English subtitles for clip: File:10-5-09- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,166 --> 00:00:02,536 Mr. Gibbs: Since we didn't have a chance to do this at the end of last week, 2 00:00:02,533 --> 00:00:10,003 let me do a brief week ahead on a couple of scheduling items. 3 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:12,030 I think some of you may know, but tomorrow the President will 4 00:00:12,033 --> 00:00:14,233 visit the National Counterterrorism Center in 5 00:00:14,233 --> 00:00:17,803 Washington, D.C., where he will deliver remarks. 6 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:22,500 In the afternoon the President will brief the bipartisan, 7 00:00:22,500 --> 00:00:27,230 bicameral leaders of Congress and committee chairs and ranking 8 00:00:27,233 --> 00:00:31,963 members on our Afghanistan review, here at the White House. 9 00:00:31,967 --> 00:00:33,937 On Wednesday the President will award the National Medal of 10 00:00:33,934 --> 00:00:37,064 Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation in a 11 00:00:37,066 --> 00:00:39,536 ceremony here at the White House. 12 00:00:39,533 --> 00:00:41,933 Later in the day the President will meet with his national 13 00:00:41,934 --> 00:00:45,064 security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan. 14 00:00:45,066 --> 00:00:49,166 And then in the evening the President will host 150 middle 15 00:00:49,166 --> 00:00:52,096 school students and their science teachers, 16 00:00:52,100 --> 00:00:53,830 as well as astronomers, astronauts, 17 00:00:53,834 --> 00:01:02,504 and NASA staff to discuss -- exhibit math and science education. 18 00:01:02,500 --> 00:01:06,400 On Thursday the President will attend meetings here at the White House. 19 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,330 On Friday the President will attend meetings here in the 20 00:01:08,333 --> 00:01:11,403 White House, including a meeting with his national security team 21 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:13,530 on Afghanistan and Pakistan. 22 00:01:13,533 --> 00:01:15,533 On Saturday night the President will deliver remarks at the 23 00:01:15,533 --> 00:01:18,063 Human Rights Campaign national dinner at the 24 00:01:18,066 --> 00:01:20,796 Washington Convention Center. 25 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:22,000 And with that -- 26 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:25,100 The Press: Robert, the Friday meeting, is that the third, then? 27 00:01:25,100 --> 00:01:26,130 Mr. Gibbs: That would be the fourth. 28 00:01:26,133 --> 00:01:27,033 The Press: The fourth, okay. 29 00:01:27,033 --> 00:01:28,663 Mr. Gibbs: There was a mid-August meeting, 30 00:01:28,667 --> 00:01:32,337 in addition to last week's meeting -- the meeting 31 00:01:32,333 --> 00:01:35,033 Wednesday, so Friday will be the fourth. 32 00:01:35,033 --> 00:01:37,003 The Press: Is the review with Congress, 33 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,930 does that mean he has a decision made already? 34 00:01:39,934 --> 00:01:40,934 Mr. Gibbs: I'm sorry? 35 00:01:40,934 --> 00:01:44,834 The Press: His review on Afghanistan with members of Congress. 36 00:01:44,834 --> 00:01:49,004 Mr. Gibbs: It's to walk them through where we are in the process 37 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:51,230 and solicit their views. 38 00:01:51,233 --> 00:01:54,363 The President has discussed wanting to hear from all of 39 00:01:54,367 --> 00:01:58,297 those that are involved in this, and certainly Congress plays a 40 00:01:58,300 --> 00:02:00,070 big role in this. 41 00:02:00,066 --> 00:02:00,996 Yes, sir. 42 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:02,500 The Press: On the military -- I'm sorry, 43 00:02:02,500 --> 00:02:05,100 the militant attack in Afghanistan that cost eight 44 00:02:05,100 --> 00:02:07,530 U.S. soldiers their lives over the weekend, 45 00:02:07,533 --> 00:02:09,533 does an incident like that -- how does an incident like that 46 00:02:09,533 --> 00:02:12,463 play into the President's thinking about the strategy, 47 00:02:12,467 --> 00:02:13,767 if at all? 48 00:02:13,767 --> 00:02:20,867 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, obviously the President and the First Lady 49 00:02:20,867 --> 00:02:24,337 send their condolences and are deeply saddened by the combat 50 00:02:24,333 --> 00:02:28,663 deaths that we heard about in Afghanistan over the weekend. 51 00:02:28,667 --> 00:02:34,467 Look, I think obviously the event -- any event that happens 52 00:02:34,467 --> 00:02:37,367 in Afghanistan is part of the backdrop of this assessment. 53 00:02:37,367 --> 00:02:43,537 I think it's important, though, to understand that the 54 00:02:43,533 --> 00:02:49,233 assessment that's being discussed does not envision more 55 00:02:49,233 --> 00:02:57,463 troops in outposts or places like the one that was attacked 56 00:02:57,467 --> 00:02:58,367 over the weekend. 57 00:02:58,367 --> 00:03:02,637 In fact, very much the opposite -- a strategy that is much more 58 00:03:02,633 --> 00:03:04,333 focused on population centers. 59 00:03:04,333 --> 00:03:14,733 But, look, obviously the number of casualties -- America's best 60 00:03:14,734 --> 00:03:17,734 and brightest, the men and women that serve our nation and 61 00:03:17,734 --> 00:03:21,564 protect our freedom each day, our condolences go out to them. 62 00:03:21,567 --> 00:03:25,267 And I think it's important that we make sure going forward that 63 00:03:25,266 --> 00:03:26,496 we get this right. 64 00:03:26,500 --> 00:03:28,130 The Press: I'm sorry, so you're saying that the strategy the President 65 00:03:28,133 --> 00:03:30,833 is now considering already envisions that there will be 66 00:03:30,834 --> 00:03:32,404 a focus on population centers? 67 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:35,900 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, understand that months ago -- I think -- 68 00:03:35,900 --> 00:03:38,100 I'd refer you to the DOD statement and some tactical 69 00:03:38,100 --> 00:03:40,100 decisions that are made at the Pentagon. 70 00:03:40,100 --> 00:03:44,500 But the DOD statement from over the weekend mentions I think 71 00:03:44,500 --> 00:03:51,500 that several months ago it was decided that outposts like this 72 00:03:51,500 --> 00:03:54,800 would -- that resources and troops from those outposts would 73 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:56,900 be brought into population centers. 74 00:03:56,900 --> 00:03:59,470 The Press: I also want to ask you quickly on health care. 75 00:03:59,467 --> 00:04:02,137 Does the President think he can get 60 votes in the Senate for 76 00:04:02,133 --> 00:04:04,003 the public option? 77 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:08,700 Mr. Gibbs: The President is, as you know, based on the statement that we 78 00:04:08,700 --> 00:04:10,700 put out, encouraged about the progress that the 79 00:04:10,700 --> 00:04:14,330 Finance Committee is making. 80 00:04:14,333 --> 00:04:15,903 They'll continue their work this week. 81 00:04:15,900 --> 00:04:18,570 And the President thinks we can get a strong piece of 82 00:04:18,567 --> 00:04:21,197 legislation that ensures choice and competition. 83 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:23,530 The Press: Is he still working for that, though, that element of it? 84 00:04:23,533 --> 00:04:25,263 Mr. Gibbs: We're still working to make sure that we have choice 85 00:04:25,266 --> 00:04:27,596 and competition in this legislation, absolutely. 86 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:29,400 The Press: Why don't you answer his question? 87 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:32,370 (laughter) 88 00:04:32,367 --> 00:04:34,297 Mr. Gibbs: We did this last week, Helen, 89 00:04:34,300 --> 00:04:36,600 and we did this week before and the week before that, 90 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,230 and the three or four weeks before that, and I -- 91 00:04:39,233 --> 00:04:40,463 The Press: Why don't you answer the question? 92 00:04:40,467 --> 00:04:42,367 Mr. Gibbs: I did. I've answered it each time. 93 00:04:42,367 --> 00:04:44,597 I just -- for some reason it doesn't satisfy -- 94 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:45,970 The Press: Anybody. 95 00:04:45,967 --> 00:04:48,367 Mr. Gibbs: -- you on any given week. 96 00:04:48,367 --> 00:04:50,237 Well, that's fine. 97 00:04:50,233 --> 00:04:52,763 Chip, I think the same thing sometimes when I watch the news. 98 00:04:52,767 --> 00:04:53,867 (laughter) 99 00:04:53,867 --> 00:04:59,437 Go ahead. One can play that game. 100 00:04:59,433 --> 00:05:00,803 (laughter) 101 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:01,900 The Press: Swapping to a different topic. 102 00:05:01,900 --> 00:05:04,400 The President said on Friday that the administration is 103 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:06,970 looking at all measures to boost employment. 104 00:05:06,967 --> 00:05:08,467 What are some of those measures that we don't 105 00:05:08,467 --> 00:05:09,697 already know about? 106 00:05:09,700 --> 00:05:12,500 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think what the President -- some of the 107 00:05:12,500 --> 00:05:14,930 things the President is talking about there -- obviously there 108 00:05:14,934 --> 00:05:21,664 are a number of ideas that have been implemented that are coming 109 00:05:21,667 --> 00:05:27,637 to a legislative end, whether it is -- that have helped the 110 00:05:27,633 --> 00:05:35,233 economy, whether it is extending certain unemployment benefits, 111 00:05:35,233 --> 00:05:38,433 whether we're looking at the notion of extending some 112 00:05:38,433 --> 00:05:40,133 of the COBRA benefits. 113 00:05:40,133 --> 00:05:42,903 There's tax credits like first-time homebuyers that have 114 00:05:42,900 --> 00:05:44,900 helped the economy. 115 00:05:44,900 --> 00:05:47,300 All of those are -- certainly we've been working on for -- 116 00:05:47,300 --> 00:05:49,870 with Congress for quite some time. 117 00:05:49,867 --> 00:05:51,897 The Press: But are there new measures that are being studied, 118 00:05:51,900 --> 00:05:54,100 are there tax cuts, for example, that 119 00:05:54,100 --> 00:05:55,500 The New York Times mentions? 120 00:05:55,500 --> 00:05:59,400 Mr. Gibbs: The economic team is certainly looking at and working on any 121 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:02,670 way that we can create more jobs. 122 00:06:02,667 --> 00:06:06,067 I don't have any news on that today. 123 00:06:06,066 --> 00:06:08,636 The Press: Has the President's feeling about a second stimulus plan 124 00:06:08,633 --> 00:06:12,163 changed from skepticism to a little bit more willingness? 125 00:06:12,166 --> 00:06:15,966 Mr. Gibbs: No, I think we've said all along that there were 126 00:06:15,967 --> 00:06:22,797 no plans for that; that we're focused on, I think as many are, 127 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:27,370 as we meet about half of the Recovery Act money being spent, 128 00:06:27,367 --> 00:06:30,197 and we're focused on the implementation of a piece of 129 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:36,300 legislation that has clearly cushioned the blow in terms of 130 00:06:36,300 --> 00:06:40,100 people that are either jobs created or jobs saved, 131 00:06:40,100 --> 00:06:46,670 as well as economic activity, that has lessened the pothole 132 00:06:46,667 --> 00:06:49,537 that our economy fell into. 133 00:06:49,533 --> 00:06:50,963 The Press: Thanks, Robert. 134 00:06:50,967 --> 00:06:53,067 You were talking about a series of meetings the President seems 135 00:06:53,066 --> 00:06:55,966 to be going through painstakingly to make sure that 136 00:06:55,967 --> 00:06:59,037 all views are heard, different options are on the table in Afghanistan. 137 00:06:59,033 --> 00:07:02,663 Are you concerned then that General McChrystal went out and 138 00:07:02,667 --> 00:07:04,667 gave this speech a few days ago in London and appears to be 139 00:07:04,667 --> 00:07:07,497 campaigning for a specific plan? 140 00:07:07,500 --> 00:07:12,870 Is that helpful to keeping different options on the table? 141 00:07:12,867 --> 00:07:17,537 Mr. Gibbs: General McChrystal is -- had a chance to spend time 142 00:07:17,533 --> 00:07:19,333 with the President on Friday. 143 00:07:19,333 --> 00:07:22,433 The President thought it was a very constructive meeting, 144 00:07:22,433 --> 00:07:26,603 that General McChrystal was doing through this assessment 145 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:30,530 exactly what the President had asked him to do when he hired 146 00:07:30,533 --> 00:07:34,563 him to go to Afghanistan and assess where we were. 147 00:07:34,567 --> 00:07:37,037 The Press: So he hired him to go to Afghanistan. 148 00:07:37,033 --> 00:07:39,933 Why was he in London and not in the battlefield with the troops? 149 00:07:39,934 --> 00:07:42,204 He was giving a speech. 150 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,730 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not in charge of the schedule for each and every 151 00:07:44,734 --> 00:07:45,664 member of the military. 152 00:07:45,667 --> 00:07:47,437 The Press: Is the President okay, then, 153 00:07:47,433 --> 00:07:49,163 with General McChrystal, specifically when he was talking 154 00:07:49,166 --> 00:07:51,736 about a plan that many people believe Vice President Biden is 155 00:07:51,734 --> 00:07:52,634 pushing, about -- 156 00:07:52,633 --> 00:07:54,103 Mr. Gibbs: Well, there's a lot of -- 157 00:07:54,100 --> 00:07:55,800 The Press: Okay, well, let me -- specifically -- 158 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:57,270 Mr. Gibbs: -- seemingly, you know, 10 different conjectures 159 00:07:57,266 --> 00:07:58,196 of each one of your -- 160 00:07:58,200 --> 00:07:59,130 The Press: No -- no conjecture. 161 00:07:59,133 --> 00:08:00,803 He was talking about using more drones and less of the 162 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:03,600 counterinsurgency, which has been tied to Vice President 163 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:07,170 Biden, and General McChrystal called that "Chaos-istan." 164 00:08:07,166 --> 00:08:08,666 Does the President think that's helpful, 165 00:08:08,667 --> 00:08:10,737 to refer to it as "Chaos-istan?" 166 00:08:10,734 --> 00:08:14,234 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know that the President saw that -- 167 00:08:14,233 --> 00:08:15,603 The Press: Well, now that you've heard it, 168 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:18,600 do you think that's helpful to the Vice President? 169 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:22,030 Mr. Gibbs: I think regardless of, again, 170 00:08:22,033 --> 00:08:24,203 the many caveats in your question -- 171 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:25,370 The Press: It's not a caveat -- 172 00:08:25,367 --> 00:08:28,167 Mr. Gibbs: Let me -- if I can attempt to -- if I could attempt to -- 173 00:08:28,166 --> 00:08:29,396 The Press: Well, but you were changing the question, 174 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:31,330 and that's not -- I didn't have a caveat. 175 00:08:31,333 --> 00:08:33,433 He gave a speech where he said -- he called it "Chaos-istan." 176 00:08:33,433 --> 00:08:35,003 Is that helpful? 177 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:38,030 Mr. Gibbs: What I'm saying is regardless of the many caveats in your 178 00:08:38,033 --> 00:08:41,703 question and the different rumors that you guys try 179 00:08:41,700 --> 00:08:45,130 to pick up, the President believes that -- 180 00:08:45,133 --> 00:08:45,863 The Press: It's not a rumor, though. 181 00:08:45,867 --> 00:08:46,997 You can't keep changing the premise. 182 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:48,030 It's not a rumor. He gave a speech. 183 00:08:48,033 --> 00:08:49,833 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not changing the premise. I'm trying to answer your question. 184 00:08:49,834 --> 00:08:50,604 The Press: Okay. 185 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:52,370 Mr. Gibbs: I was actually in the meeting, Ed. 186 00:08:52,367 --> 00:08:54,897 I spent three hours in the Situation Room. 187 00:08:54,900 --> 00:08:56,500 I actually listened to what happened. 188 00:08:56,500 --> 00:08:59,130 What I'm trying to tell you is I think there was a positive 189 00:08:59,133 --> 00:09:04,203 discussion among all those involved about an assessment and 190 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:06,800 going forward in how to get the strategy right. 191 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:10,730 I get that the Washington game is to do the back-and-forth. 192 00:09:10,734 --> 00:09:12,634 I get that. 193 00:09:12,633 --> 00:09:15,303 I know you're squinting at me as if the lighting changed in the room. 194 00:09:15,300 --> 00:09:16,330 The Press: It's not a Washington game. If you really heard -- 195 00:09:16,333 --> 00:09:17,733 Mr. Gibbs: It is, and it's being played well here. 196 00:09:17,734 --> 00:09:18,964 The Press: -- how all these people hearing your views out -- 197 00:09:18,967 --> 00:09:20,537 because you say you want to get it right -- 198 00:09:20,533 --> 00:09:21,263 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, the President -- 199 00:09:21,266 --> 00:09:24,966 The Press: -- so why is one person campaigning for just one plan? 200 00:09:24,967 --> 00:09:27,797 Mr. Gibbs: Because the General made an assessment, 201 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:30,670 and we're going through a series of decisions, 202 00:09:30,667 --> 00:09:33,297 including that assessment. 203 00:09:33,300 --> 00:09:36,970 That's what these meetings are about, Ed. 204 00:09:36,967 --> 00:09:39,437 That's the process that the President is going through in 205 00:09:39,433 --> 00:09:42,133 meetings three and four this week, 206 00:09:42,133 --> 00:09:46,963 to try to get this strategy right and to do it not based on 207 00:09:46,967 --> 00:09:50,167 the back-and-forth or rumors about this or that, 208 00:09:50,166 --> 00:09:54,436 but on what he thinks is best -- in the best national security 209 00:09:54,433 --> 00:09:58,533 advice and posture of the United States of America, 210 00:09:58,533 --> 00:10:00,403 and how it can best protect us. 211 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:02,170 That's what the President is charged to do. 212 00:10:02,166 --> 00:10:04,466 The Press: On a separate issue, you mentioned the President is 213 00:10:04,467 --> 00:10:06,167 going to be speaking to the Human Rights Campaign event 214 00:10:06,166 --> 00:10:07,536 later this week. 215 00:10:07,533 --> 00:10:10,203 Recently we saw this White House issue an executive order banning 216 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:13,700 federal employees from text messaging. 217 00:10:13,700 --> 00:10:16,000 Why doesn't the President do something similar with the 218 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:18,300 issue of domestic partnership benefits, 219 00:10:18,300 --> 00:10:21,400 especially health care and pension benefits? 220 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:22,830 Why not require -- 221 00:10:22,834 --> 00:10:24,404 Mr. Gibbs: Well, the President -- the President has been 222 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:30,130 working -- I don't have an update on -- but we talked about 223 00:10:30,133 --> 00:10:35,203 that a few months ago, in terms of extending some benefits. 224 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:37,300 I'd have to go back and see sort of where -- 225 00:10:37,300 --> 00:10:38,700 The Press: But here he is campaigning around the country for health 226 00:10:38,700 --> 00:10:40,630 care reform -- the federal government should take a step 227 00:10:40,633 --> 00:10:42,933 that would be great interest to the gay and lesbian -- 228 00:10:42,934 --> 00:10:45,164 Mr. Gibbs: I'd have to get an update from those guys on where we are on that. 229 00:10:45,166 --> 00:10:46,936 I just don't -- I just don't know. 230 00:10:46,934 --> 00:10:48,404 The Press: Following up on Afghanistan, 231 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:52,700 I think the point Ed is trying to get at is that on -- 232 00:10:52,700 --> 00:10:54,930 everybody else who was involved in these discussions is going 233 00:10:54,934 --> 00:10:59,204 along with the basic plan, which is to do it quietly behind the scenes. 234 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:03,170 And you've got one guy out there pushing his position in public. 235 00:11:03,166 --> 00:11:04,266 Have you heard anybody back there complain? 236 00:11:04,266 --> 00:11:05,266 (laughter) 237 00:11:05,266 --> 00:11:06,436 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know if that's the case -- 238 00:11:06,433 --> 00:11:08,433 -- since I've seen a lot of your stories that seem to purport to 239 00:11:08,433 --> 00:11:11,133 speak for different people in the meetings. Look -- 240 00:11:11,133 --> 00:11:13,633 The Press: But you have General McChrystal very aggressively pushing his 241 00:11:13,633 --> 00:11:15,533 stance in a speech and the others are not. 242 00:11:15,533 --> 00:11:18,303 It's a quiet Situation Room discussion. 243 00:11:18,300 --> 00:11:20,400 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not sure I agree with that assessment -- 244 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:23,370 The Press: Well, let me ask you, have you heard anybody back 245 00:11:23,367 --> 00:11:27,397 there complain or voice any concern that General McChrystal 246 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:29,100 is out there pushing his position publicly? 247 00:11:29,100 --> 00:11:31,030 Mr. Gibbs: No. I think the President believes strongly that we 248 00:11:31,033 --> 00:11:36,363 have a process that is working, that we ought to take the time 249 00:11:36,367 --> 00:11:38,597 to get this right. 250 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:41,500 As you heard Secretary Gates say more than a week ago, 251 00:11:41,500 --> 00:11:44,370 it has been since -- sometime in the mid-'80s since we actually 252 00:11:44,367 --> 00:11:47,797 had a strategy to deal with a country called Afghanistan. 253 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:50,100 We ought to take some time to get that right. 254 00:11:50,100 --> 00:11:51,830 Everybody is involved in that process. 255 00:11:51,834 --> 00:11:54,364 The Press: So if General McChrystal continues to go out and 256 00:11:54,367 --> 00:11:58,137 give speeches, very forcefully giving his point of view on 257 00:11:58,133 --> 00:12:01,003 that, that's fine with the administration and with the President? 258 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:02,970 Mr. Gibbs: The President is comfortable with where we're at in this 259 00:12:02,967 --> 00:12:06,437 process, and how we're going about getting that strategy right. 260 00:12:06,433 --> 00:12:08,733 The Press: And in his meeting on Air Force One with General 261 00:12:08,734 --> 00:12:11,104 McChrystal, he did not in any way suggest that he 262 00:12:11,100 --> 00:12:12,270 should stop doing that? 263 00:12:12,266 --> 00:12:14,066 Mr. Gibbs: The President had a very constructive meeting about 264 00:12:14,066 --> 00:12:18,496 what's going on in Afghanistan, not what's going on in 265 00:12:18,500 --> 00:12:19,600 -- on cable television. 266 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:20,930 The Press: So he didn't mention the speech? 267 00:12:20,934 --> 00:12:23,264 Mr. Gibbs: I didn't -- I did not get a full download from him, 268 00:12:23,266 --> 00:12:25,166 but that was not what the meeting was about. 269 00:12:25,166 --> 00:12:26,996 The Press: Well, yesterday, General Jones said that it would 270 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,430 be better if it went up through the chain of command. 271 00:12:29,433 --> 00:12:31,233 Mr. Gibbs: And I think General Jones said he hadn't talked to 272 00:12:31,233 --> 00:12:32,563 the President about that either. 273 00:12:32,567 --> 00:12:33,737 The Press: But from General Jones, 274 00:12:33,734 --> 00:12:37,234 was that a mild rebuke of what McChrystal had done? 275 00:12:37,233 --> 00:12:40,233 Mr. Gibbs: Far be it for me to parse the words of a four-star general. 276 00:12:40,233 --> 00:12:42,233 The Press: Also on Afghanistan, does the recent violence we've 277 00:12:42,233 --> 00:12:43,703 seen, the deaths over the weekend, 278 00:12:43,700 --> 00:12:46,300 does it have any bearing on how quickly the President and his 279 00:12:46,300 --> 00:12:48,570 national security team make this strategic assessment? 280 00:12:48,567 --> 00:12:50,437 Will it be sped up because of urgency? 281 00:12:50,433 --> 00:12:52,063 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, let me -- I want to reemphasize the 282 00:12:52,066 --> 00:12:58,966 notion that -- as I said to Ben, the assessment that's going on 283 00:12:58,967 --> 00:13:03,337 and the decision that's going to be made wouldn't be about adding 284 00:13:03,333 --> 00:13:06,263 troops in areas like where we saw attack. 285 00:13:06,266 --> 00:13:09,636 In fact, much of the strategy is predicated on quite the 286 00:13:09,633 --> 00:13:12,463 opposite, and that is, as General McChrystal has talked 287 00:13:12,467 --> 00:13:15,997 about, moving those troops out of an area like that. 288 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:23,030 The President and the team are focused on ensuring that we hear 289 00:13:23,033 --> 00:13:25,903 from all sides both in dealing with Afghanistan and in 290 00:13:25,900 --> 00:13:28,900 Pakistan, understanding that part of what we can do to 291 00:13:28,900 --> 00:13:32,930 improve the security situation along the region in Afghanistan 292 00:13:32,934 --> 00:13:36,504 where an attack like that happened was to deal with safe 293 00:13:36,500 --> 00:13:38,670 haven areas in Pakistan. 294 00:13:38,667 --> 00:13:43,437 Obviously this was an area that's just along the border. 295 00:13:43,433 --> 00:13:46,033 If there isn't a safe haven in Pakistan, 296 00:13:46,033 --> 00:13:49,833 it's harder for any attacks to come. 297 00:13:49,834 --> 00:13:52,664 And I think that's certainly part of the focus. 298 00:13:52,667 --> 00:13:58,067 There's going to be a discussion extensively on -- separately on 299 00:13:58,066 --> 00:14:02,166 both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and not just the military side 300 00:14:02,166 --> 00:14:06,366 but some of the political and economic things that have to 301 00:14:06,367 --> 00:14:07,737 happen on both sides. 302 00:14:07,734 --> 00:14:08,904 The Press: On the job creation front, 303 00:14:08,900 --> 00:14:11,900 how soon can we expect to see measures to promote job creation? 304 00:14:11,900 --> 00:14:13,900 You mentioned extending unemployment benefits or COBRA 305 00:14:13,900 --> 00:14:15,170 benefits, but those aren't really job creators. Can you -- 306 00:14:15,166 --> 00:14:17,836 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think obviously -- no, 307 00:14:17,834 --> 00:14:20,264 those are -- but those are -- for those that have lost their 308 00:14:20,266 --> 00:14:25,936 jobs in this economic downturn, those are extremely important. 309 00:14:25,934 --> 00:14:30,834 They're in the process of -- we're bumping up against some of 310 00:14:30,834 --> 00:14:34,634 the expirations of that, and the President and the team have been 311 00:14:34,633 --> 00:14:37,263 working with Congress on that for a while. 312 00:14:37,266 --> 00:14:38,766 The Press: And following, how many Republicans did he talk to 313 00:14:38,767 --> 00:14:40,567 over the weekend about health care? 314 00:14:40,567 --> 00:14:42,097 Did he talk to Snowe or -- 315 00:14:42,100 --> 00:14:44,470 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know what his call list was over the weekend. 316 00:14:44,467 --> 00:14:47,967 The Press: Is pulling out of Afghanistan part of the assessment? 317 00:14:47,967 --> 00:14:53,567 Mr. Gibbs: No. In fact, the President was -- the President was exceedingly 318 00:14:53,567 --> 00:15:01,167 clear that no part of the conversation on -- no part of 319 00:15:01,166 --> 00:15:05,096 the conversation involved was leaving Afghanistan. 320 00:15:05,100 --> 00:15:07,170 That's not something that has ever been entertained, 321 00:15:07,166 --> 00:15:10,096 despite the fact that people still get asked what happens if 322 00:15:10,100 --> 00:15:11,870 we leave Afghanistan. 323 00:15:11,867 --> 00:15:15,937 That's not a decision that's on the table to make. 324 00:15:15,934 --> 00:15:17,764 The Press: What does he think will happen? 325 00:15:17,767 --> 00:15:19,037 Mr. Gibbs: What does he think will happen? 326 00:15:19,033 --> 00:15:20,303 The Press: If we leave? 327 00:15:20,300 --> 00:15:23,030 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think we have the option to leave. 328 00:15:23,033 --> 00:15:26,033 I think that's quite clear. 329 00:15:26,033 --> 00:15:27,333 Yes, ma'am. 330 00:15:27,333 --> 00:15:31,033 The Press: This is on the Virginia governors' race. 331 00:15:31,033 --> 00:15:35,033 Given the increasing Republican spending and the tightening of 332 00:15:35,033 --> 00:15:38,963 the race, does the White House have any change in strategy, 333 00:15:38,967 --> 00:15:42,197 or are you, as it might seem recently, 334 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:45,600 pulling back a little bit from endorsements in that race? 335 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:50,100 Mr. Gibbs: No, I would -- the President is strongly supportive of Creigh Deeds. 336 00:15:50,100 --> 00:15:51,900 And in terms of spending decisions, 337 00:15:51,900 --> 00:15:56,370 I've -- those obviously are made at the DNC. 338 00:15:56,367 --> 00:15:58,367 I would direct you toward them. But -- 339 00:15:58,367 --> 00:16:00,137 The Press: Does the President have any appearances on Deeds' 340 00:16:00,133 --> 00:16:01,433 behalf, coming up? 341 00:16:01,433 --> 00:16:03,803 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have a schedule for later on in the 342 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:05,870 month in front of me. Yes, sir. 343 00:16:05,867 --> 00:16:07,467 The Press: Looking ahead to this meeting tomorrow, 344 00:16:07,467 --> 00:16:10,767 how much weight in reality do members of 345 00:16:10,767 --> 00:16:13,267 Congress have in this process? 346 00:16:13,266 --> 00:16:18,336 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, there's no doubt that --particularly on 347 00:16:18,333 --> 00:16:20,803 funding, it's not going to happen unless 348 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:22,470 or until Congress signs off. 349 00:16:22,467 --> 00:16:25,137 I think the President wants to hear from Democrats and 350 00:16:25,133 --> 00:16:27,203 Republicans, from members of the Senate and the House, 351 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:30,300 on what their viewpoints are as it relates to 352 00:16:30,300 --> 00:16:31,830 Afghanistan and Pakistan. 353 00:16:31,834 --> 00:16:35,434 Obviously there's -- they're an important part of this, 354 00:16:35,433 --> 00:16:37,333 and the President wants to hear from them. 355 00:16:37,333 --> 00:16:40,863 The Press: On the McChrystal approach, 356 00:16:40,867 --> 00:16:43,437 how does this going public, the way he has, 357 00:16:43,433 --> 00:16:46,903 which is very unusual, fit with the President's definition and 358 00:16:46,900 --> 00:16:49,470 concept for respect for the chain of command? 359 00:16:49,467 --> 00:16:51,637 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, the President's comfortable with where the 360 00:16:51,633 --> 00:16:53,963 process is and how it's moving forward. 361 00:16:53,967 --> 00:16:55,597 The Press: I'm not asking you about the process. 362 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:58,970 I'm asking you about McChrystal's very public -- 363 00:16:58,967 --> 00:17:01,337 Mr. Gibbs: A part of that is what the President considers to 364 00:17:01,333 --> 00:17:03,103 be the process, which is moving forward. 365 00:17:03,100 --> 00:17:05,830 The Press: So does it contribute to the process in a positive way, then? 366 00:17:05,834 --> 00:17:08,204 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think it detracts from it. 367 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:10,170 The Press: On the additional measures -- you know, the COBRA, 368 00:17:10,166 --> 00:17:12,736 the extending unemployment tax, the home buyer -- which one do 369 00:17:12,734 --> 00:17:15,004 you think has been most effective in terms of stimulus 370 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,230 and creating jobs? 371 00:17:17,233 --> 00:17:19,703 Mr. Gibbs: Hans, I'm not an economist. 372 00:17:19,700 --> 00:17:24,770 Obviously, I think in terms of -- as I said to Athena, 373 00:17:24,767 --> 00:17:27,867 I think when you've lost your job, 374 00:17:27,867 --> 00:17:31,337 making sure that you have health care is tremendously important. 375 00:17:31,333 --> 00:17:35,403 I think if you've lost your job having extended and enhanced 376 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:39,000 unemployment benefits are tremendously important. 377 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:42,470 Obviously, there has been quite a bit of success in the 378 00:17:42,467 --> 00:17:44,367 first-time homebuyer's tax credit. 379 00:17:44,367 --> 00:17:49,337 And I think overall, the recovery plan has had a great 380 00:17:49,333 --> 00:17:51,103 and positive impact on our economy. 381 00:17:51,100 --> 00:17:52,070 The Press: But extending these things, 382 00:17:52,066 --> 00:17:54,096 you don't consider that a second stimulus? 383 00:17:54,100 --> 00:17:55,270 Mr. Gibbs: No. 384 00:17:55,266 --> 00:17:57,196 The Press: Why not, though, if they were in the first stimulus 385 00:17:57,200 --> 00:17:59,370 package -- some of these things were included and then and you 386 00:17:59,367 --> 00:18:02,337 extend them, why is that not a stealth second stimulus? 387 00:18:02,333 --> 00:18:05,463 Mr. Gibbs: I appreciate the connotation. 388 00:18:05,467 --> 00:18:09,067 These are programs that are designed to help people that 389 00:18:09,066 --> 00:18:11,336 have lost their jobs. 390 00:18:11,333 --> 00:18:14,633 And I don't think we would consider continuing a program 391 00:18:14,633 --> 00:18:22,033 for people that lost their jobs to be something other than just 392 00:18:22,033 --> 00:18:23,733 extending the current program. 393 00:18:23,734 --> 00:18:26,834 The Press: But the homebuyer tax credit in the first stimulus package, 394 00:18:26,834 --> 00:18:29,204 you guys extending it outside of the -- it wouldn't be 395 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:30,300 a second stimulus? 396 00:18:30,300 --> 00:18:32,430 Mr. Gibbs: Again, decisions on this haven't been made. 397 00:18:32,433 --> 00:18:37,003 I just was simply talking about what people had been discussing 398 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:40,400 with Congress, and programs that are soon going to meet 399 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:41,670 legislative deadlines. 400 00:18:41,667 --> 00:18:45,337 The Press: All those things, you would not consider that a second stimulus? 401 00:18:45,333 --> 00:18:47,503 Mr. Gibbs: Despite the -- I'm sure you'd want to scurry off 402 00:18:47,500 --> 00:18:49,400 and write that we were planning a second stimulus, 403 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:51,470 but that would be wrong. 404 00:18:51,467 --> 00:18:52,437 (laughter) 405 00:18:52,433 --> 00:18:53,563 The Press: What would you call it, Robert? 406 00:18:53,567 --> 00:18:54,767 Mr. Gibbs: What would I call what? 407 00:18:54,767 --> 00:18:56,497 The Press: These ideas, the extensions. 408 00:18:56,500 --> 00:18:59,030 Mr. Gibbs: Extensions. I thought your term was good. 409 00:18:59,033 --> 00:19:00,363 The Press: For how long? 410 00:19:00,367 --> 00:19:01,837 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have -- 411 00:19:01,834 --> 00:19:04,734 The Press: 2010 seems to be the idea that's most -- 412 00:19:04,734 --> 00:19:07,134 Mr. Gibbs: I think that's certainly part that's being bandied around 413 00:19:07,133 --> 00:19:11,263 in Congress, but I have not seen the particular proposals. 414 00:19:11,266 --> 00:19:16,066 The Press: And does the idea of an extended unemployment 415 00:19:16,066 --> 00:19:20,696 insurance move -- should it tell the country that based on what 416 00:19:20,700 --> 00:19:24,600 the White House economists see, they just see a prolonged, 417 00:19:24,600 --> 00:19:27,000 as the President said Friday "grind" through this recession 418 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:31,200 and that joblessness is going to remain a huge factor? 419 00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:36,430 And these unemployment insurance benefits should be seen as not 420 00:19:36,433 --> 00:19:38,333 so much a stimulus, but a safety net for people who are probably 421 00:19:38,333 --> 00:19:40,403 going to be out of jobs for quite a long time? 422 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:45,070 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I think the program was created to ensure a safety net. 423 00:19:45,066 --> 00:19:48,136 I don't think it does anybody any good for somebody to both 424 00:19:48,133 --> 00:19:50,833 lose their jobs and lose any wherewithal with which to 425 00:19:50,834 --> 00:19:53,934 provide for their families. 426 00:19:53,934 --> 00:19:59,034 I think doing something like that would be counterproductive. 427 00:19:59,033 --> 00:20:00,663 The Press: On Friday, in addition to putting out the 428 00:20:00,667 --> 00:20:02,797 monthly Labor Department numbers, 429 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:06,230 the Labor Department also did a 12-month revision of what the 430 00:20:06,233 --> 00:20:11,633 unemployment data from March of 2009 going back one year was, 431 00:20:11,633 --> 00:20:15,603 finding 824,000 Americans lost jobs more than 432 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:17,770 they originally projected. 433 00:20:17,767 --> 00:20:19,937 That's not anything that was necessarily on the Obama White 434 00:20:19,934 --> 00:20:23,564 House's watch, but does that add to the sense that there is a 435 00:20:23,567 --> 00:20:25,897 greater unemployment problem in this country, 436 00:20:25,900 --> 00:20:28,600 and needs a much deeper sets of intervention? 437 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:30,830 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know that -- don't know the last time we 438 00:20:30,834 --> 00:20:34,164 looked at the -- I have the picture in my mind of the graph 439 00:20:34,166 --> 00:20:41,736 of -- going from full employment at the beginning of a recession 440 00:20:41,734 --> 00:20:48,664 -- I think we're now 21, 22 months into a recession. 441 00:20:48,667 --> 00:20:53,737 I think you see that the downturn in our economy exceeds 442 00:20:53,734 --> 00:20:57,864 almost exponentially now the rate and the depth of downturn 443 00:20:57,867 --> 00:21:03,537 that we've seen going back and including probably the last, 444 00:21:03,533 --> 00:21:06,533 most difficult recession, that being in the early 1980s. 445 00:21:06,533 --> 00:21:11,933 Look, I think there's no doubt that the depth of the recession 446 00:21:11,934 --> 00:21:18,404 that we are in -- we know at the beginning of the year was far 447 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:23,300 greater than and far more dire than virtually every economist 448 00:21:23,300 --> 00:21:26,030 predicted at the end of the previous year. 449 00:21:26,033 --> 00:21:31,833 The President understands that, and is working to implement the 450 00:21:31,834 --> 00:21:35,504 recovery plan in a way that cushions that blow, 451 00:21:35,500 --> 00:21:37,500 and obviously, we've talked about here, 452 00:21:37,500 --> 00:21:40,200 looking at different ways to stimulate the economy again. 453 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:41,730 The Press: Does that different way to stimulate the economy 454 00:21:41,734 --> 00:21:44,364 suggest that internally the White House economic team now 455 00:21:44,367 --> 00:21:47,337 wonders if what has been put forward so far equals the 456 00:21:47,333 --> 00:21:49,263 magnitude of this downturn? 457 00:21:49,266 --> 00:21:50,636 Mr. Gibbs: Well, we always -- 458 00:21:50,633 --> 00:21:51,563 The Press: -- to address the magnitude? 459 00:21:51,567 --> 00:21:54,397 Mr. Gibbs: Understand, we always talk -- understand that when we 460 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:58,330 were first meeting in late January to discuss the recovery 461 00:21:58,333 --> 00:22:01,963 plan, we talked about the notion that I think economists 462 00:22:01,967 --> 00:22:09,667 predicted over a two-year period a $2 trillion dip in GDP that 463 00:22:09,667 --> 00:22:15,467 was to be addressed with an almost $800 billion recovery plan. 464 00:22:15,467 --> 00:22:18,497 I don't think anybody -- we never sold this as a dollar for 465 00:22:18,500 --> 00:22:23,200 dollar -- we were making up dollar for dollar what we 466 00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:26,200 expected the dip in the economy to be. 467 00:22:26,200 --> 00:22:30,130 Obviously, the downturn has been exceedingly severe, 468 00:22:30,133 --> 00:22:33,803 probably unlike anything that we've seen in anybody 469 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:34,870 -- in our lifetimes. 470 00:22:34,867 --> 00:22:37,337 The Press: Congress needs to work on these extenders rapidly. 471 00:22:37,333 --> 00:22:39,003 The President would like to sign them before any of these things 472 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:39,870 expire, I presume. 473 00:22:39,867 --> 00:22:40,597 Is that correct? 474 00:22:40,600 --> 00:22:41,330 Mr. Gibbs: Sure. 475 00:22:41,333 --> 00:22:42,133 The Press: Same subject. 476 00:22:42,133 --> 00:22:43,533 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 477 00:22:43,533 --> 00:22:45,803 The Press: The House has passed an unemployment extension bill 478 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:50,430 -- the Senate still has yet to take up on the floor. 479 00:22:50,433 --> 00:22:53,133 Their -- apparently, their reasoning is that they can't 480 00:22:53,133 --> 00:22:54,333 do both right now. 481 00:22:54,333 --> 00:22:56,103 They've got to focus on health care, 482 00:22:56,100 --> 00:22:57,370 and then they'll take care of -- 483 00:22:57,367 --> 00:22:59,437 Mr. Gibbs: Well, health care is not on the floor, so I'm not sure how that 484 00:22:59,433 --> 00:23:00,803 -- how the rationale of that would be. 485 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:02,030 The Press: No, no, no, I know. 486 00:23:02,033 --> 00:23:03,463 Yes, I realize that, but that they said they want to focus on 487 00:23:03,467 --> 00:23:07,037 health care, get that on the floor, and then later, 488 00:23:07,033 --> 00:23:09,463 down the road, take care of UI extension. 489 00:23:09,467 --> 00:23:12,337 But some people are losing their benefits right now. 490 00:23:12,333 --> 00:23:15,103 So do you think the Senate can do both? 491 00:23:15,100 --> 00:23:17,670 Mr. Gibbs: I think the Senate can do both, and a lot more, sure. 492 00:23:17,667 --> 00:23:18,797 Yes. 493 00:23:18,800 --> 00:23:22,470 The Press: You said that the President likes where you are right 494 00:23:22,467 --> 00:23:23,567 now with the review. 495 00:23:23,567 --> 00:23:25,267 Can you tell us where you are on the review? 496 00:23:25,266 --> 00:23:27,166 What -- how would you characterize what was 497 00:23:27,166 --> 00:23:29,266 accomplished in the three hours last week, 498 00:23:29,266 --> 00:23:31,996 and what's the agenda for Wednesday and Friday of this week? 499 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:35,030 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have an agenda yet for Wednesday and 500 00:23:35,033 --> 00:23:36,463 Friday this week. 501 00:23:36,467 --> 00:23:41,337 Look, we -- as I talked about last week and -- late last week, 502 00:23:41,333 --> 00:23:46,663 generally, we spent most of the time, 503 00:23:46,667 --> 00:23:48,667 certainly part of the time, getting an assessment, 504 00:23:48,667 --> 00:23:53,967 intelligence-wise, on the environment in both Afghanistan 505 00:23:53,967 --> 00:23:58,167 and Pakistan, and then there was a pretty robust discussion about 506 00:23:58,166 --> 00:24:03,236 that, and a discussion about what has happened since the end 507 00:24:03,233 --> 00:24:07,403 of March; what have we seen that has gone probably better than 508 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:11,200 most had expected -- and when I say "most had expected," 509 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:14,200 I mean in and out of the administration. 510 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:17,000 I think what we talked about there was clearly the 511 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:24,770 cooperation of the Pakistanis in addressing threats has been 512 00:24:24,767 --> 00:24:26,997 something that has been very positive. 513 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:31,400 Obviously the things that continue to be even more 514 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:33,770 challenging are the security situation in Afghanistan, 515 00:24:33,767 --> 00:24:40,737 as we see, as well as the fact that we still don't have clarity 516 00:24:40,734 --> 00:24:46,004 around the elections from several weeks ago. 517 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:49,700 But I think that in many ways encompassed 518 00:24:49,700 --> 00:24:52,900 most of the three hours. 519 00:24:52,900 --> 00:24:56,130 The Press: How does this week help you get closer to a decision, 520 00:24:56,133 --> 00:24:56,963 I guess I'm asking? 521 00:24:56,967 --> 00:25:00,467 I mean, I wonder what you're -- how you're making this decision. 522 00:25:00,467 --> 00:25:01,337 What's next? 523 00:25:01,333 --> 00:25:03,763 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, I think we're going -- without having an 524 00:25:03,767 --> 00:25:07,437 agenda in front of me, and I'll get some guidance for tomorrow 525 00:25:07,433 --> 00:25:11,903 in terms of what the likely series of topics will be going 526 00:25:11,900 --> 00:25:19,370 into Wednesday's meeting, but my sense is that we will begin to 527 00:25:19,367 --> 00:25:26,367 localize this week on each of the two countries and how the 528 00:25:26,367 --> 00:25:28,867 security situation and the governance 529 00:25:28,867 --> 00:25:31,667 situation plays out there. 530 00:25:31,667 --> 00:25:33,637 The Press: What inning is the assessment in, is it -- 531 00:25:33,633 --> 00:25:34,833 Mr. Gibbs: I'm sorry? 532 00:25:34,834 --> 00:25:38,264 The Press: What inning is the assessment in? 533 00:25:38,266 --> 00:25:40,236 Mr. Gibbs: You haven't even gone for your first beer yet, Chip. 534 00:25:40,233 --> 00:25:41,203 (laughter) 535 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:42,030 Yes. 536 00:25:42,033 --> 00:25:44,133 The Press: Two separate questions. 537 00:25:44,133 --> 00:25:46,533 First, can you just give us a hint of what's coming tomorrow 538 00:25:46,533 --> 00:25:48,063 at the NCTC? 539 00:25:48,066 --> 00:25:50,736 What will the President say in his remarks, 540 00:25:50,734 --> 00:25:51,464 what message -- 541 00:25:51,467 --> 00:25:54,667 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I think the President is going to talk 542 00:25:54,667 --> 00:25:59,437 about the hard work that men and women there do and what some of 543 00:25:59,433 --> 00:26:03,133 that work has done in contributing to keeping our 544 00:26:03,133 --> 00:26:05,903 country safe for the past many years, 545 00:26:05,900 --> 00:26:09,270 as well as events more recently. 546 00:26:09,266 --> 00:26:10,996 The Press: And then on health care, 547 00:26:11,000 --> 00:26:13,930 you talked earlier about how the President is working to ensure 548 00:26:13,934 --> 00:26:17,064 that choice and competition are a part of the bill. 549 00:26:17,066 --> 00:26:20,436 And I'm wondering, is the President examining some of the 550 00:26:20,433 --> 00:26:23,733 alternatives to the public option that have been put forth, 551 00:26:23,734 --> 00:26:27,834 like the idea of a co-op or perhaps a trigger for a public 552 00:26:27,834 --> 00:26:30,234 option, or leaving it to the states? 553 00:26:30,233 --> 00:26:34,133 And is he and his advisors -- are you trying to determine 554 00:26:34,133 --> 00:26:37,433 whether or not those alternatives would live up to 555 00:26:37,433 --> 00:26:40,603 his standard for choice and competition? 556 00:26:40,600 --> 00:26:43,200 And if so, do you have any conclusions about whether they would? 557 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:45,430 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I think for quite some time the health 558 00:26:45,433 --> 00:26:50,663 care team has been going through different proposals and 559 00:26:50,667 --> 00:26:57,297 different ways to achieve and ensure that individuals in a 560 00:26:57,300 --> 00:27:01,330 private insurance market and small businesses have additional 561 00:27:01,333 --> 00:27:06,603 choice and that -- largely based on competition. 562 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:09,400 I don't know if they've come to any grander conclusion about 563 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,570 each one of those, and I know CBO is in the process of looking 564 00:27:12,567 --> 00:27:15,937 at different aspects of what's in the finance bill as it 565 00:27:15,934 --> 00:27:17,364 relates to that, as well. 566 00:27:17,367 --> 00:27:19,337 The Press: Does the President have a preference for any of 567 00:27:19,333 --> 00:27:23,003 those alternatives, if a pure public option is not part of the bill? 568 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:24,630 Mr. Gibbs: None that I've heard him talk about. 569 00:27:24,633 --> 00:27:28,003 The Press: There's been some back-and-forth on Capitol Hill 570 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:30,500 about whether members of Congress will read the text of 571 00:27:30,500 --> 00:27:31,930 the bill before they vote on it. 572 00:27:31,934 --> 00:27:32,764 Can you say -- 573 00:27:32,767 --> 00:27:33,667 Mr. Gibbs: Will read the -- 574 00:27:33,667 --> 00:27:34,997 The Press: The text of the bill, the health care bill, once they get a final 575 00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:36,070 health care bill -- whether they should 576 00:27:36,066 --> 00:27:37,836 read it before they vote on it. 577 00:27:37,834 --> 00:27:39,404 And I was just wondering, before the President signs it will he 578 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:42,530 himself read it or rely on staff to read the text of the bill? 579 00:27:42,533 --> 00:27:48,403 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think he's read a decent part of the 580 00:27:48,400 --> 00:27:50,530 legislation that's been bandied around right now, 581 00:27:50,533 --> 00:27:55,063 and we should address this as with members of Congress when we 582 00:27:55,066 --> 00:27:57,336 have closer to a final piece of legislation. 583 00:27:57,333 --> 00:27:59,733 The Press: If the decision was made months ago by the President 584 00:27:59,734 --> 00:28:04,264 and the Pentagon that outposts like that one in Afghanistan -- 585 00:28:04,266 --> 00:28:06,836 resources there would be moved into population centers, 586 00:28:06,834 --> 00:28:09,164 why are they still out there and why so vulnerable -- 587 00:28:09,166 --> 00:28:11,166 Mr. Gibbs: Well, let me -- those are tactical decisions that are made 588 00:28:11,166 --> 00:28:14,936 at the Pentagon, and I would push you to that on -- 589 00:28:14,934 --> 00:28:17,264 The Press: But that's what you're saying, that the President's approach -- 590 00:28:17,266 --> 00:28:18,436 Mr. Gibbs: I'm reiterating what the Department of Defense 591 00:28:18,433 --> 00:28:20,263 said in their statement, and I would refer you to 592 00:28:20,266 --> 00:28:21,366 the Department of Defense. 593 00:28:21,367 --> 00:28:24,567 The Press: And that -- if the President likes that concept of bringing 594 00:28:24,567 --> 00:28:27,397 American forces out of these vulnerable outposts -- 595 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:29,700 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, part of the assessment of this strategy 596 00:28:29,700 --> 00:28:33,470 is how much we do of that. 597 00:28:33,467 --> 00:28:37,837 Again, I'm simply relaying to you what General McChrystal had 598 00:28:37,834 --> 00:28:42,664 decided a few months ago and was reiterated in the DOD statement. 599 00:28:42,667 --> 00:28:43,537 Yes, ma'am. 600 00:28:43,533 --> 00:28:45,833 The Press: Robert, when you answered Ed's question, 601 00:28:45,834 --> 00:28:47,764 you were saying that you would, you know, 602 00:28:47,767 --> 00:28:50,097 warn us away from some of the things that have been reported 603 00:28:50,100 --> 00:28:51,870 in the press about people's positions in 604 00:28:51,867 --> 00:28:53,597 this Afghanistan review. 605 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:55,070 Were you specifically talking about Biden? 606 00:28:55,066 --> 00:28:56,396 I'm just wondering what you -- 607 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:59,900 Mr. Gibbs: No, I just -- one of the things that -- one of the 608 00:28:59,900 --> 00:29:03,570 later questions talked about -- Helen asked me about pulling 609 00:29:03,567 --> 00:29:05,037 out of Afghanistan. 610 00:29:05,033 --> 00:29:08,163 I noticed on a number of shows yesterday people were asked 611 00:29:08,166 --> 00:29:10,236 about pulling out of Afghanistan, 612 00:29:10,233 --> 00:29:13,633 despite the fact that that was dispensed with and apparently 613 00:29:13,633 --> 00:29:16,533 wasn't leaked out of the Situation Room as part of that 614 00:29:16,533 --> 00:29:17,833 meeting last week. 615 00:29:17,834 --> 00:29:19,834 The Press: Okay. But just one other question about the review, 616 00:29:19,834 --> 00:29:22,534 especially since you were in there for three hours. 617 00:29:22,533 --> 00:29:26,603 Could you just talk a little bit about Secretary Gates' role and 618 00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:30,770 the President's relationship with him and just how -- what he 619 00:29:30,767 --> 00:29:34,137 -- the role he's taking in this review? 620 00:29:34,133 --> 00:29:39,133 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I think there are -- I think the 621 00:29:39,133 --> 00:29:43,603 President trusts greatly the Secretary of Defense, 622 00:29:43,600 --> 00:29:51,830 relies heavily on his viewpoints as somebody who has been 623 00:29:51,834 --> 00:29:56,434 involved in a number of these decisions for quite some time. 624 00:29:56,433 --> 00:29:59,503 I'm not going to characterize the role that he played inside 625 00:29:59,500 --> 00:30:00,370 the meeting -- 626 00:30:00,367 --> 00:30:01,597 The Press: I'm not asking for his position. 627 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:04,430 I'm talking about just is there something -- this is somebody 628 00:30:04,433 --> 00:30:06,463 that the President has, you know, only known since 629 00:30:06,467 --> 00:30:07,497 he's come into office. 630 00:30:07,500 --> 00:30:09,730 Is there anything particular about their relationship and how 631 00:30:09,734 --> 00:30:10,964 they work together and -- 632 00:30:10,967 --> 00:30:13,597 Mr. Gibbs: You know, look, I think anybody that has worked with or knows 633 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:18,470 Secretary Gates knows that when you ask a question, 634 00:30:18,467 --> 00:30:28,067 you get unvarnished advice that doesn't have a political agenda, 635 00:30:28,066 --> 00:30:33,536 that doesn't come with a lot of fluff or spin. 636 00:30:33,533 --> 00:30:35,663 You just -- you ask him a straight question and you 637 00:30:35,667 --> 00:30:36,767 get a straight answer. 638 00:30:36,767 --> 00:30:41,667 And I think he's somebody that the President relies on greatly. 639 00:30:41,667 --> 00:30:45,497 The Press: This week they're having a third and fourth meeting, you said. 640 00:30:45,500 --> 00:30:48,200 Is there an assumption then that after five meetings, 641 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:50,930 after the scheduled five, that the President will be ready to 642 00:30:50,934 --> 00:30:52,704 make a decision on this? 643 00:30:52,700 --> 00:30:54,470 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not going to get into how many meetings that is. 644 00:30:54,467 --> 00:30:56,797 I've said that this is going to take several or a number of 645 00:30:56,800 --> 00:30:58,370 weeks, and that's the process -- 646 00:30:58,367 --> 00:31:01,937 The Press: But is the fifth meeting (inaudible) the process? 647 00:31:01,934 --> 00:31:03,564 Mr. Gibbs: I think the fifth meeting is the last one that is 648 00:31:03,567 --> 00:31:07,567 currently scheduled, but if it takes five-and-a-half or six, 649 00:31:07,567 --> 00:31:14,697 then we're not -- this isn't about the number of meetings, 650 00:31:14,700 --> 00:31:16,230 this is about the decision. 651 00:31:16,233 --> 00:31:18,363 The Press: But this isn't an open-ended process. There's a -- 652 00:31:18,367 --> 00:31:22,567 Mr. Gibbs: As we've said a number of times, no, this is going to take place 653 00:31:22,567 --> 00:31:24,897 over the course of the next several weeks. 654 00:31:24,900 --> 00:31:28,330 I don't know how more clear we can be about that. 655 00:31:28,333 --> 00:31:29,103 Peter. 656 00:31:29,100 --> 00:31:30,570 The Press: Robert, are there efforts, 657 00:31:30,567 --> 00:31:33,897 administration efforts underway to build a coalition of support 658 00:31:33,900 --> 00:31:38,270 within the Senate for public option specifically? 659 00:31:38,266 --> 00:31:39,836 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have anything to add that I haven't added on 660 00:31:39,834 --> 00:31:43,804 the other three or two questions that we've gotten on the public option. 661 00:31:43,800 --> 00:31:47,870 The Press: Robert, The Washington Times editorial headline, 662 00:31:47,867 --> 00:31:52,737 "Obama's lewd schools czar." Your response? 663 00:31:52,734 --> 00:31:57,064 Mr. Gibbs: I think -- I don't have anything on that right now. 664 00:31:57,066 --> 00:32:01,336 The Press: Is the President unconcerned about Kevin Jennings' salute 665 00:32:01,333 --> 00:32:06,303 of Harry Hay, who publicly praised NAMBLA? 666 00:32:06,300 --> 00:32:07,830 Mr. Gibbs: I'm happy to talk to you about this. 667 00:32:07,834 --> 00:32:08,834 I don't have anything on this right now. David. 668 00:32:08,834 --> 00:32:10,034 The Press: Is the President going to discuss Afghanistan in 669 00:32:10,033 --> 00:32:13,563 his counterterrorism speech tomorrow? 670 00:32:13,567 --> 00:32:16,937 Mr. Gibbs: I don't believe -- I honestly don't remember if 671 00:32:16,934 --> 00:32:18,004 that's in there or not. 672 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:20,130 I can check and see -- 673 00:32:20,133 --> 00:32:21,403 The Press: Just a general speech about counterrrorism? 674 00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:28,270 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, and focused on their role -- I don't believe -- 675 00:32:28,266 --> 00:32:29,866 I don't believe that's the case. 676 00:32:29,867 --> 00:32:31,137 I mean, obviously -- I think tomorrow, 677 00:32:31,133 --> 00:32:37,363 in terms of Afghanistan, will be the meeting and the briefing 678 00:32:37,367 --> 00:32:40,097 that is had with members of Congress. 679 00:32:40,100 --> 00:32:41,300 Yes. 680 00:32:41,300 --> 00:32:43,800 The Press: Robert, yesterday you said that there was still some 681 00:32:43,800 --> 00:32:46,630 lack of clarity about the situation in Afghanistan 682 00:32:46,633 --> 00:32:47,603 upon the elections. 683 00:32:47,600 --> 00:32:53,030 Yesterday General Jones said it was important for Afghans to see 684 00:32:53,033 --> 00:32:56,633 Karzai as a legitimate leader following the election. 685 00:32:56,633 --> 00:32:59,603 What exactly is the -- as this review goes on, 686 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:02,230 what is the position the White House now holds towards Karzai 687 00:33:02,233 --> 00:33:03,403 and the elections? 688 00:33:03,400 --> 00:33:06,470 Mr. Gibbs: I think the -- I think General Jones was very 689 00:33:06,467 --> 00:33:13,037 clear in saying that there is both an Afghan -- an Afghan 690 00:33:13,033 --> 00:33:19,133 review of fraud, there is an international review, 691 00:33:19,133 --> 00:33:23,963 and that sometime over the next few weeks those will be concluded. 692 00:33:23,967 --> 00:33:26,467 And our position remains the same, 693 00:33:26,467 --> 00:33:34,637 and that is that any allegation of fraud should be investigated, 694 00:33:34,633 --> 00:33:37,633 all votes should be counted, and all votes that are fraudulent 695 00:33:37,633 --> 00:33:38,933 should be thrown out. 696 00:33:38,934 --> 00:33:44,804 And we await the decision by both of those committees, 697 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:47,370 understanding that the Afghans -- this is the first election 698 00:33:47,367 --> 00:33:50,337 that the Afghans have conducted. 699 00:33:50,333 --> 00:33:52,603 The Press: Robert, where does public opinion fall in the 700 00:33:52,600 --> 00:33:58,530 decision-making process on Afghanistan with President Obama? 701 00:33:58,533 --> 00:34:03,833 Mr. Gibbs: As I've said, obviously the President will take a number 702 00:34:03,834 --> 00:34:05,134 of things into account. 703 00:34:05,133 --> 00:34:09,263 But what he will shape his opinion and his decision on are 704 00:34:09,266 --> 00:34:14,136 not polls, but instead what's in the best interest of the 705 00:34:14,133 --> 00:34:15,963 American people and our national security. 706 00:34:15,967 --> 00:34:18,197 The Press: Was the President made aware of this major protest 707 00:34:18,200 --> 00:34:21,570 in front of the White House that was very disruptive today? 708 00:34:21,567 --> 00:34:23,867 People were chaining themselves to the gate. 709 00:34:23,867 --> 00:34:25,967 They were chaining themselves in front of the northwest gate, 710 00:34:25,967 --> 00:34:29,167 and people who had to go to the Situation Room had to walk all 711 00:34:29,166 --> 00:34:31,666 the way around the White House to come in. 712 00:34:31,667 --> 00:34:34,037 Was the President made aware of that large-scale protest? 713 00:34:34,033 --> 00:34:36,763 Mr. Gibbs: If he was, he wasn't made aware by me because until 714 00:34:36,767 --> 00:34:39,467 you said it I was previously unaware. 715 00:34:39,467 --> 00:34:41,567 The Press: Does that kind of -- does that kind of protest, 716 00:34:41,567 --> 00:34:44,467 demonstration, of American sentiments -- some parts of 717 00:34:44,467 --> 00:34:46,997 American sentiment, does that weigh into a situation -- 718 00:34:47,000 --> 00:34:50,130 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I think the President has long believed that whether 719 00:34:50,133 --> 00:34:56,363 your opinion is on one side of this issue or the other, 720 00:34:56,367 --> 00:34:58,897 that this is the -- the greatness of our country is that 721 00:34:58,900 --> 00:35:01,970 you get to amplify that opinion. 722 00:35:01,967 --> 00:35:07,037 I think -- I have no doubt that we will hear in tomorrow's 723 00:35:07,033 --> 00:35:11,303 meetings, from members on Capitol Hill, 724 00:35:11,300 --> 00:35:15,930 ranges of and very diverse opinions on going forward, 725 00:35:15,934 --> 00:35:19,234 and that's certainly a hallmark of our legislative process and 726 00:35:19,233 --> 00:35:20,533 the hallmark of our country. 727 00:35:20,533 --> 00:35:22,603 David. 728 00:35:22,600 --> 00:35:23,730 The Press: One thing I don't understand, Robert, 729 00:35:23,734 --> 00:35:24,864 on Afghanistan, last week -- 730 00:35:24,867 --> 00:35:25,597 Mr. Gibbs: Just one? 731 00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:26,600 (laughter) 732 00:35:26,600 --> 00:35:29,270 The Press: Well, one big thing -- but thank you for reminding me 733 00:35:29,266 --> 00:35:30,166 that there's more than one. 734 00:35:30,166 --> 00:35:31,396 (laughter) 735 00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:32,930 Mr. Gibbs: I was going to say, if you've narrowed it down to only one, 736 00:35:32,934 --> 00:35:34,664 maybe you should come to the meeting. 737 00:35:34,667 --> 00:35:35,537 The Press: Happy to. 738 00:35:35,533 --> 00:35:38,833 (laughter) 739 00:35:38,834 --> 00:35:40,364 Mr. Gibbs: I understand from April apparently you've got to 740 00:35:40,367 --> 00:35:42,097 walk a long way away to get to the -- 741 00:35:42,100 --> 00:35:43,070 (laughter) 742 00:35:43,066 --> 00:35:43,836 The Press: I'll make the sacrifice. 743 00:35:43,834 --> 00:35:44,734 (laughter) 744 00:35:44,734 --> 00:35:46,904 Last week you said that it was clear for -- 745 00:35:46,900 --> 00:35:48,600 Mr. Gibbs: I'm sorry, who said? 746 00:35:48,600 --> 00:35:49,470 The Press: You said -- 747 00:35:49,467 --> 00:35:50,367 Mr. Gibbs: Okay. 748 00:35:50,367 --> 00:35:52,667 The Press: -- from that podium that last -- that for there to 749 00:35:52,667 --> 00:35:55,967 be success in Afghanistan, you needed a partner that was free 750 00:35:55,967 --> 00:35:58,797 of corruption, and transparent. 751 00:35:58,800 --> 00:36:02,170 Now you've also said today that pulling out of Afghanistan is 752 00:36:02,166 --> 00:36:04,836 just not on the table, not under consideration. 753 00:36:04,834 --> 00:36:08,964 Well, what do you do then if you don't have a partner that's free 754 00:36:08,967 --> 00:36:10,467 of corruption and transparent? 755 00:36:10,467 --> 00:36:14,397 Because right now that seems to be a very open question about 756 00:36:14,400 --> 00:36:15,870 the government in Afghanistan. 757 00:36:15,867 --> 00:36:22,897 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, you have to ensure, 758 00:36:22,900 --> 00:36:28,170 as we dedicate more resources, that you have that type of 759 00:36:28,166 --> 00:36:32,896 partner; that actions are taken to ensure that there's 760 00:36:32,900 --> 00:36:35,670 confidence and credibility. 761 00:36:35,667 --> 00:36:41,167 I think many of us read the story today about -- from -- I 762 00:36:41,166 --> 00:36:43,936 think it's from -- my numbers may be a tad off on this, 763 00:36:43,934 --> 00:36:48,604 but from 2002 to 2008, two generals in Pakistan mentioned 764 00:36:48,600 --> 00:36:54,030 that of the six, more than -- a little bit more than $6 billion 765 00:36:54,033 --> 00:36:56,963 that was to go to aid the Pakistani army, 766 00:36:56,967 --> 00:37:05,637 approximately $500 million reached its intended target. 767 00:37:05,633 --> 00:37:09,663 I don't think it's any wonder that our efforts, 768 00:37:09,667 --> 00:37:13,797 particularly based on aiding the Pakistan army over that time 769 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:17,930 period, was seen as not altogether very successful -- 770 00:37:17,934 --> 00:37:19,904 and now we know why. 771 00:37:19,900 --> 00:37:23,930 We have to ensure that we have a partner that is capable of 772 00:37:23,934 --> 00:37:26,964 partnering with us as we go through this. 773 00:37:26,967 --> 00:37:28,297 The Press: You mean in Afghanistan? 774 00:37:28,300 --> 00:37:29,130 Mr. Gibbs: Pakistan. 775 00:37:29,133 --> 00:37:30,063 The Press: I know, but what about -- 776 00:37:30,066 --> 00:37:32,736 Mr. Gibbs: I know, but I'm simply using an example in a 777 00:37:32,734 --> 00:37:39,064 region of what happens when you don't have a partner that is an 778 00:37:39,066 --> 00:37:43,596 effective partner and willing to do what has to be done to make progress. 779 00:37:43,600 --> 00:37:45,630 It's just simply -- 780 00:37:45,633 --> 00:37:46,933 The Press: But you just said -- it sounds like you're stuck 781 00:37:46,934 --> 00:37:47,834 with an ineffective partner. 782 00:37:47,834 --> 00:37:49,264 If you can't pull out and you've got a bad partner, 783 00:37:49,266 --> 00:37:50,366 what do you do? 784 00:37:50,367 --> 00:37:54,397 Mr. Gibbs: You take steps to make sure that your partner is 785 00:37:54,400 --> 00:37:59,000 ready, willing, and able to assist in a way that is 786 00:37:59,000 --> 00:38:05,130 effective and matches, through their effort, 787 00:38:05,133 --> 00:38:08,203 the resources that you're dedicating to deal with this problem. 788 00:38:08,200 --> 00:38:11,970 I use that example because in many ways for that six-year or 789 00:38:11,967 --> 00:38:14,937 seven-year period of time, nothing was done. 790 00:38:14,934 --> 00:38:18,234 The Press: Well, then are we doomed to more problems with Karzai because 791 00:38:18,233 --> 00:38:21,333 he's not transparent or not cooperating or corrupt? 792 00:38:21,333 --> 00:38:22,003 Mr. Gibbs: Again -- 793 00:38:22,000 --> 00:38:23,300 The Press: Pardon me for interrupting, but -- 794 00:38:23,300 --> 00:38:25,200 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, you -- nobody else apologized. 795 00:38:25,200 --> 00:38:26,800 (laughter) 796 00:38:26,800 --> 00:38:29,330 The Press: I apologize. 797 00:38:29,333 --> 00:38:30,633 Mr. Gibbs: No, you don't. No, you don't. 798 00:38:30,633 --> 00:38:33,703 (laughter) 799 00:38:33,700 --> 00:38:40,570 I think -- I think that we are clearly going to have to take 800 00:38:40,567 --> 00:38:43,837 actions to ensure that everybody is working 801 00:38:43,834 --> 00:38:48,064 collectively to get this right. 802 00:38:48,066 --> 00:38:57,166 We -- no amount of additional American resources that are 803 00:38:57,166 --> 00:39:00,536 siphoned off and not going to the problem that they're 804 00:39:00,533 --> 00:39:05,663 directed at, no increase or amount is going to fix a problem 805 00:39:05,667 --> 00:39:07,237 if those resources ultimately don't get 806 00:39:07,233 --> 00:39:08,463 to where they're going. 807 00:39:08,467 --> 00:39:10,467 The Press: Then how do you make sure the resources get 808 00:39:10,467 --> 00:39:11,667 to where they're going? 809 00:39:11,667 --> 00:39:13,237 You've just quoted what happened in Pakistan. 810 00:39:13,233 --> 00:39:14,603 Why are -- 811 00:39:14,600 --> 00:39:18,530 Mr. Gibbs: We will work to ensure that they do. 812 00:39:18,533 --> 00:39:23,533 I think that's the very least that any of -- that anybody can 813 00:39:23,533 --> 00:39:28,103 ask if we're dedicating the lives of men and women in our 814 00:39:28,100 --> 00:39:32,100 uniform to ensure that this is done in a way that ultimately 815 00:39:32,100 --> 00:39:32,830 protects them. 816 00:39:32,834 --> 00:39:34,004 Thanks, guys. 817 00:39:34,000 --> 00:39:36,000 The Press: You said a second ago, "as we dedicate more resources." 818 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:38,430 What you mean by that, "as we dedicate more resources?" 819 00:39:38,433 --> 00:39:39,463 Mr. Gibbs: I'm sorry? 820 00:39:39,467 --> 00:39:40,967 The Press: You said a second ago in relation to Afghanistan, 821 00:39:40,967 --> 00:39:42,797 "as we dedicate more resources." 822 00:39:42,800 --> 00:39:44,000 What did you mean by that? 823 00:39:44,000 --> 00:39:46,500 Mr. Gibbs: Well, we've put in 21,000 additional troops, 824 00:39:46,500 --> 00:39:51,430 some of which are just heading and getting to their places in 825 00:39:51,433 --> 00:39:52,803 Afghanistan as we speak.