English subtitles for clip: File:12-8-11- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,367 --> 00:00:02,100 The President: Good morning, everybody. 2 00:00:02,100 --> 00:00:06,900 A couple of days ago I said that we are in a make-or-break moment 3 00:00:06,900 --> 00:00:10,266 when it comes to America's middle class. 4 00:00:10,266 --> 00:00:14,500 We either have a country where everybody fends for themselves, 5 00:00:14,500 --> 00:00:18,767 or we create a country where everybody does their fair share, 6 00:00:18,767 --> 00:00:24,166 everybody has got a fair chance, and we ensure that there's fair 7 00:00:24,166 --> 00:00:25,800 play out there. 8 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:30,233 Now, to ensure fair play, one of the things that I talked about 9 00:00:30,233 --> 00:00:34,600 was the importance of making sure we implement financial 10 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:38,500 reform, Wall Street reform that was passed last year. 11 00:00:38,500 --> 00:00:41,533 And a key component of that was making sure that we have 12 00:00:41,533 --> 00:00:48,367 a consumer watchdog in place who can police what mortgage brokers 13 00:00:48,367 --> 00:00:53,666 and payday lenders and other non-bank financial entities 14 00:00:53,667 --> 00:00:56,533 are able to do when it comes to consumers. 15 00:00:56,533 --> 00:00:57,867 This is a big deal. 16 00:00:57,867 --> 00:01:04,066 About one-in-five people use these kinds of mechanisms to 17 00:01:04,066 --> 00:01:09,467 finance everything from buying a house to cashing their checks. 18 00:01:09,467 --> 00:01:13,667 And we passed a law last year that said we need this consumer 19 00:01:13,667 --> 00:01:16,000 watchdog in place to make sure that people aren't taken 20 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:17,734 advantage of. 21 00:01:17,734 --> 00:01:21,199 Now, we have nominated somebody -- Richard Cordray, 22 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:26,367 former attorney general and treasurer of Ohio -- who 23 00:01:26,367 --> 00:01:30,033 everybody says is highly qualified. 24 00:01:30,033 --> 00:01:33,800 The majority of attorney generals, 25 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:37,033 Republican and Democrat, from across the country have said 26 00:01:37,033 --> 00:01:39,934 this is somebody who can do the job with integrity, 27 00:01:39,934 --> 00:01:44,100 who has a tradition of being a bipartisan individual who looks 28 00:01:44,100 --> 00:01:48,265 out for the public interest, and is ready to go. 29 00:01:48,266 --> 00:01:51,200 And he actually helped set up the Consumer Finance 30 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:52,900 Protection Board. 31 00:01:52,900 --> 00:01:56,967 This morning, Senate Republicans blocked his nomination, 32 00:01:56,967 --> 00:02:02,133 refusing to let the Senate even go forward with an up 33 00:02:02,133 --> 00:02:04,767 or down vote on Mr. Cordray. 34 00:02:04,767 --> 00:02:06,767 This makes absolutely no sense. 35 00:02:08,934 --> 00:02:12,500 Consumers across the country understand that part of the 36 00:02:12,500 --> 00:02:17,000 reason we got into the financial mess that we did was because 37 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:19,200 regulators were not doing their jobs. 38 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,566 People were not paying attention to what was happening in the 39 00:02:22,567 --> 00:02:25,734 housing market; people weren't paying attention to who was 40 00:02:25,734 --> 00:02:27,266 being taken advantage of. 41 00:02:27,266 --> 00:02:30,533 There were folks who were making a lot of money taking advantage 42 00:02:30,533 --> 00:02:33,033 of American consumers. 43 00:02:33,033 --> 00:02:36,033 This individual's job is to make sure that individual consumers 44 00:02:36,033 --> 00:02:41,399 are protected -- everybody from seniors to young people who are 45 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:45,166 looking for student loans, to members of our Armed Services 46 00:02:45,166 --> 00:02:48,700 who are probably more vulnerable than just about anybody when it 47 00:02:48,700 --> 00:02:52,367 comes to unscrupulous financial practices. 48 00:02:52,367 --> 00:02:55,867 There is no reason why Mr. Cordray should not be 49 00:02:55,867 --> 00:02:59,166 nominated, and should not be confirmed by the Senate, 50 00:02:59,166 --> 00:03:04,033 and should not be doing his job right away in order to carry out 51 00:03:04,033 --> 00:03:06,733 his mandate and his mission. 52 00:03:06,734 --> 00:03:10,533 So I just want to send a message to the Senate: We are not giving 53 00:03:10,533 --> 00:03:11,533 up on this. 54 00:03:11,533 --> 00:03:13,466 We're going to keep on going at it. 55 00:03:13,467 --> 00:03:16,567 We are not going to allow politics as usual on Capitol 56 00:03:16,567 --> 00:03:19,633 Hill to stand in the way of American consumers being 57 00:03:19,633 --> 00:03:25,033 protected by unscrupulous financial operators. 58 00:03:25,033 --> 00:03:27,100 And we're going to keep on pushing on this issue. 59 00:03:27,100 --> 00:03:30,700 Now, the second thing I want to make clear about is that, 60 00:03:30,700 --> 00:03:34,767 with respect to the payroll tax -- you guys have all seen our 61 00:03:34,767 --> 00:03:37,700 countdown clock behind us. 62 00:03:37,700 --> 00:03:43,934 This is about doing -- making sure that everybody is doing 63 00:03:43,934 --> 00:03:48,367 their fair share and that the middle class does not see their 64 00:03:48,367 --> 00:03:52,566 taxes go up by $1,000 in 23 days. 65 00:03:52,567 --> 00:03:57,633 And we've heard recently some intimations from the Senate 66 00:03:57,633 --> 00:04:02,000 Majority Leader and from the Speaker of the House -- or the 67 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:05,233 Senate Minority Leader and the Speaker of the House that they 68 00:04:05,233 --> 00:04:08,166 think we should do a payroll tax, 69 00:04:08,166 --> 00:04:11,100 but the question is what price will they extract from the 70 00:04:11,100 --> 00:04:12,533 President in order to get it done. 71 00:04:12,533 --> 00:04:18,567 And I just want to make clear: This is not about me. 72 00:04:18,567 --> 00:04:22,633 They shouldn't extend the payroll tax cut for me. 73 00:04:22,633 --> 00:04:26,667 They shouldn't extend unemployment insurance for me. 74 00:04:26,667 --> 00:04:29,799 This is for 160 million people who, in 23 days, 75 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:34,000 are going to see their taxes go up if Congress doesn't act. 76 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,033 This is for 5 million individuals who are out there 77 00:04:36,033 --> 00:04:39,533 looking for a job and can't find a job right now in a tough 78 00:04:39,533 --> 00:04:44,200 economy who could end up not being able to pay their bills 79 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:48,133 or keep their house if Congress doesn't act. 80 00:04:48,133 --> 00:04:53,032 So rather than trying to figure out what can they extract 81 00:04:53,033 --> 00:04:56,266 politically from me in order to get this thing done, 82 00:04:56,266 --> 00:04:58,567 what they need to do is be focused on what's good for 83 00:04:58,567 --> 00:05:00,900 the economy, what's good for jobs and what's good for the 84 00:05:00,900 --> 00:05:02,500 American people. 85 00:05:02,500 --> 00:05:07,700 And I made very clear I do not expect Congress to go home 86 00:05:07,700 --> 00:05:11,933 unless the payroll tax cut is extended and unless unemployment 87 00:05:11,934 --> 00:05:14,133 insurance is extended. 88 00:05:14,133 --> 00:05:20,099 It would be wrong for families, but it would also be wrong for 89 00:05:20,100 --> 00:05:22,700 the economy as a whole. 90 00:05:22,700 --> 00:05:24,834 With that, I'm going to take a couple of questions. Ben. 91 00:05:24,834 --> 00:05:25,500 The Press: Thank you, Mr. President. 92 00:05:25,500 --> 00:05:26,667 It's a very busy time. 93 00:05:26,667 --> 00:05:30,200 If I may, I'd like to ask you about two other important issues 94 00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:31,066 in the news. 95 00:05:31,066 --> 00:05:36,200 Republican candidates have taken aim at your approach to foreign 96 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:38,265 policy, particularly the Middle East and Israel, 97 00:05:38,266 --> 00:05:41,000 and accused you of appeasement. 98 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:42,433 I wanted to get your reaction to that. 99 00:05:42,433 --> 00:05:45,467 And also, I'm wondering if you personally intervened in any way 100 00:05:45,467 --> 00:05:48,900 in halting the sale of the "morning after" pill to those 101 00:05:48,900 --> 00:05:52,767 under 17, and whether you think politics trumps science 102 00:05:52,767 --> 00:05:56,300 in this case. 103 00:05:56,300 --> 00:06:01,433 The President: Ask Osama bin Laden and the 22-out-of-30 top al Qaeda 104 00:06:01,433 --> 00:06:04,099 leaders who've been taken off the field whether I 105 00:06:04,100 --> 00:06:09,000 engage in appeasement. 106 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:12,834 Or whoever is left out there, ask them about that. 107 00:06:12,834 --> 00:06:19,700 With respect to the Plan B, I did not get involved in 108 00:06:19,700 --> 00:06:20,633 the process. 109 00:06:20,633 --> 00:06:23,933 This was a decision that was made by Kathleen Sebelius, 110 00:06:23,934 --> 00:06:26,300 the Secretary of HHS. 111 00:06:26,300 --> 00:06:28,767 I will say this, as the father of two daughters. 112 00:06:30,767 --> 00:06:39,166 I think it is important for us to make sure that we apply some 113 00:06:39,166 --> 00:06:45,500 common sense to various rules when it comes to 114 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:48,834 over-the-counter medicine. 115 00:06:48,834 --> 00:06:52,834 And as I understand it, the reason Kathleen made this 116 00:06:52,834 --> 00:06:59,400 decision was she could not be confident that a 10-year-old or 117 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:02,467 an 11-year-old go into a drugstore, 118 00:07:02,467 --> 00:07:10,000 should be able -- alongside bubble gum or batteries -- be 119 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:18,767 able to buy a medication that potentially, 120 00:07:18,767 --> 00:07:21,933 if not used properly, could end up having an adverse effect. 121 00:07:21,934 --> 00:07:27,133 And I think most parents would probably feel the same way. 122 00:07:27,133 --> 00:07:31,500 So the expectation here is -- I think it's very important 123 00:07:31,500 --> 00:07:35,767 to understand that, for women, for those over 17, 124 00:07:35,767 --> 00:07:39,600 this continues to be something that you can go in and purchase 125 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:40,633 from a drugstore. 126 00:07:40,633 --> 00:07:42,734 It has been deemed safe by the FDA. 127 00:07:42,734 --> 00:07:44,667 Nobody is challenging that. 128 00:07:44,667 --> 00:07:47,967 When it comes to 12-year-olds or 13-year-olds, 129 00:07:47,967 --> 00:07:54,032 the question is can we have confidence that they would 130 00:07:54,033 --> 00:07:57,800 potentially use Plan B properly. 131 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:02,967 And her judgment was that there was not enough evidence that 132 00:08:02,967 --> 00:08:06,265 this potentially could be used improperly in a way that had 133 00:08:06,266 --> 00:08:09,900 adverse health effects on those young people. 134 00:08:09,900 --> 00:08:11,633 The Press: Do you fully support the decision? 135 00:08:11,633 --> 00:08:12,567 The President: I do. 136 00:08:12,567 --> 00:08:15,300 The Press: Mr. President, is a recess appointment for Richard Cordray 137 00:08:15,300 --> 00:08:17,133 on the table, number one. 138 00:08:17,133 --> 00:08:19,000 And number two, the Italian Prime Minister, 139 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:21,166 the new Prime Minister indicated today he may be coming to the 140 00:08:21,166 --> 00:08:22,367 White House next month. 141 00:08:22,367 --> 00:08:24,900 Do you think he and other European leaders are stepping 142 00:08:24,900 --> 00:08:27,799 up in the way you've urged them to, to sort of clear up 143 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:31,000 the debt crisis? 144 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:32,667 The President: I will not take any options off the table 145 00:08:32,667 --> 00:08:36,967 when it comes to getting Richard Cordray in as director of the 146 00:08:36,967 --> 00:08:39,299 Consumer Finance Protection Board. 147 00:08:39,299 --> 00:08:43,666 And I want to repeat what I said earlier: This is a law that was 148 00:08:43,667 --> 00:08:50,400 passed by Congress that I signed into law that is designed solely 149 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,266 to protect American consumers. 150 00:08:53,266 --> 00:08:55,632 I don't think there's any consumer out there -- I don't 151 00:08:55,633 --> 00:08:57,834 think there's any American out there -- who thinks that the 152 00:08:57,834 --> 00:09:01,500 reason we got into the big financial mess that we did was 153 00:09:01,500 --> 00:09:05,000 because of too much regulation of Wall Street or the financial 154 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:06,767 services industry. 155 00:09:06,767 --> 00:09:07,967 I take it back. 156 00:09:07,967 --> 00:09:10,333 I'm sure there are some folks in the financial service industry 157 00:09:10,333 --> 00:09:12,834 who make that argument; although I'm not sure that they make it 158 00:09:12,834 --> 00:09:15,867 with a straight face. 159 00:09:15,867 --> 00:09:19,967 So let's just take a very specific example: All the 160 00:09:19,967 --> 00:09:23,000 families out there who have now lost their home, 161 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:26,433 after having paid their mortgage over and over again, 162 00:09:26,433 --> 00:09:31,200 because they were told that they could afford this home; 163 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:35,133 they didn't understand all the documentation that was involved 164 00:09:35,133 --> 00:09:36,967 -- this was peddled deliberately to them, 165 00:09:36,967 --> 00:09:39,967 even though a mortgage broker might have known that there was 166 00:09:39,967 --> 00:09:44,533 no way that they could keep up with these payments -- and now 167 00:09:44,533 --> 00:09:48,934 they're out on the street because nobody was making 168 00:09:48,934 --> 00:09:53,199 sure that there's fair play and fair dealing in the mortgage 169 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:54,467 industry on it. 170 00:09:54,467 --> 00:09:58,233 Now, why wouldn't we want to have somebody just to make 171 00:09:58,233 --> 00:10:01,032 sure that people are being treated fairly? 172 00:10:05,333 --> 00:10:08,300 Especially when not only is that family affected, 173 00:10:08,300 --> 00:10:11,400 but our whole economy is affected. 174 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:13,000 This is part of what I was talking about a couple 175 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:14,433 of days ago. 176 00:10:14,433 --> 00:10:20,433 We have a Congress right now, Republicans in Congress right 177 00:10:20,433 --> 00:10:24,867 now, who seem to have entirely forgotten how 178 00:10:24,867 --> 00:10:27,867 we got into this mess. 179 00:10:27,867 --> 00:10:32,233 And part of the reason was because we did not empower our 180 00:10:32,233 --> 00:10:39,333 regulators to make sure that they were ensuring fair play. 181 00:10:39,333 --> 00:10:41,766 That's what the Consumer Finance Protection Board 182 00:10:41,767 --> 00:10:43,400 is designed to do. 183 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,800 We had Holly Petraeus, wife of General Petraeus, 184 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:51,233 who's been working to make sure that our Armed Services 185 00:10:51,233 --> 00:10:53,333 personnel aren't taken advantage of. 186 00:10:53,333 --> 00:10:57,699 They get transferred to a base, and next thing they know they're 187 00:10:57,700 --> 00:11:00,767 taking out loans that they think are a good deal, 188 00:11:00,767 --> 00:11:08,600 but it turns out that they're paying 100-150-200 percent 189 00:11:08,600 --> 00:11:11,100 interest rates. 190 00:11:11,100 --> 00:11:13,266 Why wouldn't we want somebody in place to make sure that 191 00:11:13,266 --> 00:11:15,733 doesn't happen? 192 00:11:15,734 --> 00:11:17,834 It doesn't make any sense. 193 00:11:17,834 --> 00:11:21,199 So the bottom line is -- you asked about the recess 194 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:25,800 appointment -- we're going to look at all our options. 195 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:31,766 My hope and expectation is, is that the Republicans who blocked 196 00:11:31,767 --> 00:11:36,834 this nomination come to their senses. 197 00:11:36,834 --> 00:11:39,099 And I know that some of them have made an argument, well, 198 00:11:39,100 --> 00:11:43,633 we just want to sort of make some modifications in the law. 199 00:11:43,633 --> 00:11:48,934 Well, they're free to introduce a bill and get that passed. 200 00:11:48,934 --> 00:11:52,132 But part of what's happened over on Capitol Hill -- not just on 201 00:11:52,133 --> 00:11:55,967 this issue, but on every issue -- is they will hold up 202 00:11:55,967 --> 00:12:01,567 nominations, well-qualified judges aren't getting a vote -- 203 00:12:01,567 --> 00:12:06,066 I've got assistant secretaries to the Treasury who get held up 204 00:12:06,066 --> 00:12:09,567 for no reason, just because they're trying to see if they 205 00:12:09,567 --> 00:12:15,800 can use that to reverse some sort of law that's 206 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:17,532 already been passed. 207 00:12:17,533 --> 00:12:22,533 And that's part of what gets the American people so frustrated -- 208 00:12:22,533 --> 00:12:24,667 because they don't feel like this thing is on the level. 209 00:12:24,667 --> 00:12:26,200 The Press: The European crisis, do you have any sense -- 210 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:33,700 The President: Oh, on the European debt crisis -- I am 211 00:12:33,700 --> 00:12:36,900 obviously very concerned about what's happening in Europe. 212 00:12:36,900 --> 00:12:42,934 I've expressed those concerns repeatedly to President Sarkozy, 213 00:12:42,934 --> 00:12:47,100 Chancellor Merkel, all the key leaders involved. 214 00:12:47,100 --> 00:12:52,133 I think they now recognize the urgency of doing something 215 00:12:52,133 --> 00:12:55,433 serious and bold. 216 00:12:55,433 --> 00:12:57,533 The question is whether they can muster the political will to get 217 00:12:57,533 --> 00:12:58,900 it done. 218 00:12:58,900 --> 00:13:04,567 Look, Europe is wealthy enough that there's no reason why they 219 00:13:04,567 --> 00:13:07,467 can't solve this problem. 220 00:13:07,467 --> 00:13:11,165 It's not as if we're talking about some impoverished country 221 00:13:11,166 --> 00:13:17,600 that doesn't have any resources, and is being buffeted by the 222 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:23,600 world markets, and they need to come hat in hand and get help. 223 00:13:25,967 --> 00:13:31,900 This is Europe, with some of the wealthiest countries on Earth; 224 00:13:31,900 --> 00:13:35,266 collectively one of the largest markets on Earth, 225 00:13:35,266 --> 00:13:36,699 if not the largest. 226 00:13:36,700 --> 00:13:41,066 And so if they muster the political will, 227 00:13:41,066 --> 00:13:45,900 they have the capacity to settle markets down, 228 00:13:45,900 --> 00:13:50,800 make sure that they are acting responsibly, 229 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:54,000 and that governments like Italy are able to finance their debt. 230 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:58,000 And I think that Chancellor Merkel has made some progress 231 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:03,166 with other European leaders in trying to move towards a fiscal 232 00:14:03,166 --> 00:14:08,100 compact where everybody is playing by the same rules and 233 00:14:08,100 --> 00:14:10,000 nobody is acting irresponsibly. 234 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,500 I think that's all for the good, but there's a short-term crisis 235 00:14:12,500 --> 00:14:15,767 that has to be resolved to make sure that markets have 236 00:14:15,767 --> 00:14:18,800 confidence that Europe stands behind the euro. 237 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:22,900 And we're going to do everything we can to push them in a good 238 00:14:22,900 --> 00:14:25,199 direction on this, because it has a huge impact on what 239 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:26,433 happens here in the United States. 240 00:14:26,433 --> 00:14:28,033 They are our largest trading partner, 241 00:14:28,033 --> 00:14:34,600 and we're seeing some positive signs in our economy, 242 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:38,934 but if we see Europe tank, that obviously could have a 243 00:14:38,934 --> 00:14:41,867 big impact on our ability to generate the jobs that we need 244 00:14:41,867 --> 00:14:42,867 here in the United States. 245 00:14:42,867 --> 00:14:44,065 I'm going to answer one last question. 246 00:14:44,066 --> 00:14:46,600 Kristen -- Kristen Welker. 247 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:48,300 The Press: Mr. President, thank you. 248 00:14:48,300 --> 00:14:52,333 You just called on Congress not to leave until they resolve this 249 00:14:52,333 --> 00:14:54,766 issue over the payroll tax cuts and unemployment 250 00:14:54,767 --> 00:14:55,867 insurance benefits. 251 00:14:55,867 --> 00:14:59,165 Can you say definitively that you will postpone your own 252 00:14:59,166 --> 00:15:02,033 vacation until these two matters are resolved? 253 00:15:02,033 --> 00:15:05,834 And also, on Iran, we've heard some sharper language from 254 00:15:05,834 --> 00:15:08,867 members of your administration about Iran recently. 255 00:15:08,867 --> 00:15:11,699 Are you intentionally trying to ramp up the pressure on Iran? 256 00:15:11,700 --> 00:15:15,100 And given that you stated that no options are off the table, 257 00:15:15,100 --> 00:15:17,367 should we take that to mean that you are considering some 258 00:15:17,367 --> 00:15:20,867 other options? 259 00:15:20,867 --> 00:15:28,065 The President: No options off the table means I'm considering all options. 260 00:15:28,066 --> 00:15:29,834 The Press: Can you tell us specifically what those options might be? 261 00:15:29,834 --> 00:15:34,000 The President: No. But what I can say with respect to Iran, 262 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:36,700 I think it's very important to remember, 263 00:15:36,700 --> 00:15:40,166 particularly given some of the political noise out there, 264 00:15:40,166 --> 00:15:44,467 that this administration has systematically imposed the 265 00:15:44,467 --> 00:15:48,233 toughest sanctions on Iraq -- on Iran ever. 266 00:15:50,700 --> 00:15:54,700 When we came into office, the world was divided; 267 00:15:54,700 --> 00:16:01,834 Iran was unified and moving aggressively on its own agenda. 268 00:16:01,834 --> 00:16:06,199 Today, Iran is isolated, and the world is unified in applying the 269 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:08,500 toughest sanctions that Iran has ever experienced. 270 00:16:08,500 --> 00:16:10,700 And it's having an impact inside of Iran. 271 00:16:10,700 --> 00:16:14,100 And that's as a consequence of the extraordinary work that's 272 00:16:14,100 --> 00:16:17,600 been done by our national security team. 273 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:25,200 Now, Iran understands that they have a choice: They can break 274 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:31,233 that isolation by acting responsibly and foreswearing the 275 00:16:31,233 --> 00:16:35,500 development of nuclear weapons, which would still allow them to 276 00:16:35,500 --> 00:16:39,667 pursue peaceful nuclear power, like every other country that's 277 00:16:39,667 --> 00:16:42,400 a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, 278 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:50,333 or they can continue to operate in a fashion that isolates them 279 00:16:50,333 --> 00:16:52,333 from the entire world. 280 00:16:52,333 --> 00:16:56,533 And if they are pursuing nuclear weapons, 281 00:16:56,533 --> 00:17:00,734 then I have said very clearly, that is contrary to the national 282 00:17:00,734 --> 00:17:03,333 security interests of the United States; 283 00:17:03,333 --> 00:17:06,500 it's contrary to the national security interests of our 284 00:17:06,500 --> 00:17:13,000 allies, including Israel; and we are going to work with the world 285 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,032 community to prevent that. 286 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:25,399 With respect to my vacation, I would not ask anybody to 287 00:17:25,400 --> 00:17:28,000 do something I'm not willing to do myself. 288 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:31,767 So I know some of you might have been looking forward to a little 289 00:17:31,767 --> 00:17:35,500 sun and sand -- (laughter) -- but the bottom line is, 290 00:17:35,500 --> 00:17:39,266 is that we are going to stay here as long as it takes to 291 00:17:39,266 --> 00:17:41,734 make sure that the American people's taxes don't go up on 292 00:17:41,734 --> 00:17:46,699 January 1st, and to make sure that folks who desperately need 293 00:17:46,700 --> 00:17:50,166 unemployment insurance get that help. 294 00:17:50,166 --> 00:17:55,734 And there's absolutely no excuse for us not getting it done. 295 00:17:55,734 --> 00:17:58,100 Keep in mind, on the payroll tax cut, 296 00:17:58,100 --> 00:18:02,567 this is something that Democrats and Republicans agreed to last 297 00:18:02,567 --> 00:18:09,433 year with little fanfare, and it was good for the economy. 298 00:18:09,433 --> 00:18:14,734 And independent economists estimate that for us to not 299 00:18:14,734 --> 00:18:18,433 extend it right now -- to not extend payroll tax cut, 300 00:18:18,433 --> 00:18:21,033 not extend unemployment insurance -- would have 301 00:18:21,033 --> 00:18:25,100 a significant, adverse impact on our economy, 302 00:18:25,100 --> 00:18:26,332 right at a time when we're supposed to be 303 00:18:26,333 --> 00:18:29,967 growing the economy. 304 00:18:29,967 --> 00:18:39,500 So when I hear the Speaker or the Senate Republican leader 305 00:18:39,500 --> 00:18:43,633 wanting to dicker, wanting to see what can they extract 306 00:18:43,633 --> 00:18:49,000 from us in order to get this done, my response to them is, 307 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,367 just do the right thing: Focus on the American people, 308 00:18:52,367 --> 00:18:54,767 focus on the economy right now. 309 00:18:54,767 --> 00:18:59,533 I know the suggestion right now is, is that somehow, well, 310 00:18:59,533 --> 00:19:03,500 this Keystone issue will create jobs. 311 00:19:03,500 --> 00:19:06,533 That's being determined by the State Department right now, 312 00:19:06,533 --> 00:19:08,132 and there is a process. 313 00:19:08,133 --> 00:19:14,600 But here's what I know: However many jobs might be generated by 314 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:18,166 a Keystone pipeline, they're going to be a lot fewer than 315 00:19:18,166 --> 00:19:21,367 the jobs that are created by extending the payroll tax cut 316 00:19:21,367 --> 00:19:23,000 and extending unemployment insurance. 317 00:19:25,934 --> 00:19:27,567 Get it done. 318 00:19:27,567 --> 00:19:32,700 And if not, maybe we'll have a white Christmas 319 00:19:32,700 --> 00:19:35,500 here in Washington. 320 00:19:35,500 --> 00:19:38,233 And I look forward to spending a lot of time with you guys -- 321 00:19:38,233 --> 00:19:40,367 (laughter) 322 00:19:40,367 --> 00:19:42,367 -- between now and the New Year. 323 00:19:42,367 --> 00:19:43,433 All right. Thank you, guys. 324 00:19:44,467 --> 00:19:55,567 Mr. Carney: Okay. I will engage in what I trust will be a brief briefing. 325 00:19:56,300 --> 00:19:58,200 I don't have any announcements. 326 00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:01,800 I think we put out the trip next week, correct? 327 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:04,166 To Fort Bragg. 328 00:20:04,166 --> 00:20:06,033 And the President looks forward to that visit, 329 00:20:09,266 --> 00:20:11,333 even more than he looks forward to spending a lot of time with 330 00:20:11,333 --> 00:20:14,400 you as we get closer and closer to Christmas. 331 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:15,967 (laughter) 332 00:20:15,967 --> 00:20:17,033 Questions. 333 00:20:18,867 --> 00:20:20,200 The Press: Share the wealth. 334 00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:22,300 Mr. Carney: Share the wealth. Reuters. 335 00:20:22,300 --> 00:20:23,667 The Press: Can I ask about Russia? 336 00:20:23,667 --> 00:20:24,233 Mr. Carney: Yes, please. 337 00:20:24,233 --> 00:20:27,265 The Press: Prime Minister Putin today was accusing the U.S. of 338 00:20:27,266 --> 00:20:28,734 interference in Russian affairs. 339 00:20:28,734 --> 00:20:30,766 I wondered what your response was to that, 340 00:20:30,767 --> 00:20:34,233 and where concerns about the problems with the elections 341 00:20:34,233 --> 00:20:39,133 leave the reset of U.S.-Russian relations. 342 00:20:39,133 --> 00:20:41,834 Mr. Carney: Well, Secretary Clinton spoke to this issue in 343 00:20:41,834 --> 00:20:44,066 Brussels today. 344 00:20:44,066 --> 00:20:46,367 The United States and Russia have many common interests, 345 00:20:46,367 --> 00:20:49,633 as you've heard me discuss, and this administration has sought 346 00:20:49,633 --> 00:20:52,300 to develop and nurture those interests. 347 00:20:52,300 --> 00:20:53,899 Through engagement with the Russian government, 348 00:20:53,900 --> 00:20:55,767 we have advanced several of our top security and 349 00:20:55,767 --> 00:20:57,266 economic interests. 350 00:20:57,266 --> 00:20:59,400 We will continue to seek opportunities for cooperation 351 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:02,867 with Russia, based on mutual respect and those 352 00:21:02,867 --> 00:21:03,600 common interests. 353 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:06,899 At the same time, we have sought to deepen our engagement with 354 00:21:06,900 --> 00:21:10,400 Russian society and to promote universal values. 355 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:14,767 When rights are violated in Russia, or in any other country, 356 00:21:14,767 --> 00:21:16,367 we speak out. 357 00:21:16,367 --> 00:21:19,767 We are going to continue to pursue both tracks of engagement 358 00:21:19,767 --> 00:21:23,767 in the promotion of our interests and our values. 359 00:21:23,767 --> 00:21:25,800 I'll go on to say that we are encouraged by President 360 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:29,100 Medvedev's commitment to have the Central Election Commission 361 00:21:29,100 --> 00:21:31,367 investigate all election violations, 362 00:21:31,367 --> 00:21:33,367 and we welcome his acknowledgment that the 363 00:21:33,367 --> 00:21:37,265 demonstrations in Moscow and other cities are part of the 364 00:21:37,266 --> 00:21:40,300 democratic process. 365 00:21:40,300 --> 00:21:41,300 Yes. 366 00:21:41,300 --> 00:21:43,166 The Press: What specifically would the administration be 367 00:21:43,166 --> 00:21:47,867 willing to compromise on, as it relates to the appointment? 368 00:21:47,867 --> 00:21:52,934 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't think the President indicated any 369 00:21:52,934 --> 00:21:55,399 efforts to compromise. 370 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:59,000 I think he made a very compelling case for why 371 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:04,934 a law that was debated, negotiated, and passed 372 00:22:04,934 --> 00:22:07,567 successfully through Congress and was signed into law by the 373 00:22:07,567 --> 00:22:09,467 this President should be implemented. 374 00:22:09,467 --> 00:22:11,700 As I think he said in response to Ed's question, 375 00:22:14,166 --> 00:22:17,300 if there are members of Congress in the Senate or the House who 376 00:22:17,300 --> 00:22:20,066 have a problem with the bill or with the law as it is, 377 00:22:20,066 --> 00:22:23,300 and want to change it, submit a bill. 378 00:22:23,300 --> 00:22:25,367 Don't block it through parliamentary tactics, 379 00:22:25,367 --> 00:22:27,966 the implementation of the law of the land. 380 00:22:27,967 --> 00:22:30,400 Because who loses? 381 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:35,233 Not the non-financial -- or rather non-bank financial 382 00:22:35,233 --> 00:22:40,533 institutions, the oversight of which is being held up because 383 00:22:40,533 --> 00:22:45,934 of the Senate Republican filibuster. 384 00:22:45,934 --> 00:22:49,367 The people who lose are the American consumers who engage 385 00:22:49,367 --> 00:22:51,899 with those non-bank financial institutions all the time -- 386 00:22:51,900 --> 00:22:54,667 payday lenders, and mortgage service providers, 387 00:22:54,667 --> 00:22:59,265 student loan companies -- veterans. 388 00:23:02,133 --> 00:23:07,767 So they ought to do the right thing for American consumers. 389 00:23:07,767 --> 00:23:09,333 Don't do it for the President. 390 00:23:09,333 --> 00:23:11,333 We're not naïve enough to believe that, 391 00:23:13,233 --> 00:23:17,966 whether it's a payroll tax cut or a confirmation, 392 00:23:17,967 --> 00:23:19,033 they would do it for that reason. 393 00:23:19,033 --> 00:23:20,466 But they ought to do it because their constituents 394 00:23:20,467 --> 00:23:22,467 are demanding it. 395 00:23:22,467 --> 00:23:23,233 Brianna. 396 00:23:23,233 --> 00:23:26,800 The Press: On Plan B, the critics in your -- there are 397 00:23:26,800 --> 00:23:29,066 some critics in your own party who say that science 398 00:23:29,066 --> 00:23:31,467 lost to politics. 399 00:23:31,467 --> 00:23:33,867 Did this have anything to do with politics? 400 00:23:33,867 --> 00:23:42,433 Mr. Carney: I think the decision was Secretary Sebelius's decision. 401 00:23:42,433 --> 00:23:45,033 The President, as you heard, supports that decision, 402 00:23:45,033 --> 00:23:52,867 and I think he gave pretty compelling reasons for why 403 00:23:52,867 --> 00:23:57,667 he supports the decision, both as President and as a father. 404 00:24:00,934 --> 00:24:03,600 And then to the question of politics with regards to this 405 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:07,500 or anything else, I covered politics for a long time, 406 00:24:07,500 --> 00:24:10,700 and I'm just -- I can't figure out what the right -- there are 407 00:24:10,700 --> 00:24:13,767 politics in every issue, and there's an upside and a downside 408 00:24:13,767 --> 00:24:14,767 to every issue. 409 00:24:14,767 --> 00:24:17,734 And usually, it's hard to know in advance how these things will 410 00:24:17,734 --> 00:24:21,899 play out politically, which is just another reason why 411 00:24:21,900 --> 00:24:23,700 decisions like these ought to be made on the merits, 412 00:24:23,700 --> 00:24:25,166 and that's what Secretary Sebelius did. 413 00:24:25,166 --> 00:24:28,899 The Press: But he framed it in terms of 11- and 13-year-old girls. 414 00:24:28,900 --> 00:24:32,033 The cutoff is not 13, it's 17. 415 00:24:32,033 --> 00:24:33,000 Mr. Carney: The current cutoff is, right. 416 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:33,834 But the -- 417 00:24:33,834 --> 00:24:35,867 The Press: So in terms of 16-year-old, 15-year-old girls, 418 00:24:35,867 --> 00:24:38,600 who studies show many of whom are sexually active and would 419 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:42,632 actually have more use for the morning-after pill -- he didn't 420 00:24:42,633 --> 00:24:44,266 talk about it in those terms. 421 00:24:44,266 --> 00:24:45,467 Mr. Carney: No, he didn't. 422 00:24:45,467 --> 00:24:52,333 But the decision that the Secretary made was to say yes to 423 00:24:52,333 --> 00:24:59,467 or say no to the allowing of any girl of any age -- or younger 424 00:24:59,467 --> 00:25:01,734 girls included -- I mean, not just 16-year-olds, 425 00:25:01,734 --> 00:25:04,433 but it was a -- it would have resulted in allowing, 426 00:25:04,433 --> 00:25:11,934 as the President said, somebody to buy it along with batteries 427 00:25:11,934 --> 00:25:12,934 and bubble gum. 428 00:25:12,934 --> 00:25:16,867 So -- a 9-, 10-, 11-year-old. 429 00:25:16,867 --> 00:25:21,966 That was the decision that Secretary Sebelius faced. Bill. 430 00:25:21,967 --> 00:25:23,934 The Press: Does the President have any reaction to the stiff 431 00:25:23,934 --> 00:25:27,033 sentence handed down to former governor Blagojevich? 432 00:25:27,033 --> 00:25:30,100 Mr. Carney: I have not heard him discuss that, 433 00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:35,899 so -- I know you -- he didn't respond to your question, 434 00:25:35,900 --> 00:25:39,066 so I don't know if he has a reaction. 435 00:25:39,066 --> 00:25:40,700 The Press: Can I ask why you think -- I mean, 436 00:25:40,700 --> 00:25:43,367 the President comes in and makes what he believes is a compelling 437 00:25:43,367 --> 00:25:46,567 case that Republicans are blocking this person who 438 00:25:46,567 --> 00:25:48,734 would really help middle-class Americans. 439 00:25:48,734 --> 00:25:50,066 Mr. Carney: You believe it, too, Ed, come on. 440 00:25:50,066 --> 00:25:50,900 The Press: Of course I believe it. 441 00:25:50,900 --> 00:25:52,533 (laughter) 442 00:25:52,533 --> 00:25:55,833 In all seriousness, how -- why is it not breaking through, 443 00:25:55,834 --> 00:25:57,934 then -- let's forget about the Republican leadership, 444 00:25:57,934 --> 00:26:00,166 people like Senator McConnell, who have been opposed to the 445 00:26:00,166 --> 00:26:01,833 President on a lot of things -- Susan Collins, 446 00:26:01,834 --> 00:26:05,033 you're targeting her, in a way, by reaching out to the media in 447 00:26:05,033 --> 00:26:07,632 Maine; you've made this big PR blitz all week where you've 448 00:26:07,633 --> 00:26:10,266 billed as, like, we're really going to pressure people on the 449 00:26:10,266 --> 00:26:11,266 fence on this. 450 00:26:11,266 --> 00:26:13,300 And people like Susan Collins have heard the President's case 451 00:26:13,300 --> 00:26:15,100 and they just say, no, I don't agree. 452 00:26:15,100 --> 00:26:23,399 Mr. Carney: Well, you make a good point, that this club of Republicans 453 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:29,900 in the Congress are sometimes at odds not just with the President 454 00:26:29,900 --> 00:26:35,800 but with a overwhelming majority of public opinion for things 455 00:26:35,800 --> 00:26:41,000 that this President also happens to support. 456 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:46,800 So I think that if there were a referendum or plebiscite in 457 00:26:46,800 --> 00:26:50,166 Maine, I feel pretty confident that Democrats, 458 00:26:50,166 --> 00:26:54,033 independents and Republicans would support the confirmation 459 00:26:54,033 --> 00:26:57,600 of a consumer watchdog whose job it is to look out, 460 00:26:57,600 --> 00:27:01,033 in Washington, for their interests in their dealings 461 00:27:01,033 --> 00:27:03,734 with financial institutions. 462 00:27:03,734 --> 00:27:09,233 As the President said, there's this amnesia about what happened 463 00:27:09,233 --> 00:27:10,934 just a few years ago, and how it happened, 464 00:27:10,934 --> 00:27:14,867 and who got left holding the bag. 465 00:27:14,867 --> 00:27:18,700 So, I mean, that's a discussion that maybe you or your 466 00:27:18,700 --> 00:27:20,700 colleagues should have with Senator Collins or the other 467 00:27:20,700 --> 00:27:25,367 senators who unfortunately did not do the right thing today. 468 00:27:25,367 --> 00:27:27,633 But we hope, given the opportunity, 469 00:27:27,633 --> 00:27:30,433 they'll do the right thing on another day. 470 00:27:30,433 --> 00:27:31,900 The Press: But doesn't it say something about his use of the bully 471 00:27:31,900 --> 00:27:35,033 pulpit that he's trying this and it's not working 472 00:27:35,033 --> 00:27:35,899 with people in the middle? 473 00:27:35,900 --> 00:27:41,633 Mr. Carney: We live in a challenging political environment, 474 00:27:41,633 --> 00:27:43,133 there's no question. 475 00:27:43,133 --> 00:27:49,900 But in the end, everyone here -- the President, 476 00:27:49,900 --> 00:27:54,233 Vice President and every member of Congress -- answers 477 00:27:54,233 --> 00:27:56,800 to their constituents. 478 00:27:56,800 --> 00:28:00,600 And on every measure of the American Jobs Act, 479 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:04,199 including the payroll tax cut extension and expansion, 480 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:06,967 there is overwhelming public support -- Democratic, 481 00:28:06,967 --> 00:28:08,800 independent, Republican support. 482 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:14,834 And referring to the payroll tax cut extension, 483 00:28:14,834 --> 00:28:18,100 I just -- we may be here through Christmas, 484 00:28:18,100 --> 00:28:26,500 but it would take an awful lot of chutzpah as well as, perhaps, 485 00:28:26,500 --> 00:28:30,000 political courage to go home, if you're a senator or a 486 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:35,133 congressman, and answer the question, 487 00:28:35,133 --> 00:28:42,033 "Why did you vote to raise my taxes on January 1st?" Ben. 488 00:28:42,033 --> 00:28:42,567 You thought better -- 489 00:28:42,567 --> 00:28:45,266 The Press: I'm amending my remarks, yes, based on what you said there. 490 00:28:45,266 --> 00:28:46,700 I was thinking about the payroll tax. 491 00:28:46,700 --> 00:28:50,200 The President said yesterday that if it comes to him attached 492 00:28:50,200 --> 00:28:53,400 with "extraneous" issues not related to making sure the 493 00:28:53,400 --> 00:28:55,000 American people's taxes don't go up, 494 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:57,100 it's not something he's going to accept. 495 00:28:57,100 --> 00:28:58,399 I'm just trying to get clarity on that. 496 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:00,166 He would accept it if it's attached to issues like 497 00:29:00,166 --> 00:29:02,734 unemployment insurance and the doc fix, 498 00:29:02,734 --> 00:29:04,500 right -- things you want? 499 00:29:04,500 --> 00:29:10,800 Mr. Carney: Well, I think that "extraneous" is something you know when you see. 500 00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:18,800 And clearly, unemployment insurance is very much an 501 00:29:18,800 --> 00:29:23,734 element of the same kind of proposal the payroll tax cut 502 00:29:23,734 --> 00:29:29,332 extension and expansion is, and that it goes directly to 503 00:29:29,333 --> 00:29:32,734 assisting Americans make ends meet, 504 00:29:32,734 --> 00:29:37,966 and it has extremely positive impacts on the economy, 505 00:29:37,967 --> 00:29:40,734 on economic growth and job creation. 506 00:29:40,734 --> 00:29:47,699 The Keystone project is being reviewed in a process that was 507 00:29:47,700 --> 00:29:51,467 established through many decades of precedent at 508 00:29:51,467 --> 00:29:54,367 the State Department. 509 00:29:54,367 --> 00:29:58,734 It is being reviewed in a way that allows and has allowed for 510 00:29:58,734 --> 00:30:02,066 substantial public comment, as well as input from agencies 511 00:30:02,066 --> 00:30:03,967 across the government. 512 00:30:03,967 --> 00:30:06,667 And it is being reviewed in a way that takes into 513 00:30:06,667 --> 00:30:08,867 consideration the criteria that you've heard the President 514 00:30:08,867 --> 00:30:13,000 himself lay out as the most important criteria 515 00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:14,834 to be considered. 516 00:30:14,834 --> 00:30:21,033 That process needs to be allowed to be pursued, 517 00:30:21,033 --> 00:30:24,966 and the State Department has said that that will take a 518 00:30:24,967 --> 00:30:28,967 certain amount of time, and that's what should happen. 519 00:30:28,967 --> 00:30:31,900 It should not be, as the President said, 520 00:30:31,900 --> 00:30:36,867 a situation where leaders in Congress -- Republican leaders 521 00:30:36,867 --> 00:30:42,899 in Congress should be bargaining for political priorities in 522 00:30:42,900 --> 00:30:46,600 exchange for giving this President the payroll tax cut. 523 00:30:46,600 --> 00:30:49,966 Whatever happened to Republicans being for tax cuts? 524 00:30:49,967 --> 00:30:56,133 Is it because this one goes to 160 million Americans, 525 00:30:56,133 --> 00:30:59,867 middle-class working Americans, that they're ambivalent or 526 00:30:59,867 --> 00:31:02,300 they're willing to oppose it if they don't get some 527 00:31:02,300 --> 00:31:03,300 political scalp? 528 00:31:03,300 --> 00:31:06,734 Is it because President Obama supports it, 529 00:31:06,734 --> 00:31:08,132 or Democrats support it? 530 00:31:08,133 --> 00:31:10,567 It's confusing to me, and I think it's confusing to a lot 531 00:31:10,567 --> 00:31:12,767 of people, and based on the data I've seen it's confusing to a 532 00:31:12,767 --> 00:31:14,567 lot of Americans. 533 00:31:14,567 --> 00:31:19,433 So no extraneous attachments. 534 00:31:19,433 --> 00:31:22,333 The Press: Would that cover, for example, some of these environmental 535 00:31:22,333 --> 00:31:24,633 issues besides Keystone that Republicans are pushing? 536 00:31:24,633 --> 00:31:27,467 Would that be extraneous? 537 00:31:27,467 --> 00:31:28,800 Mr. Carney: Besides Keystone? 538 00:31:28,800 --> 00:31:31,100 Again, I think it's likely that something like that 539 00:31:31,100 --> 00:31:31,867 would be extraneous. 540 00:31:31,867 --> 00:31:34,066 I don't want to negotiate from here. 541 00:31:34,066 --> 00:31:36,667 Keystone is clearly extraneous. Laura. 542 00:31:36,667 --> 00:31:38,766 The Press: Thanks. 543 00:31:38,767 --> 00:31:42,567 You've said that it was Kathleen Sebelius's decision on Plan B. 544 00:31:42,567 --> 00:31:45,200 We also heard the President's views on the subject. 545 00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:48,300 Did he or anybody else in the White House communicate his 546 00:31:48,300 --> 00:31:50,399 views to her before she made the decision? 547 00:31:50,400 --> 00:31:53,467 Mr. Carney: It is certainly -- broadly speaking, 548 00:31:53,467 --> 00:31:55,567 I don't know with regard to this specific issue, 549 00:31:55,567 --> 00:31:58,633 but it's broadly the case that there is communication between 550 00:31:58,633 --> 00:32:03,567 agencies and the White House on matters like these and decisions 551 00:32:03,567 --> 00:32:08,967 that are made at those agencies like the Department of Health 552 00:32:08,967 --> 00:32:12,734 and Human Services or other departments. 553 00:32:12,734 --> 00:32:15,433 But in this case, as the President said, 554 00:32:15,433 --> 00:32:18,266 he had no involvement in the process. 555 00:32:18,266 --> 00:32:21,934 He supports the decision, and it was very much Kathleen 556 00:32:21,934 --> 00:32:23,266 Sebelius's decision. 557 00:32:23,266 --> 00:32:25,867 The Press: And did anybody -- I understand you're saying 558 00:32:25,867 --> 00:32:28,500 it was her decision, but there are lots of ways that you can 559 00:32:28,500 --> 00:32:29,734 come to a decision -- 560 00:32:29,734 --> 00:32:30,233 Mr. Carney: Look -- 561 00:32:30,233 --> 00:32:31,533 The Press: -- if I could just finish the question. 562 00:32:31,533 --> 00:32:32,632 Mr. Carney: Sure. 563 00:32:32,633 --> 00:32:34,100 The Press: You can come to a decision, for instance, 564 00:32:34,100 --> 00:32:36,632 after speaking with somebody at the White House who advises 565 00:32:36,633 --> 00:32:41,033 that, for any number of reasons, this is something that the White 566 00:32:41,033 --> 00:32:42,132 House would prefer. 567 00:32:42,133 --> 00:32:44,433 And putting the President himself aside, 568 00:32:44,433 --> 00:32:45,667 did anybody on the -- 569 00:32:45,667 --> 00:32:46,466 Mr. Carney: The implication in your -- 570 00:32:46,467 --> 00:32:48,266 The Press: -- in the White House communicate that to -- 571 00:32:48,266 --> 00:32:49,166 Mr. Carney: I get where you're headed. 572 00:32:49,166 --> 00:32:51,300 The implication in your question is that Kathleen Sebelius 573 00:32:51,300 --> 00:32:52,966 doesn't support this decision. 574 00:32:52,967 --> 00:32:54,900 I think you ought to ask her, because she does and 575 00:32:54,900 --> 00:32:55,033 she made it. 576 00:32:55,033 --> 00:33:00,433 So there is communication between the White House and 577 00:33:00,433 --> 00:33:03,266 agencies in a decision-making process like this, 578 00:33:03,266 --> 00:33:06,800 but the decision is made by the Secretary in this case, 579 00:33:06,800 --> 00:33:09,066 and it was made by Secretary Sebelius. 580 00:33:09,066 --> 00:33:15,300 The President had no involvement in that, as he just said, 581 00:33:15,300 --> 00:33:19,934 and this was her decision, and I think she put out a 582 00:33:19,934 --> 00:33:21,667 statement explaining it. 583 00:33:21,667 --> 00:33:22,800 The President supports it. 584 00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:24,265 The Press: But I've seen -- been in Washington a while, 585 00:33:24,266 --> 00:33:27,533 long enough to see Cabinet secretaries make decisions 586 00:33:27,533 --> 00:33:29,399 that they don't personally agree with. 587 00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:32,767 I don't know what is in the mind of Kathleen Sebelius. 588 00:33:32,767 --> 00:33:38,400 I'm just asking whether there was any influence on the part 589 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:42,500 of the White House staff in her coming to that conclusion. 590 00:33:42,500 --> 00:33:45,834 Mr. Carney: No, again, there was communication. 591 00:33:45,834 --> 00:33:49,066 But the implication of your question is that influence to 592 00:33:49,066 --> 00:33:51,834 get her to change her mind -- this was her decision. 593 00:33:51,834 --> 00:33:53,567 She made it and she clearly supports it, 594 00:33:53,567 --> 00:33:56,400 as articulated in her statement. 595 00:33:56,400 --> 00:33:58,533 Yes, Peter. 596 00:33:58,533 --> 00:34:00,600 The Press: Jay, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee 597 00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:04,399 this morning said he wants to see work product from Elena 598 00:34:04,400 --> 00:34:07,300 Kagan before -- in a period before it became clear that she 599 00:34:07,300 --> 00:34:09,967 was under consideration for the Supreme Court. 600 00:34:09,967 --> 00:34:12,700 Does the President support -- is there any reason the President 601 00:34:12,699 --> 00:34:14,833 feels that those documents should not be turned over in 602 00:34:14,833 --> 00:34:16,332 that two-month timeframe? 603 00:34:16,333 --> 00:34:18,800 And does he feel that she retains her impartiality in 604 00:34:18,800 --> 00:34:20,633 the health care case? 605 00:34:20,632 --> 00:34:24,299 Mr. Carney: Justice Kagan was confirmed with bipartisan support to 606 00:34:24,300 --> 00:34:31,767 the Supreme Court; went through the usual thorough 607 00:34:31,766 --> 00:34:33,366 confirmation process. 608 00:34:35,533 --> 00:34:38,734 I would point you to the statement by President Bush's 609 00:34:38,734 --> 00:34:41,500 former attorney general on this matter, 610 00:34:41,500 --> 00:34:43,934 and his views on whether or not there's an issue here. 611 00:34:43,934 --> 00:34:45,967 We agree with him. 612 00:34:45,967 --> 00:34:47,467 Yes, Jon-Christopher. 613 00:34:47,467 --> 00:34:51,400 The Press: I have another Plan B question, but this is a fiscal follow-up 614 00:34:51,400 --> 00:34:53,767 on what the President said earlier regarding the eurozone. 615 00:34:53,766 --> 00:34:56,632 Does the administration have a plan B to protect 616 00:34:56,632 --> 00:34:58,033 the U.S. economy -- 617 00:34:58,033 --> 00:34:59,033 (laughter) 618 00:34:59,033 --> 00:35:03,400 -- if its European leaders do not reach an agreement -- a debt 619 00:35:03,400 --> 00:35:07,467 agreement tomorrow in Brussels, especially now that S&P is 620 00:35:07,467 --> 00:35:11,133 threatening to downgrade all of Europe? 621 00:35:11,133 --> 00:35:16,165 Mr. Carney: He's focused on his plan A, which is passage of the payroll 622 00:35:16,166 --> 00:35:19,467 tax cut extension and expansion, passage of 623 00:35:19,467 --> 00:35:25,367 extension of unemployment insurance, passage -- if members 624 00:35:25,367 --> 00:35:26,667 of Congress come to their senses -- 625 00:35:26,667 --> 00:35:28,667 of the other elements of the American Jobs Act. 626 00:35:28,667 --> 00:35:34,066 He will not relent just because there is political opposition. 627 00:35:34,066 --> 00:35:39,667 And as he made clear here, he will stay as long as it takes 628 00:35:39,667 --> 00:35:45,533 in Washington to make sure that Congress doesn't allow 629 00:35:45,533 --> 00:35:49,200 160 million Americans to experience a tax cut next year. 630 00:35:49,200 --> 00:35:51,133 The Press: And that will have a positive effect on what's 631 00:35:51,133 --> 00:35:53,433 going on in Europe tomorrow during this -- 632 00:35:53,433 --> 00:35:56,033 Mr. Carney: Well, you asked what his plan B was for the 633 00:35:56,033 --> 00:35:57,133 American economy. 634 00:35:57,133 --> 00:35:59,933 And as I've said, and he has said in the past, 635 00:35:59,934 --> 00:36:01,734 and Secretary Geithner, is he's focused on the things 636 00:36:01,734 --> 00:36:02,967 you can control. 637 00:36:02,967 --> 00:36:05,900 You obviously engage on the issues that are not entirely 638 00:36:05,900 --> 00:36:07,467 in our control, like Europe. 639 00:36:07,467 --> 00:36:09,567 That's why Secretary Geithner is in Europe this week; 640 00:36:09,567 --> 00:36:13,433 why President Obama is in frequent communication with 641 00:36:13,433 --> 00:36:16,400 his counterparts in Europe, especially Chancellor Merkel 642 00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:19,367 and President Sarkozy, as he mentioned today. 643 00:36:19,367 --> 00:36:25,000 But you need to buy that insurance, if you will, 644 00:36:25,000 --> 00:36:27,233 for your own economy, for the American economy, 645 00:36:27,233 --> 00:36:31,000 by taking the decisive action that you can take, 646 00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:33,066 through Congress and outside of Congress, 647 00:36:33,066 --> 00:36:37,700 that can help buffer the American economy and protect it 648 00:36:37,700 --> 00:36:42,533 from the kinds of shocks that happen inevitably in the global 649 00:36:42,533 --> 00:36:45,133 economy -- whether it's the situation in Europe, 650 00:36:45,133 --> 00:36:48,366 or earthquake and tsunami in Japan, 651 00:36:48,367 --> 00:36:53,033 or unrest in the Middle East that affects oil prices. 652 00:36:53,033 --> 00:36:55,600 Those are the kinds of things that are not entirely in our 653 00:36:55,600 --> 00:36:59,567 control, and that we need to ensure against. 654 00:36:59,567 --> 00:37:02,100 That's why it is so essential that we take the measures we can 655 00:37:02,100 --> 00:37:06,533 take to ensure that we continue to recover from the worst 656 00:37:06,533 --> 00:37:08,667 recession since the Great Depression. 657 00:37:08,667 --> 00:37:12,467 It's why we need to put $1,550 in the pockets of the average 658 00:37:12,467 --> 00:37:15,467 American family next year, and why we need to make sure that 659 00:37:15,467 --> 00:37:18,333 those 5 million folks who are looking for work continue to get 660 00:37:18,333 --> 00:37:20,233 the kind of assistance they need. 661 00:37:20,233 --> 00:37:22,400 All the way in back. Yes. 662 00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:25,900 The Press: The leaders in Pakistan have been talking about 663 00:37:25,900 --> 00:37:28,433 new talks of engagement with the U.S. 664 00:37:28,433 --> 00:37:30,567 Have they given you any indication of what these 665 00:37:30,567 --> 00:37:33,233 new talks of engagement with the U.S. is going to be, 666 00:37:33,233 --> 00:37:34,734 and how is it going to be different from the 667 00:37:34,734 --> 00:37:35,866 present one? 668 00:37:35,867 --> 00:37:38,400 Mr. Carney: Not that I'm aware of, but, as you know, 669 00:37:38,400 --> 00:37:43,400 we have regular contacts with the Pakistani government. 670 00:37:43,400 --> 00:37:45,934 But I don't have any new information on 671 00:37:45,934 --> 00:37:49,967 those consultations. Kate. 672 00:37:49,967 --> 00:37:53,233 The Press: The Senate Democrats' plan would charge higher fees to 673 00:37:53,233 --> 00:37:55,934 lenders by Fannie and Freddie, which would eventually lead to 674 00:37:55,934 --> 00:37:57,934 higher interest rates for borrowers. 675 00:37:57,934 --> 00:38:01,300 So wouldn't that eventually come down to hurting the middle class 676 00:38:01,300 --> 00:38:02,000 in the end? 677 00:38:02,000 --> 00:38:05,166 And then also, I wondered if you had any reaction to Governor 678 00:38:05,166 --> 00:38:10,934 Perry's ad vowing to end Obama's war on religion. 679 00:38:13,900 --> 00:38:20,900 Mr. Carney: I don't have any reaction on what sounds like -- well, 680 00:38:20,900 --> 00:38:21,633 I don't have any reaction. 681 00:38:21,633 --> 00:38:24,700 (laughter) 682 00:38:24,700 --> 00:38:25,600 The Press: That's quite a reaction. 683 00:38:29,333 --> 00:38:33,867 Mr. Carney: As for the Senate Democratic bill, you mean the new -- 684 00:38:33,867 --> 00:38:36,734 The Press: Yes. 685 00:38:36,734 --> 00:38:38,433 Mr. Carney: -- payroll tax cut bill? 686 00:38:38,433 --> 00:38:39,200 We support it. 687 00:38:39,200 --> 00:38:42,500 The President has put forward his preferred pay-fors; 688 00:38:42,500 --> 00:38:44,467 the Senate Democrats have come forward with alternative 689 00:38:44,467 --> 00:38:48,333 pay-fors now, twice, and we support those measures. 690 00:38:48,333 --> 00:38:50,800 I don't have anything specific for you on that. 691 00:38:50,800 --> 00:38:54,467 I mean, this administration has made clear its views on winding 692 00:38:54,467 --> 00:38:56,600 down, or -- is that the correct language? 693 00:38:56,600 --> 00:38:59,900 -- on reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. 694 00:38:59,900 --> 00:39:02,667 So I just don't have a lot of specifics with regards to that 695 00:39:02,667 --> 00:39:03,734 provision for you. 696 00:39:03,734 --> 00:39:05,033 The Press: Because it would end up eventually hitting the 697 00:39:05,033 --> 00:39:05,767 middle class -- 698 00:39:05,767 --> 00:39:09,066 Mr. Carney: Well, again, I think that that's in a vacuum perhaps. 699 00:39:09,066 --> 00:39:12,200 But there are a lot of other moving pieces with regards to 700 00:39:12,200 --> 00:39:14,734 those institutions. Yes. 701 00:39:14,734 --> 00:39:16,033 The Press: Do you have any reaction -- 702 00:39:16,033 --> 00:39:17,266 Mr. Carney: And then Scott. Go ahead. 703 00:39:17,266 --> 00:39:18,400 No, no, you first. Sorry. 704 00:39:18,400 --> 00:39:19,400 The Press: Okay. 705 00:39:19,400 --> 00:39:22,834 Do you have any reaction to Mitt Romney specifically calling out 706 00:39:22,834 --> 00:39:29,200 the President's vacation as evidence of his lack of hands-on 707 00:39:29,200 --> 00:39:31,966 -- that the only thing he's hands-on with is his golf club 708 00:39:31,967 --> 00:39:35,700 -- and that if he were President he would take a much shorter 709 00:39:35,700 --> 00:39:39,866 vacation, which seems to kind of be what's likely to happen 710 00:39:39,867 --> 00:39:41,533 considering what's happening on the Hill. 711 00:39:41,533 --> 00:39:46,967 But still, this attack coming from Mitt Romney. 712 00:39:46,967 --> 00:39:48,533 Mr. Carney: I would just refer you to what the President 713 00:39:48,533 --> 00:39:55,033 said about the possibility of the holiday vacation for him, 714 00:39:55,033 --> 00:39:59,232 and the, I guess, increasing likelihood that it will be 715 00:39:59,233 --> 00:40:02,533 shorter than anticipated because he is absolutely committed to 716 00:40:03,967 --> 00:40:07,834 working with Congress as well as perhaps forcing Congress to stay 717 00:40:07,834 --> 00:40:11,533 here to get the absolutely necessary work it needs to 718 00:40:11,533 --> 00:40:13,567 get done, done. 719 00:40:18,233 --> 00:40:21,633 I have to say -- because this is obviously criticism to the 720 00:40:21,633 --> 00:40:25,165 President for whom I work -- that I don't remember Governor 721 00:40:25,166 --> 00:40:29,667 Romney having a hard time or complaining about this 722 00:40:29,667 --> 00:40:33,767 President's predecessor taking his family on vacation, 723 00:40:33,767 --> 00:40:36,399 spending, I believe, far more time on vacation than 724 00:40:36,400 --> 00:40:40,834 this President. 725 00:40:40,834 --> 00:40:42,066 But you never know what he might have said, 726 00:40:42,066 --> 00:40:43,533 so you might want to go check it. 727 00:40:43,533 --> 00:40:45,165 (laughter) 728 00:40:45,166 --> 00:40:47,533 Andrei Sitov. 729 00:40:47,533 --> 00:40:48,200 The Press: Thank you, Jay. 730 00:40:48,200 --> 00:40:53,265 And thank you for your comment on this Russian situation. 731 00:40:53,266 --> 00:40:54,367 Mr. Carney: Nye za shto. 732 00:40:54,367 --> 00:40:59,533 The Press: I must say that the actual comments from my 733 00:40:59,533 --> 00:41:04,066 country's leaders are also much more balanced than they are 734 00:41:04,066 --> 00:41:06,667 depicted, and in the U.S. -- 735 00:41:06,667 --> 00:41:09,100 Mr. Carney: I think we just -- I just -- we just commended 736 00:41:09,100 --> 00:41:11,333 President Medvedev for the statements he made. 737 00:41:11,333 --> 00:41:13,967 The Press: Well, when you actually read what they said, 738 00:41:13,967 --> 00:41:15,934 other than what's reported. 739 00:41:15,934 --> 00:41:19,967 But he did make an interesting observation -- I mean Putin in 740 00:41:19,967 --> 00:41:23,100 this case -- when he was talking to his supporters. 741 00:41:23,100 --> 00:41:28,366 He was responding to questions, and many of those questions were 742 00:41:28,367 --> 00:41:33,166 about, see, the Americans keep trying to influence our internal 743 00:41:33,166 --> 00:41:36,033 politics, keep spending money on it -- which is true, 744 00:41:36,033 --> 00:41:38,400 because I asked Mark Toner the other day 745 00:41:38,400 --> 00:41:39,300 at the State Department. 746 00:41:39,300 --> 00:41:43,533 He gave me a figure of $9 million that the U.S. spent 747 00:41:43,533 --> 00:41:45,366 on supporting the process of elections in Russia. 748 00:41:45,367 --> 00:41:46,800 Mr. Carney: We support democracy. 749 00:41:46,800 --> 00:41:51,133 The Press: Right. And then Putin actually said that it's much higher than 750 00:41:51,133 --> 00:41:52,767 that; it's hundreds of millions. 751 00:41:52,767 --> 00:41:54,500 So I don't know where he gets that figure, 752 00:41:54,500 --> 00:41:58,233 but it doesn't strike me as impossible, either. 753 00:41:58,233 --> 00:41:59,166 Mr. Carney: Is there a question? 754 00:41:59,166 --> 00:42:08,600 The Press: Yes. The question is, is it sort of -- is it worth it? 755 00:42:08,600 --> 00:42:13,200 Why do we want to do this, if this provokes this sort of 756 00:42:13,200 --> 00:42:14,866 reaction throughout the world? 757 00:42:14,867 --> 00:42:16,900 And I mean -- you are speaking out. 758 00:42:16,900 --> 00:42:18,533 That's understandable. 759 00:42:18,533 --> 00:42:20,200 But actually spending money on this? 760 00:42:20,200 --> 00:42:22,000 Like I asked you yesterday about this -- 761 00:42:22,000 --> 00:42:25,066 Mr. Carney: Again, I'm not -- I'm going to find a question 762 00:42:25,066 --> 00:42:26,033 in there and respond to it. 763 00:42:26,033 --> 00:42:28,533 (laughter) 764 00:42:28,533 --> 00:42:33,567 The State Department has a long history of engagement with 765 00:42:33,567 --> 00:42:35,834 countries around the world and the democratic process. 766 00:42:35,834 --> 00:42:38,700 It should not come as a surprise to anyone that we, 767 00:42:38,700 --> 00:42:43,834 the United States of America, support democracy for everyone 768 00:42:43,834 --> 00:42:51,834 around the world -- and that we have made clear in our improved 769 00:42:51,834 --> 00:42:54,299 relationship with Russia the importance of our common 770 00:42:54,300 --> 00:42:57,934 interests, the successes that I know you've reported on and 771 00:42:57,934 --> 00:43:01,266 everyone here has reported on, that we have had working with 772 00:43:01,266 --> 00:43:03,633 Russia on a number of important issues. 773 00:43:03,633 --> 00:43:07,100 But we also have sought to deepen our engagement with 774 00:43:07,100 --> 00:43:09,400 Russian society and promote universal values. 775 00:43:09,400 --> 00:43:12,500 And we will continue to do that. 776 00:43:12,500 --> 00:43:19,767 And I think that is -- that both of those pursuits can proceed 777 00:43:19,767 --> 00:43:20,966 and be complementary. 778 00:43:20,967 --> 00:43:23,500 The Press: What's closer to the truth, the $9 million or the hundreds 779 00:43:23,500 --> 00:43:23,934 of millions? 780 00:43:23,934 --> 00:43:27,433 Mr. Carney: Again, I would take the State Department's word for it. 781 00:43:27,433 --> 00:43:27,967 The Press: Thank you, Jay. 782 00:43:27,967 --> 00:43:30,300 Mr. Carney: Yes. And then I said Scott. 783 00:43:30,300 --> 00:43:33,600 But, yes, you're next and then Scott. 784 00:43:33,600 --> 00:43:35,100 The Press: Take a shot on the Middle East again because the 785 00:43:35,100 --> 00:43:36,567 President was asked about appeasement, 786 00:43:36,567 --> 00:43:39,066 which is sure to make headlines in terms of his response, 787 00:43:39,066 --> 00:43:42,033 and he had that -- he took some heat from Republicans yesterday 788 00:43:42,033 --> 00:43:44,366 on Israel. 789 00:43:44,367 --> 00:43:49,300 Secretary Panetta's remark last week about Israel just needing 790 00:43:49,300 --> 00:43:51,734 to get back -- "get to the damn table," 791 00:43:51,734 --> 00:43:53,266 does that pretty much sum up -- 792 00:43:53,266 --> 00:43:56,100 Mr. Carney: Well, again, first of all, I will say that was a reported 793 00:43:56,100 --> 00:43:59,967 remark from a private meeting, as I understand it. 794 00:43:59,967 --> 00:44:04,000 And if you're asking me in general, 795 00:44:04,000 --> 00:44:08,166 is our view that both sides need to get to the table, 796 00:44:08,166 --> 00:44:09,100 the answer is, yes. 797 00:44:09,100 --> 00:44:11,967 We support direct negotiations between the Palestinians and 798 00:44:11,967 --> 00:44:12,667 the Israelis. 799 00:44:12,667 --> 00:44:14,000 We've made that abundantly clear. 800 00:44:14,000 --> 00:44:17,400 We support steps taken by both sides that make that more 801 00:44:17,400 --> 00:44:22,233 likely, and we oppose steps taken by either side that make 802 00:44:22,233 --> 00:44:24,800 it less likely, that make it harder to accomplish. 803 00:44:24,800 --> 00:44:26,200 The Press: Is that more kind of over the -- 804 00:44:26,200 --> 00:44:27,399 Mr. Carney: Again, I'm not going to comment on a remark -- 805 00:44:27,400 --> 00:44:29,333 I wasn't there, I'm not sure it's true as reported. 806 00:44:29,333 --> 00:44:32,633 So -- but broadly speaking, do we want Palestinians and 807 00:44:32,633 --> 00:44:38,366 Israelis to engage in negotiations and to reach a 808 00:44:38,367 --> 00:44:42,633 lasting peace deal that ensures Palestinian sovereignty and 809 00:44:42,633 --> 00:44:44,966 Israeli security? 810 00:44:44,967 --> 00:44:46,834 We do. We do. Thanks very much. 811 00:44:46,834 --> 00:44:47,633 The Press: Jay -- 812 00:44:47,633 --> 00:44:50,533 Mr. Carney: Oh, Scott, sorry. 813 00:44:50,533 --> 00:44:51,333 I have short-term memory lapse. 814 00:44:51,333 --> 00:44:53,567 The Press: Both you and the President talked about how the FDA 815 00:44:53,567 --> 00:44:56,367 recommendation would have put Plan B on the -- made 816 00:44:56,367 --> 00:44:58,567 it as accessible as bubble gum. 817 00:44:58,567 --> 00:45:04,033 So Tylenol and cold medicine are also sold alongside bubble gum. 818 00:45:04,033 --> 00:45:06,967 Does the administration believe that emergency contraceptive, 819 00:45:06,967 --> 00:45:11,066 because of its function, is in a different category than those 820 00:45:11,066 --> 00:45:12,366 other OTC medicines? 821 00:45:12,367 --> 00:45:15,000 Mr. Carney: Well, I think -- I'm not going to elaborate on what 822 00:45:15,000 --> 00:45:15,633 the President said. 823 00:45:15,633 --> 00:45:16,734 I think he was fairly clear. 824 00:45:16,734 --> 00:45:22,467 And on the more specific evaluations of this, 825 00:45:22,467 --> 00:45:26,633 I would point you to Secretary Sebelius's letter. 826 00:45:26,633 --> 00:45:29,466 So I don't have any more guidance for you than that. 827 00:45:29,467 --> 00:45:30,233 Thanks.