English subtitles for clip: File:3-1-10- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,870 Mr. Gibbs: Sorry, guys. No -- 2 00:00:01,867 --> 00:00:04,737 The Press: Oh. 3 00:00:04,734 --> 00:00:07,964 Mr. Gibbs: I was going to say, wow. Is it somebody's birthday. 4 00:00:07,967 --> 00:00:09,067 The Press: Where's the jersey? 5 00:00:09,066 --> 00:00:15,296 Mr. Gibbs: We're in the process of getting the hockey 6 00:00:15,300 --> 00:00:22,770 sweater -- thank you, Major, for correcting a southerner's -- it's on its way. Trust me, 7 00:00:22,767 --> 00:00:32,967 the Canadians have kept in very close contact for this. And we are working on delivering 8 00:00:32,967 --> 00:00:35,567 that, figuring out the best way to -- 9 00:00:35,567 --> 00:00:38,167 The Press: What size is that? 10 00:00:38,166 --> 00:00:39,966 Mr. Gibbs: Oh, I'm definitely a medium. I mean, can't you tell? 11 00:00:39,967 --> 00:00:41,197 (laughter) 12 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:47,270 We'll have -- I presume before the week is over you will have the opportunity to see 13 00:00:47,266 --> 00:00:56,096 that. It was a fabulous game. One quick announcement before we get going. On Monday, March 8th, 14 00:00:56,100 --> 00:01:00,500 President Obama will welcome President Funes of El Salvador for a meeting at the White 15 00:01:00,500 --> 00:01:06,830 House. The President looks forward to discussing the wide range of issues that comprise the 16 00:01:06,834 --> 00:01:12,004 dynamic relationship between our two countries, including economic security and immigration-related 17 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:14,330 topics. Mr. Feller. 18 00:01:14,333 --> 00:01:16,233 The Press: Thanks, Robert. Can you tell us what the President 19 00:01:16,233 --> 00:01:20,403 has been doing since the health care summit to get a bill to his desk? 20 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:23,700 Who has he been lobbying? 21 00:01:23,700 --> 00:01:27,370 Mr. Gibbs: I can look and see what calls he's made. I 22 00:01:27,367 --> 00:01:31,137 don't know the degree to which he's talked to members of Congress on this or not. 23 00:01:31,133 --> 00:01:33,033 The Press: Is he involved in the discussions about what 24 00:01:33,033 --> 00:01:35,203 the next proposal will look like and -- 25 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:38,400 Mr. Gibbs: Oh, absolutely. This has been brought up in 26 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:42,770 a number of meetings, both over the weekend and this morning. 27 00:01:42,767 --> 00:01:45,867 The Press: When the White House calls for an up or down 28 00:01:45,867 --> 00:01:50,837 vote on a bill doesn⏠"!t that mean reconciliation, and isn't it one and the same at this point? 29 00:01:50,834 --> 00:01:54,934 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, the President will speak on this 30 00:01:54,934 --> 00:02:03,534 later in the week, likely on Wednesday. And I will wait until we have something from the 31 00:02:03,533 --> 00:02:15,663 President then. I do believe the President believes that an up or down vote is necessary. 32 00:02:15,667 --> 00:02:23,537 I think the Republicans could decide not to filibuster and that would be one way. 33 00:02:23,533 --> 00:02:27,833 The Press: And does the President believe that the American 34 00:02:27,834 --> 00:02:34,464 people care about process, or just that the bill, itself, is important, regardless of 35 00:02:34,467 --> 00:02:35,567 how it gets done? Does he think they care about this debate? 36 00:02:35,567 --> 00:02:36,397 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Ben, I think let's understand, first 37 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:41,570 of all, the bill that passed -- the basic health care bill has passed the Senate, it 38 00:02:41,567 --> 00:02:49,197 passed with 60 votes. So it didn't -- that legislation passed the Senate with a supermajority, 39 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:54,400 not just with a majority of votes. Again, we'll have time to discuss this later in the 40 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:56,430 week when the President makes an announcement on moving forward. 41 00:02:56,433 --> 00:02:58,333 The Press: I just meant on that broader issue of -- 42 00:02:58,333 --> 00:03:04,103 regardless of how this gets done, does the President think that the American people are 43 00:03:04,100 --> 00:03:07,500 watching this and that they care about the process that Congress uses? 44 00:03:07,500 --> 00:03:08,630 Mr. Gibbs: The process in what way? 45 00:03:08,633 --> 00:03:10,003 The Press: The process that they use to get a bill passed, 46 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:11,070 that this is -- 47 00:03:11,066 --> 00:03:12,836 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I think the American people care about 48 00:03:12,834 --> 00:03:18,734 what's in the bill. I think that's why you've seen the President take out a number of things 49 00:03:18,734 --> 00:03:26,804 that were added in this process in order to make it more to his liking. Yes, sir. 50 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:29,730 The Press: Thank you, Robert. One follow-up on that and 51 00:03:29,734 --> 00:03:34,804 then one question on financial reg. Can you give us any sense of what to expect in the 52 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:37,100 Wednesday announcement without describing what the details are exactly? 53 00:03:37,100 --> 00:03:38,970 Mr. Gibbs: I think that would be harder to do. 54 00:03:38,967 --> 00:03:39,967 (laughter) 55 00:03:39,967 --> 00:03:42,167 The Press: What should one expect? I mean, what in general 56 00:03:42,166 --> 00:03:43,996 does the President want to do -- 57 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:45,230 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, again, I think the President, 58 00:03:45,233 --> 00:03:50,533 Jeff, will outline what the next steps are and what are the -- what's the way forward 59 00:03:50,533 --> 00:03:53,103 on health care reform. 60 00:03:53,100 --> 00:03:55,100 The Press: And does that include a revamped proposal 61 00:03:55,100 --> 00:03:57,130 from what you guys released last Monday? 62 00:03:57,133 --> 00:04:01,133 Mr. Gibbs: This is why my first question -- your first 63 00:04:01,133 --> 00:04:03,733 question I found it probably harder to do. 64 00:04:03,734 --> 00:04:05,504 The Press: All right. Moving on to financial reg. The 65 00:04:05,500 --> 00:04:10,270 topic of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency -- we've talked about it before -- 66 00:04:10,266 --> 00:04:16,266 Senator Shelby has suggested that it be housed in the FDIC. Is that something that the White 67 00:04:16,266 --> 00:04:18,136 House would look upon favorably? 68 00:04:18,133 --> 00:04:22,003 Mr. Gibbs: Look, Jeff, I think most importantly the CFPA 69 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:31,070 has to have strong independent authority, an independent head, an independent budget, 70 00:04:31,066 --> 00:04:35,696 independent authority to do what it needs to do. That will be the test that we will 71 00:04:35,700 --> 00:04:45,870 look for as this legislation moves forward. But I will tell you the President is very 72 00:04:45,867 --> 00:04:55,637 serious about this proposal. If you look at -- if you look back over the course of what 73 00:04:55,633 --> 00:05:06,333 has happened as a result of and what may have caused a good portion of our financial downturn 74 00:05:06,333 --> 00:05:14,463 -- subprime lending, credit cards, the easy availability of credit cards -- these are 75 00:05:14,467 --> 00:05:19,997 things that the President believes and I think many believe can and should come under greater 76 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:25,000 purview in a Consumer Financial Protection Agency. 77 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:26,430 The Press: But can that agency have the independence 78 00:05:26,433 --> 00:05:28,063 that you're seeking and also be part of another -- 79 00:05:28,066 --> 00:05:31,996 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I don't know the degree to which we've 80 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:39,000 looked at what Senator Shelby has discussed. It's my understanding that at some point this 81 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:48,530 week we're likely to see legislation unveiled. We'll certainly evaluate that. But, again, 82 00:05:48,533 --> 00:05:55,563 our test and the President's strong test is to ensure strong independence for consumer 83 00:05:55,567 --> 00:05:56,667 financial protection. 84 00:05:56,667 --> 00:06:02,637 The Press: But even without -- just the last follow-up, 85 00:06:02,633 --> 00:06:09,863 even without commenting specifically on his suggestion to the FDIC, the crux of the question 86 00:06:09,867 --> 00:06:09,967 and apparently the crux of the debate which might lead to this financial regulation bill 87 00:06:09,967 --> 00:06:15,137 going through is will the White House allow or support this being in another agency at all? 88 00:06:15,133 --> 00:06:21,833 Mr. Gibbs: Jeff, I don't think its address is the seminal 89 00:06:21,834 --> 00:06:30,004 test for this proposal. I think we have to determine whether or not the proposal that's 90 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:37,530 put forward has sufficient independent -- is sufficiently independent, can it sufficiently 91 00:06:37,533 --> 00:06:43,433 make the decisions that it needs to do and affect consumer financial policy in a way 92 00:06:43,433 --> 00:06:52,503 that helps -- finally helps consumers, not just the development of loans and the easy 93 00:06:52,500 --> 00:06:57,700 availability of credit cards that in many ways penalize consumers. Jake. 94 00:06:57,700 --> 00:07:04,170 The Press: Last month the President told Diane Sawyer 95 00:07:04,166 --> 00:07:14,166 that not having the health care negotiations be more public -- the CSPAN cameras -- was 96 00:07:14,166 --> 00:07:17,096 a mistake, because he had campaigned on process just as he campaigned on the substance of 97 00:07:17,100 --> 00:07:19,300 health care reform. And I'm just wondering if going forward, knowing that there's going 98 00:07:19,300 --> 00:07:26,430 to be furious lobbying to get 216 votes in the House and 51 votes in the Senate, are 99 00:07:26,433 --> 00:07:29,203 you guys planning on any additional steps in the name of transparency, whether it's 100 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:37,800 releasing names of members of Congress that the President or Mr. Emmanuel or whoever reach 101 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:45,400 out to? Is there anything you guys are planning on doing in the name of the forum you had 102 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:47,230 last Thursday, to continue that kind of transparency -- are there any additional steps you're 103 00:07:47,233 --> 00:07:47,333 planning on taking? 104 00:07:47,333 --> 00:07:52,563 Mr. Gibbs: I can check. I don't know the answer to that. 105 00:07:52,567 --> 00:07:57,337 The Press: Okay. And then in terms of the President's 106 00:07:57,333 --> 00:08:03,963 health report, I know that he was given basically a clean bill of health, but there was some 107 00:08:03,967 --> 00:08:09,267 talk about his cholesterol being a little higher and the smoking cessation needing to 108 00:08:09,266 --> 00:08:14,266 continue. Is there anything for all the Americans who are struggling with both cholesterol and 109 00:08:14,266 --> 00:08:19,796 cigarettes that you or the President wanted to say about either of those? 110 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:28,030 Mr. Gibbs: Well, his -- I think it's the bad cholesterol 111 00:08:28,033 --> 00:08:35,803 measure was slightly elevated from where it had been previously. I think the doctor had 112 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:45,070 told me that obviously he's a few years older from when it was last measured and I think 113 00:08:45,066 --> 00:08:56,366 candidly if you asked him the diet of first and foremost a campaign is not as conducive. 114 00:08:56,367 --> 00:09:03,697 We are all living and thankfully breathing examples of that. I think he would be also 115 00:09:03,700 --> 00:09:12,030 the first to tell you that he has probably had a few more cheeseburgers and I think he 116 00:09:12,033 --> 00:09:19,133 would admittedly tell you he's had more desserts in the last year than I've seen 117 00:09:19,133 --> 00:09:23,063 him eat prior to this. 118 00:09:23,066 --> 00:09:25,536 The Press: Is that because of more fancy events or because 119 00:09:25,533 --> 00:09:26,763 he has his own kitchen? 120 00:09:26,767 --> 00:09:29,097 (laughter) 121 00:09:29,100 --> 00:09:32,230 Mr. Gibbs: I would say this, that -- 122 00:09:32,233 --> 00:09:33,263 The Press: Or it's the smoking -- 123 00:09:33,266 --> 00:09:36,466 Mr. Gibbs: I think that -- look, I think most people 124 00:09:36,467 --> 00:09:43,837 will tell you that if it's available you're more likely to eat it. And I think he's had 125 00:09:43,834 --> 00:09:50,664 more access to sweets and desserts in the past year than he -- look, those guys make 126 00:09:50,667 --> 00:09:58,097 good desserts over there and I think he's on more than one occasion sampled more than 127 00:09:58,100 --> 00:10:04,930 he needed to. The good news is the number is only slightly above where the doctor would 128 00:10:04,934 --> 00:10:12,504 like to see it. So we were talking in the -- on the helicopter on the way back that 129 00:10:12,500 --> 00:10:17,730 he probably had to push away from the table when the pie came more than he had in the 130 00:10:17,734 --> 00:10:29,164 previous year. Look, on the smoking, the President continues to chew nicotine gum and, you know, 131 00:10:29,166 --> 00:10:34,696 I'd point at many of you and I'd point you to the comments he made in June of -- I think 132 00:10:34,700 --> 00:10:45,070 in this room in June of last year, that while he's quit smoking he is -- occasionally falls 133 00:10:45,066 --> 00:10:51,666 off the wagon when it comes to that and -- like many who have struggled 134 00:10:51,667 --> 00:10:52,497 with kicking that habit. 135 00:10:52,500 --> 00:10:55,600 The Press: Is it more difficult because this is probably 136 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:57,770 the most stressful year he's ever had, I would assume? 137 00:10:57,767 --> 00:11:00,597 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, I mean, I can't imagine that that helps. 138 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:11,300 But, look, I think he -- the doctor -- obviously you saw in the report -- he, as I said, continues 139 00:11:11,300 --> 00:11:18,900 to chew the gum and continues to both work hard at it as well as struggle with it probably 140 00:11:18,900 --> 00:11:20,800 each and every day. 141 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:23,470 The Press: Who does he bum smokes from, seriously? 142 00:11:23,467 --> 00:11:25,767 Mr. Gibbs: I don't smoke, Ed, so I don't know the answer. 143 00:11:25,767 --> 00:11:34,597 The Press: Minority Whip Eric Cantor on health care told 144 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker Pelosi that if in fact, in his words, that they'd ram this bill through the House, 145 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:40,300 that the Democrats would lose their majority. Does the White House believe that that's true? 146 00:11:40,300 --> 00:11:43,630 And is there any kind of sense of the calculation, the political calculation -- 147 00:11:43,633 --> 00:11:45,033 Mr. Gibbs: I don't understand when you say "ram it through 148 00:11:45,033 --> 00:11:46,463 the House," what do you mean? 149 00:11:46,467 --> 00:11:47,737 The Press: That's what Cantor said; that's not my words. 150 00:11:47,734 --> 00:11:49,204 Mr. Gibbs: What do you think he meant? 151 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:51,100 The Press: Reconciliation -- well, not reconciliation, 152 00:11:51,100 --> 00:11:56,530 but simply puts pressure on members to get this thing accomplished, to get this thing through. 153 00:11:56,533 --> 00:12:00,233 Mr. Gibbs: You know, again, I'd let Eric try to explain 154 00:12:00,233 --> 00:12:12,903 what he meant. The President believes strongly that we were -- that he was elected to make 155 00:12:12,900 --> 00:12:21,170 progress on issues that had confounded and vexed Congress and the political system for 156 00:12:21,166 --> 00:12:31,096 years, health care being one of the bigger ones. Congressman Cantor is probably focused 157 00:12:31,100 --> 00:12:39,700 almost entirely on the next election. The President is focused on the next generation 158 00:12:39,700 --> 00:12:44,570 and making progress on some of these issues. I sent this article around and I'm sure a 159 00:12:44,567 --> 00:12:49,967 number of you all saw it in the newspaper this weekend, and it was about the cost of 160 00:12:49,967 --> 00:13:00,797 doing nothing. What happens if Congressman Cantor's viewpoint wins out? "'People think 161 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:05,300 if we do nothing we'll have what we have now,' said Karen Davis, the President of the Commonwealth 162 00:13:05,300 --> 00:13:09,530 Fund, a nonprofit health care research group in New York. 'In fact, what we will have is 163 00:13:09,533 --> 00:13:15,933 a substantial deterioration in what we have.'" This is not her quote of this part of the 164 00:13:15,934 --> 00:13:19,934 -- "Nearly every mainstream analysis calls for medical costs to continue to climb over 165 00:13:19,934 --> 00:13:25,564 the next decade, outpacing the growth in the overall economy and certainly increasing faster 166 00:13:25,567 --> 00:13:30,267 than the average paycheck. Those higher costs will translate into higher premiums, which 167 00:13:30,266 --> 00:13:35,696 will mean fewer individuals and businesses will be able to afford insurance coverage. 168 00:13:35,700 --> 00:13:39,370 More of everyone's dollar will go to health care and government programs like Medicare 169 00:13:39,367 --> 00:13:45,067 and Medicaid will struggle to find the money to operate." "'It will break all of our banks 170 00:13:45,066 --> 00:13:50,436 if we do nothing,' said Peter Lee, who oversees national health policy for the Pacific Business 171 00:13:50,433 --> 00:13:56,803 Group on Health. 'It is a course that is literally bankrupting the federal government and businesses 172 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:01,670 and individuals across the country.'" There are more of these quotes, including the fact 173 00:14:01,667 --> 00:14:08,597 that the typical price of family coverage now runs about $13,000 a year but premiums 174 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:17,770 are expected to nearly double to $24,000 for a family by 2020. So if we don't act, this 175 00:14:17,767 --> 00:14:23,737 is what our future is. If we don't act, insurance companies like Anthem that are sending letters 176 00:14:23,734 --> 00:14:28,234 to individuals in the individual insurance market saying their rates will rise 39 percent 177 00:14:28,233 --> 00:14:33,103 -- that's what will happen. Congressman Cantor says let's start over, but the insurance companies 178 00:14:33,100 --> 00:14:37,530 aren't starting over; health care inflation is not starting over; being dropped from your 179 00:14:37,533 --> 00:14:40,733 insurance coverage because somebody says you have a preexisting condition, 180 00:14:40,734 --> 00:14:42,364 that's not starting over. 181 00:14:42,367 --> 00:14:44,697 The Press: Is there any sense though or analysis from 182 00:14:44,700 --> 00:14:48,430 the White House that there's a possibility of losing a certain number of seats either 183 00:14:48,433 --> 00:14:51,033 in the House or the Senate? There is a political calculation. 184 00:14:51,033 --> 00:14:57,403 Mr. Gibbs: That's not what -- that's not being discussed, 185 00:14:57,400 --> 00:15:03,200 "if you do this, then this." That's -- what we're focused on is trying to move forward 186 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:07,000 for the millions of people that are struggling with the high cost of their own health insurance 187 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:09,500 each day. Helen. 188 00:15:09,500 --> 00:15:12,100 The Press: I had two questions. The first one is moot 189 00:15:12,100 --> 00:15:18,870 now, but why did the President not give any voice to single-payer and to the government 190 00:15:18,867 --> 00:15:26,167 plan during the whole debate? The second question is, why are the Republicans and some Democrats 191 00:15:26,166 --> 00:15:30,966 so solidly against everything you proposed? 192 00:15:30,967 --> 00:15:35,067 Mr. Gibbs: An excellent question. 193 00:15:35,066 --> 00:15:36,366 The Press: They're both wise. 194 00:15:36,367 --> 00:15:38,937 (laughter) 195 00:15:38,934 --> 00:15:42,334 Mr. Gibbs: You're a validator for that. Look, let me 196 00:15:42,333 --> 00:15:50,703 take the second question. I was reading an article before I came down about the fact 197 00:15:50,700 --> 00:16:01,500 that the filibuster is on a record-breaking pace in this Congress. We've seen the notion 198 00:16:01,500 --> 00:16:08,300 of either an actual filibuster or the threat of a filibuster used unlike we've ever seen 199 00:16:08,300 --> 00:16:15,570 before. We have -- and we mentioned this on Friday, we can't even get an emergency extension 200 00:16:15,567 --> 00:16:24,767 of health and unemployment benefits for those whose benefits expired at midnight. We can't 201 00:16:24,767 --> 00:16:30,937 even get agreement on moving forward with that. In fact, you can't even get an agreement 202 00:16:30,934 --> 00:16:37,034 with the person holding that up to let us -- to let the Senate vote on what 203 00:16:37,033 --> 00:16:38,903 he wants to hold up. 204 00:16:38,900 --> 00:16:40,500 The Press: Why don't you shame him? 205 00:16:40,500 --> 00:16:42,800 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I'm trying as best I can. 206 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:44,370 (laughter) 207 00:16:44,367 --> 00:16:45,937 The Press: Why don't you use his name? 208 00:16:45,934 --> 00:16:47,104 Mr. Gibbs: I did on Friday -- Senator Bunning for Kentucky -- 209 00:16:47,100 --> 00:16:48,800 The Press: Does he want everyone to run out of benefits? 210 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:54,130 Mr. Gibbs: Look, sometimes even using their names doesn't 211 00:16:54,133 --> 00:17:03,733 create the shame that you would think it would normally engender when there are people that 212 00:17:03,734 --> 00:17:09,104 lost their unemployment benefits because one person decided they were going to gum up the 213 00:17:09,100 --> 00:17:14,830 works. It's just never -- it's just not how it's ever worked. I don't know why. I don't know why. 214 00:17:14,834 --> 00:17:18,264 The Press: Why did he oppose -- I mean, why didn't he 215 00:17:18,266 --> 00:17:20,166 fight for a government plan? 216 00:17:20,166 --> 00:17:21,966 Mr. Gibbs: We've debated this a number of times -- 217 00:17:21,967 --> 00:17:22,997 The Press: No, you never do -- 218 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:23,870 Mr. Gibbs: I know. 219 00:17:23,867 --> 00:17:24,737 (laughter) 220 00:17:24,734 --> 00:17:26,464 The Press: -- you've never explained. You always acted 221 00:17:26,467 --> 00:17:27,767 like it was out there -- 222 00:17:27,767 --> 00:17:31,237 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I think the President, Helen, put forward 223 00:17:31,233 --> 00:17:33,233 the plan he thought was best for the American people. 224 00:17:33,233 --> 00:17:36,103 The Press: And he doesn't think the government plan is -- 225 00:17:36,100 --> 00:17:38,370 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, I think there are elements of 226 00:17:38,367 --> 00:17:43,437 -- obviously strong elements in the exchange that would set up the type of choice in competition 227 00:17:43,433 --> 00:17:48,903 that the American people need to get access to affordable health care that creates a benefit 228 00:17:48,900 --> 00:17:53,770 and a plan that works best for them. There were a bunch of different options for this 229 00:17:53,767 --> 00:17:58,497 and I think the President has landed on one that not only does he think will be effective, 230 00:17:58,500 --> 00:18:02,930 but he also thinks has the ability to become law. 231 00:18:02,934 --> 00:18:07,264 The Press: Does he think that Social Security and Medicare don't work? 232 00:18:07,266 --> 00:18:09,736 Mr. Gibbs: No, I think he believes they are programs 233 00:18:09,734 --> 00:18:18,264 that have for many decades worked enormously well. We've got to put them on a sounder financial 234 00:18:18,266 --> 00:18:26,436 path, but there's no doubt that whether it is through measures of senior citizens that 235 00:18:26,433 --> 00:18:33,903 are no longer either in or facing the threat of poverty or no longer have or no longer 236 00:18:33,900 --> 00:18:38,970 face the threat of not having health care at the time in which they need it most, obviously 237 00:18:38,967 --> 00:18:40,867 those are tremendously valuable programs. Chip. 238 00:18:40,867 --> 00:18:41,967 The Press: Going back to smoking -- and I know some people 239 00:18:41,967 --> 00:18:47,967 think it's a trivial issue, but it really isn't at all since, number one, he's setting 240 00:18:47,967 --> 00:18:53,897 an example for an entire nation, including children. And secondly his health is 241 00:18:53,900 --> 00:18:59,730 obviously a concern. Have you ever heard him talk about smoking from that point of view -- 242 00:18:59,734 --> 00:19:06,364 setting an example, the disappointment and what it means for his health? I mean, it's not 243 00:19:06,367 --> 00:19:08,037 just his issues, it's the nation's issue. 244 00:19:08,033 --> 00:19:10,063 Mr. Gibbs: Chip, I think he -- I mean, again, in the 245 00:19:10,066 --> 00:19:15,136 remarks I pointed you towards, you know, I think -- and he says, I don't smoke in front 246 00:19:15,133 --> 00:19:29,303 of my kids, I think he understands that what he struggles with is not a good thing for 247 00:19:29,300 --> 00:19:37,900 his children to see or for anybody to see. Look, Chip, I don't doubt that he would tell 248 00:19:37,900 --> 00:19:42,770 you he wishes once and for all he could wipe away that struggle. I know he works on it 249 00:19:42,767 --> 00:19:47,597 each and every day. He understands -- he understands it. 250 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,070 The Press: Do you know where and when he does it and 251 00:19:50,066 --> 00:19:53,566 how he manages to avoid the cameras and the children and everything else at -- 252 00:19:53,567 --> 00:19:56,737 Mr. Gibbs: You know, Chip, we're all running around here, 253 00:19:56,734 --> 00:19:59,164 so I am not with him 24 hours a day. 254 00:19:59,166 --> 00:20:00,936 The Press: He said he was 95 percent cured when he spoke 255 00:20:00,934 --> 00:20:03,364 about this last year. Is he still at 95 percent? 256 00:20:03,367 --> 00:20:05,337 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. Yes. He's -- 257 00:20:05,333 --> 00:20:06,933 The Press: Hasn't made any progress since then? 258 00:20:06,934 --> 00:20:08,464 (laughter) 259 00:20:08,467 --> 00:20:11,097 Mr. Gibbs: No, but I think in many ways staying at 95 260 00:20:11,100 --> 00:20:21,200 percent doesn't change the percentage but is controlling a problem and an addiction 261 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:28,170 that I think he's talked about struggling with and I think, in all honesty, millions 262 00:20:28,166 --> 00:20:36,736 and millions of people across the country do. My father struggled with quitting. He 263 00:20:36,734 --> 00:20:44,034 wasn't as good at sneaking it as some people have and he didn't quit until a doctor told 264 00:20:44,033 --> 00:20:51,333 him he had lung cancer. So I think -- again, I think there's a lot of struggle that goes 265 00:20:51,333 --> 00:20:55,103 on with this and I think he's one of those who struggles. 266 00:20:55,100 --> 00:20:56,770 The Press: He said at one point during the campaign that 267 00:20:56,767 --> 00:21:00,797 he smoked at some point -- I don't -- I didn't get the timeframe -- five or six a day. He's 268 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:03,200 not doing that, is he, do you know? 269 00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:05,530 Mr. Gibbs: No. Not that I'm aware of, no. I don't remember 270 00:21:05,533 --> 00:21:06,633 when he said that, to be honest. 271 00:21:06,633 --> 00:21:08,963 The Press: It was still during the campaign but he -- he said -- 272 00:21:08,967 --> 00:21:12,867 Mr. Gibbs: Let me take a look at that, but that's not -- no. Yes, ma'am. 273 00:21:12,867 --> 00:21:16,337 The Press: On health care, can you -- just another crack 274 00:21:16,333 --> 00:21:21,763 at this -- is Wednesday about the way forward on process or is it about the way forward 275 00:21:21,767 --> 00:21:23,037 on substance? 276 00:21:23,033 --> 00:21:24,763 Mr. Gibbs: My sense is it will be both. 277 00:21:24,767 --> 00:21:28,367 The Press: Okay, so we may hear new proposals that we 278 00:21:28,367 --> 00:21:29,397 haven't heard before? 279 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:31,070 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 280 00:21:31,066 --> 00:21:32,836 The Press: Okay. Does the President feel it's part of 281 00:21:32,834 --> 00:21:39,964 his job to explain or justify the use of reconciliation, or to educate the American people about what 282 00:21:39,967 --> 00:21:43,867 it is from his perspective, given the fact that of course Republicans are referring to 283 00:21:43,867 --> 00:21:48,597 it as "ramming" the bill through? Does he feel the need to kind of provide another perspective 284 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:49,730 on that issue? 285 00:21:49,734 --> 00:21:53,064 Mr. Gibbs: I think he would hope that that would be the 286 00:21:53,066 --> 00:21:54,566 cause many of you would take up. 287 00:21:54,567 --> 00:21:56,997 The Press: So he won't just rely on -- 288 00:21:57,000 --> 00:21:59,870 Mr. Gibbs: No, look, I'm sure he'll discuss -- again, 289 00:21:59,867 --> 00:22:06,037 I think he'll discuss process and policy. As we've discussed in here, Savannah, and 290 00:22:06,033 --> 00:22:14,803 I don't want to get ahead of what the President might decide, but the notion -- I think we've 291 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:21,230 spent a lot of time over the past two months, whether it was on the issue of are we serious 292 00:22:21,233 --> 00:22:30,203 about creating a deficit commission; are we -- how and where are we going to try certain 293 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:38,630 terrorists in this country; and things like reconciliation. It is -- it's enormously informative 294 00:22:38,633 --> 00:22:46,703 to watch a group of people who, to go through each of these examples, thought we ought to 295 00:22:46,700 --> 00:22:51,270 set up a deficit commission and a debt commission -- until it came time to vote on that deficit 296 00:22:51,266 --> 00:22:54,766 and debt commission and then decided they weren't for what they were -- what some of 297 00:22:54,767 --> 00:23:03,137 them were cosponsoring only a few weeks earlier; or when criticisms about how a shoe bomber 298 00:23:03,133 --> 00:23:11,333 are dealt with and never get called out for eight years and an analogous situation happens 299 00:23:11,333 --> 00:23:15,763 in Detroit and all of a sudden everyone wants to handle this differently than they said 300 00:23:15,767 --> 00:23:20,267 they wanted to handle it for the previous eight years. Then you take the view of something 301 00:23:20,266 --> 00:23:28,136 like reconciliation, something that has been used -- it was the vehicle for welfare reform; 302 00:23:28,133 --> 00:23:36,263 it was the vehicle for the Bush tax cut in 2001, at a cost of $1.3 trillion; it was the 303 00:23:36,266 --> 00:23:44,536 vehicle for the tax cut in 2003 at a cost of $350 billion; it is how S-CHIP came to 304 00:23:44,533 --> 00:23:52,663 be, which is parlance for the Children's Health Insurance Program; it is how COBRA came to 305 00:23:52,667 --> 00:24:00,637 be, which provides the ability for an individual that loses their job to continue their health 306 00:24:00,633 --> 00:24:10,863 care coverage when that happens. And I think there are virtually limitless quotes on why 307 00:24:10,867 --> 00:24:17,167 this was good then versus why they view it differently now. 308 00:24:17,166 --> 00:24:19,496 The Press: I guess my question was just whether he felt 309 00:24:19,500 --> 00:24:22,870 he needs to advocate that -- if he feels it's something he needs to address specifically? 310 00:24:22,867 --> 00:24:25,397 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know whether he'll address it specifically 311 00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:33,070 -- whether he'll address the specific hypocrisy or not. 312 00:24:33,066 --> 00:24:33,936 The Press: Last thing. Is the President irritated or 313 00:24:33,934 --> 00:24:35,734 does he bristle at all about the fact that his medical report has to be made public and 314 00:24:35,734 --> 00:24:36,334 the whole world knows about it? 315 00:24:36,333 --> 00:24:38,433 Mr. Gibbs: No, I don't -- look, I spent some time with 316 00:24:38,433 --> 00:24:46,563 the doctor Friday and Saturday going through the release of this. Obviously it's important, 317 00:24:46,567 --> 00:24:51,837 I think, for privacy -- for those that are concerned about medical privacy to understand, 318 00:24:51,834 --> 00:25:00,404 as the document related, that the President had given permission for both me to have a 319 00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:05,100 discussion with the doctor about his medical records as well as for the doctor to release 320 00:25:05,100 --> 00:25:13,830 those -- that memo. The President understands that his health is more than just something 321 00:25:13,834 --> 00:25:20,364 that should be of concern to him and those that know and love him, but that his health 322 00:25:20,367 --> 00:25:32,597 is important based on the responsibility that the American people gave him in the election. 323 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:38,270 He might not want to explain why he had a few more desserts last year than he had the 324 00:25:38,266 --> 00:25:39,766 previous few years, but -- 325 00:25:39,767 --> 00:25:42,067 The Press: That's really hard to believe. He's really skinny, you know? 326 00:25:42,066 --> 00:25:43,036 (laughter) 327 00:25:43,033 --> 00:25:44,833 It's hard to imagine he's hoarding desserts back there. 328 00:25:44,834 --> 00:25:46,534 Mr. Gibbs: I actually was -- I was joking with the doctor 329 00:25:46,533 --> 00:25:54,033 about this, that all you guys think he eats carrots and celery and there's more cheeseburgers, 330 00:25:54,033 --> 00:25:58,763 fries and pie than you previously knew. 331 00:25:58,767 --> 00:26:04,297 The Press: When Senator Michael Bennet got a primary 332 00:26:04,300 --> 00:26:07,770 challenge from Andrew Romanoff, the White House pretty quickly got out and endorsed 333 00:26:07,767 --> 00:26:13,237 Senator Bennet. Are you going to endorse -- take a position in the Blanche Lincoln 334 00:26:13,233 --> 00:26:14,903 Senate contest? 335 00:26:14,900 --> 00:26:19,730 Mr. Gibbs: We support Senator Lincoln as an incumbent senator, yes. 336 00:26:19,734 --> 00:26:23,104 The Press: Okay. And does the President see a responsibility -- 337 00:26:23,100 --> 00:26:35,870 see a responsibility that he has to help Nancy Pelosi get the votes this go-round? 338 00:26:35,867 --> 00:26:39,837 What role does the President have -- 339 00:26:39,834 --> 00:26:42,264 Mr. Gibbs: Jonathan, the President helped get votes in 340 00:26:42,266 --> 00:26:51,066 all the go-rounds. I don't doubt that he will use the -- do the same thing this time to 341 00:26:51,066 --> 00:26:52,496 get the votes necessary to pass health care. Yes, sir. 342 00:26:52,500 --> 00:26:54,070 The Press: Can the participants in last week's meeting 343 00:26:54,066 --> 00:26:59,066 expect to hear from the President before this announcement on Wednesday? Is he going to 344 00:26:59,066 --> 00:27:09,466 talk to people on both sides to tell them what he intends to say and do? 345 00:27:09,467 --> 00:27:13,567 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I don't know whether he'll call each 346 00:27:13,567 --> 00:27:14,597 and every one of them or not -- 347 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:16,270 The Press: Well, not and each and every one of them, 348 00:27:16,266 --> 00:27:17,166 but the leaders on both sides? 349 00:27:17,166 --> 00:27:20,036 Mr. Gibbs: I think he will -- let me check and see what 350 00:27:20,033 --> 00:27:22,303 the plan is for notification on that. 351 00:27:22,300 --> 00:27:27,470 The Press: And is this part of the agenda tomorrow at 352 00:27:27,467 --> 00:27:30,537 all? Is he going to talk about health care reform when he's in Georgia? 353 00:27:30,533 --> 00:27:31,763 Mr. Gibbs: No. I should have brought with me -- he will 354 00:27:31,767 --> 00:27:43,867 focus on jobs and visiting a couple of businesses tomorrow, and talking specifically about details 355 00:27:43,867 --> 00:27:48,937 for weatherization and retrofitting as part of the economic plan -- an idea that we rolled 356 00:27:48,934 --> 00:27:52,704 out in December, but details that we'll have more of later today. 357 00:27:52,700 --> 00:27:55,530 The Press: Robert, does the White House subscribe to 358 00:27:55,533 --> 00:28:01,503 the notion that there's more than one way to measure bipartisanship on health care? 359 00:28:01,500 --> 00:28:10,870 Namely, that if some Republican ideas are incorporated into the bill it doesn't matter 360 00:28:10,867 --> 00:28:14,197 whether the bill ultimately gets any Republican votes? 361 00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:15,130 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, ultimately how Republicans vote 362 00:28:15,133 --> 00:28:23,903 on their ideas is up to them. But, Ed, I think obviously there's a part on our Web site where 363 00:28:23,900 --> 00:28:29,630 we posted the bill that shows the number -- a sampling of the number of ideas that 364 00:28:29,633 --> 00:28:35,503 had been accepted as a result of the committee process. You saw some agreement last week 365 00:28:35,500 --> 00:28:47,770 on additional ideas. Quite frankly, taking individuals and individual small businesses 366 00:28:47,767 --> 00:28:56,197 and putting them into a collective pool is an idea had by many Republicans, which is 367 00:28:56,200 --> 00:29:02,400 in many ways a foundation for a great part of the bill that governs individual insurance 368 00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:15,200 coverage. So I think as the President said in here a few weeks ago, bipartisanship can't 369 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:24,400 simply be none of your ideas and all of our ideas. That's not bipartisanship. So, look, 370 00:29:24,400 --> 00:29:31,530 I think whether it's on getting our economy moving again, whether it's on health care, 371 00:29:31,533 --> 00:29:39,463 whether it's on energy, I think you'll see the President has ideas that Republicans have 372 00:29:39,467 --> 00:29:45,367 said they supported and enunciated in the past. Whether or not that drives them to supporting 373 00:29:45,367 --> 00:29:51,897 comprehensive reform will be up to them. I do think, Ed, and I said this on Friday, I 374 00:29:51,900 --> 00:29:58,470 think what you saw in many ways, though, last week, there was no doubt a fundamental difference 375 00:29:58,467 --> 00:30:05,097 in the regulation of insurance and the regulation of the insurance market. I think you have 376 00:30:05,100 --> 00:30:12,170 a plan in the President's that through the exchange will allow policies to be purchased 377 00:30:12,166 --> 00:30:18,796 across state lines. The plan that the President proposed, though, has a minimum standard for 378 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:25,500 what that insurance has to entail. And I think that's important for a number of reasons, 379 00:30:25,500 --> 00:30:31,330 not the least of which consumers have to feel confident that when they're purchasing insurance 380 00:30:31,333 --> 00:30:39,003 it's not something that in fact is too good to be true. It also matters, quite frankly, 381 00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:45,270 for the rest of us because those that do get access to affordable insurance, if their insurance 382 00:30:45,266 --> 00:30:50,466 continues to not provide them with the ability to get the treatment that they need, that 383 00:30:50,467 --> 00:30:52,297 cost simply gets passed to you and I. 384 00:30:52,300 --> 00:30:54,800 The Press: I guess what I'm asking, Robert, is can the 385 00:30:54,800 --> 00:30:58,630 White House claim bipartisanship on content if not on votes? 386 00:30:58,633 --> 00:31:03,663 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think without a doubt I can say quite 387 00:31:03,667 --> 00:31:11,297 clearly that the legislation includes the ideas of members of both parties in Washington. Major. 388 00:31:11,300 --> 00:31:13,730 The Press: Speaker Pelosi said a couple of hours ago 389 00:31:13,734 --> 00:31:18,164 that "in a matter of days we will have a proposal" -- she said this about health care -- "It 390 00:31:18,166 --> 00:31:21,796 will be a much smaller proposal than we had in the House, because that's where we can 391 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:23,730 gain consensus. But it will be big enough to put us on a path of affordable, quality 392 00:31:23,734 --> 00:31:24,634 health care." Does Speaker Pelosi have it about right -- a smaller proposal coming from 393 00:31:24,633 --> 00:31:34,933 the President that will put the nation on a path -- maybe not provide it entirely but 394 00:31:34,934 --> 00:31:40,164 put it on a path toward these goals? 395 00:31:40,166 --> 00:31:44,336 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think I would disagree globally with 396 00:31:44,333 --> 00:31:49,303 what she's talking about, keeping in mind, again, that there were differences between 397 00:31:49,300 --> 00:31:53,870 the House and the Senate in terms of the viewpoint of the House on their bill. 398 00:31:53,867 --> 00:31:56,797 The Press: Would you disagree locally? 399 00:31:56,800 --> 00:31:57,300 (laughter) 400 00:31:57,300 --> 00:32:02,270 Mr. Gibbs: I would think globally and act locally. 401 00:32:02,266 --> 00:32:02,396 (laughter) 402 00:32:02,400 --> 00:32:09,030 No, I don't -- I think the summary is about right. 403 00:32:09,033 --> 00:32:09,703 The Press: It's not an insignificant phrase -- "a much 404 00:32:09,700 --> 00:32:16,070 smaller bill." That encompasses potentially a lot of policy territory, taxation territory, 405 00:32:16,066 --> 00:32:19,536 spending exposure -- all these sorts of these -- and a path toward these goals the 406 00:32:19,533 --> 00:32:20,403 President put out -- 407 00:32:20,400 --> 00:32:22,170 Mr. Gibbs: I have not seen the specific quote so -- 408 00:32:22,166 --> 00:32:24,566 I can certainly talk to -- no, no, I don't -- I'm not saying you don't have it right. 409 00:32:24,567 --> 00:32:32,667 I don't know -- not having talked to her staff, I don't know what she's predicated that -- 410 00:32:32,667 --> 00:32:34,037 The Press: Is it fair to say that what the President 411 00:32:34,033 --> 00:32:35,863 will outline Wednesday will take the place of what's on the Web site currently? 412 00:32:35,867 --> 00:32:38,367 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, I think, though, you'll see -- you're 413 00:32:38,367 --> 00:32:41,867 likely to see a decent amount of overlap. 414 00:32:41,867 --> 00:32:43,637 The Press: Will it be in legislative language? Is this 415 00:32:43,633 --> 00:32:49,233 going to be the new bill? Since we have leaders on both sides of Democrats saying, well, we 416 00:32:49,233 --> 00:32:52,233 don't have a bill right now so it's hard to get a whip count, we can't really tell you 417 00:32:52,233 --> 00:32:56,733 if we have the votes or anything because there is no bill that we're asking them to consider. 418 00:32:56,734 --> 00:33:00,134 Will this thing that we see Wednesday be the next thing for Democrats 419 00:33:00,133 --> 00:33:01,903 and Republicans to consider? 420 00:33:01,900 --> 00:33:04,030 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think it will definitely be the next 421 00:33:04,033 --> 00:33:09,563 thing for them to consider. I don't -- I doubt that it will be in legislative-ese, but I 422 00:33:09,567 --> 00:33:14,667 don't think, to be honest with you, Major, that -- obviously the broad outlines of -- 423 00:33:14,667 --> 00:33:21,337 leaving aside Wednesday, the broad -- I think one can evaluate the broad outlines of where 424 00:33:21,333 --> 00:33:25,063 you would be based on the specificity that's on the Internet now. 425 00:33:25,066 --> 00:33:26,866 The Press: You told us Friday that one of the tasks of 426 00:33:26,867 --> 00:33:31,067 the weekend was to look at the Republican suggestions from Thursday's summit and see 427 00:33:31,066 --> 00:33:35,566 if they fit within something the President wants to endorse. Can you update us on that? 428 00:33:35,567 --> 00:33:37,337 Mr. Gibbs: That's an ongoing process here. 429 00:33:37,333 --> 00:33:39,063 The Press: Let me read you a couple of things that Warren 430 00:33:39,066 --> 00:33:41,936 Buffett said this morning: "Unfortunately we came up with a bill that really doesn't 431 00:33:41,934 --> 00:33:47,034 attack the cost situation that much and we have to have fundamental change. We have to 432 00:33:47,033 --> 00:33:51,203 have something that will end the constant increase in medical cost as a percentage of 433 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:56,570 GDP." Then he's asked on CNBC, "Are you in favor of scrapping this and going back to 434 00:33:56,567 --> 00:34:01,997 start over?" "I would be if I were President Obama," is Warren Buffett's answer. He seems 435 00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:06,170 skeptical on the issue of this legislation dealing with the cost and suggests possibly 436 00:34:06,166 --> 00:34:07,836 it might be better to start over. 437 00:34:07,834 --> 00:34:10,734 Mr. Gibbs: I think later in the same interview, Major, 438 00:34:10,734 --> 00:34:18,204 he I think speaks probably equally eloquently if not more so about the notion of doing nothing, 439 00:34:18,200 --> 00:34:25,500 about the notion of what happens. The cost of -- as I said earlier, the cost of doing 440 00:34:25,500 --> 00:34:31,570 nothing on health care -- we know what that means. It doesn't mean a lot for Warren because 441 00:34:31,567 --> 00:34:38,167 he's okay, right? But for somebody that lives in Warren, Michigan, they're watching their 442 00:34:38,166 --> 00:34:42,766 health care premiums go up; they're watching the small business they work for drop their 443 00:34:42,767 --> 00:34:46,437 health insurance. So he says -- 444 00:34:46,433 --> 00:34:48,563 The Press: He doesn't say those things you said. 445 00:34:48,567 --> 00:34:50,367 Mr. Gibbs: He says pretty clearly in there if it's where 446 00:34:50,367 --> 00:34:56,767 we are versus nothing, then the Senate bill is a good place to start. 447 00:34:56,767 --> 00:34:58,767 The Press: Right, but he also says if it's a choice between 448 00:34:58,767 --> 00:35:02,437 Plan A, which we've got, or Plan B, which is what's in front of the Senate -- "I would 449 00:35:02,433 --> 00:35:07,763 vote for the Senate bill but I would much rather see a Plan C that really attacks costs." 450 00:35:07,767 --> 00:35:10,337 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I do not think that the President -- 451 00:35:10,333 --> 00:35:12,063 The Press: Do you think he's saying what Republicans 452 00:35:12,066 --> 00:35:15,266 are saying, start over from scratch? Or do you think he's saying something different? 453 00:35:15,266 --> 00:35:18,466 Mr. Gibbs: No, because I don't think that the -- I think 454 00:35:18,467 --> 00:35:25,197 that Mr. Buffett wouldn't -- I don't think that Mr. Buffett would evaluate the proposal 455 00:35:25,200 --> 00:35:31,670 that the House Republicans put forward and think that -- I don't think that it scratches 456 00:35:31,667 --> 00:35:37,097 the surface on dealing with virtually every issue, including cost. It does virtually nothing 457 00:35:37,100 --> 00:35:43,900 on cost, it does virtually nothing on coverage, it does -- it leaves regulation up to insurance 458 00:35:43,900 --> 00:35:53,430 companies. So I think that's why he was -- again, were -- if the choice is between the 459 00:35:53,433 --> 00:35:56,063 Senate bill and nothing, he supports the Senate bill. 460 00:35:56,066 --> 00:35:58,366 The Press: But the President is not persuaded by his 461 00:35:58,367 --> 00:36:00,167 suggestion -- strongly worded one -- of a Plan C? 462 00:36:00,166 --> 00:36:03,836 Mr. Gibbs: I think the President is -- and what has animated 463 00:36:03,834 --> 00:36:10,564 his actions from the beginning is dealing with costs. I don't think that -- I don't 464 00:36:10,567 --> 00:36:17,737 think that the -- I don't think that the last word on health care will always just be this 465 00:36:17,734 --> 00:36:23,134 -- will be the legislation moving forward. I think the President will continue to look 466 00:36:23,133 --> 00:36:26,263 at ways to cut costs in health care. 467 00:36:26,266 --> 00:36:27,266 The Press: Quickly, one last one on financial regulation. 468 00:36:27,266 --> 00:36:30,866 Does the White House consider it somewhat of a victory that Republicans are talking 469 00:36:30,867 --> 00:36:35,667 about a consumer protection agency that may be in Treasury when for a while that appeared 470 00:36:35,667 --> 00:36:40,467 to be a potential sticking point entirely? I mean, do you think you've made some headway 471 00:36:40,467 --> 00:36:47,197 here, even if you can't get one that has its own address, its own edifice, its own letterhead, 472 00:36:47,200 --> 00:36:48,100 if you will? 473 00:36:48,100 --> 00:36:54,530 Mr. Gibbs: I think, honestly, Major, what is most important 474 00:36:54,533 --> 00:37:01,963 is the authority that that entity has. Whether that is -- if that authority is something 475 00:37:01,967 --> 00:37:12,797 that isn't constrained by other forces, that's that the judgment that the White House will 476 00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:22,230 make about its efficacy. I would say if you have Republicans like Senator Shelby and others 477 00:37:22,233 --> 00:37:29,933 beginning to understand the importance of protecting consumers against various financial 478 00:37:29,934 --> 00:37:34,934 instruments, I do think that is -- I do think that's progress. I think this will be -- 479 00:37:34,934 --> 00:37:42,304 this is going to -- many steps to get to where we need to go. But I think bottom line for 480 00:37:42,300 --> 00:37:48,270 the President is we have to have a very, very strong -- legislation has to contain a very 481 00:37:48,266 --> 00:37:49,466 strong mechanism for protecting consumers. 482 00:37:49,467 --> 00:37:50,397 The Press: Thanks, Robert. 483 00:37:50,400 --> 00:37:51,200 Mr. Gibbs: Jeffrey. 484 00:37:51,200 --> 00:37:53,730 The Press: I was wondering if President Obama was concerned 485 00:37:53,734 --> 00:38:00,704 about the three vacancies that will be coming up on the Fed Reserve Board of Governors and 486 00:38:00,700 --> 00:38:08,030 how quickly he plans to act on all three. 487 00:38:08,033 --> 00:38:13,663 Mr. Gibbs: I know that on the current vacancy, our plan 488 00:38:13,667 --> 00:38:20,797 -- the one announced today -- our plan is to nominate somebody in time for their confirmation 489 00:38:20,800 --> 00:38:22,030 prior to the term expiring. 490 00:38:22,033 --> 00:38:25,403 The Press: In terms of all three vacancies, though, I 491 00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:32,370 think he said he would plan to nominate someone by June. But in terms of the other vacancies, 492 00:38:32,367 --> 00:38:37,167 is it concerning the President that this seven-member board is quickly evaporating? 493 00:38:37,166 --> 00:38:40,536 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, Jeff, I think the President will 494 00:38:40,533 --> 00:38:48,003 seek to have nominees -- that he'll seek to nominate somebody quickly and hopes that they 495 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:56,970 can be quickly confirmed. Obviously we spent some time and energy earlier in the year working 496 00:38:56,967 --> 00:39:05,767 for Chairman Bernanke's confirmation, as the continuity and stability in the financial 497 00:39:05,767 --> 00:39:10,337 system the President and the economic team believe to be very important. And I think 498 00:39:10,333 --> 00:39:11,033 the same can be said for the Board of Governors. 499 00:39:11,033 --> 00:39:11,203 The Press: Do you think that this will be a similar difficult 500 00:39:11,200 --> 00:39:16,100 way forward for you as it was with Chairman Bernanke? I mean, would he like to hold it 501 00:39:16,100 --> 00:39:23,330 off until he gets some other legislation through? 502 00:39:23,333 --> 00:39:28,733 Mr. Gibbs: No, I -- look, I don't think there's -- I 503 00:39:28,734 --> 00:39:35,534 think, again, our goal is to -- particularly in the most recent announcement is to get 504 00:39:35,533 --> 00:39:42,763 somebody there nominated in time to -- and ultimately confirmed in time to take up the 505 00:39:42,767 --> 00:39:45,197 seat as the term expires. 506 00:39:45,200 --> 00:39:46,570 The Press: On his speech on health care on Wednesday, 507 00:39:46,567 --> 00:39:49,767 what type of venue is that? Is that like an address to the country? Is it a press conference? 508 00:39:49,767 --> 00:39:55,837 Mr. Gibbs: No, it will likely be off campus but it will 509 00:39:55,834 --> 00:39:57,804 be in the D.C. area. 510 00:39:57,800 --> 00:39:58,870 The Press: In the form of a speech, though? 511 00:39:58,867 --> 00:40:00,297 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. Yes, sir. 512 00:40:00,300 --> 00:40:03,000 The Press: Thank you, Robert. Last Monday you were asked 513 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:08,930 twice about the claims of Congressman Sestak, that he had been offered a high-ranking administration 514 00:40:08,934 --> 00:40:10,904 position and -- 515 00:40:10,900 --> 00:40:14,300 Mr. Gibbs: I have not made any progress on that. 516 00:40:14,300 --> 00:40:18,000 The Press: Just to let you know, I was in touch with 517 00:40:18,000 --> 00:40:24,300 Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon who said there was no discussion of it at all but Mr. Sestak's 518 00:40:24,300 --> 00:40:31,300 spokesman, Jonathon Dworkin, said the Congressman stands by his story. Can you check if the 519 00:40:31,300 --> 00:40:32,530 White House made any offer? 520 00:40:32,533 --> 00:40:34,363 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, I was remiss on this and I apologize. 521 00:40:34,367 --> 00:40:36,067 The Press: Can I follow up on that? 522 00:40:36,066 --> 00:40:41,196 Mr. Gibbs: There's not much to follow up on. Let me check into that. 523 00:40:41,200 --> 00:40:42,330 The Press: Thanks very much. 524 00:40:42,333 --> 00:40:43,303 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, sir. 525 00:40:43,300 --> 00:40:45,130 The Press: Robert, does the White House see this episode 526 00:40:45,133 --> 00:40:49,063 with Senator Bunning as something isolated or is there something bigger that you're trying 527 00:40:49,066 --> 00:40:50,966 to draw attention to here? 528 00:40:50,967 --> 00:40:53,767 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think what we're trying to draw attention 529 00:40:53,767 --> 00:41:03,137 to is the fact that hundreds of thousands of people who've lost their job and lost their 530 00:41:03,133 --> 00:41:14,003 health care because of that and their unemployment benefits -- all of that is threatened because 531 00:41:14,000 --> 00:41:19,070 one person has decided to stop the entire process. Again, normally the way this is always 532 00:41:19,066 --> 00:41:27,036 -- this can be dealt with, they can talk about this, and it almost -- I can't imagine 533 00:41:27,033 --> 00:41:35,803 a scenario in which, in almost every other aspect of life, offering that individual a 534 00:41:35,800 --> 00:41:43,500 vote on what they propose to do wouldn't remedy the situation. It's hard to bargain with somebody 535 00:41:43,500 --> 00:41:48,100 when -- if you say, I won't do that because of this, and you say, well, how about we vote 536 00:41:48,100 --> 00:41:54,230 on that, and you say, I object. I don't -- what we're trying to do is highlight the 537 00:41:54,233 --> 00:42:04,263 fact that because of the games of Washington, hundreds of thousands of people are without 538 00:42:04,266 --> 00:42:10,796 the benefits they need to continue as they look for work. Seems to me 539 00:42:10,800 --> 00:42:14,200 to be pretty common-sense. Yes. 540 00:42:14,200 --> 00:42:15,930 The Press: Robert, over the weekend, Speaker Pelosi gave 541 00:42:15,934 --> 00:42:21,264 herself an A for effort. Given, though, that Capitol Hill has yet to pass into law any 542 00:42:21,266 --> 00:42:25,396 of the President's three key priorities -- cap and trade, health care, financial reform 543 00:42:25,400 --> 00:42:28,630 -- what grade would you give Congress, and the Speaker, for that matter? 544 00:42:28,633 --> 00:42:33,203 Mr. Gibbs: Well, obviously as it relates to health care, 545 00:42:33,200 --> 00:42:38,430 financial reform, and comprehensive energy legislation, as you mentioned, none of them 546 00:42:38,433 --> 00:42:46,863 are in law, but understand the House has passed all three of those. So it's hard to argue 547 00:42:46,867 --> 00:42:51,297 that they haven't accomplished their end of that bargain. And I think that's what Speaker 548 00:42:51,300 --> 00:42:59,400 Pelosi was mentioning. I think if you look at credit card legislation, cutting funding 549 00:42:59,400 --> 00:43:07,630 for wasteful defense projects, an economic recovery plan, I think there are a host of 550 00:43:07,633 --> 00:43:16,533 things with which the House has played obviously an enormous role in becoming law, in addition 551 00:43:16,533 --> 00:43:22,003 to making progress on the President's priorities that you mentioned. 552 00:43:22,000 --> 00:43:23,530 The Press: What about the Senate? 553 00:43:23,533 --> 00:43:26,063 The Press: Yes, what grade do you give Harry Reid? 554 00:43:26,066 --> 00:43:27,866 Mr. Gibbs: We're working on getting them caught up. Peter. 555 00:43:27,867 --> 00:43:31,567 The Press: Robert, thank you. There's been a lot of focus 556 00:43:31,567 --> 00:43:31,997 on the issue of broken government. Does the President believe that paralysis in Washington 557 00:43:32,000 --> 00:43:35,470 has reached a point where political reform might become a worthy -- systemic political 558 00:43:35,467 --> 00:43:44,367 reform might be a worthy project of his -- for example, where he focuses on, say, redistricting, 559 00:43:44,367 --> 00:43:52,897 showing that there's more competitive districts in Congress, term limits, and maybe even changing 560 00:43:52,900 --> 00:43:54,730 the filibuster rules? 561 00:43:54,734 --> 00:43:59,864 Mr. Gibbs: I have not heard specific conversation here 562 00:43:59,867 --> 00:44:07,037 about the issues that you mention. I think the President's viewpoint would be -- and 563 00:44:07,033 --> 00:44:12,133 I think last week demonstrated some progress on these fronts until Friday with Senator 564 00:44:12,133 --> 00:44:20,933 Bunning. But last week the Senate passed with 70 votes on a bipartisan basis, passed a plan 565 00:44:20,934 --> 00:44:27,164 to provide tax cuts for businesses that hire the unemployed. The House, with over 400 votes 566 00:44:27,166 --> 00:44:34,466 -- thus in a bipartisan way -- passed removing the antitrust exemption from insurance companies, 567 00:44:34,467 --> 00:44:46,697 therefore increasing competition available for individuals. So as is true in most things 568 00:44:46,700 --> 00:44:52,800 in Washington, it's fits and starts; it's one step forward, one step back, or two steps 569 00:44:52,800 --> 00:45:04,630 back. I think if it relates to somebody like Senator Bunning, I think what confounds 99 570 00:45:04,633 --> 00:45:11,163 other senators is when one decides to stop the entire process while the will of either 571 00:45:11,166 --> 00:45:17,466 the majority or a supermajority continues to exist. The comments from Senator Kyl over 572 00:45:17,467 --> 00:45:23,897 the weekend about the fact that, well, we're going to get this done -- I think what Senator 573 00:45:23,900 --> 00:45:28,570 Bunning has done has frustrated a lot of people across the political spectrum. 574 00:45:28,567 --> 00:45:33,097 The Press: Can you fill us in on the rest of the week 575 00:45:33,100 --> 00:45:33,170 beyond Wednesday remarks? And then also -- 576 00:45:33,166 --> 00:45:33,966 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have anything on Thursday or Friday yet. 577 00:45:33,967 --> 00:45:38,867 The Press: Not yet. So as far as the Wednesday thing 578 00:45:38,867 --> 00:45:45,867 goes, will we have a definitive answer on whether or not Democrats are going to pursue 579 00:45:45,867 --> 00:45:47,767 reconciliation? Will there be any question about any of those sort of details? 580 00:45:47,767 --> 00:45:49,937 Mr. Gibbs: Again, it doesn't make sense for me to give 581 00:45:49,934 --> 00:45:53,634 you the President's announcement for Wednesday on Monday, except to say -- 582 00:45:53,633 --> 00:45:54,433 The Press: Sure it does. 583 00:45:54,433 --> 00:45:55,733 (laughter) 584 00:45:55,734 --> 00:45:57,464 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I realize I was -- that I did not necessarily 585 00:45:57,467 --> 00:45:59,067 have a willing room of agreement on that. 586 00:45:59,066 --> 00:46:01,466 The Press: I'm not asking what it's going to be, but just -- 587 00:46:01,467 --> 00:46:03,667 Mr. Gibbs: I think what I said earlier to Savannah, that 588 00:46:03,667 --> 00:46:12,237 the way -- what he discusses will point toward not just a policy, but a process moving forward. 589 00:46:12,233 --> 00:46:14,463 The Press: So that means -- you think we will know definitively 590 00:46:14,467 --> 00:46:15,537 -- it's not going to be a question -- 591 00:46:15,533 --> 00:46:18,933 Mr. Gibbs: I think you'll have a good idea of how we would proceed. David. 592 00:46:18,934 --> 00:46:21,704 The Press: You mentioned those other items that have 593 00:46:21,700 --> 00:46:25,700 passed on reconciliation. What Republicans say is those things had some bipartisan support; 594 00:46:25,700 --> 00:46:31,730 there were Democrats who supported welfare reform, there were Democrats that supported 595 00:46:31,734 --> 00:46:34,804 COBRA. This is strictly a partisan deal. What would be your response to that? 596 00:46:34,800 --> 00:46:37,570 Mr. Gibbs: My response would be they continue to move 597 00:46:37,567 --> 00:46:44,067 the goalposts. When Judd Gregg said if you have 51 votes for an idea it passes, what 598 00:46:44,066 --> 00:46:52,236 did he mean? I think he meant -- I think he meant reconciliation was fine for what I want 599 00:46:52,233 --> 00:46:57,003 to reconcile, and it didn't mean it if I didn't want it; therefore pay attention not to what 600 00:46:57,000 --> 00:47:02,200 I said in the past, but what I said in the future in hopes of you not catching the 601 00:47:02,200 --> 00:47:03,430 hypocrisy in my argument. 602 00:47:03,433 --> 00:47:05,033 The Press: Are you concerned about Byrd's objections 603 00:47:05,033 --> 00:47:08,563 to using something this massive, using the reconciliation process -- 604 00:47:08,567 --> 00:47:12,597 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, understand this -- the base Senate 605 00:47:12,600 --> 00:47:21,900 health care bill passed the Senate not with 50 or 51, but with 60 votes. Right? Yes, sir. 606 00:47:21,900 --> 00:47:27,630 The Press: Just back on that, just very briefly, an unknown 607 00:47:27,633 --> 00:47:32,863 White House spokesperson did say in the Philadelphia Enquirer -- or did deny what 608 00:47:32,867 --> 00:47:34,467 Sestak had said three times -- 609 00:47:34,467 --> 00:47:37,067 Mr. Gibbs: I said I would check on this. It's hard for 610 00:47:37,066 --> 00:47:40,236 me to do follow-ups on something I can't work through. 611 00:47:40,233 --> 00:47:41,403 The Press: So at this point the White House is not ready 612 00:47:41,400 --> 00:47:42,970 to deny what Sestak said? 613 00:47:42,967 --> 00:47:47,737 Mr. Gibbs: No. I think I said I would check on the situation. Yes. 614 00:47:46,533 --> 00:47:48,003 the National Black Farmers Association says this appropriation, the $1.25 billion appropriation 615 00:47:47,734 --> 00:47:52,464 The Press: Robert, on another issue. It's March 1st and 616 00:47:48,000 --> 00:47:52,970 for their settlement, has not been attached to any bill as of yet. And they're concerned, 617 00:47:52,967 --> 00:48:05,937 again, that their monies will not be approved by Congress, again pushing this whole Pigford 618 00:48:05,934 --> 00:48:12,834 Suit case to another year or two maybe. 619 00:48:12,834 --> 00:48:17,404 Mr. Gibbs: Let me check on where the process would be 620 00:48:17,400 --> 00:48:25,300 from our end. I don't -- I can't speak to the appropriations process on the Hill, but 621 00:48:25,300 --> 00:48:32,270 let me check on it from here. 622 00:48:31,700 --> 00:48:34,200 Mr. Gibbs: Are you kidding me? The President loves the pastry chef. 623 00:48:32,266 --> 00:48:32,736 The Press: Also, on the President's health, has the pastry 624 00:48:32,734 --> 00:48:38,164 chef been given a mandate -- (laughter) -- no, seriously, though -- 625 00:48:34,200 --> 00:48:35,500 (laughter) 626 00:48:35,500 --> 00:48:37,600 The Press: Right. That's the problem. That's the problem. 627 00:48:37,600 --> 00:48:44,070 Seriously, since Mrs. Obama is the woman of the house and she has talked about healthy 628 00:48:44,066 --> 00:48:45,866 eating -- she has a garden outside -- 629 00:48:45,867 --> 00:48:47,537 Mr. Gibbs: Hold on, let's -- 630 00:48:47,533 --> 00:48:48,663 The Press: No, no, no, no, this is -- 631 00:48:48,667 --> 00:48:51,567 Mr. Gibbs: On behalf of the President of the United States, 632 00:48:51,567 --> 00:48:56,967 let's -- I'll do this. He doesn't look like me, right? So let's -- I mean, he's doing 633 00:48:56,967 --> 00:49:02,337 just fine. Let me tell you, I'd love to go to Bethesda, have them work through and tell 634 00:49:02,333 --> 00:49:08,663 me that I was where the cholesterol was on him and what have you. So let's not -- 635 00:49:08,667 --> 00:49:09,497 The Press: Robert, I understand -- 636 00:49:09,500 --> 00:49:12,530 Mr. Gibbs: The doctor would like to see his LDL lowered, but -- 637 00:49:12,533 --> 00:49:12,963 The Press: And that's the point -- are there going to 638 00:49:12,967 --> 00:49:13,697 be more fruits and vegetables in his diet? The LDL -- are there going to be more almonds 639 00:49:13,700 --> 00:49:13,830 in his diet? 640 00:49:13,834 --> 00:49:15,264 Mr. Gibbs: This is funny. I love this. You guys thought he, like -- 641 00:49:15,266 --> 00:49:18,666 The Press: But it's real, it's a real issue, it's a real 642 00:49:18,667 --> 00:49:21,297 issue. This is the President of the United States. 643 00:49:21,300 --> 00:49:24,600 Mr. Gibbs: You guys thought he, like, carried arugula 644 00:49:24,600 --> 00:49:28,500 in his pocket to snack on, and now all of a sudden he's -- now all of a sudden -- now 645 00:49:28,500 --> 00:49:33,070 all of a sudden he's breaking into my office looking for quarters for the vending machines. 646 00:49:33,066 --> 00:49:34,866 (laughter) 647 00:49:34,867 --> 00:49:36,167 The Press: There are fresh apples on -- 648 00:49:36,166 --> 00:49:37,596 Mr. Gibbs: "Put the potato chips down." 649 00:49:37,600 --> 00:49:38,970 (laughter) 650 00:49:38,967 --> 00:49:41,397 The Press: There are fresh apples in the Oval Office at all times. 651 00:49:41,400 --> 00:49:42,470 I mean, will there be -- 652 00:49:42,467 --> 00:49:44,037 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, which he eats a lot of. Look, I got to 653 00:49:44,033 --> 00:49:49,633 tell you, I mean, again -- no, no, he does. I had an apple today; I can't say Axelrod 654 00:49:49,633 --> 00:49:50,533 had an apple today. 655 00:49:50,533 --> 00:49:52,063 (laughter) 656 00:49:52,066 --> 00:49:56,766 Now I'm getting myself in trouble. No, but, look, in all seriousness, because, look, I 657 00:49:56,767 --> 00:50:04,037 think obviously the health report is important, that, look, again, on the helicopter ride 658 00:50:04,033 --> 00:50:11,603 back he was the first one -- he said, look, I just have to say no to dessert more often. 659 00:50:11,600 --> 00:50:16,900 Look, there's not a -- I don't think there's a magic formula except just, as he said, pushing 660 00:50:16,900 --> 00:50:22,200 away from the table before they put the pie in front of him. 661 00:50:22,200 --> 00:50:24,770 The Press: So the pastry chef has not been given a mandate -- 662 00:50:24,767 --> 00:50:28,037 Mr. Gibbs: No, to keep baking but he's just got to use 663 00:50:28,033 --> 00:50:29,933 a little bit more presidential restraint, I would say. David. 664 00:50:29,934 --> 00:50:36,864 The Press: It's a demand problem, not a supply problem. 665 00:50:36,867 --> 00:50:37,897 (laughter) 666 00:50:37,900 --> 00:50:40,330 Mr. Gibbs: Not untrue. 667 00:50:40,333 --> 00:50:46,733 The Press: Going back to the CFPA, if it's not given 668 00:50:46,734 --> 00:50:51,604 sufficient authority, is that enough reason for the President to threaten or actually 669 00:50:51,600 --> 00:50:52,500 conduct a veto? 670 00:50:52,500 --> 00:50:56,970 Mr. Gibbs: Well, David, I don't want to get that far 671 00:50:56,967 --> 00:51:03,067 ahead of the process given the fact that we have not yet seen all of what the Senate bill 672 00:51:03,066 --> 00:51:09,636 will be. Obviously the House is on record with a strong CFPA. Look, again, without getting 673 00:51:09,633 --> 00:51:16,133 into where this thing -- what might happen "if," I know this -- let me just leave it 674 00:51:16,133 --> 00:51:23,833 at the President is -- the President believes strongly that final legislation should and 675 00:51:23,834 --> 00:51:34,004 must include strong consumer financial protections. This is something that he outlined earlier, 676 00:51:34,000 --> 00:51:40,070 it's been through the House, and he's enormously serious about ensuring is part of the final 677 00:51:40,066 --> 00:51:41,136 product. Thanks, guys.