English subtitles for clip: File:12-15-09- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,570 --> 00:00:02,380 Mr. Gibbs: Good afternoon. Welcome to the midnight briefing 2 00:00:02,379 --> 00:00:09,379 here at Casa Blanca. Whenever we brief past happy hour it should be -- all right. Sir, 3 00:00:18,650 --> 00:00:19,230 take us away. 4 00:00:19,230 --> 00:00:20,880 The Press: Thanks, Robert. Can you tell us a little bit 5 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:25,030 about what the President said when he met with Senate -- 6 00:00:25,029 --> 00:00:28,729 Mr. Gibbs: Sure. The President opened up the meeting. 7 00:00:28,730 --> 00:00:35,730 They had a -- he spoke for some period of time about what is -- the importance of getting 8 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:45,600 this issue done; that for generations we've talked about reforming our health care system 9 00:00:45,940 --> 00:00:52,510 and we're on the verge of making it happen. The President went through what's in the bill, 10 00:00:52,510 --> 00:00:58,320 as you heard him do in his statement, going through the fact that this is legislation 11 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:05,320 that changes affordability and accessibility, that it bends the cost curve, that it helps 12 00:01:08,220 --> 00:01:15,220 our deficit, that it reforms insurance practices, that it provides greater coverage for 30 million 13 00:01:18,220 --> 00:01:24,920 Americans. And the President walked through why he didn't think there was any better 14 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:25,920 time than now to get this done. 15 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:29,790 The Press: Did he weigh into any of the specific negotiations, 16 00:01:29,790 --> 00:01:33,390 the different versions that different senators are offering up? 17 00:01:33,390 --> 00:01:35,650 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, there wasn't a roll call at 18 00:01:35,649 --> 00:01:42,669 the meeting in terms of voting. I think it's safe to say that after the President spoke there was 19 00:01:42,670 --> 00:01:44,300 The Press: &A from -- 20 00:01:44,299 --> 00:01:50,399 The Press: &A and comments from members from across the 21 00:01:50,399 --> 00:01:53,139 political spectrum in the Democratic Caucus. 22 00:01:53,140 --> 00:01:54,300 The Press: Did he leave the meeting more or less optimistic? 23 00:01:54,299 --> 00:01:58,399 Mr. Gibbs: I think the President left, as he said to 24 00:01:58,399 --> 00:02:01,609 you all, the meeting cautiously optimistic that we'd get something done. 25 00:02:01,610 --> 00:02:02,690 The Press: But more or less? 26 00:02:02,689 --> 00:02:09,689 Mr. Gibbs: I think more optimistic. I think that he believes 27 00:02:11,270 --> 00:02:16,160 we are closer to getting this done than we ever have been. And he'll continue to work 28 00:02:16,160 --> 00:02:19,020 through this process until we see it through. 29 00:02:19,020 --> 00:02:20,470 The Press: Were all 60 there? 30 00:02:20,470 --> 00:02:24,050 Mr. Gibbs: I do not believe Senator Byrd was there, and 31 00:02:24,050 --> 00:02:26,350 I'm not sure that Senator Johnson was there. 32 00:02:26,350 --> 00:02:32,920 The Press: Senator Lieberman? 33 00:02:32,920 --> 00:02:39,920 Mr. Gibbs: Senator Lieberman was there. 34 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:40,490 The Press: Robert, when does the administration now want 35 00:02:40,490 --> 00:02:40,740 or expect to close Guantanamo Bay? 36 00:02:40,580 --> 00:02:41,890 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have a date certain to give you. I 37 00:02:41,890 --> 00:02:48,890 know the President believes that we've continued to make progress. Obviously the announcement 38 00:02:49,020 --> 00:02:55,000 today that the President has instructed the Bureau of Prisons to begin the purchase of 39 00:02:55,000 --> 00:03:10,230 the Thomson facility in Illinois is a big step in that process of closing Guantanamo Bay. 40 00:03:12,390 --> 00:03:12,650 The Press: Can you give us any more details about how 41 00:03:12,650 --> 00:03:12,900 many prisoners will be transferred to that prison? Senator Durbin said roughly 100. Does 42 00:03:12,780 --> 00:03:13,030 that ring true? 43 00:03:12,810 --> 00:03:15,030 Mr. Gibbs: That's -- I wouldn't get in the way of contradicting 44 00:03:15,030 --> 00:03:22,030 him. I would say that obviously there's a -- there will be a process by which -- well, 45 00:03:22,750 --> 00:03:29,290 there's a process, obviously, ongoing now to review files. As you know, those that can 46 00:03:29,290 --> 00:03:35,790 be safely and securely transferred either back to their home country or to a third country, 47 00:03:35,790 --> 00:03:40,180 more of those transfers have taken place in the past eight months than have taken -- 48 00:03:40,180 --> 00:03:47,180 than took place in the previous eight years. So that process will continue. Determinations, 49 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:55,480 as you know, will be made at the Department of Justice as to the venue for trying those 50 00:03:55,830 --> 00:04:02,470 that need to answer for their actions, and they're going through those files as we speak. 51 00:04:02,470 --> 00:04:04,090 The Press: When you say you won't contradict him, does 52 00:04:04,090 --> 00:04:06,100 that mean that figure is roughly correct? 53 00:04:06,100 --> 00:04:10,670 Mr. Gibbs: I wouldn't -- I'd go with -- I'd quote Senator 54 00:04:10,670 --> 00:04:10,920 Durbin on that -- how about that? 55 00:04:10,740 --> 00:04:12,640 The Press: Can you explain why that particular facility 56 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:19,050 has been closed for the last eight years, I think? 57 00:04:19,049 --> 00:04:25,199 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think it was honestly built in a different 58 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:31,400 budget era in Illinois. Governor Quinn and others can probably speak to this. I will 59 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:36,840 tell you this, it's not the only facility in Illinois like it that has been built and 60 00:04:36,840 --> 00:04:37,620 isn't currently housing inmates. 61 00:04:37,620 --> 00:04:39,120 The Press: There is an overpopulation of prisoners in 62 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:42,220 this country right now, right? 63 00:04:42,220 --> 00:04:46,870 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know if that's true in the federal 64 00:04:46,870 --> 00:04:53,630 facilities. Obviously, that is true in some state facilities -- obviously California comes 65 00:04:53,630 --> 00:05:00,410 to mind, based on budgetary problems that they've certainly had. I think one of the 66 00:05:00,410 --> 00:05:07,040 things that this is -- if you look at some of the people that have supported today's 67 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:14,040 decision, you have taxpayer advocates that understand that the price of operating a facility 68 00:05:14,950 --> 00:05:17,200 in Guantanamo is probably about twice as expensive as it would be to operate a facility in Thomson. 69 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:17,730 The Press: Do you have a price for what it would cost 70 00:05:17,730 --> 00:05:19,690 to operate the Thomson facility? 71 00:05:19,690 --> 00:05:25,290 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have a -- in terms of -- I think it's 72 00:05:25,290 --> 00:05:30,580 roughly -- in the briefing that I had, it was half of what it currently -- roughly half 73 00:05:30,580 --> 00:05:37,580 of what it currently cost to operate Guantanamo Bay. 74 00:05:37,650 --> 00:05:39,610 The Press: Do you have a figure for that? 75 00:05:39,610 --> 00:05:42,520 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have a total figure. Yes. 76 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:49,520 The Press: Does the President understand at all those 77 00:05:51,460 --> 00:05:51,710 who have concerns, security concerns about up to 100 detainees at Guantanamo Bay -- 78 00:05:51,530 --> 00:05:51,780 (cell phone rings) -- oh, I'm sorry -- 79 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:55,690 Mr. Gibbs: I like that you still checked it. That was -- 80 00:05:55,690 --> 00:05:56,360 (laughter) 81 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:58,230 The Press: I think it's from the White House, and it 82 00:05:58,230 --> 00:05:58,940 says "private number." You're the only person who -- 83 00:05:58,940 --> 00:05:59,550 Mr. Gibbs: Somebody is trying to change -- 84 00:05:59,550 --> 00:06:01,530 The Press: It might be you -- I think you're doing a 85 00:06:01,530 --> 00:06:02,390 little bit of hoodwinkery. 86 00:06:02,389 --> 00:06:02,639 (laughter) 87 00:06:02,610 --> 00:06:09,610 So, anyway, does he understand at all the concerns that some Americans have about whether 88 00:06:10,700 --> 00:06:17,700 or not this puts Illinois in any sort of jeopardy security-wise, one hundred or so detainees 89 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:19,200 coming to one facility? 90 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:21,700 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think what we have to do, Jake, is 91 00:06:21,700 --> 00:06:28,700 separate what might be legitimate concern with what is nothing more than scare tactics 92 00:06:30,670 --> 00:06:36,670 and hyperbole that we haven't seen in quite some time, even in a glorious town like Washington. 93 00:06:36,670 --> 00:06:43,670 Understand that there are I think more than 350 prisoners convicted of terrorist acts 94 00:06:46,540 --> 00:06:52,090 currently serving in prisons in the United States. Let me get the list of -- 95 00:06:52,090 --> 00:06:54,810 The Press: They're not all in one facility; they're spread 96 00:06:54,810 --> 00:06:55,630 out all over. 97 00:06:55,630 --> 00:06:58,620 Mr. Gibbs: Right. But understand that just alone in 98 00:06:58,620 --> 00:07:05,620 -- see if anybody recognizes these names currently housed in a supermax facility in Colorado 99 00:07:06,130 --> 00:07:13,130 -- I would say nobody has ever gotten out of one of these prisons -- Eric Rudolph, the 100 00:07:15,650 --> 00:07:21,580 Olympic bomber; Terry Nichols, the co-conspirator of Oklahoma City; Zacarias Moussaoui, the 101 00:07:21,580 --> 00:07:26,480 other hijacker; and Richard Reid, who tried to light his shoe on fire that contained a 102 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:32,640 bomb to blow up a 767 over the Atlantic. Those are all housed in one facility. Understand 103 00:07:32,639 --> 00:07:39,639 also the President has great confidence in the military of this country. Those are the 104 00:07:40,830 --> 00:07:45,080 people that operate Guantanamo Bay. Those are the people that would operate a facility 105 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:52,080 at Thomson. I think if there are concerns for security reasons, I would hope some of 106 00:07:53,010 --> 00:07:57,330 those people would address why they think the military can do what they're doing at 107 00:07:57,330 --> 00:08:04,100 Guantanamo and can't do it at Thomson. I will say this. I have seen some far crazier comments 108 00:08:04,100 --> 00:08:10,990 today -- comments from people like John Boehner. Here's what I would suggest for John Boehner. 109 00:08:10,990 --> 00:08:17,990 Call up Leon Panetta or Denny Blair at the CIA or the Director of National Intelligence. 110 00:08:18,120 --> 00:08:24,400 Ask them if he can come down and watch a video put out by al Qaeda senior leadership like 111 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:31,400 -- the names that we recognize -- Zawahiri. Thirty-two times since 2001, and four times 112 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:41,000 this year alone, senior al Qaeda leadership and recruiting videos have used the prison 113 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:47,710 at Guantanamo Bay as a clarion call to bring extremists from around the world to join their 114 00:08:47,710 --> 00:08:54,710 effort. Closing Guantanamo Bay makes this country safer. And if he's confused about 115 00:08:56,360 --> 00:09:01,200 that, or if anybody is confused about that, he can ask the Secretary of Defense in the 116 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:08,200 previous administration, the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from the previous administration, 117 00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:15,300 the commander for Afghanistan and Iraq that oversees that region of the world from the 118 00:09:15,300 --> 00:09:22,300 previous administration, why they support closing Guantanamo Bay and support today's 119 00:09:24,580 --> 00:09:26,570 decision. 120 00:09:26,570 --> 00:09:33,210 The Press: In a conference call that the White House 121 00:09:33,210 --> 00:09:34,150 established earlier today, senior administration officials told reporters on the call that 122 00:09:34,150 --> 00:09:36,230 the goal of the Obama administration is to house those detainees in that fourth category, 123 00:09:36,230 --> 00:09:41,890 the ones who cannot be tried and yet cannot be released, of whom there have not been any 124 00:09:41,890 --> 00:09:48,890 identified as of yet and signed off by the President -- that the goal would be to ultimately 125 00:09:52,060 --> 00:09:57,300 house them at Thomson, and the administration will work with Congress to do that. How would 126 00:09:57,300 --> 00:10:02,810 that be constitutional to indefinitely hold somebody in the United States without trial? 127 00:10:02,810 --> 00:10:07,570 Mr. Gibbs: Understand that the President does not seek 128 00:10:07,570 --> 00:10:14,570 new authority; that under the auspices of the declaration from 2001, that would be allowable. 129 00:10:20,890 --> 00:10:27,110 But understand this, Jake, what we have said is -- again, that's the collective decision 130 00:10:27,110 --> 00:10:34,110 of Congress -- not one individual, the President -- a collective body in Congress -- that 131 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:40,440 would be and can be reviewed as it is now by the judiciary, and has been -- as you know, 132 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:47,230 a number of the transfers have been required by U.S. courts that have said there's no reason 133 00:10:47,230 --> 00:10:54,230 to continue to hold this individual. So there are certainly -- that is built into the newer 134 00:10:57,029 --> 00:11:04,029 regime that the President is moving forward on. Yes, sir. 135 00:11:06,589 --> 00:11:11,799 The Press: Thank you, Robert. We saw the First Lady emerging 136 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:14,890 from the EEOB meeting with the President. Was that a spontaneous decision for her to 137 00:11:14,890 --> 00:11:15,140 attend, and did she -- 138 00:11:14,910 --> 00:11:15,160 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, no, she did not attend. She was -- 139 00:11:14,980 --> 00:11:22,540 when I walked out and the President walked out, she was in West Exec. But she was not in the -- 140 00:11:22,540 --> 00:11:24,020 The Press: In the meeting with the senators. 141 00:11:24,020 --> 00:11:27,120 Mr. Gibbs: No. I think she was talking to, when I walked 142 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:33,330 out, Senator Stabenow, and then the President walked over with her. 143 00:11:33,330 --> 00:11:34,290 The Press: If I could follow up on deficit reduction -- 144 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:35,990 Mr. Gibbs: I will say that the First Lady told the President 145 00:11:35,990 --> 00:11:41,600 that I had let them off taking pictures tonight and then giggled and walked off over to the 146 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:48,600 East Wing and left me to explain to the President that that was in fact not the case. 147 00:11:49,980 --> 00:11:50,230 (laughter) 148 00:11:50,100 --> 00:11:51,500 The Press: On deficit reduction, there are some moderates 149 00:11:51,500 --> 00:11:55,870 -- Democrat moderates in the Senate who say they will only support a large increase in 150 00:11:55,870 --> 00:11:58,150 the debt ceiling unless there is a bipartisan deficit reduction commission -- legislation 151 00:11:58,149 --> 00:12:05,149 establishing a bipartisan deficit reduction commission. Does the White House have a position 152 00:12:06,089 --> 00:12:08,229 on where that is? 153 00:12:08,230 --> 00:12:11,680 Mr. Gibbs: Well, obviously a number of things have been 154 00:12:11,680 --> 00:12:17,180 talked about. You all have heard the President and his team talk about the concerns that 155 00:12:17,180 --> 00:12:23,180 they have about fiscal responsibility as we steer our economy toward recovery. We share 156 00:12:23,180 --> 00:12:30,180 Congress's concern about the medium- and long-term effects of rising deficits and debt, and look 157 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:38,030 forward to working with them to address how best to deal with those circumstances. But 158 00:12:38,029 --> 00:12:40,259 I don't have anything specific or anything new on commissions. Yes, ma'am. 159 00:12:40,260 --> 00:12:40,850 The Press: On Gitmo, isn't their recruiting appeal of 160 00:12:40,850 --> 00:12:41,960 Gitmo in terms of al Qaeda the policy of indefinite detention, which will continue, to some degree, 161 00:12:41,959 --> 00:12:42,209 at Thomson? 162 00:12:42,100 --> 00:12:49,100 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think that -- understand that what the President 163 00:12:57,500 --> 00:13:04,500 has set forth in reviewing the files of those that are there is to bring justice on behalf 164 00:13:08,770 --> 00:13:15,770 of the American people to those that are in Guantanamo. So that is -- again, reviewing 165 00:13:16,060 --> 00:13:20,700 those files, and if a court determines that there's no legal right to hold them, then 166 00:13:20,700 --> 00:13:27,060 we have worked with other countries to find -- either their home countries or third-party 167 00:13:27,060 --> 00:13:34,060 countries -- to transfer detainees that courts have decided or the committee has decided 168 00:13:34,680 --> 00:13:35,600 should not be held. 169 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:37,620 The Press: There's still a number that's non-triable, 170 00:13:37,620 --> 00:13:37,880 non-transferrable. 171 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:42,750 Mr. Gibbs: Right. Also understand that there will be, 172 00:13:42,750 --> 00:13:48,810 as you've heard the Attorney General make decisions on trying certain detainees in military 173 00:13:48,810 --> 00:13:55,810 commissions, certain detainees in Article 3 courts. And as the President said, there 174 00:13:56,200 --> 00:14:03,200 certainly are those that may fall into that other bucket. But what the President has set 175 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:10,950 out and what the President's team will do is go through each of those cases and ensure 176 00:14:10,950 --> 00:14:17,300 that for justice on behalf of the American people, whether it's in an Article 3 court 177 00:14:17,300 --> 00:14:22,950 or in a military commission, there are trials or commissions that take place to render punishment. 178 00:14:22,950 --> 00:14:25,970 The Press: On health care real quick. Was part of the 179 00:14:25,970 --> 00:14:30,100 goal of this meeting to placate or mollify progressives who've really had to give up 180 00:14:30,100 --> 00:14:31,750 a lot in terms of the public option, now the Medicare buy-in? Was the President trying 181 00:14:31,750 --> 00:14:36,660 to tell them this is worth fighting for? I mean, Dean is now saying we should just kill 182 00:14:36,660 --> 00:14:43,120 the Senate bill, that this health care reform is not worth doing. 183 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:49,070 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I wouldn't argue medicine with Dr. Dean. 184 00:14:49,070 --> 00:14:56,070 I would argue policy with him. In 2004, Howard Dean as a candidate sought to build on an 185 00:14:56,480 --> 00:15:03,170 employer-based health care system in order to cover millions of Americans that currently 186 00:15:03,170 --> 00:15:08,840 lack coverage. There are two differences between what the President is doing in 2009 and what 187 00:15:08,839 --> 00:15:15,429 Howard Dean proposed in 2004. The biggest difference is -- well, the first difference 188 00:15:15,430 --> 00:15:21,670 is we have an increase in the number of uninsured. The second biggest difference is we've added 189 00:15:21,670 --> 00:15:27,370 -- the bill is paid for; the bill reduces the deficit; the bill bends the cost curve; 190 00:15:27,370 --> 00:15:34,370 the bill adds insurance reforms. What people like Howard Dean wanted, what members of the 191 00:15:34,750 --> 00:15:41,740 Senate and the House want now is a mix of increased accessibility for the millions of 192 00:15:41,740 --> 00:15:47,640 Americans that go every day without the safety net of health insurance. What others in the 193 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:53,420 Senate and the House want are ways that we can control and contain costs for health care. 194 00:15:53,420 --> 00:15:59,180 Those are currently contained in the Senate bill. The President believes that whether 195 00:15:59,180 --> 00:16:02,420 you're on the left of the Democratic spectrum, or the right of the Democratic spectrum in 196 00:16:02,420 --> 00:16:09,420 the Senate, or concerned about health care in this country, that there is plenty to like 197 00:16:11,430 --> 00:16:13,700 in this legislation. 198 00:16:13,700 --> 00:16:16,120 The Press: And he has to convince -- he's trying to keep 199 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:16,510 progressives on board? 200 00:16:16,510 --> 00:16:18,220 Mr. Gibbs: No, I -- look, from what I read in the paper 201 00:16:18,220 --> 00:16:24,950 today -- I hate to single people out, but Senator Harkin is in the paper today, I think 202 00:16:24,950 --> 00:16:31,460 Senator Brown is in the paper, from Ohio, saying let's not be fooled -- there is a lot 203 00:16:31,459 --> 00:16:36,099 of stuff in this bill; let's not get sidetracked by -- and I think this is what the President 204 00:16:36,100 --> 00:16:39,700 said -- there's very little legislation that's passed that has each and every idea that each 205 00:16:39,700 --> 00:16:46,700 and every member of the Senate or the House wants to have in it. On balance does this 206 00:16:48,140 --> 00:16:55,140 legislation make a big difference in the lives of everyday working men and women? It's not 207 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:58,320 even -- it's not even a close call on that. Yes, sir. 208 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:00,220 The Press: Does the President agree with Senator Reid 209 00:17:00,220 --> 00:17:06,870 that there are consequences if this bill is not passed before Christmas? And if so, what 210 00:17:06,869 --> 00:17:07,989 are the consequences? 211 00:17:07,989 --> 00:17:11,409 Mr. Gibbs: Coal in your stocking. Look, I think the President 212 00:17:11,409 --> 00:17:18,409 believes that we are at an important point. I do believe the President -- the President 213 00:17:18,949 --> 00:17:24,519 said today we're never going to be in this position again. Why wouldn't we take this 214 00:17:24,519 --> 00:17:27,569 opportunity to do what we've talked about for 70 years? 215 00:17:27,569 --> 00:17:29,619 The Press: Meaning that after Christmas we're going to 216 00:17:29,619 --> 00:17:30,989 be -- it's going to be harder -- 217 00:17:30,989 --> 00:17:33,319 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I don't think -- the President didn't 218 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:40,320 talk specifically about pre- or post-Christmas. What the President talked about was seizing 219 00:17:41,159 --> 00:17:41,459 the opportunity now. 220 00:17:41,460 --> 00:17:43,170 The Press: But why would there be less opportunity, say, 221 00:17:43,169 --> 00:17:45,119 in the week after Christmas? 222 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:47,779 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think the President would like to 223 00:17:47,779 --> 00:17:53,929 get this done. I think the sooner we get legislation through the whole of the Senate, the sooner 224 00:17:53,929 --> 00:17:59,139 we start a process of conferencing two bills together and getting something more quickly 225 00:17:59,139 --> 00:18:00,049 to his desk. 226 00:18:00,049 --> 00:18:04,519 The Press: Just quickly, a month or two ago when people 227 00:18:04,519 --> 00:18:09,499 talked about a second stimulus, you would say, let's give the first stimulus a chance 228 00:18:09,499 --> 00:18:11,159 to work. Now -- 229 00:18:11,159 --> 00:18:13,559 Mr. Gibbs: I think it's -- by the way, I think in many 230 00:18:13,559 --> 00:18:20,559 ways if you look at forecasts that are put together by economists throughout the economy, 231 00:18:23,730 --> 00:18:28,610 I think they would render the judgment, by the way, that if you look at third quarter 232 00:18:28,609 --> 00:18:35,379 growth alone, that that is a heavy result of the stimulus and recovery plan that went 233 00:18:35,379 --> 00:18:35,919 into effect. 234 00:18:35,919 --> 00:18:38,619 The Press: Well, a lot of the stimulus doesn't hit 235 00:18:38,619 --> 00:18:42,659 until tax season -- that's when people get their refunds. And a lot of the so-called 236 00:18:42,659 --> 00:18:49,109 shovel-ready projects will actually -- probably see them taper off in the spring. So why are 237 00:18:49,109 --> 00:18:51,579 we talking about a second stimulus now? 238 00:18:51,580 --> 00:18:54,410 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, you haven't heard the President 239 00:18:54,409 --> 00:19:01,409 talk about a second stimulus. You heard the President discuss targeted ideas that he believes 240 00:19:02,039 --> 00:19:07,609 and the economic team believe will have a positive impact on private sector hiring, 241 00:19:07,609 --> 00:19:12,629 and creating an environment that will allow the private sector to make those hiring decisions positively. 242 00:19:12,629 --> 00:19:14,479 The Press: So it's not a stimulus? 243 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:17,180 Mr. Gibbs: The President hasn't called it that and I 244 00:19:17,179 --> 00:19:24,179 don't believe it is. Understand this -- we have this legislation split by -- roughly 245 00:19:25,379 --> 00:19:32,379 in buckets of a third, a third, and a third. There were tax cuts. There was aid to state 246 00:19:32,609 --> 00:19:39,609 and localities primarily through things like FMAP. And then there were projects like infrastructure, 247 00:19:39,989 --> 00:19:45,829 and that sort of were in that third bucket. All of that was designed not to spend out 248 00:19:45,830 --> 00:19:52,830 in one quarter. It was designed to spend out over a two-year period of time. Nobody wanted 249 00:19:54,190 --> 00:20:00,310 to see a one-quarter jolt for a problem that we knew was not going to be rectified in one 250 00:20:00,309 --> 00:20:05,939 quarter. And I have to say I'd admonish people that -- I heard this throughout Sunday show 251 00:20:05,940 --> 00:20:09,550 broadcasts, this notion that somehow only 20 percent of the money has been spent. I 252 00:20:09,549 --> 00:20:12,499 think we've been over this before. I think we're doing some briefings in the next couple 253 00:20:12,499 --> 00:20:19,499 of days. The notion of spent money and obligated money, obligations that cause a shovel-ready 254 00:20:24,830 --> 00:20:29,100 project to hire a contractor, and for that contractor to hire workers to implement that 255 00:20:29,100 --> 00:20:35,090 project, puts people to work. Though that doesn't meet the technical definition of what 256 00:20:35,090 --> 00:20:42,090 is spent, it falls under the umbrella of "obligated" -- and we feel and see that in the economy 257 00:20:42,169 --> 00:20:42,419 today. Mark. 258 00:20:42,289 --> 00:20:44,379 The Press: Robert, the President says we are closer than 259 00:20:44,379 --> 00:20:49,359 ever to health care reform, but does he make the argument that it's now or never? 260 00:20:49,359 --> 00:20:53,429 Mr. Gibbs: I think he believes that we are never going 261 00:20:53,429 --> 00:20:55,529 to have an opportunity as good as the one we have right now. 262 00:20:55,529 --> 00:20:56,179 The Press: But nobody is saying that he would -- 263 00:20:56,179 --> 00:20:56,829 Mr. Gibbs: Plus, he was actually standing next to -- 264 00:20:56,830 --> 00:20:57,770 The Press: If he didn't get it this year, he is not going 265 00:20:57,769 --> 00:20:58,629 to give up -- is that what you're saying? I can't imagine that it is. 266 00:20:58,629 --> 00:21:05,629 Mr. Gibbs: I think the President believes he's going 267 00:21:06,859 --> 00:21:13,859 to get it. I think the President believes that we have legislation that meets all the 268 00:21:14,009 --> 00:21:21,009 principles that many have been working for, for decades. We have the political will to 269 00:21:22,919 --> 00:21:23,479 do it, and we'll get it done. 270 00:21:23,479 --> 00:21:24,749 The Press: Why is Gitmo twice as expensive as another prison? 271 00:21:24,609 --> 00:21:31,609 Mr. Gibbs: I will certainly get a better answer from 272 00:21:34,379 --> 00:21:49,209 those guys. Obviously, it's simply a facility that took a lot to construct and a lot to operate. 273 00:21:49,210 --> 00:21:51,550 The Press: Can you give us a little more on the conference 274 00:21:51,549 --> 00:21:51,799 call the President had with Merkel, Sarkozy, and Brown on Copenhagen, how they're going 275 00:21:51,549 --> 00:21:51,799 to coordinate their strategy? 276 00:21:51,549 --> 00:21:54,309 Mr. Gibbs: As you know, the President talked with Prime 277 00:21:54,309 --> 00:21:59,739 Minister Brown, Chancellor Merkel, and President Sarkozy about the climate change negotiations 278 00:21:59,739 --> 00:22:05,939 that are currently going on in Copenhagen. This conference was one of a number of conversations 279 00:22:05,940 --> 00:22:10,790 that the President has held with leaders from around the world in the last few days. We 280 00:22:10,789 --> 00:22:16,999 did a readout of his calls with leaders of Ethiopia and Bangladesh. The President reviewed 281 00:22:16,999 --> 00:22:22,349 efforts by the United States on climate change, reiterated his commitment to making progress 282 00:22:22,350 --> 00:22:28,260 towards a successful conclusion of an operational agreement in Copenhagen. Other leaders described 283 00:22:28,259 --> 00:22:32,009 efforts that Europe was making -- and I don't want to read out what they talked about -- 284 00:22:32,009 --> 00:22:39,009 all committed to working together. And, obviously, they will be all getting together in the coming 285 00:22:39,669 --> 00:22:46,669 days, and the President believes that we can get, as I said, an operational agreement that 286 00:22:46,789 --> 00:22:50,279 makes sense in Copenhagen over the next few days. 287 00:22:50,279 --> 00:22:52,689 The Press: Are they on the same page, strategy-wise? 288 00:22:52,690 --> 00:22:56,710 Is this -- I mean, are they all going to be pursuing all-for-one, one-for-all type thing 289 00:22:56,710 --> 00:22:57,520 between those four? 290 00:22:57,519 --> 00:23:01,099 Mr. Gibbs: Look, there's a myriad of different debates 291 00:23:01,100 --> 00:23:08,100 that are going on with different subgroups of the international community. I think the 292 00:23:08,379 --> 00:23:15,379 President has been clear in setting forth a robust goal for the United States to meet 293 00:23:17,080 --> 00:23:24,080 by 2020. We have voiced our support for financing through 2012. And we have worked with China 294 00:23:31,700 --> 00:23:36,810 and India to bring them along in this process to the point where they have now released 295 00:23:36,809 --> 00:23:43,809 specific goals for decreasing their carbon intensity between now and 2020. Obviously, 296 00:23:46,279 --> 00:23:53,129 there are issues that exist. You saw -- I think all of you saw the op-ed by Secretary 297 00:23:53,129 --> 00:24:00,129 Clinton, which laid out our concerns about transparency about any agreement. And the 298 00:24:00,299 --> 00:24:05,369 President believes that to get an agreement that is truly operational, that we have to 299 00:24:05,369 --> 00:24:06,949 have that transparency. That's one of the things that he'll work on as we go forward. 300 00:24:06,950 --> 00:24:07,530 The Press: Quick clarification, maybe it's because in 301 00:24:07,529 --> 00:24:08,629 one of the readouts from the other countries -- so Germany, France, Britain and the U.S. 302 00:24:08,629 --> 00:24:15,629 will be working together, but it's not like they're going to have one coordinated strategy, 303 00:24:18,849 --> 00:24:20,319 is that -- 304 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:27,320 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I don't want to get into what the three 305 00:24:27,419 --> 00:24:30,819 of them talked to the President directly about. I'll let those countries read out for themselves 306 00:24:30,820 --> 00:24:36,240 what their leaders talked to the President about. I believe that all of these countries 307 00:24:36,239 --> 00:24:41,929 share the strong goal of getting something done by the end of this week in Copenhagen. 308 00:24:41,929 --> 00:24:48,929 The President certainly shares that and believes that we can make progress assuming we meet 309 00:24:51,710 --> 00:24:53,760 some of those operational goals. 310 00:24:53,759 --> 00:24:56,409 The Press: Back on the Thomson Correctional Center, since 311 00:24:56,409 --> 00:25:03,409 it seems from what you and others have said that there will be a number of detainees who 312 00:25:22,399 --> 00:25:23,609 will not have a trial, would that not create the possibility of a rallying point by the 313 00:25:23,609 --> 00:25:23,939 same people that you say are now using the Cuban Guantanamo as a rallying point? Why 314 00:25:23,940 --> 00:25:24,200 wouldn't that be the case, since you will be having people held indefinitely? 315 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:25,160 Mr. Gibbs: Well, first of all, nobody will ever be able 316 00:25:25,159 --> 00:25:30,709 to use -- once the President fulfills his promise, no one will ever be able to use, 317 00:25:30,710 --> 00:25:37,030 to the degree to which they're using right now, Guantanamo Bay as a rallying call. First 318 00:25:37,029 --> 00:25:44,029 and foremost, understand this, since Guantanamo Bay was opened -- I forget the exact number; 319 00:25:46,830 --> 00:25:53,750 I don't know why I forget whether it's two or three -- that went through some sort of 320 00:25:53,749 --> 00:26:00,749 judicial process, either through a military commission or an Article 3 court. Two or three. 321 00:26:02,269 --> 00:26:09,269 We have transferred those that courts have said shouldn't be held back to either their 322 00:26:10,869 --> 00:26:17,869 home country or third-party countries. We have designated Mr. Gilani, who currently 323 00:26:20,749 --> 00:26:27,749 sits in New York awaiting trial for his role in embassy bombings in Kenya; the Attorney 324 00:26:31,749 --> 00:26:38,749 General has designated perpetrators to serve -- to seek -- that justice will be sought 325 00:26:40,769 --> 00:26:47,479 in a military commission, and some that will be tried, including those like Khalid Sheikh 326 00:26:47,479 --> 00:26:53,679 Mohammed, that participated in the planning for and the masterminding behind September 327 00:26:53,679 --> 00:26:59,669 11th. I don't think that anybody will ever be able to use, to the same degree that's 328 00:26:59,669 --> 00:27:06,109 happening at Guantanamo Bay right now, once that facility is closed and the process for 329 00:27:06,109 --> 00:27:11,369 seeking justice on behalf of the American people, that process begins -- understand 330 00:27:11,369 --> 00:27:14,819 that that process never actually began. That was just simply a holding facility. 331 00:27:14,820 --> 00:27:19,610 The Press: So I understand that it might not be to the 332 00:27:19,609 --> 00:27:23,799 same degree, but could an Illinois Gitmo become a symbol as long as you have people held there -- 333 00:27:23,549 --> 00:27:26,729 Mr. Gibbs: I think it's called Thomson, but -- 334 00:27:26,729 --> 00:27:29,119 The Press: What did I say? 335 00:27:29,119 --> 00:27:32,709 Mr. Gibbs: Illinois Gitmo, which I don't -- the tourism 336 00:27:32,710 --> 00:27:37,630 department thanks you for your snappy suggestion for their green and white sign. 337 00:27:37,629 --> 00:27:37,939 (laughter) 338 00:27:37,940 --> 00:27:40,730 The Press: The Thomson facility -- and I understand what 339 00:27:40,729 --> 00:27:43,169 you said -- as long as it does hold detainees, even at a lesser degree, could it still not 340 00:27:43,169 --> 00:27:47,409 become a rallying point for -- 341 00:27:47,409 --> 00:27:52,509 Mr. Gibbs: Not nearly to the degree -- not in any way, 342 00:27:52,509 --> 00:27:55,459 shape, or form nearly to the degree that currently exists. 343 00:27:55,460 --> 00:27:55,710 The Press: Can you just clarify, you said the President 344 00:27:55,599 --> 00:28:02,599 is not seeking authority, but on the conference call earlier, administration officials told 345 00:28:02,769 --> 00:28:05,279 us that he will need a change in law. 346 00:28:05,279 --> 00:28:07,549 Mr. Gibbs: Well, what I'm saying -- I'm sorry, let me 347 00:28:07,549 --> 00:28:14,549 be more specific. New authority for any long-term detention. In other words, since Congress 348 00:28:18,139 --> 00:28:25,139 has authorized that as a result of -- in 2001, the President isn't seeking new legislative 349 00:28:26,099 --> 00:28:32,449 authority to do that. That is still the -- that's still -- any decisions that are ultimately 350 00:28:32,450 --> 00:28:39,450 made about detention can be reviewed by the judiciary. There's no doubt, Sam, that the 351 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:49,800 supplemental language and other appropriations bills that have yet to be signed into law 352 00:28:49,799 --> 00:28:56,489 that prevent detention from happening now will need to be changed, and the President 353 00:28:56,489 --> 00:29:03,489 will work with Congress in order to change any law that prevents a facility at Thomson 354 00:29:03,710 --> 00:29:04,090 from being used. 355 00:29:04,090 --> 00:29:05,590 The Press: And for funding? 356 00:29:05,590 --> 00:29:07,900 Mr. Gibbs: And for funding, absolutely. Yes. 357 00:29:07,899 --> 00:29:10,999 The Press: Robert, when Secretary Clinton said yesterday 358 00:29:10,999 --> 00:29:16,319 that the years spent reaching out to Iran produced very little, do you agree that that's 359 00:29:16,320 --> 00:29:21,050 true, or has there been some benefit of the open hand approach to Iran? 360 00:29:21,049 --> 00:29:27,769 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know the remark you're referring to. 361 00:29:27,769 --> 00:29:34,769 If you look back -- if you look at where we are now with our partners in the P5-plus-1, 362 00:29:35,029 --> 00:29:41,819 particularly our Russian counterparts, and you look at where we were with our Russian 363 00:29:41,820 --> 00:29:48,820 counterparts more than a year ago, about whether or not we were all moving together towards 364 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:57,000 the next steps that must take place if time runs out and the Iranians decide not to live 365 00:29:56,999 --> 00:30:02,149 up to their international responsibilities, I don't think anybody can look at that situation 366 00:30:02,149 --> 00:30:09,149 and say that we haven't made dramatic progress in bringing the world forward. I think that 367 00:30:11,289 --> 00:30:18,289 -- if you look at the IAEA offer around the research reactor, there was a very clear choice 368 00:30:20,289 --> 00:30:27,289 for the Iranians either to demonstrate to the world that their program was not a nuclear 369 00:30:27,489 --> 00:30:34,489 weapons program, but instead what they maintained was a peaceful program; or whether they were 370 00:30:36,549 --> 00:30:43,549 going to tell the world through their actions that what they sought for their nuclear program 371 00:30:44,799 --> 00:30:51,229 was something different. I think that decision isn't made by the IAEA, it was made by the 372 00:30:51,230 --> 00:30:57,300 -- it was made in the response by the Iranians. Again, I don't think anybody could look at 373 00:30:57,299 --> 00:31:03,469 the situation and not believe that we arenât in a different place with the international 374 00:31:03,469 --> 00:31:09,549 community. I think one has to only look at the statements of our P5-plus-1 partners or 375 00:31:09,549 --> 00:31:15,469 look at the strength and the unity and the vote -- including Russia and China -- around 376 00:31:15,469 --> 00:31:22,469 the board of governors decision to actively sanction Iran and for the first time call 377 00:31:26,889 --> 00:31:33,649 for the dissolution of their nuclear program. I think that represents real and genuine progress 378 00:31:33,649 --> 00:31:37,769 that the President believes will pay dividends in the coming weeks. 379 00:31:37,769 --> 00:31:41,589 The Press: On health care you said that Senator Lieberman 380 00:31:41,589 --> 00:31:47,889 was in the meeting. Was there any interchange between the President and Senator Lieberman? 381 00:31:47,889 --> 00:31:50,169 Mr. Gibbs: Senator Lieberman spoke. I will direct you 382 00:31:50,169 --> 00:31:57,169 to his office as to the way he saw the bill. I would say that I don't think the President 383 00:31:58,119 --> 00:32:00,789 would come out and say he was optimistic if he hadn't heard what Senator Lieberman said. 384 00:32:00,789 --> 00:32:04,829 The Press: Robert, will all Gitmo detainees who are getting 385 00:32:04,830 --> 00:32:07,760 a military commissions trial go to Thomson? 386 00:32:07,759 --> 00:32:11,479 Mr. Gibbs: I think it is -- I don't know that every final 387 00:32:11,479 --> 00:32:18,479 decision has been made. But the decision the President made to close Guantanamo Bay, we 388 00:32:19,179 --> 00:32:26,179 would not keep open a section of that facility in order to conduct military commissions. 389 00:32:27,129 --> 00:32:32,929 There is a facility there at Thomson that could be used for military commissions. I 390 00:32:32,929 --> 00:32:38,839 think the plan for the Bureau of Prisons would likely be to construct another facility to 391 00:32:38,839 --> 00:32:45,839 do motions, in addition to those military commissions, and that that facility could 392 00:32:48,499 --> 00:32:49,469 serve both functions. 393 00:32:49,469 --> 00:32:53,439 The Press: And that's also within the Thomson facility, 394 00:32:53,440 --> 00:32:53,940 right? 395 00:32:53,940 --> 00:32:55,440 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 396 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:56,550 The Press: And what is it currently, the one that would 397 00:32:56,549 --> 00:32:56,799 be used for -- 398 00:32:56,549 --> 00:32:56,909 Mr. Gibbs: Right now it's currently being -- the commissions 399 00:32:56,909 --> 00:33:02,229 -- the motions and the process for those commissions take place at Guantanamo. 400 00:33:02,229 --> 00:33:05,859 The Press: No, at Thomson, what is within Thomson -- 401 00:33:05,859 --> 00:33:08,519 Mr. Gibbs: There's a facility, a courtroom-like facility 402 00:33:08,519 --> 00:33:11,779 that could be used for those activities. 403 00:33:11,779 --> 00:33:15,409 The Press: And so all Gitmo detainees who are coming 404 00:33:15,409 --> 00:33:20,579 here for indefinite or long term detention would go to Thomson as well. Is that right? 405 00:33:20,580 --> 00:33:24,070 Mr. Gibbs: Again, that's the -- those files would -- 406 00:33:24,070 --> 00:33:28,960 you could go through those files, but the action that the President took today is to 407 00:33:28,960 --> 00:33:33,070 seek purchase of that facility for the movement of detainees from Guantanamo. 408 00:33:33,070 --> 00:33:34,310 The Press: And will detainees convicted by military tribunals 409 00:33:34,309 --> 00:33:35,709 serve their time in Thomson? 410 00:33:35,710 --> 00:33:40,650 Mr. Gibbs: Let me check with the lawyers exactly on that. 411 00:33:40,649 --> 00:33:47,649 I know that if you were tried in an Article 3 court, upon every conviction you're given 412 00:33:47,779 --> 00:33:52,989 a security rating -- if somebody is convicted and they go to a minimum-security prison or 413 00:33:52,989 --> 00:33:59,989 medium-security prison or maximum-security prison. So you could -- you could conceivably 414 00:33:59,999 --> 00:34:07,449 be tried in an Article 3 court and transferred to the supermax facility in Colorado or at Thomson. 415 00:34:07,450 --> 00:34:10,900 The Press: And if I could just ask one last question: 416 00:34:10,899 --> 00:34:16,589 I know you don't have a date for emptying Guantanamo, but is it possible to say what 417 00:34:16,590 --> 00:34:18,560 the earliest might be that the detainees would be arriving? 418 00:34:18,560 --> 00:34:22,160 Mr. Gibbs: Let me check and see if they have anything. 419 00:34:22,159 --> 00:34:22,809 Yes, sir. 420 00:34:22,810 --> 00:34:24,820 The Press: Thank you, Robert. The defense appropriations 421 00:34:24,820 --> 00:34:31,650 bill is coming up, and there is talk on Capitol Hill of attaching Senator Akaka's native Hawaiian 422 00:34:31,649 --> 00:34:37,979 government reorganization act, which as you know is very controversial. Critics say it 423 00:34:37,980 --> 00:34:43,190 creates a special status for native Hawaiians, permitting them to sue the federal government. 424 00:34:43,190 --> 00:34:48,070 Is that something the President intends to sign, if it's attached to the defense bill? 425 00:34:48,070 --> 00:34:52,100 Mr. Gibbs: I will get some clarity on -- I have not talked 426 00:34:52,100 --> 00:34:58,560 to legislative affairs about Senator Akaka's legislation and whether that would be part of DOD. 427 00:34:58,560 --> 00:35:00,230 The Press: Is that something that the President favors separately? 428 00:35:00,230 --> 00:35:01,720 Mr. Gibbs: I believe he has cosponsored that in the past 429 00:35:01,720 --> 00:35:08,720 as a member of the Senate, but I have not -- we've talked about Hawaii, but not that 430 00:35:08,800 --> 00:35:09,850 part of Hawaii recently. Richard. 431 00:35:09,850 --> 00:35:11,720 The Press: Robert, at the health care meeting today, 432 00:35:11,720 --> 00:35:12,230 did the President have any message to other moderates beyond Senator Lieberman that perhaps 433 00:35:12,230 --> 00:35:19,230 the liberals have taken enough and that we shouldn't have to compromise the bill any 434 00:35:20,910 --> 00:35:25,210 further? Was there anything along those lines? 435 00:35:25,210 --> 00:35:28,900 Mr. Gibbs: I think the President was clear with members 436 00:35:28,900 --> 00:35:35,900 of the Democrat Party and with independents that caucus with the Democratic Party that 437 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:43,400 he's supportive of the Senate bill and believes that -- believes that there are a lot of things 438 00:35:45,060 --> 00:35:51,450 in this bill that will make our health care system far better, and seek far greater reform 439 00:35:51,450 --> 00:35:57,260 than anything we contemplate now. Understand this, the President very clearly set forth 440 00:35:57,260 --> 00:36:02,200 what happens if we do nothing. What do we know what happens: More people will become 441 00:36:02,200 --> 00:36:07,070 uninsured, more businesses will drop their coverage, more people will be discriminated 442 00:36:07,070 --> 00:36:14,070 against by their insurance company. I think the President -- his main message was there 443 00:36:16,600 --> 00:36:23,600 are -- this is a good piece of legislation that meets the goals that he set out and that 444 00:36:25,110 --> 00:36:32,110 many have campaigned for and worked for, for their many years in elected office and in 445 00:36:32,420 --> 00:36:33,090 the United States Senate. 446 00:36:33,090 --> 00:36:35,500 The Press: Did he say anything along the lines of he 447 00:36:35,500 --> 00:36:39,180 doesn't want to see any further changes to placate the moderate wing -- 448 00:36:39,180 --> 00:36:41,410 Mr. Gibbs: I don't recall him saying anything. 449 00:36:41,410 --> 00:36:42,260 The Press: And did he say anything about this should 450 00:36:42,260 --> 00:36:42,730 be enough with Medicare buy-in no longer there, public option no longer there -- did he say 451 00:36:42,730 --> 00:36:47,590 anything about trying to get Republican support so that he can claim that it's a bipartisan bill? 452 00:36:47,590 --> 00:36:54,590 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, the President continues to reach 453 00:36:54,910 --> 00:37:01,910 out to and the President continues to have conversations, as do staff here, with Republicans 454 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:06,600 on Capitol Hill about seeking their support, absolutely. Steven. 455 00:37:06,600 --> 00:37:07,790 The Press: Thanks. There appears to have been some progress, 456 00:37:07,790 --> 00:37:08,080 perhaps as recently as today, on the START negotiations. Are reports coming out of Russia 457 00:37:08,080 --> 00:37:19,710 that there might be a deal by the end of this week and possibly a signing ceremony in Copenhagen realistic? 458 00:37:19,710 --> 00:37:23,130 Mr. Gibbs: We certainly hope that we continue to make 459 00:37:23,130 --> 00:37:28,650 progress on the negotiations, hopeful that it gets done soon; I don't know if it gets 460 00:37:28,650 --> 00:37:34,960 done this week. Steven, I'll be honest with you, we are not planning currently for a signing 461 00:37:34,960 --> 00:37:41,960 ceremony in Copenhagen, and we are not planning to visit any nearby countries on that trip 462 00:37:44,910 --> 00:37:50,400 in signing a new START treaty. Sam. 463 00:37:50,400 --> 00:37:51,070 The Press: My question was largely answered, but I want 464 00:37:51,070 --> 00:37:51,740 to nail you down on this one aspect, which is -- 465 00:37:51,740 --> 00:37:52,280 Mr. Gibbs: Well, wait a minute -- 466 00:37:52,280 --> 00:37:52,610 The Press: Why? 467 00:37:52,610 --> 00:37:53,160 Mr. Gibbs: No, I'm kidding. 468 00:37:53,160 --> 00:37:53,410 (laughter) 469 00:37:53,270 --> 00:37:53,600 The Press: Okay. 470 00:37:53,600 --> 00:37:54,700 Mr. Gibbs: If I answered your question, why would we 471 00:37:54,700 --> 00:37:57,270 want to do it all over again? 472 00:37:57,270 --> 00:38:02,930 The Press: Because I need the face time. 473 00:38:02,930 --> 00:38:03,730 (laughter) 474 00:38:03,730 --> 00:38:07,250 Mr. Gibbs: I hear you. I was just thinking the same thing. 475 00:38:07,250 --> 00:38:07,550 (laughter) 476 00:38:07,550 --> 00:38:10,860 The Press: But to nail you down on this one thing. Earlier 477 00:38:10,860 --> 00:38:15,000 you talked about the message that the President had to Howard Dean and other progressives 478 00:38:15,000 --> 00:38:19,210 that this is not worth sinking over one provision not being in the bill -- that there's so much 479 00:38:19,210 --> 00:38:23,730 good in this bill that it needs to pass. And I guess the question that we all have is, 480 00:38:23,730 --> 00:38:27,560 is the same message applicable to people like Senator Lieberman, who are threatening to 481 00:38:27,560 --> 00:38:31,260 derail the entire product because one thing is in it that they don't like? 482 00:38:31,260 --> 00:38:33,500 Mr. Gibbs: Look -- yes, the President was clear with 483 00:38:33,500 --> 00:38:38,910 -- again, the President was clear with members of the Democratic Caucus, those that caucus 484 00:38:38,910 --> 00:38:45,910 -- independents that caucus with the Democrats. I think you heard -- well, I certainly heard 485 00:38:48,750 --> 00:38:54,820 people that you would say are -- you would align to moderates in the Democratic Caucus 486 00:38:54,820 --> 00:39:01,820 and those that you would align to more progressives in the Democratic Caucus, who spoke out in 487 00:39:02,350 --> 00:39:08,470 favor of this legislation and in voting for it and in moving it forward. 488 00:39:08,470 --> 00:39:10,190 Mr. Gibbs: That's awesome. 489 00:39:10,190 --> 00:39:10,620 (laughter) 490 00:39:10,620 --> 00:39:15,010 See? Maybe I should just say I hope you see it my way. 491 00:39:15,010 --> 00:39:16,560 (laughter) 492 00:39:16,560 --> 00:39:23,560 The Press: The other part -- the other part of Dr. Dean's 493 00:39:24,400 --> 00:39:28,780 statement is that he wants to see the Senate start over and go through reconciliation; 494 00:39:28,780 --> 00:39:30,870 there's been a lot of talk about the use of that. It seems like the White House is hesitant. 495 00:39:30,870 --> 00:39:34,040 Will you put it to rest, you're not going to use reconciliation? 496 00:39:34,040 --> 00:39:37,250 Mr. Gibbs: I will put to rest that the President believes 497 00:39:37,250 --> 00:39:43,960 that under the current course we will get health care legislation very soon out of the 498 00:39:43,960 --> 00:39:50,960 Senate that meets all of the important points that he believes have to addressed in health 499 00:39:53,210 --> 00:39:53,550 care reform. 500 00:39:53,550 --> 00:39:55,210 The Press: But aren't you saying that without the public 501 00:39:55,210 --> 00:39:57,860 option you could still meet those goals? Because the President has said before that it's only 502 00:39:57,860 --> 00:39:59,350 a preferred choice. 503 00:39:59,350 --> 00:40:03,200 Mr. Gibbs: But the President believes that the bill ought 504 00:40:03,200 --> 00:40:04,300 to contain choice and competition. 505 00:40:04,300 --> 00:40:06,860 The Press: Right, but could he do that without a public option? 506 00:40:06,860 --> 00:40:11,170 Mr. Gibbs: I think the President believes that, again, 507 00:40:11,170 --> 00:40:17,380 where this legislation is, is something that members from both sides of the caucus ought 508 00:40:17,380 --> 00:40:21,120 to and should support because it makes important progress that includes choice and competition. 509 00:40:21,120 --> 00:40:21,730 I'll take one more. 510 00:40:21,730 --> 00:40:23,970 The Press: Thank you. Robert, have you decided moving 511 00:40:23,970 --> 00:40:30,920 forward and have discussions begun with the House, since there will probably be some problems 512 00:40:30,920 --> 00:40:33,580 with the liberal wing of the party after this piece of legislation? 513 00:40:33,580 --> 00:40:36,440 Mr. Gibbs: I think certainly the House has watched the 514 00:40:36,440 --> 00:40:43,440 debate back and forth in the Senate. But a -- in terms of reconciling whatever legislation 515 00:40:44,240 --> 00:40:46,540 happens, that's the process that's not begun. 516 00:40:46,540 --> 00:40:48,690 The Press: You asked us to contact Senator Lieberman 517 00:40:48,690 --> 00:40:52,860 about his comments, but could you give us a little bit more on the President's comments 518 00:40:52,860 --> 00:40:55,620 to Senator Lieberman, maybe the tone? 519 00:40:55,620 --> 00:41:02,340 Mr. Gibbs: Well -- no, no, Senator Lieberman spoke about 520 00:41:02,340 --> 00:41:09,340 what he saw was positive in the bill, the concerns that he had. Again, I'll let -- 521 00:41:09,660 --> 00:41:16,660 I'll let Senator Lieberman tell you how he concluded. The President's tone -- the President 522 00:41:19,850 --> 00:41:24,640 didn't address directly -- well, he answered questions. Senator Lieberman didn't have a 523 00:41:24,640 --> 00:41:28,150 question for the President. Senator Lieberman made a statement to the caucus about where 524 00:41:28,150 --> 00:41:29,880 he was on legislation. Thanks, guys.