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1 00:00:03,895 --> 00:00:05,027 Mr. Carney: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. 2 00:00:05,027 --> 00:00:07,428 Thank you for being here. 3 00:00:07,428 --> 00:00:10,461 Before I take your questions I have a readout of the 4 00:00:10,461 --> 00:00:12,428 President's video teleconference with 5 00:00:12,428 --> 00:00:15,528 President Sarkozy of France. 6 00:00:15,528 --> 00:00:18,761 Continuing their close consultations on global 7 00:00:18,761 --> 00:00:22,794 issues of common concern, the President and French President Sarkozy 8 00:00:22,795 --> 00:00:26,928 held a video teleconference today to discuss Syria, 9 00:00:26,928 --> 00:00:29,594 Iran and stability in the oil markets. 10 00:00:29,594 --> 00:00:32,628 On Syria, the President and President Sarkozy condemned 11 00:00:32,628 --> 00:00:36,261 the violence perpetrated by the regime against its own people, 12 00:00:36,261 --> 00:00:38,961 and noted that the regime had yet to fully implement the 13 00:00:38,961 --> 00:00:41,861 agreement negotiated with Kofi Annan pursuant 14 00:00:41,861 --> 00:00:44,026 to the Annan plan. 15 00:00:44,027 --> 00:00:46,594 The two leaders called for the regime to fully implement the 16 00:00:46,594 --> 00:00:49,461 Annan plan, noting that the international community would 17 00:00:49,461 --> 00:00:53,193 judge the regime by its actions and not its words. 18 00:00:53,194 --> 00:00:57,394 On Iran, both leaders expressed hope that Iran would take 19 00:00:57,394 --> 00:01:01,361 advantage of the upcoming P5-plus-1 talks to address 20 00:01:01,361 --> 00:01:04,494 the international community's concerns about the Iranian 21 00:01:04,494 --> 00:01:05,628 nuclear program. 22 00:01:05,628 --> 00:01:08,161 The President and President Sarkozy agreed to continue 23 00:01:08,161 --> 00:01:11,661 increasing the pressure on the Iranian regime through sanctions 24 00:01:11,661 --> 00:01:14,494 and other measures if Tehran remains unresponsive. 25 00:01:14,494 --> 00:01:17,895 Finally, the President and President Sarkozy agreed to 26 00:01:17,895 --> 00:01:20,761 continue their consultations about the tightness in global 27 00:01:20,761 --> 00:01:24,527 oil markets, in line with previous conversations. 28 00:01:24,528 --> 00:01:26,294 With that, I will take your questions. 29 00:01:26,294 --> 00:01:32,860 The Press: On the Ann Romney/Hilary Rosen controversy from yesterday, 30 00:01:32,861 --> 00:01:37,428 what is the White House view of Hilary Rosen's remark that Ann 31 00:01:37,428 --> 00:01:40,194 Romney hadn't worked a day in her life? 32 00:01:40,194 --> 00:01:41,361 Is the President aware of it? 33 00:01:41,361 --> 00:01:45,828 Has he had any personal observations about it? 34 00:01:45,828 --> 00:01:49,728 Secondly, the Romney campaign claims that Hilary Rosen is 35 00:01:49,728 --> 00:01:54,561 tight with you guys and has been in her 35 times 36 00:01:54,561 --> 00:01:55,261 for consultations. 37 00:01:55,261 --> 00:01:56,728 Is that correct? 38 00:01:56,728 --> 00:02:01,061 And does 35 visits by any Democratic consultant confer any 39 00:02:01,061 --> 00:02:06,328 particular status on her as far as being up close or in any kind 40 00:02:06,328 --> 00:02:08,795 of advisory role at the White House? 41 00:02:08,794 --> 00:02:09,527 Mr. Carney: Let me say a couple things. 42 00:02:09,527 --> 00:02:12,795 First of all, I have not spoken with the President about this so 43 00:02:12,795 --> 00:02:15,661 I don't have anything to report to you on that. 44 00:02:15,661 --> 00:02:17,528 Secondly, I think we can all agree -- 45 00:02:17,528 --> 00:02:20,027 Democrats and Republicans -- that raising children is an 46 00:02:20,027 --> 00:02:26,695 extremely difficult job and that is true for all mothers as well 47 00:02:26,695 --> 00:02:29,661 as fathers. 48 00:02:29,661 --> 00:02:34,027 But we should also focus on where we disagree. 49 00:02:34,027 --> 00:02:37,761 It is not coincidental that the very first piece of legislation 50 00:02:37,761 --> 00:02:40,960 that this President signed when he entered office was the Lilly 51 00:02:40,961 --> 00:02:44,161 Ledbetter Free Pay Act. 52 00:02:44,161 --> 00:02:46,494 It had passed Congress and the President signed it into law. 53 00:02:46,494 --> 00:02:50,761 Why did it take President Obama entering office, 54 00:02:50,761 --> 00:02:54,027 being sworn into office, to have the Fair Pay Act become law? 55 00:02:54,027 --> 00:02:58,695 Because Republicans overwhelmingly opposed it, 56 00:02:58,695 --> 00:03:01,761 and presumably still do. 57 00:03:01,761 --> 00:03:05,428 When the President took office, we were shedding roughly 750,000 58 00:03:05,428 --> 00:03:07,994 jobs a month, and men and women across the nation were 59 00:03:07,994 --> 00:03:09,695 feeling the pain of the worst recession since the 60 00:03:09,695 --> 00:03:11,194 Great Depression. 61 00:03:11,194 --> 00:03:14,027 We have seen 25 straight months of private sector growth, 62 00:03:14,027 --> 00:03:16,795 resulting in 4.1 million jobs. 63 00:03:16,795 --> 00:03:18,126 And when it comes to women in the economy, 64 00:03:18,127 --> 00:03:23,928 there has been a particular focus. 65 00:03:23,928 --> 00:03:28,428 As you know, as recently as last week there was a forum here to 66 00:03:28,428 --> 00:03:37,094 discuss exactly what we need to continue doing to ensure that 67 00:03:37,094 --> 00:03:42,027 women are able to get to work with good-paying jobs that can 68 00:03:42,027 --> 00:03:45,226 help their families and help them make ends meet. 69 00:03:45,227 --> 00:03:51,528 I would note, again, that one of the principal elements of 70 00:03:51,528 --> 00:03:55,727 the American Jobs Act was a provision -- 71 00:03:55,728 --> 00:03:58,161 and this is the President's American Jobs Act -- 72 00:03:58,161 --> 00:04:02,061 was a provision to provide assistance to states to rehire 73 00:04:02,061 --> 00:04:04,994 400,000 teachers. 74 00:04:04,994 --> 00:04:08,594 As you know, in this period of 25 straight months of private 75 00:04:08,594 --> 00:04:14,428 sector job growth, there has also been reductions in jobs in 76 00:04:14,428 --> 00:04:19,928 states and localities because of pressures on the fiscal -- 77 00:04:19,928 --> 00:04:22,161 on the budgets of states and localities. 78 00:04:22,161 --> 00:04:24,628 This assistance would have ensured that 400,000 79 00:04:24,628 --> 00:04:26,760 teachers would have gone back to work. 80 00:04:26,761 --> 00:04:30,194 Teachers, as you know -- women are represented 81 00:04:30,194 --> 00:04:33,294 disproportionately in our teaching corps 82 00:04:33,294 --> 00:04:35,161 across the country. 83 00:04:35,161 --> 00:04:38,628 Republicans overwhelmingly opposed that provision. 84 00:04:38,628 --> 00:04:44,728 In the Ryan budget -- the Ryan/Republican budget, 85 00:04:44,728 --> 00:04:47,895 400,000 students would lose Pell grants in 2013, 86 00:04:47,895 --> 00:04:52,561 and another 465,000 students would lose Pell grants in 2014. 87 00:04:52,561 --> 00:04:55,260 In addition, 9 million students would experience cuts in their 88 00:04:55,261 --> 00:04:58,294 grants starting in 2013, which would deepen to as much as 89 00:04:58,294 --> 00:05:02,394 $1,150 per student. 90 00:05:02,394 --> 00:05:05,161 Roughly speaking, you can divide all those numbers by half in 91 00:05:05,161 --> 00:05:09,127 terms of the impact that those cuts would have on women. 92 00:05:09,127 --> 00:05:13,194 The Head Start program -- in 2013, a $430 million cut to 93 00:05:13,194 --> 00:05:16,194 the Head Start program would result in 60,000 low-income 94 00:05:16,194 --> 00:05:18,994 women -- children -- low-income children, rather, 95 00:05:18,994 --> 00:05:21,628 losing access to early childhood education. 96 00:05:21,628 --> 00:05:24,728 After that, a $1.5 billion cut to the Head Start program would 97 00:05:24,728 --> 00:05:28,661 result in 200,000 low-income children losing access to 98 00:05:28,661 --> 00:05:30,895 early education. 99 00:05:30,895 --> 00:05:36,594 As some of you know, one of the cuts that would occur, 100 00:05:36,594 --> 00:05:38,828 by our analysis, if the Ryan/Republican budget 101 00:05:38,828 --> 00:05:41,027 were enacted into law, would be to the Women, 102 00:05:41,027 --> 00:05:45,061 Infants and Children program, a program that has had 103 00:05:45,061 --> 00:05:47,561 longstanding bipartisan support. 104 00:05:47,561 --> 00:05:51,126 The Republican House budget resolution cuts $350 million 105 00:05:51,127 --> 00:05:53,928 from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for 106 00:05:53,928 --> 00:05:55,494 Women, Infants and Children. 107 00:05:55,494 --> 00:05:59,494 Cuts of this magnitude would require kicking about 700,000 108 00:05:59,494 --> 00:06:02,661 pregnant or post-partum women, infants and children 109 00:06:02,661 --> 00:06:05,394 off of WIC and denying another 100,000 from 110 00:06:05,394 --> 00:06:07,161 receiving critical foods necessary for 111 00:06:07,161 --> 00:06:10,695 healthy child development. 112 00:06:10,695 --> 00:06:13,994 I could go on, and I will if I'm asked. 113 00:06:13,994 --> 00:06:16,261 The Press: The 35 visits? 114 00:06:16,261 --> 00:06:17,494 Mr. Carney: First of all, I haven't seen the records. 115 00:06:17,494 --> 00:06:19,361 I don't know that -- Hilary Rosen, 116 00:06:19,361 --> 00:06:22,428 I know three, personally, women named Hilary Rosen. 117 00:06:22,428 --> 00:06:26,561 So I'm not sure that those represent the person we're 118 00:06:26,561 --> 00:06:29,061 talking about necessarily. 119 00:06:29,061 --> 00:06:31,561 So I really can't comment on the number of visits since I'm not 120 00:06:31,561 --> 00:06:32,561 sure that's accurate. 121 00:06:32,561 --> 00:06:35,760 The Press: Well, how about the degree of this particular 122 00:06:35,761 --> 00:06:36,994 Hilary Rosen's -- 123 00:06:36,994 --> 00:06:38,895 Mr. Carney: I don't know how many times she's been here. 124 00:06:38,895 --> 00:06:41,861 She's not a -- she is a Democratic strategist; 125 00:06:41,861 --> 00:06:46,428 she's a CNN contributor, as far as I know. 126 00:06:46,428 --> 00:06:54,127 And I don't know how to assess her overall relationship with 127 00:06:54,127 --> 00:06:56,161 people here in the White House. 128 00:06:56,161 --> 00:07:00,561 But I do not -- I have not seen her here very frequently. 129 00:07:00,561 --> 00:07:02,061 The Press: Do you expect that relationship to continue 130 00:07:02,061 --> 00:07:03,294 on whatever level it is? 131 00:07:03,294 --> 00:07:04,928 Mr. Carney: Well, again, I don't know what the relationship is. 132 00:07:04,928 --> 00:07:08,428 Let's focus on what the issue here is. 133 00:07:08,428 --> 00:07:15,561 This is a -- when it comes to what this administration 134 00:07:15,561 --> 00:07:20,260 has done for women, it begins with the President signing the 135 00:07:20,261 --> 00:07:22,928 Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. 136 00:07:22,928 --> 00:07:29,061 It continues with the emphasis on the need to put teachers back 137 00:07:29,061 --> 00:07:30,061 in the classroom. 138 00:07:30,061 --> 00:07:34,126 It continues with a variety of programs, 139 00:07:34,127 --> 00:07:36,461 including our opposition to the Ryan/Republican budget 140 00:07:36,461 --> 00:07:39,328 and its dramatic cuts. 141 00:07:39,328 --> 00:07:41,828 Medicare, for example -- I'm sure many of you know 142 00:07:41,828 --> 00:07:49,661 that Medicare benefits go disproportionately to women. 143 00:07:49,661 --> 00:07:54,127 Ending Medicare as we know it, forcing seniors to bear the 144 00:07:54,127 --> 00:07:57,895 brunt of the cost of tax cuts to the wealthy, 145 00:07:57,895 --> 00:08:02,695 would harm women disproportionately. 146 00:08:02,695 --> 00:08:06,895 These are real, fundamental policy decisions. 147 00:08:06,895 --> 00:08:13,494 And I think that when people look at those contrasts and 148 00:08:13,494 --> 00:08:16,161 those disagreements, it will be quite clear what President 149 00:08:16,161 --> 00:08:19,094 Obama's position is and what his policies are. 150 00:08:19,094 --> 00:08:22,127 Jeff. 151 00:08:22,127 --> 00:08:23,795 The Press: Jay, you've mentioned that the President and 152 00:08:23,795 --> 00:08:26,428 President Sarkozy discussed tightness in the oil markets. 153 00:08:26,428 --> 00:08:31,227 Did they discuss the possibility of releasing oil reserves? 154 00:08:31,227 --> 00:08:34,861 Mr. Carney: The President and President Sarkozy did discuss tightness 155 00:08:34,861 --> 00:08:36,961 in the global oil markets and agreed 156 00:08:36,961 --> 00:08:38,961 to continue their consultations. 157 00:08:38,961 --> 00:08:42,461 This conversation was in line with previous conversations. 158 00:08:42,461 --> 00:08:46,361 I have no new announcements to make at this point on 159 00:08:46,361 --> 00:08:47,294 that issue. 160 00:08:47,294 --> 00:08:50,294 The Press: French diplomats, though, have said before that that particular 161 00:08:50,294 --> 00:08:52,661 piece of the oil market discussion was on the table. 162 00:08:52,661 --> 00:08:53,960 Can you say anything about that? 163 00:08:53,961 --> 00:08:55,227 Mr. Carney: Well, I think as I've said before, 164 00:08:55,227 --> 00:08:59,361 it should not be a surprise that in our conversations at various 165 00:08:59,361 --> 00:09:01,261 levels, including President to President, 166 00:09:01,261 --> 00:09:05,294 that we talk about some of the pressing global issues of the 167 00:09:05,294 --> 00:09:09,627 day, and certainly tightness in the global oil markets is one of 168 00:09:09,628 --> 00:09:12,928 the issues that you would expect to be on the table 169 00:09:12,928 --> 00:09:13,928 and to be discussed. 170 00:09:13,928 --> 00:09:16,127 But again, this was in line with previous conversations, 171 00:09:16,127 --> 00:09:20,394 and I have no announcements to make on that issue. 172 00:09:20,394 --> 00:09:22,928 The Press: On Syria, Kofi Annan is calling for a U.N. observer 173 00:09:22,928 --> 00:09:24,094 team to go to Syria. 174 00:09:24,094 --> 00:09:27,761 Does the U.S. support that and would U.S. officials take 175 00:09:27,761 --> 00:09:29,493 part in something like that? 176 00:09:29,494 --> 00:09:32,061 Mr. Carney: Well, let's focus on a couple of things. 177 00:09:32,061 --> 00:09:39,394 The fact of the matter is Kofi Annan made clear that while 178 00:09:39,394 --> 00:09:47,161 there is something of a tentative cease-fire in place, 179 00:09:47,161 --> 00:09:50,328 the regime has clearly fallen short of its obligations under 180 00:09:50,328 --> 00:09:58,093 the Annan plan -- obligations which they made 12 days ago. 181 00:09:58,094 --> 00:10:00,661 And unfortunately, that is another indication of why it is 182 00:10:00,661 --> 00:10:05,361 so important when you're dealing with the Assad regime to judge 183 00:10:05,361 --> 00:10:10,761 it by its actions and not its promises, not its words. 184 00:10:10,761 --> 00:10:13,493 We will continue to consult with our international partners and 185 00:10:13,494 --> 00:10:17,628 allies about next steps as we monitor the situation in Syria. 186 00:10:17,628 --> 00:10:23,061 I don't have any proposals to -- or announcements to make with 187 00:10:23,061 --> 00:10:25,795 regard to what next steps might be, 188 00:10:25,795 --> 00:10:27,861 but you can be sure that we will work with the international 189 00:10:27,861 --> 00:10:33,194 community, continue to press the Assad regime to cease its brutal 190 00:10:33,194 --> 00:10:37,828 violence against its own people. 191 00:10:37,828 --> 00:10:40,328 One of the reasons why the Annan plan was not just a cease-fire 192 00:10:40,328 --> 00:10:44,127 but an agreement to withdraw forces from population centers 193 00:10:44,127 --> 00:10:48,694 is that while it is certainly better if there is a gun to 194 00:10:48,695 --> 00:10:50,461 someone's head that the trigger is not being pulled, 195 00:10:50,461 --> 00:10:52,561 the gun is still at your head -- at that person's head -- 196 00:10:52,561 --> 00:10:55,294 and that's the situation when there is not a withdrawal but 197 00:10:55,294 --> 00:10:58,461 forces are in position to begin their assault again. 198 00:10:58,461 --> 00:11:02,761 That is a long way from fulfillment of the obligations 199 00:11:02,761 --> 00:11:06,328 that the Assad regime committed itself to. 200 00:11:06,328 --> 00:11:08,728 The Press: Does the United States think Assad is just trying to buy 201 00:11:08,728 --> 00:11:11,026 time by not complying right now? 202 00:11:11,027 --> 00:11:20,461 Mr. Carney: Well, it certainly is the case that the Assad regime has been 203 00:11:20,461 --> 00:11:25,094 long on promises and short on fulfillment of those promises 204 00:11:25,094 --> 00:11:29,761 both to the international community and to its own people. 205 00:11:29,761 --> 00:11:34,961 Motivations behind the failure to fulfill those obligations, 206 00:11:34,961 --> 00:11:43,561 to fulfill those promises others can analyze. 207 00:11:43,561 --> 00:11:47,528 But it is certainly the case that when dealing with this 208 00:11:47,528 --> 00:11:50,361 regime and its heinous behavior and its actions against its own 209 00:11:50,361 --> 00:11:54,961 people, we take a very dim view of promises. 210 00:11:54,961 --> 00:11:57,461 We focus on actions. 211 00:11:57,461 --> 00:11:58,027 Dan. 212 00:11:58,027 --> 00:11:58,795 The Press: Thank you. 213 00:11:58,795 --> 00:11:59,328 Just to follow on Syria. 214 00:11:59,328 --> 00:12:01,928 Kofi Annan also said that he was encouraged by the situation on 215 00:12:01,928 --> 00:12:02,928 the ground there. 216 00:12:02,928 --> 00:12:05,861 It seems to be relatively quiet at this point. 217 00:12:05,861 --> 00:12:08,661 Are you -- is the administration also 218 00:12:08,661 --> 00:12:11,993 encouraged at least by this step? 219 00:12:11,994 --> 00:12:17,127 Mr. Carney: Well, as I tried to illustrate, it is certainly -- 220 00:12:17,127 --> 00:12:19,294 even a tentative or less-than-complete 221 00:12:19,294 --> 00:12:22,026 cease-fire is better than no cease-fire at all. 222 00:12:22,027 --> 00:12:24,928 But we could not call the current situation on the 223 00:12:24,928 --> 00:12:26,161 ground a full cease-fire. 224 00:12:26,161 --> 00:12:29,026 We have seen a halt in gunfire from the Syrian regime across 225 00:12:29,027 --> 00:12:30,027 the country. 226 00:12:30,027 --> 00:12:32,695 However, some incidents of regime-perpetrated violence 227 00:12:32,695 --> 00:12:35,961 have been reported in different volatile areas. 228 00:12:35,961 --> 00:12:38,661 The halting gunfire would not constitute a full implementation 229 00:12:38,661 --> 00:12:41,361 of the ceasefire commitments under the Annan plan until the 230 00:12:41,361 --> 00:12:43,761 Syrian military -- as I was saying before -- including 231 00:12:43,761 --> 00:12:47,728 all weaponry, equipment and personnel have been pulled 232 00:12:47,728 --> 00:12:49,661 out of all urban areas. 233 00:12:49,661 --> 00:12:54,093 So again, a tentative cease-fire, 234 00:12:54,094 --> 00:13:01,895 a less-than-full cease-fire is not equal to a full 235 00:13:01,895 --> 00:13:04,728 implementation of the regime's obligations under 236 00:13:04,728 --> 00:13:06,761 the Annan plan. 237 00:13:06,761 --> 00:13:10,394 The Press: And North Korea -- there are a number of food aid organizations 238 00:13:10,394 --> 00:13:13,594 that are concerned about what happens when this 239 00:13:13,594 --> 00:13:14,728 launch takes place. 240 00:13:14,728 --> 00:13:19,861 They believe that this food agreement is necessary for 241 00:13:19,861 --> 00:13:22,828 children and mothers over there. 242 00:13:22,828 --> 00:13:24,928 What is the concern in the administration, 243 00:13:24,928 --> 00:13:27,161 pulling back this desperately needed food 244 00:13:27,161 --> 00:13:30,527 aid to the North Koreans? 245 00:13:30,528 --> 00:13:33,328 Mr. Carney: Well, it is because of the President's and the 246 00:13:33,328 --> 00:13:35,861 administration's concern about the health and welfare 247 00:13:35,861 --> 00:13:41,027 of a people who have been systematically deprived of basic 248 00:13:41,027 --> 00:13:44,494 nutritional sustenance because of this regime's focus on 249 00:13:44,494 --> 00:13:51,561 funding military programs that violate its international 250 00:13:51,561 --> 00:13:55,494 obligations that the President was prepared to provide 251 00:13:55,494 --> 00:13:57,895 nutritional assistance to the North Koreans. 252 00:13:57,895 --> 00:14:00,494 But as I've said a number of times, 253 00:14:00,494 --> 00:14:03,795 the clear violation of U.N. 254 00:14:03,795 --> 00:14:09,627 Security Council resolutions that a launch of a ballistic 255 00:14:09,628 --> 00:14:14,227 missile would represent makes it virtually impossible for us to 256 00:14:14,227 --> 00:14:17,795 go ahead with that program of assistance, 257 00:14:17,795 --> 00:14:19,694 in part because we can -- if we cannot -- 258 00:14:19,695 --> 00:14:24,928 one of the factors on the table whenever you consider something 259 00:14:24,928 --> 00:14:30,394 like this is you need to be able to have assurances that the aid 260 00:14:30,394 --> 00:14:33,994 provided is getting to the people who need it, 261 00:14:33,994 --> 00:14:38,961 not being syphoned off to the military, for example, 262 00:14:38,961 --> 00:14:40,594 or other areas. 263 00:14:40,594 --> 00:14:45,861 And the significant and clear demonstration of bad faith that 264 00:14:45,861 --> 00:14:51,728 this missile launch would represent makes it -- 265 00:14:51,728 --> 00:14:54,493 makes us unable to move forward with that program. 266 00:14:54,494 --> 00:14:59,795 The Press: One official that we spoke with, with a food organization sort of 267 00:14:59,795 --> 00:15:03,928 disputed that, saying that they don't see any problem 268 00:15:03,928 --> 00:15:07,328 at all making sure that this aid will get into the hands 269 00:15:07,328 --> 00:15:10,661 of the right people, that porridge and oil is not the 270 00:15:10,661 --> 00:15:15,026 kind of food that the elite would want to skim off or take. 271 00:15:15,027 --> 00:15:16,428 Mr. Carney: I haven't seen that assessment. 272 00:15:16,428 --> 00:15:21,594 I'll trust the judgments being made by the administration on 273 00:15:21,594 --> 00:15:27,628 this about a regime that is one of the most isolated police 274 00:15:27,628 --> 00:15:35,561 states in the world, about their capacity to obviate -- 275 00:15:35,561 --> 00:15:41,261 fail to fulfill their obligations. 276 00:15:41,261 --> 00:15:42,993 Firing this missile is a provocative action if 277 00:15:42,994 --> 00:15:44,294 it takes place. 278 00:15:44,294 --> 00:15:48,661 It is in clear violation of clear United Nations Security 279 00:15:48,661 --> 00:15:51,194 Council resolutions. 280 00:15:51,194 --> 00:15:59,761 And that was made very clear to the North Koreans not just by us 281 00:15:59,761 --> 00:16:03,428 but by others who are very concerned -- 282 00:16:03,428 --> 00:16:05,895 by other nations that are very concerned about this. 283 00:16:05,895 --> 00:16:09,294 And we will continue to monitor the situation there and consult 284 00:16:09,294 --> 00:16:16,061 with our allies as the situation develops. 285 00:16:16,061 --> 00:16:16,961 Yes, Mary. 286 00:16:16,961 --> 00:16:18,494 The Press: When Ms. Rosen did visit the White House, 287 00:16:18,494 --> 00:16:21,127 regardless of how many times, can you explain what issues 288 00:16:21,127 --> 00:16:23,493 brought her here, what matters did she help with? 289 00:16:23,494 --> 00:16:24,695 Mr. Carney: I don't know. 290 00:16:24,695 --> 00:16:26,194 I haven't looked at that. 291 00:16:26,194 --> 00:16:31,294 I mean, I would have to check -- or you could ask her. 292 00:16:31,294 --> 00:16:32,294 Yes. 293 00:16:32,294 --> 00:16:35,928 The Press: Jay, what's left for President Obama to say about the Buffett 294 00:16:35,928 --> 00:16:38,461 Rule in his four interviews this afternoon? 295 00:16:38,461 --> 00:16:41,261 [laughter] 296 00:16:41,261 --> 00:16:46,461 Mr. Carney: I'm glad you asked, because gone are the days when all you had to 297 00:16:46,461 --> 00:16:54,728 do was talk to CBS News or ABC, or The New York Times, or CNN, 298 00:16:54,728 --> 00:16:56,026 or The Wall Street Journal -- 299 00:16:56,027 --> 00:16:56,994 The Press: Or Reuters. 300 00:16:56,994 --> 00:16:57,994 Mr. Carney: -- or Reuters. 301 00:16:57,994 --> 00:17:01,461 [laughter] 302 00:17:01,461 --> 00:17:02,528 The Press: Keep going. 303 00:17:02,528 --> 00:17:03,194 [laughter] 304 00:17:03,194 --> 00:17:06,627 Mr. Carney: I won't tell your bosses that you volunteered. 305 00:17:06,627 --> 00:17:07,394 The Press: Time? 306 00:17:07,394 --> 00:17:13,060 Mr. Carney: Or Time Magazine, or -- and could be sure that most of the 307 00:17:13,060 --> 00:17:17,293 adult population in the country would hear what you had to say. 308 00:17:17,294 --> 00:17:21,061 You know this, Mark, I think better than most here because 309 00:17:21,060 --> 00:17:24,226 you've seen -- you've witnessed from this perch here covering 310 00:17:24,227 --> 00:17:26,127 the White House the evolution in the media. 311 00:17:26,127 --> 00:17:33,661 And the absolute fact that people across the country get 312 00:17:33,661 --> 00:17:35,361 their news in a variety of different ways -- 313 00:17:35,361 --> 00:17:38,361 they don't all sit down and listen to the radio as they 314 00:17:38,361 --> 00:17:39,494 did before television. 315 00:17:39,494 --> 00:17:41,127 They don't all watch the same television shows. 316 00:17:41,127 --> 00:17:46,695 There's just too many outlets -- too many outlets, too many alternatives. 317 00:17:46,695 --> 00:17:50,695 So that makes it more of a challenge for anyone who is 318 00:17:50,695 --> 00:17:53,928 trying to reach out and communicate with the American 319 00:17:53,928 --> 00:17:58,594 people, whether he or she is a President or anybody else. 320 00:17:58,594 --> 00:18:02,361 And that's why the President continues to talk about his 321 00:18:02,361 --> 00:18:06,294 policy initiatives in a -- with a variety of different people in 322 00:18:06,294 --> 00:18:08,561 a variety of different forums. 323 00:18:08,561 --> 00:18:14,828 Because we certainly do not believe that everyone in the 324 00:18:14,828 --> 00:18:21,194 country is as expertly informed about the fundamental fairness 325 00:18:21,194 --> 00:18:25,293 that the Buffett Rule represents as you are. 326 00:18:25,294 --> 00:18:29,294 The Press: Is President Obama reaching out to members of the Senate 327 00:18:29,294 --> 00:18:31,494 with phone calls in advance of next week's vote? 328 00:18:31,494 --> 00:18:35,461 Mr. Carney: I don't have any -- he speaks periodically with members of 329 00:18:35,461 --> 00:18:37,928 Congress both in the Senate and the House. 330 00:18:37,928 --> 00:18:42,094 I don't have any specific calls to read out to you. 331 00:18:42,094 --> 00:18:50,594 We are focused on trying to convince or persuade senators 332 00:18:50,594 --> 00:18:54,861 to vote in favor of the Buffett Rule proposal, 333 00:18:54,861 --> 00:18:57,361 the legislation that was put forward by Senator Whitehouse 334 00:18:57,361 --> 00:19:01,194 of Rhode Island, and certainly hope that, 335 00:19:01,194 --> 00:19:05,695 perhaps not because of our persuasions but the fact that 336 00:19:05,695 --> 00:19:09,428 constituents across the country, Americans across the country in 337 00:19:09,428 --> 00:19:12,127 every state broadly support the proposal, 338 00:19:12,127 --> 00:19:15,161 that senators who in the past have expressed 339 00:19:15,161 --> 00:19:19,461 opposition might reconsider. 340 00:19:19,461 --> 00:19:20,928 I'll move around a little bit, then I'll get to you, Wendell. 341 00:19:20,928 --> 00:19:21,761 Jackie. 342 00:19:21,761 --> 00:19:23,994 The Press: I'll just follow up on the Buffett Rule real quickly. 343 00:19:23,994 --> 00:19:28,261 Since the administration has come to support Senator 344 00:19:28,261 --> 00:19:34,895 Whitehouse's version, which is reduced from the original 345 00:19:34,895 --> 00:19:37,628 concept that the President put out in September and again in 346 00:19:37,628 --> 00:19:41,428 his budget, does the administration still see the 347 00:19:41,428 --> 00:19:45,127 Buffett Rule as a total replacement for the AMT, 348 00:19:45,127 --> 00:19:48,661 the Alternative Minimum Tax, to make sure that wealthier 349 00:19:48,661 --> 00:19:52,628 taxpayers pay a certain rate? 350 00:19:52,628 --> 00:19:55,093 Mr. Carney: I would have to take your question because 351 00:19:55,094 --> 00:19:57,127 I don't want to get it wrong in terms of the economic analysis, 352 00:19:57,127 --> 00:20:00,394 and I might consult with some of the experts here 353 00:20:00,394 --> 00:20:01,695 to answer that question. 354 00:20:01,695 --> 00:20:06,528 We certainly see the Buffett Rule as an important fallback, 355 00:20:06,528 --> 00:20:16,328 if you will, to ensure that millionaires and billionaires 356 00:20:16,328 --> 00:20:20,994 pay at least the tax rate that middle-class Americans pay. 357 00:20:20,994 --> 00:20:24,761 Now, a number of -- not all current millionaires and 358 00:20:24,761 --> 00:20:28,895 billionaires pay a lower rate than 30%; 359 00:20:28,895 --> 00:20:31,161 some of them certainly do. 360 00:20:31,161 --> 00:20:32,728 One of the things that I think is clear here -- 361 00:20:32,728 --> 00:20:35,094 I got into a little debate with a reporter the other day about 362 00:20:35,094 --> 00:20:37,628 how the Buffett Rule was raising rates. 363 00:20:37,628 --> 00:20:39,494 Well, it's not raising rates. 364 00:20:39,494 --> 00:20:44,761 Obviously, as you know, the current highest marginal tax 365 00:20:44,761 --> 00:20:46,428 rate is above that. 366 00:20:46,428 --> 00:20:48,994 And if you're a millionaire or billionaire and you're just 367 00:20:48,994 --> 00:20:55,127 getting a paycheck that's quite large and paying income tax, 368 00:20:55,127 --> 00:20:59,828 federal income tax on it, then most of that money will be taxed 369 00:20:59,828 --> 00:21:03,461 at the highest marginal income tax rate. 370 00:21:03,461 --> 00:21:05,761 But the fact of the matter is, the Buffett Rule and the 371 00:21:05,761 --> 00:21:08,328 documentation that we've provided you shows clearly 372 00:21:08,328 --> 00:21:12,561 that a number of -- thousands of millionaires and billionaires 373 00:21:12,561 --> 00:21:15,226 and some of the wealthiest households in this country 374 00:21:15,227 --> 00:21:20,428 are paying tax on their income at a much lower rate than 30%. 375 00:21:20,428 --> 00:21:23,728 So this would be an insurance policy, if you will, 376 00:21:23,728 --> 00:21:28,094 that would make sure that, as a bottom line, 377 00:21:28,094 --> 00:21:30,261 30% was paid. 378 00:21:30,261 --> 00:21:34,127 The Press: And on oil prices, following up on Dan's question -- 379 00:21:34,127 --> 00:21:36,860 in the President's conversation with President Sarkozy, 380 00:21:36,861 --> 00:21:39,594 does the fact that you have nothing to announce in terms of 381 00:21:39,594 --> 00:21:43,528 going to the reserves for oil supplies, 382 00:21:43,528 --> 00:21:46,127 does that suggest that the administration doesn't see 383 00:21:46,127 --> 00:21:49,895 any need to do so right now? 384 00:21:49,895 --> 00:21:51,728 Or what is the administration's stance? 385 00:21:51,728 --> 00:21:58,561 Mr. Carney: I would examine and consider my comments and come to a 386 00:21:58,561 --> 00:22:01,194 conclusion that they impart almost no information in 387 00:22:01,194 --> 00:22:01,895 that regard. 388 00:22:01,895 --> 00:22:03,628 [laughter] 389 00:22:03,628 --> 00:22:05,328 The Press: As opposed to the rest of the briefing? 390 00:22:05,328 --> 00:22:06,428 [laughter] 391 00:22:06,428 --> 00:22:08,094 Mr. Carney: As opposed to the rest of the briefing. 392 00:22:08,094 --> 00:22:11,461 And I was simply making the point that this is a topic 393 00:22:11,461 --> 00:22:16,094 of conversation that has come up before, 394 00:22:16,094 --> 00:22:18,828 would be expected to come up in a conversation between the 395 00:22:18,828 --> 00:22:21,194 French President and the American President, 396 00:22:21,194 --> 00:22:25,261 between the American President and other leaders. 397 00:22:25,261 --> 00:22:28,860 So I simply have no more information about that subject, 398 00:22:28,861 --> 00:22:33,294 no announcements to make on that subject today. 399 00:22:33,294 --> 00:22:34,561 Ari, and then Wendell. 400 00:22:34,561 --> 00:22:36,895 The Press: Tomorrow, Mitt Romney speaks to the NRA National Convention. 401 00:22:36,895 --> 00:22:40,293 And the last time the President spoke at length about guns was 402 00:22:40,294 --> 00:22:42,027 after the Tucson shootings, when he called for a national 403 00:22:42,027 --> 00:22:44,761 dialogue on guns and gun violence. 404 00:22:44,761 --> 00:22:46,428 Did that national dialogue ever happen? 405 00:22:46,428 --> 00:22:48,961 Did he do anything to help make it happen? 406 00:22:48,961 --> 00:22:50,795 Mr. Carney: Well, as you know, President Obama has 407 00:22:50,795 --> 00:22:54,561 called for common-sense measures that protect the 408 00:22:54,561 --> 00:22:56,360 Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens, 409 00:22:56,361 --> 00:22:59,628 and improve public safety by keeping guns out of the hands 410 00:22:59,628 --> 00:23:03,194 of those who should not have them under existing law. 411 00:23:03,194 --> 00:23:06,127 The President directed the Attorney General and the 412 00:23:06,127 --> 00:23:08,161 Department of Justice to work with a diverse group 413 00:23:08,161 --> 00:23:11,027 of stakeholders to accomplish those goals. 414 00:23:11,027 --> 00:23:13,661 They have made progress, for example, 415 00:23:13,661 --> 00:23:16,394 towards improving the amount and quality of information in 416 00:23:16,394 --> 00:23:19,528 the background check system. 417 00:23:19,528 --> 00:23:21,861 For more details about that ongoing effort I would refer 418 00:23:21,861 --> 00:23:23,494 you to the Department of Justice. 419 00:23:23,494 --> 00:23:25,026 The Press: Is that the dialogue he was referring to, 420 00:23:25,027 --> 00:23:27,127 sort of an internal Justice Department -- 421 00:23:27,127 --> 00:23:32,695 Mr. Carney: Well, this was -- those efforts by the Justice Department are 422 00:23:32,695 --> 00:23:34,528 specific, obviously, to the administration. 423 00:23:34,528 --> 00:23:40,994 The dialogue that exists in the country on these issues I think 424 00:23:40,994 --> 00:23:42,895 is always present, and continues. 425 00:23:42,895 --> 00:23:44,895 The Press: Can I follow on that? 426 00:23:44,895 --> 00:23:46,328 Mr. Carney: Sure. 427 00:23:46,328 --> 00:23:49,161 The Press: Last week, in the Rose Garden, President Calderón said that the 428 00:23:49,161 --> 00:23:53,094 violence -- gun violence in Mexico started to escalate 429 00:23:53,094 --> 00:23:56,461 and could trace it to 2004 when the assault weapons ban in the 430 00:23:56,461 --> 00:23:58,027 United States expired. 431 00:23:58,027 --> 00:24:02,428 So does the President support renewing, extending that ban? 432 00:24:02,428 --> 00:24:04,027 And what has he done about it? 433 00:24:04,027 --> 00:24:09,027 Mr. Carney: Well, Bill, again, the President's views on the 434 00:24:09,027 --> 00:24:12,294 need for common-sense measures that protect Second Amendment 435 00:24:12,294 --> 00:24:15,494 rights but ensure that those who should not have guns under 436 00:24:15,494 --> 00:24:18,360 existing law are well known. 437 00:24:18,361 --> 00:24:22,661 I don't recall -- I certainly didn't discuss 438 00:24:22,661 --> 00:24:25,094 with him President Calderón's comments, so I don't have any 439 00:24:25,094 --> 00:24:28,328 updates for you on specific legislation. 440 00:24:28,328 --> 00:24:30,461 The Press: The assault weapons ban expired in 2004. 441 00:24:30,461 --> 00:24:33,628 Has the President taken a stand on extending that? 442 00:24:33,628 --> 00:24:36,261 Mr. Carney: I'll have to get back to you on that. 443 00:24:36,261 --> 00:24:37,761 I don't have any new information on that. 444 00:24:37,761 --> 00:24:39,094 Wendell. 445 00:24:39,094 --> 00:24:41,494 The Press: Former administrator of the GSA says recent stories about 446 00:24:41,494 --> 00:24:47,727 spending patterns there suggest a systemic failure 447 00:24:47,728 --> 00:24:50,695 of the system there. 448 00:24:50,695 --> 00:24:52,794 Does the President agree with that? 449 00:24:52,795 --> 00:24:56,561 And is he concerned that these spending patterns might be more 450 00:24:56,561 --> 00:24:58,226 widespread across the government -- 451 00:24:58,227 --> 00:25:01,127 people being sent to Hawaii for five days for an hour-long 452 00:25:01,127 --> 00:25:05,127 ribbon-cutting ceremony, for instance? 453 00:25:05,127 --> 00:25:07,161 Mr. Carney: Well, a couple of points. 454 00:25:07,161 --> 00:25:09,194 I think on his first day in office, as you know, Wendell, 455 00:25:09,194 --> 00:25:11,895 President Obama made clear that the people who serve in his 456 00:25:11,895 --> 00:25:15,828 administration are keepers of the public trust and that public 457 00:25:15,828 --> 00:25:17,094 service is a privilege. 458 00:25:17,094 --> 00:25:19,961 And under his leadership, this administration has taken 459 00:25:19,961 --> 00:25:22,828 historic steps to protect taxpayer dollars and eliminate 460 00:25:22,828 --> 00:25:25,928 waste across the federal government. 461 00:25:25,928 --> 00:25:29,061 As you know, when the White House was informed of the IG's 462 00:25:29,061 --> 00:25:32,461 findings in this case, we acted quickly to determine who was 463 00:25:32,461 --> 00:25:35,628 responsible for such a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars. 464 00:25:35,628 --> 00:25:38,794 I think you know that when the President was informed before 465 00:25:38,795 --> 00:25:43,528 his trip to South Korea about this case he was outraged by 466 00:25:43,528 --> 00:25:46,194 what he heard, by the excessive spending, 467 00:25:46,194 --> 00:25:47,928 the questionable dealings with contractors, 468 00:25:47,928 --> 00:25:49,928 the disregard for taxpayer dollars, 469 00:25:49,928 --> 00:25:51,928 and he called for all of those responsible to be 470 00:25:51,928 --> 00:25:54,227 held fully accountable. 471 00:25:54,227 --> 00:26:01,061 And I think the administration has acted accordingly in 472 00:26:01,061 --> 00:26:03,593 response to this. 473 00:26:03,594 --> 00:26:15,127 We are constantly on the lookout for waste of taxpayer dollars. 474 00:26:15,127 --> 00:26:19,661 And again, when this matter got to the White House, 475 00:26:19,661 --> 00:26:22,961 it was acted on with incredible speed, 476 00:26:22,961 --> 00:26:25,828 and at the behest of the President, 477 00:26:25,828 --> 00:26:29,961 who was outraged by what he learned, 478 00:26:29,961 --> 00:26:32,795 those responsible are being held fully accountable. 479 00:26:32,795 --> 00:26:35,227 The Press: Does the fact that this actually occurred suggest 480 00:26:35,227 --> 00:26:41,594 that your lookout might need to be expanded? 481 00:26:41,594 --> 00:26:42,661 Mr. Carney: Look, I think that -- 482 00:26:42,661 --> 00:26:43,494 The Press: Does it call for more scrutiny? 483 00:26:43,494 --> 00:26:45,794 Mr. Carney: -- what happened here is there was an Inspector 484 00:26:45,795 --> 00:26:49,161 General investigation, which is appropriate. 485 00:26:49,161 --> 00:26:53,361 When those -- the findings of that investigation were made 486 00:26:53,361 --> 00:26:57,127 known to the White House, the White House acted with extreme 487 00:26:57,127 --> 00:27:04,961 dispatch out of concern for the misuse of tax dollars that the 488 00:27:04,961 --> 00:27:11,328 report enumerated. 489 00:27:11,328 --> 00:27:17,226 And the President was outraged, as you know. 490 00:27:17,227 --> 00:27:18,227 All the way back -- 491 00:27:18,227 --> 00:27:19,461 Alexis. 492 00:27:19,461 --> 00:27:21,795 The Press: Jay, to follow up on Mark's question, 493 00:27:21,795 --> 00:27:24,528 can you just -- for those of us who are wondering how the four 494 00:27:24,528 --> 00:27:27,761 anchors, the actual stations were chosen -- 495 00:27:27,761 --> 00:27:31,695 is it because of the importance of the states or how -- 496 00:27:31,695 --> 00:27:34,860 what's the intersection between the Buffett Rule and Iowa, Ohio, 497 00:27:34,861 --> 00:27:37,261 Nevada and Missouri? 498 00:27:37,261 --> 00:27:42,528 Mr. Carney: I would say that we are very interested in making 499 00:27:42,528 --> 00:27:47,394 sure that the residents of those four states are aware of the 500 00:27:47,394 --> 00:27:54,494 debate, are informed about the issue. 501 00:27:54,494 --> 00:28:02,593 And if they feel, as a majority of Americans feel, 502 00:28:02,594 --> 00:28:07,994 that the Buffett Rule is fair, that it is the right thing to do 503 00:28:07,994 --> 00:28:12,160 to ensure that millionaires and billionaires pay taxes on their 504 00:28:12,161 --> 00:28:17,161 income at a rate commensurate or equal to what middle-class 505 00:28:17,161 --> 00:28:18,795 Americans pay, and no lower than that, 506 00:28:18,795 --> 00:28:23,761 then they will have their voices heard if they feel 507 00:28:23,761 --> 00:28:24,761 passionately about it. 508 00:28:24,761 --> 00:28:28,328 So we're -- it's meant to get the message out and get the 509 00:28:28,328 --> 00:28:34,293 message out, in this case, in states where we think it's 510 00:28:34,294 --> 00:28:39,761 useful to get that message heard. 511 00:28:39,761 --> 00:28:41,161 April -- oh, I'm going to get in trouble. 512 00:28:41,161 --> 00:28:43,261 April, yes. 513 00:28:43,261 --> 00:28:46,828 The Press: Jay, I wanted to go back to something that Ari asked you 514 00:28:46,828 --> 00:28:48,394 and some other things. 515 00:28:48,394 --> 00:28:52,127 With the recent headlines involving guns, 516 00:28:52,127 --> 00:28:55,561 has the White House decided now maybe it's time to start 517 00:28:55,561 --> 00:28:58,061 that dialogue? 518 00:28:58,061 --> 00:29:02,928 Mr. Carney: Well, again, April, I think I answered this question. 519 00:29:02,928 --> 00:29:05,795 The Justice Department is engaged in a process at the 520 00:29:05,795 --> 00:29:07,795 direction of the President. 521 00:29:07,795 --> 00:29:10,895 The President's principles are well known about the need to 522 00:29:10,895 --> 00:29:14,428 protect Second Amendment rights but to ensure that those who 523 00:29:14,428 --> 00:29:18,061 should not have guns under existing law do not have 524 00:29:18,061 --> 00:29:19,895 access to guns. 525 00:29:19,895 --> 00:29:21,561 And that process will continue. 526 00:29:21,561 --> 00:29:23,293 But for details on it, I would refer you to 527 00:29:23,294 --> 00:29:24,661 the Department of Justice. 528 00:29:24,661 --> 00:29:28,027 The Press: But typically, when Presidents feel that they want to push an 529 00:29:28,027 --> 00:29:30,461 issue, they put some skin in the game -- 530 00:29:30,461 --> 00:29:32,594 they go on the Hill, maybe even make calls on it. 531 00:29:32,594 --> 00:29:35,561 Mr. Carney: I want to separate here -- there is an investigation going on on 532 00:29:35,561 --> 00:29:38,761 a specific case in a specific state here. 533 00:29:38,761 --> 00:29:43,494 And you're making a connection between issues or actions in 534 00:29:43,494 --> 00:29:45,761 that case, and I want to make sure that that's -- 535 00:29:45,761 --> 00:29:47,328 The Press: No, no, it's not -- 536 00:29:47,328 --> 00:29:50,394 Mr. Carney: -- it's clear here that we're not commenting on 537 00:29:50,394 --> 00:29:52,561 an ongoing investigation. 538 00:29:52,561 --> 00:29:56,794 We're not -- the President is focused in the same way on this 539 00:29:56,795 --> 00:30:02,227 issue and to the same degree on this issue as he has been 540 00:30:02,227 --> 00:30:03,961 for the entirety of his administration. 541 00:30:03,961 --> 00:30:07,494 The Press: Jay, I'm not just talking about this Trayvon Martin issue. 542 00:30:07,494 --> 00:30:10,961 Gabrielle Giffords is a very good friend of the President. 543 00:30:10,961 --> 00:30:12,561 He saw her in the hospital. 544 00:30:12,561 --> 00:30:13,727 He was by her side. 545 00:30:13,728 --> 00:30:17,994 And he was very concerned, and he started talking about guns. 546 00:30:17,994 --> 00:30:21,461 And we're still seeing more issues happening with guns. 547 00:30:21,461 --> 00:30:24,594 And the issue is, why has he not come out? 548 00:30:24,594 --> 00:30:28,094 It's not necessarily about the cases now, but the cases -- 549 00:30:28,094 --> 00:30:30,695 all the cases since he's been in office. 550 00:30:30,695 --> 00:30:34,226 When is he going to push for sensible gun laws -- 551 00:30:34,227 --> 00:30:36,528 new sensible gun laws? 552 00:30:36,528 --> 00:30:39,461 Mr. Carney: The President's focus, as you know and I've said a couple of 553 00:30:39,461 --> 00:30:42,394 times, is on ensuring that under existing law those who should 554 00:30:42,394 --> 00:30:47,161 not have guns do not have access to them; 555 00:30:47,161 --> 00:30:49,928 that guns are kept out of the hands of those who should not 556 00:30:49,928 --> 00:30:51,528 have them under existing law. 557 00:30:51,528 --> 00:30:55,695 He directed, in the wake of the Gabby Giffords shooting, 558 00:30:55,695 --> 00:30:57,761 the Attorney General and the Department of Justice to work 559 00:30:57,761 --> 00:31:01,461 with a group of stakeholders -- a diverse group of stakeholders 560 00:31:01,461 --> 00:31:02,895 to accomplish those goals. 561 00:31:02,895 --> 00:31:06,061 And there's been progress in that effort. 562 00:31:06,061 --> 00:31:11,961 I would check with Justice for more specifics and more updates. 563 00:31:11,961 --> 00:31:14,561 The Press: And on a tick-tock about Trayvon Martin, 564 00:31:14,561 --> 00:31:18,660 how did he find out yesterday about the murder charges for -- 565 00:31:18,661 --> 00:31:22,661 the murder charge -- the second degree murder charge 566 00:31:22,661 --> 00:31:23,994 for George Zimmerman? 567 00:31:23,994 --> 00:31:29,328 And also, could you tell us how he's updated daily on the 568 00:31:29,328 --> 00:31:31,994 situation through Justice? 569 00:31:31,994 --> 00:31:35,561 Mr. Carney: I think, as I've said before, the President 570 00:31:35,561 --> 00:31:37,761 keeps up with the news. 571 00:31:37,761 --> 00:31:43,094 He tends to read the newspapers periodically and -- 572 00:31:43,094 --> 00:31:44,094 The Press: Which ones? 573 00:31:44,094 --> 00:31:45,761 [laughter] 574 00:31:45,761 --> 00:31:49,961 Mr. Carney: I don't want to cause any consternation from here. 575 00:31:49,961 --> 00:31:56,761 But, no, he -- as I've said, he tends to get his news from print 576 00:31:56,761 --> 00:32:01,328 material, either paper itself or online. 577 00:32:01,328 --> 00:32:04,293 But I don't -- I wasn't with him when he learned about this. 578 00:32:04,294 --> 00:32:05,628 I believe he just learned about it from the news. 579 00:32:05,628 --> 00:32:07,293 I'm not sure. 580 00:32:07,294 --> 00:32:09,795 But he doesn't get daily briefings on it. 581 00:32:09,795 --> 00:32:14,994 I'm sure he reads the newspapers and keeps up with it that way. 582 00:32:14,994 --> 00:32:16,226 Kristen. 583 00:32:16,227 --> 00:32:19,928 The Press: Jay, the President has decided at this moment not to sign an 584 00:32:19,928 --> 00:32:22,361 executive order that would ban workplace discrimination 585 00:32:22,361 --> 00:32:25,795 by any federal contractor on the basis of sexual orientation. 586 00:32:25,795 --> 00:32:29,227 Based on the fact that the President has made past 587 00:32:29,227 --> 00:32:31,261 statements saying that he supports non-discrimination 588 00:32:31,261 --> 00:32:35,728 policies in the workplace, why not sign this executive order? 589 00:32:35,728 --> 00:32:37,461 Mr. Carney: Thank you for the question. 590 00:32:37,461 --> 00:32:40,994 The President is dedicated to securing equal rights for all 591 00:32:40,994 --> 00:32:42,761 LGBT Americans. 592 00:32:42,761 --> 00:32:45,561 And that is why he has long supported an inclusive 593 00:32:45,561 --> 00:32:48,860 employment non-discrimination act which would prohibit 594 00:32:48,861 --> 00:32:52,361 employers across the country from discriminating on the basis 595 00:32:52,361 --> 00:32:54,661 of sexual orientation and gender identity. 596 00:32:54,661 --> 00:32:57,695 The President is committed to lasting and comprehensive 597 00:32:57,695 --> 00:33:00,593 non-discrimination protections, and we plan to pursue a number 598 00:33:00,594 --> 00:33:02,895 of strategies to attain that goal. 599 00:33:02,895 --> 00:33:06,594 Our hope is these efforts will result in the passage of ENDA, 600 00:33:06,594 --> 00:33:08,027 the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, 601 00:33:08,027 --> 00:33:09,027 which is a legislative solution to LGBT 602 00:33:09,027 --> 00:33:10,027 employment discrimination. 603 00:33:10,027 --> 00:33:16,494 And I would make the comparison here that pursuing that 604 00:33:16,494 --> 00:33:19,761 strategy, the passage of ENDA, is very similar to the approach 605 00:33:19,761 --> 00:33:20,761 the President took for the legislative repeal 606 00:33:20,761 --> 00:33:27,828 of "don't ask, don't tell." 607 00:33:27,828 --> 00:33:33,828 The Press: Can you make the distinction between ENDA and signing this 608 00:33:33,828 --> 00:33:34,461 executive order? 609 00:33:34,461 --> 00:33:36,928 In other words, if he does support ENDA, 610 00:33:36,928 --> 00:33:38,127 why not sign this executive order, 611 00:33:38,127 --> 00:33:41,594 which relates to a smaller part of the population and get that 612 00:33:41,594 --> 00:33:42,294 policy started? 613 00:33:42,294 --> 00:33:44,661 Mr. Carney: Again, I think that the DADT repeal is 614 00:33:44,661 --> 00:33:47,761 instructive here in terms of the approach that we're 615 00:33:47,761 --> 00:33:49,194 taking at this time. 616 00:33:49,194 --> 00:33:52,293 And while it is not our usual practice to discuss executive 617 00:33:52,294 --> 00:33:54,828 orders that may or may not be under consideration, 618 00:33:54,828 --> 00:33:59,094 we do not expect that an EO on LGBT non-discrimination for 619 00:33:59,094 --> 00:34:01,828 federal contractors will be issued at this time. 620 00:34:01,828 --> 00:34:04,528 We support, as I just said, legislation that has been 621 00:34:04,528 --> 00:34:06,661 introduced -- the Employment Non-Discrimination Act -- 622 00:34:06,661 --> 00:34:09,695 and we will continue to work with congressional supporters 623 00:34:09,695 --> 00:34:13,227 to build -- sponsors, rather, to build support for it. 624 00:34:13,226 --> 00:34:15,293 We're deeply committed to working hand-in-hand with 625 00:34:15,293 --> 00:34:18,627 partners in the LGBT community on a number of fronts to build 626 00:34:18,628 --> 00:34:21,695 the case for employment non-discrimination policies 627 00:34:21,695 --> 00:34:24,261 including by complementing the existing body of compelling 628 00:34:24,261 --> 00:34:27,628 research with government-backed data and analysis, 629 00:34:27,628 --> 00:34:29,828 building a coalition of key stakeholders and 630 00:34:29,828 --> 00:34:33,061 decision-makers, directly engaging with and educating 631 00:34:33,061 --> 00:34:34,861 all sectors of the business community -- 632 00:34:34,860 --> 00:34:37,960 from major corporations to contractors to small business -- 633 00:34:37,960 --> 00:34:40,460 and raising public awareness about the human and financial 634 00:34:40,460 --> 00:34:44,060 costs of discrimination in the work force. 635 00:34:44,061 --> 00:34:46,094 The Press: Tico Almeida, who's the president of Freedom to 636 00:34:46,094 --> 00:34:48,161 Work, has issued a statement saying, 637 00:34:48,161 --> 00:34:51,328 "This is a political calculation that cannot stand." 638 00:34:51,328 --> 00:34:54,494 Is this a political calculation? 639 00:34:54,494 --> 00:34:55,494 Mr. Carney: Absolutely not. 640 00:34:55,494 --> 00:34:58,994 The President is committed to securing equal rights for LGBT 641 00:34:58,994 --> 00:35:01,127 Americans and that is why he has long supported ENDA. 642 00:35:01,127 --> 00:35:04,728 I think the President's record on LGBT issues speaks volumes 643 00:35:04,728 --> 00:35:12,528 about his commitment to securing equal rights for LGBT Americans. 644 00:35:12,528 --> 00:35:15,461 The approach we're taking at this time is to try to build 645 00:35:15,461 --> 00:35:18,928 support for passage of this legislation, 646 00:35:18,928 --> 00:35:24,194 a comprehensive approach to legislate on the issue 647 00:35:24,194 --> 00:35:27,594 of non-discrimination. 648 00:35:27,594 --> 00:35:34,127 And I think, again, the approach that we took in bringing about 649 00:35:34,127 --> 00:35:36,227 the repeal -- working with Congress to bring about the 650 00:35:36,227 --> 00:35:41,428 repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" is instructive here. 651 00:35:41,428 --> 00:35:46,594 And as it did then, our approach to this piece of legislation 652 00:35:46,594 --> 00:35:49,928 demonstrates the President's very firm and strong commitment 653 00:35:49,928 --> 00:35:53,094 to non-discrimination and to securing equal rights 654 00:35:53,094 --> 00:35:55,161 for all Americans. 655 00:35:55,161 --> 00:35:58,294 The Press: Jay, if it's not going to happen at this time -- 656 00:35:58,294 --> 00:36:00,694 some sort of commitment to or issue an executive order 657 00:36:00,695 --> 00:36:01,494 at a later time? 658 00:36:01,494 --> 00:36:04,161 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm simply saying that our approach is to 659 00:36:04,161 --> 00:36:08,461 focus on trying to build and expand support for 660 00:36:08,461 --> 00:36:10,560 passage of ENDA. 661 00:36:10,561 --> 00:36:11,461 That is our support. 662 00:36:11,461 --> 00:36:15,928 In terms of, again -- as a rule -- and we try to stick 663 00:36:15,928 --> 00:36:19,861 to it here -- we don't talk about executive orders that 664 00:36:19,861 --> 00:36:21,627 may or may not be under consideration. 665 00:36:21,628 --> 00:36:25,027 In this case, I can tell you that at this time we are not 666 00:36:25,027 --> 00:36:29,761 considering such an executive order. 667 00:36:29,761 --> 00:36:34,594 We are, however, actively working with stakeholders to 668 00:36:34,594 --> 00:36:38,361 build support for passage through Congress of a piece 669 00:36:38,361 --> 00:36:41,127 of legislation that would be far more comprehensive than 670 00:36:41,127 --> 00:36:43,027 an executive order. 671 00:36:43,027 --> 00:36:44,795 Hey, guys, one at a time. 672 00:36:44,795 --> 00:36:46,861 The Press: It's highly unlikely that the Congress will 673 00:36:46,861 --> 00:36:48,361 pass it given its current makeup. 674 00:36:48,361 --> 00:36:50,161 And the President has issued numerous executive orders under 675 00:36:50,161 --> 00:36:52,695 the theme "We Can't Wait" -- has been unable to pass 676 00:36:52,695 --> 00:36:53,695 job legislation. 677 00:36:53,695 --> 00:36:57,127 Why is the President making this distinction with this LGBQ -- 678 00:36:57,127 --> 00:37:03,161 Mr. Carney: We believe that this is the right approach to achieve 679 00:37:03,161 --> 00:37:05,561 success here in a broad and comprehensive 680 00:37:05,561 --> 00:37:08,428 legislative action. 681 00:37:08,428 --> 00:37:11,694 And at this time, we're not considering as a part of that 682 00:37:11,695 --> 00:37:12,861 an executive order. 683 00:37:12,861 --> 00:37:16,528 Now, there are executive orders that this President has signed 684 00:37:16,528 --> 00:37:19,227 and there are executive orders, either real or imagined, 685 00:37:19,227 --> 00:37:20,895 that the President has not acted on, 686 00:37:20,895 --> 00:37:24,695 and that's because we look at each issue and we decide on a 687 00:37:24,695 --> 00:37:27,861 strategy that we think makes the most sense to achieving the 688 00:37:27,861 --> 00:37:30,294 President's policy objectives. 689 00:37:30,294 --> 00:37:34,394 The Press: Does the President believe that Executive Order 11246 that has 690 00:37:34,394 --> 00:37:40,828 been in place since 1965 is redundant to Title VII? 691 00:37:40,828 --> 00:37:41,561 Mr. Carney: You're going to have to -- 692 00:37:41,561 --> 00:37:43,795 The Press: That's the federal contractor executive order that has been 693 00:37:43,795 --> 00:37:48,161 in place for race, religion and sex since 1965. 694 00:37:48,161 --> 00:37:49,361 Mr. Carney: I haven't had that discussion with him, Chris. 695 00:37:49,361 --> 00:37:53,060 What I do know for a fact is that this President is 696 00:37:53,061 --> 00:37:56,695 absolutely dedicated to securing equal rights for LGBT Americans. 697 00:37:56,695 --> 00:38:00,828 I think his record speaks volumes in support 698 00:38:00,828 --> 00:38:02,227 of that statement. 699 00:38:02,227 --> 00:38:06,127 And I think that the strategy that he pursued and the work 700 00:38:06,127 --> 00:38:09,461 that he did with Congress, with allies, 701 00:38:09,461 --> 00:38:11,895 in support of repeal of "don't ask, 702 00:38:11,895 --> 00:38:16,328 don't tell" testifies to his commitment. 703 00:38:16,328 --> 00:38:17,161 And you can -- 704 00:38:17,161 --> 00:38:18,695 The Press: But unlike "don't ask, don't tell", 705 00:38:18,695 --> 00:38:22,861 the executive order route on employment nondiscrimination 706 00:38:22,861 --> 00:38:26,828 for federal contractors has a separate portion even in 707 00:38:26,828 --> 00:38:29,494 addition to the legislative route that has been in 708 00:38:29,494 --> 00:38:31,027 existence since 1965. 709 00:38:31,027 --> 00:38:33,361 So this is not the same as "don't ask, don't tell." 710 00:38:33,361 --> 00:38:37,361 And why has the President not approached in a similar way 711 00:38:37,361 --> 00:38:38,895 to that law? 712 00:38:38,895 --> 00:38:41,494 Mr. Carney: It is a similar approach to the approach we took to 713 00:38:41,494 --> 00:38:44,294 "don't ask, don't tell." 714 00:38:44,294 --> 00:38:47,394 Again, I haven't talked to him about other executive 715 00:38:47,394 --> 00:38:48,394 orders here. 716 00:38:48,394 --> 00:38:50,093 What I can tell you is we're not considering an executive order 717 00:38:50,094 --> 00:38:51,328 on this at this time. 718 00:38:51,328 --> 00:38:53,328 We are focused on a legislative approach, 719 00:38:53,328 --> 00:38:57,728 a comprehensive approach that would be much broader 720 00:38:57,728 --> 00:38:58,728 through legislation. 721 00:38:58,728 --> 00:39:05,161 And we are going to work with stakeholders to try to build 722 00:39:05,161 --> 00:39:07,394 support for passage of ENDA. 723 00:39:07,394 --> 00:39:12,060 The Press: One question before we move on. 724 00:39:12,061 --> 00:39:14,761 You've said that the President legislatively repealed "don't 725 00:39:14,761 --> 00:39:15,461 ask, don't tell." 726 00:39:15,461 --> 00:39:18,727 While that's true, he twice took in this sort of action to 727 00:39:18,728 --> 00:39:20,728 [inaudible] discharge authority twice before that repeal 728 00:39:20,728 --> 00:39:22,061 legislation was passed. 729 00:39:22,061 --> 00:39:26,061 So to say that you need to have legislation to go with 730 00:39:26,061 --> 00:39:27,994 administrative action first is not true. 731 00:39:27,994 --> 00:39:30,861 Mr. Carney: Well, that's actually not a correction, Chris. 732 00:39:30,861 --> 00:39:33,861 It is a separate statement of action and fact. 733 00:39:33,861 --> 00:39:38,261 We are not approaching this at this time through executive 734 00:39:38,261 --> 00:39:40,027 authority, through an executive order. 735 00:39:40,027 --> 00:39:43,361 We are, however -- in another demonstration of the President's 736 00:39:43,361 --> 00:39:44,961 firm commitment to securing equal rights 737 00:39:44,961 --> 00:39:51,060 for the LGBT community -- aggressively pursuing 738 00:39:51,061 --> 00:39:52,061 passage of ENDA. 739 00:39:52,061 --> 00:39:58,628 And that requires working with stakeholders and building a body 740 00:39:58,628 --> 00:40:02,161 of persuasive evidence that this is the right thing to do. 741 00:40:02,161 --> 00:40:04,227 And that is what we're committed to doing. 742 00:40:04,227 --> 00:40:05,560 Yes. 743 00:40:05,561 --> 00:40:09,994 The Press: On Syria, you already -- my quick two questions is, 744 00:40:09,994 --> 00:40:14,928 one, tomorrow is Friday, many large numbers of Syrians get 745 00:40:14,928 --> 00:40:18,194 together after the Friday prayer and then you see 746 00:40:18,194 --> 00:40:19,928 all the casualties and other mistreatment. 747 00:40:19,928 --> 00:40:23,961 Do you have any message -- many people argue that this is first 748 00:40:23,961 --> 00:40:27,493 and biggest test for the truce, that you are not satisfied. 749 00:40:27,494 --> 00:40:32,127 Could you please talk to that -- what's your message? 750 00:40:32,127 --> 00:40:38,061 Mr. Carney: Sure. Our message is to Assad regime: Stop killing you people. 751 00:40:38,061 --> 00:40:42,027 Stop the violence. 752 00:40:42,027 --> 00:40:43,361 Commit yourself to a cease-fire. 753 00:40:43,361 --> 00:40:46,227 Commit yourself fully to implementing the Annan plan. 754 00:40:46,227 --> 00:40:46,993 Remove your troops. 755 00:40:46,994 --> 00:40:50,795 Withdraw your material, your weapons from urban 756 00:40:50,795 --> 00:40:55,994 population centers. 757 00:40:55,994 --> 00:40:57,861 And I hope that that message is heard. 758 00:40:57,861 --> 00:41:00,027 It's not just this President's message; 759 00:41:00,027 --> 00:41:01,795 it's the message of the international community. 760 00:41:01,795 --> 00:41:08,961 There's broad support for the Kofi Annan mission and the Kofi 761 00:41:08,961 --> 00:41:12,694 Annan plan on the United Nations Security Council and throughout 762 00:41:12,695 --> 00:41:14,461 the world. 763 00:41:14,461 --> 00:41:16,461 And we hope -- and I think I spoke to this earlier -- 764 00:41:16,461 --> 00:41:22,294 that while there are some signs of a tentative cease-fire 765 00:41:22,294 --> 00:41:27,728 holding at this point in time, that is not the same as full 766 00:41:27,728 --> 00:41:29,795 implementation of the commitments that the Assad 767 00:41:29,795 --> 00:41:35,761 regime made 12 days ago when it said it would implement 768 00:41:35,761 --> 00:41:37,761 the Annan plan. 769 00:41:37,761 --> 00:41:38,761 The Press: Final question. 770 00:41:38,761 --> 00:41:43,261 Turkish Prime Minister yesterday said he would invoke Article 5th 771 00:41:43,261 --> 00:41:46,428 to secure the border. 772 00:41:46,428 --> 00:41:48,861 Mr. Carney: Article 5. 773 00:41:48,861 --> 00:41:49,861 The Press: What's your approach to -- 774 00:41:49,861 --> 00:41:50,861 Mr. Carney: I didn't see that. 775 00:41:50,861 --> 00:41:53,795 I think we are obviously -- as I think I said yesterday or the 776 00:41:53,795 --> 00:41:55,761 day before -- very concerned about the incident, 777 00:41:55,761 --> 00:41:57,428 the cross-border violence. 778 00:41:57,428 --> 00:42:07,227 It is, again, a vivid example of the abhorrent behavior of 779 00:42:07,227 --> 00:42:12,694 the Assad regime killing of refugees across the border. 780 00:42:12,695 --> 00:42:14,928 We made clear our concern about that issue, 781 00:42:14,928 --> 00:42:19,161 and we've certainly been in consultation with our Turkish 782 00:42:19,161 --> 00:42:20,161 allies on the matter. 783 00:42:20,161 --> 00:42:23,461 But I don't have a specific response to that question. 784 00:42:23,461 --> 00:42:24,761 Ann Compton. 785 00:42:24,761 --> 00:42:25,761 The Press: Thank you, Jay. 786 00:42:25,761 --> 00:42:28,928 Could you clarify what the President was talking about 787 00:42:28,928 --> 00:42:30,993 yesterday when he mentioned former President Reagan going 788 00:42:30,994 --> 00:42:35,227 out and talking about -- in the sense of tax fairness? 789 00:42:35,227 --> 00:42:38,294 What does he think President Reagan was promoting? 790 00:42:38,294 --> 00:42:44,627 Does he believe the President was promoting a higher tax rate 791 00:42:44,628 --> 00:42:46,661 for the wealthy? 792 00:42:46,661 --> 00:42:49,161 Mr. Carney: Well, here is a classic misunderstanding, 793 00:42:49,161 --> 00:42:51,895 and I'm assuming not a deliberate misrepresentation, 794 00:42:51,895 --> 00:42:52,661 of what the Buffett Rule is. 795 00:42:52,661 --> 00:42:54,528 It is not a higher tax rate. 796 00:42:54,528 --> 00:43:02,660 It is a rule to ensure that millionaires pay income tax -- 797 00:43:02,661 --> 00:43:05,461 a tax on their income no lower than 30 percent, 798 00:43:05,461 --> NaN:NaN:NaN,NaN so that it is equal to what middle-class Americans pay. 799 00:43:01,061 --> 00:43:12,628 Again, this is not about raising marginal rates. 800 00:43:12,628 --> 00:43:15,161 The President does believe, separate from this -- 801 00:43:15,161 --> 00:43:18,227 but he was already talking about the Buffett Rule -- 802 00:43:18,227 --> 00:43:22,161 that we should let the high income Bush tax cuts expire. 803 00:43:22,161 --> 00:43:25,628 The Buffett Rule would simply ensure that if you're like 804 00:43:25,628 --> 00:43:28,461 Warren Buffett or many other millionaires and billionaires 805 00:43:28,461 --> 00:43:32,928 out there, who, by taking advantage of the existing tax 806 00:43:32,928 --> 00:43:39,428 code, pay something on the order of 10 or 15 or 20 percent or 807 00:43:39,428 --> 00:43:45,227 whatever on your income, that that's not fair when 808 00:43:45,227 --> 00:43:46,993 middle-class Americans, like Warren Buffett's secretary, 809 00:43:46,994 --> 00:43:50,795 like the assistants that were here yesterday at this event, 810 00:43:50,795 --> 00:43:52,494 they should not be paying -- 811 00:43:52,494 --> 00:43:54,361 or representative of this problem -- 812 00:43:54,361 --> 00:43:58,828 they should not be paying taxes on their income at a higher rate 813 00:43:58,828 --> 00:44:00,027 than millionaires and billionaires. 814 00:44:00,027 --> 00:44:02,394 And I think that if you hear what Ronald Reagan simply said 815 00:44:02,394 --> 00:44:06,361 was, he used an example that could almost be ripped from 816 00:44:06,361 --> 00:44:07,361 today's headlines, right? 817 00:44:07,361 --> 00:44:10,027 He said he had a CEO contact him. 818 00:44:10,027 --> 00:44:14,061 He made six figures, which at that time was like being a 819 00:44:14,061 --> 00:44:16,728 millionaire, and who could not believe and did not think it was 820 00:44:16,728 --> 00:44:20,094 fair that he was able to, through perfectly legal means 821 00:44:20,094 --> 00:44:22,528 because of the loopholes in the tax code, 822 00:44:22,528 --> 00:44:24,660 pay taxes at a lower rate than his assistant. 823 00:44:24,661 --> 00:44:28,828 That is exactly the point that Warren Buffett has been making. 824 00:44:28,828 --> 00:44:31,695 It is exactly the point that President Obama has been making. 825 00:44:31,695 --> 00:44:33,761 The Press: And so someone who takes in a couple of million 826 00:44:33,761 --> 00:44:38,728 of dollars of capital gains and pays the 15 percent rate, 827 00:44:38,728 --> 00:44:41,795 and does it legally, the President does not want that 828 00:44:41,795 --> 00:44:44,161 person's tax liability to go up? 829 00:44:44,161 --> 00:44:47,361 Mr. Carney: We've spoken very clearly in our budget about capital 830 00:44:47,361 --> 00:44:50,194 gains rate with regards to people making more than -- 831 00:44:50,194 --> 00:44:52,861 millionaires and billionaires -- about the carried interest law. 832 00:44:52,861 --> 00:44:53,795 And the answer is, yes. 833 00:44:53,795 --> 00:44:55,628 We do not believe that hedge fund managers -- 834 00:44:55,628 --> 00:44:58,994 it's a perfect example -- should be paying tax on what 835 00:44:58,994 --> 00:45:02,394 by any common-sense definition is income -- it isn't even 836 00:45:02,394 --> 00:45:08,294 capital -- it's not capital profit, it's income -- 837 00:45:08,294 --> 00:45:13,194 at a 15 percent rate, when most folks who are earning a paycheck 838 00:45:13,194 --> 00:45:14,861 are paying at a much higher rate. 839 00:45:14,861 --> 00:45:18,993 That does not seem fair to the President and it doesn't make 840 00:45:18,994 --> 00:45:19,861 economic sense. 841 00:45:19,861 --> 00:45:20,895 And you know why? 842 00:45:20,895 --> 00:45:22,494 Because we tried it. 843 00:45:22,494 --> 00:45:25,928 And putting aside the fairness argument for a minute and just 844 00:45:25,928 --> 00:45:28,094 looking at the effect on the economy, 845 00:45:28,094 --> 00:45:31,795 what happens when you give substantial tax cuts to the 846 00:45:31,795 --> 00:45:34,494 wealthiest Americans? 847 00:45:34,494 --> 00:45:36,594 Well, it's not a theoretical exercise -- 848 00:45:36,594 --> 00:45:39,628 2001 it happened; 2003 it happened. 849 00:45:39,628 --> 00:45:40,695 And what happened? 850 00:45:40,695 --> 00:45:42,895 Even in times of economic expansion, 851 00:45:42,895 --> 00:45:45,795 we had unbelievably anemic job growth, 852 00:45:45,795 --> 00:45:48,961 the lowest in recent history in terms of expansion. 853 00:45:48,961 --> 00:45:52,461 We had an average -- during the growth quarters of the 854 00:45:52,461 --> 00:45:57,060 Bush administration -- of under 100,000 jobs created per month, 855 00:45:57,061 --> 00:45:59,961 lower significantly than March job creation, 856 00:45:59,961 --> 00:46:03,294 lower drastically than the kind of job creation we've seen in 857 00:46:03,294 --> 00:46:04,294 the past quarter. 858 00:46:04,294 --> 00:46:05,861 So it hadn't worked. 859 00:46:05,861 --> 00:46:06,861 We tried it. 860 00:46:06,861 --> 00:46:12,761 Over the eight years before this President came into office you 861 00:46:12,761 --> 00:46:17,561 saw a period when the middle class was under tremendous 862 00:46:17,561 --> 00:46:20,761 strain, where the incomes of middle-class Americans either 863 00:46:20,761 --> 00:46:26,261 stagnated or fell, and when the incomes of the wealthiest 864 00:46:26,261 --> 00:46:30,061 Americans went up dramatically. 865 00:46:30,061 --> 00:46:35,061 That kind of imbalance is both not fair for regular folks who 866 00:46:35,061 --> 00:46:36,795 are working hard, trying to make ends meet, 867 00:46:36,795 --> 00:46:38,728 but it's also not good for our economy. 868 00:46:38,728 --> 00:46:40,294 It didn't work. 869 00:46:40,294 --> 00:46:42,861 So we shouldn't just go back and do what didn't work. 870 00:46:42,861 --> 00:46:46,728 And I even didn't mention what happened at the end of that 871 00:46:46,728 --> 00:46:50,094 period -- global economic chaos. 872 00:46:50,094 --> 00:46:58,227 So if that's the plan, if that's what some folks are selling, 873 00:46:58,227 --> 00:47:01,661 I'm hard pressed to believe that there will be a lot of buyers. 874 00:47:01,661 --> 00:47:03,461 The Press: Thank you. 875 00:47:03,461 --> 00:47:04,060 Mr. Carney: Thank you, guys.