English subtitles for clip: File:12-5-11- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,166 --> 00:00:03,900 The President: Good afternoon, everybody. 2 00:00:03,900 --> 00:00:08,166 My number-one priority right now is doing everything that I can, 3 00:00:08,166 --> 00:00:12,100 every single day, to create jobs faster and to provide 4 00:00:12,100 --> 00:00:15,399 more security for middle-class families and those trying to get 5 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,033 into the middle class. 6 00:00:17,033 --> 00:00:19,667 And at this moment, that means making sure that nearly 7 00:00:19,667 --> 00:00:24,200 160 million hard-working Americans don't see an increase 8 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:25,767 in their taxes on January 1st. 9 00:00:25,767 --> 00:00:30,866 A year ago at this time, both parties came together to cut 10 00:00:30,867 --> 00:00:33,400 payroll taxes for the typical American family by about a 11 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:37,600 thousand dollars; but as soon as this year ends, 12 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:39,400 so does that tax cut. 13 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:42,934 If Congress fails to renew this tax cut before then, 14 00:00:42,934 --> 00:00:46,099 that same family will see a tax hike of about a thousand 15 00:00:46,100 --> 00:00:48,066 dollars a year. 16 00:00:48,066 --> 00:00:52,166 There aren't many folks, either in the middle class or those 17 00:00:52,166 --> 00:00:53,666 trying to get into the middle class, 18 00:00:53,667 --> 00:00:57,433 who can afford to give up a thousand dollars, not right now. 19 00:00:57,433 --> 00:01:01,100 And that's why Congress must act. 20 00:01:01,100 --> 00:01:04,333 Although the unemployment rate went down last month, 21 00:01:04,333 --> 00:01:07,867 our recovery is still fragile, and the situation in Europe 22 00:01:07,867 --> 00:01:09,533 has added to that uncertainty. 23 00:01:09,533 --> 00:01:13,033 And that's why the majority of economists believe it's 24 00:01:13,033 --> 00:01:16,467 important to extend the payroll tax cut, 25 00:01:16,467 --> 00:01:20,433 and those same economists would lower their growth estimates for 26 00:01:20,433 --> 00:01:23,333 our economy if it doesn't happen. 27 00:01:23,333 --> 00:01:25,800 Not only is extending the payroll tax cut important 28 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:29,399 for the economy as a whole, it's obviously important for 29 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:31,066 individual families. 30 00:01:31,066 --> 00:01:33,967 It's important insurance for them against the unexpected; 31 00:01:33,967 --> 00:01:39,033 it will help families pay their bills; it will spur spending; 32 00:01:39,033 --> 00:01:42,233 it will spur hiring; and it's the right thing to do. 33 00:01:42,233 --> 00:01:46,100 And that's why in my jobs bill I proposed not only extending the 34 00:01:46,100 --> 00:01:49,699 tax cut, but expanding it, to give a typical working family 35 00:01:49,700 --> 00:01:53,100 a tax cut of $1,500 next year. 36 00:01:53,100 --> 00:01:57,232 And it was paid for by asking a little more from 37 00:01:57,233 --> 00:01:58,900 millionaires and billionaires. 38 00:01:58,900 --> 00:02:02,266 A few hundred thousand people paying a little bit more could 39 00:02:02,266 --> 00:02:05,700 have not only extended the existing payroll tax cut, 40 00:02:05,700 --> 00:02:08,066 but expanded it. 41 00:02:08,066 --> 00:02:11,200 Last week virtually every Senate Republican voted 42 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:13,632 against that tax cut. 43 00:02:13,633 --> 00:02:16,900 Now, I know many Republicans have sworn an oath never to 44 00:02:16,900 --> 00:02:20,400 raise taxes as long as they live. 45 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:23,867 How can it be that the only time there's a catch is when it comes 46 00:02:23,867 --> 00:02:26,799 to raising taxes on middle-class families? 47 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:30,633 How can you fight tooth and nail to protect high-end tax breaks 48 00:02:30,633 --> 00:02:34,100 for the wealthiest Americans and yet barely lift a finger 49 00:02:34,100 --> 00:02:38,733 to prevent taxes going up for 160 million Americans who really 50 00:02:38,734 --> 00:02:40,700 need the help? 51 00:02:40,700 --> 00:02:42,867 It doesn't make sense. 52 00:02:42,867 --> 00:02:46,399 Now, the good news is I think the American people's voices 53 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:49,633 are starting to get through in this town. 54 00:02:49,633 --> 00:02:52,600 I know that last week Speaker Boehner said this tax cut helps 55 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,733 the economy because it allows every working American to keep 56 00:02:55,734 --> 00:02:57,266 more of their money. 57 00:02:57,266 --> 00:03:00,600 I know that over the weekend Senate Republican leaders said 58 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:03,100 we shouldn't raise taxes on working people going 59 00:03:03,100 --> 00:03:04,966 into next year. 60 00:03:04,967 --> 00:03:08,233 I couldn't agree more, and I hope that the rest of their 61 00:03:08,233 --> 00:03:11,433 Republican colleagues come around and join Democrats to 62 00:03:11,433 --> 00:03:14,333 pass these tax cuts and put money back into the pockets 63 00:03:14,333 --> 00:03:16,300 of working Americans. 64 00:03:16,300 --> 00:03:20,533 Now, some Republicans who have pushed back against the idea of 65 00:03:20,533 --> 00:03:23,867 extending this payroll tax cut have said that we've got to pay 66 00:03:23,867 --> 00:03:25,667 for these tax cuts. 67 00:03:25,667 --> 00:03:29,367 And I'd just point out that they haven't always felt that way. 68 00:03:29,367 --> 00:03:33,333 Over the last decade they didn't feel the need to pay for massive 69 00:03:33,333 --> 00:03:35,466 tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, 70 00:03:35,467 --> 00:03:39,467 which is one of the reasons that we face such large deficits. 71 00:03:39,467 --> 00:03:42,266 Indeed, when the Republicans took over the House at the 72 00:03:42,266 --> 00:03:45,767 beginning of this year, they explicitly changed the rules to 73 00:03:45,767 --> 00:03:49,533 say that tax cuts don't have to be paid for. 74 00:03:49,533 --> 00:03:54,033 So forgive me a little bit of confusion when I hear folks 75 00:03:54,033 --> 00:03:55,934 insisting on tax cuts being paid for. 76 00:03:55,934 --> 00:04:00,133 Having said that, we all recognize that we've got to make 77 00:04:00,133 --> 00:04:03,700 progress on the deficit, and I'm willing to work with Republicans 78 00:04:03,700 --> 00:04:07,799 to extend the payroll tax cut in a responsible way. 79 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:11,200 What I'm not willing to do is to pay for the extension in a way 80 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:14,033 that actually hurts the economy. 81 00:04:14,033 --> 00:04:17,065 As Americans are well aware, this summer I signed into law 82 00:04:17,065 --> 00:04:19,899 nearly $1 trillion in spending cuts, 83 00:04:19,899 --> 00:04:23,366 with another trillion dollars in cuts in the pipeline. 84 00:04:23,367 --> 00:04:27,967 And it would be irresponsible to now make additional deep cuts in 85 00:04:27,967 --> 00:04:31,400 areas like education or innovation, 86 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:35,667 or our basic safety net, that are critical to the economy, 87 00:04:35,667 --> 00:04:38,532 in order to pay for an extension of the payroll tax cut. 88 00:04:38,533 --> 00:04:42,000 We're not going to do that, nor are we going to undo the budget 89 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:46,567 agreement that I signed just a few short months ago. 90 00:04:46,567 --> 00:04:49,567 Finally, with millions of Americans still looking for 91 00:04:49,567 --> 00:04:53,066 work, it would be a terrible mistake for Congress to go 92 00:04:53,066 --> 00:04:55,866 home for the holidays without extending 93 00:04:55,867 --> 00:04:57,700 unemployment insurance. 94 00:04:57,700 --> 00:04:59,834 If that happens, then in January, 95 00:04:59,834 --> 00:05:04,834 they'll be leaving 1.3 million Americans out in the cold. 96 00:05:04,834 --> 00:05:09,300 To a lot of families, this emergency insurance is the last 97 00:05:09,300 --> 00:05:13,700 line of defense between hardship and catastrophe. 98 00:05:13,700 --> 00:05:16,300 Taking that money out of the economy now would do 99 00:05:16,300 --> 00:05:18,734 extraordinary harm to the economy. 100 00:05:18,734 --> 00:05:22,467 And if you believe that government shouldn't take money 101 00:05:22,467 --> 00:05:26,233 out of people's pockets, I hope members of Congress realize that 102 00:05:26,233 --> 00:05:28,834 it's even worse when you take it out of the pockets of people who 103 00:05:28,834 --> 00:05:31,633 are unemployed and out there pounding the pavement 104 00:05:31,633 --> 00:05:34,233 looking for work. 105 00:05:34,233 --> 00:05:38,500 We are going through what is still an extraordinary time in 106 00:05:38,500 --> 00:05:40,400 this country and in this economy, 107 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:44,667 and I get letters every single day and I talk to people who say 108 00:05:44,667 --> 00:05:47,734 to me: This unemployment insurance is what allowed 109 00:05:47,734 --> 00:05:51,166 me to keep my house before I was able to find another job. 110 00:05:51,166 --> 00:05:56,166 This is what allowed me to still put gas in the tank to take my 111 00:05:56,166 --> 00:05:58,967 kids to school. 112 00:05:58,967 --> 00:06:03,633 We cannot play games with unemployment insurance when we 113 00:06:03,633 --> 00:06:06,599 still have an unemployment rate that is way too high. 114 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,934 I've put forward a whole range of ideas for reform of the 115 00:06:10,934 --> 00:06:13,600 unemployment insurance system, and I'm happy to work with 116 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:15,533 Republicans on those issues. 117 00:06:15,533 --> 00:06:19,400 But right now the most important thing is making sure that that 118 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:21,265 gets extended as well. 119 00:06:21,266 --> 00:06:23,467 This isn't just something that I want. 120 00:06:23,467 --> 00:06:25,332 This isn't just a political fight. 121 00:06:25,333 --> 00:06:29,834 Independent economists, some of whom have in the past worked for 122 00:06:29,834 --> 00:06:33,266 Republicans, agree that if we don't extend the payroll tax 123 00:06:33,266 --> 00:06:36,633 cut and we don't extend unemployment insurance, 124 00:06:36,633 --> 00:06:38,366 it will hurt our economy. 125 00:06:38,367 --> 00:06:43,667 The economy won't grow as fast, and we won't see hiring improved 126 00:06:43,667 --> 00:06:44,667 as quickly. 127 00:06:44,667 --> 00:06:48,000 It'll take money out of the pockets of Americans just at 128 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:49,600 a time when they need it. 129 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,166 It'll harm businesses that depend on the spending just 130 00:06:52,166 --> 00:06:55,967 at the time when the economy is trying to get some traction 131 00:06:55,967 --> 00:06:57,532 in this recovery. 132 00:06:57,533 --> 00:07:01,633 It'll hurt all of us, and it will be a self-inflicted wound. 133 00:07:01,633 --> 00:07:04,834 So my message to Congress is this. 134 00:07:04,834 --> 00:07:09,033 Keep your word to the American people and don't raise taxes on 135 00:07:09,033 --> 00:07:10,567 them right now. 136 00:07:10,567 --> 00:07:12,867 Now's not the time to slam on the brakes. 137 00:07:12,867 --> 00:07:15,133 Now is the time to step on the gas. 138 00:07:15,133 --> 00:07:17,633 Now's the time to keep growing the economy, 139 00:07:17,633 --> 00:07:21,200 to keep creating jobs, to keep giving working Americans the 140 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:22,866 boost that they need. 141 00:07:22,867 --> 00:07:25,734 Now's the time to make a real difference in the lives of the 142 00:07:25,734 --> 00:07:27,133 people who sent us here. 143 00:07:27,133 --> 00:07:28,900 So let's get to work. 144 00:07:28,900 --> 00:07:29,799 Thank you very much. 145 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:33,500 The Press: (cross-talk) 146 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:49,500 Mr. Carney: What? 147 00:07:49,500 --> 00:08:02,300 (cross-talk) 148 00:08:02,300 --> 00:08:05,100 The Press: Why has it paused? 149 00:08:05,100 --> 00:08:07,734 (laughter) 150 00:08:07,734 --> 00:08:09,366 The Press: Has it been solved? 151 00:08:09,367 --> 00:08:10,333 The Press: Is there a deal? 152 00:08:10,333 --> 00:08:11,967 (laughter) 153 00:08:11,967 --> 00:08:12,700 The Press: Is there a deal? 154 00:08:12,700 --> 00:08:13,834 Mr. Carney: It's a trick. 155 00:08:13,834 --> 00:08:17,133 It's a trick. 156 00:08:17,133 --> 00:08:19,032 I know you guys want to get to writing your stories, 157 00:08:19,033 --> 00:08:23,734 so I will obviously take your questions on the issues the 158 00:08:23,734 --> 00:08:26,900 President just discussed, and any others. 159 00:08:26,900 --> 00:08:31,299 And I will also, if I might, just note on a separate matter 160 00:08:31,300 --> 00:08:33,567 that tomorrow at noon the Senate will have a cloture vote on the 161 00:08:33,567 --> 00:08:36,834 nomination of Caitlin Halligan to serve on the U.S. Court of 162 00:08:36,833 --> 00:08:40,265 Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. 163 00:08:40,265 --> 00:08:43,533 And it is disappointing that a cloture vote is even necessary 164 00:08:43,533 --> 00:08:47,166 for someone as clearly well-qualified as Ms. Halligan, 165 00:08:47,166 --> 00:08:51,200 who has bipartisan support from lawyers and law enforcement. 166 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:53,400 After almost nine months of delay, 167 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:57,467 we strongly urge the Senate's support in an up or down vote. 168 00:08:57,467 --> 00:08:58,467 Julie Pace. 169 00:08:58,467 --> 00:08:59,300 The Press: Thank you. 170 00:08:59,300 --> 00:09:02,000 The President didn't mention anything about the new proposal 171 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:06,033 from Democrats on the Hill today that includes almost everything 172 00:09:06,033 --> 00:09:08,433 he wanted on the payroll tax cut except extending that also 173 00:09:08,433 --> 00:09:09,467 to employers. 174 00:09:09,467 --> 00:09:11,467 Does he support their plan? 175 00:09:11,467 --> 00:09:14,000 Mr. Carney: First of all, I'm not sure, has that been formally announced? 176 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:16,500 The Press: I don't know if it formally has but -- 177 00:09:16,500 --> 00:09:18,033 Mr. Carney: I know it's been reported on by the Associated Press. 178 00:09:18,033 --> 00:09:21,300 So I don't want to get ahead of Senator Reid or Senator Casey. 179 00:09:21,300 --> 00:09:23,934 It is certainly the case that we're working with our 180 00:09:23,934 --> 00:09:28,266 colleagues in the Senate, as we did on the proposal -- 181 00:09:28,266 --> 00:09:30,199 the original Senator Casey proposal, 182 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:35,567 which was voted on and which earned the support of more than 183 00:09:35,567 --> 00:09:38,767 50% of the U.S. Senate last week. 184 00:09:38,767 --> 00:09:42,834 And we will work, as the President just suggested, 185 00:09:42,834 --> 00:09:46,967 with Congress to find a solution to this important challenge, 186 00:09:46,967 --> 00:09:50,400 which is extending and expanding the payroll tax cut. 187 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:53,600 And we'll obviously look to Senator Reid and Senator Casey 188 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:55,266 to lead that effort in the Senate. 189 00:09:55,266 --> 00:09:58,800 The Press: I guess I'm curious to see where you think you are in the process 190 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:00,733 -- while the clock is back up. 191 00:10:00,734 --> 00:10:04,433 Do you think you're in a place right now where you have the 192 00:10:04,433 --> 00:10:08,600 support of many Republicans on the sheer idea of extending the 193 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:11,133 payroll tax cut and you're just working on the pay-fors? 194 00:10:11,133 --> 00:10:13,066 Or are you still trying to get their buy-in on the need 195 00:10:13,066 --> 00:10:13,967 to extend? 196 00:10:13,967 --> 00:10:17,633 Mr. Carney: Well, I think that's a great question to address to members 197 00:10:17,633 --> 00:10:22,166 of the Senate and the House who are Republicans, because while, 198 00:10:22,166 --> 00:10:26,166 as the President noted, we've had some indication from House 199 00:10:26,166 --> 00:10:29,834 and Senate Republican leaders that they now agree with the 200 00:10:29,834 --> 00:10:34,099 proposition that independent economists have made clear is 201 00:10:34,100 --> 00:10:37,367 the case that extending the payroll tax cut is very 202 00:10:37,367 --> 00:10:39,233 important for economic growth and job creation, 203 00:10:39,233 --> 00:10:43,900 and that allowing middle-class Americans to experience a tax 204 00:10:43,900 --> 00:10:48,800 hike in January would have a negative impact on not just them 205 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:50,867 personally but on the economy and on jobs -- 206 00:10:50,867 --> 00:10:52,733 so that's progress. 207 00:10:52,734 --> 00:10:54,333 But as we saw in the Senate vote -- 208 00:10:54,333 --> 00:10:55,800 the rather surprising Senate vote -- 209 00:10:55,800 --> 00:11:00,132 on the Senate measure, there seems to be an issue not with 210 00:11:00,133 --> 00:11:05,567 pay-fors, but whether or not it's even a good idea to cut 211 00:11:05,567 --> 00:11:08,667 taxes for 160 million Americans, for working and 212 00:11:08,667 --> 00:11:10,300 middle-class Americans. 213 00:11:10,300 --> 00:11:13,967 To put it another way -- which this clock illustrates -- 214 00:11:13,967 --> 00:11:18,734 that we're coming down to it, the clock is ticking, 215 00:11:18,734 --> 00:11:21,033 to the point where if Congress does not ax -- 216 00:11:21,033 --> 00:11:24,600 act, rather, middle-class Americans, working Americans, 217 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:29,133 160 million Americans will have their taxes go up on 218 00:11:29,133 --> 00:11:30,900 January 1st. 219 00:11:30,900 --> 00:11:35,967 And I think what this clock dramatizes is that there isn't a 220 00:11:35,967 --> 00:11:38,000 lot of time and that Congress needs to act and do 221 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:38,967 the right thing. 222 00:11:38,967 --> 00:11:40,900 The Press: And is the plan for the President still to have him 223 00:11:40,900 --> 00:11:44,834 focus more on trying to sell this idea to the American people 224 00:11:44,834 --> 00:11:47,165 rather than get involved in the actual negotiations 225 00:11:47,166 --> 00:11:48,400 on legislation? 226 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:53,733 Mr. Carney: I think the President himself, as well as members of his team, 227 00:11:53,734 --> 00:11:58,200 will be engaged with members of Congress and key staff members 228 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:04,567 to push forward the plan, to reach a conclusion, 229 00:12:04,567 --> 00:12:07,533 to get it passed and signed into law. 230 00:12:07,533 --> 00:12:11,533 I don't want to forecast what form of participation that will 231 00:12:11,533 --> 00:12:14,734 take in terms of either the President or other members 232 00:12:14,734 --> 00:12:15,734 of his team. 233 00:12:15,734 --> 00:12:21,500 But you can be sure that it will be a concerted effort at every 234 00:12:21,500 --> 00:12:25,266 level, both in terms of the public articulation of the 235 00:12:25,266 --> 00:12:30,599 President's views, as well as the discussions with members 236 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:32,834 of Congress. 237 00:12:32,834 --> 00:12:33,867 Yes. 238 00:12:33,867 --> 00:12:36,567 The Press: How concerned are you about reports of voting irregularities 239 00:12:36,567 --> 00:12:37,667 in Russia? 240 00:12:37,667 --> 00:12:41,433 And what is the message you're sending to Prime Minister Putin 241 00:12:41,433 --> 00:12:44,800 and President Medvedev about that election? 242 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:49,233 Mr. Carney: I believe Secretary of State Clinton expressed the 243 00:12:49,233 --> 00:12:52,867 administration's position earlier today with regards to 244 00:12:52,867 --> 00:12:55,000 the elections in Russia. 245 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:59,433 We have serious concerns about the conduct of those December 246 00:12:59,433 --> 00:13:01,367 4th parliamentary elections. 247 00:13:01,367 --> 00:13:04,900 These concerns are reflected in the preliminary report issued by 248 00:13:04,900 --> 00:13:08,400 the OSCE's election observation mission, 249 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:10,266 including a lack of fairness in the process, 250 00:13:10,266 --> 00:13:14,199 attempts to stuff ballot boxes, and the manipulation of voter 251 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:17,266 lists, among other things. 252 00:13:17,266 --> 00:13:19,233 Equally concerning are reports that independent Russian 253 00:13:19,233 --> 00:13:23,400 election observation efforts, including the nationwide Golos 254 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:25,667 network and independent media outlets, 255 00:13:25,667 --> 00:13:29,066 encountered harassment of their personnel and cyber attacks on 256 00:13:29,066 --> 00:13:30,066 their websites. 257 00:13:30,066 --> 00:13:32,400 We applaud the initiative that these and many other Russian 258 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:35,266 citizens have taken to participate constructively, 259 00:13:35,266 --> 00:13:38,934 a positive development that the OSCE report also highlighted. 260 00:13:38,934 --> 00:13:46,500 Let's go to the back. 261 00:13:46,500 --> 00:13:47,967 Lester. 262 00:13:47,967 --> 00:13:48,900 The Press: Oh, my goodness. 263 00:13:48,900 --> 00:13:49,667 Mr. Carney: Can you believe it? 264 00:13:49,667 --> 00:13:51,633 (laughter) 265 00:13:51,633 --> 00:13:53,033 I'm in the holiday spirit. 266 00:13:53,033 --> 00:13:55,567 The Press: In the holiday spirit. 267 00:13:55,567 --> 00:13:56,533 The family research -- 268 00:13:56,533 --> 00:13:57,500 Mr. Carney: Is everyone okay? 269 00:13:57,500 --> 00:13:58,266 (laughter) 270 00:13:58,266 --> 00:14:05,699 The Press: The Family Research Council and CNS News both reported a 93-to-7 271 00:14:05,700 --> 00:14:10,700 U.S. Senate vote to approve a defense authorization bill that, 272 00:14:10,700 --> 00:14:14,500 quote, "includes a provision which not only repeals the 273 00:14:14,500 --> 00:14:18,934 military law on sodomy, but also repeals the military ban on sex 274 00:14:18,934 --> 00:14:20,699 with animals, or bestiality." 275 00:14:20,700 --> 00:14:25,233 Does the Commander-in-Chief approve or disapprove of 276 00:14:25,233 --> 00:14:26,834 bestiality in our armed forces? 277 00:14:26,834 --> 00:14:29,400 Mr. Carney: I don't have any comment on -- I don't have any comment on that. 278 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:31,000 Let me go to another question. 279 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,433 Mr. Carney: Let's get to something more serious. 280 00:14:32,433 --> 00:14:33,867 Yes, Jake. 281 00:14:33,867 --> 00:14:35,733 The Press: You sure you don't want to ask Lester another question? 282 00:14:35,734 --> 00:14:37,367 Give him another opportunity? 283 00:14:37,367 --> 00:14:38,433 Mr. Carney: I've learned my lesson, Jake. 284 00:14:38,433 --> 00:14:41,633 (laughter) 285 00:14:41,633 --> 00:14:42,467 The Press: Just one -- 286 00:14:42,467 --> 00:14:44,834 Mr. Carney: Lester, I think we'll -- we'll let everybody get a chance here. 287 00:14:44,834 --> 00:14:45,867 Go ahead, Jake. 288 00:14:45,867 --> 00:14:46,567 The Press: Are you sure you don't want to take any more questions 289 00:14:46,567 --> 00:14:47,567 on bestiality? 290 00:14:47,567 --> 00:14:50,867 (laughter) 291 00:14:50,867 --> 00:14:52,599 The Press: You don't want to comment on that? 292 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:56,800 The Press: I'm wondering if you could explain what the U.S. ambassador 293 00:14:56,800 --> 00:15:01,367 to Belgium meant in his comments about anti-Semitism, 294 00:15:01,367 --> 00:15:06,967 tying them to Israel's policy. 295 00:15:06,967 --> 00:15:10,834 Mr. Carney: The fact is, as you know, we condemn -- 296 00:15:10,834 --> 00:15:13,199 this administration and the United States condemns 297 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:15,934 anti-Semitism in all its forms, and believe that there is never 298 00:15:15,934 --> 00:15:19,800 any justification for prejudice against the Jewish people or 299 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:20,800 against Israel. 300 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:24,766 Ambassador Gutman has expressed his regret, noting that he, 301 00:15:24,767 --> 00:15:28,467 quote, "strongly condemns anti-Semitism in all its forms." 302 00:15:28,467 --> 00:15:29,834 And I would just point out, Jake, 303 00:15:29,834 --> 00:15:32,132 that this administration has consistently stood up against 304 00:15:32,133 --> 00:15:35,000 anti-Semitism and efforts to de-legitimize Israel, 305 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,367 and we will continue to do so. 306 00:15:37,367 --> 00:15:39,934 Our record on this speaks for itself. 307 00:15:39,934 --> 00:15:42,533 Whether it was opposing one-sided efforts to single out 308 00:15:42,533 --> 00:15:44,333 Israel at the Human Rights Council, 309 00:15:44,333 --> 00:15:46,467 speaking out against incitement in the Arab world, 310 00:15:46,467 --> 00:15:49,100 or opposing efforts to shortcut negotiations at the 311 00:15:49,100 --> 00:15:50,767 United Nations. 312 00:15:50,767 --> 00:15:53,834 Specifically to your question, I think the ambassador himself has 313 00:15:53,834 --> 00:15:56,000 addressed this, so I would direct you to his statements, 314 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:57,734 in terms of interpreting what he meant. 315 00:15:57,734 --> 00:15:59,900 But our position is quite clear. 316 00:15:59,900 --> 00:16:01,600 And our record is even clearer. 317 00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:03,400 The Press: Did you read his -- 318 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:04,400 Mr. Carney: Of course, I have. 319 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:05,400 And I think that -- 320 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:06,733 The Press: Does it represent the administration's point of view, 321 00:16:06,734 --> 00:16:07,734 what he said? 322 00:16:07,734 --> 00:16:09,133 Mr. Carney: The administration's point of view is what I just expressed, 323 00:16:09,133 --> 00:16:12,934 which is we condemn anti-Semitism in all its forms 324 00:16:12,934 --> 00:16:13,766 and believe there is -- 325 00:16:13,767 --> 00:16:15,667 The Press: Do you think his comments justified it? 326 00:16:15,667 --> 00:16:18,800 Mr. Carney: I think the ambassador has spoken on this, 327 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:20,666 put out a statement about it. 328 00:16:20,667 --> 00:16:23,200 And our position I think is very clear. 329 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:25,734 And I would refer you to not just to our record against 330 00:16:25,734 --> 00:16:29,333 opposing, rather, one-sided efforts to single out Israel, 331 00:16:29,333 --> 00:16:32,500 speaking out against incitement in the Arab world, 332 00:16:32,500 --> 00:16:34,333 or opposing efforts, Palestinian efforts, 333 00:16:34,333 --> 00:16:36,666 to shortcut negotiations through the United Nations, 334 00:16:36,667 --> 00:16:38,934 but also look at this administration's incredible 335 00:16:38,934 --> 00:16:42,600 commitment to Israeli security, which has been testified to by 336 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:45,033 the Prime Minister and many others in Israel. 337 00:16:45,033 --> 00:16:47,066 The Press: As far as you guys are concerned is that the end of 338 00:16:47,066 --> 00:16:48,066 this controversy? 339 00:16:48,066 --> 00:16:50,934 Because a lot of Jewish groups are very upset about what 340 00:16:50,934 --> 00:16:52,266 Ambassador Gutman said. 341 00:16:52,266 --> 00:16:54,400 Mr. Carney: Well, I think that we have to look, again, 342 00:16:54,400 --> 00:17:00,300 at our clear position on this, as well as our record. 343 00:17:00,300 --> 00:17:03,032 And I think that -- 344 00:17:03,033 --> 00:17:05,200 The Press: I'm actually just talking about what he said, not your record. 345 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:06,200 Mr. Carney: No, I understand. 346 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:12,600 But we're talking here about -- you're only asking me because 347 00:17:12,599 --> 00:17:16,332 he's an ambassador and works out of the State Department for 348 00:17:16,333 --> 00:17:17,333 this administration. 349 00:17:17,333 --> 00:17:21,166 So let me be clear about what this administration's policies 350 00:17:21,165 --> 00:17:24,066 are, what its positions are, and what our record is, 351 00:17:24,066 --> 00:17:25,066 because that is what -- 352 00:17:25,066 --> 00:17:28,433 The Press: Do you think the fact that you have to delineate what your 353 00:17:28,433 --> NaN:NaN:NaN,NaN policies are indicates you have an ambassador who is off the 354 00:17:28,099 --> 00:17:29,199 reservation a bit? 355 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:31,567 Mr. Carney: Again, but he addressed his statement. 356 00:17:31,567 --> 00:17:34,834 And let me be clear about our position. 357 00:17:34,834 --> 00:17:37,400 And again, I quoted him because he's absolutely right when he 358 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:41,700 says that he, as well as this administration, 359 00:17:41,700 --> 00:17:44,934 strongly condemns anti-Semitism in all its forms. 360 00:17:44,934 --> 00:17:45,767 The Press: Right. 361 00:17:45,767 --> 00:17:48,734 And in terms of how to pay for this middle-class tax cut, 362 00:17:48,734 --> 00:17:50,332 the Republicans outlined a plan -- 363 00:17:50,333 --> 00:17:51,967 and I know you talked about this a bit last week -- 364 00:17:51,967 --> 00:17:55,734 the Republicans outlined a plan in which wealthier Americans 365 00:17:55,734 --> 00:18:00,632 were asked to sacrifice through means testing, social programs. 366 00:18:00,633 --> 00:18:04,133 Is that not -- does that not meet the requirement of the 367 00:18:04,133 --> 00:18:06,233 wealthy paying their fair share? 368 00:18:06,233 --> 00:18:07,667 Mr. Carney: Well, I think two points about that. 369 00:18:07,667 --> 00:18:12,833 One is that was a very small portion of the proposed means of 370 00:18:12,834 --> 00:18:16,233 paying for the payroll tax cut extension in the Republican 371 00:18:16,233 --> 00:18:20,800 measure that went down quite decidedly, 372 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:24,500 with not even a majority of Republican votes. 373 00:18:24,500 --> 00:18:29,200 And it was a window dressing aspect of a measure that was 374 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:32,834 paid for largely through unbalanced cuts that would force 375 00:18:32,834 --> 00:18:34,867 the reopening of the Budget Control Act, 376 00:18:34,867 --> 00:18:39,600 the agreement that the President and members of both parties made 377 00:18:39,600 --> NaN:NaN:NaN,NaN just a few short months ago. 378 00:18:39,033 --> 00:18:41,433 And the President made clear his position on reopening 379 00:18:41,433 --> 00:18:42,533 that agreement. 380 00:18:42,533 --> 00:18:45,533 In fact, if I could just add, that it is just -- 381 00:18:45,533 --> 00:18:48,966 it is exactly what people get frustrated about with regards to 382 00:18:48,967 --> 00:18:53,033 Washington, when leaders in Washington say, 383 00:18:53,033 --> 00:18:54,699 this is my position, this is the -- 384 00:18:54,700 --> 00:18:57,567 I sign on the dotted line; you have my word this is the 385 00:18:57,567 --> 00:18:59,767 agreement -- and then a few months later that you want to -- 386 00:18:59,767 --> 00:19:05,600 either want to change the rules on the sequester or change -- 387 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:08,065 violate or transgress in terms of the agreement on 388 00:19:08,066 --> 00:19:09,066 spending cuts. 389 00:19:09,066 --> 00:19:11,800 Which, I would point out, as I did last week, 390 00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:15,633 the discretionary spending cuts, non-defense spending cuts that 391 00:19:15,633 --> 00:19:18,266 have already been agreed to by this President and Congress 392 00:19:18,266 --> 00:19:21,300 would bring us to the lowest percent in terms of 393 00:19:21,300 --> 00:19:23,166 non-discretionary defense -- or, rather, 394 00:19:23,166 --> 00:19:26,000 non-defense discretionary spending as a percentage of GDP 395 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,900 since Dwight Eisenhower was President. 396 00:19:27,900 --> 00:19:32,166 So these are quite dramatic cuts, quite serious cuts. 397 00:19:32,166 --> 00:19:38,533 And the inclusion of the measure that you talked about was a very 398 00:19:38,533 --> 00:19:40,332 small part of the Republican pay-for. 399 00:19:40,333 --> 00:19:43,600 The Press: So it meets the requirement but not enough? 400 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:48,233 Mr. Carney: Well, it certainly doesn't meet -- it doesn't pay for it. 401 00:19:48,233 --> 00:19:50,166 So it's not enough to pay for a payroll tax cut. 402 00:19:50,166 --> 00:19:52,934 I'm not saying that it's not -- I don't want to negotiate the 403 00:19:52,934 --> 00:19:56,133 particulars of an endgame or get ahead of Senator Reid and 404 00:19:56,133 --> 00:20:01,767 Senator Casey in terms of their proposed compromise, 405 00:20:01,767 --> 00:20:05,433 or new measure to extend and expand the payroll tax cut. 406 00:20:05,433 --> 00:20:10,600 But while that measure does ask in some ways -- 407 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:15,132 small ways wealthier Americans to pay their fair share or at 408 00:20:15,133 --> 00:20:18,967 least a little bit more, it does not, in and of itself, 409 00:20:18,967 --> 00:20:21,400 come anywhere close to paying for this tax cut. 410 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:22,266 The Press: Thank you. 411 00:20:22,266 --> 00:20:22,967 Mr. Carney: Yes. 412 00:20:22,967 --> 00:20:25,800 The Press: Jay, Speaker Boehner is expected to put out his proposal 413 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:27,000 later this week. 414 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:30,567 After that, do you expect to negotiate with -- 415 00:20:30,567 --> 00:20:31,433 Mr. Carney: Time is running out. 416 00:20:31,433 --> 00:20:32,200 (laughter) 417 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:34,734 The Press: Do you expect to negotiate with the House and the Senate? 418 00:20:34,734 --> 00:20:38,699 Mr. Carney: Yes, I think that we can expect that -- 419 00:20:38,700 --> 00:20:40,834 (crashing noise) 420 00:20:40,834 --> 00:20:42,066 Goodness. 421 00:20:42,066 --> 00:20:44,000 (laughter) 422 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:44,834 The Press: Sorry. 423 00:20:44,834 --> 00:20:45,533 Mr. Carney: No, that's quite all right. 424 00:20:45,533 --> 00:20:52,166 I hope your camera's okay. 425 00:20:52,166 --> 00:20:55,300 This administration, this White House will be working with 426 00:20:55,300 --> 00:21:02,200 leaders of both houses to get this done. 427 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:05,333 There is really not a lot of time to waste here. 428 00:21:05,333 --> 00:21:07,834 It is essential for the health of our economy, 429 00:21:07,834 --> 00:21:10,967 and out of fairness to 160 million working and middle-class 430 00:21:10,967 --> 00:21:12,533 Americans, to get this done. 431 00:21:12,533 --> 00:21:16,800 The Press: So then if the clock is really ticking, why not negotiate now? 432 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:18,200 Mr. Carney: Well, let's be clear. 433 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:19,900 We are working with Congress. 434 00:21:19,900 --> 00:21:21,500 Just because, as you know from the summer, 435 00:21:21,500 --> 00:21:25,066 we don't announce every conversation or every meeting 436 00:21:25,066 --> 00:21:28,533 that the President has, or his senior team members have, 437 00:21:28,533 --> 00:21:29,800 doesn't mean we're not working this issue. 438 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:32,500 And in fact, we worked it hard, which is how we got the votes 439 00:21:32,500 --> 00:21:34,567 that we got last week. 440 00:21:34,567 --> 00:21:37,133 And I will remind you that the Senate Democratic measure, 441 00:21:37,133 --> 00:21:39,200 which the President supported, got a majority of the U.S. 442 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:41,066 Senate, including a Republican vote. 443 00:21:41,066 --> 00:21:42,900 The Senate Republican measure, which was put forward by the 444 00:21:42,900 --> 00:21:45,934 Senate Republican leader, got, I think, 20 Republican votes -- 445 00:21:45,934 --> 00:21:47,700 or maybe 20 votes overall. 446 00:21:47,700 --> 00:21:49,033 So we are pushing this. 447 00:21:49,033 --> 00:21:50,433 And if it weren't for the President's leadership, 448 00:21:50,433 --> 00:21:52,400 we might not even be debating this. 449 00:21:52,400 --> 00:21:54,233 Congress might not even -- at least the Republicans in 450 00:21:54,233 --> 00:21:56,800 Congress -- might not even be taking up the issue of payroll 451 00:21:56,800 --> 00:21:58,233 tax cut extension. 452 00:21:58,233 --> 00:22:00,600 Going forward, we will continue to push it. 453 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:04,966 It is not without our participation that our friends 454 00:22:04,967 --> 00:22:09,033 in the Senate are moving forward with a new measure to extend and 455 00:22:09,033 --> 00:22:10,265 expand the payroll tax cut. 456 00:22:10,266 --> 00:22:10,967 So -- 457 00:22:10,967 --> 00:22:11,734 The Press: But they're Democrats. 458 00:22:11,734 --> 00:22:14,867 I mean, are you in substantive conversations with Republicans? 459 00:22:14,867 --> 00:22:16,700 Mr. Carney: Again, I don't want to, and won't, 460 00:22:16,700 --> 00:22:18,367 read out every meeting or conversation -- 461 00:22:18,367 --> 00:22:19,433 The Press: I'm not asking you to read it out. 462 00:22:19,433 --> 00:22:20,633 I mean, is there discussion -- 463 00:22:20,633 --> 00:22:23,233 Mr. Carney: We do have conversations with Republicans, yes, 464 00:22:23,233 --> 00:22:25,033 on this matter and others. 465 00:22:25,033 --> 00:22:28,265 The Press: And then just a quick question about the FAA Administrator, 466 00:22:28,266 --> 00:22:31,533 Randy Babbitt, who was arrested this weekend for DUI. 467 00:22:31,533 --> 00:22:35,332 What was the President's response? 468 00:22:35,333 --> 00:22:38,000 Mr. Carney: The President was informed of this in the last hour, 469 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:40,633 as everybody in the White House as well as at the Department of 470 00:22:40,633 --> 00:22:43,600 Transportation were made aware of this just in the last 471 00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:45,867 hour or so. 472 00:22:45,867 --> 00:22:47,066 He didn't have a particular reaction. 473 00:22:47,066 --> 00:22:50,600 It was just passing on this information. 474 00:22:50,600 --> 00:22:52,399 My understanding is that Administrator Babbitt has 475 00:22:52,400 --> 00:22:53,900 requested, effective immediately, 476 00:22:53,900 --> 00:22:55,767 to take a leave of absence from the FAA. 477 00:22:55,767 --> 00:22:59,834 Secretary LaHood has accepted that request and Deputy 478 00:22:59,834 --> 00:23:02,300 Administrator Michael Huerta will serve as 479 00:23:02,300 --> 00:23:04,300 acting administrator. 480 00:23:04,300 --> 00:23:06,633 The Press: He had no reaction? 481 00:23:06,633 --> 00:23:09,967 Mr. Carney: It was in the run-up to this, and he reacted as you 482 00:23:09,967 --> 00:23:11,467 might expect. 483 00:23:11,467 --> 00:23:13,333 The Press: Is that without pay, or with? 484 00:23:13,333 --> 00:23:16,100 Mr. Carney: I would refer you to the Department of Transportation. 485 00:23:16,100 --> 00:23:22,199 The Press: One follow? 486 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:25,400 Will President Obama be asking for his resignation? 487 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:29,200 Mr. Carney: I think that what we have at this point in terms of a matter 488 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:33,533 that just came to light within the last hour or so, 489 00:23:33,533 --> 00:23:38,567 we have Administrator Babbitt requesting his own leave 490 00:23:38,567 --> 00:23:39,734 of absence. 491 00:23:39,734 --> 00:23:43,766 And for further disposition of this matter I would refer you 492 00:23:43,767 --> 00:23:46,633 for now to the Department of Transportation. 493 00:23:46,633 --> 00:23:51,000 The Press: On Iran, we have a missing military aircraft that crashed 494 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:54,100 in Iran. 495 00:23:54,100 --> 00:23:56,867 How badly damaged was the aircraft? 496 00:23:56,867 --> 00:24:01,200 Mr. Carney: I would refer you for questions like that and pretty much all 497 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:04,767 questions on this matter to ISAF and the Department of Defense. 498 00:24:04,767 --> 00:24:08,667 The Press: You're not going to -- nothing on that? 499 00:24:08,667 --> 00:24:10,132 Mr. Carney: Well, I mean, it depends on the question you ask. 500 00:24:10,133 --> 00:24:15,400 But I'm not going to get into details about the aircraft or 501 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:17,533 other issues involving the incident itself. 502 00:24:17,533 --> 00:24:19,199 The Press: The Iranians say they shot it down. 503 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:20,200 Do we deny that? 504 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:21,934 Mr. Carney: Again, I would refer you to ISAF. 505 00:24:21,934 --> 00:24:24,800 The Press: Can I ask you about the President's speech tomorrow? 506 00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:28,667 Why is he channeling Teddy Roosevelt? 507 00:24:28,667 --> 00:24:31,800 Mr. Carney: Well, because President Teddy Roosevelt -- 508 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:36,332 Theodore Roosevelt gave an historic speech in Osawatomie -- 509 00:24:36,333 --> 00:24:37,767 is that correct? 510 00:24:37,767 --> 00:24:40,934 -- Osawatomie, Kansas -- it's one of those words you've read 511 00:24:40,934 --> 00:24:46,033 but you're not sure you've ever pronounced -- 111 years ago, 512 00:24:46,033 --> 00:24:49,100 if I'm correct in my calculations. 513 00:24:49,100 --> 00:24:52,966 And the point that the President is making by speaking in the 514 00:24:52,967 --> 00:24:59,266 same location and -- is that the ideas that President Roosevelt 515 00:24:59,266 --> 00:25:03,700 put forward about the need for Americans of all kinds 516 00:25:03,700 --> 00:25:07,734 to get a fair shot and a fair shake are very much at 517 00:25:07,734 --> 00:25:08,934 issue today. 518 00:25:08,934 --> 00:25:15,667 And the President's speech will encapsulate the debates that 519 00:25:15,667 --> 00:25:20,966 we've been having this year over our economic policy and over our 520 00:25:20,967 --> 00:25:22,600 economic future. 521 00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:25,466 So he thinks it's an opportune time and an opportune location 522 00:25:25,467 --> 00:25:33,400 to really try to put into broader perspective the kind of 523 00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:36,667 debates we've been having and the issues that are of vital 524 00:25:36,667 --> 00:25:39,265 importance to building an economic future in this country 525 00:25:39,266 --> 00:25:43,467 in his mind that gives middle-class Americans the kind 526 00:25:43,467 --> 00:25:46,033 of fair shake and fair shot that they deserve. 527 00:25:46,033 --> 00:25:48,934 The Press: And who is not giving them a fair shake or a fair shot? 528 00:25:48,934 --> 00:25:51,033 Mr. Carney: Well, I think it's abundantly clear, 529 00:25:51,033 --> 00:25:57,433 and was clear even prior to this most recent economic crisis, 530 00:25:57,433 --> 00:26:00,533 that the middle class in this country has been squeezed for a 531 00:26:00,533 --> 00:26:03,800 long time, and most especially in the last decade and -- 532 00:26:03,800 --> 00:26:05,500 in the decade, rather, prior to this President 533 00:26:05,500 --> 00:26:06,500 coming into office. 534 00:26:06,500 --> 00:26:10,100 So this has been an issue that has animated this President even 535 00:26:10,100 --> 00:26:12,033 before he was sworn into office. 536 00:26:12,033 --> 00:26:14,766 It was really the reason why he ran for President, 537 00:26:14,767 --> 00:26:18,367 as he articulated many times in the 2008 campaign. 538 00:26:18,367 --> 00:26:21,633 And it is the focus of his work here in office, 539 00:26:21,633 --> 00:26:24,200 the need to do everything he can through Congress, 540 00:26:24,200 --> 00:26:26,400 through his executive authorities, 541 00:26:26,400 --> 00:26:34,600 to help the middle class expand, and help those who aspire to the 542 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:36,734 middle class gain access to it. 543 00:26:36,734 --> 00:26:41,332 And that's the -- and, look, if you step back, 544 00:26:41,333 --> 00:26:46,600 the speech will encapsulate and provide context to the debates 545 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:50,500 we've been having this year and that we will continue to have. 546 00:26:50,500 --> 00:26:53,000 But it really -- it goes to some of the specific issues that 547 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:56,500 we're talking about now, the absolute necessity and fairness 548 00:26:56,500 --> 00:26:59,934 of extending and expanding the payroll tax cut for middle-class 549 00:26:59,934 --> 00:27:01,667 and working Americans. 550 00:27:01,667 --> 00:27:07,100 We need to have the Senate confirm Richard Cordray as the 551 00:27:07,100 --> 00:27:11,100 consumer watchdog -- because Republicans have made pretty 552 00:27:11,100 --> 00:27:13,166 clear that they don't oppose him personally, 553 00:27:13,166 --> 00:27:17,332 but they're going to try to block his nomination in order to 554 00:27:17,333 --> 00:27:22,500 prevent the Consumer Protection Bureau from having all of its 555 00:27:22,500 --> 00:27:25,133 authorities to take action to protect consumers. 556 00:27:25,133 --> 00:27:27,400 And we passed that legislation, this President fought for that 557 00:27:27,400 --> 00:27:31,400 legislation, precisely because consumers deserve protections 558 00:27:31,400 --> 00:27:35,633 that they did not have, as became so abundantly clear in 559 00:27:35,633 --> 00:27:39,767 the financial crisis that led to the worst recession since the 560 00:27:39,767 --> 00:27:40,900 Great Depression. 561 00:27:40,900 --> 00:27:42,400 The Press: You used the word -- sorry, just one more -- 562 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:45,400 on this is an issue that has animated the President. 563 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:48,367 He talks a lot about it, and has recently. 564 00:27:48,367 --> 00:27:51,734 Can you identify specific areas where the President has been 565 00:27:51,734 --> 00:27:55,166 able to act in the past three years that has helped this wage 566 00:27:55,166 --> 00:27:57,265 gap that you talk about that the middle class -- 567 00:27:57,266 --> 00:27:58,500 Mr. Carney: Well, I think that -- 568 00:27:58,500 --> 00:28:00,900 The Press: Where has he succeeded in addressing this issue? 569 00:28:00,900 --> 00:28:05,834 Mr. Carney: What we know is that when he took office we were on the 570 00:28:05,834 --> 00:28:09,100 precipice of an economic calamity, 571 00:28:09,100 --> 00:28:13,533 the likes of which could have been even worse than the 572 00:28:13,533 --> 00:28:14,533 Great Depression. 573 00:28:14,533 --> 00:28:17,367 People were predicting -- economists -- sensible outside, 574 00:28:17,367 --> 00:28:21,567 independent economists were predicting global economic 575 00:28:21,567 --> 00:28:25,000 collapse; unemployment as high as 25%, 576 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:26,767 complete collapse of the financial system, 577 00:28:26,767 --> 00:28:29,900 perhaps the need to nationalize the banks, et cetera, 578 00:28:29,900 --> 00:28:32,467 et cetera -- the decimation and elimination of the domestic 579 00:28:32,467 --> 00:28:35,533 automobile industry and many other industries. 580 00:28:35,533 --> 00:28:39,033 The result of that, including, of course, the 25% unemployment, 581 00:28:39,033 --> 00:28:42,399 would have been -- you know you're enjoying this, come on. 582 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:43,734 The Press: I'm sorry I asked that question. 583 00:28:43,734 --> 00:28:44,699 I defer now to Ed. 584 00:28:44,700 --> 00:28:46,000 (laughter) 585 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:47,734 I apologize to everyone in the room. 586 00:28:47,734 --> 00:28:48,567 (laughter) 587 00:28:48,567 --> 00:28:51,600 Mr. Carney: I'm not hurt, but I will not stop. 588 00:28:51,600 --> 00:28:54,966 (laughter) 589 00:28:54,967 --> 00:28:56,000 Let me just finish my thought here, 590 00:28:56,000 --> 00:28:58,800 which is that everything this President has done on the 591 00:28:58,800 --> 00:29:06,567 economic front has been focused on giving middle-class Americans 592 00:29:06,567 --> 00:29:10,467 the economic security that they have lacked now for a 593 00:29:10,467 --> 00:29:15,600 substantial period of time and which has been even more sorely 594 00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:17,899 needed because of this great recession. 595 00:29:17,900 --> 00:29:18,500 Yes. 596 00:29:18,500 --> 00:29:20,233 The Press: Can you recite some of the great things the President -- no. 597 00:29:20,233 --> 00:29:21,066 (laughter) 598 00:29:21,066 --> 00:29:21,633 Mr. Carney: Yes. 599 00:29:21,633 --> 00:29:22,500 Yes, I can. 600 00:29:22,500 --> 00:29:24,233 (laughter) 601 00:29:24,233 --> 00:29:25,899 I was just getting started, Ed. 602 00:29:25,900 --> 00:29:27,233 The Press: -- how difficult it was when he started -- 603 00:29:27,233 --> 00:29:28,265 The Press: Yeah, how hard was it, really? 604 00:29:28,266 --> 00:29:29,100 (laughter) 605 00:29:29,100 --> 00:29:30,199 The Press: Was he facing a challenge? 606 00:29:30,200 --> 00:29:31,500 The Press: We heard it -- no. 607 00:29:31,500 --> 00:29:36,100 Mr. Carney: There could be a quiz about how many jobs we lost in January of 608 00:29:36,100 --> 00:29:37,934 2009 -- anybody? 609 00:29:37,934 --> 00:29:39,367 The Press: 700,000 - 800,000. 610 00:29:39,367 --> 00:29:41,867 Mr. Carney: Very good -- 750,000, 730,000. 611 00:29:41,867 --> 00:29:45,233 How much GDP contraction, fourth quarter 2008? 612 00:29:45,233 --> 00:29:46,667 Anybody? 613 00:29:46,667 --> 00:29:47,533 The Press: 8.9. 614 00:29:47,533 --> 00:29:49,233 Mr. Carney: 8.9%. 615 00:29:49,233 --> 00:29:51,100 The Press: Revisions, revisions. 616 00:29:51,100 --> 00:29:53,065 (laughter) 617 00:29:53,066 --> 00:29:54,433 Mr. Carney: Yes, more and more accurate as -- 618 00:29:54,433 --> 00:29:55,433 The Press: Come on, we can play these numbers. 619 00:29:55,433 --> 00:29:56,300 We can go straight to them. 620 00:29:56,300 --> 00:29:57,800 I'm confident, even though I'm bluffing and I'm 621 00:29:57,800 --> 00:29:58,633 smarter than you. 622 00:29:58,633 --> 00:30:00,033 (laughter) 623 00:30:00,033 --> 00:30:00,966 Mr. Carney: I think Al Hunt is getting a phone call -- 624 00:30:00,967 --> 00:30:03,734 -- downplaying the recession over in the Bloomberg corner. 625 00:30:03,734 --> 00:30:04,399 Yes. 626 00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:05,700 The Press: Can I ask about the payroll tax cut -- 627 00:30:05,700 --> 00:30:07,033 a follow-up on some of that? 628 00:30:07,033 --> 00:30:07,833 Some of the answers you gave before you were basically 629 00:30:07,834 --> 00:30:09,567 saying, I don't want to get ahead of this 630 00:30:09,567 --> 00:30:10,800 emerging compromise. 631 00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:13,966 And that's consistent with what the White House has said both on 632 00:30:13,967 --> 00:30:16,467 the payroll tax cut extension as well as going back to the 633 00:30:16,467 --> 00:30:17,467 super committee. 634 00:30:17,467 --> 00:30:19,300 They're going to work this out; you've defended the President 635 00:30:19,300 --> 00:30:21,233 not calling Republican leaders over here because he doesn't 636 00:30:21,233 --> 00:30:23,899 need to get in the nitty-gritty; they have to deal with all that 637 00:30:23,900 --> 00:30:25,967 stuff, then he'll deal with it at a later date. 638 00:30:25,967 --> 00:30:28,533 So tell us how does the President coming to this podium 639 00:30:28,533 --> 00:30:30,632 and beating up on Republicans for five minutes, 640 00:30:30,633 --> 00:30:32,767 basically saying they don't want to extend unemployment benefits, 641 00:30:32,767 --> 00:30:35,000 they don't want to help people about to have their taxes go up 642 00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:38,000 -- how does that help you get a deal? 643 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:40,367 Mr. Carney: What the President has made clear is what he believes is 644 00:30:40,367 --> 00:30:44,834 essential and what his red lines are, if you will, 645 00:30:44,834 --> 00:30:48,033 in terms of what kind of compromise would be acceptable 646 00:30:48,033 --> 00:30:49,033 and what wouldn't. 647 00:30:49,033 --> 00:30:53,600 The fact is, Ed -- and it's not necessarily a happy fact but 648 00:30:53,600 --> 00:31:00,065 it's a true fact -- that simply by putting forward his ideas and 649 00:31:00,066 --> 00:31:04,400 his name on those ideas and saying to members of Congress 650 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:06,667 that he'd like to negotiate with them, 651 00:31:06,667 --> 00:31:09,233 they are not going to necessarily compromise 652 00:31:09,233 --> 00:31:10,233 and respond. 653 00:31:10,233 --> 00:31:13,399 That has been, unfortunately, the fact for these 654 00:31:13,400 --> 00:31:14,500 nearly three years. 655 00:31:14,500 --> 00:31:15,500 What has -- 656 00:31:15,500 --> 00:31:17,033 The Press: Republicans are saying they had not even seen this 657 00:31:17,033 --> 00:31:17,899 compromise yet. 658 00:31:17,900 --> 00:31:19,000 They haven't even had a chance to react to it. 659 00:31:19,000 --> 00:31:20,500 So how -- 660 00:31:20,500 --> 00:31:25,266 Mr. Carney: The President was reacting not to a compromise that hasn't been 661 00:31:25,266 --> 00:31:27,567 proposed yet, as I understand, formally -- 662 00:31:27,567 --> 00:31:32,133 or a new Senate Democratic version, 663 00:31:32,133 --> 00:31:35,700 he's also reacting to the votes we just had on this issue, 664 00:31:35,700 --> 00:31:40,600 which demonstrated a profound reluctance by Republicans in the 665 00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:45,699 Senate to extend the tax cut for middle-class Americans. 666 00:31:45,700 --> 00:31:49,900 And because of that -- and a refusal to accept the majority 667 00:31:49,900 --> 00:31:53,567 vote of the Senate, including a Republican senator, 668 00:31:53,567 --> 00:31:58,433 and let that measure move on to the House and be signed into law 669 00:31:58,433 --> 00:32:00,900 by the President if it passed the House. 670 00:32:00,900 --> 00:32:03,000 So the obstructionism here real. 671 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:07,367 And what he is hoping through his articulation of his views on 672 00:32:07,367 --> 00:32:09,734 this issue, as well as, most importantly, 673 00:32:09,734 --> 00:32:12,867 the articulation expressed in the voices raised of the 674 00:32:12,867 --> 00:32:16,800 American people on this issue, that Republicans will move, 675 00:32:16,800 --> 00:32:19,300 that Congress will act and get this done because it's the right 676 00:32:19,300 --> 00:32:19,966 thing to do. 677 00:32:19,967 --> 00:32:21,500 The Press: It was just about two or three weeks ago that Senator Durbin 678 00:32:21,500 --> 00:32:24,367 and other Democrats defended the President for not coming out and 679 00:32:24,367 --> 00:32:26,966 giving his red lines on the super committee deal by saying 680 00:32:26,967 --> 00:32:29,500 Republicans warned Democrats on the Hill if the President comes 681 00:32:29,500 --> 00:32:32,266 out here and attacks them, this thing is going to blow up. 682 00:32:32,266 --> 00:32:34,200 So how, then, do you justify him coming out -- 683 00:32:34,200 --> 00:32:35,200 Mr. Carney: No, no, no. 684 00:32:35,200 --> 00:32:36,333 First of all, you're misstating -- 685 00:32:36,333 --> 00:32:38,734 what Senator Durbin said is that the recent -- 686 00:32:38,734 --> 00:32:44,533 there was a strategic notion behind the approach that the 687 00:32:44,533 --> 00:32:46,632 administration took on the super committee because it was made 688 00:32:46,633 --> 00:32:50,266 clear by Republicans involved in these negotiations that anything 689 00:32:50,266 --> 00:32:53,400 that had the President's name on it as a potential compromise 690 00:32:53,400 --> 00:32:56,300 would become toxic for Republicans who refused to vote 691 00:32:56,300 --> 00:32:58,433 for anything that they view as a victory for the President. 692 00:32:58,433 --> 00:33:00,233 The Press: -- and the President not coming out and being more aggressive on 693 00:33:00,233 --> 00:33:02,033 the super committee. 694 00:33:02,033 --> 00:33:03,867 Mr. Carney: First of all, the super committee is a different beast 695 00:33:03,867 --> 00:33:06,700 from the payroll tax cut extension. 696 00:33:06,700 --> 00:33:09,667 This, after all, is about tax cuts. 697 00:33:09,667 --> 00:33:12,166 And you've been here a long time; 698 00:33:12,166 --> 00:33:13,600 a lot of folks have been covering this a long time. 699 00:33:13,600 --> 00:33:16,833 If there has ever been a truism in modern American politics, 700 00:33:16,834 --> 00:33:19,166 it's that Republicans are always for tax cuts. 701 00:33:19,166 --> 00:33:20,833 And what is striking to this President, 702 00:33:20,834 --> 00:33:23,000 as he made clear moments ago and to me and to others, 703 00:33:23,000 --> 00:33:26,700 is that Republicans seem so grudging in their support, 704 00:33:26,700 --> 00:33:28,467 -- to the extent there is any support -- 705 00:33:28,467 --> 00:33:31,166 in giving tax cuts to regular Americans, 706 00:33:31,166 --> 00:33:33,300 to working-class Americans, to middle-class Americans, 707 00:33:33,300 --> 00:33:38,000 to 160 million Americans, and their refusal, in unison, 708 00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:39,900 virtually, except for one Republican, 709 00:33:39,900 --> 00:33:43,567 to back a payroll tax cut expansion and extension for 710 00:33:43,567 --> 00:33:45,867 160 million Americans because they didn't want to ask 711 00:33:45,867 --> 00:33:47,867 300,000 millionaires and billionaires to pay a 712 00:33:47,867 --> 00:33:48,899 little extra. 713 00:33:48,900 --> 00:33:55,166 I don't think there's anything more clarifying than that vote. 714 00:33:55,166 --> 00:33:58,033 So, having said all that, we have to get this done. 715 00:33:58,033 --> 00:34:01,934 And the President came out today to make his views on that clear. 716 00:34:01,934 --> 00:34:05,233 And he looks forward to working with Republicans in the House 717 00:34:05,233 --> 00:34:07,667 and the Senate, as well, of course, as Democrats, 718 00:34:07,667 --> 00:34:11,199 to get it done in a way that is economically responsible. 719 00:34:11,199 --> 00:34:12,433 Mr. Thrush. 720 00:34:12,433 --> 00:34:16,766 The Press: Jay, just to follow up on Ed, there's a school of thought that 721 00:34:16,766 --> 00:34:20,366 goes the President does better in these negotiations when he's 722 00:34:20,367 --> 00:34:22,467 actually not in the room, that when he gets in the room with 723 00:34:22,467 --> 00:34:26,467 these guys they start changing the rules of the game, 724 00:34:26,467 --> 00:34:30,000 they start dealing with internal dissension in their own ranks. 725 00:34:30,000 --> 00:34:32,033 I mean, is there, from a process perspective, 726 00:34:32,033 --> 00:34:35,299 an advantage in the President remaining outside of these 727 00:34:35,300 --> 00:34:37,300 direct negotiations as long as possible? 728 00:34:37,300 --> 00:34:40,000 Mr. Carney: Well, I just want to go back to what I said to Ed, 729 00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:42,800 because there is no global doctrine, if you will, 730 00:34:42,800 --> 00:34:44,667 about how you approach these things. 731 00:34:44,667 --> 00:34:46,734 And each issue is different. 732 00:34:46,734 --> 00:34:48,967 And what I think is quite clear is that this President, 733 00:34:48,967 --> 00:34:52,333 throughout his presidency, has been intimately engaged with 734 00:34:52,333 --> 00:34:59,533 Congress on his agenda, whether that's deficit reduction or 735 00:34:59,533 --> 00:35:01,767 economic growth measures, job creation measures, 736 00:35:01,767 --> 00:35:03,667 health care reform, or other measures. 737 00:35:03,667 --> 00:35:05,333 And he will continue to be so. 738 00:35:05,333 --> 00:35:08,900 The fact is that, as you know, this summer he was very directly 739 00:35:08,900 --> 00:35:11,967 involved on a day-to-day and, at times, hour-to-hour, 740 00:35:11,967 --> 00:35:14,300 basis with Congress -- Republican leaders as well as 741 00:35:14,300 --> 00:35:17,400 Democratic -- on the debt ceiling negotiations. 742 00:35:17,400 --> 00:35:21,400 The point I was making to Ed is that in the super committee 743 00:35:21,400 --> 00:35:27,667 process, the President took an approach that was designed 744 00:35:27,667 --> 00:35:32,400 entirely to maximize the possibility of a positive 745 00:35:32,400 --> 00:35:40,500 outcome, of putting his views on paper in detail to the public 746 00:35:40,500 --> 00:35:42,533 and to the committee at the beginning of the process, 747 00:35:42,533 --> 00:35:45,667 and in stepping back and letting a congressional process take its 748 00:35:45,667 --> 00:35:46,667 course and -- 749 00:35:46,667 --> 00:35:48,667 The Press: How does this one compare, in terms of the President's direct 750 00:35:48,667 --> 00:35:52,000 engagement -- how will this one compare to the debt ceiling 751 00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:53,533 negotiations and the super committee? 752 00:35:53,533 --> 00:35:56,232 Mr. Carney: Well, I think it will be different, 753 00:35:56,233 --> 00:35:57,500 as all these issues are different. 754 00:35:57,500 --> 00:36:00,533 It is also, obviously, a different animal, if you will. 755 00:36:00,533 --> 00:36:05,967 A payroll tax cut extension and expansion is a relatively modest 756 00:36:05,967 --> 00:36:09,800 proposal compared to a broad $3 trillion or $4 trillion deficit 757 00:36:09,800 --> 00:36:10,900 reduction package. 758 00:36:10,900 --> 00:36:15,100 But the President, his team, will be engaged in these coming 759 00:36:15,100 --> 00:36:18,165 days and weeks in a variety of different ways, 760 00:36:18,166 --> 00:36:19,867 working with Congress to get this done. 761 00:36:19,867 --> 00:36:22,567 Because, as the President just made clear, 762 00:36:22,567 --> 00:36:25,300 we can't afford to let that clock go to zero. 763 00:36:25,300 --> 00:36:28,533 The American people cannot afford to have their taxes go up 764 00:36:28,533 --> 00:36:31,533 on average $1,000 come January 1. 765 00:36:31,533 --> 00:36:33,200 The Press: The other thing is, you are targeting -- 766 00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:35,000 we had a conference call yesterday -- 767 00:36:35,000 --> 00:36:37,166 you guys are targeting seven states, 768 00:36:37,166 --> 00:36:40,367 some of them pretty deep red states, on the payroll tax, 769 00:36:40,367 --> 00:36:43,166 with interviews with local news anchors and such. 770 00:36:43,166 --> 00:36:47,000 Has the President thought of calling people like Rob Portman 771 00:36:47,000 --> 00:36:49,800 and Olympia Snowe directly, rather than using this indirect 772 00:36:49,800 --> 00:36:52,300 approach to pressure them? 773 00:36:52,300 --> 00:36:55,900 Mr. Carney: Again, you are presuming in your question that we read out to you 774 00:36:55,900 --> 00:36:58,300 every communication that the White House has with the Hill, 775 00:36:58,300 --> 00:37:00,700 and I can assure you that we do not. 776 00:37:00,700 --> 00:37:04,433 This is a multi-pronged effort, if you will -- 777 00:37:04,433 --> 00:37:08,533 that there are many fronts here on which to fight for 778 00:37:08,533 --> 00:37:11,299 middle-class tax cuts, and we will continue to do so. 779 00:37:11,300 --> 00:37:15,433 And often in answer to questions about whether conversations have 780 00:37:15,433 --> 00:37:17,867 occurred, I will say that I have no conversations to read out to 781 00:37:17,867 --> 00:37:19,834 you, which is my answer in this case. 782 00:37:19,834 --> 00:37:20,466 Alexis. 783 00:37:20,467 --> 00:37:21,233 And then Laura. 784 00:37:21,233 --> 00:37:22,000 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 785 00:37:22,000 --> 00:37:23,667 The President met with Secretary Geithner today, 786 00:37:23,667 --> 00:37:25,500 and Secretary Geithner is going to Europe. 787 00:37:25,500 --> 00:37:27,700 The first question is, is there any new message the President 788 00:37:27,700 --> 00:37:32,533 wants him to carry to Europe to try to work with them? 789 00:37:32,533 --> 00:37:34,834 And, second question, can you tell us what Jennifer Palmieri 790 00:37:34,834 --> 00:37:38,232 will be doing and what she'll be adding to the staff that the 791 00:37:38,233 --> 00:37:41,367 President doesn't have currently? 792 00:37:41,367 --> 00:37:45,734 Mr. Carney: As you know, the President asked Secretary Geithner to travel to 793 00:37:45,734 --> 00:37:48,834 Europe this week for meetings with his counterparts on their 794 00:37:48,834 --> 00:37:51,767 efforts to reinforce the institutions of the euro area. 795 00:37:51,767 --> 00:37:55,366 This isn't -- this is, rather, part of our continued engagement 796 00:37:55,367 --> 00:37:57,834 with Europe at an important moment for them. 797 00:37:57,834 --> 00:37:59,933 And as you know, Europe's success is of great importance 798 00:37:59,934 --> 00:38:03,734 to us, and we have shared ideas and observations where it may be 799 00:38:03,734 --> 00:38:06,066 useful, based on our own experience. 800 00:38:06,066 --> 00:38:07,232 And we will continue to do so. 801 00:38:07,233 --> 00:38:11,000 So this is a continuation of a process that we've been engaged 802 00:38:11,000 --> 00:38:13,266 in for many weeks and months now -- 803 00:38:13,266 --> 00:38:14,533 in particular Secretary Geithner, 804 00:38:14,533 --> 00:38:19,066 but also the President and other members of his team. 805 00:38:19,066 --> 00:38:21,066 I would say, with regard to Jen Palmieri, 806 00:38:21,066 --> 00:38:24,000 that she's going to be a welcome addition to this White House 807 00:38:24,000 --> 00:38:26,266 staff and communications staff. 808 00:38:26,266 --> 00:38:29,867 She has big shoes to fill, or, rather, small shoes to fill, 809 00:38:29,867 --> 00:38:30,867 with Jen Psaki's. 810 00:38:30,867 --> 00:38:35,834 But we're going to -- that position has been vacant and 811 00:38:35,834 --> 00:38:39,332 it's a valuable and important position that needs 812 00:38:39,333 --> 00:38:40,333 to be filled. 813 00:38:40,333 --> 00:38:42,166 So we're looking forward to her arrival. 814 00:38:42,166 --> 00:38:43,100 Yes. 815 00:38:43,100 --> 00:38:44,467 The Press: Thanks. 816 00:38:44,467 --> 00:38:46,500 Jay, in the interim, I think, since you were first asked this 817 00:38:46,500 --> 00:38:50,000 question, Senator Reid has in fact announced his proposal. 818 00:38:50,000 --> 00:38:51,900 So I'm wondering if you could give us your take. 819 00:38:51,900 --> 00:38:54,500 Mr. Carney: We were trying to get this briefing done before that but -- 820 00:38:54,500 --> 00:38:55,867 The Press: You were trying -- you pushed it back by quite a bit, 821 00:38:55,867 --> 00:38:57,867 but not quite far enough. 822 00:38:57,867 --> 00:39:02,367 Mr. Carney: Look, I mean, broadly we support -- 823 00:39:02,367 --> 00:39:09,000 you would not be surprised -- the efforts of Senators Reid and 824 00:39:09,000 --> 00:39:12,333 Casey to get this done, to get this payroll tax cut expansion 825 00:39:12,333 --> 00:39:19,367 and extension done and to have it paid for in a way that is 826 00:39:19,367 --> 00:39:20,567 responsible and fair. 827 00:39:20,567 --> 00:39:24,900 The President pointed out -- and I think it's always worth 828 00:39:24,900 --> 00:39:31,166 remembering -- that the sudden, heartfelt concern that you hear 829 00:39:31,166 --> 00:39:34,967 among some Republicans who are reluctant to give tax breaks to 830 00:39:34,967 --> 00:39:39,934 middle-class Americans that it needs to be paid for is a little 831 00:39:39,934 --> 00:39:43,000 out of sync with the position that they've taken on tax cuts 832 00:39:43,000 --> 00:39:46,867 for these many years now. 833 00:39:46,867 --> 00:39:51,500 And in particular with regard to this House Republican 834 00:39:51,500 --> 00:39:54,033 leadership, they've institutionalized the idea that 835 00:39:54,033 --> 00:39:55,633 tax cuts don't have to be paid for. 836 00:39:55,633 --> 00:39:59,133 So, that having been said, the President believes that we need 837 00:39:59,133 --> 00:40:02,265 to be mindful of our fiscal issues. 838 00:40:02,266 --> 00:40:04,834 That's why he proposed a measure in the American Jobs Act to pay 839 00:40:04,834 --> 00:40:07,466 for all of it including the payroll tax cut expansion and 840 00:40:07,467 --> 00:40:10,100 extension, why he supported the Senate Democratic version, 841 00:40:10,100 --> 00:40:13,567 the original one, which paid for it in a economically sensible 842 00:40:13,567 --> 00:40:19,633 and fair way, and why we support this latest proposal. 843 00:40:19,633 --> 00:40:22,399 The Press: Given what you just said, of course the President also said, 844 00:40:22,400 --> 00:40:25,033 that he made the point that Republicans suddenly -- 845 00:40:25,033 --> 00:40:25,900 Mr. Carney: That's not a coincidence. 846 00:40:25,900 --> 00:40:28,400 The Press: Yes, not a coincidence -- that Republicans suddenly are feeling 847 00:40:28,400 --> 00:40:31,233 the need to pay for this when they don't -- 848 00:40:31,233 --> 00:40:34,266 haven't paid for other past tax cuts, 849 00:40:34,266 --> 00:40:38,133 he also said that he's willing to find a responsible way to do 850 00:40:38,133 --> 00:40:39,232 -- to offset the cost. 851 00:40:39,233 --> 00:40:41,433 But is it -- given the differences over the offset 852 00:40:41,433 --> 00:40:44,967 right now, and given the history that you both recounted, 853 00:40:44,967 --> 00:40:48,767 is it your preference at this point to just go ahead and not 854 00:40:48,767 --> 00:40:49,567 pay for it? 855 00:40:49,567 --> 00:40:50,433 Mr. Carney: No. 856 00:40:50,433 --> 00:40:52,166 Our preference, the President's preference has been very clear 857 00:40:52,166 --> 00:40:54,066 about wanting to pay for it, and pay for it in the way that he 858 00:40:54,066 --> 00:40:54,933 thinks is responsible. 859 00:40:54,934 --> 00:40:57,367 And I would just ask you to think about your question. 860 00:40:57,367 --> 00:41:00,667 When you said the differences in the pay-fors -- 861 00:41:00,667 --> 00:41:04,133 Republicans got almost no support for their proposals in 862 00:41:04,133 --> 00:41:06,466 terms of how to pay for it from their own members. 863 00:41:06,467 --> 00:41:11,367 So now, I don't know what that tells us in full, 864 00:41:11,367 --> 00:41:14,834 but I know it indicates that the issue here isn't so much about 865 00:41:14,834 --> 00:41:17,265 pay-fors; it's about whether or not we're going to let this 866 00:41:17,266 --> 00:41:24,867 clock go to zero; whether or not there is any real, 867 00:41:24,867 --> 00:41:27,567 profound support among Republicans in the Senate and 868 00:41:27,567 --> 00:41:30,200 the House for extending tax cuts for middle-class and 869 00:41:30,200 --> 00:41:31,399 working Americans. 870 00:41:31,400 --> 00:41:34,133 The vote that we saw last week on the Senate Republican 871 00:41:34,133 --> 00:41:38,000 proposals suggests that that feeling is not there, 872 00:41:38,000 --> 00:41:40,300 which is a shame. 873 00:41:40,300 --> 00:41:42,367 The Press: But given that there isn't sufficient support to pass the 874 00:41:42,367 --> 00:41:47,600 Democrats' preferred pay-for, would a good second choice be 875 00:41:47,600 --> 00:41:51,633 just allow it to pass without it being offset? 876 00:41:51,633 --> 00:41:56,066 Mr. Carney: Well, the fact is Senators Reid and Casey have put forward a new 877 00:41:56,066 --> 00:42:00,265 proposal with different pay-fors -- 878 00:42:00,266 --> 00:42:01,734 or a modified pay-for. 879 00:42:01,734 --> 00:42:06,299 And we remain hopeful that Republicans in the Senate, 880 00:42:06,300 --> 00:42:07,467 and then eventually in the House, 881 00:42:07,467 --> 00:42:12,633 will hear the voices of the American people who are making 882 00:42:12,633 --> 00:42:18,567 quite clear that they need this tax relief, 883 00:42:18,567 --> 00:42:21,867 and that the economy needs this tax relief. 884 00:42:21,867 --> 00:42:26,567 Independent economists have made clear that not extending the 885 00:42:26,567 --> 00:42:29,000 payroll tax cut would have a negative impact on economic 886 00:42:29,000 --> 00:42:31,467 growth, would have a negative impact on job creation, 887 00:42:31,467 --> 00:42:34,333 and that extending and expanding it would have a positive impact; 888 00:42:34,333 --> 00:42:40,767 that we would be able to continue the growth and job 889 00:42:40,767 --> 00:42:43,332 creation that we've seen and expand it, 890 00:42:43,333 --> 00:42:45,133 which is exactly what this economy needs. 891 00:42:45,133 --> 00:42:47,000 It's the medicine this economy needs. 892 00:42:47,000 --> 00:42:48,000 The Press: Last real-quick thing. 893 00:42:48,000 --> 00:42:50,567 In the past you haven't been all that excited about these 894 00:42:50,567 --> 00:42:54,467 countdown clocks, in fact, even discouraged them in the past. 895 00:42:54,467 --> 00:42:56,066 I'm just wondering why this one is different. 896 00:42:56,066 --> 00:42:57,066 Mr. Carney: The issue we had -- let's be clear. 897 00:42:57,066 --> 00:42:58,834 The issue we had with the debt ceiling countdown clock is that 898 00:42:58,834 --> 00:43:03,299 it was sending a -- it could have a negative impact in 899 00:43:03,300 --> 00:43:09,400 raising the specter, which we hoped would never be raised, 900 00:43:09,400 --> 00:43:11,834 of the United States defaulting on its obligations, 901 00:43:11,834 --> 00:43:14,033 which would have the impact, if it were to come to pass, 902 00:43:14,033 --> 00:43:16,066 of causing global economic chaos. 903 00:43:16,066 --> 00:43:18,366 This is quite different. 904 00:43:18,367 --> 00:43:21,533 This is about whether or not 160 million Americans -- 905 00:43:21,533 --> 00:43:23,700 working-class, middle-class Americans are going to have 906 00:43:23,700 --> 00:43:27,667 their taxes go up on January 1st because Congress refuses to act, 907 00:43:27,667 --> 00:43:29,767 or rather, in this case, the Senate and the House Republicans 908 00:43:29,767 --> 00:43:31,500 refuse to act. 909 00:43:31,500 --> 00:43:33,734 Roger, and then -- 910 00:43:33,734 --> 00:43:34,767 The Press: Thank you. 911 00:43:34,767 --> 00:43:36,399 I know you said you weren't in the habit of reading out 912 00:43:36,400 --> 00:43:39,667 conversations, but could you at least say whether the President 913 00:43:39,667 --> 00:43:42,400 talked to congressional leaders over the weekend? 914 00:43:42,400 --> 00:43:44,300 Mr. Carney: I don't have any conversations to read out to you, Roger. 915 00:43:44,300 --> 00:43:45,700 The Press: All right. 916 00:43:45,700 --> 00:43:48,033 How soon does this tax cut need to be paid for? 917 00:43:48,033 --> 00:43:53,100 Mr. Carney: What this President has made clear in his proposed methods of 918 00:43:53,100 --> 00:43:57,066 paying for it is that we need to do this over time so it's 919 00:43:57,066 --> 00:43:58,799 economically responsible. 920 00:43:58,800 --> 00:44:01,200 That was embodied in his proposal for the 921 00:44:01,200 --> 00:44:02,200 American Jobs Act. 922 00:44:02,200 --> 00:44:04,299 It was also embodied in the Senate Democratic proposal, 923 00:44:04,300 --> 00:44:05,734 and I believe it was -- in the original -- 924 00:44:05,734 --> 00:44:09,767 and it was embodied -- or is embodied in the current one. 925 00:44:09,767 --> 00:44:12,332 Going to the point the President made from here just moments ago, 926 00:44:12,333 --> 00:44:16,433 we should not pay for it in a way that does harm to the 927 00:44:16,433 --> 00:44:18,734 economy, does harm to our recovery. 928 00:44:18,734 --> 00:44:21,200 So that's very important, and that's one of the principles 929 00:44:21,200 --> 00:44:23,332 that he brings to this discussion. 930 00:44:23,333 --> 00:44:25,433 The Press: Does that mean, like, over five years? 931 00:44:25,433 --> 00:44:26,633 Mr. Carney: Well, again, I don't -- 932 00:44:26,633 --> 00:44:27,533 The Press: Can you put a little -- 933 00:44:27,533 --> 00:44:31,133 Mr. Carney: What is important is that we don't do it in a way that 934 00:44:31,133 --> 00:44:34,667 actually does harm to the economy or does harm to the very 935 00:44:34,667 --> 00:44:38,299 people that will be helped by a middle-class tax cut. 936 00:44:38,300 --> 00:44:41,834 So we also -- and I think the President made clear that we're 937 00:44:41,834 --> 00:44:44,899 not going to reopen the Budget Control Act and reopen the deal 938 00:44:44,900 --> 00:44:48,867 that had already brought us down to spending levels that are 939 00:44:48,867 --> 00:44:52,433 lower when it comes to non defense discretionary spending 940 00:44:52,433 --> 00:44:55,266 than we've seen since Dwight Eisenhower was President. 941 00:44:55,266 --> 00:44:55,900 Yes. 942 00:44:55,900 --> 00:44:56,967 The Press: Jay, can you read out a meeting with the colleges -- 943 00:44:56,967 --> 00:44:59,367 Mr. Carney: Let me go -- I promised -- yes. 944 00:44:59,367 --> 00:45:02,166 The Press: Thank you, Jay. 945 00:45:02,166 --> 00:45:05,333 So the Canadian Prime Minister Harper will be in town, 946 00:45:05,333 --> 00:45:08,567 in the White House, Wednesday afternoon. 947 00:45:08,567 --> 00:45:10,400 Is that right that -- is it correct that there will be the 948 00:45:10,400 --> 00:45:13,367 signing of a new border security agreement? 949 00:45:13,367 --> 00:45:14,500 Mr. Carney: I think I was asked this the other day, 950 00:45:14,500 --> 00:45:20,400 and I don't have anything new on it for you in terms of what, 951 00:45:20,400 --> 00:45:24,800 specifically, the two leaders will talk about or what acts 952 00:45:24,800 --> 00:45:26,433 they might perform in terms of -- 953 00:45:26,433 --> 00:45:28,900 The Press: But there might be a little more than just, 954 00:45:28,900 --> 00:45:31,033 it's a good partnership and we want to -- 955 00:45:31,033 --> 00:45:32,033 Mr. Carney: Well, we'll see. 956 00:45:32,033 --> 00:45:33,734 I don't have anything new for you on it today. 957 00:45:33,734 --> 00:45:34,734 Mr. Jackson. 958 00:45:34,734 --> 00:45:35,767 The Press: Jay, can you read out the meeting with the college 959 00:45:35,767 --> 00:45:38,466 presidents this morning and what that was all about? 960 00:45:38,467 --> 00:45:40,367 Mr. Carney: I don't have a detailed readout. 961 00:45:40,367 --> 00:45:41,367 I wasn't able to make it. 962 00:45:41,367 --> 00:45:47,500 The general idea is that, among other issues, 963 00:45:47,500 --> 00:45:50,300 this President is profoundly concerned with education. 964 00:45:50,300 --> 00:45:53,433 He's also very concerned with the cost of education, 965 00:45:53,433 --> 00:45:55,233 especially higher education. 966 00:45:55,233 --> 00:45:56,500 So I'm sure that was a topic. 967 00:45:56,500 --> 00:45:58,600 But I happened to miss that meeting and I don't have a 968 00:45:58,600 --> 00:45:59,600 readout for that. 969 00:45:59,600 --> 00:46:02,734 But we'll have one, I'm sure, by Mr. Earnest. 970 00:46:02,734 --> 00:46:04,366 We will have one for you later today. 971 00:46:04,367 --> 00:46:05,500 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 972 00:46:05,500 --> 00:46:06,600 Mr. Carney: Chris -- last one. 973 00:46:06,600 --> 00:46:08,467 The Press: Jay, I wanted to follow up with you on what I asked you about 974 00:46:08,467 --> 00:46:10,033 earlier about the lack of federal non-discrimination 975 00:46:10,033 --> 00:46:13,000 efforts for LGBT people in the workplace. 976 00:46:13,000 --> 00:46:14,467 The President supports legislation known as the 977 00:46:14,467 --> 00:46:16,667 Employment Non-Discrimination Act that would address this 978 00:46:16,667 --> 00:46:18,500 issue but not the administrative action, 979 00:46:18,500 --> 00:46:21,066 issuing an executive order saying federal dollars won't go 980 00:46:21,066 --> 00:46:23,066 to contracts that don't have their own non-discrimination -- 981 00:46:23,066 --> 00:46:25,399 based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 982 00:46:25,400 --> 00:46:27,867 If the President supports legislation to address this 983 00:46:27,867 --> 00:46:30,700 issue, what's stopping him from issuing an executive order that 984 00:46:30,700 --> 00:46:32,533 would move toward the same goal? 985 00:46:32,533 --> 00:46:35,066 Mr. Carney: Chris, I don't have anything new for you on that, 986 00:46:35,066 --> 00:46:39,734 so I don't have probably an answer that will move that story 987 00:46:39,734 --> 00:46:40,734 along for you. 988 00:46:40,734 --> 00:46:46,500 But if you want to ask me, I can look into it for you. 989 00:46:46,500 --> 00:46:47,500 Thanks.