English subtitles for clip: File:11-22-13- White House Press Briefing.webm
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
1 00:00:04,261 --> 00:00:05,194 Mr. Carney: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. 2 00:00:05,194 --> 00:00:07,494 Thank you for being here. 3 00:00:07,494 --> 00:00:11,661 I appreciate you going easy on my colleague, Josh, yesterday. 4 00:00:11,661 --> 00:00:16,061 I had to be a chaperone at a 3rd-grade field trip. 5 00:00:16,061 --> 00:00:17,194 It was pretty great -- 6 00:00:17,194 --> 00:00:19,127 Claude Moore Colonial Farm, 7 00:00:19,127 --> 00:00:22,026 if you haven't been, in Virginia -- 8 00:00:22,027 --> 00:00:23,628 very special place. 9 00:00:23,628 --> 00:00:27,161 I have no announcements except for that at the top. 10 00:00:27,161 --> 00:00:28,994 So I'll go to the Associated Press. 11 00:00:28,994 --> 00:00:30,528 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 12 00:00:30,528 --> 00:00:34,294 So there's a spokesman for the Afghan President who said today 13 00:00:34,294 --> 00:00:36,593 that the only deadline that matters with regard 14 00:00:36,594 --> 00:00:39,461 to the security agreement is the one that Karzai wants, 15 00:00:39,461 --> 00:00:41,961 which is he wants to get it signed next year when his 16 00:00:41,961 --> 00:00:44,126 successor is in office. 17 00:00:44,127 --> 00:00:46,361 The U.S. position is that it needs to be signed 18 00:00:46,361 --> 00:00:49,794 by the end of the year, so -- 19 00:00:49,795 --> 00:00:50,961 Mr. Carney: Let me say a couple things. 20 00:00:50,961 --> 00:00:54,394 One, we have long made clear that we need to get 21 00:00:54,394 --> 00:00:59,361 a bilateral security agreement done this year. 22 00:00:59,361 --> 00:01:02,695 We've made clear that it's imperative that we do it as soon 23 00:01:02,695 --> 00:01:06,194 as possible, and further delay is not practical, nor tenable. 24 00:01:06,194 --> 00:01:10,194 The United States needs adequate time to plan a potential 25 00:01:10,194 --> 00:01:12,328 military mission with our NATO allies, 26 00:01:12,328 --> 00:01:15,861 and the Afghans have an election coming up and have said 27 00:01:15,861 --> 00:01:18,528 that they want certainty about whether the U.S. 28 00:01:18,528 --> 00:01:21,361 will be there to support them post-2014, 29 00:01:21,361 --> 00:01:23,795 both financially and with respect to training 30 00:01:23,795 --> 00:01:26,261 their security forces. 31 00:01:26,261 --> 00:01:32,261 So this process has been undertaken now for some time, 32 00:01:32,261 --> 00:01:34,527 and the bottom line is that we need to conclude the agreement 33 00:01:34,528 --> 00:01:37,061 with signature between our two governments as quickly 34 00:01:37,061 --> 00:01:39,895 as possible, and certainly by the end of this year. 35 00:01:39,895 --> 00:01:42,428 Failure to conclude the BSA by that point would make it 36 00:01:42,428 --> 00:01:45,895 impossible for the United States and our allies to plan 37 00:01:45,895 --> 00:01:49,294 for a presence post-2014. 38 00:01:49,294 --> 00:01:51,895 And what we would say to the loya jirga is that we have 39 00:01:51,895 --> 00:01:55,561 negotiated in good faith, we've provided the assurances that 40 00:01:55,561 --> 00:01:58,795 President Karzai has sought, and we believe the text 41 00:01:58,795 --> 00:02:01,127 before the loya jirga represents a strong agreement 42 00:02:01,127 --> 00:02:02,428 for both parties. 43 00:02:02,428 --> 00:02:04,961 We have submitted our final offer on the text 44 00:02:04,961 --> 00:02:07,994 and we hope the jirga will not be left to think 45 00:02:07,994 --> 00:02:10,261 that we are open to rewriting it. 46 00:02:10,261 --> 00:02:13,494 It is time to get this done. 47 00:02:13,494 --> 00:02:15,761 The Press: Does the rift or the disagreement over 48 00:02:15,761 --> 00:02:19,027 when it should be signed, does that not sort of 49 00:02:19,027 --> 00:02:21,628 increase the prospects of a complete U.S. withdrawal 50 00:02:21,628 --> 00:02:24,194 of U.S. troops after 2014? 51 00:02:24,194 --> 00:02:26,494 Mr. Carney: Well, let's be clear that the BSA -- 52 00:02:26,494 --> 00:02:27,828 the bilateral security agreement -- 53 00:02:27,828 --> 00:02:34,695 does not specify troop presence or duration of any presence 54 00:02:34,695 --> 00:02:38,761 beyond 2014 of U.S. or NATO troops. 55 00:02:38,761 --> 00:02:41,695 The President will be making that decision. 56 00:02:41,695 --> 00:02:43,928 But we have said that a BSA must be in place 57 00:02:43,928 --> 00:02:47,194 because we can't possibly have a further U.S. 58 00:02:47,194 --> 00:02:49,393 military presence there without an agreement in place. 59 00:02:49,394 --> 00:02:54,461 So I think that it's important to note that this 60 00:02:54,461 --> 00:02:59,961 has been a prolonged and fully consultative process 61 00:02:59,961 --> 00:03:02,094 with the Afghan government, 62 00:03:02,094 --> 00:03:05,894 and we look forward to an agreement 63 00:03:05,895 --> 00:03:08,161 that can be signed by both sides. 64 00:03:08,161 --> 00:03:10,494 We need it done by the end of the year 65 00:03:10,494 --> 00:03:14,161 because we can't push it 66 00:03:14,161 --> 00:03:17,895 into next year and be expected to plan 67 00:03:17,895 --> 00:03:20,928 for a post-2014 military presence. 68 00:03:20,928 --> 00:03:22,194 The Press: And on another issue, 69 00:03:22,194 --> 00:03:25,460 do you have any information on this 85-year-old American 70 00:03:25,461 --> 00:03:28,961 who is said to be detained in North Korea? 71 00:03:28,961 --> 00:03:31,027 Mr. Carney: I do not believe I have that. 72 00:03:31,027 --> 00:03:34,261 I'll have to take that question and get back to you. 73 00:03:34,261 --> 00:03:35,628 Steve. 74 00:03:35,628 --> 00:03:38,060 The Press: Jay, the negotiators are in Geneva talking to Iran. 75 00:03:38,061 --> 00:03:41,561 What is holding up the interim bill that most seem to -- 76 00:03:41,561 --> 00:03:43,795 that you agree on? 77 00:03:43,795 --> 00:03:48,060 Mr. Carney: The P5-plus-1 is unified on the offer that has been made 78 00:03:48,061 --> 00:03:52,728 to the Iranians and there is a process that continues 79 00:03:52,728 --> 00:03:56,895 as we speak in Geneva as these issues are worked on. 80 00:03:56,895 --> 00:03:59,628 We hope that an agreement can be reached. 81 00:04:01,628 --> 00:04:06,528 The Iranians decided they were not able to come to an agreement 82 00:04:06,528 --> 00:04:08,894 in the previous round, but we remain hopeful 83 00:04:08,895 --> 00:04:14,328 that we can reach an agreement with all of our P5-plus-1 allies 84 00:04:14,328 --> 00:04:17,695 and the Iranians in Geneva. 85 00:04:17,695 --> 00:04:23,294 The fact is we're not reading out hour by hour or day by day 86 00:04:23,294 --> 00:04:28,260 the meetings in Geneva, but we believe 87 00:04:28,261 --> 00:04:33,761 that the first round provided progress 88 00:04:33,761 --> 00:04:36,261 that indicated that it is at least possible to reach 89 00:04:36,261 --> 00:04:38,261 an agreement on this first phase, 90 00:04:38,261 --> 00:04:45,994 and an agreement that allows for a verifiable decision by Iran 91 00:04:45,994 --> 00:04:49,428 to halt any progress on its nuclear program 92 00:04:49,428 --> 00:04:53,895 and to roll back key aspects of it as we've discussed. 93 00:04:53,895 --> 00:04:56,628 And on the parameters of that agreement, 94 00:04:56,628 --> 00:05:01,161 we have all in the P5-plus-1 been in consensus 95 00:05:01,161 --> 00:05:02,828 and continue to be. 96 00:05:02,828 --> 00:05:05,126 The Press: On health care, we're seeing reports 97 00:05:05,127 --> 00:05:07,561 that the administration has decided to delay 98 00:05:07,561 --> 00:05:08,794 the 2015 enrollment period. 99 00:05:08,795 --> 00:05:13,161 Is that true, and what would be the reason for that? 100 00:05:13,161 --> 00:05:16,227 Mr. Carney: HHS has indicated its intent to shift the 2015 -- 101 00:05:16,227 --> 00:05:18,661 if you mean the -- well, there are a couple of things here. 102 00:05:18,661 --> 00:05:21,061 One is the schedule 103 00:05:21,061 --> 00:05:22,727 for the health insurance marketplace by one month. 104 00:05:22,728 --> 00:05:26,361 This is when the insurers would have to decide 105 00:05:26,361 --> 00:05:28,961 on their premiums for 2015 -- 106 00:05:28,961 --> 00:05:30,428 if that's what you're talking about. 107 00:05:30,428 --> 00:05:31,928 You're not talking about December -- 108 00:05:31,928 --> 00:05:33,294 this December, right? 109 00:05:33,294 --> 00:05:36,027 So HHS has indicated its intent to shift the 2015 schedule for 110 00:05:36,027 --> 00:05:37,794 the health insurance marketplace by one month 111 00:05:37,795 --> 00:05:40,528 so that the health plan application deadline 112 00:05:40,528 --> 00:05:41,761 would be in May, 113 00:05:41,761 --> 00:05:44,928 and open enrollment would begin on November 15, 2015, 114 00:05:44,928 --> 00:05:45,928 and be extended to January 15 -- 2014, rather, 115 00:05:45,928 --> 00:05:48,428 and be extended to January 15, 2015. 116 00:05:48,428 --> 00:05:56,161 The idea of pushing back the 2015 schedule by one month 117 00:05:56,161 --> 00:05:57,528 has to do with one thing -- 118 00:05:57,528 --> 00:05:58,761 several things. 119 00:05:58,761 --> 00:06:00,294 It's good for insurers who take into account enrollment 120 00:06:00,294 --> 00:06:03,061 through March when setting their 2015 rates. 121 00:06:03,061 --> 00:06:06,260 The previous deadline was for the end of April 2014 122 00:06:06,261 --> 00:06:07,461 for applications. 123 00:06:07,461 --> 00:06:11,828 In other words, if you have an open enrollment period 124 00:06:11,828 --> 00:06:15,760 that ends on March 31, 2014, 125 00:06:15,761 --> 00:06:18,361 and we expect -- in part because of the problems 126 00:06:18,361 --> 00:06:19,461 that we've had with the website -- 127 00:06:19,461 --> 00:06:22,895 that there will be substantial numbers of people 128 00:06:22,895 --> 00:06:25,161 still enrolling right up into that deadline, 129 00:06:25,161 --> 00:06:32,094 this gives them more time to assess the pool of people 130 00:06:32,094 --> 00:06:33,961 who are getting insurance through the marketplaces 131 00:06:33,961 --> 00:06:37,528 and make decisions about what rates will look like 132 00:06:37,528 --> 00:06:38,728 in the coming year. 133 00:06:38,728 --> 00:06:40,428 The Press: And was this discussed with the insurance 134 00:06:40,428 --> 00:06:42,461 companies when they were here last week? 135 00:06:42,461 --> 00:06:43,594 Mr. Carney: I don't know. 136 00:06:43,594 --> 00:06:45,194 I don't have a more specific readout on that meeting. 137 00:06:45,194 --> 00:06:47,994 Brianna. 138 00:06:47,994 --> 00:06:49,428 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 139 00:06:49,428 --> 00:06:52,428 CNN obtained documents that contradict Henry Chao's 140 00:06:52,428 --> 00:06:56,795 testimony last week that a key window-shopping tool for 141 00:06:56,795 --> 00:07:01,594 healthcare.gov was shelved because it "failed miserably." 142 00:07:01,594 --> 00:07:05,561 Experts say that the tool is necessary for an online e-retail 143 00:07:05,561 --> 00:07:08,227 experience that Americans have come to expect. 144 00:07:08,227 --> 00:07:12,193 Does the White House stand by Chao's testimony? 145 00:07:12,194 --> 00:07:14,127 Mr. Carney: As Henry Chao said in sworn testimony, 146 00:07:14,127 --> 00:07:17,494 there were numerous defects in the anonymous shopper tool and 147 00:07:17,494 --> 00:07:20,127 that was the reason the function was not put into production. 148 00:07:20,127 --> 00:07:23,361 And as CMS has said, they believe that the "yes" 149 00:07:23,361 --> 00:07:25,861 that is written on the document in question is likely an error 150 00:07:25,861 --> 00:07:27,895 because the same document also lists a number 151 00:07:27,895 --> 00:07:30,628 of ongoing defects and problems with the tool. 152 00:07:30,628 --> 00:07:32,760 Additional defects were communicated and discussed 153 00:07:32,761 --> 00:07:33,761 in other settings. 154 00:07:33,761 --> 00:07:35,861 This document reflects one point in time, 155 00:07:35,861 --> 00:07:40,127 and that was part of a series of ongoing updates and monitoring. 156 00:07:40,127 --> 00:07:43,561 We've discussed a lot the issue with the anonymous shopper tool. 157 00:07:43,561 --> 00:07:48,227 The fact is data about what the universe of premiums 158 00:07:48,227 --> 00:07:52,695 would look like were already available to potential consumers 159 00:07:52,695 --> 00:07:54,928 on the marketplaces prior to October 1st, 160 00:07:54,928 --> 00:07:58,261 which I think pretty clearly undercuts the assertion 161 00:07:58,261 --> 00:07:59,461 that we were trying to -- 162 00:07:59,461 --> 00:08:00,895 The Press: Not in a way like the President promised 163 00:08:00,895 --> 00:08:02,127 like Kayak or Amazon. 164 00:08:02,127 --> 00:08:05,795 And also, industry sources say that actually that "yes" 165 00:08:05,795 --> 00:08:08,928 is correct, that this did test successfully, 166 00:08:08,928 --> 00:08:10,928 and that any defects were minor -- 167 00:08:10,928 --> 00:08:12,328 I've been through them -- 168 00:08:12,328 --> 00:08:16,193 that they were minor enough to be fixed in time for launch day 169 00:08:16,194 --> 00:08:19,294 for a tool and that experts say is essential to this experience, 170 00:08:19,294 --> 00:08:22,661 more so than Plan Preview or Plan Compare. 171 00:08:22,661 --> 00:08:24,227 Mr. Carney: What you're saying is, again, 172 00:08:24,227 --> 00:08:26,661 making a breaking-news assertion that the website did not 173 00:08:26,661 --> 00:08:28,227 function effectively in October, 174 00:08:28,227 --> 00:08:30,193 which I think we've taken on 175 00:08:30,194 --> 00:08:32,061 and fully acknowledged and conceded. 176 00:08:32,061 --> 00:08:34,161 The Press: I'm not, I'm talking about part of the website 177 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:35,794 being shelved almost two weeks before launch 178 00:08:35,794 --> 00:08:37,660 even though it was working. 179 00:08:37,660 --> 00:08:40,460 Mr. Carney: Again, I would point you to what CMS -- 180 00:08:40,461 --> 00:08:42,094 The Press: Working pretty well -- 181 00:08:42,094 --> 00:08:43,494 Mr. Carney: That's your anonymous sources saying something; 182 00:08:43,494 --> 00:08:45,761 Henry Chao has made clear that wasn't the case. 183 00:08:45,761 --> 00:08:48,560 And there were numerous defects with the site, 184 00:08:48,561 --> 00:08:49,895 which I think we've cited. 185 00:08:49,895 --> 00:08:54,026 And again, it's sort of funny to assert that we were trying 186 00:08:54,027 --> 00:08:58,695 to hide an effective part of healthcare.gov when it turned 187 00:08:58,695 --> 00:09:03,494 out so much of healthcare.gov performed so far below optimum 188 00:09:03,494 --> 00:09:06,294 standards in October, which is a problem I think we've talked 189 00:09:06,294 --> 00:09:10,061 a lot about here, for better or worse. 190 00:09:10,061 --> 00:09:12,561 The Press: Do you stand by his testimony? 191 00:09:12,561 --> 00:09:14,528 Mr. Carney: We do, yes, absolutely. 192 00:09:14,528 --> 00:09:17,328 The Press: Do you believe that it failed miserably? 193 00:09:17,328 --> 00:09:18,694 Mr. Carney: Again, it had multiple defects, 194 00:09:18,695 --> 00:09:20,928 and Henry Chao testified -- 195 00:09:20,928 --> 00:09:23,161 The Press: That's different than failing miserably. 196 00:09:23,161 --> 00:09:25,093 Mr. Carney: We stand by his testimony. 197 00:09:25,094 --> 00:09:27,461 The Press: I mean not being really worked on the website. 198 00:09:27,461 --> 00:09:28,628 Mr. Carney: Brianna, we stand by his testimony. 199 00:09:28,628 --> 00:09:29,795 What you've discovered here is, again, 200 00:09:29,795 --> 00:09:31,328 that the website had problems and in anticipation 201 00:09:31,328 --> 00:09:33,060 of some of the problems -- 202 00:09:33,061 --> 00:09:35,761 The Press: This is actually a part that didn't have that many problems. 203 00:09:35,761 --> 00:09:36,928 Mr. Carney: I get that, but in -- 204 00:09:36,928 --> 00:09:38,861 that's your claim, not backed up -- 205 00:09:38,861 --> 00:09:40,361 The Press: Backed up by documents. 206 00:09:40,361 --> 00:09:42,093 Mr. Carney: Backed up by a document with one word on it 207 00:09:42,094 --> 00:09:44,928 that is in error and is contradicted by -- 208 00:09:44,928 --> 00:09:46,428 The Press: In an email, an internal email from Henry Chao. 209 00:09:46,428 --> 00:09:47,428 Mr. Carney: And is contradicted by -- right, 210 00:09:47,428 --> 00:09:48,428 him asserting the facts -- 211 00:09:48,428 --> 00:09:50,161 and it's contradicted by everything else 212 00:09:50,161 --> 00:09:51,328 in that document and everything else 213 00:09:51,328 --> 00:09:54,795 that we know about the anonymous shopping tool. 214 00:09:54,795 --> 00:09:58,227 The Press: So the tool is really the key to President 215 00:09:58,227 --> 00:10:02,528 Obama's sort of vision that he laid out for the website. 216 00:10:02,528 --> 00:10:05,561 He said on launch day, just visit healthcare.gov, 217 00:10:05,561 --> 00:10:08,294 and there you can compare insurance plans side-by-side, 218 00:10:08,294 --> 00:10:11,026 the same way you'd shop for a plane ticket on Kayak 219 00:10:11,027 --> 00:10:12,227 or a TV on Amazon. 220 00:10:12,227 --> 00:10:17,694 That, of course, does not require establishing an account. 221 00:10:17,695 --> 00:10:20,895 Is the President concerned that to this day really the function 222 00:10:20,895 --> 00:10:24,294 that really backs up what he wants the website to do 223 00:10:24,294 --> 00:10:26,227 is still not functioning, it's still shelved; 224 00:10:26,227 --> 00:10:27,828 contractors are not working on it? 225 00:10:27,828 --> 00:10:31,593 Mr. Carney: Well, there is a way to now shop. 226 00:10:31,594 --> 00:10:33,561 And the tool, itself, 227 00:10:33,561 --> 00:10:37,928 is different from what was originally shelved -- 228 00:10:37,928 --> 00:10:39,861 The Press: Well, it's rudimentary and it has two age bands 229 00:10:39,861 --> 00:10:41,328 and it's very inexact. 230 00:10:41,328 --> 00:10:43,227 Mr. Carney: But, Brianna, you know there's a way to shop. 231 00:10:43,227 --> 00:10:44,928 And again, you're getting at the fundamental challenge 232 00:10:44,928 --> 00:10:46,194 that we've been dealing with here, 233 00:10:46,194 --> 00:10:48,093 which has been not pleasant for any of us 234 00:10:48,094 --> 00:10:49,594 and not been pleasing to anybody here, 235 00:10:49,594 --> 00:10:50,761 beginning with the President, 236 00:10:50,761 --> 00:10:52,761 which is that the healthcare.gov website performed -- 237 00:10:52,761 --> 00:10:54,461 The Press: Why are contractors to this day not working 238 00:10:54,461 --> 00:10:56,994 on the tool that will tell people who want to sign up 239 00:10:56,994 --> 00:10:58,895 if the medications they use are in the formulary 240 00:10:58,895 --> 00:10:59,961 of a certain insurance plan, 241 00:10:59,961 --> 00:11:02,695 or if the doctor that they see is in network? 242 00:11:02,695 --> 00:11:04,661 Mr. Carney: The fact is they can get that information, Brianna. 243 00:11:04,661 --> 00:11:06,161 What they are -- 244 00:11:06,161 --> 00:11:07,728 The Press: Without enrolling -- 245 00:11:07,728 --> 00:11:10,493 Mr. Carney: They can register, they can apply -- 246 00:11:10,494 --> 00:11:12,328 The Press: They can't without going through the registration 247 00:11:12,328 --> 00:11:13,394 and enrollment process. 248 00:11:13,394 --> 00:11:14,761 Mr. Carney: Correct. 249 00:11:14,761 --> 00:11:16,661 Well, no, they can apply and get the information that they need. 250 00:11:16,661 --> 00:11:20,393 The fact is, you're absolutely right that there are problems 251 00:11:20,394 --> 00:11:25,027 with the website, and we have been working 24/7 252 00:11:25,027 --> 00:11:26,928 to improve the website. 253 00:11:26,928 --> 00:11:31,061 And I think that any fair assessment of the functionality 254 00:11:31,061 --> 00:11:33,027 of the website today is that -- 255 00:11:33,027 --> 00:11:34,428 The Press: No one is working on this -- 256 00:11:34,428 --> 00:11:36,061 Mr. Carney: Brianna, may I answer your question? 257 00:11:36,061 --> 00:11:37,027 The Press: No one is. 258 00:11:37,027 --> 00:11:38,294 It's shelved. 259 00:11:38,294 --> 00:11:40,361 Mr. Carney: I get that working on the priorities that 260 00:11:40,361 --> 00:11:46,127 ensure that more Americans who are interested in reviewing 261 00:11:46,127 --> 00:11:49,060 their options and purchasing insurance on healthcare.gov 262 00:11:49,061 --> 00:11:51,994 can use that site without -- 263 00:11:51,994 --> 00:11:53,695 The Press: -- are functioning well -- 264 00:11:53,695 --> 00:11:55,628 Mr. Carney: May I? Without -- 265 00:11:55,628 --> 00:11:56,628 The Press: -- are using this tool. 266 00:11:56,628 --> 00:11:58,561 And the federal exchange is not even trying 267 00:11:58,561 --> 00:12:00,994 to get it up and running -- 268 00:12:00,994 --> 00:12:04,127 Mr. Carney: Again, anybody who uses healthcare.gov to register, 269 00:12:04,127 --> 00:12:07,093 apply, and then enroll in insurance gets every bit 270 00:12:07,094 --> 00:12:09,428 of information that they need to do that. 271 00:12:09,428 --> 00:12:13,061 And every day, more and more people are able to apply 272 00:12:13,061 --> 00:12:15,661 and enroll online through the federal website. 273 00:12:15,661 --> 00:12:20,960 And our goal is to make that site function more effectively 274 00:12:20,961 --> 00:12:23,928 every day so that we can achieve our broader goal here, 275 00:12:23,928 --> 00:12:26,628 which is to make sure that the benefits 276 00:12:26,628 --> 00:12:27,728 of the Affordable Care 277 00:12:27,728 --> 00:12:30,294 Act are available for the millions of Americans 278 00:12:30,294 --> 00:12:32,661 who so clearly are interested in having those benefits. 279 00:12:32,661 --> 00:12:34,093 That's the work we're about every day. 280 00:12:34,094 --> 00:12:36,127 It's not about the optimum website; 281 00:12:36,127 --> 00:12:42,261 it's not about anything except for getting affordable, 282 00:12:42,261 --> 00:12:44,361 quality health insurance to the millions of Americans 283 00:12:44,361 --> 00:12:47,127 who have so clearly demonstrated that they want it. 284 00:12:47,127 --> 00:12:48,861 John. 285 00:12:48,861 --> 00:12:53,361 The Press: Now that the barrier of not being able to replace 286 00:12:53,361 --> 00:12:55,895 political appointees has been removed -- 287 00:12:55,895 --> 00:12:59,494 that is, the filibuster having been changed in the Senate -- 288 00:12:59,494 --> 00:13:02,461 should we expect the President to remove any of his 289 00:13:02,461 --> 00:13:04,961 political appointees that were part of putting 290 00:13:04,961 --> 00:13:07,561 this health care website together? 291 00:13:07,561 --> 00:13:10,227 Mr. Carney: John, we've addressed that issue in so many different ways. 292 00:13:10,227 --> 00:13:14,394 The President wants his team focused on implementing 293 00:13:14,394 --> 00:13:17,561 the Affordable Care Act, fixing healthcare.gov, 294 00:13:17,561 --> 00:13:20,861 making sure that there are all the other pathways that exist 295 00:13:20,861 --> 00:13:23,728 available to as many Americans as possible so that they can get 296 00:13:23,728 --> 00:13:26,627 the information they need, make the -- 297 00:13:26,628 --> 00:13:31,761 shop for health care and then enroll if they so desire. 298 00:13:31,761 --> 00:13:33,194 That's what he's focused on. 299 00:13:33,194 --> 00:13:37,928 And the action taken by Leader Reid in the Senate 300 00:13:37,928 --> 00:13:41,027 is unrelated to the implementation 301 00:13:41,027 --> 00:13:42,027 of the Affordable Care Act. 302 00:13:42,027 --> 00:13:44,961 It is related to the historic obstructionism 303 00:13:44,961 --> 00:13:47,294 that Senate Republicans have engaged in, 304 00:13:47,294 --> 00:13:50,795 by any metric -- any metric you put forward, 305 00:13:50,795 --> 00:13:52,127 including the rather remarkable 306 00:13:52,127 --> 00:13:58,294 one that of the 23 D.C. District Court nominees 307 00:13:58,294 --> 00:13:59,394 that have been filibustered -- 308 00:13:59,394 --> 00:14:00,795 of the 23 in history, 309 00:14:00,795 --> 00:14:02,928 20 of them have been Obama nominees. 310 00:14:02,928 --> 00:14:10,961 So this is a problem that has broad implications 311 00:14:10,961 --> 00:14:14,795 for the capacity of any President to fulfill his or her 312 00:14:14,795 --> 00:14:18,560 constitutional duty to nominate highly qualified candidates 313 00:14:18,561 --> 00:14:22,661 for the judiciary and for the executive branch. 314 00:14:22,661 --> 00:14:24,993 The fact that Senator Reid took this action -- 315 00:14:24,994 --> 00:14:27,695 the President supported him in doing that -- 316 00:14:27,695 --> 00:14:31,328 only ensures that the President can continue to make choices 317 00:14:31,328 --> 00:14:34,093 about highly qualified nominees 318 00:14:34,094 --> 00:14:36,861 and that they can now fulfill their responsibilities 319 00:14:36,861 --> 00:14:39,461 on the independent judiciary or in the executive branch. 320 00:14:39,461 --> 00:14:41,528 The Press: So it's the President's position, then, 321 00:14:41,528 --> 00:14:45,695 that the most confident people to do the jobs are on his team, 322 00:14:45,695 --> 00:14:48,528 whether they be in this building or at other agencies? 323 00:14:48,528 --> 00:14:50,895 Mr. Carney: John, I mean, I have no personnel announcements to make. 324 00:14:50,895 --> 00:14:54,261 There are obviously a lot of positions 325 00:14:54,261 --> 00:14:56,294 that any President fills. 326 00:14:56,294 --> 00:14:59,561 And the fact of the matter is the President's team, 327 00:14:59,561 --> 00:15:00,795 when it comes to the Affordable Care Act, 328 00:15:00,795 --> 00:15:02,928 is focused on fixing the problems that exist 329 00:15:02,928 --> 00:15:04,928 with the website, 330 00:15:04,928 --> 00:15:08,628 making sure that the other avenues by which Americans 331 00:15:08,628 --> 00:15:11,461 can get the information they need and enroll if they desire 332 00:15:11,461 --> 00:15:15,661 are working properly and expand it, and making sure that, 333 00:15:15,661 --> 00:15:19,593 ultimately, the Affordable Care Act delivers on its promise. 334 00:15:19,594 --> 00:15:24,328 And all of the criticisms, all of the documents that get leaked 335 00:15:24,328 --> 00:15:29,795 and different news organizations claim they have an exclusive on, 336 00:15:29,795 --> 00:15:35,928 they go to the fundamental point about healthcare.gov not working 337 00:15:35,928 --> 00:15:37,895 properly and our efforts to fix it -- A. 338 00:15:37,895 --> 00:15:40,861 B) What they always neglect -- including the so-called playbook 339 00:15:40,861 --> 00:15:43,895 that I think was discovered yesterday among Republicans -- 340 00:15:43,895 --> 00:15:45,561 is that the Republicans who criticize it 341 00:15:45,561 --> 00:15:48,994 day after day after day have exactly no alternatives, 342 00:15:48,994 --> 00:15:53,461 no replacements for the Affordable Care Act and no idea 343 00:15:53,461 --> 00:15:56,127 how they would tell the American people if they were to succeed 344 00:15:56,127 --> 00:15:58,928 in repealing it what would happen to them if they get 345 00:15:58,928 --> 00:16:00,494 health insurance on their parents' policies, 346 00:16:00,494 --> 00:16:02,795 what would happen to them if they're expecting to get health 347 00:16:02,795 --> 00:16:04,895 insurance even though they have a preexisting condition 348 00:16:04,895 --> 00:16:06,593 and Republicans got what they wanted. 349 00:16:06,594 --> 00:16:10,027 They would be out of luck because they have, to this day, 350 00:16:10,027 --> 00:16:11,661 never supplied an alternative. 351 00:16:11,661 --> 00:16:12,993 Their goal is the status quo. 352 00:16:12,994 --> 00:16:15,994 And anybody who thinks the status quo is satisfactory 353 00:16:15,994 --> 00:16:19,961 to the American people are just highly mistaken. 354 00:16:19,961 --> 00:16:21,994 So that's what we're focused on doing, John. 355 00:16:21,994 --> 00:16:24,161 The Press: So that's a yes, that the most competent people 356 00:16:24,161 --> 00:16:25,761 are in place right now? 357 00:16:25,761 --> 00:16:29,127 Mr. Carney: John, look, the President makes personnel announcements 358 00:16:29,127 --> 00:16:30,127 when he is ready to make them. 359 00:16:30,127 --> 00:16:33,060 He's focused and he believes his team -- 360 00:16:33,061 --> 00:16:36,027 he believes in his team and he is making sure that team 361 00:16:36,027 --> 00:16:40,328 is focused on delivering for the American people on health care, 362 00:16:40,328 --> 00:16:42,428 on the economy, on jobs, 363 00:16:42,428 --> 00:16:44,895 on important matters of foreign policy, 364 00:16:44,895 --> 00:16:48,026 as is taking place now in Geneva. 365 00:16:48,027 --> 00:16:50,328 That's what he's focused on. 366 00:16:50,328 --> 00:16:52,093 Major. 367 00:16:52,094 --> 00:16:54,528 The Press: This White House has dealt with the twists and turns 368 00:16:54,528 --> 00:16:56,461 in Afghan politics many, many times. 369 00:16:56,461 --> 00:16:57,795 They are not unusual. 370 00:16:57,795 --> 00:17:00,627 They're sometimes built into the difficulties of negotiating 371 00:17:00,628 --> 00:17:03,194 whatever the United States tries to accomplish 372 00:17:03,194 --> 00:17:04,661 with its Afghan partners. 373 00:17:04,661 --> 00:17:07,461 That being said, is this particular dispute 374 00:17:07,461 --> 00:17:10,993 now something that the White House believes is manageable, 375 00:17:10,993 --> 00:17:13,895 or that it actually does jeopardize the bilateral 376 00:17:13,895 --> 00:17:17,094 security agreement and this whole thing could blow up 377 00:17:17,094 --> 00:17:20,294 if this isn't done and signed by the end of the year? 378 00:17:20,294 --> 00:17:23,795 Mr. Carney: Major, what I would say is that the negotiations 379 00:17:23,795 --> 00:17:27,828 over the bilateral security agreement took place 380 00:17:27,828 --> 00:17:30,394 over a long period of time. 381 00:17:30,394 --> 00:17:34,695 Many, many issues were discussed and negotiated and resolved 382 00:17:34,695 --> 00:17:38,961 with President Karzai and other Afghan leaders. 383 00:17:38,961 --> 00:17:45,961 And the text that we have now agreed upon and which is being 384 00:17:45,961 --> 00:17:48,361 presented to the loya jirga, we believe it represents a good 385 00:17:48,361 --> 00:17:53,728 faith negotiated agreement and it is our final offer. 386 00:17:53,728 --> 00:18:00,661 It is our belief that Afghanistan needs to act before 387 00:18:00,661 --> 00:18:06,027 the end of the year because it is just untenable, impossible, 388 00:18:06,027 --> 00:18:10,895 really, to ask the United States and our allies to plan for 389 00:18:10,895 --> 00:18:17,594 a potential post-2014 military presence absent a BSA. 390 00:18:17,594 --> 00:18:20,661 The Press: Is there any way you can finesse this, 391 00:18:20,661 --> 00:18:24,127 meaning loya jirga approves but it's not signed, 392 00:18:24,127 --> 00:18:27,360 and that signage is something that's assumed -- or do both 393 00:18:27,361 --> 00:18:29,561 those things have to happen? 394 00:18:29,561 --> 00:18:32,860 Mr. Carney: The point is this has to be agreed to and done 395 00:18:32,861 --> 00:18:34,161 essentially by the end of the year. 396 00:18:34,161 --> 00:18:36,127 If you're asking me if it's approved and it's going to be 397 00:18:36,127 --> 00:18:37,728 signed in the first week of January, 398 00:18:37,728 --> 00:18:40,261 that's not the issue here. 399 00:18:40,261 --> 00:18:42,261 What cannot happen is -- 400 00:18:42,261 --> 00:18:43,761 The Press: Springtime? 401 00:18:43,761 --> 00:18:47,127 Mr. Carney: Right, you have elections in the spring and it is simply 402 00:18:47,127 --> 00:18:50,194 untenable to accept the possibility that this would not 403 00:18:50,194 --> 00:18:54,428 be agreed upon by then or signed by then because it would 404 00:18:54,428 --> 00:18:59,428 prohibit us and our allies from planning anything except 405 00:18:59,428 --> 00:19:02,628 for the drawdown -- the 2014 drawdown. 406 00:19:02,628 --> 00:19:04,828 The Press: Yesterday the Majority Leader announced on the Senate floor 407 00:19:04,828 --> 00:19:07,094 that the Senate would be taking up additional sanctions 408 00:19:07,094 --> 00:19:10,294 against Iran in December and that he would be supportive 409 00:19:10,294 --> 00:19:11,561 of that effort. 410 00:19:11,561 --> 00:19:14,394 This indicates to me and others following the story 411 00:19:14,394 --> 00:19:16,928 that the administration is now, 412 00:19:16,928 --> 00:19:19,261 because things have bogged down in Geneva, 413 00:19:19,261 --> 00:19:22,860 eager to send Iran a signal that this may be the best deal 414 00:19:22,861 --> 00:19:24,961 you're going to get and the Senate is going to come 415 00:19:24,961 --> 00:19:28,761 back here in early December and ramp these sanctions up. 416 00:19:28,761 --> 00:19:32,494 It seems to be a somewhat coordinated strategy now. 417 00:19:32,494 --> 00:19:34,660 Mr. Carney: Well, first of all, we've made -- 418 00:19:34,661 --> 00:19:36,994 obviously the effort that has gotten us to this point 419 00:19:36,994 --> 00:19:43,761 includes the building by this administration of the most 420 00:19:43,761 --> 00:19:47,728 comprehensive and punitive sets of sanctions 421 00:19:47,728 --> 00:19:49,528 that have ever existed. 422 00:19:49,528 --> 00:19:51,661 So this administration has clearly been very supportive 423 00:19:51,661 --> 00:19:55,695 of effective and comprehensive sanctions. 424 00:19:55,695 --> 00:19:58,093 It is because of that effort and the consensus the President 425 00:19:58,094 --> 00:20:03,428 built internationally that we have successfully changed 426 00:20:03,428 --> 00:20:05,194 Tehran's calculus, at least apparently so. 427 00:20:05,194 --> 00:20:08,161 The Press: No, I understand, but the emphasis has been on hold off, 428 00:20:08,161 --> 00:20:11,428 but others agree -- a signal that the Majority Leader 429 00:20:11,428 --> 00:20:12,861 is in concert with this White House. 430 00:20:12,861 --> 00:20:14,161 Mr. Carney: Well, I would say that I think we need to see what 431 00:20:14,161 --> 00:20:17,194 happens in the negotiations with the P5-plus-1, first of all. 432 00:20:17,194 --> 00:20:21,795 And we are appreciative of the fact that the Senate has decided 433 00:20:21,795 --> 00:20:24,994 against taking any actions on sanctions while those 434 00:20:24,994 --> 00:20:27,127 negotiations are underway. 435 00:20:27,127 --> 00:20:32,528 It is our belief that Leader Reid -- or our hope that Leader 436 00:20:32,528 --> 00:20:35,194 Reid will continue to give the President and our P5-plus-1 437 00:20:35,194 --> 00:20:39,994 negotiating partners the space they need to pursue these 438 00:20:39,994 --> 00:20:41,994 negotiations in the future if necessary. 439 00:20:41,994 --> 00:20:45,026 As I've said in the past -- 440 00:20:45,027 --> 00:20:47,294 The Press: But you're not alarmed by the signal that would 441 00:20:47,294 --> 00:20:50,227 inevitably be sent by the Senate saying it's going to ramp up 442 00:20:50,227 --> 00:20:53,094 sanctions in December in the context of what's being 443 00:20:53,094 --> 00:20:55,594 negotiated right now in Geneva? 444 00:20:55,594 --> 00:20:58,127 Mr. Carney: I believe that the Senate has not acted while 445 00:20:58,127 --> 00:21:01,027 these negotiations are taking place and we will see what 446 00:21:01,027 --> 00:21:05,027 happens coming out of Geneva, first of all, 447 00:21:05,027 --> 00:21:07,127 and we appreciate that for all the reasons 448 00:21:07,127 --> 00:21:08,226 that we've discussed -- 449 00:21:08,227 --> 00:21:11,594 that we believe Congress ought to basically save 450 00:21:11,594 --> 00:21:16,628 for the most effective moment implementation or passage 451 00:21:16,628 --> 00:21:20,026 of new sanctions if they're necessary to try to change 452 00:21:20,027 --> 00:21:22,127 or affect Iranian behavior. 453 00:21:22,127 --> 00:21:25,127 Right now, the sanctions that have been put in place 454 00:21:25,127 --> 00:21:27,828 over all these years have had the impact 455 00:21:27,828 --> 00:21:29,194 they were designed to have, 456 00:21:29,194 --> 00:21:35,761 which is to persuade Tehran to rethink their approach to their 457 00:21:35,761 --> 00:21:39,428 international obligations and to at least suggest that they're 458 00:21:39,428 --> 00:21:42,928 interested for the first time in reaching an agreement 459 00:21:42,928 --> 00:21:44,361 with the international community 460 00:21:44,361 --> 00:21:48,428 that would allow for the verifiable decision by Tehran 461 00:21:48,428 --> 00:21:51,695 to give up any ambitions for a nuclear weapon. 462 00:21:51,695 --> 00:21:56,328 It is the President's policy that Iran must not be allowed 463 00:21:56,328 --> 00:22:00,061 to obtain a nuclear weapon, and it is his view, strongly held, 464 00:22:00,061 --> 00:22:04,428 that, as Commander-in-Chief, he has to pursue the possibility 465 00:22:04,428 --> 00:22:07,561 that we can resolve that diplomatically. 466 00:22:07,561 --> 00:22:10,261 Because obviously the use of force, 467 00:22:10,261 --> 00:22:11,461 while never taken off the table, 468 00:22:11,461 --> 00:22:14,361 is a very serious proposition, A; 469 00:22:14,361 --> 00:22:18,594 B) because the best way to ensure that Iran does not obtain 470 00:22:18,594 --> 00:22:23,428 a nuclear weapon is if Iran itself decides to give up that 471 00:22:23,428 --> 00:22:27,127 pursuit, and decides in a way that ensures to the satisfaction 472 00:22:27,127 --> 00:22:30,828 of the international community that it can be verified through 473 00:22:30,828 --> 00:22:33,828 all the means that we have discussed when it comes to 474 00:22:33,828 --> 00:22:34,828 inspections and the like. 475 00:22:34,828 --> 00:22:36,828 So that's what's at stake here. 476 00:22:36,828 --> 00:22:38,494 That's what we're pursuing. 477 00:22:38,494 --> 00:22:44,127 If there comes a time when new sanctions would be effective, 478 00:22:44,127 --> 00:22:46,061 as we've said in the past, we would welcome that. 479 00:22:46,061 --> 00:22:48,794 We would think that would be helpful, as it has in the past. 480 00:22:48,795 --> 00:22:51,828 Congress has been a very important partner over these 481 00:22:51,828 --> 00:22:54,494 past several years in building up this sanctions regime 482 00:22:54,494 --> 00:22:57,828 to the point where it has been as effective as it has been. 483 00:22:57,828 --> 00:23:00,328 The Press: The Vice President stopped by the Fast For Families 484 00:23:00,328 --> 00:23:03,795 on the National Mall today to offer his support for those 485 00:23:03,795 --> 00:23:05,928 who are fasting on behalf of immigration reform. 486 00:23:05,928 --> 00:23:09,328 I'm curious, does the President have any intention to do that? 487 00:23:09,328 --> 00:23:12,728 And does he have any thoughts about this particular from of 488 00:23:12,728 --> 00:23:16,227 political activism in the context of immigration reform? 489 00:23:16,227 --> 00:23:20,428 Mr. Carney: Well, I would say that the Vice President is 490 00:23:20,428 --> 00:23:22,494 reflecting the views of this White House and the President 491 00:23:22,494 --> 00:23:27,160 by visiting, as have other members of the administration. 492 00:23:27,161 --> 00:23:32,428 It is our strongly held belief that now is the time to act 493 00:23:32,428 --> 00:23:34,161 on comprehensive immigration reform. 494 00:23:34,161 --> 00:23:37,594 There is a broad bipartisan consensus in support of 495 00:23:37,594 --> 00:23:40,328 comprehensive immigration reform along the lines that the 496 00:23:40,328 --> 00:23:42,695 President outlined in his principles several years ago 497 00:23:42,695 --> 00:23:46,027 now; along the lines that has already been passed by a 498 00:23:46,027 --> 00:23:47,828 substantial majority of the U.S. Senate -- 499 00:23:47,828 --> 00:23:50,127 a bipartisan majority of the U.S. Senate; 500 00:23:50,127 --> 00:23:53,761 along the lines that would pass today if John Boehner 501 00:23:53,761 --> 00:23:57,594 allowed legislation similar to the Senate bill 502 00:23:57,594 --> 00:23:58,961 onto the floor of the House. 503 00:23:58,961 --> 00:24:03,294 We know it would pass with Democrats and Republicans. 504 00:24:03,294 --> 00:24:04,828 All he has to do is bring a vote. 505 00:24:04,828 --> 00:24:08,394 Now, the Speaker has said that immigration reform is not dead. 506 00:24:08,394 --> 00:24:09,928 That is a good thing. 507 00:24:09,928 --> 00:24:11,061 It is a good thing for the country. 508 00:24:11,061 --> 00:24:12,394 It is a good thing for the economy. 509 00:24:12,394 --> 00:24:15,528 And political analysts say that would be a good thing 510 00:24:15,528 --> 00:24:17,461 for the Republican Party. 511 00:24:17,461 --> 00:24:19,394 But they have to act. 512 00:24:19,394 --> 00:24:26,261 And it's entirely appropriate for those who belief strongly, 513 00:24:26,261 --> 00:24:29,728 as we do, that this is an absolute priority to express 514 00:24:29,728 --> 00:24:33,761 their views and to make it known to members of Congress who are 515 00:24:33,761 --> 00:24:39,360 blocking this necessary reform that would be so helpful to our 516 00:24:39,361 --> 00:24:43,261 economy and helpful to our security and helpful to our 517 00:24:43,261 --> 00:24:45,795 future competitiveness that it's time to get it done 518 00:24:45,795 --> 00:24:49,428 for the country, for their constituents, for the economy. 519 00:24:49,428 --> 00:24:52,761 The Press: Any plans for the President to do that? 520 00:24:52,761 --> 00:24:55,194 Mr. Carney: I have no scheduling announcements at this time. 521 00:24:55,194 --> 00:24:56,394 Phil. 522 00:24:56,394 --> 00:24:58,227 The Press: With the Senate rule changes yesterday, 523 00:24:58,227 --> 00:25:00,661 obviously this enables the President's nominees that have 524 00:25:00,661 --> 00:25:02,161 already been put forward -- 525 00:25:02,161 --> 00:25:04,861 there are more than 200 of them -- 526 00:25:04,861 --> 00:25:06,294 to at some point get some votes. 527 00:25:06,294 --> 00:25:09,127 What is the White House strategy to take advantage of that? 528 00:25:09,127 --> 00:25:12,027 What could we see happen over the next few weeks and months? 529 00:25:12,027 --> 00:25:14,428 Are there -- is there going to be a push 530 00:25:14,428 --> 00:25:17,094 for even more nominations to be put forward in the Senate? 531 00:25:17,094 --> 00:25:20,227 I mean, what are you guys planning to do here? 532 00:25:20,227 --> 00:25:23,061 Mr. Carney: The President has simply been fulfilling his responsibility 533 00:25:23,061 --> 00:25:25,860 by selecting qualified candidates for a variety 534 00:25:25,861 --> 00:25:29,594 of positions in the executive and on the bench, 535 00:25:29,594 --> 00:25:31,828 and that will continue to be his approach. 536 00:25:31,828 --> 00:25:35,860 What Senator Reid did, and the Senate did yesterday 537 00:25:35,861 --> 00:25:38,227 was in reaction to historic obstructionism 538 00:25:38,227 --> 00:25:39,661 by Senate Republicans. 539 00:25:39,661 --> 00:25:46,861 It was the reaction to the fact that obstructionism 540 00:25:46,861 --> 00:25:50,461 and filibustering and using cloture had become routine 541 00:25:50,461 --> 00:25:52,328 for every nominee, 542 00:25:52,328 --> 00:25:54,161 no matter how qualified, 543 00:25:54,161 --> 00:25:58,461 no matter how little substantive opposition to that nominee. 544 00:25:58,461 --> 00:26:01,795 And the President obviously welcomes that decision, 545 00:26:01,795 --> 00:26:04,294 but it's not going to change what he does. 546 00:26:04,294 --> 00:26:07,461 His whole focus is on making sure that there are qualified 547 00:26:07,461 --> 00:26:09,828 nominees on the bench getting the work done that needs to be 548 00:26:09,828 --> 00:26:12,293 done in our judiciary, and making sure that there are 549 00:26:12,294 --> 00:26:16,194 qualified individuals filling senior positions in the 550 00:26:16,194 --> 00:26:18,795 executive branch; making sure that, for example, 551 00:26:18,795 --> 00:26:23,027 at FHFA -- that should Mr. Watt be confirmed, 552 00:26:23,027 --> 00:26:28,127 that that important agency can begin to deliver for the 553 00:26:28,127 --> 00:26:31,328 American people when it comes to protecting consumers and 554 00:26:31,328 --> 00:26:34,161 responsible homeowners, when it comes to continuing the work 555 00:26:34,161 --> 00:26:35,594 of GSE reform. 556 00:26:35,594 --> 00:26:40,061 There's a lot of bottled-up and pent-up necessary work on behalf 557 00:26:40,061 --> 00:26:42,194 of the American people, on behalf of the American economy, 558 00:26:42,194 --> 00:26:47,528 that can be done if the Senate is not obstructing nominees to 559 00:26:47,528 --> 00:26:50,027 senior positions in the executive branch. 560 00:26:50,027 --> 00:26:52,828 And that's what we want to see. 561 00:26:52,828 --> 00:26:55,061 It's what the President has always hoped to see. 562 00:26:55,061 --> 00:26:58,593 Unfortunately, he's been confronted with historic levels 563 00:26:58,594 --> 00:27:02,194 of partisan and ideological obstructionism. 564 00:27:02,194 --> 00:27:03,928 All right? 565 00:27:03,928 --> 00:27:05,227 Jim. 566 00:27:05,227 --> 00:27:06,895 The Press: Just to follow up on the immigration reform, 567 00:27:06,895 --> 00:27:10,261 to get some clarity on the President's remarks 568 00:27:10,261 --> 00:27:11,594 earlier in the week. 569 00:27:11,594 --> 00:27:14,994 Did he throw comprehensive immigration reform under the bus 570 00:27:14,994 --> 00:27:20,528 by saying that if the House wants to send up five bills 571 00:27:20,528 --> 00:27:22,494 to him, it would be okay? 572 00:27:22,494 --> 00:27:24,461 Will he sign them one at a time? 573 00:27:24,461 --> 00:27:27,061 Mr. Carney: What the President said reflected -- 574 00:27:27,061 --> 00:27:30,061 this week is almost word-for-word what he said 575 00:27:30,061 --> 00:27:31,828 to Telemundo on September 17th, 576 00:27:31,828 --> 00:27:32,828 when he said, "In fact, 577 00:27:32,828 --> 00:27:36,728 if Speaker Boehner thinks that procedurally 578 00:27:36,728 --> 00:27:38,895 he has to jump through a series of hoops, 579 00:27:38,895 --> 00:27:41,461 I'm happy to let the House work its will, 580 00:27:41,461 --> 00:27:43,861 as long as the bill that ends up on my desk speaks 581 00:27:43,861 --> 00:27:46,695 to the central issues that have to be resolved." 582 00:27:46,695 --> 00:27:49,160 That is what he was saying again earlier this week 583 00:27:49,161 --> 00:27:51,561 when he talked about, procedurally, 584 00:27:51,561 --> 00:27:54,928 the path in the House might be for them to pass 585 00:27:54,928 --> 00:27:58,428 a series of bills that can later be worked 586 00:27:58,428 --> 00:28:03,661 into a broader bill that would reflect the comprehensive nature 587 00:28:03,661 --> 00:28:05,428 of the work that's been done in the Senate 588 00:28:05,428 --> 00:28:07,361 and that the President has outlined in his principles. 589 00:28:07,361 --> 00:28:08,361 The Press: But that's just -- 590 00:28:08,361 --> 00:28:09,361 Mr. Carney: There is no -- well, no, 591 00:28:09,361 --> 00:28:10,361 nothing has changed in our belief 592 00:28:10,361 --> 00:28:11,361 that this has to be comprehensive. 593 00:28:11,361 --> 00:28:12,795 In the end, this has to be comprehensive. 594 00:28:12,795 --> 00:28:14,994 And that's not -- what he said was entirely consistent 595 00:28:14,994 --> 00:28:19,226 with what he and I and others have said about our recognition 596 00:28:19,227 --> 00:28:23,027 of how the House may want to approach this. 597 00:28:23,027 --> 00:28:25,194 Even what he said this week was that all five of those elements 598 00:28:25,194 --> 00:28:27,161 have to get done and have to be part 599 00:28:27,161 --> 00:28:28,795 of comprehensive immigration reform. 600 00:28:28,795 --> 00:28:30,061 The Press: I understand that. 601 00:28:30,061 --> 00:28:32,328 But what is key here is you're saying now -- 602 00:28:32,328 --> 00:28:33,895 making it clear that those five bills 603 00:28:33,895 --> 00:28:34,895 would have to be, 604 00:28:34,895 --> 00:28:36,661 even if they're passed singly in the House, 605 00:28:36,661 --> 00:28:39,528 would have to be bundled before they got to the President's desk 606 00:28:39,528 --> 00:28:41,027 for him to sign. 607 00:28:41,027 --> 00:28:43,895 Mr. Carney: Look, how it works mechanically is up to the Congress, 608 00:28:43,895 --> 00:28:45,094 to the Senate and the House. 609 00:28:45,094 --> 00:28:47,961 What the President will not sign is piecemeal legislation 610 00:28:47,961 --> 00:28:54,461 that only addresses visas for -- that help improve our legal 611 00:28:54,461 --> 00:28:58,094 immigration system and allow people to come and stay 612 00:28:58,094 --> 00:29:00,761 and work for high-tech companies, for example. 613 00:29:00,761 --> 00:29:04,795 He won't only sign a bill that improves our border security 614 00:29:04,795 --> 00:29:06,895 as the comprehensive bill does. 615 00:29:06,895 --> 00:29:08,728 This work has to be done comprehensively 616 00:29:08,728 --> 00:29:09,795 because that's the way you get all of these issues solved, 617 00:29:09,795 --> 00:29:15,695 and it's the way you get the bang for our economy 618 00:29:15,695 --> 00:29:18,127 that comprehensive immigration reform promises. 619 00:29:18,127 --> 00:29:20,494 The Press: So here we are days before Thanksgiving, 620 00:29:20,494 --> 00:29:21,895 near the end of the year -- 621 00:29:21,895 --> 00:29:26,261 what does the White House believe is still doable 622 00:29:26,261 --> 00:29:27,961 before the end of this year? 623 00:29:27,961 --> 00:29:32,695 Is immigration reform, comprehensive, dead this year? 624 00:29:32,695 --> 00:29:34,160 Mr. Carney: It's up to the Speaker of the House. 625 00:29:34,161 --> 00:29:36,761 As I just said, it would pass tomorrow. 626 00:29:36,761 --> 00:29:40,328 It would pass this afternoon if the Speaker were to decide 627 00:29:40,328 --> 00:29:43,695 to put such a bill on the floor of the House. 628 00:29:43,695 --> 00:29:45,561 So it can certainly be done this year. 629 00:29:45,561 --> 00:29:49,528 And a lot of effort and work has gone 630 00:29:49,528 --> 00:29:52,227 into getting us to this point. 631 00:29:52,227 --> 00:29:56,061 So this is not a case of trying to rush something, right? 632 00:29:56,061 --> 00:29:57,860 I don't think anybody would argue that immigration reform 633 00:29:57,861 --> 00:29:59,161 is being rushed here. 634 00:29:59,161 --> 00:30:04,428 It's been an item that members of both parties have sought 635 00:30:04,428 --> 00:30:05,961 to accomplish for a long time now 636 00:30:05,961 --> 00:30:08,061 because of all the benefits we've talked about. 637 00:30:08,061 --> 00:30:10,628 I mean, the President really looks at this as part 638 00:30:10,628 --> 00:30:15,160 of an overall focus on broader economic issues -- 639 00:30:15,161 --> 00:30:19,628 on growing our economy faster and having it create 640 00:30:19,628 --> 00:30:21,528 better and better-paying jobs 641 00:30:21,528 --> 00:30:25,127 for the middle class under an overall goal 642 00:30:25,127 --> 00:30:26,428 of middle-class security. 643 00:30:26,428 --> 00:30:29,528 So, as I've talked about in the past, 644 00:30:29,528 --> 00:30:33,761 if Republicans who are concerned about the politics 645 00:30:33,761 --> 00:30:39,761 of immigration reform look at its conservative benefits 646 00:30:39,761 --> 00:30:43,328 when it comes to making sure employers are accountable, 647 00:30:43,328 --> 00:30:47,561 making sure that undocumented workers are given a pathway 648 00:30:47,561 --> 00:30:50,761 to citizenship that makes them pay back taxes 649 00:30:50,761 --> 00:30:54,461 and get to the back of the line, 650 00:30:54,461 --> 00:30:57,094 if they're interested in enhanced border security, 651 00:30:57,094 --> 00:30:59,394 building on the work that has been done already 652 00:30:59,394 --> 00:31:03,027 in this administration, they have that opportunity 653 00:31:03,027 --> 00:31:06,428 to argue this on those merits -- 654 00:31:06,428 --> 00:31:08,961 including the broad economic benefits 655 00:31:08,961 --> 00:31:12,695 that American business leaders have spoken about 656 00:31:12,695 --> 00:31:13,660 so passionately, 657 00:31:13,661 --> 00:31:15,861 and we agree with them on that. 658 00:31:15,861 --> 00:31:19,027 So there is an opportunity here, and it's an opportunity 659 00:31:19,027 --> 00:31:24,261 to show Americans who are, understandably, 660 00:31:24,261 --> 00:31:29,661 frustrated with the seeming inability of Washington to get 661 00:31:29,661 --> 00:31:35,928 things done that represent common-sense consensus. 662 00:31:35,928 --> 00:31:39,928 It's an opportunity to show the American people that it can 663 00:31:39,928 --> 00:31:45,127 happen, that something like this can be done that will help the 664 00:31:45,127 --> 00:31:50,494 economy and help build a stronger foundation for further 665 00:31:50,494 --> 00:31:51,660 growth in the future. 666 00:31:51,661 --> 00:31:56,127 So we remain optimistic that this is going to happen, 667 00:31:56,127 --> 00:32:03,094 and we look to the Speaker of the House to deliver on what he 668 00:32:03,094 --> 00:32:06,294 has said, at least occasionally, when it comes to the need to get 669 00:32:06,294 --> 00:32:09,261 immigration reform done. 670 00:32:09,261 --> 00:32:12,061 Roger, then Ed. 671 00:32:12,061 --> 00:32:13,061 The Press: Thanks. 672 00:32:13,061 --> 00:32:14,695 Back to the Senate's action yesterday. 673 00:32:14,695 --> 00:32:18,828 Does the White House have a package of priorities for those 674 00:32:18,828 --> 00:32:22,594 nominees that are already up there and awaiting confirmation 675 00:32:22,594 --> 00:32:25,428 -- for example, judiciary versus some of the other executive 676 00:32:25,428 --> 00:32:26,661 branch appointments? 677 00:32:26,661 --> 00:32:27,928 Mr. Carney: Look, I think we work with the Senate 678 00:32:27,928 --> 00:32:30,761 all the time on moving our nominees forward, 679 00:32:30,761 --> 00:32:33,328 so I would -- I don't think anything has changed in that. 680 00:32:33,328 --> 00:32:36,594 And I would point you to the Senate Majority Leader's office 681 00:32:36,594 --> 00:32:40,561 in terms of how he'll schedule action on nominees. 682 00:32:40,561 --> 00:32:42,695 The Press: Has the White House give them a to-do list? 683 00:32:42,695 --> 00:32:44,027 Mr. Carney: Not that I'm aware of. 684 00:32:44,027 --> 00:32:49,461 I think the President is very careful in nominating what he 685 00:32:49,461 --> 00:32:53,828 believes are highly qualified individuals for these positions. 686 00:32:53,828 --> 00:32:57,860 And one of the pieces of the story that's being told here 687 00:32:57,861 --> 00:32:59,761 is that so many of these nominees 688 00:32:59,761 --> 00:33:01,394 who have been held up, 689 00:33:01,394 --> 00:33:04,661 including Patricia Millett, who now has been confirmed, 690 00:33:04,661 --> 00:33:09,761 have unquestionable credentials for their positions, 691 00:33:09,761 --> 00:33:14,795 who are unopposed by anybody on substantive policy grounds 692 00:33:14,795 --> 00:33:17,361 or substantive judicial grounds. 693 00:33:17,361 --> 00:33:23,094 So the President will continue to look for the kinds 694 00:33:23,094 --> 00:33:25,428 of nominees that he's put forward in the past. 695 00:33:25,428 --> 00:33:26,428 The Press: Okay. 696 00:33:26,428 --> 00:33:27,761 But no priority list, though? 697 00:33:27,761 --> 00:33:31,461 Mr. Carney: Again, I think that the President obviously 698 00:33:31,461 --> 00:33:35,094 looks forward to having some key positions filled 699 00:33:35,094 --> 00:33:36,261 because they're so important. 700 00:33:36,261 --> 00:33:41,061 Jeh Johnson needs to get confirmed so that we have -- 701 00:33:41,061 --> 00:33:42,494 The Press: Who? 702 00:33:42,494 --> 00:33:45,794 Mr. Carney: Jeh Johnson at DHS; Mel Watt at FHFA, 703 00:33:45,795 --> 00:33:47,494 and others, for example. 704 00:33:47,494 --> 00:33:53,593 There are many vacancies in the judiciary and those seats 705 00:33:53,594 --> 00:33:54,861 need to be filled. 706 00:33:54,861 --> 00:33:57,394 The Press: And one other thing -- does this action -- 707 00:33:57,394 --> 00:34:00,428 does it help the White House accelerate 708 00:34:00,428 --> 00:34:03,928 its nomination process and does it make it easier 709 00:34:03,928 --> 00:34:07,261 to find those qualified candidates? 710 00:34:07,261 --> 00:34:10,695 Mr. Carney: The second question is one you could only speculate about. 711 00:34:10,695 --> 00:34:12,394 There's no -- I think there's no doubt 712 00:34:12,393 --> 00:34:17,060 that the kind of historic levels of obstructionism 713 00:34:17,061 --> 00:34:19,428 that we've seen in the Senate when it comes 714 00:34:19,428 --> 00:34:22,027 to the confirmation process has probably been 715 00:34:22,027 --> 00:34:23,561 discouraging for a lot of people, 716 00:34:23,561 --> 00:34:26,127 highly qualified individuals who want to serve. 717 00:34:26,127 --> 00:34:28,695 The Press: But that's sort of wiped away -- 718 00:34:28,695 --> 00:34:31,027 Mr. Carney: Well, I think it's certainly a welcome 719 00:34:31,027 --> 00:34:34,860 development that highly qualified individuals won't be 720 00:34:34,860 --> 00:34:38,993 held hostage to that kind of partisan and ideological 721 00:34:38,994 --> 00:34:40,294 obstructionism again. 722 00:34:40,293 --> 00:34:43,360 But the President's focus is on, again, 723 00:34:43,360 --> 00:34:45,661 finding qualified nominees who want to serve their country 724 00:34:45,661 --> 00:34:46,628 in different posts. 725 00:34:46,628 --> 00:34:48,461 Ed. 726 00:34:48,460 --> 00:34:49,694 The Press: Jay, back on health care. 727 00:34:49,695 --> 00:34:52,594 If it's okay to extend the deadline for 2015 enrollment 728 00:34:52,594 --> 00:34:56,461 this far in advance, why not extend enrollment for 2014, 729 00:34:56,460 --> 00:34:59,694 given the website issues that even some Senate Democrats 730 00:34:59,695 --> 00:35:02,828 have said they want to see, that it should go beyond March? 731 00:35:02,828 --> 00:35:07,361 Mr. Carney: The time period that we're talking about here 732 00:35:07,361 --> 00:35:12,127 when it comes to enrollment in the next year is much shorter 733 00:35:12,127 --> 00:35:14,328 than the six-month enrollment period that was allotted 734 00:35:14,328 --> 00:35:16,561 for the initial year. 735 00:35:16,561 --> 00:35:20,461 As you know, it extends from October 1st to March 31st. 736 00:35:20,461 --> 00:35:26,294 And we are working 24/7 to make improvements to the website, 737 00:35:26,294 --> 00:35:30,161 to expand the channels that are available -- 738 00:35:30,161 --> 00:35:34,461 alternate channels for consumers to find information 739 00:35:34,461 --> 00:35:36,895 and purchase health insurance 740 00:35:36,895 --> 00:35:41,861 so that everybody who is interested in buying insurance 741 00:35:41,861 --> 00:35:44,428 on the marketplaces is able to in time 742 00:35:44,428 --> 00:35:45,428 for those enrollment deadlines. 743 00:35:45,428 --> 00:35:46,528 And we believe we can meet that. 744 00:35:46,528 --> 00:35:48,828 The Press: But despite that six-month timeframe, 745 00:35:48,828 --> 00:35:51,961 there are Democrats like Mark Pryor and others who have said, 746 00:35:51,961 --> 00:35:53,361 just as you are saying on nominees, 747 00:35:53,361 --> 00:35:56,594 the President said yesterday, they've got majority support, 748 00:35:56,594 --> 00:35:57,594 they should get a vote. 749 00:35:57,594 --> 00:35:58,994 You just said on immigration, 750 00:35:58,994 --> 00:36:00,895 there's common-sense consensus -- 751 00:36:00,895 --> 00:36:03,628 as you said on something -- there's common-sense consensus 752 00:36:03,628 --> 00:36:06,761 on extending the enrollment deadline for 2014. 753 00:36:06,761 --> 00:36:08,061 There are Democrats -- 754 00:36:08,061 --> 00:36:09,061 Mr. Carney: You're saying that the Republicans 755 00:36:09,061 --> 00:36:10,061 who want to do that, 756 00:36:10,061 --> 00:36:11,861 they really just want to fix ACA? 757 00:36:11,861 --> 00:36:12,861 The Press: Mark Pryor and the Democrats, 758 00:36:12,861 --> 00:36:15,060 do you think they want to destroy the -- 759 00:36:15,061 --> 00:36:16,561 Mr. Carney: I don't think that -- 760 00:36:16,561 --> 00:36:19,027 The Press: Do you think the Democrats want to destroy the law? 761 00:36:19,027 --> 00:36:20,928 Mr. Carney: That's not obviously what we're talking about. 762 00:36:20,928 --> 00:36:22,795 The Press: Mark Pryor and about a dozen Democrats. 763 00:36:22,795 --> 00:36:24,695 Mr. Carney: You're talking about one Democrat where -- 764 00:36:24,695 --> 00:36:26,561 The Press: No, there's about a dozen of them. 765 00:36:26,561 --> 00:36:27,761 Mr. Carney: Some Democrats. 766 00:36:27,761 --> 00:36:28,994 What we're saying is, as Democrats who support the ACA 767 00:36:28,994 --> 00:36:31,094 would agree, we need to make sure that the law is being 768 00:36:31,094 --> 00:36:32,628 implemented and that the enrollment is being improved 769 00:36:32,628 --> 00:36:34,695 so that we can deliver on the Affordable Care Act's promise. 770 00:36:34,695 --> 00:36:38,094 We believe that there is time, because of the extensive open 771 00:36:38,094 --> 00:36:40,895 enrollment period that is allowed here, 772 00:36:40,895 --> 00:36:43,695 to make that happen by March 31st. 773 00:36:43,695 --> 00:36:44,961 The Press: Two other quick ones. 774 00:36:44,961 --> 00:36:47,727 On the 2015 date, Republican Chuck Grassley said today -- 775 00:36:47,728 --> 00:36:50,061 he charged that you're extending -- 776 00:36:50,061 --> 00:36:52,161 the open enrollment was supposed to start for 2015 777 00:36:52,161 --> 00:36:54,728 in October of 2014, as I recall. 778 00:36:54,728 --> 00:36:57,661 It's now going to start in mid-November 2014. 779 00:36:57,661 --> 00:37:00,461 He says you're doing that so that it starts 780 00:37:00,461 --> 00:37:04,593 after the midterm elections -- politics. 781 00:37:04,594 --> 00:37:06,861 Mr. Carney: The fact is we're doing this because it makes sense 782 00:37:06,861 --> 00:37:09,661 for insurers to have as clear a sense of the pool 783 00:37:09,661 --> 00:37:11,628 of consumers they gain in the market this year 784 00:37:11,628 --> 00:37:13,895 before setting rates for next year. 785 00:37:13,895 --> 00:37:20,227 And because of the problems in the implementation 786 00:37:20,227 --> 00:37:22,694 of the website on healthcare.gov that we've experienced 787 00:37:22,695 --> 00:37:26,528 that has slowed enrollment in the early stages here, 788 00:37:26,528 --> 00:37:28,993 we expect that what was already 789 00:37:28,994 --> 00:37:30,194 going to be a back-loaded process 790 00:37:30,194 --> 00:37:31,394 is going to be more back-loaded. 791 00:37:31,394 --> 00:37:35,294 And that would then leave insurers with a lot of data 792 00:37:35,294 --> 00:37:37,627 to try to sort through in a very short time. 793 00:37:37,628 --> 00:37:40,428 And so because the website has had troubles, 794 00:37:40,428 --> 00:37:42,594 we expect more people to enroll later in the first enrollment 795 00:37:42,594 --> 00:37:46,261 window, as we've talked about, which ends March 31st. 796 00:37:46,261 --> 00:37:48,461 And the insurers will need additional time. 797 00:37:48,461 --> 00:37:50,593 April doesn't really give them enough time to do that 798 00:37:50,594 --> 00:37:51,994 so we're extending it a month. 799 00:37:51,994 --> 00:37:53,328 The Press: Last one. 800 00:37:53,328 --> 00:37:55,761 The Wall Street Journal has a story today about insurers now 801 00:37:55,761 --> 00:37:57,127 further cutting doctors' fees. 802 00:37:57,127 --> 00:37:59,795 That's been happening before the ACA, but it's accelerating. 803 00:37:59,795 --> 00:38:02,294 And the story talks about fears that this means some health 804 00:38:02,294 --> 00:38:04,461 plans will draw fewer doctors. 805 00:38:04,461 --> 00:38:07,227 And I wonder what impact do you think that will have 806 00:38:07,227 --> 00:38:09,227 on the President's promise to the American people 807 00:38:09,227 --> 00:38:11,728 that if you like your doctor, you'll keep your doctor, 808 00:38:11,728 --> 00:38:14,061 period -- that's what he said. 809 00:38:14,061 --> 00:38:16,961 Mr. Carney: I think you noted in your question, 810 00:38:16,961 --> 00:38:19,727 and I appreciate it, that doctors and insurers 811 00:38:19,728 --> 00:38:22,961 make the decisions about who's in networks. 812 00:38:22,961 --> 00:38:26,560 That was true before the ACA and it's true after the ACA, 813 00:38:26,561 --> 00:38:27,795 because the ACA builds 814 00:38:27,795 --> 00:38:29,361 on the existing private insurance system. 815 00:38:29,361 --> 00:38:33,027 It has been the case for decades that insurance companies 816 00:38:33,027 --> 00:38:36,494 make decisions about the doctors and provider networks and, 817 00:38:36,494 --> 00:38:38,294 under the health care law, that continues. 818 00:38:38,294 --> 00:38:39,993 Insurers have made that decision -- 819 00:38:39,994 --> 00:38:44,094 the whole concept of creating networks was an effort 820 00:38:44,094 --> 00:38:45,561 by insurers to control costs. 821 00:38:45,561 --> 00:38:48,961 So, again, it's hard to -- 822 00:38:48,961 --> 00:38:50,761 I know Republicans will or other critics will -- 823 00:38:50,761 --> 00:38:53,594 but it's hard -- it's really hard in this case to lay 824 00:38:53,594 --> 00:38:58,728 a trend that's been happening for decades on a bill, 825 00:38:58,728 --> 00:38:59,728 a law that -- 826 00:38:59,728 --> 00:39:00,961 The Press: Right, acknowledging that trend, 827 00:39:00,961 --> 00:39:02,026 but the President made a promise to the American people -- 828 00:39:02,027 --> 00:39:03,328 I know Jon Karl asked you this the other day 829 00:39:03,328 --> 00:39:05,361 and you mentioned all these caveats, 830 00:39:05,361 --> 00:39:07,094 but the President made a firm promise. 831 00:39:07,094 --> 00:39:09,961 He said -- just like the last promise -- 832 00:39:09,961 --> 00:39:12,761 Mr. Carney: Ed, nothing in the Affordable Care Act 833 00:39:12,761 --> 00:39:15,194 prevents you from keeping the doctor that you like. 834 00:39:15,194 --> 00:39:17,561 If you're in -- but what we don't do, 835 00:39:17,561 --> 00:39:18,861 what the Affordable Care Act, 836 00:39:18,861 --> 00:39:22,161 contrary to a lot of the messaging out there -- 837 00:39:22,161 --> 00:39:23,628 The Press: Well, if it changes your plan and the doctor 838 00:39:23,628 --> 00:39:25,261 is no longer in that plan -- 839 00:39:25,261 --> 00:39:26,761 Mr. Carney: Well, let's be clear about what we're talking about. 840 00:39:26,761 --> 00:39:30,227 Contrary to a lot of the rhetoric around this, 841 00:39:30,227 --> 00:39:31,728 this is not a government takeover 842 00:39:31,728 --> 00:39:33,394 of the health insurance industry. 843 00:39:33,394 --> 00:39:34,593 It's quite the opposite. 844 00:39:34,594 --> 00:39:37,861 It is an expansion of the private insurance industry. 845 00:39:37,861 --> 00:39:41,227 And in that industry, insurers create networks; 846 00:39:41,227 --> 00:39:42,694 they offer levels of plans. 847 00:39:42,695 --> 00:39:45,027 And if you are, again -- and it's important to say 848 00:39:45,027 --> 00:39:46,194 who we're talking about here -- 849 00:39:46,194 --> 00:39:47,661 we're not talking about the 80 percent who already 850 00:39:47,661 --> 00:39:49,628 get their insurance like most of us through our employers 851 00:39:49,628 --> 00:39:53,628 or through Medicare or Medicaid or the VA. 852 00:39:53,628 --> 00:39:55,994 We're not talking about the 15 percent of the uninsured who, 853 00:39:55,994 --> 00:39:57,828 by the way, don't get to choose their doctors 854 00:39:57,828 --> 00:39:59,394 because they don't have doctors. 855 00:39:59,394 --> 00:40:00,928 The Press: Actually, it can affect employer plans 856 00:40:00,928 --> 00:40:03,194 if they're changing under the ACA now. 857 00:40:03,194 --> 00:40:05,394 Mr. Carney: No, no, no -- they're changing -- those plans have changed -- 858 00:40:05,394 --> 00:40:08,461 I've been long enough and been in enough networks 859 00:40:08,461 --> 00:40:10,861 to know that this has been a phenomenon 860 00:40:10,861 --> 00:40:13,027 when you have employer-based health care 861 00:40:13,027 --> 00:40:14,594 that has been going on 862 00:40:14,594 --> 00:40:16,361 for years and years and years. 863 00:40:16,361 --> 00:40:18,060 What is true for everybody -- 864 00:40:18,061 --> 00:40:21,027 again, we're back to the 5 percent shopping for insurance 865 00:40:21,027 --> 00:40:24,528 in the individual market, on the health care marketplaces 866 00:40:24,528 --> 00:40:25,794 that they'll now have protections 867 00:40:25,795 --> 00:40:27,227 they didn't have in the past. 868 00:40:27,227 --> 00:40:29,261 They'll have choices they didn't have in the past, 869 00:40:29,261 --> 00:40:31,628 including a range of options 870 00:40:31,628 --> 00:40:34,461 when it comes to levels of coverage. 871 00:40:34,461 --> 00:40:39,060 And it stands to reason that the higher-level plans 872 00:40:39,061 --> 00:40:40,861 will have more expansive choices. 873 00:40:40,861 --> 00:40:44,993 So the decision -- going back to the beginning -- 874 00:40:44,994 --> 00:40:48,561 about which doctor is in which plan is not a decision dictated 875 00:40:48,561 --> 00:40:50,294 by the Affordable Care Act. 876 00:40:50,294 --> 00:40:51,661 It is, as it has always been, 877 00:40:51,661 --> 00:40:53,761 one that is reached between doctors 878 00:40:53,761 --> 00:40:55,261 and the insurance companies. 879 00:40:55,261 --> 00:40:59,861 The Press: Jay, going back to questions about issues that have been 880 00:40:59,861 --> 00:41:04,027 on the President's agenda, what are the prospects 881 00:41:04,027 --> 00:41:06,594 for meaningful gun legislation? 882 00:41:08,961 --> 00:41:14,660 Mr. Carney: We continue to work to do everything we can 883 00:41:14,661 --> 00:41:17,161 through administrative action in keeping 884 00:41:17,161 --> 00:41:21,961 with the non-legislative portions of the common-sense 885 00:41:21,961 --> 00:41:23,160 proposal the President laid out 886 00:41:23,161 --> 00:41:25,161 with the Vice President in the beginning of the year 887 00:41:25,161 --> 00:41:31,594 to do things that reduce gun violence in America. 888 00:41:31,594 --> 00:41:32,695 We were very disappointed -- 889 00:41:32,695 --> 00:41:33,961 the President was very disappointed 890 00:41:33,961 --> 00:41:35,493 in the action taken by the Senate, 891 00:41:35,494 --> 00:41:39,194 against the overwhelming support in states across the country, 892 00:41:39,194 --> 00:41:43,761 including very red states, of expanding background checks 893 00:41:43,761 --> 00:41:47,127 so that the system was coherent and effective. 894 00:41:47,127 --> 00:41:48,361 That remains our position. 895 00:41:48,361 --> 00:41:51,627 And the President is continuing to do everything he can, 896 00:41:51,628 --> 00:41:53,461 and the Vice President is continuing to do everything 897 00:41:53,461 --> 00:41:56,294 he can to try to move the ball forward on this issue. 898 00:41:56,294 --> 00:41:59,993 Because as we discussed so often earlier in the year, 899 00:41:59,994 --> 00:42:02,461 nothing that the President is proposing infringes in any way 900 00:42:02,461 --> 00:42:05,828 on the Second Amendment rights that he supports. 901 00:42:05,828 --> 00:42:07,795 And that remains the case. 902 00:42:07,795 --> 00:42:10,728 And we hope that Congress will reconsider, 903 00:42:10,728 --> 00:42:12,394 the Senate will reconsider, 904 00:42:12,394 --> 00:42:16,394 and act on this very common-sense proposal. 905 00:42:16,394 --> 00:42:18,895 In the meantime, we're focused on doing what we can, 906 00:42:18,895 --> 00:42:20,994 in keeping with the administrative actions 907 00:42:20,994 --> 00:42:22,928 announced -- I think there were 23 of them -- 908 00:42:22,928 --> 00:42:24,895 as part of the broader plan 909 00:42:24,895 --> 00:42:26,928 that the Vice President and President laid out 910 00:42:26,928 --> 00:42:28,261 in the beginning of the year. 911 00:42:28,261 --> 00:42:30,695 The Press: Can the people in Newtown, Colorado, Wisconsin, 912 00:42:30,695 --> 00:42:33,027 these other places, expect the President 913 00:42:33,027 --> 00:42:36,227 to take another active go at this? 914 00:42:36,227 --> 00:42:39,094 Mr. Carney: I think you have not seen the President shy away 915 00:42:39,094 --> 00:42:41,561 from his support for this. 916 00:42:41,561 --> 00:42:45,661 The Press: We haven't heard him talk about it lately. 917 00:42:45,661 --> 00:42:48,227 Mr. Carney: The fact is the President strongly supports 918 00:42:48,227 --> 00:42:50,461 common-sense measures to reduce gun violence. 919 00:42:50,461 --> 00:42:52,828 He strongly supports, as overwhelming majorities 920 00:42:52,828 --> 00:42:54,928 of the American people do, 921 00:42:54,928 --> 00:42:57,194 expansion of the background checks system 922 00:42:57,194 --> 00:43:00,061 so that there aren't giant loopholes in it. 923 00:43:00,061 --> 00:43:03,361 That's the kind of action that we ought to be able to take, 924 00:43:03,361 --> 00:43:06,627 and the President will continue to push for Congress to take. 925 00:43:06,628 --> 00:43:10,294 In the meantime, because of the setback 926 00:43:10,294 --> 00:43:12,627 he and so many millions of Americans experienced 927 00:43:12,628 --> 00:43:14,761 in that effort earlier this year, 928 00:43:14,761 --> 00:43:17,094 we're continuing to work in ways that we can 929 00:43:17,094 --> 00:43:22,294 to curb gun violence through other means. 930 00:43:22,294 --> 00:43:24,993 The Press: When will the next administrative action be? 931 00:43:24,994 --> 00:43:27,461 Mr. Carney: I have no policy or scheduling announcements to make. 932 00:43:27,461 --> 00:43:28,895 Kristin. 933 00:43:28,895 --> 00:43:31,428 The Press: Jay, the President ran on a platform certainly in 2008 934 00:43:31,428 --> 00:43:37,394 of trying to bridge the partisan divide. 935 00:43:49,728 --> 00:43:51,094 A lot of people are looking at the nuclear action from 936 00:43:51,094 --> 00:43:51,895 yesterday and saying that that's only going to increase partisan 937 00:43:51,895 --> 00:43:52,994 fighting and bickering. 938 00:43:52,994 --> 00:43:54,328 Doesn't what happened yesterday only undercut 939 00:43:54,328 --> 00:43:55,895 what President Obama said he was going to aim to do back in 2008? 940 00:43:55,895 --> 00:43:56,728 Mr. Carney: I think any fair evaluation of what we have seen this year 941 00:43:56,728 --> 00:43:58,494 can lead to only one conclusion, 942 00:43:58,494 --> 00:44:00,695 which is that we have seen historic obstruction 943 00:44:02,795 --> 00:44:04,861 from Republicans. 944 00:44:04,861 --> 00:44:11,428 And the idea that we haven't seen already the height 945 00:44:11,428 --> 00:44:16,594 of partisan obstructionism is I think belied by the facts. 946 00:44:16,594 --> 00:44:19,361 The Press: I'm not taking issue with the numbers -- 947 00:44:19,361 --> 00:44:20,795 Mr. Carney: No, what the American people expect 948 00:44:20,795 --> 00:44:22,428 Washington to -- 949 00:44:22,428 --> 00:44:24,560 The Press: -- try to block the President's -- 950 00:44:24,561 --> 00:44:27,428 Mr. Carney: Well, this is -- I think it's fair that you ask this 951 00:44:27,428 --> 00:44:30,027 because the irony of the moral outrage over this that you 952 00:44:30,027 --> 00:44:32,161 sometimes hear from Republicans and the sadness they feel 953 00:44:32,161 --> 00:44:34,994 is followed up by a promise that they'll do it even worse 954 00:44:34,994 --> 00:44:36,861 if and when they have the opportunity. 955 00:44:36,861 --> 00:44:40,094 So the sanctity of tradition is clearly not one 956 00:44:40,094 --> 00:44:41,394 they take all that seriously 957 00:44:41,394 --> 00:44:44,727 unless it's effective for a brief sound bite. 958 00:44:44,728 --> 00:44:46,928 The tradition was never envisioned that judges 959 00:44:46,928 --> 00:44:49,161 that went on to get confirmed 99 to nothing 960 00:44:49,161 --> 00:44:50,294 be held up for 100, 961 00:44:50,294 --> 00:44:52,094 or 200, or 500 days. 962 00:44:52,094 --> 00:44:53,695 That's not the way the system was supposed to work. 963 00:44:53,695 --> 00:44:55,328 And I think every member of the Senate knows 964 00:44:55,328 --> 00:44:56,728 that of both parties. 965 00:44:56,728 --> 00:45:00,994 So what the American people are telling us day after day, 966 00:45:00,994 --> 00:45:03,861 in your surveys and other surveys, 967 00:45:03,861 --> 00:45:05,361 is that they want Washington to work. 968 00:45:05,361 --> 00:45:11,294 They want an end to the sort of blind partisan bickering 969 00:45:11,294 --> 00:45:16,094 and obstructionism, and that is manifested -- 970 00:45:16,094 --> 00:45:18,094 The Press: This hasn't necessarily made Washington work. 971 00:45:18,094 --> 00:45:20,328 Mr. Carney: It makes it work when we can get qualified individuals 972 00:45:20,328 --> 00:45:23,027 serving in courts that have empty seats. 973 00:45:23,027 --> 00:45:26,594 It works when we can get somebody like Mel Watt confirmed 974 00:45:26,594 --> 00:45:33,194 to an agency that has an important role to play when it 975 00:45:33,194 --> 00:45:36,828 comes to empowering and helping responsible homeowners, 976 00:45:36,828 --> 00:45:39,761 and reforming the GSEs. 977 00:45:39,761 --> 00:45:44,561 It helps to get somebody confirmed to the incredibly 978 00:45:44,561 --> 00:45:50,761 posts at Homeland Security, both the number-one and number-two 979 00:45:50,761 --> 00:45:52,761 posts in that agency. 980 00:45:54,328 --> 00:45:57,695 A lot of work needs to get done and the American people are just 981 00:45:57,695 --> 00:45:59,094 tired of -- look at their reasoning for filibustering 982 00:45:59,094 --> 00:46:05,161 highly qualified nominees to the D.C. Circuit Court. 983 00:46:07,227 --> 00:46:11,928 The same court for which they voted yes on nominees when it 984 00:46:11,928 --> 00:46:15,060 had a lower workload than it has today, 985 00:46:15,061 --> 00:46:18,561 they're now claiming that it doesn't have enough workload. 986 00:46:18,561 --> 00:46:21,494 It's just -- the hypocrisy is obvious 987 00:46:21,494 --> 00:46:22,828 for anyone paying attention. 988 00:46:22,828 --> 00:46:25,161 The Press: Trent Lott, who pursued a similar course, 989 00:46:25,161 --> 00:46:27,861 said that he ultimately regretted that action. 990 00:46:27,861 --> 00:46:30,594 It's clearly too soon to regret anything, 991 00:46:30,594 --> 00:46:34,461 but to what extent is the President concerned that this 992 00:46:34,461 --> 00:46:39,127 could come back to bite him, to bite Democrats? 993 00:46:39,127 --> 00:46:41,861 Mr. Carney: The President believes that the American people 994 00:46:41,861 --> 00:46:45,361 want Washington to work and to stop these excursions 995 00:46:45,361 --> 00:46:48,261 into partisan gamesmanship that prevent Congress 996 00:46:48,261 --> 00:46:49,828 and Washington from getting 997 00:46:49,828 --> 00:46:52,027 pretty straightforward things done. 998 00:46:52,027 --> 00:46:56,094 And to the extent that this decision by Senator Reid 999 00:46:56,094 --> 00:46:58,961 improves that situation, 1000 00:46:58,961 --> 00:47:00,428 the President thinks it's a good thing. 1001 00:47:00,428 --> 00:47:03,428 The Press: I want to ask you about Iran and the P5-plus-1 talks. 1002 00:47:03,428 --> 00:47:05,394 You said the P5-plus-1 is unified, 1003 00:47:05,394 --> 00:47:08,961 and I'm curious because after the last round of negotiations 1004 00:47:08,961 --> 00:47:12,361 France came out and said the deal is not good enough, 1005 00:47:12,361 --> 00:47:14,528 it's not strong enough. 1006 00:47:14,528 --> 00:47:17,294 Mr. Carney: Well, no, I think you're conflating reports of things 1007 00:47:17,294 --> 00:47:18,627 versus what actually happened. 1008 00:47:18,628 --> 00:47:20,895 The fact is that the offer -- 1009 00:47:20,895 --> 00:47:24,394 The Press: Something changed so that France was not onboard 1010 00:47:24,394 --> 00:47:25,961 with the deal that was coming together 1011 00:47:25,961 --> 00:47:28,026 at the end of the last round of negotiations. 1012 00:47:28,027 --> 00:47:29,227 Mr. Carney: That's incorrect. 1013 00:47:29,227 --> 00:47:30,094 The deal that Iran rejected was supported 100 percent 1014 00:47:30,094 --> 00:47:31,027 by every member of the P5-plus-1. 1015 00:47:31,027 --> 00:47:32,328 That's a fact. 1016 00:47:32,328 --> 00:47:34,728 And it is the deal that we're negotiating today in Geneva. 1017 00:47:34,728 --> 00:47:37,994 The Press: They came out and voiced criticism to it, though. 1018 00:47:37,994 --> 00:47:40,494 Mr. Carney: Again, Kristin, the deal that Iran 1019 00:47:40,494 --> 00:47:43,528 decided it could not support at that time was one 1020 00:47:43,528 --> 00:47:47,394 that every member of the P5-plus-1 was unified 1021 00:47:47,394 --> 00:47:48,828 on and supported, 1022 00:47:48,828 --> 00:47:51,994 and that's the deal that we're negotiating in Geneva today. 1023 00:47:51,994 --> 00:47:52,994 The Press: Okay. 1024 00:47:52,994 --> 00:47:53,994 One more about State Senator Creigh Deeds. 1025 00:47:53,994 --> 00:47:55,961 He was released from the hospital. 1026 00:47:55,961 --> 00:47:59,794 Does President Obama have any plans to reach out to him? 1027 00:47:59,795 --> 00:48:00,828 Has he yet? 1028 00:48:00,828 --> 00:48:04,394 Does he have anything to say in the wake of, 1029 00:48:04,394 --> 00:48:06,493 obviously, the tragedy? 1030 00:48:06,494 --> 00:48:09,261 Mr. Carney: I don't have anything on communication like that. 1031 00:48:09,261 --> 00:48:12,061 I would simply say that the President's thoughts 1032 00:48:12,061 --> 00:48:14,227 and prayers, and everybody's thoughts and prayers 1033 00:48:14,227 --> 00:48:15,461 in this family -- 1034 00:48:15,461 --> 00:48:17,328 I mean, in this White House are with the Deeds' family 1035 00:48:17,328 --> 00:48:18,961 in the wake of that terrible tragedy. 1036 00:48:18,961 --> 00:48:20,194 Alexis. 1037 00:48:20,194 --> 00:48:22,961 The Press: Jay, can I just follow up on your answer 1038 00:48:22,961 --> 00:48:23,961 to John's question? 1039 00:48:23,961 --> 00:48:26,026 Are you saying that Secretary Sebelius -- 1040 00:48:26,027 --> 00:48:29,428 the President expects her to be on the job at least 1041 00:48:29,428 --> 00:48:32,194 through the end of the March 31 enrollment period? 1042 00:48:32,194 --> 00:48:34,961 Is that what you were suggesting? 1043 00:48:34,961 --> 00:48:37,294 Mr. Carney: I have no personnel announcements to make. 1044 00:48:37,294 --> 00:48:39,627 You could ask that about every individual 1045 00:48:39,628 --> 00:48:41,761 that the President appoints in the administration. 1046 00:48:41,761 --> 00:48:43,728 What I can tell you is the President has confidence 1047 00:48:43,728 --> 00:48:46,294 in Secretary Sebelius and he wants his team -- 1048 00:48:46,294 --> 00:48:48,294 of which she is an important part -- 1049 00:48:48,294 --> 00:48:50,261 that's focusing on implementation of the ACA 1050 00:48:50,261 --> 00:48:53,227 to focus on implementation of the ACA. 1051 00:48:53,227 --> 00:48:54,227 That's what she's doing. 1052 00:48:54,227 --> 00:48:55,394 That's what all of us who were involved 1053 00:48:55,394 --> 00:48:56,794 in that effort are doing. 1054 00:48:56,795 --> 00:48:59,127 The Press: Does he have any reason to believe that she won't 1055 00:48:59,127 --> 00:49:04,261 be on the job through the end of the enrollment period in March? 1056 00:49:04,261 --> 00:49:07,394 Mr. Carney: I have no insight into the personnel decisions 1057 00:49:07,394 --> 00:49:09,895 that he may or may not make in the future or the individuals 1058 00:49:09,895 --> 00:49:11,895 who have been serving in this administration may 1059 00:49:11,895 --> 00:49:13,261 or may not make. 1060 00:49:13,261 --> 00:49:15,461 The fundamental question you're asking in a variety of ways is 1061 00:49:15,461 --> 00:49:19,227 does he have confidence in her, and the answer today is the same 1062 00:49:19,227 --> 00:49:20,694 as it's been every day: yes. 1063 00:49:20,695 --> 00:49:21,761 The Press: One other question related to this -- 1064 00:49:21,761 --> 00:49:22,928 usually a President, at the end of the year, 1065 00:49:22,928 --> 00:49:24,194 going into the New Year, 1066 00:49:24,194 --> 00:49:25,428 works with the Chief of Staff to think through the team 1067 00:49:25,428 --> 00:49:26,828 that he has both at the White House and in the Cabinet 1068 00:49:26,828 --> 00:49:28,094 and do a kind of inventory of that -- 1069 00:49:28,094 --> 00:49:29,261 who wants to leave, who is leaving. 1070 00:49:29,261 --> 00:49:30,328 Can you describe the process that the President has 1071 00:49:30,328 --> 00:49:31,728 with the Chief of Staff underway now? 1072 00:49:31,728 --> 00:49:32,728 Mr. Carney: Has any press secretary of any administration 1073 00:49:32,728 --> 00:49:33,728 ever described that process? 1074 00:49:33,728 --> 00:49:34,728 The Press: Yes. 1075 00:49:34,728 --> 00:49:35,728 Mr. Carney: No. 1076 00:49:35,728 --> 00:49:36,728 I do not get into personnel decisions. 1077 00:49:36,728 --> 00:49:37,861 The Press: Actually, they have. 1078 00:49:37,861 --> 00:49:38,728 Mr. Carney: Well, maybe after the fact, Alexis. 1079 00:49:38,728 --> 00:49:39,861 I certainly haven't. 1080 00:49:39,861 --> 00:49:41,161 The fact is, the President, the Chief of Staff, 1081 00:49:41,161 --> 00:49:41,828 other senior members of his team review and look at personnel 1082 00:49:41,828 --> 00:49:43,161 decisions all the time. 1083 00:49:43,161 --> 00:49:45,261 And obviously there's, as is the case in any administration, 1084 00:49:45,261 --> 00:49:51,261 times when people decide they need to leave 1085 00:50:01,761 --> 00:50:09,728 for a variety of reasons. 1086 00:50:09,728 --> 00:50:15,728 And when that happens, the President and his team evaluate 1087 00:50:22,328 --> 00:50:25,127 their options when it comes to successors. 1088 00:50:25,127 --> 00:50:28,361 That's no different at the end of the year than it is midway 1089 00:50:28,361 --> 00:50:30,361 through the year or at the beginning of the year. 1090 00:50:30,361 --> 00:50:32,161 And that's where we are now. 1091 00:50:32,161 --> 00:50:36,994 But there's nothing unique about the process today compared to 1092 00:50:36,994 --> 00:50:38,761 earlier this year or last year or any other year 1093 00:50:38,761 --> 00:50:39,761 that he's been President. 1094 00:50:39,761 --> 00:50:41,361 Cheryl. 1095 00:50:41,361 --> 00:50:42,493 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 1096 00:50:42,494 --> 00:50:44,861 Over the last three days, Senator Baucus has been 1097 00:50:44,861 --> 00:50:47,728 rolling out a variety of tax reform proposals. 1098 00:50:47,728 --> 00:50:50,761 Has the White House been involved in those proposals, 1099 00:50:50,761 --> 00:50:52,528 and do you support them? 1100 00:50:52,528 --> 00:50:57,961 Mr. Carney: We are very supportive of Senator Baucus's agreement 1101 00:50:57,961 --> 00:51:01,461 with us and his efforts when it comes to reforming 1102 00:51:01,461 --> 00:51:04,127 our tax code and the corporate tax system. 1103 00:51:04,127 --> 00:51:07,928 That's something that we put forward ourselves here earlier 1104 00:51:07,928 --> 00:51:10,694 and continue to hope that Congress would act on. 1105 00:51:10,695 --> 00:51:13,761 There is an opportunity here to reform our corporate tax code 1106 00:51:13,761 --> 00:51:18,494 in a way that lowers rates, closes loopholes, 1107 00:51:18,494 --> 00:51:22,861 makes us more competitive, and provides the opportunity 1108 00:51:22,861 --> 00:51:26,328 to invest in areas like infrastructure that have 1109 00:51:26,328 --> 00:51:32,294 traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support and that would 1110 00:51:32,294 --> 00:51:35,060 do enormous good for our future economic growth. 1111 00:51:35,061 --> 00:51:39,161 That kind of investment would create jobs right away in 1112 00:51:39,161 --> 00:51:42,895 important sectors of our economy and would have compounding 1113 00:51:42,895 --> 00:51:46,428 benefits over the years, because when you rebuild airports 1114 00:51:46,428 --> 00:51:51,194 and bridges and highways and ports, you are investing 1115 00:51:51,194 --> 00:51:52,394 in our economic future. 1116 00:51:52,394 --> 00:51:54,861 The Vice President has been traveling, as you know, 1117 00:51:54,861 --> 00:51:57,895 to ports around the country, as well as the Panama Canal, 1118 00:51:57,895 --> 00:52:01,428 to focus attention on the need to make the necessary 1119 00:52:01,428 --> 00:52:04,161 investments in our ports so that we can be competitive 1120 00:52:04,161 --> 00:52:05,328 in the 21st century. 1121 00:52:05,328 --> 00:52:07,528 This is something that we're focused very much on. 1122 00:52:07,528 --> 00:52:09,794 And there has been, as we've discussed, 1123 00:52:09,795 --> 00:52:12,661 a justifiable amount of focus and attention here in Washington 1124 00:52:12,661 --> 00:52:16,227 on the problems with the website and implementation of the 1125 00:52:16,227 --> 00:52:18,560 Affordable Care Act, and that is something that we are obviously 1126 00:52:18,561 --> 00:52:21,094 very engaged in fixing. 1127 00:52:21,094 --> 00:52:26,227 But broadly speaking, this administration is focused on the 1128 00:52:26,227 --> 00:52:27,627 things we can do to grow our economy, 1129 00:52:27,628 --> 00:52:30,227 the things we can do to make the middle class more secure, 1130 00:52:30,227 --> 00:52:33,627 and that includes a deal that is out there, 1131 00:52:33,628 --> 00:52:36,895 if Congress were to take it, to reform our corporate tax system 1132 00:52:36,895 --> 00:52:39,961 and make it more fair, close loopholes and invest in 1133 00:52:39,961 --> 00:52:45,560 infrastructure, invest potentially in universal pre-K 1134 00:52:45,561 --> 00:52:49,294 or pre-K for all, because of the positive long-term benefits that 1135 00:52:49,294 --> 00:52:51,361 that would give our country and our economy. 1136 00:52:51,361 --> 00:52:53,361 So these are the issues that the President 1137 00:52:53,361 --> 00:52:54,560 is primarily focused on. 1138 00:52:54,561 --> 00:52:58,994 And so we obviously commend Chairman Baucus on moving 1139 00:52:58,994 --> 00:53:00,394 these issues forward. 1140 00:53:00,394 --> 00:53:01,394 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 1141 00:53:01,394 --> 00:53:03,194 Mr. Carney: I'll take one more. 1142 00:53:03,194 --> 00:53:04,194 Voice of America. 1143 00:53:04,194 --> 00:53:05,494 The Press: Wow, two days in row. 1144 00:53:05,494 --> 00:53:07,828 I don't want to -- 1145 00:53:07,828 --> 00:53:09,261 Mr. Carney: Did Josh call on you? 1146 00:53:09,261 --> 00:53:10,261 [laughter] 1147 00:53:10,261 --> 00:53:11,261 Okay, I didn't know that. 1148 00:53:11,261 --> 00:53:12,461 I'll call on somebody else. 1149 00:53:12,461 --> 00:53:13,461 No, go ahead. 1150 00:53:13,461 --> 00:53:14,828 [laughter] 1151 00:53:14,828 --> 00:53:16,795 The Press: Will we be hearing statements from the President 1152 00:53:16,795 --> 00:53:20,561 and the King of Morocco at this event this afternoon? 1153 00:53:20,561 --> 00:53:23,161 Mr. Carney: I don't know that there are any statements planned. 1154 00:53:23,161 --> 00:53:24,895 There's a photojournalists spray, I believe, 1155 00:53:24,895 --> 00:53:27,227 that involves photographers and video. 1156 00:53:27,227 --> 00:53:29,627 The Press: So can I just follow up on that? 1157 00:53:29,628 --> 00:53:31,027 Mr. Carney: Yes. 1158 00:53:31,027 --> 00:53:32,428 The Press: Will the President be raising human rights issues 1159 00:53:32,428 --> 00:53:34,895 directly with the King, including issues involving 1160 00:53:34,895 --> 00:53:39,494 Western Sahara and the broadening of the U.N. mandate 1161 00:53:39,494 --> 00:53:42,528 to include human rights monitors? 1162 00:53:42,528 --> 00:53:49,794 Mr. Carney: What I can tell you about that is that the 1163 00:53:49,795 --> 00:53:52,261 President looks forward to discussing a range of issues 1164 00:53:52,261 --> 00:53:54,861 of mutual interest with King Mohammed VI, 1165 00:53:54,861 --> 00:53:58,361 including support for Morocco's democratic and economic reforms. 1166 00:53:58,361 --> 00:54:01,060 This visit is also an opportunity to increase 1167 00:54:01,061 --> 00:54:03,428 our cooperation on addressing regional challenges, 1168 00:54:03,428 --> 00:54:06,027 including countering violent extremism, 1169 00:54:06,027 --> 00:54:08,528 supporting democratic transitions and promoting 1170 00:54:08,528 --> 00:54:11,761 economic development in the Middle East and Africa. 1171 00:54:11,761 --> 00:54:14,394 On the issue of the Western Sahara, 1172 00:54:14,394 --> 00:54:16,493 our position has remained consistent for many years. 1173 00:54:16,494 --> 00:54:17,528 The U.S. has made clear that 1174 00:54:17,528 --> 00:54:19,727 Morocco's autonomy plan is serious, 1175 00:54:19,728 --> 00:54:22,428 realistic and credible, and that it represents a potential 1176 00:54:22,428 --> 00:54:25,694 approach that could satisfy the aspirations of the people in the 1177 00:54:25,695 --> 00:54:29,294 Western Sahara to run their own affairs in peace and dignity. 1178 00:54:29,294 --> 00:54:30,428 I don't have any more of a preview 1179 00:54:30,428 --> 00:54:32,627 on their meeting than that. 1180 00:54:32,628 --> 00:54:34,394 The Press: Week ahead? 1181 00:54:34,394 --> 00:54:35,394 Mr. Carney: Oh, yes. 1182 00:54:35,394 --> 00:54:36,394 Let's see. 1183 00:54:36,394 --> 00:54:37,528 Yes. 1184 00:54:37,528 --> 00:54:39,227 I think last week was the first time I ever went 1185 00:54:39,227 --> 00:54:42,194 to the week ahead of my own volition. 1186 00:54:42,194 --> 00:54:44,361 On Sunday, the President will travel to Seattle, 1187 00:54:44,361 --> 00:54:48,027 Washington to participate in DNC and DCCC events. 1188 00:54:48,027 --> 00:54:50,528 The President will remain overnight in Seattle. 1189 00:54:50,528 --> 00:54:52,627 On Monday, the President will travel to San Francisco 1190 00:54:52,628 --> 00:54:56,161 for an event on immigration as well as an event for the DNC. 1191 00:54:56,161 --> 00:54:59,227 In the afternoon, the President will travel to Los Angeles, 1192 00:54:59,227 --> 00:55:03,493 California, where he will take part in two DCCC/DSCC events. 1193 00:55:03,494 --> 00:55:07,394 The President will remain overnight in Los Angeles. 1194 00:55:07,394 --> 00:55:10,261 On Tuesday, the President will attend an event for the DNC, 1195 00:55:10,261 --> 00:55:13,528 followed by an event on the economy at DreamWorks Animation. 1196 00:55:13,528 --> 00:55:15,794 The President will return to Washington, D.C. 1197 00:55:15,795 --> 00:55:17,528 on Tuesday night. 1198 00:55:17,528 --> 00:55:21,461 On Wednesday -- and mark this in pen -- 1199 00:55:21,461 --> 00:55:24,328 the President will pardon the National Thanksgiving Turkey 1200 00:55:24,328 --> 00:55:26,994 at the White House and the First Family will participate 1201 00:55:26,994 --> 00:55:29,795 in a service event in the Washington, D.C. area. 1202 00:55:29,795 --> 00:55:30,895 The Press: Do you have times for those? 1203 00:55:30,895 --> 00:55:31,895 Mr. Carney: I don't. 1204 00:55:31,895 --> 00:55:33,127 We'll get them to you when we have them. 1205 00:55:33,127 --> 00:55:34,928 On Thursday, the President will celebrate Thanksgiving 1206 00:55:34,928 --> 00:55:36,161 at the White House. 1207 00:55:36,161 --> 00:55:38,494 No public events scheduled that day. 1208 00:55:38,494 --> 00:55:40,061 And also, on Friday the President 1209 00:55:40,061 --> 00:55:43,494 has no public events scheduled. 1210 00:55:43,494 --> 00:55:45,494 Thank you all very much.