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1 00:00:00,567 --> 00:00:01,734 Mr. Carney: Hello, everyone. 2 00:00:01,734 --> 00:00:03,567 Welcome to your White House briefing. 3 00:00:03,567 --> 00:00:08,333 Trying to get this one done a little earlier in the day today. 4 00:00:08,333 --> 00:00:10,734 I know that you are, or should be, 5 00:00:10,734 --> 00:00:14,000 aware of the fact that a little later today, this afternoon, 6 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:17,300 the President will sign into law the Jumpstarting Our Business 7 00:00:17,300 --> 00:00:21,266 Startups Act, otherwise known as the JOBS Act, 8 00:00:21,266 --> 00:00:24,866 which includes key initiatives the President proposed last fall 9 00:00:24,867 --> 00:00:28,934 to help small businesses and startups grow and create jobs. 10 00:00:28,934 --> 00:00:31,233 A significant amount of job creation, as you know, 11 00:00:31,233 --> 00:00:33,600 comes from young firms and startup businesses, 12 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:37,633 and these proposals will help them access capital, go public, 13 00:00:37,633 --> 00:00:40,233 and become more competitive. 14 00:00:40,233 --> 00:00:42,934 That will be in the Rose Garden, due to the fine 15 00:00:42,934 --> 00:00:44,867 weather we are experiencing. 16 00:00:44,867 --> 00:00:47,099 And with that, I go to the Associated Press. 17 00:00:47,100 --> 00:00:47,700 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 18 00:00:47,700 --> 00:00:49,867 Do you think that will be the last bipartisan jobs 19 00:00:49,867 --> 00:00:51,199 bill of the year? 20 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:53,734 Mr. Carney: Oh, I hope not. The President hopes not. 21 00:00:53,734 --> 00:01:02,767 There is a long list of things that could be achieved working 22 00:01:02,767 --> 00:01:07,400 -- if Congress comes together in the way that it has on the JOBS 23 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:10,400 Act, on the STOCK Act that the President signed into 24 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:14,567 law yesterday, on the payroll tax cut extension, 25 00:01:14,567 --> 00:01:16,265 some other issues. 26 00:01:16,266 --> 00:01:19,300 I think, as you recall, in the beginning of the year I was 27 00:01:19,300 --> 00:01:22,000 saying and others were saying that we did not buy into the 28 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:23,500 conventional wisdom that somehow, 29 00:01:23,500 --> 00:01:26,233 because this was an election year, 30 00:01:26,233 --> 00:01:31,333 there was no possibility for significant things to 31 00:01:31,333 --> 00:01:34,233 be accomplished. 32 00:01:34,233 --> 00:01:38,900 Some of you who were here in 1996 recall that the opposite 33 00:01:38,900 --> 00:01:43,567 was true in that year, when a Democratic President was running 34 00:01:43,567 --> 00:01:47,199 for reelection and Republicans controlled Congress. 35 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:53,600 And the President is glad to be signing this legislation today. 36 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:58,133 He will be joined by entrepreneurs as well as by 37 00:01:58,133 --> 00:02:01,333 members of Congress of both parties. 38 00:02:01,333 --> 00:02:05,500 And he certainly hopes that there is -- there will be other 39 00:02:05,500 --> 00:02:09,265 opportunities in the coming weeks and months for more 40 00:02:09,265 --> 00:02:12,934 bipartisan cooperation on legislation that goes right 41 00:02:12,934 --> 00:02:15,834 at the core of his number-one priority, 42 00:02:15,834 --> 00:02:18,033 which is growing the economy and creating jobs. 43 00:02:18,033 --> 00:02:20,433 The Press: So what would you say would be realistic? 44 00:02:20,433 --> 00:02:22,033 What would be next? 45 00:02:22,033 --> 00:02:27,132 Mr. Carney: Well, there is work to be done to ensure that 46 00:02:27,133 --> 00:02:31,867 construction workers stay on the job, 47 00:02:31,867 --> 00:02:34,033 fixing and building infrastructure projects 48 00:02:34,033 --> 00:02:36,399 across the country. 49 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:39,300 There remains the opportunity for Congress to act, 50 00:02:39,300 --> 00:02:41,500 to change its mind -- Republicans in particular 51 00:02:41,500 --> 00:02:47,433 -- to change their minds about the need to put teachers and 52 00:02:47,433 --> 00:02:49,733 police officers and firefighters back to work, 53 00:02:49,734 --> 00:02:52,767 teachers back in the classroom, first responders 54 00:02:52,767 --> 00:02:54,734 back on the job. 55 00:02:54,734 --> 00:02:57,533 That was an element of the American Jobs Act that has not 56 00:02:57,533 --> 00:03:01,433 yet passed -- the President's American Jobs Act. 57 00:03:01,433 --> 00:03:05,799 This bill that he's signing into law today has elements in it 58 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:09,100 that reflect priorities the President laid out when he 59 00:03:09,100 --> 00:03:10,867 announced his American Jobs Act initiative, 60 00:03:10,867 --> 00:03:16,700 but there are remaining pieces of that that are still available 61 00:03:16,700 --> 00:03:18,566 to be acted on by Congress. 62 00:03:18,567 --> 00:03:22,700 And there's an imperative here -- or there are two, really. 63 00:03:22,700 --> 00:03:26,600 One is the absolute imperative that every member of Congress 64 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:29,233 should feel -- certainly the President feels it -- that we 65 00:03:29,233 --> 00:03:33,467 should be doing everything we can to help the American economy 66 00:03:33,467 --> 00:03:36,567 grow and to help the American economy create jobs. 67 00:03:36,567 --> 00:03:42,367 Number two -- and perhaps this one is more of a practical 68 00:03:42,367 --> 00:03:45,066 consideration -- there is the imperative that a number of 69 00:03:45,066 --> 00:03:47,200 members of Congress, including all of the members of the House 70 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:50,600 of Representatives, have to answer to their constituents 71 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:57,700 this year and they will need to explain what they did while they 72 00:03:57,700 --> 00:04:01,667 were working in Washington, and whether or not they got 73 00:04:01,667 --> 00:04:04,867 the things done that their constituents wanted done. 74 00:04:04,867 --> 00:04:08,966 And I think everyone knows that the overwhelming priority of the 75 00:04:08,967 --> 00:04:11,300 American people is that the economy grow 76 00:04:11,300 --> 00:04:13,500 and jobs be created. 77 00:04:13,500 --> 00:04:17,800 So hopefully the confluence of those two imperatives will lead 78 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:19,600 to more productive legislation. 79 00:04:21,934 --> 00:04:23,266 Matt. 80 00:04:23,266 --> 00:04:23,867 The Press: A couple questions. 81 00:04:23,867 --> 00:04:25,734 First of all, on Iran. 82 00:04:25,734 --> 00:04:29,567 Iraq is offering to host the talks next week between Iran 83 00:04:29,567 --> 00:04:32,333 and the P5-plus-1. 84 00:04:32,333 --> 00:04:36,533 They're acting on an Iranian request to change the venue 85 00:04:36,533 --> 00:04:39,934 from Istanbul, following friction with Turkey. 86 00:04:39,934 --> 00:04:42,734 Of course, Secretary of State has said Turkey is the venue. 87 00:04:42,734 --> 00:04:44,933 Can you weigh in on where the U.S. -- 88 00:04:44,934 --> 00:04:46,567 Mr. Carney: Well, I'm not going to get into a public 89 00:04:46,567 --> 00:04:52,767 discussion about the private discussions going on with regard 90 00:04:52,767 --> 00:04:56,800 to a venue for these talks. 91 00:04:56,800 --> 00:05:00,400 We're waiting to hear back from the Iranians on a venue. 92 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:02,265 But I'm not going to get into any more details about that. 93 00:05:02,266 --> 00:05:06,266 We look forward to the talks resuming. 94 00:05:06,266 --> 00:05:09,200 Our policy, as you know, is very clear -- we remain determined to 95 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:12,033 prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. 96 00:05:12,033 --> 00:05:15,433 We have worked assiduously with our international partners to 97 00:05:15,433 --> 00:05:22,633 isolate the regime in Tehran, to impose unprecedented sanctions 98 00:05:22,633 --> 00:05:29,467 on Iran, to make clear the price that Iran is paying for its 99 00:05:29,467 --> 00:05:31,700 refusal to abide by its international obligations. 100 00:05:31,700 --> 00:05:39,366 And all that Iran needs to do to reverse that process is to prove 101 00:05:39,367 --> 00:05:43,033 to the world that it does not harbor nuclear weapons 102 00:05:43,033 --> 00:05:45,500 ambitions, and prove to the world in a way that 103 00:05:45,500 --> 00:05:47,934 is verifiable. 104 00:05:47,934 --> 00:05:50,266 If Iran, through these talks, chooses to do that, 105 00:05:50,266 --> 00:05:51,367 that would be a positive thing. 106 00:05:51,367 --> 00:05:55,033 But we are very clear-eyed about it. 107 00:05:55,033 --> 00:05:56,033 The Press: One other question. 108 00:05:56,033 --> 00:05:58,100 Today is the opening round of the Augusta Masters, 109 00:05:58,100 --> 00:06:02,400 and the question of whether the all-male Augusta National Golf 110 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:07,433 Club should admit women refuses to go away. 111 00:06:07,433 --> 00:06:11,834 Of course, tomorrow is -- the White House is hosting a 112 00:06:11,834 --> 00:06:15,500 conference on women and the economy. 113 00:06:15,500 --> 00:06:17,300 What's the White House stand on this? 114 00:06:17,300 --> 00:06:20,567 Should the Augusta National Club admit women to become members, 115 00:06:20,567 --> 00:06:23,266 especially now that you've got the CEO of a longstanding 116 00:06:23,266 --> 00:06:25,967 sponsor of the Masters, IBM, is a woman, 117 00:06:25,967 --> 00:06:31,300 and her predecessors have all been admitted? 118 00:06:31,300 --> 00:06:34,633 Mr. Carney: Well, the President's answer to this question is yes. 119 00:06:34,633 --> 00:06:38,066 He believes -- his personal opinion is that women should 120 00:06:38,066 --> 00:06:40,866 be admitted. 121 00:06:40,867 --> 00:06:42,400 The Press: Do you think we'll be hearing him stating that 122 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:43,467 before Friday? 123 00:06:43,467 --> 00:06:44,599 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't know that -- I happened to have a 124 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:45,633 discussion with him about this, 125 00:06:45,633 --> 00:06:46,933 so I know that that's his answer. 126 00:06:46,934 --> 00:06:52,467 But it's obviously up to the club to decide. 127 00:06:52,467 --> 00:07:00,467 But his personal opinion is that women should be admitted 128 00:07:00,467 --> 00:07:04,599 to the club. 129 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:05,800 Yes, Jessica. 130 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:09,633 The Press: The SEC chair wrote a letter on this JOBS Act, 131 00:07:09,633 --> 00:07:13,032 warning that elements of it needed to be modified 132 00:07:13,033 --> 00:07:16,934 or improved to protect investors. 133 00:07:16,934 --> 00:07:21,266 And the elements that she recommended be improved, 134 00:07:21,266 --> 00:07:24,533 two of those elements were not changed by the Senate. 135 00:07:24,533 --> 00:07:29,800 One regards the possible conflict of interest between 136 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:31,734 research analysts and investment bankers. 137 00:07:31,734 --> 00:07:35,467 The other has to do with certifying financial controls 138 00:07:35,467 --> 00:07:37,500 inside companies to make sure that they're legit. 139 00:07:37,500 --> 00:07:41,767 These are post-Enron reform and post-2008 financial meltdowns. 140 00:07:41,767 --> 00:07:44,700 Why does this administration think repealing these investor 141 00:07:44,700 --> 00:07:47,834 protections gives the middle class a fair shake? 142 00:07:47,834 --> 00:07:48,834 Mr. Carney: Well, two things. 143 00:07:48,834 --> 00:07:53,233 Let's be clear -- the JOBS Act leaves alone -- leaves in place 144 00:07:53,233 --> 00:07:57,533 the core post-.com bust conflict of interest protections from the 145 00:07:57,533 --> 00:07:59,800 Spitzer decree and it leaves them untouched. 146 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:03,100 That means investment banks must keep their banking and research 147 00:08:03,100 --> 00:08:04,700 departments separate. 148 00:08:04,700 --> 00:08:07,800 Research analysts cannot be dependent for their compensation 149 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:09,533 on investment banking revenue. 150 00:08:09,533 --> 00:08:12,300 Research analysts cannot do pitches and go on client 151 00:08:12,300 --> 00:08:14,800 roadshows ahead of an IPO. 152 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:19,166 Separate from that, as I emphasized -- these are facts. 153 00:08:19,166 --> 00:08:22,200 I'm not -- editorial notwithstanding, 154 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:23,767 these are facts about the JOBS Act. 155 00:08:23,767 --> 00:08:24,567 In addition to this -- 156 00:08:24,567 --> 00:08:26,333 The Press: It alters the Spitzer global settlement. 157 00:08:26,333 --> 00:08:29,900 Mr. Carney: It leaves untouched the core post-.com 158 00:08:29,900 --> 00:08:32,132 bust conflict of interest protections. 159 00:08:32,133 --> 00:08:36,200 In addition to this, the SEC will have ample room to further 160 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:39,233 clarify and enhance investor protections as part of the 161 00:08:39,232 --> 00:08:40,566 implementation of the JOBS Act. 162 00:08:40,567 --> 00:08:44,633 The President will make sure, and will instruct the Treasury 163 00:08:44,633 --> 00:08:46,967 and others to ensure that the implementation of this is done 164 00:08:46,967 --> 00:08:51,000 in a way that retains necessary investor protections. 165 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:55,533 The Press: Is there a single study you can point to that shows jobs 166 00:08:55,533 --> 00:08:59,967 will be created because of the IPO measure in particular? 167 00:08:59,967 --> 00:09:01,834 Mr. Carney: Well, I would refer you to Treasury, perhaps. 168 00:09:01,834 --> 00:09:03,132 I don't have a study handy for you. 169 00:09:03,133 --> 00:09:08,633 I think it is a pretty well-accepted fact of the 170 00:09:08,633 --> 00:09:14,900 American economy that small businesses, startup businesses, 171 00:09:14,900 --> 00:09:18,333 are in many ways the engine of job creation and economic growth 172 00:09:18,333 --> 00:09:19,333 in this country. 173 00:09:19,333 --> 00:09:24,567 So legislation that makes it easier for those businesses to 174 00:09:24,567 --> 00:09:25,500 get started -- 175 00:09:25,500 --> 00:09:27,133 The Press: But there is no study, is there? 176 00:09:27,133 --> 00:09:28,567 There's just no study. 177 00:09:28,567 --> 00:09:30,433 Mr. Carney: I'm not saying that's true at all. 178 00:09:30,433 --> 00:09:32,266 I'm just not -- I don't have a study here. 179 00:09:32,266 --> 00:09:36,132 I would refer you to folks with the business degrees 180 00:09:36,133 --> 00:09:39,333 and the wherewithal to plow through studies. 181 00:09:39,333 --> 00:09:39,867 The Press: They say there's no study. 182 00:09:39,867 --> 00:09:40,900 Mr. Carney: I'm not saying that, Jessica, at all. 183 00:09:40,900 --> 00:09:42,800 For all I know, there are 10 studies. 184 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:43,900 The Press: I'm told there are no studies. 185 00:09:43,900 --> 00:09:44,433 And -- 186 00:09:44,433 --> 00:09:45,333 Mr. Carney: By? 187 00:09:45,333 --> 00:09:47,100 The Press: By a number of peopl who are very concerned 188 00:09:47,100 --> 00:09:49,700 that this bill eviscerates investor protections that 189 00:09:49,700 --> 00:09:51,200 were put in place post-Enron, post-2008 -- 190 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:52,233 Mr. Carney: We disagree. 191 00:09:52,233 --> 00:09:56,566 And I'm making clear to you that in addition to leaving in place 192 00:09:56,567 --> 00:10:00,734 the core post-.com bust conflict of interest protections, 193 00:10:03,333 --> 00:10:05,233 under the so-called Spitzer decree, 194 00:10:05,233 --> 00:10:09,099 that the President will ensure in the implementation of this 195 00:10:09,100 --> 00:10:15,867 that investor protections are maintained and that the law is 196 00:10:15,867 --> 00:10:17,132 properly implemented. 197 00:10:17,133 --> 00:10:19,033 The Press: Can I ask you a question on the meeting with the 198 00:10:19,033 --> 00:10:21,967 Muslim Brotherhood that took place here? 199 00:10:21,967 --> 00:10:26,699 According to our sources, the parliamentarian of the Muslim 200 00:10:26,700 --> 00:10:30,300 Brotherhood met with Steve Simon and Samantha Power here, 201 00:10:30,300 --> 00:10:32,934 who are not low-level administration officials. 202 00:10:32,934 --> 00:10:33,666 Why are they being -- 203 00:10:33,667 --> 00:10:35,100 Mr. Carney: Well, they're mid-level. 204 00:10:35,100 --> 00:10:36,767 The Press: -- characterized as low-level officials when they're not? 205 00:10:36,767 --> 00:10:40,033 Mr. Carney: Look, they are not -- they are mid-level members 206 00:10:40,033 --> 00:10:43,200 of directorates at the National Security Council. 207 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:46,333 They're excellent people and experts. 208 00:10:46,333 --> 00:10:50,165 They probably do not, in most people's estimation, 209 00:10:50,166 --> 00:10:53,934 outrank Senator John McCain or Senator Lindsey Graham, 210 00:10:53,934 --> 00:10:56,233 who also met with members of the Muslim Brotherhood, 211 00:10:56,233 --> 00:10:59,800 or Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns who met with members 212 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:00,934 of the Muslim Brotherhood. 213 00:11:00,934 --> 00:11:03,967 Our policy is clear and is the same, 214 00:11:03,967 --> 00:11:07,367 which is that in the aftermath of Egypt's revolution, 215 00:11:07,367 --> 00:11:10,300 we have broadened our engagement to include new and emerging 216 00:11:10,300 --> 00:11:17,099 political parties and actors -- because it's a fact that Egypt's 217 00:11:17,100 --> 00:11:19,767 political landscape has changed and the actors have become more 218 00:11:19,767 --> 00:11:24,200 diverse, and our engagement reflects that. 219 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:33,133 The point is that we will judge Egypt's political actors by how 220 00:11:33,133 --> 00:11:38,467 they act, not by their religious affiliation. 221 00:11:38,467 --> 00:11:39,233 The Press: No issue taken there. 222 00:11:39,233 --> 00:11:42,699 In the meeting, did the officials press the Muslim 223 00:11:42,700 --> 00:11:49,633 Brotherhood to -- press them on their stated plan to put 224 00:11:49,633 --> 00:11:53,767 the Camp David accord to a referendum, which would -- well, 225 00:11:53,767 --> 00:11:56,633 would effectively kill the treaty? 226 00:11:56,633 --> 00:11:59,300 Mr. Carney: It is part of our conversations with all 227 00:11:59,300 --> 00:12:06,400 the diverse and emerging political actors in Egypt our 228 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:11,834 belief in the need for Egypt to abide by its treaty with Israel, 229 00:12:11,834 --> 00:12:15,632 and broadly, by its international obligations. 230 00:12:15,633 --> 00:12:18,900 And that was certainly part of this conversation. 231 00:12:18,900 --> 00:12:19,699 Yes, Jake. 232 00:12:19,700 --> 00:12:22,133 The Press: On the subject of Egypt, following up on Jessica, 233 00:12:23,700 --> 00:12:26,433 Senator Leahy lobbied aggressively for the 234 00:12:26,433 --> 00:12:29,867 administration to not release the $1.5 billion in funds to 235 00:12:29,867 --> 00:12:32,367 the Egyptian government because of the behavior of the Egyptian 236 00:12:32,367 --> 00:12:36,699 government, including locking up democracy activists who 237 00:12:36,700 --> 00:12:39,600 were in America. 238 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:41,700 Why is Senator Leahy wrong? 239 00:12:41,700 --> 00:12:46,066 Why was the money released all at once and not in tranches, 240 00:12:46,066 --> 00:12:49,133 not in a joint account that could be controlled by the 241 00:12:49,133 --> 00:12:51,433 Americans as well? 242 00:12:51,433 --> 00:12:55,700 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't have an answer to you on the specific mechanisms 243 00:12:55,700 --> 00:13:00,767 by which funds like this were released or might be released. 244 00:13:00,767 --> 00:13:03,000 What I would say to you is that we believe it is in the interest 245 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:07,367 of the United States to engage with all parties in Egypt, 246 00:13:07,367 --> 00:13:10,400 and to engage -- to continue to engage with Egypt because Egypt 247 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:14,467 has been an important ally of the United States and an 248 00:13:14,467 --> 00:13:18,199 important -- has played a significant role in the region. 249 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:25,667 And we believe it is in our interest to engage with Egypt, 250 00:13:25,667 --> 00:13:32,133 in part in an effort to encourage Egypt to maintain its 251 00:13:32,133 --> 00:13:37,000 commitment to its international obligations and to maintain its 252 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,700 -- to maintain a positive role in the region. 253 00:13:39,700 --> 00:13:42,700 The Press: Senator Leahy would argue that he agrees with everything 254 00:13:42,700 --> 00:13:45,633 you've said just now in terms of engaging with Egypt, 255 00:13:45,633 --> 00:13:49,867 but the money should be released in stages to encourage Egypt to 256 00:13:49,867 --> 00:13:55,132 proceed along the path of democracy -- amidst signs that 257 00:13:55,133 --> 00:13:57,867 they may not be proceeding along those lines. 258 00:13:57,867 --> 00:14:01,699 Why was what he wanted -- why couldn't -- Secretary Clinton 259 00:14:01,700 --> 00:14:05,433 signed a waiver; I assume this was not just her decision in a 260 00:14:05,433 --> 00:14:08,066 vacuum, that it came from the administration writ large. 261 00:14:08,066 --> 00:14:09,834 Mr. Carney: Well, she's a pretty high ranking official, but the -- 262 00:14:09,834 --> 00:14:11,065 The Press: I agree. 263 00:14:11,066 --> 00:14:15,700 Mr. Carney: So I would -- for details on the decision about how to proceed, 264 00:14:15,700 --> 00:14:17,967 the State Department might be the best place 265 00:14:17,967 --> 00:14:18,633 for those details. 266 00:14:18,633 --> 00:14:20,266 The overall assessment -- 267 00:14:20,266 --> 00:14:21,567 The Press: The overall decision was not made without 268 00:14:21,567 --> 00:14:23,033 serious consultations with the White House. 269 00:14:23,033 --> 00:14:25,000 Mr. Carney: No, I'm sure -- I don't doubt that at all, Jake. 270 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:27,734 My point is that, again, as you pointed out, 271 00:14:27,734 --> 00:14:31,100 we share the same goals, and I don't think we're -- there is a 272 00:14:31,100 --> 00:14:33,867 great deal of distance between our position 273 00:14:33,867 --> 00:14:34,934 and Senator Leahy's. 274 00:14:34,934 --> 00:14:39,666 The conclusion was reached that the approach that we're taking 275 00:14:39,667 --> 00:14:42,533 was the best way to -- 276 00:14:42,533 --> 00:14:44,567 The Press: Yes, but why? 277 00:14:44,567 --> 00:14:47,600 Mr. Carney: Because we believe that that kind of -- the kind 278 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:50,834 of engagement that we are participating in with Egypt 279 00:14:50,834 --> 00:14:56,165 and with its post-revolution leadership and with the emerging 280 00:14:56,166 --> 00:15:04,200 political actors on the scene is the right way to enhance 281 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:05,200 our bilateral relationship. 282 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:06,266 The Press: But that's not an answer. 283 00:15:06,266 --> 00:15:09,065 Mr. Carney: Well, the answer is, because we think it's the best way to go. 284 00:15:09,066 --> 00:15:12,166 The Press: Because doing it Leahy's way would risk alienating 285 00:15:12,166 --> 00:15:13,767 members of the Egyptian government? 286 00:15:13,767 --> 00:15:16,400 Mr. Carney: Well, you can make a variety of assessments 287 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:18,567 speculating about how things might have turned -- might 288 00:15:18,567 --> 00:15:20,533 turn out if you took a different approach. 289 00:15:20,533 --> 00:15:22,533 The overall goal is the same. 290 00:15:22,533 --> 00:15:27,500 The mechanism by which you get there -- there are a variety 291 00:15:27,500 --> 00:15:30,200 of ways you can get there and the mechanisms to provide 292 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:31,200 these funds. 293 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:34,533 The approach we are taking is the one we believe will yield 294 00:15:34,533 --> 00:15:38,066 the greatest potential for a positive result. 295 00:15:38,066 --> 00:15:40,166 The Press: Because of a risk of alienating the Egyptian government? 296 00:15:40,166 --> 00:15:42,100 Mr. Carney: Well, again, you can make an assessment. 297 00:15:42,100 --> 00:15:43,200 The Press: I'm just looking for the answer. 298 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:45,900 Mr. Carney: Well, I think I'm giving you an answer. 299 00:15:45,900 --> 00:15:46,867 We think this is the best approach. 300 00:15:46,867 --> 00:15:47,967 The Press: I think we're doing this because it's right. 301 00:15:47,967 --> 00:15:49,433 I'm trying to -- why do you think it's right? 302 00:15:49,433 --> 00:15:50,667 What is the -- 303 00:15:50,667 --> 00:15:52,934 Mr. Carney: Because we -- as I said before, we're engaged with Egypt's new 304 00:15:52,934 --> 00:16:05,300 actors to try to work with them as they -- during this historic 305 00:16:05,300 --> 00:16:09,632 transformation, post-revolution, and encourage them both to 306 00:16:09,633 --> 00:16:16,000 pursue democracy in its fullest sense as well as pursue the kind 307 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:19,433 of and maintain the kind of international obligations that 308 00:16:19,433 --> 00:16:20,500 they've maintained in the past. 309 00:16:20,500 --> 00:16:24,967 And with those as our goals, we are -- the course we're taking 310 00:16:24,967 --> 00:16:27,400 is the one we think has the best chance of succeeding. 311 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:33,233 Ed. 312 00:16:33,233 --> 00:16:34,733 The Press: Jay, thank you. 313 00:16:34,734 --> 00:16:37,567 I want to go back to the women's conference on Friday. 314 00:16:37,567 --> 00:16:39,767 There's a pretty obvious political strategy from Chicago 315 00:16:39,767 --> 00:16:42,200 to exploit the gender gap that you have. 316 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:45,500 It's in a lot of public polls that women, by a wide margin, 317 00:16:45,500 --> 00:16:48,500 are supporting the President over Mitt Romney or any other 318 00:16:48,500 --> 00:16:50,734 Republican paired up against him. 319 00:16:50,734 --> 00:16:53,300 Why are you using the White House on Friday to stage an 320 00:16:53,300 --> 00:16:57,867 event that clearly has some political implications? 321 00:16:57,867 --> 00:17:00,165 Mr. Carney: Ed, by that -- you're saying that anything that 322 00:17:00,166 --> 00:17:03,533 has to do with women has political -- so anything 323 00:17:03,533 --> 00:17:04,934 that has to do with growing the economy, 324 00:17:04,934 --> 00:17:08,000 because I think every political analyst out there would say that 325 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:10,599 a stronger recovery would be good for the President 326 00:17:10,599 --> 00:17:13,500 politically, or anything that has to do with job creation is 327 00:17:13,500 --> 00:17:16,165 inherently political because more jobs would be good for 328 00:17:16,165 --> 00:17:16,899 the President. 329 00:17:16,900 --> 00:17:19,367 The Press: So what day are you having a men's conference on the economy? 330 00:17:19,367 --> 00:17:21,066 (laughter) 331 00:17:21,066 --> 00:17:23,633 Mr. Carney: Well, stay tuned. 332 00:17:23,633 --> 00:17:28,000 Ed, that's kind of a silly question. 333 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:30,400 The Press: -- because you're only focused on half of the population. 334 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:39,400 Mr. Carney: This administration has engaged in a number of policy approaches 335 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:44,533 designed to address women in the economy, 336 00:17:44,533 --> 00:17:46,934 including the very first bill that the President signed into 337 00:17:46,934 --> 00:17:50,700 law, the Lilly Ledbetter Act -- Fair Pay Act -- 338 00:17:50,700 --> 00:17:54,500 and there are a variety of initiatives that this 339 00:17:54,500 --> 00:17:59,800 administration has put forward that deal with issues of concern 340 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:00,867 to women in particular. 341 00:18:00,867 --> 00:18:02,600 There is the Violence Against Women Act. 342 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:07,966 We have an office overseen by the Vice President's office that 343 00:18:07,967 --> 00:18:09,233 deals with that legislation. 344 00:18:09,233 --> 00:18:13,600 So these are important policy initiatives; 345 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:15,265 that's why we're having the conference. 346 00:18:15,266 --> 00:18:17,567 The Press: I completely agree that women's issues are important. 347 00:18:17,567 --> 00:18:20,333 I'm just wondering why you're only focusing in this conference 348 00:18:20,333 --> 00:18:22,533 on women's issues because men obviously have a role in the 349 00:18:22,533 --> 00:18:23,699 economy, you would agree. 350 00:18:23,700 --> 00:18:25,333 Mr. Carney: So why are we focusing on small businesses with 351 00:18:25,333 --> 00:18:27,133 a Small Business Job Creation Act? 352 00:18:27,133 --> 00:18:29,734 Are we discriminating against big businesses? 353 00:18:29,734 --> 00:18:31,632 We're focusing on women because there are a number of issues 354 00:18:31,633 --> 00:18:36,266 that are important with regards to women in the economy, 355 00:18:36,266 --> 00:18:39,533 women's safety, women in education, 356 00:18:39,533 --> 00:18:41,000 that are very distinct and important, 357 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:42,700 and we're proud to host the conference. 358 00:18:42,700 --> 00:18:43,367 The Press: Quick question on health care. 359 00:18:43,367 --> 00:18:44,934 Yesterday, you mentioned a couple times the President is a 360 00:18:44,934 --> 00:18:46,734 former constitutional law professor. 361 00:18:46,734 --> 00:18:50,066 One of his professors is Laurence Tribe and he now says, 362 00:18:50,066 --> 00:18:53,567 in his words, the President "obviously misspoke earlier 363 00:18:53,567 --> 00:18:54,734 this week. 364 00:18:54,734 --> 00:18:57,300 He didn't say what he meant, and having said that in order 365 00:18:57,300 --> 00:19:00,633 to avoid misleading anyone, he had to clarify it." 366 00:19:00,633 --> 00:19:02,934 So I thought yesterday you were saying repeatedly, 367 00:19:02,934 --> 00:19:04,600 he did not misspeak. 368 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:06,500 What do you make of the President's former law 369 00:19:06,500 --> 00:19:08,900 professor saying he did? 370 00:19:08,900 --> 00:19:12,033 Mr. Carney: Well, you can choose words however you like. 371 00:19:12,033 --> 00:19:15,065 What Professor Tribe said is that the President clarified, 372 00:19:15,066 --> 00:19:18,800 and he did, and he expanded on his remarks of Monday when he 373 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:20,200 took a question on Tuesday. 374 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:26,100 The premise of your question suggests that the President of 375 00:19:26,100 --> 00:19:30,199 the United States, in the comments he made Monday, 376 00:19:33,033 --> 00:19:36,100 did not believe that the Supreme Court could rule on 377 00:19:36,100 --> 00:19:38,833 the constitutionality of legislation, 378 00:19:38,834 --> 00:19:40,767 which is a preposterous premise, and I know you 379 00:19:40,767 --> 00:19:41,667 don't believe that. 380 00:19:41,667 --> 00:19:42,199 So what I accept -- 381 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:43,233 The Press: Well, except this is from Professor Tribe, 382 00:19:43,233 --> 00:19:45,133 who knows a lot more than you or I about constitutional law. 383 00:19:45,133 --> 00:19:47,967 Mr. Carney: What I accept and what I think I acknowledged yesterday -- 384 00:19:47,967 --> 00:19:48,633 The Press: This is a former -- 385 00:19:48,633 --> 00:19:50,400 Mr. Carney: -- is that in speaking on Monday, 386 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:53,633 the President was not clearly understood by some people. 387 00:19:53,633 --> 00:19:55,700 Because he is a law professor, he spoke in shorthand. 388 00:19:55,700 --> 00:19:56,233 The Press: (inaudible) 389 00:19:56,233 --> 00:20:00,899 Mr. Carney: He referred to things like -- well, 390 00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:04,834 what Laurence Tribe said is that he did not say what he meant, 391 00:20:04,834 --> 00:20:06,867 because Laurence Tribe clearly knows that the President 392 00:20:06,867 --> 00:20:09,466 understands judicial precedent -- he has a little experience 393 00:20:09,467 --> 00:20:14,533 with it -- and the importance of judicial review. 394 00:20:14,533 --> 00:20:15,867 The President spoke on Monday. 395 00:20:15,867 --> 00:20:18,265 The President expanded and clarified his comments 396 00:20:18,266 --> 00:20:19,100 on Tuesday. 397 00:20:22,166 --> 00:20:25,533 His whole point is that he is pretty conversant with judicial 398 00:20:25,533 --> 00:20:29,533 precedent, and the judicial precedent here is clear: That 399 00:20:29,533 --> 00:20:33,233 on matters of national economic significance -- and let's not 400 00:20:33,233 --> 00:20:35,399 forget that health care is, what, 401 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:40,133 15 percent of our economy -- that the precedent is 402 00:20:40,133 --> 00:20:43,700 overwhelmingly on the side of upholding the constitutionality 403 00:20:43,700 --> 00:20:44,767 of the Affordable Care Act. 404 00:20:44,767 --> 00:20:51,233 In fact, there is no debate between the plaintiff or the 405 00:20:51,233 --> 00:20:54,000 defendant on the issue of whether or not health care 406 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:57,500 is something -- is a matter of national economic significance. 407 00:20:57,500 --> 00:21:01,300 This is not -- that's not even an issue in the case 408 00:21:01,300 --> 00:21:02,433 that appeared before the Supreme Court. 409 00:21:02,433 --> 00:21:08,767 So the President's unremarkable observation is that since the 410 00:21:08,767 --> 00:21:14,533 New Deal era, the Lochner era that preceded the New Deal and 411 00:21:14,533 --> 00:21:18,265 the change in approach by the Court, 412 00:21:18,266 --> 00:21:23,500 there has been a longstanding precedent set where the Court 413 00:21:23,500 --> 00:21:28,500 defers to Congress and to congressional authority in 414 00:21:28,500 --> 00:21:31,900 passing legislation to deal with and regulate matters of national 415 00:21:31,900 --> 00:21:33,467 economic significance. 416 00:21:33,467 --> 00:21:34,066 That's all. 417 00:21:34,066 --> 00:21:35,133 The Press: Last thing. 418 00:21:35,133 --> 00:21:38,667 On the point of critics claiming the President was attacking the 419 00:21:38,667 --> 00:21:42,132 Court, your colleagues have correctly noted that when the 420 00:21:42,133 --> 00:21:45,033 President said that the justices are unelected he was quoting 421 00:21:45,033 --> 00:21:47,867 conservative commentators who have said that for years. 422 00:21:47,867 --> 00:21:51,367 However, are you then suggesting that if you were to lose in this 423 00:21:51,367 --> 00:21:54,433 case, the President will not attack the Court? 424 00:21:54,433 --> 00:21:59,266 Does he consider them fair game in this process to attack them? 425 00:21:59,266 --> 00:22:02,367 Mr. Carney: The President believes that the Supreme Court 426 00:22:02,367 --> 00:22:05,934 has a final word on matters of judicial review, 427 00:22:05,934 --> 00:22:08,466 on the constitutionality of legislation. 428 00:22:08,467 --> 00:22:13,767 He would, having been a professor of law. 429 00:22:15,233 --> 00:22:20,867 The fact of the matter is that, going back again to the comments 430 00:22:20,867 --> 00:22:23,500 the President made on Monday and on Tuesday, 431 00:22:23,500 --> 00:22:32,533 he believes that because of the overwhelming precedent here in 432 00:22:32,533 --> 00:22:34,667 this case, that the Supreme Court will uphold the 433 00:22:34,667 --> 00:22:37,399 constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. 434 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:39,233 That was the point he was making all along, 435 00:22:39,233 --> 00:22:41,066 both Monday and Tuesday. 436 00:22:41,066 --> 00:22:47,300 The Press: What he said on Monday was an obvious misspoken 437 00:22:47,300 --> 00:22:51,466 moment, because he talked about the Court not being in 438 00:22:51,467 --> 00:22:55,400 a position to overturn acts of Congress. 439 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:56,367 Mr. Carney: The President -- look, Bill -- 440 00:22:56,367 --> 00:22:57,500 The Press: You're standing there saying -- 441 00:22:57,500 --> 00:22:58,500 Mr. Carney: As your colleague -- 442 00:22:58,500 --> 00:23:02,934 The Press: -- because he made a mistake, and you can't admit it. 443 00:23:02,934 --> 00:23:06,600 Mr. Carney: No, no, Bill, I am acknowledging -- you're sharing in the 444 00:23:06,600 --> 00:23:08,734 righteous indignation here that your colleague -- 445 00:23:08,734 --> 00:23:11,766 The Press: I'm just noting your -- 446 00:23:11,767 --> 00:23:15,567 Mr. Carney: The President spoke, in answer to a question, 447 00:23:15,567 --> 00:23:21,166 relatively briefly, and in the context of this case, 448 00:23:21,166 --> 00:23:23,633 made the statement that there is no judicial precedent -- that 449 00:23:23,633 --> 00:23:25,900 there is longstanding judicial precedent which would argue that 450 00:23:25,900 --> 00:23:29,934 the Court should not overturn this law. 451 00:23:29,934 --> 00:23:32,667 I grant to you -- I totally grant to you that he did not 452 00:23:32,667 --> 00:23:34,567 refer to the Commerce Clause; he did not refer 453 00:23:34,567 --> 00:23:36,133 to the full context. 454 00:23:36,133 --> 00:23:40,700 I think he believed that that was understood. 455 00:23:40,700 --> 00:23:43,934 Clearly, some folks, notably people sitting in that chair 456 00:23:43,934 --> 00:23:48,200 and others, missed that and -- 457 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:50,567 The Press: It's our fault. 458 00:23:50,567 --> 00:23:51,900 Mr. Carney: No, no, look, others -- look, others -- 459 00:23:51,900 --> 00:23:52,934 The Press: It surely is. 460 00:23:52,934 --> 00:23:53,966 (laughter) 461 00:23:53,967 --> 00:23:56,100 Mr. Carney: I'm just saying that there's a lot of -- it's 462 00:23:56,100 --> 00:24:02,632 kind of ridiculous to believe that the President wasn't 463 00:24:02,633 --> 00:24:05,433 talking about the context of the case. 464 00:24:05,433 --> 00:24:10,467 But I completely concede that he did not describe the context 465 00:24:10,467 --> 00:24:13,567 when he took the question and answered it on Monday. 466 00:24:13,567 --> 00:24:16,834 He then, asked again on Tuesday, provided the full context. 467 00:24:16,834 --> 00:24:19,133 And so, did he clarify his comments? 468 00:24:19,133 --> 00:24:19,900 Absolutely. 469 00:24:19,900 --> 00:24:20,800 Did he expand on them? 470 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:22,433 Absolutely. 471 00:24:22,433 --> 00:24:24,300 The Press: Were his comments Monday messy? 472 00:24:24,300 --> 00:24:28,399 Mr. Carney: You guys -- it's your job to come up with clichés 473 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:31,800 like "game on" and things like that. 474 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:33,734 But I'm not going to engage in that. 475 00:24:33,734 --> 00:24:34,766 Scott. 476 00:24:34,767 --> 00:24:37,567 The Press: You talked about small businesses with the JOBS Act. 477 00:24:37,567 --> 00:24:39,800 Now, the threshold is $1 billion in revenue, 478 00:24:39,800 --> 00:24:43,767 which is a pretty expansive definition of small businesses. 479 00:24:43,767 --> 00:24:48,900 Was that the figure that the White House startup council 480 00:24:48,900 --> 00:24:51,567 came up with, or was that something that Congress -- 481 00:24:51,567 --> 00:24:52,533 Mr. Carney: I'd have to take that question. 482 00:24:52,533 --> 00:24:55,500 I'm not sure about that. 483 00:24:55,500 --> 00:25:01,100 The Press: On another subject -- you've sometimes weighed in on movies. 484 00:25:01,100 --> 00:25:01,567 Anything -- 485 00:25:01,567 --> 00:25:04,967 Mr. Carney: Oh, we talked the other day about "The Ides of March," 486 00:25:04,967 --> 00:25:05,633 which I just watched. 487 00:25:05,633 --> 00:25:06,934 I thought it was pretty good, actually. 488 00:25:06,934 --> 00:25:08,399 The Press: Anything on "To Kill a Mockingbird"? 489 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:12,133 Mr. Carney: Yes. "To Kill a Mockingbird" -- as you know, the President 490 00:25:12,133 --> 00:25:16,734 is screening or hosting a screening of and will 491 00:25:16,734 --> 00:25:19,300 make brief remarks at the beginning of the screening of 492 00:25:19,300 --> 00:25:24,567 "To Kill a Mockingbird" -- the 50th anniversary of that seminal 493 00:25:24,567 --> 00:25:27,166 movie, and looks forward to doing that. 494 00:25:27,166 --> 00:25:28,332 It's a fantastic movie. 495 00:25:28,333 --> 00:25:30,100 I'm sure everyone in this room has seen it. 496 00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:33,100 If you have kids like I do who are old enough, 497 00:25:33,100 --> 00:25:36,734 you've probably shown it to your children. 498 00:25:36,734 --> 00:25:43,265 It's a classic movie that elucidates the need to do the 499 00:25:43,266 --> 00:25:45,000 right thing even when it's hard. 500 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:46,633 And so he looks forward to that event. 501 00:25:46,633 --> 00:25:50,100 There will be members of Gregory Peck's family here, 502 00:25:50,100 --> 00:25:51,934 some of the actors from the movie, 503 00:25:51,934 --> 00:25:55,500 as well as local D.C. students for that. 504 00:25:55,500 --> 00:25:56,867 The Press: Harper Lee -- was she invited? 505 00:25:56,867 --> 00:25:59,033 I know she doesn't normally go to anything but -- 506 00:25:59,033 --> 00:26:01,367 Mr. Carney: I have to -- I'd be shocked if she wasn't, 507 00:26:01,367 --> 00:26:03,066 but I'll find out for you. 508 00:26:03,066 --> 00:26:07,100 The Press: Jay, on the movie, do you know if President Obama was 509 00:26:07,100 --> 00:26:11,033 influenced in his decision to pursue a legal career by 510 00:26:11,033 --> 00:26:12,867 the movie or the book? 511 00:26:12,867 --> 00:26:15,367 Mr. Carney: I talked to him today about the Masters. 512 00:26:15,367 --> 00:26:17,633 I did not talk to him about that, so I don't know. 513 00:26:17,633 --> 00:26:19,433 The Press: On the Masters, would the President -- 514 00:26:19,433 --> 00:26:22,033 (laughter) 515 00:26:22,033 --> 00:26:24,567 -- agree to play at a course that discriminated 516 00:26:24,567 --> 00:26:25,900 against women? 517 00:26:25,900 --> 00:26:28,667 Mr. Carney: I didn't have that conversation with him. 518 00:26:28,667 --> 00:26:30,466 The President answered quite clearly to me, 519 00:26:30,467 --> 00:26:33,333 which I conveyed to you, that he believes Augusta 520 00:26:33,333 --> 00:26:35,934 should admit women. 521 00:26:35,934 --> 00:26:41,266 We're kind of long past the time when women should 522 00:26:41,266 --> 00:26:43,300 be excluded from anything. 523 00:26:43,300 --> 00:26:44,033 Kristen. 524 00:26:44,033 --> 00:26:44,766 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 525 00:26:44,767 --> 00:26:48,367 On the topic of the resignation of the GSA Administrator, 526 00:26:48,367 --> 00:26:51,100 the training conference that led to the resignation 527 00:26:51,100 --> 00:26:53,065 happened in 2010. 528 00:26:53,066 --> 00:26:56,433 How can the White House be sure that there were no other such 529 00:26:56,433 --> 00:27:01,900 examples of excessive spending before this was revealed, 530 00:27:01,900 --> 00:27:04,700 either in that agency or in other agencies? 531 00:27:04,700 --> 00:27:07,734 Mr. Carney: Well, it's a big government, so I would hesitate to make 532 00:27:07,734 --> 00:27:08,833 any blanket statements. 533 00:27:08,834 --> 00:27:12,166 But what I can tell you is that on his first day in office, 534 00:27:12,166 --> 00:27:14,600 President Obama made clear that the people who serve in his 535 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:17,667 administration are keepers of the public trust and that 536 00:27:17,667 --> 00:27:19,199 public service is a privilege. 537 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:21,734 Under his leadership, this administration has taken 538 00:27:21,734 --> 00:27:24,734 historic steps to protect the taxpayer dollars and eliminate 539 00:27:24,734 --> 00:27:27,166 waste across the federal government. 540 00:27:27,166 --> 00:27:29,433 When the White House was informed of the Inspector 541 00:27:29,433 --> 00:27:32,433 General's findings in this matter, 542 00:27:32,433 --> 00:27:34,667 we at the White House quickly acted to determine who was 543 00:27:34,667 --> 00:27:38,399 responsible for such a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars. 544 00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:40,967 The President was informed before his trip to South Korea, 545 00:27:40,967 --> 00:27:44,500 and he was outraged by the excessive spending, 546 00:27:44,500 --> 00:27:46,600 questionable dealings with contractors and disregard 547 00:27:46,600 --> 00:27:47,600 for taxpayer dollars. 548 00:27:47,600 --> 00:27:50,934 He called for all those responsible to be held fully 549 00:27:50,934 --> 00:27:53,834 accountable, given that these actions were irresponsible and 550 00:27:53,834 --> 00:27:56,667 entirely inconsistent with the expectations that he has 551 00:27:56,667 --> 00:27:58,332 set as President. 552 00:27:58,333 --> 00:28:03,433 There are a number of efforts by this administration to curb 553 00:28:03,433 --> 00:28:05,066 conference spending in particular. 554 00:28:05,066 --> 00:28:07,767 In September of 2011, the President's Office of Management 555 00:28:07,767 --> 00:28:11,266 and Budget directed all agency heads to conduct a thorough 556 00:28:11,266 --> 00:28:14,000 review of how they are spending taxpayer dollars on conferences. 557 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:17,133 Pending that review, conference-related activities 558 00:28:17,133 --> 00:28:20,033 and expenses were not permitted to go forward without signoff by 559 00:28:20,033 --> 00:28:22,632 the deputy secretary or an equivalent chief operating 560 00:28:22,633 --> 00:28:25,000 officer for each agency. 561 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:27,100 Each agency has established tough internal controls and 562 00:28:27,100 --> 00:28:29,934 have certified those controls are now in place. 563 00:28:29,934 --> 00:28:35,133 To date, as a result of these efforts, 564 00:28:35,133 --> 00:28:38,433 they have achieved over $280 million in reduced costs in 565 00:28:38,433 --> 00:28:42,133 the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 compared to the same period 566 00:28:42,133 --> 00:28:44,000 of time in fiscal year 2010. 567 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:47,367 There's a lot more detail I can give to you on this 568 00:28:47,367 --> 00:28:48,332 if you would like. 569 00:28:48,333 --> 00:28:50,500 The Press: Well, Jay, as you point out, that was in 2011. 570 00:28:50,500 --> 00:28:53,533 Will there be any attempt to investigate excessive 571 00:28:53,533 --> 00:28:54,265 spending from -- 572 00:28:54,266 --> 00:29:00,333 Mr. Carney: If excessive spending is brought to our attention 573 00:29:00,333 --> 00:29:02,200 or the -- I assume they're obviously independent -- 574 00:29:02,200 --> 00:29:07,667 but the IGs, the President's reaction here, 575 00:29:07,667 --> 00:29:12,033 the White House's reaction here makes quite clear that we 576 00:29:12,033 --> 00:29:14,332 believe, the President believes very strongly that this was 577 00:29:14,333 --> 00:29:19,433 outrageous behavior and activity that was not in keeping with his 578 00:29:19,433 --> 00:29:23,300 express direction that he gave at the beginning of 579 00:29:23,300 --> 00:29:24,466 his administration. 580 00:29:24,467 --> 00:29:25,934 The Press: Did the mind reader at that conference know 581 00:29:25,934 --> 00:29:27,834 what the President was talking about on Monday? 582 00:29:27,834 --> 00:29:32,133 (laughter) 583 00:29:32,133 --> 00:29:35,000 Mr. Carney: You have to fly out to find her and ask her -- or him. 584 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:36,066 (laughter) 585 00:29:36,066 --> 00:29:39,200 The Press: Jay, also can you address the issue of the signing ceremonies? 586 00:29:39,200 --> 00:29:42,066 There was a signing ceremony yesterday and again today. 587 00:29:42,066 --> 00:29:46,467 Why hold two signing ceremonies this week and not, for example, 588 00:29:46,467 --> 00:29:51,467 when the free trade agreements were signed into law? 589 00:29:51,467 --> 00:29:55,467 Mr. Carney: We have held signing ceremonies -- there are a lot of moving 590 00:29:55,467 --> 00:29:57,600 pieces here in terms of getting legislation 591 00:29:57,600 --> 00:30:01,367 that's passed from the Hill here; sometimes, remarkably, 592 00:30:01,367 --> 00:30:03,265 it takes days, sometimes a week. 593 00:30:03,266 --> 00:30:06,166 There are schedules here -- we have had a number 594 00:30:06,166 --> 00:30:07,433 of signing ceremonies. 595 00:30:07,433 --> 00:30:11,166 The President is delighted to be taking part in one today, 596 00:30:11,166 --> 00:30:14,399 took part in one yesterday. 597 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:21,367 And should there be significant legislation passed by Congress 598 00:30:21,367 --> 00:30:25,033 in the coming weeks and months that this President can sign 599 00:30:25,033 --> 00:30:27,233 into law, I think there's a good chance we'll have another 600 00:30:27,233 --> 00:30:29,133 signing ceremony. 601 00:30:29,133 --> 00:30:33,233 The most important aspect here is the work that is being done, 602 00:30:33,233 --> 00:30:38,500 the laws themselves that affect our economy and affect its 603 00:30:38,500 --> 00:30:42,033 ability to continue to create jobs. 604 00:30:42,033 --> 00:30:44,632 The ceremonies are nice, but the real issue here 605 00:30:44,633 --> 00:30:47,066 is the actual legislation. 606 00:30:47,066 --> 00:30:48,867 The Press: Republicans have charged that there haven't been more signing 607 00:30:48,867 --> 00:30:50,734 ceremonies so that the President could sort of make 608 00:30:50,734 --> 00:30:55,332 the argument that this Congress is an obstructionist body. 609 00:30:55,333 --> 00:30:56,133 How do you respond? 610 00:30:56,133 --> 00:30:58,500 Mr. Carney: It is news to me that Republicans in Congress 611 00:30:58,500 --> 00:31:02,033 were eager to appear next to the President. 612 00:31:02,033 --> 00:31:03,766 That had not always been the case. 613 00:31:03,767 --> 00:31:06,166 But we're happy to say that there will be a number of 614 00:31:06,166 --> 00:31:08,567 Republicans at today's signing ceremony. 615 00:31:08,567 --> 00:31:11,333 I know of at least one Republican who participated 616 00:31:11,333 --> 00:31:15,000 in yesterday's signing ceremony. 617 00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:17,266 Yes, Ken. 618 00:31:17,266 --> 00:31:20,633 The Press: Back to the NSC meeting with the Muslim Brotherhood. 619 00:31:20,633 --> 00:31:24,033 Other than the basic fact of engaging with the group, 620 00:31:24,033 --> 00:31:26,867 what was the administration hoping to accomplish in this 621 00:31:26,867 --> 00:31:31,166 meeting, and how far did it go toward meeting that goal? 622 00:31:31,166 --> 00:31:33,399 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't have a readout for you or details of it. 623 00:31:33,400 --> 00:31:35,800 I think that this is part of, again, 624 00:31:35,800 --> 00:31:38,200 regular engagement with the emerging political 625 00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:40,400 actors in Egypt. 626 00:31:40,400 --> 00:31:44,834 I think it is known to everyone who has paid any attention to 627 00:31:44,834 --> 00:31:49,533 the post-revolution developments in Egypt that the Muslim 628 00:31:49,533 --> 00:31:52,600 Brotherhood will be a major player, 629 00:31:52,600 --> 00:31:57,734 and we are engaging because that is the appropriate and 630 00:31:57,734 --> 00:31:58,966 right thing to do. 631 00:31:58,967 --> 00:32:03,133 And we will judge all of the political actors in Egypt 632 00:32:03,133 --> 00:32:07,834 by their actions, by their commitment to democracy and 633 00:32:07,834 --> 00:32:11,367 democratic processes, and protection of civil rights, 634 00:32:11,367 --> 00:32:17,233 by how they -- if and when they attain positions of power and 635 00:32:17,233 --> 00:32:22,265 governmental authority, how they conduct their foreign policy and 636 00:32:22,266 --> 00:32:25,200 abide by their international obligations and treaties, 637 00:32:25,200 --> 00:32:30,633 as we would with any political party or political actor in 638 00:32:30,633 --> 00:32:34,834 countries which we are allied or have diplomatic relations. 639 00:32:34,834 --> 00:32:37,600 The Press: So have more meetings been scheduled? 640 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:38,699 Mr. Carney: Not that I'm aware of. 641 00:32:38,700 --> 00:32:41,367 But again, I think I made clear that this is part of an ongoing 642 00:32:41,367 --> 00:32:42,567 process of engagement. 643 00:32:42,567 --> 00:32:45,633 Bill Burns has met with members of the Muslim Brotherhood. 644 00:32:47,800 --> 00:32:51,567 Senators in the United States Senate have met with them, 645 00:32:51,567 --> 00:32:54,333 and I expect that that kind of engagement will continue. 646 00:32:54,333 --> 00:32:55,333 The Press: Can I follow on that? 647 00:32:55,333 --> 00:32:56,166 Mr. Carney: Sure, Connie. 648 00:32:56,166 --> 00:32:58,000 The Press: Does the President feel comfortable dealing with 649 00:32:58,000 --> 00:33:00,467 people like the Muslim Brotherhood and the Taliban? 650 00:33:00,467 --> 00:33:03,934 Has there been any warning to ask them to not crack down, 651 00:33:03,934 --> 00:33:06,466 not discriminate against Christians, Jews, women? 652 00:33:06,467 --> 00:33:07,734 I mean, they're pretty harsh -- 653 00:33:07,734 --> 00:33:10,934 Mr. Carney: I think I made clear, Connie, in several answers to this question 654 00:33:10,934 --> 00:33:14,966 that we will judge all of those that we engage with 655 00:33:14,967 --> 00:33:19,400 on the political scene in Egypt and elsewhere by their actions. 656 00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:24,633 And the principles that we bring to the table here are very clear 657 00:33:24,633 --> 00:33:27,967 with regards to civil rights and democratic processes, 658 00:33:27,967 --> 00:33:34,166 and this is true with -- certainly with regard to 659 00:33:34,166 --> 00:33:36,934 political parties and actors in Egypt. 660 00:33:36,934 --> 00:33:39,300 I think the Taliban is a little bit of a different case. 661 00:33:39,300 --> 00:33:44,367 We've made clear what the conditions of the reconciliation 662 00:33:44,367 --> 00:33:48,934 process are, which are laying down arms, 663 00:33:48,934 --> 00:33:51,200 adhering to the Afghan constitution, 664 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:58,066 and abiding by -- and dissociating oneself with 665 00:33:58,066 --> 00:33:59,166 and denouncing al Qaeda. 666 00:33:59,166 --> 00:34:05,265 So the Taliban is a little different from and more specific 667 00:34:05,266 --> 00:34:10,333 to Afghanistan than the broad principles that are at play when 668 00:34:10,333 --> 00:34:12,767 we talk about the meeting with members 669 00:34:12,766 --> 00:34:13,734 of the Muslim Brotherhood. 670 00:34:13,734 --> 00:34:15,400 The Press: But have you guys ever asked them to stop 671 00:34:15,400 --> 00:34:18,033 brutalizing Christians, especially now -- 672 00:34:18,033 --> 00:34:19,933 Mr. Carney: Again, I don't have readouts on that, 673 00:34:19,934 --> 00:34:26,734 but we are very candid in all of our discussions with actors on 674 00:34:26,734 --> 00:34:30,000 the political scene in Egypt and elsewhere about what we consider 675 00:34:30,000 --> 00:34:36,500 to be appropriate and democratic conduct in a society that has 676 00:34:36,500 --> 00:34:39,800 gone through a revolution and a democratic revolution and that 677 00:34:39,800 --> 00:34:43,133 aspires to be a full democracy. 678 00:34:43,132 --> 00:34:44,165 April. 679 00:34:44,166 --> 00:34:47,100 The Press: Jay, I want to go back to the women's jobs 680 00:34:47,100 --> 00:34:48,533 conference tomorrow. 681 00:34:48,533 --> 00:34:52,467 Understanding that the White House -- everything comes to 682 00:34:52,467 --> 00:34:55,200 the White House, all -- the White House covers all groups 683 00:34:55,199 --> 00:34:57,533 pretty much -- what other groups are you looking at 684 00:34:57,533 --> 00:35:02,165 having conferences for -- jobs conferences, particularly? 685 00:35:02,166 --> 00:35:05,033 Mr. Carney: I don't have any scheduling announcements to make. 686 00:35:05,033 --> 00:35:08,433 We have had a heck of a lot of conferences over the three-plus 687 00:35:08,433 --> 00:35:12,066 years that we've been here, and I'm sure we will have more. 688 00:35:12,066 --> 00:35:15,933 These kinds of conferences help to focus the energies of an 689 00:35:15,934 --> 00:35:18,934 administration on specific initiatives and legislation, 690 00:35:18,934 --> 00:35:23,166 to focus attention on issues of importance, 691 00:35:23,166 --> 00:35:24,433 and we'll continue to do that. 692 00:35:24,433 --> 00:35:26,800 But I have no announcements to make about other 693 00:35:26,800 --> 00:35:27,800 upcoming conferences. 694 00:35:27,800 --> 00:35:29,600 I want them to be exciting and surprising. 695 00:35:29,600 --> 00:35:30,299 (laughter) 696 00:35:30,300 --> 00:35:32,367 The Press: Okay. Well, they will be exciting and surprising. 697 00:35:32,367 --> 00:35:37,433 But the question comes after your exchange with Ed. 698 00:35:37,433 --> 00:35:38,700 And it does kind of make you wonder, 699 00:35:38,700 --> 00:35:40,500 particularly when there are certain groups still in this 700 00:35:40,500 --> 00:35:44,500 country that have disproportionate numbers 701 00:35:44,500 --> 00:35:47,000 compared to mainstream America. 702 00:35:47,000 --> 00:35:51,433 And I understand women are heads of households in a lot of homes 703 00:35:51,433 --> 00:35:53,734 -- a large portion are breadwinners and things 704 00:35:53,734 --> 00:35:54,967 of that nature in homes. 705 00:35:54,967 --> 00:35:57,200 But there are also other groups, like the African American 706 00:35:57,200 --> 00:36:00,332 community, who still has a disproportionate number, 707 00:36:00,333 --> 00:36:05,734 and the Labor Department even came out with a study on the 708 00:36:05,734 --> 00:36:06,900 black workforce. 709 00:36:06,900 --> 00:36:09,066 And what's next after that? 710 00:36:09,066 --> 00:36:11,200 And that was last year, and I'm still wondering what's next, 711 00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:12,866 especially with this conference. 712 00:36:12,867 --> 00:36:16,900 Mr. Carney: Well, I can -- I don't have with me the variety 713 00:36:16,900 --> 00:36:19,166 of initiatives that this administration has undertaken 714 00:36:19,166 --> 00:36:24,133 and continues to undertake either directly or principally 715 00:36:26,367 --> 00:36:32,100 benefit economically minority communities or underserved areas 716 00:36:32,100 --> 00:36:35,266 of the country. 717 00:36:35,266 --> 00:36:40,967 The focus of this particular conference is on women. 718 00:36:40,967 --> 00:36:43,633 As I said before, there have been and will be -- continue 719 00:36:43,633 --> 00:36:47,133 to be a number of similar conferences and forums at 720 00:36:47,133 --> 00:36:50,265 the White House that focus on particular initiatives aimed at 721 00:36:50,266 --> 00:36:52,500 sectors of the economy or sectors of the population, 722 00:36:52,500 --> 00:36:59,667 or specific policy initiatives, whether they're education or -- 723 00:36:59,667 --> 00:37:02,266 they regard education or the economy or even 724 00:37:02,266 --> 00:37:03,266 national security. 725 00:37:03,266 --> 00:37:10,266 So the broad focus of all of these efforts with regards to 726 00:37:10,266 --> 00:37:13,233 domestic policy is economic growth and development for 727 00:37:13,233 --> 00:37:15,600 everyone in this country. 728 00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:19,000 I think the underlying principle that the President states so 729 00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:23,266 clearly, as he did just the other day in his speech to the 730 00:37:23,266 --> 00:37:28,133 AP luncheon, was that his economic vision is one where 731 00:37:28,133 --> 00:37:31,899 everybody gets a fair shot, everybody gets -- is given a 732 00:37:31,900 --> 00:37:35,600 fair shake, and everybody plays by the same rules. 733 00:37:35,600 --> 00:37:39,834 That is the underlying principle by his whole economic policy 734 00:37:39,834 --> 00:37:42,200 approach and will continue to be so. 735 00:37:46,133 --> 00:37:47,834 Mark. 736 00:37:47,834 --> 00:37:50,700 The Press: Jay, the North Koreans appear to be on track for 737 00:37:50,700 --> 00:37:54,165 that satellite launch sometime in the middle 738 00:37:54,166 --> 00:37:55,900 of the month. 739 00:37:55,900 --> 00:37:58,100 The administration has been pretty clear that if they go 740 00:37:58,100 --> 00:38:01,667 ahead with that, that the food aid deal will be put 741 00:38:01,667 --> 00:38:02,567 on the shelf. 742 00:38:02,567 --> 00:38:04,667 But I'm wondering what else is the administration doing in 743 00:38:04,667 --> 00:38:08,533 these days leading up to that potential launch to apply 744 00:38:08,533 --> 00:38:12,066 pressure either with the Chinese or others to head of the North 745 00:38:12,066 --> 00:38:15,366 Koreans and persuade them not to do this. 746 00:38:15,367 --> 00:38:21,100 Mr. Carney: We are engaging at a variety of levels, 747 00:38:21,100 --> 00:38:31,066 as we always do, to convey to the North Koreans the fact that 748 00:38:31,066 --> 00:38:32,567 this activity, if it takes place, 749 00:38:32,567 --> 00:38:38,266 would be in violation of their international agreements, 750 00:38:38,266 --> 00:38:48,000 and would make it impossible for us to pursue the nutritional 751 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:52,934 assistance that had been discussed earlier. 752 00:38:52,934 --> 00:38:55,767 I think the President talked about this quite a bit in his 753 00:38:55,767 --> 00:38:59,933 various encounters with the press when he was in the 754 00:38:59,934 --> 00:39:01,266 Republic of Korea in Seoul. 755 00:39:01,266 --> 00:39:06,567 He talked about working with the Chinese to encourage them to use 756 00:39:06,567 --> 00:39:10,900 their influence with the North Koreans to get them to change 757 00:39:10,900 --> 00:39:20,500 their behavior and to stand down with regards to this ballistic 758 00:39:20,500 --> 00:39:23,433 missile test. 759 00:39:23,433 --> 00:39:25,000 I don't have anything more specific for you, 760 00:39:25,000 --> 00:39:27,734 but we're obviously -- we continue to work on the issue. 761 00:39:27,734 --> 00:39:31,600 We continue to make clear that going through with this would 762 00:39:31,600 --> 00:39:35,600 be a violation and that it would jeopardize the 763 00:39:35,600 --> 00:39:37,133 nutritional assistance. 764 00:39:37,133 --> 00:39:39,734 The Press: Is there any -- just one last follow-up. 765 00:39:39,734 --> 00:39:42,232 Is there any evidence that in the week or so since that 766 00:39:42,233 --> 00:39:44,967 meeting with the Chinese that they are actually applying more 767 00:39:44,967 --> 00:39:46,500 pressure on the North Koreans? 768 00:39:46,500 --> 00:39:50,767 Mr. Carney: I have nothing specific to report to you. 769 00:39:50,767 --> 00:39:54,966 The reality with the North Koreans is we judge them by 770 00:39:54,967 --> 00:39:57,967 their behavior not by their promises. 771 00:39:57,967 --> 00:39:59,000 Thanks very much.