English subtitles for clip: File:12-13-13- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:01,367 --> 00:00:04,567 Mr. Carney: Well, thank you all for being here on Friday 2 00:00:04,567 --> 00:00:06,834 for your daily briefing. 3 00:00:06,834 --> 00:00:11,433 I might sound a little under the weather and that's because I am. 4 00:00:11,433 --> 00:00:14,466 If I have to, I'm just going to turn it over to these guys here 5 00:00:14,467 --> 00:00:17,033 at some point if I need to sneeze. 6 00:00:17,033 --> 00:00:20,734 But before I take your questions, 7 00:00:20,734 --> 00:00:22,200 I have a couple of things. 8 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:24,099 I can certainly do the week ahead as well at the top. 9 00:00:24,100 --> 00:00:26,266 But, first of all, I know a lot of you have been asking -- 10 00:00:26,266 --> 00:00:28,099 I can confirm that the Speaker of the House 11 00:00:28,100 --> 00:00:30,266 has invited the President to deliver the State of the Union 12 00:00:30,266 --> 00:00:33,833 address on January 28th. 13 00:00:33,834 --> 00:00:36,333 So that's one. 14 00:00:36,333 --> 00:00:37,367 Two, I have -- 15 00:00:37,367 --> 00:00:38,800 The Press: Did he accept? 16 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:42,032 Mr. Carney: Oh, yes -- yes, he will be there. 17 00:00:42,033 --> 00:00:46,000 And second, I have a topper related to implementation 18 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:47,900 of the Affordable Care Act. 19 00:00:47,900 --> 00:00:51,132 Today, we are highlighting the millions of uninsured Americans 20 00:00:51,133 --> 00:00:53,767 who can gain access to quality, affordable health insurance 21 00:00:53,767 --> 00:00:56,567 plans because of the Affordable Care Act. 22 00:00:56,567 --> 00:00:59,333 Nearly six in ten of these uninsured Americans will be 23 00:00:59,333 --> 00:01:04,733 eligible for coverage at a cost of $100 per month or less. 24 00:01:04,733 --> 00:01:07,166 And if all states expanded their Medicaid programs, 25 00:01:07,166 --> 00:01:10,300 nearly 8 in 10 of these uninsured Americans would be 26 00:01:10,300 --> 00:01:14,700 able to purchase coverage for $100 or less per person -- 27 00:01:14,700 --> 00:01:18,000 or rather, per month in 2014. 28 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:21,600 Just yesterday, Iowa joined a growing number of states led by 29 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:24,734 both Republican and Democratic governors that have chosen to 30 00:01:24,734 --> 00:01:28,734 put politics aside in expanding Medicaid under the Affordable 31 00:01:28,734 --> 00:01:32,467 Care Act to reduce the rate of uninsured and help their states, 32 00:01:32,467 --> 00:01:37,500 hospitals, and businesses save on uncompensated care costs. 33 00:01:37,500 --> 00:01:40,900 It is an example of how when both parties are flexible and 34 00:01:40,900 --> 00:01:43,600 work together, we can move the country forward 35 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:46,366 for the good of all Americans. 36 00:01:46,367 --> 00:01:50,367 This stands in stark contrast to the congressional Republicans' 37 00:01:50,367 --> 00:01:54,233 repeal plan, where every middle-class American enrolled 38 00:01:54,233 --> 00:01:57,834 with tax credits would see their premiums skyrocket and every 39 00:01:57,834 --> 00:02:00,934 American covered through Medicaid expansion would be 40 00:02:00,934 --> 00:02:03,265 kicked out of their coverage. 41 00:02:03,266 --> 00:02:05,900 If there were ever a time for Republicans to change course 42 00:02:05,900 --> 00:02:08,667 and help Americans who, without their obstruction, 43 00:02:08,667 --> 00:02:10,600 would be able to gain access to health insurance 44 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:13,733 in less than a month, it would be now. 45 00:02:13,734 --> 00:02:16,767 Finally, by popular demand, 46 00:02:16,767 --> 00:02:19,166 I'm going to do the week ahead at the top. 47 00:02:19,166 --> 00:02:23,867 On Saturday, the President and First Lady will honor the lives 48 00:02:23,867 --> 00:02:27,600 and legacies of the children and educators lost 49 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:30,966 at Sandy Hook Elementary School one year ago 50 00:02:30,967 --> 00:02:34,800 by observing a moment of silence at the White House. 51 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:38,266 On Sunday, the First Family will attend Christmas in Washington 52 00:02:38,266 --> 00:02:40,767 at the National Building Museum. 53 00:02:40,767 --> 00:02:44,466 Next week, on the week days, the President will be here 54 00:02:44,467 --> 00:02:47,700 at the White House attending meetings. 55 00:02:47,700 --> 00:02:50,333 And Friday evening, the First Family will depart 56 00:02:50,333 --> 00:02:54,000 the White House for Honolulu, Hawaii. 57 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:55,934 And that is your week ahead. 58 00:02:55,934 --> 00:02:57,667 The Press: Where's the moment of silence? 59 00:02:57,667 --> 00:02:58,967 Mr. Carney: Here at the White House. 60 00:02:58,967 --> 00:03:01,033 We'll have more details for you later, but it will be here. 61 00:03:01,033 --> 00:03:02,500 The Press: Inside, outside? 62 00:03:02,500 --> 00:03:06,233 Mr. Carney: Again, we'll have more details for you shortly, I hope. 63 00:03:06,233 --> 00:03:07,266 Julie. 64 00:03:07,266 --> 00:03:08,299 The Press: Thank you. 65 00:03:08,300 --> 00:03:09,633 I had a couple questions about Bob Levinson. 66 00:03:09,633 --> 00:03:13,333 The AP has reported, based in part on documents that reporters 67 00:03:13,333 --> 00:03:17,800 have reviewed, that Levinson was in Iran working for the CIA. 68 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:21,567 Why did the administration falsely say for years that 69 00:03:21,567 --> 00:03:25,133 Levinson was a private citizen in Iran on a business trip? 70 00:03:25,133 --> 00:03:27,734 And will you continue to say that now that it's been proven 71 00:03:27,734 --> 00:03:31,266 to be untrue? 72 00:03:31,266 --> 00:03:34,299 Mr. Carney: Bob Levinson was not a U.S. government employee 73 00:03:34,300 --> 00:03:37,166 when he went missing in Iran. 74 00:03:37,166 --> 00:03:39,266 As there is an ongoing investigation into his 75 00:03:39,266 --> 00:03:41,233 disappearance, I am not going to comment further 76 00:03:41,233 --> 00:03:45,133 on what he may or may not have been doing in Iran. 77 00:03:45,133 --> 00:03:47,100 I'm not going to fact-check every allegation made 78 00:03:47,100 --> 00:03:49,966 in the story you reference -- a story we believe it was highly 79 00:03:49,967 --> 00:03:53,900 irresponsible to publish and which we strongly urged 80 00:03:53,900 --> 00:03:58,266 the outlet not to publish out of concerns 81 00:03:58,266 --> 00:04:00,966 for Mr. Levinson's safety. 82 00:04:00,967 --> 00:04:03,734 I'm also not going to say anything that might further harm 83 00:04:03,734 --> 00:04:06,266 our efforts to bring Mr. Levinson home safe, 84 00:04:06,266 --> 00:04:08,433 which has been our goal for the six and a half years 85 00:04:08,433 --> 00:04:10,566 he has been missing. 86 00:04:10,567 --> 00:04:11,834 Since Bob disappeared, 87 00:04:11,834 --> 00:04:14,800 the U.S. government has vigorously pursued 88 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:17,934 and continues to pursue all investigative leads 89 00:04:17,934 --> 00:04:20,166 as we would with any American citizen missing 90 00:04:20,166 --> 00:04:21,500 or detained overseas. 91 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:25,100 We continue to be focused on doing everything we can 92 00:04:25,100 --> 00:04:27,834 to bring Bob home safely to his family. 93 00:04:27,834 --> 00:04:31,133 This remains a top priority of the U.S. government. 94 00:04:31,133 --> 00:04:33,166 The Press: So you see the statements that the administration made 95 00:04:33,166 --> 00:04:35,433 saying he was a private citizen there on private business 96 00:04:35,433 --> 00:04:38,867 as being the same as him being there working for the CIA? 97 00:04:38,867 --> 00:04:41,033 Mr. Carney: Julie, what I can say is that he was not -- 98 00:04:41,033 --> 00:04:44,000 first of all, I'm not going to comment on every allegation 99 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:45,333 in that story. 100 00:04:45,333 --> 00:04:46,834 The Press: It's a pretty substantial allegation. 101 00:04:46,834 --> 00:04:49,000 Mr. Carney: I would say that if there is somebody detained overseas 102 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,400 and it is published, true or false, 103 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:55,200 that he is working for the CIA, I think it is dictated by logic 104 00:04:55,200 --> 00:05:00,265 that that very likely puts that person in greater danger. 105 00:05:00,266 --> 00:05:05,333 What I can tell you is he was not a U.S. government employee 106 00:05:05,333 --> 00:05:06,400 when he made that trip, 107 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:09,200 but I'm not going to get into any more detail. 108 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,567 I mean, look, I understand that this is a complicated issue. 109 00:05:11,567 --> 00:05:17,100 It is also very sensitive, and deals obviously with the safety 110 00:05:17,100 --> 00:05:23,266 and security and the life of an American citizen overseas. 111 00:05:23,266 --> 00:05:25,033 It also deals with matters 112 00:05:25,033 --> 00:05:27,000 that are under investigation by the FBI. 113 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:30,133 So I am limited, for a variety of reasons, 114 00:05:30,133 --> 00:05:31,900 in what I can say about it, really, 115 00:05:31,900 --> 00:05:34,667 beyond what I've just said. 116 00:05:34,667 --> 00:05:37,366 The Press: Can you say what the administration believes 117 00:05:37,367 --> 00:05:39,300 Bob Levinson's status is currently? 118 00:05:39,300 --> 00:05:43,166 And can you be specific about what efforts the administration 119 00:05:43,166 --> 00:05:47,834 is undertaking to have him returned to the U.S.? 120 00:05:47,834 --> 00:05:50,333 Mr. Carney: As you know, Mr. Levinson disappeared 121 00:05:50,333 --> 00:05:52,433 from Kish Island in Iran. 122 00:05:52,433 --> 00:05:57,033 In 2011, we received indications that Mr. Levinson was being held 123 00:05:57,033 --> 00:05:59,834 somewhere in Southwest Asia. 124 00:05:59,834 --> 00:06:03,300 At the time, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton publicly asked 125 00:06:03,300 --> 00:06:06,033 the Iranian government to undertake humanitarian efforts 126 00:06:06,033 --> 00:06:09,767 to safely return and reunite Bob with his family -- 127 00:06:09,767 --> 00:06:12,767 because the Iranian government had previously offered 128 00:06:12,767 --> 00:06:15,700 its assistance in this matter. 129 00:06:15,700 --> 00:06:18,066 More recently, obviously, President Obama raised 130 00:06:18,066 --> 00:06:21,433 Mr. Levinson's case in his phone call with President Rouhani, 131 00:06:21,433 --> 00:06:24,734 in addition to the cases of detained American citizens 132 00:06:24,734 --> 00:06:29,332 Saeed Abedini and Amir Hekmati. 133 00:06:29,333 --> 00:06:33,333 Secretary Kerry has also raised these three cases directly 134 00:06:33,333 --> 00:06:35,266 with Iran's foreign minister. 135 00:06:35,266 --> 00:06:39,734 And today we reiterate that same request to the government of 136 00:06:39,734 --> 00:06:43,400 Iran or to anyone else who might have information about 137 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:46,866 Mr. Levinson's whereabouts to undertake efforts to ensure that 138 00:06:46,867 --> 00:06:51,333 he returns safely to his family. 139 00:06:51,333 --> 00:06:56,767 And again, this is something that we continue to raise at the 140 00:06:56,767 --> 00:07:04,033 highest levels and to press -- or to make clear to the Iranians 141 00:07:04,033 --> 00:07:07,567 that we seek their assistance in having him returned home, 142 00:07:07,567 --> 00:07:11,567 and to express that anyone else who might have information about 143 00:07:11,567 --> 00:07:16,333 Mr. Levinson's whereabouts undertake efforts to return him 144 00:07:16,333 --> 00:07:21,533 back home to his family. 145 00:07:21,533 --> 00:07:24,166 The Press: Does the administration believe he's still alive? 146 00:07:24,166 --> 00:07:27,266 Mr. Carney: Again, we were made aware in 2011 that he was in, 147 00:07:27,266 --> 00:07:30,033 at the time, Southwest Asia. 148 00:07:30,033 --> 00:07:34,200 But I don't have more details on -- 149 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:37,866 or any more specifics about what we know about his whereabouts. 150 00:07:37,867 --> 00:07:42,166 Obviously, we're very concerned about him and call on anyone 151 00:07:42,166 --> 00:07:45,066 with knowledge of his whereabouts to undertake efforts 152 00:07:45,066 --> 00:07:47,332 to ensure that he returns safely home. 153 00:07:47,333 --> 00:07:48,367 Steve. 154 00:07:48,367 --> 00:07:50,166 The Press: Was Rouhani aware of the case 155 00:07:50,166 --> 00:07:52,166 when the President raised it with him? 156 00:07:54,333 --> 00:07:56,266 Mr. Carney: I'd be surprised if he weren't. 157 00:07:56,266 --> 00:08:01,700 I don't have a direct memory of that conversation 158 00:08:01,700 --> 00:08:05,033 or the readout I received of it to say with assurance. 159 00:08:05,033 --> 00:08:07,333 But it would be surprising, since this is something going 160 00:08:07,333 --> 00:08:12,200 back to at least 2011 when Secretary Clinton raised this 161 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:16,233 issue and called on and asked for Iran's help -- 162 00:08:16,233 --> 00:08:19,900 because they had offered help in the past in helping us 163 00:08:19,900 --> 00:08:22,532 locate and return him safely. 164 00:08:22,533 --> 00:08:23,600 The Press: Okay. 165 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,000 Separately, there was a high-profile execution 166 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:26,734 in North Korea yesterday. 167 00:08:26,734 --> 00:08:29,532 What's your assessment of what's behind this execution? 168 00:08:29,533 --> 00:08:32,967 Is this Kim trying to consolidate power? 169 00:08:32,967 --> 00:08:35,332 Mr. Carney: I can say a couple of things about that, Steve. 170 00:08:35,332 --> 00:08:41,632 First, we can't independently verify this development, 171 00:08:41,633 --> 00:08:45,233 but we have no reason to doubt the official report 172 00:08:45,233 --> 00:08:48,666 that he has been executed. 173 00:08:48,667 --> 00:08:51,600 And this is another example of the extreme brutality 174 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:53,600 of the North Korean regime. 175 00:08:55,033 --> 00:08:58,400 In terms of our assessments of what it means, 176 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:01,233 there are obviously assessments made by the intelligence 177 00:09:01,233 --> 00:09:06,000 community and others, but I wouldn't get into speculating 178 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,333 on internal DPRK decision-making or the motivations 179 00:09:09,333 --> 00:09:10,666 of the leadership. 180 00:09:10,667 --> 00:09:13,500 What it is indicative of, however, 181 00:09:13,500 --> 00:09:18,433 is the values of the regime -- their low regard for human life 182 00:09:18,433 --> 00:09:21,033 and what is probably the worst human rights record 183 00:09:21,033 --> 00:09:22,033 in the world. 184 00:09:22,033 --> 00:09:25,133 And that's saying something. 185 00:09:25,133 --> 00:09:28,333 So it's a very opaque regime, as you know. 186 00:09:28,333 --> 00:09:32,567 But we can certainly make that assertion 187 00:09:32,567 --> 00:09:34,533 based on the reports we've seen. 188 00:09:34,533 --> 00:09:38,300 The Press: And lastly, is the President nearing a conclusion 189 00:09:38,300 --> 00:09:40,165 on what to do about the NSA? 190 00:09:40,166 --> 00:09:42,266 And is he going to announce them soon? 191 00:09:42,266 --> 00:09:44,099 Are there going to be additional constraints, 192 00:09:44,100 --> 00:09:46,300 as you've talked about before? 193 00:09:46,300 --> 00:09:48,367 Mr. Carney: Well, the President himself mentioned 194 00:09:48,367 --> 00:09:52,000 in an interview recently that he will be "proposing some 195 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:53,600 self-restraint on the NSA." 196 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:55,867 So the answer to that question is yes. 197 00:09:55,867 --> 00:09:57,834 And he will be initiating 198 00:09:57,834 --> 00:10:01,132 "some reforms that can give people more confidence." 199 00:10:01,133 --> 00:10:02,800 That's a quote from the President. 200 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:05,867 The overall review will be complete by the end of the year. 201 00:10:05,867 --> 00:10:08,599 The review is being led by the White House and includes 202 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:12,233 agencies from across the White House. 203 00:10:12,233 --> 00:10:13,834 Beyond what the President has said, 204 00:10:13,834 --> 00:10:15,467 the administration's review is ongoing, 205 00:10:15,467 --> 00:10:19,467 so I'm not in a position to discuss reports about what may 206 00:10:19,467 --> 00:10:26,900 or may not be recommended by either the Review Group on 207 00:10:26,900 --> 00:10:29,500 Intelligence and Communications Technology or the Privacy and 208 00:10:29,500 --> 00:10:31,600 Civil Liberties Oversight Board. 209 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:35,166 We have not yet received the review group's final report 210 00:10:35,166 --> 00:10:36,600 and are not going to comment 211 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:38,533 on a report that has not been submitted. 212 00:10:38,533 --> 00:10:41,533 We expect, however, that that review group's report 213 00:10:41,533 --> 00:10:45,333 will be delivered by the December 15th due date. 214 00:10:45,333 --> 00:10:49,567 Let me move up, as I've been promising. 215 00:10:49,567 --> 00:10:50,567 Yes, sir. 216 00:10:50,567 --> 00:10:51,767 The Press: Thank you very much. 217 00:10:51,767 --> 00:10:56,100 Following this week's designations of Iranian entities 218 00:10:56,100 --> 00:10:59,533 by the Treasury Department, the Iranian delegation that had 219 00:10:59,533 --> 00:11:02,967 implementation talks in Geneva protested and suspended those 220 00:11:02,967 --> 00:11:05,667 talks, claiming that those designations are tantamount 221 00:11:05,667 --> 00:11:09,433 to new sanctions and violate the spirit of the deal reached 222 00:11:09,433 --> 00:11:11,433 in Geneva only weeks ago. 223 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:16,266 How do you plan to convince the Iranians that designations 224 00:11:16,266 --> 00:11:18,099 and sanctions are two different things? 225 00:11:18,100 --> 00:11:21,000 And what is the strategy for getting back to the 226 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:22,367 implementation talks so that we can start 227 00:11:22,367 --> 00:11:24,099 the clock ticking on this deal? 228 00:11:24,100 --> 00:11:26,233 Mr. Carney: Well, the agreement very clearly referred 229 00:11:26,233 --> 00:11:30,132 to nuclear sanctions and also very clearly referred 230 00:11:30,133 --> 00:11:32,967 to the fact that existing sanctions would continue. 231 00:11:32,967 --> 00:11:36,600 Technical talks between the P5-plus-1 and Iran were held 232 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:39,000 from December 9th through December 12th in Vienna 233 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:40,633 to discuss the implementation details 234 00:11:40,633 --> 00:11:41,800 of the Joint Plan of Action. 235 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:44,699 And we made progress in those discussions, 236 00:11:44,700 --> 00:11:45,967 and we consider the atmosphere 237 00:11:45,967 --> 00:11:48,266 during those discussions constructive. 238 00:11:48,266 --> 00:11:50,065 Now, these are complicated, technical issues, 239 00:11:50,066 --> 00:11:52,500 and after four days of detailed talks, 240 00:11:52,500 --> 00:11:55,367 all teams have returned to their capitals for further 241 00:11:55,367 --> 00:11:58,867 consultations, and that was always the plan. 242 00:11:58,867 --> 00:12:01,934 We continue to do the necessary work to prepare to implement the 243 00:12:01,934 --> 00:12:04,132 Joint Plan of Action, and are prepared to meet again 244 00:12:04,133 --> 00:12:08,266 with our P5-plus-1 partners and Iran as soon as possible 245 00:12:08,266 --> 00:12:10,867 to resume these technical talks. 246 00:12:10,867 --> 00:12:15,165 Now, in terms of what the Iranians have said about their 247 00:12:15,166 --> 00:12:17,900 delegation, I will simply point you to the delegation 248 00:12:17,900 --> 00:12:21,266 and to Iran for them to speak for their actions. 249 00:12:21,266 --> 00:12:22,333 But let's be clear: 250 00:12:22,333 --> 00:12:24,433 The designations announced yesterday were related 251 00:12:24,433 --> 00:12:26,766 to the enforcement of existing sanctions, 252 00:12:26,767 --> 00:12:29,734 and we have made clear all along that we would continue 253 00:12:29,734 --> 00:12:31,967 to enforce existing sanctions. 254 00:12:31,967 --> 00:12:33,967 As the President said, to the extent permissible 255 00:12:33,967 --> 00:12:35,567 within our political system, 256 00:12:35,567 --> 00:12:36,834 we have committed to refrain 257 00:12:36,834 --> 00:12:40,132 from imposing new nuclear-related sanctions. 258 00:12:40,133 --> 00:12:42,166 That does not prevent us from implementing and enforcing 259 00:12:42,166 --> 00:12:44,533 our existing nuclear-related sanctions -- 260 00:12:44,533 --> 00:12:46,800 which of course we will do, as we said -- 261 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:49,433 or from imposing new sanctions targeting Iran's 262 00:12:49,433 --> 00:12:53,600 sponsorship of terrorism or its abysmal human rights record. 263 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:56,533 We have been clear with Iran throughout this process that 264 00:12:56,533 --> 00:12:59,000 we will continue to enforce existing sanctions, 265 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:02,166 which is consistent with what was done yesterday, 266 00:13:02,166 --> 00:13:04,166 the action taken yesterday. 267 00:13:04,166 --> 00:13:10,200 But let's be clear also that we continue to oppose the passage 268 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:13,600 of new nuclear-related sanctions for the reasons that we have 269 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:15,133 discussed now for several weeks, 270 00:13:15,133 --> 00:13:20,667 because we believe that the purpose of this most effective 271 00:13:20,667 --> 00:13:22,333 and comprehensive sanctions regime 272 00:13:22,333 --> 00:13:24,666 that has been built up by this administration 273 00:13:24,667 --> 00:13:29,467 with our partners was to see if we could compel Tehran 274 00:13:29,467 --> 00:13:32,600 to change its behavior, to come to the negotiating table, 275 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:37,166 and to commit itself to actions aimed at proving 276 00:13:37,166 --> 00:13:39,266 to the international community that Iran was prepared 277 00:13:39,266 --> 00:13:42,065 to abide by its international obligations 278 00:13:42,066 --> 00:13:44,667 and to forsake a nuclear weapons program. 279 00:13:44,667 --> 00:13:46,800 So we have a preliminary agreement, 280 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:48,099 the Joint Plan of Action, 281 00:13:48,100 --> 00:13:51,000 and these technical discussions continue. 282 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:52,533 The Press: Quick follow-up. 283 00:13:52,533 --> 00:13:56,867 As the Daily Beast reported, in the six months since Rouhani 284 00:13:56,867 --> 00:13:59,699 was elected, the pace of designation slowed dramatically. 285 00:13:59,700 --> 00:14:00,767 There were almost no designations 286 00:14:00,767 --> 00:14:01,867 in that six-month period. 287 00:14:01,867 --> 00:14:05,666 Administration officials claim that was meant 288 00:14:05,667 --> 00:14:10,433 to provide an atmosphere conducive to talks of progress. 289 00:14:10,433 --> 00:14:12,633 So why all these designations now? 290 00:14:12,633 --> 00:14:15,133 Doesn't that do the opposite -- create an atmosphere 291 00:14:15,133 --> 00:14:17,734 that's not conducive for further talks of progress? 292 00:14:17,734 --> 00:14:20,166 Mr. Carney: We have been clear all along that we would 293 00:14:20,166 --> 00:14:23,767 continue to implement the existing sanctions. 294 00:14:23,767 --> 00:14:29,533 And throughout President Obama's time in office, we have, 295 00:14:29,533 --> 00:14:32,367 both unilaterally and working with our partners, 296 00:14:32,367 --> 00:14:34,699 ramped up sanctions. 297 00:14:34,700 --> 00:14:39,600 So I don't know that I would characterize actions taken 298 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:42,533 in the last weeks or months in any other way, 299 00:14:42,533 --> 00:14:45,033 except to say that we have been continuing the implementation 300 00:14:45,033 --> 00:14:49,166 of existing sanctions as we have pursued the possibility 301 00:14:49,166 --> 00:14:52,166 and now the reality of reaching a preliminary agreement 302 00:14:52,166 --> 00:14:55,166 with Iran with a unified P5-plus-1. 303 00:14:55,166 --> 00:14:59,033 And now that we have, it is our view, and has been our view, 304 00:14:59,033 --> 00:15:01,967 that Congress should refrain from passing new sanctions 305 00:15:01,967 --> 00:15:04,367 precisely because Congress has been an excellent partner 306 00:15:04,367 --> 00:15:09,367 in this effort and has within its power the ability 307 00:15:09,367 --> 00:15:13,000 to time the passages of sanctions, if necessary, 308 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:17,133 to affect Iranian behavior. 309 00:15:17,133 --> 00:15:22,367 We believe that if Iran demonstrates that it will comply 310 00:15:22,367 --> 00:15:26,666 with the agreement it made, that that would obviously be a good 311 00:15:26,667 --> 00:15:31,900 thing, and then progress could be made on the potential for 312 00:15:31,900 --> 00:15:36,333 a more comprehensive solution to this challenge over six months. 313 00:15:36,333 --> 00:15:38,266 But if Iran were to fail to comply, 314 00:15:38,266 --> 00:15:39,834 or fail to come to agreement with the P5-plus-1 315 00:15:39,834 --> 00:15:45,632 on a comprehensive solution, comprehensive agreement, 316 00:15:45,633 --> 00:15:49,500 then it would be entirely appropriate for the Congress 317 00:15:49,500 --> 00:15:50,734 to take action. 318 00:15:50,734 --> 00:15:53,600 And I think that, once again, if that were to happen, 319 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:58,767 that we would be in a situation, as we helped create in 2009, 320 00:15:58,767 --> 00:16:01,700 where the international community 321 00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:08,300 would be united in opposition to Iran's refusal 322 00:16:08,300 --> 00:16:09,900 to live up to its international obligations. 323 00:16:09,900 --> 00:16:12,567 Now, that's a lot of speculation, 324 00:16:12,567 --> 00:16:13,700 which I try not to engage in, 325 00:16:13,700 --> 00:16:16,300 but I'm simply saying that that would be a situation 326 00:16:16,300 --> 00:16:18,900 that would mirror what we have seen in the past, which is -- 327 00:16:18,900 --> 00:16:20,000 The Press: So we can expect new designations 328 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:21,700 to be continued for -- 329 00:16:21,700 --> 00:16:23,467 Mr. Carney: I think you can expect us to continue 330 00:16:23,467 --> 00:16:25,066 to implement existing sanctions, 331 00:16:25,066 --> 00:16:27,800 and where that requires new designations, 332 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:31,632 that, I'm sure, will be what we do. 333 00:16:31,633 --> 00:16:32,633 The Press: Thank you. 334 00:16:32,633 --> 00:16:33,633 Mr. Carney: You bet. 335 00:16:33,633 --> 00:16:34,800 Jon. 336 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,766 The Press: On the NSA taskforce recommendations 337 00:16:37,767 --> 00:16:38,767 will come in on time, 338 00:16:38,767 --> 00:16:41,300 will you make that report public? 339 00:16:41,300 --> 00:16:43,233 Mr. Carney: What I can tell you is that we will have 340 00:16:43,233 --> 00:16:47,367 a lot more to say to make the outcomes public 341 00:16:47,367 --> 00:16:49,233 in an appropriate way after we receive it. 342 00:16:49,233 --> 00:16:50,867 Obviously, we're talking about fairly sensitive 343 00:16:50,867 --> 00:16:54,934 and classified information. 344 00:16:54,934 --> 00:17:02,199 But part of this process that the President has asked for 345 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:05,734 is one that will allow us to be as transparent as possible 346 00:17:05,733 --> 00:17:09,833 and to, as he said, 347 00:17:09,834 --> 00:17:13,000 propose some self-restraint on the NSA and initiate 348 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,099 some reforms that can give people more confidence. 349 00:17:15,099 --> 00:17:17,800 And giving people more confidence obviously involves 350 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:19,032 giving people more information. 351 00:17:19,032 --> 00:17:22,966 Beyond that, exactly how 352 00:17:22,967 --> 00:17:26,266 and when making those outcomes public 353 00:17:26,266 --> 00:17:27,700 is still being determined, 354 00:17:27,700 --> 00:17:29,867 but I expect we'll have more information on those questions 355 00:17:29,867 --> 00:17:32,166 soon, because as I noted earlier, 356 00:17:32,166 --> 00:17:37,466 the review group's report is expected here on December 15th. 357 00:17:37,467 --> 00:17:38,700 The Press: Because the review group's report, 358 00:17:38,700 --> 00:17:40,767 as I understand it, has been declassified, 359 00:17:40,767 --> 00:17:43,567 gone through a declassification process. 360 00:17:43,567 --> 00:17:44,767 Mr. Carney: I'll have to take the question. 361 00:17:44,767 --> 00:17:46,200 I don't have the answer to that. 362 00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:47,200 What I can -- 363 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:48,300 The Press: But you won't -- 364 00:17:48,300 --> 00:17:49,332 you're not going to release their full report? 365 00:17:49,333 --> 00:17:51,600 Mr. Carney: I'm not sure about that, Jon. 366 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,332 What I can tell you is that we will endeavor to release as much 367 00:17:54,333 --> 00:18:00,667 information as we can, mindful of the fact that these are 368 00:18:00,667 --> 00:18:03,265 sensitive matters involving intelligence-gathering. 369 00:18:03,266 --> 00:18:04,800 The Press: But in terms of this group, 370 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:07,100 the internal reviews you've been doing, 371 00:18:07,100 --> 00:18:10,300 and the self-restraint that the President will be -- 372 00:18:10,300 --> 00:18:13,533 the changes he'll be making, would any of this be happening 373 00:18:13,533 --> 00:18:16,632 if it weren't for Edward Snowden? 374 00:18:16,633 --> 00:18:18,533 Mr. Carney: Well, that's an excellent question 375 00:18:18,533 --> 00:18:19,867 that's impossible to answer. 376 00:18:19,867 --> 00:18:24,332 The President, as you know, believes that what has happened 377 00:18:24,333 --> 00:18:31,467 this year has made it clear that we need to review our activities 378 00:18:31,467 --> 00:18:34,500 with a basic principle in mind: that we should be doing 379 00:18:34,500 --> 00:18:37,934 everything we should and must be doing to ensure our safety 380 00:18:37,934 --> 00:18:40,934 within the law, but not doing things simply 381 00:18:40,934 --> 00:18:42,600 because we can do them, 382 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:47,533 because we have the assets and resources 383 00:18:47,533 --> 00:18:48,734 that allow us to do them. 384 00:18:48,734 --> 00:18:52,899 So I can't imagine what that world would look like, 385 00:18:52,900 --> 00:18:55,867 but this is very consistent with the President's views 386 00:18:55,867 --> 00:18:57,100 for a long time now. 387 00:18:57,100 --> 00:19:03,867 And he has initiated this effort and looks forward to both 388 00:19:03,867 --> 00:19:06,399 the review group's report and to actions 389 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:08,500 being taken in response to it. 390 00:19:08,500 --> 00:19:11,800 The Press: But would you acknowledge that this entire effort, 391 00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:13,800 this multi-agency effort, independent taskforce, 392 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:16,166 wouldn't be happening -- 393 00:19:16,166 --> 00:19:19,200 Mr. Carney: I think if you look back to the speech 394 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:21,567 the President gave prior to the revelations, 395 00:19:21,567 --> 00:19:23,567 the disclosures that we're talking about, 396 00:19:23,567 --> 00:19:26,633 I think he indicated very clearly that he wanted 397 00:19:26,633 --> 00:19:30,300 to engage in a broader review of our posture, if you will, 398 00:19:30,300 --> 00:19:32,000 and how we do things -- 399 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:33,467 I'm speaking at a high altitude here, 400 00:19:33,467 --> 00:19:39,200 but this involves his view that, 401 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,600 now 12 years after 9/11 and after the wars 402 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:44,100 that we've engaged in, 403 00:19:44,100 --> 00:19:49,100 that we required a new look at the way we conduct 404 00:19:49,100 --> 00:19:50,233 this kind of business. 405 00:19:50,233 --> 00:19:54,166 The Press: And on Levinson, 17 days ago you issued 406 00:19:54,166 --> 00:19:57,500 a statement saying Robert Levinson went missing 407 00:19:57,500 --> 00:20:00,667 during a business trip to Kish Island, Iran. 408 00:20:00,667 --> 00:20:02,632 When you talked about it just now, 409 00:20:02,633 --> 00:20:05,200 you simply said when he went to Kish Island, Iran. 410 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:08,233 I'm wondering is that statement from 17 days ago -- 411 00:20:08,233 --> 00:20:10,567 that he went missing during a business trip 412 00:20:10,567 --> 00:20:11,800 on Kish Island, Iran -- 413 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:14,667 is that still operative or is that no longer the story? 414 00:20:14,667 --> 00:20:16,734 Mr. Carney: I mean, I'm simply saying that he was not 415 00:20:16,734 --> 00:20:17,966 a U.S. government employee. 416 00:20:17,967 --> 00:20:21,633 This is in reaction to a story that was published today. 417 00:20:21,633 --> 00:20:23,900 I'm not adjusting what was said in the past; 418 00:20:23,900 --> 00:20:25,500 I'm making clear in response to this story 419 00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:28,533 that that is what we can say. 420 00:20:28,533 --> 00:20:32,833 We cannot say more for some of the reasons that I just 421 00:20:32,834 --> 00:20:35,333 described in answering Julie's question. 422 00:20:35,333 --> 00:20:36,600 The Press: But is this statement then, 423 00:20:36,600 --> 00:20:38,000 it's just to clarify? 424 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:39,934 Mr. Carney: Again, I'm not changing or altering what was said 425 00:20:39,934 --> 00:20:42,500 in the past, but in response to stories today 426 00:20:42,500 --> 00:20:45,900 I'm making clear that he was not a U.S. government employee 427 00:20:45,900 --> 00:20:47,033 when he went missing in Iran. 428 00:20:47,033 --> 00:20:50,166 As there's an ongoing investigation 429 00:20:50,166 --> 00:20:51,265 into his disappearance, 430 00:20:51,266 --> 00:20:53,333 I can't comment further on what he may or may 431 00:20:53,333 --> 00:20:57,567 not have been doing in Iran. 432 00:20:57,567 --> 00:21:00,333 And, again, I think that it's -- 433 00:21:00,333 --> 00:21:04,700 this is a fairly dicey proposition here to be -- 434 00:21:04,700 --> 00:21:08,367 when you have somebody who is potentially clearly -- 435 00:21:08,367 --> 00:21:12,567 clearly in harm's way and whose safety 436 00:21:12,567 --> 00:21:14,000 we're all concerned about. 437 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:15,667 The Press: Can I ask you just a philosophical question on this? 438 00:21:15,667 --> 00:21:19,632 If by putting out a statement that isn't exactly accurate 439 00:21:19,633 --> 00:21:24,433 or is misleading, you could save somebody's life 440 00:21:24,433 --> 00:21:28,133 or hasten his return, would that be justified? 441 00:21:28,133 --> 00:21:30,800 Would that be something you'd be willing to do from the podium? 442 00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:32,767 Mr. Carney: I'm not going to speculate about that. 443 00:21:32,767 --> 00:21:36,033 We provide the information that we can, as accurate, Jon. 444 00:21:36,033 --> 00:21:40,199 And we're talking about a matter that's under investigation, 445 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:43,000 we're talking about an individual's disappearance 446 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:46,333 and his safety. 447 00:21:46,333 --> 00:21:52,600 So I just can't describe further what he was doing. 448 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:53,899 That's under investigation. 449 00:21:53,900 --> 00:21:56,934 But I can tell you he was not a U.S. government employee. 450 00:21:56,934 --> 00:21:59,100 Brianna. 451 00:21:59,100 --> 00:22:00,399 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 452 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:02,900 The fact-checking website, PolitiFact, 453 00:22:02,900 --> 00:22:04,567 named as the Lie of the Year, 454 00:22:04,567 --> 00:22:08,200 "If you like your health care plan, you can keep it." 455 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:10,800 Is the White House, is President Obama worried 456 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:15,533 that this false promise is being cemented sort of in history? 457 00:22:15,533 --> 00:22:16,667 Mr. Carney: Brianna, as you know, 458 00:22:16,667 --> 00:22:21,934 the President in an interview earlier this fall 459 00:22:21,934 --> 00:22:25,667 took this question head on and expressed his concern 460 00:22:25,667 --> 00:22:26,833 for those individuals, 461 00:22:26,834 --> 00:22:28,166 those Americans who received cancellation notices 462 00:22:28,166 --> 00:22:33,633 and were potentially adversely impacted by or affected by that, 463 00:22:36,100 --> 00:22:41,699 and took action to encourage states and state insurance 464 00:22:41,700 --> 00:22:48,233 commissioners to allow those who wanted to stay on existing plans 465 00:22:48,233 --> 00:22:49,700 to stay on them longer. 466 00:22:49,700 --> 00:22:53,467 So I think he's, in a very honest way, 467 00:22:53,467 --> 00:22:57,800 addressed this question. 468 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:00,934 End-of-the-year categorizations like that are always fun, 469 00:23:00,934 --> 00:23:03,667 even when they don't jive with past characterizations 470 00:23:03,667 --> 00:23:04,934 of the very same statement. 471 00:23:04,934 --> 00:23:08,500 But we're focused on implementation 472 00:23:08,500 --> 00:23:09,767 of the Affordable Care Act. 473 00:23:09,767 --> 00:23:14,867 We have owned and acknowledged where that rollout this fall 474 00:23:14,867 --> 00:23:19,300 has not been up to the standards that we expected 475 00:23:19,300 --> 00:23:20,433 and where there have been problems. 476 00:23:20,433 --> 00:23:25,367 And we've taken action so that the fundamental 477 00:23:25,367 --> 00:23:27,567 promise here is met, 478 00:23:27,567 --> 00:23:33,900 which is making affordable, quality health insurance 479 00:23:33,900 --> 00:23:35,867 available and accessible to millions of American 480 00:23:35,867 --> 00:23:37,100 across the country, 481 00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:40,734 many of whom did not have that opportunity in the past. 482 00:23:40,734 --> 00:23:41,966 The Press: But some of these things -- 483 00:23:41,967 --> 00:23:45,233 for instance, in the past, one of the lies of the year 484 00:23:45,233 --> 00:23:46,800 was Sarah Palin's death panels. 485 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:50,265 And it sort of I guess highlights something 486 00:23:50,266 --> 00:23:53,900 that becomes I guess a line in popular consciousness. 487 00:23:53,900 --> 00:23:56,934 It sort of takes on, in a way -- 488 00:23:56,934 --> 00:23:59,667 it's something that will be in history books. 489 00:23:59,667 --> 00:24:03,466 I mean, is there a concern about that? 490 00:24:03,467 --> 00:24:06,233 Mr. Carney: Brianna, there's a concern here about the problems 491 00:24:06,233 --> 00:24:09,734 with the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. 492 00:24:09,734 --> 00:24:12,300 We've talked a lot about that here since October, 493 00:24:12,300 --> 00:24:14,367 and the President has talked a lot about it 494 00:24:14,367 --> 00:24:16,066 in very candid terms. 495 00:24:16,066 --> 00:24:21,266 So I don't think that history's assessment of this period will 496 00:24:21,266 --> 00:24:24,233 depend on end-of-the-year lists. 497 00:24:24,233 --> 00:24:28,700 I think it will depend on, in our view, 498 00:24:28,700 --> 00:24:33,433 how we responded to the absolute necessity of making the fixes 499 00:24:33,433 --> 00:24:36,767 to healthcare.gov, the absolute necessity of addressing 500 00:24:36,767 --> 00:24:40,166 the problem for those who receive cancellations, 501 00:24:40,166 --> 00:24:44,100 and the absolute necessity of ensuring that we are making 502 00:24:44,100 --> 00:24:50,265 it possible for the millions of Americans who have so clearly 503 00:24:50,266 --> 00:24:54,066 demonstrated their desire for and interest in enrolling 504 00:24:54,066 --> 00:24:56,400 in health insurance plans 505 00:24:56,400 --> 00:24:58,066 through the marketplace that they're able to do that. 506 00:24:58,066 --> 00:25:01,367 And that will be the test in the long run. 507 00:25:01,367 --> 00:25:06,300 But you're going to get no argument from me that we had 508 00:25:06,300 --> 00:25:10,300 and have had a rocky period here in rolling out the marketplaces 509 00:25:10,300 --> 00:25:12,934 and the healthcare.gov website. 510 00:25:12,934 --> 00:25:14,266 And that's on us. 511 00:25:14,266 --> 00:25:19,967 And we have taken steps to both acknowledge that and address 512 00:25:19,967 --> 00:25:23,900 it through policy decisions and better implementation 513 00:25:23,900 --> 00:25:27,266 of the policy and the law. 514 00:25:27,266 --> 00:25:28,567 The Press: You have announced today, 515 00:25:28,567 --> 00:25:30,834 or the White House has announced today, 516 00:25:30,834 --> 00:25:32,100 that Katie Beirne Fallon 517 00:25:32,100 --> 00:25:35,033 will be the new Director of Legislative Affairs -- 518 00:25:35,033 --> 00:25:36,632 obviously someone who is liked 519 00:25:36,633 --> 00:25:40,100 and believed to be very capable by a lot of folks. 520 00:25:40,100 --> 00:25:41,533 But she's also unfamiliar -- 521 00:25:41,533 --> 00:25:42,966 though she has Senate background, 522 00:25:42,967 --> 00:25:45,867 she's unfamiliar to a lot of people in the House, 523 00:25:45,867 --> 00:25:48,166 and you have House Republicans who are wondering 524 00:25:48,166 --> 00:25:50,200 what this sort of means for them 525 00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:53,100 if they're factoring it all into the White House's plans 526 00:25:53,100 --> 00:25:54,533 for relations with Capitol Hill. 527 00:25:54,533 --> 00:25:57,899 Can you talk a little bit about that? 528 00:25:57,900 --> 00:25:59,166 Mr. Carney: Well, you've seen, I think, 529 00:25:59,166 --> 00:26:01,066 statements from the Chief of Staff as well as from 530 00:26:01,066 --> 00:26:04,100 the President about both Miguel Rodriguez 531 00:26:04,100 --> 00:26:07,399 and his excellent five-year service. 532 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:09,767 The Press: And he didn't have a very deep relationship 533 00:26:09,767 --> 00:26:11,233 with the House side, either. 534 00:26:11,233 --> 00:26:13,466 So I think that's -- building on that, 535 00:26:13,467 --> 00:26:15,967 it's part of the concerns of House Republicans. 536 00:26:15,967 --> 00:26:17,900 We've just seen this bipartisan budget deal. 537 00:26:17,900 --> 00:26:19,834 Is that a priority? 538 00:26:19,834 --> 00:26:21,834 Mr. Carney: We believe improving on the progress 539 00:26:21,834 --> 00:26:24,400 we have already made in our relationship with Congress 540 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:26,500 and working with Congress and getting things done 541 00:26:26,500 --> 00:26:28,100 with Congress is always a priority, 542 00:26:28,100 --> 00:26:34,567 and we believe that Katie will bring a lot of experience 543 00:26:34,567 --> 00:26:36,367 to bear on that challenge. 544 00:26:36,367 --> 00:26:39,934 She'll be spending the next few weeks consulting with members 545 00:26:39,934 --> 00:26:41,734 on 2014 agenda priorities 546 00:26:41,734 --> 00:26:44,667 before stepping into her new role in January. 547 00:26:44,667 --> 00:26:47,233 She will be coordinating implementation 548 00:26:47,233 --> 00:26:50,200 of the President's Climate Action Plan with the Hill. 549 00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:52,633 She'll be managing legislative strategy around immigration 550 00:26:52,633 --> 00:26:56,667 reform and ensuring a better flow of communication between 551 00:26:56,667 --> 00:27:00,766 the White House and the Hill on ACA implementation -- 552 00:27:00,767 --> 00:27:01,934 Obamacare implementation. 553 00:27:01,934 --> 00:27:04,367 So she brings a lot of experience. 554 00:27:04,367 --> 00:27:08,667 She, as you noted, is well liked 555 00:27:08,667 --> 00:27:12,265 around this building and all around Capitol Hill, 556 00:27:12,266 --> 00:27:16,500 so we're very confident that she will build on the progress 557 00:27:16,500 --> 00:27:20,767 we've already made in our efforts to work with Congress 558 00:27:20,767 --> 00:27:22,200 and get things done with Congress. 559 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:25,233 And again, as I mentioned yesterday, 560 00:27:25,233 --> 00:27:30,800 expectations have for good reason been set pretty low 561 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:32,966 when it comes to compromise in Congress, 562 00:27:32,967 --> 00:27:36,867 but the budget deal negotiated by Congressman Ryan 563 00:27:36,867 --> 00:27:40,300 and Senator Murray represents just that. 564 00:27:40,300 --> 00:27:43,633 And it's not a huge step but an important step forward 565 00:27:43,633 --> 00:27:51,333 in what we believe can be done if both sides 566 00:27:51,333 --> 00:27:53,533 address these challenges that the American people 567 00:27:53,533 --> 00:27:55,199 want us to address in a way that acknowledges 568 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:56,200 that compromise means 569 00:27:56,200 --> 00:27:58,900 you're not going to get everything you want. 570 00:27:58,900 --> 00:28:02,467 And immigration reform represents a huge opportunity. 571 00:28:02,467 --> 00:28:06,667 The array of economic initiatives we could engage 572 00:28:06,667 --> 00:28:08,000 in that the President has put forward 573 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:09,333 and there has historically been interest 574 00:28:09,333 --> 00:28:10,367 in from the Republicans, 575 00:28:10,367 --> 00:28:12,332 whether it's investment in infrastructure 576 00:28:12,333 --> 00:28:17,500 or improving our corporate tax code, 577 00:28:17,500 --> 00:28:21,467 investing in early education for America's children -- 578 00:28:21,467 --> 00:28:24,100 these are ways that we can invest 579 00:28:24,100 --> 00:28:25,800 in our economic future, 580 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:27,867 improve economic growth and job creation -- 581 00:28:27,867 --> 00:28:29,367 the President's number-one priorities. 582 00:28:29,367 --> 00:28:32,133 And Katie is going to be very much 583 00:28:32,133 --> 00:28:35,367 in the front of the team effort to get that done 584 00:28:35,367 --> 00:28:36,700 in coordination with Congress. 585 00:28:36,700 --> 00:28:37,967 Mike. 586 00:28:37,967 --> 00:28:39,266 The Press: Thank you very much. 587 00:28:39,266 --> 00:28:42,767 I just wanted to circle back to what Brianna was saying 588 00:28:42,767 --> 00:28:45,400 about the PolitiFact Lie of the Year statement. 589 00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:46,567 What I wanted to get at is -- 590 00:28:46,567 --> 00:28:47,934 I mean, they're saying it was a lie; 591 00:28:47,934 --> 00:28:50,200 by extension they're saying that the President was lying. 592 00:28:50,200 --> 00:28:52,767 Do you not take exception with that? 593 00:28:52,767 --> 00:28:55,500 Mr. Carney: I think that, as I said before, 594 00:28:55,500 --> 00:28:59,867 our focus is on the challenges 595 00:28:59,867 --> 00:29:02,100 that have been associated with this period 596 00:29:02,100 --> 00:29:04,100 of rolling out the Affordable Care Act 597 00:29:04,100 --> 00:29:06,567 and what we can do to address those challenges. 598 00:29:06,567 --> 00:29:09,734 And again, I think the assessments 599 00:29:09,734 --> 00:29:13,332 of how we respond to those challenges will determine 600 00:29:13,333 --> 00:29:21,266 how the Affordable Care Act is viewed in coming years. 601 00:29:21,266 --> 00:29:24,433 And that's because what will determine that is whether or not 602 00:29:24,433 --> 00:29:26,767 we deliver on the promise of getting affordable, 603 00:29:26,767 --> 00:29:29,400 quality health insurance to those Americans 604 00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:31,367 who so clearly want it. 605 00:29:31,367 --> 00:29:32,867 And, I mean, one of the remarkable facts 606 00:29:32,867 --> 00:29:35,700 about the dismal situation we were in and created 607 00:29:35,700 --> 00:29:38,734 for ourselves with the poor rollout of the website 608 00:29:38,734 --> 00:29:41,233 is that despite all the obstacles that were thrown 609 00:29:41,233 --> 00:29:45,332 in the way of Americans who so clearly wanted to enroll 610 00:29:45,333 --> 00:29:47,934 and wanted information about the options available 611 00:29:47,934 --> 00:29:50,066 to them, they came back. 612 00:29:50,066 --> 00:29:54,066 And they've come back in extraordinary numbers so that -- 613 00:29:54,066 --> 00:29:58,467 we made it harder for them, and that's on us, 614 00:29:58,467 --> 00:30:00,333 which was why everybody has worked so hard 615 00:30:00,333 --> 00:30:01,967 to make it easier. 616 00:30:01,967 --> 00:30:03,934 And you've seen those improvements. 617 00:30:03,934 --> 00:30:09,166 Somebody noted, appropriately, when the healthcare.gov site 618 00:30:09,166 --> 00:30:14,399 was functioning miserably, it was front-page news. 619 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:18,300 I think yesterday the fact that we had quadrupled enrollments, 620 00:30:18,300 --> 00:30:19,567 November over October, 621 00:30:19,567 --> 00:30:24,500 it made page 22 in the front section of a major newspaper. 622 00:30:24,500 --> 00:30:25,800 We'll take that. 623 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:28,867 Because our focus is on getting the policy right, 624 00:30:28,867 --> 00:30:31,500 making sure that Americans who want quality, 625 00:30:31,500 --> 00:30:33,834 affordable health insurance are able to get it. 626 00:30:33,834 --> 00:30:35,200 The Press: But when the President did say that statement, 627 00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:37,066 just to be clear, I mean, did he -- 628 00:30:37,066 --> 00:30:40,500 Mr. Carney: People say -- hey, Mike, the President has addressed -- 629 00:30:40,500 --> 00:30:42,934 The Press: But did he believe that that would be the outcome? 630 00:30:42,934 --> 00:30:44,066 Mr. Carney: Obviously, the President addressed this. 631 00:30:44,066 --> 00:30:45,734 I would point you to the extensive comments he gave 632 00:30:45,734 --> 00:30:48,966 in answer to an interviewer's questions about this. 633 00:30:48,967 --> 00:30:51,967 So you've already gotten it from him, 634 00:30:51,967 --> 00:30:53,700 so I can't improve upon that. 635 00:30:53,700 --> 00:30:54,867 What I can tell you 636 00:30:54,867 --> 00:30:57,166 is that we're focused on implementing the policy. 637 00:30:57,166 --> 00:30:59,166 We're focused on delivering to the American -- 638 00:30:59,166 --> 00:31:03,700 the millions of American people who so clearly demonstrated 639 00:31:03,700 --> 00:31:07,500 a desire for what the Affordable Care Act offers. 640 00:31:07,500 --> 00:31:09,500 Chuck. 641 00:31:12,300 --> 00:31:13,300 The Press: You were very careful to say that Mr. Levinson 642 00:31:13,300 --> 00:31:14,567 was not a government employee. 643 00:31:14,567 --> 00:31:18,433 Are government contractors considered government employees? 644 00:31:18,433 --> 00:31:22,133 Mr. Carney: I appreciate the opportunity to violate what I said earlier 645 00:31:22,133 --> 00:31:23,867 that I'm not going to get into any more detail 646 00:31:23,867 --> 00:31:27,300 about a matter that's under investigation. 647 00:31:29,600 --> 00:31:34,367 There's obviously a significant matter at stake here, 648 00:31:34,367 --> 00:31:37,966 which is the safety and security of Mr. Levinson 649 00:31:37,967 --> 00:31:43,734 and our hope that he can be returned to his family safely. 650 00:31:43,734 --> 00:31:48,100 So I just -- I would point to what I've said before 651 00:31:48,100 --> 00:31:52,199 and understand that I can't say more. 652 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:53,200 The Press: In general, are government contractors 653 00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:54,567 considered government employees? 654 00:31:54,567 --> 00:31:58,033 Mr. Carney: I'm not going to get into that kind of parsing. 655 00:31:58,033 --> 00:32:00,233 I can tell you that he was not a U.S. government employee. 656 00:32:00,233 --> 00:32:03,633 The rest of this is under investigation. 657 00:32:03,633 --> 00:32:08,200 The Press: Should we be questioning the version of the story 658 00:32:08,200 --> 00:32:10,233 that the government has been giving 659 00:32:10,233 --> 00:32:12,265 on what Alan Gross was doing? 660 00:32:12,266 --> 00:32:16,333 Do you understand why that question would come up? 661 00:32:16,333 --> 00:32:17,700 Mr. Carney: I understand your question. 662 00:32:17,700 --> 00:32:20,133 And, again, I would point you to what we've said 663 00:32:20,133 --> 00:32:24,467 about the absolute necessity for Alan Gross, in our view, 664 00:32:24,467 --> 00:32:29,333 to be released and obviously for the other two individuals 665 00:32:29,333 --> 00:32:31,200 that I mentioned earlier in Iran to be released. 666 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:37,834 We're dealing with people's lives here and we're working 667 00:32:37,834 --> 00:32:42,400 very hard on the effort to get all of them back here 668 00:32:42,400 --> 00:32:44,433 to the United States. 669 00:32:44,433 --> 00:32:47,433 The Press: Why do you believe that a news organization 670 00:32:47,433 --> 00:32:50,133 that gave the government three years -- 671 00:32:50,133 --> 00:32:51,467 held a story for three years -- 672 00:32:51,467 --> 00:32:54,433 was being irresponsible after holding a story for three years? 673 00:32:54,433 --> 00:32:56,367 I mean, that seemed to be -- 674 00:32:56,367 --> 00:32:58,033 that was a highly charged accusation 675 00:32:58,033 --> 00:32:59,433 you threw out there -- 676 00:32:59,433 --> 00:33:01,433 thrown at as irresponsible. 677 00:33:01,433 --> 00:33:03,367 Mr. Carney: I don't want to engage in -- 678 00:33:03,367 --> 00:33:06,133 obviously, we institutionally engage in conversations -- 679 00:33:06,133 --> 00:33:09,934 The Press: It sounds like the media was very cooperative on this. 680 00:33:09,934 --> 00:33:17,066 Mr. Carney: All I can tell you is that Mr. Levinson is still missing. 681 00:33:17,066 --> 00:33:20,367 He is still potentially, if not likely, in harm's way. 682 00:33:20,367 --> 00:33:24,700 And it is our belief that it was certainly 683 00:33:24,700 --> 00:33:26,767 not the right thing to do to publish a story 684 00:33:26,767 --> 00:33:30,633 that could reasonably be expected to put 685 00:33:30,633 --> 00:33:32,233 him at greater risk. 686 00:33:32,233 --> 00:33:33,633 The Press: Is the President fully -- 687 00:33:33,633 --> 00:33:36,500 can you say the President was always fully briefed 688 00:33:36,500 --> 00:33:41,100 about all of Mr. Levinson's ties to the federal government? 689 00:33:41,100 --> 00:33:44,000 Mr. Carney: I don't have any information on those briefings 690 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:46,200 so I can't characterize them. 691 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:47,633 Yes. 692 00:33:47,633 --> 00:33:48,700 The Press: Thank you, Jay. 693 00:33:48,700 --> 00:33:50,900 We've seen some personnel changes announced. 694 00:33:50,900 --> 00:33:53,667 Are these one-off changes in White House staffing, 695 00:33:53,667 --> 00:33:57,466 or is there any sort of more systematic review going on or 696 00:33:57,467 --> 00:33:59,600 effort to make the White House operate or function 697 00:33:59,600 --> 00:34:01,199 in a more optimal way? 698 00:34:01,200 --> 00:34:06,967 Mr. Carney: It sounds like an effort to -- well -- nothing. 699 00:34:06,967 --> 00:34:10,533 The Press: Finish that -- 700 00:34:10,533 --> 00:34:13,199 Mr. Carney: That was a press critique. 701 00:34:13,199 --> 00:34:15,966 But I would simply say that -- 702 00:34:15,967 --> 00:34:17,734 The Press: Don't be shy. 703 00:34:17,734 --> 00:34:19,467 Mr. Carney: -- we're in year five of an administration, 704 00:34:19,467 --> 00:34:21,967 and as is the case and has been the case 705 00:34:21,967 --> 00:34:24,000 with every administration that I've paid attention to, 706 00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:30,000 people come and people go after working harder in these jobs, 707 00:34:32,833 --> 00:34:35,132 probably than they'll ever work in their lives. 708 00:34:35,132 --> 00:34:37,899 And we noted the other day, 709 00:34:37,900 --> 00:34:40,467 and I think the New York Times wrote about it, 710 00:34:40,467 --> 00:34:43,000 about Pete Rouse leaving and his extraordinary 711 00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:46,734 service to both Senator Obama and President Obama, 712 00:34:46,734 --> 00:34:53,967 and for the kind of specific assistance that they can provide 713 00:34:53,967 --> 00:34:57,633 and help they can provide; Phil Schiliro has returned, 714 00:34:57,633 --> 00:34:59,799 John Podesta is coming in. 715 00:34:59,800 --> 00:35:06,667 But I think those are specific, one-off, 716 00:35:06,667 --> 00:35:12,700 if you will, assignments and personnel moves that I think 717 00:35:12,700 --> 00:35:16,633 reflect the normal kind of churn you see in White Houses 718 00:35:16,633 --> 00:35:20,066 over the years. 719 00:35:20,066 --> 00:35:22,799 The Press: Miguel Rodriguez was there less than a year. 720 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:24,500 Is he -- 721 00:35:24,500 --> 00:35:26,400 Mr. Carney: He's been working for Barack Obama 722 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:28,433 and the Obama administration since the day President Obama 723 00:35:28,433 --> 00:35:30,000 was sworn into office. 724 00:35:30,000 --> 00:35:31,800 The Press: He was in the legislative affairs director position 725 00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:33,400 less than a year. 726 00:35:33,400 --> 00:35:35,734 Mr. Carney: But he's been serving here for five years, Peter. 727 00:35:35,734 --> 00:35:37,100 And he's done an extraordinary job, 728 00:35:37,100 --> 00:35:40,333 and the President is greatly appreciative of his service. 729 00:35:40,333 --> 00:35:41,967 The Press: And the White House is happy 730 00:35:41,967 --> 00:35:43,567 with the legislative outreach from -- 731 00:35:43,567 --> 00:35:46,333 to the Hill, and that's working optimally? 732 00:35:46,333 --> 00:35:48,300 Mr. Carney: We are going to -- 733 00:35:48,300 --> 00:35:55,033 I mean, we're never going to be happy until we are able to, 734 00:35:55,033 --> 00:35:57,600 with Congress, produce the results 735 00:35:57,600 --> 00:35:59,467 that the American people demand. 736 00:35:59,467 --> 00:36:05,600 Now, you've heard me say, so I'll try to do it in short form, 737 00:36:05,600 --> 00:36:07,467 that this President has demonstrated again and again 738 00:36:07,467 --> 00:36:10,033 and again on immigration reform, on his budget, 739 00:36:10,033 --> 00:36:12,799 on issue after issue his willingness 740 00:36:12,800 --> 00:36:15,233 to meet Republicans halfway. 741 00:36:15,233 --> 00:36:17,233 And we talked a lot about, 742 00:36:17,233 --> 00:36:20,266 for at least the first half of this year, 743 00:36:20,266 --> 00:36:23,166 all the efforts he's made and this White House has made 744 00:36:23,166 --> 00:36:28,400 to engage with Republicans in Congress, 745 00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:30,700 and we're going to continue that 746 00:36:30,700 --> 00:36:35,767 because we think everything we can do to help bring about 747 00:36:35,767 --> 00:36:39,033 the results the American people want is worth the effort. 748 00:36:39,033 --> 00:36:42,866 So as I said earlier, when it comes to Katie Beirne Fallon, 749 00:36:42,867 --> 00:36:47,000 she's going to help build on the progress we've already made. 750 00:36:47,000 --> 00:36:50,200 And I think that, as I think Josh mentioned when he briefed 751 00:36:50,200 --> 00:36:51,533 earlier this week, sometimes it goes unnoticed or little notice. 752 00:36:51,533 --> 00:36:58,232 We're getting a lot of things done of late, 753 00:36:58,233 --> 00:37:00,400 and we have a lot more we need to get done. 754 00:37:00,400 --> 00:37:06,367 And there's enormous potential if we have a modicum of 755 00:37:06,367 --> 00:37:11,033 compromise and cooperation from Capitol Hill for getting even 756 00:37:11,033 --> 00:37:13,767 more done, and that includes immigration reform, 757 00:37:13,767 --> 00:37:16,399 it includes implementation of the climate action plan, 758 00:37:16,400 --> 00:37:21,333 it includes investments in the economy that help the middle 759 00:37:21,333 --> 00:37:24,734 class be more secure and help those who are trying 760 00:37:24,734 --> 00:37:27,433 to lift themselves up into the middle class. 761 00:37:27,433 --> 00:37:31,300 So we're, in spite of everything, 762 00:37:31,300 --> 00:37:34,200 optimistic because there's reason to be optimistic. 763 00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:38,165 And the President expects all of us here -- 764 00:37:38,166 --> 00:37:39,967 those of us who have been here a while and those of us 765 00:37:39,967 --> 00:37:43,700 who are returning or coming for the first time -- 766 00:37:43,700 --> 00:37:45,933 to be focused on that goal, 767 00:37:45,934 --> 00:37:48,467 which is to improve the lives of middle-class Americans 768 00:37:48,467 --> 00:37:51,100 by making sure that what Washington 769 00:37:51,100 --> 00:37:54,500 is doing is improving the chances 770 00:37:54,500 --> 00:37:57,200 that we'll grow faster and create better jobs, 771 00:37:57,200 --> 00:38:01,567 rather than throwing up obstacles, which, unfortunately, 772 00:38:01,567 --> 00:38:03,500 because of Republicans in Congress, 773 00:38:03,500 --> 00:38:05,467 Washington has been doing. 774 00:38:05,467 --> 00:38:07,000 Maybe we can build on some of what we've seen 775 00:38:07,000 --> 00:38:09,834 this week and turn it into something even better. 776 00:38:09,834 --> 00:38:12,500 Mike. 777 00:38:12,500 --> 00:38:15,600 The Press: So on that, the President spoke quite forcefully 778 00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:17,667 recently about the malign influences 779 00:38:17,667 --> 00:38:19,900 he sees as ideologically -- 780 00:38:19,900 --> 00:38:21,900 Mr. Carney: I like that, good word. 781 00:38:21,900 --> 00:38:23,633 The Press: Super PACs -- my words, not his, 782 00:38:23,633 --> 00:38:25,332 but I think I captured it pretty well. 783 00:38:25,333 --> 00:38:29,233 He thinks that ideologically driven super PACs on the right 784 00:38:29,233 --> 00:38:32,233 are distorting the legislative process. 785 00:38:32,233 --> 00:38:36,734 Speaker Boehner appears to be -- have vanquished that revolt 786 00:38:36,734 --> 00:38:39,799 on his right flank for the time being, 787 00:38:39,800 --> 00:38:42,867 very forceful terms yesterday and the day before. 788 00:38:42,867 --> 00:38:45,934 Is this an opening for the White House, 789 00:38:45,934 --> 00:38:48,233 particularly on immigration? 790 00:38:48,233 --> 00:38:51,800 Mr. Carney: We remain not just optimistic but confident 791 00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:55,734 that Congress will pass and the President 792 00:38:55,734 --> 00:38:58,633 will sign comprehensive immigration reform. 793 00:38:58,633 --> 00:39:00,933 It's the right -- I've talked to you about it in the past. 794 00:39:00,934 --> 00:39:05,800 There is a long list of conservative reasons 795 00:39:05,800 --> 00:39:08,467 to support comprehensive immigration reform. 796 00:39:08,467 --> 00:39:10,900 There is also, as many of you have reported on, 797 00:39:10,900 --> 00:39:14,834 significant political reason for the Republican Party 798 00:39:14,834 --> 00:39:18,000 to embrace comprehensive immigration reform. 799 00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:23,233 And that confluence of good things for Republicans 800 00:39:23,233 --> 00:39:25,734 and Democrats, not to mention the economy and middle-class 801 00:39:25,734 --> 00:39:28,400 Americans, I think creates the opportunity 802 00:39:28,400 --> 00:39:29,867 for getting this done. 803 00:39:29,867 --> 00:39:31,834 We believed it should have gotten done this year, 804 00:39:31,834 --> 00:39:34,299 and we did everything we could to make that happen. 805 00:39:34,300 --> 00:39:37,500 But we are convinced that it's going to happen. 806 00:39:37,500 --> 00:39:41,700 And we hope, without doing what I would have done as a reporter, 807 00:39:41,700 --> 00:39:45,000 which is spend a lot of time examining 808 00:39:45,000 --> 00:39:47,066 that press conference yesterday -- 809 00:39:47,066 --> 00:39:48,433 without analyzing that, 810 00:39:48,433 --> 00:39:52,100 I'll say that we look forward to working with any willing member 811 00:39:52,100 --> 00:39:57,467 of Congress of either party to advance these objectives, 812 00:39:57,467 --> 00:40:00,066 principally with the focus of creating jobs 813 00:40:00,066 --> 00:40:02,899 and expanding broad-based growth in this country 814 00:40:02,900 --> 00:40:04,900 on behalf of the middle class. 815 00:40:06,133 --> 00:40:09,466 If that opportunity is there, we will take it. 816 00:40:09,467 --> 00:40:11,734 And where it's not there, we will do everything we can, 817 00:40:11,734 --> 00:40:16,100 through the President's administrative authority, 818 00:40:16,100 --> 00:40:22,033 to advance a middle-class growth agenda wherever we can. 819 00:40:22,033 --> 00:40:23,467 The Press: So how did he view -- 820 00:40:23,467 --> 00:40:25,367 or how was that press conference viewed here, 821 00:40:25,367 --> 00:40:27,300 the statement by the Speaker? 822 00:40:27,300 --> 00:40:29,133 Mr. Carney: Look, I would simply say that we believe 823 00:40:29,133 --> 00:40:31,165 it was the right thing to do to pass the budget. 824 00:40:31,166 --> 00:40:33,767 And it was a compromise document. 825 00:40:33,767 --> 00:40:37,265 It was not a grand bargain; it was a small step, 826 00:40:37,266 --> 00:40:38,600 but it was the right thing to do. 827 00:40:38,600 --> 00:40:41,467 And it will, as I think outside analysts have said, 828 00:40:41,467 --> 00:40:46,533 if passed out of Congress and signed into law by this 829 00:40:46,533 --> 00:40:51,333 President, will help economic growth and job creation, 830 00:40:51,333 --> 00:40:55,100 which stands in contrast to the actions that Congress 831 00:40:55,100 --> 00:40:56,500 has taken in the past. 832 00:40:56,500 --> 00:40:57,500 The Press: I don't want to belabor this, 833 00:40:57,500 --> 00:40:58,867 but the President did speak specifically 834 00:40:58,867 --> 00:41:00,900 to the outside groups, and I'm wondering, 835 00:41:00,900 --> 00:41:02,400 now that they have been marginalized, 836 00:41:02,400 --> 00:41:03,500 at least in this instance, 837 00:41:03,500 --> 00:41:07,200 what do you think of that development? 838 00:41:07,200 --> 00:41:10,332 Mr. Carney: Well, we're not going to make those kind of assessments 839 00:41:10,333 --> 00:41:12,734 of internal Republican Party dynamics. 840 00:41:12,734 --> 00:41:14,433 We're looking for willing partners, 841 00:41:14,433 --> 00:41:15,900 regardless of their affiliation. 842 00:41:15,900 --> 00:41:18,500 And where we can compromise and get things done 843 00:41:18,500 --> 00:41:21,367 that the American people want to see done in Washington, 844 00:41:21,367 --> 00:41:22,600 we will do that, 845 00:41:22,600 --> 00:41:25,366 and look forward to the opportunity to do it more 846 00:41:25,367 --> 00:41:27,033 and hope those opportunities arise. 847 00:41:27,033 --> 00:41:28,633 Wendell. 848 00:41:28,633 --> 00:41:31,265 The Press: You've acknowledged the rollout of the Affordable Care Act 849 00:41:31,266 --> 00:41:33,133 was rocky, and in just the past -- 850 00:41:33,133 --> 00:41:35,033 less than a day, the administration 851 00:41:35,033 --> 00:41:37,165 has asked insurance companies 852 00:41:37,166 --> 00:41:39,100 to give people more time to sign up, 853 00:41:39,100 --> 00:41:44,266 make concessions about paying their premiums. 854 00:41:44,266 --> 00:41:46,600 Would you admit that it's still rocky? 855 00:41:46,600 --> 00:41:48,467 Mr. Carney: Sure. 856 00:41:48,467 --> 00:41:53,867 There's no question that we set ourselves back with the delays 857 00:41:53,867 --> 00:41:57,066 caused by and the problems with the website, 858 00:41:57,066 --> 00:42:01,966 and that -- you know, I go out of my way, 859 00:42:01,967 --> 00:42:04,533 as I think everyone else working on this does, 860 00:42:04,533 --> 00:42:07,633 to acknowledge that we have improvements to make and a lot 861 00:42:07,633 --> 00:42:10,834 more work to do, both to the website and to other aspects 862 00:42:10,834 --> 00:42:12,466 of implementation of the ACA. 863 00:42:12,467 --> 00:42:17,800 Having said that, we've seen a lot of progress and improvement. 864 00:42:17,800 --> 00:42:21,266 We've seen an increase in enrollment, 865 00:42:21,266 --> 00:42:23,734 an obvious improvement in the website. 866 00:42:23,734 --> 00:42:27,333 And we're going to continue to take steps to make sure that 867 00:42:27,333 --> 00:42:31,100 where we can make some fixes that will help consumers, 868 00:42:34,633 --> 00:42:38,332 we'll do that -- because the goal here is, again, 869 00:42:38,333 --> 00:42:44,967 not a perfect website, it's not the elegance of the rollout. 870 00:42:44,967 --> 00:42:46,667 I think we failed that, right? 871 00:42:46,667 --> 00:42:48,967 I think the goal is to, in the end, 872 00:42:48,967 --> 00:42:53,867 have the ACA and the exchanges work for the American people 873 00:42:53,867 --> 00:42:58,834 who so clearly are interested in this new opportunity 874 00:42:58,834 --> 00:43:04,332 to get quality, affordable health insurance. 875 00:43:04,333 --> 00:43:07,333 The Press: Given that, why is it you say there's no Plan B 876 00:43:07,333 --> 00:43:09,934 for the overall schedule of the launch? 877 00:43:09,934 --> 00:43:13,033 Are you whistling past the graveyard here? 878 00:43:13,033 --> 00:43:15,600 Mr. Carney: We have made significant improvements, 879 00:43:15,600 --> 00:43:17,767 and while there is still more work to do, 880 00:43:17,767 --> 00:43:21,165 we are confident that we will continue to see improvements 881 00:43:21,166 --> 00:43:26,500 result in more enrollments and more progress, 882 00:43:26,500 --> 00:43:30,200 like Iowa's decision to expand Medicaid, 883 00:43:30,200 --> 00:43:35,265 and that will result in more Americans getting insurance, 884 00:43:35,266 --> 00:43:36,633 getting covered. 885 00:43:36,633 --> 00:43:42,265 So we created some problems for Americans who were interested 886 00:43:42,266 --> 00:43:44,800 in this and for ourselves, and we acknowledge that. 887 00:43:44,800 --> 00:43:47,500 But we're working as hard as we can to overcome that and to make 888 00:43:47,500 --> 00:43:52,100 sure that we deliver on the promise of quality, 889 00:43:52,100 --> 00:43:55,200 affordable health insurance to every American. 890 00:43:55,200 --> 00:43:57,366 The Press: We asked Secretary Sebelius today if she had offered 891 00:43:57,367 --> 00:43:58,600 her resignation to the President, 892 00:43:58,600 --> 00:43:59,600 and she wouldn't say. 893 00:43:59,600 --> 00:44:01,133 Will you? 894 00:44:01,133 --> 00:44:03,033 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not going to speak for Secretary Sebelius. 895 00:44:03,033 --> 00:44:05,967 I can tell you that as I have said in the past, 896 00:44:05,967 --> 00:44:07,667 the President has confidence in Secretary Sebelius 897 00:44:07,667 --> 00:44:09,633 and appreciates the work that she's done. 898 00:44:09,633 --> 00:44:14,066 And she, like every member of her team engaged in this effort, 899 00:44:14,066 --> 00:44:21,700 is focused everyday on making fixes to the website, 900 00:44:21,700 --> 00:44:26,133 or making improvements in the implementation of the exchanges 901 00:44:26,133 --> 00:44:28,600 so that we can deliver on the promise that I just promised. 902 00:44:28,600 --> 00:44:32,000 The Press: On the NSA, the President clearly has concerns about it. 903 00:44:32,000 --> 00:44:33,834 Are his concerns about 904 00:44:33,834 --> 00:44:36,734 the amount of information the NSA collects, 905 00:44:36,734 --> 00:44:41,299 or the public's perception of that? 906 00:44:41,300 --> 00:44:42,567 Mr. Carney: That's a very good question. 907 00:44:42,567 --> 00:44:49,133 I think that the answer I'll give is that the President 908 00:44:49,133 --> 00:44:52,299 has indicated that in this review he would be, 909 00:44:52,300 --> 00:44:55,367 and he would hope that those who are working on it with him 910 00:44:55,367 --> 00:44:58,934 would be looking at what we do through the prism 911 00:44:58,934 --> 00:45:01,033 of what he's described as making sure we're doing 912 00:45:01,033 --> 00:45:03,834 everything we should do, 913 00:45:03,834 --> 00:45:06,299 but nothing we can do just because we can. 914 00:45:06,300 --> 00:45:08,867 Just being -- you know, making sure 915 00:45:08,867 --> 00:45:13,033 that we're running this process through that filter. 916 00:45:13,033 --> 00:45:16,366 But he has also, I think, emphasized that it is important 917 00:45:16,367 --> 00:45:19,300 to remember that the men and women who work at the NSA and 918 00:45:19,300 --> 00:45:22,133 the men and the women who work in the rest of our intelligence 919 00:45:22,133 --> 00:45:26,033 community work every day to protect everyone in this country 920 00:45:26,033 --> 00:45:29,834 and every American overseas, in uniform and out, 921 00:45:29,834 --> 00:45:31,567 and they do extraordinary work. 922 00:45:31,567 --> 00:45:36,533 And they are highly skilled and highly professional 923 00:45:36,533 --> 00:45:37,533 in what they do. 924 00:45:37,533 --> 00:45:39,000 And it is important to remember 925 00:45:39,000 --> 00:45:43,400 that there are threats to the United States. 926 00:45:43,400 --> 00:45:45,200 There are threats to the American people. 927 00:45:45,200 --> 00:45:46,700 There are threats to our allies. 928 00:45:46,700 --> 00:45:52,399 And it is important to gather intelligence that allows us 929 00:45:52,400 --> 00:45:56,800 to confront and hopefully mitigate those threats. 930 00:45:56,800 --> 00:46:02,900 So I think that's the balance that the President 931 00:46:02,900 --> 00:46:08,000 has talked about in the past as he makes this review. 932 00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:09,333 Yes, sir. 933 00:46:09,333 --> 00:46:11,600 The Press: Does the administration worry that the execution 934 00:46:11,600 --> 00:46:14,533 in North Korea signals that Kim Jong-un is maybe 935 00:46:14,533 --> 00:46:17,467 more reckless than previously imagined and that this could 936 00:46:17,467 --> 00:46:21,367 lead to him making a decision to engage in more nuclear tests 937 00:46:21,367 --> 00:46:23,633 and missile launches with perhaps limited conflicts 938 00:46:23,633 --> 00:46:26,232 with neighbors like South Korea? 939 00:46:26,233 --> 00:46:27,867 Mr. Carney: Well, as I said earlier, 940 00:46:27,867 --> 00:46:30,467 I'm not going to provide an intelligence assessment 941 00:46:30,467 --> 00:46:33,266 of what we believe this indicates or these reports 942 00:46:33,266 --> 00:46:36,867 indicate about internal North Korean dynamics 943 00:46:36,867 --> 00:46:38,867 or leadership dynamics. 944 00:46:40,033 --> 00:46:44,400 What it does reflect is the brutality of the regime 945 00:46:44,400 --> 00:46:46,967 and the disregard for human life that the regime 946 00:46:46,967 --> 00:46:50,133 has shown historically. 947 00:46:50,133 --> 00:46:51,866 It also reflects the fact that the North Korean regime has 948 00:46:51,867 --> 00:46:57,867 for a long time now, 949 00:47:01,400 --> 00:47:05,433 in refusing to live up to its international obligations 950 00:47:05,433 --> 00:47:11,667 and thereby ensuring its greater and greater isolation, 951 00:47:11,667 --> 00:47:17,734 that it prefers to pursue the purchase of and development 952 00:47:17,734 --> 00:47:21,834 of military assets and hardware at the expense 953 00:47:21,834 --> 00:47:25,866 of the nourishment of their own people -- 954 00:47:25,867 --> 00:47:27,066 of its own people. 955 00:47:27,066 --> 00:47:32,500 And we have always believed that that's a bad choice. 956 00:47:32,500 --> 00:47:38,633 But beyond that, I'm not going to be a Kremlinologist 957 00:47:38,633 --> 00:47:46,232 from here to assess what is obviously a fascinating 958 00:47:46,233 --> 00:47:48,700 and disturbing series of reports. 959 00:47:48,700 --> 00:47:50,265 Peter Baker. 960 00:47:50,266 --> 00:47:53,433 The Press: Jay, can I ask you -- I think you were asked about yesterday 961 00:47:53,433 --> 00:47:55,433 the interpreter from the Mandela funeral. 962 00:47:55,433 --> 00:47:58,867 I think since then, it's now come to light that this person 963 00:47:58,867 --> 00:48:01,200 was actually at one point accused of murder and rape, 964 00:48:01,200 --> 00:48:04,299 even more disturbing perhaps than we had previously known. 965 00:48:04,300 --> 00:48:07,233 Is there any additional information the White House has 966 00:48:07,233 --> 00:48:11,333 or is seeking about how this person got so close to the 967 00:48:11,333 --> 00:48:13,433 President of the United States? 968 00:48:13,433 --> 00:48:15,667 Mr. Carney: Well, I can say a couple of things. 969 00:48:15,667 --> 00:48:20,266 As I said yesterday, this is -- in any situation like this 970 00:48:20,266 --> 00:48:22,567 when this President or any President travels overseas, 971 00:48:22,567 --> 00:48:27,700 the Secret Service does extraordinary work 972 00:48:27,700 --> 00:48:33,533 to ensure the safety and security of its protectees, 973 00:48:33,533 --> 00:48:35,600 principally the President of the United States. 974 00:48:35,600 --> 00:48:38,633 And I would refer you to them for more details. 975 00:48:38,633 --> 00:48:39,966 And for reasons I'm sure you can understand, 976 00:48:39,967 --> 00:48:46,200 I'm not and they're probably not going to get into specifics 977 00:48:46,200 --> 00:48:49,232 about what they do and how they do it, 978 00:48:49,233 --> 00:48:54,433 but they take measures necessary to ensure the safety 979 00:48:54,433 --> 00:48:56,500 of the President and other protectees, 980 00:48:56,500 --> 00:48:59,233 and they do a very good job at it. 981 00:48:59,233 --> 00:49:01,033 I think the Service has addressed questions 982 00:49:01,033 --> 00:49:04,866 about the interpreter, and I would refer you to them 983 00:49:04,867 --> 00:49:06,867 for any more specifics about that. 984 00:49:06,867 --> 00:49:09,734 But I think -- for those of you who have covered the White House 985 00:49:09,734 --> 00:49:15,700 for a while and have traveled with us abroad to places like 986 00:49:15,700 --> 00:49:18,200 South Africa on a moment's notice because of a service 987 00:49:18,200 --> 00:49:21,500 or to Afghanistan, for example, 988 00:49:21,500 --> 00:49:23,233 you know that the Secret Service, 989 00:49:23,233 --> 00:49:29,066 working with the security services of host countries 990 00:49:29,066 --> 00:49:32,433 as well as in the case of a place like Afghanistan 991 00:49:32,433 --> 00:49:39,367 with U.S. military assets, takes an extraordinary amount 992 00:49:39,367 --> 00:49:43,967 of necessary precautions to ensure the President's safety. 993 00:49:43,967 --> 00:49:46,166 And that's a broad statement. 994 00:49:46,166 --> 00:49:49,834 For specifics about this incident or potential incident, 995 00:49:49,834 --> 00:49:52,000 I would refer you to the Service. 996 00:49:52,000 --> 00:49:53,967 The Press: Is it true? 997 00:49:53,967 --> 00:49:55,900 Mr. Carney: Again, I'm not going to make an assessment about it. 998 00:49:55,900 --> 00:50:00,800 I think that the Service is the best place to go for that. 999 00:50:00,800 --> 00:50:01,867 Yes. 1000 00:50:01,867 --> 00:50:03,166 The Press: Two specific questions. 1001 00:50:03,166 --> 00:50:06,633 Number one, would the Obama administration support requiring 1002 00:50:06,633 --> 00:50:10,265 the nation's phone companies to retain bulk phone records 1003 00:50:10,266 --> 00:50:14,433 for spy programs for various business reasons -- 1004 00:50:14,433 --> 00:50:16,767 Mr. Carney: I wouldn't even know how to answer that question. 1005 00:50:16,767 --> 00:50:20,734 I think you ought to -- I mean, if you're going at NSA stuff, 1006 00:50:20,734 --> 00:50:25,133 obviously these issues are under review. 1007 00:50:25,133 --> 00:50:29,767 The review group's report is due in a couple of days, 1008 00:50:29,767 --> 00:50:33,734 and we'll be providing information about that 1009 00:50:33,734 --> 00:50:35,799 and more information about the steps the President 1010 00:50:35,800 --> 00:50:40,000 intends to take in the near future. 1011 00:50:40,000 --> 00:50:44,667 The Press: Second question -- U.S. Internet companies like Apple and Google, 1012 00:50:44,667 --> 00:50:48,900 as you're well aware, have expressed concerns about their 1013 00:50:48,900 --> 00:50:52,700 competitive position in the world-wide market because of 1014 00:50:52,700 --> 00:50:55,700 reports that there's NSA spying on people 1015 00:50:55,700 --> 00:50:59,767 around the world through their products. 1016 00:50:59,767 --> 00:51:03,866 Is their ability to compete in the world-wide market 1017 00:51:03,867 --> 00:51:08,100 a consideration the White House will take 1018 00:51:08,100 --> 00:51:11,100 in its final actions on this, 1019 00:51:11,100 --> 00:51:13,033 the competitiveness of U.S. Internet -- 1020 00:51:13,033 --> 00:51:15,266 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not going to preview actions that we're taking. 1021 00:51:15,266 --> 00:51:17,033 I can tell you that, specifically with regard 1022 00:51:17,033 --> 00:51:19,066 to the letter from a -- 1023 00:51:19,066 --> 00:51:20,633 The Press: And does the President share their concerns 1024 00:51:20,633 --> 00:51:22,165 about their competitive standpoint? 1025 00:51:22,166 --> 00:51:23,533 Mr. Carney: Well, the President is very interested 1026 00:51:23,533 --> 00:51:25,200 in U.S. companies being competitive, 1027 00:51:25,200 --> 00:51:30,866 and U.S. technology companies are the best 1028 00:51:30,867 --> 00:51:33,233 and biggest in the world, in many cases. 1029 00:51:33,233 --> 00:51:39,133 But separate from that, on this matter I can tell you that, 1030 00:51:39,133 --> 00:51:42,232 with regard to a letter sent by a company, 1031 00:51:42,233 --> 00:51:44,767 we appreciate the concerns expressed and the recognition 1032 00:51:44,767 --> 00:51:46,700 of this important global issue. 1033 00:51:46,700 --> 00:51:48,767 As you know, the President directed a review of our 1034 00:51:48,767 --> 00:51:51,299 surveillance capabilities and programs several months ago, 1035 00:51:51,300 --> 00:51:53,900 and we are working toward the completion of that review, 1036 00:51:53,900 --> 00:51:55,133 as I discussed. 1037 00:51:55,133 --> 00:51:57,600 Throughout this process, we have engaged with these 1038 00:51:57,600 --> 00:51:59,933 and other companies, with civil society, 1039 00:51:59,934 --> 00:52:02,467 and with national security and privacy experts 1040 00:52:02,467 --> 00:52:05,934 in a dialogue about privacy and the security of our nation, 1041 00:52:05,934 --> 00:52:07,133 and our partners and allies. 1042 00:52:07,133 --> 00:52:09,533 We are going to continue that engagement 1043 00:52:09,533 --> 00:52:12,200 through the end of our review and after. 1044 00:52:12,200 --> 00:52:14,600 Without getting into the specific details of the 1045 00:52:14,600 --> 00:52:17,799 proposals, we agree with the company's calls for government's 1046 00:52:17,800 --> 00:52:20,734 attention on practices and laws regulating 1047 00:52:20,734 --> 00:52:21,967 government surveillance. 1048 00:52:21,967 --> 00:52:24,300 And respect for privacy is deeply embedded in American 1049 00:52:24,300 --> 00:52:26,900 values and laws, and the United States is the source 1050 00:52:26,900 --> 00:52:28,600 of many of the privacy principles 1051 00:52:28,600 --> 00:52:32,133 that underlie modern privacy regimes around the globe. 1052 00:52:32,133 --> 00:52:35,533 We share the company's goals of ensuring that all nations 1053 00:52:35,533 --> 00:52:38,467 live up to the letter and spirit of commitments to fundamental 1054 00:52:38,467 --> 00:52:42,266 freedoms while ensuring the safety and security of citizens. 1055 00:52:42,266 --> 00:52:49,000 So we have been engaging with companies that have expressed 1056 00:52:49,000 --> 00:52:51,533 concerns along the lines that you mentioned, 1057 00:52:51,533 --> 00:52:54,266 and we're going to continue that engagement not just 1058 00:52:54,266 --> 00:52:58,133 through this period of review but on into the future. 1059 00:52:58,133 --> 00:52:59,133 All right. 1060 00:52:59,133 --> 00:53:00,933 Lesley, last one. 1061 00:53:00,934 --> 00:53:02,967 The Press: Thanks a lot, Jay, appreciate it. 1062 00:53:02,967 --> 00:53:05,367 You got a variation of this yesterday, 1063 00:53:05,367 --> 00:53:07,734 but Human Rights First has asked -- 1064 00:53:07,734 --> 00:53:10,799 has sent a letter to the White House asking 1065 00:53:10,800 --> 00:53:14,233 that when you do the official delegation to the Olympics 1066 00:53:14,233 --> 00:53:17,367 in Sochi that you include either LGBT leaders 1067 00:53:17,367 --> 00:53:22,066 or allies of LGBT people to the -- on the delegation. 1068 00:53:22,066 --> 00:53:25,399 Is that under consideration? 1069 00:53:25,400 --> 00:53:28,600 Mr. Carney: I don't have any update for you on the selection 1070 00:53:28,600 --> 00:53:31,667 of members of the delegation. 1071 00:53:31,667 --> 00:53:34,700 But I would refer you to what I said yesterday or the day -- 1072 00:53:34,700 --> 00:53:36,567 whenever it was I took a question on this, 1073 00:53:36,567 --> 00:53:39,467 it might have been yesterday; that was a long briefing. 1074 00:53:39,467 --> 00:53:41,333 But I don't have anything more for you on it. 1075 00:53:41,333 --> 00:53:44,767 When we do, I can assure you we'll let you know. 1076 00:53:44,767 --> 00:53:50,265 And I think we've been very clear in our views about both 1077 00:53:50,266 --> 00:53:55,834 the laws in place and the issues in Russia surrounding 1078 00:53:55,834 --> 00:54:00,966 LGBT rights, and our expectations of Russia 1079 00:54:00,967 --> 00:54:04,900 when it comes to conducting the Olympics. 1080 00:54:04,900 --> 00:54:06,900 Thanks, all.