:42,066 --> 00:29:47,136
student loan rates kept low,
and for virtually all working

574
00:29:47,133 --> 00:29:52,163
Americans who saw tax cuts --
their taxes kept low, their

575
00:29:52,166 --> 00:30:00,166
income tax rates kept low as a
result of the fiscal cliff deal

576
00:30:00,166 --> 00:30:06,466
-- for those people, the
President's success in using

577
00:30:06,467 --> 00:30:11,237
this strategy I think is pretty
notable and those are big things

578
00:30:11,233 --> 00:30:15,633
-- big things for
the American people.

579
00:30:15,633 --> 00:30:18,103
Going forward, I think
as a general matter,

580
00:30:18,100 --> 00:30:21,100
he believes that just because
some of the issues that we

581
00:30:21,100 --> 00:30:25,170
debate here in Washington
can sound arcane,

582
00:30:25,166 --> 00:30:29,796
can involve terminology like
"raising the debt ceiling,"

583
00:30:29,800 --> 00:30:35,600
or "spending in the out-years,"
or "entitlement reform,"

584
00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:40,930
these are issues that matter
deeply to everyday Americans

585
00:30:40,934 --> 00:30:45,904
and affect their livelihoods and
affect their potential in the

586
00:30:45,900 --> 00:30:46,900
American economy.

587
00:30:46,900 --> 00:30:50,330
So he thinks the
American people care.

588
00:30:50,333 --> 00:30:53,603
He thinks that they want to hear
from their leaders in Washington

589
00:30:53,600 --> 00:30:58,630
about the things that
they're debating here.

590
00:30:58,633 --> 00:31:02,403
And he'll absolutely continue to
engage with the American people

591
00:31:02,400 --> 00:31:04,570
on the policy proposals
that he's putting forward.

592
00:31:04,567 --> 00:31:05,867
The Press:
Can I follow up on that?

593
00:31:05,867 --> 00:31:06,737
Mr. Carney:
Sure.

594
00:31:06,734 --> 00:31:08,064
If Jackie is finished.

595
00:31:08,066 --> 00:31:09,936
Jackie, do you yield to --

596
00:31:09,934 --> 00:31:12,164
The Press:
I yield to Ari.

597
00:31:12,166 --> 00:31:13,266
The Press:
Thank you, Jackie.

598
00:31:13,266 --> 00:31:14,296
(laughter)

599
00:31:14,300 --> 00:31:16,670
You just said it's not a choice
between engaging with Congress

600
00:31:16,667 --> 00:31:18,397
or the American
people, you do both.

601
00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:21,200
Last summer you said the
President had not spoken ever

602
00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:23,870
with Senator Marco
Rubio about immigration.

603
00:31:23,867 --> 00:31:27,437
Now Rubio has come out and sort
of laid out his key points

604
00:31:27,433 --> 00:31:28,433
on immigration.

605
00:31:28,433 --> 00:31:30,333
Has the President or anyone
senior from the White House

606
00:31:30,333 --> 00:31:34,733
spoken with him yet about it?

607
00:31:34,734 --> 00:31:41,334
Mr. Carney:
Well, Senator Rubio at the time
had I think demonstrated and

608
00:31:41,333 --> 00:31:45,133
reported absence of support
among Republican leaders for

609
00:31:45,133 --> 00:31:47,833
even the issues that
he was discussing.

610
00:31:47,834 --> 00:31:50,164
The President has put forward
-- and there is a blueprint on

611
00:31:50,166 --> 00:31:53,796
WhiteHouse.gov that
demonstrates this --

612
00:31:53,800 --> 00:31:57,100
an approach to comprehensive
immigration reform that he

613
00:31:57,100 --> 00:31:59,000
believes we need
to move forward on,

614
00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:04,170
and that you can expect him
to move forward on in the

615
00:32:04,166 --> 00:32:06,096
relatively near future.

616
00:32:06,100 --> 00:32:10,930
The fact is we are encouraged --
referring now to recent reports

617
00:32:10,934 --> 00:32:13,764
-- that Senator Rubio's
thinking, as reported,

618
00:32:13,767 --> 00:32:16,037
so closely reflects the
President's blueprint

619
00:32:16,033 --> 00:32:17,333
for reform.

620
00:32:17,333 --> 00:32:19,633
The President has long called
for partners from both sides of

621
00:32:19,633 --> 00:32:20,633
the aisle.

622
00:32:20,633 --> 00:32:23,563
And he has lamented the absence
of partners from the other side

623
00:32:23,567 --> 00:32:24,567
of the aisle.

624
00:32:24,567 --> 00:32:26,137
It used to be a
bipartisan pursuit,

625
00:32:26,133 --> 00:32:28,163
comprehensive
immigration reform.

626
00:32:28,166 --> 00:32:30,496
For a while it ceased to be.

627
00:32:30,500 --> 00:32:32,470
But he certainly hopes that
it will be in the future.

628
00:32:32,467 --> 00:32:37,237
And the reports about Senator
Rubio's ideas bode well for a

629
00:32:37,233 --> 00:32:40,463
productive bipartisan debate,
which we hope will start in

630
00:32:40,467 --> 00:32:42,737
earnest soon after
the inauguration.

631
00:32:42,734 --> 00:32:45,764
We hope that it signals a change
in the Republican approach to

632
00:32:45,767 --> 00:32:48,367
this issue, because if we are
going to get this done it's

633
00:32:48,367 --> 00:32:51,137
going to take more than just a
handful of Republicans working

634
00:32:51,133 --> 00:32:52,133
across the aisle.

635
00:32:52,133 --> 00:32:54,203
It's the kind of thing --
comprehensive immigration reform

636
00:32:54,200 --> 00:32:57,500
-- that requires significant
bipartisan support.

637
00:32:57,500 --> 00:33:00,400
And he hopes that this
augers well for the future.

638
00:33:00,400 --> 00:33:02,500
The Press:
But why rely on reports and
what you hope he's thinking?

639
00:33:02,500 --> 00:33:04,400
Why not pick up the phone
and call Marco Rubio?

640
00:33:04,400 --> 00:33:07,400
Mr. Carney:
Well, you're suggesting
that we won't?

641
00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:09,700
The Press:
Or any Republican
on immigration.

642
00:33:09,700 --> 00:33:10,770
Mr. Carney:
There is no question that as we
move forward with immigration

643
00:33:10,767 --> 00:33:12,467
reform, comprehensive
immigration reform,

644
00:33:12,467 --> 00:33:16,297
that it will involve engagement
with Democrats and Republicans.

645
00:33:16,300 --> 00:33:18,070
And you can expect
that that will happen.

646
00:33:18,066 --> 00:33:22,636
Again, to my knowledge, Senator
Rubio has yet to put anything on

647
00:33:22,633 --> 00:33:26,603
paper, or draw up
any legislation.

648
00:33:26,600 --> 00:33:30,400
We welcome reports of his
positions and look forward to

649
00:33:30,400 --> 00:33:34,070
working with him and other
Republicans in pursuit of

650
00:33:34,066 --> 00:33:36,996
comprehensive immigration reform
because it's the right thing to

651
00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:40,270
do for the country and the
President considers it a

652
00:33:40,266 --> 00:33:41,266
high priority.

653
00:33:41,266 --> 00:33:43,136
Bill.

654
00:33:43,133 --> 00:33:46,503
The Press:
As we've seen in the first term,
it's difficult for Congress to

655
00:33:46,500 --> 00:33:49,830
move on two sort of complicated
issues at the same time,

656
00:33:49,834 --> 00:33:52,504
and the President wants to
push on immigration and on

657
00:33:52,500 --> 00:33:53,500
gun violence.

658
00:33:53,500 --> 00:33:55,070
And I'm wondering how
he prioritizes the two.

659
00:33:55,066 --> 00:33:58,666
Is there one that he wants the
Senate to take up first over

660
00:33:58,667 --> 00:33:59,667
the other?

661
00:33:59,667 --> 00:34:02,897
Is there one he thinks is more
important or more urgent for the

662
00:34:02,900 --> 00:34:04,270
American people?

663
00:34:04,266 --> 00:34:07,036
Mr. Carney:
Well, when we talk about
efforts to reduce gun violence,

664
00:34:07,033 --> 00:34:08,963
we're talking not just
about legislative action.

665
00:34:08,967 --> 00:34:10,897
And when it comes to
legislative action,

666
00:34:10,900 --> 00:34:13,130
the President has already
identified things that Congress

667
00:34:13,133 --> 00:34:16,663
is actively considering, either
the legislation exists or is

668
00:34:16,667 --> 00:34:17,737
being worked on.

669
00:34:17,734 --> 00:34:23,464
And he calls on Congress to act
right away on the measures that

670
00:34:23,467 --> 00:34:25,637
he believes are important
-- the assault weapons ban,

671
00:34:25,633 --> 00:34:28,663
a measure to deal with
high-capacity magazine clips,

672
00:34:28,667 --> 00:34:35,197
a measure to close loopholes in
our background check system.

673
00:34:35,200 --> 00:34:37,730
There is no doubt that we
will move very quickly.

674
00:34:37,734 --> 00:34:41,464
I think I just made clear in the
statement I read that he expects

675
00:34:41,467 --> 00:34:44,197
to move very quickly
on immigration after

676
00:34:44,200 --> 00:34:45,200
the inauguration.

677
00:34:45,200 --> 00:34:48,430
And I think that while what you
say is true about the capacity

678
00:34:48,433 --> 00:34:49,433
of Congress to move
forward on things,

679
00:34:49,433 --> 00:34:55,163
I think there is no reason to
believe that these kinds of

680
00:34:55,166 --> 00:34:58,396
issues can't be worked
on at the same time.

681
00:34:58,400 --> 00:35:02,800
And you can expect the President
to push for both measures to

682
00:35:02,800 --> 00:35:05,700
reduce gun violence and for
comprehensive immigration reform

683
00:35:05,700 --> 00:35:08,570
because they are both
priorities of his.

684
00:35:08,567 --> 00:35:10,637
The Press:
Speaking of the
members of Congress,

685
00:35:10,633 --> 00:35:14,203
you're going to have lawmakers
down here for the event

686
00:35:14,200 --> 00:35:16,600
tomorrow, I assume.

687
00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:20,630
Mr. Carney:
I have only for you that there
will be kids who wrote letters

688
00:35:20,633 --> 00:35:22,863
to the President
and their families.

689
00:35:22,867 --> 00:35:23,867
The Press:
No lawmakers?

690
00:35:23,867 --> 00:35:28,067
Mr. Carney:
Well, I have no other
attendees to announce.

691
00:35:28,066 --> 00:35:30,636
The Press:
Jay, also on gun
control or the gun issue,

692
00:35:30,633 --> 00:35:34,963
you mentioned the prospect for
ongoing conversations with all

693
00:35:34,967 --> 00:35:36,337
of the stakeholders.

694
00:35:36,333 --> 00:35:40,803
Given the NRA's response very
shortly after the meeting with

695
00:35:40,800 --> 00:35:43,400
Vice President Biden,
do they have --

696
00:35:43,400 --> 00:35:45,530
do you see any dialogue between
the White House and them

697
00:35:45,533 --> 00:35:46,533
going forward?

698
00:35:46,533 --> 00:35:48,603
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think that it's
obviously up to each

699
00:35:48,600 --> 00:35:54,070
organization or group that wants
to engage in this issue in a

700
00:35:54,066 --> 00:35:57,236
constructive way, and we are
certainly open to engaging,

701
00:35:57,233 --> 00:35:59,703
as has been demonstrated by the
Vice President's effort thus

702
00:35:59,700 --> 00:36:03,100
far, with a broad range
of interested groups.

703
00:36:03,100 --> 00:36:06,070
And that will certainly continue
to be the case going forward.

704
00:36:06,066 --> 00:36:09,866
And I think it will likely
continue to be the case when

705
00:36:09,867 --> 00:36:12,967
Congress is considering
specific pieces of legislation.

706
00:36:12,967 --> 00:36:19,167
But my point was that this is
more than an issue between the

707
00:36:19,166 --> 00:36:21,766
administration and Congress,
more than an issue between

708
00:36:21,767 --> 00:36:23,397
elected representatives
from both parties.

709
00:36:23,400 --> 00:36:29,000
This is a broader national issue
that requires a conversation to

710
00:36:29,000 --> 00:36:34,400
continue about gun
violence in our country,

711
00:36:34,400 --> 00:36:36,370
gun violence in our culture.

712
00:36:36,367 --> 00:36:39,437
And I think the President
believes that tomorrow is not

713
00:36:39,433 --> 00:36:41,363
the end of something, it's
the beginning of something.

714
00:36:41,367 --> 00:36:44,297
The Press:
Well, given their rejection to
everything that was discussed at

715
00:36:44,300 --> 00:36:46,470
that table with
the Vice President,

716
00:36:46,467 --> 00:36:49,167
do you see any role for them?

717
00:36:49,166 --> 00:36:52,566
Mr. Carney:
Again, I'm not going to -- each
organization or group that has

718
00:36:52,567 --> 00:36:56,237
an interest in this issue will
have to decide for itself how

719
00:36:56,233 --> 00:37:00,363
much it wants to engage
constructively in pursuit of

720
00:37:00,367 --> 00:37:02,337
common-sense measures
to reduce gun violence.

721
00:37:02,333 --> 00:37:05,633
I'm certainly not going to
speak for one organization or

722
00:37:05,633 --> 00:37:06,603
the other.

723
00:37:06,600 --> 00:37:07,600
Mike, and then Olivier.

724
00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:09,370
The Press:
Two matters if
you'll indulge me,

725
00:37:09,367 --> 00:37:11,537
the first one a
foreign affairs issue.

726
00:37:11,533 --> 00:37:14,763
The American pastor that's
being put on trial in Iran,

727
00:37:14,767 --> 00:37:18,697
Saeed Abedini -- has the
President been kept apprised of

728
00:37:18,700 --> 00:37:19,700
his situation?

729
00:37:19,700 --> 00:37:24,570
He's supposed to be going before
Iran's "hanging judge" and do

730
00:37:24,567 --> 00:37:26,537
you have a statement
on this case?

731
00:37:26,533 --> 00:37:27,533
Mr. Carney:
I don't have a statement.

732
00:37:27,533 --> 00:37:28,933
I'll have to take the question.

733
00:37:28,934 --> 00:37:31,734
The President is obviously
updated on a variety of issues

734
00:37:31,734 --> 00:37:33,934
with regards to Iran, but I
don't have anything specific for

735
00:37:33,934 --> 00:37:34,934
you on that.

736
00:37:34,934 --> 00:37:35,934
I'll take the question.

737
00:37:35,934 --> 00:37:37,504
The Press:
And on the gun issue, I wanted
to bring up something that you

738
00:37:37,500 --> 00:37:38,830
brought up a couple
briefings ago,

739
00:37:38,834 --> 00:37:41,834
the President brought up
on the day of the shooting,

740
00:37:41,834 --> 00:37:44,464
and that is the ATF director.

741
00:37:44,467 --> 00:37:46,797
Obviously, it's been a
longstanding open position,

742
00:37:46,800 --> 00:37:50,300
but in terms of the nominee
the President put forward,

743
00:37:50,300 --> 00:37:53,470
the ranking Republican in
the Senate, Charles Grassley,

744
00:37:53,467 --> 00:37:56,697
on the Judiciary Committee, said
that the main reason that he's

745
00:37:56,700 --> 00:37:59,170
not moving is they haven't been
given the documents that they've

746
00:37:59,166 --> 00:38:02,736
asked for, answers to questions
that they've asked for.

747
00:38:02,734 --> 00:38:05,804
Where does the White House see
the holdup on that nomination?

748
00:38:05,800 --> 00:38:08,700
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think that it's a simple
fact that it's been a very long

749
00:38:08,700 --> 00:38:15,000
time since the Senate has
confirmed a head of the ATF and

750
00:38:15,000 --> 00:38:16,200
it needs to act.

751
00:38:16,200 --> 00:38:21,200
I'll have to take the question
on the specific issues that are

752
00:38:21,200 --> 00:38:23,830
in dispute here about
why that hasn't moved,

753
00:38:23,834 --> 00:38:27,734
but I think usually
the case when --

754
00:38:27,734 --> 00:38:32,364
usually when there's a case of
nominations being held up and

755
00:38:32,367 --> 00:38:37,337
congressional inaction, the
problem is often with Congress.

756
00:38:37,333 --> 00:38:40,203
But we will certainly --
I will take that question.

757
00:38:40,200 --> 00:38:42,330
The Press:
Then let me just redirect
that a little bit.

758
00:38:42,333 --> 00:38:45,333
Where do you see that fitting in
to the problem that we have with

759
00:38:45,333 --> 00:38:47,663
gun violence -- the
lack of an ATF director?

760
00:38:47,667 --> 00:38:49,867
What shortcomings does
that leave in the federal

761
00:38:49,867 --> 00:38:51,197
law enforcement?

762
00:38:51,200 --> 00:38:54,430
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think an agency with the
responsibilities that ATF has

763
00:38:54,433 --> 00:38:59,363
that has lacked a confirmed
leader for the amount of time

764
00:38:59,367 --> 00:39:05,367
that it does I think reflects
the lack of necessary focus on

765
00:39:05,367 --> 00:39:06,367
these problems.

766
00:39:06,367 --> 00:39:09,637
It's hard to measure what the
impact of that absence has been,

767
00:39:09,633 --> 00:39:14,303
but it's hard to imagine
how it would be positive.

768
00:39:14,300 --> 00:39:17,600
Olivier.

769
00:39:17,600 --> 00:39:19,400
The Press:
Jay, a couple for
you, one on Mali.

770
00:39:19,400 --> 00:39:23,200
You said that the President
is considering a request for

771
00:39:23,200 --> 00:39:24,200
logistical help.

772
00:39:24,200 --> 00:39:26,970
Does that request as currently
written put American servicemen

773
00:39:26,967 --> 00:39:29,967
and women in harm's way?

774
00:39:29,967 --> 00:39:34,867
Mr. Carney:
We are not contemplating
that kind of action.

775
00:39:34,867 --> 00:39:38,167
We are talking about
logistical support,

776
00:39:38,166 --> 00:39:42,096
providing intelligence
assistance.

777
00:39:42,100 --> 00:39:47,300
This is aid and assistance
to an effort that the French

778
00:39:47,300 --> 00:39:48,300
are undertaking.

779
00:39:48,300 --> 00:39:51,570
I think Secretary Panetta
has spoken to this.

780
00:39:51,567 --> 00:39:54,167
He's traveling in Europe, but
I think he spoke to this in the

781
00:39:54,166 --> 00:39:55,836
last few hours.

782
00:39:55,834 --> 00:39:57,734
But that's the nature of
what we're considering here,

783
00:39:57,734 --> 00:39:59,464
logistical support.

784
00:39:59,467 --> 00:40:00,467
The Press:
-- drones?

785
00:40:00,467 --> 00:40:04,267
Mr. Carney:
I think you may be referring
to a question from a leader of

786
00:40:04,266 --> 00:40:05,266
another country.

787
00:40:05,266 --> 00:40:08,696
But again, the logistical
support we're talking about here

788
00:40:08,700 --> 00:40:11,930
is of the nature I described --
refueling, that kind of thing.

789
00:40:11,934 --> 00:40:13,034
The Press:
And on a separate subject.

790
00:40:13,033 --> 00:40:15,403
I'm sure that you guys were
thrilled that Senator Schumer

791
00:40:15,400 --> 00:40:18,500
came out strongly in favor
of the Hagel nomination.

792
00:40:18,500 --> 00:40:21,200
But I'm wondering how you feel
about his assessment that Israel

793
00:40:21,200 --> 00:40:24,770
is in "a dramatically more
endangered position" than it was

794
00:40:24,767 --> 00:40:26,967
when the President took office?

795
00:40:26,967 --> 00:40:30,767
Mr. Carney:
Well, I don't -- you'd have
to flesh out the context there.

796
00:40:30,767 --> 00:40:34,497
I think that we certainly
welcome the statement from

797
00:40:34,500 --> 00:40:37,170
Senator Schumer, statement
from Senator Boxer,

798
00:40:37,166 --> 00:40:40,496
other senators who have come out
in support of Senator Hagel's

799
00:40:40,500 --> 00:40:45,200
nomination, and we believe
that represents momentum behind

800
00:40:45,200 --> 00:40:47,030
Senator Hagel's nomination.

801
00:40:47,033 --> 00:40:51,733
And we look forward
to the confirmation

802
00:40:51,734 --> 00:40:55,604
proceedings continuing.

803
00:40:55,600 --> 00:40:59,500
Again, I'm not sure -- you have
to give me the context of --

804
00:40:59,500 --> 00:41:00,570
The Press:
Sure.

805
00:41:00,567 --> 00:41:01,567
Well, he talks about
how Senator Hagel --

806
00:41:01,567 --> 00:41:05,997
cast some of his past comments
about Israel and about Iran as

807
00:41:06,000 --> 00:41:09,530
basically statements from that
era and things have changed.

808
00:41:09,533 --> 00:41:14,103
I can try to pull the actual
full Schumer statement.

809
00:41:14,100 --> 00:41:17,270
I don't know how
productive that is,

810
00:41:17,266 --> 00:41:20,896
but he says that Senator
Hagel expressed --

811
00:41:20,900 --> 00:41:25,430
here we go, I got it --

812
00:41:25,433 --> 00:41:26,803
Mr. Carney:
Wonders of technology.

813
00:41:26,800 --> 00:41:28,800
(laughter)

814
00:41:28,800 --> 00:41:31,770
The Press:
"Senator Hagel realizes that the
situation in the Middle East has

815
00:41:31,767 --> 00:41:34,297
"changed, with Israel in a
dramatically more endangered

816
00:41:34,300 --> 00:41:38,030
"position than it was
even five years ago."

817
00:41:38,033 --> 00:41:42,333
Mr. Carney:
Well, I don't want to embellish
on what Senator Schumer said.

818
00:41:42,333 --> 00:41:46,033
There is no question that
-- let's talk about Iran --

819
00:41:46,033 --> 00:41:53,563
that Iran is recognized
as a threat to Israel.

820
00:41:53,567 --> 00:41:56,397
And we certainly
see it that way.

821
00:41:56,400 --> 00:41:59,630
That is why the President has
pursued a policy that has put

822
00:41:59,633 --> 00:42:03,863
unprecedented pressure on Iran,
unprecedented sanctions on Iran,

823
00:42:03,867 --> 00:42:07,237
a sanctions regime with
international cooperation that

824
00:42:07,233 --> 00:42:11,433
has led to -- had a dramatic
impact on Iran's economy,

825
00:42:11,433 --> 00:42:17,503
and why the President has made
clear that it is his policy that

826
00:42:17,500 --> 00:42:19,700
Iran cannot obtain
a nuclear weapon.

827
00:42:19,700 --> 00:42:31,370
I think that what is also clear
is that this President believes

828
00:42:31,367 --> 00:42:34,237
deeply in the unshakable bond
between the United States and

829
00:42:34,233 --> 00:42:38,633
Israel and our absolute
commitment to Israel's defense.

830
00:42:38,633 --> 00:42:41,963
And that is a commitment
that Senator Hagel --

831
00:42:41,967 --> 00:42:43,537
hopefully, Secretary
Hagel -- shares.

832
00:42:43,533 --> 00:42:45,733
Andrei.

833
00:42:45,734 --> 00:42:46,834
The Press:
Thank you, Jay.

834
00:42:46,834 --> 00:42:51,104
Jay, I keep reading things about
the U.S.-Russian relations that,

835
00:42:51,100 --> 00:42:53,670
frankly, surprise me.

836
00:42:53,667 --> 00:42:55,797
Mr. Carney:
In your press or ours?

837
00:42:55,800 --> 00:42:57,500
(laughter)

838
00:42:57,500 --> 00:42:58,500
The Press:
In both.

839
00:42:58,500 --> 00:43:03,100
But I'm here to cover the
U.S., so I'm reading the

840
00:43:03,100 --> 00:43:04,100
American press.

841
00:43:04,100 --> 00:43:07,100
And I'm reading how the
relations are supposedly at

842
00:43:07,100 --> 00:43:08,430
their lowest point.

843
00:43:08,433 --> 00:43:13,633
Yesterday, I think the Post
referred to a "poisonous

844
00:43:13,633 --> 00:43:15,003
"unraveling" of relations.

845
00:43:15,000 --> 00:43:19,530
And sometimes, I have the
feeling that the writers sort of

846
00:43:19,533 --> 00:43:22,533
present it as if coming from
the top of the administration,

847
00:43:22,533 --> 00:43:23,533
from the White House.

848
00:43:23,533 --> 00:43:28,603
So my question to you is does
the White House see it that way?

849
00:43:28,600 --> 00:43:31,300
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think you would be
misinterpreting I think --

850
00:43:31,300 --> 00:43:33,570
I'm not sure which
reports you're reading.

851
00:43:33,567 --> 00:43:38,367
It wouldn't be the first time
that a writer maybe exaggerated

852
00:43:38,367 --> 00:43:39,837
the level of his
or her sourcing.

853
00:43:39,834 --> 00:43:43,904
(laughter)

854
00:43:43,900 --> 00:43:44,900
Here's what I would tell you.

855
00:43:44,900 --> 00:43:47,770
The President believes that our
relationship with Russia is

856
00:43:47,767 --> 00:43:49,367
very important.

857
00:43:49,367 --> 00:43:54,137
We have worked cooperatively
together since he took office

858
00:43:54,133 --> 00:43:59,503
across a spectrum of issues that
have benefited both Russia and

859
00:43:59,500 --> 00:44:00,570
the United States.

860
00:44:00,567 --> 00:44:04,067
It is also the case that
we have disagreements.

861
00:44:04,066 --> 00:44:06,936
One of the developments that's
important in our relationship

862
00:44:06,934 --> 00:44:10,404
with Russia is that when we have
disagreements we're very clear

863
00:44:10,400 --> 00:44:13,330
about them, but we do not
let them get in the way of

864
00:44:13,333 --> 00:44:15,733
necessarily the areas
of cooperation that we

865
00:44:15,734 --> 00:44:17,334
have pursued.

866
00:44:17,333 --> 00:44:20,063
I think that the idea
that our relationship --

867
00:44:20,066 --> 00:44:22,636
I mean, you and I are old enough
and have been around long enough

868
00:44:22,633 --> 00:44:25,463
to know that any
characterization like that is

869
00:44:25,467 --> 00:44:28,567
ridiculous given the
relationship at least between

870
00:44:28,567 --> 00:44:34,637
the Soviet Union and the United
States and I think different

871
00:44:34,633 --> 00:44:36,903
periods even since the
collapse of the Soviet Union.

872
00:44:36,900 --> 00:44:38,700
We continue to work
cooperatively with Russia.

873
00:44:38,700 --> 00:44:40,400
It's a very important
relationship.

874
00:44:40,400 --> 00:44:42,470
We are very clear-eyed, as
I think the Russians are,

875
00:44:42,467 --> 00:44:47,097
about where we disagree, and
very aggressive in working with

876
00:44:47,100 --> 00:44:50,930
Russia on areas where we do
agree and where we can achieve

877
00:44:50,934 --> 00:44:54,864
goals, shared goals together,
both in the international arena

878
00:44:54,867 --> 00:44:57,337
and in our bilateral
relationship.

879
00:44:57,333 --> 00:45:02,363
The Press:
I understand that Mr. Donilon is
planning a visit to Russia soon.

880
00:45:02,367 --> 00:45:04,637
Can you tell us
anything about that?

881
00:45:04,633 --> 00:45:09,003
Mr. Carney:
I don't have any scheduling or
trip announcements to make on

882
00:45:09,000 --> 00:45:11,870
behalf of the National
Security Advisor.

883
00:45:11,867 --> 00:45:13,267
The Press:
Jay, looking ahead
to this weekend,

884
00:45:13,266 --> 00:45:16,236
can you walk us through the
Sunday private swearing-in?

885
00:45:16,233 --> 00:45:17,203
How is that going to unfold?

886
00:45:17,200 --> 00:45:20,300
Who is going to be here
and what time is it?

887
00:45:20,300 --> 00:45:23,670
Mr. Carney:
He will be sworn in -- the
President will be sworn in prior

888
00:45:23,667 --> 00:45:28,667
to noon in the Residence,
in the Blue Room, by Chief

889
00:45:28,667 --> 00:45:31,737
Justice Roberts.

890
00:45:31,734 --> 00:45:35,434
The attendees will
be immediate family.

891
00:45:35,433 --> 00:45:40,363
There will be full
live pool coverage.

892
00:45:40,367 --> 00:45:43,667
And he will be sworn
in on two Bibles,

893
00:45:43,667 --> 00:45:47,237
as I think has been reported --
the Abraham Lincoln Bible that

894
00:45:47,233 --> 00:45:50,103
he used at his swearing-in
four years ago,

895
00:45:50,100 --> 00:45:53,000
as well as a Martin Luther
King Bible on top of that.

896
00:45:53,000 --> 00:45:55,470
So those are the details.

897
00:45:55,467 --> 00:45:59,037
The Press:
Now, the Inaugural Committee
said he was going to use the two

898
00:45:59,033 --> 00:46:03,533
Bibles at the Capitol, but he's
using a Robinson family Bible --

899
00:46:03,533 --> 00:46:05,033
Mr. Carney:
I will have to check.

900
00:46:05,033 --> 00:46:08,003
I thought he was using
both Bibles here as well.

901
00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:10,670
Let me check that for you.

902
00:46:10,667 --> 00:46:13,337
The Press:
This thing is only going
to take, like, five

903
00:46:13,333 --> 00:46:14,333
minutes, then, right?

904
00:46:14,333 --> 00:46:16,303
Is there anything else?

905
00:46:16,300 --> 00:46:18,400
Mr. Carney:
I would not expect a
pre-inaugural speech.

906
00:46:18,400 --> 00:46:19,400
(laughter)

907
00:46:19,400 --> 00:46:21,970
Again, this will be -- everyone
understands the reason why it's

908
00:46:21,967 --> 00:46:25,237
happening on Sunday and then
the bigger event on Monday.

909
00:46:25,233 --> 00:46:30,533
And there will be full pool
coverage of that event.

910
00:46:30,533 --> 00:46:36,703
I think you're right that it's
not likely to take very long.

911
00:46:36,700 --> 00:46:41,030
The Press:
Can you post a
clarification on the --

912
00:46:41,033 --> 00:46:43,103
a verification on the Bible?

913
00:46:43,100 --> 00:46:44,100
Mr. Carney:
Sure.

914
00:46:44,100 --> 00:46:45,430
I mean, obviously PIC
has the details, too.

915
00:46:45,433 --> 00:46:46,963
But we will post
a clarification.

916
00:46:46,967 --> 00:46:47,997
David.

917
00:46:48,000 --> 00:46:50,600
The Press:
Jay, the President deployed U.S.
troops to Somalia last weekend

918
00:46:50,600 --> 00:46:52,400
with the French on
a rescue mission.

919
00:46:52,400 --> 00:46:55,270
Taking that into context, again,
with the request of the French

920
00:46:55,266 --> 00:46:58,096
for help in Mali, does this
represent an expanding front in

921
00:46:58,100 --> 00:46:59,900
the war on terrorism
for U.S. forces?

922
00:46:59,900 --> 00:47:02,300
And what is the President's
criteria going forward to

923
00:47:02,300 --> 00:47:04,900
provide aid in these
kind of situations?

924
00:47:04,900 --> 00:47:07,200
Mr. Carney:
Well, let's be clear that,
with regards to Somalia,

925
00:47:07,200 --> 00:47:10,100
on January 11th, French forces
conducted an operation in

926
00:47:10,100 --> 00:47:13,230
Somalia in which they attempted
to rescue a French citizen being

927
00:47:13,233 --> 00:47:16,933
held hostage by Al-Shabaab.

928
00:47:16,934 --> 00:47:20,204
Our forces provided limited
technical support to the French

929
00:47:20,200 --> 00:47:23,530
forces in that operation, but
took no direct part in the

930
00:47:23,533 --> 00:47:26,603
assault on the compound where
it was believed that the French

931
00:47:26,600 --> 00:47:28,730
citizen was being held hostage.

932
00:47:28,734 --> 00:47:32,864
U.S. combat aircraft briefly
entered Somali airspace to

933
00:47:32,867 --> 00:47:35,267
support the rescue
operation if needed.

934
00:47:35,266 --> 00:47:38,996
These aircraft did not employ
weapons during the operation.

935
00:47:39,000 --> 00:47:42,430
Because the U.S. combat aircraft
entered Somali airspace,

936
00:47:42,433 --> 00:47:46,263
the President provided a
report to the Congress on the

937
00:47:46,266 --> 00:47:49,666
operation, in keeping with
the War Powers Resolution.

938
00:47:49,667 --> 00:47:53,297
On your broader question about
our approach to these matters,

939
00:47:53,300 --> 00:48:00,630
we obviously work with our
allies in an effort to deal with

940
00:48:00,633 --> 00:48:05,763
al Qaeda and its affiliates
around the world and around both

941
00:48:05,767 --> 00:48:08,397
the Middle East, in North
Africa, and elsewhere.

942
00:48:08,400 --> 00:48:12,900
The operation that the French
have undertaken in Mali is one

943
00:48:12,900 --> 00:48:16,330
that we support, but it
is a French operation.

944
00:48:16,333 --> 00:48:19,803
We have, as you know, been
focused not only on al Qaeda

945
00:48:19,800 --> 00:48:23,130
central -- which is the
reason why we went to war in

946
00:48:23,133 --> 00:48:26,903
Afghanistan, was to disrupt,
dismantle and defeat al Qaeda

947
00:48:26,900 --> 00:48:32,670
central -- in that region
because al Qaeda launched an

948
00:48:32,667 --> 00:48:36,937
attack against the United
States on September 11th, 2001,

949
00:48:36,934 --> 00:48:39,964
that took thousands
of American lives.

950
00:48:39,967 --> 00:48:46,537
We have discussed our efforts
in Yemen and elsewhere because

951
00:48:46,533 --> 00:48:49,403
those organizations -- al
Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula

952
00:48:49,400 --> 00:48:52,170
represent a direct threat
to the American homeland,

953
00:48:52,166 --> 00:48:54,796
a direct threat to
American citizens.

954
00:48:54,800 --> 00:48:57,070
More broadly speaking, when
you talk about other al Qaeda

955
00:48:57,066 --> 00:48:59,766
affiliates or other
similarly inclined terrorist

956
00:48:59,767 --> 00:49:03,467
organizations, we work with
our allies around the world to

957
00:49:03,467 --> 00:49:07,337
assist their efforts to deprive
terrorists of safe havens,

958
00:49:07,333 --> 00:49:12,433
or deal with terrorist
organizations that represent

959
00:49:12,433 --> 00:49:16,433
threats, in the case of
Mali to French citizens.

960
00:49:16,433 --> 00:49:20,403
AQIM -- in Mali -- has taken
a number of French citizens

961
00:49:20,400 --> 00:49:22,600
hostage, for example.

962
00:49:22,600 --> 00:49:27,030
So we work with allies
like France in that effort.

963
00:49:27,033 --> 00:49:30,403
The Press:
Is the U.S. doing anything about
the reported movement of arms

964
00:49:30,400 --> 00:49:33,300
from Libya into Mali?

965
00:49:33,300 --> 00:49:36,200
Mr. Carney:
I would address that
question to State or Defense.

966
00:49:36,200 --> 00:49:38,970
I can look into it as well,
but I don't have anything for

967
00:49:38,967 --> 00:49:39,967
you on that.

968
00:49:39,967 --> 00:49:40,967
The Press:
Thanks, Jay.

969
00:49:40,967 --> 00:49:41,967
Mr. Carney:
I'll take one more.

970
00:49:41,967 --> 00:49:43,637
Cheryl, way in the back.

971
00:49:43,633 --> 00:49:44,633
The Press:
Thanks, Jay.

972
00:49:44,633 --> 00:49:46,633
Is Denis McDonough going
to be the next White House

973
00:49:46,633 --> 00:49:48,133
Chief of Staff?

974
00:49:48,133 --> 00:49:49,163
Mr. Carney:
That's an easy one.

975
00:49:49,166 --> 00:49:51,196
I have no personnel
announcements to make --

976
00:49:51,200 --> 00:49:52,200
(laughter)

977
00:49:52,200 --> 00:49:53,200
-- from the podium today.

978
00:49:53,200 --> 00:49:54,730
Thank you all very much.

979
00:49:54,734 --> 00:49:56,034
The Press:
One follow-up?

980
00:49:56,033 --> 00:49:57,033
Mr. Carney:
Yes, one follow-up.

981
00:49:57,033 --> 00:49:58,303
Oh, wait, a different
person, Donovan.

982
00:49:58,300 --> 00:49:59,330
Okay.

983
00:49:59,333 --> 00:50:00,333
The Press:
Sorry.

984
00:50:00,333 --> 00:50:01,603
Mr. Carney:
That's okay.

985
00:50:01,600 --> 00:50:04,400
The Press:
We're just a few days away
from the second term starting,

986
00:50:04,400 --> 00:50:06,930
and there are four Cabinet
officials that have yet to

987
00:50:06,934 --> 00:50:10,034
announce their plans, including
the Secretaries of Energy and

988
00:50:10,033 --> 00:50:12,633
Interior and Transportation.

989
00:50:12,633 --> 00:50:14,963
When can we expect to know that?

990
00:50:14,967 --> 00:50:17,567
I mean, it seems we're getting
right up to the end here.

991
00:50:17,567 --> 00:50:23,797
The Press:
I have no personnel
announcements to make.

992
00:50:23,800 --> 00:50:27,170
I think you can expect,
broadly speaking,

993
00:50:27,166 --> 00:50:29,766
the President to make
announcements when he's ready to

994
00:50:29,767 --> 00:50:31,767
make them with
appropriate haste,

995
00:50:31,767 --> 00:50:40,137
but also with the appropriate
amount of consideration.

996
00:50:40,133 --> 00:50:42,203
In other words, no answer.

997
00:50:42,200 --> 00:50:43,000
(laughter)

998
00:50:43,000 --> 00:50:43,370
Thanks.