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1 00:00:00,500 --> 00:00:01,734 Mr. Carney: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. 2 00:00:01,734 --> 00:00:05,200 Thank you for coming to your daily briefing today, 3 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:06,400 on this Monday. 4 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:08,133 I do not have any announcements at the top, 5 00:00:08,132 --> 00:00:09,466 so I'll go straight to your questions. 6 00:00:09,467 --> 00:00:12,367 Ben Feller of the Associated Press. 7 00:00:12,367 --> 00:00:12,867 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 8 00:00:12,867 --> 00:00:16,133 A couple questions on the Secret Service. 9 00:00:16,133 --> 00:00:20,099 There's a report out that a member of the White House 10 00:00:20,100 --> 00:00:22,166 Communications Agency is now being investigated. 11 00:00:22,166 --> 00:00:24,967 Can you confirm whether that's accurate? 12 00:00:24,967 --> 00:00:27,232 Mr. Carney: Well, I would refer you to questions about 13 00:00:27,233 --> 00:00:30,734 military personnel to the Defense Department. 14 00:00:30,734 --> 00:00:35,834 As you know, WHCA -- as we know it here -- is staffed entirely 15 00:00:35,834 --> 00:00:41,166 by military personnel, not by White House staff and it is a 16 00:00:41,166 --> 00:00:44,199 Defense logistics agency. 17 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,967 And for everyone involved in the Defense Department's 18 00:00:47,967 --> 00:00:50,632 investigation of members of the military as related to 19 00:00:50,633 --> 00:00:53,266 this incident, I would refer you to the Defense Department, 20 00:00:53,266 --> 00:00:59,333 just as for matters involving the Secret Service investigation 21 00:00:59,333 --> 00:01:03,100 into Secret Service personnel we refer you to the Secret Service. 22 00:01:03,100 --> 00:01:06,233 The Press: There's, as you know, a broader White House military office and 23 00:01:06,233 --> 00:01:07,600 WHCA is underneath that. 24 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:09,734 As you say, they're composed of military members, 25 00:01:09,734 --> 00:01:13,000 but it is widely seen as part of the White House apparatus. 26 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:14,133 Are you saying that that -- 27 00:01:14,133 --> 00:01:16,300 Mr. Carney: But, Ben, let's just be clear. 28 00:01:16,300 --> 00:01:18,667 These are military personnel staffed by the military. 29 00:01:18,667 --> 00:01:20,633 They are not members of the White House staff. 30 00:01:20,633 --> 00:01:26,399 They are not chosen by the White House senior staff. 31 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:28,433 They are no more members of the White House staff than Secret 32 00:01:28,433 --> 00:01:31,133 Service personnel, who you see every day on the grounds here, 33 00:01:31,133 --> 00:01:34,333 are members of the White House staff. 34 00:01:34,333 --> 00:01:40,133 As is appropriate, personnel actions, 35 00:01:40,133 --> 00:01:42,833 investigations and otherwise, that affect members of the 36 00:01:42,834 --> 00:01:45,433 military are handled by the Defense Department. 37 00:01:45,433 --> 00:01:49,500 And I would refer you to the Defense Department for questions 38 00:01:49,500 --> 00:01:50,400 regarding that. 39 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:53,800 The Press: And are you still comfortable in your statement that to your 40 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:56,166 knowledge, no one other than members of the Secret 41 00:01:56,166 --> 00:02:00,366 Service or the military then are being looked at? 42 00:02:00,367 --> 00:02:03,734 Mr. Carney: Well, I can tell you a couple of things -- that 43 00:02:03,734 --> 00:02:05,800 -- well, first of all, to make clear, 44 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,233 the Secret Service is investigating specific 45 00:02:09,233 --> 00:02:12,467 allegations of misconduct by members of the Secret Service. 46 00:02:12,467 --> 00:02:15,133 The Defense Department is investigating specific 47 00:02:15,133 --> 00:02:20,033 allegations of misconduct by members of the military. 48 00:02:20,033 --> 00:02:23,700 There have been no specific, credible allegations of 49 00:02:23,700 --> 00:02:27,132 misconduct by anyone on the White House advance team or 50 00:02:27,133 --> 00:02:28,467 the White House staff. 51 00:02:28,467 --> 00:02:31,133 Nevertheless, out of due diligence, 52 00:02:31,133 --> 00:02:35,767 the White House Counsel's office has conducted a review of the 53 00:02:35,767 --> 00:02:40,100 White House advance team, and in concluding that review, 54 00:02:40,100 --> 00:02:43,500 came to the conclusion that there's no indication that 55 00:02:43,500 --> 00:02:47,767 any member of the White House advance team engaged in any 56 00:02:47,767 --> 00:02:51,166 improper conduct or behavior. 57 00:02:51,166 --> 00:02:55,300 So, simply out of due diligence, over the last several days that 58 00:02:55,300 --> 00:02:58,300 review was conducted, and it produced no indication 59 00:02:58,300 --> 00:03:01,500 of any misconduct. 60 00:03:01,500 --> 00:03:03,233 The Press: Okay. Glad I asked. 61 00:03:03,233 --> 00:03:09,100 On the comment over the weekend from Senator Lieberman, 62 00:03:09,100 --> 00:03:11,333 talking about one member of the Secret Service who stayed at 63 00:03:11,333 --> 00:03:14,500 that hotel where the President eventually stayed -- this 64 00:03:14,500 --> 00:03:17,633 obviously happened before the President got there -- but the 65 00:03:17,633 --> 00:03:19,400 quote was, "Now you're into the hotel where the President of the 66 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:21,033 United States was going to stay, and it just 67 00:03:21,033 --> 00:03:22,166 gets more troubling." 68 00:03:22,166 --> 00:03:25,934 Do you agree with that line of thinking, or is that overstated? 69 00:03:25,934 --> 00:03:28,500 Mr. Carney: Well, I think the incident itself is troubling. 70 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:34,767 The allegations that we've seen are troubling. 71 00:03:34,767 --> 00:03:38,367 The investigation in both cases -- both the Secret Service 72 00:03:38,367 --> 00:03:40,934 investigation and the Defense Department investigation -- 73 00:03:40,934 --> 00:03:46,100 they are both ongoing, so as was the case last week, 74 00:03:46,100 --> 00:03:50,266 I'm not going to make any broad statements about our assessment 75 00:03:50,266 --> 00:03:55,966 of it, it's broader meaning, steps -- further steps that 76 00:03:55,967 --> 00:04:00,800 might need to be taken once the investigations are concluded. 77 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:02,066 It's too early for that. 78 00:04:02,066 --> 00:04:04,934 The investigation -- speaking now specifically about the 79 00:04:04,934 --> 00:04:08,466 Secret Service -- obviously began right away, 80 00:04:08,467 --> 00:04:11,734 is ongoing but has produced results, if you will, 81 00:04:11,734 --> 00:04:16,632 in terms of personnel who have been separated or separated 82 00:04:16,632 --> 00:04:17,933 themselves from the agency. 83 00:04:17,934 --> 00:04:25,367 But those broader questions about what it all means, 84 00:04:25,367 --> 00:04:29,133 if you will, for the agency and its mission I think are 85 00:04:29,133 --> 00:04:32,166 better left until the specific incident itself 86 00:04:32,166 --> 00:04:34,967 is thoroughly investigated. 87 00:04:34,967 --> 00:04:36,734 Yes. 88 00:04:36,734 --> 00:04:39,332 The Press: A Sonoco refinery, which is the largest on the East Coast, 89 00:04:39,333 --> 00:04:43,400 has announced that its summer closure will be delayed for -- 90 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:46,532 by a month if not longer -- not all together -- and the 91 00:04:46,533 --> 00:04:50,533 view is that this will help ease gasoline prices. 92 00:04:50,533 --> 00:04:53,667 Does the administration think the gas prices may have peaked 93 00:04:53,667 --> 00:04:58,366 and, if so, what extent could that be a boost for the economy? 94 00:04:58,367 --> 00:05:01,533 Mr. Carney: Well, I would hesitate to make any predictions 95 00:05:01,533 --> 00:05:06,033 about global markets, including global oil markets, 96 00:05:06,033 --> 00:05:10,066 so I won't engage on the question about which direction 97 00:05:10,066 --> 00:05:11,900 gas prices might go. 98 00:05:11,900 --> 00:05:14,734 Regarding the specific question that you began with, 99 00:05:14,734 --> 00:05:17,633 we are continuing to monitor closely the refinery situation 100 00:05:17,633 --> 00:05:20,433 on the East Coast, including the potential impact that 101 00:05:20,433 --> 00:05:23,900 disruptions could have on consumers in the region. 102 00:05:23,900 --> 00:05:28,133 But beyond that, I wouldn't comment on the specific refinery 103 00:05:28,133 --> 00:05:29,467 that you mentioned. 104 00:05:29,467 --> 00:05:30,000 The Press: Okay. 105 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:33,934 One other question -- a Chinese manufacturer, Hubei Sanjiang, 106 00:05:33,934 --> 00:05:38,133 has been implicated in supplying parts for a large missile 107 00:05:38,133 --> 00:05:41,166 transporter vehicle that Pyongyang showcased in its 108 00:05:41,166 --> 00:05:43,633 military parade last week. 109 00:05:43,633 --> 00:05:45,467 How concerned is the U.S. about this? 110 00:05:45,467 --> 00:05:50,233 And how is the administrating conveying its concern to China 111 00:05:50,233 --> 00:05:54,133 that it may not be doing enough to enforce sanctions against 112 00:05:54,133 --> 00:05:56,332 military-related sales to Pyongyang. 113 00:05:56,333 --> 00:05:57,200 Mr. Carney: I'll say two things about it. 114 00:05:57,200 --> 00:06:00,099 One, the United States will continue to work with the 115 00:06:00,100 --> 00:06:02,333 international community, including China, 116 00:06:02,333 --> 00:06:04,567 to enforce sanctions against North Korea's ballistic missile 117 00:06:04,567 --> 00:06:06,400 program and nuclear program. 118 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:09,265 And I would say that we've raised the allegations with 119 00:06:09,266 --> 00:06:11,867 the Chinese government that you mentioned as part of the ongoing 120 00:06:11,867 --> 00:06:14,300 -- our ongoing close consultations on North Korea. 121 00:06:14,300 --> 00:06:15,867 The Press: Has the request been made to China -- 122 00:06:15,867 --> 00:06:20,300 Mr. Carney: I can only say that we've raised the situation, 123 00:06:20,300 --> 00:06:22,166 the allegations. 124 00:06:22,166 --> 00:06:22,834 Jake. 125 00:06:22,834 --> 00:06:25,266 The Press: On Syria, there have been reports that the 126 00:06:25,266 --> 00:06:28,767 opposition is running out of ammunition while, of course, 127 00:06:28,767 --> 00:06:32,332 the Syrian government, enjoying relationships with Iran and 128 00:06:32,333 --> 00:06:36,300 Russia, does not that that problem. 129 00:06:36,300 --> 00:06:41,166 Is it time, finally, for the international community, 130 00:06:41,166 --> 00:06:43,266 or for the United States more specifically, 131 00:06:43,266 --> 00:06:47,066 to seriously consider arming the rebels there? 132 00:06:47,066 --> 00:06:49,433 Or do you think -- does the President think that the Annan 133 00:06:49,433 --> 00:06:53,667 plan still needs time to try to work itself out? 134 00:06:53,667 --> 00:06:58,099 Mr. Carney: Well, as you know, we voted in favor of the 135 00:06:58,100 --> 00:07:02,133 U.N. supervision mission in Syria, the vote establishing 136 00:07:02,133 --> 00:07:03,933 that and expanding it. 137 00:07:03,934 --> 00:07:05,934 And we believe it can help decrease the violence and lay 138 00:07:05,934 --> 00:07:08,467 the foundation for Syria's political transition. 139 00:07:08,467 --> 00:07:12,400 But we are sober about the risks and very clear-eyed about 140 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:16,400 Assad's behavior with regard to the Annan mission, 141 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:22,000 and its failure to fully commit to a ceasefire or honor the 142 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,867 other provisions of the plan, the Annan plan. 143 00:07:27,266 --> 00:07:29,967 We still do not believe that contributing to the 144 00:07:29,967 --> 00:07:32,734 militarization of Syria is the right course of action 145 00:07:32,734 --> 00:07:34,032 at this time. 146 00:07:34,033 --> 00:07:36,700 We are working with our partners and allies, 147 00:07:36,700 --> 00:07:38,332 as part of the "Friends of Syria" but also with the 148 00:07:38,333 --> 00:07:43,100 United Nations, to further isolate and pressure Assad, 149 00:07:43,100 --> 00:07:52,900 and to make clear to everyone that siding with Assad is making 150 00:07:52,900 --> 00:07:59,299 a bad choice, a choice that will not wear well as time passes -- 151 00:07:59,300 --> 00:08:01,633 because Assad has brutally murdered his own people. 152 00:08:03,767 --> 00:08:07,200 His regime will come to an end. 153 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:11,533 It's a matter of not if but when. 154 00:08:11,533 --> 00:08:13,967 We believe that the measures we're taking -- working with 155 00:08:13,967 --> 00:08:17,000 the international community, assisting the opposition 156 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:20,400 establish itself, providing humanitarian and other nonlethal 157 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:23,233 aid to the Syria people -- is the right course of 158 00:08:23,233 --> 00:08:24,767 action to take. 159 00:08:24,767 --> 00:08:29,834 But there is no question that Assad's brutality has not ceased 160 00:08:29,834 --> 00:08:32,500 even as it has abated at times during the course 161 00:08:32,500 --> 00:08:35,000 of the implementation of the Annan plan. 162 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:37,299 The Press: In response to the President's speech this morning and the 163 00:08:37,299 --> 00:08:40,766 discussion of the Atrocities Prevention Board, 164 00:08:40,767 --> 00:08:45,300 Senator John McCain suggested that there was a very -- a great 165 00:08:45,300 --> 00:08:51,032 significant similarity between Bosnia, during the Clinton era, 166 00:08:51,033 --> 00:08:54,967 and Syria today, and that in his view, thankfully, 167 00:08:54,967 --> 00:08:58,800 President Clinton came around to arming the victims and the 168 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:01,132 opposition in the former Balkans, 169 00:09:01,133 --> 00:09:04,166 and that hopefully the President would -- President Obama would 170 00:09:04,166 --> 00:09:05,600 step up and do the same. 171 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:10,000 Does President Obama consider there to be any similarity? 172 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:13,233 Mr. Carney: Well, I have not seen Senator McCain's comments making that 173 00:09:13,233 --> 00:09:15,766 comparison to Bosnia, so I haven't had that conversation 174 00:09:15,767 --> 00:09:16,467 with the President. 175 00:09:16,467 --> 00:09:19,600 I think that the President is extremely concerned about the 176 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:23,767 appalling brutality that Assad has perpetrated on 177 00:09:23,767 --> 00:09:25,367 his own people. 178 00:09:25,367 --> 00:09:29,900 He has made clear, as have I and others when we talk about the 179 00:09:29,900 --> 00:09:34,766 actions that we can take in response to different situations 180 00:09:34,767 --> 00:09:37,133 in different countries, that there is not a cookie-cutter 181 00:09:37,133 --> 00:09:41,734 approach; that the actions we were able to take when Qaddafi's 182 00:09:41,734 --> 00:09:45,667 forces were on the verge of overrunning Benghazi and, 183 00:09:45,667 --> 00:09:49,300 in his own words, killing the residents of Benghazi, 184 00:09:49,300 --> 00:09:52,599 the Libyan people there -- that we were able to, 185 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:59,500 because of a broad consensus and a very specific mission that was 186 00:09:59,500 --> 00:10:04,767 open to us, take direct action that prevented the overrunning 187 00:10:04,767 --> 00:10:09,266 of Benghazi and eventually prevented Qaddafi from taking 188 00:10:09,266 --> 00:10:10,533 over the country again. 189 00:10:10,533 --> 00:10:15,567 So the President said today at the Holocaust Museum in his 190 00:10:15,567 --> 00:10:20,000 speech, that we cannot -- we have to do everything we can 191 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:21,967 to prevent these kinds of atrocities. 192 00:10:21,967 --> 00:10:26,633 It does not mean that in response to every action, 193 00:10:26,633 --> 00:10:30,233 using our military is the right answer. 194 00:10:30,233 --> 00:10:32,666 We cannot do that and we should not do that in response 195 00:10:32,667 --> 00:10:34,633 to every action. 196 00:10:34,633 --> 00:10:38,066 There are other tools that we have, and we have to use them. 197 00:10:38,066 --> 00:10:41,667 And right now, that is the case with regards to Syria and that's 198 00:10:41,667 --> 00:10:43,700 the approach we're taking. 199 00:10:43,700 --> 00:10:44,934 Norah. 200 00:10:44,934 --> 00:10:48,165 The Press: In terms of the White House Counsel's investigation, 201 00:10:48,166 --> 00:10:50,367 how long did that go on for? 202 00:10:50,367 --> 00:10:52,033 When did it begin interviews? 203 00:10:52,033 --> 00:10:59,467 Mr. Carney: It began on Friday and concluded over the weekend. 204 00:10:59,467 --> 00:11:02,066 Again, I think it's important to note, 205 00:11:02,066 --> 00:11:07,867 the incident we're talking about here involved specific 206 00:11:07,867 --> 00:11:10,367 allegations of misconduct by the Secret Service, 207 00:11:10,367 --> 00:11:15,233 by members of the Secret Service and members of the military. 208 00:11:15,233 --> 00:11:21,065 The decision to conduct a review here, internally, 209 00:11:21,066 --> 00:11:23,600 was simply done out of due diligence. 210 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:26,700 There are no, to my knowledge, and have been no credible or 211 00:11:26,700 --> 00:11:29,934 specific allegations of misconduct by any member 212 00:11:29,934 --> 00:11:32,699 of the White House advance team or White House staff. 213 00:11:34,767 --> 00:11:37,834 But out of due diligence this review was conducted, 214 00:11:37,834 --> 00:11:41,165 and there is no indication of any misconduct by members 215 00:11:41,166 --> 00:11:42,967 of the White House advance team or staff. 216 00:11:42,967 --> 00:11:45,266 The Press: And how many interviews did that entail? 217 00:11:45,266 --> 00:11:48,500 Mr. Carney: I don't have, and I'm not going to give you, 218 00:11:48,500 --> 00:11:55,033 a blow-by-blow of what was involved in the review. 219 00:11:55,033 --> 00:11:56,800 I can simply tell you that, again, 220 00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:59,199 not because of any specific allegation of misconduct, 221 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:03,567 not because of any credible allegation at all, 222 00:12:03,567 --> 00:12:06,900 out of due diligence, the White House Counsel's office led this 223 00:12:06,900 --> 00:12:12,600 review, and it produced no indication of any inappropriate 224 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:13,834 behavior or misconduct. 225 00:12:13,834 --> 00:12:15,934 The Press: Was this in response to Senator Grassley's 226 00:12:15,934 --> 00:12:18,165 letter inquiring about -- 227 00:12:18,166 --> 00:12:24,100 Mr. Carney: No, it was a decision to simply act with due 228 00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:27,433 diligence and out of an abundance of caution 229 00:12:27,433 --> 00:12:29,834 to do this review. 230 00:12:29,834 --> 00:12:33,532 Again, not because there was any -- there are specific things 231 00:12:33,533 --> 00:12:35,300 that happened that we know that happened that led to the 232 00:12:35,300 --> 00:12:37,666 revelation of this incident. 233 00:12:37,667 --> 00:12:41,734 There are specific individuals involved in the investigation 234 00:12:41,734 --> 00:12:43,600 by the Secret Service of the Secret Service, 235 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,266 and the investigation of military personnel by the 236 00:12:46,266 --> 00:12:48,266 Department of Defense. 237 00:12:49,500 --> 00:12:51,867 It was in the context of a presidential trip, 238 00:12:51,867 --> 00:12:54,233 and out of due diligence, this review was conducted. 239 00:12:54,233 --> 00:12:57,500 And again, I think I made the point that there was no 240 00:12:57,500 --> 00:12:59,667 indication of any misconduct. 241 00:12:59,667 --> 00:13:00,800 The Press: And it's concluded? 242 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:01,967 The review is now concluded? 243 00:13:01,967 --> 00:13:03,333 Mr. Carney: Yes, it's concluded. 244 00:13:03,333 --> 00:13:06,967 The Press: And then let me just ask you about another story. 245 00:13:06,967 --> 00:13:11,734 The GAO is coming out with a new study today, a new report, 246 00:13:11,734 --> 00:13:14,767 that Medicare is wasting more than $8 billion on this 247 00:13:14,767 --> 00:13:17,800 experimental program that rewards providers, it says, 248 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:21,500 of mediocre health care. 249 00:13:21,500 --> 00:13:23,567 It's not producing the kind of results -- it's a waste of money 250 00:13:23,567 --> 00:13:24,734 and should end. 251 00:13:24,734 --> 00:13:26,066 Do you agree with that? 252 00:13:26,066 --> 00:13:27,133 Any comment on it? 253 00:13:27,133 --> 00:13:29,133 Mr. Carney: Well, I would say that before the Affordable Care Act, 254 00:13:29,133 --> 00:13:32,033 private insurance companies received Medicare payments that 255 00:13:32,033 --> 00:13:35,467 were too high and had nothing to do with the quality of care. 256 00:13:35,467 --> 00:13:38,133 Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the new health care law, 257 00:13:38,133 --> 00:13:42,500 we are on track to cut $200 billion in unwarranted payments. 258 00:13:42,500 --> 00:13:47,767 This was a much focused-upon element of the Affordable Care Act. 259 00:13:47,767 --> 00:13:50,667 Medicare continually monitors its programs to ensure they are 260 00:13:50,667 --> 00:13:53,867 achieving their goals, and the temporary demonstration program 261 00:13:53,867 --> 00:13:56,533 that you're referring to is important to identifying ways 262 00:13:56,533 --> 00:14:00,567 to improve the quality of care in Medicare Advantage. 263 00:14:00,567 --> 00:14:02,700 And since we're on the subject, I would call your attention to a 264 00:14:02,700 --> 00:14:05,900 report from CMS today indicating that the health care law will 265 00:14:05,900 --> 00:14:10,300 save the Medicare program over $200 billion through 2016. 266 00:14:10,300 --> 00:14:13,532 Additionally, people with Medicare will save nearly $208 267 00:14:13,533 --> 00:14:17,000 billion, thanks to the new law. 268 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:18,200 The Press: Can I just follow on that? 269 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:18,700 Mr. Carney: Sure. 270 00:14:18,700 --> 00:14:21,467 The Press: My understanding is that under the Affordable Care Act 271 00:14:21,467 --> 00:14:25,400 that Congress cut Medicare payments to these managed care 272 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:27,165 plans, known as Medicare Advantage, 273 00:14:27,166 --> 00:14:30,100 as you pointed out, and authorized these bonus payments 274 00:14:30,100 --> 00:14:31,934 to provide high-quality care. 275 00:14:31,934 --> 00:14:36,632 The investigators with the GAO found that in fact the bonuses 276 00:14:36,633 --> 00:14:38,800 went to average performing plans -- 277 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:40,800 Mr. Carney: I understand what the report says, 278 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:42,233 but let's put it in context here. 279 00:14:42,233 --> 00:14:44,900 One, we think that the demonstration project that 280 00:14:44,900 --> 00:14:47,900 you're referring to -- program -- is important to identifying 281 00:14:47,900 --> 00:14:50,467 ways to improve the quality of Medicare Advantage. 282 00:14:50,467 --> 00:14:57,033 One of the things we found in the policy process that led to 283 00:14:57,033 --> 00:15:01,166 the Affordable Care Act is that Medicare Advantage -- that there 284 00:15:01,166 --> 00:15:03,633 could be significant savings from Medicare Advantage because 285 00:15:03,633 --> 00:15:04,633 of overpayments. 286 00:15:04,633 --> 00:15:08,567 And in fact, we're phasing out over $200 billion in 287 00:15:08,567 --> 00:15:12,600 overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans, on schedule. 288 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:15,100 Before health care reform, everyone with Medicare, 289 00:15:15,100 --> 00:15:17,533 even those who weren't in a Medicare Advantage plan, 290 00:15:17,533 --> 00:15:21,266 paid higher premiums to support those Medicare Advantage 291 00:15:21,266 --> 00:15:23,099 programs -- those overpayments, rather. 292 00:15:23,100 --> 00:15:28,834 So the context here is one of squeezing savings out of 293 00:15:28,834 --> 00:15:32,467 Medicare Advantage programs, reducing overpayments through 294 00:15:32,467 --> 00:15:33,467 these programs. 295 00:15:33,467 --> 00:15:36,934 And this demonstration project is simply a way to, we believe, 296 00:15:36,934 --> 00:15:41,165 ensure that these programs are as cost-efficient as possible. 297 00:15:41,166 --> 00:15:42,834 Let me move around a little bit. 298 00:15:42,834 --> 00:15:43,934 Mark. 299 00:15:43,934 --> 00:15:46,766 The Press: Jay, did White House Counsel launch the review 300 00:15:46,767 --> 00:15:47,967 on their own authority? 301 00:15:47,967 --> 00:15:48,900 Mr. Carney: Yes. 302 00:15:48,900 --> 00:15:53,066 The Press: Was it instructed by Chief of Staff or the President? 303 00:15:53,066 --> 00:15:54,600 Mr. Carney: Well -- the President, no. 304 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:59,333 But this was led by the White House Counsel's office. 305 00:15:59,333 --> 00:16:02,632 The decision to do it was certainly -- she has the 306 00:16:02,633 --> 00:16:04,633 authority to do this, but it was in consultation with the Chief 307 00:16:04,633 --> 00:16:06,200 of Staff's office, yes. 308 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:09,400 The Press: And those questioned were White House staffers that 309 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:12,632 were part of the advance team? 310 00:16:12,633 --> 00:16:13,834 Mr. Carney: All White House advance team. 311 00:16:13,834 --> 00:16:16,032 The Press: All White House advance team. 312 00:16:16,033 --> 00:16:16,834 Mr. Carney: Right. 313 00:16:16,834 --> 00:16:19,500 The Press: When the President met with Director Sullivan -- 314 00:16:19,500 --> 00:16:21,233 Mr. Carney: And again, without getting into the specifics of what 315 00:16:21,233 --> 00:16:23,400 the review entailed, it was a review of the 316 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:25,199 White House advance team and those people on it. 317 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:26,633 The Press: But you weren't in -- 318 00:16:26,633 --> 00:16:28,266 Mr. Carney: No, I was not in Colombia in advance 319 00:16:28,266 --> 00:16:29,333 of the President's arrival. 320 00:16:29,333 --> 00:16:31,233 I got there when he did. 321 00:16:31,233 --> 00:16:33,934 The Press: When the President met on Friday with Director Sullivan, 322 00:16:33,934 --> 00:16:38,033 did the director offer his resignation? 323 00:16:38,033 --> 00:16:42,700 Mr. Carney: No. Laura. 324 00:16:42,700 --> 00:16:44,133 The Press: I have a couple questions about the executive order 325 00:16:44,133 --> 00:16:45,433 this morning. 326 00:16:45,433 --> 00:16:48,800 The first is, why is it limited to just Iran and Syria? 327 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:53,500 Why not -- there are other countries that needs technology 328 00:16:53,500 --> 00:16:59,033 to suppress -- in a variety of human rights abusive ways. 329 00:16:59,033 --> 00:17:03,200 So why is it limited to those two countries? 330 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:06,066 Mr. Carney: Well, I think I would take that in two ways. 331 00:17:06,066 --> 00:17:09,400 First, I can get back to you with more specifics about the 332 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:10,400 narrow focus. 333 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:17,233 One obvious reason is we have a circumstance where the use of 334 00:17:17,233 --> 00:17:20,834 technology to suppress human rights is very clear and evident 335 00:17:20,834 --> 00:17:25,600 by these two regimes, and the EO degrades the ability of the 336 00:17:25,599 --> 00:17:29,734 Syrian and Iranian governments to acquire and utilize 337 00:17:29,734 --> 00:17:31,699 technology to oppress their own people. 338 00:17:31,700 --> 00:17:33,300 It sends a clear message that the U.S. 339 00:17:33,300 --> 00:17:36,633 recognizes and is committed to combating this new and growing 340 00:17:36,633 --> 00:17:38,000 human rights threat. 341 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:40,367 It holds accountable those government officials, 342 00:17:40,367 --> 00:17:42,633 companies and individuals committing or facilitating 343 00:17:42,633 --> 00:17:45,433 human rights abuses, and, as part of that process, 344 00:17:45,433 --> 00:17:48,633 further isolates both Damascus and Tehran. 345 00:17:48,633 --> 00:17:52,700 So you're certainly right that, unfortunately, 346 00:17:52,700 --> 00:17:56,800 in this world these are not the only regimes that oppress their 347 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:58,300 people or use technology to do it, 348 00:17:58,300 --> 00:18:01,133 but these are specific cases that we are focused on right 349 00:18:01,133 --> 00:18:03,767 now that this EO can have a direct impact on. 350 00:18:03,767 --> 00:18:05,433 The Press: You're focused on these because it's very clear 351 00:18:05,433 --> 00:18:07,400 and evident in these cases, but not as clear 352 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:08,433 and evident in others? 353 00:18:08,433 --> 00:18:12,266 Mr. Carney: Again, I can work with you and get more information for you on 354 00:18:12,266 --> 00:18:16,867 the decision behind focusing the EO on these two bad actors, 355 00:18:16,867 --> 00:18:20,066 but I don't think there's any disagreement really anywhere, 356 00:18:20,066 --> 00:18:21,900 outside perhaps those regimes themselves, 357 00:18:21,900 --> 00:18:23,266 that these are two bad actors. 358 00:18:23,266 --> 00:18:25,900 The Press: The other question is, does this have any impact on companies 359 00:18:25,900 --> 00:18:29,100 that supply the technology directly to these governments? 360 00:18:29,100 --> 00:18:33,199 There's a lot of examples of cases where you've had 361 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:38,934 companies, perhaps knowingly, sell technology used to do this. 362 00:18:38,934 --> 00:18:40,867 Mr. Carney: I'll have to get back to you on the implementation 363 00:18:40,867 --> 00:18:44,265 of the EO and what its impacts and ramifications are. 364 00:18:44,266 --> 00:18:47,600 I know there are designations involved with the EO, 365 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:50,265 similar to other sanctions and things that were done, 366 00:18:50,266 --> 00:18:51,633 but in terms of the companies involved, 367 00:18:51,633 --> 00:18:52,467 I have to get back to you. 368 00:18:52,467 --> 00:18:53,066 The Press: Okay. 369 00:18:53,066 --> 00:18:54,533 Mr. Carney: Thanks. Ed and then Kristen. 370 00:18:54,533 --> 00:18:54,867 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 371 00:18:54,867 --> 00:18:59,399 Just wanted to go back to Norah's question about Medicare. 372 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,900 What Republicans have said about this bonus program is that it's 373 00:19:02,900 --> 00:19:07,367 rewarding folks because it's trying to kind of mask other 374 00:19:07,367 --> 00:19:09,533 cuts to Medicare from the President's health 375 00:19:09,533 --> 00:19:12,199 care reform plan. 376 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:15,300 And you say to that -- because you answered it with a question 377 00:19:15,300 --> 00:19:16,633 about overpayments and whatnot. 378 00:19:16,633 --> 00:19:18,834 That's not really what Republicans are alleging -- that 379 00:19:18,834 --> 00:19:21,200 these bonuses are covering up the fact there are cuts 380 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:22,433 elsewhere in Medicare. 381 00:19:22,433 --> 00:19:25,066 It's sort of making up for other cuts the President put in, 382 00:19:25,066 --> 00:19:27,100 in his health care plan. 383 00:19:27,100 --> 00:19:33,199 Mr. Carney: Well, we've been highly transparent about the 384 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:35,767 savings that are produced because of the Affordable Care 385 00:19:35,767 --> 00:19:42,333 Act, the -- as described by the CBO -- the significant deficit 386 00:19:42,333 --> 00:19:44,800 reduction brought about by the Affordable Care Act after 10 387 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:49,265 years, and the truly substantial deficit reduction created in the 388 00:19:49,266 --> 00:19:51,567 second decade after implementation of the 389 00:19:51,567 --> 00:19:53,667 Affordable Care Act. 390 00:19:53,667 --> 00:19:56,300 The savings that are part of that are very important, 391 00:19:56,300 --> 00:20:00,533 but this is not -- Medicare Advantage, as you know, 392 00:20:00,533 --> 00:20:04,600 prior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, 393 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:07,966 had a big problem with overpayments that the Affordable 394 00:20:07,967 --> 00:20:10,967 Care Act addressed and will bring about a reduction of 395 00:20:10,967 --> 00:20:14,333 $200 billion in overpayments. 396 00:20:14,333 --> 00:20:21,767 As part of the Affordable Care Act's overall treatment of 397 00:20:21,767 --> 00:20:24,467 Medicare Advantage plans, this demonstration project, 398 00:20:24,467 --> 00:20:29,600 we believe, is important to increasing the efficiency of 399 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:31,166 the Medicare Advantage plan. 400 00:20:31,166 --> 00:20:34,000 So we just have a disagreement about this, I think. 401 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:35,533 The Press: More broadly on Medicare -- I know Secretary Geithner 402 00:20:35,533 --> 00:20:37,332 is going to be talking in a few minutes about 403 00:20:37,333 --> 00:20:38,300 the trustees report. 404 00:20:38,300 --> 00:20:41,767 But more broadly, the early reports have suggested that 405 00:20:41,767 --> 00:20:44,166 Medicare is going broke faster than expected, 406 00:20:44,166 --> 00:20:45,966 maybe as early as 2018. 407 00:20:45,967 --> 00:20:47,133 I know he's going to address the details. 408 00:20:47,133 --> 00:20:50,133 But how does the President go to voters this year and say that 409 00:20:50,133 --> 00:20:53,233 he's protecting senior citizens if Medicare is going broke 410 00:20:53,233 --> 00:20:55,433 faster than people expected? 411 00:20:55,433 --> 00:21:00,533 Mr. Carney: Well, again, I don't want to get ahead of the trustees report, 412 00:21:00,533 --> 00:21:04,199 but I think -- the President's approach has been, 413 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:06,700 from the beginning, when it comes to deficit reduction 414 00:21:06,700 --> 00:21:09,767 and the need to reform entitlements in a way that both 415 00:21:09,767 --> 00:21:13,767 ensures the guarantee remains for our seniors through Medicare 416 00:21:13,767 --> 00:21:18,600 and Social Security but stabilizes our deficit and debt 417 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:21,600 -- that is the approach he's taken with every negotiation 418 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:23,632 he's had with members of Congress, 419 00:21:23,633 --> 00:21:25,200 leaders in Congress on deficit reduction. 420 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:28,800 And what I can tell you is the President's approach remains 421 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:32,265 what it was last summer and what it is -- what it was in the fall 422 00:21:32,266 --> 00:21:33,667 when he put forward his plan, which is that we 423 00:21:33,667 --> 00:21:35,800 need a balanced approach. 424 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:38,133 One way we can ensure that we make -- we maintain our 425 00:21:38,133 --> 00:21:41,200 commitment to seniors through Medicare and through Social 426 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:48,200 Security is not to cut them so substantially in order to give 427 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:51,233 more tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. 428 00:21:51,233 --> 00:21:52,300 We don't need to do that. 429 00:21:52,300 --> 00:21:55,734 If we take a balanced approach to deficit reduction, we can, 430 00:21:55,734 --> 00:22:02,934 as the President has proposed and as he has -- the position 431 00:22:02,934 --> 00:22:05,533 he took in his negotiations with members of Congress, 432 00:22:05,533 --> 00:22:09,699 leaders of Congress, if we cut discretionary -- non-defense 433 00:22:09,700 --> 00:22:13,133 discretionary spending, which he has done and signed into law to 434 00:22:13,133 --> 00:22:17,300 bring that spending to its lowest level since the 435 00:22:17,300 --> 00:22:21,834 Eisenhower administration -- if we cut our tax expenditures, 436 00:22:21,834 --> 00:22:25,834 if we reform our tax code in a way that increases revenue and 437 00:22:25,834 --> 00:22:28,200 then we reform our entitlements in a way that preserves the 438 00:22:28,200 --> 00:22:31,834 guarantee, we can make huge strides towards getting our 439 00:22:31,834 --> 00:22:34,967 deficits and debt under control, without doing it on the backs of 440 00:22:34,967 --> 00:22:36,233 senior citizens and the most vulnerable. 441 00:22:36,233 --> 00:22:37,633 The Press: Last year's report said Medicare is going broke in, 442 00:22:37,633 --> 00:22:38,934 like, 2024. 443 00:22:38,934 --> 00:22:40,567 Now it says it's going broke in 2018. 444 00:22:40,567 --> 00:22:42,266 So doesn't it sound like everything you just said 445 00:22:42,266 --> 00:22:44,100 is not really working because it's going broke -- 446 00:22:44,100 --> 00:22:45,899 Mr. Carney: Well, part of why it hasn't worked yet is 447 00:22:45,900 --> 00:22:49,166 because Republicans in Congress refuse to accept the basic 448 00:22:49,166 --> 00:22:51,600 premise that we need to take a balanced approach to our deficit 449 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:52,600 and debt reduction. 450 00:22:52,600 --> 00:22:55,199 They are out there telling the American people, 451 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:56,967 through the Ryan/Republican budget, 452 00:22:56,967 --> 00:23:00,433 that we need to dramatically cut taxes on the wealthiest 453 00:23:00,433 --> 00:23:03,633 Americans -- dramatically -- and we will pay for that in large 454 00:23:03,633 --> 00:23:07,100 part by gutting discretionary spending programs -- investments 455 00:23:07,100 --> 00:23:10,132 in education and innovation and basic research and 456 00:23:10,133 --> 00:23:14,100 infrastructure -- and by ending welfare -- I mean Medicare as we 457 00:23:14,100 --> 00:23:16,734 know it -- ending Medicare as we know it by basically turning it 458 00:23:16,734 --> 00:23:21,632 into a two-tiered system that's half-privatized through 459 00:23:21,633 --> 00:23:27,900 vouchers, that results in the healthiest seniors gravitating 460 00:23:27,900 --> 00:23:30,066 towards one system, and the sickest, 461 00:23:30,066 --> 00:23:33,000 oldest seniors in the other, which basically ends the program 462 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:34,333 and the guarantee as we know it. 463 00:23:34,333 --> 00:23:38,233 And none of that is necessary if you do not accept the premise -- 464 00:23:38,233 --> 00:23:40,633 if you do accept the premise that we need 465 00:23:40,633 --> 00:23:41,700 to take a balanced approach. 466 00:23:41,700 --> 00:23:46,600 So I certainly hope, and the President hopes that, 467 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:49,533 under pressure from their own constituents, 468 00:23:49,533 --> 00:23:54,600 Republicans will reconsider the refusal to adopt a balanced 469 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:58,332 approach -- the same approach that every bipartisan commission 470 00:23:58,333 --> 00:24:00,800 that has look at this has endorsed, 471 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:04,265 the same approach that not just Democrats but independents and 472 00:24:04,266 --> 00:24:06,934 Republicans across the country endorse. 473 00:24:06,934 --> 00:24:11,332 The only outliers here are elected members of Congress 474 00:24:11,333 --> 00:24:12,834 of the Republican persuasion. 475 00:24:12,834 --> 00:24:14,233 The Press: Last thing, on Colombia -- did the White House 476 00:24:14,233 --> 00:24:18,533 Counsel check the hotel records down in Colombia to see if any 477 00:24:18,533 --> 00:24:20,800 White House advance or White House staff -- 478 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:23,633 Mr. Carney: I'm not going to get into the specifics. 479 00:24:23,633 --> 00:24:27,567 I would simply say that the review that the White House 480 00:24:27,567 --> 00:24:32,233 Counsel oversaw and led produced no indication of any misconduct. 481 00:24:32,233 --> 00:24:33,265 The Press: But then how did they -- 482 00:24:33,266 --> 00:24:34,000 Mr. Carney: Again, I'm not going to get into -- 483 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:35,266 The Press: -- just by asking people, or did they check records? 484 00:24:35,266 --> 00:24:36,767 Mr. Carney: I'm not going to get into specifics of it. 485 00:24:36,767 --> 00:24:40,467 And what I also won't do is engage in speculation about -- 486 00:24:40,467 --> 00:24:41,133 The Press: It's not speculation. 487 00:24:41,133 --> 00:24:41,900 Mr. Carney: There is no specific -- 488 00:24:41,900 --> 00:24:43,200 The Press: The Secret Service has been checking records down there. 489 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:44,867 Mr. Carney: Hey, Ed, do you have a specific allegation you'd like to -- 490 00:24:44,867 --> 00:24:45,800 The Press: I'm just saying, did they check -- 491 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:47,367 Mr. Carney: -- because there has been no specific allegation 492 00:24:47,367 --> 00:24:48,265 of misconduct. 493 00:24:48,266 --> 00:24:50,900 And again, I'm not going to get into all the details of the 494 00:24:50,900 --> 00:24:52,633 review, except to say that -- 495 00:24:52,633 --> 00:24:54,200 The Press: -- say yes, they did, and there was nothing there? 496 00:24:54,200 --> 00:24:57,433 Mr. Carney: Because I am not going to describe every aspect 497 00:24:57,433 --> 00:24:58,300 of this review. 498 00:24:58,300 --> 00:25:01,300 I will simply say that the review has been conducted. 499 00:25:01,300 --> 00:25:04,433 There is no indication of any misconduct by any member of 500 00:25:04,433 --> 00:25:07,467 the White House advance team. 501 00:25:07,467 --> 00:25:08,633 Brianna. 502 00:25:08,633 --> 00:25:10,767 The Press: Jay, on this review -- 503 00:25:10,767 --> 00:25:11,800 Mr. Carney: Kristen and then -- sorry. 504 00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:13,033 The Press: It's okay. 505 00:25:13,033 --> 00:25:13,766 Mr. Carney: Sorry, I did say you. 506 00:25:13,767 --> 00:25:14,633 Brianna, go ahead. 507 00:25:14,633 --> 00:25:17,867 The Press: Outside of the White House, who will you provide details 508 00:25:17,867 --> 00:25:20,265 of this review to? 509 00:25:20,266 --> 00:25:23,967 Mr. Carney: Can I just make clear, we have an incident where there 510 00:25:23,967 --> 00:25:26,967 were specific allegations of misconduct by members 511 00:25:26,967 --> 00:25:29,767 of the Secret Service, specific allegations of 512 00:25:29,767 --> 00:25:32,300 misconduct by members of the military, 513 00:25:32,300 --> 00:25:34,867 and there are investigations into both those matters by the 514 00:25:34,867 --> 00:25:37,200 Defense Department and the Secret Service. 515 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:41,433 There is no allegation of misconduct by anyone on the 516 00:25:41,433 --> 00:25:42,967 White House advance team or staff. 517 00:25:42,967 --> 00:25:44,667 The Press: But there's been concern by -- 518 00:25:44,667 --> 00:25:46,699 Mr. Carney: No, there's been rumors published on the Internet 519 00:25:46,700 --> 00:25:48,300 by people with no editors and no conscience. 520 00:25:48,300 --> 00:25:53,934 But there is no specific allegation of any kind of 521 00:25:53,934 --> 00:25:54,934 misconduct here. 522 00:25:54,934 --> 00:25:59,000 And only out of due diligence have we conducted this review, 523 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:03,266 which revealed what we thought to be the case, 524 00:26:03,266 --> 00:26:05,700 which there was no misconduct by members of the -- 525 00:26:05,700 --> 00:26:08,166 The Press: There are concerns on the Hill from Republicans; 526 00:26:08,166 --> 00:26:11,433 also Senator Lieberman felt that the scope should be -- I'm just 527 00:26:11,433 --> 00:26:12,533 wondering if they're being looped in. 528 00:26:12,533 --> 00:26:15,800 Mr. Carney: Right. And what I'm saying is that the review has been 529 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:18,800 conducted and there is no indication of any misconduct. 530 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:19,834 The Press: But I'm just trying to be clear. 531 00:26:19,834 --> 00:26:22,233 So it's purely for internal White House consumption, 532 00:26:22,233 --> 00:26:23,399 the results of the review? 533 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:26,166 Mr. Carney: Again, what I can say, if someone comes to us with some 534 00:26:26,166 --> 00:26:30,500 credible allegation that anybody at the White House was involved 535 00:26:30,500 --> 00:26:33,367 in any inappropriate conduct, I'm sure that we'll look at it. 536 00:26:33,367 --> 00:26:34,600 But there isn't that. 537 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:38,766 There is some attempt by some to throw rumors out there. 538 00:26:38,767 --> 00:26:41,700 But again, there's no -- we had specific behavior that led to 539 00:26:41,700 --> 00:26:46,600 this investigation, specific actions that led to the 540 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:48,399 investigation by the Secret Service and by the Defense 541 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:50,834 Department of their personnel. 542 00:26:50,834 --> 00:26:54,433 We've conducted a review simply out of due diligence of our 543 00:26:54,433 --> 00:26:58,734 people -- White House advance team -- and it produced nothing. 544 00:26:58,734 --> 00:27:04,265 So I think that's where we are right now. 545 00:27:04,266 --> 00:27:06,467 The Press: Will the President continue to receive regular updates 546 00:27:06,467 --> 00:27:08,400 from Director Sullivan? 547 00:27:08,400 --> 00:27:09,767 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't know about Director Sullivan. 548 00:27:09,767 --> 00:27:14,100 We are in contact regularly with the Secret Service about the 549 00:27:14,100 --> 00:27:18,399 investigation, and I'm sure that he'll be briefed accordingly. 550 00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:21,500 I don't have any meetings or conversations between the 551 00:27:21,500 --> 00:27:24,233 President and the Director to preview for you. 552 00:27:24,233 --> 00:27:24,600 The Press: Okay. 553 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:28,466 And then, Egypt canceled its natural gas deal with Israel. 554 00:27:28,467 --> 00:27:33,200 In 2005, Egypt and Israel described the deal as enhancing 555 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:35,333 peace and stability in the Middle East. 556 00:27:35,333 --> 00:27:38,700 How does the White House view this development? 557 00:27:38,700 --> 00:27:43,600 Mr. Carney: Well, we've seen reports of that nature and we're 558 00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:45,332 seeking more information. 559 00:27:45,333 --> 00:27:46,700 I think it's important to note these are private companies, 560 00:27:46,700 --> 00:27:48,533 and I'd refer you to the companies involved for 561 00:27:48,533 --> 00:27:49,233 more details. 562 00:27:49,233 --> 00:27:51,166 They're companies, they're not governments. 563 00:27:51,166 --> 00:27:55,466 It's important to note that both Egypt and Israel have both said 564 00:27:55,467 --> 00:27:58,433 they remain committed to their peace treaty. 565 00:27:58,433 --> 00:28:01,767 And as we've made clear in abundance, 566 00:28:01,767 --> 00:28:04,500 we strongly support the peace treaty and 567 00:28:04,500 --> 00:28:07,567 the Egypt-Israel relationship. 568 00:28:07,567 --> 00:28:10,066 The Press: Will you see it, though, as an indication of -- I mean, 569 00:28:10,066 --> 00:28:11,867 are you prepared to -- 3041 570 00:28:11,867 --> 00:28:14,000 Mr. Carney: Well, I would point -- when we talk about 571 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:18,367 peace treaties between nations, and in this case a peace treaty 572 00:28:18,367 --> 00:28:21,767 between two nations, we look to the governments for what they 573 00:28:21,767 --> 00:28:22,767 say about them. 574 00:28:22,767 --> 00:28:26,900 And both Israel and Egypt have said that they remain committed 575 00:28:26,900 --> 00:28:28,266 to that peace treaty. 576 00:28:28,266 --> 00:28:34,867 And the two companies involved -- the action that was taken 577 00:28:34,867 --> 00:28:36,399 with regard to this matter involves two companies, 578 00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:39,567 and I would refer you to those companies for more details. 579 00:28:39,567 --> 00:28:41,200 The Press: But I mean, it's seen as a breach of an agreement. 580 00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:43,533 It's not seen -- it's widely seen as something to be 581 00:28:43,533 --> 00:28:44,132 concerned about. 582 00:28:44,133 --> 00:28:45,400 Mr. Carney: Well, again, but this is an agreement between two 583 00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:49,033 companies, not an agreement between two governments. 584 00:28:49,033 --> 00:28:51,033 Kristen, then Roger. 585 00:28:51,033 --> 00:28:51,667 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 586 00:28:51,667 --> 00:28:53,833 If the White House review started Friday, 587 00:28:53,834 --> 00:28:55,367 why are we just learning about it today? 588 00:28:55,367 --> 00:28:57,466 Why not announce it Friday instead when it started? 589 00:28:57,467 --> 00:29:01,333 Mr. Carney: Kristen, it's an internal due diligence review. 590 00:29:01,333 --> 00:29:07,066 It's not -- there are a lot of things that -- well, 591 00:29:07,066 --> 00:29:09,700 let me just say specific allegations of misconduct 592 00:29:09,700 --> 00:29:11,767 by the Secret Service, specific allegations of 593 00:29:11,767 --> 00:29:13,800 misconduct by members of the Department of Defense, 594 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:17,433 specific investigations accordingly. 595 00:29:17,433 --> 00:29:21,100 As a matter of due diligence, we have taken a look at our 596 00:29:21,100 --> 00:29:24,100 personnel who were involved in the President's trip to 597 00:29:24,100 --> 00:29:26,699 Colombia, White House advance personnel who were there in 598 00:29:26,700 --> 00:29:31,467 advance of the President, and there's no indication of any 599 00:29:31,467 --> 00:29:35,300 misconduct by them. 600 00:29:35,300 --> 00:29:40,399 So I think a couple of days to conduct this review and reach 601 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:45,367 that conclusion is pretty -- both enough time and hardly 602 00:29:45,367 --> 00:29:46,399 a long time. 603 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:48,100 The Press: And going back to the President's meeting with 604 00:29:48,100 --> 00:29:50,699 Director Sullivan, can you give us a sense of the tone 605 00:29:50,700 --> 00:29:52,533 of that meeting? 606 00:29:52,533 --> 00:29:54,265 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not going to get into details about 607 00:29:54,266 --> 00:29:56,100 specific meetings or conversations the President 608 00:29:56,100 --> 00:29:57,632 has in the Oval Office. 609 00:29:57,633 --> 00:30:03,734 I think you can -- you would not be surprised if I told you it's 610 00:30:03,734 --> 00:30:06,699 a serious matter and so it was a serious discussion. 611 00:30:06,700 --> 00:30:09,600 But beyond that I can't really describe it. 612 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:12,000 The Press: Can you explain why it took the director a week 613 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:13,000 to brief the President? 614 00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:14,900 Was that because the investigation was going on -- 615 00:30:14,900 --> 00:30:16,667 Mr. Carney: I think I told you daily, when you asked me, 616 00:30:16,667 --> 00:30:20,233 that the President was being kept updated on the Secret 617 00:30:20,233 --> 00:30:22,700 Service investigation and this matter, 618 00:30:22,700 --> 00:30:26,767 that the director himself was personally in contact with 619 00:30:26,767 --> 00:30:28,100 senior members of White House staff, 620 00:30:28,100 --> 00:30:31,166 and senior members of White House staff were in contact 621 00:30:31,166 --> 00:30:34,300 with other senior members of the Secret Service. 622 00:30:34,300 --> 00:30:36,233 So there was plenty of communication happening. 623 00:30:36,233 --> 00:30:39,265 The President has a lot on his plate. 624 00:30:39,266 --> 00:30:43,500 This is an issue that warrants investigation and it is being 625 00:30:43,500 --> 00:30:45,500 investigated appropriately. 626 00:30:45,500 --> 00:30:50,100 But it is not something that is his highest priority. 627 00:30:50,100 --> 00:30:54,433 He's dealing with trying to keep our economic recovery going, 628 00:30:54,433 --> 00:30:58,433 trying to help the economy continue to create jobs -- as 629 00:30:58,433 --> 00:31:03,767 it has done now for 25 straight months -- and working to ensure 630 00:31:03,767 --> 00:31:06,533 that our national security interests are protected. 631 00:31:06,533 --> 00:31:09,100 So he has been appropriately briefed. 632 00:31:09,100 --> 00:31:11,867 He met to be briefed directly by the Secret Service director on 633 00:31:11,867 --> 00:31:15,200 Friday, and he'll continue to be briefed appropriately. 634 00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:17,333 The Press: And also, Jay, Senator Susan Collins said this 635 00:31:17,333 --> 00:31:20,033 weekend that Secret Service supervisor Paula Reed -- who we 636 00:31:20,033 --> 00:31:22,632 all read about this weekend -- "acted decisively and 637 00:31:22,633 --> 00:31:25,333 appropriately in Cartagena, and I can't help but wonder if there 638 00:31:25,333 --> 00:31:27,767 had been more women as part of that detail, 639 00:31:27,767 --> 00:31:29,100 if this ever would have happened." 640 00:31:29,100 --> 00:31:30,699 Is there a point there? 641 00:31:30,700 --> 00:31:33,533 Should there be more women as part of the Secret Service? 642 00:31:33,533 --> 00:31:35,867 Mr. Carney: Well, I would simply say, as I did earlier, 643 00:31:35,867 --> 00:31:40,600 that assessments of the institution, culture, 644 00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:44,199 broader questions about the mission, 645 00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:49,133 I think need to be held in reserve while this investigation 646 00:31:49,133 --> 00:31:52,967 into a specific incident is completed. 647 00:31:52,967 --> 00:31:56,600 And in many ways, I think that those questions will be looked 648 00:31:56,600 --> 00:31:59,934 at broadly, but also specifically by the Secret 649 00:31:59,934 --> 00:32:01,767 Service, as is appropriate. 650 00:32:01,767 --> 00:32:05,266 So I don't have a comment specifically to that beyond 651 00:32:05,266 --> 00:32:06,433 what I've said. 652 00:32:06,433 --> 00:32:07,633 Victoria. 653 00:32:07,633 --> 00:32:09,834 The Press: I understand you can't necessarily speak to that, 654 00:32:09,834 --> 00:32:13,266 but if the percentage of women in the Secret Service is indeed 655 00:32:13,266 --> 00:32:17,233 11 percent -- you can speak to that, correct? 656 00:32:17,233 --> 00:32:18,100 Mr. Carney: Again, I can't. 657 00:32:18,100 --> 00:32:19,934 I'm not familiar even with that figure. 658 00:32:19,934 --> 00:32:24,399 I would simply say that questions about the mission, 659 00:32:24,400 --> 00:32:28,367 the institution, broader questions about the Secret 660 00:32:28,367 --> 00:32:31,767 Service that arise from this incident and this investigation, 661 00:32:31,767 --> 00:32:37,800 I think, at least from here, I will resist answering because 662 00:32:37,800 --> 00:32:39,966 it's not appropriate while this investigation is ongoing. 663 00:32:39,967 --> 00:32:43,767 And I think that those questions in many ways will be and should 664 00:32:43,767 --> 00:32:45,900 be to the Secret Service itself. 665 00:32:45,900 --> 00:32:50,734 But they are focused on this investigation into this incident 666 00:32:50,734 --> 00:32:51,734 at this time. 667 00:32:51,734 --> 00:32:53,966 And it wouldn't be appropriate for me to make broad 668 00:32:53,967 --> 00:32:57,033 observations about the institution during this period. 669 00:32:57,033 --> 00:32:59,500 The Press: Would you agree that if that figure is correct it's 670 00:32:59,500 --> 00:33:01,266 really -- it's very low? 671 00:33:01,266 --> 00:33:04,533 Mr. Carney: Well, again, you're saying "if that figure is correct 672 00:33:04,533 --> 00:33:05,533 what do I think about it?" 673 00:33:05,533 --> 00:33:09,800 I don't know that figure to be correct or incorrect. 674 00:33:09,800 --> 00:33:12,066 The Press: -- 11 percent as a percentage. 675 00:33:12,066 --> 00:33:14,133 Mr. Carney: Well, again, it's a law enforcement agency. 676 00:33:14,133 --> 00:33:15,500 I don't know how that compares to other law 677 00:33:15,500 --> 00:33:16,700 enforcement agencies. 678 00:33:16,700 --> 00:33:22,500 I would simply ask that -- you can ask the questions, 679 00:33:22,500 --> 00:33:24,467 but I would ask for understanding for why I'm not 680 00:33:24,467 --> 00:33:28,300 going to make broad assessments of the institution itself, 681 00:33:28,300 --> 00:33:31,399 its mission, its culture while this specific investigation is 682 00:33:31,400 --> 00:33:33,300 going on. 683 00:33:33,300 --> 00:33:36,000 Sorry, Scott then April -- I mean, Roger. 684 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:37,467 Did I call on you and then I didn't? 685 00:33:37,467 --> 00:33:40,500 Okay, Roger, Scott, April. 686 00:33:40,500 --> 00:33:41,567 The Press: Thank you. 687 00:33:41,567 --> 00:33:43,834 There was a story over the weekend in The New York Times 688 00:33:43,834 --> 00:33:49,166 about Wal-Mart store officials in Mexico allegedly bragging 689 00:33:49,166 --> 00:33:52,000 local officials to get stores opened faster. 690 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:54,300 Is this -- do you have any comment, number one? 691 00:33:54,300 --> 00:33:57,166 And is this something that the U.S. government 692 00:33:57,166 --> 00:33:59,265 would have an interest? 693 00:33:59,266 --> 00:34:01,567 Mr. Carney: I mean, I read the story, but beyond that I don't 694 00:34:01,567 --> 00:34:07,433 have a comment, and I'm not even sure that that's an issue 695 00:34:07,433 --> 00:34:08,867 that we would be involved in. 696 00:34:08,867 --> 00:34:13,633 So I would refer you to Wal-Mart for now. 697 00:34:13,632 --> 00:34:14,600 Scott. 698 00:34:14,600 --> 00:34:16,967 The Press: Director Sullivan's briefing of the President on Friday -- 699 00:34:16,967 --> 00:34:19,867 was the general counsel in that meeting? 700 00:34:19,867 --> 00:34:21,266 Mr. Carney: The general counsel of the Secret Service? 701 00:34:21,266 --> 00:34:22,133 The Press: The White House General counsel? 702 00:34:22,132 --> 00:34:23,165 Mr. Carney: Oh, the White House counsel? 703 00:34:23,166 --> 00:34:25,367 I'll have to take that question. 704 00:34:25,367 --> 00:34:27,133 I don't believe so, but I can find out. 705 00:34:27,132 --> 00:34:29,600 The Press: And one other question. 706 00:34:29,600 --> 00:34:32,933 Apparently one of the agents that's been implicated is said 707 00:34:32,934 --> 00:34:35,133 to have taken a woman back to his room at the hotel where the 708 00:34:35,132 --> 00:34:38,100 President was staying -- five days before he arrived, 709 00:34:38,100 --> 00:34:39,433 but that hotel. 710 00:34:39,433 --> 00:34:42,699 Does that raise your concerns over the President's safety? 711 00:34:42,699 --> 00:34:45,199 Mr. Carney: I got a version of the question earlier. 712 00:34:45,199 --> 00:34:50,332 I'm not going to comment on the specifics of the allegations 713 00:34:50,333 --> 00:34:52,700 against any of the individuals involved. 714 00:34:52,699 --> 00:34:55,332 I will say, as the President said, 715 00:34:55,333 --> 00:34:59,200 I believe -- or I said I know -- pointing to the Secret Service, 716 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:03,066 that they have said that neither the President nor his party's 717 00:35:03,066 --> 00:35:06,133 security was ever compromised because of this incident. 718 00:35:06,133 --> 00:35:08,299 We depend on, the President depends on -- any President 719 00:35:08,300 --> 00:35:12,667 depends on -- the Secret Service for protection and security. 720 00:35:12,667 --> 00:35:15,734 And I think it's important to note that what the President 721 00:35:15,734 --> 00:35:19,967 said and I have said, that we have great respect for and 722 00:35:19,967 --> 00:35:23,567 admiration for those agents who, on a daily basis, 723 00:35:23,567 --> 00:35:26,467 put their lives on the line to protect the President of the 724 00:35:26,467 --> 00:35:29,333 United States and his family. 725 00:35:29,333 --> 00:35:33,433 And it's very hard work and the President appreciates 726 00:35:33,433 --> 00:35:36,033 what they do. 727 00:35:36,033 --> 00:35:38,500 This is an incident that absolutely merits investigation 728 00:35:38,500 --> 00:35:44,533 and action needs to be taken when allegations of misconduct 729 00:35:44,533 --> 00:35:46,133 prove to be true. 730 00:35:46,133 --> 00:35:49,966 But it is also true that the work that they do is extremely 731 00:35:49,967 --> 00:35:53,033 important, not just to the individual but to the 732 00:35:53,033 --> 00:35:56,700 institution of the presidency, to our democracy. 733 00:35:56,700 --> 00:36:00,165 And it is hard work and it is dangerous work. 734 00:36:00,166 --> 00:36:00,934 April. 735 00:36:00,934 --> 00:36:04,333 The Press: On a couple of issues -- getting back to the 736 00:36:04,333 --> 00:36:07,600 President's speech this morning, he's outlining the Atrocities 737 00:36:07,600 --> 00:36:09,000 Prevention Board. 738 00:36:09,000 --> 00:36:12,500 With that, has there been any movement on U.S. 739 00:36:12,500 --> 00:36:15,900 action, potential or actual hostile action as it relates 740 00:36:15,900 --> 00:36:17,100 to the Sudan? 741 00:36:17,100 --> 00:36:21,066 I asked you last week, and I'm following up. 742 00:36:21,066 --> 00:36:22,133 Mr. Carney: Well, the President -- I would point you 743 00:36:22,133 --> 00:36:25,767 to the President's remarks about the Sudan and South Sudan, 744 00:36:25,767 --> 00:36:30,799 the creation of a new nation -- an effort that we were very much 745 00:36:30,800 --> 00:36:36,600 a part of -- the ongoing diplomatic efforts to try 746 00:36:36,600 --> 00:36:38,767 to bring about stability between those two nations 747 00:36:38,767 --> 00:36:40,133 and in the region. 748 00:36:40,133 --> 00:36:43,667 I don't have anything more specific for you on that as 749 00:36:43,667 --> 00:36:44,834 it relates to the Sudan. 750 00:36:44,834 --> 00:36:47,066 The Press: Could you find out if he talked to Chinese 751 00:36:47,066 --> 00:36:51,200 officials about their efforts to try to help bring peace in 752 00:36:51,200 --> 00:36:53,232 between northern and southern Sudan? 753 00:36:53,233 --> 00:36:54,834 Mr. Carney: I'll have to -- again, April, I apologize, 754 00:36:54,834 --> 00:36:56,033 I'll have to take that. 755 00:36:56,033 --> 00:36:56,700 The Press: All right. 756 00:36:56,700 --> 00:37:02,767 In a request for transparency, could you at least tell us, 757 00:37:02,767 --> 00:37:06,899 yes or no, straight up or down, if advance -- White House 758 00:37:06,900 --> 00:37:11,233 advance officials who were on the ground in Cartagena -- were 759 00:37:11,233 --> 00:37:13,633 they interviewed by the White House counsel? 760 00:37:13,633 --> 00:37:17,966 Mr. Carney: I don't think it's useful to get into the details of 761 00:37:17,967 --> 00:37:19,166 how that review was conducted. 762 00:37:19,166 --> 00:37:20,667 I think that that's -- 763 00:37:20,667 --> 00:37:23,900 The Press: I didn't ask how, I just asked if they were -- 764 00:37:23,900 --> 00:37:25,633 Mr. Carney: -- through what modalities the review was conducted, 765 00:37:25,633 --> 00:37:28,466 if you will. 766 00:37:28,467 --> 00:37:30,467 What you suggested stands to reason, 767 00:37:30,467 --> 00:37:35,166 but I don't want to get into something where -- well, 768 00:37:35,166 --> 00:37:37,300 they did that, did they do this, did they do that? 769 00:37:37,300 --> 00:37:38,767 There was a review conducted. 770 00:37:38,767 --> 00:37:41,399 There was no allegation that led to the review. 771 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:46,367 There was a review conducted and the result is there is no 772 00:37:46,367 --> 00:37:49,767 indication of any misconduct by White House -- members of the 773 00:37:49,767 --> 00:37:50,767 White House advance team. 774 00:37:50,767 --> 00:37:53,700 The Press: You just said what I just asked stands to reason. 775 00:37:53,700 --> 00:37:55,567 Are you saying yes they were interviewed? 776 00:37:55,567 --> 00:37:57,233 (laughter) 777 00:37:57,233 --> 00:37:58,967 Mr. Carney: All I'm saying is I don't want to get into -- 778 00:37:58,967 --> 00:38:02,567 there's no point in getting into the details of this internal 779 00:38:02,567 --> 00:38:06,300 review except to say that it was conducted; 780 00:38:06,300 --> 00:38:10,200 that the results of that are that there is no indication 781 00:38:10,200 --> 00:38:15,567 of misconduct by members of that team. 782 00:38:15,567 --> 00:38:16,633 Steve. 783 00:38:16,633 --> 00:38:21,366 The Press: North Korea has threatened to take specific military action 784 00:38:21,367 --> 00:38:24,400 against Seoul and President Lee. 785 00:38:24,400 --> 00:38:27,200 Is this just the normal propaganda and a demand 786 00:38:27,200 --> 00:38:29,899 for attention, or is there any reason to fear that this might 787 00:38:29,900 --> 00:38:33,700 be a sort of precursor to any military action similar to the 788 00:38:33,700 --> 00:38:36,767 shelling of the island a few years ago? 789 00:38:36,767 --> 00:38:39,332 Mr. Carney: Well, North Korea -- the regime there is certainly 790 00:38:39,333 --> 00:38:42,467 known for its provocative acts. 791 00:38:42,467 --> 00:38:49,600 It is known for engaging in provocations in a series, 792 00:38:49,600 --> 00:38:54,533 so I wouldn't rule out provocative behavior by 793 00:38:54,533 --> 00:38:55,400 the North Korean regime. 794 00:38:55,400 --> 00:39:05,066 The specific claim made I don't have a reaction to except that 795 00:39:05,066 --> 00:39:08,866 behavior by the North Korean regime has resulted in 796 00:39:08,867 --> 00:39:14,100 international condemnation, has resulted in our inability to 797 00:39:14,100 --> 00:39:17,700 move ahead with the nutritional assistance program that we had 798 00:39:17,700 --> 00:39:24,933 discussed moving forward with because we cannot provide that 799 00:39:24,934 --> 00:39:28,934 assistance with any assurance that it would get to the right 800 00:39:28,934 --> 00:39:32,667 people because of the lack of credibility and the behavior of 801 00:39:32,667 --> 00:39:35,667 the North Korean regime. 802 00:39:35,667 --> 00:39:41,600 So what is absolutely the case is that provocative behavior by 803 00:39:41,600 --> 00:39:45,700 the North Korean regime does nothing to feed its people; 804 00:39:45,700 --> 00:39:47,232 in fact, it does the opposite. 805 00:39:47,233 --> 00:39:49,333 It does nothing to grow that economy; in fact, 806 00:39:49,333 --> 00:39:50,734 it does the opposite. 807 00:39:50,734 --> 00:39:54,734 It does nothing to reduce the isolation of that regime from 808 00:39:54,734 --> 00:39:57,200 the rest of the world; in fact, it does the opposite. 809 00:39:57,200 --> 00:40:00,232 There is a door open to Pyongyang, 810 00:40:00,233 --> 00:40:04,033 a door open to that regime if it chooses to walk through it, 811 00:40:04,033 --> 00:40:07,165 which is to renounce its nuclear weapons program, 812 00:40:07,166 --> 00:40:11,233 to abide by United Nations Security Council resolutions 813 00:40:11,233 --> 00:40:17,133 and to reenter the community of nations. 814 00:40:17,133 --> 00:40:21,433 We would very much welcome if they took that step. 815 00:40:21,433 --> 00:40:22,567 Olivier. 816 00:40:22,567 --> 00:40:23,567 The Press: Jay, a couple. 817 00:40:23,567 --> 00:40:27,133 One on the Syria executive order -- how committed is the 818 00:40:27,133 --> 00:40:30,265 President to going after Western companies that provide the 819 00:40:30,266 --> 00:40:34,233 regime of Damascus with the kind of surveillance technology that 820 00:40:34,233 --> 00:40:36,667 he discussed today? 821 00:40:36,667 --> 00:40:38,366 Mr. Carney: You know, I got a version of this question earlier 822 00:40:38,367 --> 00:40:42,667 and I will have to get more specifics for you on it. 823 00:40:42,667 --> 00:40:46,734 The Press: And on Afghanistan by way of France, 824 00:40:46,734 --> 00:40:46,866 the front-running candidate there wants French forces out 825 00:40:46,867 --> 00:40:48,667 by the end of this year. 826 00:40:48,667 --> 00:40:54,467 Is that something that the President's strategy on 827 00:40:54,467 --> 00:40:58,233 Afghanistan can overcome? 828 00:40:58,233 --> 00:41:01,633 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not going to get ahead of the French election, 829 00:41:01,633 --> 00:41:04,265 as you might imagine. 830 00:41:04,266 --> 00:41:06,900 We're working with all our partners in Afghanistan and 831 00:41:06,900 --> 00:41:10,900 ISAF, in NATO. 832 00:41:10,900 --> NaN:NaN:NaN,NaN Afghanistan will obviously be a focal point of the discussions 833 00:41:08,900 --> 00:41:14,867 at the NATO summit in Chicago. 834 00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:24,200 As you know, we are closing in on finalizing a strategic 835 00:41:24,200 --> 00:41:26,667 partnership agreement with the Afghan government, 836 00:41:26,667 --> 00:41:32,500 which is an important step towards the future for our 837 00:41:32,500 --> 00:41:36,867 involvement, for our drawing down of our forces and standing 838 00:41:36,867 --> 00:41:43,266 up of Afghan security forces as they take security lead in 2014, 839 00:41:43,266 --> 00:41:47,367 and in ensuring that we have a long-term partnership with the 840 00:41:47,367 --> 00:41:49,834 Afghan government. 841 00:41:49,834 --> 00:41:51,700 With regards to specific countries and their commitments, 842 00:41:51,700 --> 00:41:56,500 I think we should wait for Chicago, for the NATO summit, 843 00:41:56,500 --> 00:42:00,133 and certainly for the election results. 844 00:42:00,133 --> 00:42:00,866 Yes. 845 00:42:00,867 --> 00:42:01,734 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 846 00:42:01,734 --> 00:42:04,299 Now that the President chose the Holocaust Museum to bring more 847 00:42:04,300 --> 00:42:06,300 attention to what's happening in Syria, 848 00:42:06,300 --> 00:42:10,066 how long is he willing to wait for the Kofi Annan plan to do 849 00:42:10,066 --> 00:42:14,299 something before deciding that direct intervention is needed to 850 00:42:14,300 --> 00:42:18,767 stop history from repeating itself in history? 851 00:42:18,767 --> 00:42:19,866 Mr. Carney: Well, I appreciate the question. 852 00:42:19,867 --> 00:42:21,734 I think I would point to one of my previous answers, 853 00:42:21,734 --> 00:42:25,533 which is that we are very clear-eyed about the failure 854 00:42:25,533 --> 00:42:33,433 of Assad to abide by the points of the Kofi Annan plan in full; 855 00:42:33,433 --> 00:42:36,700 very clear-eyed about the continued violence being 856 00:42:36,700 --> 00:42:39,133 perpetrated by the Assad regime. 857 00:42:39,133 --> 00:42:44,866 We support the monitoring mission of the United Nations, 858 00:42:44,867 --> 00:42:49,667 but we understand the sobering challenge it represents in the 859 00:42:49,667 --> 00:42:52,567 atmosphere that has been created by the Assad regime. 860 00:42:52,567 --> 00:42:58,567 I don't have a timetable for you to discuss contingencies. 861 00:43:00,900 --> 00:43:05,200 What I can say is it is our position that we need to work 862 00:43:05,200 --> 00:43:08,700 with our partners and allies to continue to pressure and isolate 863 00:43:08,700 --> 00:43:15,299 the Assad regime, to make clear to everyone internationally that 864 00:43:15,300 --> 00:43:21,367 siding with the Assad regime is a folly because Assad will go 865 00:43:21,367 --> 00:43:25,600 down as a brutal dictator who brutally murdered his own people 866 00:43:25,600 --> 00:43:27,567 -- not the kind of friend you really want in the world. 867 00:43:27,567 --> 00:43:33,100 And we will continue to work with the United Nations and 868 00:43:33,100 --> 00:43:38,600 with the "Friends of Syria," and all other partners in providing 869 00:43:38,600 --> 00:43:43,900 assistance to the Syrian people, to helping the opposition 870 00:43:43,900 --> 00:43:47,433 function and organize itself and function more efficiently, 871 00:43:47,433 --> 00:43:50,000 and isolating and pressuring the Assad regime. 872 00:43:56,500 --> 00:43:57,800 The Press: In Greensboro, North Carolina today, 873 00:43:57,800 --> 00:44:00,233 the trial of John Edwards got underway. 874 00:44:00,233 --> 00:44:01,734 It's being led by the Department of Justice. 875 00:44:01,734 --> 00:44:04,433 Why is this a priority for the administration? 876 00:44:04,433 --> 00:44:06,266 Mr. Carney: I would refer you to the Department of Justice, 877 00:44:06,266 --> 00:44:07,233 Bill. 878 00:44:07,233 --> 00:44:10,233 The Press: Well, if I just can follow, this started under the Bush 879 00:44:10,233 --> 00:44:13,834 administration, so there had to be a conversation with the 880 00:44:13,834 --> 00:44:17,232 Attorney General whether or not to continue the trial or not. 881 00:44:17,233 --> 00:44:19,867 Do you know if the President was involved in that discussion -- 882 00:44:19,867 --> 00:44:21,333 Mr. Carney: Again, I don't. 883 00:44:21,333 --> 00:44:24,900 And I think this is a matter for the Justice Department. 884 00:44:24,900 --> 00:44:26,233 Leslie, did you have something? 885 00:44:26,233 --> 00:44:28,934 The Press: Yes, and it's sort of along the lines that Laura was asking 886 00:44:28,934 --> 00:44:31,700 about on the Syria and Iran sanctions, 887 00:44:31,700 --> 00:44:34,500 and whether or not it could be extended at some point, 888 00:44:34,500 --> 00:44:36,567 or if there's talk of other countries, like China, 889 00:44:36,567 --> 00:44:42,200 that uses technology to keep tabs on dissidents. 890 00:44:42,200 --> 00:44:44,799 Mr. Carney: Well, I think the executive order specifically targets two 891 00:44:44,800 --> 00:44:49,033 countries for their behavior and their use 892 00:44:49,033 --> 00:44:54,600 of technology to engage in human rights abuse. 893 00:44:56,934 --> 00:45:01,500 I don't have -- the executive order targets 894 00:45:01,500 --> 00:45:03,367 those two countries. 895 00:45:03,367 --> 00:45:07,767 It does not include other countries within it, 896 00:45:07,767 --> 00:45:13,734 but we obviously have a very clear stand on human rights 897 00:45:13,734 --> 00:45:16,967 abuses writ large by all countries. 898 00:45:16,967 --> 00:45:20,000 And this specific executive order has to do with two 899 00:45:20,000 --> 00:45:22,033 countries and their behavior and their use of technology 900 00:45:22,033 --> 00:45:25,000 to suppress their own people. 901 00:45:25,000 --> 00:45:25,834 Amy, last one. 902 00:45:25,834 --> 00:45:28,500 The Press: On the President's trip this week to the colleges -- 903 00:45:28,500 --> 00:45:31,467 the Romney campaign has sort of seized on this data, 904 00:45:31,467 --> 00:45:35,867 basically saying that a lot of young people are unemployed. 905 00:45:35,867 --> 00:45:38,300 Are you guys -- how are you guys responding to that? 906 00:45:38,300 --> 00:45:40,667 Mr. Carney: You know, I saw that report, and the logical conclusion 907 00:45:40,667 --> 00:45:44,433 of that critique is that they believe Americans shouldn't get 908 00:45:44,433 --> 00:45:46,133 educated because it's not worth it. 909 00:45:46,133 --> 00:45:49,200 And there's not a single economist with a degree worth 910 00:45:49,200 --> 00:45:50,966 more than the paper it's printed on who would agree 911 00:45:50,967 --> 00:45:52,166 with that assessment. 912 00:45:52,166 --> 00:45:55,533 It is absolutely a fact that those who have college degrees 913 00:45:55,533 --> 00:45:58,866 are half as likely to be unemployed as those without. 914 00:45:58,867 --> 00:46:02,800 Now, there is no question that we continue to be in a period 915 00:46:02,800 --> 00:46:05,233 of recovery from the worst recession since the Great 916 00:46:05,233 --> 00:46:07,767 Depression -- a recession -- a terrible, 917 00:46:07,767 --> 00:46:11,332 terrible recession that led to the loss of 8 million jobs; 918 00:46:11,333 --> 00:46:14,700 a terrible, terrible recession that was precipitated in part 919 00:46:14,700 --> 00:46:18,399 by the policies of the previous administration, 920 00:46:18,400 --> 00:46:22,433 policies that some of the critics that you mention want 921 00:46:22,433 --> 00:46:24,867 to return to in whole. 922 00:46:24,867 --> 00:46:26,000 I think that's a bad idea. 923 00:46:26,000 --> 00:46:29,333 And I think their assessment of the value of education in the 924 00:46:29,333 --> 00:46:31,433 current economy is a little suspect. 925 00:46:31,433 --> 00:46:32,166 Thank you all. 926 00:46:32,166 --> 00:46:33,500 The Press: Is he going to make mention of that, though? 927 00:46:33,500 --> 00:46:35,300 Mr. Carney: Oh, I don't want to steal his thunder. 928 00:46:35,300 --> 00:46:37,333 So I urge you to listen to his speech. 929 00:46:37,333 --> 00:46:37,967 Thank you.