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1 00:00:00,333 --> 00:00:01,800 Mr. Carney: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. 2 00:00:01,800 --> 00:00:05,100 Welcome to the White House for your daily briefing. 3 00:00:05,100 --> 00:00:07,100 Before I get started, I just wanted to let you know that the 4 00:00:07,100 --> 00:00:10,966 President earlier today called Mark Kelly to express his 5 00:00:10,967 --> 00:00:15,633 appreciation to Congresswoman Giffords and to thank them both 6 00:00:15,633 --> 00:00:18,532 for their patriotism and dedication to the United States. 7 00:00:18,533 --> 00:00:21,166 As the President said yesterday in his statement, 8 00:00:21,166 --> 00:00:25,233 Congresswoman Giffords embodies the very best of what public 9 00:00:25,233 --> 00:00:26,433 service should be. 10 00:00:26,433 --> 00:00:29,600 She's universally admired for qualities that transcend party 11 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,400 or ideology -- a dedication to fairness, 12 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:34,766 a willingness to listen to different ideas, 13 00:00:34,767 --> 00:00:38,233 and a tireless commitment to the work of perfecting our union. 14 00:00:38,233 --> 00:00:41,833 And he thanks her for her remarkable service. 15 00:00:41,834 --> 00:00:44,467 On the call, the President -- earlier today, that is, 16 00:00:44,467 --> 00:00:47,166 on the call, the President discussed the fact that Mark 17 00:00:47,166 --> 00:00:50,599 Kelly has been invited to attend the State of the Union and sit 18 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:54,533 in the First Lady's box, and he very much looks forward to 19 00:00:54,533 --> 00:00:57,133 having Mr. Kelly there. 20 00:00:57,133 --> 00:01:01,100 Separately, I know that something is happening tomorrow 21 00:01:01,100 --> 00:01:02,200 you guys might be interested in. 22 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:06,600 I thought I'd mention that I'm not going to get into specific 23 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:10,300 policy proposals because I prefer that you hear them first 24 00:01:10,300 --> 00:01:13,467 from the President when he gives his State of the Union address 25 00:01:13,467 --> 00:01:18,033 tomorrow evening at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. 26 00:01:18,033 --> 00:01:20,734 I will say that in a lot of ways the State of the Union will be a 27 00:01:20,734 --> 00:01:22,934 bookend to the President's speech in Kansas last month 28 00:01:22,934 --> 00:01:26,133 about the central mission that we have as a country, 29 00:01:26,133 --> 00:01:29,767 and his focus as President of building a country and an 30 00:01:29,767 --> 00:01:32,734 economy where we reward hard work and responsibility, 31 00:01:32,734 --> 00:01:35,300 where everyone does their fair share, 32 00:01:35,300 --> 00:01:37,934 and where everyone is held accountable for what they do. 33 00:01:40,266 --> 00:01:44,133 The President will build off the themes of that Kansas speech in 34 00:01:44,133 --> 00:01:47,166 the State of the Union by laying out a blueprint for an America 35 00:01:47,166 --> 00:01:48,265 Built to Last. 36 00:01:48,266 --> 00:01:51,066 The blueprint will be supported by four pillars: American 37 00:01:51,066 --> 00:01:55,033 manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, 38 00:01:55,033 --> 00:01:56,300 and American values. 39 00:01:58,867 --> 00:02:01,266 The President looks very much forward to the opportunity to 40 00:02:01,266 --> 00:02:05,500 speak to the American people tomorrow evening to give them -- 41 00:02:05,500 --> 00:02:08,734 to provide to the American people his vision for where we 42 00:02:08,734 --> 00:02:11,800 need to go and how we should get there as a country, 43 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:16,400 working together to build a stronger economy, 44 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:18,967 a more secure union. 45 00:02:18,967 --> 00:02:25,166 And I hope as many Americans as possible take advantage of the 46 00:02:25,166 --> 00:02:27,900 opportunity to hear what he has to say tomorrow night, 47 00:02:27,900 --> 00:02:30,967 and I'm sure we'll have more to talk about in the aftermath. 48 00:02:30,967 --> 00:02:33,400 As you know, he'll be traveling for the three days after the 49 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,433 State of the Union, where he will be speaking specifically 50 00:02:36,433 --> 00:02:39,600 about those first three pillars: American manufacturing, 51 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:42,799 American energy, and skill for American workers. 52 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:44,266 The fourth pillar, American values, 53 00:02:44,266 --> 00:02:48,834 is sort of a overlay over the other three. 54 00:02:48,834 --> 00:02:51,100 With that, I'll go to the Associated Press. 55 00:02:51,100 --> 00:02:53,100 The Press: Thanks, Jay. A couple of follow-ups on that topic. 56 00:02:53,100 --> 00:02:55,533 Can you give us a sense of where the President is in the drafting 57 00:02:55,533 --> 00:02:56,299 of his speech? 58 00:02:56,300 --> 00:02:57,867 How many drafts? 59 00:02:57,867 --> 00:03:03,533 Has he been through formal practice rounds yet in the 60 00:03:03,533 --> 00:03:06,399 Family Theater -- that kind of thing? 61 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:13,100 Mr. Carney: There is a draft that I read through this morning, 62 00:03:13,100 --> 00:03:16,934 and it's not the first and it won't be the last, I'm sure. 63 00:03:16,934 --> 00:03:20,867 The President has been working very closely with his chief 64 00:03:20,867 --> 00:03:26,500 speechwriter and others on his policy teams to refine it, 65 00:03:26,500 --> 00:03:28,467 get it ready for tomorrow evening, 66 00:03:28,467 --> 00:03:32,900 and I'm sure that process will continue today and tomorrow. 67 00:03:35,500 --> 00:03:37,333 I don't have a number of drafts for you, 68 00:03:37,333 --> 00:03:40,934 but he thinks this is an important speech and he 69 00:03:40,934 --> 00:03:42,567 looks forward to giving it. 70 00:03:42,567 --> 00:03:45,233 The Press: Can you explain, given the context of this reelection year, 71 00:03:45,233 --> 00:03:48,600 what kind of coordination goes on with the reelection 72 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:52,200 campaign in terms of the themes, messaging rollout, 73 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:55,100 that kind of thing? 74 00:03:55,100 --> 00:03:56,799 Mr. Carney: This is a State of the Union address that the 75 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:57,800 President is giving. 76 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:03,233 We obviously -- the themes of this speech that I just 77 00:04:03,233 --> 00:04:11,266 discussed reflect not just what the speech he gave in Kansas, 78 00:04:11,266 --> 00:04:16,332 but in many ways the principles that President Obama has brought 79 00:04:16,333 --> 00:04:19,734 to public service since he began his career in public service. 80 00:04:19,733 --> 00:04:25,166 So it wouldn't take much to understand where he's coming 81 00:04:25,166 --> 00:04:27,266 from and where he believes the country will go. 82 00:04:27,266 --> 00:04:31,500 And I'm sure that the campaign is focused on those same ideas, 83 00:04:31,500 --> 00:04:35,767 because they are working to get the President reelected. 84 00:04:35,767 --> 00:04:42,800 The trips he's making, the three-day trip he'll be making 85 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:44,367 after the speech, the states he'll visit, 86 00:04:44,367 --> 00:04:49,333 these are official events to further elucidate and add detail 87 00:04:49,333 --> 00:04:51,967 to the proposals he'll make tomorrow evening. 88 00:04:51,967 --> 00:04:58,633 And I think as I've said before, one option -- the President 89 00:04:58,633 --> 00:05:00,799 knows that one option for Washington, 90 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:07,600 for Congress and for him is to wait until the election resolves 91 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:09,800 our differences. 92 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:11,600 He rejects that option. 93 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:15,800 He believes that while there will certainly be disagreements 94 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:18,633 and issues to debate in the election, 95 00:05:18,633 --> 00:05:21,700 that election is nearly 10 months away, 96 00:05:21,700 --> 00:05:26,099 and we cannot afford to waste those 10 months on campaigning 97 00:05:26,100 --> 00:05:29,767 alone; that there are things we can and must do to grow the 98 00:05:29,767 --> 00:05:37,000 economy, create jobs, ensure that everyone gets a fair shot 99 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:42,367 and that everyone is held accountable for what they do; 100 00:05:42,367 --> 00:05:45,667 that if we all play by the same rules, 101 00:05:45,667 --> 00:05:48,433 then we all get ahead together. 102 00:05:48,433 --> 00:05:49,599 The Press: One last one. 103 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:51,700 There was some news this morning on the housing front, 104 00:05:51,700 --> 00:05:55,066 a draft agreement between major banks and the states 105 00:05:55,066 --> 00:05:57,000 over foreclosure practices. 106 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:03,133 And one of the upshots of this is intended to be modifying 107 00:06:03,133 --> 00:06:07,133 loans for those who are facing foreclosure to make it easier 108 00:06:07,133 --> 00:06:09,332 for them to get by. 109 00:06:09,333 --> 00:06:12,300 I just wonder if you have any reaction to that and if that's 110 00:06:12,300 --> 00:06:15,233 the kind of development that you think could play into the State 111 00:06:15,233 --> 00:06:16,700 of the Union. 112 00:06:16,700 --> 00:06:20,033 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't have any reaction to that report. 113 00:06:20,033 --> 00:06:26,467 The President, as you know, is focused on the issue of housing. 114 00:06:26,467 --> 00:06:29,366 This has been -- had a profound impact on our economy, 115 00:06:29,367 --> 00:06:33,233 and the President has worked since he took office to help 116 00:06:33,233 --> 00:06:38,767 alleviate the damage that the bursting of the housing bubble 117 00:06:38,767 --> 00:06:43,800 has caused to our economy and to help homeowners refinance their 118 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:50,300 homes, for example, or get forbearance in order to stay 119 00:06:50,300 --> 00:06:52,000 in their homes. 120 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:55,400 But I don't have any specific correlation to make between that 121 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:58,799 report and the State of the Union address. 122 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:00,100 Yes, Caren. 123 00:07:00,100 --> 00:07:01,333 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 124 00:07:01,333 --> 00:07:02,967 I wanted to ask a question about Iran. 125 00:07:02,967 --> 00:07:05,433 The administration put out a statement a little while ago 126 00:07:05,433 --> 00:07:07,332 about the EU sanctions. 127 00:07:07,333 --> 00:07:09,500 But in reaction to those sanctions, 128 00:07:09,500 --> 00:07:13,467 you have one politician in Iran renewing the threat to close the 129 00:07:13,467 --> 00:07:14,866 Strait of Hormuz. 130 00:07:14,867 --> 00:07:19,467 That was after the Iranians backed off that threat days ago. 131 00:07:19,467 --> 00:07:22,967 And I'm just wondering what your assessment of the situation is 132 00:07:22,967 --> 00:07:27,500 right now, and are you concerned about the rhetoric heating up 133 00:07:27,500 --> 00:07:28,567 again there? 134 00:07:30,734 --> 00:07:33,967 Mr. Carney: Well, you're citing one report from one politician, 135 00:07:33,967 --> 00:07:35,000 as I understand it. 136 00:07:39,333 --> 00:07:44,300 What I can tell you is that the USS Abraham Lincoln transited 137 00:07:44,300 --> 00:07:48,133 through the Strait of Hormuz without incidence -- without 138 00:07:48,133 --> 00:07:51,967 incident, rather -- as part of our regularly scheduled 139 00:07:51,967 --> 00:07:55,700 movements, undertaken in accordance with our longstanding 140 00:07:55,700 --> 00:07:57,900 commitments to the security and stability of the region. 141 00:08:00,266 --> 00:08:05,133 We are focused on holding Iran accountable, 142 00:08:08,100 --> 00:08:10,533 to ensuring that Iran understands that its stark 143 00:08:10,533 --> 00:08:15,667 choice here is to abide by its international obligations with 144 00:08:15,667 --> 00:08:19,000 regards to its nuclear program, and if it were to make that 145 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:22,800 decision, then to be welcomed back into the international 146 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:26,600 community; but if it does not -- and thus far, 147 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:33,633 it has not -- to face ever more strict sanctions, 148 00:08:35,933 --> 00:08:38,467 including the ones that you noted at the beginning 149 00:08:38,467 --> 00:08:40,133 of your question. 150 00:08:40,133 --> 00:08:43,500 This process will continue to intensify, 151 00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:47,800 so that Iran understands fully that the pressure will not let 152 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:52,766 up and the isolation will not stop until they decide to make 153 00:08:52,767 --> 00:08:58,166 the right choice, which is to abide by their commitments 154 00:08:58,166 --> 00:09:03,033 internationally, and to come clean, if you will, 155 00:09:03,033 --> 00:09:05,834 on their nuclear aspirations. 156 00:09:05,834 --> 00:09:07,500 The Press: And back on the State of the Union, 157 00:09:07,500 --> 00:09:10,767 I just wanted to ask generally -- I know you don't want to talk 158 00:09:10,767 --> 00:09:14,900 specifics -- but what approach is the President taking in 159 00:09:14,900 --> 00:09:17,066 general to the State of the Union? 160 00:09:17,066 --> 00:09:19,667 Some States of the Union are a laundry list, 161 00:09:19,667 --> 00:09:21,266 others are more thematic. 162 00:09:21,266 --> 00:09:24,233 It sounds like this one is thematic. 163 00:09:24,233 --> 00:09:26,199 How would you describe the general approach? 164 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:29,633 And then also, it sounds like, obviously, 165 00:09:29,633 --> 00:09:32,400 the main message is going to be about the economy, 166 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:35,699 but how much will he devote to foreign policy? 167 00:09:35,700 --> 00:09:38,600 Mr. Carney: Well, it's a great question, Caren, because I think you will 168 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:41,300 notice in the State of the Union address tomorrow evening 169 00:09:41,300 --> 00:09:49,099 similarities to previous State of the Union addresses that this 170 00:09:49,100 --> 00:09:51,367 President has given and to his -- the ones that 171 00:09:51,367 --> 00:09:52,967 his predecessors have given. 172 00:09:52,967 --> 00:10:04,066 There is a tradition to the format that has led to -- a 173 00:10:04,066 --> 00:10:08,400 tradition to the format that has almost always included both a 174 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:12,800 broad vision and some specific ideas about where we can take 175 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:15,699 the country, things that an administration can do working 176 00:10:15,700 --> 00:10:18,934 with Congress or working without Congress, 177 00:10:18,934 --> 00:10:21,165 to advance policy objectives. 178 00:10:21,166 --> 00:10:28,700 And you're right that the economy is the principal theme, 179 00:10:28,700 --> 00:10:32,467 but it is not the only subject of the address. 180 00:10:32,467 --> 00:10:35,199 Part of giving a State of the Union address is to assess the 181 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:37,533 state of the union, of our country, 182 00:10:37,533 --> 00:10:41,333 and certainly foreign policy, national security, 183 00:10:41,333 --> 00:10:44,132 these are important elements of any assessment of the state 184 00:10:44,133 --> 00:10:44,667 of the union. 185 00:10:44,667 --> 00:10:48,667 And the President will offer his insights into that as well. 186 00:10:48,667 --> 00:10:50,300 Kristen, then Jake. 187 00:10:50,300 --> 00:10:51,599 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 188 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:54,834 Can you give us any insight into what the President is thinking 189 00:10:54,834 --> 00:10:57,934 about the tone he wants to adopt with regard to Congress? 190 00:10:57,934 --> 00:11:00,132 I know you've had some conversations back there 191 00:11:00,133 --> 00:11:02,834 about how adversarial he wants to come off, 192 00:11:02,834 --> 00:11:05,000 how much he wants to leave the door open -- 193 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:05,567 Mr. Carney: You do? 194 00:11:05,567 --> 00:11:06,100 The Press: Yes. 195 00:11:06,100 --> 00:11:08,200 (laughter) 196 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,300 So I just wonder if you can talk at all about where the 197 00:11:11,300 --> 00:11:14,233 President's thinking is on that. 198 00:11:14,233 --> 00:11:17,000 Mr. Carney: He wants to get things done. 199 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:20,133 And he believes that, in spite of the fact that it's 200 00:11:20,133 --> 00:11:24,934 an election year, that there are opportunities here to work with 201 00:11:24,934 --> 00:11:29,233 Congress, and for him to fulfill his responsibilities working 202 00:11:29,233 --> 00:11:31,934 with his executive authority and with the power of the 203 00:11:31,934 --> 00:11:34,300 presidency, to get those things done that matter to 204 00:11:34,300 --> 00:11:36,065 the American people. 205 00:11:36,066 --> 00:11:40,300 He rejects the idea that nothing can get done in an election year 206 00:11:40,300 --> 00:11:43,699 because actually there's historic precedent that 207 00:11:43,700 --> 00:11:46,734 proves otherwise -- and it's just not in his nature. 208 00:11:46,734 --> 00:11:52,400 So he will very much call for action, 209 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:59,632 very much suggest that we can't wait for another year to take 210 00:11:59,633 --> 00:12:02,333 some of these important steps, and that opportunities are right 211 00:12:02,333 --> 00:12:07,165 there for us to take, for Congress and the President to 212 00:12:07,166 --> 00:12:10,233 move forward on if there is a willingness to come together 213 00:12:10,233 --> 00:12:11,233 and do that. 214 00:12:11,233 --> 00:12:17,532 And so I think the President will be very clear about his 215 00:12:17,533 --> 00:12:19,967 vision, will be very clear about his principles, 216 00:12:19,967 --> 00:12:27,633 about the ideas that I just laid out in broad form -- about fair 217 00:12:27,633 --> 00:12:30,900 play and people getting a fair shot, 218 00:12:30,900 --> 00:12:34,300 economic security and protecting the middle class. 219 00:12:34,300 --> 00:12:39,065 But there's ample room within those boundaries for bipartisan 220 00:12:39,066 --> 00:12:40,567 cooperation and for getting things done, 221 00:12:40,567 --> 00:12:41,800 and he'll make that clear. 222 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:43,433 The Press: Has he at this point decided on the action 223 00:12:43,433 --> 00:12:45,400 items he wants in the speech -- 224 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:46,300 Mr. Carney: For the most part. 225 00:12:46,300 --> 00:12:51,000 The Press: -- or does the discussion of the tone he wants to adopt have to 226 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:52,467 do mainly with wording? 227 00:12:52,467 --> 00:12:54,633 Or is he thinking about big -- 228 00:12:54,633 --> 00:12:58,133 Mr. Carney: I think -- there's not a debate about the tone 229 00:12:58,133 --> 00:12:59,066 he's going to adopt. 230 00:12:59,066 --> 00:13:00,734 I think the tone has been reflected in what I just 231 00:13:00,734 --> 00:13:05,567 described to you and in what you've heard from the President 232 00:13:05,567 --> 00:13:09,000 not just over the past several months but over the entirety of 233 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:13,533 his career. 234 00:13:13,533 --> 00:13:20,433 The specific policy ideas are things that get discussed 235 00:13:20,433 --> 00:13:22,633 internally and decisions are made about what to include and 236 00:13:22,633 --> 00:13:24,767 what not to include. 237 00:13:24,767 --> 00:13:31,533 But he knows what he's about and he knows how he wants to present 238 00:13:31,533 --> 00:13:35,100 this picture of the state of our union and his vision going 239 00:13:35,100 --> 00:13:37,400 forward, and there's no debate about that. 240 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:39,000 The Press: And those big pieces are fixed at this point, 241 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:39,567 is that right? 242 00:13:39,567 --> 00:13:41,867 Mr. Carney: Sure. Jake. 243 00:13:41,867 --> 00:13:44,934 The Press: Has the President reviewed past State of the Union addresses 244 00:13:44,934 --> 00:13:48,165 that he's delivered to look at what proposals he's made 245 00:13:48,166 --> 00:13:51,967 that have come to fruition and which have not? 246 00:13:51,967 --> 00:13:54,033 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't know that he has done that in this 247 00:13:54,033 --> 00:13:55,667 specific process. 248 00:13:55,667 --> 00:14:01,467 He's very aware of the proposals he's made and the initiatives 249 00:14:01,467 --> 00:14:05,199 that he's launched as President and the ideas that he put 250 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:06,734 forward as a candidate. 251 00:14:06,734 --> 00:14:09,967 He wouldn't take only this opportunity to review where 252 00:14:09,967 --> 00:14:14,967 that stands and to decide what requires further action and what 253 00:14:14,967 --> 00:14:16,500 new ideas to move on. 254 00:14:16,500 --> 00:14:19,233 So I guess the answer is I don't know specifically that 255 00:14:19,233 --> 00:14:23,099 he individually has made that assessment. 256 00:14:23,100 --> 00:14:25,033 I think that's an assessment that he makes and others 257 00:14:25,033 --> 00:14:27,233 make regularly. 258 00:14:27,233 --> 00:14:30,065 And with regards to reviewing previous States of the Union, 259 00:14:30,066 --> 00:14:31,900 perhaps his speechwriters have done that, 260 00:14:31,900 --> 00:14:33,367 but I don't know that he has. 261 00:14:33,367 --> 00:14:34,900 The Press: I ask because a number of the items that he 262 00:14:34,900 --> 00:14:37,834 brought up last year have not come to fruition, 263 00:14:37,834 --> 00:14:39,666 and I'm wondering if he plans on reintroducing them, 264 00:14:39,667 --> 00:14:46,834 discussing them again, and why it's been so unsuccessful. 265 00:14:46,834 --> 00:14:51,467 Mr. Carney: Well, I take strong issue with the suggestion 266 00:14:51,467 --> 00:14:58,967 that what others have described as historic accomplishments in 267 00:14:58,967 --> 00:15:02,633 the first three years in office are unsuccessful. 268 00:15:02,633 --> 00:15:04,767 The Press: I was talking about the 2011 State of the Union address. 269 00:15:04,767 --> 00:15:08,400 Mr. Carney: Well, I think that any State of the Union address which lays out 270 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:10,834 an agenda has to be ambitious. 271 00:15:10,834 --> 00:15:15,433 And if you got through a year and you achieved everything on 272 00:15:15,433 --> 00:15:18,266 your list, then you probably didn't aim high enough. 273 00:15:18,266 --> 00:15:21,599 So I think this President aims high, 274 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:25,633 and I think that there will -- there are absolutely things that 275 00:15:25,633 --> 00:15:30,400 remain undone that need to be done that he will call on all 276 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:36,033 of us to work together to get done in this address and beyond. 277 00:15:36,033 --> 00:15:40,433 But there is also a fairly comprehensive list of proposals 278 00:15:40,433 --> 00:15:46,467 that have been achieved that I'm sure we'll be discussing 279 00:15:46,467 --> 00:15:47,500 as the year goes on. 280 00:15:47,500 --> 00:15:49,200 The Press: And one last thing. 281 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:52,867 A year ago, in addition to the State of the Union, 282 00:15:52,867 --> 00:15:55,533 the President delivered a major address in Tuscon after the 283 00:15:55,533 --> 00:15:59,800 shooting of Gabby Giffords and six others. 284 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:03,467 The President called for a new tone, 285 00:16:03,467 --> 00:16:05,900 he called for a new era of civility. 286 00:16:05,900 --> 00:16:08,333 And I'm wondering, looking back at what has been a very 287 00:16:08,333 --> 00:16:11,699 contentious year, if he feels that there is anything he could 288 00:16:11,700 --> 00:16:16,066 have done differently -- I understand his issues with the 289 00:16:16,066 --> 00:16:18,900 opposing party -- but if there's anything he himself feels he 290 00:16:18,900 --> 00:16:20,934 could have done differently. 291 00:16:20,934 --> 00:16:22,632 Mr. Carney: Differently in what sense? 292 00:16:22,633 --> 00:16:25,600 The Press: To live up to the words, the call for unity, 293 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:30,333 the call for not demonizing his opponents. 294 00:16:30,333 --> 00:16:34,632 Mr. Carney: Well, I haven't had this discussion with him in the 295 00:16:34,633 --> 00:16:35,834 frame that you just provided. 296 00:16:35,834 --> 00:16:39,400 But I think -- having worked with him through this past year, 297 00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:45,733 I think that his efforts to reach out and achieve 298 00:16:45,734 --> 00:16:48,033 bipartisanship are pretty notable, 299 00:16:48,033 --> 00:16:50,500 and you all have reported on them. 300 00:16:50,500 --> 00:17:01,467 He did that from the beginning of 2011 with the agreement that 301 00:17:01,467 --> 00:17:05,934 averted a government shutdown, with his approach to deficit and 302 00:17:05,934 --> 00:17:11,266 debt reduction, in which he led his party forward to try 303 00:17:11,266 --> 00:17:14,533 to achieve a grand bargain -- a compromise that was -- would 304 00:17:14,532 --> 00:17:21,199 have been a challenge for Democrats to accept, 305 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:25,333 but that he was absolutely willing to lead on that and, 306 00:17:25,333 --> 00:17:28,734 unfortunately, did not have a partner on the Republican side 307 00:17:28,734 --> 00:17:30,734 to achieve that grand bargain. 308 00:17:30,734 --> 00:17:37,367 But he remains committed to that kind of bipartisan cooperation 309 00:17:37,367 --> 00:17:42,867 and committed to the idea that we can disagree, 310 00:17:42,867 --> 00:17:47,533 but we can -- on specific issues -- but there is still so much 311 00:17:47,533 --> 00:17:52,466 that we could agree on if we put country ahead of party, 312 00:17:52,467 --> 00:18:02,033 if we put the American people ahead of narrowly-focused 313 00:18:02,033 --> 00:18:04,000 political goals. 314 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,633 And he works on that, he works to achieve that, 315 00:18:06,633 --> 00:18:08,600 and he'll continue to do that as President. 316 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:10,332 The Press: Thank you. 317 00:18:10,333 --> 00:18:11,834 Mr. Carney: Laura and then Dan. 318 00:18:11,834 --> 00:18:14,867 The Press: Just to follow up on that line of thinking -- the 319 00:18:14,867 --> 00:18:17,399 White House's view about the disappointments of not coming to 320 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:21,333 agreement on the subjects you just mentioned is well known. 321 00:18:21,333 --> 00:18:25,934 And my question is, do you think that the tone, 322 00:18:25,934 --> 00:18:28,834 the -- at the Tucson speech he talked about civility and the 323 00:18:28,834 --> 00:18:34,166 idea that you can discuss your disagreements without anger 324 00:18:34,166 --> 00:18:36,800 and without this sort of poison that has marked so 325 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:37,800 much in Washington. 326 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:41,265 Does he believe the last year has been marked by a poisonous 327 00:18:41,266 --> 00:18:44,600 tone, or has there been any improvement? 328 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:53,699 Mr. Carney: Well, I think he accepts that there is still a regrettable 329 00:18:53,700 --> 00:18:56,600 level of sort of hyper-partisanship 330 00:18:56,600 --> 00:19:03,600 in Washington that contributes significantly to gridlock. 331 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:06,867 I think that -- and there have been instances in the past year 332 00:19:06,867 --> 00:19:21,367 where tone got in the way of moving forward. 333 00:19:21,367 --> 00:19:27,332 But that's not an excuse to stop trying to work together 334 00:19:27,333 --> 00:19:30,166 or achieve significant accomplishments for the 335 00:19:30,166 --> 00:19:31,800 American people. 336 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:37,800 And his central proposal, if you will, 337 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:40,600 in the discussions with the Speaker of the House and the 338 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:46,667 grand bargain negotiations was that this -- if we do this we 339 00:19:46,667 --> 00:19:51,000 will both come under pressure within our own parties, 340 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:54,600 but together we will have accomplished something 341 00:19:54,600 --> 00:20:01,600 significant that will be worth doing, 342 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:02,600 will have been worth doing. 343 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:06,632 And that was the approach he took in that, 344 00:20:06,633 --> 00:20:11,567 and he still believes that there is an opportunity to move ahead 345 00:20:11,567 --> 00:20:14,467 to do big things in a bipartisan way. 346 00:20:14,467 --> 00:20:19,900 So I don't know how last year compares with previous years. 347 00:20:19,900 --> 00:20:22,700 Generally speaking, this President, as a candidate, 348 00:20:24,767 --> 00:20:31,333 noted in 2008 the tone of our politics has gotten 349 00:20:31,333 --> 00:20:37,233 unnecessarily partisan in a way that turns off the American 350 00:20:37,233 --> 00:20:41,033 people and makes it harder to get things done. 351 00:20:41,033 --> 00:20:42,766 The Press: What were you thinking of when you said that 352 00:20:42,767 --> 00:20:46,333 there are -- were some examples, instances where the tone got in 353 00:20:46,333 --> 00:20:49,133 the way of moving forward? 354 00:20:49,133 --> 00:20:52,200 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not going to -- I think you guys reported 355 00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:54,767 on them so you know. 356 00:20:54,767 --> 00:20:56,934 I can remember, early in my days as Press Secretary, 357 00:20:56,934 --> 00:20:59,899 spending an awful lot of time answering questions about the 358 00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:04,100 President's birth certificate, which seemed like a gratuitously 359 00:21:04,100 --> 00:21:08,166 stupid sideshow at a time when we had enormously important 360 00:21:08,166 --> 00:21:10,166 things to do. 361 00:21:11,667 --> 00:21:12,667 That's just one. 362 00:21:12,667 --> 00:21:18,734 But the point is that we have -- our challenges are too big to 363 00:21:18,734 --> 00:21:20,833 get dragged down by these kinds of things. 364 00:21:20,834 --> 00:21:23,300 And that's what the President believes and that's what he has 365 00:21:23,300 --> 00:21:30,000 believed and spoken about since he got in the business 366 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,400 of electoral politics and it's going to be what he continues 367 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:37,333 to talk about tomorrow night and beyond. 368 00:21:37,333 --> 00:21:39,533 The Press: In the President's address tomorrow, 369 00:21:39,533 --> 00:21:45,100 will he be as equally ambitious as he was in 2011, 370 00:21:45,100 --> 00:21:47,800 realizing that a lot of what he lays out there 371 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:50,033 really won't get done? 372 00:21:50,033 --> 00:21:52,367 Mr. Carney: He'll be ambitious. 373 00:21:52,367 --> 00:21:55,265 I'll leave it to you to judge -- 374 00:21:55,266 --> 00:21:59,700 The Press: You said he sets this high bar, realizing that a lot of what -- 375 00:21:59,700 --> 00:22:03,266 Mr. Carney: My point was that if -- yes, that any President, 376 00:22:03,266 --> 00:22:08,867 and I think you could make this assessment of most modern 377 00:22:08,867 --> 00:22:11,633 Presidents' State of the Union addresses, 378 00:22:11,633 --> 00:22:14,333 sets an agenda that is ambitious, and should be, 379 00:22:14,333 --> 00:22:17,667 and that sometimes not everything -- even in years 380 00:22:17,667 --> 00:22:20,667 of relative harmony, not all of it necessarily will be 381 00:22:20,667 --> 00:22:26,000 accomplished, but that is -- that doesn't make it -- you 382 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:27,467 shouldn't trim your sails because of that. 383 00:22:27,467 --> 00:22:32,200 The President will put forward an agenda that he believes is 384 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:35,467 doable but is obviously ambitious, 385 00:22:35,467 --> 00:22:42,200 and he will call on Congress, on the things that require 386 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:45,200 legislation and cooperation between the administration and 387 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:48,066 Congress, to work with him, to work together to get these 388 00:22:48,066 --> 00:22:49,066 things done. 389 00:22:49,066 --> 00:22:51,967 And as we've talked about in the past, 390 00:22:51,967 --> 00:22:54,900 perhaps there will be an assessment by members of 391 00:22:54,900 --> 00:22:58,233 Congress -- Republicans in particular -- that it is in 392 00:22:58,233 --> 00:23:02,399 their interest to do this not just because it's good policy 393 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:04,400 and good for the country and good for the economy and good 394 00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:07,867 for job creation, but also because it might actually help 395 00:23:07,867 --> 00:23:13,466 them get reelected in the fall -- because, unfortunately, 396 00:23:13,467 --> 00:23:16,567 we've heard recently coming out of the House Republican caucus 397 00:23:16,567 --> 00:23:21,266 basically that the agenda is not, 398 00:23:21,266 --> 00:23:23,967 as outlined by the leadership, taking them in that direction 399 00:23:23,967 --> 00:23:27,433 of cooperation. 400 00:23:27,433 --> 00:23:32,900 But when you have 85 percent disapproval, 401 00:23:32,900 --> 00:23:36,734 you might think that cooperation and getting something done is a 402 00:23:36,734 --> 00:23:41,966 better approach, especially when an election year is upon us. 403 00:23:41,967 --> 00:23:45,667 The Press: And what will be the balance between those things that the 404 00:23:45,667 --> 00:23:47,867 President claims to do on his own as he lays out this 405 00:23:47,867 --> 00:23:51,000 blueprint and those things that will require 406 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:53,500 congressional approval? 407 00:23:53,500 --> 00:23:54,633 I mean is it heavier -- 408 00:23:54,633 --> 00:23:56,200 Mr. Carney: Some of one and some of the other. 409 00:23:56,200 --> 00:23:58,033 The Press: Will it be heavier on one than the other? 410 00:23:58,033 --> 00:24:00,367 Mr. Carney: No, I'll let you guys see. 411 00:24:00,367 --> 00:24:01,867 I mean, we -- look, throughout this period where we have 412 00:24:01,867 --> 00:24:07,200 focused some attention on the measures that the President can 413 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:12,233 and has been taking because we can't wait for Congress to act, 414 00:24:12,233 --> 00:24:17,066 we absolutely acknowledge that some very big things can't be 415 00:24:17,066 --> 00:24:19,967 done without congressional action, 416 00:24:19,967 --> 00:24:22,400 because it requires -- they require legislation. 417 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:26,133 And some things that a President can do using his or her 418 00:24:26,133 --> 00:24:30,266 executive authority are relatively small in nature, 419 00:24:30,266 --> 00:24:32,900 but that doesn't make them not worth doing -- some of them are 420 00:24:32,900 --> 00:24:35,834 medium-sized or large. 421 00:24:35,834 --> 00:24:41,200 But truly big things, whether it's historic health care 422 00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:47,667 reform, or passing a Recovery Act that halted an economy in 423 00:24:47,667 --> 00:24:51,500 freefall and reversed a process that was leading towards a Great 424 00:24:51,500 --> 00:24:53,800 Depression -- that requires legislative action. 425 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:55,934 And other big things require legislative action -- 426 00:24:55,934 --> 00:24:59,533 comprehensive immigration reform requires legislative action. 427 00:24:59,533 --> 00:25:04,199 There's a lot to be done that requires the 428 00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:05,433 cooperation of Congress. 429 00:25:05,433 --> 00:25:09,767 So there will be plenty of that in this President's address. 430 00:25:09,767 --> 00:25:13,633 The Press: And just quickly, did the President watch the 431 00:25:13,633 --> 00:25:16,800 South Carolina results over the weekend, anything to that? 432 00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:21,133 And also, any reaction to Joe Paterno's death? 433 00:25:21,133 --> 00:25:25,333 Mr. Carney: I haven't discussed with him the results 434 00:25:25,333 --> 00:25:28,066 in the South Carolina primary, so I just -- I don't know. 435 00:25:28,066 --> 00:25:34,934 Again, I think I've -- my guess is he read about them and didn't 436 00:25:34,934 --> 00:25:35,667 watch them. 437 00:25:35,667 --> 00:25:41,433 But I don't have a reaction for you on that. 438 00:25:41,433 --> 00:25:45,266 And I'll have to -- I don't have anything on Joe Paterno's death 439 00:25:45,266 --> 00:25:47,967 either at this point. Norah. 440 00:25:47,967 --> 00:25:49,767 The Press: You just mentioned comprehensive immigration reform. 441 00:25:49,767 --> 00:25:52,600 Does the President believe in comprehensive tax reform? 442 00:25:52,600 --> 00:25:53,433 Mr. Carney: Yes. 443 00:25:53,433 --> 00:25:55,367 The Press: Will he be talking about that? 444 00:25:55,367 --> 00:25:57,100 Mr. Carney: As he said many times. 445 00:25:57,100 --> 00:25:59,233 Both corporate and individual. 446 00:25:59,233 --> 00:26:02,700 The Press: Does he believe in -- that there should be changes 447 00:26:02,700 --> 00:26:04,767 in campaign finance? 448 00:26:04,767 --> 00:26:09,500 Mr. Carney: I will ask you to wait for the speech. 449 00:26:09,500 --> 00:26:13,166 Our position on the Citizens United decision 450 00:26:13,166 --> 00:26:15,500 has been well described. 451 00:26:15,500 --> 00:26:21,133 But I don't have any new proposals or ideas to give 452 00:26:21,133 --> 00:26:23,633 to you today. 453 00:26:23,633 --> 00:26:26,000 The Press: Sometimes the word "laundry list" is used in a pejorative 454 00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:27,834 sense when talking about State of the Unions, 455 00:26:27,834 --> 00:26:31,767 but is the President's State of the Union going to include a 456 00:26:31,767 --> 00:26:35,433 long list of policy proposals, or would you describe this more 457 00:26:35,433 --> 00:26:39,100 as a framework, with specifics to be laid out in the future? 458 00:26:39,100 --> 00:26:43,265 Mr. Carney: There will be policy proposals, as well as -- within the context 459 00:26:43,266 --> 00:26:44,400 of a framework. 460 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:46,734 Some of the things that he discusses -- and I think this 461 00:26:46,734 --> 00:26:49,433 is usually the case in a well-conceived State of the 462 00:26:49,433 --> 00:26:52,867 Union address, which I believe and hope you will agree with me 463 00:26:52,867 --> 00:26:57,200 this is -- that there will be more details forthcoming, 464 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:03,567 because you don't want to test the American people's patience 465 00:27:03,567 --> 00:27:06,300 too much by speaking for two hours about arcane policy 466 00:27:06,300 --> 00:27:09,233 details, but you will -- he will go into some detail. 467 00:27:09,233 --> 00:27:11,867 There will be other details forthcoming with regard to 468 00:27:11,867 --> 00:27:14,600 some of the policy ideas that he puts forward. 469 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:16,500 But it will be a substantive speech. 470 00:27:16,500 --> 00:27:18,433 The Press: This is the President's third State of the Union; 471 00:27:18,433 --> 00:27:20,233 he's making it in an election year. 472 00:27:20,233 --> 00:27:22,533 You sort of were pushing back the idea that it's a political 473 00:27:22,533 --> 00:27:25,466 speech, but if it's not political, 474 00:27:25,467 --> 00:27:28,500 why then did the President choose to offer a preview 475 00:27:28,500 --> 00:27:29,700 through his campaign? 476 00:27:29,700 --> 00:27:31,500 Mr. Carney: Well, he did that last year as well. 477 00:27:31,500 --> 00:27:34,100 This White House, this administration, 478 00:27:34,100 --> 00:27:39,367 this President have, from the beginning, 479 00:27:39,367 --> 00:27:44,100 used new media to reach out to Americans and supporters, 480 00:27:44,100 --> 00:27:49,300 whether it's a political year or not. 481 00:27:49,300 --> 00:27:52,367 Last year was an off-year, and he did this. 482 00:27:52,367 --> 00:27:58,000 And the fact of the matter is, tomorrow night he speaks to the 483 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:01,433 nation at large and he will -- the themes that he discussed in 484 00:28:01,433 --> 00:28:03,700 that video will be reflected in the speech. 485 00:28:03,700 --> 00:28:06,200 And it is very much -- 486 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:08,467 The Press: But the uplink was to supporters only. 487 00:28:08,467 --> 00:28:11,533 Mr. Carney: Well, I think every major news organization got it, too. 488 00:28:11,533 --> 00:28:15,199 But the -- concurrently, so I wouldn't say it was 489 00:28:15,200 --> 00:28:16,533 supporters only. 490 00:28:16,533 --> 00:28:17,734 The Press: Why didn't you use the White House website instead of the 491 00:28:17,734 --> 00:28:18,899 campaign website? 492 00:28:18,900 --> 00:28:22,567 Mr. Carney: This is a process that we've employed for a 493 00:28:22,567 --> 00:28:24,300 long time here. 494 00:28:24,300 --> 00:28:30,466 The speech tomorrow -- you'll probably come back and ask me 495 00:28:30,467 --> 00:28:33,500 why it was so heavy on substance and lacking in politics. 496 00:28:33,500 --> 00:28:38,333 But it's a serious speech with serious proposals for how to 497 00:28:38,333 --> 00:28:40,667 keep this country moving in the right direction. 498 00:28:40,667 --> 00:28:42,632 The Press: You talked about some of the values that the 499 00:28:42,633 --> 00:28:44,300 President laid out -- he did it in Kansas. 500 00:28:44,300 --> 00:28:47,500 Can I get you to respond to Mitt Romney, 501 00:28:47,500 --> 00:28:50,400 who said that the President wants to put "free enterprise 502 00:28:50,400 --> 00:28:53,200 on trial," and he wants to "divide Americans with the 503 00:28:53,200 --> 00:28:57,533 bitter politics of envy." 504 00:28:57,533 --> 00:29:02,166 Mr. Carney: I will simply say, as the President has made clear 505 00:29:02,166 --> 00:29:04,133 when he's addressed these broader issues, 506 00:29:04,133 --> 00:29:09,800 that -- well, two things: On free enterprise and business, 507 00:29:09,800 --> 00:29:12,300 the facts, contrary to what some people charge, 508 00:29:12,300 --> 00:29:16,367 are that this President has actually put in fewer new 509 00:29:16,367 --> 00:29:19,667 regulations than his Republican predecessor at this point, 510 00:29:19,667 --> 00:29:22,199 at less cost and more economic benefit. 511 00:29:22,200 --> 00:29:25,333 He has instituted a regulatory look-back that is unprecedented 512 00:29:25,333 --> 00:29:29,066 and has his administration combing through the regulations 513 00:29:29,066 --> 00:29:32,700 of the past, eliminating those that are no longer worth 514 00:29:32,700 --> 00:29:38,367 enforcing and rewriting those that can be made more efficient 515 00:29:38,367 --> 00:29:39,934 for American business to grow. 516 00:29:39,934 --> 00:29:44,133 He has passed 17 or 18 small business tax cuts. 517 00:29:44,133 --> 00:29:47,734 So this President's absolute faith and commitment to the 518 00:29:47,734 --> 00:29:50,800 free enterprise system is profound. 519 00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:56,332 There's no doubt that we have a disagreement with at least some 520 00:29:56,333 --> 00:29:58,734 Republicans -- although depending on the survey, 521 00:29:58,734 --> 00:30:03,100 not rank-and-file Republicans -- that our tax system needs to be 522 00:30:03,100 --> 00:30:08,934 fixed so that billionaires don't pay a lower rate than 523 00:30:08,934 --> 00:30:11,133 working-class, middle-class Americans. 524 00:30:11,133 --> 00:30:12,166 That's what the President believes. 525 00:30:12,166 --> 00:30:15,899 He believes that we have important responsibilities 526 00:30:15,900 --> 00:30:19,133 as a country, commitments that we need to keep to our national 527 00:30:19,133 --> 00:30:26,333 security, to educating our kids, to investing in innovation that 528 00:30:26,333 --> 00:30:29,100 cost something, to maintaining Medicare and Social Security and 529 00:30:29,100 --> 00:30:34,332 Medicaid for our seniors, and that we need to make sure that 530 00:30:34,333 --> 00:30:37,633 those programs are strong, that our national security is strong 531 00:30:37,633 --> 00:30:42,333 so that we can continue to be a great nation that dominates the 532 00:30:42,333 --> 00:30:46,166 21st century economically the way it dominated the 20th, 533 00:30:46,166 --> 00:30:49,200 and in doing that, we need to decide what's the best way to 534 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:51,467 pay for it, what's the fairest way to do it. 535 00:30:51,467 --> 00:30:54,467 And the President believes that it is not fair -- inherently not 536 00:30:54,467 --> 00:30:56,934 fair that those who are millionaires and billionaires 537 00:30:56,934 --> 00:31:01,734 pay at a lower rate than average Americans who are struggling to 538 00:31:01,734 --> 00:31:05,100 get by, especially after a decade where the middle class 539 00:31:05,100 --> 00:31:08,367 has been squeezed while the top 1 percent has seen its wealth 540 00:31:08,367 --> 00:31:11,700 grow considerably, and three-decade period where 541 00:31:11,700 --> 00:31:14,133 the middle class has been under pressure. 542 00:31:14,133 --> 00:31:18,633 Remember, not just going back to Osawatomie, Kansas, 543 00:31:18,633 --> 00:31:22,400 but going back years, that this theme about economic insecurity 544 00:31:22,400 --> 00:31:26,233 for the middle class has been -- is what got this 545 00:31:26,233 --> 00:31:27,966 President into politics. 546 00:31:27,967 --> 00:31:32,834 So this is a foundational belief for him and he's happy to have 547 00:31:32,834 --> 00:31:33,900 that debate. 548 00:31:33,900 --> 00:31:37,000 And he thinks that overwhelmingly the American 549 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:44,567 people share his view that we need to have everyone play by 550 00:31:44,567 --> 00:31:47,567 the same rules, whether it's Wall Street or Main Street, 551 00:31:47,567 --> 00:31:51,033 and we need to have a tax system that ensures that everyone pays 552 00:31:51,033 --> 00:31:53,265 their fair share. 553 00:31:53,266 --> 00:31:54,467 Ed. 554 00:31:54,467 --> 00:31:56,266 The Press: Jay, a couple moments ago you were talking 555 00:31:56,266 --> 00:31:58,533 about Congress and you mentioned the 85 percent disapproval, 556 00:31:58,533 --> 00:31:59,300 and it -- 557 00:31:59,300 --> 00:32:01,433 Mr. Carney: It's something like that, I can't remember. 558 00:32:01,433 --> 00:32:04,033 The Press: Right, fair enough -- that it shows that they're in a 559 00:32:04,033 --> 00:32:05,033 dismal state right now. 560 00:32:05,033 --> 00:32:08,600 There's a Gallup poll out now saying that there's 83 percent 561 00:32:08,600 --> 00:32:11,233 dissatisfaction with the state of the economy from 562 00:32:11,233 --> 00:32:12,399 the American people. 563 00:32:12,400 --> 00:32:14,800 I get that, as you were just talking to Norah about 564 00:32:14,800 --> 00:32:18,867 inequality in this country has been a foundational principle 565 00:32:18,867 --> 00:32:19,800 for the President. 566 00:32:19,800 --> 00:32:22,133 But isn't that also a way for you to kind of shift the 567 00:32:22,133 --> 00:32:26,000 conversation about inequalities in the economy rather than just 568 00:32:26,000 --> 00:32:28,400 a broader state of the economy when the American people are 569 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:29,734 pretty frustrated with it? 570 00:32:29,734 --> 00:32:32,199 Mr. Carney: Well, it's a great question, Ed, and I think that we will 571 00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:35,133 be absolutely talking about the state of the economy, 572 00:32:35,133 --> 00:32:38,133 beginning with the President, but all of us. 573 00:32:38,133 --> 00:32:44,934 And it is a matter of absolute fact that when this President 574 00:32:44,934 --> 00:32:49,966 took office the economy was plummeting, 575 00:32:49,967 --> 00:32:53,700 job loss was through the roof, and that since his policies took 576 00:32:53,700 --> 00:32:56,667 effect -- had the opportunity to be passed by Congress and 577 00:32:56,667 --> 00:33:01,399 to take effect, the reverse has happened: 3.2 million private 578 00:33:01,400 --> 00:33:07,400 sector jobs created over 22 months; steady economic growth; 579 00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:10,533 the salvation of an iconic American industry, 580 00:33:10,533 --> 00:33:14,699 the automobile industry; passage of historic health care reform 581 00:33:14,700 --> 00:33:20,633 that already has millions of Americans up to age 26 getting 582 00:33:20,633 --> 00:33:22,633 insurance when they otherwise might not have, 583 00:33:22,633 --> 00:33:25,100 already has millions of Americans protected by the 584 00:33:25,100 --> 00:33:29,667 provisions within it that allow them to get insurance 585 00:33:29,667 --> 00:33:32,132 even if they have preexisting conditions, 586 00:33:32,133 --> 00:33:36,600 already has provided savings in the millions and millions of 587 00:33:36,600 --> 00:33:41,065 dollars for seniors in terms of their preventive care and 588 00:33:41,066 --> 00:33:42,834 prescription drug benefits. 589 00:33:42,834 --> 00:33:47,900 So we'll have that discussion, no doubt. 590 00:33:47,900 --> 00:33:56,400 And the President's record is -- I think it demonstrates his 591 00:33:56,400 --> 00:33:59,700 commitment to the middle class, to getting this country back on 592 00:33:59,700 --> 00:34:06,533 the right track, to ensuring that the kinds of behaviors in 593 00:34:06,533 --> 00:34:10,500 the financial sector that helped precipitate the kind of economic 594 00:34:10,500 --> 00:34:13,033 crisis that none of us had ever experienced before, 595 00:34:13,033 --> 00:34:16,033 that puts so much pressure on American families around the 596 00:34:16,033 --> 00:34:22,100 country, is contained and regulated in a way that ensures 597 00:34:22,100 --> 00:34:23,467 it won't happen again. 598 00:34:23,467 --> 00:34:25,133 We'll have that debate, gladly. 599 00:34:25,132 --> 00:34:26,567 The Press: So this will be about his vision. 600 00:34:26,567 --> 00:34:27,934 I wonder if you could clear something up. 601 00:34:27,934 --> 00:34:30,100 Newt Gingrich keeps saying on the campaign trail that 602 00:34:30,100 --> 00:34:32,533 the President's vision comes from Saul Alinsky, 603 00:34:32,533 --> 00:34:34,033 the community organizer. 604 00:34:34,033 --> 00:34:35,333 I haven't heard you asked about that. 605 00:34:35,333 --> 00:34:37,700 I'm wondering if you want to -- is there some sort of portrait 606 00:34:37,699 --> 00:34:39,265 of him in the White House that people look up to? 607 00:34:39,266 --> 00:34:40,266 (laughter) 608 00:34:40,266 --> 00:34:43,300 Or is this just some -- is this BS basically? 609 00:34:43,300 --> 00:34:48,533 (laughter) 610 00:34:48,533 --> 00:34:51,199 Mr. Carney: Have I said how much fun I had as a reporter 611 00:34:51,199 --> 00:34:55,399 covering Congress from 1996 to 1998? 612 00:34:55,400 --> 00:34:59,100 There was a certain bombast to it at the time, 613 00:34:59,100 --> 00:35:02,767 a lot of colorful things to cover. 614 00:35:02,767 --> 00:35:04,500 (laughter) 615 00:35:04,500 --> 00:35:09,867 But the President's background as a community organizer is well 616 00:35:09,867 --> 00:35:12,166 documented in the President's own books, 617 00:35:12,166 --> 00:35:21,300 so his experience in that field obviously contributed to who he 618 00:35:21,300 --> 00:35:22,867 is today. 619 00:35:22,867 --> 00:35:27,633 But his experience is a broad-based one that includes a 620 00:35:27,633 --> 00:35:32,332 lot of other areas in his life, so I'll just leave it at that. 621 00:35:33,200 --> 00:35:37,000 The Press: On Newt, the Vice President was on the radio with Ryan Seacrest, 622 00:35:37,000 --> 00:35:39,967 I believe this morning, and was asked about the 623 00:35:39,967 --> 00:35:42,133 open marriage question, and the Vice President first said 624 00:35:42,133 --> 00:35:44,000 he wasn't going to comment, and then he did and said -- 625 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:47,667 (laughter) 626 00:35:47,667 --> 00:35:48,866 Just factually stating what he did. 627 00:35:48,867 --> 00:35:49,767 (laughter) 628 00:35:49,767 --> 00:35:53,232 And then he said that, "Newt Gingrich" -- the Vice President 629 00:35:53,233 --> 00:35:56,633 said -- "is going to be judged by the voters in the primary in 630 00:35:56,633 --> 00:35:58,834 the totality of who he is, and that includes everything. 631 00:35:58,834 --> 00:36:02,332 I mean, people make judgments about our character." 632 00:36:02,333 --> 00:36:04,867 You were asked this I think on Thursday or Friday -- 633 00:36:04,867 --> 00:36:05,734 Mr. Carney: I wasn't asked quite -- 634 00:36:05,734 --> 00:36:07,834 The Press: You were asked about his character and whatnot, 635 00:36:07,834 --> 00:36:09,767 you said -- you kind of said, you didn't want to get into it. 636 00:36:09,767 --> 00:36:10,767 The Vice President did. 637 00:36:10,767 --> 00:36:12,500 Does this mean that the White House believes -- 638 00:36:12,500 --> 00:36:13,533 Mr. Carney: Well, I think the Vice President said -- 639 00:36:13,533 --> 00:36:15,000 The Press: -- Newt Gingrich's personal is fair game? 640 00:36:15,000 --> 00:36:17,834 Mr. Carney: -- very much what I said is that it's up to voters to decide, 641 00:36:17,834 --> 00:36:22,567 and voters make decisions based on a variety of criteria. 642 00:36:22,567 --> 00:36:26,066 And in some -- different voters have different critera that they 643 00:36:26,066 --> 00:36:30,000 use when they're making judgments about for whom 644 00:36:30,000 --> 00:36:31,233 they'll cast their ballots. 645 00:36:31,233 --> 00:36:33,767 And we'll leave that up to the voters, 646 00:36:33,767 --> 00:36:37,366 and I'm sure there is a totality to it that -- 647 00:36:37,367 --> 00:36:38,834 The Press: -- character is what the Vice President said. 648 00:36:38,834 --> 00:36:41,799 Mr. Carney: I think that books and studies show that some 649 00:36:41,800 --> 00:36:43,767 voters make judgments based on character, 650 00:36:43,767 --> 00:36:45,600 but you have to define what character means for 651 00:36:45,600 --> 00:36:46,633 you as a voter. 652 00:36:46,633 --> 00:36:49,033 So I think the President's approach, 653 00:36:49,033 --> 00:36:54,165 the Vice President's approach is to work as hard as they can on 654 00:36:54,166 --> 00:36:57,400 behalf of the American people on the issues that they believe are 655 00:36:57,400 --> 00:36:59,433 most important to the American people, 656 00:36:59,433 --> 00:37:04,800 and to be judged accordingly by the voters when the time comes. 657 00:37:04,800 --> 00:37:07,934 You know, how the Republican primary process sorts itself 658 00:37:07,934 --> 00:37:11,567 out is fascinating, no doubt. 659 00:37:11,567 --> 00:37:14,233 But it's a process that we don't have any involvement in and 660 00:37:14,233 --> 00:37:16,300 we're just watching from the sidelines. 661 00:37:16,300 --> 00:37:19,700 And when a nominee emerges, we'll engage -- the President 662 00:37:19,700 --> 00:37:22,734 will engage in that debate, and I'm sure the Vice President will 663 00:37:22,734 --> 00:37:25,500 engage in a debate at the appropriate time with whoever 664 00:37:25,500 --> 00:37:27,667 the vice presidential running mate is. 665 00:37:27,667 --> 00:37:30,467 But again, I think what we're trying to stress here is, 666 00:37:30,467 --> 00:37:33,133 while that process is taking place, as it should, 667 00:37:35,533 --> 00:37:40,834 we have the opportunity here to actually move an agenda forward 668 00:37:40,834 --> 00:37:44,232 now, in the year 2012, that can help the American economy and 669 00:37:44,233 --> 00:37:45,433 help the American people. 670 00:37:45,433 --> 00:37:47,667 The Press: On the economy -- last thing -- the Vice President also was 671 00:37:47,667 --> 00:37:49,100 asked about housing. 672 00:37:49,100 --> 00:37:51,533 And remember Mitt Romney in October talked about 673 00:37:51,533 --> 00:37:54,433 foreclosures and said, "let it run its course and hit bottom," 674 00:37:54,433 --> 00:37:56,467 and the DNC went after him about that. 675 00:37:56,467 --> 00:37:58,400 The Vice President was quoted as saying, 676 00:37:58,400 --> 00:38:00,633 "let the bottom fall out and then start to clean up. 677 00:38:00,633 --> 00:38:04,567 It's sort of Darwinisn; the fittest out there," and, 678 00:38:04,567 --> 00:38:07,200 "they're right; it's the quickest way to do it." 679 00:38:07,200 --> 00:38:09,200 And then he went on to say, but you have to be compassionate; 680 00:38:09,200 --> 00:38:10,366 you can't just kick people out on the street. 681 00:38:10,367 --> 00:38:13,433 He made a delineation from what he thinks Republicans have said 682 00:38:13,433 --> 00:38:14,266 -- in fairness. 683 00:38:14,266 --> 00:38:17,433 However, he did say that you've got to let it hit bottom. 684 00:38:17,433 --> 00:38:18,900 Isn't that what Mitt Romney is saying? 685 00:38:18,900 --> 00:38:21,166 Mr. Carney: Ed, can I just say first, you read me portions of an interview 686 00:38:21,166 --> 00:38:22,266 I haven't even heard yet. 687 00:38:22,266 --> 00:38:24,100 I think based on what you've read, 688 00:38:24,100 --> 00:38:28,834 he's giving an assessment of what one of the Republican 689 00:38:28,834 --> 00:38:32,033 candidates said and sort of explaining it more fully, 690 00:38:32,033 --> 00:38:37,700 and then also explaining, broadly, the approach we take, 691 00:38:37,700 --> 00:38:41,799 which is that there are a lot of Americans out there who have 692 00:38:41,800 --> 00:38:47,166 underwater mortgages whom we have tried to offer relief in 693 00:38:47,166 --> 00:38:48,900 a responsible way. 694 00:38:48,900 --> 00:38:52,800 And that's the approach we think is necessary because we need -- 695 00:38:52,800 --> 00:38:53,800 we're in this boat together. 696 00:38:53,800 --> 00:38:58,800 We need to grow the economy in a way that helps as many 697 00:38:58,800 --> 00:38:59,800 people as possible. 698 00:38:59,800 --> 00:39:04,233 That's the approach we take. 699 00:39:04,233 --> 00:39:08,767 The Press: In one of the New Yorker stories today about the 700 00:39:08,767 --> 00:39:11,899 internal memos, a couple of questions. 701 00:39:11,900 --> 00:39:15,233 Ryan Lizza writes that, "the Obama administration 702 00:39:15,233 --> 00:39:18,467 at one point shifted from honest budgeting 703 00:39:18,467 --> 00:39:21,000 to accepting gimmickry." 704 00:39:21,000 --> 00:39:24,533 And he notes specifically a change in the figures for 705 00:39:24,533 --> 00:39:30,100 disaster relief, and he also notes that the health care bill 706 00:39:30,100 --> 00:39:34,033 -- the savings that could be had from the health care bill, 707 00:39:34,033 --> 00:39:37,266 he indicates that the President signed off on perhaps using 708 00:39:37,266 --> 00:39:40,166 budget gimmickry to make it look like we're saving more 709 00:39:40,166 --> 00:39:41,767 than we are. 710 00:39:41,767 --> 00:39:45,265 Mr. Carney: I assume that's a question, but the -- first of all, 711 00:39:45,266 --> 00:39:48,633 it's a very long article and I haven't gotten through it, 712 00:39:48,633 --> 00:39:49,933 to be quite honest. 713 00:39:49,934 --> 00:39:54,600 The portrait that I see portrayed in it, 714 00:39:54,600 --> 00:39:57,333 based on the half of the article that I've read so far, 715 00:39:57,333 --> 00:40:02,834 is one of the enormous economic calamity that the President and 716 00:40:02,834 --> 00:40:06,433 his team faced as they were coming into office in the end 717 00:40:06,433 --> 00:40:13,133 of 2008 and early 2009, and the monumental decisions that the 718 00:40:13,133 --> 00:40:15,933 President had to make at the time. 719 00:40:15,934 --> 00:40:19,867 Specifically, just because it's a fact, 720 00:40:19,867 --> 00:40:23,400 on the issue of health care reform savings, 721 00:40:23,400 --> 00:40:26,066 I point you to the CBO, non-partisan CBO, 722 00:40:26,066 --> 00:40:32,433 which absolutely concluded that the Affordable Care Act is a 723 00:40:32,433 --> 00:40:36,433 deficit reducer -- a rather substantial deficit reducer. 724 00:40:36,433 --> 00:40:41,000 So that's a fact. 725 00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:45,800 And, look, I think the President's economic team -- 726 00:40:45,800 --> 00:40:50,934 economic teams have been focused on getting the policy right, 727 00:40:50,934 --> 00:40:54,667 on making extremely difficult judgments, 728 00:40:54,667 --> 00:40:57,967 especially two years ago during -- and three years ago during 729 00:40:57,967 --> 00:40:59,967 extremely difficult economic times. 730 00:40:59,967 --> 00:41:05,166 And going back to the answer I gave to Ed, 731 00:41:05,166 --> 00:41:11,266 let's let the record be judged for its results. 732 00:41:11,266 --> 00:41:16,300 And I think that while we have a long way to go in this economy, 733 00:41:16,300 --> 00:41:19,233 there is no arguing the fact that the direction that we've 734 00:41:19,233 --> 00:41:21,567 been going in since the President's policies have had a 735 00:41:21,567 --> 00:41:25,100 chance to take effect is a heck of a lot better -- is much more 736 00:41:25,100 --> 00:41:27,400 the right direction compared to the direction this country and 737 00:41:27,400 --> 00:41:30,400 this economy were going in when he took office. 738 00:41:30,400 --> 00:41:32,767 I think that's indisputable. 739 00:41:32,767 --> 00:41:33,899 Julia. 740 00:41:33,900 --> 00:41:34,433 The Press: Thanks. 741 00:41:34,433 --> 00:41:38,133 Is the budget still set to be released on February 6th? 742 00:41:38,133 --> 00:41:40,466 Mr. Carney: I don't know. 743 00:41:40,467 --> 00:41:41,533 I'll have to get back to you. 744 00:41:41,533 --> 00:41:43,533 I don't have a budget release date for you. 745 00:41:43,533 --> 00:41:45,533 Sorry. 746 00:41:45,533 --> 00:41:47,567 The Press: Jay, do you know if the White House has been in 747 00:41:47,567 --> 00:41:51,200 touch with Senator Kirk's family or office since he 748 00:41:51,200 --> 00:41:52,066 suffered a stroke? 749 00:41:52,066 --> 00:41:52,667 Mr. Carney: I don't know that. 750 00:41:52,667 --> 00:41:58,799 I saw that report before I came out and our -- we're obviously 751 00:41:58,800 --> 00:42:02,734 concerned about his condition, but wish him a speedy recovery. 752 00:42:02,734 --> 00:42:05,133 I just don't have any more details on that or how much 753 00:42:05,133 --> 00:42:08,100 outreach has taken place from here at this point. 754 00:42:08,100 --> 00:42:11,600 The Press: And then another non-State of the Union issue. 755 00:42:11,600 --> 00:42:15,266 As you may have heard, Senator Rand Paul had an incident today 756 00:42:15,266 --> 00:42:18,066 at the Nashville airport with the TSA. 757 00:42:18,066 --> 00:42:21,033 His father, Ron Paul, has issued a statement saying, 758 00:42:21,033 --> 00:42:23,467 "The police state in this country is growing out of 759 00:42:23,467 --> 00:42:27,934 control, and one of the embodiments of this is the TSA." 760 00:42:27,934 --> 00:42:29,333 What does the White House make of that? 761 00:42:29,333 --> 00:42:30,700 Mr. Carney: What I can tell you is that when an irregularity 762 00:42:30,700 --> 00:42:33,066 is found during the TSA screening process, 763 00:42:33,066 --> 00:42:36,066 it must be resolved prior to allowing a passenger -- any 764 00:42:36,066 --> 00:42:39,433 passenger -- to proceed to the secure area of the airport. 765 00:42:39,433 --> 00:42:42,266 Passengers who refuse to complete the screening process 766 00:42:42,266 --> 00:42:45,100 cannot be granted access to the secure area in order to ensure 767 00:42:45,100 --> 00:42:46,366 the safety of others traveling. 768 00:42:46,367 --> 00:42:49,967 And let's just be clear, the passenger was not detained. 769 00:42:49,967 --> 00:42:52,900 The passenger triggered an alarm during routine airport screening 770 00:42:52,900 --> 00:42:55,133 but refused to complete the screening process in order to 771 00:42:55,133 --> 00:42:56,667 resolve the issue. 772 00:42:56,667 --> 00:42:59,866 Passengers, as in this case, who refuse to comply with security 773 00:42:59,867 --> 00:43:03,333 procedures are denied access to the secure gate area. 774 00:43:03,333 --> 00:43:05,500 In this case, the passenger was escorted out of the screening 775 00:43:05,500 --> 00:43:06,934 area by local law enforcement. 776 00:43:06,934 --> 00:43:11,667 It's my understanding he has now rebooked and passed through 777 00:43:11,667 --> 00:43:16,799 security without incident, and that has resolved itself. 778 00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:19,400 The Press: What do you make of the statement from his father? 779 00:43:19,400 --> 00:43:26,800 Mr. Carney: I think it is absolutely essential that we take the 780 00:43:26,800 --> 00:43:29,166 necessary actions to ensure that air travel is safe, 781 00:43:29,166 --> 00:43:34,066 and I believe that's what TSA is tasked with doing. 782 00:43:34,066 --> 00:43:35,767 I don't have a specific response to that statement. 783 00:43:35,767 --> 00:43:38,734 I would refer you to TSA for more. 784 00:43:38,734 --> 00:43:39,467 Kristen. 785 00:43:39,467 --> 00:43:40,166 The Press: Jay, thanks. 786 00:43:40,166 --> 00:43:42,133 You announced at the top of the briefing that Mark Kelly 787 00:43:42,133 --> 00:43:43,466 will be coming to the State of the Union. 788 00:43:43,467 --> 00:43:45,934 Can you announce any other guests that will be there? 789 00:43:45,934 --> 00:43:48,567 Mr. Carney: I don't have any other announcements to make at 790 00:43:48,567 --> 00:43:50,533 this point on guests in the box. 791 00:43:50,533 --> 00:43:55,266 The Press: Okay. And some reporters have characterized this particular 792 00:43:55,266 --> 00:43:58,233 State of the Union not only as the President's -- the President 793 00:43:58,233 --> 00:44:01,834 laying out his vision for 2012, but also for the next four years 794 00:44:01,834 --> 00:44:02,899 if he were to be reelected. 795 00:44:02,900 --> 00:44:05,066 Is that a fair way to characterize this speech? 796 00:44:05,066 --> 00:44:08,633 Mr. Carney: Well, I think that the direction and vision 797 00:44:08,633 --> 00:44:13,567 that the President will describe tomorrow night is not limited to 798 00:44:13,567 --> 00:44:15,600 the calendar year of 2012. 799 00:44:15,600 --> 00:44:20,767 It is -- going back to my earlier answers -- filled 800 00:44:20,767 --> 00:44:27,466 with ideas that he hopes will be acted on in this calendar year 801 00:44:27,467 --> 00:44:31,133 -- some that he can do himself or his administration can do, 802 00:44:31,133 --> 00:44:33,767 others that he hopes will be acted on with Congress. 803 00:44:33,767 --> 00:44:39,500 But the broader vision is about the direction he believes we 804 00:44:39,500 --> 00:44:42,867 need to move this country, and that's a project that 805 00:44:42,867 --> 00:44:43,967 lasts longer than a year. 806 00:44:43,967 --> 00:44:47,367 It's a project that has already -- he has been engaged in for 807 00:44:47,367 --> 00:44:54,934 three years and he hopes to be engaged in for another five. 808 00:44:54,934 --> 00:45:01,433 This is a project that I think he has said will outlast even 809 00:45:01,433 --> 00:45:08,800 two terms in the Oval Office as we continue to build and 810 00:45:08,800 --> 00:45:14,200 strengthen and renew the American economy in the 811 00:45:14,200 --> 00:45:15,734 21st century. 812 00:45:15,734 --> 00:45:19,100 But he believes that this is a pivotal moment and that the 813 00:45:19,100 --> 00:45:22,767 actions that we were able to take in the early months after 814 00:45:22,767 --> 00:45:27,600 the economic calamity that befell this country in 2008 815 00:45:27,600 --> 00:45:31,467 were vital to putting the economy on the right track, 816 00:45:31,467 --> 00:45:34,700 and that there is more we must do in order to ensure that we 817 00:45:34,700 --> 00:45:38,332 have a foundation to our economy that allows security for the 818 00:45:38,333 --> 00:45:43,734 middle class, that allows American manufacturing to 819 00:45:43,734 --> 00:45:48,333 blossom so that good, well-paying jobs are created 820 00:45:48,333 --> 00:45:54,066 here in the United States, and that allows us to pay 821 00:45:54,066 --> 00:45:56,332 the necessary attention and make the necessary investments in our 822 00:45:56,333 --> 00:46:00,867 education system so that we have -- continue to have the 823 00:46:00,867 --> 00:46:03,266 best-educated, most-skilled workforce in the world. 824 00:46:03,266 --> 00:46:03,800 The Press: Thank you. 825 00:46:03,800 --> 00:46:05,533 Mr. Carney: Stephen -- last one. 826 00:46:05,533 --> 00:46:09,600 The Press: Thanks. On Yemen, how is the President's support for the 827 00:46:09,600 --> 00:46:12,667 right of protest in the Middle East and wider message on the 828 00:46:12,667 --> 00:46:16,799 Arab Spring compatible with the decision to allow President Saleh, 829 00:46:16,800 --> 00:46:19,734 who is accused of -- blamed for the deaths of hundreds of 830 00:46:19,734 --> 00:46:22,734 demonstrators, to come to New York for medical treatment? 831 00:46:22,734 --> 00:46:25,232 Mr. Carney: Well, I mean those are two separate things. 832 00:46:25,233 --> 00:46:27,867 Our support for the right of protest is unchanged. 833 00:46:27,867 --> 00:46:31,200 And the fact of the matter is, as you note, 834 00:46:34,266 --> 00:46:36,100 Mr. Saleh's request to travel to the U.S. 835 00:46:36,100 --> 00:46:37,500 for medical treatment has been approved, 836 00:46:37,500 --> 00:46:41,767 and the purpose of this travel is for medical treatment alone. 837 00:46:41,767 --> 00:46:43,667 And we expect that he will stay for a limited time that 838 00:46:43,667 --> 00:46:45,799 corresponds to the duration of this treatment. 839 00:46:47,967 --> 00:46:52,967 We, at the same time, believe that his absence from Yemen at 840 00:46:52,967 --> 00:46:56,100 this critical juncture will help facilitate a transition that 841 00:46:56,100 --> 00:47:00,133 completes the end of his rule, helps Yemen and ultimately has 842 00:47:00,133 --> 00:47:02,767 a positive effect on the rights and dignity of the 843 00:47:02,767 --> 00:47:05,066 Yemeni people. 844 00:47:05,066 --> 00:47:08,933 Our policy focus remains on preventing further instability 845 00:47:08,934 --> 00:47:10,433 and keeping that transition on track. 846 00:47:12,667 --> 00:47:15,767 The Press: So the decision to admit him is an attempt by the 847 00:47:15,767 --> 00:47:18,066 United States to improve the conditions running up to the 848 00:47:18,066 --> 00:47:20,466 election, not just a medical issue? 849 00:47:20,467 --> 00:47:24,567 Mr. Carney: Well, no, he has been granted a visa to this 850 00:47:24,567 --> 00:47:26,967 country solely for medical treatment. 851 00:47:27,467 --> 00:47:33,800 His absence from Yemen we hope will help facilitate the 852 00:47:33,800 --> 00:47:38,667 transition, but that would be true of his absence no matter 853 00:47:38,667 --> 00:47:39,667 where he went. 854 00:47:39,667 --> 00:47:41,633 The fact is he's been granted a visa to this 855 00:47:41,633 --> 00:47:43,299 country for medical treatment. 856 00:47:43,967 --> 00:47:45,266 Thank you all very much.