English subtitles for clip: File:3-12-12- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,433 --> 00:00:01,900 Mr. Carney: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. 2 00:00:01,900 --> 00:00:05,400 Thanks for coming today. 3 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:09,166 As you can see, I have guests with me. 4 00:00:09,166 --> 00:00:12,100 I'm proud and happy to have with me, on my left, 5 00:00:12,100 --> 00:00:16,033 the Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar; and on my right, 6 00:00:16,033 --> 00:00:18,300 Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President 7 00:00:18,300 --> 00:00:20,967 and a top advisor on energy policy to the President. 8 00:00:20,967 --> 00:00:24,967 They're here to talk about the Blueprint for a Secure Energy 9 00:00:24,967 --> 00:00:28,066 Future, the one-year progress report that was provided to 10 00:00:28,066 --> 00:00:30,232 the President today. 11 00:00:30,233 --> 00:00:33,633 What I'd like to do, as you know when I have visitors like this, 12 00:00:33,633 --> 00:00:37,367 is have them speak to you for a few moments at the top for you 13 00:00:37,367 --> 00:00:41,500 to address the questions you have on their issues at the top, 14 00:00:41,500 --> 00:00:45,400 and then we can allow them to exit and I'll take questions 15 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:47,100 on other subjects. 16 00:00:47,100 --> 00:00:49,500 And with that I think I'll turn it over to Heather and 17 00:00:49,500 --> 00:00:51,033 we'll get started. 18 00:00:51,033 --> 00:00:52,233 Ms. Zichal: Thank you. 19 00:00:52,233 --> 00:00:56,199 As Jay said, the President today received a new progress report 20 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:59,066 showcasing the administration's historic achievements in 21 00:00:59,066 --> 00:01:01,233 securing our energy future. 22 00:01:01,233 --> 00:01:02,766 The accomplishments in the report, 23 00:01:02,767 --> 00:01:05,633 which represent the efforts of six federal agencies, 24 00:01:05,633 --> 00:01:09,300 underscore the administration's commitment over the past three 25 00:01:09,300 --> 00:01:11,467 years promoting an all-hands-on-deck, 26 00:01:11,467 --> 00:01:14,233 all-of-the-above approach to American energy and building 27 00:01:14,233 --> 00:01:15,967 a more secure energy future. 28 00:01:15,967 --> 00:01:19,300 I want to discuss a couple of the highlights. 29 00:01:19,300 --> 00:01:22,399 A year ago, the President set a bold but achievable goal of 30 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:26,300 reducing oil imports by a third in little over a decade. 31 00:01:26,300 --> 00:01:27,533 Thanks to booming U.S. 32 00:01:27,533 --> 00:01:30,934 oil and gas production, more efficient cars and trucks, 33 00:01:30,934 --> 00:01:34,000 and a world-class refining sector, 34 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:38,734 we've already cut net imports by 10% or 1 million barrels a day 35 00:01:38,734 --> 00:01:40,232 in the last year alone. 36 00:01:40,233 --> 00:01:42,934 And with the new fuel economy standards the President 37 00:01:42,934 --> 00:01:45,533 announced last year, we're on pace to meet our goal by the 38 00:01:45,533 --> 00:01:47,000 end of the decade. 39 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,967 Speaking of those fuel economy standards, 40 00:01:49,967 --> 00:01:53,266 the Obama administration has put in place the first-ever 41 00:01:53,266 --> 00:01:55,967 efficiency standards for heavy-duty trucks. 42 00:01:55,967 --> 00:01:59,367 And as many of you know, we proposed the toughest fuel 43 00:01:59,367 --> 00:02:02,033 economy standards for passenger vehicles in U.S. 44 00:02:02,033 --> 00:02:06,400 history, requiring an average performance of 55 miles per 45 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,400 gallon by 2025. 46 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:11,100 Over time, these new standards will save consumers more than 47 00:02:11,100 --> 00:02:13,767 $8,000 over the life of the program. 48 00:02:13,767 --> 00:02:17,066 We've also doubled renewable energy generation, 49 00:02:17,066 --> 00:02:19,533 developed advanced alternative fuels, 50 00:02:19,533 --> 00:02:21,899 and supported cutting-edge research and development in 51 00:02:21,900 --> 00:02:23,533 clean energy technologies. 52 00:02:23,533 --> 00:02:27,166 To speak a little bit more about our role in expanding domestic 53 00:02:27,166 --> 00:02:29,767 oil and gas production is Secretary Salazar. 54 00:02:31,767 --> 00:02:33,367 Secretary Salazar: Thank you very much, Heather. 55 00:02:33,367 --> 00:02:37,466 I think it's important for all of us to note that the domestic 56 00:02:37,467 --> 00:02:39,967 oil production is at an 8-year high in the United 57 00:02:39,967 --> 00:02:41,500 States of America. 58 00:02:41,500 --> 00:02:44,367 Domestic gas production is at the highest level that we have 59 00:02:44,367 --> 00:02:46,299 seen in recent memory. 60 00:02:46,300 --> 00:02:50,367 And as Heather just said, we are importing the lowest amount of 61 00:02:50,367 --> 00:02:53,834 oil that we have in 16 years to the United States of America. 62 00:02:53,834 --> 00:02:57,133 For me, from my time as a U.S. senator and watching this debate 63 00:02:57,133 --> 00:03:00,734 now over the last 30 years, remembering back in 2008 when 64 00:03:00,734 --> 00:03:04,367 we were importing 57% of our oil from foreign countries to 65 00:03:04,367 --> 00:03:08,500 today when, in 2011, we're importing only 45%, 66 00:03:08,500 --> 00:03:12,300 is a dramatic achievement and one that we are very proud of. 67 00:03:12,300 --> 00:03:15,400 On the level of activity that we have underway in the United 68 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:20,900 States, we had a 55% increase in the number of rigs that we're 69 00:03:20,900 --> 00:03:24,233 operating onshore for both oil and gas, 70 00:03:24,233 --> 00:03:26,633 as well as a significant number operating in the Outer 71 00:03:26,633 --> 00:03:29,100 Continental Shelf, including in the Gulf of Mexico, 72 00:03:29,100 --> 00:03:31,700 where the Gulf of Mexico is back to work again and oil 73 00:03:31,700 --> 00:03:34,100 and gas production is taking place there. 74 00:03:34,100 --> 00:03:38,233 On federal lands and water, we have moved forward in the last 75 00:03:38,233 --> 00:03:41,900 three years with a 13% increase in oil and gas production. 76 00:03:41,900 --> 00:03:44,300 Just from the federal lands themselves, 77 00:03:44,300 --> 00:03:47,900 gas production in 2011 was one of the best years that we've 78 00:03:47,900 --> 00:03:49,633 had in the last decade. 79 00:03:49,633 --> 00:03:53,166 And the acreage that is being allowed to be developed by 80 00:03:53,166 --> 00:03:56,533 industry now includes about 72 million acres, 81 00:03:56,533 --> 00:03:59,466 both on the land and in the sea, where they currently 82 00:03:59,467 --> 00:04:00,533 are not developing. 83 00:04:00,533 --> 00:04:03,100 That is 72 million acres that have been leased to oil and 84 00:04:03,100 --> 00:04:06,066 gas companies where they currently are not developing. 85 00:04:06,066 --> 00:04:09,467 We have moved forward to continue the robust, 86 00:04:09,467 --> 00:04:12,367 all-of-the-above energy strategy which the President directed us 87 00:04:12,367 --> 00:04:16,000 to do so, by continuing to lease in the Outer Continental Shelf 88 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:17,000 as well as onshore. 89 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:21,033 In 2010, we leased over 34 million acres of oil and -- 90 00:04:21,033 --> 00:04:26,367 we offered to lease 34 million acres of area in 91 00:04:26,367 --> 00:04:27,767 the Outer Continental Shelf. 92 00:04:27,767 --> 00:04:31,667 Oil and gas companies only leased 2.4 million acres of 93 00:04:31,667 --> 00:04:33,734 those offered acres. 94 00:04:33,734 --> 00:04:37,933 In 2011, at a lease sale that I conducted in New Orleans, 95 00:04:37,934 --> 00:04:40,100 we offered to lease 21 million acres. 96 00:04:40,100 --> 00:04:42,734 It was a highly productive lease sale in terms of the amount of 97 00:04:42,734 --> 00:04:45,433 money that came in to the American taxpayer. 98 00:04:45,433 --> 00:04:47,900 At the end of the day, about a million acres were leased by the 99 00:04:47,900 --> 00:04:49,332 oil and gas companies. 100 00:04:49,333 --> 00:04:53,233 And in 2012, this summer, we plan on moving forward with 101 00:04:53,233 --> 00:04:56,767 the additional lease sale of over 30 million acres. 102 00:04:56,767 --> 00:04:59,734 Onshore -- just to make a quick comment about our continued 103 00:04:59,734 --> 00:05:02,834 efforts to lease out the millions of acres of the 104 00:05:02,834 --> 00:05:05,467 public estate for oil and gas production -- oil and 105 00:05:05,467 --> 00:05:08,567 gas companies today are sitting on 7,000 106 00:05:08,567 --> 00:05:11,066 permits that have been issued to oil and gas companies 107 00:05:11,066 --> 00:05:14,000 where they could move forward immediately and start producing 108 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:15,033 those leases. 109 00:05:15,033 --> 00:05:17,800 Just a quick word on the renewable energy program, 110 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,767 which Heather spoke about for just a minute. 111 00:05:20,767 --> 00:05:24,033 This President has really led a renewable energy revolution, 112 00:05:24,033 --> 00:05:25,367 which we are very proud of. 113 00:05:25,367 --> 00:05:28,133 The amount of renewable energy that has been produced here in 114 00:05:28,133 --> 00:05:31,233 the United States has now doubled in the last three years. 115 00:05:31,233 --> 00:05:33,734 We're proud that in the Department of the Interior 116 00:05:33,734 --> 00:05:35,734 and through the public lands of America, 117 00:05:35,734 --> 00:05:39,700 that we have permitted 29 solar, geothermal and wind projects in 118 00:05:39,700 --> 00:05:40,933 the last three years. 119 00:05:40,934 --> 00:05:44,433 We are on target to meet the President's direction that we 120 00:05:44,433 --> 00:05:46,933 get to 10,000 megawatts of power, 121 00:05:46,934 --> 00:05:49,367 which will power over 3 million homes by the end of the year. 122 00:05:49,367 --> 00:05:51,934 And with that I'll turn it back over to Jay. 123 00:05:51,934 --> 00:05:54,333 Mr. Carney: So what I'll do, I'll call on folks. 124 00:05:54,333 --> 00:05:57,033 And again, if you have questions for Secretary Salazar, 125 00:05:57,033 --> 00:05:59,533 Heather Zichal, let's do those now, 126 00:05:59,533 --> 00:06:03,100 and then I'll stick around for other subjects. 127 00:06:03,100 --> 00:06:04,000 Alister. 128 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:07,166 The Press: Secretary Salazar, you've said that all options are 129 00:06:07,166 --> 00:06:10,433 on the table in tackling the high gasoline prices. 130 00:06:10,433 --> 00:06:13,567 Could you discuss the conditions under which you'd consider a 131 00:06:13,567 --> 00:06:18,300 release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve? 132 00:06:18,300 --> 00:06:20,233 Secretary Salazar: I will just say that when you look at the 133 00:06:20,233 --> 00:06:25,333 history of the SPR, it was first used by President George H. Bush 134 00:06:25,333 --> 00:06:31,300 in the Gulf War I; again used by President George W. Bush 135 00:06:31,300 --> 00:06:34,300 during Katrina. 136 00:06:34,300 --> 00:06:36,033 And so I think when you look at these issues -- and Jay 137 00:06:36,033 --> 00:06:38,700 can speak more to this -- but I think all options are on the 138 00:06:38,700 --> 00:06:41,767 table because the President obviously feels the pain that 139 00:06:41,767 --> 00:06:45,332 the American people are facing with respect to gas prices. 140 00:06:45,333 --> 00:06:47,834 But I would say again -- this is probably the most important 141 00:06:47,834 --> 00:06:52,100 point, Alister -- when you look back from the formation to OPEC 142 00:06:52,100 --> 00:06:56,200 and even before then, you've had price shocks that have occurred 143 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:59,166 in this country now over a dozen times. 144 00:06:59,166 --> 00:07:02,667 And every time you have oil and gas price shocks occurring, 145 00:07:02,667 --> 00:07:05,866 you have all the political rhetoric and the country rising 146 00:07:05,867 --> 00:07:07,600 to the highest volume that it could be raised. 147 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:10,900 What this President has done from day one is to move forward 148 00:07:10,900 --> 00:07:14,433 with a kind of energy policy and strategy that includes the 149 00:07:14,433 --> 00:07:17,933 all-of-the-above energy program that we're implementing because 150 00:07:17,934 --> 00:07:22,300 that's the only way that we're going to get to a point where we 151 00:07:22,300 --> 00:07:27,333 stop having the kinds of price shocks and disruptions that 152 00:07:27,333 --> 00:07:30,166 we've been seeing since the formation of OPEC and, in fact, 153 00:07:30,166 --> 00:07:32,100 even before the formation of OPEC. 154 00:07:32,100 --> 00:07:34,900 The Press: So does a rise in price meet the strategic threshold for 155 00:07:34,900 --> 00:07:36,400 release from the SPRO? 156 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:39,700 Secretary Salazar: I'm going to have Jay answer the question 157 00:07:39,700 --> 00:07:42,265 because he has been working more specifically on that issue. 158 00:07:42,266 --> 00:07:44,600 Want to take it? 159 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:47,967 Mr. Carney: Yes. Alister, as you know, the President has said -- as the 160 00:07:47,967 --> 00:07:52,099 Secretary just said -- that he looks at all options and all 161 00:07:52,100 --> 00:07:56,266 options remain on the table in terms of a strategy to deal with 162 00:07:56,266 --> 00:08:01,000 the near-term issue of high gas prices. 163 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:04,300 But we're not going to talk about the SPR 164 00:08:04,300 --> 00:08:06,233 with any specificity. 165 00:08:06,233 --> 00:08:11,967 And I would simply note that the President is very cognizant of 166 00:08:11,967 --> 00:08:15,500 the impact that the high prices at the pump are having on 167 00:08:15,500 --> 00:08:18,867 American families as they struggle to make ends meet. 168 00:08:18,867 --> 00:08:22,967 It's a reminder of why it was so important to extend the payroll 169 00:08:22,967 --> 00:08:27,933 tax cut, which, by putting an average of $1,000 extra in the 170 00:08:27,934 --> 00:08:31,200 paychecks of the average American family is helping 171 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,066 those families -- 160 million Americans -- helping them deal 172 00:08:34,066 --> 00:08:37,000 with higher oil and gas prices. 173 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:39,500 He is also making sure that the Department of Justice has 174 00:08:39,500 --> 00:08:42,133 reconstituted the working group that's going to make sure that 175 00:08:42,133 --> 00:08:47,000 no fraud, speculation, price gouging is taking place in the 176 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:50,600 country as a result of these higher oil prices. 177 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:53,333 And he will continue to review other options. 178 00:08:53,333 --> 00:08:56,065 He has also said, because it is a simple fact, 179 00:08:56,066 --> 00:09:00,867 that any politician who pledges to the American people that he 180 00:09:00,867 --> 00:09:05,199 or she has a 3-point plan to cut the price of gasoline to $2 or 181 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:08,467 $2.50 is not on the level. 182 00:09:08,467 --> 00:09:09,967 You guys know it. 183 00:09:09,967 --> 00:09:14,000 Such a plan does not exist, at least not such a plausible plan. 184 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:17,800 The global price of oil is affected by a variety of 185 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:21,666 factors, some of which are well beyond the control of any 186 00:09:21,667 --> 00:09:25,500 administration, and they include growth in emerging countries 187 00:09:25,500 --> 00:09:31,467 like China and India, Brazil, as well as unrest in the Middle 188 00:09:31,467 --> 00:09:33,600 East and other areas of the world. 189 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:35,767 That's why the President is focused on the things that we 190 00:09:35,767 --> 00:09:39,100 can control, the things that Secretary Salazar and Heather 191 00:09:39,100 --> 00:09:41,400 were talking about in terms of an all-of-the-above 192 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:42,567 energy approach. 193 00:09:42,567 --> 00:09:43,567 Next question. 194 00:09:43,567 --> 00:09:44,567 Ed. 195 00:09:44,567 --> 00:09:46,400 The Press: Mr. Secretary, you said oil production is up, 196 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:48,000 including on federal land. 197 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:52,166 The Republican line continues to be that it's up on private lands 198 00:09:52,166 --> 00:09:55,567 but not on public lands that you control, or public waters. 199 00:09:55,567 --> 00:09:58,033 Are you putting those stats together to get production 200 00:09:58,033 --> 00:10:00,100 is up, or do you have stats they don't have? 201 00:10:00,100 --> 00:10:01,834 We're trying to sort out who's right, 202 00:10:01,834 --> 00:10:05,065 because Republicans keep saying production is not up on federal 203 00:10:05,066 --> 00:10:06,867 land, it's up on private land. 204 00:10:06,867 --> 00:10:09,233 And then just more broadly, how do you answer -- they say 205 00:10:09,233 --> 00:10:12,000 repeatedly that these are Bush administration policies that 206 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:13,100 increased drilling. 207 00:10:13,100 --> 00:10:15,900 Jay has previously said -- acknowledged that's the case 208 00:10:15,900 --> 00:10:18,600 but also that this President has increased drilling as well. 209 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:20,600 How do you sort all that out? 210 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:25,000 Secretary Salazar: Ed, I would say that those attacks are simply wrong. 211 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:29,000 The fact of the matter is that we are producing more from 212 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:32,633 public lands, both oil and gas, both onshore as well as 213 00:10:32,633 --> 00:10:36,433 offshore, than at any time in recent memory. 214 00:10:36,433 --> 00:10:41,567 And when you look back at the year of 2009, 2010, 2011, 215 00:10:41,567 --> 00:10:44,867 we've continued to make millions and millions of acres of the 216 00:10:44,867 --> 00:10:48,632 public estate available both on the land as well as on the sea. 217 00:10:48,633 --> 00:10:52,700 Even after having dealt with the national crisis of the Deepwater 218 00:10:52,700 --> 00:10:56,333 Horizon, the President and his administration have stood up a 219 00:10:56,333 --> 00:11:01,266 safe and robust program to continue to explore and develop 220 00:11:01,266 --> 00:11:04,132 the sweet spot of America, and that's the Gulf of Mexico, 221 00:11:04,133 --> 00:11:05,900 where about a third of our oil and natural gas 222 00:11:05,900 --> 00:11:07,233 come from every year. 223 00:11:07,233 --> 00:11:08,967 And today, when you go out to the Gulf, 224 00:11:08,967 --> 00:11:13,100 you will find that there are more rigs working there than 225 00:11:13,100 --> 00:11:15,166 at any recent time in memory. 226 00:11:15,166 --> 00:11:18,166 And the fact of the matter is, just in the last 12 months we've 227 00:11:18,166 --> 00:11:22,100 issued over 61 permits just to drill in the deepwater, 228 00:11:22,100 --> 00:11:24,800 about 100 to drill in the shallow water. 229 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:27,099 So we have more of that coming. 230 00:11:27,100 --> 00:11:30,967 When you think about Alaska, where the National Petroleum 231 00:11:30,967 --> 00:11:34,400 Reserve had essentially been off limits because of bureaucracies 232 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:36,934 that have happened during Republican and Democratic 233 00:11:36,934 --> 00:11:40,199 administrations of the past, this administration has 234 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:44,100 essentially solved the problems so that we're going to be seeing 235 00:11:44,100 --> 00:11:47,000 development in the NPRA for the first time in history. 236 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:51,300 So, for those who say that this President and his administration 237 00:11:51,300 --> 00:11:55,433 have turned back the clock on allowing our public lands 238 00:11:55,433 --> 00:11:58,333 to be used for oil and natural gas production, 239 00:11:58,333 --> 00:12:00,567 they simply are wrong. 240 00:12:00,567 --> 00:12:03,667 Ms. Zichal: I think I might just add to that by stating that the numbers 241 00:12:03,667 --> 00:12:06,600 speak for themselves in terms of oil and gas production going up 242 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:08,734 every year since the President has been in office. 243 00:12:08,734 --> 00:12:11,266 But as the President has also acknowledged, 244 00:12:11,266 --> 00:12:13,467 we're not at a point where we can drill our way out 245 00:12:13,467 --> 00:12:14,567 of this problem. 246 00:12:14,567 --> 00:12:17,100 That's why the report and all of the policies that this 247 00:12:17,100 --> 00:12:20,400 administration have been working on since day one -- from energy 248 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:24,000 efficiency to alternative fuels -- have been a top priority, 249 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,600 administration wide. 250 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:27,700 Mr. Carney: Mara. 251 00:12:27,700 --> 00:12:29,533 The Press: The President often says there's no silver bullet 252 00:12:29,533 --> 00:12:32,500 to bring gas prices down in the short term, 253 00:12:32,500 --> 00:12:35,767 but he has called on Congress to get -- do away with subsidies 254 00:12:35,767 --> 00:12:36,967 for oil and gas companies. 255 00:12:36,967 --> 00:12:40,467 Do you guys have some kind of estimate of how, 256 00:12:40,467 --> 00:12:43,500 if those subsidies were gone, it would affect prices at the pump? 257 00:12:43,500 --> 00:12:46,767 Or is it just a fairness issue? 258 00:12:46,767 --> 00:12:49,934 Ms. Zichal: I think, from our perspective, it's a fairness issue. 259 00:12:49,934 --> 00:12:52,867 At this point in time, when we're making difficult decisions 260 00:12:52,867 --> 00:12:55,834 about the budget and where to make investments and where to 261 00:12:55,834 --> 00:12:59,566 cut, the fact that oil and gas companies are bringing in record 262 00:12:59,567 --> 00:13:03,233 profits and at the same time getting $4 billion in subsidies 263 00:13:03,233 --> 00:13:06,000 annually, those subsidies should be repealed. 264 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,000 And the President has called for that and I believe the 265 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:12,133 Senate will be acting soon to vote on this issue as well. 266 00:13:12,133 --> 00:13:14,133 The Press: And he's not arguing that people would -- 267 00:13:14,133 --> 00:13:16,467 there would be some kind of a connection between that 268 00:13:16,467 --> 00:13:17,467 and prices going down? 269 00:13:17,467 --> 00:13:19,567 Ms. Zichal: Correct. 270 00:13:19,567 --> 00:13:21,900 Mr. Carney: Any more for -- yes, Steve. 271 00:13:21,900 --> 00:13:24,033 The Press: If production is going up every year, 272 00:13:24,033 --> 00:13:27,133 why is gas heading toward $5 or $6 a gallon? 273 00:13:27,133 --> 00:13:31,767 I mean, do -- the laws of supply and demand don't apply anymore? 274 00:13:31,767 --> 00:13:35,266 Secretary Salazar: Here is the reality, and I think all of you in this room 275 00:13:35,266 --> 00:13:40,065 are smart students of history, and so I think when you look 276 00:13:40,066 --> 00:13:44,467 back at history, back to -- all the way back to 1857, 277 00:13:44,467 --> 00:13:46,967 but bring it into the post-World War II era, 278 00:13:46,967 --> 00:13:50,033 you see the price shocks for both oil and gas that have 279 00:13:50,033 --> 00:13:51,834 occurred in this country and the different responses 280 00:13:51,834 --> 00:13:52,834 that are made. 281 00:13:52,834 --> 00:13:56,934 And those responses have been going on since the formation of 282 00:13:56,934 --> 00:14:00,333 OPEC, the Gulf War I, and a whole host of other things 283 00:14:00,333 --> 00:14:01,500 that have happened. 284 00:14:01,500 --> 00:14:06,367 And what the reality is, is that the oil prices and the 285 00:14:06,367 --> 00:14:09,000 gas prices that we pay here in the United States are set 286 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:10,266 on the global market. 287 00:14:10,266 --> 00:14:12,567 We don't set them and we don't control them. 288 00:14:12,567 --> 00:14:15,300 This President and this Congress can't control those prices 289 00:14:15,300 --> 00:14:17,599 because they're set on the global market. 290 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:22,967 But what has failed for the last four years is that no one until 291 00:14:22,967 --> 00:14:25,533 President Obama came into office has really embarked 292 00:14:25,533 --> 00:14:27,967 on an all-of-the-above energy strategy, 293 00:14:27,967 --> 00:14:31,165 because that's ultimately what will be the insulation against 294 00:14:31,166 --> 00:14:33,834 these ups and downs and these price shocks. 295 00:14:33,834 --> 00:14:36,199 So when we talk about an all-of-the-above energy 296 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:38,633 strategy, what we're talking about is, yes, 297 00:14:38,633 --> 00:14:40,200 we will produce more domestically, 298 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:42,700 as we have shown we have done in the last three years; but, 299 00:14:42,700 --> 00:14:45,767 yes, we will use less, in the way that we've done with the 300 00:14:45,767 --> 00:14:50,300 President's action in creating a much more fuel-efficient fleet 301 00:14:50,300 --> 00:14:53,467 system here in the United States of America; and, yes, 302 00:14:53,467 --> 00:14:55,567 we will move forward with alternative energies and 303 00:14:55,567 --> 00:14:59,667 alternative fuels like bio-refineries or the powering 304 00:14:59,667 --> 00:15:03,100 of much of our electrical needs in the United States; 305 00:15:03,100 --> 00:15:04,934 with what we're doing with solar, 306 00:15:04,934 --> 00:15:08,467 geothermal and other forms of renewable energy. 307 00:15:08,467 --> 00:15:12,165 And it's the commitment to sustain over time the 308 00:15:12,166 --> 00:15:15,333 all-of-the-above energy strategy that ultimately will help us 309 00:15:15,333 --> 00:15:17,900 deal with this issue, which otherwise is outside of the 310 00:15:17,900 --> 00:15:20,266 control of the United States. 311 00:15:20,266 --> 00:15:21,400 Mr. Carney: Dave and then Alexis. 312 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:22,934 The Press: The President has been talking about this sort 313 00:15:22,934 --> 00:15:24,699 of more patient or longer-term approach, 314 00:15:24,700 --> 00:15:27,433 all-of-the-above strategy for a while now, 315 00:15:27,433 --> 00:15:30,633 but the new poll out today from The Washington Post and ABC News 316 00:15:30,633 --> 00:15:33,166 shows that two-thirds of the public disapproves with the 317 00:15:33,166 --> 00:15:36,934 President's handling of the gas issue -- gas price issue and 318 00:15:36,934 --> 00:15:39,666 that only 26% approve of the way he's handled this. 319 00:15:39,667 --> 00:15:41,467 Is there -- you guys continue to say all options are on the 320 00:15:41,467 --> 00:15:43,934 table, but doesn't this say that people want more immediate 321 00:15:43,934 --> 00:15:45,967 action, and what do you tell those folks? 322 00:15:45,967 --> 00:15:49,967 Mr. Carney: Dave, if I could, I think the fact of the matter is the 323 00:15:49,967 --> 00:15:52,867 President, the administration is not focused on polling data. 324 00:15:52,867 --> 00:15:56,800 We are obviously aware that Americans are paying a very high 325 00:15:56,800 --> 00:16:00,165 price when they fill up their gas tanks. 326 00:16:00,166 --> 00:16:03,834 And the President is focused on that and concerned about it and 327 00:16:03,834 --> 00:16:07,300 understands the kind of impact that has on hardworking American 328 00:16:07,300 --> 00:16:09,165 families who are trying to make ends meet. 329 00:16:09,166 --> 00:16:14,900 That's why he is focused on a broadly cast economic policy 330 00:16:14,900 --> 00:16:19,867 that includes a payroll tax cut to 160 million Americans that 331 00:16:19,867 --> 00:16:24,099 gives them extra money in their pockets to help make ends meet; 332 00:16:24,100 --> 00:16:27,533 a jobs-focused policy that increases employment, 333 00:16:27,533 --> 00:16:32,133 increases economic growth; and is looking at specific 334 00:16:32,133 --> 00:16:36,967 alternatives and approaches to deal with both our short-term 335 00:16:36,967 --> 00:16:39,867 and our long-term energy situation. 336 00:16:39,867 --> 00:16:42,333 But it is a fact -- and this goes to the question that Steve 337 00:16:42,333 --> 00:16:48,567 had about why the price of oil is up -- that if drilling were 338 00:16:48,567 --> 00:16:51,633 the answer, if increasing drilling were the answer in the 339 00:16:51,633 --> 00:16:56,166 United States to lowering prices at the pump, 340 00:16:56,166 --> 00:16:59,100 we would be seeing lower prices at the pump, 341 00:16:59,100 --> 00:17:02,700 because under President Obama, we have increased significantly 342 00:17:02,700 --> 00:17:04,400 domestic oil and gas production. 343 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:06,567 That is a fact. 344 00:17:06,567 --> 00:17:10,500 What also effects, obviously, the international price of oil 345 00:17:10,500 --> 00:17:15,433 is economic growth in China, India, Brazil, 346 00:17:15,433 --> 00:17:18,165 other emerging countries, economic growth around 347 00:17:18,165 --> 00:17:19,165 the world. 348 00:17:19,165 --> 00:17:22,934 The fact is, the United States is growing, 349 00:17:22,934 --> 00:17:24,233 other parts of the world are growing; 350 00:17:24,233 --> 00:17:26,934 that increases the demand for oil around the world, 351 00:17:26,934 --> 00:17:30,100 and that has an impact on the price globally. 352 00:17:30,100 --> 00:17:34,399 Of course, also unrest and uncertainty in the Middle East, 353 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:39,834 whether it's Iran or Syria or Libya last year, has an effect, 354 00:17:39,834 --> 00:17:43,767 and these are all factors that we have to take into account as 355 00:17:43,767 --> 00:17:48,800 we make policy, and only reinforces the imperative 356 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:51,934 that we do everything we can to reduce our reliance on foreign 357 00:17:51,934 --> 00:17:55,000 sources of energy, which is why this President is focused on an 358 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:56,433 all-of-the-above approach. 359 00:17:56,433 --> 00:17:57,500 Let's take two more here. 360 00:17:57,500 --> 00:17:58,500 Alexis. 361 00:17:58,500 --> 00:18:00,600 The Press: Mr. Secretary, you just said that the administration was 362 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:03,699 successful in solving some of the problems so that oil 363 00:18:03,700 --> 00:18:06,233 production can take place in Alaska. 364 00:18:06,233 --> 00:18:08,100 And my question is, do you feel confident that the 365 00:18:08,100 --> 00:18:12,300 administration could resolve similar problems and impediments 366 00:18:12,300 --> 00:18:15,867 so that Keystone could take place under this 367 00:18:15,867 --> 00:18:18,533 administration's watch? 368 00:18:18,533 --> 00:18:20,766 Secretary Salazar: Let me just say something about Alaska first. 369 00:18:20,767 --> 00:18:24,333 I think the NPRA has basically been off limits for a long time. 370 00:18:24,333 --> 00:18:26,767 But because we've been able to move forward, 371 00:18:26,767 --> 00:18:30,533 we expect ConocoPhillips actually to start a play there 372 00:18:30,533 --> 00:18:34,332 in the not too distance future in terms developing the NPRA. 373 00:18:34,333 --> 00:18:35,800 And also I think in the months ahead, 374 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:39,166 we're in the midst of reviewing what will happen up in the 375 00:18:39,166 --> 00:18:42,133 Arctic Seas, as well; have not made the final decisions there. 376 00:18:42,133 --> 00:18:44,166 But those have been debated for a very long time, 377 00:18:44,166 --> 00:18:48,066 but I think they are indicators that the administration has 378 00:18:48,066 --> 00:18:50,967 tried to look for oil and gas production for a lot of 379 00:18:50,967 --> 00:18:54,500 different specifics related to the country and its energy 380 00:18:54,500 --> 00:18:59,066 needs, but also to Alaska and the TransAlaska Pipeline. 381 00:18:59,066 --> 00:19:01,767 On the Keystone pipeline, I would just say this. 382 00:19:01,767 --> 00:19:06,667 The President never reached a judgment on the merits because 383 00:19:06,667 --> 00:19:07,332 it didn't come here. 384 00:19:07,333 --> 00:19:08,900 It was at the State Department and they never reached a 385 00:19:08,900 --> 00:19:10,266 judgment on the merits. 386 00:19:10,266 --> 00:19:13,066 You had a Republican governor who I know who was very opposed 387 00:19:13,066 --> 00:19:15,900 to the initial configuration of that pipeline, 388 00:19:15,900 --> 00:19:18,967 and we're still waiting to receive the application on 389 00:19:18,967 --> 00:19:20,633 the new pipeline. 390 00:19:20,633 --> 00:19:24,133 And so I think if people were to put politics aside, 391 00:19:24,133 --> 00:19:26,967 what they would say is TransCanada should come forward, 392 00:19:26,967 --> 00:19:31,133 put its proposed pipeline out on the table, 393 00:19:31,133 --> 00:19:33,867 and then have the process engaged so that it can be 394 00:19:33,867 --> 00:19:36,600 formally evaluated and a decision can be made 395 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:37,632 on the merits. 396 00:19:37,633 --> 00:19:41,567 Ms. Zichal: And I would just add to that, one of the things 397 00:19:41,567 --> 00:19:44,066 we were encouraged by is the fact that the Cushing, 398 00:19:44,066 --> 00:19:48,567 Oklahoma to Port Arthur section of the pipeline 399 00:19:48,567 --> 00:19:49,967 will be going forward. 400 00:19:49,967 --> 00:19:52,333 And from our perspective, that's certainly an opportunity to 401 00:19:52,333 --> 00:19:54,834 create jobs but also to address an energy challenge. 402 00:19:54,834 --> 00:19:56,700 In Cushing, we have a glut of oil. 403 00:19:56,700 --> 00:19:58,567 We'll be able to move that oil more efficiently 404 00:19:58,567 --> 00:19:59,700 and effectively. 405 00:19:59,700 --> 00:20:02,633 And that's a portion of the pipeline that's not 406 00:20:02,633 --> 00:20:04,467 controversial that we can get started. 407 00:20:04,467 --> 00:20:07,500 The President has asked -- or the federal government has a 408 00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:10,800 rule that we expedite the work that we have to do and we're 409 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:12,200 committed to doing that. 410 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:17,567 But again, that is one pipeline, and this administration has 411 00:20:17,567 --> 00:20:20,667 actually approved a number of oil and gas pipelines, 412 00:20:20,667 --> 00:20:22,867 including one from Canada. 413 00:20:22,867 --> 00:20:26,934 So whether it's oil and gas, or what we've done in the renewable 414 00:20:26,934 --> 00:20:30,500 sector, or with our infrastructure, 415 00:20:30,500 --> 00:20:34,066 this administration has a record of success. 416 00:20:34,066 --> 00:20:37,567 Mr. Carney: Yes, sir, distinguished gentleman in the back. 417 00:20:37,567 --> 00:20:45,400 The Press: Yes, I was wondering what the administration calculates -- 418 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:47,900 uncertainty in the Middle East to be in the price of a barrel 419 00:20:47,900 --> 00:20:49,233 of oil today? 420 00:20:49,233 --> 00:20:51,600 The API says it's 15%. 421 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:54,033 I hear it's much higher. 422 00:20:54,033 --> 00:20:57,500 Ms. Zichal: I don't think I can tell you specifically 423 00:20:57,500 --> 00:21:00,166 what that number is. 424 00:21:00,166 --> 00:21:03,367 But as Jay has mentioned, what we're seeing today -- 425 00:21:03,367 --> 00:21:06,834 and certainly the President recognizes the pain that 426 00:21:06,834 --> 00:21:10,133 families are seeing at the pump when they're already struggling 427 00:21:10,133 --> 00:21:13,934 to make ends meet -- that those outside forces, 428 00:21:13,934 --> 00:21:17,300 including what we're seeing in terms of growth and demand from 429 00:21:17,300 --> 00:21:20,100 emerging economies -- China and India -- with millions of new 430 00:21:20,100 --> 00:21:23,367 drivers on the road, as well as the increased tensions in 431 00:21:23,367 --> 00:21:25,433 the Middle East -- we know those are driving up prices, 432 00:21:25,433 --> 00:21:28,200 and we know that's having an impact on American consumers. 433 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:32,100 And that's why the President has directed his Cabinet to take all 434 00:21:32,100 --> 00:21:35,399 actions available to help address these challenges 435 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:38,133 in the near term. 436 00:21:38,133 --> 00:21:40,734 Mr. Carney: Thank you, all. Thanks very much, sir. Thank you, Heather. 437 00:21:46,667 --> 00:21:53,367 Okay, with that, we can move on to other subjects or even 438 00:21:53,367 --> 00:21:55,399 stay on this subject. 439 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:56,467 Ben, do you have a question? 440 00:21:56,467 --> 00:21:58,567 The Press: Yes, a couple about the civilians in 441 00:21:58,567 --> 00:22:01,233 Afghanistan who were killed by the American soldier. 442 00:22:01,233 --> 00:22:03,667 Did you have a statement on that that you wanted to read, 443 00:22:03,667 --> 00:22:04,833 or should I just jump in? 444 00:22:04,834 --> 00:22:05,800 Mr. Carney: No, go ahead. 445 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:12,800 The Press: Okay. So, first of all, is this incident one that the President 446 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:18,367 fears puts Americans in jeopardy there? 447 00:22:18,367 --> 00:22:23,767 Mr. Carney: Well, the President is always concerned about the well-being 448 00:22:23,767 --> 00:22:26,867 and welfare of Americans stationed overseas, 449 00:22:26,867 --> 00:22:29,667 especially in a place like Afghanistan -- both men and 450 00:22:29,667 --> 00:22:32,332 women in uniform, as well as our civilian personnel. 451 00:22:32,333 --> 00:22:35,233 And that is certainly the case in Afghanistan. 452 00:22:35,233 --> 00:22:41,567 For specifics about what actions may be being taken 453 00:22:41,567 --> 00:22:45,367 by the military or by the civilian presence there, 454 00:22:45,367 --> 00:22:47,834 I would refer you to the State Department or the Defense 455 00:22:47,834 --> 00:22:50,100 Department specifically with regards to the aftermath of 456 00:22:50,100 --> 00:22:51,265 this incident. 457 00:22:51,266 --> 00:22:53,700 But you can be sure that the President remains very concerned 458 00:22:53,700 --> 00:22:58,834 about that and will continue to be so. 459 00:22:58,834 --> 00:23:01,433 The Press: Does this incident affect the President's thinking 460 00:23:01,433 --> 00:23:05,066 at all about the pace of withdrawal of American troops? 461 00:23:05,066 --> 00:23:06,800 Mr. Carney: I think it's important to remember, Ben, that the 462 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:11,332 President's policy in Afghanistan -- which was 463 00:23:11,333 --> 00:23:17,500 announced after a very careful and thorough review of a war 464 00:23:17,500 --> 00:23:19,633 there that had, under the previous administration, 465 00:23:19,633 --> 00:23:26,033 begun to drift, that lacked a coherent set of priorities and 466 00:23:26,033 --> 00:23:30,567 goals -- has been to focus on our number-one priority, 467 00:23:30,567 --> 00:23:35,233 which is to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda, 468 00:23:35,233 --> 00:23:37,466 and in service of that objective, 469 00:23:37,467 --> 00:23:42,100 to help stabilize Afghanistan to the point where Afghan security 470 00:23:42,100 --> 00:23:46,833 forces can begin to take over responsibility for the safety 471 00:23:46,834 --> 00:23:50,100 and security of the country. 472 00:23:50,100 --> 00:23:53,233 Because, after all, there is one reason why U.S. forces were 473 00:23:53,233 --> 00:23:55,934 sent to Afghanistan, and that is because the United 474 00:23:55,934 --> 00:23:59,800 States was attacked on September 11th -- September 11, 475 00:23:59,800 --> 00:24:04,066 2001 -- in a plot that was hashed in Afghanistan by 476 00:24:04,066 --> 00:24:05,333 al Qaeda leaders. 477 00:24:05,333 --> 00:24:08,800 That remains his objective, and that has not changed. 478 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:14,567 And it is important to remember that as part of that strategy, 479 00:24:14,567 --> 00:24:18,133 the President has been, and ISAF forces have been drawing down 480 00:24:18,133 --> 00:24:22,800 already -- after the surge in forces, have been drawing down, 481 00:24:22,800 --> 00:24:24,600 as announced previously. 482 00:24:24,600 --> 00:24:30,567 And that will continue, as will be discussed in Chicago when 483 00:24:30,567 --> 00:24:34,400 NATO ministers meet and NATO heads of state meet -- that 484 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:37,467 process will continue, so that in accordance with NATO policy 485 00:24:37,467 --> 00:24:41,467 set in Lisbon, the Afghans will take over control for 486 00:24:41,467 --> 00:24:44,300 the security of their country by the end of 2014. 487 00:24:44,300 --> 00:24:48,300 The pace of that withdrawal will depend on a variety of factors 488 00:24:48,300 --> 00:24:52,800 that will certainly be discussed in Chicago at the NATO meeting, 489 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:55,767 and will be discussed running up to Chicago and in the aftermath 490 00:24:55,767 --> 00:24:56,967 of Chicago. 491 00:24:56,967 --> 00:25:00,300 And it will be determined by a variety of factors related to 492 00:25:00,300 --> 00:25:02,000 the situation on the ground. 493 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:05,867 But it is important in the aftermath of this terrible 494 00:25:05,867 --> 00:25:08,899 and tragic incident to remember why we are there 495 00:25:08,900 --> 00:25:10,967 and what our objectives are in terms of the United 496 00:25:10,967 --> 00:25:12,500 States' national security. 497 00:25:12,500 --> 00:25:14,600 The Press: You keep drawing it back to that broader objective, 498 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:15,667 which I understand. 499 00:25:15,667 --> 00:25:19,332 But in the meantime, you have the Koran burning incident -- 500 00:25:19,333 --> 00:25:23,133 the aftermath of that, Americans killed by the Afghans they were 501 00:25:23,133 --> 00:25:23,900 serving with. 502 00:25:23,900 --> 00:25:27,166 Now you have this tragedy of the American killing children 503 00:25:27,166 --> 00:25:29,100 in their sleep. 504 00:25:29,100 --> 00:25:32,132 When you say there are many factors that could affect when 505 00:25:32,133 --> 00:25:34,533 we pull out, can you tell us whether something like 506 00:25:34,533 --> 00:25:37,899 this would affect the President's thinking? 507 00:25:37,900 --> 00:25:42,266 Mr. Carney: We have been in Afghanistan for more than a decade. 508 00:25:42,266 --> 00:25:47,433 Thanks to the President's focus of our policy and strategy on 509 00:25:47,433 --> 00:25:52,767 eliminating al Qaeda, we are in the process of withdrawing our 510 00:25:52,767 --> 00:25:57,467 forces as we turn over responsibility for security 511 00:25:57,467 --> 00:26:00,100 to the Afghan security forces. 512 00:26:00,100 --> 00:26:02,300 We have seen difficult challenges in Afghanistan 513 00:26:02,300 --> 00:26:04,567 before, during the course of these 10 years, 514 00:26:04,567 --> 00:26:08,934 and as recently as in the wake of the inadvertent burning of 515 00:26:08,934 --> 00:26:11,600 the Koran not long ago. 516 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:15,632 And the fact is that even in the aftermath of that, 517 00:26:15,633 --> 00:26:17,467 in our negotiations and consultations with the 518 00:26:17,467 --> 00:26:19,800 Afghanistan government, we resumed our work on 519 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:22,834 the Strategic Partnership, and resolved difficult, 520 00:26:22,834 --> 00:26:26,667 long-negotiated detention issues to sign an extremely important 521 00:26:26,667 --> 00:26:30,265 memo of understanding just last Friday with regards to transfer 522 00:26:30,266 --> 00:26:33,600 of control of detention facilities over to the Afghans. 523 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:36,734 And I bring that up only to point out that we will continue 524 00:26:36,734 --> 00:26:40,867 to have very direct and important negotiations with 525 00:26:40,867 --> 00:26:44,399 the Afghan government as we pursue a strategy that is 526 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:48,900 designed to bring our troops home as we achieve 527 00:26:48,900 --> 00:26:53,867 our objectives, and to turn over increasingly responsibility for 528 00:26:53,867 --> 00:26:55,734 security in Afghanistan to the Afghans. 529 00:26:57,667 --> 00:26:59,265 Yes, and then Jake. 530 00:26:59,266 --> 00:27:01,467 The Press: Jay, thanks. 531 00:27:01,467 --> 00:27:05,967 Just to be clear, will there be any review of U.S.-Afghan policy 532 00:27:05,967 --> 00:27:09,500 in light of the killings on Sunday in Afghanistan? 533 00:27:09,500 --> 00:27:13,000 Mr. Carney: There is an investigation underway already into the 534 00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:17,934 events that happened, and the tragic killings 535 00:27:17,934 --> 00:27:19,800 of Afghan civilians. 536 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:22,033 And I would refer you to the Defense Department and ISAF 537 00:27:22,033 --> 00:27:23,300 for more details about that. 538 00:27:26,333 --> 00:27:33,367 As tragic as these events are, the strategy is focused on 539 00:27:33,367 --> 00:27:35,700 disrupting, dismantling, and defeating al Qaeda; 540 00:27:35,700 --> 00:27:42,266 stabilizing Afghanistan so that Afghan security forces can take 541 00:27:42,266 --> 00:27:44,500 responsibility for the security of their own country, 542 00:27:44,500 --> 00:27:48,133 which would allow us to continue to draw down our forces. 543 00:27:48,133 --> 00:27:50,600 And that is the strategy and the policy that the President 544 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:51,766 is implementing. 545 00:27:51,767 --> 00:27:56,934 I'm sure there will be discussions ongoing between 546 00:27:56,934 --> 00:28:00,899 U.S. military leaders as well as civilian leaders in Afghanistan 547 00:28:00,900 --> 00:28:02,834 and the Afghan government in the wake of this incident. 548 00:28:04,066 --> 00:28:07,033 But our strategic objectives have not changed and they 549 00:28:07,033 --> 00:28:09,000 will not change. 550 00:28:09,000 --> 00:28:13,033 And we will continue to discuss with our Afghan counterparts the 551 00:28:15,667 --> 00:28:19,800 need to implement our strategy and develop that Strategic 552 00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:24,066 Partnership that will allow us ultimately to turn over 553 00:28:24,066 --> 00:28:26,033 responsibility to the Afghans. 554 00:28:26,033 --> 00:28:29,899 The Press: Is the President worried that the incident could 555 00:28:32,533 --> 00:28:35,233 harm his own standing with the American people who are worried 556 00:28:35,233 --> 00:28:38,100 about America's role in Afghanistan? 557 00:28:38,100 --> 00:28:40,833 Mr. Carney: The President is focused on the national security 558 00:28:40,834 --> 00:28:43,867 interests of this country. 559 00:28:43,867 --> 00:28:48,500 And when he was campaigning for this office he made clear that 560 00:28:48,500 --> 00:28:53,533 if elected President he would refocus attention on our efforts 561 00:28:53,533 --> 00:28:57,667 in Afghanistan -- attention which had flagged because of the 562 00:28:57,667 --> 00:29:01,567 focus on Iraq under the previous administration -- because he 563 00:29:01,567 --> 00:29:04,567 felt that our number-one objective in the wake of 9/11 564 00:29:04,567 --> 00:29:08,934 should be to eliminate al Qaeda. 565 00:29:08,934 --> 00:29:13,233 The development and implementation of his 566 00:29:13,233 --> 00:29:17,000 Afghanistan strategy was meant to do just that: refocus our 567 00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:19,834 priorities, make clear what we are in Afghanistan to do, 568 00:29:22,467 --> 00:29:27,867 and make clear that we are not there to do more than that. 569 00:29:27,867 --> 00:29:31,700 He has focused very clearly on the implementation of that 570 00:29:31,700 --> 00:29:34,100 strategy, and it has, I think by any standards, 571 00:29:34,100 --> 00:29:41,332 met with some success with regards to diminishing al Qaeda. 572 00:29:41,333 --> 00:29:43,700 But that fight continues. 573 00:29:43,700 --> 00:29:49,600 And this President is committed to fulfilling his responsibility 574 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:54,199 as Commander-in-Chief to ensure that al Qaeda does not pose a 575 00:29:54,200 --> 00:29:57,633 threat to the United States or its citizens. 576 00:29:57,633 --> 00:29:59,633 Jake, and then Alexis. 577 00:29:59,633 --> 00:30:01,900 The Press: A couple weeks ago I asked you if you had any idea how 578 00:30:01,900 --> 00:30:07,066 many al Qaeda members there were in Afghanistan. 579 00:30:07,066 --> 00:30:10,667 It had been under a hundred a couple of years ago when 580 00:30:10,667 --> 00:30:12,332 then-CIA Director Panetta said. 581 00:30:12,333 --> 00:30:13,667 Do you have an updated number? 582 00:30:13,667 --> 00:30:14,667 Mr. Carney: I don't. 583 00:30:14,667 --> 00:30:18,166 That's probably an intelligence assessment that if I did have it 584 00:30:18,166 --> 00:30:19,567 I might not be able to share with you. 585 00:30:19,567 --> 00:30:25,100 But what I think was true then remains true now, 586 00:30:25,100 --> 00:30:29,632 which is that the region between Afghanistan and 587 00:30:29,633 --> 00:30:32,567 Pakistan has been a focal point of our efforts, 588 00:30:32,567 --> 00:30:40,667 and that the goal of the Afghanistan strategy has 589 00:30:40,667 --> 00:30:46,000 been to both go after and remove from the battlefield leaders of 590 00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:50,734 al Qaeda, but also to create a situation in Afghanistan that 591 00:30:50,734 --> 00:30:53,667 makes it inhospitable to the hosting of al Qaeda 592 00:30:53,667 --> 00:30:55,100 in the future. 593 00:30:55,100 --> 00:30:57,399 And that effort continues. 594 00:30:57,400 --> 00:30:59,300 The Press: Well, here's the larger question. 595 00:30:59,300 --> 00:31:01,367 Even though the tens of thousands of U.S. 596 00:31:01,367 --> 00:31:05,265 troops who were there are brave and heroic and doing what 597 00:31:05,266 --> 00:31:09,967 they're asked to do, do you think that the presence of U.S. 598 00:31:09,967 --> 00:31:14,600 troops in Afghanistan right now is actually making it 599 00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:21,265 more stable and less hospitable for al Qaeda, 600 00:31:21,266 --> 00:31:23,934 or is it doing the exact opposite? 601 00:31:23,934 --> 00:31:25,633 Mr. Carney: I don't think there's any doubt that we have 602 00:31:25,633 --> 00:31:27,467 had success in the implementation of this 603 00:31:27,467 --> 00:31:33,133 strategy and making life a lot harder for al Qaeda. 604 00:31:33,133 --> 00:31:35,567 And that has been a direct result of the President's 605 00:31:35,567 --> 00:31:37,934 approach in Afghanistan and Pakistan. 606 00:31:37,934 --> 00:31:43,899 I really don't think anybody could doubt that. 607 00:31:43,900 --> 00:31:45,266 There is no question that this is hard, 608 00:31:45,266 --> 00:31:52,700 that the situation in Afghanistan has been and 609 00:31:52,700 --> 00:31:54,033 remains difficult. 610 00:31:54,033 --> 00:31:58,399 And the challenges that our men and women face are significant. 611 00:32:00,533 --> 00:32:07,399 But it is important to remember that it is all done in the name 612 00:32:07,400 --> 00:32:10,400 of, and with a focus on the number-one priority, 613 00:32:10,400 --> 00:32:15,500 which is to enhance American national security interests by 614 00:32:15,500 --> 00:32:18,500 disrupting, dismantling and ultimately defeating al Qaeda. 615 00:32:18,500 --> 00:32:22,367 And the stabilization of Afghanistan -- of its government 616 00:32:22,367 --> 00:32:24,667 and the building up of its security forces -- is done 617 00:32:24,667 --> 00:32:25,699 in service of that goal. 618 00:32:25,700 --> 00:32:29,800 And that's why the mission is so important. 619 00:32:29,800 --> 00:32:33,300 It is not the case -- and this was debated at the time -- that 620 00:32:33,300 --> 00:32:39,133 our policy is or should be about trying to create a Jeffersonian 621 00:32:39,133 --> 00:32:40,967 ideal in Afghanistan. 622 00:32:40,967 --> 00:32:41,967 That's not going to happen. 623 00:32:41,967 --> 00:32:43,000 And I know that's not what you're saying, 624 00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:46,066 but I'm just -- I'm making this point in the context of why the 625 00:32:46,066 --> 00:32:48,433 focus of the mission is so important. 626 00:32:48,433 --> 00:32:51,233 The Press: One national security expert said to me, 627 00:32:51,233 --> 00:32:55,100 "We've reached our sell-by date there." 628 00:32:55,100 --> 00:32:57,033 Mr. Carney: We've been there a long time. 629 00:32:57,033 --> 00:33:00,265 And the President has made clear that his policy is 630 00:33:00,266 --> 00:33:04,533 designed to allow us to draw U.S. forces down as 631 00:33:04,533 --> 00:33:06,233 we accomplish our goals there. 632 00:33:06,233 --> 00:33:09,000 And it is a very specific plan. 633 00:33:09,000 --> 00:33:10,834 It has a timetable attached to it, 634 00:33:10,834 --> 00:33:16,367 which some take issue with -- although you have to wonder why 635 00:33:16,367 --> 00:33:21,633 -- because he understands the impact that more than a decade 636 00:33:21,633 --> 00:33:26,967 of war has had on our armed forces and on the families of 637 00:33:26,967 --> 00:33:32,033 those who have sent men and women to Iraq and Afghanistan, 638 00:33:32,033 --> 00:33:34,567 on our economy. 639 00:33:34,567 --> 00:33:36,266 And that is why it was so important to him when he was 640 00:33:36,266 --> 00:33:39,266 developing in that -- that you remember, 641 00:33:39,266 --> 00:33:42,066 an Afghanistan strategy, that we get it right -- that we have the 642 00:33:42,066 --> 00:33:45,266 right priorities and the right focus, 643 00:33:45,266 --> 00:33:49,166 and a process in place by which to achieve our goals and draw 644 00:33:49,166 --> 00:33:49,966 down forces. 645 00:33:49,967 --> 00:33:51,133 And that is the President's plan. 646 00:33:51,133 --> 00:33:53,433 The Press: Right. But at this point, no concern from the White House 647 00:33:53,433 --> 00:33:55,900 that we -- that the presence of U.S. troops, 648 00:33:55,900 --> 00:33:58,100 even though most of them, almost all of them, 649 00:33:58,100 --> 00:33:59,934 are doing what they're asked to do, 650 00:33:59,934 --> 00:34:03,332 is not doing more harm than good right now? 651 00:34:03,333 --> 00:34:05,033 Mr. Carney: I'm confident that we believe that our 652 00:34:05,033 --> 00:34:09,333 presence there is having the desired effect in the 653 00:34:09,333 --> 00:34:13,433 implementation and achievement of our objectives, 654 00:34:13,433 --> 00:34:15,132 the implementation of the plan and the achievement 655 00:34:15,132 --> 00:34:16,132 of the objectives. 656 00:34:16,132 --> 00:34:18,533 There are, obviously, difficult challenges that we face in 657 00:34:18,533 --> 00:34:24,065 Afghanistan and incidents like this do not make it any easier. 658 00:34:24,065 --> 00:34:25,600 No question. 659 00:34:25,600 --> 00:34:26,900 I think I said Alexis, right? 660 00:34:26,900 --> 00:34:28,066 And then I'll go to Dan. 661 00:34:28,065 --> 00:34:33,165 The Press: What role does the President want the Afghanistan and our -- 662 00:34:33,166 --> 00:34:34,567 the government of Afghanistan, the people, 663 00:34:34,567 --> 00:34:38,132 to play in the investigation and then the meting out of justice 664 00:34:38,132 --> 00:34:39,667 related to this event? 665 00:34:39,667 --> 00:34:41,967 Mr. Carney: For the investigation and the specifics of that, 666 00:34:41,967 --> 00:34:47,400 I would refer you to the Defense Department and ISAF. 667 00:34:47,400 --> 00:34:55,333 The President is confident that, and believes it is important 668 00:34:55,333 --> 00:34:58,934 that there be accountability for what happened. 669 00:34:58,934 --> 00:35:03,567 And the Defense Department is clearly investigating this 670 00:35:03,567 --> 00:35:06,734 matter and I refer you to them for details. 671 00:35:06,734 --> 00:35:09,633 The Press: -- about the role that he wants Afghanistan to 672 00:35:09,633 --> 00:35:10,700 be able to play? 673 00:35:10,700 --> 00:35:12,533 Mr. Carney: I have not. 674 00:35:12,533 --> 00:35:16,767 And I think that the United States military is investigating 675 00:35:16,767 --> 00:35:20,633 this matter and we have confidence in the Defense 676 00:35:20,633 --> 00:35:22,799 Department to handle it. 677 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:23,600 Yes, Dan. 678 00:35:23,600 --> 00:35:28,967 The Press: So, just to clarify again -- this shooting will not impact 679 00:35:28,967 --> 00:35:34,333 the timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan? 680 00:35:34,333 --> 00:35:40,100 Mr. Carney: No, it will not, Dan, because the strategy is focused on the 681 00:35:40,100 --> 00:35:43,866 objectives that I have laid out a couple of times today 682 00:35:43,867 --> 00:35:45,033 and certainly previous to today. 683 00:35:45,033 --> 00:35:48,366 And those objectives haven't changed. 684 00:35:50,600 --> 00:35:54,165 We will continue to work with the Afghan government, 685 00:35:54,166 --> 00:35:58,300 with Afghan forces in the implementation of our strategy. 686 00:35:58,300 --> 00:36:04,333 We will investigate this tragic incident and make sure that 687 00:36:04,333 --> 00:36:08,934 there is accountability, and we will continue to pursue our 688 00:36:08,934 --> 00:36:11,533 strategic objectives in Afghanistan, 689 00:36:11,533 --> 00:36:15,734 which are about the U.S. national security interest 690 00:36:15,734 --> 00:36:20,734 and the protection of the United States, our personnel 691 00:36:20,734 --> 00:36:22,433 and our allies. 692 00:36:22,433 --> 00:36:26,700 The Press: A lot has been said over the past about the trust between 693 00:36:26,700 --> 00:36:29,433 the U.S. forces there and the Afghan forces. 694 00:36:29,433 --> 00:36:33,600 Is there concern at all that this could further impact it -- 695 00:36:33,600 --> 00:36:39,866 the skepticism between the U.S. and Afghanistan? 696 00:36:39,867 --> 00:36:43,500 Mr. Carney: Well, I would probably suggest that the best 697 00:36:43,500 --> 00:36:46,533 people to answer that question are at the Defense Department or 698 00:36:46,533 --> 00:36:50,767 in Afghanistan, both military and civilian. 699 00:36:50,767 --> 00:36:52,466 This is a challenging time, there is no question. 700 00:36:55,066 --> 00:37:01,399 The focus of our policy is designed to hand over greater 701 00:37:01,400 --> 00:37:03,734 authority to, and responsibility to, 702 00:37:03,734 --> 00:37:05,866 Afghan security forces and the Afghan government. 703 00:37:05,867 --> 00:37:11,734 I think that demonstrates that our interest is in -- is not in 704 00:37:11,734 --> 00:37:14,600 staying any longer than we have to. 705 00:37:14,600 --> 00:37:21,734 It is a strategy that fully respects the sovereignty of 706 00:37:21,734 --> 00:37:24,866 the Afghan nation and the Afghan people, 707 00:37:24,867 --> 00:37:30,700 and we will continue to focus on the implementation of that 708 00:37:30,700 --> 00:37:34,165 strategy, on the -- to continue to focus on taking the fight to 709 00:37:34,166 --> 00:37:35,367 al Qaeda. 710 00:37:35,367 --> 00:37:37,867 There is a reconciliation process, Afghan-led, 711 00:37:37,867 --> 00:37:43,467 that is an important element as we move forward and all of these 712 00:37:43,467 --> 00:37:44,767 aspects will continue. 713 00:37:44,767 --> 00:37:50,834 The Press: Another matter here -- five counties in southern Illinois, 714 00:37:50,834 --> 00:37:54,966 I'm told, were denied disaster aid from FEMA 715 00:37:54,967 --> 00:37:56,967 and I'm wondering why. 716 00:37:56,967 --> 00:37:58,100 Mr. Carney: From Illinois? 717 00:37:58,100 --> 00:38:01,366 The Press: From Illinois, yes, because of tornadoes and other storm 718 00:38:01,367 --> 00:38:02,600 damage there. 719 00:38:02,600 --> 00:38:04,165 They have requested disaster aid. 720 00:38:04,166 --> 00:38:05,800 It's been denied, and I'm wondering if you 721 00:38:05,800 --> 00:38:06,800 could tell us why. 722 00:38:06,800 --> 00:38:10,834 Mr. Carney: Well, Dan, as you know, the process by which FEMA evaluates 723 00:38:10,834 --> 00:38:13,966 requests for disaster declarations is the same 724 00:38:13,967 --> 00:38:18,867 no matter which state makes the request, 725 00:38:18,867 --> 00:38:25,266 and the criteria that allow for the approval 726 00:38:25,266 --> 00:38:27,767 of a declaration for Kentucky, for example, 727 00:38:27,767 --> 00:38:32,100 are the same criteria that may result in a denial, 728 00:38:32,100 --> 00:38:34,299 at least for now, to another state, 729 00:38:34,300 --> 00:38:37,367 because they haven't been met, and it is judged, 730 00:38:37,367 --> 00:38:40,066 based on those objective criteria, 731 00:38:40,066 --> 00:38:45,299 that the state in question has the wherewithal to handle storm 732 00:38:45,300 --> 00:38:46,800 recovery on its own. 733 00:38:46,800 --> 00:38:49,834 But FEMA has a lot of regional offices, 734 00:38:49,834 --> 00:38:54,066 a lot of presence on the ground in these effected states, 735 00:38:54,066 --> 00:38:58,033 and the evaluation process continues and our efforts at 736 00:38:58,033 --> 00:39:00,767 the federal level to assist those states that have been 737 00:39:00,767 --> 00:39:03,734 affected by these storms will continue. 738 00:39:03,734 --> 00:39:04,567 Yes, Mara. 739 00:39:04,567 --> 00:39:06,133 The Press: Quick question. 740 00:39:06,133 --> 00:39:08,165 Is the President still planning on going to watch the basketball 741 00:39:08,166 --> 00:39:10,300 game tomorrow? 742 00:39:10,300 --> 00:39:11,767 Mr. Carney: His schedule has not changed. 743 00:39:11,767 --> 00:39:16,366 The Press: Okay. And just to follow up on the Afghan questions because you 744 00:39:16,367 --> 00:39:17,900 seem to be saying two different things -- I just 745 00:39:17,900 --> 00:39:18,834 want to get this clear. 746 00:39:18,834 --> 00:39:20,933 First, you said today, it will not have any impact on the 747 00:39:20,934 --> 00:39:23,767 timetable, but earlier you said, the pace of the withdrawal will 748 00:39:23,767 --> 00:39:26,799 be determined by a variety of factors. 749 00:39:26,800 --> 00:39:29,000 We have to assume that this is one of the factors that the NATO 750 00:39:29,000 --> 00:39:30,767 ministers will discuss -- 751 00:39:30,767 --> 00:39:31,933 Mr. Carney: Well, a couple of points. 752 00:39:31,934 --> 00:39:34,900 I think you're finding a distinction that doesn't exist. 753 00:39:34,900 --> 00:39:37,734 The focus of our overall strategy is not in reaction 754 00:39:37,734 --> 00:39:46,866 to a single event -- any more than it was two months ago. 755 00:39:48,567 --> 00:39:52,367 The evaluations of the pace of the drawdown will continue based 756 00:39:52,367 --> 00:39:56,734 on a variety of assessments made by U.S. military leaders as well 757 00:39:56,734 --> 00:40:00,900 as leaders of our ISAF partners. 758 00:40:00,900 --> 00:40:03,867 And I think my point to Dan was that this incident does 759 00:40:03,867 --> 00:40:08,934 not change the strategic imperative that is embodied 760 00:40:08,934 --> 00:40:10,633 in the President's strategy. 761 00:40:10,633 --> 00:40:12,133 The Press: Yes, but you said he wouldn't change the timetable, 762 00:40:12,133 --> 00:40:13,232 which is quite different than the goals -- 763 00:40:13,233 --> 00:40:14,367 Mr. Carney: Let me be clear. 764 00:40:14,367 --> 00:40:17,133 I do not believe that this incident will change the 765 00:40:17,133 --> 00:40:24,633 timetable of a strategy that was designed and is being 766 00:40:24,633 --> 00:40:27,133 implemented in a way to allow for the withdrawal of U.S. 767 00:40:27,133 --> 00:40:34,500 forces, to allow for the transfer of lead security 768 00:40:34,500 --> 00:40:38,567 authority over to the Afghans, and which -- a process that will 769 00:40:38,567 --> 00:40:41,467 be completed no later than the end of 2014. 770 00:40:41,467 --> 00:40:45,333 And the discussions about the pace of that drawdown have been 771 00:40:45,333 --> 00:40:50,567 ongoing, as I think Secretary Panetta discussed not long ago, 772 00:40:50,567 --> 00:40:53,600 and as he was having discussions with fellow defense ministers, 773 00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:58,767 and will certainly be a subject of discussion among heads of 774 00:40:58,767 --> 00:41:01,399 state in Chicago at the NATO meeting there in May. 775 00:41:03,467 --> 00:41:05,900 Kristen, and then I want to move around a little bit. Yes. 776 00:41:05,900 --> 00:41:06,767 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 777 00:41:06,767 --> 00:41:10,433 Turning to Syria, you have said repeatedly that Assad's fall is 778 00:41:10,433 --> 00:41:14,166 imminent, and yet, according to recent reports, U.S. senior 779 00:41:14,166 --> 00:41:16,433 intelligence officials have said that Assad actually 780 00:41:16,433 --> 00:41:18,767 holds a strong position in Syria. 781 00:41:18,767 --> 00:41:21,500 So do you continue to argue that his fall is imminent, 782 00:41:21,500 --> 00:41:22,567 and if so, how? 783 00:41:22,567 --> 00:41:23,200 What's the -- 784 00:41:23,200 --> 00:41:27,433 Mr. Carney: So recent reports of citing anonymous sources are saying 785 00:41:27,433 --> 00:41:28,700 whatever they're saying? 786 00:41:28,700 --> 00:41:29,533 Look, we believe -- 787 00:41:29,533 --> 00:41:32,633 The Press: Well, and also we've seen the uptick in violence. 788 00:41:32,633 --> 00:41:34,734 Mr. Carney: Well, there's no question that Assad continues his 789 00:41:34,734 --> 00:41:37,500 brutal assault on his own people. 790 00:41:37,500 --> 00:41:39,133 There is no doubt about that. 791 00:41:39,133 --> 00:41:43,399 We continue to believe that it is not a matter of if, but when, 792 00:41:43,400 --> 00:41:49,400 Assad will be removed, will remove himself from power. 793 00:41:52,133 --> 00:41:57,966 His legitimacy has certainly long since been lost. 794 00:41:57,967 --> 00:42:05,633 And we are working with a broad coalition of partners around the 795 00:42:05,633 --> 00:42:10,399 globe who believe, as the United Nations Security Council 796 00:42:10,400 --> 00:42:17,000 resolution made clear, that there needs to be 797 00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:20,100 a transition in Syria. 798 00:42:20,100 --> 00:42:24,533 There needs to be, first, a cessation of the brutal assault 799 00:42:24,533 --> 00:42:28,567 on the Syrian people, and then a transition that allows for the 800 00:42:28,567 --> 00:42:30,967 greater fulfillment of the aspirations of the 801 00:42:30,967 --> 00:42:32,133 Syrian people. 802 00:42:32,133 --> 00:42:35,066 That continues to be our policy. 803 00:42:35,066 --> 00:42:40,000 We're not going to put a time by which that will happen. 804 00:42:40,000 --> 00:42:42,233 We will simply continue to work with our international partners 805 00:42:42,233 --> 00:42:46,300 to pressure Assad, to isolate him, 806 00:42:46,300 --> 00:42:55,166 to make the cost of his assault increasingly higher, 807 00:42:55,166 --> 00:43:02,200 and work in any way that we can to assist the Syrian people who 808 00:43:02,200 --> 00:43:07,033 are suffering greatly under his brutality. 809 00:43:07,033 --> 00:43:09,066 The Press: And according to a Washington Post report, 810 00:43:09,066 --> 00:43:12,567 there have been more discussions about possible military 811 00:43:12,567 --> 00:43:15,767 intervention, possibly arming the opposition forces there. 812 00:43:15,767 --> 00:43:17,899 Can you confirm those reports? 813 00:43:17,900 --> 00:43:19,533 Mr. Carney: Again, I think these are reports that were 814 00:43:19,533 --> 00:43:24,200 specific to the fact that, as is almost always the case in a 815 00:43:24,200 --> 00:43:26,633 situation like this when there are international crises or 816 00:43:26,633 --> 00:43:31,232 events, the Pentagon develops contingency plans. 817 00:43:31,233 --> 00:43:34,233 That is not the same as a policy decision. 818 00:43:34,233 --> 00:43:37,033 Our policy remains absolutely what it was, 819 00:43:37,033 --> 00:43:40,232 which is our belief that contributing to the further 820 00:43:40,233 --> 00:43:45,100 militarization of Syria is not a wise course of action right now. 821 00:43:45,100 --> 00:43:50,567 It could potentially lead down a dangerous road. 822 00:43:50,567 --> 00:43:54,633 And we are focused instead on what I just described to you, 823 00:43:54,633 --> 00:43:57,466 which is working with our international partners to, A, 824 00:43:57,467 --> 00:44:00,433 help provide whatever assistance -- humanitarian assistance we 825 00:44:00,433 --> 00:44:03,133 can to the Syrian people, as well as continuing to pressure 826 00:44:03,133 --> 00:44:04,667 and isolate Assad. 827 00:44:04,667 --> 00:44:09,133 Let me just -- I don't know if Terri Gruca is here. 828 00:44:09,133 --> 00:44:10,667 Yes, Terri, did you have a question? 829 00:44:10,667 --> 00:44:11,366 The Press: I do. 830 00:44:11,367 --> 00:44:12,200 Mr. Carney: From Austin, Texas. 831 00:44:12,200 --> 00:44:13,700 The Press: Back to your energy policy talk. 832 00:44:13,700 --> 00:44:15,399 I know last week there were some congressional hearings about 833 00:44:15,400 --> 00:44:18,567 alternatives, and one gentleman in the crowd had talked about 834 00:44:18,567 --> 00:44:20,533 how alternatives are great in theory, 835 00:44:20,533 --> 00:44:22,767 but it's difficult to get Americans to buy them, 836 00:44:22,767 --> 00:44:25,834 in part because they're so expensive right now. 837 00:44:25,834 --> 00:44:27,366 How do you fix that? 838 00:44:27,367 --> 00:44:32,834 Mr. Carney: Well, the President's approach in his all-of-the-above energy 839 00:44:32,834 --> 00:44:40,165 policy is to invest in clean energy technologies so that they 840 00:44:40,166 --> 00:44:43,734 become industries that create jobs in this country, 841 00:44:43,734 --> 00:44:48,133 not just overseas, and in ways that help reduce the 842 00:44:48,133 --> 00:44:49,466 price of alternative energy. 843 00:44:49,467 --> 00:44:53,734 A good example is our increasing share of the international 844 00:44:53,734 --> 00:44:56,834 market in advanced battery technology. 845 00:44:56,834 --> 00:45:01,133 As greater breakthroughs are made in advance battery 846 00:45:01,133 --> 00:45:06,399 technologies, the cost of those batteries declines, 847 00:45:06,400 --> 00:45:10,367 which results in a reduced price for the vehicles that use those 848 00:45:10,367 --> 00:45:13,433 batteries, and obviously, that savings is passed on 849 00:45:13,433 --> 00:45:14,467 to the consumer. 850 00:45:14,467 --> 00:45:21,233 It is simply a fact in the world that we live in that someone 851 00:45:21,233 --> 00:45:27,333 will dominate the alternative energy markets -- alternative 852 00:45:27,333 --> 00:45:34,033 energy industries like wind, solar, biofuels, 853 00:45:34,033 --> 00:45:35,933 advanced batteries. 854 00:45:35,934 --> 00:45:38,967 The President believes that those are quality industries 855 00:45:38,967 --> 00:45:44,333 that create well-paid jobs, and he believes they should be here 856 00:45:44,333 --> 00:45:47,633 in the United States; that we should not be -- we should not 857 00:45:47,633 --> 00:45:53,600 change our reliance on foreign sources of oil to a reliance on 858 00:45:53,600 --> 00:45:57,100 foreign sources of alternative energy. 859 00:45:57,100 --> 00:46:02,834 And moreover, we create those jobs here and we reduce our 860 00:46:02,834 --> 00:46:04,033 dependence on foreign sources. 861 00:46:04,033 --> 00:46:05,834 So it's a win-win. 862 00:46:05,834 --> 00:46:07,633 That's why we have to have this long-term strategy, 863 00:46:07,633 --> 00:46:10,834 because as he and others have said, 864 00:46:10,834 --> 00:46:13,100 we have 2% of the world's oil reserves, 865 00:46:13,100 --> 00:46:15,667 we consume 20% of the world's oil. 866 00:46:15,667 --> 00:46:18,767 There is no way with those two facts in front of you that you 867 00:46:18,767 --> 00:46:21,667 can drill your way out of the problem that we have. 868 00:46:21,667 --> 00:46:23,066 You have to do more than just drill. 869 00:46:23,066 --> 00:46:24,332 You have to drill. 870 00:46:24,333 --> 00:46:26,667 You have to increase drilling, you have to increase production; 871 00:46:26,667 --> 00:46:28,433 the President is committed to that. 872 00:46:28,433 --> 00:46:29,967 But you have to do everything else as well. 873 00:46:29,967 --> 00:46:32,600 And that includes not just advanced batteries or biofuels 874 00:46:32,600 --> 00:46:33,567 or wind and solar. 875 00:46:33,567 --> 00:46:36,934 It means granting the first permit to build a new nuclear 876 00:46:36,934 --> 00:46:38,934 power plant in the United States in 30 years, 877 00:46:38,934 --> 00:46:40,533 which this administration has done. 878 00:46:40,533 --> 00:46:42,533 It's an all-of-the-above approach. 879 00:46:42,533 --> 00:46:45,333 The Press: Some people argue that's why gas prices will not -- 880 00:46:45,333 --> 00:46:48,200 there's not really a push to lower gas prices because you 881 00:46:48,200 --> 00:46:50,500 need gas prices to be high in order to get people to buy -- 882 00:46:50,500 --> 00:46:52,967 Mr. Carney: That is categorically false. 883 00:46:52,967 --> 00:46:56,133 This President is absolutely committed to reducing -- to 884 00:46:56,133 --> 00:46:59,933 doing everything we can to mitigate the effect of higher 885 00:46:59,934 --> 00:47:04,600 gas prices on American families and to lower gas prices. 886 00:47:04,600 --> 00:47:08,266 What he is not willing to do is to look the American people in 887 00:47:08,266 --> 00:47:10,900 the eye and claim that there is a strategy by which he can 888 00:47:10,900 --> 00:47:15,567 guarantee the price of gas will be $2.50 at the pump. 889 00:47:15,567 --> 00:47:19,166 Any politician who does that is lying, 890 00:47:19,166 --> 00:47:22,066 because it just -- that strategy does not exist. 891 00:47:22,066 --> 00:47:27,299 It is a simple fact that there is no such plan that 892 00:47:27,300 --> 00:47:31,066 can guarantee the price of oil or the price at the pump. 893 00:47:31,066 --> 00:47:33,000 You have to have an all-of-the-above approach, 894 00:47:33,000 --> 00:47:36,433 and that all-of-the-above approach can limit the effects 895 00:47:36,433 --> 00:47:39,266 or reduce the effects of high gas prices on Americans. 896 00:47:39,266 --> 00:47:42,233 It can also, importantly, reduce our dependence on foreign oil so 897 00:47:42,233 --> 00:47:45,734 that when there are fluctuations in the 898 00:47:45,734 --> 00:47:50,700 price of oil internationally, we are more insulated from the 899 00:47:50,700 --> 00:47:53,600 effect of that. 900 00:47:53,600 --> 00:47:54,600 Yes, Roger. 901 00:47:54,600 --> 00:47:55,734 The Press: Thank you. 902 00:47:55,734 --> 00:47:59,100 Pat Roberts -- the highway bill in the Senate -- Pat Roberts has 903 00:47:59,100 --> 00:48:02,366 introduced a package of amendments that basically 904 00:48:02,367 --> 00:48:06,233 revisits that package that was defeated last week -- that was 905 00:48:06,233 --> 00:48:07,600 defeated last week. 906 00:48:07,600 --> 00:48:10,567 The President was making calls last week to make 907 00:48:10,567 --> 00:48:11,900 sure it was defeated. 908 00:48:11,900 --> 00:48:14,400 I was wondering if he's making calls again on this. 909 00:48:14,400 --> 00:48:17,400 Mr. Carney: I don't have any additional calls to report. 910 00:48:17,400 --> 00:48:20,233 I would say, as I said then when that report emerged, 911 00:48:20,233 --> 00:48:22,800 that the President has conversations with members 912 00:48:22,800 --> 00:48:26,133 of Congress with some frequency, and we don't 913 00:48:26,133 --> 00:48:30,265 read all of them out. 914 00:48:30,266 --> 00:48:32,567 Let me give others a chance. 915 00:48:32,567 --> 00:48:33,333 Mr. Knoller. 916 00:48:33,333 --> 00:48:36,200 The Press: Jay, what was the reason for the President's meeting 917 00:48:36,200 --> 00:48:38,500 with Mayor Bloomberg a few weeks ago? 918 00:48:38,500 --> 00:48:39,900 Mr. Carney: They speak from time to time. 919 00:48:39,900 --> 00:48:44,800 The President appreciates the Mayor's insights into 920 00:48:44,800 --> 00:48:45,800 matters of policy. 921 00:48:45,800 --> 00:48:48,367 He appreciates the Mayor's leadership on issues like 922 00:48:48,367 --> 00:48:51,567 immigration, the economy, and other issues. 923 00:48:51,567 --> 00:48:54,767 And he enjoyed the lunch that they had here. 924 00:48:54,767 --> 00:48:56,834 The Press: A job interview, perhaps, for a second term? 925 00:48:56,834 --> 00:48:57,734 Mr. Carney: It was not a job interview. 926 00:48:57,734 --> 00:48:58,400 (laughter) 927 00:48:58,400 --> 00:48:59,100 Absolutely not. 928 00:48:59,100 --> 00:49:02,133 No, they were focused on policy matters. 929 00:49:02,133 --> 00:49:04,834 The Press: And what is the reason the President is taking 930 00:49:04,834 --> 00:49:08,299 Prime Minister Cameron to a basketball game? 931 00:49:08,300 --> 00:49:10,734 Mr. Carney: Well, because I think it's an opportunity for 932 00:49:10,734 --> 00:49:12,400 the President and the Prime Minister to spend some time 933 00:49:12,400 --> 00:49:15,567 together outside of the official trappings of Washington and the 934 00:49:15,567 --> 00:49:20,967 White House, and an opportunity for the President to show the 935 00:49:20,967 --> 00:49:23,400 Prime Minister a slice of American life. 936 00:49:23,400 --> 00:49:25,767 March Madness is just getting started. 937 00:49:25,767 --> 00:49:29,066 Some of us enjoy it quite a bit, many Americans do around the 938 00:49:29,066 --> 00:49:32,533 country, and he certainly looks forward to sharing that with 939 00:49:32,533 --> 00:49:33,799 Prime Minister Cameron. 940 00:49:33,800 --> 00:49:36,066 And I'll be happy to attend that event with them just to 941 00:49:36,066 --> 00:49:36,966 make sure everything goes -- 942 00:49:36,967 --> 00:49:38,200 (laughter) 943 00:49:38,200 --> 00:49:40,433 -- according to plan. 944 00:49:40,433 --> 00:49:42,400 George, and then Jared. 945 00:49:42,400 --> 00:49:44,066 The Press: Yes, two questions on Afghanistan. 946 00:49:44,066 --> 00:49:47,933 I wondered if you had any response to House Armed Services 947 00:49:47,934 --> 00:49:51,500 Chairman Buck McKeon, who said in a speech, he said, 948 00:49:51,500 --> 00:49:54,133 "President Bush gave over 40 speeches about Iraq, 949 00:49:54,133 --> 00:49:56,433 trying to educate the country to understand 950 00:49:56,433 --> 00:49:57,500 what we're engaged in. 951 00:49:57,500 --> 00:50:00,667 President Obama has given three speeches about Afghanistan and 952 00:50:00,667 --> 00:50:05,165 he hasn't done anything to educate and bring people along." 953 00:50:05,166 --> 00:50:07,633 Mr. Carney: The President has spoken a great deal about Afghanistan 954 00:50:07,633 --> 00:50:11,466 and his policy in Afghanistan. 955 00:50:11,467 --> 00:50:14,700 I will leave the irony of the comparative there to 956 00:50:14,700 --> 00:50:16,133 others to assess. 957 00:50:16,133 --> 00:50:17,933 I would simply say that the President is focused on a 958 00:50:17,934 --> 00:50:21,400 strategy that's effective, that's in the national security 959 00:50:21,400 --> 00:50:25,734 interests of the United States, and that ensures that every bit 960 00:50:25,734 --> 00:50:31,333 of effort expended by American men and women in uniform and our 961 00:50:31,333 --> 00:50:36,100 civilian personnel over there is aimed at our strategic objective 962 00:50:36,100 --> 00:50:38,700 -- which is to disrupt, dismantle and ultimately 963 00:50:38,700 --> 00:50:40,366 defeat al Qaeda. 964 00:50:40,367 --> 00:50:42,734 It was because of al Qaeda, because of the assaults on 965 00:50:42,734 --> 00:50:46,433 the United States on 9/11, that we sent U.S. forces to 966 00:50:46,433 --> 00:50:48,800 Afghanistan more than 10 years ago to begin with. 967 00:50:48,800 --> 00:50:51,567 And it is thanks to President Obama that we refocused our 968 00:50:51,567 --> 00:50:54,734 strategy on the reason why we were there to begin with. 969 00:50:54,734 --> 00:50:57,000 And it is because of that, that we are in the process of drawing 970 00:50:57,000 --> 00:51:01,033 down forces in Afghanistan, in a process of transferring 971 00:51:01,033 --> 00:51:04,667 responsibility for security to Afghan security forces, 972 00:51:04,667 --> 00:51:11,366 and in the process of supporting an Afghan-led process of 973 00:51:11,367 --> 00:51:12,767 reconciliation which has the hope of, 974 00:51:12,767 --> 00:51:14,734 or creates the hope of a political resolution in 975 00:51:14,734 --> 00:51:17,834 Afghanistan, which is absolutely required for the long-term 976 00:51:17,834 --> 00:51:19,299 stability of that country. 977 00:51:19,300 --> 00:51:22,100 The Press: And also, a less substantive question -- how did it come 978 00:51:22,100 --> 00:51:24,567 about that the President was in the car when he had the 979 00:51:24,567 --> 00:51:27,000 conversation with Karzai? 980 00:51:27,000 --> 00:51:29,567 Is that just when the call was returned? 981 00:51:29,567 --> 00:51:30,500 Mr. Carney: I'll have to check on that, but that, 982 00:51:30,500 --> 00:51:31,934 I think, often is the case. 983 00:51:31,934 --> 00:51:33,567 Again, I don't know the specifics of this, 984 00:51:33,567 --> 00:51:38,033 but it often can be the case that in setting up a call with a 985 00:51:38,033 --> 00:51:40,366 foreign leader, especially when there's a great time difference, 986 00:51:40,367 --> 00:51:44,700 that when it goes through you want to make sure you get the 987 00:51:44,700 --> 00:51:47,033 call and you have the call, if it works for both leaders. 988 00:51:47,033 --> 00:51:49,900 That's why he sometimes has those conversations on Air 989 00:51:49,900 --> 00:51:53,834 Force One, and sometimes when he's in the car. 990 00:51:53,834 --> 00:51:56,600 Is Greg Warmoth here? 991 00:51:56,600 --> 00:51:59,366 No? Okay. Last one, Victoria. 992 00:51:59,367 --> 00:52:01,400 The Press: Yes, actually, I think -- 993 00:52:01,400 --> 00:52:02,700 Mr. Carney: Oh, sorry, Jared. Then you. 994 00:52:02,700 --> 00:52:03,667 Yes, go ahead. 995 00:52:03,667 --> 00:52:06,000 Victoria, then Jared, then I'm out of here. 996 00:52:06,000 --> 00:52:09,600 The Press: The killings in Afghanistan happened a few days after a 997 00:52:09,600 --> 00:52:12,933 coalition helicopter killed several civilians. 998 00:52:12,934 --> 00:52:18,300 And Karzai is holding out on the partnership agreement for 999 00:52:18,300 --> 00:52:20,433 the end of night raids. 1000 00:52:20,433 --> 00:52:24,867 Particularly in light of this recent killing and Karzai saying 1001 00:52:24,867 --> 00:52:28,667 that this is unforgivable and possible intransigence in 1002 00:52:28,667 --> 00:52:32,200 negotiations, are you willing to move on night raids? 1003 00:52:32,200 --> 00:52:35,433 Mr. Carney: I would refer that question to the Defense Department, 1004 00:52:35,433 --> 00:52:38,934 to ISAF, perhaps to the State Department. 1005 00:52:38,934 --> 00:52:45,233 We're focused on implementing our strategy and doing so in a 1006 00:52:45,233 --> 00:52:51,600 way that ensures the success of that strategy and the safety and 1007 00:52:51,600 --> 00:52:54,933 security of American personnel both in Afghanistan and around 1008 00:52:54,934 --> 00:52:56,400 the world. 1009 00:52:56,400 --> 00:52:58,367 The specifics of the negotiations with the 1010 00:52:58,367 --> 00:53:00,934 Afghans I'll leave to the Defense Department 1011 00:53:00,934 --> 00:53:02,400 and the State Department. 1012 00:53:02,400 --> 00:53:03,433 Jared, I promised you. Yes. 1013 00:53:03,433 --> 00:53:05,734 The Press: Jay, one on Afghanistan. 1014 00:53:05,734 --> 00:53:10,667 You gave the answer just now to George the mantra of "disrupt, 1015 00:53:10,667 --> 00:53:14,033 dismantle, defeat" -- where in the priorities list is 1016 00:53:14,033 --> 00:53:17,266 "do no harm"? 1017 00:53:17,266 --> 00:53:22,500 Mr. Carney: We are in Afghanistan for a reason, and I have I think made 1018 00:53:22,500 --> 00:53:25,567 clear what that reason is. 1019 00:53:25,567 --> 00:53:27,834 If you're suggesting, as I think you might be, 1020 00:53:27,834 --> 00:53:32,734 that the actions that happened yesterday were harmful, 1021 00:53:32,734 --> 00:53:34,133 certainly they were. 1022 00:53:34,133 --> 00:53:37,100 That's why we have made clear that that's a terrible and 1023 00:53:37,100 --> 00:53:42,232 tragic incident, which will be fully investigated and there 1024 00:53:42,233 --> 00:53:44,500 will be accountability for it. 1025 00:53:44,500 --> 00:53:47,567 But that is not -- as the President made clear in his 1026 00:53:47,567 --> 00:53:49,834 statement, it does not reflect -- the actions that seem to have 1027 00:53:49,834 --> 00:53:53,332 taken place yesterday do not reflect the mission; 1028 00:53:53,333 --> 00:53:56,767 they do not reflect the values or the professionalism of the 1029 00:53:56,767 --> 00:54:01,033 American military men and women who are in Afghanistan, 1030 00:54:01,033 --> 00:54:05,700 and they are tragic and unfortunate. 1031 00:54:05,700 --> 00:54:07,433 The Press: And I guess on -- one on basketball, 1032 00:54:07,433 --> 00:54:08,433 a little bit lighter. 1033 00:54:08,433 --> 00:54:10,467 I know that the President is going with the Prime Minister 1034 00:54:10,467 --> 00:54:11,533 to this game. 1035 00:54:11,533 --> 00:54:14,834 It's not the best game in the NCAA brackets. 1036 00:54:14,834 --> 00:54:16,000 (laughter) 1037 00:54:16,000 --> 00:54:17,133 Wouldn't he rather -- 1038 00:54:17,133 --> 00:54:19,966 Mr. Carney: Are you saying that Sirius might pay for a trip if we 1039 00:54:19,967 --> 00:54:21,734 go to the Final Four or something? 1040 00:54:21,734 --> 00:54:23,500 The Press: I'm just saying there are a lot of -- Jay, 1041 00:54:23,500 --> 00:54:25,400 if you want to talk about cross-promotional Sirius XM 1042 00:54:25,400 --> 00:54:26,533 opportunities, I'd be happy to -- 1043 00:54:26,533 --> 00:54:28,667 (laughter) 1044 00:54:28,667 --> 00:54:29,667 Mr. Carney: Okay. 1045 00:54:29,667 --> 00:54:30,700 The Press: I don't know why the President isn't taking 1046 00:54:30,700 --> 00:54:32,332 our Blackberry app with him golfing. 1047 00:54:32,333 --> 00:54:34,066 (laughter) 1048 00:54:34,066 --> 00:54:37,866 No, but seriously, why isn't he instead catching a little bit 1049 00:54:37,867 --> 00:54:39,633 of, like, Bulls-Heat Wednesday night, 1050 00:54:39,633 --> 00:54:41,500 skipping out a little bit early on the dinner. 1051 00:54:41,500 --> 00:54:43,700 That would be much more fun for everybody, wouldn't it? 1052 00:54:43,700 --> 00:54:45,033 (laughter) 1053 00:54:45,033 --> 00:54:46,366 Mr. Carney: Well, we'll look at that option. 1054 00:54:46,367 --> 00:54:47,667 But the -- 1055 00:54:47,667 --> 00:54:50,200 The Press: All options are on the table. 1056 00:54:50,200 --> 00:54:55,133 Mr. Carney: Look, this is -- Prime Minister Cameron is here 1057 00:54:55,133 --> 00:54:56,734 tomorrow and Wednesday. 1058 00:54:56,734 --> 00:54:59,633 This is the opportunity that presented itself. 1059 00:54:59,633 --> 00:55:04,466 March Madness is a wonderful tradition in American sports 1060 00:55:04,467 --> 00:55:07,400 and American culture, and the President very much looks 1061 00:55:07,400 --> 00:55:11,333 forward to having the Prime Minister join him for this game. 1062 00:55:11,333 --> 00:55:13,066 The Press: So you're saying the President would rather watch this game 1063 00:55:13,066 --> 00:55:14,133 than Bulls-Heat? 1064 00:55:14,133 --> 00:55:15,332 Mr. Carney: I didn't say that, no. 1065 00:55:15,333 --> 00:55:15,967 The Press: Okay. 1066 00:55:15,967 --> 00:55:17,066 The Press: Do you have anything on Wednesday's schedule about 1067 00:55:17,066 --> 00:55:17,933 what they're going to do? 1068 00:55:17,934 --> 00:55:18,800 Is there a news conference? 1069 00:55:18,800 --> 00:55:19,433 Is there -- 1070 00:55:19,433 --> 00:55:20,700 Mr. Carney: We'll have to provide details for you. 1071 00:55:20,700 --> 00:55:24,834 I'm sure there will be the traditional interaction with 1072 00:55:24,834 --> 00:55:26,399 the press with the Prime Minister. 1073 00:55:26,400 --> 00:55:30,300 There's a state dinner, of course, and bilateral meetings. 1074 00:55:30,300 --> 00:55:30,967 Thanks.