English subtitles for clip: File:7-19-10- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,333 --> 00:00:06,803 Mr. Gibbs: Lester, is this for me? Is this signed? Your book is up here. 2 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:07,830 The Press: I didn't put it up there 3 00:00:07,834 --> 00:00:10,004 Mr. Gibbs: All right. I'm going to -- 4 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:11,000 The Press: It's not his book. 5 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:11,670 The Press: Thank you. 6 00:00:11,667 --> 00:00:12,397 The Press: Just read from it. 7 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:16,470 Mr. Gibbs: I'm sorry. Yes. It's your daughter's book about you. 8 00:00:16,467 --> 00:00:22,297 The Press: I didn't put it up there, but somebody else did. I did not. 9 00:00:22,300 --> 00:00:27,030 The Press: But you didn't discourage anybody from putting it up there. 10 00:00:27,033 --> 00:00:27,963 The Press: What do you want me to do? 11 00:00:27,967 --> 00:00:31,467 (laughter) 12 00:00:31,467 --> 00:00:34,097 The Press: You're in it -- as a matter of fact you're in it. 13 00:00:34,100 --> 00:00:35,200 Mr. Gibbs: I am or Chuck is? 14 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:36,700 The Press: No, no. You. 15 00:00:36,700 --> 00:00:38,330 Mr. Gibbs: Not Chuck. All right. 16 00:00:38,333 --> 00:00:40,633 The Press: It's all you, buddy. 17 00:00:40,633 --> 00:00:42,203 Mr. Gibbs: Take us away, Mr. Feller, please. 18 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:44,270 The Press: Thanks. Two topics. 19 00:00:44,266 --> 00:00:46,996 On unemployment, on the extension of the benefits, 20 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:50,570 it looks like the Democrats will certainly have the 60 votes they 21 00:00:50,567 --> 00:00:53,397 need tomorrow to get past filibuster and 22 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:54,930 move this into law. 23 00:00:54,934 --> 00:00:59,004 So with that being known, I'm trying to understand why the 24 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:00,700 President did what he did today. 25 00:01:00,700 --> 00:01:03,230 What's the point of calling out the Republicans if you know 26 00:01:03,233 --> 00:01:04,363 you're going to have the votes? 27 00:01:04,367 --> 00:01:07,097 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Ben, we're obviously hopeful that we have the votes. 28 00:01:07,100 --> 00:01:11,430 Obviously, with the appointment of a senator -- a new senator 29 00:01:11,433 --> 00:01:13,403 from West Virginia, that's certainly important. 30 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:15,130 We have the support of Senator Collins and 31 00:01:15,133 --> 00:01:17,733 Senator Snowe from Maine. 32 00:01:17,734 --> 00:01:21,504 But I don't think you would take -- we certainly don't take 33 00:01:21,500 --> 00:01:24,000 anything for granted given the fact that this will be the 34 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:29,630 fourth vote on extending unemployment benefits, 35 00:01:29,633 --> 00:01:35,463 when if you look, I think, at the past this has tended not to 36 00:01:35,467 --> 00:01:43,567 be a confrontational -- or controversial thing to do. 37 00:01:43,567 --> 00:01:48,297 We have hundreds of thousands of Americans each week that 38 00:01:48,300 --> 00:01:51,370 exhaust whatever stage of their unemployment 39 00:01:51,367 --> 00:01:53,367 benefits they're in. 40 00:01:53,367 --> 00:01:55,397 For many of them -- and you heard the President tell 41 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:58,170 some stories today -- these are people that are having 42 00:01:58,166 --> 00:02:00,896 to make decisions not just this month, but next month, 43 00:02:00,900 --> 00:02:02,970 on how to pay the bills and how to pay the mortgage. 44 00:02:02,967 --> 00:02:07,497 We don't take any of that for granted in trying to ensure 45 00:02:07,500 --> 00:02:14,030 that we have in place the type of emergency benefits 46 00:02:14,033 --> 00:02:15,233 that are necessary. 47 00:02:15,233 --> 00:02:19,233 The Press: But does giving a statement like this in the Rose Garden, 48 00:02:19,233 --> 00:02:22,463 is it intended in any way to actually try to win one 49 00:02:22,467 --> 00:02:23,937 of the lawmakers' support? 50 00:02:23,934 --> 00:02:27,434 Mr. Gibbs: Well, it's to ensure I think that people are clear where 51 00:02:27,433 --> 00:02:28,433 the President is. 52 00:02:28,433 --> 00:02:33,033 We did this -- look, the President in June talked 53 00:02:33,033 --> 00:02:34,333 about this in the radio address. 54 00:02:34,333 --> 00:02:39,903 Again, we've tried on three occasions to get what I don't 55 00:02:39,900 --> 00:02:42,570 think, as I said, Ben, in the past has been 56 00:02:42,567 --> 00:02:43,637 that controversial. 57 00:02:43,633 --> 00:02:48,633 If you had 8.5 million people that had lost their jobs in the 58 00:02:48,633 --> 00:02:52,333 deepest recession that this country has faced since the 59 00:02:52,333 --> 00:02:57,463 Great Depression, extending unemployment benefits you would 60 00:02:57,467 --> 00:03:02,797 not normally think of would be something that would require a 61 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:04,300 filibuster attempt. 62 00:03:04,300 --> 00:03:07,000 It certainly hasn't in the past. 63 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:11,830 And the President wants to make sure that tomorrow that, 64 00:03:11,834 --> 00:03:15,004 although in recent past you haven't needed 60 votes, 65 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,870 that we have 60 there to clear it. 66 00:03:16,867 --> 00:03:18,597 The Press: Well, I guess that's -- just to wrap up on this point -- 67 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:22,500 I guess that's my point, is that it seemed extremely clear 68 00:03:22,500 --> 00:03:23,970 what the President's view is on this. 69 00:03:23,967 --> 00:03:25,697 He talked about it over the weekend; 70 00:03:25,700 --> 00:03:27,130 he's talked about it in the past -- 71 00:03:27,133 --> 00:03:28,433 Mr. Gibbs: It's important to the President; 72 00:03:28,433 --> 00:03:33,233 it's important to the 2.5 million Americans who have 73 00:03:33,233 --> 00:03:36,133 already seen their benefits disappear. 74 00:03:36,133 --> 00:03:39,963 That number would grow to 2.8 million by the end of the week. 75 00:03:39,967 --> 00:03:42,867 This obviously has to go -- understand this is not the 76 00:03:42,867 --> 00:03:43,567 end of the road. 77 00:03:43,567 --> 00:03:47,697 This piece of legislation, if the Senate passes it tomorrow, 78 00:03:47,700 --> 00:03:50,200 goes back to the House. 79 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:52,770 We hope to get it back to the President's desk as quickly as 80 00:03:52,767 --> 00:03:56,067 possible so that we don't see that number of 2.5 million 81 00:03:56,066 --> 00:03:57,796 Americans go to 2.8 million. 82 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:00,230 The Press: So you don't see this as the kind of political theater, 83 00:04:00,233 --> 00:04:06,433 the back-and-forth that the President was elected to stop? 84 00:04:06,433 --> 00:04:08,133 Mr. Gibbs: Ben, I would love to sit up here and tell you that 85 00:04:08,133 --> 00:04:12,633 when the vote first came to the floor of the Senate -- I don't 86 00:04:12,633 --> 00:04:17,403 have the date with me -- that something, again, 87 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:21,070 that if you look back certainly as far as I can remember, 88 00:04:21,066 --> 00:04:23,966 has tended not to be controversial -- that 89 00:04:23,967 --> 00:04:26,537 it would have passed. 90 00:04:26,533 --> 00:04:29,303 I don't think -- I think if you would have stopped people in 91 00:04:29,300 --> 00:04:34,700 this town six weeks ago or two months ago or six months ago, 92 00:04:34,700 --> 00:04:38,100 and said, do you think it would take four different votes -- do 93 00:04:38,100 --> 00:04:40,570 you think it would take the expiration of 2.5 million 94 00:04:40,567 --> 00:04:44,437 Americans in their unemployment benefits to see this go through 95 00:04:44,433 --> 00:04:49,163 the Senate -- I hazard a guess that most people would not think 96 00:04:49,166 --> 00:04:52,796 that's a common-sense way of legislating economic policy. 97 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:56,100 The Press: Let me, again, a quick one, please, on BP. 98 00:04:56,100 --> 00:04:59,500 Can you give us an update on how -- from the White House 99 00:04:59,500 --> 00:05:01,470 perspective, how the cap is working? 100 00:05:01,467 --> 00:05:02,937 Is containment still the way to go here, 101 00:05:02,934 --> 00:05:07,034 and are you concerned about these reports of seeps or leaks? 102 00:05:07,033 --> 00:05:10,263 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, as you hear Carol Browner and you heard 103 00:05:10,266 --> 00:05:14,066 Thad Allen yesterday, there are certainly a couple of -- well, 104 00:05:14,066 --> 00:05:18,096 three different areas that we continue to closely monitor. 105 00:05:18,100 --> 00:05:20,570 There is seepage about three kilometers away 106 00:05:20,567 --> 00:05:23,037 from the wellhead. 107 00:05:23,033 --> 00:05:27,803 There are bubbles that are visible on the underwater 108 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,830 camera, which we continue to monitor. 109 00:05:30,834 --> 00:05:38,964 And there are some leaks from the upper part of the wellhead 110 00:05:38,967 --> 00:05:42,167 where the shear ram has closed. 111 00:05:42,166 --> 00:05:44,496 Those all bear special monitoring. 112 00:05:44,500 --> 00:05:47,130 There's a NOAA ship in the area that has also detected some 113 00:05:47,133 --> 00:05:51,233 anomalies that we want continued monitoring on. 114 00:05:51,233 --> 00:05:54,203 Obviously, we asked for additional testing, 115 00:05:54,200 --> 00:06:02,070 as you well know, last week because when you cap this well, 116 00:06:02,066 --> 00:06:07,536 you want to continue to take those pressure readings to see 117 00:06:07,533 --> 00:06:10,603 if you are -- obviously, the pressure is going to rise, 118 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:12,530 and then that pressure should be, 119 00:06:12,533 --> 00:06:16,233 if the well is completely secure, sustained. 120 00:06:16,233 --> 00:06:20,003 If the well -- if the pressure gets only to a certain point and 121 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:24,070 then begins to drop, the concern is that somewhere in that well 122 00:06:24,066 --> 00:06:29,336 bore, there's a ruptured disc or there's some structural damage 123 00:06:29,333 --> 00:06:32,703 that would lead to seepage out through the strata and then 124 00:06:32,700 --> 00:06:39,100 ultimately up into the Gulf of Mexico through rocks and such 125 00:06:39,100 --> 00:06:41,800 on the floor of the Gulf. 126 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:45,630 That's what we're closely monitoring. 127 00:06:45,633 --> 00:06:49,533 We had some concerns, I think as you heard, 128 00:06:49,533 --> 00:06:54,033 over the past 24 hours about commitments that BP had made 129 00:06:54,033 --> 00:06:57,063 that we did not feel that they were adequately living up to 130 00:06:57,066 --> 00:06:59,236 in terms of that monitoring. 131 00:06:59,233 --> 00:07:04,263 That was dealt with last night on a call that lasted late into 132 00:07:04,266 --> 00:07:11,496 the evening where we believe that we're getting the type of 133 00:07:11,500 --> 00:07:15,300 overall monitoring, particularly the seismic and the monitoring 134 00:07:15,300 --> 00:07:16,970 with the remotely operated vehicle, 135 00:07:16,967 --> 00:07:19,667 so that we can look at each of these different steps. 136 00:07:19,667 --> 00:07:24,837 The original intention of this test was, 137 00:07:24,834 --> 00:07:27,734 engaging that pressure you could make a few different 138 00:07:27,734 --> 00:07:32,234 determinations, first and foremost, in bad weather, 139 00:07:32,233 --> 00:07:37,333 which we've seen more of earlier than we have in recent memory. 140 00:07:37,333 --> 00:07:40,403 Could you temporarily cap the well? 141 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:42,430 Would the pressure sustain itself to temporarily cap the 142 00:07:42,433 --> 00:07:47,333 well in the event that boats had to be moved out for a hurricane? 143 00:07:47,333 --> 00:07:50,533 To what degree is the structure and the integrity of the well -- 144 00:07:50,533 --> 00:07:56,933 how can that -- can that sustain either assisting with a kill 145 00:07:56,934 --> 00:07:59,804 operation as it relates to the relief well, 146 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:05,230 or can you try a separate kill operation using this cap and 147 00:08:05,233 --> 00:08:07,003 this blowout preventer? 148 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:09,100 That monitoring continues. 149 00:08:09,100 --> 00:08:13,600 And we will continue that each day. 150 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:16,100 About 1:00 p.m., there is a conference call with the 151 00:08:16,100 --> 00:08:18,900 scientists -- I don't know if it's still going on -- where 152 00:08:18,900 --> 00:08:20,900 they will determine whether or not, 153 00:08:20,900 --> 00:08:23,930 based on the pressure readings that they're seeing, 154 00:08:23,934 --> 00:08:30,104 are we okay to move to an additional 24 hours of testing 155 00:08:30,100 --> 00:08:32,270 -- again, to make these determinations -- all the 156 00:08:32,266 --> 00:08:35,336 while monitoring to ensure, as I said last week, 157 00:08:35,333 --> 00:08:37,903 that we do not do any harm to the well itself. 158 00:08:37,900 --> 00:08:39,670 The Press: Is it frustrating to the President that after all 159 00:08:39,667 --> 00:08:42,737 this time, the government still has to get on BP to 160 00:08:42,734 --> 00:08:43,734 uphold its word? 161 00:08:43,734 --> 00:08:44,934 Mr. Gibbs: Sure, sure. 162 00:08:44,934 --> 00:08:48,904 But that's the role that we have to play -- to ensure that when 163 00:08:48,900 --> 00:08:53,200 the federal on-scene coordinator and our national incident 164 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:58,000 commander make decisions that authorize BP to do different 165 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:02,030 things that the conditions at which that authorization 166 00:09:02,033 --> 00:09:04,003 is given are met. 167 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:07,030 We'll continue to do that and monitor that. 168 00:09:07,033 --> 00:09:10,863 Secretary Chu is closely monitoring the situation, 169 00:09:10,867 --> 00:09:13,297 along with the other members of the science team, 170 00:09:13,300 --> 00:09:15,170 in order to make sure that we have the best available 171 00:09:15,166 --> 00:09:17,636 information as soon as possible. 172 00:09:17,633 --> 00:09:23,703 We do know that in the event that there is something wrong 173 00:09:23,700 --> 00:09:27,530 with the pressurization, we do have a containment apparatus and 174 00:09:27,533 --> 00:09:31,803 architecture in place -- albeit it would take some time to get 175 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:35,000 those boats moved back and everything hooked up. 176 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:37,430 The good news is we have a containment architecture 177 00:09:37,433 --> 00:09:42,333 that we believe is likely to contain all of what could 178 00:09:42,333 --> 00:09:45,733 come out of that well. 179 00:09:45,734 --> 00:09:47,464 The Press: When the President meets with the Prime Minister 180 00:09:47,467 --> 00:09:50,697 tomorrow will he bring up the case of the Lockerbie bomber and 181 00:09:50,700 --> 00:09:54,430 questions about BP's role in it? 182 00:09:54,433 --> 00:09:59,563 Mr. Gibbs: Let me say this: Our viewpoint on this case last year was well 183 00:09:59,567 --> 00:10:03,937 known, and that was we opposed the release of 184 00:10:03,934 --> 00:10:05,064 the Lockerbie bomber. 185 00:10:05,066 --> 00:10:09,296 We made that opinion known. 186 00:10:09,300 --> 00:10:14,600 I think the government that will visit from -- Prime Minister 187 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:18,970 Cameron's government also opposed that release. 188 00:10:18,967 --> 00:10:21,167 I anticipate that in some form, yes, 189 00:10:21,166 --> 00:10:22,596 this will probably come up tomorrow. 190 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:23,300 The Press: And should there be an 191 00:10:23,300 --> 00:10:24,930 investigation into what happened? 192 00:10:24,934 --> 00:10:27,964 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think -- look, 193 00:10:27,967 --> 00:10:30,867 I think in many ways that will be up to the British 194 00:10:30,867 --> 00:10:32,737 government to determine. 195 00:10:32,734 --> 00:10:36,634 I know that whatever -- I do not know the role that BP played. 196 00:10:36,633 --> 00:10:42,903 It certainly -- we were unaware of any role that they played in 197 00:10:42,900 --> 00:10:46,100 rendering an opinion. 198 00:10:46,100 --> 00:10:51,270 If they did, we certainly didn't agree with the opinion that he 199 00:10:51,266 --> 00:10:54,336 should be released, and that's what we enunciated 200 00:10:54,333 --> 00:10:55,333 to the government. 201 00:10:55,333 --> 00:10:58,963 The Press: And separately, the Treasury Department's watchdog group 202 00:10:58,967 --> 00:11:01,667 says the administration may have acted hastily 203 00:11:01,667 --> 00:11:04,137 in demanding that GM and Chrysler speed up the 204 00:11:04,133 --> 00:11:06,503 closing of dealerships. 205 00:11:06,500 --> 00:11:08,970 Do you agree with this conclusion? 206 00:11:08,967 --> 00:11:12,497 Mr. Gibbs: Steve, I don't think it's -- I think it's important 207 00:11:12,500 --> 00:11:18,300 to look at the decision to put into bankruptcy and restructure 208 00:11:18,300 --> 00:11:22,830 both Chrysler and GM, because I think it is safe to say without 209 00:11:22,834 --> 00:11:26,434 that decision that the President and the auto team made, 210 00:11:26,433 --> 00:11:28,463 it is likely that neither of those two auto companies 211 00:11:28,467 --> 00:11:30,067 would exist today. 212 00:11:30,066 --> 00:11:32,466 And I think if you listen to the CEO of Ford, 213 00:11:32,467 --> 00:11:36,767 it's not likely that that auto company would exist today either 214 00:11:36,767 --> 00:11:41,867 -- because you have auto dealerships that sell the 215 00:11:41,867 --> 00:11:44,367 cars that are produced by auto manufacturers; 216 00:11:44,367 --> 00:11:46,967 auto manufacturers build cars that are supplied by 217 00:11:46,967 --> 00:11:50,397 auto part suppliers. 218 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:52,970 If an auto part supplier is building steering wheels for 219 00:11:52,967 --> 00:11:56,097 three different companies and two of them disappear, 220 00:11:56,100 --> 00:12:00,100 it's not likely that even -- that where we were economically, 221 00:12:00,100 --> 00:12:02,930 that that third company could in any way make up for the market 222 00:12:02,934 --> 00:12:05,104 share decline of the two that were lost, 223 00:12:05,100 --> 00:12:08,130 and it's likely that that auto part supplier, in and of itself, 224 00:12:08,133 --> 00:12:10,003 would likely have disappeared. 225 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:13,930 So because of the President's action today, 226 00:12:13,934 --> 00:12:17,804 there are tens of thousands of auto jobs, 227 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:29,000 auto manufacturing jobs that exist, 228 00:12:23,934 --> 00:12:24,764 jobs that exist. 229 00:12:24,767 --> 00:12:29,267 I will point out that since 2007, since mid-2007, 230 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:38,070 auto dealership jobs that exist, and auto parts manufacturing 231 00:12:29,266 --> 00:12:35,196 the decline in auto dealership employment is about half the 232 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:40,900 decline in auto manufacturing employment. 233 00:12:40,900 --> 00:12:47,070 So what has taken a greater hit in that supply structure are the 234 00:12:47,066 --> 00:12:50,666 manufacturers and the parts suppliers. 235 00:12:50,667 --> 00:12:52,437 The Press: Robert, I want to follow up on Prime Minister Cameron coming, 236 00:12:52,433 --> 00:12:54,733 because obviously one of the topics they'll discuss, 237 00:12:54,734 --> 00:12:57,104 I would assume, a lot would be Afghanistan. 238 00:12:57,100 --> 00:13:00,130 On the eve of the visit you have this cover story in Newsweek by 239 00:13:00,133 --> 00:13:03,033 Richard Haass who's got real credentials on national security 240 00:13:03,033 --> 00:13:06,203 and as President of Council on Foreign Relations, 241 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:09,130 and saying basically in the piece that the U.S. is not 242 00:13:09,133 --> 00:13:12,663 winning in Afghanistan and it's not worth the fight anymore. 243 00:13:12,667 --> 00:13:15,767 How does the President convince the American people it's still 244 00:13:15,767 --> 00:13:16,797 worth fighting? 245 00:13:16,800 --> 00:13:23,300 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Ed, as you know, on September 11, 2001, 246 00:13:23,300 --> 00:13:27,400 the attacks on our homeland originated from that area. 247 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:31,530 We know the extremist elements that exist. 248 00:13:31,533 --> 00:13:34,003 We know what their intentions are as it relates to the 249 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:36,400 Afghan government. 250 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:41,470 And we know the potential for the creation of a terrorist safe 251 00:13:41,467 --> 00:13:46,297 haven if their intentions to the Afghan government 252 00:13:46,300 --> 00:13:47,670 were to come true. 253 00:13:47,667 --> 00:13:50,597 I think the President has on a number of occasions laid 254 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:54,600 out why what he's doing in Afghanistan is in our 255 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:57,070 national security interests. 256 00:13:57,066 --> 00:13:59,336 We will continue to make that case tomorrow. 257 00:13:59,333 --> 00:14:04,133 Obviously we have in both this administration and in the 258 00:14:04,133 --> 00:14:10,003 previous administration had the help of the British government. 259 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,300 I think both they and we have said we will not be there 260 00:14:12,300 --> 00:14:15,800 forever; we have to stand up an Afghan national security force, 261 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:17,230 an army and a police. 262 00:14:17,233 --> 00:14:20,803 We have to improve governance, a lot of which will be discussed 263 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:23,000 this week at the Kabul conference, 264 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:31,130 which builds off of a whole host of events around making sure 265 00:14:31,133 --> 00:14:33,763 that we sustain our progress in Afghanistan. 266 00:14:33,767 --> 00:14:34,797 The Press: So when the Vice President, though, 267 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:38,400 on ABC suggests that next summer troops are coming out, 268 00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:40,600 essentially regardless of the conditions on the ground, 269 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:43,330 doesn't that send a signal the U.S. may not be in it 270 00:14:43,333 --> 00:14:44,063 for the long haul? 271 00:14:44,066 --> 00:14:46,566 Mr. Gibbs: No, it sends the signal that those that are involved in 272 00:14:46,567 --> 00:14:49,067 getting the Afghan national security forces 273 00:14:49,066 --> 00:14:52,836 trained, that those that are involved in ensuring that we 274 00:14:52,834 --> 00:14:58,004 have the type of governance that is necessary to sustain 275 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:04,000 areas that are cleared have to get on with it. 276 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:07,330 No one should doubt this President's 277 00:15:07,333 --> 00:15:09,633 resolve in Afghanistan. 278 00:15:09,633 --> 00:15:12,163 And if you have any doubt, simply look at the resources 279 00:15:12,166 --> 00:15:17,566 that were allocated to this battle prior to him coming here 280 00:15:17,567 --> 00:15:20,437 and the decisions -- the real, tough decisions that he's had to 281 00:15:20,433 --> 00:15:25,803 make to add forces into what he believes is the central front 282 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:26,730 in the war on terror. 283 00:15:26,734 --> 00:15:29,634 The Press: Does he believe we now are winning in Afghanistan? 284 00:15:29,633 --> 00:15:33,803 Mr. Gibbs: I think he would tell you that we are in a better -- 285 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:37,800 in better shape than we were, that we have -- and we are 286 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:43,800 constantly evaluating the resources that we've added. 287 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:45,570 As you know, there will be a White House-led review in 288 00:15:45,567 --> 00:15:48,837 December on where we are on the strategy. 289 00:15:48,834 --> 00:15:51,434 I don't think anybody in this building or anybody in the 290 00:15:51,433 --> 00:15:58,663 Pentagon or anybody in this town that is aware of the decisions 291 00:15:58,667 --> 00:16:01,167 that we've had to make, that anybody that thought this was 292 00:16:01,166 --> 00:16:06,966 going to be quick, anybody that thought this wasn't going to be 293 00:16:06,967 --> 00:16:10,097 a tough slog each and every bit of the way -- and I think it's 294 00:16:10,100 --> 00:16:10,930 proved to be that. 295 00:16:10,934 --> 00:16:13,764 The Press: You mentioned 9/11 earlier obviously in this context. 296 00:16:13,767 --> 00:16:17,397 The Washington Post has a series suggesting that the intelligence 297 00:16:17,400 --> 00:16:21,270 community has grown exponentially since 9/11. 298 00:16:21,266 --> 00:16:23,636 I know a lot of that happened before this administration, 299 00:16:23,633 --> 00:16:27,563 but obviously now you've been on the job for a year and a half. 300 00:16:27,567 --> 00:16:31,867 And in the time of deficits now, what is the administration doing 301 00:16:31,867 --> 00:16:34,967 to ensure that this money is being spent wisely? 302 00:16:34,967 --> 00:16:37,737 Mr. Gibbs: Well, first and foremost, we owe a debt of gratitude to everybody 303 00:16:37,734 --> 00:16:41,064 in the intelligence community. 304 00:16:41,066 --> 00:16:45,496 They work day and night to keep our country safe. 305 00:16:45,500 --> 00:16:49,970 Obviously after September 11th, and with the advent of wars in 306 00:16:49,967 --> 00:16:52,967 both Iraq and Afghanistan, you're going to have an increase 307 00:16:52,967 --> 00:16:59,937 in the capability that's required to fight that. 308 00:16:59,934 --> 00:17:02,164 That is not to say that anybody in this country, 309 00:17:02,166 --> 00:17:04,836 and I don't think anybody in the intelligence community, 310 00:17:04,834 --> 00:17:12,604 would have bet excessive waste. 311 00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:20,770 We have to balance the necessity of the resources needed to fight 312 00:17:20,767 --> 00:17:24,267 our adversaries and, at the same time, 313 00:17:24,266 --> 00:17:27,796 balancing that against waste. 314 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:33,130 Look, in some ways, you want -- the 9/11 Commission spoke fairly 315 00:17:33,133 --> 00:17:37,763 effectively to this -- you want some redundancy built 316 00:17:37,767 --> 00:17:41,137 into that system. 317 00:17:41,133 --> 00:17:45,533 The President talked about contracting during the campaign; 318 00:17:45,533 --> 00:17:52,933 in March of 2009, issued a memorandum giving guidance 319 00:17:52,934 --> 00:17:57,004 on how to manage non-competitive contracts; 320 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:01,100 expanded that in January of this year, 321 00:18:01,100 --> 00:18:06,300 issuing a memorandum to agencies detailing 322 00:18:06,300 --> 00:18:10,030 that contracts should not be given to companies delinquent 323 00:18:10,033 --> 00:18:14,933 in paying their taxes. 324 00:18:14,934 --> 00:18:18,734 I would point out that in the first two quarters of fiscal 325 00:18:18,734 --> 00:18:24,134 year 2010, the percentage of dollars awarded in new contracts 326 00:18:24,133 --> 00:18:27,863 without competition dropped by 10 percent compared to the same 327 00:18:27,867 --> 00:18:30,597 period in fiscal year 2009. 328 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:34,700 So obviously this is something that all of us have to continue 329 00:18:34,700 --> 00:18:42,700 to monitor the capabilities necessary with ensuring that no 330 00:18:42,700 --> 00:18:46,730 taxpayer dollars are wasted. 331 00:18:46,734 --> 00:18:50,304 The Press: The President said Republican leaders in the Senate were 332 00:18:50,300 --> 00:18:53,970 advancing the misguided notion that the unemployment 333 00:18:53,967 --> 00:18:56,137 benefits discourage people from looking for a job, 334 00:18:56,133 --> 00:18:58,863 but the Republican leaders from Mitch McConnell on down have 335 00:18:58,867 --> 00:19:02,997 said that they are in favor of extending unemployment benefits 336 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:06,570 but that they want the cost of that extension to be paid for 337 00:19:06,567 --> 00:19:08,467 with cuts to other programs. 338 00:19:08,467 --> 00:19:10,337 What's wrong with that? 339 00:19:10,333 --> 00:19:14,963 Mr. Gibbs: In a time of great economic emergency, 340 00:19:14,967 --> 00:19:18,597 as we have seen in the past, it's necessary that we get the 341 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:21,470 benefits that millions of Americans deserve 342 00:19:21,467 --> 00:19:24,097 that are out of work. 343 00:19:24,100 --> 00:19:28,030 We can't -- you heard the stories today of people that are 344 00:19:28,033 --> 00:19:31,403 going to have to figure out how to pay their mortgage in August 345 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:33,900 when their benefits expire. 346 00:19:33,900 --> 00:19:36,730 Now, I don't think that individual or any individual 347 00:19:36,734 --> 00:19:38,834 wants to watch while Washington does its 348 00:19:38,834 --> 00:19:41,264 normal back-and-forth, right? 349 00:19:41,266 --> 00:19:44,266 I don't -- I think you could look at the voting records of 350 00:19:44,266 --> 00:19:46,766 every one of those that just made the same statement that you 351 00:19:46,767 --> 00:19:51,737 read to me that in the past have done directly the opposite. 352 00:19:51,734 --> 00:19:56,204 We are in an economic emergency that we have not seen since the 353 00:19:56,200 --> 00:19:59,070 late 1920s and the early 1930s. 354 00:19:59,066 --> 00:20:03,896 We ought not be playing politics with the unemployment benefits 355 00:20:03,900 --> 00:20:07,930 of those that have lost their jobs and are in an economy 356 00:20:07,934 --> 00:20:12,234 where there are five job applicants for every opening. 357 00:20:12,233 --> 00:20:15,033 The Press: But couldn't Democrats have solved this instantly by simply 358 00:20:15,033 --> 00:20:18,003 saying, we're going to extend unemployment benefits and we're 359 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:19,830 going to pay for it with offsetting cuts? 360 00:20:19,834 --> 00:20:21,434 Mr. Gibbs: We could have done this -- we could have done this 361 00:20:21,433 --> 00:20:24,003 if the people that were playing games in 2010, 362 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:27,370 despite their voting records in years past, 363 00:20:27,367 --> 00:20:30,437 decided not to play political games. 364 00:20:30,433 --> 00:20:34,003 Jonathan, the people in America that have lost their jobs are 365 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:38,330 tired of the back-and-forth where people say one thing one 366 00:20:38,333 --> 00:20:41,233 day and do something totally different today. 367 00:20:41,233 --> 00:20:44,863 We have voted three times -- and tomorrow we will vote a fourth 368 00:20:44,867 --> 00:20:49,837 -- to simply extend the benefits for those that are unemployed 369 00:20:49,834 --> 00:20:55,334 for a long term, simply to extend them a few more weeks. 370 00:20:55,333 --> 00:20:57,303 That's what the American people deserve. 371 00:20:57,300 --> 00:21:00,400 The Press: But "pay as you go" is the very principle the President 372 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:01,600 has put forward himself. 373 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:03,130 They're saying that now because of big deficits 374 00:21:03,133 --> 00:21:04,633 we need to pay our way. 375 00:21:04,633 --> 00:21:10,963 Mr. Gibbs: And I think this President has backed up that rhetoric 376 00:21:10,967 --> 00:21:14,197 by introducing a three-year ban -- or a three-year freeze 377 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:16,770 on non-security spending. 378 00:21:16,767 --> 00:21:21,267 But there are certain things that are and always have been 379 00:21:21,266 --> 00:21:24,066 considered emergency spending, and extending unemployment 380 00:21:24,066 --> 00:21:27,536 benefits to those who have lost their jobs in the worst economic 381 00:21:27,533 --> 00:21:30,333 recession since the Great Depression certainly 382 00:21:30,333 --> 00:21:31,603 qualifies for that. 383 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:33,300 The Press: And let me just ask you one other thing on this. 384 00:21:33,300 --> 00:21:37,500 The so called "99ers," people who have been unemployed for 99 385 00:21:37,500 --> 00:21:39,830 weeks or more, their benefits are not going 386 00:21:39,834 --> 00:21:41,734 to be extended under this. 387 00:21:41,734 --> 00:21:43,734 Is the President aware of their plight? 388 00:21:43,734 --> 00:21:45,204 And does the President favor doing something 389 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:47,130 to help them out? 390 00:21:47,133 --> 00:21:51,163 Mr. Gibbs: Obviously, we are aware of and concerned about. 391 00:21:51,166 --> 00:21:54,366 I think, first and foremost, Jonathan, 392 00:21:54,367 --> 00:21:58,197 we've got to figure out how to get those that are currently 393 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:05,430 unemployed to a position where they can even get close to being 394 00:22:05,433 --> 00:22:07,563 covered for that long. 395 00:22:07,567 --> 00:22:09,967 I think it is safe to assume that based on the games are 396 00:22:09,967 --> 00:22:14,697 going up on Capitol Hill, we are not at this point going 397 00:22:14,700 --> 00:22:18,130 to see an increase in extending those 99 weeks. 398 00:22:18,133 --> 00:22:22,603 And our focus right now is getting those individuals 399 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:23,500 to that level. 400 00:22:23,500 --> 00:22:27,900 Right now if you're now on -- you could be somebody who is in 401 00:22:27,900 --> 00:22:32,970 the 25th of their 26 weeks of state unemployment who finds 402 00:22:32,967 --> 00:22:37,667 themselves about to be left hung out to dry by 403 00:22:37,667 --> 00:22:39,297 the political games in this town. 404 00:22:39,300 --> 00:22:43,300 So our focus is on extending what we currently have. 405 00:22:43,300 --> 00:22:46,270 The Press: So you say that we ought not to be playing politics, 406 00:22:46,266 --> 00:22:49,466 and yet it seems that the President himself was suggesting 407 00:22:49,467 --> 00:22:51,297 that the Republicans were playing politics. 408 00:22:51,300 --> 00:22:53,500 He said, it was time to look past the election 409 00:22:53,500 --> 00:22:55,500 out there this morning. 410 00:22:55,500 --> 00:22:59,230 And yet when everybody knows this is going to pass tomorrow, 411 00:22:59,233 --> 00:23:01,103 how can you say that the President is not indulging 412 00:23:01,100 --> 00:23:02,900 in a little politics? 413 00:23:02,900 --> 00:23:05,500 Mr. Gibbs: Because, Bill, if I would have stopped you six months 414 00:23:05,500 --> 00:23:08,830 ago or six weeks ago, as I said earlier, and said, 415 00:23:08,834 --> 00:23:13,334 do you think it will take four chances to simply pass the type 416 00:23:13,333 --> 00:23:16,833 of unemployment extensions that you've covered in this town for 417 00:23:16,834 --> 00:23:20,834 decades, I doubt you would have said, yes. 418 00:23:20,834 --> 00:23:26,564 But, surprisingly to everyone in this town, 419 00:23:26,567 --> 00:23:29,937 political games have come even to extending unemployment 420 00:23:29,934 --> 00:23:33,864 benefits to those that through no fault of their own find 421 00:23:33,867 --> 00:23:35,697 themselves unemployed in this economy. 422 00:23:35,700 --> 00:23:40,600 The President will ensure that when the Senate votes that we 423 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:43,370 have 60 votes and, as I said, when this bill goes back to the 424 00:23:43,367 --> 00:23:47,297 House, that the votes are there to extend employment, Bill. 425 00:23:47,300 --> 00:23:49,100 The Press: But it's not political to talk about it for the 426 00:23:49,100 --> 00:23:52,930 last four days knowing that you're going to get it anyway? 427 00:23:52,934 --> 00:23:55,404 Mr. Gibbs: Let me tell you, if there's anything that's truly knowable 428 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:58,930 in this town, it is that nothing is truly knowable. 429 00:23:58,934 --> 00:24:00,804 I will be happy to put the President out each and every 430 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:03,870 day to talk about the fights that he's going to wage on 431 00:24:03,867 --> 00:24:06,937 behalf of those in this economy. 432 00:24:06,934 --> 00:24:07,534 The Press: Well, bring him out. 433 00:24:07,533 --> 00:24:10,263 We'd love to -- 434 00:24:10,266 --> 00:24:11,536 Mr. Gibbs: I think you saw him today. 435 00:24:11,533 --> 00:24:16,003 The Press: Yes, do you have any problem with what the Post published? 436 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:18,200 Did it, in your view, compromise national security at all? 437 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:20,670 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I'm not going to get into some of the discussions 438 00:24:20,667 --> 00:24:21,297 that we had. 439 00:24:21,300 --> 00:24:22,970 Obviously, there were some concerns, 440 00:24:22,967 --> 00:24:25,867 and I think the Post covered that there were some concerns 441 00:24:25,867 --> 00:24:32,567 about certain data and the availability of some 442 00:24:32,567 --> 00:24:34,737 of that data. 443 00:24:34,734 --> 00:24:38,734 Again, we are in a balancing act, as one should be, 444 00:24:38,734 --> 00:24:41,834 in ensuring that we have both the best capabilities in the 445 00:24:41,834 --> 00:24:43,564 world, but we're not wasting taxpayer dollars. 446 00:24:43,567 --> 00:24:45,367 The Press: Did you ask them not to publish certain things? 447 00:24:45,367 --> 00:24:47,597 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not going to get into the discussions that we had 448 00:24:47,600 --> 00:24:50,330 with them over some of the concerns that we had. 449 00:24:50,333 --> 00:24:52,303 The Press: I want to go on to BP here. 450 00:24:52,300 --> 00:24:55,230 Today, for the first time in what's felt like weeks for our 451 00:24:55,233 --> 00:24:59,603 folks down there, BP didn't do a technical briefing -- a couple 452 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:01,700 of technical briefings. 453 00:25:01,700 --> 00:25:05,770 Are you guys going to encourage them that they come back and 454 00:25:05,767 --> 00:25:06,797 brief the public again? 455 00:25:06,800 --> 00:25:07,770 Because it does seems that -- 456 00:25:07,767 --> 00:25:08,397 Mr. Gibbs: Chuck, I would -- 457 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:10,500 The Press: -- whatever happened last night suddenly spooked them 458 00:25:10,500 --> 00:25:12,000 from giving a briefing to the public. 459 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:17,600 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I have -- and I would encourage BP at every step 460 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:23,230 of this to brief you and to brief the public on the steps 461 00:25:23,233 --> 00:25:26,663 that are being taken, the steps that have been taken, 462 00:25:26,667 --> 00:25:30,237 and the steps that they're looking to take in the future. 463 00:25:30,233 --> 00:25:33,903 Look, from the very beginning of this, 464 00:25:33,900 --> 00:25:36,800 we encouraged greater transparency. 465 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:43,030 We encouraged that footage be made available of the camera 466 00:25:43,033 --> 00:25:48,033 at the spill site, and have believed at every turn that more 467 00:25:48,033 --> 00:25:49,563 information is certainly better. 468 00:25:49,567 --> 00:25:54,997 I hope that, for whatever reason BP decided not to brief today, 469 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:58,000 that they come to the conclusion that the American people are 470 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:02,670 owed information on this and rightly answer those questions. 471 00:26:02,667 --> 00:26:05,667 What we will do, Chuck, though, is to ensure that if there are 472 00:26:05,667 --> 00:26:09,297 conditions with which the federal on-scene coordinator and 473 00:26:09,300 --> 00:26:12,130 the national incident commander authorize BP to take certain 474 00:26:12,133 --> 00:26:16,463 actions, we will make sure that those are met, 475 00:26:16,467 --> 00:26:20,367 that they're living up to what they have agreed to do in terms 476 00:26:20,367 --> 00:26:23,497 -- and I think this is clear -- in terms of the monitoring 477 00:26:23,500 --> 00:26:26,900 that's necessary, either at that well site or within a few 478 00:26:26,900 --> 00:26:32,230 kilometers, to ensure that all the steps that we are taking now 479 00:26:32,233 --> 00:26:36,863 are done so not to do any harm with what we know is 480 00:26:36,867 --> 00:26:39,037 a very fragile environment. 481 00:26:39,033 --> 00:26:42,303 The Press: Would the government hesitate in ordering BP to 482 00:26:42,300 --> 00:26:44,830 basically unseal this cap right now if they believe it's doing 483 00:26:44,834 --> 00:26:46,304 damage to the sea floor? 484 00:26:46,300 --> 00:26:47,170 Mr. Gibbs: If we thought that it was -- 485 00:26:47,166 --> 00:26:49,136 The Press: -- if you believed it's causing this leak? 486 00:26:49,133 --> 00:26:54,133 Mr. Gibbs: If we thought that the pressurization test itself 487 00:26:54,133 --> 00:26:56,863 potentially did damage to the sea floor, obviously, 488 00:26:56,867 --> 00:26:59,797 we would stop that immediately. 489 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:05,530 That's why there are calls that happen several times a day, 490 00:27:05,533 --> 00:27:13,133 but each day at 1:00 p.m., on whether or not this test 491 00:27:13,133 --> 00:27:13,833 should be extended. 492 00:27:13,834 --> 00:27:18,034 Look, I think we are gaining valuable information in 493 00:27:18,033 --> 00:27:23,233 determining the structure of the well and our ability to -- even 494 00:27:23,233 --> 00:27:26,333 if we had to go back to a strictly containment 495 00:27:26,333 --> 00:27:30,263 architecture -- that we had the capability in the event that 496 00:27:30,266 --> 00:27:33,736 there was either a large tropical storm, 497 00:27:33,734 --> 00:27:37,204 or -- God forbid -- a hurricane in the Gulf, 498 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:40,600 that we would have the ability to for a short period of time, 499 00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:43,300 a number of days, cap that well. 500 00:27:43,300 --> 00:27:45,630 And I think we're learning some of that valuable information. 501 00:27:45,633 --> 00:27:49,903 The Press: Do you guys -- are you confident that BP is going 502 00:27:49,900 --> 00:27:50,900 about this with an open mind? 503 00:27:50,900 --> 00:27:53,300 Or are they're trying to look for any reason why not to uncap 504 00:27:53,300 --> 00:27:54,900 this well at this point because of the monetary costs? 505 00:27:54,900 --> 00:27:57,600 Mr. Gibbs: I can say this, Chuck -- I can say this. 506 00:27:57,600 --> 00:28:01,600 We will ensure that at every step of this, 507 00:28:01,600 --> 00:28:04,230 that they are taking the steps that our scientific team 508 00:28:04,233 --> 00:28:09,163 believes is necessary to ensure the safety of the area, 509 00:28:09,166 --> 00:28:12,436 to ensure the safety of the well and the well bore, 510 00:28:12,433 --> 00:28:16,063 and that no extra harm is done in what we already understand 511 00:28:16,066 --> 00:28:17,966 is a catastrophic situation. 512 00:28:17,967 --> 00:28:18,667 The Press: Can you share with us, 513 00:28:18,667 --> 00:28:20,597 is Secretary Chu -- I know is sort of the leader on the 514 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:25,900 scientific team -- is it his belief that this leak, 515 00:28:25,900 --> 00:28:28,030 this methane leak is related to the capping of the well? 516 00:28:28,033 --> 00:28:29,533 Mr. Gibbs: Well, that's what we're trying to figure out. 517 00:28:29,533 --> 00:28:35,103 I will -- I was not a physics major in college and if you 518 00:28:35,100 --> 00:28:36,170 spend about an hour -- 519 00:28:36,166 --> 00:28:37,436 The Press: Last week we were discussing economics -- 520 00:28:37,433 --> 00:28:42,363 Mr. Gibbs: Well, which -- at least that's a social science. 521 00:28:42,367 --> 00:28:44,497 I was in a meeting with him once for about an hour and a half, 522 00:28:44,500 --> 00:28:49,800 and I felt as if I should have been at least given 523 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:54,800 a minor in physics. 524 00:28:54,800 --> 00:29:03,270 Look, they're monitoring the pressure and we have -- we are 525 00:29:03,266 --> 00:29:07,336 still continuing to monitor that pressure and are not -- want to 526 00:29:07,333 --> 00:29:13,633 continue doing so because what some have been -- what some 527 00:29:13,633 --> 00:29:17,133 assumed would happen on paper we're trying to make sure 528 00:29:17,133 --> 00:29:20,203 matches up with the pressure readings that are being taken 529 00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:24,970 at the site now, in order to fully understand, again, 530 00:29:24,967 --> 00:29:27,937 the condition of the well bore, both of the structure, 531 00:29:27,934 --> 00:29:34,134 maybe of the reservoir, a whole host of different scenarios. 532 00:29:34,133 --> 00:29:38,533 That's why; again, they were on the phone very, 533 00:29:38,533 --> 00:29:40,933 very late last night going through and continue to go 534 00:29:40,934 --> 00:29:44,004 through detailed monitoring. 535 00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:47,170 The Press: Quickly on unemployment, is there a line, 536 00:29:47,166 --> 00:29:49,736 once we drop below 9 percent the administration is not going to 537 00:29:49,734 --> 00:29:50,834 push for extending unemployment? 538 00:29:50,834 --> 00:29:52,764 When do you stop extending unemployment benefits? 539 00:29:52,767 --> 00:29:54,667 I mean, where's that line? 540 00:29:54,667 --> 00:29:56,367 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know the answer to that. 541 00:29:56,367 --> 00:30:01,937 I know that historically I think 9 percent would be considered, 542 00:30:01,934 --> 00:30:07,704 rightly so, unemployment that -- an unemployment rate that we 543 00:30:07,700 --> 00:30:09,670 were not comfortable with. 544 00:30:09,667 --> 00:30:11,267 I will say, as a result of -- 545 00:30:11,266 --> 00:30:13,596 The Press: So if it drops below -- 546 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:18,670 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I'm not even sure you'd be comfortable at 8.8. 547 00:30:18,667 --> 00:30:20,637 Certainly, historically, you certainly wouldn't, 548 00:30:20,633 --> 00:30:22,403 and it's understandable why. 549 00:30:22,400 --> 00:30:25,700 I think what you see as a result of this recession, again, 550 00:30:25,700 --> 00:30:29,570 you see people that are out of work longer and you see that the 551 00:30:29,567 --> 00:30:36,267 recession affects not just, say, lower-skilled manufacturing jobs 552 00:30:36,266 --> 00:30:39,666 as you might have been in previous recessions, 553 00:30:39,667 --> 00:30:45,797 but you see the impact across the economic spectrum, 554 00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:52,630 those that have a college education, which, in many ways, 555 00:30:52,633 --> 00:30:59,033 you would normally think would ensure that in a recession you 556 00:30:59,033 --> 00:31:05,103 would not likely to be seen as somebody who is unemployed for 557 00:31:05,100 --> 00:31:08,330 a long period of time. 558 00:31:08,333 --> 00:31:11,803 We see more and more of that happening now, this time. 559 00:31:11,800 --> 00:31:13,530 The Press: Do you anticipate in three months you're going to be 560 00:31:13,533 --> 00:31:14,903 asking for another extension? 561 00:31:14,900 --> 00:31:18,000 Mr. Gibbs: If the unemployment rate stays where I think we all 562 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:24,570 expect it to, it is -- it may be we may need to 563 00:31:24,567 --> 00:31:25,967 extend those benefits, yes. 564 00:31:25,967 --> 00:31:29,937 The Press: Only two questions that I know -- I think you 565 00:31:29,934 --> 00:31:32,064 will enjoy answering. 566 00:31:32,066 --> 00:31:33,596 Mr. Gibbs: That's awfully optimistic of you, Lester. 567 00:31:33,600 --> 00:31:35,530 The Press: You'll come back to me? 568 00:31:35,533 --> 00:31:36,763 Mr. Gibbs: I may, yes. 569 00:31:36,767 --> 00:31:37,737 (laughter) 570 00:31:37,734 --> 00:31:38,434 Mark. 571 00:31:38,433 --> 00:31:41,803 The Press: Robert, if the President pushed for the reinstatement 572 00:31:41,800 --> 00:31:45,370 of "pay as you go," what point was it if he is going to allow 573 00:31:45,367 --> 00:31:47,837 or go along with exemptions or exceptions for something 574 00:31:47,834 --> 00:31:49,364 like unemployment? 575 00:31:49,367 --> 00:31:54,137 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, emergency spending has been exempted 576 00:31:54,133 --> 00:31:55,933 from "pay as you go." 577 00:31:55,934 --> 00:31:56,604 The Press: But it's spending. 578 00:31:56,600 --> 00:31:58,730 It goes on the deficit and in the debt. 579 00:31:58,734 --> 00:31:59,204 Mr. Gibbs: I understand. 580 00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:00,530 The Press: And he talks about -- 581 00:32:00,533 --> 00:32:08,403 Mr. Gibbs: But that's why -- look, we passed a recovery plan. 582 00:32:08,400 --> 00:32:14,230 And you pass emergency spending much like a family sitting 583 00:32:14,233 --> 00:32:15,303 around a kitchen table. 584 00:32:15,300 --> 00:32:18,170 You make an investment in a college education not because 585 00:32:18,166 --> 00:32:21,836 you may have four years of tuition sitting in your savings 586 00:32:21,834 --> 00:32:24,064 account, but because you understand that it's a better 587 00:32:24,066 --> 00:32:27,136 investment for the next day. 588 00:32:27,133 --> 00:32:33,633 Or if you came home and you had a leak in your roof, 589 00:32:33,633 --> 00:32:37,703 but you didn't have the money to pay for it and the only 590 00:32:37,700 --> 00:32:41,130 thing you could do was borrow the money, Mark, 591 00:32:41,133 --> 00:32:43,563 would you argue at the kitchen table that we ought to just -- 592 00:32:43,567 --> 00:32:47,297 everybody ought to just get wet until we can scrape together the 593 00:32:47,300 --> 00:32:50,170 money to pay for it, or should we deal with the emergency as it 594 00:32:50,166 --> 00:32:53,636 exists so that everybody doesn't get rained on? 595 00:32:53,633 --> 00:32:56,163 I think that might be a good lesson for Washington, 596 00:32:56,166 --> 00:32:59,666 that we all don't just get rained on as 8.5 million 597 00:32:59,667 --> 00:33:01,067 people are out of work. 598 00:33:01,066 --> 00:33:04,866 The Press: Could you apply PAYGO to unemployment benefits as 599 00:33:04,867 --> 00:33:06,367 quickly as not? 600 00:33:06,367 --> 00:33:07,837 Or are you saying it would take much longer? 601 00:33:07,834 --> 00:33:17,764 Mr. Gibbs: Again, extending unemployment benefits in a recession has I 602 00:33:17,767 --> 00:33:20,067 think in virtually every instance been considered, 603 00:33:20,066 --> 00:33:22,136 rightly so, emergency spending. 604 00:33:22,133 --> 00:33:23,063 Roger. 605 00:33:23,066 --> 00:33:24,396 The Press: A follow-up again. 606 00:33:24,400 --> 00:33:26,570 Last month, when the issue came up in the Senate, 607 00:33:26,567 --> 00:33:31,037 the Republicans pointed to $50 billion in un-obligated stimulus 608 00:33:31,033 --> 00:33:35,033 money to pay for it, but Senator Reid objected. 609 00:33:35,033 --> 00:33:38,503 What would be wrong with taking that un-obligated money? 610 00:33:38,500 --> 00:33:41,630 Mr. Gibbs: Well, it may be un-obligated as yet, 611 00:33:41,633 --> 00:33:46,333 but it is -- Roger, there is not $50 billion in the stimulus that 612 00:33:46,333 --> 00:33:49,733 isn't programmed to go somewhere in order to dig us out of the 613 00:33:49,734 --> 00:33:53,364 enormous economic hole that we found ourselves in as a result 614 00:33:53,367 --> 00:33:57,067 of a recession started in December of 2007, and, 615 00:33:57,066 --> 00:34:00,466 as I have said here today, is the greatest economic recession 616 00:34:00,467 --> 00:34:06,267 that our country has faced since the Great Depression. 617 00:34:06,266 --> 00:34:11,296 The Recovery Act was intended to spur economic growth, 618 00:34:11,300 --> 00:34:15,000 invest in the industries that we know can create jobs and create 619 00:34:15,000 --> 00:34:16,970 the jobs of tomorrow. 620 00:34:16,967 --> 00:34:20,297 And it would be enormously short-sighted to take money 621 00:34:20,300 --> 00:34:26,130 from that type of job creation to cover this now. 622 00:34:26,133 --> 00:34:31,503 It's just a game that Washington likes to play. 623 00:34:31,500 --> 00:34:34,130 The Press: Let me shift to another topic here. 624 00:34:34,133 --> 00:34:37,063 For the Obama-Cameron meeting tomorrow, 625 00:34:37,066 --> 00:34:39,196 there are a lot of topics that are going to be coming up. 626 00:34:39,200 --> 00:34:42,500 What is uppermost on the President's mind that he wants 627 00:34:42,500 --> 00:34:44,870 to speak with Mr. Cameron about? 628 00:34:44,867 --> 00:34:47,697 Is it Afghanistan, or is it deficits, or -- 629 00:34:47,700 --> 00:34:52,400 Mr. Gibbs: I think that on the list tomorrow will be 630 00:34:52,400 --> 00:35:00,600 Afghanistan certainly, no doubt our global economic recovery, 631 00:35:00,600 --> 00:35:03,470 the Middle East. 632 00:35:03,467 --> 00:35:08,767 All of those topics I think will be something that these two 633 00:35:08,767 --> 00:35:14,697 leaders spoke about in Canada just a few weeks ago and will 634 00:35:14,700 --> 00:35:17,830 likely continue those conversations. 635 00:35:17,834 --> 00:35:20,264 I would say Afghanistan is probably first and foremost 636 00:35:20,266 --> 00:35:20,996 on that list. 637 00:35:21,000 --> 00:35:23,570 The Press: And the UK says they want to be -- have their troops 638 00:35:23,567 --> 00:35:26,497 out of Afghanistan by 2015. 639 00:35:26,500 --> 00:35:30,170 Will the President try to dissuade them from naming 640 00:35:30,166 --> 00:35:31,536 any date or something? 641 00:35:31,533 --> 00:35:35,533 Mr. Gibbs: Look, again, it is hard to look that far into the future. 642 00:35:35,533 --> 00:35:40,033 Obviously, the President has committed to July of 643 00:35:40,033 --> 00:35:47,703 2011 as the date of our transition and begin to, 644 00:35:47,700 --> 00:35:50,800 based on -- judging that rate based on the conditions on the 645 00:35:50,800 --> 00:35:56,100 ground, to begin removing some of the troops that the President 646 00:35:56,100 --> 00:36:00,230 added as a part of our increased resources there over the past 647 00:36:00,233 --> 00:36:01,433 couple of years. 648 00:36:01,433 --> 00:36:02,063 The Press: And one last thing. 649 00:36:02,066 --> 00:36:07,266 On Lockerbie, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee wants the UK 650 00:36:07,266 --> 00:36:10,166 to conduct an investigation. 651 00:36:10,166 --> 00:36:12,166 Is the President going to raise that in support -- 652 00:36:12,166 --> 00:36:14,896 Mr. Gibbs: I don't want to get ahead of what the President and 653 00:36:14,900 --> 00:36:17,330 the Prime Minister might talk about. 654 00:36:17,333 --> 00:36:20,663 Obviously, I think this issue will come up. 655 00:36:20,667 --> 00:36:27,697 And, again, I would reiterate that it was our strong belief 656 00:36:27,700 --> 00:36:33,630 then and it continues to be our strong belief now that 657 00:36:33,633 --> 00:36:35,703 the Lockerbie bomber should not have been released. 658 00:36:35,700 --> 00:36:39,400 The Press: Does he think BP played a role in this? 659 00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:45,330 Mr. Gibbs: We know of no information inside this building that 660 00:36:45,333 --> 00:36:49,163 somebody got as a result of an effort by them to weigh in. 661 00:36:49,166 --> 00:36:51,996 It wouldn't have made a difference anyway given 662 00:36:52,000 --> 00:36:54,030 where we ended up on the issue. 663 00:36:54,033 --> 00:36:56,863 The Press: Will they do a press conference or just an Oval Office? 664 00:36:56,867 --> 00:37:01,537 Mr. Gibbs: I believe -- I think because of the heat we're in the East Room 665 00:37:01,533 --> 00:37:02,763 for two and two. 666 00:37:02,767 --> 00:37:05,837 The Press: One on Afghanistan? 667 00:37:05,834 --> 00:37:07,604 The Press: Following up on Bill's question, Robert, 668 00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:10,800 do you believe the extensive coverage in the Post today 669 00:37:10,800 --> 00:37:14,170 enhanced or undermined the public's awareness of national 670 00:37:14,166 --> 00:37:18,096 security and intelligence operations since 9/11? 671 00:37:18,100 --> 00:37:23,400 Mr. Gibbs: Look, it's not for me to judge the news coverage of -- 672 00:37:23,400 --> 00:37:24,770 The Press: But if you could, though -- 673 00:37:24,767 --> 00:37:25,397 Mr. Gibbs: Sure -- 674 00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:27,400 The Press: -- for you and for the public as it tries to understand 675 00:37:27,400 --> 00:37:30,230 what's happened and how effectively it's happening. 676 00:37:30,233 --> 00:37:31,333 Mr. Gibbs: And I think that again, 677 00:37:31,333 --> 00:37:34,903 we owe a great debt of gratitude to those in the intelligence 678 00:37:34,900 --> 00:37:40,900 committee, as I said -- intelligence community -- that 679 00:37:40,900 --> 00:37:46,430 work extremely long hours, that we rarely, if ever, 680 00:37:46,433 --> 00:37:54,533 see their good work, but it keeps us safe day and night. 681 00:37:54,533 --> 00:38:02,203 It's not, Major, for me to get up here and discuss my 682 00:38:02,200 --> 00:38:05,430 viewpoints on that except to say that, as I said earlier, 683 00:38:05,433 --> 00:38:08,803 I think it is important that we have the capabilities that are 684 00:38:08,800 --> 00:38:14,170 necessary, while ensuring, as the President has on contracting 685 00:38:14,166 --> 00:38:19,366 reform, that we take the necessary steps to ensure that 686 00:38:19,367 --> 00:38:20,867 taxpayer dollars aren't wasted. 687 00:38:20,867 --> 00:38:23,197 The Press: Did anything published today undercut those priorities or 688 00:38:23,200 --> 00:38:24,630 those efforts? 689 00:38:24,633 --> 00:38:27,863 Mr. Gibbs: I think I gave that answer earlier. 690 00:38:27,867 --> 00:38:30,397 The Press: I just want to make sure I understood what you were 691 00:38:30,400 --> 00:38:32,000 saying to Chuck about unemployment. 692 00:38:32,000 --> 00:38:35,300 You -- the team essentially assumes right now -- things 693 00:38:35,300 --> 00:38:37,370 could change -- that unemployment is likely 694 00:38:37,367 --> 00:38:39,767 to be at 9 percent or higher by the end of this year? 695 00:38:39,767 --> 00:38:42,597 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, no, I think Chuck -- correct me if I'm wrong 696 00:38:42,600 --> 00:38:44,570 -- I think 9 percent was a number -- 697 00:38:44,567 --> 00:38:45,967 The Press: I threw that out to you -- I said, 698 00:38:45,967 --> 00:38:48,367 is 9 percent the line with which you guys would stop 699 00:38:48,367 --> 00:38:49,267 asking for extensions? 700 00:38:49,266 --> 00:38:50,836 The Press: You said, it might be the line where we would stop, 701 00:38:50,834 --> 00:38:51,504 and then -- 702 00:38:51,500 --> 00:38:53,630 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, no, no, no. 703 00:38:53,633 --> 00:38:56,603 First of all, I think Chuck largely picked a line. 704 00:38:56,600 --> 00:39:00,070 I don't know that 9 was, based on what Chuck's economic 705 00:39:00,066 --> 00:39:00,966 analysis denotes that -- 706 00:39:00,967 --> 00:39:02,667 The Press: -- the arbiter here. 707 00:39:02,667 --> 00:39:10,467 Mr. Gibbs: Right. So all I said was that I think by any fair estimation, 708 00:39:10,467 --> 00:39:17,097 I doubt either 9 or 8.9 would be considered something where you 709 00:39:17,100 --> 00:39:21,230 would decide not to continue to extend unemployment. 710 00:39:21,233 --> 00:39:22,263 I will say this, Major. 711 00:39:22,266 --> 00:39:25,466 First and foremost, we're focused on the vote tomorrow in 712 00:39:25,467 --> 00:39:28,197 the Senate and then ultimately this going back to the House to 713 00:39:28,200 --> 00:39:30,800 ensure that we have the votes necessary to get that extension 714 00:39:30,800 --> 00:39:31,970 to the President's desk. 715 00:39:31,967 --> 00:39:34,197 The Press: And it is still an open question whether at the end of this year, 716 00:39:34,200 --> 00:39:35,830 at the end of November 30th, when these, if you get them, 717 00:39:35,834 --> 00:39:37,734 are due to expire, if you get them again? 718 00:39:37,734 --> 00:39:39,204 Mr. Gibbs: It's certainly an open question, but again, 719 00:39:39,200 --> 00:39:44,570 I think it is fair and safe to assume that we are not going to 720 00:39:44,567 --> 00:39:48,667 wake up at the end of November and find ourselves at a rate of 721 00:39:48,667 --> 00:39:53,297 employment that one would consider not 722 00:39:53,300 --> 00:39:55,470 to be still an emergency. 723 00:39:55,467 --> 00:39:57,867 The Press: And just to follow up on Jonathan's question, 724 00:39:57,867 --> 00:40:01,267 to Republicans who argue, yes, historically we have paid for 725 00:40:01,266 --> 00:40:03,966 these through deficit spending but we've never before had 726 00:40:03,967 --> 00:40:06,867 $13 trillion in the debt, we've never had a fiscal year 727 00:40:06,867 --> 00:40:09,237 situation except for last year where nine months into the 728 00:40:09,233 --> 00:40:11,433 fiscal year we're already at a deficit of $1 trillion -- 729 00:40:11,433 --> 00:40:14,903 conditions have changed and they require a different look and a 730 00:40:14,900 --> 00:40:17,100 different approach -- to that you would say what? 731 00:40:17,100 --> 00:40:20,230 Mr. Gibbs: I would say that I doubt that they would make that 732 00:40:20,233 --> 00:40:22,363 argument -- I doubt they'd make that same argument if a 733 00:40:22,367 --> 00:40:25,337 Republican was in this White House, which -- 734 00:40:25,333 --> 00:40:28,533 The Press: So it's purely political? 735 00:40:28,533 --> 00:40:30,533 Mr. Gibbs: Given their history on this, 736 00:40:30,533 --> 00:40:35,803 given their votes on this, given their rhetoric on this, yes. 737 00:40:35,800 --> 00:40:38,800 The Press: Coming at this from another direction, 738 00:40:38,800 --> 00:40:43,270 you described the unemployment situation as an emergency. 739 00:40:43,266 --> 00:40:45,666 Most economists don't think we're going to come rebounding 740 00:40:45,667 --> 00:40:47,397 out of this recession very quickly. 741 00:40:47,400 --> 00:40:51,530 Is there a point at which this relatively high level of 742 00:40:51,533 --> 00:40:56,233 unemployment becomes more of a chronic condition and therefore 743 00:40:56,233 --> 00:41:00,133 does in fact have to be paid for out of a 744 00:41:00,133 --> 00:41:02,003 regular budgeting process? 745 00:41:02,000 --> 00:41:05,500 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know if that number has been derived by the economic 746 00:41:05,500 --> 00:41:08,100 team, or that date has. 747 00:41:08,100 --> 00:41:13,270 I think it is -- I think you are correct to assume that -- and I 748 00:41:13,266 --> 00:41:15,496 don't have my -- I should just bring my handy graph and load it 749 00:41:15,500 --> 00:41:19,800 every day -- that given the depth of our economic downturn, 750 00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:24,330 that it's going to take some time to turn that around. 751 00:41:24,333 --> 00:41:28,903 And, look, there are different benefit ranges 752 00:41:28,900 --> 00:41:30,400 for different states. 753 00:41:30,400 --> 00:41:36,230 High-unemployment states have a different benefit 754 00:41:36,233 --> 00:41:42,863 structure and award than lower-unemployment states do. 755 00:41:42,867 --> 00:41:45,897 So, obviously, it varies somewhat. 756 00:41:45,900 --> 00:41:50,030 But I don't know if the economic team has derived 757 00:41:50,033 --> 00:41:52,603 the number it would take. 758 00:41:52,600 --> 00:41:57,070 The Press: Could they envision a time coming where they do, 759 00:41:57,066 --> 00:41:58,466 in fact, start -- 760 00:41:58,467 --> 00:42:03,667 Mr. Gibbs: If they -- I don't know the answer to that. 761 00:42:03,667 --> 00:42:06,237 The Press: Robert, quickly, on the Vice President's comments 762 00:42:06,233 --> 00:42:08,763 on Afghanistan over the weekend. 763 00:42:08,767 --> 00:42:10,537 Talking about the withdrawal next summer, 764 00:42:10,533 --> 00:42:14,503 he said that it could be as a few as a couple thousand. 765 00:42:14,500 --> 00:42:15,630 That doesn't sound like very much. 766 00:42:15,633 --> 00:42:17,203 Like 2 percent of the force. 767 00:42:17,200 --> 00:42:20,030 I mean, that would be like a token withdrawal at that point. 768 00:42:20,033 --> 00:42:23,403 Is that really a deadline if you're going to pull 769 00:42:23,400 --> 00:42:24,730 out as few as 2,000? 770 00:42:24,734 --> 00:42:28,634 Mr. Gibbs: Again, what we've said is that marks a period 771 00:42:28,633 --> 00:42:33,103 of transition that will -- that conditions on the ground will 772 00:42:33,100 --> 00:42:37,000 determine the slope of that withdrawal. 773 00:42:37,000 --> 00:42:41,070 The Press: But if the slope is that shallow, 774 00:42:41,066 --> 00:42:42,296 does that even count as a withdrawal? 775 00:42:42,300 --> 00:42:47,130 Mr. Gibbs: I would say this, Mark. 776 00:42:47,133 --> 00:42:53,603 Getting into hypotheticals almost a year away from now 777 00:42:53,600 --> 00:42:54,600 -- I will say this. 778 00:42:54,600 --> 00:42:58,800 I think that we are on the verge of marking a considerable 779 00:42:58,800 --> 00:43:03,600 drawdown in Iraq that, if I recall correctly, 780 00:43:03,600 --> 00:43:07,930 a year before that, many said wasn't going to happen either, 781 00:43:07,934 --> 00:43:09,504 and certainly two years before that, 782 00:43:09,500 --> 00:43:14,730 said that that wasn't likely to happen as well. 783 00:43:14,734 --> 00:43:21,534 It has because of the hard work to build up the Iraqi security 784 00:43:21,533 --> 00:43:26,803 forces and to sustain that involvement. 785 00:43:26,800 --> 00:43:31,900 Again, the President I think has been very clear about what July 786 00:43:31,900 --> 00:43:34,930 2011 means and what it starts. 787 00:43:34,934 --> 00:43:35,764 The Press: Follow on Afghanistan. 788 00:43:35,767 --> 00:43:37,067 Mr. Gibbs: Mara. 789 00:43:37,066 --> 00:43:38,536 The Press: Just to clarify that. 790 00:43:38,533 --> 00:43:40,333 So there's going to be a withdrawal no matter what, 791 00:43:40,333 --> 00:43:43,533 but the pace of the withdrawal is conditions-based -- is that 792 00:43:43,533 --> 00:43:44,263 what you're saying? 793 00:43:44,266 --> 00:43:45,796 Mr. Gibbs: Again -- that's not just what I said; 794 00:43:45,800 --> 00:43:48,470 that is what the President said in December at West Point. 795 00:43:48,467 --> 00:43:50,697 The Press: Because when he said that -- you just said he's 796 00:43:50,700 --> 00:43:54,200 pretty clear about what July 2011 means. 797 00:43:54,200 --> 00:43:57,970 Mr. Gibbs: It means we begin the transition out of Afghanistan. 798 00:43:57,967 --> 00:44:00,467 Again, let me be -- I want to be clear, 799 00:44:00,467 --> 00:44:03,737 just so -- I think if you go back and read the President's 800 00:44:03,734 --> 00:44:09,134 speech of December 9th or 10th or 11th at West Point, 801 00:44:09,133 --> 00:44:11,133 I think -- 802 00:44:11,133 --> 00:44:12,233 The Press: December 1st. 803 00:44:12,233 --> 00:44:12,933 Mr. Gibbs: December 1st? 804 00:44:12,934 --> 00:44:13,964 The Press: Thank you, Mark. 805 00:44:13,967 --> 00:44:18,067 Mr. Gibbs: I was -- did you just make that up or is that right? 806 00:44:18,066 --> 00:44:18,736 (laughter) 807 00:44:18,734 --> 00:44:20,604 The Press: Are you sure about that? 808 00:44:20,600 --> 00:44:22,770 Mr. Gibbs: Last week you slipped a little bit and I didn't know if you 809 00:44:22,767 --> 00:44:27,697 were the -- sports bureau for press room briefings. 810 00:44:27,700 --> 00:44:29,570 Yes, ma'am. 811 00:44:29,567 --> 00:44:33,167 The Press: But the question that was raised earlier about whether 812 00:44:33,166 --> 00:44:34,766 -- the fact that there's going to be a withdrawal even though 813 00:44:34,767 --> 00:44:37,167 it will be conditions-based is an incentive for, as you said, 814 00:44:37,166 --> 00:44:39,996 the Afghan security forces to get on with it -- 815 00:44:40,000 --> 00:44:41,000 Mr. Gibbs: Well, not just the security forces -- 816 00:44:41,000 --> 00:44:42,300 The Press: -- or whether it's an incentive for people to hunker 817 00:44:42,300 --> 00:44:45,470 down and not align with us because they're afraid the 818 00:44:45,467 --> 00:44:47,767 Taliban might take over if we leave. 819 00:44:47,767 --> 00:44:50,137 You think that this formula fixes that? 820 00:44:50,133 --> 00:44:54,363 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I have -- if the question I got earlier -- 821 00:44:54,367 --> 00:44:56,597 which was, based on the conditions on the ground, 822 00:44:56,600 --> 00:44:59,930 are we making any progress -- it doesn't appear as if this 823 00:44:59,934 --> 00:45:02,764 mysterious "everybody hunker down, 824 00:45:02,767 --> 00:45:05,697 be real quiet because if we do, then, shh, 825 00:45:05,700 --> 00:45:07,170 they'll leave" doesn't -- 826 00:45:07,166 --> 00:45:08,036 The Press: No, no, that's not what I'm saying. 827 00:45:08,033 --> 00:45:09,503 I'm talking about people who are trying to decide, 828 00:45:09,500 --> 00:45:13,330 should I align myself with the Americans and may be at risk to 829 00:45:13,333 --> 00:45:15,863 my family later if they leave, or should I just 830 00:45:15,867 --> 00:45:17,037 hedge my bets -- 831 00:45:17,033 --> 00:45:21,303 Mr. Gibbs: Again, that's why the -- that's why we're taking the 832 00:45:21,300 --> 00:45:24,330 actions we are in Marja and Kandahar and throughout the 833 00:45:24,333 --> 00:45:26,803 country to make the environment safer. 834 00:45:26,800 --> 00:45:31,300 Look, if a bunch of people want to hide, that's great. 835 00:45:31,300 --> 00:45:33,900 Then you go figure out what they've left and 836 00:45:33,900 --> 00:45:35,230 you go control it. 837 00:45:35,233 --> 00:45:36,303 The Press: I'm not talking about the Taliban hiding, 838 00:45:36,300 --> 00:45:37,600 I'm talking about ordinary Afghans. 839 00:45:37,600 --> 00:45:39,130 But that satisfies me. 840 00:45:39,133 --> 00:45:41,433 I just have a question about the unemployment benefits. 841 00:45:41,433 --> 00:45:44,063 I think they're worth $35 billion, is that correct? 842 00:45:44,066 --> 00:45:45,766 Mr. Gibbs: I think that's right. 843 00:45:45,767 --> 00:45:47,937 The Press: I'm wondering if it's -- and I understand what you're 844 00:45:47,934 --> 00:45:50,734 saying, in the past it's always been understood that in this 845 00:45:50,734 --> 00:45:53,064 kind of a recession it's okay to add to the deficit for something 846 00:45:53,066 --> 00:45:54,266 like unemployment insurance. 847 00:45:54,266 --> 00:45:57,566 But if you can't find $35 billion, 848 00:45:57,567 --> 00:45:59,767 how can the American people be confident that when it comes 849 00:45:59,767 --> 00:46:02,797 time to really solving the deficit and debt problem you'll 850 00:46:02,800 --> 00:46:03,770 be able to find what you need? 851 00:46:03,767 --> 00:46:10,537 Mr. Gibbs: I appreciate the sort of game we're playing here. 852 00:46:10,533 --> 00:46:13,363 First and foremost, I think it's important to understand that if 853 00:46:13,367 --> 00:46:17,697 you don't have a job and we give you unemployment benefits, 854 00:46:17,700 --> 00:46:21,100 it's not as if you're investing that in your mutual fund, okay? 855 00:46:21,100 --> 00:46:23,730 That's money that goes back into the economy. 856 00:46:23,734 --> 00:46:28,904 So there are distinct economic benefits to ensuring that those 857 00:46:28,900 --> 00:46:33,230 that have lost their jobs have the benefits that they need. 858 00:46:33,233 --> 00:46:38,303 The President has identified a whole host of measures -- a 859 00:46:38,300 --> 00:46:45,570 non-security spending freeze for three years, programs that, 860 00:46:45,567 --> 00:46:47,167 OMB having gone through the budget, 861 00:46:47,166 --> 00:46:48,466 can and should be eliminated. 862 00:46:48,467 --> 00:46:52,097 But, again, Mara, I think it is important to understand that we 863 00:46:52,100 --> 00:46:55,330 are in a time of economic emergency. 864 00:46:55,333 --> 00:47:01,303 That economic emergency, as I -- the example I used with Mark -- 865 00:47:01,300 --> 00:47:03,930 maybe we should just wait to patch the roof, 866 00:47:03,934 --> 00:47:06,934 even though it rains. 867 00:47:06,934 --> 00:47:08,104 The Press: Are you talking about patching the roof with 868 00:47:08,100 --> 00:47:09,730 borrowed money or cash? 869 00:47:09,734 --> 00:47:10,804 That's all. 870 00:47:10,800 --> 00:47:13,270 We're not questioning whether you should patch the roof. 871 00:47:13,266 --> 00:47:14,896 It's just how are you going to pay for it -- with a credit 872 00:47:14,900 --> 00:47:16,270 card or with cash? 873 00:47:16,266 --> 00:47:18,496 Mr. Gibbs: In my house, we're going to borrow the money so we 874 00:47:18,500 --> 00:47:19,900 don't get wet tonight. 875 00:47:19,900 --> 00:47:21,830 The Press: You're saying there's no alternative to borrowing? 876 00:47:21,834 --> 00:47:25,334 Mr. Gibbs: I think that given the economic emergency that 877 00:47:25,333 --> 00:47:30,603 we're in, why we are rewriting the rules -- I appreciate the 878 00:47:30,600 --> 00:47:34,800 great concern of all of those on Capitol Hill who have found 879 00:47:34,800 --> 00:47:38,930 in a different political administration a difference of 880 00:47:38,934 --> 00:47:41,534 views that is not backed up by either their rhetoric or 881 00:47:41,533 --> 00:47:44,533 their votes for years and years and years. 882 00:47:44,533 --> 00:47:48,603 I think that is the type of games that the American people 883 00:47:48,600 --> 00:47:52,130 have come simply to expect from this town but, 884 00:47:52,133 --> 00:47:54,733 in times of great economic emergency, 885 00:47:54,734 --> 00:47:58,934 would hope that this town would put aside in order on the fourth 886 00:47:58,934 --> 00:48:04,834 time to extend unemployment benefits to those that have 887 00:48:04,834 --> 00:48:05,364 lost their job. 888 00:48:05,367 --> 00:48:06,537 The Press: But do you think it's possible that even people 889 00:48:06,533 --> 00:48:08,833 on Capitol Hill who are being hypocritical have the support 890 00:48:08,834 --> 00:48:10,504 of the public in this because the public has this -- 891 00:48:10,500 --> 00:48:11,170 Mr. Gibbs: No, I don't. 892 00:48:11,166 --> 00:48:12,966 The Press: -- has this feeling about the deficit? 893 00:48:12,967 --> 00:48:15,067 Mr. Gibbs: Look, this is not to minimize people's 894 00:48:15,066 --> 00:48:16,536 feeling about the deficit. 895 00:48:16,533 --> 00:48:24,863 But, again, I don't know when the last time NPR polled on 896 00:48:24,867 --> 00:48:29,367 this, but my sense is that most people support extending 897 00:48:29,367 --> 00:48:31,067 unemployment benefits. 898 00:48:31,066 --> 00:48:34,196 There are a few people on Capitol Hill that don't. 899 00:48:34,200 --> 00:48:40,330 But, again, I think after a series of votes this week and 900 00:48:40,333 --> 00:48:43,503 landing on the side of those that need help, 901 00:48:43,500 --> 00:48:46,870 the President and Congress will deliver extended benefits. 902 00:48:46,867 --> 00:48:48,267 The Press: Robert? 903 00:48:48,266 --> 00:48:49,396 Mr. Gibbs: Hold on one second. 904 00:48:49,400 --> 00:48:51,700 The Press: Yes, Robert -- 905 00:48:51,700 --> 00:48:52,830 Mr. Gibbs: Hold on a second. 906 00:48:52,834 --> 00:48:55,034 The Press: Robert, when? When? 907 00:48:55,033 --> 00:48:56,003 Mr. Gibbs: Soon, maybe. 908 00:48:56,000 --> 00:48:58,070 The Press: Thank you. 909 00:48:58,066 --> 00:48:58,966 Mr. Gibbs: Stephen. 910 00:48:58,967 --> 00:49:01,937 The Press: BP is obviously a very politically sensitive issue 911 00:49:01,934 --> 00:49:05,634 for both the U.S. government and the U.K. government right now. 912 00:49:05,633 --> 00:49:08,303 Is there any concern in the White House that those political 913 00:49:08,300 --> 00:49:12,470 pressures on both the leaders tomorrow will sort of hamper 914 00:49:12,467 --> 00:49:17,537 their ability to sort of forge a strong personal relationship? 915 00:49:17,533 --> 00:49:19,433 Mr. Gibbs: Stephen, I certainly don't believe so. 916 00:49:19,433 --> 00:49:25,703 I think that if you look at the comments I think by either of 917 00:49:25,700 --> 00:49:33,770 these two leaders -- look, I think Prime Minister Cameron 918 00:49:33,767 --> 00:49:40,167 said things when there were -- when some in Great Britain were 919 00:49:40,166 --> 00:49:45,736 concerned about, for instance, the holdings and the pension 920 00:49:45,734 --> 00:49:51,834 that he said he expected, as President Obama expects, 921 00:49:51,834 --> 00:49:56,164 that BP will meet its responsibilities and 922 00:49:56,166 --> 00:49:59,936 its obligations for the damage that it has done. 923 00:49:59,934 --> 00:50:05,364 I think there is agreement on both sides on that issue. 924 00:50:05,367 --> 00:50:10,867 I don't think it will hamper any of our discussions. 925 00:50:10,867 --> 00:50:15,537 We are -- the President is certainly looking for BP to live 926 00:50:15,533 --> 00:50:21,103 up to its monetary obligations to pay the damages and the fines 927 00:50:21,100 --> 00:50:27,230 that it will be assessed as a result of this disaster. 928 00:50:27,233 --> 00:50:30,703 And I think that's what the Prime Minister said as well. 929 00:50:30,700 --> 00:50:31,370 April. 930 00:50:31,367 --> 00:50:33,937 The Press: Robert, two questions. 931 00:50:33,934 --> 00:50:36,604 Some House Democrats are still very miffed at some things that 932 00:50:36,600 --> 00:50:41,370 you said recently and they want to know -- they want 933 00:50:41,367 --> 00:50:42,467 answers from you. 934 00:50:42,467 --> 00:50:45,037 And has Nancy Pelosi talked to you as of yet, 935 00:50:45,033 --> 00:50:47,263 or anyone in the House leadership? 936 00:50:47,266 --> 00:50:51,366 Mr. Gibbs: No, and I think we tilled this ground pretty well last week. 937 00:50:51,367 --> 00:50:54,897 The Press: No, but -- they clearly -- the people I talked to this week, 938 00:50:54,900 --> 00:50:57,730 House leaders said that they want answers from this 939 00:50:57,734 --> 00:51:00,334 President as to why you would say something like that, 940 00:51:00,333 --> 00:51:01,363 and to put something out there -- 941 00:51:01,367 --> 00:51:03,267 Mr. Gibbs: April, I would refer you to any of the four 942 00:51:03,266 --> 00:51:09,196 transcripts from these august briefings just last week. 943 00:51:09,200 --> 00:51:09,930 The Press: Wait a minute, hold on. 944 00:51:09,934 --> 00:51:13,234 Also, and Joe Biden -- Vice President Joe Biden. 945 00:51:13,233 --> 00:51:17,303 Why did -- why is it that the President or the Vice President, 946 00:51:17,300 --> 00:51:22,700 why don't they consider racist the activities in the Tea Party? 947 00:51:22,700 --> 00:51:27,930 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I would refer you to what the Vice President said. 948 00:51:27,934 --> 00:51:37,404 I am not going to add to it and I'm not going to broadly brush 949 00:51:37,400 --> 00:51:41,630 the activities of some for the activities of all. 950 00:51:41,633 --> 00:51:44,803 The Press: But race is being played in this political game. 951 00:51:44,800 --> 00:51:46,630 I mean, it's being pushed forward and you're not 952 00:51:46,633 --> 00:51:47,963 considering this racist. 953 00:51:47,967 --> 00:51:50,997 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not getting into that. 954 00:51:51,000 --> 00:51:54,570 The Press: The President has said that capping carbon emissions is 955 00:51:54,567 --> 00:51:58,367 critical to achieving his goals environmentally, on energy, 956 00:51:58,367 --> 00:52:00,097 and on the economy. 957 00:52:00,100 --> 00:52:02,070 Does he feel strongly enough about that, 958 00:52:02,066 --> 00:52:05,836 that he's committed to using his executive authority to the EPA 959 00:52:05,834 --> 00:52:08,464 if Congress will not cap carbon emissions, 960 00:52:08,467 --> 00:52:09,937 which is now very much in doubt? 961 00:52:09,934 --> 00:52:15,504 Mr. Gibbs: Let me get some updated guidance. 962 00:52:15,500 --> 00:52:18,930 I will say obviously that this entire debate, John, 963 00:52:18,934 --> 00:52:25,034 is based on -- not on some grander policy design, 964 00:52:25,033 --> 00:52:32,233 but because a group of states sued the Environmental 965 00:52:32,233 --> 00:52:37,103 Protection Agency and the court said that the issue needed to 966 00:52:37,100 --> 00:52:38,030 be dealt with. 967 00:52:38,033 --> 00:52:41,533 The question the President has asked and believes, rightly so, 968 00:52:41,533 --> 00:52:45,263 is that whether or not we're going to do that 969 00:52:45,266 --> 00:52:48,066 indiscriminately or whether or not we can get everybody at the 970 00:52:48,066 --> 00:52:52,896 table and come up with some genuine common-sense ideas 971 00:52:52,900 --> 00:52:56,830 that create a path towards energy independence, 972 00:52:56,834 --> 00:52:59,864 that improve our national security so we can -- we stop 973 00:52:59,867 --> 00:53:06,597 exporting hundreds of millions of dollars a day overseas, 974 00:53:06,600 --> 00:53:12,900 and to create a market for the very jobs that the President 975 00:53:12,900 --> 00:53:16,170 both highlighted last week in Michigan and that we have seen 976 00:53:16,166 --> 00:53:18,996 created as a result of some of the investments 977 00:53:19,000 --> 00:53:20,470 in the Recovery Act. 978 00:53:20,467 --> 00:53:22,737 The Press: But does he think the use of the regulatory authority 979 00:53:22,734 --> 00:53:26,564 is better than nothing if Congress can't pass it? 980 00:53:26,567 --> 00:53:30,967 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I think we -- our great hope is still that 981 00:53:30,967 --> 00:53:34,937 Congress won't find itself in that situation, 982 00:53:34,934 --> 00:53:39,764 but instead will do what is necessary to meet the 983 00:53:39,767 --> 00:53:45,397 obligations of the court suit and do so in a way that gives 984 00:53:45,400 --> 00:53:48,500 everybody input on that decision. 985 00:53:48,500 --> 00:53:49,470 Thanks, guys.