English subtitles for clip: File:1-28-13- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,166 --> 00:00:01,166 Mr. Carney: It's a packed house. 2 00:00:01,166 --> 00:00:03,500 Thanks for bearing with us today. 3 00:00:03,500 --> 00:00:05,233 A lot going on at the White House. 4 00:00:05,233 --> 00:00:07,834 Before I take your questions I just wanted to note that the 5 00:00:07,834 --> 00:00:11,033 President and the Vice President completed a very productive 6 00:00:11,033 --> 00:00:13,466 meeting with law enforcement officers, chiefs of police, 7 00:00:13,467 --> 00:00:15,333 and sheriffs from around the country, 8 00:00:15,333 --> 00:00:18,967 including from Oak Creek, Wisconsin; Aurora, Colorado; 9 00:00:18,967 --> 00:00:22,200 and Newtown, Connecticut, as well as the head of the Major 10 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:24,933 Cities Police Chiefs organization and the Major 11 00:00:24,934 --> 00:00:27,033 Counties Sheriffs organization. 12 00:00:27,033 --> 00:00:31,900 This all as part of the effort the President has undertaken to 13 00:00:31,900 --> 00:00:35,333 press forward on common-sense measures that can help reduce 14 00:00:35,333 --> 00:00:38,266 the scourge of gun violence in this country. 15 00:00:38,266 --> 00:00:42,733 Separately, I wanted to say that the President welcomes the 16 00:00:42,734 --> 00:00:47,100 efforts by the bipartisan group in the Senate to put forward 17 00:00:47,100 --> 00:00:50,367 principles on the need for comprehensive immigration reform 18 00:00:50,367 --> 00:00:53,500 -- principles that mirror the President's blueprint, which, 19 00:00:53,500 --> 00:00:56,834 as you know, he has been pressing for some time, 20 00:00:56,834 --> 00:01:00,467 which has been available on WhiteHouse.gov since 2011. 21 00:01:00,467 --> 00:01:05,200 The President believes it is very important that we move 22 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:06,834 forward on comprehensive immigration reform. 23 00:01:06,834 --> 00:01:11,200 It's the right thing to do for the country, for our economy. 24 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:14,633 It's the right thing to do out of fairness to the middle class 25 00:01:14,633 --> 00:01:17,600 to make sure that everyone plays by the same set of rules. 26 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:24,065 He, in keeping with I think what you've recognized as an approach 27 00:01:24,066 --> 00:01:26,300 that we take to these issues, the President is traveling to 28 00:01:26,300 --> 00:01:31,200 Nevada tomorrow where he will continue a conversation with the 29 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:34,667 American people about how we need to move forward and why we 30 00:01:34,667 --> 00:01:37,266 need to move forward with comprehensive immigration 31 00:01:37,266 --> 00:01:39,100 reform, why it's important. 32 00:01:39,100 --> 00:01:42,100 It's something that he talked about a lot during the campaign; 33 00:01:42,100 --> 00:01:44,033 he campaigned on this. 34 00:01:44,033 --> 00:01:47,600 And it is something that he has spoken about quite frequently 35 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:51,065 since his reelection and made clear his commitment to act on 36 00:01:51,066 --> 00:01:53,934 this early in his second term. 37 00:01:53,934 --> 00:01:56,000 It's now the second week of his second term and he is 38 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:57,100 acting on it. 39 00:01:57,100 --> 00:01:58,934 With that, I will take your questions. 40 00:01:58,934 --> 00:01:59,700 The Press: Thank you. 41 00:01:59,700 --> 00:02:02,166 On immigration, the Senate group, 42 00:02:02,166 --> 00:02:03,533 in addition to putting out their principles, 43 00:02:03,533 --> 00:02:07,433 also says that they're aiming to have a bill together by March. 44 00:02:07,433 --> 00:02:10,834 Since there is a timeline now, a bipartisan timeline for a bill 45 00:02:10,834 --> 00:02:13,800 on the Hill, does the President feel like he should also put 46 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:14,600 forward a bill? 47 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:18,066 Or is he leaning towards putting out just broad principles? 48 00:02:18,066 --> 00:02:19,200 Mr. Carney: Well, let me say a couple of things. 49 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,600 First of all, he has put forward quite substantial 50 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:24,667 detail already. 51 00:02:24,667 --> 00:02:29,233 I think the number of pages that you can find on WhiteHouse.gov 52 00:02:29,233 --> 00:02:32,667 dedicated to this subject is more than 25, 53 00:02:32,667 --> 00:02:35,867 and reflects the kind of detailed approach that the 54 00:02:35,867 --> 00:02:40,667 President has long taken on this issue. 55 00:02:40,667 --> 00:02:44,967 On the first point, we welcome movement and progress, 56 00:02:44,967 --> 00:02:49,500 and there is no reason to delay on moving forward with this. 57 00:02:49,500 --> 00:02:52,600 The President has supported it for a long a time. 58 00:02:52,600 --> 00:03:01,700 It fell short in 2010 because of congressional opposition to it. 59 00:03:01,700 --> 00:03:05,899 And he believes that we are at a moment now where there seems to 60 00:03:05,900 --> 00:03:11,900 be support coalescing at a bipartisan level behind the very 61 00:03:11,900 --> 00:03:15,133 principles that he has long put forward and behind principles 62 00:03:15,133 --> 00:03:19,834 that have in the past enjoyed bipartisan support, 63 00:03:19,834 --> 00:03:23,133 that appear are now again to be winning bipartisan support. 64 00:03:23,133 --> 00:03:24,700 And that is a very positive thing. 65 00:03:24,700 --> 00:03:28,632 I'm not going to negotiate legislative tactics from here, 66 00:03:28,633 --> 00:03:32,133 but we will be working with Congress, with both houses, 67 00:03:32,133 --> 00:03:39,266 both parties to help bring about a result that is a detailed, 68 00:03:39,266 --> 00:03:43,934 specific bill that can win bipartisan support in Congress 69 00:03:43,934 --> 00:03:45,567 and that this President can sign; 70 00:03:45,567 --> 00:03:48,533 that meets the very specific principles this President has 71 00:03:48,533 --> 00:03:49,266 put forward. 72 00:03:49,266 --> 00:03:50,632 The Press: So is what we're going to see from the President tomorrow, 73 00:03:50,633 --> 00:03:54,166 is that a reiteration of his principles, not a bill? 74 00:03:54,166 --> 00:03:57,299 Mr. Carney: What you'll see tomorrow from the President is the very 75 00:03:57,300 --> 00:04:00,734 important part of this effort that is about engaging the 76 00:04:00,734 --> 00:04:01,834 American people. 77 00:04:01,834 --> 00:04:04,133 Now, the American people support comprehensive immigration 78 00:04:04,133 --> 00:04:08,433 reform, but as with all the things that we debate in 79 00:04:08,433 --> 00:04:12,033 Washington, we need to -- the President believes -- 80 00:04:12,033 --> 00:04:15,666 explain them, talk about them with the American people and 81 00:04:15,667 --> 00:04:19,166 engage with the American people to make sure they understand 82 00:04:19,166 --> 00:04:21,533 where we're headed and why, and that's what the President 83 00:04:21,533 --> 00:04:23,033 intends to do tomorrow. 84 00:04:23,033 --> 00:04:24,533 The Press: I just wanted to ask one question on Egypt. 85 00:04:24,533 --> 00:04:27,467 In the President's "60 Minutes" interview he said that if it 86 00:04:27,467 --> 00:04:29,500 hadn't been for the leadership the U.S. showed, 87 00:04:29,500 --> 00:04:32,000 we might have seen a different outcome there. 88 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,400 How does that square with what we're seeing in Egypt over the 89 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:38,000 past couple of days with 50 people dead in protests, 90 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:43,500 President Morsi implementing curfews and state of emergency? 91 00:04:43,500 --> 00:04:47,834 Is that the type of outcome the U.S. expects and favors 92 00:04:47,834 --> 00:04:48,400 in Egypt? 93 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:52,467 Mr. Carney: Well, let's back up a little bit and talk about the specific 94 00:04:52,467 --> 00:04:53,834 things that you reference. 95 00:04:53,834 --> 00:04:56,934 We strongly condemn the recent violence that has taken place in 96 00:04:56,934 --> 00:04:58,533 various Egyptian cities. 97 00:04:58,533 --> 00:05:01,600 We extend our condolences to the families of those who were 98 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:03,600 killed and to those who were injured. 99 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:07,433 We look to all Egyptians to express themselves peacefully, 100 00:05:07,433 --> 00:05:10,567 and for all Egyptian leaders to make clear that violence is 101 00:05:10,567 --> 00:05:11,967 not acceptable. 102 00:05:11,967 --> 00:05:15,400 We welcome serious calls for national dialogue to avoid 103 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:18,400 further violence and to find peaceful means to move forward 104 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:22,265 with the political process and building national unity. 105 00:05:22,266 --> 00:05:24,667 Egyptians participated in their revolution to bring about 106 00:05:24,667 --> 00:05:26,900 democracy and freedom, not to pursue their goals 107 00:05:26,900 --> 00:05:28,000 through violence. 108 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:30,934 We urge all Egyptians to peacefully utilize the 109 00:05:30,934 --> 00:05:33,567 democratic process as they continue to engage with 110 00:05:33,567 --> 00:05:34,934 their government. 111 00:05:34,934 --> 00:05:37,700 We have been clear about what we stand for. 112 00:05:37,700 --> 00:05:40,866 We have engaged directly with the Egyptian government as they 113 00:05:40,867 --> 00:05:44,500 move forward on the difficult path towards greater democracy 114 00:05:44,500 --> 00:05:47,700 and rule of law, and we will continue to do so. 115 00:05:47,700 --> 00:05:49,700 Yes, Reuters. 116 00:05:49,700 --> 00:05:53,099 The Press: There was a very -- one noteworthy difference between 117 00:05:53,100 --> 00:05:57,100 what the group of senators is proposing today and what was in 118 00:05:57,100 --> 00:06:00,967 that 29-page blueprint on the White House website, 119 00:06:00,967 --> 00:06:04,532 and that is that the bipartisan group proposes the path to 120 00:06:04,533 --> 00:06:07,867 citizenship be conditioned on tighter border control measures. 121 00:06:07,867 --> 00:06:11,934 Now, does the President accept that kind of a linkage would 122 00:06:11,934 --> 00:06:14,367 have to come to get a deal? 123 00:06:14,367 --> 00:06:18,433 Mr. Carney: First of all, I think you glided over a very important aspect of 124 00:06:18,433 --> 00:06:22,400 this, which is that the set of principles put forward by this 125 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:26,734 bipartisan group embraces the path to citizenship. 126 00:06:26,734 --> 00:06:27,834 This is a big deal. 127 00:06:27,834 --> 00:06:29,166 This is an important development. 128 00:06:29,166 --> 00:06:31,933 This is in keeping with the principles the President has 129 00:06:31,934 --> 00:06:35,166 been espousing for a long time, in keeping with bipartisan 130 00:06:35,166 --> 00:06:37,767 efforts in the past and with the effort this President believes 131 00:06:37,767 --> 00:06:44,000 has to end in a law that he can sign. 132 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:45,266 When it comes to border security, 133 00:06:45,266 --> 00:06:48,467 I think anyone who looks at this honestly will note the 134 00:06:48,467 --> 00:06:51,633 tremendous strides we have made in the past four years in 135 00:06:51,633 --> 00:06:52,633 protecting our borders. 136 00:06:52,633 --> 00:06:57,166 In fact, they have never been better enforced than 137 00:06:57,166 --> 00:06:58,166 they are now. 138 00:06:58,166 --> 00:07:02,800 And over the past four years this administration has 139 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:06,834 dedicated unprecedented resources to secure the border, 140 00:07:06,834 --> 00:07:09,433 taken important steps to make interior and worksite 141 00:07:09,433 --> 00:07:12,567 enforcement of our immigration law smarter and more effective. 142 00:07:12,567 --> 00:07:14,900 And we have made historic investments in manpower, 143 00:07:14,900 --> 00:07:17,734 technology and infrastructure to help secure our borders. 144 00:07:17,734 --> 00:07:19,866 And, like I said, our borders now are more secure than they 145 00:07:19,867 --> 00:07:21,100 have ever been in history. 146 00:07:21,100 --> 00:07:22,567 That work continues. 147 00:07:22,567 --> 00:07:27,433 But I think it's important, before we let the moment pass, 148 00:07:27,433 --> 00:07:32,700 to acknowledge that the progress we're seeing embodied in the 149 00:07:32,700 --> 00:07:35,400 principles put forward by this bipartisan group is happening 150 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:38,467 for a reason. 151 00:07:38,467 --> 00:07:42,000 And I think it's happening because a consensus is 152 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:45,066 developing in the country, a bipartisan consensus; 153 00:07:45,066 --> 00:07:48,000 and it's happening because the President has demonstrated 154 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,033 significant leadership on this issue. 155 00:07:51,033 --> 00:07:54,166 When the effort to achieve comprehensive immigration reform 156 00:07:54,166 --> 00:07:56,467 did not succeed in 2010, this President continued to 157 00:07:56,467 --> 00:07:57,467 press forward. 158 00:07:57,467 --> 00:07:59,800 He has given speeches on it repeatedly. 159 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:03,867 He put out his detailed blueprint online and he made 160 00:08:03,867 --> 00:08:07,567 clear in the campaign last year that this would be a top 161 00:08:07,567 --> 00:08:09,133 priority of his in the second term. 162 00:08:09,133 --> 00:08:11,066 And he is keeping that commitment by pressing 163 00:08:11,066 --> 00:08:13,500 forward today. 164 00:08:13,500 --> 00:08:16,100 This is an important first step that we've seen from Congress. 165 00:08:16,100 --> 00:08:17,500 We need to continue the movement. 166 00:08:17,500 --> 00:08:20,667 Going to Julie's question about timetables for legislation, 167 00:08:20,667 --> 00:08:23,933 the goal here is not for everyone just to get together 168 00:08:23,934 --> 00:08:26,100 and say we share common principles, 169 00:08:26,100 --> 00:08:30,000 but to achieve legislation that gets the job done and does it in 170 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:33,066 a way that can earn the support of Congress and earn the 171 00:08:33,066 --> 00:08:34,600 signature of this President. 172 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:37,800 The Press: Point taken that, yes, we're seeing a bipartisan consensus 173 00:08:37,799 --> 00:08:40,699 that there should be a path to citizenship and that we haven't 174 00:08:40,700 --> 00:08:41,700 seen that in years. 175 00:08:41,700 --> 00:08:45,834 But my question is about the linkage between that these 176 00:08:45,834 --> 00:08:50,566 senators, this proposal says we do not go forward on giving a 177 00:08:50,567 --> 00:08:54,967 path to citizenship to anyone until border security is 178 00:08:54,967 --> 00:08:58,900 actually increased to a level that they will establish. 179 00:08:58,900 --> 00:09:00,233 Will that linkage be accepted? 180 00:09:00,233 --> 00:09:02,800 Mr. Carney: I'm not going to -- we're not at a stage here where, 181 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:04,733 especially from the briefing room, 182 00:09:04,734 --> 00:09:07,867 we're going to negotiate details of legislation that doesn't 183 00:09:07,867 --> 00:09:08,867 yet exist. 184 00:09:08,867 --> 00:09:16,099 I think what is positive about this discussion is that a 185 00:09:16,100 --> 00:09:19,033 bipartisan group in the Senate has embraced the principles 186 00:09:19,033 --> 00:09:22,834 that the President has long put forward and espoused. 187 00:09:22,834 --> 00:09:24,934 When we talk about issues like border security, 188 00:09:24,934 --> 00:09:29,467 instead of waiting until now as this effort gets underway to 189 00:09:29,467 --> 00:09:32,500 address border security challenges, 190 00:09:32,500 --> 00:09:36,066 this President in his first term has aggressively addressed those 191 00:09:36,066 --> 00:09:39,867 challenges and taken historic steps to creating a situation 192 00:09:39,867 --> 00:09:44,233 where we have tighter border security than we've ever had. 193 00:09:44,233 --> 00:09:46,300 That work will continue and we look forward to working with 194 00:09:46,300 --> 00:09:50,266 Congress on legislation, on the issue of border security, 195 00:09:50,266 --> 00:09:53,699 and on the other important elements of immigration reform 196 00:09:53,700 --> 00:09:57,734 that have to be part of a comprehensive package. 197 00:09:57,734 --> 00:09:58,734 Jessica. 198 00:09:58,734 --> 00:10:01,467 The Press: Does the President specifically think the pathway to citizenship 199 00:10:01,467 --> 00:10:05,467 for the 11 million should be pre-conditioned on a council of 200 00:10:05,467 --> 00:10:09,834 experts determining whether border security is sufficient? 201 00:10:09,834 --> 00:10:10,834 Mr. Carney: I appreciate the question. 202 00:10:10,834 --> 00:10:16,099 I think I have answered it to the very best of my ability in 203 00:10:16,100 --> 00:10:18,934 response to questions from Matt. 204 00:10:18,934 --> 00:10:21,033 Border security is an important issue. 205 00:10:21,033 --> 00:10:24,533 The President has demonstrated that he doesn't believe that 206 00:10:24,533 --> 00:10:25,333 just in theory -- 207 00:10:25,333 --> 00:10:26,165 The Press: So you won't address specifically the idea of 208 00:10:26,166 --> 00:10:27,133 the council? 209 00:10:27,133 --> 00:10:28,066 Mr. Carney: There's not a -- look, I think we saw, and this is -- 210 00:10:28,066 --> 00:10:28,900 I'm not diminishing it. 211 00:10:28,900 --> 00:10:30,000 It's a welcome thing. 212 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,900 We saw a four-page statement of principles that is a very 213 00:10:32,900 --> 00:10:34,600 positive development. 214 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:40,734 The President has a -- I think Matt said 29-page comprehensive 215 00:10:40,734 --> 00:10:42,133 blueprint that's online. 216 00:10:42,133 --> 00:10:48,100 And we will work with Congress, with both parties in both houses 217 00:10:48,100 --> 00:10:50,066 to achieve the kind of bipartisan bill that we need. 218 00:10:50,066 --> 00:10:51,433 The Press: Doesn't it step on the President's proposal by doing 219 00:10:51,433 --> 00:10:52,800 this today? 220 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:54,867 Mr. Carney: Well, again, the President's principles and blueprint have 221 00:10:54,867 --> 00:10:55,699 been out for a long time. 222 00:10:55,700 --> 00:10:57,667 This is not a new issue for the President. 223 00:10:57,667 --> 00:10:58,867 He has been pushing it for a long time. 224 00:10:58,867 --> 00:11:01,632 We have been working with this very group and talking with them 225 00:11:01,633 --> 00:11:02,633 about the progress. 226 00:11:02,633 --> 00:11:05,333 And as I think you could tell from the tone of my opening 227 00:11:05,333 --> 00:11:06,600 statement, we welcome this. 228 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:07,867 We think this is positive. 229 00:11:07,867 --> 00:11:09,433 This demonstrates that -- 230 00:11:09,433 --> 00:11:13,934 The Press: Do you still intend to unveil the amount of detail you were 231 00:11:13,934 --> 00:11:19,033 planning to unveil about your immigration legislation? 232 00:11:19,033 --> 00:11:23,300 Mr. Carney: We are proceeding as we always intended to proceed. 233 00:11:23,300 --> 00:11:27,834 And we always hoped that as we move forward with this effort 234 00:11:27,834 --> 00:11:32,367 that we would have with us members of Congress of both 235 00:11:32,367 --> 00:11:36,000 parties, important members of Congress of both parties who 236 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,533 support the principle of the need for comprehensive 237 00:11:38,533 --> 00:11:42,133 immigration reform, support the component elements of that. 238 00:11:42,133 --> 00:11:43,567 And that's what we're seeing, and that's a very 239 00:11:43,567 --> 00:11:44,800 positive development. 240 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:46,834 The Press: On a different topic, how often does the President go 241 00:11:46,834 --> 00:11:47,699 skeet shooting? 242 00:11:47,700 --> 00:11:48,667 (laughter) 243 00:11:48,667 --> 00:11:50,600 And are there photographs of him doing so? 244 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:55,333 Mr. Carney: I would refer you simply to his comments. 245 00:11:55,333 --> 00:11:57,000 I don't know how often. 246 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:58,800 He does go to Camp David with some regularity, 247 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,099 but I'm not sure how often he's done that. 248 00:12:01,100 --> 00:12:03,734 The Press: Is there a photograph of him doing it? 249 00:12:03,734 --> 00:12:05,767 Mr. Carney: There may be, but I haven't seen it. 250 00:12:05,767 --> 00:12:08,600 The Press: Why haven't we heard about it before? 251 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:09,834 Mr. Carney: Because when he goes to Camp David, 252 00:12:09,834 --> 00:12:12,400 he goes to spend time with his family and friends and relax, 253 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:15,100 not to produce photographs. 254 00:12:15,100 --> 00:12:15,967 The Press: Jay. 255 00:12:15,967 --> 00:12:17,533 Mr. Carney: Yes, Major and then Wendell. 256 00:12:17,533 --> 00:12:23,166 The Press: There were weekend reports of a very significant explosion at a 257 00:12:23,166 --> 00:12:25,967 nuclear facility in Iran -- Fordow; 258 00:12:25,967 --> 00:12:28,400 Fordow is the name of it, near Qom. 259 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:31,533 And I wonder if you have anything that you can relay to 260 00:12:31,533 --> 00:12:33,834 us about what the U.S. government does or does not know 261 00:12:33,834 --> 00:12:34,666 about that. 262 00:12:34,667 --> 00:12:38,300 And also, there has been a glitch in trying to get the next 263 00:12:38,300 --> 00:12:42,567 P5-plus-1 talks with Iran, try to get it this month now, 264 00:12:42,567 --> 00:12:43,800 pushing into February. 265 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:46,065 Is there anything new you want to tell us about the evaluation 266 00:12:46,066 --> 00:12:49,033 of the inability to get that process moved ahead? 267 00:12:49,033 --> 00:12:49,734 Mr. Carney: Sure. 268 00:12:49,734 --> 00:12:51,033 I appreciate both questions. 269 00:12:51,033 --> 00:12:53,800 On the first, we have no information to confirm the 270 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:56,233 allegations in that report, and we do not believe the report 271 00:12:56,233 --> 00:12:57,532 is credible. 272 00:12:57,533 --> 00:12:58,367 On the status -- 273 00:12:58,367 --> 00:12:59,467 The Press: -- of have an explosion of any kind? 274 00:12:59,467 --> 00:13:02,266 Mr. Carney: Correct, at the Fordow facility. 275 00:13:02,266 --> 00:13:03,733 We don't believe those are credible reports. 276 00:13:03,734 --> 00:13:07,066 We have no information that would confirm them and do not 277 00:13:07,066 --> 00:13:11,400 believe that those reports or that report is credible. 278 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:17,300 In terms of the P5-plus-1 talks, let's be clear here that Iran 279 00:13:17,300 --> 00:13:20,766 did not accept the P5-plus-1 offer to go to Istanbul on 280 00:13:20,767 --> 00:13:22,834 January 28 and 29. 281 00:13:22,834 --> 00:13:26,867 The P5-plus-1 have offered concrete dates and venues since 282 00:13:26,867 --> 00:13:29,834 December and have shown flexibility regarding a date and 283 00:13:29,834 --> 00:13:34,300 venue, but Iran -- not for the first time -- 284 00:13:34,300 --> 00:13:36,967 has been continually putting forward new conditions as a 285 00:13:36,967 --> 00:13:37,967 delaying tactic. 286 00:13:37,967 --> 00:13:41,533 And the negotiations about negotiations is a familiar 287 00:13:41,533 --> 00:13:46,900 tactic that only results in further isolation and more 288 00:13:46,900 --> 00:13:47,900 pressure on Iran. 289 00:13:47,900 --> 00:13:50,165 So it's not -- it will not achieve anything. 290 00:13:50,166 --> 00:13:53,367 We have, however -- though there is still no agreement on the 291 00:13:53,367 --> 00:13:55,333 next round of talks, contacts are ongoing. 292 00:13:55,333 --> 00:13:57,533 And since Iran did not accept the offer to go to Istanbul on 293 00:13:57,533 --> 00:14:02,900 January 28 and 29, the P5-plus-1 have offered new dates 294 00:14:02,900 --> 00:14:04,000 in February. 295 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:06,467 But let's be clear, negotiating over negotiations is not a 296 00:14:06,467 --> 00:14:10,165 tactic that produces positive results for Iran; 297 00:14:10,166 --> 00:14:13,333 it only results in more isolation and more pressure. 298 00:14:13,333 --> 00:14:15,867 The Press: And the President has said from this podium and other venues 299 00:14:15,867 --> 00:14:17,433 he's not interested in that process, 300 00:14:17,433 --> 00:14:19,400 in allowing it to go on forever and ever -- 301 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:20,400 negotiating by negotiating. 302 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:23,132 When does this get to that point? 303 00:14:23,133 --> 00:14:24,133 Mr. Carney: Precisely. 304 00:14:24,133 --> 00:14:26,567 And that's why we're being very clear with our partners about 305 00:14:26,567 --> 00:14:29,433 the fact that negotiations have to be over concrete issues, 306 00:14:29,433 --> 00:14:30,700 not over further negotiations. 307 00:14:30,700 --> 00:14:32,700 And we've been clear about what -- 308 00:14:32,700 --> 00:14:37,500 with our partners, what we're ready and when we're ready to 309 00:14:37,500 --> 00:14:39,233 take up these negotiations again. 310 00:14:39,233 --> 00:14:42,566 And Iran has to take the next step and engage. 311 00:14:42,567 --> 00:14:45,433 The Press: To get back to immigration, I know you don't want to negotiate 312 00:14:45,433 --> 00:14:48,233 specific details, but this question that has been asked to 313 00:14:48,233 --> 00:14:50,699 you a couple of times is not a legislative detail; 314 00:14:50,700 --> 00:14:53,533 it's a philosophical construct: coupling or decoupling. 315 00:14:53,533 --> 00:14:56,367 And from what you've said from the podium so far today, 316 00:14:56,367 --> 00:14:59,099 I think those of us listening could fairly assume the 317 00:14:59,100 --> 00:15:01,867 administration believes sufficient progress has been 318 00:15:01,867 --> 00:15:05,733 made on border security, that they ought not to be coupled 319 00:15:05,734 --> 00:15:08,734 directly with the fate of those who are going to watch this 320 00:15:08,734 --> 00:15:12,734 debate and whose futures in this country are dependent on 321 00:15:12,734 --> 00:15:13,800 this process. 322 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:15,500 It's a very significant issue for them, 323 00:15:15,500 --> 00:15:18,633 and it sounds as if you're signaling to the Senate they 324 00:15:18,633 --> 00:15:21,633 ought not to be coupled because it's not the issue it was in 325 00:15:21,633 --> 00:15:22,633 2007 or 2008. 326 00:15:22,633 --> 00:15:24,867 Is that a fair -- 327 00:15:24,867 --> 00:15:27,900 Mr. Carney: We have not seen any legislative proposal from Congress -- 328 00:15:27,900 --> 00:15:31,500 either this group or others -- any new legislative proposal. 329 00:15:31,500 --> 00:15:35,700 What I have made clear is that in the four years that the 330 00:15:35,700 --> 00:15:38,533 President has been in office we have made historic progress on 331 00:15:38,533 --> 00:15:39,900 border security. 332 00:15:39,900 --> 00:15:45,367 And in the past, there have been those interested in this issue 333 00:15:45,367 --> 00:15:48,467 who have talked about the need to take action to enhance our 334 00:15:48,467 --> 00:15:53,100 border security as part of the comprehensive immigration effort 335 00:15:53,100 --> 00:15:55,066 or as a precursor to it. 336 00:15:55,066 --> 00:15:58,300 And while this President has always supported moving forward 337 00:15:58,300 --> 00:15:59,967 in a comprehensive way on all the elements, 338 00:15:59,967 --> 00:16:02,033 the fact is because it's an important issue, 339 00:16:02,033 --> 00:16:05,433 we have made progress on border security and historic progress 340 00:16:05,433 --> 00:16:08,633 in the ways that I enumerated earlier. 341 00:16:08,633 --> 00:16:12,967 I am not, as you mentioned, in a position to negotiate details of 342 00:16:12,967 --> 00:16:15,967 a piece of legislation that hasn't been written, 343 00:16:15,967 --> 00:16:17,734 at least not in Congress. 344 00:16:17,734 --> 00:16:19,734 The Press: But you can speak to this philosophical question of 345 00:16:19,734 --> 00:16:21,533 coupling or decoupling, can't you? 346 00:16:21,533 --> 00:16:24,200 Mr. Carney: I think the President believes that we need to move forward in 347 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:28,333 a comprehensive way that includes a path to citizenship, 348 00:16:28,333 --> 00:16:31,766 that includes making sure that our businesses behave 349 00:16:31,767 --> 00:16:35,667 responsibly, that includes making sure that border security 350 00:16:35,667 --> 00:16:38,500 continues to be enhanced, and that includes allowing for a 351 00:16:38,500 --> 00:16:45,734 situation where some of these incredibly capable immigrants 352 00:16:45,734 --> 00:16:48,367 who are earning higher degrees in our country are allowed to 353 00:16:48,367 --> 00:16:52,766 stay and create businesses here and are not sent home to create 354 00:16:52,767 --> 00:16:54,433 businesses in other countries. 355 00:16:54,433 --> 00:16:57,800 So this is a multipart process. 356 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:01,934 What I'm not going to do is engage in specific negotiations 357 00:17:01,934 --> 00:17:03,367 from the podium today. 358 00:17:03,367 --> 00:17:06,066 There is important progress being made on this issue in a 359 00:17:06,066 --> 00:17:07,433 bipartisan way. 360 00:17:07,433 --> 00:17:08,433 That's a positive thing. 361 00:17:08,433 --> 00:17:11,800 The President goes to Nevada tomorrow to have this 362 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:14,733 conversation, to continue to have this conversation with 363 00:17:14,733 --> 00:17:16,399 Americans who care deeply about it, 364 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:20,800 to explain to them and engage with them over its importance to 365 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,099 the economy, its importance to the middle class, 366 00:17:23,099 --> 00:17:24,699 importance to our businesses. 367 00:17:24,700 --> 00:17:26,233 And this will continue. 368 00:17:26,233 --> 00:17:30,567 And we hope it moves forward in a quick -- 369 00:17:30,567 --> 00:17:33,467 with speed because there is no reason to delay. 370 00:17:33,467 --> 00:17:35,400 We are seeing a consensus building here. 371 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:40,433 We are seeing leading members of both parties in Congress agree 372 00:17:40,433 --> 00:17:44,033 to general principles here that are shared across the board. 373 00:17:44,033 --> 00:17:45,265 Wendell. 374 00:17:45,266 --> 00:17:46,266 The Press: Different subject. 375 00:17:46,266 --> 00:17:50,700 The Dow Industrial's moving average has been reported at its 376 00:17:50,700 --> 00:17:51,700 2007 pre-recession high. 377 00:17:51,700 --> 00:17:54,266 Standard & Poor's index got there last Friday, 378 00:17:54,266 --> 00:17:56,000 as I understand. 379 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:58,767 Unemployment obviously still far too high, 380 00:17:58,767 --> 00:18:02,166 almost twice as high as it was at that time. 381 00:18:02,166 --> 00:18:06,166 What do you say to critics who say the President's recovery has 382 00:18:06,166 --> 00:18:09,633 benefited Wall Street but not Main Street? 383 00:18:09,633 --> 00:18:15,667 Mr. Carney: What I would say -- well, first I would point out that the 384 00:18:15,667 --> 00:18:21,265 precursor to your question was noted with no degree of 385 00:18:21,266 --> 00:18:24,567 surprise, which is that markets have done very well under 386 00:18:24,567 --> 00:18:25,934 this President. 387 00:18:25,934 --> 00:18:28,567 And one of the reasons they have done well is because this 388 00:18:28,567 --> 00:18:33,700 President took dramatic action to ensure that we did not -- 389 00:18:33,700 --> 00:18:37,433 a situation that was hemorrhaging and cascading 390 00:18:37,433 --> 00:18:41,000 towards depression was reversed, that important measures were 391 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:44,066 taken to ensure that the financial sector did 392 00:18:44,066 --> 00:18:45,066 not collapse. 393 00:18:45,066 --> 00:18:48,700 And then, against the resistance of some in Congress -- 394 00:18:48,700 --> 00:18:51,200 resistance that we encounter to this day -- 395 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:55,533 he put in place important Wall Street reform that ensures that 396 00:18:55,533 --> 00:18:58,399 the kind of situation we encountered in this country in 397 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:02,300 2007, 2008, and 2009 does not happen again -- 398 00:19:02,300 --> 00:19:06,300 where taxpayers are on the hook to bail out large 399 00:19:06,300 --> 00:19:08,367 financial institutions. 400 00:19:08,367 --> 00:19:11,466 So there's a background here that's very important. 401 00:19:11,467 --> 00:19:14,100 There is no question that while we have seen unemployment come 402 00:19:14,100 --> 00:19:16,667 down, it has not come down far enough. 403 00:19:16,667 --> 00:19:20,699 While we have seen month after month of job creation, 404 00:19:20,700 --> 00:19:25,967 this President is focused above all on steps that ensure that we 405 00:19:25,967 --> 00:19:28,967 create even more jobs and that this economy continues to grow 406 00:19:28,967 --> 00:19:31,066 as we recover from the worst recession since the 407 00:19:31,066 --> 00:19:32,066 Great Depression. 408 00:19:32,066 --> 00:19:35,500 This I think goes to a broader point. 409 00:19:35,500 --> 00:19:37,467 The President does not believe that anything we do in 410 00:19:37,467 --> 00:19:44,200 Washington is worthwhile if it doesn't have as part of its 411 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:48,567 purpose strengthening our economy, 412 00:19:48,567 --> 00:19:52,600 strengthening and providing more security for our middle class, 413 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:56,399 and creating more opportunities for those who want to join the 414 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,033 middle class to do so. 415 00:19:58,033 --> 00:20:01,466 That is the underlying principle behind everything he does when 416 00:20:01,467 --> 00:20:04,734 it comes to domestic and economic policy. 417 00:20:04,734 --> 00:20:08,033 The Press: It is a fair assessment, though, that the recovery has benefited 418 00:20:08,033 --> 00:20:10,166 Wall Street more than Main Street? 419 00:20:10,166 --> 00:20:12,934 Mr. Carney: I think that people can make their assessments. 420 00:20:12,934 --> 00:20:17,767 The fact is the economy has been recovering after a situation 421 00:20:17,767 --> 00:20:21,800 where it was in terribly dire straits, 422 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:26,066 a situation that this President inherited in January of 2009. 423 00:20:26,066 --> 00:20:29,266 And the actions that he took at the time -- 424 00:20:29,266 --> 00:20:33,700 whether it was the Recovery Act, saving the financial sector, 425 00:20:33,700 --> 00:20:35,533 saving the automobile industry -- 426 00:20:35,533 --> 00:20:39,800 were not particularly popular at the time in some cases and in 427 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:42,700 some quarters, but they were the right things to do and they were 428 00:20:42,700 --> 00:20:44,834 the right things to do for the financial sector, 429 00:20:44,834 --> 00:20:46,800 but they were also the right things to do for the middle 430 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:48,399 class and for the American economy. 431 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:52,633 The President took the action he did to ensure the financial 432 00:20:52,633 --> 00:20:59,500 sector wasn't -- was saved, not because he thought it was good 433 00:20:59,500 --> 00:21:03,066 for the banks, but because collapse of the financial sector 434 00:21:03,066 --> 00:21:07,166 would have led to an even greater amount of hardship for 435 00:21:07,166 --> 00:21:10,367 the middle class, for average Americans in this country who 436 00:21:10,367 --> 00:21:11,934 are just trying to get by. 437 00:21:11,934 --> 00:21:15,300 The Press: Could it have been possible to craft a recovery that would have 438 00:21:15,300 --> 00:21:19,200 benefited the middle class more than the investors, 439 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:21,834 more than Wall Street? 440 00:21:21,834 --> 00:21:25,967 Mr. Carney: I'm not an economist, Wendell, and what I can tell you is that 441 00:21:25,967 --> 00:21:28,567 having been there -- working then for the Vice President -- 442 00:21:28,567 --> 00:21:34,100 the efforts to move forward on the Recovery Act as it was, 443 00:21:34,100 --> 00:21:37,766 which included, in part because of insistence by Republicans, 444 00:21:37,767 --> 00:21:40,400 a third of the Recovery Act -- a much unnoted fact -- 445 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:44,467 tax cuts, for example -- and some of the other actions the 446 00:21:44,467 --> 00:21:47,433 President took in order to try to gain bipartisan support. 447 00:21:47,433 --> 00:21:51,100 I guess the point I'm saying is the idea that we would have 448 00:21:51,100 --> 00:21:56,300 somehow garnered more support in Congress for something different 449 00:21:56,300 --> 00:21:57,567 is a misreading of history. 450 00:21:57,567 --> 00:21:58,567 Peter. 451 00:21:58,567 --> 00:22:01,100 The Press: Yesterday there was a devastating fire that tore 452 00:22:01,100 --> 00:22:03,367 through a nightclub in Brazil; more than 230 people 453 00:22:03,367 --> 00:22:04,367 were killed. 454 00:22:04,367 --> 00:22:06,399 I'm just curious if the President has been notified or 455 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:08,066 is aware of that taking place. 456 00:22:08,066 --> 00:22:11,600 Mr. Carney: I don't know specifically, although he has had his morning 457 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:14,433 briefing and I'm sure this was brought up. 458 00:22:14,433 --> 00:22:16,867 He also I'm sure has read about it. 459 00:22:16,867 --> 00:22:18,734 The Press: So has he had any conversation then -- 460 00:22:18,734 --> 00:22:20,800 I guess you wouldn't know -- 461 00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:21,800 Mr. Carney: With the Brazilian authorities? 462 00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:24,265 I don't have any conversations to read out. 463 00:22:24,266 --> 00:22:26,567 The Press: In that conversation that took place in The New Republic 464 00:22:26,567 --> 00:22:28,667 magazine, the President became the most high-profile person to 465 00:22:28,667 --> 00:22:30,966 weigh in on the level of violence that exists in 466 00:22:30,967 --> 00:22:31,967 professional football. 467 00:22:31,967 --> 00:22:33,633 Given that we're one week to the Super Bowl, 468 00:22:33,633 --> 00:22:36,400 I'm curious if there's been any reaction from the NFL or from 469 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:39,734 any other professionals given those comments. 470 00:22:39,734 --> 00:22:40,734 Mr. Carney: Not that I'm aware of. 471 00:22:40,734 --> 00:22:43,399 I think he spoke to that issue as a father, 472 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:48,734 and I think that it's something that parents across the country 473 00:22:48,734 --> 00:22:54,667 are grappling with in terms of whether or not they want their 474 00:22:54,667 --> 00:22:57,367 children to -- their sons, in this case, with football -- 475 00:22:57,367 --> 00:23:02,533 to be playing football given all we know about concussions. 476 00:23:02,533 --> 00:23:04,466 The Press: Giving his opinions on college basketball playoffs and things 477 00:23:04,467 --> 00:23:07,066 like that, is that something he would weigh in on further in 478 00:23:07,066 --> 00:23:09,867 terms of trying to find new outlets to effect change in 479 00:23:09,867 --> 00:23:12,200 terms of violence in this sport? 480 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:15,233 Mr. Carney: I haven't had that discussion with him, so I can't say. 481 00:23:15,233 --> 00:23:18,033 The Press: Jay, there's a lot of concern in the Hispanic community that the 482 00:23:18,033 --> 00:23:22,033 old might be separated from the young with this sort of 483 00:23:22,033 --> 00:23:25,600 expedited process of getting the children of immigrants, 484 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:28,867 illegal immigrants, fast-tracked on citizenship. 485 00:23:28,867 --> 00:23:31,399 How does the President suggest you deal with that? 486 00:23:31,400 --> 00:23:34,367 If some of these children are fast-tracked and their parents 487 00:23:34,367 --> 00:23:36,433 might be torn and sent back home, 488 00:23:36,433 --> 00:23:39,400 how do you deal with that situation? 489 00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:42,066 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not sure the second part is accurate. 490 00:23:42,066 --> 00:23:45,033 Obviously, I think any process that's envisioned here in terms 491 00:23:45,033 --> 00:23:48,899 of a path to citizenship -- that if people follow the rules to 492 00:23:48,900 --> 00:23:49,900 achieve that, they would be on that path. 493 00:23:49,900 --> 00:23:51,600 So there's not a -- 494 00:23:51,600 --> 00:23:55,033 The Press: But how do you ensure that the parents and the children 495 00:23:55,033 --> 00:23:56,033 aren't separated? 496 00:23:56,033 --> 00:23:58,567 If the kids are fast-tracked -- 497 00:23:58,567 --> 00:24:00,600 Mr. Carney: I think you're getting into a broad -- 498 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:03,265 you're asking a broad question that goes to specifics here that 499 00:24:03,266 --> 00:24:05,834 aren't necessarily reflected in the question. 500 00:24:05,834 --> 00:24:07,967 The Press: But is there thought given to how you deal -- 501 00:24:07,967 --> 00:24:10,333 it's a big concern in the Hispanic community that some of 502 00:24:10,333 --> 00:24:11,834 these kids, a significant number of them, 503 00:24:11,834 --> 00:24:13,133 might be separated from their parents. 504 00:24:13,133 --> 00:24:14,834 What's the thought that the President has in 505 00:24:14,834 --> 00:24:16,133 dealing with that? 506 00:24:16,133 --> 00:24:18,266 Mr. Carney: Well, I think you heard the President talk about the 507 00:24:18,266 --> 00:24:20,567 importance of so-called DREAMers, DREAM Act children. 508 00:24:20,567 --> 00:24:22,900 I think it was reflected in the legislation that he put forward. 509 00:24:22,900 --> 00:24:27,066 It's been reflected in the blueprint that he has put 510 00:24:27,066 --> 00:24:29,533 forward and that is available on WhiteHouse.gov. 511 00:24:29,533 --> 00:24:33,300 And he looks forward to working with Congress on legislation 512 00:24:33,300 --> 00:24:35,332 that addresses this broad principle that, again, 513 00:24:35,333 --> 00:24:36,734 seems to have bipartisan support -- 514 00:24:36,734 --> 00:24:40,433 that children who are brought to this country through no fault of 515 00:24:40,433 --> 00:24:46,300 their own, who have been often raised as Americans, 516 00:24:46,300 --> 00:24:49,767 thinking that they're Americans, often don't speak the language 517 00:24:49,767 --> 00:24:52,900 of their origin country, that they should not be punished for 518 00:24:52,900 --> 00:24:54,800 the actions that others took. 519 00:24:54,800 --> 00:24:58,934 So that's a principle that he's spoken about a lot. 520 00:24:58,934 --> 00:25:02,000 It's a principle embodied in the blueprint that he's put forward 521 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,667 and that we believe is one that's shared by members 522 00:25:04,667 --> 00:25:05,667 of Congress. 523 00:25:05,667 --> 00:25:08,466 The Press: And the visa overstay program, that appears to be sort of a new 524 00:25:08,467 --> 00:25:09,934 mechanism they're trying to put in place. 525 00:25:09,934 --> 00:25:10,934 Is that correct? 526 00:25:10,934 --> 00:25:13,899 Mr. Carney: I'm just not going to get into details of legislation that 527 00:25:13,900 --> 00:25:16,266 hasn't been put forward or worked out. 528 00:25:16,266 --> 00:25:20,467 I think that today is important because of the progress that the 529 00:25:20,467 --> 00:25:23,800 bipartisan group's efforts represent. 530 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:26,667 The fact that those priorities and principles that they put 531 00:25:26,667 --> 00:25:29,833 forward mirror what the President has long stood for and 532 00:25:29,834 --> 00:25:34,967 put forward represents the opportunity that is at hand here 533 00:25:34,967 --> 00:25:37,433 and that the President hopes we can move forward and take 534 00:25:37,433 --> 00:25:38,433 advantage of. 535 00:25:38,433 --> 00:25:40,767 The Press: And on another topic, Jay, has the President expressed any 536 00:25:40,767 --> 00:25:44,734 concern that Lance Armstrong may have used his influence in 537 00:25:44,734 --> 00:25:48,667 Washington on Capitol Hill with D.C. insiders to possibly get 538 00:25:48,667 --> 00:25:52,433 the attorney general in Southern California to drop his case? 539 00:25:52,433 --> 00:25:57,266 It's something that ABC News is hearing may have been the case. 540 00:25:57,266 --> 00:25:58,266 Mr. Carney: About the President? 541 00:25:58,266 --> 00:25:59,533 I haven't had that discussion with the President. 542 00:25:59,533 --> 00:26:03,132 The President I think has spoken out in the past about his views 543 00:26:03,133 --> 00:26:08,533 on performance-enhancing drugs. 544 00:26:08,533 --> 00:26:10,667 But I haven't heard him talk about this specific -- 545 00:26:10,667 --> 00:26:11,899 The Press: Does he feel there should be pressure, 546 00:26:11,900 --> 00:26:14,633 that the DOJ should do something more beyond -- 547 00:26:14,633 --> 00:26:15,867 Mr. Carney: I don't have anything for you on that. 548 00:26:15,867 --> 00:26:18,600 And I wouldn't weigh in on anything before the Department 549 00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:19,600 of Justice. 550 00:26:19,600 --> 00:26:20,934 Yes, Margaret. 551 00:26:20,934 --> 00:26:24,767 The Press: I heard you very clearly say that you didn't want to get into 552 00:26:24,767 --> 00:26:26,533 negotiating legislation -- 553 00:26:26,533 --> 00:26:27,399 Mr. Carney: But you can try. 554 00:26:27,400 --> 00:26:28,867 (laughter) 555 00:26:28,867 --> 00:26:31,300 The Press: It's nice to make you smile and wink. 556 00:26:31,300 --> 00:26:34,332 What I want to ask you is a non-negotiating question. 557 00:26:34,333 --> 00:26:38,734 It is just simply if the Senate were to pass the legislation as 558 00:26:38,734 --> 00:26:42,466 it's been described in concept, would the President sign it? 559 00:26:42,467 --> 00:26:44,166 Mr. Carney: But there is no legislation described in concept. 560 00:26:44,166 --> 00:26:47,633 It's a set of principles that mirror the 561 00:26:47,633 --> 00:26:50,967 President's principles. 562 00:26:50,967 --> 00:26:54,800 But this is the beginning of a process, 563 00:26:54,800 --> 00:26:59,033 at least in terms of legislation that needs to be crafted and 564 00:26:59,033 --> 00:27:01,300 voted on and hopefully signed by the President. 565 00:27:01,300 --> 00:27:06,000 So to say that he would sign something that doesn't exist 566 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:08,934 would be unwise, in my view, and so I won't say it. 567 00:27:08,934 --> 00:27:11,700 Let's just say the President has been very clear about what 568 00:27:11,700 --> 00:27:12,700 he supports. 569 00:27:12,700 --> 00:27:14,834 He's been very detailed in the blueprint that he's put forward. 570 00:27:14,834 --> 00:27:18,633 He is encouraged by the progress we have seen from members of 571 00:27:18,633 --> 00:27:21,200 both parties in the Senate and looks forward to working with 572 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:25,033 members of both parties to reach a point in the hopefully 573 00:27:25,033 --> 00:27:28,033 not-too-distant future where we have a bill that has bipartisan 574 00:27:28,033 --> 00:27:31,367 support that is very specific and that he can sign because it 575 00:27:31,367 --> 00:27:32,533 meets his principles. 576 00:27:32,533 --> 00:27:33,632 The Press: But in terms of weighing in on support, 577 00:27:33,633 --> 00:27:36,266 he would wait to see any legislation before he would? 578 00:27:36,266 --> 00:27:37,834 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm sure he wouldn't promise to sign a bill that 579 00:27:37,834 --> 00:27:39,633 doesn't exist. 580 00:27:39,633 --> 00:27:43,133 The Press: I want to ask one more on Egypt as well. 581 00:27:43,133 --> 00:27:45,934 Can you tell us whether the President has spoken with Morsi 582 00:27:45,934 --> 00:27:47,899 since the last few days of violence began? 583 00:27:47,900 --> 00:27:49,934 I know we don't have a readout yet, 584 00:27:49,934 --> 00:27:51,633 but I know he has made some foreign leader calls. 585 00:27:51,633 --> 00:27:54,166 We saw a call with Netanyahu read out today. 586 00:27:54,166 --> 00:27:57,899 Mr. Carney: He has not spoken with President Morsi that I'm aware of. 587 00:27:57,900 --> 00:28:01,834 I don't have any new calls to read out to you. 588 00:28:01,834 --> 00:28:04,500 We are always engaged with the government of Egypt at 589 00:28:04,500 --> 00:28:07,900 appropriate levels, but I just don't have any communications to 590 00:28:07,900 --> 00:28:08,900 read out to you. 591 00:28:08,900 --> 00:28:10,066 You could check with the State Department for more. 592 00:28:10,066 --> 00:28:12,367 The Press: I'm hoping you could flesh out a little bit what sort 593 00:28:12,367 --> 00:28:13,367 of communications. 594 00:28:13,367 --> 00:28:15,233 Things really have changed and worsened in the last four 595 00:28:15,233 --> 00:28:16,233 or five days. 596 00:28:16,233 --> 00:28:19,166 Mr. Carney: I would have to refer you to State for any communications 597 00:28:19,166 --> 00:28:22,000 we've had -- our government has had with the government of 598 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:24,200 Egypt in the last several days. 599 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:26,066 The Press: You said that the President condemns -- 600 00:28:26,066 --> 00:28:28,467 that the U.S. condemns the violence that's gone on 601 00:28:28,467 --> 00:28:29,467 in Egypt. 602 00:28:29,467 --> 00:28:33,567 Do you condemn any of President Morsi's actions as sort of cause 603 00:28:33,567 --> 00:28:36,767 and effect of that violence, or do you support this level of 604 00:28:36,767 --> 00:28:38,500 emergency rule and how he's handled things so far? 605 00:28:38,500 --> 00:28:41,266 Mr. Carney: We look to the government of Egypt to adhere to the right of 606 00:28:41,266 --> 00:28:45,700 all Egyptians to have due process. 607 00:28:45,700 --> 00:28:51,734 There needs to be a lasting solution to the conflict that we 608 00:28:51,734 --> 00:28:55,533 see in Egypt and it has to be a solution that adheres to the 609 00:28:55,533 --> 00:28:56,533 rights of all Egyptians. 610 00:28:56,533 --> 00:29:00,265 Obviously, this is not a lasting solution. 611 00:29:00,266 --> 00:29:03,300 But beyond that, I'd refer you to the State Department. 612 00:29:03,300 --> 00:29:09,800 Our interest is in -- we welcome calls for a national dialogue. 613 00:29:09,800 --> 00:29:15,966 We call on all Egyptians to express themselves peacefully, 614 00:29:15,967 --> 00:29:20,834 and to make clear that violence is not acceptable. 615 00:29:20,834 --> 00:29:23,200 We call on all leaders -- all leaders -- 616 00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:25,266 in Egypt to make that clear. 617 00:29:25,266 --> 00:29:31,333 So our broader effort here is to support a process that leads to 618 00:29:31,333 --> 00:29:35,066 greater democracy in Egypt and greater prosperity. 619 00:29:35,066 --> 00:29:37,500 The Press: Jay, at the top of the meeting with the police chiefs, 620 00:29:37,500 --> 00:29:41,734 the President said he hoped to get a consensus from them that 621 00:29:41,734 --> 00:29:43,867 would translate into a message to Congress. 622 00:29:43,867 --> 00:29:47,265 Did he get some kind of a concerted message from them? 623 00:29:47,266 --> 00:29:52,000 And what guidance did they -- especially the chiefs from the 624 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:54,934 cities that have seen the mass shootings -- give him? 625 00:29:54,934 --> 00:29:56,600 Mr. Carney: I don't have a specific readout of that meeting, 626 00:29:56,600 --> 00:30:00,734 which ended shortly before I came out here for you. 627 00:30:00,734 --> 00:30:01,800 It was a productive meeting. 628 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:02,800 It was an important meeting. 629 00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:08,667 The President obviously believes that law enforcement plays an 630 00:30:08,667 --> 00:30:12,033 important role in discussions about how to move forward to 631 00:30:12,033 --> 00:30:13,533 reduce gun violence. 632 00:30:13,533 --> 00:30:17,567 We may have more for you on the meeting later today. 633 00:30:17,567 --> 00:30:21,700 But this is -- I think reflects the President's commitment to 634 00:30:21,700 --> 00:30:26,200 engage with all stakeholders on this important issue, 635 00:30:26,200 --> 00:30:28,533 and I know that today's meeting was very important in 636 00:30:28,533 --> 00:30:29,533 that regard. 637 00:30:29,533 --> 00:30:31,065 The Press: What's the next step? 638 00:30:31,066 --> 00:30:35,500 Mr. Carney: Well, the President -- I will not announce a new meeting 639 00:30:35,500 --> 00:30:37,867 today, but you can be sure the President will continue to meet 640 00:30:37,867 --> 00:30:38,867 on this issue. 641 00:30:38,867 --> 00:30:40,433 The Vice President will obviously continue to meet on 642 00:30:40,433 --> 00:30:41,433 this issue. 643 00:30:41,433 --> 00:30:43,033 And he will continue -- he, the President -- 644 00:30:43,033 --> 00:30:47,166 will continue to press for progress on legislative action, 645 00:30:47,166 --> 00:30:49,800 as well as the other actions that were contained within his 646 00:30:49,800 --> 00:30:54,667 broad set of proposals from two weeks ago. 647 00:30:54,667 --> 00:30:56,833 Mr. Landler, and then Zach. 648 00:30:56,834 --> 00:30:57,834 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 649 00:30:57,834 --> 00:30:59,300 In his interview with the New Republic, 650 00:30:59,300 --> 00:31:03,265 the President was reflecting on the challenges of making a 651 00:31:03,266 --> 00:31:05,900 decision on whether to intervene in Syria, 652 00:31:05,900 --> 00:31:09,567 and he went through a number of different criteria and then made 653 00:31:09,567 --> 00:31:12,300 the observation that tens of thousands of people are dying in 654 00:31:12,300 --> 00:31:15,265 other places, including Congo. 655 00:31:15,266 --> 00:31:18,300 A few people in the human rights community were stopped by this 656 00:31:18,300 --> 00:31:20,800 and observed that, well, for one thing, 657 00:31:20,800 --> 00:31:25,466 the scale of the killing in Syria is so much greater right 658 00:31:25,467 --> 00:31:28,500 now than anywhere else in the world; and secondly, 659 00:31:28,500 --> 00:31:31,433 that Syria poses so many more strategic issues -- 660 00:31:31,433 --> 00:31:32,967 it's in the heart of the Arab world, 661 00:31:32,967 --> 00:31:35,667 it borders a number of critical countries. 662 00:31:35,667 --> 00:31:38,766 So I guess I just wanted to press a little and ask whether 663 00:31:38,767 --> 00:31:42,033 he really does believe that Congo is in any way analogous to 664 00:31:42,033 --> 00:31:43,734 Syria in terms of what American interests are. 665 00:31:43,734 --> 00:31:45,466 Mr. Carney: I think you're over-reading what he said. 666 00:31:45,467 --> 00:31:48,233 I think the point he was making is that there is horrific 667 00:31:48,233 --> 00:31:51,033 violence in other parts of the world and in other countries 668 00:31:51,033 --> 00:31:52,033 besides Syria. 669 00:31:52,033 --> 00:31:55,367 There is no question -- and we have been abundantly clear in 670 00:31:55,367 --> 00:32:00,500 our abhorrence -- about the violence in Syria and in the 671 00:32:00,500 --> 00:32:05,934 very strong position that we've taken that Assad has to go, 672 00:32:05,934 --> 00:32:10,033 that his days are numbered, and that he will go down in history 673 00:32:10,033 --> 00:32:15,065 as a tyrant with an abundance of Syrian blood on his hands. 674 00:32:15,066 --> 00:32:16,066 I think we've seen the opposition in Syria make 675 00:32:16,066 --> 00:32:17,066 continued progress. 676 00:32:17,066 --> 00:32:23,233 I think we've seen Assad's grip on power in Syria continue 677 00:32:23,233 --> 00:32:25,300 to lessen. 678 00:32:25,300 --> 00:32:27,899 We continue to take steps with our partners to provide both 679 00:32:27,900 --> 00:32:31,467 humanitarian aid and non-lethal assistance to the opposition, 680 00:32:31,467 --> 00:32:37,867 and to work with our partners to help bring about a post-Assad 681 00:32:37,867 --> 00:32:43,433 Syria that reflects the will of the Syrian people, 682 00:32:43,433 --> 00:32:46,433 because the right outcome here is for the Syrians to decide 683 00:32:46,433 --> 00:32:47,967 their own future. 684 00:32:47,967 --> 00:32:50,767 The Press: And then, if I may, on one other topic -- 685 00:32:50,767 --> 00:32:54,367 in that readout that you put out a little while ago about his 686 00:32:54,367 --> 00:32:55,767 call with Prime Minister Netanyahu, 687 00:32:55,767 --> 00:32:58,533 he congratulated him for winning a plurality in the election. 688 00:32:58,533 --> 00:33:01,367 Does the President feel with the political season finished in 689 00:33:01,367 --> 00:33:04,533 Israel -- I guess we still have the maneuvering around a 690 00:33:04,533 --> 00:33:06,300 coalition -- but with the election now history, 691 00:33:06,300 --> 00:33:08,265 the election in the U.S. history, 692 00:33:08,266 --> 00:33:12,533 that this would be a good time to reset the relationship with 693 00:33:12,533 --> 00:33:15,734 the President and the Prime Minister? 694 00:33:15,734 --> 00:33:19,667 Mr. Carney: Mark, as I've said in the past, it's important to understand 695 00:33:19,667 --> 00:33:25,065 two things: One, this country's commitment to Israel's security 696 00:33:25,066 --> 00:33:30,100 is unshakeable, and it has been reflected in this 697 00:33:30,100 --> 00:33:33,600 administration's commitment to Israel's security, 698 00:33:33,600 --> 00:33:36,699 demonstrated by the very specific actions that are 699 00:33:36,700 --> 00:33:40,233 unprecedented that have been taken by this administration on 700 00:33:40,233 --> 00:33:41,367 behalf of Israel's security. 701 00:33:41,367 --> 00:33:44,600 It is also the case that in his first four years as President, 702 00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:49,265 there is no leader with whom President Obama had more 703 00:33:49,266 --> 00:33:52,633 conversations or more meetings than Prime Minister Netanyahu. 704 00:33:52,633 --> 00:33:56,367 They have an important working relationship, 705 00:33:56,367 --> 00:34:02,233 and that will continue to be the case, the President believes. 706 00:34:02,233 --> 00:34:04,800 I don't want to get ahead of a process in Israel where, 707 00:34:04,800 --> 00:34:07,332 while the elections may be over, there is -- 708 00:34:07,333 --> 00:34:09,433 as you know, as an expert in the area -- 709 00:34:09,433 --> 00:34:11,233 there are several stages to this process, 710 00:34:11,233 --> 00:34:14,800 in the post-election process in Israel and we will wait to see 711 00:34:14,800 --> 00:34:17,767 what the government formation process produces. 712 00:34:17,766 --> 00:34:23,866 But these two leaders have spent a great deal of time together. 713 00:34:23,867 --> 00:34:28,166 They've spoken together many times and they are able to work 714 00:34:28,166 --> 00:34:30,300 together and will continue to work together. 715 00:34:30,300 --> 00:34:31,300 The Press: Was the call warm? 716 00:34:31,300 --> 00:34:32,300 Can you characterize at all? 717 00:34:32,300 --> 00:34:35,133 Mr. Carney: Well, it was a congratulatory call so I think that's fair 718 00:34:35,132 --> 00:34:41,466 to say, yes. 719 00:34:41,467 --> 00:34:43,667 The Press: On the sequestration, in just about a month, 720 00:34:43,667 --> 00:34:47,065 deep cuts to spending are set to occur and we've heard little 721 00:34:47,065 --> 00:34:48,132 about it recently. 722 00:34:48,132 --> 00:34:51,966 Obviously, the White House has a plan or idea for what it would 723 00:34:51,967 --> 00:34:55,367 like to do to replace that, but can you talk a little bit about 724 00:34:55,367 --> 00:34:58,467 are you expecting to stop sequestration? 725 00:34:58,467 --> 00:35:02,166 Are there discussions beginning to -- about how to do that? 726 00:35:02,166 --> 00:35:04,400 Mr. Carney: The President believes that we need to move forward with 727 00:35:04,400 --> 00:35:09,166 Congress to further reduce our deficits in a balanced way and 728 00:35:09,166 --> 00:35:12,367 he's put forward very specific proposals to do that, 729 00:35:12,367 --> 00:35:15,233 proposals that demonstrate a willingness to meet Republicans 730 00:35:15,233 --> 00:35:16,500 more than halfway. 731 00:35:16,500 --> 00:35:20,567 And that remains his position and his view. 732 00:35:20,567 --> 00:35:24,066 On sequestration, I think it's important to remember that it 733 00:35:24,066 --> 00:35:26,567 was designed never to become law. 734 00:35:26,567 --> 00:35:31,200 It was made onerous for all sides for a reason. 735 00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:34,899 These kinds of across-the-board cuts to both defense and 736 00:35:34,900 --> 00:35:39,800 non-defense spending are not supported by virtually anyone in 737 00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:43,166 Washington and certainly not the President, 738 00:35:43,166 --> 00:35:45,800 and to judge by their many statements along these lines, 739 00:35:45,800 --> 00:35:48,800 not Republican leaders in Congress. 740 00:35:48,800 --> 00:35:53,500 So we believe that the right course of action is to take 741 00:35:53,500 --> 00:35:56,400 steps to make sure that sequester doesn't happen because 742 00:35:56,400 --> 00:36:03,333 it's bad for the economy and bad overall for the effort to reduce 743 00:36:03,333 --> 00:36:05,667 our deficits in a reasonable way, 744 00:36:05,667 --> 00:36:11,700 to cut spending in a careful way so that we allow those programs 745 00:36:11,700 --> 00:36:15,232 that help enhance our economic growth and help enhance our job 746 00:36:15,233 --> 00:36:19,767 creation to be properly funded, but reduce spending where 747 00:36:19,767 --> 00:36:22,033 appropriate so that we can help bring down our deficits -- 748 00:36:22,033 --> 00:36:24,033 more broadly, to do it in a way that's balanced that 749 00:36:24,033 --> 00:36:26,000 includes revenues. 750 00:36:26,000 --> 00:36:29,266 One thing we don't hear often these days in some of these 751 00:36:29,266 --> 00:36:32,734 discussions is that while the President put forward very 752 00:36:32,734 --> 00:36:37,200 specific proposals that met the Republicans halfway and that the 753 00:36:37,200 --> 00:36:39,332 Republicans walked away from that effort, unfortunately, 754 00:36:39,333 --> 00:36:42,100 at the end of the year, at one point, 755 00:36:42,100 --> 00:36:46,834 House Speaker John Boehner said that he could achieve $800 756 00:36:46,834 --> 00:36:50,633 billion in revenue simply by eliminating loopholes and 757 00:36:50,633 --> 00:36:51,700 capping deductions. 758 00:36:51,700 --> 00:36:52,700 Now, we certainly would be surprised if it's their position 759 00:36:52,700 --> 00:36:58,200 now that those deductions don't need to be capped and those 760 00:36:58,200 --> 00:36:59,466 loopholes don't need to be closed, 761 00:36:59,467 --> 00:37:02,200 because some of those loopholes I think most American people 762 00:37:02,200 --> 00:37:05,667 would believe are highly unnecessary and unfair. 763 00:37:05,667 --> 00:37:10,933 So we think we can move together with Congress to continue on the 764 00:37:10,934 --> 00:37:13,867 work that is achieved already -- $2.5 trillion in deficit 765 00:37:13,867 --> 00:37:16,867 reduction -- and do it in a balanced way. 766 00:37:16,867 --> 00:37:18,667 And the President has put forward specifics to 767 00:37:18,667 --> 00:37:19,667 do just that. 768 00:37:19,667 --> 00:37:20,667 The Press: Are there any -- 769 00:37:20,667 --> 00:37:21,667 Mr. Carney: I don't have any meetings to announce. 770 00:37:21,667 --> 00:37:24,266 I don't have any specifics to provide to you. 771 00:37:24,266 --> 00:37:26,633 But we believe that this needs to happen, 772 00:37:26,633 --> 00:37:29,165 and we look forward to working with Congress to make it happen. 773 00:37:29,166 --> 00:37:30,166 The Press: Just one other quick question. 774 00:37:30,166 --> 00:37:32,533 You mentioned earlier that the President's top priority it job 775 00:37:32,533 --> 00:37:34,900 creation, supporting the middle class. 776 00:37:34,900 --> 00:37:37,767 Does the President currently have any proposals on the table 777 00:37:37,767 --> 00:37:41,399 that he's planning to advocate for soon to do that? 778 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:46,433 Mr. Carney: Well, first of all, the President's proposal that he put 779 00:37:46,433 --> 00:37:49,400 forward to Speaker of the House Boehner at the end of the year 780 00:37:49,400 --> 00:37:53,600 is a deficit reduction proposal that was designed to ensure that 781 00:37:53,600 --> 00:37:54,967 we continue economic growth. 782 00:37:54,967 --> 00:37:58,433 Remember, what people forget in the shorthand that it was 783 00:37:58,433 --> 00:38:03,000 written about and talked about at the end of the year is that 784 00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:05,633 avoiding sequester plus the tax hikes that would have occurred 785 00:38:05,633 --> 00:38:08,700 if we hadn't taken action was a way of avoiding too much 786 00:38:08,700 --> 00:38:12,100 contraction, too much deficit reduction at once, 787 00:38:12,100 --> 00:38:13,366 because it would have potentially, 788 00:38:13,367 --> 00:38:15,033 at least according to some analyses, 789 00:38:15,033 --> 00:38:16,633 thrown us into recession. 790 00:38:16,633 --> 00:38:22,799 So the President's plan ensures that we would continue to reduce 791 00:38:22,800 --> 00:38:25,166 our deficit in a way that allows our economy to grow and 792 00:38:25,166 --> 00:38:26,166 create jobs. 793 00:38:26,166 --> 00:38:27,166 So that would be number one. 794 00:38:27,166 --> 00:38:32,367 The President believes that action on immigration reform is, 795 00:38:32,367 --> 00:38:34,967 done right, helpful to our economy, 796 00:38:34,967 --> 00:38:36,633 increases fairness to our middle class, 797 00:38:36,633 --> 00:38:38,633 ensures that everybody is playing by the same set of 798 00:38:38,633 --> 00:38:42,500 rules, makes a level playing field for our businesses because 799 00:38:42,500 --> 00:38:45,000 it holds them responsible in terms of how they deal with 800 00:38:45,000 --> 00:38:46,000 these issues. 801 00:38:46,000 --> 00:38:48,567 These are all -- would be healthy for our economy and 802 00:38:48,567 --> 00:38:50,834 healthy for job creation. 803 00:38:50,834 --> 00:38:55,633 Everything that he does on the domestic side of the ledger is 804 00:38:55,633 --> 00:38:59,933 viewed through the prism of how does it help the economy grow, 805 00:38:59,934 --> 00:39:02,233 how does it help create jobs. 806 00:39:02,233 --> 00:39:03,767 The Press: When you talk about cooperation, Jay, 807 00:39:03,767 --> 00:39:06,100 there's plenty of evidence that an immigration bill would 808 00:39:06,100 --> 00:39:07,933 improve conditions for the working-class people who 809 00:39:07,934 --> 00:39:10,533 supported the President in terms of wages and chances of 810 00:39:10,533 --> 00:39:11,533 getting jobs. 811 00:39:11,533 --> 00:39:14,033 The plan does call for the importation of more than 10 812 00:39:14,033 --> 00:39:16,000 million low-scaled people at a time where -- 813 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:18,266 Mr. Carney: I appreciate your interpretation of the plan, 814 00:39:18,266 --> 00:39:20,667 but the President does believe, if done well, 815 00:39:20,667 --> 00:39:24,133 if done right in the way that meets both the principles 816 00:39:24,133 --> 00:39:27,466 currently put forward by the bipartisan group in the Senate 817 00:39:27,467 --> 00:39:29,767 and, more specifically, the principles the President has put 818 00:39:29,767 --> 00:39:33,100 forward and supported, that it will help our economy grow, 819 00:39:33,100 --> 00:39:36,266 help make it more fair, and help the middle class. 820 00:39:36,266 --> 00:39:37,433 The Press: What about wages and job competition? 821 00:39:37,433 --> 00:39:40,867 Mr. Carney: Alexis, I think I called on you next here. 822 00:39:40,867 --> 00:39:42,967 The Press: I have some questions -- sorry, Niall. 823 00:39:42,967 --> 00:39:44,767 This question is a simple one. 824 00:39:44,767 --> 00:39:48,866 Can you just illuminate why the President is going all the way 825 00:39:48,867 --> 00:39:52,500 to Nevada, where he could go to Florida or New York to talk 826 00:39:52,500 --> 00:39:53,500 about immigration? 827 00:39:53,500 --> 00:39:55,734 I mean, what's the -- why? 828 00:39:55,734 --> 00:39:56,734 Mr. Carney: Why not? 829 00:39:56,734 --> 00:39:58,400 I mean, Nevada is an important state. 830 00:39:58,400 --> 00:40:02,266 Every state has a stake in this and I'm sure he will travel 831 00:40:02,266 --> 00:40:04,333 elsewhere to talk about this important issue, 832 00:40:04,333 --> 00:40:07,000 as well as talk about it here in Washington. 833 00:40:07,000 --> 00:40:10,233 So the President looks forward very much to going to Nevada. 834 00:40:10,233 --> 00:40:12,367 The Press: But there's nothing unique to the setting that he will bring 835 00:40:12,367 --> 00:40:14,900 into his speech specifically about the state? 836 00:40:14,900 --> 00:40:15,900 Is the state emblematic -- 837 00:40:15,900 --> 00:40:18,800 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't want to preview his remarks, but I think -- 838 00:40:18,800 --> 00:40:22,367 I will just ask you to stay tuned. 839 00:40:22,367 --> 00:40:23,367 The Press: Okay. 840 00:40:23,367 --> 00:40:25,567 Second question is, over the weekend there was an article 841 00:40:25,567 --> 00:40:29,200 about the lengths to which the administration is going to track 842 00:40:29,200 --> 00:40:30,200 down government leakers. 843 00:40:30,200 --> 00:40:33,399 My question is to what extent does the President want 844 00:40:33,400 --> 00:40:38,533 journalists to believe that technology, 845 00:40:38,533 --> 00:40:40,967 clandestine surveillance will be used against journalists who 846 00:40:40,967 --> 00:40:43,700 routinely write books or do articles about national security 847 00:40:43,700 --> 00:40:46,433 in order to work backward to find the leakers? 848 00:40:46,433 --> 00:40:49,166 Is that part of his plan? 849 00:40:49,166 --> 00:40:52,200 Mr. Carney: It's part of no plan that I've heard him discuss. 850 00:40:52,200 --> 00:40:53,399 Laura. 851 00:40:53,400 --> 00:40:54,400 The Press: Thank you. 852 00:40:54,400 --> 00:40:56,433 Three questions on Mali. 853 00:40:56,433 --> 00:40:57,867 Mr. Carney: Three? 854 00:40:57,867 --> 00:40:58,867 The Press: Three. 855 00:40:58,867 --> 00:41:02,100 How does -- the French took Timbuktu today. 856 00:41:02,100 --> 00:41:05,200 What is the White House reaction -- the first one. 857 00:41:05,200 --> 00:41:08,667 Second question, how does the President follow the 858 00:41:08,667 --> 00:41:09,667 Mali situation? 859 00:41:09,667 --> 00:41:12,667 And third question, French diplomats, since Friday, 860 00:41:12,667 --> 00:41:16,366 are telling us that the United States is asking the French to 861 00:41:16,367 --> 00:41:19,400 pay $20 million for the air support. 862 00:41:19,400 --> 00:41:21,900 What can you tell us about that? 863 00:41:21,900 --> 00:41:24,500 Mr. Carney: Well, I would refer you to the State Department. 864 00:41:24,500 --> 00:41:26,333 I don't know about that last report. 865 00:41:26,333 --> 00:41:28,967 I think you know that President Obama spoke with President 866 00:41:28,967 --> 00:41:30,100 Hollande on Friday. 867 00:41:30,100 --> 00:41:32,633 The United States is continuing to support international 868 00:41:32,633 --> 00:41:34,633 military action in Mali. 869 00:41:34,633 --> 00:41:37,200 We are also working to quicken development of -- 870 00:41:37,200 --> 00:41:40,000 or rather deployment of African troops that will compose the 871 00:41:40,000 --> 00:41:42,800 African-led international support mission to Mali. 872 00:41:42,800 --> 00:41:46,166 As announced over the weekend by the Department of Defense, 873 00:41:46,166 --> 00:41:49,133 U.S. Africa Command will support the French military by 874 00:41:49,133 --> 00:41:52,299 conducting aerial refueling missions as operations in 875 00:41:52,300 --> 00:41:53,300 Mali continue. 876 00:41:53,300 --> 00:41:56,533 We are also continuing to share information with the French and 877 00:41:56,533 --> 00:41:58,433 have been assisting with the transport of some of their 878 00:41:58,433 --> 00:42:00,467 personnel and equipment to Mali. 879 00:42:00,467 --> 00:42:04,934 In response to the first part of your question and progress that 880 00:42:04,934 --> 00:42:08,033 has been made, we obviously support the French effort. 881 00:42:08,033 --> 00:42:11,200 We support the French goal of denying terrorists a safe haven 882 00:42:11,200 --> 00:42:13,767 in the region, and we support the French operation -- 883 00:42:13,767 --> 00:42:16,567 as evidenced by the cooperation that I just discussed. 884 00:42:16,567 --> 00:42:19,233 We call for swift implementation of the U.N. Security Council 885 00:42:19,233 --> 00:42:22,600 Resolution 2085 to restore stability throughout Mali. 886 00:42:22,600 --> 00:42:26,366 It is also imperative that the transitional government of Mali 887 00:42:26,367 --> 00:42:29,400 present a political road map for a return to democratic 888 00:42:29,400 --> 00:42:30,734 governments -- governance rather -- 889 00:42:30,734 --> 00:42:33,866 and negotiations with groups that reject terrorism and accept 890 00:42:33,867 --> 00:42:35,767 a unified Mali. 891 00:42:35,767 --> 00:42:37,332 Donovan. 892 00:42:37,333 --> 00:42:39,233 The Press: Just a quick one, Jay. 893 00:42:39,233 --> 00:42:44,100 The Boy Scouts of America are currently considering repealing 894 00:42:44,100 --> 00:42:46,200 their ban on gays. 895 00:42:46,200 --> 00:42:48,834 And I was wondering -- I think they're planning an announcement 896 00:42:48,834 --> 00:42:50,033 this afternoon, according to reports. 897 00:42:50,033 --> 00:42:53,232 I was wondering if the President or you had heard of this and 898 00:42:53,233 --> 00:42:55,734 what his thoughts might be on that. 899 00:42:55,734 --> 00:42:59,799 Mr. Carney: I have not heard that, so why don't we wait until we hear 900 00:42:59,800 --> 00:43:01,000 something concrete. 901 00:43:01,000 --> 00:43:02,000 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 902 00:43:02,000 --> 00:43:03,000 Mr. Carney: All the way in the back, last one. 903 00:43:03,000 --> 00:43:04,000 Yes. 904 00:43:04,000 --> 00:43:05,000 The Press: Thank you. 905 00:43:05,000 --> 00:43:06,767 Jay, can you tell me if the President is aware of the 906 00:43:06,767 --> 00:43:10,066 eight-year prison sentence that was imposed against the pastor 907 00:43:10,066 --> 00:43:11,533 Saeed Abedini in Iran? 908 00:43:11,533 --> 00:43:15,967 And also, given the U.S. -- or the lack of diplomatic relations 909 00:43:15,967 --> 00:43:20,367 the U.S. has with Iran, what -- realistically, what can the U.S. 910 00:43:20,367 --> 00:43:24,400 do, what can the administration do in this case and other 911 00:43:24,400 --> 00:43:25,500 cases like it? 912 00:43:25,500 --> 00:43:28,367 Should his family have any hope that there's anything the U.S. 913 00:43:28,367 --> 00:43:30,967 can do to help in this situation? 914 00:43:30,967 --> 00:43:33,567 Mr. Carney: Well, we are deeply disappointed that Saeed Abedini has been 915 00:43:33,567 --> 00:43:36,200 sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran on a charge 916 00:43:36,200 --> 00:43:37,767 related to his religious beliefs. 917 00:43:37,767 --> 00:43:41,667 Mr. Abedini's attorney had only one day to present his defense, 918 00:43:41,667 --> 00:43:44,866 so we remain deeply concerned about the fairness and 919 00:43:44,867 --> 00:43:46,266 transparency of his trial. 920 00:43:46,266 --> 00:43:49,066 We condemn Iran's continued violation of the universal right 921 00:43:49,066 --> 00:43:52,399 of freedom of religion, and we call on the Iranian authorities 922 00:43:52,400 --> 00:43:54,633 to release Mr. Abedini. 923 00:43:54,633 --> 00:43:56,799 As you know, the State Department is in close contact 924 00:43:56,800 --> 00:44:00,900 with the Abedini family and is actively engaged on this case. 925 00:44:00,900 --> 00:44:03,834 For further details, I think the State Department is the best 926 00:44:03,834 --> 00:44:04,834 place to go. 927 00:44:04,834 --> 00:44:07,332 We obviously have a variety of means, including this podium, 928 00:44:07,333 --> 00:44:12,200 to express our views on matters like this, 929 00:44:12,200 --> 00:44:15,834 and we are very concerned about this and very concerned about 930 00:44:15,834 --> 00:44:17,734 the process that led to this. 931 00:44:17,734 --> 00:44:18,567 Thank you all very much. 932 00:44:18,567 --> 00:44:21,767 The Press: I just had a quick question -- the only measure that the 933 00:44:21,767 --> 00:44:24,834 President mentioned in his speech was H-1B visas, 934 00:44:24,834 --> 00:44:27,366 and I'm wondering if he would support a stand-alone bill that 935 00:44:27,367 --> 00:44:28,600 would expand those. 936 00:44:28,600 --> 00:44:29,533 Mr. Carney: The President supports comprehensive 937 00:44:29,533 --> 00:44:30,866 immigration reform. 938 00:44:30,867 --> 00:44:31,834 Thank you very much.