English subtitles for clip: File:5-6-10- White House Press Briefing.webm

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Mr. Gibbs:
Good afternoon.

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Shortly, the Senate is going
to consider Senator Shelby's

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amendment to weaken the
President's and Senator Dodd's

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proposal for strong consumer
protection in the financial

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regulatory bill.

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I think you've all seen
the President's statement,

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and here to talk about that is Deputy
Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin. Neal.

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Deputy Secretary Wolin:
Thank you, Robert.
Good afternoon, everyone.

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The financial crisis has
demonstrated beyond any

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question that our current
approach to consumer financial

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protection has failed.

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In the run-up to this crisis,
millions of Americans were sold

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mortgages and other financial
products that they couldn't

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understand and could not afford.

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Unfair and deceptive acts and
practices in the consumer

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finance market have left
Americans facing foreclosure

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and debts they cannot bear.

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It left responsible community
banks to compete with non-banks

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and other non-bank institutions
in an unlevel playing field,

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often irresponsible and often
unregulated competitors.

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Through the market for
mortgage-backed securities,

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bad practices in the consumer
financial market put our entire

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system at risk.

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And why is that?

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Because the current system puts
bank regulators in charge of

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protecting consumers.

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It didn't work, and there's no
likelihood that it could work.

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There's no focus,
no accountability.

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Today seven different regulators
have some responsibility for

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consumer financial protection,
but none is focused on consumer

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protection as their priority.

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And to the extent that there
is any focus on consumer

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protection, the focus is
overwhelmingly on banks,

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not on many, many other
thousands of non-bank financial

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operations -- payday lenders,
check cashers, auto lenders,

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money transmitters, mortgage
brokers, et cetera.

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This unaccountable fragmented
system allows for bad practices

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to take place in the shadows of
the marketplace and we have to

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put an end to this.

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The President has been very
clear about what real reform

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means in this area.

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It means independence.
It means accountability.

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It means the ability to write
rules across the consumer

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financial marketplace, and it
makes ensuring that banks and

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non-banks alike are held to
the same consistent standard.

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The Dodd legislation
pending in the Senate

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right now does all of that.

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The Republican alternative
does none of it.

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The Dodd bill creates
a fully independent,

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fully accountable bureau.

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The Republican alternative just
picks an existing consumer

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office from one banking
regulator and drops it into

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another bank regulator that
would be totally subordinate

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to bank regulators.

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As I said earlier, that hasn't
worked; it will not work.

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The bureau in the Dodd bill has
an independent ability to set

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clear rules of the road
across the marketplace.

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The Republican alternative
leaves the bank regulators in

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charge of the consumer laws --
the same regulators who have

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shown none or little interest in
implementing these laws properly

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over the last series of years.

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The Dodd bill creates for the
first time effective federal

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authority to adopt rules banning
unfair or deceptive practices

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wherever they may occur.

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The Republican alternative keeps
in place huge legal obstacles

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that make it nearly impossible
to ban unfair or deceptive

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practices by non-banks
like mortgage brokers,

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payday lenders, auto
lenders, et cetera,

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perpetuating an unfair advantage
that these banks have over

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community banks, for example.

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The Dodd bill creates a bureau
that can ensure consistent

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enforcement of rules across
all of this marketplace.

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It can directly enforce
against bigger banks,

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against mortgage companies,
against payday lenders,

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against auto lenders,
and other firms.

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The Republican alternative
gives the so-called consumer

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office to virtually no
enforcement authority.

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I think in the end,
and to sum it up,

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the Shelby amendment is actually
worse than the status quo.

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It keeps all of the
flaws of today's system.

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It keeps banks regulators
completely in charge of

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protecting American families.

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It keeps a huge loophole
for payday lenders,

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for auto lenders, for mortgage
brokers, for check cashers,

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and for all the other lenders
and financial businesses that

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compete with banks but don't
happen to be called banks.

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And it actually undermines
existing rules.

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Let me just say this.

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The Republican argument for
leaving the bank regulators in

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charge of protecting consumers
is that there is some conflict

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between consumer protection and
the health of financial institutions.

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We reject that
argument out of hand.

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There is no real conflict
between safety and soundness

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of banks and other financial
institutions on the one hand,

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and transparency and fairness
for consumers on the other.

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Strong protections are actually
good for the banking system.

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I think we've just learned that
when you don't have strong

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consumer protections,
the banking system is

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very much at risk.

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We saw yesterday that the
Republicans have decided to join

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with the Democrats in the Senate in
a constructive way on some issues.

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But on consumer protection,
which really is the issue that

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arguably sits at the heart of
what everyday Americans care

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about and how they are dealt
with by the financial system,

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the Republicans have continued to
oppose serious efforts at reform.

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I think two years after this
financial crisis began,

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a crisis that was exacerbated
by a lack of transparency,

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it's time for us to ensure that
we have comprehensive reform

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that includes these fundamental
improvements in consumer

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protection that the President
has put forward and that the

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Dodd bill in the
Senate contains.

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Thank you.

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Mr. Gibbs:
Jonathan.

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The Press:
Can I ask you about the
Sanders amendment and what

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you guys are doing to try
to change it or possibly

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kill it on Fed audit?

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Deputy Secretary Wolin:
Well, let me say,
John, at the start,

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we oppose the Sanders
amendment in its current form.

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We think that, as
Senator Sanders does,

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that transparency of the
Fed is critically important,

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but we also believe that it's
important that the Federal

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Reserve Board have independence.

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We think that independence has
served this country very well

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over a long period of time.

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We think that countries that
have had either the reality or

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the perception of political
influence in their central banks

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have had real problems --
problems with respect to

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inflation, with respect to the
cost and availability of credit,

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including to consumers
and to small businesses.

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It hasn't worked out well where
the question about whether the

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congress or the executive branch
of various countries have

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interfered with or had the
perception of interfering with

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their central bank.

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So we will continue to
work with Senator Sanders,

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Senator Dodd and others to make
sure that we have appropriate

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transparency of the Fed.

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We think that is important, but
also that we make sure that we

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do not encroach on the
independence of the central bank.

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The Press:
Would you veto -- would
the President veto this

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bill if the Sanders
amendment is in there?

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Deputy Secretary Wolin:
As I said, John, we
are continuing to work

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with Senator Sanders, Senator
Dodd and others to make sure

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we can accomplish
these twin objectives.

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We think that we'll move forward
in those discussions before we

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get to any discussion
about vetoes.

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Mr. Gibbs:
Julianna.

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The Press:
Would the President veto
the bill if the Shelby

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amendment was in it?

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And also where -- is there any
room for the President when it

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comes to the CFPA?

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Are there elements that he
would accept, for example,

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it being housed in the FDIC
as Shelby has proposed?

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Deputy Secretary Wolin:
I think the President
has expressed his support

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for the Dodd approach; it
very closely mirrors his own.

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I think -- we don't expect that
the Shelby amendment will pass.

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We think that there are
enough senators who,

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like the President, are
committed to making sure that

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this incredibly important piece
of reform is appropriately addressed.

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And so I think the question of
veto is something that's premature.

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The Press:
What are the elements to it
that the Dodd -- if the CFPA,

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as Dodd has proposed, is amended, are there elements

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that Shelby has proposed that
the President would accept?

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Deputy Secretary Wolin:
Well, we'll see what
others put forward.

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As I just tried to outline, I
think the elements of the Shelby

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approach, the Republican
alternative in the Senate,

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are things that really gut the
strength of this piece of this

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important legislation with
respect to independence,

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with respect to accountability,
effective rule-writing,

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and then obviously the need for
enforcement across this marketplace.

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Yes, sir.

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The Press:
Mr. Wolin, you said
something very interesting.

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You said --

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Mr. Gibbs:
Just one thing.

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(laughter)

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The Press:
You said, "We do not think
the Shelby amendment will

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pass," and yet all day today
I've been getting e-mails like

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from Americans
United for Change,

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all these grassroot
Democratic organizations,

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and you're out here today making
a big deal about a Shelby

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amendment that you
don't think will pass.

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I'm wondering, why is that?

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Deputy Secretary Wolin:
Well, I think it's
because of the

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centrality of the consumer
provisions in this legislation.

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The President has been very
clear from the beginning that

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this is something that's
enormously important;

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that's really at the core of
what caused the problems we got

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ourselves into.

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And the solutions are really at
the core of making -- providing

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rules of the road going forward
that will work and be protective

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not just of consumers
but ultimately,

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as I mentioned earlier, of
the broader financial system.

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So we want to make sure that we
say clearly and loudly that the

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Republican amendment will not
work on all of the various

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dimensions that I described.

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And while it's pending
in front of the Senate,

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we think it's important
for us to express our view.

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Mr. Gibbs:
Jake.

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The Press:
Just a couple follow-ups.

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The President said that this --
he will not let amendments like

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this one, written by Wall Street
lobbyists, pass for reform.

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Specifically, if it's part of
the bill, will he veto it?

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Deputy Secretary Wolin:
I think, Jake, the same
answer I gave before.

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The Press:
You didn't give an answer.

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Is it a veto threat or not?

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Deputy Secretary Wolin:
I think it's premature to
talk about veto threats, Jake.

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As I say, we don't expect
this amendment to succeed,

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and if it comes to that we'll
deal with it when that happens.

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The Press:
Okay.

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And then in terms of
the Sanders amendment,

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Sanders says that -- and the
amendment says that nothing

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shall be construed as
interfering with monetary policy.

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What they want to know is, who
received the $2 trillion in Wall

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Street bailout funds?

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Does the administration oppose
letting the American people know

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and see who received every
dime of the $2 trillion

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in bailout funds?

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Deputy Secretary Wolin:
It doesn't.

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And, again, we are
for transparency.

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We think that's an incredibly
important principle and one

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that, frankly, is well embedded
in the Dodd approach and in the

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approach that the
President has put forward.

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What we want to make sure
at the same time, though,

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is that the provision doesn't,
in sort of an unintended way or

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whatever, get in the -- into the
area of monetary policy that

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encroaches on the central
bank's independence or has the

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perception of that.

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Where that has happened
in various places,

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it's not been a pretty picture.

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The Press:
Sanders said that that charge,

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that it would interfere
with monetary policy,

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he called it bogus.

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Deputy Secretary Wolin:
Well, I think having a
multiplicity of voices,

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Jake, being able to comment
on the conduct of monetary

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policy already creates
a bit of an issue.

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The legislation does take down
some barriers that have existed

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for some time now with respect
to the GAO not getting into the

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middle of monetary policy.

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That's the kind of thing
that we're concerned about.

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00:11:07,533 --> 00:11:08,363
Mr. Gibbs:
Jeff.

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00:11:08,367 --> 00:11:11,037
The Press:
Does the President
support Senator Blanche

241
00:11:11,033 --> 00:11:15,433
Lincoln's provision that would
effectively force banks to spin

242
00:11:15,433 --> 00:11:18,303
off their swaps desks, or does
he think that the Volcker rule

243
00:11:18,300 --> 00:11:21,170
is enough in that
particular area?

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00:11:21,166 --> 00:11:21,966
Deputy Secretary Wolin:
Well, you know,

245
00:11:21,967 --> 00:11:23,667
we've worked with Chairman
Lincoln and Chairman Dodd on a

246
00:11:23,667 --> 00:11:28,667
very strong package of reforms
in the derivatives area --

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00:11:28,667 --> 00:11:31,737
strong regulation of derivatives
dealers, central clearing,

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00:11:31,734 --> 00:11:34,504
transparency through exchange
trading, and so forth.

249
00:11:34,500 --> 00:11:38,030
We have not taken a position
on this precise element.

250
00:11:38,033 --> 00:11:40,803
But as the Secretary -- as
Secretary Geithner has said,

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00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:43,200
we do want to make sure that
there aren't -- there isn't the

252
00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:46,900
unintended consequence of taking
activities and pushing them off

253
00:11:46,900 --> 00:11:48,400
into the shadows.

254
00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:51,330
That was an important part of
what got us into this set of

255
00:11:51,333 --> 00:11:54,163
troubles and we want to make
sure that we learn that lesson

256
00:11:54,166 --> 00:11:55,496
and don't repeat it.

257
00:11:55,500 --> 00:11:59,100
I think the last thing I
would say is, in that regard,

258
00:11:59,100 --> 00:12:01,370
Sheila Bair has obviously
written a strong letter

259
00:12:01,367 --> 00:12:02,967
raising some concerns.

260
00:12:02,967 --> 00:12:06,497
We are very committed to
strong derivatives provisions.

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00:12:06,500 --> 00:12:09,200
We've been working with Senator
Lincoln and with Senator Dodd

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00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:12,000
all along the way and we will
continue to do so to make sure

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00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,830
that that framework
stays robust.

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00:12:14,834 --> 00:12:16,064
The Press:
Why are you not taking
a position on that

265
00:12:16,066 --> 00:12:17,236
particular proposal?

266
00:12:17,233 --> 00:12:18,233
Deputy Secretary Wolin:
Well, you know,

267
00:12:18,233 --> 00:12:21,203
there are lots of different
pieces of this and they -- it's

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00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:23,870
hard to sort of extract
one in isolation.

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00:12:23,867 --> 00:12:24,867
The Press:
But this is a big one.

270
00:12:24,867 --> 00:12:28,067
I mean, does the President
support the idea of banks having

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00:12:28,066 --> 00:12:30,496
to spin off their
swaps desks or not?

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00:12:30,500 --> 00:12:32,200
Deputy Secretary Wolin:
I don't think is
a binary question.

273
00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:34,830
I think we want to make sure
that we accomplish the goals

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00:12:34,834 --> 00:12:37,234
that we set forward, which is to
make sure that the dealers in

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00:12:37,233 --> 00:12:41,263
these instruments are well
regulated, well capitalized,

276
00:12:41,266 --> 00:12:46,136
well looked after, but also that
there is transparency through

277
00:12:46,133 --> 00:12:48,133
exchange trading and so forth.

278
00:12:48,133 --> 00:12:49,833
We also, though,
want to make sure,

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00:12:49,834 --> 00:12:52,134
as we've said now
a number of times,

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00:12:52,133 --> 00:12:55,433
that we don't through what
we're doing here create a

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00:12:55,433 --> 00:12:56,563
problem somewhere else.

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00:12:56,567 --> 00:12:58,197
And so as the various
pieces come together,

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00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:01,230
that's something that we will
continue to be attentive to.

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00:13:01,233 --> 00:13:02,233
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me go to Chip and then --

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00:13:02,233 --> 00:13:05,003
The Press:
The President said
that this bill with this

286
00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:07,330
amendment was written by
Wall Street lobbyists.

287
00:13:07,333 --> 00:13:10,003
What evidence is there that
they actually wrote this?

288
00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:12,230
The Republicans say that it's
the small business trade

289
00:13:12,233 --> 00:13:14,903
associations that are pushing
hardest for this amendment.

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00:13:14,900 --> 00:13:16,400
Deputy Secretary Wolin:
Well, no, Chip,

291
00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:19,470
I would say that there's been
an enormous amount of lobbying

292
00:13:19,467 --> 00:13:21,297
activity on these provisions.

293
00:13:21,300 --> 00:13:24,270
I refer you to some of the
things I said to the Chamber of

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00:13:24,266 --> 00:13:25,936
Commerce a few weeks back.

295
00:13:25,934 --> 00:13:31,104
There's been I think a broad set
of assertions made by big banks

296
00:13:31,100 --> 00:13:33,930
in particular, the Chamber
of Commerce in addition,

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00:13:33,934 --> 00:13:37,964
with respect to things in the
consumer provisions of the

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00:13:37,967 --> 00:13:40,267
President's proposal
and the Dodd language.

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00:13:40,266 --> 00:13:43,236
I think lobbyists have been
chipping away, frankly,

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00:13:43,233 --> 00:13:44,033
all the way through.

301
00:13:44,033 --> 00:13:47,563
And this alternative, I think,
reflects a lot of the themes

302
00:13:47,567 --> 00:13:50,267
that you've seen from them,
from their trade associations,

303
00:13:50,266 --> 00:13:51,996
from the chamber and so forth.

304
00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:52,900
Mr. Gibbs:
George.

305
00:13:52,900 --> 00:13:53,670
The Press:
Thank you.

306
00:13:53,667 --> 00:13:56,867
How big a threat to the bill is
the Republican demand for the

307
00:13:56,867 --> 00:14:00,767
strict preemption of
state consumer laws?

308
00:14:00,767 --> 00:14:03,167
And how confident are you
of getting Senator Carper

309
00:14:03,166 --> 00:14:05,136
to share your view?

310
00:14:05,133 --> 00:14:07,303
Deputy Secretary Wolin:
Well, we'll continue to
work through that issue

311
00:14:07,300 --> 00:14:08,330
with Senator Carper and others.

312
00:14:08,333 --> 00:14:11,033
We think it's important
that the national banks,

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00:14:11,033 --> 00:14:14,763
with respect to matters that
really interfere with their

314
00:14:14,767 --> 00:14:19,137
ability to do their business,
ought to realize some preemption.

315
00:14:19,133 --> 00:14:21,333
But we also think that it's
important for there to be strong

316
00:14:21,333 --> 00:14:25,333
consumer protections; that there
be a strong set of federal rules

317
00:14:25,333 --> 00:14:28,033
with respect to consumer
protection that would affect

318
00:14:28,033 --> 00:14:29,633
banks and non-banks.

319
00:14:29,633 --> 00:14:35,633
And we think that if states
want to protect their citizens

320
00:14:35,633 --> 00:14:40,533
against the kinds of consumer
practices that have really

321
00:14:40,533 --> 00:14:43,103
caused an important
piece of this crisis,

322
00:14:43,100 --> 00:14:44,900
they ought to be free to do so.

323
00:14:44,900 --> 00:14:46,630
Mr. Gibbs:
David, and then we'll
go back a little bit.

324
00:14:46,633 --> 00:14:49,233
The Press:
Thanks, another
amendment question.

325
00:14:49,233 --> 00:14:51,963
What about the Brown-Kaufman
amendment to cap the size of

326
00:14:51,967 --> 00:14:54,537
banks and put on hard
leverage placements?

327
00:14:54,533 --> 00:14:57,063
Is the administration
supporting that or not?

328
00:14:57,066 --> 00:14:59,196
Deputy Secretary Wolin:
Well, we share Senator
Brown and Senator Kaufman's

329
00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:01,730
-- frankly other senators'
concerns about the riskiness

330
00:15:01,734 --> 00:15:02,934
of certain institutions.

331
00:15:02,934 --> 00:15:06,364
I guess I would say that
from our perspective,

332
00:15:06,367 --> 00:15:10,597
what's really key about this is
that the institutions be less

333
00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:13,370
risky, that they not pose
threats to the broader system.

334
00:15:13,367 --> 00:15:16,797
Size is one attribute
with respect to risk,

335
00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:19,130
but there are other attributes.

336
00:15:19,133 --> 00:15:23,263
The Dodd bill, as it stands, has
important provisions that limit

337
00:15:23,266 --> 00:15:26,336
the size of financial
institutions,

338
00:15:26,333 --> 00:15:28,963
that give regulators the
capacity to break them apart

339
00:15:28,967 --> 00:15:33,767
when they see things that create
risk to the entire system,

340
00:15:33,767 --> 00:15:37,297
but also contain a number of
other provisions with respect

341
00:15:37,300 --> 00:15:40,470
to capital and leverage and
so forth that are all in the

342
00:15:40,467 --> 00:15:44,197
aggregate meant to make sure
that no institution can pose an

343
00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:46,970
outsize risk to the
broader financial system.

344
00:15:46,967 --> 00:15:49,797
And that, I think, is the
approach that we have been

345
00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:51,430
working on and we'll continue
work with them on this.

346
00:15:51,433 --> 00:15:53,833
The Press:
Does that mean you're not
supporting that amendment, per se?

347
00:15:53,834 --> 00:15:56,404
Deputy Secretary Wolin:
Well, I think it's
not -- we've been

348
00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,100
talking to them about the size
constraints that we have in the

349
00:15:59,100 --> 00:16:02,330
bill that is pending now in the
Senate and some of these other

350
00:16:02,333 --> 00:16:05,263
issues that I just discussed.

351
00:16:05,266 --> 00:16:08,796
And we will continue
along that vein.

352
00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:11,270
But I think from
our perspective,

353
00:16:11,266 --> 00:16:14,496
just size -- I mean there are
a number of institutions that

354
00:16:14,500 --> 00:16:17,370
weren't so big that caused an
awful lot of damage to the

355
00:16:17,367 --> 00:16:18,267
financial system.

356
00:16:18,266 --> 00:16:22,636
So Bear Stearns, the financial
products division of AIG --

357
00:16:22,633 --> 00:16:24,803
neither of them very big,
Long-Term Capital Management --

358
00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:29,600
size is not, I think, the
single attribute that we feel

359
00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:30,830
should be focused on.

360
00:16:30,834 --> 00:16:31,864
Mr. Gibbs:
Thank you.

361
00:16:31,867 --> 00:16:33,267
The Press:
Overall, are you optimistic
or pessimistic you'll

362
00:16:33,266 --> 00:16:34,996
get overall legislation?

363
00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:36,170
Deputy Secretary Wolin:
I'm optimistic, absolutely.

364
00:16:36,166 --> 00:16:37,596
I think there's a
developing momentum,

365
00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:40,930
and I think we're going to
continue to move forward as we have.

366
00:16:40,934 --> 00:16:44,004
Yesterday was a good day
in terms of the resolution

367
00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:45,600
authority piece.

368
00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:48,270
I think we will continue to
move forward as that momentum

369
00:16:48,266 --> 00:16:49,566
continues to develop.

370
00:16:49,567 --> 00:16:51,637
The Press:
Neal, before you go, could
you just say what your --

371
00:16:51,633 --> 00:16:53,703
I know Fannie and
Freddie aren't in this,

372
00:16:53,700 --> 00:16:55,630
but what are your plans
for Fannie and Freddie?

373
00:16:55,633 --> 00:16:57,503
Deputy Secretary Wolin:
The Secretary has
said a number of

374
00:16:57,500 --> 00:16:59,500
times now that this
is an important issue,

375
00:16:59,500 --> 00:17:02,500
one that we will turn to
and work our way through

376
00:17:02,500 --> 00:17:04,270
over the next year.

377
00:17:04,266 --> 00:17:07,266
We have outlined -- he has
outlined publicly in testimony

378
00:17:07,266 --> 00:17:09,866
on the Hill a series of
principles that will guide

379
00:17:09,867 --> 00:17:12,837
our work in this area.

380
00:17:12,834 --> 00:17:14,734
I think that it's awfully
important to make sure that the

381
00:17:14,734 --> 00:17:17,804
housing markets are stabilized,
first and foremost,

382
00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:20,300
that we get financial reform
as it's currently pending in

383
00:17:20,300 --> 00:17:21,630
the Senate next.

384
00:17:21,633 --> 00:17:25,333
And then obviously this is a
very important critical set of

385
00:17:25,333 --> 00:17:30,003
issues that we will turn to with
focus and seriousness and work

386
00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:37,330
through over the period ahead.

387
00:17:37,333 --> 00:17:38,263
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, ma'am.

388
00:17:38,266 --> 00:17:40,196
The Press:
A couple questions on
the Times Square case.

389
00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:42,730
In the President's
Afghanistan-Pakistan meeting

390
00:17:42,734 --> 00:17:46,004
earlier today, how much did
Shahzad's possible contacts in

391
00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:47,970
Pakistan come up?

392
00:17:47,967 --> 00:17:50,537
Mr. Gibbs:
Without getting into specifics,

393
00:17:50,533 --> 00:17:55,863
I will just simply say that John
Brennan and others used the

394
00:17:55,867 --> 00:18:02,737
opportunity to discuss where
we were with the President and

395
00:18:02,734 --> 00:18:03,904
those in the room.

396
00:18:03,900 --> 00:18:06,700
The Press:
Has the Pakistani Taliban
come up at all in the

397
00:18:06,700 --> 00:18:10,300
President's meetings today
and the past on Pakistan?

398
00:18:10,300 --> 00:18:12,800
And has the administration's
information shown that this is a

399
00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:15,500
group that might be capable
of an attack on the U.S.?

400
00:18:15,500 --> 00:18:18,670
Mr. Gibbs:
I will just say that in
the hour and 15 minutes the

401
00:18:18,667 --> 00:18:22,337
President spent in that room it
was a comprehensive discussion

402
00:18:22,333 --> 00:18:26,603
of all of our issues dealing
with Afghanistan and Pakistan.

403
00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:29,930
The President heard from
Ambassador Eikenberry in getting

404
00:18:29,934 --> 00:18:32,064
an update on governance.

405
00:18:32,066 --> 00:18:35,096
We spent more than -- probably
about 20 or 25 minutes hearing

406
00:18:35,100 --> 00:18:40,370
from General McChrystal about
the shaping that is going on

407
00:18:40,367 --> 00:18:43,567
right now as it
relates to Kandahar.

408
00:18:43,567 --> 00:18:47,467
So just suffice to say it was a
comprehensive meeting on a whole

409
00:18:47,467 --> 00:18:48,937
host of those issues.

410
00:18:48,934 --> 00:18:51,364
The Press:
And then one of the big
holes in this case right now

411
00:18:51,367 --> 00:18:54,867
is still the idea, was Shahzad
a lone wolf in this or was he

412
00:18:54,867 --> 00:18:56,137
connected to a foreign plot?

413
00:18:56,133 --> 00:18:58,603
And the last real statement we
had from the administration was

414
00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:01,330
Secretary Napolitano over the
weekend saying that we thought

415
00:19:01,333 --> 00:19:02,233
he was a one-off.

416
00:19:02,233 --> 00:19:03,363
Is that still the
administration's position?

417
00:19:03,367 --> 00:19:05,197
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think the administration's position

418
00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:10,500
on the investigation is it a --
this is a rapidly developing

419
00:19:10,500 --> 00:19:16,830
ongoing investigation, and if
there are developments that need 

420
00:19:16,834 --> 00:19:18,834
to be made public they'll
likely be done so through the

421
00:19:18,834 --> 00:19:19,764
Department of Justice.

422
00:19:19,767 --> 00:19:21,537
The Press:
But have you moved away from
the idea of him being a one-off?

423
00:19:21,533 --> 00:19:24,803
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm not going to get into
parsing where we are on --

424
00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:27,370
and the Department of Justice
is on an active investigation.

425
00:19:27,367 --> 00:19:28,167
Yes, sir.

426
00:19:28,166 --> 00:19:30,866
The Press:
Robert, is the administration
pleased or satisfied with

427
00:19:30,867 --> 00:19:35,067
Pakistan's cooperation on
this investigation so far?

428
00:19:35,066 --> 00:19:37,036
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

429
00:19:37,033 --> 00:19:39,733
The Press:
Second question. The
President said --

430
00:19:39,734 --> 00:19:43,104
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me just -- can we just
-- let me make sure -- I

431
00:19:43,100 --> 00:19:46,130
want to -- one of the things I
think if you look back over the

432
00:19:46,133 --> 00:19:52,303
course of 15 or 16 months
of our administration,

433
00:19:52,300 --> 00:19:56,670
we have dramatically increased
our partnership with Pakistan --

434
00:19:56,667 --> 00:20:03,737
intense security cooperation,
supporting Pakistan's largest

435
00:20:03,734 --> 00:20:07,134
offensive against terrorism
within borders -- within its

436
00:20:07,133 --> 00:20:13,063
borders in years, an offensive
that was -- is focused not just

437
00:20:13,066 --> 00:20:17,736
on al Qaeda, but on the
Pakistani Taliban as well.

438
00:20:17,734 --> 00:20:20,304
The Press:
Switching topics, the
President said a couple weeks

439
00:20:20,300 --> 00:20:23,100
ago to business leaders that
once financial regulation was

440
00:20:23,100 --> 00:20:26,930
passed, that the administration
would be shifting to climate change.

441
00:20:26,934 --> 00:20:29,564
Then the Arizona law and
immigration came up.

442
00:20:29,567 --> 00:20:32,937
Last night he spoke about
immigration at the Cinco de Mayo

443
00:20:32,934 --> 00:20:36,664
party and said he wanted to
begin work on immigration this year.

444
00:20:36,667 --> 00:20:40,997
Is the next big push after fin reg
still going to be climate change?

445
00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:42,970
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, I think there
are a whole host of things

446
00:20:42,967 --> 00:20:44,667
that the administration
will work on.

447
00:20:44,667 --> 00:20:46,897
I think we're going to continue
to make progress on creating an

448
00:20:46,900 --> 00:20:49,930
environment for job
creation, right?

449
00:20:49,934 --> 00:20:53,104
We've -- I think the House is
likely to take up the home

450
00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:56,300
retrofitting, the Home
Star legislation today,

451
00:20:56,300 --> 00:20:58,970
and we believe we'll pass that.

452
00:20:58,967 --> 00:21:01,237
So there are a whole host of
those issues -- the small

453
00:21:01,233 --> 00:21:03,763
business lending initiative
also that has to be worked on.

454
00:21:03,767 --> 00:21:07,337
I don't doubt that the
Senate will soon move to,

455
00:21:07,333 --> 00:21:12,563
as has been discussed,
comprehensive energy legislation.

456
00:21:12,567 --> 00:21:16,137
I think what the President has
said over the past several weeks

457
00:21:16,133 --> 00:21:19,403
on immigration is, as
he said last night,

458
00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:21,730
we have to begin work on this.

459
00:21:21,734 --> 00:21:24,234
But as I said here yesterday
and as the President has said

460
00:21:24,233 --> 00:21:28,803
before, this is not going to
pass without Republican support.

461
00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:32,600
This is not going to pass
without the people that have

462
00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:35,970
been involved in this effort
in the years past pledging and

463
00:21:35,967 --> 00:21:38,237
showing their support right now.

464
00:21:38,233 --> 00:21:44,403
So while we begin this effort to
shape bipartisan comprehensive

465
00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:48,300
immigration reform legislation,
its passage is going to be

466
00:21:48,300 --> 00:21:53,770
dependent upon whether or not we
can find Republicans that are --

467
00:21:53,767 --> 00:21:57,167
that have shared this viewpoint
in the past are ready,

468
00:21:57,166 --> 00:22:00,236
willing and able to work on this
legislation in the present.

469
00:22:00,233 --> 00:22:02,533
The Press:
But is it right to draw any
connection between what you're

470
00:22:02,533 --> 00:22:05,703
saying and what the President
said about immigration and --

471
00:22:05,700 --> 00:22:07,100
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I hope it's
fairly analogous.

472
00:22:07,100 --> 00:22:08,070
(laughter)

473
00:22:08,066 --> 00:22:10,966
And so in that sense I would
draw a largely direct connection.

474
00:22:10,967 --> 00:22:14,537
The Press:
The end of my question
is, "and climate change?"

475
00:22:14,533 --> 00:22:18,133
Is that a signal that climate
change in fact will be a bigger

476
00:22:18,133 --> 00:22:20,563
priority -- because it's
clearly something --

477
00:22:20,567 --> 00:22:21,967
Mr. Gibbs:
I will say this --

478
00:22:21,967 --> 00:22:23,937
The Press:
-- that's derailed Lindsey
Graham's support for it.

479
00:22:23,934 --> 00:22:24,534
Is that --

480
00:22:24,533 --> 00:22:25,263
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I will say this.

481
00:22:25,266 --> 00:22:29,796
I think that while
each is a priority,

482
00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:33,200
I don't think I'm -- this is
an earth-shattering comment to

483
00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:38,030
believe that the energy
legislation is farther ahead of

484
00:22:38,033 --> 00:22:39,603
immigration legislation.

485
00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:44,230
I think that is -- that's simply
a look at where we are in the

486
00:22:44,233 --> 00:22:47,003
construction -- legislative
construction process.

487
00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:49,100
The Press:
But that sense, whether
it's true or not,

488
00:22:49,100 --> 00:22:53,770
of a priority is something that has
affected Lindsey Graham's support.

489
00:22:53,767 --> 00:22:55,797
So is that something that
you're addressing right now?

490
00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:58,530
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I would say this about
Senator Graham's support.

491
00:22:58,533 --> 00:23:01,303
We have worked with Senator
Graham I think pretty well in

492
00:23:01,300 --> 00:23:02,270
this administration.

493
00:23:02,266 --> 00:23:07,936
He's been here a number of times
to discuss a whole host of issues.

494
00:23:07,934 --> 00:23:11,864
All we've done on Senator Graham
-- with Senator Graham on energy

495
00:23:11,867 --> 00:23:16,567
and immigration reform is each and
every thing he asked to do, right?

496
00:23:16,567 --> 00:23:18,297
He came to the Oval Office,
met with the President,

497
00:23:18,300 --> 00:23:21,630
and asked that the President,
with Senator Schumer,

498
00:23:21,633 --> 00:23:24,963
support an outline that they
were working for comprehensive

499
00:23:24,967 --> 00:23:27,737
immigration reform and asked
that we seek additional

500
00:23:27,734 --> 00:23:31,664
Republican support through
calling five senators.

501
00:23:31,667 --> 00:23:33,767
We did each of those things.

502
00:23:33,767 --> 00:23:37,767
I think we've done --
if I'm not mistaken,

503
00:23:37,767 --> 00:23:39,997
I think there was an energy
meeting and an immigration

504
00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:43,070
meeting -- one on a
Monday, one on a Tuesday.

505
00:23:43,066 --> 00:23:49,966
So I can't speak for where
Senator Graham is today.

506
00:23:49,967 --> 00:23:53,067
I can simply speak for what he
asked the President to do and

507
00:23:53,066 --> 00:23:57,766
what the President did to keep
his word and his commitment.

508
00:23:57,767 --> 00:24:02,367
I don't -- again, I think we've
made it -- I think there's a lot

509
00:24:02,367 --> 00:24:04,667
of progress that has been made
on energy legislation and I

510
00:24:04,667 --> 00:24:07,597
don't think anybody -- Democrat,
Republican, or independent,

511
00:24:07,600 --> 00:24:11,170
in Joe Lieberman's case --
want to see that work and that

512
00:24:11,166 --> 00:24:12,866
commitment walked away from.

513
00:24:12,867 --> 00:24:13,597
Jake.

514
00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:14,630
The Press:
Just a follow-up on that,

515
00:24:14,633 --> 00:24:17,703
the President has said that he
wants it to be a bipartisan bill

516
00:24:17,700 --> 00:24:18,970
-- immigration reform.

517
00:24:18,967 --> 00:24:20,067
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, let me just be clear.

518
00:24:20,066 --> 00:24:23,796
Again, in order to get through,
it's going to have to be.

519
00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:24,400
The Press:
Right.

520
00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:25,970
Mr. Gibbs:
There's -- that's
a math problem,

521
00:24:25,967 --> 00:24:28,167
not a perception problem.

522
00:24:28,166 --> 00:24:30,366
The Press:
Democrats have been shopping
around an immigration

523
00:24:30,367 --> 00:24:33,937
reform proposal in the absence
of Lindsey Graham being partners

524
00:24:33,934 --> 00:24:35,334
with Schumer on this.

525
00:24:35,333 --> 00:24:38,203
They haven't been able to find a
Republican yet the last time I

526
00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:40,070
checked to join them.

527
00:24:40,066 --> 00:24:41,096
Mr. Gibbs:
Therein lies the problem.

528
00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:44,830
The Press:
How important is it to
the President that the bill

529
00:24:44,834 --> 00:24:48,534
itself be one that can attract
Republicans even if there are no

530
00:24:48,533 --> 00:24:49,933
Republican sponsors?

531
00:24:49,934 --> 00:24:53,734
Mr. Gibbs:
Again, it --

532
00:24:53,734 --> 00:24:54,464
The Press:
Do you see what I'm driving at?

533
00:24:54,467 --> 00:24:57,867
I mean, because there are some
Republicans who say that the

534
00:24:57,867 --> 00:24:59,597
Democratic leadership in the
Senate is just looking to use

535
00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:03,330
this as an issue to gin
up and galvanize Democratic

536
00:25:03,333 --> 00:25:04,363
voters for the fall.

537
00:25:04,367 --> 00:25:05,497
I'm not saying that that's what
the President is trying to do.

538
00:25:05,500 --> 00:25:06,370
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, that's -- I mean,

539
00:25:06,367 --> 00:25:08,837
I think the President's
involvement on this issue

540
00:25:08,834 --> 00:25:10,534
has been consistent
throughout the years.

541
00:25:10,533 --> 00:25:15,203
I would say -- whether or not
you could get people to vote for

542
00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:18,130
something but not
be a direct sponsor,

543
00:25:18,133 --> 00:25:20,603
I don't -- that
might be a tougher --

544
00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:22,330
The Press:
Well, how do you make
that equation though?

545
00:25:22,333 --> 00:25:25,163
I mean, do you look at the 2007
legislation as a template?

546
00:25:25,166 --> 00:25:25,936
Do you --

547
00:25:25,934 --> 00:25:28,404
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, I think there are
certainly aspects of the

548
00:25:28,400 --> 00:25:30,570
legislation that was done
throughout the period of

549
00:25:30,567 --> 00:25:32,837
'05 through '07.

550
00:25:32,834 --> 00:25:36,834
I'd have to look specifically
at -- I've not evaluated

551
00:25:36,834 --> 00:25:40,864
specifically what is in one and
isn't in the other sort of thing.

552
00:25:40,867 --> 00:25:43,367
But, again, I would
simply reiterate, Jake,

553
00:25:43,367 --> 00:25:51,797
that it's not just a luxury in
needing Republican support and

554
00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:54,100
sponsors -- it's a necessity.

555
00:25:54,100 --> 00:25:58,200
And unless or until
we get to that point,

556
00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:02,730
it's going to be hard to enact
overall comprehensive reform.

557
00:26:02,734 --> 00:26:04,234
The Press:
Just to follow up on
a couple other things,

558
00:26:04,233 --> 00:26:07,903
Neal Wolin talked about Fannie
and Freddie reform being

559
00:26:07,900 --> 00:26:09,800
something that the
President wants to do.

560
00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:10,830
Is there a timeline for that?

561
00:26:10,834 --> 00:26:12,334
Is there any pressing need?

562
00:26:12,333 --> 00:26:15,003
Obviously there was some news
from Freddie yesterday that

563
00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:18,100
couldn't have been
heartening to the President.

564
00:26:18,100 --> 00:26:22,730
Mr. Gibbs:
But I think something we
-- that was largely believed

565
00:26:22,734 --> 00:26:23,634
to be expected.

566
00:26:23,633 --> 00:26:28,303
I wouldn't add much, since he's
the Deputy Secretary of the

567
00:26:28,300 --> 00:26:33,170
Treasury, to what Neal said and
what Secretary Geithner have

568
00:26:33,166 --> 00:26:35,266
over the past few
months outlined.

569
00:26:35,266 --> 00:26:40,536
The President reiterated to the
economic team on either Monday

570
00:26:40,533 --> 00:26:44,333
or Tuesday -- I forget exactly
which day we were in the Oval --

571
00:26:44,333 --> 00:26:50,563
that this was something that had
to be pursued as part of the

572
00:26:50,567 --> 00:26:56,267
full panoply of financial
reform, even as we ensure,

573
00:26:56,266 --> 00:26:58,696
as Neal said, stability
in the housing market.

574
00:26:58,700 --> 00:27:02,200
The Press:
And lastly, Senators
Lieberman and Scott Brown,

575
00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:04,900
as well as Congressmen
Altmire and Dent,

576
00:27:04,900 --> 00:27:09,270
introduced a law today that
would allow the State Department

577
00:27:09,266 --> 00:27:13,066
to designate anyone who the
State Department believes is

578
00:27:13,066 --> 00:27:15,636
providing material support or
resources to a foreign terrorist

579
00:27:15,633 --> 00:27:18,863
organization, to strip that
person of their citizenship if

580
00:27:18,867 --> 00:27:20,597
they are a U.S. citizen.

581
00:27:20,600 --> 00:27:22,430
Does the administration have
a position on this bill?

582
00:27:22,433 --> 00:27:24,163
Mr. Gibbs:
I have not heard
anybody inside the

583
00:27:24,166 --> 00:27:27,436
administration that's been
supportive of that idea.

584
00:27:27,433 --> 00:27:28,863
The Press:
Does that mean the
administration opposes it?

585
00:27:28,867 --> 00:27:32,567
Mr. Gibbs:
I have not heard anybody
that supports it at all.

586
00:27:32,567 --> 00:27:33,837
The Press:
Do you want the press release?

587
00:27:33,834 --> 00:27:36,064
Mr. Gibbs:
No, I got Google, too.

588
00:27:36,066 --> 00:27:36,796
The Press:
Okay.

589
00:27:36,800 --> 00:27:37,770
Mr. Gibbs:
Go ahead.

590
00:27:37,767 --> 00:27:39,997
The Press:
After the last
Afghan -- AfPak meeting,

591
00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:43,970
there was a sense from the White
House of optimism that a lot of

592
00:27:43,967 --> 00:27:45,497
progress was being
made on the ground.

593
00:27:45,500 --> 00:27:49,130
What was the tone today in terms
of what's going on in Afghanistan?

594
00:27:49,133 --> 00:27:54,363
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, I think
the phrase that General

595
00:27:54,367 --> 00:28:01,337
McChrystal specifically used was that
progress has been slow but steady.

596
00:28:01,333 --> 00:28:09,203
I anticipate that that is likely
what we'll see for the remainder

597
00:28:09,200 --> 00:28:10,300
of the year.

598
00:28:10,300 --> 00:28:15,200
A couple of -- as we do
in all of these meetings,

599
00:28:15,200 --> 00:28:22,570
they went through where we are
in building an Afghan national

600
00:28:22,567 --> 00:28:26,337
security force, both -- which is
comprised of an Afghan national

601
00:28:26,333 --> 00:28:32,003
army and an Afghan national
police -- both of which were

602
00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:36,330
ever so slightly
ahead of the goals,

603
00:28:36,333 --> 00:28:41,663
and that the force flow of our
additional troops moving into

604
00:28:41,667 --> 00:28:47,967
Afghanistan was on pace, which
is obviously something that has

605
00:28:47,967 --> 00:28:50,337
been of great concern
to the President.

606
00:28:50,333 --> 00:28:53,833
The Press:
And in terms of -- in
the wake of the attempted

607
00:28:53,834 --> 00:28:57,264
bombing at Times Square, has
intelligence picked up any

608
00:28:57,266 --> 00:29:01,996
additional increased activity
from various terrorist groups?

609
00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:03,600
Are they seeing anything more?

610
00:29:03,600 --> 00:29:06,470
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm not going get into
what intelligence officials

611
00:29:06,467 --> 00:29:07,767
are picking up.

612
00:29:07,767 --> 00:29:10,467
The Press:
British elections -- will
the White House be paying

613
00:29:10,467 --> 00:29:11,797
close attention to that tonight?

614
00:29:11,800 --> 00:29:13,930
And any thought given to how
that could impact the special

615
00:29:13,934 --> 00:29:16,004
relationship that --

616
00:29:16,000 --> 00:29:19,400
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't think the outcome
will impact any measure

617
00:29:19,400 --> 00:29:22,670
of the special relationship.

618
00:29:22,667 --> 00:29:24,067
Is that just in my head
or do you all hear that?

619
00:29:24,066 --> 00:29:25,096
The Press:
It's just in your head.

620
00:29:25,100 --> 00:29:26,630
(laughter)

621
00:29:26,633 --> 00:29:27,963
Mr. Gibbs:
Happens to me all the time, Chip.

622
00:29:27,967 --> 00:29:29,337
The Press:
Instructions from outer space.

623
00:29:29,333 --> 00:29:31,403
Mr. Gibbs:
Right when I just can't quite
get the station locked in.

624
00:29:31,400 --> 00:29:33,700
(laughter)

625
00:29:33,700 --> 00:29:38,530
I don't think that will impact
at all that special relationship.

626
00:29:38,533 --> 00:29:44,433
I think we will certainly be
watching what happens and I

627
00:29:44,433 --> 00:29:49,633
anticipate that the President
will at an appropriate time

628
00:29:49,633 --> 00:29:54,003
reach out to --

629
00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:54,800
The Press:
The winner.

630
00:29:54,800 --> 00:29:55,900
(laughter)

631
00:29:55,900 --> 00:29:58,700
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, it's -- reach out
to the British government,

632
00:29:58,700 --> 00:29:59,700
how about that?

633
00:29:59,700 --> 00:30:03,500
Let's -- I think we're all sort
of watching the -- what might be

634
00:30:03,500 --> 00:30:05,730
an interesting result.

635
00:30:05,734 --> 00:30:07,504
The Press:
You said that General
McChrystal said progress

636
00:30:07,500 --> 00:30:08,900
is slow but steady.

637
00:30:08,900 --> 00:30:11,300
Is the President satisfied
with the pace of progress?

638
00:30:11,300 --> 00:30:12,530
Mr. Gibbs:
Thus far, yes.

639
00:30:12,533 --> 00:30:15,503
The Press:
He did not express any
frustration or impatience at

640
00:30:15,500 --> 00:30:18,600
how things are going?

641
00:30:18,600 --> 00:30:24,270
Mr. Gibbs:
I think that the President
was under no illusions

642
00:30:24,266 --> 00:30:28,536
that what we have been
involved in for many,

643
00:30:28,533 --> 00:30:32,463
many years in Afghanistan
is going to take some time.

644
00:30:32,467 --> 00:30:38,267
There are a whole host of issues
-- not just military -- but

645
00:30:38,266 --> 00:30:42,696
issues surrounding governance
that we're working through,

646
00:30:42,700 --> 00:30:45,670
so I think slow and steady is
largely to be what's expected.

647
00:30:45,667 --> 00:30:51,237
The Press:
Does he believe that they
are still on pace to keep

648
00:30:51,233 --> 00:30:54,133
-- to start bringing troops
out as he has scheduled?

649
00:30:54,133 --> 00:30:58,663
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes -- nothing that was
discussed that would change

650
00:30:58,667 --> 00:31:01,067
what the President
outlined in December.

651
00:31:01,066 --> 00:31:03,896
The Press:
There was a fairly alarming
piece by Ahmed Rashid

652
00:31:03,900 --> 00:31:06,100
-- I don't know if you saw it,
an op-ed piece in the Post a

653
00:31:06,100 --> 00:31:09,000
couple of days ago where he
said that North Waziristan now,

654
00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:13,200
of all the provinces
in western Pakistan,

655
00:31:13,200 --> 00:31:16,100
that's the one that's the least
touched by Pakistani forces and

656
00:31:16,100 --> 00:31:19,770
U.S. forces and that it is
now such a hotbed of terrorist

657
00:31:19,767 --> 00:31:22,567
activity and terrorist
training that it is worse

658
00:31:22,567 --> 00:31:26,197
than Afghanistan
was before 9/11.

659
00:31:26,200 --> 00:31:28,500
And Ahmed Rashid is a very
respected writer, author --

660
00:31:28,500 --> 00:31:29,170
Mr. Gibbs:
I think --

661
00:31:29,166 --> 00:31:31,396
The Press:
Was that discussed
in the meeting today?

662
00:31:31,400 --> 00:31:33,270
And is that something that
people in this administration

663
00:31:33,266 --> 00:31:33,836
agree with?

664
00:31:33,834 --> 00:31:34,734
Is it that bad?

665
00:31:34,734 --> 00:31:39,564
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, it was not -- the
specific region was not,

666
00:31:39,567 --> 00:31:44,337
as I recall, brought up
in great detail today.

667
00:31:44,333 --> 00:31:51,963
Suffice to say that many regions
in Pakistan have been the focus

668
00:31:51,967 --> 00:31:55,267
of our cooperative
work with Pakistan,

669
00:31:55,266 --> 00:31:58,536
the government of Pakistan
for the length of our

670
00:31:58,533 --> 00:32:02,103
administration, understanding
that we have a threat that

671
00:32:02,100 --> 00:32:06,670
continues from that
region of the world.

672
00:32:06,667 --> 00:32:07,867
The Press:
I know this is probably
pointless but I'll do

673
00:32:07,867 --> 00:32:09,067
it anyway -- Supreme Court.

674
00:32:09,066 --> 00:32:10,436
Mr. Gibbs:
Supreme Court -- all
right, I was waiting.

675
00:32:10,433 --> 00:32:11,703
How many questions
did that take?

676
00:32:11,700 --> 00:32:14,170
The Press:
Yes, well, anything?

677
00:32:14,166 --> 00:32:15,936
(laughter)

678
00:32:15,934 --> 00:32:19,734
Mr. Gibbs:
You go about 16 blocks and
you hang a right, and you --

679
00:32:19,734 --> 00:32:21,064
The Press:
You mean you can't
go in the front?

680
00:32:21,066 --> 00:32:23,396
Mr. Gibbs:
I know. I know.

681
00:32:23,400 --> 00:32:25,500
The Press:
Is tomorrow a possibility?

682
00:32:25,500 --> 00:32:27,270
Mr. Gibbs:
Every day is a possibility.

683
00:32:27,266 --> 00:32:28,896
The Press:
Today is a possibility?

684
00:32:28,900 --> 00:32:29,930
The Press:
We have to change
your frequency.

685
00:32:29,934 --> 00:32:31,034
(laughter)

686
00:32:31,033 --> 00:32:32,733
Mr. Gibbs:
I would say -- that was good.

687
00:32:32,734 --> 00:32:38,404
I would say less today given
the time that's elapsed.

688
00:32:38,400 --> 00:32:39,800
The Press:
The weekend?

689
00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:40,530
The Press:
Let's just say Monday.

690
00:32:40,533 --> 00:32:41,363
The Press:
The weekend?

691
00:32:41,367 --> 00:32:42,167
The Press:
You're not ruling it out?

692
00:32:42,166 --> 00:32:43,536
Mr. Gibbs:
Every day is a possibility.

693
00:32:43,533 --> 00:32:44,933
I hear the static coming back.

694
00:32:44,934 --> 00:32:47,304
The Press:
You won't rule out this week?

695
00:32:47,300 --> 00:32:51,300
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm not going to rule out -- I'm
not going to rule out anything.

696
00:32:51,300 --> 00:32:52,970
The Press:
It could be happening
right now, for all we know.

697
00:32:52,967 --> 00:32:54,237
Mr. Gibbs:
You didn't know?

698
00:32:54,233 --> 00:32:56,263
That would be quite the
diversion, wouldn't it?

699
00:32:56,266 --> 00:32:58,036
The Press:
Is Vice President Biden's
attendance mandatory at

700
00:32:58,033 --> 00:32:58,933
the announcement?

701
00:32:58,934 --> 00:33:02,834
Mr. Gibbs:
No.

702
00:33:02,834 --> 00:33:04,634
The Press:
Would the administration consider --

703
00:33:04,633 --> 00:33:06,903
Mr. Gibbs:
It would still be a big deal.

704
00:33:06,900 --> 00:33:09,270
(laughter)

705
00:33:09,266 --> 00:33:10,396
The Press:
What kind of deal?

706
00:33:10,400 --> 00:33:10,800
(laughter)

707
00:33:10,800 --> 00:33:11,730
The Press:
A very big deal.

708
00:33:11,734 --> 00:33:13,564
Mr. Gibbs:
How loud is the static?

709
00:33:13,567 --> 00:33:14,667
That's -- go ahead.

710
00:33:14,667 --> 00:33:16,797
The Press:
Why would be a big deal?

711
00:33:16,800 --> 00:33:19,400
Mr. Gibbs:
Nice try. Go ahead.

712
00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:20,400
The Press:
Would the administration consider

713
00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:25,500
reinstating what was at the time
an emergency provision to stop

714
00:33:25,500 --> 00:33:28,570
for secondary screening
people from 14 countries?

715
00:33:28,567 --> 00:33:32,737
I know that you sent a note in
the briefing that addressed why

716
00:33:32,734 --> 00:33:35,504
you think these new
measures are superior.

717
00:33:35,500 --> 00:33:37,870
Mr. Gibbs:
More comprehensive
and, quite frankly,

718
00:33:37,867 --> 00:33:44,837
superior given the best
information that we have from

719
00:33:44,834 --> 00:33:47,664
counterterrorism officials.

720
00:33:47,667 --> 00:33:52,297
As I talked about yesterday,
we've got a degraded command and

721
00:33:52,300 --> 00:33:56,100
control structure -- upper
command and control structure in

722
00:33:56,100 --> 00:34:07,270
al Qaeda that has moved them
to less sophisticated planning

723
00:34:07,266 --> 00:34:10,096
around different events.

724
00:34:10,100 --> 00:34:13,700
They don't -- they fit a whole
host of different profiles that

725
00:34:13,700 --> 00:34:19,930
geography alone may
not alert you to.

726
00:34:19,934 --> 00:34:26,934
So the development of what was
announced post the 14 specific

727
00:34:26,934 --> 00:34:32,504
countries takes into account
the evolving geographic nature

728
00:34:32,500 --> 00:34:33,770
of the threat.

729
00:34:33,767 --> 00:34:36,237
The Press:
In the case of Shahzad
are you confident that

730
00:34:36,233 --> 00:34:39,063
these new measures would have
stopped him for secondary screening?

731
00:34:39,066 --> 00:34:40,596
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

732
00:34:40,600 --> 00:34:44,230
The Press:
When is the administration going
to name a new TSA administrator?

733
00:34:44,233 --> 00:34:46,363
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't have anything on that.

734
00:34:46,367 --> 00:34:48,137
The Press:
Would you consider it a priority?

735
00:34:48,133 --> 00:34:52,033
We haven't had a permanent TSA
administrator since January of 2009.

736
00:34:52,033 --> 00:34:55,103
Mr. Gibbs:
Absolutely -- it is.

737
00:34:55,100 --> 00:35:03,000
And our improvements in airline
safety have -- and in screening

738
00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:08,830
are important to our overall
increase in domestic defense

739
00:35:08,834 --> 00:35:10,434
against a possible
terror attack.

740
00:35:10,433 --> 00:35:12,863
The Press:
Does it take on great
urgency given the events

741
00:35:12,867 --> 00:35:13,567
of the last week --

742
00:35:13,567 --> 00:35:16,467
Mr. Gibbs:
Again, I think -- I
think every day it's an

743
00:35:16,467 --> 00:35:17,797
important position.

744
00:35:17,800 --> 00:35:18,770
Jonathan.

745
00:35:18,767 --> 00:35:20,697
The Press:
New job numbers
coming out tomorrow.

746
00:35:20,700 --> 00:35:22,630
I'm sure -- I expect
the President will have

747
00:35:22,633 --> 00:35:24,033
something to say about that.

748
00:35:24,033 --> 00:35:25,603
Going to Buffalo on Thursday.

749
00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:26,700
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

750
00:35:26,700 --> 00:35:29,030
The Press:
Do you feel like -- does
the President feel like his

751
00:35:29,033 --> 00:35:33,703
message on jobs and on economic
focus is getting through,

752
00:35:33,700 --> 00:35:37,200
or that it's just being swamped
by oil spills and terrorism and

753
00:35:37,200 --> 00:35:38,770
everything else that
keeps cropping up?

754
00:35:38,767 --> 00:35:43,767
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, we did a little
of this yesterday.

755
00:35:43,767 --> 00:35:48,037
First and foremost, I think the
American people -- as you heard

756
00:35:48,033 --> 00:35:56,163
Neal say -- most of the American
people's intersection with this

757
00:35:56,166 --> 00:36:01,896
financial crisis has been
through aspects that would be

758
00:36:01,900 --> 00:36:07,630
better regulated with a consumer
-- something that looks after

759
00:36:07,633 --> 00:36:13,433
the consumer -- the protection
of consumers financially.

760
00:36:13,433 --> 00:36:18,663
So I don't think that -- I think
what's going on on the floor now

761
00:36:18,667 --> 00:36:23,597
is very emblematic of
an economic agenda.

762
00:36:23,600 --> 00:36:27,270
I don't think those are -- I
don't think that's different

763
00:36:27,266 --> 00:36:28,266
than something else.

764
00:36:28,266 --> 00:36:32,066
As I said earlier, the House is
likely to take up and pass an

765
00:36:32,066 --> 00:36:35,396
aspect of the President's
proposal even as both houses

766
00:36:35,400 --> 00:36:38,170
work on a small
business lending issue.

767
00:36:38,166 --> 00:36:41,936
As you mentioned, we're getting
new jobs numbers tomorrow,

768
00:36:41,934 --> 00:36:46,804
and we'll be able to evaluate
where we are on the road to

769
00:36:46,800 --> 00:36:49,370
further economic recovery.

770
00:36:49,367 --> 00:36:57,567
At the same time, Jonathan, you
can't -- the President has to be

771
00:36:57,567 --> 00:37:00,297
able to walk, chew gum,
juggle and ride a unicycle

772
00:37:00,300 --> 00:37:01,800
all at the same time.

773
00:37:01,800 --> 00:37:05,630
You don't have the luxury of
just doing -- or focusing on one

774
00:37:05,633 --> 00:37:10,003
thing, and that's what the
President has had to do,

775
00:37:10,000 --> 00:37:13,070
quite frankly, throughout the
whole of his administration.

776
00:37:13,066 --> 00:37:14,636
The Press:
Robert, can I just follow up?

777
00:37:14,633 --> 00:37:16,563
Apparently the Dow
is dropping 1,000;

778
00:37:16,567 --> 00:37:18,997
the European markets
have stopped lending.

779
00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:20,870
Do you have any response?

780
00:37:20,867 --> 00:37:22,397
Mr. Gibbs:
I -- first I've --

781
00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:23,370
The Press:
It's news to you?

782
00:37:23,367 --> 00:37:26,537
Mr. Gibbs:
First I've -- I don't -- my
producer did not hand me a --

783
00:37:26,533 --> 00:37:28,203
The Press:
Well, mine did, and --

784
00:37:28,200 --> 00:37:29,970
Mr. Gibbs:
I will -- no, I
understand, I will --

785
00:37:29,967 --> 00:37:32,467
The Press:
Can you talk more generally
about the crisis in Greece?

786
00:37:32,467 --> 00:37:34,997
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

787
00:37:35,000 --> 00:37:42,770
All I want to say is obviously
the President has heard

788
00:37:42,767 --> 00:37:47,197
regularly from his economic
team -- from Secretary Geithner,

789
00:37:47,200 --> 00:37:51,730
from Director Summers; been
in frequent communications,

790
00:37:51,734 --> 00:37:54,834
as they have been, with
European counterparts.

791
00:37:54,834 --> 00:37:58,264
The Treasury is monitoring
the situation closely.

792
00:37:58,266 --> 00:38:04,496
The reforms that are needed
to be enacted in Greece are

793
00:38:04,500 --> 00:38:06,430
important and will
take some time.

794
00:38:06,433 --> 00:38:08,763
And we will continue
to monitor that.

795
00:38:08,767 --> 00:38:12,897
I will see if there's anything
specific as it relates to that

796
00:38:12,900 --> 00:38:14,370
when I get back.

797
00:38:14,367 --> 00:38:15,267
The Press:
On that?

798
00:38:15,266 --> 00:38:15,936
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, sir.

799
00:38:15,934 --> 00:38:17,964
The Press:
If I could, the leaders
of the House Republican

800
00:38:17,967 --> 00:38:20,667
Conference have objected to U.S.

801
00:38:20,667 --> 00:38:24,567
participation in the
IMF loan for Greece.

802
00:38:24,567 --> 00:38:26,497
I presume the
President supports it.

803
00:38:26,500 --> 00:38:27,770
Tell me why he
feels it's needed.

804
00:38:27,767 --> 00:38:31,097
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, let me get something
more specific on that for you.

805
00:38:31,100 --> 00:38:35,970
I don't -- I have not seen
the House conferences --

806
00:38:35,967 --> 00:38:38,197
The Press:
They sent a letter
to Geithner basically

807
00:38:38,200 --> 00:38:41,470
characterizing it as a
taxpayer bailout of Greece,

808
00:38:41,467 --> 00:38:44,737
though the U.S., of course,
doesn't provide all the funds

809
00:38:44,734 --> 00:38:46,034
for the IMF loan.

810
00:38:46,033 --> 00:38:48,963
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me find something else
out for you guys on that.

811
00:38:48,967 --> 00:38:49,537
The Press:
Robert?

812
00:38:49,533 --> 00:38:49,733
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, sir.

813
00:38:49,734 --> 00:38:53,304
The Press:
Can we now say that the
President's interviews with

814
00:38:53,300 --> 00:38:56,070
candidates for the
High Court are over?

815
00:38:56,066 --> 00:38:57,736
Mr. Gibbs:
I've not been told that, no.

816
00:38:57,734 --> 00:38:58,104
The Press:
You haven't?

817
00:38:58,100 --> 00:38:59,130
Mr. Gibbs:
No.

818
00:38:59,133 --> 00:39:00,063
The Press:
All right.

819
00:39:00,066 --> 00:39:03,696
On his remarks yesterday
in the Rose Garden,

820
00:39:03,700 --> 00:39:08,800
does he object as strongly to
the modified Arizona immigration

821
00:39:08,800 --> 00:39:10,700
law as he did to
the original one?

822
00:39:10,700 --> 00:39:15,230
It sounded yesterday like he was
talking about the original law

823
00:39:15,233 --> 00:39:18,903
and changes, modifications
have been made in it.

824
00:39:18,900 --> 00:39:21,770
Mr. Gibbs:
I can check with those
folks here and at Justice,

825
00:39:21,767 --> 00:39:26,837
but I know of no change in
our belief as originally

826
00:39:26,834 --> 00:39:27,804
stated by the President.

827
00:39:27,800 --> 00:39:30,670
The Press:
Well, my understanding
is under the modified law,

828
00:39:30,667 --> 00:39:33,937
police just can't go up
to somebody they suspect

829
00:39:33,934 --> 00:39:38,334
of being an illegal immigrant,
but they can only ask about it

830
00:39:38,333 --> 00:39:41,133
if they've stopped that
individual for a different --

831
00:39:41,133 --> 00:39:43,333
for a legal purpose.

832
00:39:43,333 --> 00:39:44,033
Mr. Gibbs:
I can check.

833
00:39:44,033 --> 00:39:46,703
The Press:
Sneaking a stoplight
or something like that?

834
00:39:46,700 --> 00:39:48,870
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know whether --
I don't know the degree to

835
00:39:48,867 --> 00:39:50,997
which that changes things, to
be 100 percent honest with you,

836
00:39:51,000 --> 00:39:51,670
but I'll check.

837
00:39:51,667 --> 00:39:52,337
The Press:
Okay.

838
00:39:52,333 --> 00:39:52,903
Mr. Gibbs:
Julianna.

839
00:39:52,900 --> 00:39:55,470
The Press:
Is the President having
separate briefings on the

840
00:39:55,467 --> 00:39:56,497
Greek debt crisis?

841
00:39:56,500 --> 00:39:59,430
Or is it part of the
daily economic briefing?

842
00:39:59,433 --> 00:40:01,863
Mr. Gibbs:
Generally has been -- I
will double-check on this,

843
00:40:01,867 --> 00:40:07,097
but generally the updates that
he has gotten have been a part

844
00:40:07,100 --> 00:40:09,570
of the economic daily briefing.

845
00:40:09,567 --> 00:40:16,737
Obviously there have been a
couple of calls -- one on Sunday

846
00:40:16,734 --> 00:40:22,234
to the Greeks, and one, I
believe it was the last week

847
00:40:22,233 --> 00:40:25,763
with Chancellor Merkel,
that obviously involved

848
00:40:25,767 --> 00:40:26,837
some separate meetings.

849
00:40:26,834 --> 00:40:28,604
The Press:
Did he talk directly
to Greek leaders?

850
00:40:28,600 --> 00:40:30,030
The Press:
Wait, what was the Sunday call?

851
00:40:30,033 --> 00:40:32,503
Mr. Gibbs:
That -- yes, I believe
there was a -- I'll send

852
00:40:32,500 --> 00:40:34,000
you the readout.

853
00:40:34,000 --> 00:40:36,770
The Press:
Do you know if he was updated
this morning in his daily --

854
00:40:36,767 --> 00:40:39,567
Mr. Gibbs:
You know, I didn't go to
the 10:00 a.m. meeting,

855
00:40:39,567 --> 00:40:42,267
but I will -- I presume
that it came up.

856
00:40:42,266 --> 00:40:44,536
It had come up in
earlier staff meetings.

857
00:40:44,533 --> 00:40:46,703
The Press:
And then also just more
broadly when it comes to

858
00:40:46,700 --> 00:40:51,230
regulatory reform, the President
publicly and advisors even in

859
00:40:51,233 --> 00:40:56,133
private meetings have told the
big banks to call off their

860
00:40:56,133 --> 00:40:59,503
lobbyists, wanting them to
stop watering down provisions

861
00:40:59,500 --> 00:41:01,000
of the legislation.

862
00:41:01,000 --> 00:41:04,530
Is there any sense that that
message has gotten through at all?

863
00:41:04,533 --> 00:41:07,633
Or do you see the big banks
cooperating any more?

864
00:41:07,633 --> 00:41:10,233
Mr. Gibbs:
I think there have been
some banks that have stated

865
00:41:10,233 --> 00:41:12,103
their support for
financial reform.

866
00:41:12,100 --> 00:41:15,970
There are others that continue
to -- through both their

867
00:41:15,967 --> 00:41:20,467
personal actions and the actions
of their exceedingly large group

868
00:41:20,467 --> 00:41:23,167
of well-paid lobbyists
that continue,

869
00:41:23,166 --> 00:41:25,836
as you heard Neal talk about,
continue to try to water down

870
00:41:25,834 --> 00:41:28,164
reform on behalf of
the American people.

871
00:41:28,166 --> 00:41:32,636
The President has been very
clear about the principles that

872
00:41:32,633 --> 00:41:37,303
he sees that are tremendously
important in ensuring strong

873
00:41:37,300 --> 00:41:40,470
rules of the road going forward
to make sure nothing happens

874
00:41:40,467 --> 00:41:41,837
like this again.

875
00:41:41,834 --> 00:41:44,804
The Press:
Would you like to say who those
other banks are that have been --

876
00:41:44,800 --> 00:41:48,170
Mr. Gibbs:
I think many of them
know who they are.

877
00:41:48,166 --> 00:41:48,896
Yes, sir.

878
00:41:48,900 --> 00:41:50,330
The Press:
Does the President agree
with Chancellor Merkel

879
00:41:50,333 --> 00:41:54,433
that dealing with the -- the
future of Europe really is at

880
00:41:54,433 --> 00:41:57,803
stake in dealing with
the Greek crisis that --

881
00:41:57,800 --> 00:42:00,830
Mr. Gibbs:
I have not heard the President
talk about that specifically.

882
00:42:00,834 --> 00:42:05,434
As I said here earlier, several
weeks ago in the beginning of

883
00:42:05,433 --> 00:42:16,003
this, this was an important thing
for the Europeans to work through.

884
00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:16,830
Yes, sir.

885
00:42:16,834 --> 00:42:17,834
The Press:
Just a little further on this.

886
00:42:17,834 --> 00:42:21,064
Vice President Biden spoke to
the European parliament this

887
00:42:21,066 --> 00:42:24,096
morning but spent very little
time on the economic crisis.

888
00:42:24,100 --> 00:42:28,230
Why has the White House seemed
to be so reluctant to speak out

889
00:42:28,233 --> 00:42:30,603
more forcefully about what
Europe should be doing about

890
00:42:30,600 --> 00:42:33,370
Greece and with Portugal
and Spain and Ireland

891
00:42:33,367 --> 00:42:34,167
waiting in the wings?

892
00:42:34,166 --> 00:42:39,136
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, I would
point you to -- we've done

893
00:42:39,133 --> 00:42:45,533
everything that those in Europe
have sought Secretary Geithner

894
00:42:45,533 --> 00:42:49,363
and others, including the
President, to do on this.

895
00:42:49,367 --> 00:42:53,467
The Press:
Just another subject,
today's AfPak meeting,

896
00:42:53,467 --> 00:42:56,337
how much time was spent on
President Karzai's visit next

897
00:42:56,333 --> 00:42:58,933
week and who weighed in on that?

898
00:42:58,934 --> 00:43:03,404
Mr. Gibbs:
We talked a little
bit about that.

899
00:43:03,400 --> 00:43:08,670
Let's see -- look, a whole host
of -- as many of you would

900
00:43:08,667 --> 00:43:15,267
expect, Secretary of State
Clinton, General Jones,

901
00:43:15,266 --> 00:43:22,036
General Lute, Ambassador
Eikenberry -- I'm trying to go

902
00:43:22,033 --> 00:43:27,433
through the room now --
Ambassador Holbrooke -- I would

903
00:43:27,433 --> 00:43:32,133
say those are some that talked
about the -- President Karzai's

904
00:43:32,133 --> 00:43:34,803
upcoming visit.

905
00:43:34,800 --> 00:43:36,570
The Press:
Robert, could you
address the administration's

906
00:43:36,567 --> 00:43:41,167
view of the extent to which the
United States is vulnerable to a

907
00:43:41,166 --> 00:43:46,836
debt contagion spinning out
from the European Union?

908
00:43:46,834 --> 00:43:49,064
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me get somebody from
Treasury who will have a

909
00:43:49,066 --> 00:43:51,666
more technical answer.

910
00:43:51,667 --> 00:43:55,837
The viewpoint that I have heard
in many of these meetings is

911
00:43:55,834 --> 00:44:02,804
that anything that we believe
has the ability to affect the

912
00:44:02,800 --> 00:44:08,500
global economic recovery is and
should be a concern to this country.

913
00:44:08,500 --> 00:44:11,370
That's why, as I
said a minute ago,

914
00:44:11,367 --> 00:44:18,937
the President and officials here
have done all that's been asked

915
00:44:18,934 --> 00:44:22,434
of them in responding.

916
00:44:22,433 --> 00:44:25,603
The Press:
And on the AfPak
meeting as well,

917
00:44:25,600 --> 00:44:29,400
was there any discussion at
all of Iraq and its efforts,

918
00:44:29,400 --> 00:44:31,900
ongoing efforts to put a
government together that would

919
00:44:31,900 --> 00:44:34,830
allow the United States
forces to draw down?

920
00:44:34,834 --> 00:44:41,434
Mr. Gibbs:
Not specifically this
morning in the meeting.

921
00:44:41,433 --> 00:44:44,963
Let me get back and see if
there's a -- if there was an

922
00:44:44,967 --> 00:44:49,097
Iraq meeting over
the past few days.

923
00:44:49,100 --> 00:44:49,900
The Press:
Robert, can I ask you,

924
00:44:49,900 --> 00:44:51,970
on the oil spill and the
economic impact of it,

925
00:44:51,967 --> 00:44:53,997
I realize it's not going to be
reflected in the jobs numbers

926
00:44:54,000 --> 00:44:58,570
tomorrow but is there a concern
that in the subsequent months

927
00:44:58,567 --> 00:45:01,067
that you're going to have a
quantifiable impact from the

928
00:45:01,066 --> 00:45:05,196
loss of business there?

929
00:45:05,200 --> 00:45:09,830
Mr. Gibbs:
The discussions
that I saw on Sunday,

930
00:45:09,834 --> 00:45:12,934
the briefing with Thad
Allen, with the President,

931
00:45:12,934 --> 00:45:16,864
at that point -- and again, I
caution that -- I understand

932
00:45:16,867 --> 00:45:22,367
it's Thursday and that was
Sunday -- was that they believed

933
00:45:22,367 --> 00:45:29,297
that they had a manageable
plan for how to deal with the

934
00:45:29,300 --> 00:45:34,600
potential impact on shipping
lanes in particular.

935
00:45:34,600 --> 00:45:38,030
Obviously I think you all
understand that the SBA

936
00:45:38,033 --> 00:45:41,263
administrator I think
today outlined -- well,

937
00:45:41,266 --> 00:45:45,296
I know today -- outlined a
program for providing assistance

938
00:45:45,300 --> 00:45:51,130
to those that -- largely
fishermen that as a result of

939
00:45:51,133 --> 00:45:54,163
the spill and the closures that
have been involved that have --

940
00:45:54,166 --> 00:45:57,196
that it will greatly impact
their business at an important

941
00:45:57,200 --> 00:46:00,500
time for their livelihood.

942
00:46:00,500 --> 00:46:06,500
I have not heard or seen a
larger report on, as you said,

943
00:46:06,500 --> 00:46:10,800
what that may mean weeks
and months down the road.

944
00:46:10,800 --> 00:46:11,370
Ann.

945
00:46:11,367 --> 00:46:13,467
The Press:
In the last few seconds
while you've been talking,

946
00:46:13,467 --> 00:46:18,297
the Dow really dipped down
below 10,000 for a second.

947
00:46:18,300 --> 00:46:21,870
Is the President -- is there
anything he can tell Americans

948
00:46:21,867 --> 00:46:28,397
to not worry that the overall
economy isn't going to be shaken

949
00:46:28,400 --> 00:46:30,070
by the situation in Greece or --

950
00:46:30,066 --> 00:46:33,266
Mr. Gibbs:
Again, let me -- give me
the -- let me go find out --

951
00:46:33,266 --> 00:46:37,166
you guys have -- I'm going to
start bringing my computer.

952
00:46:37,166 --> 00:46:38,236
The Press:
You've got -- right there.

953
00:46:38,233 --> 00:46:40,463
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no, no, these little things
just say "The White House"

954
00:46:40,467 --> 00:46:42,767
and you click on them
and they go to a blank

955
00:46:42,767 --> 00:46:44,467
screen and then it goes
back to "The White House."

956
00:46:44,467 --> 00:46:45,597
(laughter)

957
00:46:45,600 --> 00:46:47,870
This is -- no, this isn't --

958
00:46:47,867 --> 00:46:48,597
The Press:
How much did it cost?

959
00:46:48,600 --> 00:46:50,530
Mr. Gibbs:
-- this doesn't do a thing.

960
00:46:50,533 --> 00:46:52,063
The Press:
You need Bloomberg,
you need a Bloomberg --

961
00:46:52,066 --> 00:46:52,836
Mr. Gibbs:
Do what?

962
00:46:52,834 --> 00:46:53,634
The Press:
It's rather dramatic.

963
00:46:53,633 --> 00:46:55,063
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no, no, I'm
not doubting it is,

964
00:46:55,066 --> 00:46:58,596
you just have to understand that
I -- while they appear to be

965
00:46:58,600 --> 00:47:00,630
television screens,
they're largely unhelpful.

966
00:47:00,633 --> 00:47:01,703
The Press:
You think the President
will address this?

967
00:47:01,700 --> 00:47:03,530
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know,
let me go find out.

968
00:47:03,533 --> 00:47:04,733
The Press:
I just have two questions,

969
00:47:04,734 --> 00:47:08,304
one to follow up on Scott's
question about AfPak and Karzai coming.

970
00:47:08,300 --> 00:47:09,500
The last time the
President met with him,

971
00:47:09,500 --> 00:47:11,170
he kind of read
him the riot act.

972
00:47:11,166 --> 00:47:13,666
What's the -- going to be the
tone of this meeting or is it

973
00:47:13,667 --> 00:47:15,297
any different than last time?

974
00:47:15,300 --> 00:47:23,600
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, no, look, I think
that I would broadly

975
00:47:23,600 --> 00:47:27,370
define the role that each of
these two individuals is going

976
00:47:27,367 --> 00:47:34,137
to be play is we are -- we have
a partnership with Afghanistan.

977
00:47:34,133 --> 00:47:39,533
We have -- the President has
tripled our forces in that

978
00:47:39,533 --> 00:47:46,163
country to deal with al Qaeda
and its extremist allies.

979
00:47:46,166 --> 00:47:50,366
President Karzai in his
inaugural and then later at the

980
00:47:50,367 --> 00:47:55,037
London conference outlined
a series of reforms that he

981
00:47:55,033 --> 00:47:58,603
believe and that we
believe are necessary.

982
00:47:58,600 --> 00:48:05,900
We will laud him for the actions
that he takes that are positive

983
00:48:05,900 --> 00:48:09,370
steps in implementing the
reforms that he's outlined,

984
00:48:09,367 --> 00:48:14,537
and we will work with them to
ensure they make progress on

985
00:48:14,533 --> 00:48:17,003
those that are harder to do.

986
00:48:17,000 --> 00:48:19,100
The Press:
It doesn't sound like anything
has changed since the last --

987
00:48:19,100 --> 00:48:21,570
in your estimation since
the last time they met.

988
00:48:21,567 --> 00:48:24,267
Mr. Gibbs:
No, I don't -- I think
there have been very

989
00:48:24,266 --> 00:48:28,866
positive developments in
the elections commission,

990
00:48:28,867 --> 00:48:31,637
particularly in the one or two
days right after the visit,

991
00:48:31,633 --> 00:48:38,563
that demonstrate that reform
progress has and is being made.

992
00:48:38,567 --> 00:48:40,637
The Press:
Just on immigration,
you were saying before,

993
00:48:40,633 --> 00:48:42,833
and obviously it's true
as a practical matter,

994
00:48:42,834 --> 00:48:45,634
this thing can't go forward
without Republican support that

995
00:48:45,633 --> 00:48:47,103
you don't have right now.

996
00:48:47,100 --> 00:48:49,130
A lot of immigration
activists are asking,

997
00:48:49,133 --> 00:48:51,203
why not treat this
like financial reform?

998
00:48:51,200 --> 00:48:54,200
You guys went ahead -- you
went through two or three I

999
00:48:54,200 --> 00:48:55,270
think cloture votes.

1000
00:48:55,266 --> 00:48:57,636
I mean, in other words, it
didn't stop you when you didn't

1001
00:48:57,633 --> 00:48:59,363
have Republicans aboard
for financial reform.

1002
00:48:59,367 --> 00:49:00,467
You went ahead anyway.

1003
00:49:00,467 --> 00:49:02,237
Why isn't immigration
reform similar?

1004
00:49:02,233 --> 00:49:05,463
Mr. Gibbs:
Because there's not enough
support to move forward, Mara.

1005
00:49:05,467 --> 00:49:10,637
There's just -- I mean, go back
and look at the votes in 2006

1006
00:49:10,633 --> 00:49:17,503
and 2007, and go look at
who voted in what way,

1007
00:49:17,500 --> 00:49:21,730
and go ask those guys and gals
where they are on this bill.

1008
00:49:21,734 --> 00:49:25,204
I don't think you'll have to
make many calls to figure out

1009
00:49:25,200 --> 00:49:29,570
that the people on the
Republican side that supported

1010
00:49:29,567 --> 00:49:35,297
this proposal three or four
years ago -- if they're

1011
00:49:35,300 --> 00:49:39,870
supporting it,
it's muted support.

1012
00:49:39,867 --> 00:49:43,397
The Press:
When immigration supporters say
why isn't this like financial

1013
00:49:43,400 --> 00:49:46,830
reform, the answer is because
you actually like secret

1014
00:49:46,834 --> 00:49:49,364
Republican support for
financial reform and you

1015
00:49:49,367 --> 00:49:50,767
just had to go through the --

1016
00:49:50,767 --> 00:49:54,767
Mr. Gibbs:
I got to tell you I don't
understand -- I don't

1017
00:49:54,767 --> 00:49:56,067
really understand the analogy.

1018
00:49:56,066 --> 00:49:57,236
The Press:
Well, because you called
the Republicans' bluff on

1019
00:49:57,233 --> 00:49:59,033
that, you didn't wait to get
them onboard before you brought

1020
00:49:59,033 --> 00:49:59,963
it to the --

1021
00:49:59,967 --> 00:50:02,237
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, I just -- I
think that in order to get

1022
00:50:02,233 --> 00:50:06,763
something -- I think it has been
clear through four and five

1023
00:50:06,767 --> 00:50:10,167
years of votes, Mara, that
you're going to have a hefty

1024
00:50:10,166 --> 00:50:14,096
number of Republicans, because
we all know there are some that

1025
00:50:14,100 --> 00:50:17,230
aren't going to support
this on our side.

1026
00:50:17,233 --> 00:50:19,963
But the truth of this is there's
not the support that there was

1027
00:50:19,967 --> 00:50:22,667
in 2007 on the Republican side.

1028
00:50:22,667 --> 00:50:27,897
That's a math -- well, maybe
it's a political thing,

1029
00:50:27,900 --> 00:50:30,570
but it's definitely
a math thing.

1030
00:50:30,567 --> 00:50:33,497
The Press:
Robert, in his speech at
the University of Michigan,

1031
00:50:33,500 --> 00:50:36,230
the President talked about the
need to tone down the rhetoric,

1032
00:50:36,233 --> 00:50:39,763
something we've obviously heard
him mention several times before.

1033
00:50:39,767 --> 00:50:42,197
How do you square that with
his statement today on the

1034
00:50:42,200 --> 00:50:44,630
Republican alternative,
which, as Chip mentioned,

1035
00:50:44,633 --> 00:50:47,463
accused Republicans of having
lobbyists write their bill?

1036
00:50:47,467 --> 00:50:49,597
I mean, that's pretty harsh
rhetoric itself, isn't it?

1037
00:50:49,600 --> 00:50:53,230
Mr. Gibbs:
I would -- I'll send
you the clip from the

1038
00:50:53,233 --> 00:50:55,503
Republicans calling the
lobbyists up to Capitol Hill

1039
00:50:55,500 --> 00:50:59,430
in order to kill the
financial reform bill.

1040
00:50:59,433 --> 00:51:05,163
I don't -- if that was something
that was embarrassing,

1041
00:51:05,166 --> 00:51:08,436
I think that might have been
embarrassing on their part a

1042
00:51:08,433 --> 00:51:09,363
long time ago.

1043
00:51:09,367 --> 00:51:18,667
I don't think you'll have to do
much to find hefty examples of

1044
00:51:18,667 --> 00:51:22,567
many individuals either asking
for political contributions

1045
00:51:22,567 --> 00:51:25,337
based on the legislation that
the President and Senator Dodd

1046
00:51:25,333 --> 00:51:29,503
have proposed, or in calling
legions of lobbyists to offices

1047
00:51:29,500 --> 00:51:33,000
on Capitol Hill in order
to kill financial reform.

1048
00:51:33,000 --> 00:51:36,600
I think the votes are going to
line up with those that want to

1049
00:51:36,600 --> 00:51:39,370
see progress on behalf of
the people of this country,

1050
00:51:39,367 --> 00:51:45,337
and those who want to see reform
installed on behalf of Wall

1051
00:51:45,333 --> 00:51:47,133
Street and the big banks.

1052
00:51:47,133 --> 00:51:49,063
The Press:
On the Times Square
attack for a moment,

1053
00:51:49,066 --> 00:51:52,366
if there are suspects
identified in Pakistan,

1054
00:51:52,367 --> 00:51:57,837
would those people be brought
to New York and tried?

1055
00:51:57,834 --> 00:52:01,664
Mr. Gibbs:
I would need to get
some clarity on that.

1056
00:52:01,667 --> 00:52:06,137
I think -- I don't know the
individual circumstances that

1057
00:52:06,133 --> 00:52:07,503
might determine such a thing.

1058
00:52:07,500 --> 00:52:09,400
The Press:
And can you say at the
moment if there have been

1059
00:52:09,400 --> 00:52:13,470
any direct links tied between
people in Pakistan and this incident?

1060
00:52:13,467 --> 00:52:14,437
Mr. Gibbs:
Not anything I'm going to
get into at this point.

1061
00:52:14,433 --> 00:52:15,463
The Press:
And could I just ask
one other quick question?

1062
00:52:15,467 --> 00:52:16,667
Mr. Gibbs:
Sure.

1063
00:52:16,667 --> 00:52:18,897
The Press:
Is the President looking
at going to Israel any

1064
00:52:18,900 --> 00:52:21,970
time this year?

1065
00:52:21,967 --> 00:52:23,567
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't have the
foreign travel with me,

1066
00:52:23,567 --> 00:52:25,037
but I could certainly check.

1067
00:52:25,033 --> 00:52:25,563
Margaret.

1068
00:52:25,567 --> 00:52:26,167
The Press:
Thank you.

1069
00:52:26,166 --> 00:52:29,836
Back on the AfPak meeting, is
President Karzai's meeting

1070
00:52:29,834 --> 00:52:32,304
definitely going to
happen next week,

1071
00:52:32,300 --> 00:52:34,170
or is this still
remotely in doubt?

1072
00:52:34,166 --> 00:52:35,036
And did any of the --

1073
00:52:35,033 --> 00:52:35,863
Mr. Gibbs:
No, no, it's happening.

1074
00:52:35,867 --> 00:52:37,097
His visit is scheduled
for next week.

1075
00:52:37,100 --> 00:52:37,800
The Press:
Okay. And are any of the --

1076
00:52:37,800 --> 00:52:38,930
The Press:
What day?

1077
00:52:38,934 --> 00:52:41,934
Mr. Gibbs:
I think -- he's
here a host of days.

1078
00:52:41,934 --> 00:52:44,864
I think the President meets on
Wednesday, if I'm not mistaken.

1079
00:52:44,867 --> 00:52:45,497
The Press:
The 12th.

1080
00:52:45,500 --> 00:52:46,170
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

1081
00:52:46,166 --> 00:52:49,366
The Press:
So were any of the
advisors in today's meeting

1082
00:52:49,367 --> 00:52:51,737
advocating against that
meeting going forward?

1083
00:52:51,734 --> 00:52:52,334
Mr. Gibbs:
No.

1084
00:52:52,333 --> 00:52:54,533
The Press:
And finally, the last time
President Karzai was here

1085
00:52:54,533 --> 00:53:00,103
he came out with the President
but there was not an opportunity

1086
00:53:00,100 --> 00:53:01,230
to ask him questions.

1087
00:53:01,233 --> 00:53:04,563
Do you know whether they intend
to do joint questions and answers?

1088
00:53:04,567 --> 00:53:09,567
Mr. Gibbs:
It is on a list to talk
to folks about today,

1089
00:53:09,567 --> 00:53:10,637
but I don't have
an answer on it.

1090
00:53:10,633 --> 00:53:13,103
The Press:
Many of us might be interested
in asking him a question,

1091
00:53:13,100 --> 00:53:14,370
for what it's worth.

1092
00:53:14,367 --> 00:53:16,197
Mr. Gibbs:
For what it's
worth, I will check.

1093
00:53:16,200 --> 00:53:16,870
Yes.

1094
00:53:16,867 --> 00:53:18,937
The Press:
Thanks, Robert.

1095
00:53:18,934 --> 00:53:22,204
In Jonathan Alter's new book,
the President is quoted as using

1096
00:53:22,200 --> 00:53:26,230
a vulgar term to describe
the Tea Party movement.

1097
00:53:26,233 --> 00:53:29,103
Is the quote accurate,
and does the President --

1098
00:53:29,100 --> 00:53:32,270
Mr. Gibbs:
I have -- I barely have
enough time to read my

1099
00:53:32,266 --> 00:53:36,436
briefing books, and what I have
-- I have -- no offense to

1100
00:53:36,433 --> 00:53:38,563
Jonathan, but I have
not read his book.

1101
00:53:38,567 --> 00:53:39,237
April.

1102
00:53:39,233 --> 00:53:42,733
The Press:
But you'd only have to read
one word to answer his question.

1103
00:53:42,734 --> 00:53:43,604
(laughter)

1104
00:53:43,600 --> 00:53:47,430
Mr. Gibbs:
Chip, you go buy me Jonathan's
book so that he gets the royalty --

1105
00:53:47,433 --> 00:53:48,403
The Press:
Deal, deal.

1106
00:53:48,400 --> 00:53:49,700
Mr. Gibbs:
-- and I will be
glad to read the word.

1107
00:53:49,700 --> 00:53:50,170
April.

1108
00:53:50,166 --> 00:53:53,136
The Press:
So is the answer then
that you don't know?

1109
00:53:53,133 --> 00:53:54,833
Mr. Gibbs:
The answer is I
haven't read the book.

1110
00:53:54,834 --> 00:53:55,634
April.

1111
00:53:55,633 --> 00:53:58,663
The Press:
Robert, on one issue
-- on two issues,

1112
00:53:58,667 --> 00:54:02,967
one on the Gulf of
Mexico situation.

1113
00:54:02,967 --> 00:54:04,967
Has anyone in this White House
-- I'm going back to a question

1114
00:54:04,967 --> 00:54:08,637
that I originally asked you when
you had that briefing with all

1115
00:54:08,633 --> 00:54:11,733
the principals on it -- has
anyone in the administration

1116
00:54:11,734 --> 00:54:16,934
worked with any of the oil
companies in trying to work on

1117
00:54:16,934 --> 00:54:18,064
the prices that are
expected to rise?

1118
00:54:18,066 --> 00:54:21,096
Also, has anyone within the
administration talked to the

1119
00:54:21,100 --> 00:54:24,100
fisheries, talked to many of the
people who have produce or are

1120
00:54:24,100 --> 00:54:28,270
dealing with produce down there
and marine life that we eat on

1121
00:54:28,266 --> 00:54:28,966
the table?

1122
00:54:28,967 --> 00:54:30,637
I mean, has anyone
dealt with that,

1123
00:54:30,633 --> 00:54:34,633
tried to keep the price down
as this economy is still --

1124
00:54:34,633 --> 00:54:38,133
Mr. Gibbs:
I will check on -- this
was a little bit of where

1125
00:54:38,133 --> 00:54:42,403
Mark was heading, in a sense,
on sort of the comprehensive

1126
00:54:42,400 --> 00:54:46,900
environmental --
or economic impact.

1127
00:54:46,900 --> 00:54:49,070
I mean, obviously the President
met with local fishermen.

1128
00:54:49,066 --> 00:54:55,796
SBA is down there offering loans
-- low-interest loans to small

1129
00:54:55,800 --> 00:54:58,400
businesses that are
affected by the spill.

1130
00:54:58,400 --> 00:55:06,400
I will say that the way I
understood it and the way it was

1131
00:55:06,400 --> 00:55:12,600
described to me, this is a --
this is an exploratory well.

1132
00:55:12,600 --> 00:55:15,870
The BP Deepwater Horizon well
was an exploratory rather than a

1133
00:55:15,867 --> 00:55:22,537
production well, so the oil to
be extracted from this was not

1134
00:55:22,533 --> 00:55:28,233
planned on -- that was not
planned to go online immediately.

1135
00:55:28,233 --> 00:55:33,403
So I would say that it's not a
-- it's not as if a series or

1136
00:55:33,400 --> 00:55:39,530
amount of oil is being taken out
of the planned production of BP.

1137
00:55:39,533 --> 00:55:41,403
The Press:
But during that press
conference -- and you were the

1138
00:55:41,400 --> 00:55:44,770
one who said this -- that the
President was advised that there

1139
00:55:44,767 --> 00:55:47,797
would be oil that could possibly
be in the way of shipping.

1140
00:55:47,800 --> 00:55:49,300
It would stand in
the way of shipping.

1141
00:55:49,300 --> 00:55:50,630
Mr. Gibbs:
And I talked about
that with Mark.

1142
00:55:50,633 --> 00:55:55,003
The Sunday briefing that
we got from Admiral Allen,

1143
00:55:55,000 --> 00:55:59,030
which I think that you guys
probably saw the video,

1144
00:55:59,033 --> 00:56:02,333
there was a projection screen
with mapping that had,

1145
00:56:02,333 --> 00:56:06,963
at that point, where the
oil spill had spread to,

1146
00:56:06,967 --> 00:56:11,267
and went through a whole host of
-- there's many shipping lanes

1147
00:56:11,266 --> 00:56:15,596
in that area -- to get into
the port of New Orleans and

1148
00:56:15,600 --> 00:56:18,530
ultimately up the Mississippi.

1149
00:56:18,533 --> 00:56:24,233
I will check again on the
economics of shipping and seafood.

1150
00:56:24,233 --> 00:56:25,363
The Press:
And lastly, on
the issue of Haiti,

1151
00:56:25,367 --> 00:56:28,267
everyone is dealing with
emergent issues right now.

1152
00:56:28,266 --> 00:56:30,436
We haven't heard this White
House talk that much about Haiti.

1153
00:56:30,433 --> 00:56:34,003
We understand recently that the
President signed into law a debt

1154
00:56:34,000 --> 00:56:36,000
forgiveness for Haiti.

1155
00:56:36,000 --> 00:56:39,200
But is the President at all
thinking still about going to

1156
00:56:39,200 --> 00:56:43,030
Haiti, and is the President
getting any kind of still a

1157
00:56:43,033 --> 00:56:47,633
daily update on progress reports
in Haiti and also the fact that

1158
00:56:47,633 --> 00:56:49,663
military units
are leaving Haiti?

1159
00:56:49,667 --> 00:56:53,197
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know that the President
gets a daily update on that.

1160
00:56:53,200 --> 00:56:56,600
Obviously the First Lady
was there not too recently.

1161
00:56:56,600 --> 00:57:01,430
We have -- obviously the
footprint involved for the

1162
00:57:01,433 --> 00:57:04,403
President of the United
States to go, we believe,

1163
00:57:04,400 --> 00:57:10,100
would hinder the -- have always
believed that would hinder

1164
00:57:10,100 --> 00:57:12,670
efforts at relief and recovery.

1165
00:57:12,667 --> 00:57:15,467
So there are not to my
knowledge any plans to do so.

1166
00:57:15,467 --> 00:57:16,297
Tom.

1167
00:57:16,300 --> 00:57:16,970
The Press:
Thanks, Robert.

1168
00:57:16,967 --> 00:57:17,997
I have two quick questions.

1169
00:57:18,000 --> 00:57:20,370
But first, are you able to get
an answer on Fred's question

1170
00:57:20,367 --> 00:57:22,637
about the tea-bagger quote, if
the President is aware that

1171
00:57:22,633 --> 00:57:23,963
people are offended and --

1172
00:57:23,967 --> 00:57:25,897
Mr. Gibbs:
Again, I've not
seen the book.

1173
00:57:25,900 --> 00:57:28,370
I can't imagine I'm going
to ask the President that.

1174
00:57:28,367 --> 00:57:31,337
But I will entertain it.

1175
00:57:31,333 --> 00:57:34,163
The Press:
(inaudible)

1176
00:57:34,166 --> 00:57:35,696
Mr. Gibbs:
I will check.

1177
00:57:35,700 --> 00:57:37,270
The Press:
And my first question is,

1178
00:57:37,266 --> 00:57:39,296
there's been a lot of talk
lately about the lack of

1179
00:57:39,300 --> 00:57:44,470
presidential news conferences,
notwithstanding the nuclear summit.

1180
00:57:44,467 --> 00:57:45,537
Mr. Gibbs:
Notwithstanding the last one?

1181
00:57:45,533 --> 00:57:46,433
The Press:
Right.

1182
00:57:46,433 --> 00:57:49,163
Well, it's been suggested that
rather than having formal news

1183
00:57:49,166 --> 00:57:52,836
conferences, that the President
maybe pick a day at random

1184
00:57:52,834 --> 00:57:55,864
during the month to come down
here and brief us the way you do.

1185
00:57:55,867 --> 00:57:58,967
What would you think
about a plan like that?

1186
00:57:58,967 --> 00:58:00,797
(laughter)

1187
00:58:00,800 --> 00:58:03,500
Mr. Gibbs:
There are about 10,000 answers
beaming through my head,

1188
00:58:03,500 --> 00:58:07,600
none of which I think would
be -- I will -- again,

1189
00:58:07,600 --> 00:58:11,000
I appreciate the notion that,
except for the last time that

1190
00:58:11,000 --> 00:58:17,170
the President did that -- I
think the President -- I think

1191
00:58:17,166 --> 00:58:21,696
the President has got a pretty
remarkably busy schedule that

1192
00:58:21,700 --> 00:58:22,800
he's working through right now.

1193
00:58:22,800 --> 00:58:23,600
You had one more?

1194
00:58:23,600 --> 00:58:24,800
The Press:
Yes, one more.

1195
00:58:24,800 --> 00:58:30,500
The Neil Cavuto thing --
notwithstanding, again,

1196
00:58:30,500 --> 00:58:32,470
the fact that what Michael Brown
said was only slightly less

1197
00:58:32,467 --> 00:58:34,067
crazy than what
you said he said --

1198
00:58:34,066 --> 00:58:36,736
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, I will say this
-- can I say this to Neil?

1199
00:58:36,734 --> 00:58:41,764
I was -- I apparently
had the wrong FOX show.

1200
00:58:41,767 --> 00:58:45,167
There were two references
on "FOX & Friends" to the

1201
00:58:45,166 --> 00:58:46,836
deliberate nature of
the spill being set.

1202
00:58:46,834 --> 00:58:47,804
Sometimes --

1203
00:58:47,800 --> 00:58:48,970
The Press:
That wasn't Brown,
it was somebody else?

1204
00:58:48,967 --> 00:58:49,667
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

1205
00:58:49,667 --> 00:58:53,037
Sometimes I get it all mixed up.

1206
00:58:53,033 --> 00:58:53,803
The Press:
Thanks, Robert.

1207
00:58:53,800 --> 00:58:54,670
Mr. Gibbs:
Thanks, guys.

1208
00:58:54,667 --> 00:58:56,597
Sam, I'll go with you --
you've had your hand up.

1209
00:58:56,600 --> 00:58:57,700
The Press:
Thank you.

1210
00:58:57,700 --> 00:58:58,930
It's a 10-part question.

1211
00:58:58,934 --> 00:59:01,304
(laughter)

1212
00:59:01,300 --> 00:59:01,930
Two questions.

1213
00:59:01,934 --> 00:59:04,034
One is, you talked to Jake about
-- that you hadn't heard anyone

1214
00:59:04,033 --> 00:59:06,763
inside the administration
that's supportive of Senator

1215
00:59:06,767 --> 00:59:09,067
Lieberman's proposal
to strip citizenship.

1216
00:59:09,066 --> 00:59:10,096
Why aren't they supportive?

1217
00:59:10,100 --> 00:59:11,330
Can you get into
this a little bit?

1218
00:59:11,333 --> 00:59:14,063
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't think that --
I have not heard large

1219
00:59:14,066 --> 00:59:20,996
enumerations on why, except that
I don't think anybody would find

1220
00:59:21,000 --> 00:59:23,730
that to be such
an effective way.

1221
00:59:23,734 --> 00:59:26,864
I will try to get a better
explanation as to why no one

1222
00:59:26,867 --> 00:59:28,097
supports it.

1223
00:59:28,100 --> 00:59:32,570
Like I said, I've noticed
Democrats and Republicans alike

1224
00:59:32,567 --> 00:59:36,267
express concern about
the legislation.

1225
00:59:36,266 --> 00:59:37,136
The Press:
And then the second one is,

1226
00:59:37,133 --> 00:59:39,833
Chuck Schumer has an interesting
proposal to the state of Arizona

1227
00:59:39,834 --> 00:59:43,834
to put their immigration law
on hold for a year so that a

1228
00:59:43,834 --> 00:59:45,704
federal law can be enacted.

1229
00:59:45,700 --> 00:59:47,430
What do you think of the idea?

1230
00:59:47,433 --> 00:59:48,903
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I will say this,

1231
00:59:48,900 --> 00:59:52,500
that I think you've
heard the President say,

1232
00:59:52,500 --> 00:59:56,300
and I have said
certainly in this room,

1233
00:59:56,300 --> 01:00:05,100
that without a
comprehensive federal law,

1234
01:00:05,100 --> 01:00:11,100
Arizona and 49 other states
could well enact a myriad of

1235
01:00:11,100 --> 01:00:15,000
different proposals for an issue
that can and should be dealt

1236
01:00:15,000 --> 01:00:17,170
with at the federal level.

1237
01:00:17,166 --> 01:00:20,696
That's why the President has
begun the work that he has and

1238
01:00:20,700 --> 01:00:25,070
hopes that we have Republican
support to address this in a

1239
01:00:25,066 --> 01:00:26,196
comprehensive way.

1240
01:00:26,200 --> 01:00:29,500
It's something that --
it is something that,

1241
01:00:29,500 --> 01:00:31,600
if we don't address this
at the federal level,

1242
01:00:31,600 --> 01:00:38,870
is simply going to create
a 50-state patchwork of

1243
01:00:38,867 --> 01:00:39,867
immigration laws.

1244
01:00:39,867 --> 01:00:41,267
The Press:
But he wasn't -- you
don't want to call for a

1245
01:00:41,266 --> 01:00:42,766
momentary delay in
implementation?

1246
01:00:42,767 --> 01:00:45,667
Mr. Gibbs:
I have -- I saw a story
on what Senator Schumer

1247
01:00:45,667 --> 01:00:48,397
had -- I think I saw
a copy of the letter.

1248
01:00:48,400 --> 01:00:51,970
I have not talked with
immigration officials on that yet.

1249
01:00:51,967 --> 01:00:52,567
Thanks, guys.

1250
01:00:52,567 --> 01:00:53,137
The Press:
Thank you.