English subtitles for clip: File:10-8-09- White House Press Briefing.webm

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Mr. Gibbs:
Just one quick announcement
before we get going.

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I want to give you a readout of
a call between the President and

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Prime Minister Gordon Brown
as part of their ongoing

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consultations and the special
U.S.-U. K. relationship.

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They talked to each other this
morning and discussed several

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key issues on the shared -- on
their shared strategic policy agenda.

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The two leaders discussed the
ongoing review of the situation

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in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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They agreed to remain in close
consultation going forward,

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and underscored the importance
of working closely with our

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allies and our Afghan
and Pakistani partners.

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They noted the successful
outcome of the G20 summit in

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Pittsburgh and discussed
strategies to make progress in

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confronting the threat
of climate change.

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The President and Prime Minister
also discussed the need to

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continue a unified
international approach to

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address Iran's
nuclear ambitions.

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The President thanked Prime
Minister Brown for his

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leadership on a range of issues
-- on a range of issues our

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countries face together and
committed to staying in close

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touch going forward.

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Mr. Elliott.

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The Press:
Mr. Gibbs. No mention of
Afghanistan during the call

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with Prime Minister Brown?

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Mr. Gibbs:
No, no, I said the two
leaders discussed their

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ongoing review of the situation
in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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The Press:
But anything more on that?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Nothing more at the moment, no.

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The Press:
Okay. Quickly, why is the
President meeting with just

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-- with Secretary Clinton and
Vice President Biden today?

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Does he expect to hear opinions
that he wouldn't have heard

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yesterday, or in previous days
in the review, or tomorrow?

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Mr. Gibbs:
No, no -- I could check
on the meeting with the

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Vice President, but keep in mind
the President meets once a week

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with Secretary Clinton,
Secretary Gates,

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to discuss a wide
range of issues.

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I don't have any doubt that the
pending issue of Afghanistan and

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Pakistan will come up.

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But this is part of a regularly
scheduled series of meetings.

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The Press:
Okay. And then, does the
President have confidence

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in Secretary Geithner?

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Is he concerned at all that so
many bank executives have shown

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up on the schedule,
according to the AP review?

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Mr. Gibbs:
No, we obviously have
tremendous confidence in

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Secretary Geithner, somebody who
has helped steer the financial

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sector back to stability; has
worked on a range of issues and

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will be heavily involved in
regulatory reform as we go forward.

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Obviously we have tremendous
confidence in his stewardship

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and in his leadership.

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The Press:
The President has had a
Pakistan aid bill on his desk

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for most of this week
and has yet to sign it.

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As you know, there's a
controversy building in Pakistan

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with the army --

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, first of all,
understand it's a --

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first of all, it's an
authorization bill, right?

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Congress has to approve an
authorization in order to

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eventually appropriate money.

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So this is the authorization;
the appropriations process

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obviously will follow.

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The Press:
Right, but the President
has yet to sign this,

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and I think you're aware of the
controversy that's building in

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Pakistan with the army saying
that the conditions attached to

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the aid would violate
national sovereignty.

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When is the President
planning on signing this,

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if in fact he will?

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Mr. Gibbs:
The President will
sign the legislation.

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Obviously it is posted on our
Web site in accordance with our

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pledge to post legislation
before the President signs it.

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Let's address the -- what's
been out there in the news.

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This is part of what many
believe -- this administration

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and Capitol Hill believe is
important assistance for Pakistan.

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Pakistan obviously is a key
ally of the United States.

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And the bill covers a wide
range of civilian activities,

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including security assistance,
and it's something the President will sign.

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The Press:
But House Republican Leader
Boehner is saying that the

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administration failed to do
its leg work in preparing the

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way for this bill,
that they -- the House,

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actually -- that it was approved
by Congress based on the sense

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that the Pakistanis
were happy with it.

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Any response to that?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Again, I think -- I
think there are a lot of

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important measures
in this legislation,

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in this authorization,
to help the Pakistanis

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and to improve our relationship.

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In fact, I don't remember
Mr. Boehner bringing this up

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when the President actually
talked about the importance of

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this authorization ultimately
leading to the importance of

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this appropriation in a
members' meeting that included

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Mr. Boehner just a couple
of days ago right here.

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So I don't -- unclear
why he'd make that now.

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The Press:
Thanks, Robert. Coming out
of the Situation Room meeting

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yesterday on Afghanistan
and Pakistan, obviously, what

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significance should we attach
to the fact that the President's

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public words lately, a lot of
people have been noting that he

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continues to talk about
dismantling al Qaeda but 

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seems to be talking less
and less about Taliban.

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And people are reading that,
that's sort of a significant

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shift and a signal of where
the mission is headed.

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What do you say about that?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I would tell folks to
go back and read what the

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President said -- has said
virtually every month leading up

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to -- and I would -- including
the review and the speech coming

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out of the review
from last March.

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The President has always
evaluated our policy,

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as I said here yesterday, based
on those that pose a direct

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threat to attack our homeland
or to attack our allies.

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Included in that group are any
that would provide safe haven

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for those activities.

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Though, as I said yesterday,
we're not talking about the same

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type of -- they're not
the same type of group.

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Al Qaeda is a global
transnational jihadist movement

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that has conducted attacks on
the United States homeland;

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conducted attacks on our
allies; continues to plan,

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and has the intent and
will to do so again.

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Again, some in the Taliban have
similar agendas that have helped

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al Qaeda with safe havens.

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There's also a significant
number of Taliban that are local

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warlords that have
far different agendas.

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I think to look at them
as separate entities,

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it's certainly not backed up
by any of the intelligence.

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The Press:
On another subject, the
presidential helicopter,

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in the first hundred days, the
President was very upfront in

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saying he didn't need
a new helicopter,

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and the Pentagon ended up
pulling the plug on the old system.

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Now there's Navy documents that
have come out suggesting that

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the new program is going to cost
even more money and take even longer.

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So at a time --

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Mr. Gibbs:
I haven't seen it. I'm happy
to look at the documents and

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have somebody take a look
at them, but understand the

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decision for the prior
helicopter -- when you have a

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-- when you have a -- this is
written into law -- if there's

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a defense project that has
a certain percentage of cost

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overrun in a contract that's been let, that it has to be

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reviewed by the Secretary
of Defense to continue.

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I think the cost overrun
was in excess of 50 percent.

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And based on that, the Secretary
of Defense recommended and the

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President agreed that that
program should be cancelled.

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I have not seen
the new documents.

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I think the President
spoke about -- has spoken

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about this many times.

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Obviously there's a safety
argument that's always involved,

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but I think the President
believes that we can do this in

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a way that doesn't cost the type
of money that we've been talking about.

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The Press:
The last thing -- the
President plays basketball

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tonight, and the list you
put out has about 15 members

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of the Cabinet, Congress.

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They appear to all be men.

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Did the President
invite any women to --

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The Press:
No, there's a woman.

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Mr. Gibbs:
I think your appearance on
the list appears to be accurate.

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I would say that the
point is well taken.

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The President obviously
is someone who,

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as the father of
two young daughters,

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has an avid interest in
their competing against

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anybody on the playing field.

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The President has certainly
played basketball and other

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sports with women in the
past, and I anticipate

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he'll do so in the future.

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The Press:
Robert, I just have a
follow to what Ed was asking.

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In these --

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Mr. Gibbs:
Which of the three questions?

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(laughter)

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The Press:
The first one, and then
the last one too, actually.

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Mr. Gibbs:
Okay, I got you.

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(laughter)

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The Press:
But on the first one --

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Mr. Gibbs:
Let's just add one in
the middle and make it --

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(laughter)

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The Press:
So in these meetings, is
the President wanting to

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pursue al Qaeda and the Taliban
as a duel enemy or as two

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separate strategies?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I'm not going to
get into the Q&A involved in

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all these meetings, except to
reiterate what I said to Ed,

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and that is that through the
beginning of these -- each of

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these meetings we've had
intelligence assessments,

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and throughout this process, not
just in the last couple of weeks

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but going back through
the transition,

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the President has wanted us
to evaluate the threat that

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emanates from this region.

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I do think there is clearly a
difference between an entity

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that, through a global,
transnational jihadist network,

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would seek to strike the
United States homeland.

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I think that's -- the Taliban
are obviously exceedingly bad

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people that have
done awful things.

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Their capability is
somewhat different, though,

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on that continuum of
transnational threats.

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The Press:
Well, how do you approach
that then if you're dealing

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with two enemies in
the same area? I mean --

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, that's --
you've touched on part

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of what's being evaluated
in the Situation Room.

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The Press:
I mean, can you
illuminate on that at all?

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Mr. Gibbs:
No.

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The Press:
And on Ed's last point,
Secretary Sebelius said

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yesterday on Jay Leno that --

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to "bring it on"
with the President.

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Can we expect a little
one-on-one with him?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Like I said, I'm -- he's
played -- I don't know if

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he's played with Secretary
Sebelius before,

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but I think the President
would be encouraged to play.

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Yes. Yes, sir.

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The Press:
Thank you, Robert.

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Could you address the report
this morning that in the course

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of these meetings, the White
House is now reframing the

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strategy, shifting its
thinking toward al Qaeda?

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Is that an accurate
characterization of what's happening?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I would go back to what I
said a few questions ago to Ed.

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I would encourage you to go back
and read what the President has

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always said, and go back and
read what the President said

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specifically in March at the
conclusion of the review on this.

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The Press:
So are you saying there
has been no reframing of

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the strategy and no shifting in
the thinking in these meetings

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-- that it's status quo --

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, I'm not ready
to talk about the meetings

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as being done, but I would tell
you that the evaluation of the

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threats is not different.

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Yes, sir.

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The Press:
Robert --

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The Press:
Hold on there.

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The Press:
Go ahead. Please.

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The Press:
Well --

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Mr. Gibbs:
He just sensed in that
dramatic pause that you

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might have been done.

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The Press:
I'm still trying to
get a sense, though --

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then are you saying that
the report is inaccurate

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when it says that the --

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Mr. Gibbs:
Which report?

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The Press:
In The New York Times, saying
that the -- they're reframing --

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, no, I think I'm quoted
in The New York Times --

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I think I'm quoted in The New York Times as saying largely

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what I said yesterday, which
is there are -- there are

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differences between al
Qaeda and the Taliban 

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The Press:
That's not the question --
that's not the part of the

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report I'm asking about.

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I'm asking about
the basic thrust,

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which is that in the
course of these meetings,

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00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:44,670
there has been a reframing of
the strategy by the White House

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00:12:44,667 --> 00:12:48,437
national security team, and
a shift in thinking toward al Qaeda.

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00:12:48,433 --> 00:12:54,233
Mr. Gibbs:
No. We've always been -- we've
been focused on al Qaeda as the

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00:12:54,233 --> 00:12:58,763
primary, again, global threat
that emanates from that region,

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00:12:58,767 --> 00:13:04,737
based on its past attacks and
its intent to continue doing so.

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00:13:04,734 --> 00:13:07,134
The Press:
You've been focused on
that from the beginning?

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00:13:07,133 --> 00:13:09,503
Mr. Gibbs:
Absolutely, absolutely.

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00:13:09,500 --> 00:13:12,230
The Press:
One other question,
Nancy Pelosi today,

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00:13:12,233 --> 00:13:14,933
when she was responding to
a question about what the

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00:13:14,934 --> 00:13:17,804
President's ultimate
plan would be, she said,

246
00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:20,770
"When we see the
President's suggestion,

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00:13:20,767 --> 00:13:22,167
we'll respond to that."

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00:13:22,166 --> 00:13:24,796
Is -- when the President
comes out with a plan,

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00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:29,030
is it a suggestion, or is
that the way you see it?

250
00:13:29,033 --> 00:13:33,503
Or was she understating what
kind of power the President has

251
00:13:33,500 --> 00:13:34,470
in this whole debate?

252
00:13:34,467 --> 00:13:37,167
Is it just a
suggestion to Congress?

253
00:13:37,166 --> 00:13:38,396
Mr. Gibbs:
I haven't seen her full remarks.

254
00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:42,070
I would say, obviously, the
President is extremely mindful

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00:13:42,066 --> 00:13:47,536
of the role that all in Congress
will play in this upcoming

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00:13:47,533 --> 00:13:51,263
debate, which is why
he had the bipartisan,

257
00:13:51,266 --> 00:13:54,196
bicameral leadership here at the
White House a couple of days

258
00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:59,830
ago, as well as relevant
committee chairs and ranking members.

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00:13:59,834 --> 00:14:06,964
Obviously, Congress will have --
as they've had on our policies

260
00:14:06,967 --> 00:14:08,597
and the previous
administration's policies on

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00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:13,570
Iraq and Afghanistan --
they'll have input into that.

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00:14:13,567 --> 00:14:15,067
The Press:
And last question, David Obey,

263
00:14:15,066 --> 00:14:18,096
who of course controls the
purse strings to some extent,

264
00:14:18,100 --> 00:14:19,900
wrote a very long
statement today,

265
00:14:19,900 --> 00:14:21,730
suggesting that --

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00:14:21,734 --> 00:14:24,204
Mr. Gibbs:
You've been busy reading
today, Chip, haven't you?

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00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:26,970
The Press:
Absolutely -- saying
that -- basically,

268
00:14:26,967 --> 00:14:32,567
he's saying that he does not see
more troops being able to do the job.

269
00:14:32,567 --> 00:14:35,897
He says at one point, "It
would drain the U.S. Treasury.

270
00:14:35,900 --> 00:14:38,130
It would devour virtually any
other priorities that the

271
00:14:38,133 --> 00:14:40,133
President, or anyone
in Congress, had."

272
00:14:40,133 --> 00:14:42,603
Has the White House
looked at how much money,

273
00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:44,230
and has that been
part of discussion,

274
00:14:44,233 --> 00:14:47,833
how much it would cost
to increase troops?

275
00:14:47,834 --> 00:14:48,804
Mr. Gibbs:
Absolutely.

276
00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:50,130
The Press:
What would it cost
for 40,000 more troops?

277
00:14:50,133 --> 00:14:53,363
Mr. Gibbs:
I think the figure that I
saw is for every thousand

278
00:14:53,367 --> 00:14:59,097
troops per year, it's
a billion dollars.

279
00:14:59,100 --> 00:15:02,400
The comments by Congressman Obey
are very similar to ones he made

280
00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:04,670
in the meeting with the
President on Wednesday,

281
00:15:04,667 --> 00:15:06,137
and look, the
President was mindful.

282
00:15:06,133 --> 00:15:08,233
I mentioned this yesterday.

283
00:15:08,233 --> 00:15:10,563
The President -- the
President mentioned,

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00:15:10,567 --> 00:15:16,437
as some in the room suggested --
reiterated their support for the

285
00:15:16,433 --> 00:15:19,233
President's decision in March
to send an additional 21,000

286
00:15:19,233 --> 00:15:22,033
troops and trainers to
the region of Afghanistan.

287
00:15:22,033 --> 00:15:25,663
He did take the opportunity
to mention that despite their

288
00:15:25,667 --> 00:15:31,197
statements of support, he did
not remember as clearly the

289
00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:34,300
appropriations bill sliding
through the House, as he said.

290
00:15:34,300 --> 00:15:35,770
The Press:
So cost is a factor?

291
00:15:35,767 --> 00:15:40,597
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, it's something we
certainly have to be mindful of.

292
00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:42,170
We don't have unlimited money.

293
00:15:42,166 --> 00:15:44,836
We certainly don't
have unlimited troops.

294
00:15:44,834 --> 00:15:49,704
And as we go forward, there
-- I'm not saying this is the

295
00:15:49,700 --> 00:15:51,430
determining factor,
by any means,

296
00:15:51,433 --> 00:15:56,303
but understanding that as we
have a discussion about our

297
00:15:56,300 --> 00:16:02,370
spending and our deficits, and
how they relate to our fiscal

298
00:16:02,367 --> 00:16:07,437
health, certainly the amount of
money that we spend overseas has

299
00:16:07,433 --> 00:16:10,863
always played a role in that and
I assume will continue to do so.

300
00:16:10,867 --> 00:16:13,297
The Press:
I'm interested in this
distinction you're making

301
00:16:13,300 --> 00:16:15,170
between elements
within the Taliban,

302
00:16:15,166 --> 00:16:18,366
those who are more inclined to
provide safe haven to al Qaeda

303
00:16:18,367 --> 00:16:22,237
and those who are more --
the generic warlord variety.

304
00:16:22,233 --> 00:16:25,703
Is the former group, those who
would provide a safe haven,

305
00:16:25,700 --> 00:16:28,130
are obviously a higher priority,
defeating them is a higher

306
00:16:28,133 --> 00:16:29,103
priority than defeating --

307
00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:35,030
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, obviously it is very safe
to assume that this review will

308
00:16:35,033 --> 00:16:41,563
continue the policy of ensuring
that Afghanistan and any

309
00:16:41,567 --> 00:16:46,037
extremists in Afghanistan are
unable to provide a safe haven

310
00:16:46,033 --> 00:16:50,833
for which al Qaeda can plan and
ultimately execute attacks,

311
00:16:50,834 --> 00:16:57,504
as I've said, on our
homeland and on our allies.

312
00:16:57,500 --> 00:17:01,870
I think if you look at
-- the Taliban is not --

313
00:17:01,867 --> 00:17:03,867
is not a homogenous group.

314
00:17:03,867 --> 00:17:06,597
I think you've -- certainly,
as I said a minute ago,

315
00:17:06,600 --> 00:17:14,070
you've seen elements that have
provided that support of safe haven.

316
00:17:14,066 --> 00:17:20,066
You also have, again, those
with much more local interest.

317
00:17:20,066 --> 00:17:22,666
And again, you've got
al Qaeda -- again,

318
00:17:22,667 --> 00:17:27,737
a global network --
versus the Taliban,

319
00:17:27,734 --> 00:17:31,364
something that's located
exclusively in Afghanistan.

320
00:17:31,367 --> 00:17:33,997
The Press:
Well, does it follow, then, that
those who have local interest,

321
00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:37,230
as you put it, the United States
would be less concerned about

322
00:17:37,233 --> 00:17:38,803
them operating
and controlling --

323
00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:39,730
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I would say --

324
00:17:39,734 --> 00:17:43,034
The Press:
-- being in charge of
large swaths of Afghanistan?

325
00:17:43,033 --> 00:17:47,803
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think, one, it's
important to reiterate that

326
00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:55,970
there is not intelligence to
back up, as some have suggested,

327
00:17:55,967 --> 00:18:00,867
the imminent fall of the
government in Afghanistan.

328
00:18:00,867 --> 00:18:02,337
The Press:
But they do control
-- the Taliban --

329
00:18:02,333 --> 00:18:06,563
largely autonomous regions --

330
00:18:06,567 --> 00:18:08,267
Mr. Gibbs:
Right, and remember, our --

331
00:18:08,266 --> 00:18:13,236
some of the strategic changes that were made in the last few

332
00:18:13,233 --> 00:18:17,663
months in Afghanistan
were to focus on certain

333
00:18:17,667 --> 00:18:19,667
areas of the country.

334
00:18:19,667 --> 00:18:24,037
I think everyone would note that
you have a country of size and

335
00:18:24,033 --> 00:18:29,103
scope in terms of population
that's far bigger than, say,

336
00:18:29,100 --> 00:18:33,270
some analogies that people
have tried to draw to Iraq.

337
00:18:33,266 --> 00:18:38,536
Let me reiterate again, though,
that there is -- there simply is

338
00:18:38,533 --> 00:18:45,203
a difference in intent
among these groups --

339
00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:46,830
among parts of these groups.

340
00:18:46,834 --> 00:18:49,204
And our primary
focus, obviously,

341
00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:52,800
is to protect our
homeland and to protect --

342
00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:55,200
help to protect our allies.

343
00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:56,430
The Press:
In the last several days,

344
00:18:56,433 --> 00:18:58,733
administration officials have
been taking pains to point out

345
00:18:58,734 --> 00:19:02,334
that progress, you report,
that the Pakistanis are making

346
00:19:02,333 --> 00:19:05,303
against militants in
their own territory.

347
00:19:05,300 --> 00:19:10,570
How does that tie into
the resource question in Afghanistan?

348
00:19:10,567 --> 00:19:12,497
Is there a connection there?

349
00:19:12,500 --> 00:19:15,200
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, let me
just leave it at this.

350
00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:18,130
Obviously the review that is
ongoing and the review that

351
00:19:18,133 --> 00:19:24,403
started during the transition
and up through March,

352
00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:27,470
the team here and the President
believe it was important not to

353
00:19:27,467 --> 00:19:31,837
look at these as two separate
contiguous countries,

354
00:19:31,834 --> 00:19:39,064
but instead a region of
strategic importance,

355
00:19:39,066 --> 00:19:42,196
and we're making decisions
that affect the region,

356
00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:43,470
not just one area.

357
00:19:43,467 --> 00:19:45,497
The Press:
So that success lessens
the need for more troops

358
00:19:45,500 --> 00:19:46,430
in Afghanistan --

359
00:19:46,433 --> 00:19:49,703
Mr. Gibbs:
The President has made
no resource decisions,

360
00:19:49,700 --> 00:19:52,030
and when he does
we'll discuss them.

361
00:19:52,033 --> 00:19:52,863
Yes, sir.

362
00:19:52,867 --> 00:19:55,767
The Press:
Does the Finance Committee bill
meet the President's standards

363
00:19:55,767 --> 00:19:59,037
for choice and competition
in the health care --

364
00:19:59,033 --> 00:20:01,003
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know if they've
-- I don't know the

365
00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:06,070
degree to which Nancy-Ann and
those guys have declared that.

366
00:20:06,066 --> 00:20:09,936
Obviously I think the Finance
Committee, it appears,

367
00:20:09,934 --> 00:20:14,764
will conclude their
work on Tuesday.

368
00:20:14,767 --> 00:20:21,237
Obviously important development
yesterday was a score by CBO

369
00:20:21,233 --> 00:20:27,033
that demonstrated that health
care legislation as written in

370
00:20:27,033 --> 00:20:30,633
the Finance Committee wouldn't
add to the deficit and would

371
00:20:30,633 --> 00:20:35,733
cover 94 percent of those that
lack health insurance -- or

372
00:20:35,734 --> 00:20:40,364
cover 94 percent of eligible
Americans, I should say.

373
00:20:40,367 --> 00:20:43,837
And I think it's another
step in terms of progress.

374
00:20:43,834 --> 00:20:49,004
The Press:
But before -- between now
and when the bill goes to

375
00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:52,870
the Senate floor, there's an
effort ongoing right now to

376
00:20:52,867 --> 00:20:55,767
reinsert a public
option in some form,

377
00:20:55,767 --> 00:20:58,397
probably managed by the states.

378
00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:01,900
And I'd like to know if the
President -- if the White House

379
00:21:01,900 --> 00:21:03,400
is getting involved
in that process.

380
00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:05,670
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, Jonathan, let me
give the answer -- I'll try

381
00:21:05,667 --> 00:21:07,997
again the answer I gave you I
think two days ago when you

382
00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:09,900
asked me largely
the same question.

383
00:21:09,900 --> 00:21:12,130
The head of that process is
obviously going to be the Senate

384
00:21:12,133 --> 00:21:16,903
Majority Leader working with
members of the relevant

385
00:21:16,900 --> 00:21:21,100
committees in the Senate, and I
presume that we'll get a chance

386
00:21:21,100 --> 00:21:23,630
to look at and have some
comment on those bills.

387
00:21:23,633 --> 00:21:24,933
Yes, sir.

388
00:21:24,934 --> 00:21:27,004
The Press:
Back on Afghanistan, Robert.

389
00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:28,470
You would agree
that the Taliban,

390
00:21:28,467 --> 00:21:30,437
or at least elements of
the Taliban, are a threat to

391
00:21:30,433 --> 00:21:33,203
U.S. forces on
the ground, right?

392
00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:37,630
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, I think I've acknowledged
that obviously that's the case.

393
00:21:37,633 --> 00:21:40,203
The Press:
What are the administration's
concerns about the support

394
00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:44,930
that Iran is giving
to Taliban elements,

395
00:21:44,934 --> 00:21:47,734
support in both
money and weaponry?

396
00:21:47,734 --> 00:21:53,234
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, obviously without
getting into a lot of specifics,

397
00:21:53,233 --> 00:21:57,133
the administration continues
to be concerned about a range

398
00:21:57,133 --> 00:22:01,133
of activities that the
Iranians are involved in.

399
00:22:01,133 --> 00:22:04,833
The Press:
And has it used any of
the approaches to Iran

400
00:22:04,834 --> 00:22:07,704
recently to put them on
notice about this in any way?

401
00:22:07,700 --> 00:22:09,870
Mr. Gibbs:
I could check with
Bill Burns on that,

402
00:22:09,867 --> 00:22:11,437
but not that I'm aware of.

403
00:22:11,433 --> 00:22:14,803
The Press:
One domestic question --
real domestic question --

404
00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:15,730
Mr. Gibbs:
As opposed to all
these previously

405
00:22:15,734 --> 00:22:17,764
fake domestic questions --

406
00:22:17,767 --> 00:22:21,367
The Press:
No, I mean domestic, here
in the White House itself.

407
00:22:21,367 --> 00:22:24,967
The story about Mrs. Obama's
family history that appeared in

408
00:22:24,967 --> 00:22:29,037
the Times today, the genealogy,
was this news to the family?

409
00:22:29,033 --> 00:22:33,433
And what do the President
and Mrs. Obama make of these findings?

410
00:22:33,433 --> 00:22:40,163
Mr. Gibbs:
I talked to the First Lady's
spokespeople this morning.

411
00:22:40,166 --> 00:22:47,096
They simply told me that they
-- that she was -- she enjoyed

412
00:22:47,100 --> 00:22:51,870
reading -- I don't believe she
knew, or had known all of this,

413
00:22:51,867 --> 00:22:55,297
but enjoyed reading
about her family history.

414
00:22:55,300 --> 00:22:56,500
That's all I got.

415
00:22:56,500 --> 00:22:57,800
The Press:
Has the President
reflected on it at all?

416
00:22:57,800 --> 00:22:58,870
Mr. Gibbs:
I've not talked to him about it.

417
00:22:58,867 --> 00:23:00,337
Yes, ma'am.

418
00:23:00,333 --> 00:23:02,963
The Press:
Speaker Pelosi today said
that the House is going to

419
00:23:02,967 --> 00:23:07,537
consider extending the
first-time homebuyer tax credit.

420
00:23:07,533 --> 00:23:10,403
In the meeting yesterday, did
the President give a preference,

421
00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:13,330
one way or the other, whether
he'd like to see that extended

422
00:23:13,333 --> 00:23:15,533
just for first-time
homebuyers, or that it would

423
00:23:15,533 --> 00:23:18,363
also apply to other purchasers?

424
00:23:18,367 --> 00:23:20,437
Mr. Gibbs:
This was not something
that was discussed

425
00:23:20,433 --> 00:23:22,063
in yesterday's meeting.

426
00:23:22,066 --> 00:23:24,766
The Press:
Well, Pelosi is saying
that she'd like the House

427
00:23:24,767 --> 00:23:25,897
to bring it up.

428
00:23:25,900 --> 00:23:29,370
Did that lead the President to
support that extension even more?

429
00:23:29,367 --> 00:23:34,797
Mr. Gibbs:
I think obviously there's
an evaluation going on,

430
00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:36,800
as has been going on
for several weeks,

431
00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:42,470
about measures that are expiring
between now and the end of the

432
00:23:42,467 --> 00:23:44,737
year, and they're
still evaluating that.

433
00:23:44,734 --> 00:23:50,204
But this was not a topic that
was discussed yesterday.

434
00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:52,370
The Press:
This extension, it never
came up during the meeting?

435
00:23:52,367 --> 00:23:53,297
Mr. Gibbs:
No.

436
00:23:53,300 --> 00:23:58,570
The Press:
Okay. Returning -- returning to
basketball, earlier in the year,

437
00:23:58,567 --> 00:24:01,437
the President said that he had
extended an invitation to LeBron

438
00:24:01,433 --> 00:24:04,233
James and other NBA
players to come once the

439
00:24:04,233 --> 00:24:06,033
nets went up on the court.

440
00:24:06,033 --> 00:24:08,103
Is that invitation still open?

441
00:24:08,100 --> 00:24:09,500
Is there any update to that?

442
00:24:09,500 --> 00:24:11,670
Mr. Gibbs:
You know, I think these
guys -- I'll ask Reggie this.

443
00:24:11,667 --> 00:24:13,737
He would have a better
sense of this than I would.

444
00:24:13,734 --> 00:24:16,034
I think a lot of those guys
are now in training camp,

445
00:24:16,033 --> 00:24:19,163
so that may have to
wait until it gets warmer

446
00:24:19,166 --> 00:24:20,866
at the end of next year.

447
00:24:20,867 --> 00:24:22,697
Maybe that will give the
President a little bit of time

448
00:24:22,700 --> 00:24:29,370
to practice before taking on the
likes of LeBron and others on

449
00:24:29,367 --> 00:24:30,997
anyone's basketball court.

450
00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:32,930
The Press:
You are going to play tonight?

451
00:24:32,934 --> 00:24:34,604
(laughter)

452
00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:37,430
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no. I played with -- I
played a few weeks ago with

453
00:24:37,433 --> 00:24:41,403
the President, and about 15
minutes into the whole affair,

454
00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:45,230
I turned my ankle and spent the
next five days with it sitting

455
00:24:45,233 --> 00:24:46,803
in a bucket of ice.

456
00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:49,370
And except for the
amazing honor of that,

457
00:24:49,367 --> 00:24:51,267
I've decided to
skip it this time.

458
00:24:51,266 --> 00:24:52,536
The Press:
And just one more on basketball.

459
00:24:52,533 --> 00:24:53,363
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

460
00:24:53,367 --> 00:24:55,767
The Press:
I believe there were two Republicans on the list today.

461
00:24:55,767 --> 00:24:57,937
Were any other
Republicans invited?

462
00:24:57,934 --> 00:25:01,704
Mr. Gibbs:
No, I think part of this
list follows a game that's

463
00:25:01,700 --> 00:25:05,430
played up on the House
side fairly regularly,

464
00:25:05,433 --> 00:25:08,363
and I think those are --
Congressman Flake and

465
00:25:08,367 --> 00:25:11,797
Congressman Shimkus are two
that participate right now.

466
00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:14,530
The Press:
House Republican leaders
sent the President a letter

467
00:25:14,533 --> 00:25:19,333
yesterday declaring the
stimulus to be unsuccessful,

468
00:25:19,333 --> 00:25:27,203
and blaming business concerns
about the health care debate and

469
00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:32,600
energy legislation for
freezing job growth right now.

470
00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:34,870
Give me a reaction to that.

471
00:25:34,867 --> 00:25:42,197
Mr. Gibbs:
That's a series of analysis
that in all honesty, Wendell,

472
00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:44,630
greatly escapes me.

473
00:25:44,633 --> 00:25:48,663
Energy legislation would
create, through clean energy

474
00:25:48,667 --> 00:25:54,737
investments, tens of
thousands of jobs.

475
00:25:54,734 --> 00:25:55,834
The Press:
What they say is
it would create --

476
00:25:55,834 --> 00:25:57,464
Mr. Gibbs:
I presume the economist that
came up with the economic plan

477
00:25:57,467 --> 00:26:01,667
that got us into this mess may
have penned some of that letter.

478
00:26:01,667 --> 00:26:03,667
The Press:
What they claim is that
it would create a national

479
00:26:03,667 --> 00:26:06,037
energy tax, and that --

480
00:26:06,033 --> 00:26:07,403
Mr. Gibbs:
I think --

481
00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:08,700
The Press:
-- health insurance
reform would --

482
00:26:08,700 --> 00:26:11,130
Mr. Gibbs:
Which I think has been debunked
by the same CBO that up until --

483
00:26:11,133 --> 00:26:17,703
at some point mid-yesterday,
they liked to -- they liked to

484
00:26:17,700 --> 00:26:19,370
make sure that people noticed.

485
00:26:19,367 --> 00:26:22,367
So again, I think this is --

486
00:26:22,367 --> 00:26:26,137
The Press:
And they say concerns about
whether the health insurance

487
00:26:26,133 --> 00:26:31,163
reform would raise the cost of
health insurance is discouraging 

488
00:26:31,166 --> 00:26:32,566
small business from hiring.

489
00:26:32,567 --> 00:26:34,067
Mr. Gibbs:
Here's what I would suggest.

490
00:26:34,066 --> 00:26:40,096
I would suggest that the
eloquent authors of that letter

491
00:26:40,100 --> 00:26:45,730
might want to pull from the CBO
Web site the analysis of health

492
00:26:45,734 --> 00:26:49,404
care and energy legislation that
will create jobs and provide

493
00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:55,530
affordable health care for
millions of Americans.

494
00:26:55,533 --> 00:26:59,133
But let me also quote a
Republican -- you can deliver

495
00:26:59,133 --> 00:27:05,363
this for me, but when Senate --
former Senate Majority Leader

496
00:27:05,367 --> 00:27:08,367
Bob Dole said yesterday --
reported yesterday that he

497
00:27:08,367 --> 00:27:12,167
didn't want his party
to be the party of "no,"

498
00:27:12,166 --> 00:27:16,266
to be the party of "we're
not open for business,"

499
00:27:16,266 --> 00:27:21,666
I think it's a good admonition
to the letter writers on Capitol

500
00:27:21,667 --> 00:27:27,237
Hill that I think many are
anxious to see their plan for

501
00:27:27,233 --> 00:27:32,463
creating energy jobs and
providing health insurance for

502
00:27:32,467 --> 00:27:34,797
those that don't have it and
cutting costs for the millions

503
00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:36,830
that are lucky
enough to have it.

504
00:27:36,834 --> 00:27:42,564
The Press:
On jobs, if I could. E.J.
Dionne in a op-ed today says --

505
00:27:42,567 --> 00:27:44,867
quotes a senior administration
official as saying, "We've

506
00:27:44,867 --> 00:27:47,197
always known that additional
measures for job creation were

507
00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:50,330
something the administration
would support and plan for."

508
00:27:50,333 --> 00:27:54,133
He's talking about something
short of a second stimulus plan.

509
00:27:54,133 --> 00:27:55,063
Considering that?

510
00:27:55,066 --> 00:27:58,466
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, as I've said
throughout this week,

511
00:27:58,467 --> 00:28:05,097
the recovery plan -- we talked
about this -- was a $787 billion

512
00:28:05,100 --> 00:28:11,930
plan to fill in a $2 trillion
hole in our economy,

513
00:28:11,934 --> 00:28:17,334
that the team here had since
last December been working

514
00:28:17,333 --> 00:28:22,663
through and continuing to
evaluate plans to ensure a

515
00:28:22,667 --> 00:28:26,167
strong economic recovery, and
they continue to do that.

516
00:28:26,166 --> 00:28:27,096
Yes, sir.

517
00:28:27,100 --> 00:28:28,500
The Press:
Thanks, Robert.

518
00:28:28,500 --> 00:28:32,730
You had the March review on
Afghanistan/Pakistan policy.

519
00:28:32,734 --> 00:28:34,364
You have General
McChrystal's report.

520
00:28:34,367 --> 00:28:37,837
You've had hours of discussions
over the past couple weeks.

521
00:28:37,834 --> 00:28:46,634
Does the administration believe
it's possible to defeat the Taliban?

522
00:28:46,633 --> 00:28:52,803
Mr. Gibbs:
I think -- let me get a better
sense of -- let me say this.

523
00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:56,200
I think as we get into
Friday's discussion,

524
00:28:56,200 --> 00:29:04,330
there will be a larger
discussion about Afghanistan,

525
00:29:04,333 --> 00:29:08,163
particularly, and the
threats we face there.

526
00:29:08,166 --> 00:29:13,496
The Press:
Robert, following on Jonathan's
line of questioning, in the

527
00:29:13,500 --> 00:29:17,330
Senate some senators are
talking now about a compromise

528
00:29:17,333 --> 00:29:21,003
that would look like -- it would
be a national public plan with

529
00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:24,570
the option for states to
either opt in or opt out.

530
00:29:24,567 --> 00:29:27,267
Is that something the
President could support?

531
00:29:27,266 --> 00:29:29,836
Mr. Gibbs:
I have not -- I've not
talked to them about that,

532
00:29:29,834 --> 00:29:34,104
but I can certainly ask if
that's something that's been evaluated.

533
00:29:34,100 --> 00:29:35,700
The Press:
So you're saying you don't
know if the President

534
00:29:35,700 --> 00:29:36,770
would support that?

535
00:29:36,767 --> 00:29:37,867
Mr. Gibbs:
I have not talked
to him about that.

536
00:29:37,867 --> 00:29:41,667
The Press:
And then, Congressman
Raul Grijalva is quoted as

537
00:29:41,667 --> 00:29:47,537
saying that he's upset that the
White House is considering a

538
00:29:47,533 --> 00:29:50,703
public option that would
allow rates to be negotiated,

539
00:29:50,700 --> 00:29:55,470
as opposed to a more robust plan
that would set rates at Medicare

540
00:29:55,467 --> 00:29:56,897
plus 5 percent.

541
00:29:56,900 --> 00:30:00,230
He says, "If the issue is
who is going to blink first,

542
00:30:00,233 --> 00:30:02,663
and the assumption is that the
progressive caucus is going to

543
00:30:02,667 --> 00:30:06,397
roll over, that's a test that
leadership and the White House

544
00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:08,030
might want to reconsider."

545
00:30:08,033 --> 00:30:10,603
Do you think the White House
has anything to reconsider in

546
00:30:10,600 --> 00:30:14,430
its dealing with
Congress on this?

547
00:30:14,433 --> 00:30:15,703
Mr. Gibbs:
Writ large?

548
00:30:15,700 --> 00:30:16,900
The Press:
Yes.

549
00:30:16,900 --> 00:30:22,000
Mr. Gibbs:
I think we are -- I've
said this a lot because

550
00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:27,030
it's truer and truer each day
-- we're closer to the goal of

551
00:30:27,033 --> 00:30:31,003
national health care reform than
-- closer to that goal being

552
00:30:31,000 --> 00:30:34,100
reached than we ever have been.

553
00:30:34,100 --> 00:30:38,630
So there will certainly be time
for navel-gazing when this is

554
00:30:38,633 --> 00:30:42,663
all done, but I think the
President and many in Congress

555
00:30:42,667 --> 00:30:44,797
are pleased with the
progress that we're making.

556
00:30:44,800 --> 00:30:46,970
The Press:
But how do you respond
to a loyal supporter,

557
00:30:46,967 --> 00:30:50,037
a fellow Democrat, saying the
White House needs to reconsider?

558
00:30:50,033 --> 00:30:53,863
Mr. Gibbs:
We're working with Democrats
and Republicans from throughout

559
00:30:53,867 --> 00:30:56,397
the political spectrum.

560
00:30:56,400 --> 00:31:00,870
I think that when this bill --
when legislation comes to the

561
00:31:00,867 --> 00:31:05,037
floor to be voted on, when it
goes to the Senate to be voted

562
00:31:05,033 --> 00:31:12,303
on, there will be a lot in
legislation that we hope members

563
00:31:12,300 --> 00:31:17,100
representing a lot of different
constituents can support.

564
00:31:17,100 --> 00:31:21,300
I think they will, and I think
we'll get health care reform

565
00:31:21,300 --> 00:31:24,830
done this year. Mara.

566
00:31:24,834 --> 00:31:27,464
The Press:
A question about
the meeting tomorrow.

567
00:31:27,467 --> 00:31:30,537
You said, I think yesterday,
that they were getting to the

568
00:31:30,533 --> 00:31:32,433
point where they could
start addressing resources,

569
00:31:32,433 --> 00:31:33,863
troop levels.

570
00:31:33,867 --> 00:31:35,537
Is that -- do you expect
that to come up tomorrow?

571
00:31:35,533 --> 00:31:39,963
Mr. Gibbs:
I think tomorrow will
focus a great deal on the

572
00:31:39,967 --> 00:31:47,537
assessment by General McChrystal
and I'm sure at points will get

573
00:31:47,533 --> 00:31:50,703
into resource requests, yes.

574
00:31:50,700 --> 00:31:51,900
The Press:
And that will be the first time?

575
00:31:51,900 --> 00:31:52,730
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

576
00:31:52,734 --> 00:31:55,904
The Press:
Okay. And also on the
question of the Taliban,

577
00:31:55,900 --> 00:31:59,370
on Monday Gates -- Secretary
Gates said that if the Taliban

578
00:31:59,367 --> 00:32:04,837
was to gain strength in
Afghanistan it would be able to

579
00:32:04,834 --> 00:32:07,204
provide a safe
haven for al Qaeda.

580
00:32:07,200 --> 00:32:09,870
I'm wondering, in the course of
all these discussions in the

581
00:32:09,867 --> 00:32:14,897
Situation Room, if the President
now has a clear idea of just how

582
00:32:14,900 --> 00:32:18,100
much harboring of al Qaeda
might happen among the Taliban.

583
00:32:18,100 --> 00:32:20,830
You said that some of them
would, some of them won't.

584
00:32:20,834 --> 00:32:26,034
Does he have a clearer sense
of exactly the kind of -- the

585
00:32:26,033 --> 00:32:29,003
extent of the linkage, I guess,
between or potentially between

586
00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:30,570
the Taliban and al Qaeda?

587
00:32:30,567 --> 00:32:32,697
Mr. Gibbs:
Without getting into specifics,

588
00:32:32,700 --> 00:32:35,200
largely because they're
predicated on intelligence that

589
00:32:35,200 --> 00:32:40,430
would be against the law
for me to discuss publicly,

590
00:32:40,433 --> 00:32:45,563
it's a topic that is among the
topics that have been discussed

591
00:32:45,567 --> 00:32:46,997
in the Situation Room. Ann.

592
00:32:47,000 --> 00:32:48,300
The Press:
There's some new
spending figures,

593
00:32:48,300 --> 00:32:51,730
retail sales figures out, and
forecasts that the Christmas

594
00:32:51,734 --> 00:32:53,864
season is going
to be pretty flat,

595
00:32:53,867 --> 00:32:57,197
even though there's some
spending regenerating now.

596
00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:00,930
Is the President worried that
the -- because of the job

597
00:33:00,934 --> 00:33:04,904
situation and the lack of jobs
extending into next year,

598
00:33:04,900 --> 00:33:07,970
that that will depress the
season and make the recession

599
00:33:07,967 --> 00:33:10,897
run even longer
than he had thought?

600
00:33:10,900 --> 00:33:19,370
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, obviously there
remains a lot of work to be

601
00:33:19,367 --> 00:33:24,267
done through both
consumer confidence,

602
00:33:24,266 --> 00:33:30,736
through other elements of
strengthening our economy,

603
00:33:30,734 --> 00:33:34,904
that -- work that has to be done
before we're going to see the

604
00:33:34,900 --> 00:33:40,730
type of sales that we had seen
in previous years before a

605
00:33:40,734 --> 00:33:44,234
recession was declared.

606
00:33:44,233 --> 00:33:51,463
I think that obviously elements
of the recovery plan have worked

607
00:33:51,467 --> 00:33:54,097
to put money back
in people's pockets,

608
00:33:54,100 --> 00:33:57,730
and we've seen fluctuations
in consumer confidence.

609
00:33:57,734 --> 00:34:02,434
But I think -- it doesn't
surprise me that there's some

610
00:34:02,433 --> 00:34:08,003
trepidation based on individual
economic circumstances that

611
00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:11,670
affect the retail sales.

612
00:34:11,667 --> 00:34:16,297
We certainly are working on and
looking at anything that can be

613
00:34:16,300 --> 00:34:17,830
done to strengthen the economy.

614
00:34:17,834 --> 00:34:20,704
The Press:
Does the President and
the First Family think that

615
00:34:20,700 --> 00:34:25,170
the story -- investigating the
kind of ancestral trails for the

616
00:34:25,166 --> 00:34:27,096
President and the First
Lady are appropriate?

617
00:34:27,100 --> 00:34:28,270
Do they think that's --

618
00:34:28,266 --> 00:34:31,436
Mr. Gibbs:
I haven't heard them utter
otherwise, so I can't imagine.

619
00:34:31,433 --> 00:34:32,963
The Press:
Do you?

620
00:34:32,967 --> 00:34:40,297
Mr. Gibbs:
No, I -- it's a -- it's
fascinating history to read.

621
00:34:40,300 --> 00:34:47,970
I'm sure every one of us has
a relative that charts where

622
00:34:47,967 --> 00:34:51,537
you've come from and
who your ancestors are.

623
00:34:51,533 --> 00:34:54,903
My father does that, and
they're always good stories.

624
00:34:54,900 --> 00:34:57,900
And I think you're always --
when this sort of -- when you

625
00:34:57,900 --> 00:35:00,930
read this sort of thing, whether
it's produced by a newspaper or

626
00:35:00,934 --> 00:35:05,804
produced by a family member, I
think not only is it interesting

627
00:35:05,800 --> 00:35:08,100
to read there and then
in the short term,

628
00:35:08,100 --> 00:35:12,730
but as the years go on, it's
something you treasure even more.

629
00:35:12,734 --> 00:35:14,234
Peter.

630
00:35:14,233 --> 00:35:15,563
The Press:
Robert, thank you.

631
00:35:15,567 --> 00:35:17,437
The President is obviously doing
a great deal of outreach on

632
00:35:17,433 --> 00:35:19,163
Capitol Hill on health care.

633
00:35:19,166 --> 00:35:21,366
Is the White House incorporating
concerns of Republicans,

634
00:35:21,367 --> 00:35:23,937
for example, on
medical malpractice?

635
00:35:23,934 --> 00:35:26,664
Is the administration prepared
to rebuff trial lawyers if

636
00:35:26,667 --> 00:35:30,467
necessary and commit to measures
that would curb medical

637
00:35:30,467 --> 00:35:33,067
malpractice premiums and
spare doctors from performing

638
00:35:33,066 --> 00:35:34,196
defensive medicine?

639
00:35:34,200 --> 00:35:36,970
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, obviously, it's something the President talked about

640
00:35:36,967 --> 00:35:39,397
in front of Congress.

641
00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:43,930
Secretary Sebelius has taken
some steps -- she was here to

642
00:35:43,934 --> 00:35:46,704
tell you all about
that -- regarding that,

643
00:35:46,700 --> 00:35:50,700
and there are different
proposals within existing

644
00:35:50,700 --> 00:35:53,430
legislation that would
address part of that.

645
00:35:53,433 --> 00:35:57,433
And we're certainly amenable
to solutions that improve the

646
00:35:57,433 --> 00:35:59,133
quality of care.

647
00:35:59,133 --> 00:36:02,303
And in terms of meeting
with Republicans,

648
00:36:02,300 --> 00:36:08,370
I think Secretary Sebelius met
with a group of 11 Republicans

649
00:36:08,367 --> 00:36:10,497
just yesterday on
health care as well.

650
00:36:10,500 --> 00:36:12,800
The Press:
Robert, why are the basketball
games closed press?

651
00:36:12,800 --> 00:36:16,270
(laughter)

652
00:36:16,266 --> 00:36:17,636
The Press:
In case the President
makes a foul?

653
00:36:17,633 --> 00:36:23,163
Mr. Gibbs:
For -- to protect the
privacy and the statistics of

654
00:36:23,166 --> 00:36:24,766
any of those involved, I'm sure.

655
00:36:24,767 --> 00:36:26,337
(laughter)

656
00:36:26,333 --> 00:36:28,263
I got to tell you, it's
not something I've --

657
00:36:28,266 --> 00:36:31,636
on behalf of this room --

658
00:36:31,633 --> 00:36:33,333
The Press:
Would you consider opening them?

659
00:36:33,333 --> 00:36:35,203
Mr. Gibbs:
Probably not, but I'll certainly take that under consideration.

660
00:36:35,200 --> 00:36:36,730
The Press:
Who's the ref?

661
00:36:36,734 --> 00:36:39,264
Mr. Gibbs:
I assume they
call their own fouls,

662
00:36:39,266 --> 00:36:42,396
which I'm sure is a point of
contention at any given point --

663
00:36:42,400 --> 00:36:43,430
The Press:
Is it you?

664
00:36:43,433 --> 00:36:47,103
Mr. Gibbs:
I will say this -- I will say this, I don't know if you --

665
00:36:47,100 --> 00:36:48,770
maybe I'll bring this
picture out here.

666
00:36:48,767 --> 00:36:53,567
It's -- recently, the President
was playing with Reggie,

667
00:36:53,567 --> 00:36:55,037
I think it was in New York.

668
00:36:55,033 --> 00:36:56,363
Reggie is going to hate
that I told this story,

669
00:36:56,367 --> 00:36:58,837
but I want to make sure I'm
speaking directly into the camera.

670
00:36:58,834 --> 00:37:01,064
(laughter)

671
00:37:01,066 --> 00:37:05,196
And I think Reggie came
back across the street,

672
00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:07,600
and the pool asked
him what had happened,

673
00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:10,270
and he said he couldn't say
anything because I had told him

674
00:37:10,266 --> 00:37:12,766
he couldn't talk to the press.

675
00:37:12,767 --> 00:37:14,137
The Press:
He said you'd kill him.

676
00:37:14,133 --> 00:37:18,033
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I figured out why he apparently has finally started

677
00:37:18,033 --> 00:37:19,963
listening to me.

678
00:37:19,967 --> 00:37:25,467
The President told me that he
blocked several of Reggie's shots --

679
00:37:25,467 --> 00:37:26,737
(laughter)

680
00:37:26,734 --> 00:37:31,564
-- during this game, including one that was photographed by

681
00:37:31,567 --> 00:37:33,067
Pete Souza.

682
00:37:33,066 --> 00:37:36,136
There's now a very large print
of that downstairs in the West

683
00:37:36,133 --> 00:37:39,433
Wing that the President
asked Reggie to sign.

684
00:37:39,433 --> 00:37:41,303
(laughter)

685
00:37:41,300 --> 00:37:46,900
And it is prominently
displayed for both Reggie and,

686
00:37:46,900 --> 00:37:50,900
I think more importantly, the
President's enjoyment as he

687
00:37:50,900 --> 00:37:52,530
walks to and from meetings.

688
00:37:52,533 --> 00:37:54,433
(The picture is brought out.)

689
00:37:54,433 --> 00:37:58,763
(laughter)

690
00:37:58,767 --> 00:38:00,097
The Press:
Nice picture.

691
00:38:00,100 --> 00:38:01,730
The Press:
Clearly he's --

692
00:38:01,734 --> 00:38:03,104
The Press:
Robert, Robert, hold it up.

693
00:38:03,100 --> 00:38:04,400
Hold it way up.

694
00:38:04,400 --> 00:38:05,230
The Press:
I think it's a foul.

695
00:38:05,233 --> 00:38:06,563
I think it's a foul.

696
00:38:06,567 --> 00:38:07,067
(laughter)

697
00:38:07,066 --> 00:38:08,036
The Press:
What does it say?

698
00:38:08,033 --> 00:38:09,433
Mr. Gibbs:
"Mr. President, nice
block. Reggie Love."

699
00:38:09,433 --> 00:38:14,133
I will say this -- Reggie certainly is -- I don't think

700
00:38:14,133 --> 00:38:15,563
would call a foul
in that play --

701
00:38:15,567 --> 00:38:16,467
The Press:
It's a contact --

702
00:38:16,467 --> 00:38:18,737
(laughter)

703
00:38:18,734 --> 00:38:20,064
The Press:
Was the President part of --

704
00:38:20,066 --> 00:38:22,266
Mr. Gibbs:
Reggie is not now going to talk
to me for the better part of the

705
00:38:22,266 --> 00:38:23,796
-- the remainder of the --

706
00:38:23,800 --> 00:38:25,170
The Press:
Was the President part of the House side game when he was in

707
00:38:25,166 --> 00:38:26,066
the Senate?

708
00:38:26,066 --> 00:38:27,236
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no.

709
00:38:27,233 --> 00:38:28,803
The Press:
-- the wires would be
good, though, Robert.

710
00:38:28,800 --> 00:38:32,670
Mr. Gibbs:
I think they brought a photographer and I think Pete

711
00:38:32,667 --> 00:38:36,497
has -- Pete will probably
as well take some pictures,

712
00:38:36,500 --> 00:38:37,930
assuming that they're
clear with --

713
00:38:37,934 --> 00:38:39,064
I'll come back to you
and I'll go here first.

714
00:38:39,066 --> 00:38:40,366
Yes.

715
00:38:40,367 --> 00:38:41,397
The Press:
Thank you, Robert.

716
00:38:41,400 --> 00:38:42,330
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, ma'am.

717
00:38:42,333 --> 00:38:44,063
The Press:
The announcement in Chicago yesterday by Attorney General

718
00:38:44,066 --> 00:38:47,636
Holder and Secretary Duncan, they didn't mention guns,

719
00:38:47,633 --> 00:38:50,503
which are the primary vehicle for violent deaths in the

720
00:38:50,500 --> 00:38:53,570
country, and the access
that kids have to guns.

721
00:38:53,567 --> 00:38:55,537
So I wanted to know if the
administration plans on

722
00:38:55,533 --> 00:38:59,033
addressing the prevalence
of guns in the national

723
00:38:59,033 --> 00:39:02,503
conversation on violence, and if
there's a reason why it wasn't

724
00:39:02,500 --> 00:39:03,670
brought up yesterday.

725
00:39:03,667 --> 00:39:09,767
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think the goal of
the national discussion that

726
00:39:09,767 --> 00:39:12,197
Attorney General Holder and Secretary Duncan talked about

727
00:39:12,200 --> 00:39:15,700
yesterday was to talk about a
full range of issues that affect

728
00:39:15,700 --> 00:39:20,600
values and youth violence.

729
00:39:20,600 --> 00:39:24,030
My sense is that
the killings that --

730
00:39:24,033 --> 00:39:28,103
and beatings that
we've seen recently,

731
00:39:28,100 --> 00:39:36,270
the shocking videotape, obviously a result of

732
00:39:36,266 --> 00:39:41,296
individuals beating someone to death, didn't involve that --

733
00:39:41,300 --> 00:39:45,870
my sense is that's -- that was what was addressed directly

734
00:39:45,867 --> 00:39:48,537
yesterday at the
visit into that school,

735
00:39:48,533 --> 00:39:51,063
but I think obviously a national
conversation is just that.

736
00:39:51,066 --> 00:39:53,196
Yes, sir.

737
00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:55,930
The Press:
For the President's meeting
with the ASEAN leaders,

738
00:39:55,934 --> 00:39:59,664
which you announced yesterday,
is he prepared to talk face to

739
00:39:59,667 --> 00:40:01,937
face inside that meeting
with the leaders of Burma?

740
00:40:01,934 --> 00:40:03,834
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't believe they
will be in attendance.

741
00:40:03,834 --> 00:40:05,134
Yes, ma'am.

742
00:40:05,133 --> 00:40:09,963
The Press:
On unemployment insurance, the House bill was only narrowly

743
00:40:09,967 --> 00:40:12,597
targeted to
high-unemployment states,

744
00:40:12,600 --> 00:40:16,130
but the Senate bill would do both but just limit the amount

745
00:40:16,133 --> 00:40:19,533
of weeks for states
that aren't under that.

746
00:40:19,533 --> 00:40:21,263
Do you have a preference?

747
00:40:21,266 --> 00:40:22,866
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me get a sense of that.

748
00:40:22,867 --> 00:40:25,897
I don't -- I also -- I think --
and I'm speaking a little out of

749
00:40:25,900 --> 00:40:29,200
my range here -- if
I'm not mistaken,

750
00:40:29,200 --> 00:40:32,030
some of this had to be adopted
as part of the recovery plan by

751
00:40:32,033 --> 00:40:35,103
states, but let me get a
clearer sense of where that is.

752
00:40:35,100 --> 00:40:36,030
Yes, ma'am.

753
00:40:36,033 --> 00:40:39,103
The Press:
Yesterday you said the President was working with the Pentagon to

754
00:40:39,100 --> 00:40:42,370
ensure a change in
"don't ask, don't tell."

755
00:40:42,367 --> 00:40:45,497
In the past you've repeatedly said that congressional repeal

756
00:40:45,500 --> 00:40:50,670
was the only sort of durable
solution to overturning the policy.

757
00:40:50,667 --> 00:40:52,737
Mr. Gibbs:
Right, right -- well,
go ahead, finish --

758
00:40:52,734 --> 00:40:53,764
The Press:
A couple questions.

759
00:40:53,767 --> 00:40:55,037
So first of all, do you --

760
00:40:55,033 --> 00:40:57,133
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm not -- let me clarify.

761
00:40:57,133 --> 00:40:59,263
I think I see where
you're going --

762
00:40:59,266 --> 00:41:01,436
The Press:
I wonder if your comments yesterday indicate a shift

763
00:41:01,433 --> 00:41:02,203
in policy.

764
00:41:02,200 --> 00:41:03,130
I also wonder, if not --

765
00:41:03,133 --> 00:41:08,463
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no -- and I realize
now that you bring it up --

766
00:41:08,467 --> 00:41:09,437
the administration --

767
00:41:09,433 --> 00:41:14,633
(laughter)

768
00:41:14,633 --> 00:41:15,633
What are you talking about?

769
00:41:15,633 --> 00:41:16,733
I don't know what you're --

770
00:41:16,734 --> 00:41:23,904
(laughter)

771
00:41:23,900 --> 00:41:26,370
All right.

772
00:41:26,367 --> 00:41:30,497
For the remainder of the day,
I'll be working back there just --

773
00:41:30,500 --> 00:41:31,530
(laughter)

774
00:41:31,533 --> 00:41:34,563
Sorry.

775
00:41:34,567 --> 00:41:37,667
I'm in trouble now.

776
00:41:37,667 --> 00:41:45,497
I see -- what I meant was,
working with the Pentagon on how

777
00:41:45,500 --> 00:41:48,370
to do through this through a
statutory -- through Congress.

778
00:41:48,367 --> 00:41:52,597
The administration continues
to think that that's the only

779
00:41:52,600 --> 00:41:57,430
binding way to remove a policy
that he thinks is unfair.

780
00:41:57,433 --> 00:42:02,603
The Press:
So in that case, are you guys in discussions with any senators at

781
00:42:02,600 --> 00:42:07,670
this point to introduce "don't ask, don't tell" repeal bills?

782
00:42:07,667 --> 00:42:10,037
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me check with
Legislative Affairs.

783
00:42:10,033 --> 00:42:13,603
I think -- I don't know if
one's been introduced --

784
00:42:13,600 --> 00:42:14,200
The Press:
It has not.

785
00:42:14,200 --> 00:42:14,930
Mr. Gibbs:
Has not?

786
00:42:14,934 --> 00:42:15,834
The Press:
It has not, and --

787
00:42:15,834 --> 00:42:17,034
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me check on
this discussion's --

788
00:42:17,033 --> 00:42:21,433
The Press: --
Senator Reid is looking
for guidance with you guys.

789
00:42:21,433 --> 00:42:23,433
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me get some clear
direction from them.

790
00:42:23,433 --> 00:42:28,033
Again, I just want to repeat
that this is a proposal that the

791
00:42:28,033 --> 00:42:32,403
President is supportive
of doing statutorily.

792
00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:33,870
The Press:
Do you plan to set out
a timeline for a repeal

793
00:42:33,867 --> 00:42:35,067
at any point?

794
00:42:35,066 --> 00:42:36,936
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me talk to those guys
about that, but again --

795
00:42:36,934 --> 00:42:39,164
The Press:
I mean, a timeline is something that you guys have continually

796
00:42:39,166 --> 00:42:40,966
said, if we don't
have a timeline for --

797
00:42:40,967 --> 00:42:43,537
if you don't have a deadline in
this town, nothing gets done.

798
00:42:43,533 --> 00:42:44,933
Mr. Gibbs:
Right.

799
00:42:44,934 --> 00:42:48,704
You should -- I should
bring you up to the Senate.

800
00:42:48,700 --> 00:42:50,100
(laughter)

801
00:42:50,100 --> 00:42:51,070
The Press:
The swine flu?

802
00:42:51,066 --> 00:42:52,236
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

803
00:42:52,233 --> 00:42:56,733
The Press:
A lot of the people are very afraid of having their children

804
00:42:56,734 --> 00:43:01,564
being vaccinated with the shot.

805
00:43:01,567 --> 00:43:04,937
I don't know what they -- maybe
the President or somebody else

806
00:43:04,934 --> 00:43:08,464
can talk again about --
is it safe or not safe,

807
00:43:08,467 --> 00:43:10,497
and tell them a little
bit more about it,

808
00:43:10,500 --> 00:43:11,970
because they're not sure.

809
00:43:11,967 --> 00:43:13,497
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, I think it's
a good question.

810
00:43:13,500 --> 00:43:19,100
Obviously Secretary
Sebelius was --

811
00:43:19,100 --> 00:43:22,000
did a round of morning show interviews yesterday to talk

812
00:43:22,000 --> 00:43:27,130
about the importance of --
the importance of the vaccine,

813
00:43:27,133 --> 00:43:33,103
as it's now becoming available; the danger that H1N1 poses;

814
00:43:33,100 --> 00:43:41,070
and hoping that parents will take the time to get their

815
00:43:41,066 --> 00:43:46,496
children vaccinated as we
head into both the H1N1 and the

816
00:43:46,500 --> 00:43:47,800
seasonal flu season.

817
00:43:47,800 --> 00:43:49,430
Thank you.

818
00:43:49,433 --> 00:43:52,163
The Press:
Have the First
Daughters had the shots?

819
00:43:52,166 --> 00:43:55,666
Mr. Gibbs:
I'll take one more and
then I'll go get beaten by

820
00:43:55,667 --> 00:43:57,367
Reggie.

821
00:43:57,367 --> 00:43:59,867
The Press:
Have the First Daughters
-- what did they --

822
00:43:59,867 --> 00:44:07,497
Mr. Gibbs:
They have -- they have not,
and I will check on --

823
00:44:07,500 --> 00:44:09,470
we were in the process
of doing this --

824
00:44:09,467 --> 00:44:11,737
The Press:
Just before you go --

825
00:44:11,734 --> 00:44:16,964
Mr. Gibbs:
It's not available to them
yet, based on their risk,

826
00:44:16,967 --> 00:44:20,467
and I'll check on whether or not -- where we are with seasonal flu.

827
00:44:20,467 --> 00:44:21,267
Mara.

828
00:44:21,266 --> 00:44:24,536
The Press:
Just before we go, I just got a message to ask you about this AP

829
00:44:24,533 --> 00:44:27,203
story that says a senior administration says that the

830
00:44:27,200 --> 00:44:29,800
President is prepared to accept some Taliban involved in an

831
00:44:29,800 --> 00:44:33,630
Afghanistan future, and is inclined to send only as many

832
00:44:33,633 --> 00:44:37,663
more U.S. troops to Afghanistan as are needed to keep al Qaeda at bay.

833
00:44:37,667 --> 00:44:40,567
Can you just respond
to that or confirm it?

834
00:44:40,567 --> 00:44:44,997
Mr. Gibbs:
Again, I don't think -- the President hasn't discussed the

835
00:44:45,000 --> 00:44:47,970
resource request
with his team yet,

836
00:44:47,967 --> 00:44:52,937
and obviously a decision at
some point will be forthcoming.

837
00:44:52,934 --> 00:44:59,064
Again, I would encourage people
to read what the President has

838
00:44:59,066 --> 00:45:01,966
said, particularly in
March, about these threats.

839
00:45:01,967 --> 00:45:02,767
Thank you.

840
00:45:02,767 --> 00:45:06,237
The Press:
And that would involve -- the Taliban's involvement that would

841
00:45:06,233 --> 00:45:10,003
involve accepting some Taliban involvement in Afghanistan's future?

842
00:45:10,000 --> 00:45:11,630
The Press:
I'm just reading you what the --

843
00:45:11,633 --> 00:45:13,333
Mr. Gibbs:
I understand.

844
00:45:13,333 --> 00:45:15,963
Let me -- give me the benefit
of looking at -- looking at the story.

845
00:45:15,967 --> 00:45:16,867
Thank you.