English subtitles for clip: File:4-13-15- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,734 --> 00:00:02,974 Mr. Earnest: Good afternoon, everybody. 2 00:00:02,969 --> 00:00:04,069 Nice to see you all. 3 00:00:04,070 --> 00:00:06,310 I see at least a couple of you might have made the trip 4 00:00:06,306 --> 00:00:07,476 back successfully from Panama. 5 00:00:07,474 --> 00:00:09,474 So those of you who did, welcome back. 6 00:00:09,476 --> 00:00:12,776 Let me do a quick rundown at the top and then we'll get 7 00:00:12,779 --> 00:00:14,449 straight to your questions. 8 00:00:14,447 --> 00:00:17,387 This week, the President intends to spend a lot of 9 00:00:17,384 --> 00:00:20,954 time talking about his agenda that's focused on 10 00:00:20,954 --> 00:00:22,754 middle-class economics. 11 00:00:22,756 --> 00:00:25,196 He believes that we have a critical opportunity here to 12 00:00:25,191 --> 00:00:27,991 build on the progress that we've made so far based on a 13 00:00:27,994 --> 00:00:31,434 simple idea, which is that our economy is strongest 14 00:00:31,431 --> 00:00:33,431 when it's growing from the middle out. 15 00:00:33,433 --> 00:00:35,773 And that's why the President is going to continue to 16 00:00:35,769 --> 00:00:38,769 advocate for policies that benefit middle-class 17 00:00:38,772 --> 00:00:40,872 families in a way that will continue to grow our economy 18 00:00:40,874 --> 00:00:42,174 from the middle out. 19 00:00:42,175 --> 00:00:44,175 This stands in stark contrast to the approach 20 00:00:44,177 --> 00:00:47,317 that's advocated by many Republicans who believe that 21 00:00:47,313 --> 00:00:51,883 they should target benefits and relief to those at the 22 00:00:51,885 --> 00:00:54,625 top, with the expectation that those benefits will 23 00:00:54,621 --> 00:00:57,021 trickle down to everyone else. 24 00:00:57,023 --> 00:00:59,893 The best example of this is we see that Republicans are 25 00:00:59,893 --> 00:01:01,893 trying to advance through the House of Representatives 26 00:01:01,895 --> 00:01:06,735 this week a proposal that would offer a $300 billion 27 00:01:06,733 --> 00:01:12,243 tax cut that's targeted specifically at that small 28 00:01:12,238 --> 00:01:16,208 group of estates that's worth in excess of 29 00:01:16,209 --> 00:01:20,749 $11 million. 30 00:01:20,747 --> 00:01:23,617 The President, for about that same amount of money, 31 00:01:23,616 --> 00:01:25,886 believes that we can actually offer tax relief to 32 00:01:25,885 --> 00:01:28,525 44 million working families. 33 00:01:28,521 --> 00:01:32,191 And again, that's a pretty stark contrast in approach. 34 00:01:32,192 --> 00:01:34,732 The President will have the opportunity to make the case 35 00:01:34,727 --> 00:01:38,167 about his approach that's focused on middle-class and 36 00:01:38,164 --> 00:01:40,604 working families around the television interviews that 37 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:42,600 he's planned for later today here at the White House. 38 00:01:42,602 --> 00:01:44,602 He's going to be doing interviews with local 39 00:01:44,604 --> 00:01:47,044 television reporters from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, 40 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:49,410 South Dakota, Ohio and Maine, 41 00:01:49,409 --> 00:01:51,809 specifically to talk about this issue. 42 00:01:51,811 --> 00:01:54,551 Tomorrow, the President will mark Equal Pay Day here at 43 00:01:54,547 --> 00:01:57,447 the White House, and will call on Congress to pass the 44 00:01:57,450 --> 00:02:00,190 Paycheck Fairness Act, which would significantly 45 00:02:00,186 --> 00:02:03,356 strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and give women 46 00:02:03,356 --> 00:02:07,456 additional tools to fight pay discrimination. 47 00:02:07,460 --> 00:02:09,460 On Wednesday, the President will travel to Charlotte, 48 00:02:09,462 --> 00:02:11,862 North Carolina, where he'll meet with working women to 49 00:02:11,865 --> 00:02:13,865 discuss the plan that he's laid out in his budget 50 00:02:13,867 --> 00:02:19,107 proposal to help those women who are both working in the 51 00:02:19,105 --> 00:02:21,945 workplace but also trying to raise a family. 52 00:02:21,941 --> 00:02:23,941 And in the context of that visit, 53 00:02:23,943 --> 00:02:26,943 he'll take some questions from some online communities 54 00:02:26,946 --> 00:02:30,716 that cater to working women to talk about this issue. 55 00:02:30,717 --> 00:02:32,717 Then, on Thursday, the President will make a 56 00:02:32,719 --> 00:02:34,719 special appearance here at the White House at a 57 00:02:34,721 --> 00:02:36,721 Champions of Change event, where he will honor working 58 00:02:36,723 --> 00:02:39,093 families and advocates for working families, 59 00:02:39,092 --> 00:02:41,262 and recognize their efforts to fight for things like 60 00:02:41,261 --> 00:02:44,531 workplace flexibility, paycheck fairness, 61 00:02:44,531 --> 00:02:46,701 and putting an end to pregnancy discrimination. 62 00:02:46,699 --> 00:02:50,369 So a very practical pocketbook-focused agenda 63 00:02:50,370 --> 00:02:53,670 for this week, in addition to a range of other issues. 64 00:02:53,673 --> 00:02:55,673 And I'm prepared to talk about all of that today. 65 00:02:55,675 --> 00:02:57,215 So, Darlene, do you want to get us started? 66 00:02:57,210 --> 00:02:57,940 The Press: Thank you. 67 00:02:57,944 --> 00:03:01,114 I had a couple of questions on the visit tomorrow by the 68 00:03:01,114 --> 00:03:02,614 Prime Minister of Iraq. 69 00:03:02,615 --> 00:03:06,115 Before he left Iraq today, he said that his country 70 00:03:06,119 --> 00:03:08,719 needs more support from the international community to 71 00:03:08,721 --> 00:03:10,661 finish off the Islamic State group. 72 00:03:10,657 --> 00:03:12,897 I was wondering if you are aware of any specific 73 00:03:12,892 --> 00:03:15,092 requests from the Prime Minister that he's coming 74 00:03:15,094 --> 00:03:18,234 with for the President tomorrow. 75 00:03:18,231 --> 00:03:20,271 Mr. Earnest: I'm not aware of any specific request that 76 00:03:20,266 --> 00:03:23,206 Prime Minister Abadi is bringing with him. 77 00:03:23,202 --> 00:03:24,472 The President certainly is looking forward to the 78 00:03:24,470 --> 00:03:26,610 opportunity that he'll have to sit down with Prime 79 00:03:26,606 --> 00:03:29,176 Minister Abadi and to discuss the partnership 80 00:03:29,175 --> 00:03:30,275 between our two countries. 81 00:03:30,276 --> 00:03:32,376 The United States has obviously been very 82 00:03:32,378 --> 00:03:35,048 encouraging of and even supportive of Prime Minister 83 00:03:35,048 --> 00:03:39,888 Abadi's efforts to unite the nation of Iraq to confront 84 00:03:39,886 --> 00:03:43,626 the threat that is posed by ISIL. 85 00:03:43,623 --> 00:03:46,493 Prime Minister Abadi took office vowing to govern that 86 00:03:46,492 --> 00:03:49,932 country in an inclusive way. 87 00:03:49,929 --> 00:03:52,999 Iraq is a diverse country, and Prime Minister Abadi has 88 00:03:52,999 --> 00:03:56,169 gone to great lengths to ensure that the diversity of 89 00:03:56,169 --> 00:03:58,439 the country is reflected in the diversity of the 90 00:03:58,438 --> 00:04:00,878 government and in the diversity of the security 91 00:04:00,873 --> 00:04:01,873 forces of that nation. 92 00:04:01,874 --> 00:04:06,384 And that will be critical to their success in fighting 93 00:04:06,379 --> 00:04:08,079 the threat that's posed by ISIL. 94 00:04:08,081 --> 00:04:10,781 The United States has obviously been very 95 00:04:10,783 --> 00:04:14,283 supportive of his efforts both diplomatically but also 96 00:04:14,287 --> 00:04:18,627 in terms of providing support and assistance to 97 00:04:18,625 --> 00:04:20,225 Iraqi security forces. 98 00:04:20,226 --> 00:04:22,826 And we anticipate that that partnership and that support 99 00:04:22,829 --> 00:04:23,829 will continue. 100 00:04:23,830 --> 00:04:25,830 The Press: There have been some reports that he's 101 00:04:25,832 --> 00:04:28,172 prepared to ask the President for drone 102 00:04:28,167 --> 00:04:32,067 aircraft, attack helicopters, and ammunition. 103 00:04:32,071 --> 00:04:34,011 I was wondering if -- how would you characterize the 104 00:04:34,007 --> 00:04:37,147 willingness of the President and/or the administration to 105 00:04:37,143 --> 00:04:39,283 fulfill a request like that? 106 00:04:39,278 --> 00:04:40,918 Mr. Earnest: Well, we're obviously deeply engaged in 107 00:04:40,913 --> 00:04:46,683 regular or even daily conversations about steps 108 00:04:46,686 --> 00:04:48,826 that the United States and the international community 109 00:04:48,821 --> 00:04:51,561 can take to support the Iraqi people, 110 00:04:51,557 --> 00:04:54,227 the Iraqi government and the Iraqi security forces as 111 00:04:54,227 --> 00:04:56,397 they face down the ISIL threat. 112 00:04:56,396 --> 00:05:00,896 There is obviously intensive coordination between 113 00:05:00,900 --> 00:05:02,800 our militaries. 114 00:05:02,802 --> 00:05:06,202 The U.S. military has a presence 115 00:05:06,205 --> 00:05:08,305 inside of Iraq where we can 116 00:05:08,307 --> 00:05:10,307 coordinate our efforts and make sure that we are 117 00:05:10,309 --> 00:05:12,579 leveraging all of the technological capabilities 118 00:05:12,578 --> 00:05:15,218 that our military has to benefit the Iraqi forces 119 00:05:15,214 --> 00:05:17,184 that are fighting on the ground. 120 00:05:17,183 --> 00:05:19,183 That is part of the strategy that the President has laid 121 00:05:19,185 --> 00:05:21,625 out for degrading and ultimately destroying ISIL. 122 00:05:21,621 --> 00:05:24,321 We're pleased to be implementing that strategy 123 00:05:24,323 --> 00:05:26,663 by working closely with some 60 other countries who are 124 00:05:26,659 --> 00:05:29,599 part of this broader international coalition. 125 00:05:29,595 --> 00:05:32,995 And if there are specific ideas that Prime Minister 126 00:05:32,999 --> 00:05:35,269 Abadi has for stepped-up assistance, 127 00:05:35,268 --> 00:05:38,938 then we'll obviously consider them seriously. 128 00:05:38,938 --> 00:05:41,338 The Press: What can you tell us about press coverage of 129 00:05:41,340 --> 00:05:42,240 the visit tomorrow? 130 00:05:42,241 --> 00:05:44,211 Will there be a spray at least? 131 00:05:44,210 --> 00:05:46,210 Mr. Earnest: We're still working to pin down 132 00:05:46,212 --> 00:05:47,212 the details. 133 00:05:47,213 --> 00:05:47,813 We'll have those locked before the end of the 134 00:05:47,814 --> 00:05:50,214 day today. 135 00:05:50,216 --> 00:05:52,216 The Press: And then one final question on Cuba. 136 00:05:52,218 --> 00:05:53,088 Over the weekend, the President said he was 137 00:05:53,086 --> 00:05:54,286 traveling and hadn't yet had the chance to read the State 138 00:05:54,287 --> 00:05:57,757 Department recommendation on whether to remove Cuba from 139 00:05:57,757 --> 00:06:00,897 the list of state sponsors of terrorism. 140 00:06:00,893 --> 00:06:03,293 Do you know if he's begun to read and study 141 00:06:03,296 --> 00:06:05,566 that recommendation? 142 00:06:05,565 --> 00:06:07,935 And is there any sort of timeline for when he would 143 00:06:07,934 --> 00:06:10,474 want to announce what seems like a foregone conclusion? 144 00:06:10,470 --> 00:06:12,170 (laughter) 145 00:06:12,171 --> 00:06:13,611 Mr. Earnest: For something that seems like a 146 00:06:13,606 --> 00:06:15,046 foregone conclusion, it has certainly gotten a lot of 147 00:06:15,041 --> 00:06:18,281 attention in the last few days, and understandably so. 148 00:06:18,277 --> 00:06:21,817 This is obviously a significant policy decision 149 00:06:21,814 --> 00:06:23,614 that the President and his team will have to make. 150 00:06:23,616 --> 00:06:26,386 I don't have an update for you in terms of where the 151 00:06:26,385 --> 00:06:28,485 process currently stands. 152 00:06:28,488 --> 00:06:30,488 I can tell you that the President was looking 153 00:06:30,490 --> 00:06:32,490 forward to the opportunity to reading the 154 00:06:32,492 --> 00:06:35,092 recommendation from the State Department and the 155 00:06:35,094 --> 00:06:37,194 input that was provided through other 156 00:06:37,196 --> 00:06:39,596 relevant agencies. 157 00:06:39,599 --> 00:06:41,799 I don't have a specific timeline to offer you in 158 00:06:41,801 --> 00:06:43,801 terms of when a decision will be made, 159 00:06:43,803 --> 00:06:47,003 but I would anticipate that, given that the process has 160 00:06:47,006 --> 00:06:51,146 advanced so far, you can expect a decision in the 161 00:06:51,144 --> 00:06:53,444 coming days. 162 00:06:53,446 --> 00:06:54,276 Julia. 163 00:06:54,280 --> 00:06:55,380 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 164 00:06:55,381 --> 00:07:00,121 The Kremlin has said that Putin has lifted a ban on 165 00:07:00,119 --> 00:07:03,459 providing anti-missile rocket systems to Iran. 166 00:07:03,456 --> 00:07:06,196 This is also coming as Russia seems to be prepared 167 00:07:06,192 --> 00:07:09,532 to supply grain and other equipment in an 168 00:07:09,529 --> 00:07:12,869 oil-for-goods swap with Iran that may position them to 169 00:07:12,865 --> 00:07:16,565 have kind of a head start when and if sanctions 170 00:07:16,569 --> 00:07:17,769 are lifted. 171 00:07:17,770 --> 00:07:19,440 Is the President -- has he been briefed on this? 172 00:07:19,438 --> 00:07:21,538 What is his response? 173 00:07:21,541 --> 00:07:24,381 Mr. Earnest: Well, Julia, we've seen those reports as 174 00:07:24,377 --> 00:07:28,377 they relate to the possible sale of the S-300 175 00:07:28,381 --> 00:07:31,451 anti-ballistic missile system to Iran. 176 00:07:31,450 --> 00:07:35,450 The United States has previously made known our 177 00:07:35,454 --> 00:07:38,654 objections to that sale, and I understand that Secretary 178 00:07:38,658 --> 00:07:41,058 Kerry had an opportunity to raise these concerns once 179 00:07:41,060 --> 00:07:43,860 again in a recent conversation with his 180 00:07:43,863 --> 00:07:47,863 Russian counterpart, Mr. Lavrov. 181 00:07:47,867 --> 00:07:49,867 I'm not in a position to, obviously, 182 00:07:49,869 --> 00:07:52,869 speculate on the decision-making process that 183 00:07:52,872 --> 00:07:55,072 Russia is engaged in right now, 184 00:07:55,074 --> 00:07:57,814 but I do think it's safe to say that Russia understands 185 00:07:57,810 --> 00:07:59,810 that the United States certainly takes very 186 00:07:59,812 --> 00:08:01,852 seriously the safety and security of our allies in 187 00:08:01,848 --> 00:08:03,618 the region. 188 00:08:03,616 --> 00:08:08,626 As it relates to the other oil-for-goods discussion, 189 00:08:11,157 --> 00:08:13,157 this is something that has been -- this is a discussion 190 00:08:13,159 --> 00:08:16,359 that has been underway for several months now, 191 00:08:16,362 --> 00:08:18,362 and we've obviously been aware that there are 192 00:08:18,364 --> 00:08:22,164 proposals involving Russia and Iran to, essentially, 193 00:08:22,168 --> 00:08:25,438 barter Iranian oil for Russian goods. 194 00:08:25,438 --> 00:08:28,678 We're studying the details, and if this sort of 195 00:08:28,674 --> 00:08:32,474 arrangement were to move forward it would raise 196 00:08:32,478 --> 00:08:35,278 serious concerns and even could potentially raise 197 00:08:35,281 --> 00:08:36,821 sanctions concerns. 198 00:08:36,816 --> 00:08:40,216 So we're going to continue to evaluate that moving 199 00:08:40,219 --> 00:08:41,219 forward as well. 200 00:08:41,220 --> 00:08:44,490 The Press: Could it endanger finalizing a deal by the end 201 00:08:44,490 --> 00:08:45,660 of June? 202 00:08:45,658 --> 00:08:48,898 Mr. Earnest: Well, one of the things that we have 203 00:08:48,895 --> 00:08:51,695 indicated has been critical to our success in this 204 00:08:51,697 --> 00:08:54,637 diplomatic process has been the unity of the 205 00:08:54,634 --> 00:08:55,634 international community. 206 00:08:55,635 --> 00:08:59,375 And the United States and our partners in Europe have 207 00:08:59,372 --> 00:09:02,872 been able to work closely with both Russia and China 208 00:09:02,875 --> 00:09:05,245 to bring Iran to the negotiating table by putting 209 00:09:05,244 --> 00:09:07,544 in place and enforcing tough sanctions, 210 00:09:07,546 --> 00:09:10,116 and engaging in a negotiating position that 211 00:09:10,116 --> 00:09:13,116 has succeeded in getting Iran to make serious 212 00:09:13,119 --> 00:09:15,189 commitments about limitations and, 213 00:09:15,187 --> 00:09:19,797 in some cases, even rolling back specific elements of 214 00:09:19,792 --> 00:09:22,092 their nuclear program. 215 00:09:22,094 --> 00:09:26,064 So we value the coordination and unity that we have been 216 00:09:26,065 --> 00:09:30,505 able to maintain throughout this rather long process. 217 00:09:30,503 --> 00:09:34,403 In fact, we recently even saw that an official from 218 00:09:34,407 --> 00:09:40,477 the foreign ministry in Russia indicated that the U.S. 219 00:09:40,479 --> 00:09:42,779 document outlining the parameters of the agreement 220 00:09:42,782 --> 00:09:46,952 with Iran was consistent and did reflect the agreement 221 00:09:46,953 --> 00:09:47,983 that was reached at the table. 222 00:09:47,987 --> 00:09:51,387 And again, that underscores the kind of unity around the 223 00:09:51,390 --> 00:09:56,460 specific agreement that we believe has been critical to 224 00:09:56,462 --> 00:09:57,462 our success. 225 00:09:57,463 --> 00:10:00,303 We'll obviously evaluate these two other proposals 226 00:10:00,299 --> 00:10:01,299 moving forward. 227 00:10:01,300 --> 00:10:04,640 And obviously we have been in direct touch with Russia 228 00:10:04,637 --> 00:10:07,207 to make sure that they understand -- and they do -- 229 00:10:07,206 --> 00:10:09,776 the potential concerns we have. 230 00:10:09,775 --> 00:10:10,145 The Press: Okay. 231 00:10:10,142 --> 00:10:12,142 And building off Darlene's questions. 232 00:10:12,144 --> 00:10:15,244 If you can't get into specifics about what Prime 233 00:10:15,247 --> 00:10:16,887 Minister Abadi might be asking for and how Obama -- 234 00:10:16,882 --> 00:10:20,082 how he would respond, what can you tell us about 235 00:10:20,086 --> 00:10:22,386 deliverables, expectations? 236 00:10:22,388 --> 00:10:25,058 What's the goal of this meeting? 237 00:10:25,057 --> 00:10:27,797 Mr. Earnest: Well, the goal is to continue the obviously 238 00:10:27,793 --> 00:10:30,193 deep coordination that already exists between the 239 00:10:30,196 --> 00:10:33,436 United States and Iraq. 240 00:10:33,432 --> 00:10:37,902 This is a partnership that the United States is 241 00:10:37,903 --> 00:10:39,303 obviously deeply invested in. 242 00:10:39,305 --> 00:10:45,875 And our success in working with an inclusive Iraqi 243 00:10:45,878 --> 00:10:48,818 government has been important to some of the 244 00:10:48,814 --> 00:10:52,854 security gains that Iraq has realized against ISIL in the 245 00:10:52,852 --> 00:10:54,452 last few months. 246 00:10:54,453 --> 00:10:56,453 There obviously is a lot more work that needs to 247 00:10:56,455 --> 00:10:57,455 get done. 248 00:10:57,456 --> 00:10:59,456 And we're going to continue to work closely with the 249 00:10:59,458 --> 00:11:03,298 Iraqis and deepen our relationship in coordination 250 00:11:03,295 --> 00:11:05,495 in successful pursuit of the strategy that the President 251 00:11:05,498 --> 00:11:09,138 has laid out for degrading and ultimately destroying ISIL. 252 00:11:09,135 --> 00:11:09,765 Okay. 253 00:11:09,769 --> 00:11:10,899 Jim. 254 00:11:10,903 --> 00:11:12,903 The Press: Josh, getting back to the nuclear deal, 255 00:11:12,905 --> 00:11:15,675 and to follow up on some of the President's comments 256 00:11:15,674 --> 00:11:18,114 from the press conference on Saturday, 257 00:11:18,110 --> 00:11:20,750 is there any scenario in which the President would 258 00:11:20,746 --> 00:11:23,446 accept a nuclear deal in which the sanctions are 259 00:11:23,449 --> 00:11:26,819 lifted immediately at the consummation of a deal, 260 00:11:26,819 --> 00:11:30,489 in the same sense that the Iranians seem to want that 261 00:11:30,489 --> 00:11:31,489 to happen? 262 00:11:31,490 --> 00:11:34,230 Would he just rule that out -- are you ruling that out, 263 00:11:34,226 --> 00:11:35,926 that's not going to happen? 264 00:11:35,928 --> 00:11:37,028 Mr. Earnest: Well, Jim, we have been very clear about 265 00:11:37,029 --> 00:11:38,029 what our position is. 266 00:11:38,030 --> 00:11:40,900 And the position is different than the Iranian 267 00:11:40,900 --> 00:11:44,600 one, which is one that insists upon removing all 268 00:11:44,603 --> 00:11:46,803 sanctions on day one. 269 00:11:46,806 --> 00:11:51,606 What we have indicated is the best course of action is 270 00:11:51,610 --> 00:11:56,780 for the international community to provide phased 271 00:11:56,782 --> 00:12:01,222 sanctions relief to the Iranians in exchange for 272 00:12:01,220 --> 00:12:04,090 their implementation of the deal. 273 00:12:04,090 --> 00:12:07,330 And that would mean -- and I guess -- and that would be 274 00:12:07,326 --> 00:12:12,096 backed up of course by an historically intrusive set 275 00:12:12,098 --> 00:12:13,768 of inspections that, frankly, 276 00:12:13,766 --> 00:12:17,236 are more rigorous and more detailed and more intrusive 277 00:12:17,236 --> 00:12:19,276 than any set of inspections that have ever been imposed 278 00:12:19,271 --> 00:12:20,871 on a country's nuclear program. 279 00:12:20,873 --> 00:12:23,413 That obviously is a critical component to this agreement 280 00:12:23,409 --> 00:12:24,409 as well. 281 00:12:24,410 --> 00:12:26,750 But what we would envision is essentially phased 282 00:12:26,745 --> 00:12:30,645 sanctions relief in exchange for successful 283 00:12:30,649 --> 00:12:33,789 implementation of the agreement, and the Iranians, 284 00:12:33,786 --> 00:12:36,286 in a verifiable way, living up to the commitments that 285 00:12:36,288 --> 00:12:37,728 they've made at the negotiating table. 286 00:12:37,723 --> 00:12:40,293 The Press: And you're not going to accept anything 287 00:12:40,292 --> 00:12:42,292 less than phased sanctions relief? 288 00:12:42,294 --> 00:12:44,294 Mr. Earnest: We've been very clear about what our 289 00:12:44,296 --> 00:12:45,296 position is. 290 00:12:45,297 --> 00:12:47,297 Let me say two other things about that. 291 00:12:47,299 --> 00:12:51,339 One is this is a position that the Iranian negotiators 292 00:12:51,337 --> 00:12:52,767 are very well aware of. 293 00:12:52,771 --> 00:12:54,771 This is something that's been conveyed to them around 294 00:12:54,773 --> 00:12:56,013 the negotiating table. 295 00:12:56,008 --> 00:12:58,578 The second thing I can tell you is that this position 296 00:12:58,577 --> 00:13:01,377 about phased sanctions relief doesn't just reflect 297 00:13:01,380 --> 00:13:03,380 the position of the United States, 298 00:13:03,382 --> 00:13:05,382 it reflects the position of the international community. 299 00:13:05,384 --> 00:13:07,784 And again -- this goes to my response to Julia's question 300 00:13:07,786 --> 00:13:09,786 about how important it is for the international 301 00:13:09,788 --> 00:13:12,158 community to remain united on these issues -- that's 302 00:13:12,158 --> 00:13:14,158 the way that we have been able to maximize our 303 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:16,230 leverage with Iran to get them to make these serious 304 00:13:16,228 --> 00:13:17,668 commitments that we seek. 305 00:13:17,663 --> 00:13:20,933 And there continues to be unanimity of opinion that 306 00:13:20,933 --> 00:13:23,273 phased sanctions relief is the most effective way for 307 00:13:23,269 --> 00:13:24,599 us to implement this agreement. 308 00:13:24,603 --> 00:13:28,773 The Press: And the President indicated he -- perhaps more 309 00:13:28,774 --> 00:13:31,974 of a flexibility on Senator Corker's legislation to get 310 00:13:31,977 --> 00:13:35,977 Congress a final say on the deal. 311 00:13:35,981 --> 00:13:38,751 Maybe I was misreading that a little bit, 312 00:13:38,751 --> 00:13:40,221 so that's what I want to ask. 313 00:13:40,219 --> 00:13:43,659 Does his veto threat still stand on that legislation? 314 00:13:43,656 --> 00:13:48,626 Or is he perhaps amenable to working with the Senator, 315 00:13:48,627 --> 00:13:51,427 the White House working with the Senator's office, 316 00:13:51,430 --> 00:13:53,300 that committee, and crafting something that's a little 317 00:13:53,299 --> 00:13:58,209 bit different that might go to the same type of goal of 318 00:13:58,204 --> 00:13:59,304 giving Congress a final say? 319 00:13:59,305 --> 00:14:02,675 Mr. Earnest: Well, those are two different questions, 320 00:14:02,675 --> 00:14:05,475 so let me take the first one because that's the easiest. 321 00:14:05,477 --> 00:14:09,377 The legislation as it's currently written is a piece 322 00:14:09,381 --> 00:14:10,881 of legislation that the President would absolutely 323 00:14:10,883 --> 00:14:13,783 veto, for a variety of reasons. 324 00:14:13,786 --> 00:14:16,456 One specific example I can give you is a specific 325 00:14:16,455 --> 00:14:18,895 example that I offered up for the first time last 326 00:14:18,891 --> 00:14:21,731 week, which is there a provision in the current 327 00:14:21,727 --> 00:14:26,337 version of the bill that would make the deal 328 00:14:26,332 --> 00:14:29,202 contingent upon Iran essentially 329 00:14:29,201 --> 00:14:31,301 renouncing terrorism. 330 00:14:31,303 --> 00:14:34,103 It would require the administration to certify 331 00:14:34,106 --> 00:14:38,676 that Americans weren't at risk from any of the terror 332 00:14:38,677 --> 00:14:42,077 activities that Iran supports. 333 00:14:42,081 --> 00:14:44,351 We've been very clear about the fact that we hope to 334 00:14:44,350 --> 00:14:49,890 resolve this agreement in a way that would prevent Iran 335 00:14:49,888 --> 00:14:52,628 from obtaining a nuclear weapon precisely because 336 00:14:52,625 --> 00:14:55,525 we're concerned about the fact that if Iran were able 337 00:14:55,527 --> 00:14:58,667 to obtain a nuclear weapon it would make their support 338 00:14:58,664 --> 00:15:01,404 for terrorist organizations even more dangerous and even 339 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:02,500 more risky. 340 00:15:02,501 --> 00:15:04,501 So we do not anticipate in the context of this 341 00:15:04,503 --> 00:15:07,203 agreement being able to resolve all of our concerns 342 00:15:07,206 --> 00:15:08,976 about Iran's terror activities. 343 00:15:08,974 --> 00:15:11,844 In fact, that's the reason that we're pursuing this 344 00:15:11,844 --> 00:15:14,684 agreement -- to ensure that Iran can't obtain a nuclear 345 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:17,520 weapon and then share either that nuclear weapon or some 346 00:15:17,516 --> 00:15:19,916 of the technology or those materials with a 347 00:15:19,918 --> 00:15:20,918 terrorist organization. 348 00:15:20,919 --> 00:15:24,889 So that is why we could continue to strongly oppose 349 00:15:24,890 --> 00:15:26,890 that legislation and veto it because it essentially 350 00:15:26,892 --> 00:15:29,792 includes a provision that would make the deal 351 00:15:29,795 --> 00:15:31,765 impossible to implement. 352 00:15:31,764 --> 00:15:36,004 Now, what's also true is that this administration has 353 00:15:36,001 --> 00:15:39,401 been deeply engaged with Congress since the agreement 354 00:15:39,405 --> 00:15:43,805 was announced back in April 2nd. 355 00:15:43,809 --> 00:15:46,479 Since that time, there have been more than -- or maybe 356 00:15:46,478 --> 00:15:50,848 it's exactly -- no, more than 130 telephone calls 357 00:15:50,849 --> 00:15:53,849 that have been placed by everybody from the 358 00:15:53,852 --> 00:15:55,892 President, the Vice President, 359 00:15:55,888 --> 00:15:58,458 members of the Cabinet and other senior administration 360 00:15:58,457 --> 00:16:01,527 officials on down to members of Congress on Capitol Hill. 361 00:16:01,527 --> 00:16:03,727 Now, you'll recall that Congress has been on recess 362 00:16:03,729 --> 00:16:05,999 that last couple of weeks, so it means that we have not 363 00:16:05,998 --> 00:16:09,538 been able to have as many face-to-face conversations 364 00:16:09,535 --> 00:16:10,535 as we would like. 365 00:16:10,536 --> 00:16:12,536 But that's going to change today. 366 00:16:12,538 --> 00:16:13,708 What you also know, I believe, 367 00:16:13,706 --> 00:16:18,916 is that Secretary Kerry, Senate Moniz, Secretary Lew, 368 00:16:18,911 --> 00:16:21,881 and some senior officials in the intelligence community 369 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:25,320 will be convening classified briefings with members of 370 00:16:25,317 --> 00:16:28,017 the House and Senate over the course of the next 371 00:16:28,020 --> 00:16:29,050 two days. 372 00:16:29,054 --> 00:16:31,924 And again, that reflects the fact that we are at the 373 00:16:31,924 --> 00:16:35,594 beginning of the process of helping the members of 374 00:16:35,594 --> 00:16:39,164 Congress understand exactly what commitments Iran has 375 00:16:39,164 --> 00:16:43,434 made so far and how those commitments we hope will be 376 00:16:43,435 --> 00:16:45,405 finalized over the course of the next two and a 377 00:16:45,404 --> 00:16:46,404 half months. 378 00:16:46,405 --> 00:16:48,845 The Press: But in terms of crafting some sort of 379 00:16:48,841 --> 00:16:52,241 alternative, is that -- can an alternative be crafted 380 00:16:52,244 --> 00:16:56,414 that might satisfy your concerns and satisfy 381 00:16:56,415 --> 00:16:59,955 concerns of lawmakers to have some sort of oversight 382 00:16:59,952 --> 00:17:01,252 role in this? 383 00:17:01,253 --> 00:17:03,253 Mr. Earnest: Well, that remains unclear, 384 00:17:03,255 --> 00:17:05,455 and the fact is the way the legislation is currently 385 00:17:05,457 --> 00:17:07,997 written is something that we strongly oppose. 386 00:17:07,993 --> 00:17:11,163 But, again, we continue to have extensive conversations 387 00:17:11,163 --> 00:17:13,163 with members of Congress on Capitol Hill. 388 00:17:13,165 --> 00:17:15,165 We're going to make sure that every member of 389 00:17:15,167 --> 00:17:17,267 Congress who wants one can get a classified briefing 390 00:17:17,269 --> 00:17:20,169 from Secretary Kerry, who is leading the negotiations; 391 00:17:20,172 --> 00:17:23,312 from Secretary Moniz, who is one of the foremost nuclear 392 00:17:23,308 --> 00:17:25,948 experts in the world who is involved in these 393 00:17:25,944 --> 00:17:29,184 negotiations; Secretary Lew is obviously the leader of 394 00:17:29,181 --> 00:17:32,621 the Cabinet agency that's responsible for implementing 395 00:17:32,618 --> 00:17:35,888 the sanctions regime that have been so successful in 396 00:17:35,888 --> 00:17:37,588 pressuring Iran. 397 00:17:37,589 --> 00:17:39,589 The briefing will also include intelligence 398 00:17:39,591 --> 00:17:43,691 officials who can offer an updated assessment about 399 00:17:43,695 --> 00:17:47,065 Iran's nuclear program and our knowledge of their 400 00:17:47,065 --> 00:17:48,365 thinking so far. 401 00:17:48,367 --> 00:17:51,637 So we've obviously got a lot of -- there's obviously a 402 00:17:51,637 --> 00:17:54,807 lot to this agreement that has been reached so far. 403 00:17:54,807 --> 00:17:56,807 The other thing that will be included in that 404 00:17:56,809 --> 00:17:59,449 conversation is the acknowledgement that there 405 00:17:59,445 --> 00:18:01,915 are details that still need to be worked out, 406 00:18:01,914 --> 00:18:06,014 and that's why the President wants Congress to ensure 407 00:18:06,018 --> 00:18:08,018 that our negotiators have the time and space that they 408 00:18:08,020 --> 00:18:09,960 need to try to reach an agreement by the end of June. 409 00:18:09,955 --> 00:18:11,025 The Press: And one last thing. 410 00:18:11,023 --> 00:18:13,023 You mentioned that this is going to be middle-class 411 00:18:13,025 --> 00:18:14,095 economics week. 412 00:18:14,092 --> 00:18:17,162 I'm sure you saw the announcement video that was 413 00:18:17,162 --> 00:18:19,632 released by Hillary Clinton and her campaign over 414 00:18:19,631 --> 00:18:21,031 the weekend. 415 00:18:21,033 --> 00:18:23,603 And in that video, she features a lot of working 416 00:18:23,602 --> 00:18:26,472 Americans and everyday Americans, 417 00:18:26,472 --> 00:18:28,472 and at one point during the video, she says, 418 00:18:28,474 --> 00:18:31,614 the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top. 419 00:18:31,610 --> 00:18:35,180 She's obviously speaking about the economy. 420 00:18:35,180 --> 00:18:36,620 Do you take that as a criticism? 421 00:18:36,615 --> 00:18:37,615 Mr. Earnest: I don't. 422 00:18:37,616 --> 00:18:40,556 I think the President would raise the same concerns that 423 00:18:40,552 --> 00:18:44,922 there is more that we can do to invest in middle-class 424 00:18:44,923 --> 00:18:46,923 families, to make sure that middle-class families have 425 00:18:46,925 --> 00:18:49,595 access to the job-training and education that we know 426 00:18:49,595 --> 00:18:52,265 is going to be critical to the long-term success not 427 00:18:52,264 --> 00:18:54,534 just of individual families but of the country, 428 00:18:54,533 --> 00:18:56,533 that there's more that we can do to invest in our 429 00:18:56,535 --> 00:18:58,605 infrastructure that we know that would create jobs right 430 00:18:58,604 --> 00:19:02,044 away and lay a foundation for our nation's long-term 431 00:19:02,040 --> 00:19:03,280 economic strength. 432 00:19:03,275 --> 00:19:05,275 There are a host of changes that we can make to our tax 433 00:19:05,277 --> 00:19:07,577 code to make it a little bit easier for families to send 434 00:19:07,579 --> 00:19:11,349 their kids to college, to pay for child care. 435 00:19:11,350 --> 00:19:16,090 And those kinds of changes to our tax code are targeted 436 00:19:16,088 --> 00:19:17,158 at middle-class families. 437 00:19:17,155 --> 00:19:21,665 And that stands -- those priorities are priorities 438 00:19:21,660 --> 00:19:23,660 that are broadly shared by Democrats, 439 00:19:23,662 --> 00:19:25,762 and they stand in stark contrast to Republicans that 440 00:19:25,764 --> 00:19:29,264 are interested in -- just to take one example -- focusing 441 00:19:29,268 --> 00:19:33,068 tax breaks for not just the wealthiest 1 percent, 442 00:19:33,071 --> 00:19:36,871 but the wealthiest 0.1 percent in terms of those 443 00:19:36,875 --> 00:19:40,775 estates that they're proposing no longer be 444 00:19:40,779 --> 00:19:42,819 subject to the estate tax. 445 00:19:42,814 --> 00:19:43,914 April. 446 00:19:43,916 --> 00:19:48,856 The Press: Does Hillary Clinton automatically get 447 00:19:48,854 --> 00:19:51,754 President Obama's support no matter what Democrat comes 448 00:19:51,757 --> 00:19:54,257 into the race because she was his Secretary of State 449 00:19:54,259 --> 00:19:57,329 and because it was such a big deal from 2008, 450 00:19:57,329 --> 00:20:00,129 the skirmishes that happened in the campaign, 451 00:20:00,132 --> 00:20:02,032 and the fact that he made such a big deal of the 452 00:20:02,034 --> 00:20:03,304 team rivals? 453 00:20:03,302 --> 00:20:05,702 Does she just automatically get his support? 454 00:20:05,704 --> 00:20:08,174 Mr. Earnest: The answer to the question is, no. 455 00:20:08,173 --> 00:20:11,573 The fact is, the President obviously had an opportunity 456 00:20:11,577 --> 00:20:14,847 to see up close how effective a campaigner she 457 00:20:14,846 --> 00:20:15,846 can be. 458 00:20:15,847 --> 00:20:21,317 She was obviously a very formidable opponent in the 459 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:26,360 2008 contest for the Democratic nomination. 460 00:20:26,358 --> 00:20:30,058 During the general election in 2008, 461 00:20:30,062 --> 00:20:32,662 Secretary Clinton was a very effective advocate for 462 00:20:32,664 --> 00:20:36,134 President Obama's general election campaign. 463 00:20:36,134 --> 00:20:38,134 And over the course of the President's first term here 464 00:20:38,136 --> 00:20:41,206 in office, Secretary Clinton proved to be a very 465 00:20:41,206 --> 00:20:42,806 effective Secretary of State. 466 00:20:42,808 --> 00:20:45,178 Over that time, President Obama has had the 467 00:20:45,177 --> 00:20:47,617 opportunity to build a strong personal relationship 468 00:20:47,613 --> 00:20:48,883 with her. 469 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:50,880 As the President indicated in his news conference on 470 00:20:50,882 --> 00:20:54,252 Saturday, the two of them have become friends. 471 00:20:54,252 --> 00:20:56,722 But as has been speculated by all of you and many 472 00:20:56,722 --> 00:20:59,692 others, there are other people who are friends of 473 00:20:59,691 --> 00:21:02,531 the President who may at some point decide to get 474 00:21:02,527 --> 00:21:03,997 into the race. 475 00:21:03,996 --> 00:21:06,236 So the President has not offered up any sort of an 476 00:21:06,231 --> 00:21:08,071 endorsement at this point. 477 00:21:08,066 --> 00:21:11,536 This will be the responsibility of Democratic 478 00:21:11,536 --> 00:21:13,706 voters to decide who should be the Democratic nominee 479 00:21:13,705 --> 00:21:14,705 for President. 480 00:21:14,706 --> 00:21:18,346 But I would anticipate that once that process has been 481 00:21:18,343 --> 00:21:20,343 concluded and Democratic voters across the country 482 00:21:20,345 --> 00:21:22,345 have decided who the Democratic nominee should 483 00:21:22,347 --> 00:21:24,917 be, I think that Democratic nominee can be confident 484 00:21:24,916 --> 00:21:27,486 that they'll enjoy the support of President Obama 485 00:21:27,486 --> 00:21:28,486 in their campaign. 486 00:21:28,487 --> 00:21:30,757 The Press: And is there an anticipation that not just 487 00:21:30,756 --> 00:21:33,156 Hillary Clinton but other Democrats -- because we know 488 00:21:33,158 --> 00:21:35,428 the Republicans are swiping at this administration -- 489 00:21:35,427 --> 00:21:39,767 but is there an anticipation of swiping at this 490 00:21:39,765 --> 00:21:43,605 administration for policies maybe not fulfilled or 491 00:21:43,602 --> 00:21:46,102 policies that may in their thoughts you might 492 00:21:46,104 --> 00:21:47,444 have failed? 493 00:21:47,439 --> 00:21:48,979 Is there an anticipation that the Democrats will be 494 00:21:48,974 --> 00:21:51,114 doing that to this administration? 495 00:21:51,109 --> 00:21:54,009 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, the Democratic candidates 496 00:21:54,012 --> 00:21:56,012 will have to make their own decisions about what their 497 00:21:56,014 --> 00:21:57,814 message will be. 498 00:21:57,816 --> 00:22:00,986 But I do think that, as I think Jim pointed out, 499 00:22:00,986 --> 00:22:04,126 there's a lot of overlap in the priorities and values 500 00:22:04,122 --> 00:22:06,922 that President Obama has routinely expressed, 501 00:22:06,925 --> 00:22:09,125 and the kinds of priority and values I anticipate that 502 00:22:09,127 --> 00:22:11,127 a lot of Democratic candidates for President 503 00:22:11,129 --> 00:22:13,729 will be making over the course of this year. 504 00:22:13,732 --> 00:22:15,232 The Press: And lastly -- Loretta Lynch, again, 505 00:22:15,233 --> 00:22:16,233 I have to ask that this week. 506 00:22:16,234 --> 00:22:19,004 You've got supposedly 51 votes. 507 00:22:19,004 --> 00:22:22,274 Why has it not come up for a vote yet? 508 00:22:22,274 --> 00:22:24,274 Mr. Earnest: That's the best question I've heard in 509 00:22:24,276 --> 00:22:26,446 a while. 510 00:22:26,445 --> 00:22:27,575 It's one that can only be posed, I think, 511 00:22:27,579 --> 00:22:28,579 to Senator McConnell. 512 00:22:28,580 --> 00:22:30,580 He's the one that's determining the 513 00:22:30,582 --> 00:22:31,582 floor schedule. 514 00:22:31,583 --> 00:22:34,653 Ms. Lynch has now been waiting 156 days for 515 00:22:34,653 --> 00:22:35,753 her confirmation. 516 00:22:35,754 --> 00:22:38,324 She is somebody who got bipartisan support in the 517 00:22:38,323 --> 00:22:40,093 Senate Judiciary Committee. 518 00:22:40,092 --> 00:22:43,832 She got that bipartisan support because she is a 519 00:22:43,829 --> 00:22:46,669 career prosecutor with a reputation of fairness 520 00:22:46,665 --> 00:22:47,695 and toughness. 521 00:22:47,699 --> 00:22:49,539 She's prosecuted terrorists. 522 00:22:49,534 --> 00:22:51,934 She's prosecuted white-collar criminals. 523 00:22:51,937 --> 00:22:54,537 She's prosecuted public officials who didn't keep 524 00:22:54,539 --> 00:22:55,979 the public trust. 525 00:22:55,974 --> 00:22:58,374 She's done all of that with professionalism, 526 00:22:58,376 --> 00:23:01,646 with dignity, and with the interest of the American 527 00:23:01,646 --> 00:23:04,716 people at heart. 528 00:23:04,716 --> 00:23:07,086 That's what makes her the right person to lead the 529 00:23:07,085 --> 00:23:09,085 Department of Justice over the course of the next two 530 00:23:09,087 --> 00:23:10,087 years or so. 531 00:23:10,088 --> 00:23:13,788 And we continue to believe that Republicans should 532 00:23:13,792 --> 00:23:17,932 stop, for partisan reasons, preventing her getting the 533 00:23:17,929 --> 00:23:18,929 vote that she deserves. 534 00:23:18,930 --> 00:23:20,930 We've confident that if she's given the vote, 535 00:23:20,932 --> 00:23:21,932 she'll be confirmed. 536 00:23:21,933 --> 00:23:23,933 The Press: So is it partisan politics? 537 00:23:23,935 --> 00:23:25,905 And I'm going to ask this question again; 538 00:23:25,904 --> 00:23:27,034 I asked you a couple of weeks ago. 539 00:23:27,038 --> 00:23:27,708 The votes are there. 540 00:23:27,706 --> 00:23:29,806 They haven't put it to the floor on the schedule yet. 541 00:23:29,808 --> 00:23:32,748 Do you think race still is a factor or is not a factor? 542 00:23:32,744 --> 00:23:33,614 What do you think? 543 00:23:33,612 --> 00:23:35,812 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, in answering your first 544 00:23:35,814 --> 00:23:39,314 question you'd have to ask Senator McConnell why she 545 00:23:39,317 --> 00:23:41,787 has not been given the vote that she clearly deserves. 546 00:23:41,787 --> 00:23:42,417 All right. 547 00:23:42,420 --> 00:23:43,160 Jon. 548 00:23:43,155 --> 00:23:44,385 The Press: Josh, on Iran. 549 00:23:44,389 --> 00:23:47,959 As you are well aware, there are four Americans still 550 00:23:47,959 --> 00:23:51,029 being held prisoner by the Iranian government. 551 00:23:51,029 --> 00:23:53,829 Has the administration been in contact with their 552 00:23:53,832 --> 00:23:56,372 families as this deal has come together? 553 00:23:56,368 --> 00:23:59,038 Have there been any further efforts to get those 554 00:23:59,037 --> 00:24:00,577 Americans free? 555 00:24:00,572 --> 00:24:03,912 I know you said it won't be part of the nuclear deal, 556 00:24:03,909 --> 00:24:06,979 but has there been any parallel efforts to get 557 00:24:06,978 --> 00:24:08,918 those Americans free? 558 00:24:08,914 --> 00:24:10,284 Mr. Earnest: Look, Jon, I can tell you that on the 559 00:24:10,282 --> 00:24:14,222 sidelines of the ongoing conversations that there 560 00:24:14,219 --> 00:24:17,889 have been occasional discussions about the U.S 561 00:24:17,889 --> 00:24:20,929 belief that those Americans who are unjustly held in 562 00:24:20,926 --> 00:24:22,396 Iran should be released. 563 00:24:22,394 --> 00:24:27,234 We've made our views on that known very clearly to 564 00:24:27,232 --> 00:24:29,372 the Iranians. 565 00:24:29,367 --> 00:24:32,167 The Obama administration, and even officials here at 566 00:24:32,170 --> 00:24:34,640 the White House, do continue to be in regular touch with 567 00:24:34,639 --> 00:24:38,879 the families of those who are being held in Iran. 568 00:24:38,877 --> 00:24:42,747 Just to give you one example -- you know that President 569 00:24:42,747 --> 00:24:44,587 Obama, when he traveled to Idaho a couple of months 570 00:24:44,583 --> 00:24:47,453 ago, had the opportunity to meet with the family of 571 00:24:47,452 --> 00:24:48,622 Saeed Abedini. 572 00:24:48,620 --> 00:24:51,160 He is just one of the Americans who is being held 573 00:24:51,156 --> 00:24:53,626 unjustly in Iran. 574 00:24:53,625 --> 00:24:55,625 And we continue to have concerns about that, 575 00:24:55,627 --> 00:24:58,827 and we're going to continue to advocate for 576 00:24:58,830 --> 00:24:59,830 their release. 577 00:24:59,831 --> 00:25:01,831 In fact, we're going to insist upon it. 578 00:25:01,833 --> 00:25:03,833 Now, at the same time, I've also been pretty clear about 579 00:25:03,835 --> 00:25:05,835 the fact that we do not anticipate that we're going 580 00:25:05,837 --> 00:25:07,837 to be able to resolve our long list of differences 581 00:25:07,839 --> 00:25:10,579 with Iran in the context of these nuclear negotiations. 582 00:25:10,575 --> 00:25:17,085 But it does not mean that our efforts to secure the 583 00:25:17,082 --> 00:25:19,582 release of these Americans is not a priority. 584 00:25:19,584 --> 00:25:21,084 The Press: So you said you're going to 585 00:25:21,086 --> 00:25:22,056 insist on it. 586 00:25:22,053 --> 00:25:23,053 But it's still quite possible, 587 00:25:23,054 --> 00:25:25,654 unless you've seen movement, even likely that if a 588 00:25:25,657 --> 00:25:28,957 nuclear agreement is reached and finalized that those 589 00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:33,130 four Americans can still be held prisoner by the 590 00:25:33,131 --> 00:25:34,571 Iranian government? 591 00:25:34,566 --> 00:25:36,506 Mr. Earnest: Well, what we have indicated is that our 592 00:25:36,501 --> 00:25:39,541 efforts to secure the release of those Americans 593 00:25:39,537 --> 00:25:42,337 is separate from our efforts to try to prevent Iran from 594 00:25:42,340 --> 00:25:43,340 obtaining a nuclear weapon. 595 00:25:43,341 --> 00:25:47,041 But both of those things are priorities. 596 00:25:47,045 --> 00:25:50,785 And we continue to be in touch with the families of 597 00:25:50,782 --> 00:25:52,982 those who are being held to make sure that they 598 00:25:52,984 --> 00:25:53,984 understand that as well. 599 00:25:53,985 --> 00:25:56,255 The Press: And the Iranians [sic] that were held hostage 600 00:25:56,254 --> 00:26:00,764 in 1979 and 1980 have, as you know, 601 00:26:00,759 --> 00:26:03,729 never received any compensation whatsoever for 602 00:26:03,728 --> 00:26:08,398 the 444 days they spent as hostages of the Iranian -- 603 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:09,730 in Iran. 604 00:26:09,734 --> 00:26:13,974 They are here in Washington this week trying to -- 605 00:26:13,972 --> 00:26:16,542 working with Senator Corker, trying to get as part of 606 00:26:16,541 --> 00:26:21,351 that bill a provision that any agreement that is done 607 00:26:21,346 --> 00:26:24,846 with Iran must include a provision giving 608 00:26:24,849 --> 00:26:26,889 compensation to those Americans that were 609 00:26:26,885 --> 00:26:28,285 held hostage. 610 00:26:28,286 --> 00:26:30,326 What's the White House's position on that? 611 00:26:30,322 --> 00:26:33,562 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, our view is that the 612 00:26:33,558 --> 00:26:40,198 commitments that Iran has made to limit and, 613 00:26:40,198 --> 00:26:42,198 in some cases, even roll back aspects of their 614 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:45,300 nuclear program are critical to ensuring that Iran does 615 00:26:45,303 --> 00:26:46,803 not obtain a nuclear weapon. 616 00:26:46,805 --> 00:26:49,945 And that is the focus of the negotiations that have been 617 00:26:49,941 --> 00:26:51,711 taking place for some time. 618 00:26:51,710 --> 00:26:54,050 There are a whole host of issues on the side that are 619 00:26:54,045 --> 00:26:59,255 also priorities but that are separate from our ongoing 620 00:26:59,250 --> 00:27:01,250 efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 621 00:27:01,252 --> 00:27:03,252 The Press: Has the administration raised that 622 00:27:03,254 --> 00:27:07,824 issue of compensation for those hostages, 1979-1980, 623 00:27:07,826 --> 00:27:09,596 at the sidelines of any of these negotiations? 624 00:27:09,594 --> 00:27:11,594 Mr. Earnest: I don't know the answer to that Jon. 625 00:27:11,596 --> 00:27:13,596 You should check with the State Department on that. 626 00:27:13,598 --> 00:27:15,598 The Press: And then turning to Hillary Clinton. 627 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:17,770 Was there any coordination at all? 628 00:27:17,769 --> 00:27:20,239 Did the President get a heads-up from Mrs. Clinton 629 00:27:20,238 --> 00:27:21,838 or her team? 630 00:27:21,840 --> 00:27:23,270 Did the White House get a heads-up about her 631 00:27:23,274 --> 00:27:24,944 announcement over the weekend? 632 00:27:24,943 --> 00:27:26,913 And I've noticed that the White House -- the 633 00:27:26,911 --> 00:27:31,451 President's agenda this week looks roughly in line with 634 00:27:31,449 --> 00:27:33,619 Mrs. Clinton's agenda this week. 635 00:27:33,618 --> 00:27:34,618 (laughter) 636 00:27:34,619 --> 00:27:36,619 Has there been any coordination whatsoever? 637 00:27:36,621 --> 00:27:38,621 Mr. Earnest: To answer your last question, no, 638 00:27:38,623 --> 00:27:44,763 our efforts to focus on some of our ideas around tax 639 00:27:44,763 --> 00:27:48,663 policy and tax fairness, and highlighting how Republicans 640 00:27:48,666 --> 00:27:51,436 want to shower tax benefits on those at the top while 641 00:27:51,436 --> 00:27:54,206 the administration believes that by targeting tax 642 00:27:54,205 --> 00:27:57,005 benefits to middle-class families we can maximize the 643 00:27:57,008 --> 00:28:00,548 impact of those benefits -- that is something that we 644 00:28:00,545 --> 00:28:03,985 have long envisioned making around Tax Day, which, 645 00:28:03,982 --> 00:28:06,322 as you know, is this Wednesday. 646 00:28:06,317 --> 00:28:09,087 So that's been our focus and this has been part of the 647 00:28:09,087 --> 00:28:12,027 plan for some time, prior to any announcement from any of 648 00:28:12,023 --> 00:28:13,123 the candidates. 649 00:28:13,124 --> 00:28:17,494 I'm not aware of any specific heads-up that the 650 00:28:17,495 --> 00:28:18,495 President got. 651 00:28:18,496 --> 00:28:20,866 I can't sort of account for everybody that may have been 652 00:28:20,865 --> 00:28:23,105 in touch with the Clinton campaign. 653 00:28:23,101 --> 00:28:25,771 You will recall that the President had the 654 00:28:25,770 --> 00:28:28,010 opportunity in the last several weeks to have a 655 00:28:28,006 --> 00:28:30,806 private conversation with Mrs. Clinton. 656 00:28:30,809 --> 00:28:34,449 I don't know if they talked in detail about her rollout 657 00:28:34,446 --> 00:28:37,586 plans, but even if they did, I probably wouldn't talk 658 00:28:37,582 --> 00:28:38,712 about it from here. 659 00:28:38,716 --> 00:28:40,016 Mike. 660 00:28:40,018 --> 00:28:40,888 The Press: Can you talk a little bit about the 661 00:28:40,885 --> 00:28:44,985 meetings with the Jewish leaders today and what the 662 00:28:44,989 --> 00:28:48,529 President wants to say, what he wants to hear from them? 663 00:28:48,526 --> 00:28:51,596 There's obviously likely to be a disagreement among even 664 00:28:51,596 --> 00:28:54,566 those groups about the Iran deal. 665 00:28:54,566 --> 00:28:58,936 And maybe you could say what the difference is between 666 00:28:58,937 --> 00:29:01,477 leaders of American Jewish organizations and Jewish 667 00:29:01,473 --> 00:29:03,813 community leaders, and why there are two 668 00:29:03,808 --> 00:29:05,148 separate meetings. 669 00:29:05,143 --> 00:29:10,513 Mr. Earnest: Let's take your first question first, 670 00:29:10,515 --> 00:29:12,485 which is this will be an opportunity for the 671 00:29:12,484 --> 00:29:15,284 President and other members of his senior team to talk 672 00:29:15,286 --> 00:29:19,996 to these advocates for the Jewish community about 673 00:29:19,991 --> 00:29:23,961 what's included in the interim agreement that we've 674 00:29:23,962 --> 00:29:25,962 reached with Iran. 675 00:29:25,964 --> 00:29:28,164 Iran has made some serious commitments to limit and, 676 00:29:28,166 --> 00:29:30,306 in some cases, even roll back their nuclear program 677 00:29:30,301 --> 00:29:32,341 in a way that would prevent them from obtaining a 678 00:29:32,337 --> 00:29:33,337 nuclear weapon. 679 00:29:33,338 --> 00:29:37,438 The agreement also includes Iran's cooperation with a 680 00:29:37,442 --> 00:29:40,342 set of the most intrusive inspections that have ever 681 00:29:40,345 --> 00:29:42,345 been imposed on a country's nuclear program. 682 00:29:42,347 --> 00:29:44,787 And we want to make sure that they understand the 683 00:29:44,782 --> 00:29:47,122 details of what's been agreed to so far. 684 00:29:47,118 --> 00:29:49,118 We also want to make sure that they understand that 685 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:51,120 all of the details have not been agreed to; 686 00:29:51,122 --> 00:29:53,122 that the final agreement is one that we're hoping to 687 00:29:53,124 --> 00:29:56,064 complete by the end of June. 688 00:29:56,060 --> 00:29:58,200 The President -- we will make the case to them and 689 00:29:58,196 --> 00:30:00,666 senior officials here will make the case to them that 690 00:30:00,665 --> 00:30:02,635 this agreement is one that is clearly in the best 691 00:30:02,634 --> 00:30:04,634 interest of the United States of America. 692 00:30:04,636 --> 00:30:06,636 That's why the President is pursuing this effort with 693 00:30:06,638 --> 00:30:07,638 the international community. 694 00:30:07,639 --> 00:30:09,639 The President also believes it's clearly in the best 695 00:30:09,641 --> 00:30:11,641 interests of our closest ally in the Middle 696 00:30:11,643 --> 00:30:13,643 East, Israel. 697 00:30:13,645 --> 00:30:15,715 And there will be ample opportunity for that to be 698 00:30:15,713 --> 00:30:18,913 part of the discussion as well. 699 00:30:18,917 --> 00:30:20,917 As it relates to the two different groups, I mean, 700 00:30:20,919 --> 00:30:23,059 I can tell you that some of them are elected 701 00:30:23,054 --> 00:30:26,794 representatives of organizations that advocate 702 00:30:26,791 --> 00:30:30,961 for either U.S.-Israeli relations or the Jewish 703 00:30:30,962 --> 00:30:33,702 community in the United States. 704 00:30:33,698 --> 00:30:38,408 Others who are participating in these meetings are merely 705 00:30:38,403 --> 00:30:42,043 outspoken advocates who may not hold official positions 706 00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:45,180 or leadership positions in those organizations but are, 707 00:30:45,176 --> 00:30:47,446 in their own right, effective advocates. 708 00:30:47,445 --> 00:30:49,445 I think in some cases they're members of these 709 00:30:49,447 --> 00:30:51,447 organizations but not necessarily in 710 00:30:51,449 --> 00:30:52,079 leadership positions. 711 00:30:52,083 --> 00:30:53,423 The Press: And just one follow-up. 712 00:30:53,418 --> 00:30:57,418 Is part of what the President is hoping to do, 713 00:30:57,422 --> 00:31:00,662 to get them to get these folks to come out and 714 00:31:00,658 --> 00:31:03,658 essentially lobby, to the extent that they agree with 715 00:31:03,661 --> 00:31:07,231 him, members of Congress against the Corker bill and 716 00:31:07,232 --> 00:31:10,572 essentially try to put pressure on Congress? 717 00:31:10,568 --> 00:31:13,738 And do you know if he plans to bring up the concerns, 718 00:31:13,738 --> 00:31:16,408 whether -- they may come up anyway -- but whether he 719 00:31:16,407 --> 00:31:17,807 plans to bring up the concerns that have been 720 00:31:17,809 --> 00:31:20,979 expressed about the tension between him and Netanyahu 721 00:31:20,979 --> 00:31:22,109 as well? 722 00:31:22,113 --> 00:31:23,353 Mr. Earnest: Well, we certainly would welcome any 723 00:31:23,348 --> 00:31:26,148 public expression of support from anybody -- certainly 724 00:31:26,150 --> 00:31:27,720 these individuals who, again, 725 00:31:27,719 --> 00:31:29,359 are either in elected positions in prominent 726 00:31:29,354 --> 00:31:32,554 organizations or are effective advocates in their 727 00:31:32,557 --> 00:31:35,757 own rights -- for the approach that we're pursuing 728 00:31:35,760 --> 00:31:37,760 to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 729 00:31:37,762 --> 00:31:38,932 We'd welcome that support. 730 00:31:38,930 --> 00:31:42,030 We'd welcome that public express of that support, 731 00:31:42,033 --> 00:31:45,073 and we would welcome the expression of that support 732 00:31:45,069 --> 00:31:47,909 directly to members of Congress. 733 00:31:47,905 --> 00:31:49,905 I don't anticipate that everybody who participates 734 00:31:49,907 --> 00:31:52,447 in this meeting will choose that course of action, 735 00:31:52,443 --> 00:31:56,483 but we are hopeful that people will enter into these 736 00:31:56,481 --> 00:31:58,281 discussions with an open mind. 737 00:31:58,283 --> 00:32:00,853 And I do think that there will be an opportunity for 738 00:32:00,852 --> 00:32:03,292 everybody who participates in this discussion, 739 00:32:03,288 --> 00:32:05,788 whether they are inclined to support the administration 740 00:32:05,790 --> 00:32:12,400 position or not, to get a very clear assessment from 741 00:32:12,397 --> 00:32:14,397 senior members of the President's national 742 00:32:14,399 --> 00:32:16,399 security team about where things stand. 743 00:32:16,401 --> 00:32:18,401 And I do think that for all of the differences, 744 00:32:18,403 --> 00:32:23,873 that there will be unanimity of opinion around the room 745 00:32:23,875 --> 00:32:27,245 that we have to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear 746 00:32:27,245 --> 00:32:29,245 weapon; that the destabilizing impact that 747 00:32:29,247 --> 00:32:30,477 that would have on the region, 748 00:32:30,481 --> 00:32:33,921 that the risk that would pose to Israel is one that's 749 00:32:33,918 --> 00:32:35,518 simply intolerable. 750 00:32:35,520 --> 00:32:37,520 And every person who will participate in those 751 00:32:37,522 --> 00:32:39,922 meetings, I feel confident in saying, 752 00:32:39,924 --> 00:32:42,424 is strongly supportive of the President when he says 753 00:32:42,427 --> 00:32:45,727 that he'll do whatever it takes to prevent Iran from 754 00:32:45,730 --> 00:32:46,860 obtaining and nuclear weapon. 755 00:32:46,864 --> 00:32:48,864 I think the difference of opinion exists around the 756 00:32:48,866 --> 00:32:49,866 best way to do that. 757 00:32:49,867 --> 00:32:51,867 And the President is prepared to make a detailed 758 00:32:51,869 --> 00:32:55,569 case about how this diplomatic agreement is by 759 00:32:55,573 --> 00:32:58,273 far the best way for us to prevent Iran from obtaining 760 00:32:58,276 --> 00:32:58,906 a nuclear weapon. 761 00:32:58,910 --> 00:32:59,740 The Press: Who else is going to be in there besides 762 00:32:59,744 --> 00:33:00,514 the President? 763 00:33:00,511 --> 00:33:03,281 You mentioned top officials. 764 00:33:03,281 --> 00:33:05,281 Mr. Earnest: I know that the President's National 765 00:33:05,283 --> 00:33:06,283 Security Advisor, Susan Rice, 766 00:33:06,284 --> 00:33:08,284 is participating in some of these discussions. 767 00:33:08,286 --> 00:33:10,356 I don't know who else from the administration. 768 00:33:10,355 --> 00:33:11,625 A number of other administration officials are 769 00:33:11,622 --> 00:33:14,362 actually going to be on Capitol Hill, 770 00:33:14,359 --> 00:33:16,799 so I suspect it will principally be White House 771 00:33:16,794 --> 00:33:18,794 officials who will be participating in 772 00:33:18,796 --> 00:33:19,796 these discussions. 773 00:33:19,797 --> 00:33:20,567 Mara. 774 00:33:20,565 --> 00:33:22,905 The Press: I have a question about Iran. 775 00:33:22,900 --> 00:33:25,170 You've said and Secretary Kerry has said that nothing 776 00:33:25,169 --> 00:33:27,509 is agreed to until everything is agree to. 777 00:33:27,505 --> 00:33:29,005 And you're saying you're going to brief Congress on 778 00:33:29,006 --> 00:33:31,376 what Iran -- what commitments they've made. 779 00:33:31,376 --> 00:33:33,516 Yet the Ayatollah has called into question two of the 780 00:33:33,511 --> 00:33:35,811 most basic ones -- how the sanctions are going to be 781 00:33:35,813 --> 00:33:38,053 lifted and the intrusive inspections. 782 00:33:38,049 --> 00:33:39,449 So I'm confused. 783 00:33:39,450 --> 00:33:42,250 What exactly are you telling Congress they've agreed to 784 00:33:42,253 --> 00:33:43,593 if nothing is agreed to until everything is 785 00:33:43,588 --> 00:33:44,518 agreed to? 786 00:33:44,522 --> 00:33:47,022 Mr. Earnest: Well, let's go through that. 787 00:33:47,024 --> 00:33:49,394 We have acknowledged on the front end that there are 788 00:33:49,394 --> 00:33:51,794 some elements of this agreement that have not been 789 00:33:51,796 --> 00:33:52,396 resolved yet. 790 00:33:52,397 --> 00:33:53,597 The Press: Some pretty important ones. 791 00:33:53,598 --> 00:33:54,928 Mr. Earnest: Well, some important ones. 792 00:33:54,932 --> 00:33:58,802 But there are also some pretty basic elements 793 00:33:58,803 --> 00:33:59,803 that have. 794 00:33:59,804 --> 00:34:01,804 For example, Iran -- just to cite one -- has agreed to 795 00:34:01,806 --> 00:34:03,806 not enrich uranium over 3.67 percent for at least 796 00:34:03,808 --> 00:34:04,808 15 years. 797 00:34:04,809 --> 00:34:06,809 That is a detailed commitment that Iran 798 00:34:06,811 --> 00:34:07,811 has made. 799 00:34:07,812 --> 00:34:12,082 Now, implementing that political commitment is one 800 00:34:12,083 --> 00:34:14,953 that our technical experts will be engaged in over the 801 00:34:14,952 --> 00:34:16,952 course of the next two and a half months or so. 802 00:34:16,954 --> 00:34:19,224 So there are more details that need to be locked down 803 00:34:19,223 --> 00:34:21,223 here, but there are serious commitments that Iran 804 00:34:21,225 --> 00:34:22,225 has made. 805 00:34:22,226 --> 00:34:24,226 There are other elements of the agreement where the 806 00:34:24,228 --> 00:34:25,228 details need to be worked out, 807 00:34:25,229 --> 00:34:30,199 including the sanctions relief that Iran is seeking 808 00:34:30,201 --> 00:34:32,001 for taking these serious steps. 809 00:34:32,003 --> 00:34:34,573 So I don't want to leave you with the impression that the 810 00:34:34,572 --> 00:34:35,602 deal is done. 811 00:34:35,606 --> 00:34:38,276 There are still significant commitments and details that 812 00:34:38,276 --> 00:34:39,476 need to be worked out. 813 00:34:39,477 --> 00:34:41,547 And we'll be engaged in our effort to do exactly that. 814 00:34:41,546 --> 00:34:43,546 The Press: Before the announcement of the 815 00:34:43,548 --> 00:34:45,948 framework in Geneva, the President said many times 816 00:34:45,950 --> 00:34:48,790 he's thought the chances were less than 50/50. 817 00:34:48,786 --> 00:34:51,726 What do you put the chances at now of getting something 818 00:34:51,722 --> 00:34:56,862 final and that will meet your criteria? 819 00:34:56,861 --> 00:34:58,861 Mr. Earnest: I think the fact that we have been able 820 00:34:58,863 --> 00:35:00,863 to put in place this political framework enhances 821 00:35:00,865 --> 00:35:03,665 the odds of a final agreement getting done. 822 00:35:03,668 --> 00:35:08,438 But I would hesitate to put a specific number with 823 00:35:08,439 --> 00:35:10,479 that assessment. 824 00:35:10,475 --> 00:35:11,305 The Press: The President did. 825 00:35:11,309 --> 00:35:14,609 He said it over and over again, under 50/50 before. 826 00:35:14,612 --> 00:35:16,452 Why not put a number on it then? 827 00:35:16,447 --> 00:35:18,447 Mr. Earnest: Well, maybe you can get him to do that at 828 00:35:18,449 --> 00:35:19,449 some point -- 829 00:35:19,450 --> 00:35:20,450 (laughter) 830 00:35:20,451 --> 00:35:21,451 -- but I'm not going to do that 831 00:35:21,452 --> 00:35:22,452 from here. 832 00:35:22,453 --> 00:35:24,323 But what I will acknowledge, though, 833 00:35:24,322 --> 00:35:27,792 is that the President made that assessment about being 834 00:35:27,792 --> 00:35:28,792 able to reach a final agreement. 835 00:35:28,793 --> 00:35:30,123 And now that we've got this political framework in 836 00:35:30,127 --> 00:35:33,027 place, I do think it enhances the odds of us 837 00:35:33,030 --> 00:35:35,000 being able to reach a final agreement, 838 00:35:34,999 --> 00:35:38,769 but it's by no means a foregone conclusion. 839 00:35:38,769 --> 00:35:39,509 Doug. 840 00:35:39,504 --> 00:35:40,834 The Press: One of the problems with the framework 841 00:35:40,838 --> 00:35:43,178 being in place -- and I think Rand Paul I think was 842 00:35:43,174 --> 00:35:45,244 on "Face the Nation" and sort of illustrated this. 843 00:35:45,243 --> 00:35:48,413 He said, "The biggest problem we have right now is 844 00:35:48,412 --> 00:35:50,582 that every time there is a hint of an agreement, 845 00:35:50,581 --> 00:35:54,081 the Iranian Foreign Minister tweets out in English that 846 00:35:54,085 --> 00:35:56,125 the agreement doesn't mean what our government says 847 00:35:56,120 --> 00:35:57,120 it means." 848 00:35:57,121 --> 00:35:59,121 Mr. Earnest: Well, Doug, what I would say to that is 849 00:35:59,123 --> 00:36:01,123 that we saw a similar dynamic in play around the 850 00:36:01,125 --> 00:36:02,125 Joint Plan of Action. 851 00:36:02,126 --> 00:36:04,126 This is sort of the interim agreement that was reached 852 00:36:04,128 --> 00:36:07,168 by negotiators back in November of 2013, 853 00:36:07,164 --> 00:36:09,434 that there was essentially a broad framework that was 854 00:36:09,433 --> 00:36:12,233 established, knowing that it would take a couple of 855 00:36:12,236 --> 00:36:13,606 months to work out the details, 856 00:36:13,604 --> 00:36:15,944 and over the course of November and December and 857 00:36:15,940 --> 00:36:19,040 January, negotiators worked through those details. 858 00:36:19,043 --> 00:36:22,743 In that interim period, there was a lot of hue and 859 00:36:22,747 --> 00:36:25,287 cry about what was included in the agreement and whether 860 00:36:25,283 --> 00:36:29,353 or not that would be memorialized in any sort of 861 00:36:29,353 --> 00:36:31,223 locked-down commitment. 862 00:36:31,222 --> 00:36:34,492 What we saw was that technical negotiators were 863 00:36:34,492 --> 00:36:37,932 able to reach an agreement in January of 2014, 864 00:36:37,929 --> 00:36:41,599 I believe, that did live up to the factsheet that the 865 00:36:41,599 --> 00:36:44,269 administration put out in November of 2013. 866 00:36:44,268 --> 00:36:46,438 In fact, that agreement has been so effective that there 867 00:36:46,437 --> 00:36:48,607 are some Republicans who are advocating that we should 868 00:36:48,606 --> 00:36:50,676 actually keep that agreement in place in perpetuity -- 869 00:36:50,675 --> 00:36:52,645 never mind the fact that some of these Republicans 870 00:36:52,643 --> 00:36:54,643 actually criticized this deal when it was 871 00:36:54,645 --> 00:36:55,645 first announced. 872 00:36:55,646 --> 00:36:59,746 So we've seen these kinds of negotiations be subjected to 873 00:36:59,750 --> 00:37:02,990 a lot of politics and a lot of turbulence. 874 00:37:02,987 --> 00:37:05,027 But time and again, what we've seen is we've seen the 875 00:37:05,022 --> 00:37:08,022 United States reach commitments and extract 876 00:37:08,025 --> 00:37:11,465 commitments from the Iranians that were subject 877 00:37:11,462 --> 00:37:13,462 to a lot of public debate, but then were finally 878 00:37:13,464 --> 00:37:15,464 formalized in an agreement in a way that actually 879 00:37:15,466 --> 00:37:17,836 satisfied the concerns of those who were criticizing 880 00:37:17,835 --> 00:37:18,835 the agreement on the frontend. 881 00:37:18,836 --> 00:37:22,606 The Press: And on the subject of Russia, 882 00:37:22,607 --> 00:37:24,907 you said that there's unanimity of international 883 00:37:24,909 --> 00:37:28,579 opinion that these sanctions be phased in. 884 00:37:28,579 --> 00:37:30,679 How can you say that when Russia is basically 885 00:37:30,681 --> 00:37:33,721 freelancing its own sanctions with this 886 00:37:33,718 --> 00:37:36,518 oil-for-goods deal that it has worked out and the 887 00:37:36,520 --> 00:37:39,490 lifting of the embargo of the S-300 missiles? 888 00:37:39,490 --> 00:37:42,330 And one other follow-up question to that. 889 00:37:42,326 --> 00:37:45,266 Did Secretary Lavrov -- Foreign Minister Lavrov call 890 00:37:45,262 --> 00:37:48,032 Secretary Kerry in advance of this lifting of the 891 00:37:48,032 --> 00:37:50,632 embargo or just to inform him that it had happened? 892 00:37:50,635 --> 00:37:52,035 And has there been any communication with the 893 00:37:52,036 --> 00:37:54,636 government of Israel about this lifting of the embargo? 894 00:37:54,639 --> 00:37:56,979 Mr. Earnest: I'm not aware of the circumstances of the 895 00:37:56,974 --> 00:38:00,644 conversation that the Secretary of State had with 896 00:38:00,645 --> 00:38:02,985 Foreign Minister Lavrov to raise our concerns about 897 00:38:02,980 --> 00:38:03,980 this issue. 898 00:38:03,981 --> 00:38:06,481 All I know is that it was an opportunity for Secretary 899 00:38:06,484 --> 00:38:07,614 Kerry to raise our concerns. 900 00:38:07,618 --> 00:38:10,018 I don't know exactly when that conversation occurred 901 00:38:10,021 --> 00:38:11,021 or how it was set up. 902 00:38:11,022 --> 00:38:13,022 But the State Department may be able to give you some 903 00:38:13,024 --> 00:38:14,694 more details on that. 904 00:38:14,692 --> 00:38:17,732 As it relates to the so-called oil-for-goods 905 00:38:17,728 --> 00:38:19,728 agreement, that's not one that's been reached at this 906 00:38:19,730 --> 00:38:22,570 point, and we've made clear to the Russians our concerns 907 00:38:22,566 --> 00:38:24,566 about the proposal that's being discussed. 908 00:38:24,568 --> 00:38:27,608 It's not something that's been enacted at this point. 909 00:38:27,605 --> 00:38:29,805 I can't speak to any specific conversations that 910 00:38:29,807 --> 00:38:33,847 have taken place between the United States and Israel on 911 00:38:33,844 --> 00:38:37,014 the specific proposal of the Russian sale of 912 00:38:37,014 --> 00:38:39,354 anti-ballistic missiles to Iran, 913 00:38:39,350 --> 00:38:42,250 but we continue to be in frequent touch with Israel 914 00:38:42,253 --> 00:38:44,923 on a whole host of issues so I wouldn't rule out that a 915 00:38:44,922 --> 00:38:47,392 discussion about this matter has taken place. 916 00:38:47,391 --> 00:38:48,061 Chris. 917 00:38:48,059 --> 00:38:48,889 The Press: Thanks. 918 00:38:48,893 --> 00:38:50,323 The President sounded, I would say, 919 00:38:50,327 --> 00:38:53,497 somewhat frustrated at the Panamanian press conference 920 00:38:53,497 --> 00:38:57,367 about comments made by McCain and a pretty, 921 00:38:57,368 --> 00:39:00,168 I think, strong response -- Mr. Earnest: "Frustrated" 922 00:39:00,171 --> 00:39:02,671 might be putting it mildly. 923 00:39:02,673 --> 00:39:04,473 The Press: -- of John Kerry. 924 00:39:04,475 --> 00:39:06,515 And John McCain responded very quickly. 925 00:39:06,510 --> 00:39:09,180 He said that there were widely divergent 926 00:39:09,180 --> 00:39:11,250 explanations of what had been agreed to. 927 00:39:11,248 --> 00:39:13,488 And then on Twitter, he posted, 928 00:39:13,484 --> 00:39:16,254 "So President Obama goes to Panama, meets with Castro, 929 00:39:16,253 --> 00:39:19,493 and attacks me -- I'm sure Raul is pleased." 930 00:39:19,490 --> 00:39:21,230 Any reaction to that? 931 00:39:21,225 --> 00:39:24,695 And what does it say about efforts on the Corker bill 932 00:39:24,695 --> 00:39:27,035 and sort of the mood on the Hill? 933 00:39:27,031 --> 00:39:28,931 Mr. Earnest: Well, what I would say is that the 934 00:39:28,933 --> 00:39:32,503 administration will be engaged in an effort to help 935 00:39:32,503 --> 00:39:34,503 members of Congress, all members of Congress who are 936 00:39:34,505 --> 00:39:37,575 interested, in explaining to them in a classified setting 937 00:39:37,575 --> 00:39:39,545 the details of the commitments that Iran has 938 00:39:39,543 --> 00:39:40,543 made so far. 939 00:39:40,544 --> 00:39:42,744 And in the context of those negotiations that will be 940 00:39:42,747 --> 00:39:46,047 rooted -- I'm sorry, in the context of those briefings 941 00:39:46,050 --> 00:39:48,750 that will highlight the scientific aspects of this 942 00:39:48,753 --> 00:39:51,393 agreement, we will be focused on making the case 943 00:39:51,388 --> 00:39:53,758 that this is the best way for us to prevent Iran from 944 00:39:53,758 --> 00:39:55,388 obtaining a nuclear weapon. 945 00:39:55,392 --> 00:39:58,432 And when you consider the alternatives -- putting in 946 00:39:58,429 --> 00:40:00,429 place additional sanctions that would cause our 947 00:40:00,431 --> 00:40:02,431 international coalition to fracture, 948 00:40:02,433 --> 00:40:06,133 or taking a military strike that would not be as 949 00:40:06,137 --> 00:40:10,307 effective in limiting Iran's nuclear program or at least 950 00:40:10,307 --> 00:40:15,647 for as long as getting Iran to voluntarily make specific 951 00:40:15,646 --> 00:40:18,346 commitments to limit and in some cases roll back their 952 00:40:18,349 --> 00:40:20,349 nuclear program -- it's pretty clear that this is 953 00:40:20,351 --> 00:40:23,721 the best opportunity that we have to prevent Iran from 954 00:40:23,721 --> 00:40:25,291 obtaining a nuclear weapon. 955 00:40:25,289 --> 00:40:30,159 And we certainly welcome any discussion and debate, 956 00:40:30,161 --> 00:40:32,101 but the fact is, the case here is, 957 00:40:32,096 --> 00:40:34,666 in the mind of the President, very clear. 958 00:40:34,665 --> 00:40:37,105 And there certainly is a lot of scientific evidence to 959 00:40:37,101 --> 00:40:39,001 back up this case. 960 00:40:39,003 --> 00:40:42,603 But ultimately what we have said is that there are 961 00:40:42,606 --> 00:40:45,446 details that still need to be worked out and we hope 962 00:40:45,442 --> 00:40:48,382 that Congress, while pursuing their rightful 963 00:40:48,379 --> 00:40:51,679 role, will also ensure that our negotiators have the 964 00:40:51,682 --> 00:40:53,782 time and space that they need to try to finalize 965 00:40:53,784 --> 00:40:54,654 this agreement. 966 00:40:54,652 --> 00:40:56,792 The Press: It does seem, though, 967 00:40:56,787 --> 00:40:58,787 that the rhetoric has certainly not been dialed 968 00:40:58,789 --> 00:40:59,559 down by some of the opponents of the 969 00:40:59,557 --> 00:41:01,087 administration's approach to this. 970 00:41:01,091 --> 00:41:04,291 So are these classified briefings -- and I know 971 00:41:04,295 --> 00:41:06,235 you've talked about the scientific evidence and how 972 00:41:06,230 --> 00:41:08,770 you plan to use that, you've talked about that for some 973 00:41:08,766 --> 00:41:10,306 weeks, but is that kind of the last, 974 00:41:10,301 --> 00:41:13,501 best hope to coming to some sort of compromise with 975 00:41:13,504 --> 00:41:16,374 Congress over whether it's the Corker bill or the 976 00:41:16,373 --> 00:41:19,443 oversight in general that Congress wants to have? 977 00:41:19,443 --> 00:41:21,443 Mr. Earnest: Well, I guess the first observation, 978 00:41:21,445 --> 00:41:24,685 Chris, I would make is that the escalating rhetoric that 979 00:41:24,682 --> 00:41:27,822 we've seen from our opponents does coincide with 980 00:41:27,818 --> 00:41:29,818 the release of the parameters of this agreement 981 00:41:29,820 --> 00:41:35,030 that I think a lot of people described as more detailed 982 00:41:35,025 --> 00:41:38,295 and more comprehensive than was previously anticipated. 983 00:41:38,295 --> 00:41:42,265 So it might evince some sort of concern that they have 984 00:41:42,266 --> 00:41:44,906 about the success of our efforts that they're feeling 985 00:41:44,902 --> 00:41:47,002 like they have to ramp up their rhetoric to try to 986 00:41:47,004 --> 00:41:48,244 undermine it. 987 00:41:48,239 --> 00:41:51,639 So while some people may be a little more pessimistic 988 00:41:51,642 --> 00:41:53,812 than I am about the rhetoric of our opponents, 989 00:41:53,811 --> 00:41:56,781 I actually think that they may be indicating some 990 00:41:56,780 --> 00:41:58,780 concern about the strength of our position. 991 00:41:58,782 --> 00:42:04,892 But I would not, however, conclude that the classified 992 00:42:04,889 --> 00:42:08,329 briefings that are taking place over the next two days 993 00:42:08,325 --> 00:42:11,295 will be the last conversations that take 994 00:42:11,295 --> 00:42:13,865 place between senior administration officials and 995 00:42:13,864 --> 00:42:14,864 members of Congress. 996 00:42:14,865 --> 00:42:17,435 We anticipate that we're going to continue to stay 997 00:42:17,434 --> 00:42:20,804 closely coordinated and to ensure that Congress 998 00:42:20,804 --> 00:42:24,444 continues to be in the loop as we work to try to reach 999 00:42:24,441 --> 00:42:26,441 this final agreement by the end of June. 1000 00:42:26,443 --> 00:42:28,443 The Press: And just one thing on the economy. 1001 00:42:28,445 --> 00:42:30,745 You said that the President's week has long 1002 00:42:30,748 --> 00:42:33,188 been envisioned around Tax Day. 1003 00:42:33,183 --> 00:42:36,383 So it would be, I guess, coincidental that the 1004 00:42:36,387 --> 00:42:39,857 phrases we hear from you are pretty much the same as 1005 00:42:39,857 --> 00:42:42,997 we've heard from the Clinton campaign -- middle-class 1006 00:42:42,993 --> 00:42:44,693 economics, paycheck fairness, 1007 00:42:44,695 --> 00:42:47,635 the things she plans to focus on this week as well. 1008 00:42:47,631 --> 00:42:49,301 But is it -- Mr. Earnest: Well, I -- The Press: No, 1009 00:42:49,300 --> 00:42:49,970 go ahead. 1010 00:42:49,967 --> 00:42:50,737 Mr. Earnest: I didn't mean to interrupt. 1011 00:42:50,734 --> 00:42:52,034 I wouldn't characterize them as a coincidence. 1012 00:42:52,036 --> 00:42:56,406 I think it is an indication that the priorities that the 1013 00:42:56,407 --> 00:43:00,077 President has championed are consistent with the values 1014 00:43:00,077 --> 00:43:03,717 that most Democrats share and consistent with the 1015 00:43:03,714 --> 00:43:06,154 values that they themselves prioritize. 1016 00:43:06,150 --> 00:43:08,950 So I don't think it's particularly surprising that 1017 00:43:08,953 --> 00:43:12,123 the kinds of early messages that we see from a 1018 00:43:12,122 --> 00:43:15,462 Democratic candidate for President seem to be largely 1019 00:43:15,459 --> 00:43:17,859 consistent with the values and priorities articulated 1020 00:43:17,861 --> 00:43:19,331 by the sitting Democratic President. 1021 00:43:19,330 --> 00:43:20,900 The Press: But not coordinated. 1022 00:43:20,898 --> 00:43:25,568 Is it, however, coincidental that of the local anchors 1023 00:43:25,569 --> 00:43:28,269 who the President is going to be spending some time 1024 00:43:28,272 --> 00:43:30,842 with later today, at least three of them are from 1025 00:43:30,841 --> 00:43:32,681 battleground states, Wisconsin, Ohio, 1026 00:43:32,676 --> 00:43:33,846 and Pennsylvania? 1027 00:43:33,844 --> 00:43:35,914 Mr. Earnest: Well, I guess the other thing I would 1028 00:43:35,913 --> 00:43:39,553 point out to you is that I believe -- I don't have a 1029 00:43:39,550 --> 00:43:41,750 list in front of me right now, I can look at it. 1030 00:43:41,752 --> 00:43:43,752 I believe that each of those states is also represented 1031 00:43:43,754 --> 00:43:45,754 by at least one Republican member of Congress in the 1032 00:43:45,756 --> 00:43:46,756 United States Senate. 1033 00:43:46,757 --> 00:43:48,757 The Press: And perhaps that might also be a part of it 1034 00:43:48,759 --> 00:43:49,759 -- Mr. Earnest: Perhaps. 1035 00:43:49,760 --> 00:43:50,760 We'll see. 1036 00:43:50,761 --> 00:43:51,761 Byron. 1037 00:43:51,762 --> 00:43:52,762 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1038 00:43:52,763 --> 00:43:55,033 If I can follow on Julia's question on Russia and the 1039 00:43:55,032 --> 00:43:56,632 oil-for-goods deal. 1040 00:43:56,633 --> 00:43:58,633 You say it raised concerns including 1041 00:43:58,635 --> 00:43:59,605 sanctions concerns. 1042 00:43:59,603 --> 00:44:00,973 Does that mean the United States is considering 1043 00:44:00,971 --> 00:44:02,411 additional Russia sanctions? 1044 00:44:02,406 --> 00:44:03,606 Can you clarify? 1045 00:44:03,607 --> 00:44:05,607 Mr. Earnest: What I'm suggesting is that the -- 1046 00:44:05,609 --> 00:44:07,609 well, those are two different things. 1047 00:44:07,611 --> 00:44:09,381 I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to clarify. 1048 00:44:09,380 --> 00:44:15,650 The oil-for-goods proposal that, 1049 00:44:15,652 --> 00:44:18,422 as I mentioned to Doug, has been discussed but not 1050 00:44:18,422 --> 00:44:23,432 implemented, is one that could run into some conflict 1051 00:44:25,896 --> 00:44:28,696 with the sanctions regime that we've put in place 1052 00:44:28,699 --> 00:44:29,699 against Iran. 1053 00:44:29,700 --> 00:44:31,700 And when I say we, I don't just mean the United States, 1054 00:44:31,702 --> 00:44:33,702 I mean the international community. 1055 00:44:33,704 --> 00:44:36,404 The concerns that are raised by the possible sale of this 1056 00:44:36,407 --> 00:44:38,677 anti-ballistic missile system is different 1057 00:44:38,675 --> 00:44:39,675 than that. 1058 00:44:39,676 --> 00:44:44,786 It's covered by a whole set -- different set of concerns 1059 00:44:44,782 --> 00:44:47,452 and agreements that we have related to this issue. 1060 00:44:47,451 --> 00:44:50,051 So I think it's important to differentiate between 1061 00:44:50,054 --> 00:44:51,054 the two. 1062 00:44:51,055 --> 00:44:53,025 But we obviously have concerns about both 1063 00:44:53,023 --> 00:44:56,093 proposals and have made those concerns known to our 1064 00:44:56,093 --> 00:44:57,893 Russian counterparts. 1065 00:44:57,895 --> 00:44:58,965 Bill. 1066 00:44:58,962 --> 00:45:00,402 The Press: Back to your briefings to Congress. 1067 00:45:00,397 --> 00:45:03,937 Are you saying that there is so much more in the 1068 00:45:03,934 --> 00:45:08,544 classified information about this agreement you can give 1069 00:45:08,539 --> 00:45:11,279 to Congress that you'll be able to convince the 1070 00:45:11,275 --> 00:45:15,945 skeptics who are hearing on the other side what they 1071 00:45:15,946 --> 00:45:17,386 think is not in the agreement? 1072 00:45:17,381 --> 00:45:19,351 Mr. Earnest: No, I don't want to leave you with the 1073 00:45:19,349 --> 00:45:26,859 impression that there's a lot of details about these 1074 00:45:26,857 --> 00:45:28,957 commitments that are not publicly known. 1075 00:45:28,959 --> 00:45:30,359 I don't want to leave you with that impression. 1076 00:45:30,360 --> 00:45:32,200 There are some details of their commitments that are 1077 00:45:32,196 --> 00:45:35,596 relevant to evaluating the deal that we cannot discuss 1078 00:45:35,599 --> 00:45:37,099 in a public setting. 1079 00:45:37,101 --> 00:45:39,641 And that's why we're going to take the opportunity to 1080 00:45:39,636 --> 00:45:42,306 have that discussion in a classified setting with some 1081 00:45:42,306 --> 00:45:44,046 members of Congress. 1082 00:45:44,041 --> 00:45:46,041 But the other thing that's true, Bill, 1083 00:45:46,043 --> 00:45:49,443 is that there are a lot of members of Congress who, 1084 00:45:49,446 --> 00:45:52,186 quite frankly, are not willing to evaluate this 1085 00:45:52,182 --> 00:45:53,552 deal on the merits. 1086 00:45:53,550 --> 00:45:55,550 They evaluate this deal based on whether or not 1087 00:45:55,552 --> 00:45:57,552 President Obama supports it, and if he does then they're 1088 00:45:57,554 --> 00:45:58,554 going to oppose it. 1089 00:45:58,555 --> 00:46:00,755 And again, that's the kind of partisanship that has 1090 00:46:00,757 --> 00:46:04,997 infected so much of what this President has tried to 1091 00:46:04,995 --> 00:46:06,965 do over the course of the last six years. 1092 00:46:06,964 --> 00:46:08,964 And it's unfortunate that it's emerging in the context 1093 00:46:08,966 --> 00:46:11,666 of such a critical national security priority for the 1094 00:46:11,668 --> 00:46:13,268 United States. 1095 00:46:13,270 --> 00:46:14,840 But the fact is, that's what's happening. 1096 00:46:14,838 --> 00:46:16,008 The Press: So you're conceding that you're not 1097 00:46:16,006 --> 00:46:17,576 going to be able to convince them in any case? 1098 00:46:17,574 --> 00:46:18,914 Mr. Earnest: There will be some members of Congress 1099 00:46:18,909 --> 00:46:20,949 who, based on their rigid, partisan views, 1100 00:46:20,944 --> 00:46:23,244 will oppose this deal no matter how good it is. 1101 00:46:23,247 --> 00:46:25,917 I am willing to stipulate to that. 1102 00:46:25,916 --> 00:46:27,516 Margaret. 1103 00:46:27,518 --> 00:46:28,818 The Press: Thank you. 1104 00:46:28,819 --> 00:46:33,459 Would the President benefit if Hillary Clinton spoke out 1105 00:46:33,457 --> 00:46:36,497 forcefully in favor of the Iran negotiations in a 1106 00:46:36,493 --> 00:46:39,093 public setting -- of the final deal? 1107 00:46:39,096 --> 00:46:41,366 And do you think that that's a realistic ask? 1108 00:46:41,365 --> 00:46:44,965 Mr. Earnest: Well, I'm not aware of any specific ask 1109 00:46:44,968 --> 00:46:46,968 that's been made along those lines. 1110 00:46:46,970 --> 00:46:51,510 Obviously as an expert on foreign policy, 1111 00:46:51,508 --> 00:46:54,278 and as somebody who has devoted a significant 1112 00:46:54,278 --> 00:46:57,678 portion of her career to the safety and security of the 1113 00:46:57,681 --> 00:47:00,051 United States of America, I would anticipate that she 1114 00:47:00,050 --> 00:47:02,950 has a view on this. 1115 00:47:02,953 --> 00:47:04,193 But I don't know what it is. 1116 00:47:04,188 --> 00:47:05,058 (laughter) 1117 00:47:05,055 --> 00:47:05,985 The Press: You don't know what it is? 1118 00:47:05,989 --> 00:47:07,189 Mr. Earnest: I don't. 1119 00:47:07,191 --> 00:47:09,961 I suspect that over the course of the next couple of 1120 00:47:09,960 --> 00:47:11,960 weeks somebody will probably have an opportunity to 1121 00:47:11,962 --> 00:47:12,962 ask her. 1122 00:47:12,963 --> 00:47:14,963 But I'll let her speak for herself on that. 1123 00:47:14,965 --> 00:47:16,805 The Press: I wanted to follow up on the question 1124 00:47:16,800 --> 00:47:18,670 about the two meetings with the Jewish leaders. 1125 00:47:18,669 --> 00:47:21,439 Is the White House committed to releasing a list, 1126 00:47:21,438 --> 00:47:23,678 at least after the fact, of the participants in both 1127 00:47:23,674 --> 00:47:25,174 sets of meetings? 1128 00:47:25,175 --> 00:47:26,145 Mr. Earnest: I haven't seen the list, 1129 00:47:26,143 --> 00:47:27,543 but let me look into that for you. 1130 00:47:27,544 --> 00:47:29,114 The Press: And my understanding -- tell me 1131 00:47:29,112 --> 00:47:31,852 this is wrong -- is that the second meeting is largely 1132 00:47:31,848 --> 00:47:36,888 Jewish political backers and, in some cases, 1133 00:47:36,887 --> 00:47:38,487 donors of the President's. 1134 00:47:38,488 --> 00:47:41,858 And I'm just wondering -- is the thinking in not putting 1135 00:47:41,858 --> 00:47:44,498 them in the same meeting as the organizations that 1136 00:47:44,494 --> 00:47:47,064 different things will be discussed, 1137 00:47:47,064 --> 00:47:48,604 that one is a more substantive discussion and 1138 00:47:48,599 --> 00:47:51,199 one is a more political discussion by definition? 1139 00:47:51,201 --> 00:47:54,001 Or is the second meeting larger and the first 1140 00:47:54,004 --> 00:47:55,074 one smaller? 1141 00:47:55,072 --> 00:47:56,972 Or kind of what's the thinking in sequestering the 1142 00:47:56,974 --> 00:47:58,044 two pots? 1143 00:47:58,041 --> 00:47:59,881 Mr. Earnest: Well, let me confirm for you first that 1144 00:47:59,876 --> 00:48:02,146 the political contributions of the participants of the 1145 00:48:02,145 --> 00:48:04,645 meeting was not considered when we were handing 1146 00:48:04,648 --> 00:48:05,648 out invitations. 1147 00:48:05,649 --> 00:48:08,719 So you're probably right that there are people who 1148 00:48:08,719 --> 00:48:10,719 are participating in these meetings who have been 1149 00:48:10,721 --> 00:48:12,721 politically supportive of the President, 1150 00:48:12,723 --> 00:48:15,393 but that was not a factor in their invitation. 1151 00:48:15,392 --> 00:48:21,302 But the other thing is the President will participate 1152 00:48:21,298 --> 00:48:23,298 in both meetings and I would anticipate that the 1153 00:48:23,300 --> 00:48:26,670 discussion will focus on the same kinds of issues -- in 1154 00:48:26,670 --> 00:48:30,410 some cases, concerns, in some cases, 1155 00:48:30,407 --> 00:48:32,947 our priorities for what we're hoping to achieve. 1156 00:48:32,943 --> 00:48:36,983 I think a lot of this was -- the reason for two different 1157 00:48:36,980 --> 00:48:39,980 meetings was simply to try to limit the size of the 1158 00:48:39,983 --> 00:48:41,983 groups so that everybody would feel like they had an 1159 00:48:41,985 --> 00:48:43,425 opportunity to participate. 1160 00:48:43,420 --> 00:48:45,860 So it's sort of an uninteresting logistical 1161 00:48:45,856 --> 00:48:49,556 concern that's driving a lot of this, 1162 00:48:49,559 --> 00:48:51,629 but that's the thinking behind all this. 1163 00:48:51,628 --> 00:48:53,868 And I'll see what we can do on the list. 1164 00:48:53,864 --> 00:48:54,734 The Press: Just one quick, last one. 1165 00:48:54,731 --> 00:48:58,201 South Dakota is among the areas represented by the 1166 00:48:58,201 --> 00:49:00,471 reporters speaking with the President later today. 1167 00:49:00,470 --> 00:49:03,910 Is there any update on any planned stop in the last 1168 00:49:03,907 --> 00:49:06,947 place in the country we can anticipate off 1169 00:49:06,943 --> 00:49:08,143 of that interview? 1170 00:49:08,145 --> 00:49:09,545 Mr. Earnest: I don't anticipate any sort of 1171 00:49:09,546 --> 00:49:11,216 announcement along those lines today, 1172 00:49:11,214 --> 00:49:13,684 but stay tuned.* Ali. 1173 00:49:13,684 --> 00:49:14,814 The Press: Can I ask a couple about Yemen? 1174 00:49:14,818 --> 00:49:15,748 Mr. Earnest: Sure. 1175 00:49:15,752 --> 00:49:18,092 The Press: Can you update us on efforts by the U.S. 1176 00:49:18,088 --> 00:49:20,428 to evacuate hundreds of Americans who are still 1177 00:49:20,424 --> 00:49:21,824 in Yemen? 1178 00:49:21,825 --> 00:49:24,065 Mr. Earnest: It's my understanding that there is 1179 00:49:24,061 --> 00:49:25,961 -- I don't have an update on that for you. 1180 00:49:25,962 --> 00:49:28,962 I'm not aware of any U.S. 1181 00:49:28,965 --> 00:49:31,205 government-sponsored plans to evacuate private U.S. 1182 00:49:31,201 --> 00:49:33,201 citizens from Yemen at this point. 1183 00:49:33,203 --> 00:49:35,643 The Press: And there was -- there's been a lot of 1184 00:49:35,639 --> 00:49:37,279 discussion about how to get these Americans out. 1185 00:49:37,274 --> 00:49:39,914 Back in 2006, in Lebanon, about 1186 00:49:39,910 --> 00:49:42,510 15, 000 Americans were evacuated, 1187 00:49:42,512 --> 00:49:44,082 thousands of Marines were called into action to help 1188 00:49:44,081 --> 00:49:45,051 them get out. 1189 00:49:45,048 --> 00:49:46,288 I'm just wondering why is this situation 1190 00:49:46,283 --> 00:49:47,583 any different? 1191 00:49:47,584 --> 00:49:50,554 Mr. Earnest: Well, one part of this that's relevant is 1192 00:49:50,554 --> 00:49:53,824 that for years now, the State Department has warned 1193 00:49:53,824 --> 00:49:57,424 Americans about the dangers of traveling to Yemen. 1194 00:49:57,427 --> 00:49:58,297 But for more details on this, 1195 00:49:58,295 --> 00:49:59,935 I'd refer you to the State Department. 1196 00:49:59,930 --> 00:50:01,870 The Press: So it's just a "we told you so, 1197 00:50:01,865 --> 00:50:02,895 you shouldn't have gone?" 1198 00:50:02,899 --> 00:50:05,369 Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't think that's just it. 1199 00:50:05,369 --> 00:50:06,669 (laughter) 1200 00:50:06,670 --> 00:50:08,940 But I certainly think that is a 1201 00:50:08,939 --> 00:50:10,509 relevant fact. 1202 00:50:10,507 --> 00:50:11,577 J.C. 1203 00:50:11,575 --> 00:50:13,315 The Press: Just to follow up on Yemen a little bit. 1204 00:50:13,310 --> 00:50:15,310 Is this administration relieved at all that 1205 00:50:15,312 --> 00:50:18,652 Pakistan, a nuclear power, will not, in fact, 1206 00:50:18,648 --> 00:50:23,658 be involved in supporting the Saudis in their defense 1207 00:50:26,156 --> 00:50:30,726 against the intrusions there in the peninsula 1208 00:50:30,727 --> 00:50:31,327 by the Yemenis? 1209 00:50:31,328 --> 00:50:33,728 Mr. Earnest: Well, we've seen the Saudis take some 1210 00:50:33,730 --> 00:50:35,730 steps to build an international coalition with 1211 00:50:35,732 --> 00:50:37,732 some of their partners to try to address the concerns 1212 00:50:37,734 --> 00:50:39,734 they have about the unstable security situation along 1213 00:50:39,736 --> 00:50:41,906 their southern border, and they have sought input and 1214 00:50:41,905 --> 00:50:44,945 support in a variety of forms from countries 1215 00:50:44,941 --> 00:50:46,841 throughout the region. 1216 00:50:46,843 --> 00:50:48,843 But ultimately, those countries will be making 1217 00:50:48,845 --> 00:50:51,985 decisions for themselves about how and whether to 1218 00:50:51,982 --> 00:50:54,882 support that Saudi-led effort. 1219 00:50:54,885 --> 00:50:57,325 The Saudis, as you know, made a specific request of 1220 00:50:57,320 --> 00:50:59,860 the United States government for some logistical and 1221 00:50:59,856 --> 00:51:01,226 intelligence support. 1222 00:51:01,224 --> 00:51:04,594 That is support that we have offered to them. 1223 00:51:04,594 --> 00:51:05,594 Viqueira. 1224 00:51:05,595 --> 00:51:06,595 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1225 00:51:06,596 --> 00:51:07,596 Just real quick. 1226 00:51:07,597 --> 00:51:09,437 You characterized Republican opposition to the Iran deal 1227 00:51:09,433 --> 00:51:10,503 as partisanship. 1228 00:51:10,500 --> 00:51:11,670 Mr. Earnest: Rigidly partisan, I think. 1229 00:51:11,668 --> 00:51:12,498 The Press: How do you characterize 1230 00:51:12,502 --> 00:51:13,702 Democratic opposition? 1231 00:51:13,703 --> 00:51:17,573 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think there is some Democratic 1232 00:51:17,574 --> 00:51:19,574 opposition and I do think there is an opportunity for 1233 00:51:19,576 --> 00:51:24,416 us, again, to make the case to them that the 1234 00:51:24,414 --> 00:51:27,554 negotiations that we have undertaken, 1235 00:51:27,551 --> 00:51:30,621 if we can complete this agreement by the end of 1236 00:51:30,620 --> 00:51:33,360 June, would be, by far, the best way for us to prevent 1237 00:51:33,356 --> 00:51:35,426 Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 1238 00:51:35,425 --> 00:51:41,635 And that is, after all, a goal that we all share; 1239 00:51:41,631 --> 00:51:44,371 that certainly Democrats understand that the 1240 00:51:44,367 --> 00:51:46,367 President means it when he says that he is going to use 1241 00:51:46,369 --> 00:51:48,439 every element of his authority to prevent Iran 1242 00:51:48,438 --> 00:51:50,438 from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 1243 00:51:50,440 --> 00:51:52,940 This is what the President believes is the best way for 1244 00:51:52,943 --> 00:51:56,243 us to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 1245 00:51:56,246 --> 00:51:58,246 There have been a couple of other proposals that have 1246 00:51:58,248 --> 00:51:59,248 been floated. 1247 00:51:59,249 --> 00:52:01,249 We've seen people like the former U.N. 1248 00:52:01,251 --> 00:52:04,121 Ambassador John Bolton advocate aggressive military 1249 00:52:04,120 --> 00:52:06,420 action against Iran. 1250 00:52:06,423 --> 00:52:09,923 The fact is, to launch military action at this 1251 00:52:09,926 --> 00:52:13,626 point against Iran would only cause our international 1252 00:52:13,630 --> 00:52:14,760 coalition to fracture. 1253 00:52:14,764 --> 00:52:16,764 There are a lot of countries in the international 1254 00:52:16,766 --> 00:52:18,806 community that would not support such an action. 1255 00:52:18,802 --> 00:52:21,472 We've relied on their support to pressure Iran. 1256 00:52:21,471 --> 00:52:28,041 The impact of those military strikes would not be nearly 1257 00:52:28,044 --> 00:52:33,684 as enduring as the 10 or 15 or 20 years of limitations 1258 00:52:33,683 --> 00:52:36,423 that this diplomatic agreement envisions. 1259 00:52:36,419 --> 00:52:39,659 Third, it would have the effect of essentially 1260 00:52:39,656 --> 00:52:42,156 causing the Iranians to kick all the inspectors out of 1261 00:52:42,158 --> 00:52:43,158 the country. 1262 00:52:43,159 --> 00:52:45,159 Those inspectors have been critical to increasing our 1263 00:52:45,161 --> 00:52:47,161 knowledge of Iran's nuclear program. 1264 00:52:47,163 --> 00:52:48,163 If you kick out the inspectors, 1265 00:52:48,164 --> 00:52:51,864 it makes it harder for us to understand exactly what Iran 1266 00:52:51,868 --> 00:52:53,068 is doing. 1267 00:52:53,069 --> 00:52:56,739 And, finally, in some cases, most importantly, 1268 00:52:56,740 --> 00:53:00,240 launching a military strike against Iran would only give 1269 00:53:00,243 --> 00:53:04,313 Iran the clearest incentive they need to unite the 1270 00:53:04,314 --> 00:53:07,284 country around pursuing a nuclear weapon. 1271 00:53:07,284 --> 00:53:09,284 We talk about this breakout period that exists -- right 1272 00:53:09,286 --> 00:53:11,956 now, our experts tell us it's two to three months, 1273 00:53:11,955 --> 00:53:13,955 and the context for an agreement would lengthen 1274 00:53:13,957 --> 00:53:15,087 that to a year. 1275 00:53:15,091 --> 00:53:18,191 Well, we would see Iran take that action, 1276 00:53:18,194 --> 00:53:20,594 in all likelihood, if they were subjected to a military 1277 00:53:20,597 --> 00:53:23,867 strike -- because ultimately Iran would have to conclude 1278 00:53:23,867 --> 00:53:25,867 for themselves, and I think it would be a pretty 1279 00:53:25,869 --> 00:53:28,209 reasonable conclusion, for them to say, 1280 00:53:28,204 --> 00:53:30,274 if we want to prevent another military strike, 1281 00:53:30,273 --> 00:53:32,543 we need to get ourselves a nuclear weapon. 1282 00:53:32,542 --> 00:53:37,552 So that is why that course of action is so dangerous. 1283 00:53:37,547 --> 00:53:40,087 Now, it's an option that remains on the table, 1284 00:53:40,083 --> 00:53:43,553 but it's not nearly as effective as this kind of 1285 00:53:43,553 --> 00:53:45,623 diplomatic agreement would be. 1286 00:53:45,622 --> 00:53:49,022 The other proposal that some have floated short of 1287 00:53:49,025 --> 00:53:52,295 aggressive military action is putting in place 1288 00:53:52,295 --> 00:53:54,265 additional sanctions on Iran. 1289 00:53:54,264 --> 00:53:56,564 And what those individuals often say is that will apply 1290 00:53:56,566 --> 00:53:58,966 greater pressure to Iran and get them to offer up 1291 00:53:58,969 --> 00:54:00,839 additional concessions. 1292 00:54:00,837 --> 00:54:03,877 The fact is that analysis is just plain wrong. 1293 00:54:03,873 --> 00:54:05,873 What would happen if we tried to put in place 1294 00:54:05,875 --> 00:54:07,875 additional sanctions is the rest of the international 1295 00:54:07,877 --> 00:54:09,877 community would say, we signed up for sanctions to 1296 00:54:09,879 --> 00:54:11,879 get Iran to make serious commitments to limit their 1297 00:54:11,881 --> 00:54:14,351 nuclear program and they have done that and we're not 1298 00:54:14,351 --> 00:54:16,351 going to go along with that extra set of sanctions. 1299 00:54:16,353 --> 00:54:18,353 In fact, you're indicating that you're not being 1300 00:54:18,355 --> 00:54:20,355 particularly serious about these negotiations, 1301 00:54:20,357 --> 00:54:22,357 so we're not going to continue to implement 1302 00:54:22,359 --> 00:54:23,359 these sanctions. 1303 00:54:23,360 --> 00:54:25,360 That would cause our international coalition 1304 00:54:25,362 --> 00:54:26,362 to fracture. 1305 00:54:26,363 --> 00:54:28,363 And so placing additional sanctions on Iran wouldn't 1306 00:54:28,365 --> 00:54:29,365 actually increase the pressure, 1307 00:54:29,366 --> 00:54:31,566 it would relieve it -- which is exactly the wrong thing 1308 00:54:31,568 --> 00:54:33,568 for us to do at this sensitive point in 1309 00:54:33,570 --> 00:54:34,570 the negotiations. 1310 00:54:34,571 --> 00:54:40,141 So that's why the President can make a full-throated 1311 00:54:40,143 --> 00:54:42,883 case to anybody who will listen that this is the best 1312 00:54:42,879 --> 00:54:45,819 way for us to prevent Iran from obtaining 1313 00:54:45,815 --> 00:54:46,815 a nuclear weapon. 1314 00:54:46,816 --> 00:54:50,356 And there are many Republicans who will not be 1315 00:54:50,353 --> 00:54:52,353 persuaded by that because they're not considering the 1316 00:54:52,355 --> 00:54:54,355 facts, they're considering the politics. 1317 00:54:54,357 --> 00:54:56,397 I think there are some Democrats who will listen to 1318 00:54:56,393 --> 00:54:57,393 this pitch. 1319 00:54:57,394 --> 00:54:59,394 I don't know if it will convince them all, 1320 00:54:59,396 --> 00:55:01,396 but there is a strong case to make and it's one that we 1321 00:55:01,398 --> 00:55:04,238 intend to continue making. 1322 00:55:04,234 --> 00:55:04,964 Jordan. 1323 00:55:04,968 --> 00:55:06,238 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1324 00:55:06,236 --> 00:55:08,536 On trade, with Congress back, can you detail what, 1325 00:55:08,538 --> 00:55:11,638 if any, plans the White House has to reach out to 1326 00:55:11,641 --> 00:55:13,581 members of Congress to advance the trade promotion 1327 00:55:13,576 --> 00:55:15,516 authority bill this week? 1328 00:55:15,512 --> 00:55:17,712 Mr. Earnest: Well, this is obviously something that is 1329 00:55:17,714 --> 00:55:23,824 being debated to some extent in the Senate right now. 1330 00:55:23,820 --> 00:55:25,820 There are a lot of conversations that are 1331 00:55:25,822 --> 00:55:28,622 ongoing that the administration has been a 1332 00:55:28,625 --> 00:55:29,925 part of. 1333 00:55:29,926 --> 00:55:33,496 So we're going to continue to encourage bipartisan 1334 00:55:33,496 --> 00:55:37,396 action that would support the President's efforts to 1335 00:55:37,400 --> 00:55:40,240 open up overseas markets to American businesses. 1336 00:55:40,236 --> 00:55:43,276 And we continue to be engaged in those discussions 1337 00:55:43,273 --> 00:55:45,273 and to be supportive of bipartisan efforts. 1338 00:55:45,275 --> 00:55:47,715 But for an update on their timing or the status of 1339 00:55:47,711 --> 00:55:50,851 their proposals I'd refer you to members of the United 1340 00:55:50,847 --> 00:55:52,847 States Senate who are involved in those talks. 1341 00:55:52,849 --> 00:55:54,849 The Press: Does the President plan to get 1342 00:55:54,851 --> 00:55:56,851 personally involved in lobbying members of Congress 1343 00:55:56,853 --> 00:55:58,853 to vote for the proposal to give him trade 1344 00:55:58,855 --> 00:55:59,855 promotion authority? 1345 00:55:59,856 --> 00:56:00,856 Mr. Earnest: Well, the President has already been 1346 00:56:00,857 --> 00:56:04,727 personally involved in making that case and I would 1347 00:56:04,728 --> 00:56:05,828 -- The Press: As far as making direct calls to 1348 00:56:05,829 --> 00:56:07,429 reluctant members. 1349 00:56:07,430 --> 00:56:09,430 Mr. Earnest: The President has been involved in those 1350 00:56:09,432 --> 00:56:10,632 kinds of conversations already, 1351 00:56:10,633 --> 00:56:13,603 and I would anticipate that he will continue to be. 1352 00:56:13,603 --> 00:56:14,303 Victoria. 1353 00:56:14,304 --> 00:56:15,874 The Press: Yes. 1354 00:56:15,872 --> 00:56:17,442 Kevin McCarthy, the majority leader, 1355 00:56:17,440 --> 00:56:20,780 said today that there are not the votes in the House 1356 00:56:20,777 --> 00:56:22,877 to pass the President's authorization of 1357 00:56:22,879 --> 00:56:24,479 military force. 1358 00:56:24,481 --> 00:56:25,811 Do you have a reaction to that? 1359 00:56:25,815 --> 00:56:29,415 Mr. Earnest: Well, I guess my reaction is just an 1360 00:56:29,419 --> 00:56:30,919 observation I think I've made before, 1361 00:56:30,920 --> 00:56:33,590 which is that we see Congress eager to weigh in 1362 00:56:33,590 --> 00:56:35,560 and advocate for the role that they should have that 1363 00:56:35,558 --> 00:56:39,898 would prevent diplomacy, while at the same time you 1364 00:56:39,896 --> 00:56:42,696 hear members of Congress who are unwilling to take any 1365 00:56:42,699 --> 00:56:44,739 steps that would constrain the President's ability to 1366 00:56:44,734 --> 00:56:46,034 wage war. 1367 00:56:46,035 --> 00:56:48,005 It seems to me they might have their priorities a 1368 00:56:48,004 --> 00:56:49,004 little backwards. 1369 00:56:49,005 --> 00:56:51,045 The Press: He also said that they have a veto-proof 1370 00:56:51,040 --> 00:56:53,040 majority for the Iran bill. 1371 00:56:53,042 --> 00:56:57,382 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, it's his responsibility to 1372 00:56:57,380 --> 00:56:58,380 count votes. 1373 00:56:58,381 --> 00:57:01,581 I don't think anybody is batting a thousand when it 1374 00:57:01,584 --> 00:57:03,584 comes to counting votes up there. 1375 00:57:03,586 --> 00:57:04,586 (laughter) 1376 00:57:04,587 --> 00:57:06,357 So we'll see. 1377 00:57:06,356 --> 00:57:07,486 Cheryl. 1378 00:57:07,490 --> 00:57:08,220 The Press: Thanks. 1379 00:57:08,224 --> 00:57:09,824 Back to taxes. 1380 00:57:09,826 --> 00:57:11,926 You said that the President is going to be contrasting 1381 00:57:11,928 --> 00:57:14,198 his tax policies with Republicans. 1382 00:57:14,197 --> 00:57:15,997 But really, what is his goal? 1383 00:57:15,999 --> 00:57:19,239 Does he want a tax package eventually? 1384 00:57:19,235 --> 00:57:22,775 Is he trying to convince voters first, or Congress, 1385 00:57:22,772 --> 00:57:24,812 or -- Mr. Earnest: No, I think that those -- I think 1386 00:57:24,808 --> 00:57:28,348 that case is -- the case that the President has to 1387 00:57:28,344 --> 00:57:31,844 make for making our tax code more fair and more simple is 1388 00:57:31,848 --> 00:57:33,918 one that he will make both to members of Congress and 1389 00:57:33,917 --> 00:57:35,487 to members of the public. 1390 00:57:35,485 --> 00:57:37,725 And the President believes that by closing loopholes 1391 00:57:37,720 --> 00:57:39,760 that only benefit the wealthy and well-connected, 1392 00:57:39,756 --> 00:57:43,126 we can derive some revenue that can be invested in 1393 00:57:43,126 --> 00:57:45,896 upgrading our infrastructure in a way that's good for the 1394 00:57:45,895 --> 00:57:48,965 economy in the short term and will build a foundation 1395 00:57:48,965 --> 00:57:51,335 for the long-term strength of our economy. 1396 00:57:51,334 --> 00:57:53,334 That's a proposal that the President has put forward 1397 00:57:53,336 --> 00:57:55,706 and one we've been talking about for a long time. 1398 00:57:55,705 --> 00:57:58,075 The President certainly is going to speak up and speak 1399 00:57:58,074 --> 00:58:01,844 out against this latest Republican proposal that 1400 00:58:01,845 --> 00:58:08,415 would offer a $300 billion tax benefit to not just the 1401 00:58:08,418 --> 00:58:09,718 top 1 percent, but the top . 1402 00:58:09,719 --> 00:58:11,959 1 percent of Americans. 1403 00:58:11,955 --> 00:58:16,125 That is a set of priorities that is totally upside down. 1404 00:58:16,125 --> 00:58:19,895 The President believes that if we really want to put in 1405 00:58:19,896 --> 00:58:21,866 place policies that are going to benefit our economy 1406 00:58:21,865 --> 00:58:24,365 and ensure that we have the kind of strong economy that 1407 00:58:24,367 --> 00:58:28,467 has benefitted the United States for generations now 1408 00:58:28,471 --> 00:58:30,471 that we need to make sure that we're investing in the 1409 00:58:30,473 --> 00:58:31,473 middle class. 1410 00:58:31,474 --> 00:58:33,474 And that's why so many of the President's policies 1411 00:58:33,476 --> 00:58:35,476 that he'll be talking about this week are actually 1412 00:58:35,478 --> 00:58:36,478 targeted at the middle class, 1413 00:58:36,479 --> 00:58:38,479 because the President believes that if we can get 1414 00:58:38,481 --> 00:58:40,481 our economy growing from the middle out, 1415 00:58:40,483 --> 00:58:42,483 that's the best way for us to sustain long-term 1416 00:58:42,485 --> 00:58:44,025 economic growth. 1417 00:58:44,020 --> 00:58:46,020 Jared, I'll give you the last one. 1418 00:58:46,022 --> 00:58:47,022 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1419 00:58:47,023 --> 00:58:49,763 The President has spoken out against decisions from the 1420 00:58:49,759 --> 00:58:52,429 Supreme Court like McCutcheon and Citizens 1421 00:58:52,428 --> 00:58:54,768 United, and I know that we're going to start getting 1422 00:58:54,764 --> 00:58:57,864 a lot more questions every single day about the nature 1423 00:58:57,867 --> 00:58:59,067 of the 2016 race. 1424 00:58:59,068 --> 00:59:03,808 This will be the first general election since 1425 00:59:03,806 --> 00:59:06,206 McCutcheon, the second since Citizens United. 1426 00:59:06,209 --> 00:59:08,279 What's the push from the White House to make some 1427 00:59:08,278 --> 00:59:10,818 serious movement on campaign finance reform? 1428 00:59:10,813 --> 00:59:13,553 Mr. Earnest: Well, Jared, we continue to believe that 1429 00:59:13,549 --> 00:59:15,549 there are some important reforms that we could put in 1430 00:59:15,551 --> 00:59:17,891 place to our campaign finance system that would 1431 00:59:17,887 --> 00:59:21,457 improve the electoral process. 1432 00:59:21,457 --> 00:59:25,297 There's obviously a lot of resistance to those ideas in 1433 00:59:25,295 --> 00:59:27,765 Congress, principally from Republicans, 1434 00:59:27,764 --> 00:59:30,164 but even some Democrats, too. 1435 00:59:30,166 --> 00:59:32,506 So I'm not particularly optimistic about the 1436 00:59:32,502 --> 00:59:34,502 likelihood that we'll be able to make substantial 1437 00:59:34,504 --> 00:59:36,074 progress in this regard. 1438 00:59:36,072 --> 00:59:38,072 But it's certainly something that you've heard the 1439 00:59:38,074 --> 00:59:40,514 President talk about quite a bit over the last couple of 1440 00:59:40,510 --> 00:59:42,680 years, and I don't think the President will hesitate to 1441 00:59:42,679 --> 00:59:44,919 speak out on it anymore in the future. 1442 00:59:44,914 --> 00:59:47,784 The Press: And just thinking about some of the things 1443 00:59:47,784 --> 00:59:49,014 that the President has talked about, 1444 00:59:49,018 --> 00:59:51,658 especially going back to 2008, 1445 00:59:51,654 --> 00:59:54,324 as part of the team that brought him to the White 1446 00:59:54,324 --> 00:59:57,524 House, the message in 2008 was that this was a fresh 1447 00:59:57,527 --> 01:00:00,097 face, outsider, who could change Washington. 1448 01:00:00,096 --> 01:00:03,996 Do you see any official candidate right now who 1449 01:00:04,000 --> 01:00:05,400 brings that same message? 1450 01:00:05,401 --> 01:00:08,871 Mr. Earnest: Well, I've resisted to sort of weighing 1451 01:00:08,871 --> 01:00:12,981 in on the 2016 candidacies, so -- The Press: Have you at 1452 01:00:12,976 --> 01:00:13,646 this point? 1453 01:00:13,643 --> 01:00:16,183 I mean -- Mr. Earnest: Yes, I think I have. 1454 01:00:16,179 --> 01:00:18,049 (laughter) 1455 01:00:18,047 --> 01:00:19,417 So I'm going to continue to do that for the 1456 01:00:19,415 --> 01:00:21,615 time being. 1457 01:00:21,617 --> 01:00:23,617 But I think all of you can sort of draw your 1458 01:00:23,619 --> 01:00:24,619 own assessments. 1459 01:00:24,620 --> 01:00:26,620 Many of you covered the 2008 race, 1460 01:00:26,622 --> 01:00:28,622 and we'll have ample opportunity to evaluate the 1461 01:00:28,624 --> 01:00:30,624 2016 candidates and see if they bring the same kind of 1462 01:00:30,626 --> 01:00:32,626 passion and commitment to hope and change that then 1463 01:00:32,628 --> 01:00:34,528 Senator Barack Obama did. 1464 01:00:34,530 --> 01:00:35,030 All right. 1465 01:00:35,031 --> 01:00:35,561 Thanks, everybody. 1466 01:00:35,565 --> 01:00:36,365 Have a good Monday.