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1 00:00:01,667 --> 00:00:02,433 >> Mr. Carney: Good afternoon. 2 00:00:02,433 --> 00:00:04,233 Welcome to the White House; thanks for being here. 3 00:00:04,233 --> 00:00:06,266 I have no announcements to make at the top, 4 00:00:06,266 --> 00:00:07,967 so I will go straight to your questions. 5 00:00:07,967 --> 00:00:11,266 Mr. Henry is a bit disappointed that I have not a 6 00:00:11,266 --> 00:00:12,400 single announcement. 7 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:13,533 Jim. 8 00:00:13,533 --> 00:00:14,834 >> The Press: Thanks, Jay. 9 00:00:14,834 --> 00:00:17,900 The Speaker, as you know, spoke today and turned the 10 00:00:17,900 --> 00:00:23,000 conversation over to the spending cuts and the fiscal 11 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:25,467 cliff negotiations. 12 00:00:25,467 --> 00:00:26,433 Two questions on that. 13 00:00:26,433 --> 00:00:29,533 One is, does that suggest that there's been movement, 14 00:00:29,533 --> 00:00:34,266 since we're no longer talking about tax cuts or tax increases? 15 00:00:34,266 --> 00:00:37,934 And where is the administration? 16 00:00:37,934 --> 00:00:41,900 I know you guys have argued back that you have provided details 17 00:00:41,900 --> 00:00:43,433 on the spending cuts. 18 00:00:43,433 --> 00:00:46,900 But are you prepared to offer more? 19 00:00:46,900 --> 00:00:52,400 Today you have a letter from CEOs urging that spending cuts, 20 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:55,533 entitlement adjustments and so forth be a multiple -- 21 00:00:55,533 --> 00:00:58,000 a greater multiple than revenues. 22 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:01,633 Is the White House prepared to do more on that front? 23 00:01:01,633 --> 00:01:05,133 >> Mr. Carney: Let me take your questions in relative order. 24 00:01:05,132 --> 00:01:08,399 First of all, I did hear what the Speaker of the House had to 25 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:17,367 say, and I would note that if there is one fact that should 26 00:01:17,367 --> 00:01:20,400 not be in dispute it ought to be this: 27 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:24,233 The President, unlike any other party to these negotiations, 28 00:01:24,233 --> 00:01:32,367 has put forward detailed spending cuts as well as 29 00:01:32,367 --> 00:01:34,934 detailed revenue proposals. 30 00:01:34,934 --> 00:01:39,700 It is a simple fact that the President put those forward to 31 00:01:39,700 --> 00:01:44,433 the not-so-super super committee in September of 2011, 32 00:01:44,433 --> 00:01:52,100 and that he again, in the process of these negotiations, 33 00:01:52,100 --> 00:01:59,399 put them forward as his position when it came to both the revenue 34 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:02,300 that was required to achieve the kind of balanced deficit 35 00:02:02,300 --> 00:02:06,433 reduction package on the scale of $4 trillion that was 36 00:02:06,433 --> 00:02:10,233 necessary, as well as very specific spending cuts, 37 00:02:10,233 --> 00:02:12,900 including savings in entitlement programs. 38 00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:17,266 And again, it's not a mystery. 39 00:02:17,266 --> 00:02:19,000 We've seen this before. 40 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,900 This is the document that contains the specific 41 00:02:21,900 --> 00:02:22,900 spending cuts. 42 00:02:22,900 --> 00:02:26,467 The Speaker of the House sent us a proposal that was two pages 43 00:02:26,467 --> 00:02:29,200 long that included one sentence on revenue. 44 00:02:29,200 --> 00:02:38,033 The proposal here includes, I believe, from pages 17 to 45, 45 00:02:38,033 --> 00:02:40,934 details on proposed spending cuts by the President -- 46 00:02:40,934 --> 00:02:42,533 pages 17 to 45. 47 00:02:42,533 --> 00:02:44,232 I recommend them to you. 48 00:02:44,233 --> 00:02:49,400 Now, it is entirely our expectation that Republicans may 49 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:53,133 not agree with all of our spending cuts; 50 00:02:53,133 --> 00:02:58,367 Republicans may want to propose additional spending cuts. 51 00:02:58,367 --> 00:03:02,466 And the President has said that he is prepared to make 52 00:03:02,467 --> 00:03:04,000 tough decisions. 53 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:08,033 He has said that he's not wedded to every detail in this plan and 54 00:03:08,033 --> 00:03:13,399 that he understands that compromise requires all sides to 55 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:16,200 accept something short of the ideal, 56 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:17,466 and he's committed to doing that. 57 00:03:17,467 --> 00:03:19,600 What we haven't seen from Republicans, to this day, 58 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:24,567 is a single specific proposal on revenue, and, in fact, 59 00:03:24,567 --> 00:03:27,266 we've seen less specificity from Republicans on spending cuts 60 00:03:27,266 --> 00:03:29,233 than the President himself has proposed. 61 00:03:29,233 --> 00:03:30,967 So that's point one. 62 00:03:30,967 --> 00:03:34,500 I think that the letter you mentioned from the executives at 63 00:03:34,500 --> 00:03:40,367 the Business Roundtable adds to the growing chorus of voices 64 00:03:40,367 --> 00:03:47,867 from a variety of sectors of both our economy and the broader 65 00:03:47,867 --> 00:03:53,033 American public demonstrating a desire for compromise; 66 00:03:53,033 --> 00:03:56,666 demonstrating agreement that there has to be a balanced 67 00:03:56,667 --> 00:03:59,300 approach, an approach that includes revenues as well as 68 00:03:59,300 --> 00:04:00,767 spending cuts. 69 00:04:00,767 --> 00:04:04,299 So we welcome that and agree with it. 70 00:04:04,300 --> 00:04:06,700 Furthermore, on the ratio question, 71 00:04:06,700 --> 00:04:11,834 the President's proposals have, taken together, 72 00:04:11,834 --> 00:04:14,734 shown roughly two and a half dollars in spending cuts for 73 00:04:14,734 --> 00:04:16,500 every dollar in revenue. 74 00:04:16,500 --> 00:04:18,333 So we think that ratio makes sense. 75 00:04:18,333 --> 00:04:21,400 >> The Press: And for that, you're counting the $1 trillion from the Budget 76 00:04:21,399 --> 00:04:23,166 Act and the savings from -- 77 00:04:23,166 --> 00:04:24,734 >> Mr. Carney: Everyone is counting the $1 trillion from the Budget Act 78 00:04:24,734 --> 00:04:25,734 because it should be counted. 79 00:04:25,734 --> 00:04:27,967 Let's go back, again, on the spending cuts: 80 00:04:27,967 --> 00:04:30,233 While we have yet to see a single specific proposal from 81 00:04:30,233 --> 00:04:34,300 Republicans on revenues, the President has signed into law -- 82 00:04:34,300 --> 00:04:37,233 law of the land -- $1 trillion in spending cuts, 83 00:04:37,233 --> 00:04:41,133 and he has proposed additional specific spending cuts as part 84 00:04:41,133 --> 00:04:42,700 of this document that I showed you. 85 00:04:42,700 --> 00:04:44,800 So, absolutely. 86 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:48,100 When we talked about $4 trillion, 87 00:04:48,100 --> 00:04:51,400 as did the Simpson-Bowles Commission and others, 88 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:56,967 that was prior to the signing of the Budget Control Act. 89 00:04:56,967 --> 00:04:59,233 And the trillion dollars in spending cuts that were agreed 90 00:04:59,233 --> 00:05:05,567 to by all sides and signed into law and voted for by Congress 91 00:05:05,567 --> 00:05:08,667 were part of, had there been a grand bargain, 92 00:05:08,667 --> 00:05:10,400 part of the $4 trillion. 93 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:15,133 >> The Press: One of the items in that book that you just showed us includes 94 00:05:15,133 --> 00:05:20,066 some Medicaid adjustments that presumably are part of this -- 95 00:05:20,066 --> 00:05:21,299 part of the President's offer. 96 00:05:21,300 --> 00:05:24,700 But there were reports yesterday that HHS is backing off some of 97 00:05:24,700 --> 00:05:28,734 these Medicaid changes that would allow for a blended 98 00:05:28,734 --> 00:05:32,133 percentage of rate adjustments with states. 99 00:05:32,133 --> 00:05:33,433 Is that true? 100 00:05:33,433 --> 00:05:36,233 And if you are backing down from some of these proposals, 101 00:05:36,233 --> 00:05:37,934 what does that say about where the President -- 102 00:05:37,934 --> 00:05:38,734 how the President -- 103 00:05:38,734 --> 00:05:41,265 >> Mr. Carney: Well, let me say two things about that. 104 00:05:41,266 --> 00:05:44,033 While there has been a call for greater specificity in where the 105 00:05:44,033 --> 00:05:48,400 cuts -- the fact is this document was produced more than 106 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:51,200 a year ago and has been available to everyone in this 107 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,265 room for that time, and everybody on Capitol Hill. 108 00:05:54,266 --> 00:05:57,000 So that is a fact. 109 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:01,433 As part of that fact, there have been some changes in the world 110 00:06:01,433 --> 00:06:03,599 that affect some of the proposals here, 111 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:05,066 including the Supreme Court's decision. 112 00:06:05,066 --> 00:06:10,667 And so some -- a very small percentage of the provisions in 113 00:06:10,667 --> 00:06:14,833 here, the proposals in here that affect Medicaid we would no 114 00:06:14,834 --> 00:06:18,400 longer put forward but would absolutely make up in terms of 115 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:21,532 the size of savings in other ways. 116 00:06:21,533 --> 00:06:25,567 But we're talking about 10% here; nothing too sizable. 117 00:06:25,567 --> 00:06:27,500 >> The Press: Can I follow on just on that specific question? 118 00:06:27,500 --> 00:06:28,400 >> Mr. Carney: Sure. 119 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,467 >> The Press: So isn't it $100 billion in Medicaid savings? 120 00:06:31,467 --> 00:06:33,800 >> Mr. Carney: I don't have the details in front of me. 121 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:37,166 It's not on that scale when we talk about the overall 122 00:06:37,166 --> 00:06:40,767 percentage of -- when we talk about the overall amount of 123 00:06:40,767 --> 00:06:45,200 entitlement program savings as well as, broken out, 124 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:46,200 the health care savings. 125 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:47,200 So -- 126 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:48,200 >> The Press: But didn't the President also offer, 127 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:51,366 and wasn't this also on the table during the last fiscal 128 00:06:51,367 --> 00:06:53,533 cliff negotiations or whatever it was called at the time -- 129 00:06:53,533 --> 00:06:55,300 I guess the debt ceiling negotiations? 130 00:06:55,300 --> 00:06:57,967 Wasn't that one of the items on the table that the President had 131 00:06:57,967 --> 00:07:00,800 already agreed to, the $100 billion in -- 132 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:03,633 >> Mr. Carney: Again, I don't have the specifics for the different 133 00:07:03,633 --> 00:07:05,332 iterations here. 134 00:07:05,333 --> 00:07:11,800 But time has passed, and there have been some impacts on the 135 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:13,567 Medicaid program that changed our calculations on this. 136 00:07:13,567 --> 00:07:17,333 But we're not talking about a sizable portion of the proposed 137 00:07:17,333 --> 00:07:20,467 -- specific proposed savings from health care entitlements or 138 00:07:20,467 --> 00:07:23,233 overall savings from mandatory entitlement programs. 139 00:07:23,233 --> 00:07:27,867 And we would find other savings. 140 00:07:27,867 --> 00:07:30,633 We would propose -- we will propose other savings to make up 141 00:07:30,633 --> 00:07:31,834 for the difference. 142 00:07:31,834 --> 00:07:35,400 The fact is, is that the vast majority of these proposed 143 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:41,366 savings account for a higher degree of specificity than we 144 00:07:41,367 --> 00:07:44,700 have seen, by far, from the Republicans. 145 00:07:44,700 --> 00:07:48,767 And going back to the revenue side of this, 146 00:07:48,767 --> 00:07:51,600 we've seen exactly no specificity from the Republicans 147 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:56,266 except for a vague promise of an insufficient number -- 148 00:07:56,266 --> 00:08:02,133 $800 billion in revenue -- gleaned from unnamed closed 149 00:08:02,133 --> 00:08:04,200 loopholes and capped deductions. 150 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:09,599 So if the issue is where are your proposals, 151 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:12,667 I think we've answered that question in full, 152 00:08:12,667 --> 00:08:18,000 acknowledging that we're not going to get exactly what we've 153 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:21,367 put forward, that there's a discussion and negotiation that 154 00:08:21,367 --> 00:08:22,367 has to take place. 155 00:08:22,367 --> 00:08:24,967 And the President has been very clear that he understands that 156 00:08:24,967 --> 00:08:28,332 and that he'll make some tough choices in order to reach a 157 00:08:28,333 --> 00:08:33,667 balanced proposal on the scale that he's talked about. 158 00:08:33,667 --> 00:08:34,667 Jeff. 159 00:08:34,667 --> 00:08:37,100 >> The Press: Jay, the Speaker's comments today seem to indicate that 160 00:08:37,100 --> 00:08:40,200 despite his meeting with the President on Sunday here at the 161 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:43,567 White House, that very little progress has been made. 162 00:08:43,567 --> 00:08:45,800 Does the White House share that assessment? 163 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:46,867 >> Mr. Carney: I don't think that's what he said. 164 00:08:46,867 --> 00:08:49,834 I think he said that the discussions have been cordial, 165 00:08:49,834 --> 00:08:54,132 and we would agree with that, and we think that lines of 166 00:08:54,133 --> 00:08:56,133 communication remain open. 167 00:08:56,133 --> 00:08:58,934 But what we're not going to do is give a daily or hourly 168 00:08:58,934 --> 00:09:02,800 assessment of whether or not progress is being made, 169 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:08,099 or what specific items are being discussed, 170 00:09:08,100 --> 00:09:12,300 because we don't think that's fruitful or helpful towards 171 00:09:12,300 --> 00:09:14,567 achieving the goal that we think we all share, 172 00:09:14,567 --> 00:09:20,166 which is reaching a compromise that Congress can pass and the 173 00:09:20,166 --> 00:09:21,633 President can sign into law. 174 00:09:21,633 --> 00:09:23,867 >> The Press: You don't think it's helpful to say whether there's progress 175 00:09:23,867 --> 00:09:24,867 being made? 176 00:09:24,867 --> 00:09:25,867 >> Mr. Carney: I answered this question yesterday. 177 00:09:25,867 --> 00:09:30,934 I don't think it is helpful to give hourly or daily readouts of 178 00:09:30,934 --> 00:09:37,867 progress, because our interest is in achieving a workable 179 00:09:37,867 --> 00:09:42,367 compromise that reflects the principles the President has 180 00:09:42,367 --> 00:09:46,333 talked about so clearly and has put forward before the American 181 00:09:46,333 --> 00:09:49,433 people for so long when it comes to having balance and making 182 00:09:49,433 --> 00:09:52,834 sure that everyone pays their fair share; and, 183 00:09:52,834 --> 00:09:56,699 as part of that, requiring that Republicans acknowledge and 184 00:09:56,700 --> 00:09:59,600 accept that rates are going up for the top earners in this 185 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:03,133 country, and that a certain amount of revenue has to be a 186 00:10:03,133 --> 00:10:06,100 part of this deficit reduction package in order for it to be 187 00:10:06,100 --> 00:10:08,300 balanced, so that we're not asking seniors, 188 00:10:08,300 --> 00:10:10,300 or the middle class, or students, 189 00:10:10,300 --> 00:10:13,199 or families with disabled children to bear the burden, 190 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:19,166 in exchange for some vague promise that the top earners in 191 00:10:19,166 --> 00:10:22,133 this country might pay a little bit more down the road. 192 00:10:22,133 --> 00:10:26,467 That's not the kind of deal that can work. 193 00:10:26,467 --> 00:10:30,300 But there is a deal out there that's possible, 194 00:10:30,300 --> 00:10:34,300 and we do believe that the parameters of a compromise are 195 00:10:34,300 --> 00:10:35,834 pretty clear. 196 00:10:35,834 --> 00:10:43,800 What is required is agreement by Republicans to some specific 197 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:48,733 revenues that includes raising rates on the highest earners, 198 00:10:48,734 --> 00:10:53,300 and some decisions in the two-stage process that we've put 199 00:10:53,300 --> 00:10:55,433 forward and I think the Republicans agree on, 200 00:10:55,433 --> 00:10:58,433 on how we move forward on spending cuts and broader 201 00:10:58,433 --> 00:10:59,567 entitlement and tax reform. 202 00:10:59,567 --> 00:11:04,767 So these things are possible, but they're less possible if we 203 00:11:04,767 --> 00:11:08,500 try to negotiate them on an hourly or daily basis in 204 00:11:08,500 --> 00:11:09,500 the media. 205 00:11:09,500 --> 00:11:11,800 But having said that, I understand and I sympathize with 206 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:13,766 the desire for more detail. 207 00:11:13,767 --> 00:11:18,967 And if it weren't for the broader interest here, 208 00:11:18,967 --> 00:11:23,300 which is in trying to allow some space for the parties to see if 209 00:11:23,300 --> 00:11:26,500 they can achieve a compromise, I'd be spilling my 210 00:11:26,500 --> 00:11:27,133 guts from here. 211 00:11:27,133 --> 00:11:27,800 Yes. 212 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:28,934 >> The Press: Just one follow-up? 213 00:11:28,934 --> 00:11:29,567 >> Mr. Carney: Sorry. 214 00:11:29,567 --> 00:11:30,500 Yes. 215 00:11:30,500 --> 00:11:31,533 >> The Press: Yes, it's just one follow-up, and that is, 216 00:11:31,533 --> 00:11:34,633 in terms of the deadline, as the end of the year draws near, 217 00:11:34,633 --> 00:11:37,934 at what point do you have to have some kind of an agreement 218 00:11:37,934 --> 00:11:41,567 at least in principle to give Congress enough time to pass it? 219 00:11:41,567 --> 00:11:43,100 >> Mr. Carney: That sounds like a question for Congress, 220 00:11:43,100 --> 00:11:46,100 and I wouldn't hazard a guess. 221 00:11:46,100 --> 00:11:47,233 Yes, Kristen. 222 00:11:47,233 --> 00:11:48,032 >> The Press: Jay, thanks. 223 00:11:48,033 --> 00:11:49,900 I want to go back to something that Vice President Biden said 224 00:11:49,900 --> 00:11:50,834 on Friday. 225 00:11:50,834 --> 00:11:54,300 He seemed to suggest that there was room to negotiate on the tax 226 00:11:54,300 --> 00:11:56,733 rates for the top income earners. 227 00:11:56,734 --> 00:11:58,266 This is something that we've obviously talked about. 228 00:11:58,266 --> 00:11:59,699 He kind of made a more definitive statement. 229 00:11:59,700 --> 00:12:02,567 He said, "theoretically, we can negotiate how far up, 230 00:12:02,567 --> 00:12:04,867 "but we think it should go up" -- referencing the rates. 231 00:12:04,867 --> 00:12:06,632 Is that something that the President agrees with? 232 00:12:06,633 --> 00:12:10,667 >> Mr. Carney: Well, look, I would simply point you to what I have said and the 233 00:12:10,667 --> 00:12:12,166 President has said and others have said, 234 00:12:12,166 --> 00:12:14,967 including the Vice President, and that is there is a clean and 235 00:12:14,967 --> 00:12:20,967 simple way to do this that achieves the kind of revenue 236 00:12:20,967 --> 00:12:25,600 package that is necessary in terms of its scope for the 237 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:29,400 balance that's required in a fair plan for broad deficit 238 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:36,199 reduction: Extend tax cuts for 98% of the American people; 239 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:40,500 do nothing on rates for the top 2%. 240 00:12:40,500 --> 00:12:43,000 That means you don't have to vote to raise taxes. 241 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:48,266 You simply let current law stay at it is, 242 00:12:48,266 --> 00:12:51,533 which would result in those rates for top earners, 243 00:12:51,533 --> 00:12:56,133 above $250,000, going back to the rates from the Clinton era; 244 00:12:56,133 --> 00:13:02,734 and then find those targeted loopholes that you can close and 245 00:13:02,734 --> 00:13:06,000 deductions that you can cap that, 246 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,834 combined with the revenue gleaned from raising rates, 247 00:13:08,834 --> 00:13:12,300 produces a size of -- in the scope that's necessary for the 248 00:13:12,300 --> 00:13:14,766 balance that we've talked about. 249 00:13:14,767 --> 00:13:17,467 As I've said before, there's no -- 250 00:13:17,467 --> 00:13:20,766 the fact that there could be theoretical ways of reaching 251 00:13:20,767 --> 00:13:24,300 that goal that are different from the one proposed by the 252 00:13:24,300 --> 00:13:28,934 President may be true, but we have yet to see anything along 253 00:13:28,934 --> 00:13:32,033 those lines from our negotiating partners, 254 00:13:32,033 --> 00:13:35,600 any specificity at all, or any acknowledgement in any concrete 255 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:39,000 way from Republican leaders even that rates have to be 256 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:40,000 part of this. 257 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:41,734 >> The Press: It seems like the Vice President was signaling that they don't 258 00:13:41,734 --> 00:13:45,467 have to go all the way back up to that 39.6% figure. 259 00:13:45,467 --> 00:13:47,834 Is he suggesting that might be the way to -- 260 00:13:47,834 --> 00:13:48,934 >> Mr. Carney: The way you said it is theoretically, 261 00:13:48,934 --> 00:13:51,967 and I'm saying that a discussion about what's theoretically 262 00:13:51,967 --> 00:13:54,433 possible could go on forever. 263 00:13:54,433 --> 00:14:00,700 What is concretely possible is that we extend tax cuts for 264 00:14:00,700 --> 00:14:06,066 virtually 98% of the American people, 265 00:14:06,066 --> 00:14:09,133 allow rates to raise for the top 2% of earners, 266 00:14:09,133 --> 00:14:15,700 and address the loopholes and deductions in a way that 267 00:14:15,700 --> 00:14:18,233 achieves the kind of revenue package that we need for a 268 00:14:18,233 --> 00:14:21,132 broader deficit reduction goal. 269 00:14:21,133 --> 00:14:23,734 That's what's on the table and that's the way to do it. 270 00:14:23,734 --> 00:14:28,166 Talking about what's imaginable is one thing. 271 00:14:28,166 --> 00:14:30,900 What we haven't seen is anything like a concrete proposal from 272 00:14:30,900 --> 00:14:33,000 the Republicans when it comes to revenue. 273 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:36,033 >> The Press: I want to take one more stab at the timeline question as well. 274 00:14:36,033 --> 00:14:38,533 A lot of people are saying that you actually have to get a broad 275 00:14:38,533 --> 00:14:41,233 framework by this Friday. 276 00:14:41,233 --> 00:14:42,500 Does the President see it that way -- 277 00:14:42,500 --> 00:14:46,400 in order for this to get passed by December 21st? 278 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:47,533 >> Mr. Carney: I'm not going to set deadlines. 279 00:14:47,533 --> 00:14:49,967 I don't think that's helpful to the process. 280 00:14:49,967 --> 00:14:54,967 You can certainly either speak directly with people on Capitol 281 00:14:54,967 --> 00:14:58,066 Hill or have your colleagues up there do that to find out what 282 00:14:58,066 --> 00:15:00,266 their assessments are about how long it would take Congress to 283 00:15:00,266 --> 00:15:03,766 act on certain possible legislation. 284 00:15:03,767 --> 00:15:09,900 Our focus right now is working to see if we can reach an 285 00:15:09,900 --> 00:15:12,967 agreement that helps us avoid the so-called fiscal cliff and 286 00:15:12,967 --> 00:15:15,734 also achieves a broader deal, which would address this 287 00:15:15,734 --> 00:15:19,033 longer-term deficit challenge that we face in a way that helps 288 00:15:19,033 --> 00:15:21,867 the economy grow and create jobs. 289 00:15:21,867 --> 00:15:22,900 That's our focus at the moment. 290 00:15:22,900 --> 00:15:25,033 And we believe there is time. 291 00:15:25,033 --> 00:15:26,133 Dan. 292 00:15:26,133 --> 00:15:29,967 >> The Press: On Susan Rice, the clock is winding down on Secretary 293 00:15:29,967 --> 00:15:34,165 Clinton's time at the State Department. 294 00:15:34,166 --> 00:15:36,600 She's expected to leave at the end of next month. 295 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,400 And there's been a lot of speculation that the decision 296 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:42,132 would have been made by now as to who will replace her. 297 00:15:42,133 --> 00:15:43,033 What is the holdup? 298 00:15:43,033 --> 00:15:43,934 Is there a holdup? 299 00:15:43,934 --> 00:15:44,632 >> Mr. Carney: There's no holdup. 300 00:15:44,633 --> 00:15:47,100 The President has made no decisions and I have no 301 00:15:47,100 --> 00:15:49,633 personnel announcements to make. 302 00:15:49,633 --> 00:15:51,200 >> The Press: Jay, can I ask a question? 303 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:52,667 >> Mr. Carney: Sure. 304 00:15:52,667 --> 00:15:56,834 >> The Press: About the decision to allow corporate donations for the 305 00:15:56,834 --> 00:16:01,367 inaugural festivities, why did the President change his 306 00:16:01,367 --> 00:16:02,800 mind on that? 307 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:05,000 >> Mr. Carney: I would refer you to PIC, which has been set up and I think is 308 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:06,000 taking questions on that. 309 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:09,166 I haven't had that discussion. 310 00:16:09,166 --> 00:16:12,533 >> The Press: The President was part of the Transition Committee in 2008 and 311 00:16:12,533 --> 00:16:15,700 2009 when they announced that the reason that they were 312 00:16:15,700 --> 00:16:18,800 setting up these new limitations was part of President-elect 313 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:24,165 Obama's pledge to put the country on a new path. 314 00:16:24,166 --> 00:16:26,834 This is not just a PIC decision. 315 00:16:26,834 --> 00:16:28,367 This is a presidential decision. 316 00:16:28,367 --> 00:16:31,000 >> Mr. Carney: Well, I understand, but PIC is handling questions like that. 317 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:33,266 I haven't had that discussion with anyone here. 318 00:16:33,266 --> 00:16:37,400 It's the province of the Inaugural Committee so I would 319 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:39,867 address your questions there and I'm sure they are taking 320 00:16:39,867 --> 00:16:40,867 questions like that. 321 00:16:40,867 --> 00:16:41,632 Dan. 322 00:16:41,633 --> 00:16:43,233 >> The Press: I just wanted to continue on that. 323 00:16:43,233 --> 00:16:45,834 Is the thinking that the President, 324 00:16:45,834 --> 00:16:49,000 the White House wants to get the fiscal cliff situation settled 325 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,000 before the President starts making any announcements 326 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:53,333 about nomination? 327 00:16:53,333 --> 00:16:56,233 >> Mr. Carney: The President is working on a number of issues including 328 00:16:56,233 --> 00:17:01,400 resolving the fiscal cliff -- working with the Speaker of the 329 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:04,165 House and other congressional leaders, 330 00:17:04,165 --> 00:17:07,066 also engaging with business leaders and labor leaders and 331 00:17:07,066 --> 00:17:08,934 others on that important issue. 332 00:17:08,934 --> 00:17:14,433 And he's certainly engaging in discussions about some of the 333 00:17:14,433 --> 00:17:18,599 personnel decisions that we all know he will be making. 334 00:17:18,599 --> 00:17:22,099 But I haven't got a timeline for you about when you'll hear 335 00:17:22,099 --> 00:17:23,466 those announcements. 336 00:17:23,467 --> 00:17:27,033 And since, as previous questions indicate, 337 00:17:27,032 --> 00:17:32,600 I can't give you a date for when we're going to resolve the 338 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:38,734 fiscal cliff challenge, I wouldn't say that any other 339 00:17:38,734 --> 00:17:43,300 decisions or announcements are dependent upon that. 340 00:17:43,300 --> 00:17:46,200 >> The Press: And you don't really want to give any kind of a 341 00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:49,867 characterization of what happened in that meeting between 342 00:17:49,867 --> 00:17:52,667 the President and Speaker Boehner, 343 00:17:52,667 --> 00:17:56,000 but the White House has often talked about how there's a need 344 00:17:56,000 --> 00:18:00,800 for certainty in the market for businesses to know what's going 345 00:18:00,800 --> 00:18:02,966 to happen so they can start hiring, 346 00:18:02,967 --> 00:18:06,767 for middle-class Americans to know that their taxes are not 347 00:18:06,767 --> 00:18:08,066 going to go up. 348 00:18:08,066 --> 00:18:11,900 So what is the harm in giving some progress report, 349 00:18:11,900 --> 00:18:15,200 that you're more optimistic now than you were last week that 350 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:18,533 this deal will get done? 351 00:18:18,533 --> 00:18:23,766 >> Mr. Carney: I would say that the best thing we can do for the middle class 352 00:18:23,767 --> 00:18:28,266 is take concrete action by having the House pass the tax 353 00:18:28,266 --> 00:18:29,433 cut for the middle class. 354 00:18:29,433 --> 00:18:31,700 The President would sign it into law. 355 00:18:31,700 --> 00:18:35,800 The best thing we can do for business confidence is produce a 356 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:43,834 compromise that averts the fiscal cliff and achieves a 357 00:18:43,834 --> 00:18:48,000 broad-based, balanced deficit reduction package that helps our 358 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:52,900 economy grow and helps it continue to create jobs. 359 00:18:52,900 --> 00:19:01,533 The ups and downs that always take place in negotiations like 360 00:19:01,533 --> 00:19:06,033 these I think are probably not all that conducive to creating 361 00:19:06,033 --> 00:19:10,934 certainty because, as you've seen from the variety of rumors 362 00:19:10,934 --> 00:19:14,233 that come out, that one hour it's the talks are over, 363 00:19:14,233 --> 00:19:16,734 there's no progress, the next hour is there's progress, 364 00:19:16,734 --> 00:19:21,567 and a lot of tea leaf reading -- I don't think that -- 365 00:19:21,567 --> 00:19:25,967 having me participate in that kind of speculation probably 366 00:19:25,967 --> 00:19:26,967 doesn't help the process. 367 00:19:26,967 --> 00:19:28,700 And like I said to Jeff, I really -- 368 00:19:28,700 --> 00:19:31,500 I understand there's great interest in this, 369 00:19:31,500 --> 00:19:34,066 not just in this room but around the country, 370 00:19:34,066 --> 00:19:35,734 and we all here appreciate that. 371 00:19:35,734 --> 00:19:42,466 And this is important, and it's because it's important that we 372 00:19:42,467 --> 00:19:47,667 believe it's most helpful to the process to try to let those who 373 00:19:47,667 --> 00:19:50,699 are working on these challenges and trying to reach a compromise 374 00:19:50,700 --> 00:19:55,834 work with as much -- with the ability to focus on that work, 375 00:19:55,834 --> 00:19:58,266 rather than the kind of conversation on the outside, 376 00:19:58,266 --> 00:19:59,266 as much as possible. 377 00:19:59,266 --> 00:20:01,500 Let me get Major. 378 00:20:01,500 --> 00:20:04,600 >> The Press: Jay, when you say "the work," what kind of work are you 379 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:05,600 talking about? 380 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:07,567 Lines of communication are open. 381 00:20:07,567 --> 00:20:09,867 So far as I can tell, and based on your comments at the podium 382 00:20:09,867 --> 00:20:12,633 just now, no proposals are being exchanged. 383 00:20:12,633 --> 00:20:15,900 There are no ideas being bandied back and forth between the White 384 00:20:15,900 --> 00:20:17,734 House and congressional Republicans. 385 00:20:17,734 --> 00:20:20,265 It sounds like we're stuck. 386 00:20:20,266 --> 00:20:23,100 >> Mr. Carney: Well, again, Major, I'm not going to read out 387 00:20:23,100 --> 00:20:24,100 what's happening. 388 00:20:24,100 --> 00:20:28,567 And so I would neither confirm, nor deny any characterizations 389 00:20:28,567 --> 00:20:31,700 about what's happening or the progress that's being made 390 00:20:31,700 --> 00:20:34,633 beyond the fact that we confirmed the meeting the 391 00:20:34,633 --> 00:20:37,133 President had; we've confirmed various phone calls and other 392 00:20:37,133 --> 00:20:41,734 activity -- in part because some of it takes place on Capitol 393 00:20:41,734 --> 00:20:44,966 Hill with some members of the President's team and we can't 394 00:20:44,967 --> 00:20:45,967 really keep that secret. 395 00:20:45,967 --> 00:20:48,133 But I'm not going to talk about -- 396 00:20:48,133 --> 00:20:50,467 >> The Press: -- it sounds as if there's nothing actually being exchanged 397 00:20:50,467 --> 00:20:52,266 between the two sides who have to create a deal. 398 00:20:52,266 --> 00:20:54,934 >> Mr. Carney: I'm simply responding to the public statements by the Speaker 399 00:20:54,934 --> 00:20:55,934 of the House. 400 00:20:55,934 --> 00:20:58,100 I'm not going to characterize internal negotiations. 401 00:20:58,100 --> 00:20:59,899 >> The Press: Okay. 402 00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:02,900 Can you tell us and the public what the coverage will be of the 403 00:21:02,900 --> 00:21:05,400 swearing-in for the President on Sunday for the inauguration? 404 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:07,400 >> Mr. Carney: I don't believe those decisions have been made, 405 00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:08,333 and I'm sure once they -- 406 00:21:08,333 --> 00:21:09,433 >> The Press: Why is it even a question? 407 00:21:09,433 --> 00:21:10,400 >> Mr. Carney: I don't know that it's an open question. 408 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:12,433 Nobody has -- we just haven't had discussions about 409 00:21:12,433 --> 00:21:13,533 press coverage. 410 00:21:13,533 --> 00:21:15,800 >> The Press: But the public would be entitled to -- 411 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:19,200 >> Mr. Carney: Again, I just don't have an answer for you on that. 412 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:21,500 But I'm sure there will be and we'll make sure -- 413 00:21:21,500 --> 00:21:22,633 >> The Press: There will be coverage? 414 00:21:22,633 --> 00:21:24,300 >> Mr. Carney: -- I'm sure there will be an answer for you. 415 00:21:24,300 --> 00:21:25,466 We haven't made those -- 416 00:21:25,467 --> 00:21:27,233 >> The Press: You can't guarantee the public there will be coverage? 417 00:21:27,233 --> 00:21:29,100 >> Mr. Carney: Major, I'm telling you that we don't have an answer for you 418 00:21:29,100 --> 00:21:31,000 yet, but I'm sure we will soon. 419 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:32,934 >> The Press: You've invited a lot of us to look at the details when you 420 00:21:32,934 --> 00:21:34,800 talk about the mandatory spending cuts. 421 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:38,066 I take you up on your invitation. 422 00:21:38,066 --> 00:21:40,333 On the $240 -- not the health care savings, 423 00:21:40,333 --> 00:21:42,867 but the other entitlement spending cuts that are 424 00:21:42,867 --> 00:21:46,265 identified -- would you say that those represent efforts to make 425 00:21:46,266 --> 00:21:49,100 the government smaller and reduce the size and scope of 426 00:21:49,100 --> 00:21:51,166 government activity? 427 00:21:51,166 --> 00:21:53,300 Because that's a priority for Republicans. 428 00:21:53,300 --> 00:22:01,033 >> Mr. Carney: I think this President is committed to reducing spending 429 00:22:01,033 --> 00:22:04,033 by government -- and spending including tax expenditures, 430 00:22:04,033 --> 00:22:07,065 as the Simpson-Bowles Commission identified them -- 431 00:22:07,066 --> 00:22:10,767 and to having a leaner, more efficient government and a more 432 00:22:10,767 --> 00:22:11,767 effective government. 433 00:22:11,767 --> 00:22:14,266 That's been reflected in the steps he's taken to 434 00:22:14,266 --> 00:22:16,233 reduce spending. 435 00:22:16,233 --> 00:22:18,567 What he signed into law last summer represented one of the 436 00:22:18,567 --> 00:22:23,133 largest cuts in discretionary spending in generations. 437 00:22:23,133 --> 00:22:25,900 And he is continued to committed -- 438 00:22:25,900 --> 00:22:27,700 he continues to be committed to doing that. 439 00:22:27,700 --> 00:22:33,967 What he does not believe is helpful is making cuts in areas 440 00:22:33,967 --> 00:22:36,967 of investment that actually help the economy grow like research 441 00:22:36,967 --> 00:22:38,600 and development or education. 442 00:22:38,600 --> 00:22:40,265 This was some of the debate we had. 443 00:22:40,266 --> 00:22:42,033 And I would note that the irony of this -- 444 00:22:42,033 --> 00:22:44,399 and it goes to the broader point about I think some 445 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:47,100 misunderstandings about what we're contemplating. 446 00:22:47,100 --> 00:22:48,899 What I think a lot of people don't understand is that the 447 00:22:48,900 --> 00:22:51,367 fiscal cliff is not about spending; 448 00:22:51,367 --> 00:22:54,934 it's about cutting spending too fast and the impact that would 449 00:22:54,934 --> 00:22:56,367 have on our economy. 450 00:22:56,367 --> 00:22:57,233 >> The Press: I understand that. 451 00:22:57,233 --> 00:22:59,867 But we're just talking about other non-health care mandatory 452 00:22:59,867 --> 00:23:02,700 savings that the administration put forward -- 453 00:23:02,700 --> 00:23:06,133 $100 billion of that $240 billion is better IRS 454 00:23:06,133 --> 00:23:09,266 enforcement, meaning more rapid and efficient gathering of tax 455 00:23:09,266 --> 00:23:13,300 revenue; and a $61 billion financial crisis fee, 456 00:23:13,300 --> 00:23:14,800 which is a tax. 457 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:18,734 And then there's a $44 billion changing in payment on timing. 458 00:23:18,734 --> 00:23:21,166 That's only a one-time-only savings. 459 00:23:21,166 --> 00:23:24,466 And $27 billion from higher fees for federal employees. 460 00:23:24,467 --> 00:23:27,533 Republicans would look at that and say that's not reducing the 461 00:23:27,533 --> 00:23:29,399 size, scope of government. 462 00:23:29,400 --> 00:23:32,500 That's fees, better IRS enforcement and making federal 463 00:23:32,500 --> 00:23:33,633 employees pay more. 464 00:23:33,633 --> 00:23:35,533 That's not really changing anything structurally in the 465 00:23:35,533 --> 00:23:36,399 federal government. 466 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:38,667 >> Mr. Carney: Well, here's what I would say. 467 00:23:38,667 --> 00:23:41,065 As demonstrated by your recitation, 468 00:23:41,066 --> 00:23:43,133 there's a lot of specificity in there. 469 00:23:43,133 --> 00:23:45,333 We have not seen anything like that kind of specificity 470 00:23:45,333 --> 00:23:46,333 from Republicans. 471 00:23:46,333 --> 00:23:49,500 And what I said at the top is, no question Republicans may have 472 00:23:49,500 --> 00:23:52,400 different proposals; we just haven't seen them with any great 473 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:55,333 specificity about how they would reduce spending. 474 00:23:55,333 --> 00:23:56,266 >> The Press: But those aren't reductions -- 475 00:23:56,266 --> 00:23:57,200 >> Mr. Carney: And they may want -- 476 00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:58,266 >> The Press: -- they're fees, mostly. 477 00:23:58,266 --> 00:24:02,767 >> Mr. Carney: Well, again, I don't have the item-by-item here to go over. 478 00:24:02,767 --> 00:24:05,734 I have the document, but I'm not going to go item by 479 00:24:05,734 --> 00:24:06,800 item with you. 480 00:24:06,800 --> 00:24:09,466 There are significant savings represented that the President 481 00:24:09,467 --> 00:24:10,467 put forward. 482 00:24:10,467 --> 00:24:13,200 If the Republicans have specifics that they want to put 483 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:14,433 forward, they ought to do that. 484 00:24:14,433 --> 00:24:17,266 And then we can discuss about how we achieve that kind of 485 00:24:17,266 --> 00:24:20,734 balanced package that I think most people agree is necessary 486 00:24:20,734 --> 00:24:23,567 to help our economy and most people agree is fair when it 487 00:24:23,567 --> 00:24:28,967 comes to everyone bearing the burden fairly and equally to get 488 00:24:28,967 --> 00:24:31,166 our deficits under control. 489 00:24:31,166 --> 00:24:33,233 >> The Press: Jay, to Major's point on the size of government, 490 00:24:33,233 --> 00:24:35,166 if you look at Labor Department statistics, 491 00:24:35,166 --> 00:24:39,233 there have been about 135,000 more federal workers hired 492 00:24:39,233 --> 00:24:41,433 during the President's first term -- 493 00:24:41,433 --> 00:24:45,767 it's about 95 workers per day, every day in his first term. 494 00:24:45,767 --> 00:24:47,900 Is that really reducing the size of government? 495 00:24:47,900 --> 00:24:50,266 To Major's question about -- since this whole exercise in 496 00:24:50,266 --> 00:24:53,633 part is about reducing the size of the debt, 497 00:24:53,633 --> 00:24:56,300 is the President proud of the fact that the number of federal 498 00:24:56,300 --> 00:24:57,633 workers is increasing? 499 00:24:57,633 --> 00:25:00,166 And do you see in the second term any decrease in that 500 00:25:00,166 --> 00:25:01,466 number coming? 501 00:25:01,467 --> 00:25:04,166 >> Mr. Carney: The President has put forward a proposal to streamline and 502 00:25:04,166 --> 00:25:09,300 reorganize the variety of agencies that deal with commerce 503 00:25:09,300 --> 00:25:11,600 in the federal government and exports. 504 00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:16,533 And as part of asking Congress for the authority for that kind 505 00:25:16,533 --> 00:25:19,132 of reorganization that existed up through President Reagan, 506 00:25:19,133 --> 00:25:24,767 he has made -- he has added as an incentive a component of that 507 00:25:24,767 --> 00:25:29,900 request that would require any reorganization to save money for 508 00:25:29,900 --> 00:25:32,433 the taxpayer, to save federal dollars. 509 00:25:32,433 --> 00:25:37,066 So I think that demonstrates his commitment to making a more 510 00:25:37,066 --> 00:25:39,433 efficient and effective federal government. 511 00:25:39,433 --> 00:25:47,433 The broader issue here is how do we make choices that ensure that 512 00:25:47,433 --> 00:25:50,033 the middle class is protected, ensure that our economy 513 00:25:50,033 --> 00:25:53,367 continues to grow, ensure that it continues to create jobs, 514 00:25:53,367 --> 00:25:55,800 that we are making investments in education and research and 515 00:25:55,800 --> 00:26:01,233 development and infrastructure that the Chamber of Commerce and 516 00:26:01,233 --> 00:26:04,567 the Business Roundtable, as well as the President of the United 517 00:26:04,567 --> 00:26:08,900 States all agree are essential for long-term economic growth. 518 00:26:08,900 --> 00:26:10,333 That's the vision the President has. 519 00:26:10,333 --> 00:26:13,200 That's the vision he talked about during the campaign. 520 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:19,367 Again, we have put forward a specific set of proposals on 521 00:26:19,367 --> 00:26:21,633 both the revenue and the spending side. 522 00:26:21,633 --> 00:26:25,033 We look forward to specificity from the Republicans. 523 00:26:25,033 --> 00:26:29,265 And the President believes that we can reach an agreement if 524 00:26:29,266 --> 00:26:31,066 everyone acknowledges that they're not going to get what 525 00:26:31,066 --> 00:26:34,000 they want and everyone acknowledges that the agreement 526 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:35,967 has to be balanced, that it cannot -- 527 00:26:35,967 --> 00:26:40,567 we had the debate about whether we should put this all on the 528 00:26:40,567 --> 00:26:44,233 backs of senior citizens and middle-class Americans and 529 00:26:44,233 --> 00:26:47,033 families with kids who have disabilities, 530 00:26:47,033 --> 00:26:49,667 and I think that debate was settled. 531 00:26:49,667 --> 00:26:51,433 The American public, by and large, 532 00:26:51,433 --> 00:26:53,767 does not support that approach. 533 00:26:53,767 --> 00:26:57,567 The approach they do support is one that asks everyone to pay 534 00:26:57,567 --> 00:27:01,200 their fair share, that includes asking the wealthiest Americans 535 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:05,000 to pay a little bit more, but that also demands that we all 536 00:27:05,000 --> 00:27:09,667 contribute and that our government perform efficiently 537 00:27:09,667 --> 00:27:10,667 and effectively. 538 00:27:10,667 --> 00:27:15,065 And the President understands that he's going to have to and 539 00:27:15,066 --> 00:27:17,767 he is ready and willing to make some tough choices as part of 540 00:27:17,767 --> 00:27:19,133 that process. 541 00:27:19,133 --> 00:27:21,033 >> The Press: Quick question on Michigan and the right-to-work debate, 542 00:27:21,033 --> 00:27:24,166 which has gotten a bit testy today on the House floor. 543 00:27:24,166 --> 00:27:25,633 There's one Democrat, Doug Geiss, 544 00:27:25,633 --> 00:27:28,533 who said today that if this right-to-work initiative is 545 00:27:28,533 --> 00:27:31,199 signed into law, "there will be blood." 546 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:33,100 Since the President weighed in yesterday, 547 00:27:33,100 --> 00:27:34,766 and obviously made his feelings known, 548 00:27:34,767 --> 00:27:38,767 but has talked about changing the tone here in Washington and 549 00:27:38,767 --> 00:27:41,100 around the country, does the White House feel any obligation 550 00:27:41,100 --> 00:27:43,833 to tell fellow Democrats to debate this issue, 551 00:27:43,834 --> 00:27:46,500 but debate it in a peaceful and sort of -- 552 00:27:46,500 --> 00:27:53,333 >> Mr. Carney: The President believes in debate that's civil. 553 00:27:53,333 --> 00:27:55,767 I haven't seen those comments and I'm not sure that they mean 554 00:27:55,767 --> 00:27:57,400 what some would interpret them to mean. 555 00:27:57,400 --> 00:27:58,533 I just haven't seen them. 556 00:27:58,533 --> 00:28:00,100 You heard the President talk about his views. 557 00:28:00,100 --> 00:28:04,466 He has always opposed the so-called right-to-work laws. 558 00:28:04,467 --> 00:28:06,800 As he said, those laws are generally political and 559 00:28:06,800 --> 00:28:07,800 not economic. 560 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:12,466 They're more about the right to earn less pay than they are 561 00:28:12,467 --> 00:28:13,600 helpful to our economy. 562 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:18,300 And he presented those views yesterday in Michigan. 563 00:28:18,300 --> 00:28:20,700 >> The Press: Last thing on that -- when we were asking about the Chicago 564 00:28:20,700 --> 00:28:22,734 teacher strike in September, right before the election when 565 00:28:22,734 --> 00:28:25,433 that was getting a little tense, you were kind of suggesting it 566 00:28:25,433 --> 00:28:26,433 was a local issue. 567 00:28:26,433 --> 00:28:29,066 At one point you said that the President "has not expressed any 568 00:28:29,066 --> 00:28:32,266 "opinion or made any assessment about this particular incident" 569 00:28:32,266 --> 00:28:34,367 that was going on in his hometown in terms of the 570 00:28:34,367 --> 00:28:35,399 teacher strike. 571 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:36,400 So why was this different? 572 00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:37,400 This is playing out in Michigan. 573 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:38,533 It's playing out in various states; 574 00:28:38,533 --> 00:28:41,065 we saw it in Wisconsin several months ago. 575 00:28:41,066 --> 00:28:43,066 Why all of a sudden -- I understand that he was in the 576 00:28:43,066 --> 00:28:45,066 state of Michigan, but he was also -- he's from Chicago. 577 00:28:45,066 --> 00:28:48,333 So why did he not weigh in before the election? 578 00:28:48,333 --> 00:28:49,967 >> Mr. Carney: The President's position on right-to-work laws, 579 00:28:49,967 --> 00:28:52,233 so-called right-to-work laws is well known. 580 00:28:52,233 --> 00:28:53,233 He stated before. 581 00:28:53,233 --> 00:28:54,233 He stated it again yesterday. 582 00:28:54,233 --> 00:29:00,265 The specific teacher strike was one where he called on all sides 583 00:29:00,266 --> 00:29:02,467 to work together to reach a compromise that was in the 584 00:29:02,467 --> 00:29:07,667 interest of the children, who had the most to lose from a 585 00:29:07,667 --> 00:29:08,699 prolonged strike. 586 00:29:08,700 --> 00:29:11,066 And he welcomed the resolution of that strike. 587 00:29:11,066 --> 00:29:12,734 Let me move around. 588 00:29:12,734 --> 00:29:13,800 Peter. 589 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:14,800 >> The Press: Thank you, Jay. 590 00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:17,800 Yesterday we saw an e-mail come out from a campaign official 591 00:29:17,800 --> 00:29:19,667 urging people, the President's supporters, 592 00:29:19,667 --> 00:29:23,533 to contact members of Congress and express support for the 593 00:29:23,533 --> 00:29:27,533 President's view of -- proposal for resolving the fiscal cliff. 594 00:29:27,533 --> 00:29:31,500 Does the White House believe that this debate will be solved 595 00:29:31,500 --> 00:29:35,100 through internal negotiations between the parties or through 596 00:29:35,100 --> 00:29:39,833 outside pressure being brought to bear from the general public? 597 00:29:39,834 --> 00:29:40,834 >> Mr. Carney: Both. 598 00:29:40,834 --> 00:29:46,934 It's our position that this is one of those issues that is very 599 00:29:46,934 --> 00:29:48,700 important to the American public, 600 00:29:48,700 --> 00:29:54,934 an issue that affects everyone, and one where it's absolutely 601 00:29:54,934 --> 00:30:01,734 appropriate for the President and for members of Congress to 602 00:30:01,734 --> 00:30:06,399 engage with the public on and seek their opinions and 603 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:09,867 encourage members of the public to participate by adding their 604 00:30:09,867 --> 00:30:11,200 voices to the debate. 605 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:16,900 We were talking about this I think the week before last in 606 00:30:16,900 --> 00:30:21,100 anticipation of a trip the President was going to make, 607 00:30:21,100 --> 00:30:26,033 and to me, I think it makes all the sense in the world for 608 00:30:26,033 --> 00:30:29,734 leaders in Washington to go out in the country and engage the 609 00:30:29,734 --> 00:30:33,000 American people on these incredibly important issues. 610 00:30:33,000 --> 00:30:38,200 I mean, we saw that this was the subject of sustained debate 611 00:30:38,200 --> 00:30:42,533 during the campaign, and I think that reflected the assessment of 612 00:30:42,533 --> 00:30:46,132 both the candidates and their campaigns that this was of great 613 00:30:46,133 --> 00:30:48,000 interest to the American people. 614 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:49,333 And it remains of great interest, 615 00:30:49,333 --> 00:30:51,800 because they have a great deal at stake. 616 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:56,399 I mean, think about it: If Congress fails to act, 617 00:30:56,400 --> 00:30:58,533 taxes go up on everyone. 618 00:30:58,533 --> 00:31:02,367 Everyone who pays income taxes will see a tax hike. 619 00:31:02,367 --> 00:31:05,466 The President believes that that should not happen, 620 00:31:05,467 --> 00:31:07,633 that the House of Representatives ought to follow 621 00:31:07,633 --> 00:31:11,433 the Senate's lead and pass a bill that extends tax cuts for 622 00:31:11,433 --> 00:31:15,266 98% of the American people because supposedly we all agree 623 00:31:15,266 --> 00:31:16,533 that that's what should be done. 624 00:31:16,533 --> 00:31:19,632 So let's get it done and -- as many Republicans have now said, 625 00:31:19,633 --> 00:31:22,767 let's get that done and continue to debate about whether or not 626 00:31:22,767 --> 00:31:25,333 the top 2% should get another tax cut. 627 00:31:25,333 --> 00:31:27,533 You know the President's views on that. 628 00:31:27,533 --> 00:31:31,332 You know the public's views on that. 629 00:31:31,333 --> 00:31:33,667 But we ought to take care of extending those tax cuts for the 630 00:31:33,667 --> 00:31:34,667 middle class. 631 00:31:34,667 --> 00:31:37,600 So the answer, again, is both. 632 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:40,500 We will continue to engage with leaders on Capitol Hill. 633 00:31:40,500 --> 00:31:45,600 We'll continue to engage with a broader coalition of people who 634 00:31:45,600 --> 00:31:48,233 have a stake in this, and that includes ordinary Americans out 635 00:31:48,233 --> 00:31:49,966 in the country. 636 00:31:49,967 --> 00:31:54,333 Yes, Mara. 637 00:31:54,333 --> 00:31:57,500 >> The Press: Given that he's dark today, doesn't have anything scheduled 638 00:31:57,500 --> 00:32:01,533 public in the days to come, whereas in the past week or so 639 00:32:01,533 --> 00:32:03,734 he did something almost every single day -- 640 00:32:03,734 --> 00:32:07,332 either with stakeholders or a family or went on Twitter -- 641 00:32:07,333 --> 00:32:08,967 is there a change now? 642 00:32:08,967 --> 00:32:12,900 Are things kind of moving indoors and there will be less 643 00:32:12,900 --> 00:32:15,600 -- this is not the time to do something public every 644 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:16,899 single day? 645 00:32:16,900 --> 00:32:18,433 >> Mr. Carney: Well, we did travel to Michigan. 646 00:32:18,433 --> 00:32:20,100 It was only yesterday -- only yesterday. 647 00:32:20,100 --> 00:32:21,800 >> The Press: This is a day-by-day kind of thing? 648 00:32:21,800 --> 00:32:23,867 >> Mr. Carney: So I've gotten one question about how come he's going out 649 00:32:23,867 --> 00:32:25,166 and campaigning among the people, 650 00:32:25,166 --> 00:32:27,767 and the next question is how come he stopped campaigning 651 00:32:27,767 --> 00:32:29,333 among the people. 652 00:32:29,333 --> 00:32:30,967 >> The Press: Has he stopped for the moment? 653 00:32:30,967 --> 00:32:33,834 >> Mr. Carney: No, and I wouldn't expect that he will. 654 00:32:33,834 --> 00:32:38,200 I wouldn't expect that he will stop engaging with the American 655 00:32:38,200 --> 00:32:43,600 people in the manner that he has at any time during the next 656 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:45,233 four-plus years. 657 00:32:45,233 --> 00:32:47,700 >> The Press: So what's the next thing that he's going to do? 658 00:32:47,700 --> 00:32:49,233 >> Mr. Carney: I don't have a scheduling announcement for you, 659 00:32:49,233 --> 00:32:51,332 but you can be sure that the approach that we're taking, 660 00:32:51,333 --> 00:32:53,533 which includes engaging with leaders on Capitol Hill and it 661 00:32:53,533 --> 00:32:58,065 includes engaging with the broader public, will continue. 662 00:32:58,066 --> 00:33:01,700 >> The Press: Jay, I understand your wish to leave the negotiated space and 663 00:33:01,700 --> 00:33:03,133 room to maneuver and all the rest of it. 664 00:33:03,133 --> 00:33:05,867 But one of the parties to the negotiations just finished 665 00:33:05,867 --> 00:33:08,466 holding forth on Capitol Hill and said you folks are 666 00:33:08,467 --> 00:33:09,533 slow-walking this. 667 00:33:09,533 --> 00:33:11,632 Are you slow-walking? 668 00:33:11,633 --> 00:33:15,500 >> Mr. Carney: Well, I'm speaking for another party to the negotiations, 669 00:33:15,500 --> 00:33:22,533 >> The Press: But that's not even a yes or a no. 670 00:33:22,533 --> 00:33:23,533 It's just -- 671 00:33:23,533 --> 00:33:26,667 >> Mr. Carney: We're not going to characterize the internal process here, 672 00:33:26,667 --> 00:33:29,500 the phone calls or the conversations or the meetings. 673 00:33:29,500 --> 00:33:33,200 >> The Press: But that confirms they're not specific conversations, right? 674 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:38,367 >> Mr. Carney: I said that in response to the inaccurate suggestion that we 675 00:33:38,367 --> 00:33:40,433 haven't put forward spending cuts, 676 00:33:40,433 --> 00:33:42,266 I pointed out that we have. 677 00:33:42,266 --> 00:33:45,467 And I pointed out that Republicans have thus far not 678 00:33:45,467 --> 00:33:51,000 proposed a single specific savings through revenue, 679 00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:53,834 and we would welcome it if they did. 680 00:33:53,834 --> 00:33:54,834 Roger. 681 00:33:54,834 --> 00:34:02,200 >> The Press: Hill Republicans are saying that talks on a budget plan remain 682 00:34:02,200 --> 00:34:07,800 deadlocked because the administration's negotiators 683 00:34:07,800 --> 00:34:10,233 have taken different positions than what the President did when 684 00:34:10,233 --> 00:34:12,900 he spoke with Mr. Boehner on the 9th; different positions -- 685 00:34:12,900 --> 00:34:15,800 they vary on revenue as well as the amount of spending cuts. 686 00:34:15,800 --> 00:34:17,233 Can you -- 687 00:34:17,233 --> 00:34:19,433 >> Mr. Carney: I'm just not going to comment on internal -- 688 00:34:19,433 --> 00:34:21,600 conversations that the President had, meetings the President had, 689 00:34:21,600 --> 00:34:23,299 meetings and conversations that the President -- 690 00:34:23,300 --> 00:34:26,133 the members of the President's team have had because it doesn't 691 00:34:26,132 --> 00:34:27,132 help the process. 692 00:34:27,132 --> 00:34:32,165 And speculation about what was said and spin about what it 693 00:34:32,166 --> 00:34:38,800 means does not in my view or our view help the process 694 00:34:38,800 --> 00:34:39,800 move forward. 695 00:34:39,800 --> 00:34:43,834 And we hope and remain optimistic about the possibility 696 00:34:43,833 --> 00:34:46,933 of an agreement being reached, and that is why we are taking 697 00:34:46,934 --> 00:34:48,867 the approach that we're taking. 698 00:34:48,867 --> 00:34:51,800 >> The Press: A follow-up on what Jim and Jake were asking about, 699 00:34:51,800 --> 00:34:58,166 that $100-billion item -- in the September 19th proposal from 700 00:34:58,166 --> 00:35:02,233 2011 that's now off the table, you said because it's been -- 701 00:35:02,233 --> 00:35:04,700 it's changed a little bit since it's been more than a year. 702 00:35:04,700 --> 00:35:07,667 >> Mr. Carney: There has been -- there are some changes to our views on that, 703 00:35:07,667 --> 00:35:12,133 but it does not represent a sizeable portion of the overall 704 00:35:12,133 --> 00:35:14,600 savings put forward in the proposal. 705 00:35:14,600 --> 00:35:18,366 And again, we're committed to achieving that level of savings. 706 00:35:18,367 --> 00:35:19,367 >> The Press: Okay. 707 00:35:19,367 --> 00:35:21,533 The $100 billion was about one-third of the health savings, 708 00:35:21,533 --> 00:35:22,533 which was $320 [billion]. 709 00:35:22,533 --> 00:35:24,567 >> Mr. Carney: And I'm saying that the issue here, 710 00:35:24,567 --> 00:35:26,800 the changes that we would make do not represent a third. 711 00:35:26,800 --> 00:35:29,066 They represent a much smaller portion. 712 00:35:29,066 --> 00:35:30,399 >> The Press: Okay, has there been any replacement -- 713 00:35:30,400 --> 00:35:31,734 >> Mr. Carney: I'll have to get more -- 714 00:35:31,734 --> 00:35:32,734 >> The Press: -- and substitute? 715 00:35:32,734 --> 00:35:34,299 >> Mr. Carney: I'll have to see if we have more specifics for you. 716 00:35:34,300 --> 00:35:37,767 The point I'm making, though, is that the President has put 717 00:35:37,767 --> 00:35:43,734 forward spending cuts and will continue to do that in 718 00:35:43,734 --> 00:35:48,366 discussions if we get to a point where there is an acceptance and 719 00:35:48,367 --> 00:35:52,266 acknowledgement of the fact that as part of this, 720 00:35:52,266 --> 00:35:55,300 rates have to go up on the top 2%; 721 00:35:55,300 --> 00:36:00,934 revenue has to be for a big deal of the -- 722 00:36:00,934 --> 00:36:04,600 on the order that we've been talking about and that everybody 723 00:36:04,600 --> 00:36:08,100 who has looked at this has been talking about. 724 00:36:08,100 --> 00:36:12,467 And we will not -- there's no deal that envisions -- 725 00:36:12,467 --> 00:36:16,133 there's no deal available that will see the tax cuts of the 726 00:36:16,133 --> 00:36:18,466 Bush era for the wealthiest Americans extended. 727 00:36:18,467 --> 00:36:25,867 And it's simply not acceptable to have a deal where all these 728 00:36:25,867 --> 00:36:30,033 specific burdens are placed on the middle class and seniors and 729 00:36:30,033 --> 00:36:34,299 others, on the one hand, and then there's some vague promise 730 00:36:34,300 --> 00:36:41,900 that tax reform will produce savings from wealthy Americans 731 00:36:41,900 --> 00:36:43,633 sometime in the future without any specifics. 732 00:36:43,633 --> 00:36:45,466 That can't be how it works. 733 00:36:45,467 --> 00:36:46,834 Mark. 734 00:36:46,834 --> 00:36:53,000 >> The Press: Jay, how do you explain this enormous disconnect that you say 735 00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:55,500 the President has put forward spending cuts, 736 00:36:55,500 --> 00:36:58,900 and yet today Speaker Boehner and Senator McConnell say no, 737 00:36:58,900 --> 00:36:59,900 you haven't. 738 00:36:59,900 --> 00:37:01,100 There's no leadership on that. 739 00:37:01,100 --> 00:37:02,500 They haven't gotten any. 740 00:37:02,500 --> 00:37:05,533 Isn't that something you need to address? 741 00:37:05,533 --> 00:37:06,533 >> Mr. Carney: I have. 742 00:37:06,533 --> 00:37:08,633 And I think I made -- 743 00:37:08,633 --> 00:37:11,466 >> The Press: -- pages 17 through 45, is that -- 744 00:37:11,467 --> 00:37:14,100 >> Mr. Carney: I'm making it clear that that assertion is incorrect. 745 00:37:14,100 --> 00:37:16,933 We all know it is because we have access to the computer. 746 00:37:16,934 --> 00:37:18,400 I don't have any more hard copies for you, 747 00:37:18,400 --> 00:37:19,467 but I can give you the link. 748 00:37:19,467 --> 00:37:23,734 And having said that, I also acknowledge, 749 00:37:23,734 --> 00:37:29,533 as the President has, that in seeking a broader compromise, 750 00:37:29,533 --> 00:37:34,767 we understand that not every detail of his proposal will make 751 00:37:34,767 --> 00:37:37,366 it into the final product, and that there will be tough choices 752 00:37:37,367 --> 00:37:41,467 that he will have to make as part of that. 753 00:37:41,467 --> 00:37:46,266 And we recognize that Republicans might have different 754 00:37:46,266 --> 00:37:49,166 spending cuts that they would prefer over the ones the 755 00:37:49,166 --> 00:37:50,533 President has put forward. 756 00:37:50,533 --> 00:37:53,667 They might and I think are probably likely to suggest that 757 00:37:53,667 --> 00:37:57,366 there should be more, greater spending cuts than the President 758 00:37:57,367 --> 00:37:58,934 has put forward. 759 00:37:58,934 --> 00:38:00,467 We acknowledge all of that. 760 00:38:00,467 --> 00:38:03,600 But on the question of whether or not we have put forward 761 00:38:03,600 --> 00:38:06,633 specific spending cuts, the answer is we have. 762 00:38:06,633 --> 00:38:09,299 And not only that, we've signed into law a trillion dollars in 763 00:38:09,300 --> 00:38:12,867 specific spending cuts. 764 00:38:12,867 --> 00:38:14,734 So if you combine what's signed into law with what we've 765 00:38:14,734 --> 00:38:18,933 proposed versus the total absence of any specificity from 766 00:38:18,934 --> 00:38:21,500 Republicans for a single dollar in revenue, 767 00:38:21,500 --> 00:38:25,333 and I think in the battle of specificity, 768 00:38:25,333 --> 00:38:27,433 the outcome has already been decided. 769 00:38:27,433 --> 00:38:31,834 We're looking for more concrete specifics from them, 770 00:38:31,834 --> 00:38:35,600 and I understand that this is a negotiation. 771 00:38:35,600 --> 00:38:39,433 And we continue to be optimistic that -- 772 00:38:39,433 --> 00:38:42,100 or hopeful that we can reach a deal. 773 00:38:42,100 --> 00:38:45,299 >> The Press: Do you understand why the Republican leaders might say 774 00:38:45,300 --> 00:38:49,533 they didn't receive any when you say they have? 775 00:38:49,533 --> 00:38:53,066 >> Mr. Carney: Mark, can we just end the charade here that we 776 00:38:53,066 --> 00:38:54,066 say they have? 777 00:38:54,066 --> 00:38:56,033 >> The Press: Well, we didn't go to the floor of the Senate and the House 778 00:38:56,033 --> 00:38:57,000 saying this. 779 00:38:57,000 --> 00:38:58,000 They did. 780 00:38:58,000 --> 00:38:59,000 >> Mr. Carney: No, no. 781 00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:02,066 But it's not that we say one thing and it might be true, 782 00:39:02,066 --> 00:39:03,299 and they say one thing and it might be true. 783 00:39:03,300 --> 00:39:05,934 This is a real piece of -- this is a real document here with 784 00:39:05,934 --> 00:39:08,000 pages and tables and numbers. 785 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:10,266 Now, I understand they may not agree with all of it, 786 00:39:10,266 --> 00:39:12,734 but it exists and it was put forward. 787 00:39:12,734 --> 00:39:16,967 And the President understands that there's more to this 788 00:39:16,967 --> 00:39:19,300 process than just his proposal. 789 00:39:19,300 --> 00:39:23,667 But it has -- it contains specificity and detail, 790 00:39:23,667 --> 00:39:25,866 and it is certainly -- it certainly represents his 791 00:39:25,867 --> 00:39:30,867 willingness to enact further spending cuts to achieve savings 792 00:39:30,867 --> 00:39:32,333 through our health care entitlement programs, 793 00:39:32,333 --> 00:39:34,467 as well as other entitlements. 794 00:39:34,467 --> 00:39:37,567 And it represents his belief about how we can achieve the 795 00:39:37,567 --> 00:39:42,800 kind of revenue that's necessary for a balanced package in a way 796 00:39:42,800 --> 00:39:48,166 that ensures that we don't put all the burden for long-term 797 00:39:48,166 --> 00:39:52,266 deficit reduction on seniors or the middle class or other 798 00:39:52,266 --> 00:39:54,166 vulnerable communities. 799 00:39:54,166 --> 00:39:55,500 >> The Press: Syria, Jay? 800 00:39:55,500 --> 00:39:57,033 >> Mr. Carney: Yes, Syria. 801 00:39:57,033 --> 00:40:00,066 >> The Press: Can you explain to us which groups you're going to support 802 00:40:00,066 --> 00:40:03,667 and which groups you won't and what your reasoning is? 803 00:40:03,667 --> 00:40:05,433 >> Mr. Carney: I can say a few things. 804 00:40:05,433 --> 00:40:08,100 Tomorrow, Deputy Secretary of State Burns will attend the 805 00:40:08,100 --> 00:40:11,500 Friends of Syria -- Friends of the Syrian People meeting 806 00:40:11,500 --> 00:40:12,800 in Morocco. 807 00:40:12,800 --> 00:40:15,667 We will do all we can to broaden our support of the Syrian 808 00:40:15,667 --> 00:40:18,366 opposition coalition and to work with like-minded countries to 809 00:40:18,367 --> 00:40:20,000 bring this crisis to an end. 810 00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:23,000 We are pleased with the Syrian Opposition Coalition's continued 811 00:40:23,000 --> 00:40:26,166 efforts to organize, form technical committees, 812 00:40:26,166 --> 00:40:27,667 engage with the international community, 813 00:40:27,667 --> 00:40:30,900 and take concrete steps to promote a unified, just, 814 00:40:30,900 --> 00:40:33,033 democratic future for Syria. 815 00:40:33,033 --> 00:40:35,900 These actions are in line with what we and our international 816 00:40:35,900 --> 00:40:39,333 partners hoped would result from the formation of the Syrian 817 00:40:39,333 --> 00:40:41,667 Opposition Coalition in Doha last month. 818 00:40:41,667 --> 00:40:44,033 As we look to tomorrow's meeting and our ongoing efforts to 819 00:40:44,033 --> 00:40:46,799 support the Syrian people, let me be absolutely clear: 820 00:40:46,800 --> 00:40:50,333 The United States stands with the Syrian people in insisting 821 00:40:50,333 --> 00:40:53,533 that any transition process result in a peaceful, unified, 822 00:40:53,533 --> 00:40:56,799 democratic Syria, in which all citizens are protected -- 823 00:40:56,800 --> 00:40:59,767 Sunni, Alawite, Christians, Kurds, Druze, men, 824 00:40:59,767 --> 00:41:01,133 women and children. 825 00:41:01,133 --> 00:41:05,299 And a future of this kind cannot include Bashar al Assad. 826 00:41:05,300 --> 00:41:08,133 >> The Press: Still no plans for the U.S. to get involved militarily? 827 00:41:08,133 --> 00:41:09,133 >> Mr. Carney: That's correct. 828 00:41:09,133 --> 00:41:13,200 We provide significant assistance to the Syrian people 829 00:41:13,200 --> 00:41:14,265 in humanitarian aid. 830 00:41:14,266 --> 00:41:17,233 We provide significant non-lethal assistance to 831 00:41:17,233 --> 00:41:18,467 the opposition. 832 00:41:18,467 --> 00:41:22,867 But our position on providing lethal aid has not changed. 833 00:41:22,867 --> 00:41:23,967 >> The Press: Jay, can I follow up on Syria? 834 00:41:23,967 --> 00:41:26,166 >> Mr. Carney: Okay, let me -- I've got to get to some folks in the back. 835 00:41:26,166 --> 00:41:27,166 But go ahead, Kristen, on this. 836 00:41:27,166 --> 00:41:29,533 On Syria, go ahead. 837 00:41:29,533 --> 00:41:30,533 >> The Press: Okay, thank you. 838 00:41:30,533 --> 00:41:32,799 Defense Secretary Leon Panetta seemed to suggest that the 839 00:41:32,800 --> 00:41:35,000 Syrian government had slowed its preparations of chemical 840 00:41:35,000 --> 00:41:37,734 weapons, that the administration is not as concerned about this 841 00:41:37,734 --> 00:41:39,667 as it may have been last week. 842 00:41:39,667 --> 00:41:41,834 Can you talk a little bit about that? 843 00:41:41,834 --> 00:41:44,600 Is that accurate, and what has changed? 844 00:41:44,600 --> 00:41:48,433 >> Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not going to get into assessments beyond what 845 00:41:48,433 --> 00:41:50,600 Secretary of Defense Panetta said. 846 00:41:50,600 --> 00:41:56,000 I would simply reiterate our clear warning to the Assad 847 00:41:56,000 --> 00:42:00,700 regime about the potential use of or proliferation of 848 00:42:00,700 --> 00:42:01,700 chemical weapons. 849 00:42:01,700 --> 00:42:04,600 And that warning was made by the President, 850 00:42:04,600 --> 00:42:06,600 and that warning stands. 851 00:42:08,333 --> 00:42:09,800 We take this very seriously. 852 00:42:09,800 --> 00:42:15,300 And were the Assad regime to unwisely make the wrong choice 853 00:42:15,300 --> 00:42:17,500 here, there would be consequences. 854 00:42:21,400 --> 00:42:24,233 >> The Press: Jay, the incoming and outgoing leaders of the House Foreign 855 00:42:24,233 --> 00:42:27,734 Affairs Committee have written a letter calling on the President 856 00:42:27,734 --> 00:42:30,933 to close the PLO office in Washington. 857 00:42:30,934 --> 00:42:32,066 Will he do that? 858 00:42:32,066 --> 00:42:33,066 >> Mr. Carney: I haven't seen the letter. 859 00:42:33,066 --> 00:42:35,033 I'll have to take the question. 860 00:42:35,033 --> 00:42:37,834 Yes, Alexis and then Justin. 861 00:42:37,834 --> 00:42:40,866 >> The Press: Jay, to clarify, when you're saying that the administration 862 00:42:40,867 --> 00:42:42,567 is looking for concrete specifics, 863 00:42:42,567 --> 00:42:46,300 and then you also say that you're not discussing the Sunday 864 00:42:46,300 --> 00:42:48,667 meeting between the President and the Speaker, 865 00:42:48,667 --> 00:42:50,366 are you separating the two? 866 00:42:50,367 --> 00:42:53,767 Are you saying the concrete specifics have to be publicly 867 00:42:53,767 --> 00:42:55,466 and brought forth by Republicans? 868 00:42:55,467 --> 00:42:59,200 Or are you saying that the President spent a lovely moment 869 00:42:59,200 --> 00:43:01,966 in time on Sunday with the Speaker talking 870 00:43:01,967 --> 00:43:03,667 about generalities? 871 00:43:03,667 --> 00:43:06,700 >> Mr. Carney: I'm trying to be incredibly opaque about the distinction. 872 00:43:06,700 --> 00:43:08,066 I know, look -- 873 00:43:08,066 --> 00:43:09,433 [laughter] 874 00:43:09,433 --> 00:43:11,133 >> The Press: It's working. 875 00:43:11,133 --> 00:43:12,133 >> Mr. Carney: It's working. 876 00:43:12,133 --> 00:43:13,133 [laughter] 877 00:43:13,133 --> 00:43:15,033 The Speaker made a public statement and I'm responding to 878 00:43:15,033 --> 00:43:19,933 that with the fact that we have put forward specifics, 879 00:43:19,934 --> 00:43:23,967 and that answers his charge that we have not put forward specific 880 00:43:23,967 --> 00:43:24,967 spending cuts. 881 00:43:24,967 --> 00:43:25,967 We have. 882 00:43:25,967 --> 00:43:27,667 We understand that Republicans may not agree with all of them, 883 00:43:27,667 --> 00:43:32,467 but it is simply uncontestable that we have put forward a plan 884 00:43:32,467 --> 00:43:33,700 with spending cuts. 885 00:43:33,700 --> 00:43:36,966 Beyond that, and beyond our insistence -- 886 00:43:36,967 --> 00:43:41,633 our public insistence that Republicans accept and 887 00:43:41,633 --> 00:43:46,033 acknowledge that rates on top earners have to go up, 888 00:43:46,033 --> 00:43:52,266 and accept and acknowledge that any package on the revenue side 889 00:43:52,266 --> 00:43:54,700 would have to include that element, 890 00:43:54,700 --> 00:43:59,700 I'm not going to get into the sausage-making or the internal 891 00:43:59,700 --> 00:44:06,799 discussions and deliberations, only because we hope that this 892 00:44:06,800 --> 00:44:09,066 process actually produces a positive result. 893 00:44:09,066 --> 00:44:13,567 I'm not guaranteeing that, but I'm saying that this is the 894 00:44:13,567 --> 00:44:19,767 reason why we're not really commenting on the process, 895 00:44:19,767 --> 00:44:21,799 or at least trying not to. 896 00:44:21,800 --> 00:44:23,967 >> The Press: Well, actually, I'm not asking about the process. 897 00:44:23,967 --> 00:44:27,533 Do you want us to come away with the thought that the Speaker 898 00:44:27,533 --> 00:44:30,799 came to the White House and that two men did not discuss 899 00:44:30,800 --> 00:44:32,433 these two things? 900 00:44:32,433 --> 00:44:36,934 >> Mr. Carney: I want to leave your thoughts to you and not frame them or shape 901 00:44:36,934 --> 00:44:37,934 them on that issue. 902 00:44:37,934 --> 00:44:40,934 I think I would simply say that the President met with the 903 00:44:40,934 --> 00:44:45,433 Speaker and as a part of a series of engagements with the 904 00:44:45,433 --> 00:44:47,834 Speaker, as you know, and that the lines of communication 905 00:44:47,834 --> 00:44:55,299 remain open, as we have said, and that we hope the process 906 00:44:55,300 --> 00:44:57,066 moves forward. 907 00:44:57,066 --> 00:45:02,767 >> The Press: And can you also add when was the last time that the President 908 00:45:02,767 --> 00:45:07,100 talked with Harry Reid -- Senator Reid? 909 00:45:07,100 --> 00:45:10,567 >> Mr. Carney: I believe it was yesterday. 910 00:45:10,567 --> 00:45:16,066 >> The Press: There was a poll released this week that showed 76% wanted 911 00:45:16,066 --> 00:45:20,232 across-the-board spending cuts as part of the deal, 912 00:45:20,233 --> 00:45:25,333 which is a higher margin than actually said they wanted tax 913 00:45:25,333 --> 00:45:27,300 increases on the rich. 914 00:45:27,300 --> 00:45:31,100 But I also want to ask about the timeline for spending cuts. 915 00:45:31,100 --> 00:45:34,533 A complaint among some conservatives in the past has 916 00:45:34,533 --> 00:45:38,366 been when these deals have been made, so much -- 917 00:45:38,367 --> 00:45:42,834 $3.00 in spending cuts for every $1.00 in tax increases, 918 00:45:42,834 --> 00:45:47,232 the cuts are always out 10 years ahead or 5 years ahead, 919 00:45:47,233 --> 00:45:48,834 or somewhere along the line. 920 00:45:48,834 --> 00:45:53,399 Would the White House agree to something along the lines of 921 00:45:53,400 --> 00:45:56,700 upfront cuts early on? 922 00:45:56,700 --> 00:45:59,265 >> Mr. Carney: Well, I would make two points. 923 00:45:59,266 --> 00:46:04,200 The first is that when rates rise on the top 2%, 924 00:46:04,200 --> 00:46:06,767 as a subject much discussed during the campaign, 925 00:46:06,767 --> 00:46:09,767 the savings achieved from that would be gleaned over 10 years. 926 00:46:12,333 --> 00:46:15,400 It's not collected all in the first week or month or 927 00:46:15,400 --> 00:46:16,400 even year. 928 00:46:16,400 --> 00:46:19,467 This is -- all of this is about a period of over 10 years, 929 00:46:19,467 --> 00:46:23,467 both the savings from spending cuts and the savings from 930 00:46:23,467 --> 00:46:25,600 revenue increases. 931 00:46:25,600 --> 00:46:26,866 That's one. 932 00:46:26,867 --> 00:46:32,533 Two, the President has signed into law specific spending cuts 933 00:46:32,533 --> 00:46:35,133 as part of the Budget Control Act. 934 00:46:35,133 --> 00:46:39,700 What we have not seen, as I've said already, 935 00:46:39,700 --> 00:46:42,033 is any specific proposal from Republicans -- 936 00:46:42,033 --> 00:46:45,266 at least Republican leaders -- about how we achieve the kind of 937 00:46:45,266 --> 00:46:46,700 revenue targets that are necessary for a 938 00:46:46,700 --> 00:46:47,700 balanced approach. 939 00:46:47,700 --> 00:46:52,500 So the President is committed to achieving a package that 940 00:46:52,500 --> 00:46:58,066 includes all three pieces here: the discretionary spending, 941 00:46:58,066 --> 00:47:00,433 much of which we've signed into law; 942 00:47:00,433 --> 00:47:03,233 the savings from entitlement programs, 943 00:47:03,233 --> 00:47:05,567 and the savings from revenue. 944 00:47:05,567 --> 00:47:10,600 And he looks forward to reaching a compromise with the Speaker of 945 00:47:10,600 --> 00:47:13,600 the House and others. 946 00:47:13,600 --> 00:47:14,600 Justin. 947 00:47:14,600 --> 00:47:18,433 >> The Press: Jay, will the administration take a public stance on the 948 00:47:18,433 --> 00:47:24,433 Proposition-8 case that was taken up by the Supreme Court on 949 00:47:28,633 --> 00:47:31,734 Friday, in particular some of the broader questions raised by 950 00:47:31,734 --> 00:47:33,633 that case, including whether or not the Constitution protects 951 00:47:33,633 --> 00:47:35,700 the rights of same-sex couples to marry? 952 00:47:35,700 --> 00:47:38,033 >> Mr. Carney: Well, I appreciate the question, but for comment on the Court's 953 00:47:38,033 --> 00:47:40,333 actions on that case, I would point you to the Department 954 00:47:40,333 --> 00:47:41,333 of Justice. 955 00:47:41,333 --> 00:47:43,433 As you know, the administration is not a party to this case, 956 00:47:43,433 --> 00:47:46,300 and I just have nothing more for you on it. 957 00:47:46,300 --> 00:47:48,934 >> The Press: Did the President have any reaction to the court taking up 958 00:47:48,934 --> 00:47:51,100 the DOMA or the Prop-8 case? 959 00:47:51,100 --> 00:47:53,165 >> Mr. Carney: I have nothing more for you on that. 960 00:47:53,166 --> 00:47:54,333 Appreciate it. 961 00:47:54,333 --> 00:47:56,734 >> The Press: -- going to be able tell us what the President's views are 962 00:47:56,734 --> 00:47:57,734 on that case. 963 00:47:57,734 --> 00:47:59,567 Is the President not concerned about the outcome of that case? 964 00:47:59,567 --> 00:48:01,200 >> Mr. Carney: Again, I just don't have anything more for you, 965 00:48:01,200 --> 00:48:03,232 and I'd refer you to the Department of Justice. 966 00:48:03,233 --> 00:48:05,233 Thank you all very much.