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1 00:00:00,467 --> 00:00:02,033 Mr. Carney: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. 2 00:00:02,033 --> 00:00:04,834 Thank you for being here in the Brady Briefing Room for 3 00:00:04,834 --> 00:00:06,366 your daily briefing. 4 00:00:06,367 --> 00:00:09,734 Before I take your questions I have a couple of topics I 5 00:00:09,734 --> 00:00:10,734 wanted to raise. 6 00:00:10,734 --> 00:00:15,834 First, tomorrow the United States Senate will hold a 7 00:00:15,834 --> 00:00:19,367 cloture vote on the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to serve on 8 00:00:19,367 --> 00:00:21,233 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District 9 00:00:21,233 --> 00:00:23,100 of Columbia circuit. 10 00:00:23,100 --> 00:00:26,033 It is disappointing that a cloture vote is even necessary 11 00:00:26,033 --> 00:00:28,967 for someone as clearly well-qualified as Ms. Halligan, 12 00:00:28,967 --> 00:00:33,333 who has bipartisan support from lawyers and law enforcement. 13 00:00:33,333 --> 00:00:36,766 When Republicans filibustered her nomination in 2011, 14 00:00:36,767 --> 00:00:39,633 several of them hung their objections not on her 15 00:00:39,633 --> 00:00:42,367 qualifications or her judicial philosophy, 16 00:00:42,367 --> 00:00:44,967 but on the D.C. circuit workload. 17 00:00:44,967 --> 00:00:47,867 In essence, they didn't object to her as a judge, 18 00:00:47,867 --> 00:00:51,900 just that the seat in their minds did not need to be filled. 19 00:00:51,900 --> 00:00:54,800 But since then, there has been an additional vacancy on that 20 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:58,532 circuit, leaving the court with four vacancies -- 21 00:00:58,533 --> 00:01:00,200 36% vacant. 22 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:03,033 In fact, the court has never been this understaffed in its 23 00:01:03,033 --> 00:01:08,934 history and the caseload has increased almost 15% since 2011. 24 00:01:08,934 --> 00:01:14,366 After 726 days of delay, we strongly urge the Senate support 25 00:01:14,367 --> 00:01:17,734 an up or down vote for this well-qualified nominee with 26 00:01:17,734 --> 00:01:21,265 credentials from across the political spectrum for a court 27 00:01:21,266 --> 00:01:22,934 that is 36-percent vacant. 28 00:01:22,934 --> 00:01:28,834 I have some slides that I hope will turn up. 29 00:01:28,834 --> 00:01:32,500 In fact, last night we released an infographic on WhiteHouse.gov 30 00:01:32,500 --> 00:01:35,667 showing that Caitlin Halligan is not alone in suffering endless 31 00:01:35,667 --> 00:01:36,667 delays for a vote. 32 00:01:36,667 --> 00:01:41,867 As you'll see, 78% of President Obama's circuit court judges 33 00:01:41,867 --> 00:01:44,300 have waited more than 100 days for a vote, 34 00:01:44,300 --> 00:01:47,567 compared to 15 of President Bush's nominees. 35 00:01:47,567 --> 00:01:51,699 On the second slide, this obstruction also applies 36 00:01:51,700 --> 00:01:54,800 to President Obama's district court nominees -- 37 00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:58,200 42% of our district court judges have waited more than 100 days 38 00:01:58,200 --> 00:02:02,367 for a vote, compared to eight of President Bush's nominees. 39 00:02:02,367 --> 00:02:05,633 On slide three, you can see that the average wait time for our 40 00:02:05,633 --> 00:02:08,900 judicial nominees to get a vote on the floor of the Senate, 41 00:02:08,900 --> 00:02:12,200 both for the circuit court and the district court is three to 42 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:17,266 four times as long as it was under our predecessor. 43 00:02:17,266 --> 00:02:21,100 This is a problem that needs to be resolved for the sake of our 44 00:02:21,100 --> 00:02:27,834 judicial system, for the sake of a carrying out of justice in our 45 00:02:27,834 --> 00:02:33,166 country in an expedited and deliberate manner. 46 00:02:33,166 --> 00:02:38,466 And we have seen some positive signs of late that perhaps the 47 00:02:38,467 --> 00:02:42,367 logjam is beginning to break on Capitol Hill when it comes to 48 00:02:42,367 --> 00:02:45,667 confirmation of judges, and we certainly hope that the spirit 49 00:02:45,667 --> 00:02:51,266 that informs that change, modest as it has been, 50 00:02:51,266 --> 00:02:56,033 will inform the vote the Senate takes on Caitlin Halligan. 51 00:02:56,033 --> 00:03:03,000 Secondly, if I may, I would like to note that on Thursday 52 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:05,266 the President will sign the reauthorization of the 53 00:03:05,266 --> 00:03:08,000 Violence Against Women Act. 54 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:09,600 He will be joined by the Vice President, 55 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:12,233 who authored the original law in 1994, 56 00:03:12,233 --> 00:03:14,100 as well as women's organizations, 57 00:03:14,100 --> 00:03:17,166 law enforcement officials, tribal leaders, survivors, 58 00:03:17,166 --> 00:03:19,166 advocates, and members of Congress. 59 00:03:19,166 --> 00:03:22,433 The law strengthens the criminal justice system's response to 60 00:03:22,433 --> 00:03:25,000 crimes against women, including domestic violence, 61 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:26,600 sexual assault, and trafficking. 62 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:31,400 It's a very important milestone that was reached with the vote 63 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:34,700 most recently in the House that allowed this to reach, finally, 64 00:03:34,700 --> 00:03:37,566 the President's desk, and he looks forward to signing it. 65 00:03:37,567 --> 00:03:38,967 And with that, I go to Julie. 66 00:03:38,967 --> 00:03:39,567 The Press: Thank you. 67 00:03:39,567 --> 00:03:42,967 Why did the White House decide today to release the OLC memos 68 00:03:42,967 --> 00:03:45,333 on the drones to the Senate Intelligence Committee after 69 00:03:45,333 --> 00:03:48,100 having said you wouldn't before? 70 00:03:48,100 --> 00:03:51,466 Mr. Carney: We have worked with the committee to provide information 71 00:03:51,467 --> 00:03:57,667 about legal advice and we have worked with them to meet their 72 00:03:57,667 --> 00:04:00,800 concerns in what the President believes is a unique situation, 73 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:08,367 and to, in doing so, help expedite confirmation. 74 00:04:08,367 --> 00:04:12,700 What we have said all along is that with John Brennan, 75 00:04:12,700 --> 00:04:15,500 the issue here should be -- as it should be with every 76 00:04:15,500 --> 00:04:18,533 nominee -- the qualifications of the nominee. 77 00:04:18,533 --> 00:04:24,567 And on the merits, John Brennan is a uniquely and highly 78 00:04:24,567 --> 00:04:27,934 qualified nominee to be the next Director of the CIA. 79 00:04:27,934 --> 00:04:29,333 And we urge the committee to vote, 80 00:04:29,333 --> 00:04:32,066 and we urge the Senate to confirm him as quickly as 81 00:04:32,066 --> 00:04:35,265 possible so that he can get about the business of running 82 00:04:35,266 --> 00:04:39,266 the CIA -- again, a job to which he is uniquely suited. 83 00:04:39,266 --> 00:04:42,567 The Press: Is this now the full complement of the OLC memos that the Senate 84 00:04:42,567 --> 00:04:44,633 Intelligence Committee is going to have access to, 85 00:04:44,633 --> 00:04:48,599 or are there any others that they are keeping private? 86 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:51,300 Mr. Carney: I would refer you to the Department of Justice, 87 00:04:51,300 --> 00:04:54,934 but I can simply say that we have worked with the committee 88 00:04:54,934 --> 00:04:59,467 to provide information about advice -- 89 00:04:59,467 --> 00:05:03,967 legal advice on issues of concern to committee members, 90 00:05:03,967 --> 00:05:07,433 and have done that, recognizing that this is a unique and 91 00:05:07,433 --> 00:05:09,667 exceptional situation. 92 00:05:09,667 --> 00:05:12,900 But it is in keeping with the President's commitment, 93 00:05:12,900 --> 00:05:15,967 which he reiterated in his State of the Union address, 94 00:05:15,967 --> 00:05:19,967 to work with Congress to be as transparent as possible 95 00:05:19,967 --> 00:05:22,332 about these actions. 96 00:05:22,333 --> 00:05:27,367 And we simply look forward to a speedy confirmation 97 00:05:27,367 --> 00:05:28,400 for John Brennan. 98 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:30,866 The Press: Republicans on the committee have obviously been asking for 99 00:05:30,867 --> 00:05:34,266 information as well but related to the Benghazi attacks. 100 00:05:34,266 --> 00:05:37,266 Is that information being sent to them? 101 00:05:37,266 --> 00:05:39,934 Are they getting any additional backup emails that they've been 102 00:05:39,934 --> 00:05:40,834 asking for? 103 00:05:40,834 --> 00:05:43,734 Mr. Carney: I think we have provided information to committee members 104 00:05:43,734 --> 00:05:47,900 who have been interested in that matter, again, 105 00:05:47,900 --> 00:05:53,233 in an attempt to be helpful and cooperative as we move 106 00:05:53,233 --> 00:05:55,533 this process forward. 107 00:05:55,533 --> 00:05:59,400 That issue then returns me to my point earlier, 108 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:02,532 which is that John Brennan's nomination ought to be 109 00:06:02,533 --> 00:06:05,667 considered on its merits, on his qualifications, 110 00:06:05,667 --> 00:06:12,066 not on disputes about an issue that did not involve John 111 00:06:12,066 --> 00:06:14,866 Brennan's nomination to be the CIA director, 112 00:06:14,867 --> 00:06:19,266 or Senator Hagel's nomination to be Secretary of Defense. 113 00:06:19,266 --> 00:06:21,567 We have been enormously cooperative with Congress 114 00:06:21,567 --> 00:06:25,867 on the issue of Benghazi -- hours and hours of testimony, 115 00:06:25,867 --> 00:06:30,200 including the Secretary of State -- 10,000 pages of documents, 116 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:35,633 I believe; numerous hearings; and working with members on 117 00:06:35,633 --> 00:06:38,366 their concerns with regards to these nominations. 118 00:06:38,367 --> 00:06:41,133 But, again, our nominees ought to be considered on 119 00:06:41,133 --> 00:06:43,133 their qualifications. 120 00:06:43,133 --> 00:06:46,099 We were glad to see Senator Hagel confirmed as Secretary 121 00:06:46,100 --> 00:06:48,767 of Defense, and we look forward to John Brennan being confirmed 122 00:06:48,767 --> 00:06:50,266 as CIA director. 123 00:06:50,266 --> 00:06:51,700 The Press: And then just quickly on North Korea, 124 00:06:51,700 --> 00:06:55,233 does the White House believe that the package of sanctions 125 00:06:55,233 --> 00:06:58,467 that the U.S. and Chinese diplomats have apparently 126 00:06:58,467 --> 00:07:02,200 agreed to up at the U.N. will be the step that's needed to 127 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:05,265 get North Korea to back away from its nuclear program? 128 00:07:05,266 --> 00:07:07,734 Mr. Carney: Well, as Ambassador Rice indicated this morning at 129 00:07:07,734 --> 00:07:09,532 the United Nations in New York today, 130 00:07:09,533 --> 00:07:12,800 the United States tabled a draft Security Council resolution that 131 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:16,367 responds to North Korea's February 12 nuclear test. 132 00:07:16,367 --> 00:07:19,200 The draft resolution, which is agreed upon by the U.S. 133 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:22,500 and China, provides a credible and strong response that further 134 00:07:22,500 --> 00:07:25,734 impedes the growth of DPRK's nuclear weapons and ballistic 135 00:07:25,734 --> 00:07:28,032 missile programs and its ability to engage 136 00:07:28,033 --> 00:07:29,734 in proliferation activities. 137 00:07:29,734 --> 00:07:32,200 We anticipate adoption of this important resolution 138 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:34,567 later this week. 139 00:07:34,567 --> 00:07:37,700 U.S./U.N. has more information if you need more details about 140 00:07:37,700 --> 00:07:41,300 it, but I think this demonstrates an international 141 00:07:41,300 --> 00:07:47,934 consensus about the urgent need for North Korea to abide by its 142 00:07:47,934 --> 00:07:52,033 international obligations -- to get right with the world when it 143 00:07:52,033 --> 00:07:56,000 comes to its nuclear weapons ambitions, and in doing so, 144 00:07:56,000 --> 00:08:03,734 begin to end the isolation that the government and the country 145 00:08:03,734 --> 00:08:06,933 of North Korea has found itself in because of its 146 00:08:06,934 --> 00:08:09,300 pursuit of nuclear weapons. 147 00:08:09,300 --> 00:08:10,033 Matt. 148 00:08:10,033 --> 00:08:11,500 The Press: Staying on North Korea for a second. 149 00:08:11,500 --> 00:08:16,166 The North Koreans threatened to scrap the armistice that ended 150 00:08:16,166 --> 00:08:19,734 the Korean War, and to sever a military hotline with the United 151 00:08:19,734 --> 00:08:23,834 States if South Korea and Washington press ahead with 152 00:08:23,834 --> 00:08:24,867 war games. 153 00:08:24,867 --> 00:08:28,433 And North Korea has been known to bluster before, 154 00:08:28,433 --> 00:08:31,800 so can you tell us how seriously, or not, 155 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:33,767 the administration is taking this, and what, if any, 156 00:08:33,767 --> 00:08:34,867 action might be planned? 157 00:08:34,866 --> 00:08:37,599 Mr. Carney: Well, the DPRK will achieve nothing by threats or 158 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:42,700 provocations, which will only further isolate North Korea and 159 00:08:42,700 --> 00:08:46,133 undermine international efforts to ensure peace and stability in 160 00:08:46,133 --> 00:08:47,133 Northeast Asia. 161 00:08:47,133 --> 00:08:50,333 We have urged the North Korean leadership to heed President 162 00:08:50,333 --> 00:08:53,333 Obama's call to choose the path of peace and come into 163 00:08:53,333 --> 00:08:55,333 compliance with its international obligations. 164 00:08:58,066 --> 00:09:00,734 Again, these provocations are not new -- 165 00:09:00,734 --> 00:09:01,734 I think to your point -- 166 00:09:01,734 --> 00:09:06,533 but they certainly are not helpful to the North Korean 167 00:09:06,533 --> 00:09:10,166 people, and they're not helpful to the effort to bring North 168 00:09:10,166 --> 00:09:13,467 Korea into compliance with its international obligations. 169 00:09:13,467 --> 00:09:15,467 The Press: Okay. And another one on Venezuela. 170 00:09:15,467 --> 00:09:19,233 Right now, the Venezuelan Vice President is giving 171 00:09:19,233 --> 00:09:20,433 a live address. 172 00:09:20,433 --> 00:09:22,400 And of course, there are lingering questions about 173 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:25,000 the declining health of President Hugo Chavez. 174 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:29,867 But what Maduro says is that they've uncovered a conspiracy 175 00:09:29,867 --> 00:09:33,000 against the Venezuelan government and he's just 176 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:36,533 announced that the U.S. diplomatic attaché has 177 00:09:36,533 --> 00:09:38,433 been expelled for plotting against the 178 00:09:38,433 --> 00:09:39,400 Venezuelan government. 179 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:40,233 Are you aware of this -- 180 00:09:40,233 --> 00:09:46,233 Mr. Carney: Obviously, you're reading out a real-time press conference 181 00:09:46,233 --> 00:09:48,165 or statement from Venezuela. 182 00:09:48,166 --> 00:09:51,200 I can simply say that questions about President Chavez's health 183 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:53,867 should be directed to the Venezuelan government. 184 00:09:53,867 --> 00:09:59,400 I have no reaction to the charge that you've just repeated. 185 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:02,033 I can tell you that we continue to seek a functional and 186 00:10:02,033 --> 00:10:04,266 productive relationship with Venezuela. 187 00:10:04,266 --> 00:10:07,065 And we remain open to a dialogue with Venezuela on a range of 188 00:10:07,066 --> 00:10:09,166 issues of mutual understanding -- 189 00:10:09,166 --> 00:10:12,000 including counter-narcotics, counterterrorism and the 190 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:16,066 commercial relationship between the countries, including energy. 191 00:10:16,066 --> 00:10:19,900 But for more on that, I think we'll have to wait and see if 192 00:10:19,900 --> 00:10:22,600 there's a reaction that might come from the State Department. 193 00:10:25,166 --> 00:10:28,300 The Press: House Republicans yesterday talked about -- 194 00:10:28,300 --> 00:10:29,934 I guess they just sort of unveiled this -- 195 00:10:29,934 --> 00:10:32,900 a proposal to extend the CR through the rest of 196 00:10:32,900 --> 00:10:33,900 the fiscal year. 197 00:10:33,900 --> 00:10:36,233 And it would include some, I guess, 198 00:10:36,233 --> 00:10:38,699 some provisions in there that might soften the sequester 199 00:10:38,700 --> 00:10:41,000 somewhat -- its impacts on the Defense Department -- 200 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:45,700 although, the programs that they selected might not be, I guess, 201 00:10:45,700 --> 00:10:50,200 the same programs that Democrats would select in either the House 202 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:50,834 or the Senate. 203 00:10:50,834 --> 00:10:52,333 What's the President's reaction to that? 204 00:10:52,333 --> 00:10:55,733 Mr. Carney: Well, we are reviewing the proposed continuing resolution, 205 00:10:55,734 --> 00:10:59,367 so I don't have an official position to 206 00:10:59,367 --> 00:11:00,433 provide to you today. 207 00:11:00,433 --> 00:11:04,400 I think I would point you to a couple of things. 208 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:08,934 One is we believe that a CR should be practical, 209 00:11:08,934 --> 00:11:11,199 it should be non-political, and it should be consistent 210 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:14,266 with levels of the Budget Control Act. 211 00:11:14,266 --> 00:11:17,367 And it is our understanding -- at least on the last point -- 212 00:11:17,367 --> 00:11:20,900 that the CR in question is consistent with the levels 213 00:11:20,900 --> 00:11:23,165 of the Budget Control Act. 214 00:11:23,166 --> 00:11:29,533 I would wait for a further response from us as our experts 215 00:11:29,533 --> 00:11:32,133 examine it and make assessments about it. 216 00:11:32,133 --> 00:11:40,100 But our interest is not in -- as long as these goals are met, 217 00:11:40,100 --> 00:11:45,967 that we do not go headlong into another manufactured crisis -- 218 00:11:45,967 --> 00:11:50,333 we are focused on trying to find common-sense solutions 219 00:11:50,333 --> 00:11:52,300 to the challenges that face us. 220 00:11:52,300 --> 00:11:54,766 The President has -- when it comes to deficit reduction, 221 00:11:54,767 --> 00:11:57,333 which is the issue on the table -- 222 00:11:57,333 --> 00:12:01,467 consistently put forward common-sense, 223 00:12:01,467 --> 00:12:07,133 middle-of-the-road solutions that represent balance and have 224 00:12:07,133 --> 00:12:09,100 met the Republicans halfway. 225 00:12:09,100 --> 00:12:12,600 And he will continue to pursue that with the Congress as we try 226 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:15,867 to address both the sequester and the broader challenge of 227 00:12:15,867 --> 00:12:18,934 reducing our deficit in a way that's fair and that puts us on 228 00:12:18,934 --> 00:12:20,300 a fiscally sustainable path. 229 00:12:20,300 --> 00:12:23,199 But for more on the CR, we'll have to wait a little bit while 230 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:24,800 we assess it. 231 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:27,165 The Press: And a number of Republican senators have stepped forward 232 00:12:27,166 --> 00:12:30,200 I guess in the last several hours to say that the President 233 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:32,300 has reached out to them on the sequester. 234 00:12:32,300 --> 00:12:34,666 Is this a charm offensive? 235 00:12:34,667 --> 00:12:40,166 Mr. Carney: The President is engaging with lawmakers of both parties and 236 00:12:40,166 --> 00:12:42,066 will continue to do so. 237 00:12:42,066 --> 00:12:44,667 He stood before you, I believe it was Friday, 238 00:12:44,667 --> 00:12:53,233 and talked about the need for bipartisan work on common ground 239 00:12:53,233 --> 00:12:54,733 when it comes to reducing our deficit. 240 00:12:54,734 --> 00:12:57,233 We should be able to achieve that. 241 00:12:57,233 --> 00:13:00,934 He has put forward a proposal that addresses the need for 242 00:13:00,934 --> 00:13:04,400 entitlement reform in a very serious way as part of a 243 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:07,300 comprehensive package that includes tax reform that would 244 00:13:07,300 --> 00:13:09,800 close loopholes and cap deductions in a way that 245 00:13:09,800 --> 00:13:14,632 Speaker Boehner said was his position just two months ago. 246 00:13:14,633 --> 00:13:17,300 So both sides, if you will, are for entitlement reform 247 00:13:17,300 --> 00:13:18,300 and tax reform. 248 00:13:18,300 --> 00:13:21,666 And really, one of the issues that seems to be still a matter 249 00:13:21,667 --> 00:13:25,467 of debate is what do you do with the revenue gained from 250 00:13:25,467 --> 00:13:28,734 improving our tax code -- closing unnecessary loopholes, 251 00:13:28,734 --> 00:13:31,867 eliminating special breaks for the well-connected and well-off. 252 00:13:31,867 --> 00:13:37,433 Do you take that and convert it into tax cuts that 253 00:13:37,433 --> 00:13:39,000 disproportionately benefit the wealthy? 254 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:40,834 Or do you apply it to deficit reduction, 255 00:13:40,834 --> 00:13:44,532 which is an eminently conservative and reasonable 256 00:13:44,533 --> 00:13:45,533 position to have? 257 00:13:45,533 --> 00:13:46,533 That's the President's position. 258 00:13:46,533 --> 00:13:49,600 So he is reaching out and talking to members about a 259 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:50,600 variety of issues -- 260 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:54,333 not just our fiscal challenges, but certainly the fiscal issues 261 00:13:54,333 --> 00:13:56,934 are among the issues he is talking about with lawmakers. 262 00:13:56,934 --> 00:14:00,333 The Press: And should the reaching out be, I guess, 263 00:14:00,333 --> 00:14:04,300 thought of in any way as perhaps the President or the White House 264 00:14:04,300 --> 00:14:06,766 not being very comfortable with what the House is talking about 265 00:14:06,767 --> 00:14:08,367 right now in terms of extending the CR, 266 00:14:08,367 --> 00:14:11,467 that this might evolve into another one of those 267 00:14:11,467 --> 00:14:12,766 manufactured crises? 268 00:14:12,767 --> 00:14:15,033 Mr. Carney: I wouldn't necessarily link the CR, 269 00:14:15,033 --> 00:14:19,133 which is a measure that if it meets the test that I talked 270 00:14:19,133 --> 00:14:22,900 about would simply continue to fund the government and avoid a 271 00:14:22,900 --> 00:14:23,632 government shutdown. 272 00:14:23,633 --> 00:14:25,000 It does not in any way -- 273 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:28,633 would not in any way resolve the challenges about the sequester 274 00:14:28,633 --> 00:14:32,667 or, more broadly, how do we further reduce our deficit so 275 00:14:32,667 --> 00:14:35,734 we put ourselves on a fiscally sustainable path by achieving 276 00:14:35,734 --> 00:14:39,333 that $4 trillion-plus goal over 10 years of deficit reduction. 277 00:14:39,333 --> 00:14:41,400 That work remains to be done. 278 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:46,667 And the President is interested in finding the members of the 279 00:14:46,667 --> 00:14:49,367 "caucus of common sense" and working with them to bring 280 00:14:49,367 --> 00:14:54,800 about a resolution to this challenge because we should 281 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:55,800 be able to do it. 282 00:14:55,800 --> 00:15:00,099 He's put forward and finally, I think there's some recognition 283 00:15:00,100 --> 00:15:02,734 here -- although occasionally you see some Republican leaders 284 00:15:02,734 --> 00:15:04,433 insist the President doesn't have a plan, 285 00:15:04,433 --> 00:15:08,165 and perhaps they don't have the Internet in those offices -- 286 00:15:08,166 --> 00:15:11,300 but the plan is available to all of you. 287 00:15:11,300 --> 00:15:15,099 It has lived in various incarnations, 288 00:15:15,100 --> 00:15:16,834 including the President's submission to the super 289 00:15:16,834 --> 00:15:20,233 committee back in the fall of 2011, the President's budget, 290 00:15:20,233 --> 00:15:22,800 as well as the President's proposal to the Speaker Boehner 291 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:25,467 at the end of the year, which remains on the table and 292 00:15:25,467 --> 00:15:29,100 available to be taken up, and we hope it is. 293 00:15:29,100 --> 00:15:29,667 The Press: Can I follow up? 294 00:15:29,667 --> 00:15:30,233 Mr. Carney: Yes, Ann. 295 00:15:30,233 --> 00:15:30,934 The Press: Thank you. 296 00:15:30,934 --> 00:15:33,800 When is the President going to put out his budget that 297 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:35,532 traditionally comes out in February? 298 00:15:35,533 --> 00:15:38,867 Was the delay caused at all by the sequester? 299 00:15:38,867 --> 00:15:42,433 Or is the CR a factor in the budget that he will produce? 300 00:15:42,433 --> 00:15:47,333 And why not do tax reform as one larger package later this year? 301 00:15:47,333 --> 00:15:49,199 If so, when would that be? 302 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:51,166 Mr. Carney: Okay, let me address the portions of the question. 303 00:15:51,166 --> 00:15:54,500 As I've said in the past, administration officials are 304 00:15:54,500 --> 00:15:58,734 working on the President's budget and we will provide it. 305 00:15:58,734 --> 00:16:02,033 I don't have a specific date for you. 306 00:16:02,033 --> 00:16:05,333 There is no question that the series of crises, 307 00:16:05,333 --> 00:16:09,033 largely manufactured, that we and Congress have been having to 308 00:16:09,033 --> 00:16:14,200 deal with over the past several months have had an impact on 309 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:15,200 that process. 310 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:18,300 But the fact is we're working on it and we will submit a budget. 311 00:16:18,300 --> 00:16:22,400 And we note that the Senate will be submitting a budget, 312 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:23,632 as well as the House. 313 00:16:23,633 --> 00:16:30,100 And I think the President believes that there is some 314 00:16:30,100 --> 00:16:36,867 reason to hope that we can take that simple fact and pursue what 315 00:16:36,867 --> 00:16:38,632 a lot of people refer to as regular order, 316 00:16:38,633 --> 00:16:40,967 which is to use that budget process to try to resolve some 317 00:16:40,967 --> 00:16:43,834 of these issues, and maybe that's an avenue to do it. 318 00:16:43,834 --> 00:16:47,666 There's an interest on both sides to return to regular 319 00:16:47,667 --> 00:16:52,333 order, as opposed to a situation where we're dealing with these 320 00:16:52,333 --> 00:16:55,400 unique and arbitrary deadlines and cliffs 321 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:57,300 and crises and things. 322 00:16:57,300 --> 00:17:03,500 But the broader issue is how do we go about the job of reducing 323 00:17:03,500 --> 00:17:08,433 our deficit further, achieving another $1.5 trillion to $1.8 324 00:17:08,433 --> 00:17:10,700 trillion in deficit reduction that would bring us to $4 325 00:17:10,700 --> 00:17:14,467 trillion or more over 10 years in a balanced way. 326 00:17:14,467 --> 00:17:17,667 Thus far the President has signed into law $2.5 trillion 327 00:17:17,666 --> 00:17:18,666 in deficit reduction. 328 00:17:18,666 --> 00:17:21,699 That has come largely in spending cuts. 329 00:17:21,700 --> 00:17:23,266 That's an important fact to note. 330 00:17:23,266 --> 00:17:26,066 The Republican leaders in the House in particular, 331 00:17:26,066 --> 00:17:29,166 but also in the Senate, like to say that the President got his 332 00:17:29,166 --> 00:17:32,399 revenue increases on January 1st, 333 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:37,100 but the fact of the matter is that even with the raising of 334 00:17:37,100 --> 00:17:42,065 the income tax rate for the wealthiest Americans back to 335 00:17:42,066 --> 00:17:45,734 the level under Clinton, the income achieved from that -- 336 00:17:45,734 --> 00:17:48,966 the revenue achieved from that is something like $620 billion. 337 00:17:48,967 --> 00:17:51,500 And that still remains just a small -- 338 00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:54,066 a relatively small portion of the overall achievement in 339 00:17:54,066 --> 00:17:55,633 deficit reduction thus far. 340 00:17:55,633 --> 00:17:56,734 It does represent balance. 341 00:17:56,734 --> 00:17:58,132 We need to continue with the balance, 342 00:17:58,133 --> 00:18:01,266 and the President's proposal, his offer to Speaker Boehner 343 00:18:01,266 --> 00:18:02,266 continues that. 344 00:18:02,266 --> 00:18:04,133 It includes entitlement reform savings, 345 00:18:04,133 --> 00:18:06,500 as well as savings from tax reform. 346 00:18:06,500 --> 00:18:08,033 And tax reform, again, as I said, 347 00:18:08,033 --> 00:18:10,166 is something that Republicans say they're for. 348 00:18:10,166 --> 00:18:14,332 All we're asking when we say let's get tax reform and 349 00:18:14,333 --> 00:18:18,367 entitlement reform done together in this effort is for the 350 00:18:18,367 --> 00:18:21,200 Republicans to adopt the position that Speaker Boehner 351 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:22,533 had two months ago. 352 00:18:22,533 --> 00:18:26,065 The Press: When this year do you think tax reform would come up as a 353 00:18:26,066 --> 00:18:27,100 complete issue? 354 00:18:27,100 --> 00:18:30,966 Mr. Carney: I would not predict when this would happen. 355 00:18:30,967 --> 00:18:35,333 Obviously the President hopes that we can have movement on 356 00:18:35,333 --> 00:18:38,867 this issue sooner rather than later, 357 00:18:38,867 --> 00:18:45,300 because it's one that has tied up Washington unnecessarily and 358 00:18:45,300 --> 00:18:48,332 to the nation's detriment often. 359 00:18:48,333 --> 00:18:50,000 That's certainly what we're living through now with the 360 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,734 imposition of the sequester, a wholly manufactured crisis, 361 00:18:52,734 --> 00:18:55,533 wholly unnecessary, that's happening because of a decision 362 00:18:55,533 --> 00:18:57,800 by the Republicans in Congress not to go along with the basic 363 00:18:57,800 --> 00:19:01,934 proposition that balance is the right way to reduce our deficit. 364 00:19:01,934 --> 00:19:04,233 So I think the sooner the better. 365 00:19:04,233 --> 00:19:06,767 But I'm not saying it will happen sooner. 366 00:19:06,767 --> 00:19:11,900 I'm saying that the President is pursuing -- 367 00:19:11,900 --> 00:19:18,133 taking an approach that is looking for partners who agree 368 00:19:18,133 --> 00:19:20,633 with the basic idea that we can do these two big things, 369 00:19:20,633 --> 00:19:25,567 we can reach that goal of $4 trillion through entitlement 370 00:19:25,567 --> 00:19:27,834 reform and tax reform. 371 00:19:27,834 --> 00:19:33,800 And he has put forward a very reasonable solution to that end. 372 00:19:33,800 --> 00:19:34,567 Kristen. 373 00:19:34,567 --> 00:19:35,166 The Press: Jay, thanks. 374 00:19:35,166 --> 00:19:37,899 Senator Lindsey Graham is telling reporters that part of 375 00:19:37,900 --> 00:19:40,166 the President's message today to him was that he wants to revisit 376 00:19:40,166 --> 00:19:41,600 the idea of a grand bargain. 377 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:42,332 Can you confirm that? 378 00:19:42,333 --> 00:19:43,900 Is that really the central message that -- 379 00:19:43,900 --> 00:19:45,000 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not going to read out conversations -- 380 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,567 individual conversations that the President has had. 381 00:19:47,567 --> 00:19:51,367 I think that it's fair to say that when I talk about, 382 00:19:51,367 --> 00:19:57,734 and the President talks about finishing the job of hitting 383 00:19:57,734 --> 00:20:01,667 that $4 trillion target that was originally laid out when we were 384 00:20:01,667 --> 00:20:03,065 all talking about grand bargains, 385 00:20:03,066 --> 00:20:05,500 and the Simpson-Bowles Commission was putting its 386 00:20:05,500 --> 00:20:08,133 original plan forward, and others were doing that same 387 00:20:08,133 --> 00:20:14,867 kind of work, that achieving -- finishing that job you could 388 00:20:14,867 --> 00:20:17,166 say would be the completion of the goals 389 00:20:17,166 --> 00:20:19,966 set when the grand bargain negotiations were started. 390 00:20:19,967 --> 00:20:24,367 The task is smaller numerically now because of the achievements 391 00:20:24,367 --> 00:20:28,700 that have taken place already and the $2.5 trillion 392 00:20:28,700 --> 00:20:29,500 in deficit reduction. 393 00:20:29,500 --> 00:20:35,066 But it is also true that what remains is hard stuff -- 394 00:20:35,066 --> 00:20:36,433 entitlement reform and tax reform. 395 00:20:36,433 --> 00:20:40,533 But it should not be that hard because the President has led on 396 00:20:40,533 --> 00:20:44,600 this issue by demonstrating a willingness to agree to 397 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:47,399 entitlement reforms that, I think it's fair to say, 398 00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:51,233 most of you would recognize as tough choices for Democrats. 399 00:20:51,233 --> 00:20:55,466 All he is asking is that Republicans make similarly tough 400 00:20:55,467 --> 00:21:00,367 choices for themselves, and that is to go along with a reasonable 401 00:21:00,367 --> 00:21:03,767 proposition, which is that everybody ought to share in the 402 00:21:03,767 --> 00:21:05,867 burden of reducing our deficit. 403 00:21:05,867 --> 00:21:07,667 That is the best thing to do for our economy. 404 00:21:07,667 --> 00:21:09,667 It's the best thing to do for our middle class. 405 00:21:09,667 --> 00:21:12,899 And it is an absolute fact in our history that when our middle 406 00:21:12,900 --> 00:21:15,767 class is strong, when the economy is growing from the 407 00:21:15,767 --> 00:21:20,000 middle out instead of from the top down, 408 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:23,166 our country is stronger and our people are better off. 409 00:21:23,166 --> 00:21:25,500 The Press: Is it fair to say he sees this as an opening, 410 00:21:25,500 --> 00:21:27,300 a new opportunity to achieve the rest of the 411 00:21:27,300 --> 00:21:29,433 grand bargain, though? 412 00:21:29,433 --> 00:21:33,233 Mr. Carney: I think that he's been very transparent about his desire for 413 00:21:33,233 --> 00:21:38,200 Republicans to take up his offer which remains on the table from 414 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:42,734 the fiscal cliff negotiations and to move forward with a 415 00:21:42,734 --> 00:21:46,367 balanced approach to deficit reduction that includes revenues 416 00:21:46,367 --> 00:21:48,899 through tax reform -- much as Speaker Boehner said was 417 00:21:48,900 --> 00:21:51,800 possible to the tune of a trillion dollars in December. 418 00:21:51,800 --> 00:21:54,433 The President's proposal I think is something short 419 00:21:54,433 --> 00:21:55,967 of $600 billion. 420 00:21:55,967 --> 00:22:01,967 So it doesn't seem -- it doesn't make a lot of sense 421 00:22:01,967 --> 00:22:07,333 that what the Speaker thought was possible in December, 422 00:22:07,333 --> 00:22:10,433 and possible in a way that could produce a trillion 423 00:22:10,433 --> 00:22:15,867 dollars in revenue, is now impossible under 424 00:22:15,867 --> 00:22:16,867 the President's plan. 425 00:22:16,867 --> 00:22:19,533 And he has put forward serious entitlement reform. 426 00:22:19,533 --> 00:22:22,500 So he'll continue to have these conversations, 427 00:22:22,500 --> 00:22:26,367 continue to have these discussions with lawmakers. 428 00:22:26,367 --> 00:22:28,800 I want to make clear that he's not -- 429 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:32,567 when he talks to lawmakers, it's not just on one subject. 430 00:22:32,567 --> 00:22:35,633 You have seen that we continue to work on immigration reform; 431 00:22:35,633 --> 00:22:38,633 we continue to work on measures to reduce gun violence; 432 00:22:38,633 --> 00:22:40,934 we continue to work on all of the items on the 433 00:22:40,934 --> 00:22:41,934 President's agenda. 434 00:22:41,934 --> 00:22:45,734 And conversations he's having with lawmakers include those 435 00:22:45,734 --> 00:22:47,699 issues as well, not just our fiscal challenges. 436 00:22:47,700 --> 00:22:50,567 The Press: And, Jay, if you look at some of the latest polls -- 437 00:22:50,567 --> 00:22:52,767 the Gallup Poll, the President's approval rating has dropped. 438 00:22:52,767 --> 00:22:55,233 If you look at the CBS News-Wall Street Journal poll, 439 00:22:55,233 --> 00:22:58,200 it seems as though Americans are pretty evenly dividing the blame 440 00:22:58,200 --> 00:22:58,900 on the sequester -- 441 00:22:58,900 --> 00:23:04,800 38% blaming Republicans, and 33% blaming President Obama. 442 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:08,332 Was there a miscalculation on his part not to negotiate more 443 00:23:08,333 --> 00:23:10,367 with Republicans sooner? 444 00:23:10,367 --> 00:23:13,700 Mr. Carney: Well, I think you're misrepresenting his position 445 00:23:13,700 --> 00:23:18,533 in that he was making clear that his proposal was on the table, 446 00:23:18,533 --> 00:23:21,100 a proposal that represented compromise. 447 00:23:21,100 --> 00:23:24,166 The position Republicans took was no compromise, no way -- 448 00:23:24,166 --> 00:23:26,066 I think the Speaker of the House said he would never negotiate 449 00:23:26,066 --> 00:23:27,734 with the President again. 450 00:23:27,734 --> 00:23:28,166 Right? 451 00:23:28,166 --> 00:23:29,332 That's him saying it. 452 00:23:29,333 --> 00:23:32,266 I think Republicans made clear in the run-up to the 453 00:23:32,266 --> 00:23:35,033 implementation of the sequester that they would have no 454 00:23:35,033 --> 00:23:36,667 discussion about revenues. 455 00:23:36,667 --> 00:23:38,433 Well, that hardly represents a willingness 456 00:23:38,433 --> 00:23:40,667 to negotiate a compromise. 457 00:23:40,667 --> 00:23:45,766 And the Senate put forward a bill that Republicans 458 00:23:45,767 --> 00:23:48,066 filibustered that would have brought down the sequester and 459 00:23:48,066 --> 00:23:50,333 postponed the implementation of the sequester in a way that 460 00:23:50,333 --> 00:23:54,066 would have allowed Congress to pursue the broader deficit 461 00:23:54,066 --> 00:23:56,400 reduction package through regular order. 462 00:23:56,400 --> 00:24:00,633 Unfortunately, as I said, Republicans filibustered that. 463 00:24:00,633 --> 00:24:04,066 The fact of the matter is Americans are rightfully upset 464 00:24:04,066 --> 00:24:09,100 by the dysfunction they see in Washington when you have, 465 00:24:09,100 --> 00:24:13,132 in particular, one House of Congress and one party within 466 00:24:13,133 --> 00:24:17,000 that House of Congress adamantly refusing to go along with a 467 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:20,266 principle that is endorsed by a vast majority of the American 468 00:24:20,266 --> 00:24:22,767 people, including a majority of Republicans out in the country. 469 00:24:22,767 --> 00:24:25,066 The Press: It seems like they're blaming everyone for this dysfunction, 470 00:24:25,066 --> 00:24:26,266 though, at this point. 471 00:24:26,266 --> 00:24:30,166 Mr. Carney: Again, the President is focused on trying to find solutions. 472 00:24:30,166 --> 00:24:33,600 He's not focused on assigning blame. 473 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:38,867 He wants to work together with lawmakers of both parties to 474 00:24:41,133 --> 00:24:44,767 fix these problems, to put our economy on a fiscally 475 00:24:44,767 --> 00:24:48,800 sustainable path through further deficit reduction that is 476 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:51,899 achieved in a balanced way that doesn't ask seniors to bear all 477 00:24:51,900 --> 00:24:55,200 the burden, that doesn't ask middle-class families to carry 478 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:58,233 the load by themselves. 479 00:24:58,233 --> 00:25:03,734 The choice of imposing sequester that, as I said yesterday, 480 00:25:03,734 --> 00:25:07,132 achieves none of the stated goals that Republicans claim 481 00:25:07,133 --> 00:25:14,834 they have, but only does harm to those who will have their hours 482 00:25:14,834 --> 00:25:19,033 reduced or their jobs taken away from them, 483 00:25:19,033 --> 00:25:23,667 or to industries in the defense sector that will be hard hit, 484 00:25:23,667 --> 00:25:27,000 businesses within the defense industry that will be hard hit, 485 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:32,600 because they refuse to close some tax loopholes or agree to 486 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:34,800 the basic principle that revenue ought to be part of the package. 487 00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:36,800 So that's unfortunate. 488 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:38,934 The President is looking forward to how do we move from here to 489 00:25:38,934 --> 00:25:41,500 resolve these challenges. 490 00:25:41,500 --> 00:25:42,233 Bill. 491 00:25:42,233 --> 00:25:45,633 The Press: General Mattis said earlier today that the Syrian opposition 492 00:25:45,633 --> 00:25:49,200 was complicated enough so that he could not recommend arming 493 00:25:49,200 --> 00:25:52,266 them, not knowing where the arms might wind up. 494 00:25:52,266 --> 00:25:55,500 The Secretary of State didn't seem to go quite that far. 495 00:25:55,500 --> 00:25:57,800 Do you have any guidance? 496 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:01,200 Mr. Carney: Well, I think we have said all along that we are working with 497 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:03,900 the Syrian opposition and helping them unify, 498 00:26:03,900 --> 00:26:09,300 with our international partners, and identifying those elements 499 00:26:09,300 --> 00:26:15,533 within the opposition that have as their goal greater democracy 500 00:26:15,533 --> 00:26:17,199 for the Syrian people. 501 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:18,400 And we will continue to do that. 502 00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:20,767 I don't see -- 503 00:26:20,767 --> 00:26:25,300 I'm not sure what conflict you're suggesting exists between 504 00:26:25,300 --> 00:26:28,600 what the Secretary has said and what General Mattis has said. 505 00:26:28,600 --> 00:26:31,367 The Press: It seems that, according to what's been said, 506 00:26:31,367 --> 00:26:34,734 that it might be possible that we would find some segment of 507 00:26:34,734 --> 00:26:37,399 the opposition to help with arms. 508 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:39,467 Mr. Carney: Well, again, our policy remains what it has been, 509 00:26:39,467 --> 00:26:44,667 which is we do not provide arms to the Syrian opposition. 510 00:26:44,667 --> 00:26:48,899 We have provided substantial assistance in general, 511 00:26:48,900 --> 00:26:50,700 including the assistance announced by Secretary 512 00:26:50,700 --> 00:26:51,700 Kerry in Rome. 513 00:26:51,700 --> 00:26:55,567 And separately from assistance to the opposition, 514 00:26:55,567 --> 00:26:59,567 we've provided substantial humanitarian aid to the Syrian 515 00:26:59,567 --> 00:27:01,367 people, and that will continue. 516 00:27:01,367 --> 00:27:08,734 But on the issue of arms, I have said consistently and will say 517 00:27:08,734 --> 00:27:11,800 again today that we are constantly reviewing our 518 00:27:11,800 --> 00:27:15,300 assistance programs, constantly reviewing our policies with 519 00:27:15,300 --> 00:27:20,533 regards to Syria, and making changes and adjustments and 520 00:27:20,533 --> 00:27:24,065 increases in our assistance according to our assessments 521 00:27:24,066 --> 00:27:27,734 of what will help the Syrian people achieve their objectives. 522 00:27:27,734 --> 00:27:29,100 The Press: So when you say you do not supply -- 523 00:27:29,100 --> 00:27:31,367 we do not supply arms, you're speaking in the present and not 524 00:27:31,367 --> 00:27:33,200 necessarily in the future? 525 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:37,533 Mr. Carney: Well, I try never to predict the future, Bill, but the -- 526 00:27:37,533 --> 00:27:38,800 The Press: I mean, you're suggesting that it might be possible 527 00:27:38,800 --> 00:27:40,033 under some circumstances -- 528 00:27:40,033 --> 00:27:42,567 Mr. Carney: My answer to the question has always been we are constantly 529 00:27:42,567 --> 00:27:44,367 reviewing the options in front of us, 530 00:27:44,367 --> 00:27:48,332 and that includes the issue of providing arms. 531 00:27:48,333 --> 00:27:50,400 But our policy today is what it has been, 532 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:52,200 and that is we do not provide arms. 533 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:54,233 The Press: Jay, on the sequester cuts, Head Start is one that you've 534 00:27:54,233 --> 00:27:56,399 been focusing on a lot and Republicans on the Hill are 535 00:27:56,400 --> 00:27:58,266 saying that Head Start was supposed to get about a 536 00:27:58,266 --> 00:28:00,500 5-percent increase in funding. 537 00:28:00,500 --> 00:28:04,266 The sequester, as I understand it, is about 5%. 538 00:28:04,266 --> 00:28:08,266 So if the cut is about what the rate of growth was going to be, 539 00:28:08,266 --> 00:28:10,900 how do you back up that up to 70,000 540 00:28:10,900 --> 00:28:12,567 people are going to be kicked off Head Start if 541 00:28:12,567 --> 00:28:16,433 it's a relatively small cut? 542 00:28:16,433 --> 00:28:18,133 Mr. Carney: Ed, I don't have the tables in front of me, 543 00:28:18,133 --> 00:28:21,400 but I will get that information for you. 544 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:25,533 It is entirely inaccurate to suggest that those kids will 545 00:28:25,533 --> 00:28:28,399 not lose those slots under Head Start if the -- 546 00:28:28,400 --> 00:28:30,567 The Press: But shouldn't you -- how do you back up that up to 70,000 547 00:28:30,567 --> 00:28:31,200 will be kicked off -- 548 00:28:31,200 --> 00:28:32,667 Mr. Carney: How do I back up that some claim by a House Republican -- 549 00:28:32,667 --> 00:28:34,100 The Press: No, how do you back up the President's claim from that 550 00:28:34,100 --> 00:28:36,233 podium on Friday that up to 70,000 will be cut? 551 00:28:36,233 --> 00:28:37,300 You just said, I don't have the table -- 552 00:28:37,300 --> 00:28:38,567 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't have it front of me. 553 00:28:38,567 --> 00:28:39,433 I appreciate -- 554 00:28:39,433 --> 00:28:40,600 The Press: How do you know that it's up to 70,000? 555 00:28:40,600 --> 00:28:42,000 Mr. Carney: We will get that information for you. 556 00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:49,600 Again, I find it remarkable that those who weeks ago and 557 00:28:49,600 --> 00:28:52,065 certainly months ago were decrying sequester as the worst 558 00:28:52,066 --> 00:28:56,433 possible thing that could happen now embrace it as a victory, 559 00:28:56,433 --> 00:29:01,000 and try to diminish its impact on the most vulnerable people in 560 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:04,300 America, including kids who go to Head Start. 561 00:29:04,300 --> 00:29:06,300 Is that really the message they want? 562 00:29:09,100 --> 00:29:13,100 What does the CBO say: 750,000 people will lose their jobs; 563 00:29:15,633 --> 00:29:21,934 the economy will grow by a full half a percentage point more 564 00:29:21,934 --> 00:29:24,466 slowly than it would have otherwise. 565 00:29:24,467 --> 00:29:27,767 The effects are real, and they affect real people. 566 00:29:27,767 --> 00:29:33,266 And I am happy to ensure that you get the information that 567 00:29:33,266 --> 00:29:38,500 you seek, but I would be wary of charges that somehow folks 568 00:29:38,500 --> 00:29:40,467 out there aren't going to be affected because -- 569 00:29:40,467 --> 00:29:41,400 The Press: Because there have been other Cabinet Secretaries 570 00:29:41,400 --> 00:29:42,700 like on Homeland Security -- 571 00:29:42,700 --> 00:29:44,567 so Secretary Napolitano yesterday was at a breakfast 572 00:29:44,567 --> 00:29:47,333 with Politico and was saying that there's long lines at 573 00:29:47,333 --> 00:29:50,200 airports already, and then she started listing some airports 574 00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:53,166 and literally said, but I have to check. 575 00:29:53,166 --> 00:29:57,000 Shouldn't she know before she says something like that exactly 576 00:29:57,000 --> 00:29:58,700 which airports are having longer lines? 577 00:29:58,700 --> 00:30:01,400 Mr. Carney: Well, first of all, as Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood 578 00:30:01,400 --> 00:30:05,767 made clear when he spoke to you from this podium, 579 00:30:05,767 --> 00:30:11,066 there will be negative effects on our air traffic because of 580 00:30:11,066 --> 00:30:14,400 the reductions in FAA man-hours, air traffic 581 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:16,200 controllers in particular. 582 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:17,600 That's a fact. 583 00:30:17,600 --> 00:30:24,966 And efforts to muddy that fact by singling out a certain 584 00:30:24,967 --> 00:30:27,467 statement, just that can -- 585 00:30:27,467 --> 00:30:30,633 we can do that, but there are real people out there who will 586 00:30:30,633 --> 00:30:35,233 be delayed, or who will have their wages cut, 587 00:30:35,233 --> 00:30:38,567 or who will lose their jobs as a result of the sequester, 588 00:30:38,567 --> 00:30:42,233 while folks in Washington are arguing over whether this 589 00:30:42,233 --> 00:30:45,800 particular impact happened when we said it was going to happen, 590 00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:47,166 or a week later, or a month later. 591 00:30:47,166 --> 00:30:49,200 The Press: Except I'm sure you're aware that on social media there are 592 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:52,033 real people that you cite who are tweeting from airports all 593 00:30:52,033 --> 00:30:54,166 over the country saying, I'm not seeing any long lines. 594 00:30:54,166 --> 00:30:55,367 Now, that may just be anecdotal -- 595 00:30:55,367 --> 00:30:58,033 Mr. Carney: Ed, I think you should go with the story that the sequester is 596 00:30:58,033 --> 00:30:59,033 having no effects. 597 00:30:59,033 --> 00:31:00,100 The Press: No effect on airports. 598 00:31:00,100 --> 00:31:01,100 One other quick thing -- TSA -- 599 00:31:01,100 --> 00:31:04,899 the Secretary said that TSA is impacted because their budget 600 00:31:04,900 --> 00:31:07,567 has been cut, that that's why we're getting longer lines at 601 00:31:07,567 --> 00:31:08,100 the airports. 602 00:31:08,100 --> 00:31:11,100 It came out today that TSA, on February 27th of this year, 603 00:31:11,100 --> 00:31:14,265 had a new contract for new uniforms to the tune 604 00:31:14,266 --> 00:31:15,400 of $50 million. 605 00:31:15,400 --> 00:31:17,734 Do you think it's a good idea for the TSA, 606 00:31:17,734 --> 00:31:22,600 two days before the March 1st deadline that you and every 607 00:31:22,600 --> 00:31:23,833 Cabinet Secretary has been up here warning about, 608 00:31:23,834 --> 00:31:26,433 you've got to really be careful with the pennies right now -- 609 00:31:26,433 --> 00:31:28,000 why would they have a $50 million contract? 610 00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:29,233 Mr. Carney: Ed, I appreciate the question. 611 00:31:29,233 --> 00:31:33,200 Obviously TSA would be well suited to answer it, 612 00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:34,567 as would DHS. 613 00:31:34,567 --> 00:31:35,633 I am not aware of it. 614 00:31:35,633 --> 00:31:36,934 Peter, and then Roger. 615 00:31:36,934 --> 00:31:41,100 The Press: Jay, could you give us your thoughts on the Dow reaching a 616 00:31:41,100 --> 00:31:43,934 record high, and also what it might say about an economy -- 617 00:31:43,934 --> 00:31:44,934 the economy? 618 00:31:44,934 --> 00:31:46,466 We have the Dow at an all-time high, 619 00:31:46,467 --> 00:31:50,033 but unemployment still remains stubbornly high. 620 00:31:50,033 --> 00:31:53,265 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't comment on markets. 621 00:31:53,266 --> 00:31:59,266 I would simply say that we have an economy in 2013 that outside 622 00:31:59,266 --> 00:32:03,533 economists say and I think government economists agree 623 00:32:03,533 --> 00:32:07,699 is poised to grow and poised to create jobs, 624 00:32:11,033 --> 00:32:16,000 if only Washington did not unnecessarily hinder 625 00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:17,600 that progress. 626 00:32:17,600 --> 00:32:23,934 And what we know, unfortunately, is that if Washington were not 627 00:32:23,934 --> 00:32:26,966 in the way here when it came to imposition of the sequester, 628 00:32:29,266 --> 00:32:32,767 the growth that we do see and the job creation that we do see 629 00:32:32,767 --> 00:32:35,567 would have been better, would have been greater, 630 00:32:35,567 --> 00:32:40,767 if it were not for this adamant refusal to approach this problem 631 00:32:40,767 --> 00:32:42,967 in a balanced, sensible, common-sense way. 632 00:32:42,967 --> 00:32:44,767 Now, again, as I've said already, 633 00:32:44,767 --> 00:32:48,166 the President is engaging with lawmakers in the hope that we 634 00:32:48,166 --> 00:32:51,600 can move forward in a balanced way because he believes and 635 00:32:51,600 --> 00:32:55,667 knows that there are Republicans who agree with the vast majority 636 00:32:55,667 --> 00:32:58,533 of the American people, with the majority of Republicans in the 637 00:32:58,533 --> 00:33:02,500 country, with the majority of independents in the country, 638 00:33:02,500 --> 00:33:03,900 that we should do this in a balanced way, 639 00:33:03,900 --> 00:33:09,200 that we should include revenues as well as entitlement cuts, 640 00:33:09,200 --> 00:33:12,934 spending cuts when we further reduce our deficit. 641 00:33:12,934 --> 00:33:14,500 And so he's looking for solutions. 642 00:33:14,500 --> 00:33:16,266 He's going to work with -- 643 00:33:16,266 --> 00:33:17,900 or hope to work with those members of Congress who are 644 00:33:17,900 --> 00:33:20,600 interested in common-sense solutions. 645 00:33:20,600 --> 00:33:25,899 But we know that the economy is poised to do well. 646 00:33:25,900 --> 00:33:29,800 We know that the sooner Washington resolves these 647 00:33:29,800 --> 00:33:31,466 challenges it will do better. 648 00:33:31,467 --> 00:33:33,233 The Press: Just to follow -- is the President frustrated 649 00:33:33,233 --> 00:33:35,166 with congressional Republican leadership? 650 00:33:35,166 --> 00:33:38,233 Is that one of the reasons he is reaching out to some more 651 00:33:38,233 --> 00:33:42,433 rank-and-file Republican members in search of a compromise on 652 00:33:42,433 --> 00:33:43,567 fiscal issues? 653 00:33:43,567 --> 00:33:47,667 Mr. Carney: Well, look, the President is interested in working with 654 00:33:47,667 --> 00:33:52,867 lawmakers who are newly arrived, lawmakers who are in leadership, 655 00:33:52,867 --> 00:33:55,966 lawmakers who are somewhere in between, 656 00:33:55,967 --> 00:33:58,200 to find common-sense solutions. 657 00:33:58,200 --> 00:34:03,200 And it's a fact that in his negotiations with the Speaker 658 00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:10,199 in the past he has had reason to believe that real bipartisan 659 00:34:10,199 --> 00:34:11,366 compromise was possible. 660 00:34:11,367 --> 00:34:13,900 That's why he pursued those negotiations. 661 00:34:13,900 --> 00:34:17,233 That's why he compromised in the way that he did and he put 662 00:34:17,233 --> 00:34:22,200 forward offers that represented true good faith in their 663 00:34:22,199 --> 00:34:24,766 attempts to meet Republicans halfway. 664 00:34:24,766 --> 00:34:26,299 And he will continue to do that. 665 00:34:26,300 --> 00:34:28,700 The offer to Speaker Boehner remains available. 666 00:34:28,699 --> 00:34:33,766 It is also true that, thus far, we have not seen from the 667 00:34:33,766 --> 00:34:38,332 leadership an interest in taking up balance as an approach to 668 00:34:38,333 --> 00:34:39,467 dealing with our fiscal challenges. 669 00:34:39,467 --> 00:34:43,233 But we have seen indications that others in the Republican 670 00:34:43,233 --> 00:34:45,734 Party, as well, obviously, as Democrats, 671 00:34:45,734 --> 00:34:48,199 believe that balance is a wise way to go when we talk about 672 00:34:48,199 --> 00:34:51,933 achieving both entitlement reform and tax reform. 673 00:34:51,934 --> 00:34:53,467 Roger. 674 00:34:53,467 --> 00:34:55,400 The Press: Back to the budget for a moment. 675 00:34:55,400 --> 00:34:58,066 Senator McConnell said on the Senate floor this morning that 676 00:34:58,066 --> 00:35:00,899 the budget would be coming out on April 8th. 677 00:35:00,900 --> 00:35:03,200 Can you clarify that? 678 00:35:03,200 --> 00:35:05,633 Mr. Carney: Again, I don't have any information for you. 679 00:35:05,633 --> 00:35:10,399 I don't believe that the White House is looking to the Senate 680 00:35:10,400 --> 00:35:11,400 to make announcements for it. 681 00:35:11,400 --> 00:35:13,900 So I don't have a date for you, Roger. 682 00:35:13,900 --> 00:35:17,166 The Press: To follow up -- and I'm sure this will come as a surprise -- 683 00:35:17,166 --> 00:35:20,734 he also said that the budget timing is politically motivated 684 00:35:20,734 --> 00:35:22,000 and irresponsible. 685 00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:23,734 Do you want to comment? 686 00:35:23,734 --> 00:35:28,767 Mr. Carney: I don't. 687 00:35:28,767 --> 00:35:32,133 The Press: Jay, as the White House is gauging the pulse of the 688 00:35:32,133 --> 00:35:36,433 American people, has there been an uptick in letters and calls 689 00:35:36,433 --> 00:35:38,967 to the White House about sequestration 690 00:35:38,967 --> 00:35:40,667 and what's happening? 691 00:35:40,667 --> 00:35:42,033 Mr. Carney: I don't know the answer to that question. 692 00:35:42,033 --> 00:35:44,200 I can take it and we can see. 693 00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:48,567 The Press: Please. And also, I want to find out when will the 694 00:35:48,567 --> 00:35:49,633 President say when? 695 00:35:49,633 --> 00:35:52,299 And I'm reminded about something that he said 696 00:35:52,300 --> 00:35:54,033 at the podium last week. 697 00:35:54,033 --> 00:35:56,799 He said he's going to make hard decisions that some in his party 698 00:35:56,800 --> 00:35:57,934 will not like. 699 00:35:57,934 --> 00:36:02,633 Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott says the solutions to sequester 700 00:36:02,633 --> 00:36:05,700 are about as bad as sequester itself. 701 00:36:05,700 --> 00:36:11,399 So when does the President say, okay, this is how far I will go? 702 00:36:11,400 --> 00:36:14,767 Mr. Carney: The President has made clear that he does not support 703 00:36:17,266 --> 00:36:24,500 budgetary practices that claim as their goal putting our fiscal 704 00:36:24,500 --> 00:36:30,300 house in order that ask all of the burden to be borne by senior 705 00:36:30,300 --> 00:36:33,834 citizens or middle-class families or the most 706 00:36:33,834 --> 00:36:34,834 vulnerable among us. 707 00:36:34,834 --> 00:36:37,667 He will not support that approach. 708 00:36:37,667 --> 00:36:40,100 I think that has been consistent throughout the several years 709 00:36:40,100 --> 00:36:41,866 that we've had this debate. 710 00:36:41,867 --> 00:36:45,400 What he has been willing to do is make clear that if we take a 711 00:36:45,400 --> 00:36:51,567 balanced approach, we can enact spending cuts in our 712 00:36:51,567 --> 00:36:55,166 discretionary non-defense budget that are serious, 713 00:36:55,166 --> 00:36:58,000 but allow us to continue to invest in key areas of the 714 00:36:58,000 --> 00:37:01,300 economy like education and research, 715 00:37:01,300 --> 00:37:05,800 and development and innovation, and clean energy technology. 716 00:37:05,800 --> 00:37:08,200 And we can do that in a way that still brings our discretionary 717 00:37:08,200 --> 00:37:12,100 non-defense spending to a level that it has not been since 718 00:37:12,100 --> 00:37:13,933 Dwight Eisenhower was President. 719 00:37:13,934 --> 00:37:17,166 If we do it in a balanced way, we can reform our entitlements 720 00:37:17,166 --> 00:37:21,266 in a way that preserves these incredibly crucial programs for 721 00:37:21,266 --> 00:37:24,600 our senior citizens for generations to come and 722 00:37:24,600 --> 00:37:27,299 strengthens them, rather than the alternative, 723 00:37:27,300 --> 00:37:28,867 which is if you don't do it in a balanced way, 724 00:37:28,867 --> 00:37:31,767 as we've seen in the past, you have to gut those programs or 725 00:37:31,767 --> 00:37:34,899 end them as we know them, or voucherize them in a way that 726 00:37:34,900 --> 00:37:37,033 just shifts costs enormously to seniors. 727 00:37:37,033 --> 00:37:38,567 And that's something the President opposes. 728 00:37:38,567 --> 00:37:41,433 The Press: But you have Democrats within the President's own party who 729 00:37:41,433 --> 00:37:43,867 are vehemently opposed to those cuts in entitlements. 730 00:37:43,867 --> 00:37:46,967 Even if it's administratively, in Social Security or Medicare, 731 00:37:46,967 --> 00:37:48,867 they are vehemently opposed. 732 00:37:48,867 --> 00:37:50,300 So when will the President say when, 733 00:37:50,300 --> 00:37:52,867 and will the President listen to his own party? 734 00:37:52,867 --> 00:37:54,934 Mr. Carney: I think the President made clear when he was here on Friday, 735 00:37:54,934 --> 00:37:59,567 as he has many times, that he has made some tough choices in 736 00:37:59,567 --> 00:38:01,934 his proposals that he understands are difficult 737 00:38:01,934 --> 00:38:06,400 for some Democrats, often many Democrats to go along with. 738 00:38:06,400 --> 00:38:10,367 He believes they're within a context of a broader deal, 739 00:38:10,367 --> 00:38:14,166 if you will, within a context of a balanced deal that includes 740 00:38:14,166 --> 00:38:18,133 tax reform that generates revenues for deficit reduction. 741 00:38:18,133 --> 00:38:21,567 The entitlement reforms that he has proposed are sensible. 742 00:38:21,567 --> 00:38:24,900 They protect the programs that help our seniors and others. 743 00:38:24,900 --> 00:38:26,834 And he knows that they are tough decisions. 744 00:38:26,834 --> 00:38:28,700 And I think your question in a way makes his point, 745 00:38:28,700 --> 00:38:32,133 which is that he has led on this issue in a way that I 746 00:38:32,133 --> 00:38:35,667 think leadership has often been defined in Washington, 747 00:38:35,667 --> 00:38:41,734 which is making decisions that are difficult politically within 748 00:38:41,734 --> 00:38:42,734 your own party. 749 00:38:42,734 --> 00:38:45,433 And what we have not seen from Republicans thus far in this 750 00:38:45,433 --> 00:38:47,166 debate, at least from the leaders, 751 00:38:47,166 --> 00:38:50,533 is a commensurate willingness to make the tough call and say, 752 00:38:50,533 --> 00:38:53,333 you know what, in the name of broader deficit reduction and 753 00:38:53,333 --> 00:38:55,967 getting some serious entitlement reforms and getting our fiscal 754 00:38:55,967 --> 00:38:58,600 house in order, we should go along with tax reform that 755 00:38:58,600 --> 00:39:02,299 produces revenues, much as the Speaker of the House said he 756 00:39:02,300 --> 00:39:07,033 wanted just two short months ago. 757 00:39:07,033 --> 00:39:09,066 The Press: You said tax reform that generates revenues for 758 00:39:09,066 --> 00:39:10,000 deficit reduction. 759 00:39:10,000 --> 00:39:14,367 How is that different than just tax reform that 760 00:39:14,367 --> 00:39:16,233 generates revenues? 761 00:39:16,233 --> 00:39:21,500 Mr. Carney: Because the distinction I'm making is that the Speaker has 762 00:39:21,500 --> 00:39:23,834 said that he still believes that those loopholes should be closed 763 00:39:23,834 --> 00:39:25,466 and those -- 764 00:39:25,467 --> 00:39:26,467 The Press: Right, by revenue-neutral -- 765 00:39:26,467 --> 00:39:31,133 Mr. Carney: -- revenue neutral, and that the savings from that tax reform 766 00:39:31,133 --> 00:39:33,667 should be funneled into tax cuts through lowered rates. 767 00:39:33,667 --> 00:39:36,100 And as we know, and every economist will tell you, 768 00:39:36,100 --> 00:39:38,866 lower rates results in a disproportionate benefit 769 00:39:38,867 --> 00:39:40,467 to wealthier Americans. 770 00:39:40,467 --> 00:39:43,266 Again, we haven't seen anything laid out specifically from the 771 00:39:43,266 --> 00:39:46,800 Republicans on how they would envision this tax reform and who 772 00:39:46,800 --> 00:39:49,633 would benefit, but if you're saying we should reform our 773 00:39:49,633 --> 00:39:52,066 tax code and then funnel that into tax breaks, 774 00:39:52,066 --> 00:39:54,299 as opposed to funneling that into deficit reduction, 775 00:39:54,300 --> 00:39:54,867 I think -- 776 00:39:54,867 --> 00:39:56,066 The Press: How do you funnel revenue into deficit reduction? 777 00:39:56,066 --> 00:39:57,366 You just get revenue. 778 00:39:57,367 --> 00:39:59,500 You can't say that those revenues automatically get -- 779 00:39:59,500 --> 00:40:00,567 Mr. Carney: Right, and the President's plan would, 780 00:40:00,567 --> 00:40:04,000 as he has put forward numerous times, 781 00:40:04,000 --> 00:40:08,400 would generate revenue through tax reform as well as savings 782 00:40:08,400 --> 00:40:10,600 through entitlement reforms. 783 00:40:10,600 --> 00:40:13,400 And the combination would account for roughly 784 00:40:13,400 --> 00:40:15,433 $1.8 trillion in further deficit reduction. 785 00:40:15,433 --> 00:40:18,667 The Press: Okay. One quick question about immigration reform. 786 00:40:18,667 --> 00:40:21,333 Would the President sign a comprehensive bill that did 787 00:40:21,333 --> 00:40:24,166 not include a path to citizenship? 788 00:40:24,166 --> 00:40:25,934 Mr. Carney: The President has made very clear that he believes a path 789 00:40:25,934 --> 00:40:30,533 to citizenship is a vital component of comprehensive 790 00:40:30,533 --> 00:40:32,066 immigration reform. 791 00:40:32,066 --> 00:40:34,332 This is in keeping with bipartisan efforts in the past. 792 00:40:34,333 --> 00:40:36,400 It's in keeping with the bipartisan discussions that 793 00:40:36,400 --> 00:40:41,266 have been underway in the Senate with the so-called Gang of Eight. 794 00:40:41,266 --> 00:40:43,433 So he is encouraged by the progress that's been made 795 00:40:43,433 --> 00:40:46,000 thus far in the Senate by that bipartisan group, 796 00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:49,100 and he hopes that that progress will continue. 797 00:40:49,100 --> 00:40:51,232 The Press: But would he sign a bill that didn't include a path 798 00:40:51,233 --> 00:40:51,767 to citizenship? 799 00:40:51,767 --> 00:40:52,600 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not going to speculate. 800 00:40:52,600 --> 00:40:53,900 I think the answer is pretty clear. 801 00:40:53,900 --> 00:40:55,467 He believes that a path -- 802 00:40:55,467 --> 00:40:56,266 The Press: The answer is no? 803 00:40:56,266 --> 00:41:01,834 Mr. Carney: -- a pathway to citizenship is vital to a comprehensive 804 00:41:01,834 --> 00:41:03,767 immigration package, so, yes. 805 00:41:03,767 --> 00:41:04,567 The Press: Mine follows this. 806 00:41:04,567 --> 00:41:05,367 Mr. Carney: Sure. 807 00:41:05,367 --> 00:41:07,166 The Press: On Jeb Bush's comments yesterday, 808 00:41:07,166 --> 00:41:09,867 I'm just wondering if, as a result, 809 00:41:09,867 --> 00:41:14,734 does the White House believe that it has made it harder for 810 00:41:14,734 --> 00:41:17,333 the President to work with Republicans in Congress now 811 00:41:17,333 --> 00:41:20,300 that Jeb Bush has come out against a path to citizenship? 812 00:41:20,300 --> 00:41:22,066 Does it move the whole debate to the right? 813 00:41:22,066 --> 00:41:24,866 Mr. Carney: Well, I would leave it to you and others to assess the 814 00:41:24,867 --> 00:41:27,367 political dynamics at play here. 815 00:41:27,367 --> 00:41:31,100 I would note that numerous Republicans believe that part 816 00:41:31,100 --> 00:41:34,667 of comprehensive immigration reform has to include a pathway 817 00:41:34,667 --> 00:41:36,400 to citizenship. 818 00:41:36,400 --> 00:41:41,200 I would also note that -- just to be clear -- 819 00:41:41,200 --> 00:41:45,366 that the President's -- what the President has put forward in his 820 00:41:45,367 --> 00:41:48,333 blueprint and what others have been considering does not give 821 00:41:48,333 --> 00:41:52,033 an advantage to illegal immigrants. 822 00:41:52,033 --> 00:41:54,500 It makes clear that they have to go to the back of the line when 823 00:41:54,500 --> 00:41:57,100 it comes to applying for citizenship. 824 00:41:57,100 --> 00:42:02,165 And that's a key component of the President's blueprint. 825 00:42:02,166 --> 00:42:04,266 All the way in the back, yes. 826 00:42:04,266 --> 00:42:05,600 Donovan, you're next. Sorry. 827 00:42:05,600 --> 00:42:08,500 The Press: Today, China announced it would increase its defense 828 00:42:08,500 --> 00:42:09,867 budget by 10%. 829 00:42:09,867 --> 00:42:11,567 How does the U.S. see this? 830 00:42:11,567 --> 00:42:14,066 Do you think this will give stability in the region for 831 00:42:14,066 --> 00:42:17,066 all concerned? 832 00:42:17,066 --> 00:42:18,633 Mr. Carney: I don't have a specific reaction. 833 00:42:18,633 --> 00:42:24,200 Obviously, we work very closely with our international partners 834 00:42:24,200 --> 00:42:28,633 in -- well, our partners in the Asia Pacific region. 835 00:42:28,633 --> 00:42:31,933 We are a Pacific power and we have significant interests in 836 00:42:31,934 --> 00:42:33,166 the region. 837 00:42:33,166 --> 00:42:36,066 We engage with and work with our Chinese counterparts on 838 00:42:36,066 --> 00:42:40,299 a variety of issues, both economic and security-related. 839 00:42:40,300 --> 00:42:42,066 But for specific reactions to that, 840 00:42:42,066 --> 00:42:44,000 I would probably refer you to the Defense Department. 841 00:42:44,000 --> 00:42:45,000 Donovan. 842 00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:46,567 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 843 00:42:46,567 --> 00:42:47,867 A little bit of a follow-up on something 844 00:42:47,867 --> 00:42:49,433 Kristen and April asked. 845 00:42:49,433 --> 00:42:53,333 Gallup had a survey recently that showed 51% of the American 846 00:42:53,333 --> 00:42:58,333 people have no idea whether the sequester cuts are good or bad. 847 00:42:58,333 --> 00:43:01,100 And, as Kristen noted, the President's approval rating 848 00:43:01,100 --> 00:43:03,165 dropped seven points in a week. 849 00:43:03,166 --> 00:43:05,500 So it's clear the American people are blaming him, 850 00:43:05,500 --> 00:43:06,700 no matter what it is -- 851 00:43:06,700 --> 00:43:08,966 Mr. Carney: Whoa, whoa -- before we say anything is clear based on one 852 00:43:08,967 --> 00:43:13,333 poll, could we just remember, just think back a few months 853 00:43:13,333 --> 00:43:21,734 to the summer and fall of 2012, and understand that we're here 854 00:43:21,734 --> 00:43:23,533 focused on the President's agenda, 855 00:43:23,533 --> 00:43:26,000 getting the work done that we think is most beneficial to 856 00:43:26,000 --> 00:43:28,233 the middle class. 857 00:43:28,233 --> 00:43:33,400 And I would caution everyone -- I'm not saying this is a 858 00:43:33,400 --> 00:43:34,400 bad poll at all. 859 00:43:34,400 --> 00:43:35,400 I have no idea. 860 00:43:35,400 --> 00:43:36,400 I haven't even looked at it. 861 00:43:36,400 --> 00:43:41,066 But I would caution everyone to not suffer from amnesia about 862 00:43:41,066 --> 00:43:44,567 the folly that comes from chasing one poll's results 863 00:43:44,567 --> 00:43:46,100 and making grand conclusions about it. 864 00:43:46,100 --> 00:43:47,433 The Press: Sort of like Romnesia? 865 00:43:47,433 --> 00:43:48,533 Mr. Carney: It could be. 866 00:43:48,533 --> 00:43:49,033 Anyway -- 867 00:43:49,033 --> 00:43:49,866 The Press: So can I just finish my question? 868 00:43:49,867 --> 00:43:50,934 Sorry about that. 869 00:43:50,934 --> 00:43:54,667 So over half don't know whether sequester is good or bad. 870 00:43:54,667 --> 00:43:56,567 He's been out stumping on this -- 871 00:43:56,567 --> 00:44:00,166 Mr. Carney: I'm stunned that sequester or that that many people even know 872 00:44:00,166 --> 00:44:01,934 what sequester is because it is -- 873 00:44:01,934 --> 00:44:05,133 I mean, it's a term that most people are familiar with only if 874 00:44:05,133 --> 00:44:07,734 they've done jury duty, right, so it's not -- 875 00:44:07,734 --> 00:44:09,633 it doesn't really make a lot of sense when it comes 876 00:44:09,633 --> 00:44:12,232 to budgetary issues. 877 00:44:12,233 --> 00:44:13,500 But, sorry, proceed, Donovan. 878 00:44:13,500 --> 00:44:14,467 The Press: If they're furloughed they know. 879 00:44:14,467 --> 00:44:15,800 If they're furloughed they know what's going on. 880 00:44:15,800 --> 00:44:16,633 Mr. Carney: They do know furlough, yes. 881 00:44:16,633 --> 00:44:18,366 The Press: So he's been out there, though, stumping, 882 00:44:18,367 --> 00:44:22,033 speaking across the country and also addressing it from here. 883 00:44:22,033 --> 00:44:24,667 How does the White House account for that seeming failure to 884 00:44:24,667 --> 00:44:27,967 break through to get his messages out? 885 00:44:27,967 --> 00:44:33,100 Mr. Carney: Well, again, I would argue that most Americans are focused on 886 00:44:34,967 --> 00:44:38,834 their daily lives, what they're doing to ensure that they're 887 00:44:39,600 --> 00:44:44,066 taking care of their families, that they're making ends meet. 888 00:44:44,066 --> 00:44:49,332 And to April's point, whether they know or have heard about 889 00:44:49,333 --> 00:44:53,266 sequester or sequestration, they'll know that something 890 00:44:53,266 --> 00:44:57,266 bad has happened if they get a furlough notice or a layoff 891 00:44:57,266 --> 00:45:03,567 notice or a notice that says their child -- 892 00:45:03,567 --> 00:45:06,166 in direct contradiction to Ed's question -- 893 00:45:06,166 --> 00:45:10,600 actually loses a slot in Head Start. 894 00:45:10,600 --> 00:45:12,567 They will know. 895 00:45:12,567 --> 00:45:13,834 And it will be unfortunate. 896 00:45:13,834 --> 00:45:16,533 The President said, and it is absolutely true, 897 00:45:16,533 --> 00:45:20,500 that we will manage this situation. 898 00:45:20,500 --> 00:45:26,100 But it cannot be lost on anyone that it's unnecessary and that 899 00:45:26,100 --> 00:45:29,467 none of this achieves the stated objectives of the Republican 900 00:45:29,467 --> 00:45:33,500 Party -- that is, significant long-term deficit reduction -- 901 00:45:33,500 --> 00:45:36,300 sequester doesn't do it; increases in defense spending, 902 00:45:36,300 --> 00:45:37,700 which a lot of Republicans say they want, 903 00:45:37,700 --> 00:45:41,100 Republican budgets have proposed, it does the opposite; 904 00:45:41,100 --> 00:45:45,400 increases in Border Patrol; increases in some of the other 905 00:45:45,400 --> 00:45:47,233 priorities that Republicans say they have -- 906 00:45:47,233 --> 00:45:49,133 none of this is achieved through sequester. 907 00:45:49,133 --> 00:45:54,100 Entitlement reform -- does not happen under sequester. 908 00:45:54,100 --> 00:45:58,967 I think for these reasons, Republicans decried sequester, 909 00:45:58,967 --> 00:46:02,567 and the Speaker of the House just a few weeks ago said it 910 00:46:02,567 --> 00:46:05,700 would harm our national defense and cost thousands of jobs. 911 00:46:05,700 --> 00:46:07,966 And he was right then. 912 00:46:07,967 --> 00:46:14,133 And when some House Republicans call this a "tea party victory, 913 00:46:14,133 --> 00:46:19,667 " or "a home run," as two House Republicans have on the record, 914 00:46:19,667 --> 00:46:22,100 we couldn't disagree more, because it may be a narrow 915 00:46:22,100 --> 00:46:27,033 political victory in some conference room on Capitol Hill, 916 00:46:27,033 --> 00:46:29,933 if that, but it achieves none of the Republican Party's stated 917 00:46:29,934 --> 00:46:34,567 objectives and it does direct harm to our national defense 918 00:46:34,567 --> 00:46:37,166 and to average folks across the country. 919 00:46:37,166 --> 00:46:38,033 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 920 00:46:38,033 --> 00:46:41,000 Mr. Carney: I'll take one more. 921 00:46:41,000 --> 00:46:45,700 The Press: The Saudi Foreign Minister said today that negotiation with Iran 922 00:46:45,700 --> 00:46:47,133 is a waste of time. 923 00:46:47,133 --> 00:46:49,899 Does the White House agree with this point of view? 924 00:46:49,900 --> 00:46:52,367 Mr. Carney: Well, we are engaged with our international partners through 925 00:46:52,367 --> 00:46:58,166 the P5-plus-1 process in discussions with Iran. 926 00:46:58,166 --> 00:47:02,033 We are very clear-eyed about Iranian behavior, 927 00:47:02,033 --> 00:47:05,000 and that behavior has led to a situation where they are more 928 00:47:05,000 --> 00:47:10,934 isolated and suffering through an unprecedented sanctions 929 00:47:10,934 --> 00:47:13,934 regime -- more isolated than ever before and suffering 930 00:47:13,934 --> 00:47:18,300 through this sanctions regime, and that regime has done harm 931 00:47:18,300 --> 00:47:20,767 to its economy. 932 00:47:20,767 --> 00:47:22,200 And Iran faces a choice -- 933 00:47:22,200 --> 00:47:27,567 the leadership in Tehran faces a choice, which is to abide U.N. 934 00:47:27,567 --> 00:47:31,800 Security Council resolutions, to abide by international norms and 935 00:47:31,800 --> 00:47:37,667 obligations, and by doing so rejoin the community of nations, 936 00:47:37,667 --> 00:47:44,133 end Iran's isolation, give greater hope for the Iranian 937 00:47:44,133 --> 00:47:49,466 people -- or continue down the path of flouting those 938 00:47:49,467 --> 00:47:53,834 obligations and endure the consequences through 939 00:47:53,834 --> 00:47:58,232 greater isolation and greater sanctions, and the ultimate 940 00:47:58,233 --> 00:48:01,767 fact that it is our policy that Iran will not and cannot 941 00:48:01,767 --> 00:48:03,265 acquire a nuclear weapon. 942 00:48:03,266 --> 00:48:06,300 And the window of opportunity here, as I said the other day -- 943 00:48:06,300 --> 00:48:09,200 I think yesterday -- will not remain open forever when 944 00:48:09,200 --> 00:48:14,600 it comes to Iran's chances to get right with the world. 945 00:48:14,600 --> 00:48:15,299 Thanks.