English subtitles for clip: File:7-26-10- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:01,233 --> 00:00:02,563 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, sir. 2 00:00:02,567 --> 00:00:03,137 The Press: Thanks, Robert. 3 00:00:03,133 --> 00:00:06,733 Two questions, a few on WikiLeaks. 4 00:00:06,734 --> 00:00:08,634 What was the President's reaction once he heard 5 00:00:08,633 --> 00:00:11,563 about the leaking -- 6 00:00:11,567 --> 00:00:15,397 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I remember talking to the President sometime last 7 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:18,800 week after discussions with news organizations that these 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:21,870 stories were coming. 9 00:00:21,867 --> 00:00:28,567 Look, I think our reaction to this type of material, 10 00:00:28,567 --> 00:00:33,067 a breach of federal law, is always the same, 11 00:00:33,066 --> 00:00:37,466 and that is whenever you have the potential for names and for 12 00:00:37,467 --> 00:00:41,167 operations and for programs to be out there in the public 13 00:00:41,166 --> 00:00:45,036 domain, that it -- besides being against the law -- has a 14 00:00:45,033 --> 00:00:51,303 potential to be very harmful to those that are in our military, 15 00:00:51,300 --> 00:00:53,170 those that are cooperating with our military, 16 00:00:53,166 --> 00:00:56,496 and those that are working to keep us safe. 17 00:00:56,500 --> 00:00:58,870 The Press: Well, I mean, was he personally angered by this? 18 00:00:58,867 --> 00:01:01,037 Did he demand answers or an investigation? 19 00:01:01,033 --> 00:01:08,863 Mr. Gibbs: Well, there is an ongoing investigation that predated 20 00:01:08,867 --> 00:01:14,667 the end of last week into leaks of highly 21 00:01:14,667 --> 00:01:17,367 classified secret documents. 22 00:01:17,367 --> 00:01:20,097 The Press: Does the White House believe that the documents raise doubts 23 00:01:20,100 --> 00:01:22,870 about whether Pakistan is a reliable partner 24 00:01:22,867 --> 00:01:23,767 in fighting terrorism? 25 00:01:23,767 --> 00:01:30,337 Mr. Gibbs: Well, let's understand a few things about the documents. 26 00:01:30,333 --> 00:01:37,963 Based on what we've seen, I don't think that what is being 27 00:01:37,967 --> 00:01:42,467 reported hasn't in many ways been publicly discussed either 28 00:01:42,467 --> 00:01:45,537 by you all or by representatives of the U.S. government for 29 00:01:45,533 --> 00:01:47,733 quite some time. 30 00:01:47,734 --> 00:01:54,364 We have certainly known about safe havens in Pakistan; 31 00:01:54,367 --> 00:02:01,367 we have been concerned about civilian casualties for quite 32 00:02:01,367 --> 00:02:07,337 some time -- and on both of those aspects we've taken steps 33 00:02:07,333 --> 00:02:10,563 to make improvements. 34 00:02:10,567 --> 00:02:14,997 I think just the last time General Petreaus testified in 35 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:20,630 front of the Senate there was a fairly robust discussion about 36 00:02:20,633 --> 00:02:27,063 the historical relationships that have been had between the 37 00:02:27,066 --> 00:02:30,666 Taliban and Pakistan's intelligence services. 38 00:02:30,667 --> 00:02:34,367 The Press: So no doubts about Pakistan's trustworthiness or reliability? 39 00:02:34,367 --> 00:02:37,667 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, look, I think the President was clear back in 40 00:02:37,667 --> 00:02:42,767 March of 2009 that there was no blank check for Pakistan, 41 00:02:42,767 --> 00:02:47,197 that Pakistan had to change the way it dealt with us, 42 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:50,430 it had to make progress on safe havens. 43 00:02:50,433 --> 00:02:53,563 Look, it's in the interest of the Pakistanis because we 44 00:02:53,567 --> 00:02:59,397 certainly saw last year those extremists that enjoy the safe 45 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:04,230 haven there turning their eye on innocent Pakistanis. 46 00:03:04,233 --> 00:03:10,203 That's why you've seen Pakistan make progress in moving against 47 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:13,070 extremists in Swat and in South Waziristan. 48 00:03:13,066 --> 00:03:17,136 But at the same time, even as they make progress, 49 00:03:17,133 --> 00:03:20,163 we understand that the status quo is not acceptable and that 50 00:03:20,166 --> 00:03:23,196 we have to continue moving this relationship 51 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:24,330 in the right direction. 52 00:03:24,333 --> 00:03:25,303 The Press: One more quickly on this. 53 00:03:25,300 --> 00:03:27,770 What do you think this says about the ability of the 54 00:03:27,767 --> 00:03:30,337 government to protect confidential information 55 00:03:30,333 --> 00:03:32,363 if a breach like this can occur? 56 00:03:32,367 --> 00:03:35,697 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think there is no doubt that this is a 57 00:03:35,700 --> 00:03:41,430 concerning development in operational security. 58 00:03:41,433 --> 00:03:49,763 And as we said earlier, it is -- it poses a very real and 59 00:03:49,767 --> 00:03:54,467 potential threat to those that are working hard every day to 60 00:03:54,467 --> 00:03:55,767 keep us safe. 61 00:03:55,767 --> 00:03:58,867 The Press: I wanted to ask you quickly about Congressman Rangel and 62 00:03:58,867 --> 00:04:00,867 the ethics charges that he faces. 63 00:04:00,867 --> 00:04:04,167 Is it the preference of the White House that he reach a deal 64 00:04:04,166 --> 00:04:05,566 and put this behind him, put it behind -- 65 00:04:05,567 --> 00:04:07,637 Mr. Gibbs: Ben, I don't have anything on that. 66 00:04:07,633 --> 00:04:09,863 I've been focused on the WikiLeaks. 67 00:04:09,867 --> 00:04:11,637 The Press: Are you worried that will be a distraction if it carries 68 00:04:11,633 --> 00:04:13,003 on to September? 69 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:15,470 Mr. Gibbs: I don't -- let me get some information on that. 70 00:04:15,467 --> 00:04:18,337 The Press: On the WikiLeaks, one of the questions that this 71 00:04:18,333 --> 00:04:20,603 raises is whether it makes sense for the United States to 72 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:23,930 continue to give billions of dollars of aid to Pakistan if 73 00:04:23,934 --> 00:04:25,564 they are helping the Taliban. 74 00:04:25,567 --> 00:04:30,467 And I'm wondering if that's a concern and what you think. 75 00:04:30,467 --> 00:04:35,337 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, as I said a minute ago, on March 27, 2009, 76 00:04:35,333 --> 00:04:38,203 the President said, "After years of mixed results we 77 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:41,200 will not and cannot provide a blank check. 78 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:43,730 Pakistan must demonstrate its commitment to rooting 79 00:04:43,734 --> 00:04:47,464 out al Qaeda and the violent extremists within its borders." 80 00:04:47,467 --> 00:04:54,197 Again, I am not going to stand here on July the 26th and tell 81 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:56,270 you that all is well. 82 00:04:56,266 --> 00:05:03,166 I will tell you that we have made progress in moving this 83 00:05:03,166 --> 00:05:06,436 relationship forward; in having the Pakistanis, 84 00:05:06,433 --> 00:05:10,863 as I said earlier, address the issue of safe havens, 85 00:05:10,867 --> 00:05:17,337 the issue of extremists operating in the country by 86 00:05:17,333 --> 00:05:21,633 undertaking operations, again, in Swat and in South Waziristan 87 00:05:21,633 --> 00:05:26,333 -- because over the course of the past more than year and a 88 00:05:26,333 --> 00:05:31,463 half, what the Pakistanis have found is that the extremists 89 00:05:31,467 --> 00:05:37,897 that once enjoyed complete safe haven in parts of their country 90 00:05:37,900 --> 00:05:40,670 now threaten their country. 91 00:05:40,667 --> 00:05:43,567 So they've taken steps. 92 00:05:43,567 --> 00:05:48,267 We want to continue to work with them to take more steps. 93 00:05:48,266 --> 00:05:51,796 We understand that we are in this region of the world because 94 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:59,530 of what happened on 9/11; that ensuring that there is not a 95 00:05:59,533 --> 00:06:03,303 safe haven in Afghanistan by which attacks against this 96 00:06:03,300 --> 00:06:06,870 country and countries around the world can be planned. 97 00:06:06,867 --> 00:06:08,767 That's why we're there and that's why we're going to 98 00:06:08,767 --> 00:06:10,897 continue to make progress on this relationship. 99 00:06:10,900 --> 00:06:11,670 The Press: A blank check is one thing, 100 00:06:11,667 --> 00:06:15,597 but is there enough progress there to justify the aid that 101 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:16,670 is being given to them? 102 00:06:16,667 --> 00:06:23,297 Mr. Gibbs: Again, look, we -- I think it was -- even if you look 103 00:06:23,300 --> 00:06:25,430 at some of the comments the Secretary of State made just 104 00:06:25,433 --> 00:06:36,163 last week in Pakistan, our criticism has been relayed both 105 00:06:36,166 --> 00:06:42,136 publicly and privately and we will continue to do so 106 00:06:42,133 --> 00:06:44,563 in order to move this relationship forward. 107 00:06:44,567 --> 00:06:46,367 The Press: And I know you're unhappy about the leak, 108 00:06:46,367 --> 00:06:51,167 but could you talk about how that part of the issue was 109 00:06:51,166 --> 00:06:54,196 characterized in the memos and whether you think it's accurate? 110 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:55,200 Mr. Gibbs: Which -- 111 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:58,230 The Press: In terms of Pakistan's role. 112 00:06:58,233 --> 00:07:04,033 Mr. Gibbs: Look, again, I would point you to -- as I said a minute ago, 113 00:07:04,033 --> 00:07:10,103 I don't know that what is being said or what is being reported 114 00:07:10,100 --> 00:07:14,970 isn't something that hasn't been discussed fairly publicly, 115 00:07:14,967 --> 00:07:19,467 again, by named U.S. officials and in many news stories. 116 00:07:19,467 --> 00:07:26,397 I mean, The New York Times had a story on this topic in March of 117 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:29,330 2009 written by the same authors. 118 00:07:29,333 --> 00:07:31,733 The Press: Shifting gears, I also want to ask you where 119 00:07:31,734 --> 00:07:34,304 things stand with the consumer regulator decision. 120 00:07:34,300 --> 00:07:36,800 How soon is the President going to make a decision? 121 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:39,230 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have an update on the timeline from last week 122 00:07:39,233 --> 00:07:46,303 in which I said I did not think that things were immediate. 123 00:07:46,300 --> 00:07:51,870 I know that the President will look at this job and at several 124 00:07:51,867 --> 00:07:56,397 other jobs that are created as part of this legislation 125 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:57,430 and make an announcement. 126 00:07:57,433 --> 00:07:59,363 The Press: And what criteria is he going to be looking at? 127 00:07:59,367 --> 00:08:02,337 I know you don't want to talk publicly about the strengths and 128 00:08:02,333 --> 00:08:04,263 weaknesses of the candidates, but -- 129 00:08:04,266 --> 00:08:07,536 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I think we've got a number of -- as 130 00:08:07,533 --> 00:08:13,033 we've talked about here and with many of you on the phone, 131 00:08:13,033 --> 00:08:16,733 I think we've got many good candidates. 132 00:08:16,734 --> 00:08:21,264 And, again, I think if you look back at the reason that the 133 00:08:21,266 --> 00:08:26,066 President and the team wanted to create a bureau that dealt with 134 00:08:26,066 --> 00:08:33,596 consumer issues, because even as we look back at the debate and 135 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:36,670 look back at the issues that were involved in this debate, 136 00:08:36,667 --> 00:08:43,497 most people's interaction with the financial system is not on a 137 00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:45,470 Wall Street trading level. 138 00:08:45,467 --> 00:08:48,397 It's in getting a loan. 139 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:52,430 It's in getting the capital to create or expand a small 140 00:08:52,433 --> 00:08:55,263 business to buy a home. 141 00:08:55,266 --> 00:09:02,236 And I think ensuring that there are protections for those on 142 00:09:02,233 --> 00:09:07,703 Main Street in order to interact on a daily basis with the 143 00:09:07,700 --> 00:09:09,830 financial system are tremendously important. 144 00:09:09,834 --> 00:09:13,534 The Press: Is Wall Street's opposition to Warren going to be weighed in 145 00:09:13,533 --> 00:09:17,403 the decision-making process? 146 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:19,330 Mr. Gibbs: I said this last week and I'll repeat it again. 147 00:09:19,333 --> 00:09:25,233 I think Elizabeth Warren is a terrific candidate. 148 00:09:25,233 --> 00:09:31,363 I don't think any criticism in any way by anybody would 149 00:09:31,367 --> 00:09:34,337 disqualify her and I think she is very confirmable 150 00:09:34,333 --> 00:09:35,503 for this job. 151 00:09:35,500 --> 00:09:36,030 Yes, sir. 152 00:09:36,033 --> 00:09:37,403 The Press: Robert back on WikiLeaks. 153 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:38,670 A couple of times now, you've said in the last couple of 154 00:09:38,667 --> 00:09:42,337 moments that a lot of this information is not really new, 155 00:09:42,333 --> 00:09:45,363 that named U.S. government officials have said some of 156 00:09:45,367 --> 00:09:46,667 this same information publicly. 157 00:09:46,667 --> 00:09:47,997 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I'm not saying it's -- yes, 158 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,330 I said there weren't any new revelations in the material. 159 00:09:50,333 --> 00:09:51,663 The Press: So how does it harm national security if 160 00:09:51,667 --> 00:09:52,637 we've known this already? 161 00:09:52,633 --> 00:09:57,403 Mr. Gibbs: Well, because you've got -- it's not the content as 162 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:04,800 much as it is their names, their operations, there's logistics, 163 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:11,400 there are sources -- all of that information out in a public way 164 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:14,970 has the potential, Ed, to do harm. 165 00:10:14,967 --> 00:10:20,897 If somebody is cooperating with the federal government and their 166 00:10:20,900 --> 00:10:23,800 name is listed in an action report, 167 00:10:23,800 --> 00:10:26,130 I don't think it's a stretch to believe that that could 168 00:10:26,133 --> 00:10:29,963 potentially put a group or an individual at great 169 00:10:29,967 --> 00:10:30,897 personal risk. 170 00:10:30,900 --> 00:10:33,800 The Press: But is part of the concern as well that this is 171 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:36,530 going to embarrass government officials because maybe the war 172 00:10:36,533 --> 00:10:39,503 in Afghanistan is a lot worse off than this administration and 173 00:10:39,500 --> 00:10:41,100 the previous administration let on? 174 00:10:41,100 --> 00:10:43,070 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, Ed, that's why I would go back to my 175 00:10:43,066 --> 00:10:48,296 first point, which is in terms of broad revelations, 176 00:10:48,300 --> 00:10:51,630 there aren't any that we see in these documents. 177 00:10:51,633 --> 00:10:54,203 And let's understand this -- when you talk about the way the 178 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:59,170 war is going in Afghanistan, the documents purportedly cover from 179 00:10:59,166 --> 00:11:04,296 I think January of 2004 to December 2009. 180 00:11:04,300 --> 00:11:10,130 I can't speak for the conduct of that war from an operational 181 00:11:10,133 --> 00:11:14,063 perspective for most of that time. 182 00:11:14,066 --> 00:11:16,966 I do know that when the President came into office in 183 00:11:16,967 --> 00:11:21,067 2009, he, in the first few months, 184 00:11:21,066 --> 00:11:24,036 ordered an increase in the number of out troops -- having 185 00:11:24,033 --> 00:11:28,433 spent two years talking about how our efforts in Afghanistan 186 00:11:28,433 --> 00:11:33,563 were greatly under-resourced -- increased resources and troops 187 00:11:33,567 --> 00:11:36,737 to provide security for an election, and then, 188 00:11:36,734 --> 00:11:39,764 as you well know, conducted a fairly comprehensive and 189 00:11:39,767 --> 00:11:41,897 painstaking review of our policy, 190 00:11:41,900 --> 00:11:47,000 which resulted in December 1, 2009's speech about a new 191 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,070 direction in Afghanistan. 192 00:11:49,066 --> 00:11:55,596 And I would say this: We came in talking about Afghanistan and 193 00:11:55,600 --> 00:12:00,400 Pakistan as a region, not as simply two separate and distinct 194 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:05,300 countries, which put emphasis on our relationship and the 195 00:12:05,300 --> 00:12:07,030 actions of Pakistan. 196 00:12:07,033 --> 00:12:09,003 The Press: Right, but even if there was a new policy put in 197 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:13,270 place in December of 2009, does that erase the mistakes that may 198 00:12:13,266 --> 00:12:16,296 have been made years in advance of that -- 199 00:12:16,300 --> 00:12:16,800 Mr. Gibbs: Well, of course not -- 200 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:19,800 The Press: -- how can that -- but do these documents then 201 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:23,200 suggest that this war is too far gone -- 202 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:23,730 Mr. Gibbs: No -- 203 00:12:23,734 --> 00:12:25,164 The Press: -- to turn around with one policy change? 204 00:12:25,166 --> 00:12:28,496 Mr. Gibbs: No, I don't in any way suggest the documents suggest 205 00:12:28,500 --> 00:12:30,730 that and I haven't seen anybody to suggest that -- 206 00:12:30,734 --> 00:12:37,834 except to say this, Ed, we agree that the direction -- 207 00:12:37,834 --> 00:12:41,764 this administration spent a large part of 2007 and 2008 208 00:12:41,767 --> 00:12:44,797 campaigning to be this administration and saying 209 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:47,970 that the way that the war had been prosecuted, 210 00:12:47,967 --> 00:12:52,797 the resources that hadn't been devoted to it threatened our 211 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:53,930 national security. 212 00:12:53,934 --> 00:12:57,934 Remember, we had a fairly grand debate about whether or not the 213 00:12:57,934 --> 00:13:02,864 central front in this war was Iraq or Afghanistan. 214 00:13:02,867 --> 00:13:07,197 We weighed in pretty heavily on Afghanistan because for years 215 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:10,900 and years and years, more troops were needed -- more troops 216 00:13:10,900 --> 00:13:13,870 actually had been requested by the commanding general, 217 00:13:13,867 --> 00:13:15,567 but no troops were forthcoming. 218 00:13:15,567 --> 00:13:19,067 That's why the President increased our number of troops, 219 00:13:19,066 --> 00:13:21,566 heading into an important election period, 220 00:13:21,567 --> 00:13:24,567 and why we took steps through a, again, 221 00:13:24,567 --> 00:13:26,697 painstaking and comprehensive review, 222 00:13:26,700 --> 00:13:28,470 to come up with a new strategy. 223 00:13:28,467 --> 00:13:30,397 The Press: But even after that painstaking review, 224 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:33,470 these documents are suggesting that the Pakistani government 225 00:13:33,467 --> 00:13:38,897 has representatives of its spy agency essentially meeting 226 00:13:38,900 --> 00:13:42,330 representatives of the Taliban, plotting to attack American 227 00:13:42,333 --> 00:13:43,903 soldiers and Afghan officials. 228 00:13:43,900 --> 00:13:44,700 Mr. Gibbs: Let me just make sure -- 229 00:13:44,700 --> 00:13:46,000 The Press: How can that suggest the war is going well? 230 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:47,770 Mr. Gibbs: No, no -- you're conflating about 231 00:13:47,767 --> 00:13:49,397 seven issues into one question. 232 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:51,030 But let's be clear, Ed. 233 00:13:51,033 --> 00:13:53,363 I don't think -- let me finish, let me finish -- 234 00:13:53,367 --> 00:13:55,097 The Press: If Pakistani officials are working with the Taliban, 235 00:13:55,100 --> 00:13:56,230 how can the war be going well? 236 00:13:56,233 --> 00:13:57,103 That's one question. 237 00:13:57,100 --> 00:14:01,500 Mr. Gibbs: Again, Ed, I'm saying that the war -- the direction of 238 00:14:01,500 --> 00:14:04,500 our relationship with Pakistan, based on steps that we've asked 239 00:14:04,500 --> 00:14:07,900 them to take, has improved that relationship -- right? 240 00:14:07,900 --> 00:14:09,000 The Press: Okay, because last week Secretary Clinton said 241 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,430 that the U.S. and Pakistan are "partners 242 00:14:11,433 --> 00:14:12,933 joined in common cause." 243 00:14:12,934 --> 00:14:13,664 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 244 00:14:13,667 --> 00:14:15,497 The Press: Despite these documents, the U.S. and Pakistan are 245 00:14:15,500 --> 00:14:16,900 joined in common cause? 246 00:14:16,900 --> 00:14:22,530 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, in fighting, as I just mentioned a few moments ago, 247 00:14:22,533 --> 00:14:25,303 in fighting extremists that are within that border. 248 00:14:25,300 --> 00:14:26,730 Again, go back to last year, 249 00:14:26,734 --> 00:14:28,104 Ed. Remember last year? 250 00:14:28,100 --> 00:14:28,700 The Press: Sure. 251 00:14:28,700 --> 00:14:31,030 Mr. Gibbs: When those extremists decided that they were going to march 252 00:14:31,033 --> 00:14:33,033 on the capital in Pakistan? 253 00:14:33,033 --> 00:14:35,063 That became a threat to Pakistan. 254 00:14:35,066 --> 00:14:40,766 For the first time ever, you saw Pakistan fighting back against 255 00:14:40,767 --> 00:14:44,767 violent extremists that had otherwise enjoyed safe havens. 256 00:14:44,767 --> 00:14:48,937 When General Jones refers to in his statement the actions that 257 00:14:48,934 --> 00:14:51,104 they took in Swat and South Waziristan, 258 00:14:51,100 --> 00:14:52,570 that's exactly what we're talking about. 259 00:14:52,567 --> 00:14:55,437 The point I'd make on the premise of your question, 260 00:14:55,433 --> 00:14:59,963 understand that the documents go through December of 2009. 261 00:14:59,967 --> 00:15:05,197 I don't know if you meant to conflate actions -- let's just 262 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:05,900 say that the documents -- 263 00:15:05,900 --> 00:15:06,930 The Press: Well, have the actions stopped? 264 00:15:06,934 --> 00:15:09,004 Do we know for sure that the Pakistani intelligence 265 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:09,830 is no longer working -- 266 00:15:09,834 --> 00:15:10,704 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, these documents -- 267 00:15:10,700 --> 00:15:11,630 The Press: -- with the Taliban? 268 00:15:11,633 --> 00:15:12,733 Mr. Gibbs: I think they're making progress, and again, 269 00:15:12,734 --> 00:15:13,404 I'd refer to you -- 270 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:14,470 The Press: Making progress but it has not ended even 271 00:15:14,467 --> 00:15:15,597 after December 2009? 272 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:20,300 Mr. Gibbs: No, again, I would you point you to the hearing 273 00:15:20,300 --> 00:15:24,400 that was conducted just a month ago, less than a month ago, 274 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:26,700 with General Petraeus where this was talked about. 275 00:15:26,700 --> 00:15:29,300 Ed, nobody is here to declare "mission accomplished." 276 00:15:29,300 --> 00:15:32,770 You've not heard that phrase uttered or emitted by us 277 00:15:32,767 --> 00:15:35,467 as a way of saying that everything is going well. 278 00:15:35,467 --> 00:15:38,837 Understand this, that we got involved in this region of the 279 00:15:38,834 --> 00:15:43,704 world after September 11th, and then for years and years 280 00:15:43,700 --> 00:15:48,470 and years and years, this area was neglected, 281 00:15:48,467 --> 00:15:53,037 it was under-resourced, it was underfunded. 282 00:15:53,033 --> 00:15:55,903 That's what led the President to say that what we needed to 283 00:15:55,900 --> 00:15:59,070 do was focus on what was going on in Afghanistan. 284 00:15:59,066 --> 00:16:00,666 That's why we're here. 285 00:16:00,667 --> 00:16:02,997 Yes, ma'am. 286 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:04,030 The Press: Two questions, Robert. 287 00:16:04,033 --> 00:16:06,433 The first one is, given the apparent ease that Mr. Manning 288 00:16:06,433 --> 00:16:09,133 was able to obtain and transfer these documents, 289 00:16:09,133 --> 00:16:11,903 has the White House or anyone of the administration ordered any 290 00:16:11,900 --> 00:16:14,770 kind of immediate change to make sure that this is not -- 291 00:16:14,767 --> 00:16:16,937 Mr. Gibbs: I would point you to the Department of Defense, 292 00:16:16,934 --> 00:16:20,834 that you should be able to discuss what changes they've 293 00:16:20,834 --> 00:16:22,604 made in operational security. 294 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:24,800 The Press: Do you have any insight into what Mr. Manning may 295 00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:26,700 have been motivated by? 296 00:16:26,700 --> 00:16:27,770 Mr. Gibbs: Not personally, no. 297 00:16:27,767 --> 00:16:29,867 I don't know if the Department of Defense 298 00:16:29,867 --> 00:16:31,297 would have something on that. 299 00:16:31,300 --> 00:16:32,600 The Press: And in terms of the President's reaction, 300 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:34,770 can you give us any kind of insight in terms of, 301 00:16:34,767 --> 00:16:37,637 was he angry, was he concerned, was he worried? 302 00:16:37,633 --> 00:16:42,063 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, again, I think any time in which more than 303 00:16:42,066 --> 00:16:46,536 90,000 top secret documents, which are against the law for 304 00:16:46,533 --> 00:16:52,433 me to give to you, would -- I think it would be safe to say 305 00:16:52,433 --> 00:16:58,503 it's alarming to find 90,000 of them published on a website. 306 00:16:58,500 --> 00:17:00,770 The Press: Last question, also on Ms. Sherrod. 307 00:17:00,767 --> 00:17:03,197 I wondered if you had any word on whether she'll accept the 308 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:05,970 job that's been offered and if there's any time frame for that? 309 00:17:05,967 --> 00:17:07,937 Mr. Gibbs: That's a question for her. 310 00:17:07,934 --> 00:17:11,064 The Press: Following up on -- I think I know how you feel about this, 311 00:17:11,066 --> 00:17:13,236 but the conventional wisdom in Washington is that the White 312 00:17:13,233 --> 00:17:15,133 House is trying to keep the focus on the release of the 313 00:17:15,133 --> 00:17:17,203 documents rather than what's in the documents. 314 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:17,700 Mr. Gibbs: No, no -- 315 00:17:17,700 --> 00:17:19,700 The Press: You say the President is very concerned with this release, 316 00:17:19,700 --> 00:17:21,430 this breach of federal law. 317 00:17:21,433 --> 00:17:23,633 But is he concerned with evidence in these documents 318 00:17:23,633 --> 00:17:27,703 about civilian casualties, about cooperation between the Taliban 319 00:17:27,700 --> 00:17:28,570 and the ISI? 320 00:17:28,567 --> 00:17:29,297 Mr. Gibbs: Chip, let's be clear. 321 00:17:29,300 --> 00:17:35,130 Again, the statements that the President made in March of 2009 322 00:17:35,133 --> 00:17:41,233 very much understand the complicating aspects of our 323 00:17:41,233 --> 00:17:44,633 relationship with both of these two countries, the existence of, 324 00:17:44,633 --> 00:17:46,903 as I said, historical relationships between the 325 00:17:46,900 --> 00:17:50,870 Taliban and Pakistani intelligence. 326 00:17:50,867 --> 00:17:55,867 And, look, during the recent debate about General McChrystal, 327 00:17:55,867 --> 00:17:59,097 remember a decent part of the Rolling Stone article discusses 328 00:17:59,100 --> 00:18:02,730 frustration within our own military about rules of 329 00:18:02,734 --> 00:18:05,234 engagement around civilian casualties. 330 00:18:05,233 --> 00:18:10,433 So we're not trying to either conventionally -- through 331 00:18:10,433 --> 00:18:12,403 conventional wisdom trying to deflect anything. 332 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:17,100 What I'm merely saying is that what has been, 333 00:18:17,100 --> 00:18:20,970 I think what is known, about our relationship and our efforts in 334 00:18:20,967 --> 00:18:26,267 both Afghanistan and Pakistan are not markedly changed by what 335 00:18:26,266 --> 00:18:27,236 is in these documents. 336 00:18:27,233 --> 00:18:30,733 In fact, I think if, again, you go back to March of 2009, 337 00:18:30,734 --> 00:18:35,404 what the President says, we are clearly taking steps to make 338 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:38,370 progress in dealing with Pakistan's safe havens; 339 00:18:38,367 --> 00:18:40,797 certainly dealing with civilian casualties. 340 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:48,600 We all know that in efforts like this to win hearts and minds, 341 00:18:48,600 --> 00:18:54,870 you're certainly not going to do that with innocent civilians 342 00:18:54,867 --> 00:18:56,897 caught tragically in the crossfire. 343 00:18:56,900 --> 00:18:59,800 The Press: In reading these documents, if they're true, you can't help but 344 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:03,330 be shocked by what you read in here about some of the horrible 345 00:19:03,333 --> 00:19:04,163 things that have happened. 346 00:19:04,166 --> 00:19:06,836 Has the President read enough of it himself to be shocked 347 00:19:06,834 --> 00:19:07,834 and horrified by it? 348 00:19:07,834 --> 00:19:10,934 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know -- look, Chip, I want to be clear. 349 00:19:10,934 --> 00:19:14,464 The President does not need to read a leaked document on the 350 00:19:14,467 --> 00:19:20,797 Internet today to be shocked and horrified by unnecessary 351 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:23,530 -- and every civilian casualty is unnecessary -- 352 00:19:23,533 --> 00:19:25,233 casualty of innocent life. 353 00:19:25,233 --> 00:19:28,733 We can go back -- and I've been asked about them inside this 354 00:19:28,734 --> 00:19:35,164 briefing room for well over a year -- times in which our 355 00:19:35,166 --> 00:19:38,266 commander at that point, General McChrystal, 356 00:19:38,266 --> 00:19:41,396 Ambassador Eikenberry and former General Eikenberry had gone to 357 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:48,230 see different places around Afghanistan that had seen 358 00:19:48,233 --> 00:19:50,003 horrific civilian casualties. 359 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:53,970 Look, each and every -- as I said, each and every casualty, 360 00:19:53,967 --> 00:20:00,737 innocent civilian casualty is a tragedy and it makes the job 361 00:20:00,734 --> 00:20:03,604 against the extremists much, much harder. 362 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:06,670 The Press: On the -- does the President believe 363 00:20:06,667 --> 00:20:09,567 that the release of these documents has harmed or will 364 00:20:09,567 --> 00:20:11,067 harm the war effort overall? 365 00:20:11,066 --> 00:20:15,036 Mr. Gibbs: Again, I think anytime in which you potentially 366 00:20:15,033 --> 00:20:20,303 put those that could be -- whose names could be in 367 00:20:20,300 --> 00:20:25,800 these documents, missions and operations -- Chip, 368 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:32,530 documents are classified and rated secret for a reason. 369 00:20:32,533 --> 00:20:35,133 And I think that's the law. 370 00:20:35,133 --> 00:20:37,103 The Press: So this is -- it's a setback to the war effort? 371 00:20:37,100 --> 00:20:42,470 Mr. Gibbs: No, I think it's concerning that you have -- you certainly have 372 00:20:42,467 --> 00:20:44,767 operational security concerns. 373 00:20:44,767 --> 00:20:49,837 Again, I think many of our challenges in both Afghanistan 374 00:20:49,834 --> 00:20:57,034 and Pakistan are the same today as they were last week. 375 00:20:57,033 --> 00:21:03,233 I don't think anybody would tell you that they anticipate that 376 00:21:03,233 --> 00:21:05,763 progress isn't going to be slow and difficult in both 377 00:21:05,767 --> 00:21:07,067 of these two countries. 378 00:21:07,066 --> 00:21:08,296 That's why -- 379 00:21:08,300 --> 00:21:10,130 The Press: I'm still unclear on where you are on this. 380 00:21:10,133 --> 00:21:11,433 I mean, it's a pretty fundamental question. 381 00:21:11,433 --> 00:21:13,003 Do these documents constitute a setback to the war effort 382 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:14,000 in Afghanistan? 383 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:15,430 Mr. Gibbs: I think they constitute a 384 00:21:15,433 --> 00:21:17,503 potential national security concern. 385 00:21:17,500 --> 00:21:18,370 Yes, ma'am. 386 00:21:18,367 --> 00:21:20,167 The Press: The White House has made a point to say that WikiLeaks 387 00:21:20,166 --> 00:21:22,296 is not an objective news outlet, 388 00:21:22,300 --> 00:21:25,870 but rather an organization that opposes U.S. policy in Afghanistan. 389 00:21:25,867 --> 00:21:29,097 I just wonder if you could explain how that's relevant to 390 00:21:29,100 --> 00:21:30,770 the accuracy of the documents. 391 00:21:30,767 --> 00:21:34,097 Mr. Gibbs: I think that the founder of WikiLeaks, 392 00:21:34,100 --> 00:21:40,570 if I read his interviews correctly today, 393 00:21:40,567 --> 00:21:45,837 comparing troops in Afghanistan to the secret East German police 394 00:21:45,834 --> 00:21:50,204 as -- certainly something that we would fundamentally disagree 395 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:53,170 with and something that has -- somebody that 396 00:21:53,166 --> 00:21:54,766 clearly has an agenda. 397 00:21:54,767 --> 00:21:57,297 The Press: That may be the case, but does that in any way impact 398 00:21:57,300 --> 00:21:58,670 the accuracy of these documents? 399 00:21:58,667 --> 00:22:01,537 For example, are you suggesting they selectively held back 400 00:22:01,533 --> 00:22:04,033 documents that would be more favorable to the U.S.? 401 00:22:04,033 --> 00:22:06,933 Mr. Gibbs: Savannah, I don't -- I'm not afforded -- nobody in 402 00:22:06,934 --> 00:22:11,834 this government was afforded the opportunity to see what they do 403 00:22:11,834 --> 00:22:14,264 or don't have. 404 00:22:14,266 --> 00:22:17,396 I don't know that that question is relevant for me as much as it 405 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:19,530 is for him. 406 00:22:19,533 --> 00:22:21,633 The Press: I just wondered if by making this point you're 407 00:22:21,633 --> 00:22:24,803 trying to I guess attack the credibility of the documents 408 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:25,630 that are out there. 409 00:22:25,633 --> 00:22:26,733 Mr. Gibbs: No, no -- 410 00:22:26,734 --> 00:22:27,734 The Press: I mean, other news organizations -- 411 00:22:27,734 --> 00:22:29,434 Mr. Gibbs: Again, I have not -- I certainly have not 412 00:22:29,433 --> 00:22:31,363 reviewed 90,000 documents. 413 00:22:31,367 --> 00:22:35,997 This got brought to us late last week. 414 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:40,400 Again, the coverage I read off of the news documents doesn't 415 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:47,300 I think materially change the challenges that we have in each 416 00:22:47,300 --> 00:22:48,830 of these two countries. 417 00:22:48,834 --> 00:22:51,304 As I said a second ago, I don't think the challenges that you 418 00:22:51,300 --> 00:22:55,930 would have listed on a piece of paper this time last week are, 419 00:22:55,934 --> 00:22:59,034 quite honestly, different based on what we read in 420 00:22:59,033 --> 00:23:00,763 this documents at this time this week. 421 00:23:00,767 --> 00:23:03,567 I think the challenges that we've had and the historical 422 00:23:03,567 --> 00:23:08,837 relationships with Pakistan intelligence and the Taliban 423 00:23:08,834 --> 00:23:11,304 were certainly something we were working to address. 424 00:23:11,300 --> 00:23:15,930 So it's not -- that in and of itself isn't a surprise. 425 00:23:15,934 --> 00:23:19,834 Working on safe havens in Pakistan and their impact 426 00:23:19,834 --> 00:23:25,164 on our efforts in the war -- all of those things -- I think 427 00:23:25,166 --> 00:23:28,236 all of those things many of you all have covered. 428 00:23:28,233 --> 00:23:31,903 The Press: Is the administration confident it has the leaker in custody? 429 00:23:31,900 --> 00:23:33,870 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not going to get into discussing the aspects of 430 00:23:33,867 --> 00:23:36,437 the investigation that's ongoing. 431 00:23:36,433 --> 00:23:37,263 Yes, sir. 432 00:23:37,266 --> 00:23:39,336 The Press: Robert, do you think -- do you have any comment 433 00:23:39,333 --> 00:23:42,333 on the position taken by the U.S. government in the letter 434 00:23:42,333 --> 00:23:44,603 written by Richard LeBaron, deputy chief of the U.S. 435 00:23:44,600 --> 00:23:48,000 embassy in London, eight days before the Megrahi release, 436 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:50,730 where in the U.S. supposedly preferred 437 00:23:50,734 --> 00:23:54,264 the use of compassionate release over prisoner transfer 438 00:23:54,266 --> 00:23:56,936 agreement, and do you have plans to release that? 439 00:23:56,934 --> 00:23:57,934 Mr. Gibbs: Let's be clear. 440 00:23:57,934 --> 00:24:00,104 One, I think the letter has been released by 441 00:24:00,100 --> 00:24:01,200 the State Department. 442 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:08,970 Two, there was not a preference -- the preference that was 443 00:24:08,967 --> 00:24:12,537 enunciated in this letter, the preference that was enunciated 444 00:24:12,533 --> 00:24:15,103 in the President's call to Prime Minister Brown, 445 00:24:15,100 --> 00:24:20,800 the preference enunciated by John Brennan and others who 446 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:24,830 contacted the Scots directly was that al-Megrahi should 447 00:24:24,834 --> 00:24:28,434 not be released. 448 00:24:28,433 --> 00:24:33,333 We think that was the right decision not to -- we think the 449 00:24:33,333 --> 00:24:36,663 decision not to release him, we agree with that today; 450 00:24:36,667 --> 00:24:41,537 that's what we publicly stated prior to the release. 451 00:24:41,533 --> 00:24:45,103 The letter says -- and I think this is borne out if you look at 452 00:24:45,100 --> 00:24:48,570 the pictures of what happened -- in the event that the Scots make 453 00:24:48,567 --> 00:24:51,897 the decision that we do not think they should make, 454 00:24:51,900 --> 00:24:55,770 whatever you do, do not let him travel to Libya. 455 00:24:55,767 --> 00:25:00,567 Do not let him have a hero's welcome coming home. 456 00:25:00,567 --> 00:25:03,037 We also -- and I think the letter clearly states -- and I'm 457 00:25:03,033 --> 00:25:06,563 not sure this was covered in the Sunday Times -- which was we 458 00:25:06,567 --> 00:25:12,037 asked for an independent medical examination of Megrahi to ensure 459 00:25:12,033 --> 00:25:16,563 that the medical representation about having only three months 460 00:25:16,567 --> 00:25:21,397 to live was indeed supported independently. 461 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:25,800 The preference enunciated by every level of this government 462 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:33,000 was for him to continue to serve the sentence that he 463 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:35,930 was serving until he died. 464 00:25:35,934 --> 00:25:36,934 Jonathan. 465 00:25:36,934 --> 00:25:39,704 The Press: Could you tell me what effort the White House has 466 00:25:39,700 --> 00:25:42,600 made before the publication of the WikiLeak documents, 467 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:47,870 and after, to try to contain any political fallout? 468 00:25:47,867 --> 00:25:50,167 Any outreach to Capitol Hill? 469 00:25:50,166 --> 00:25:53,266 Any efforts by General Jones or anyone else from the National 470 00:25:53,266 --> 00:25:54,596 Security Council -- 471 00:25:54,600 --> 00:25:58,300 Mr. Gibbs: Jonathan, we certainly, 472 00:25:58,300 --> 00:26:02,870 when we learned of the story, notified relevant committees 473 00:26:02,867 --> 00:26:06,467 on Capitol Hill that these documents were 474 00:26:06,467 --> 00:26:07,697 about to go online. 475 00:26:07,700 --> 00:26:11,770 I don't know that I would -- I wouldn't put that under the 476 00:26:11,767 --> 00:26:14,237 rubric of containing political damage. 477 00:26:14,233 --> 00:26:18,533 I would put that under the rubric of understanding that 478 00:26:18,533 --> 00:26:23,963 90,000 documents dating back to January of 2004, 479 00:26:23,967 --> 00:26:27,467 which traditionally don't become public, were about to be, 480 00:26:27,467 --> 00:26:29,867 and Capitol Hill was notified. 481 00:26:29,867 --> 00:26:33,667 The Press: And what efforts -- I know that you met with the Times. 482 00:26:33,667 --> 00:26:37,537 What efforts did you make to try to get in touch with Assange or 483 00:26:37,533 --> 00:26:40,003 any of the WikiLeak people? 484 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:41,670 Mr. Gibbs: They are not in touch with us. 485 00:26:41,667 --> 00:26:50,197 The only effort that I made in discussing -- the only effort 486 00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:54,700 that I made with the Times -- who I will say came to us, 487 00:26:54,700 --> 00:27:01,000 I think handled this story in a responsible way -- I passed a 488 00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:05,170 message through the writers at the New York Times to the head 489 00:27:05,166 --> 00:27:12,336 of WikiLeaks to redact information that could harm 490 00:27:12,333 --> 00:27:15,763 personnel or threaten operations or security. 491 00:27:15,767 --> 00:27:19,097 And I think that's in their story, in the Times story today. 492 00:27:19,100 --> 00:27:20,570 The Press: And one last question. 493 00:27:20,567 --> 00:27:22,597 You mentioned at the beginning of this 494 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:27,370 briefing an investigation into improper leaking of 495 00:27:27,367 --> 00:27:29,137 classified information. 496 00:27:29,133 --> 00:27:32,063 Is WikiLeaks part of that investigation? 497 00:27:32,066 --> 00:27:35,296 Mr. Gibbs: There is an ongoing investigation as to 498 00:27:35,300 --> 00:27:37,530 this leak, yes. 499 00:27:37,533 --> 00:27:39,403 The Press: Is that the Manning investigation? 500 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:40,630 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not going to get into that. 501 00:27:40,633 --> 00:27:42,433 Nice try. 502 00:27:42,433 --> 00:27:44,903 The Press: Robert, did you try to get The New York Times not to publish? 503 00:27:44,900 --> 00:27:47,370 Mr. Gibbs: No, never asked them that. 504 00:27:47,367 --> 00:27:50,497 Let's understand a few things. 505 00:27:50,500 --> 00:27:52,930 The New York Times didn't publish the documents; 506 00:27:52,934 --> 00:27:58,834 WikiLeaks published the documents. 507 00:27:58,834 --> 00:28:03,064 I will say this, had only The New York Times had this story, 508 00:28:03,066 --> 00:28:05,966 would we have made a case and an effort, 509 00:28:05,967 --> 00:28:10,297 as we have with them and other news organizations, 510 00:28:10,300 --> 00:28:12,530 not to compromise security? Yes. 511 00:28:12,533 --> 00:28:16,833 But understand that the Times was one -- The New York Times 512 00:28:16,834 --> 00:28:19,964 was one of three news organizations that had 513 00:28:19,967 --> 00:28:22,137 access to these documents. 514 00:28:22,133 --> 00:28:27,863 We got questions from -- I believe on Friday -- from 515 00:28:27,867 --> 00:28:32,437 Der Spiegel, and met with -- Tommy Vietor, Ben Rhodes, 516 00:28:32,433 --> 00:28:36,033 and I met with The New York Times on Thursday. 517 00:28:36,033 --> 00:28:36,733 Yes, sir. 518 00:28:36,734 --> 00:28:39,234 The Press: Robert, can you talk a little bit about any White 519 00:28:39,233 --> 00:28:44,303 House concern about support for the war being possibly eroded by 520 00:28:44,300 --> 00:28:45,100 the leaks here? 521 00:28:45,100 --> 00:28:46,570 Have you done any sort of assessment? 522 00:28:46,567 --> 00:28:47,597 What's your thinking on that? 523 00:28:47,600 --> 00:28:50,270 Mr. Gibbs: No, again, Roger, I go back to the point that I made to 524 00:28:50,266 --> 00:28:51,166 Savannah and others. 525 00:28:51,166 --> 00:28:54,066 I think if you took out a piece of paper, 526 00:28:54,066 --> 00:28:58,436 certainly if -- the President's monthly AfPak reviews will 527 00:28:58,433 --> 00:29:03,163 happen on Thursday down in the Situation Room. 528 00:29:03,166 --> 00:29:09,736 I'm unaware of a list of concerns that would be different 529 00:29:09,734 --> 00:29:14,864 today than they were a week ago based on what we've seen. 530 00:29:14,867 --> 00:29:22,037 I don't -- again, I don't see broad new revelations that we 531 00:29:22,033 --> 00:29:26,703 weren't either concerned about and working through this time 532 00:29:26,700 --> 00:29:30,970 a week ago. 533 00:29:30,967 --> 00:29:32,937 The Press: I'll switch the topic. BP. 534 00:29:32,934 --> 00:29:36,734 Has the President been informed of corporate changes on their -- 535 00:29:36,734 --> 00:29:38,534 what can you say about that or -- 536 00:29:38,533 --> 00:29:42,463 Mr. Gibbs: I would have you talk to BP about personnel changes 537 00:29:42,467 --> 00:29:46,467 that they're going to make, if they make them. 538 00:29:46,467 --> 00:29:58,297 I will say this: The CEO of BP, the current CEO, Tony Hayward, 539 00:29:58,300 --> 00:30:01,900 if he makes the decision or the board makes the decision for him 540 00:30:01,900 --> 00:30:04,470 to leave, that's one thing. 541 00:30:04,467 --> 00:30:11,297 What is clear is BP cannot, should not, and will not, 542 00:30:11,300 --> 00:30:18,930 leave the Gulf without meeting its responsibility to plug the 543 00:30:18,934 --> 00:30:24,564 well, to clean up the damage that's been caused, 544 00:30:24,567 --> 00:30:28,837 and to compensate those that have been damaged. 545 00:30:28,834 --> 00:30:32,404 I think that is -- that is the most important 546 00:30:32,400 --> 00:30:33,370 lesson out of here. 547 00:30:33,367 --> 00:30:38,067 There are obligations and responsibilities as the 548 00:30:38,066 --> 00:30:40,666 responsible party that BP has. 549 00:30:40,667 --> 00:30:43,397 And regardless of who leads the company, 550 00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:46,330 those obligations and responsibilities must be met. 551 00:30:46,333 --> 00:30:48,803 The Press: Do you have some doubt that they won't carry those out? 552 00:30:48,800 --> 00:30:50,800 Mr. Gibbs: It's not ours to doubt. 553 00:30:50,800 --> 00:30:54,270 It is ours to ensure that it happens. 554 00:30:54,266 --> 00:30:55,136 Major. 555 00:30:55,133 --> 00:30:56,003 The Press: Speaking of the spill, Robert, 556 00:30:56,000 --> 00:30:57,800 it was disclosed over the weekend that you -- the White 557 00:30:57,800 --> 00:31:01,230 House is sending some folks down to Florida -- one to Mississippi 558 00:31:01,233 --> 00:31:02,903 and I think one to Alabama -- 559 00:31:02,900 --> 00:31:04,070 Mr. Gibbs: Those numbers are wrong. 560 00:31:04,066 --> 00:31:05,466 I can get you better numbers. 561 00:31:05,467 --> 00:31:06,467 We sent -- 562 00:31:06,467 --> 00:31:07,597 The Press: What's the purpose? 563 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:13,700 Mr. Gibbs: To improve intergovernmental relations and to improve -- 564 00:31:13,700 --> 00:31:16,930 I dare say I've gotten more than a few emails 565 00:31:16,934 --> 00:31:19,864 from your news organizations about the inability to get 566 00:31:19,867 --> 00:31:23,037 information from the Joint Information Center. 567 00:31:23,033 --> 00:31:25,563 We've got people that are down at the Joint Information Center; 568 00:31:25,567 --> 00:31:27,167 we've got people in each state. 569 00:31:27,166 --> 00:31:33,036 And, look, I think if you look at the progress of our response 570 00:31:33,033 --> 00:31:37,533 to the disaster -- go back a few weeks, 571 00:31:37,533 --> 00:31:45,703 and I forget the exact timeline, but oil gets into a bay that is 572 00:31:45,700 --> 00:31:48,700 shared by both Alabama and Florida, right? 573 00:31:48,700 --> 00:31:51,470 The western -- or the easternmost county in Alabama, 574 00:31:51,467 --> 00:31:54,337 Baldwin County, is notified. 575 00:31:54,333 --> 00:31:58,333 The westernmost county in Florida, Volusia is not -- okay? 576 00:31:58,333 --> 00:32:02,933 A breakdown in communications from the incident command to 577 00:32:02,934 --> 00:32:04,334 the local level. 578 00:32:04,333 --> 00:32:09,503 Out of that we put on-scene coordinators in each of the 579 00:32:09,500 --> 00:32:15,800 four affected states and have broadened our ability to ensure 580 00:32:15,800 --> 00:32:18,570 that what is happening at a Coast Guard level, 581 00:32:18,567 --> 00:32:20,737 what is happening at a direct response level, 582 00:32:20,734 --> 00:32:26,704 gets down to local elected officials. 583 00:32:26,700 --> 00:32:28,400 The Press: But the numbers are wrong? 584 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:30,670 Mr. Gibbs: I can get updated numbers on where people went. 585 00:32:30,667 --> 00:32:32,367 The Press: Back to WikiLeaks. 586 00:32:32,367 --> 00:32:35,737 Is it your belief that the documents themselves, 587 00:32:35,734 --> 00:32:37,834 to the degree you've either been briefed about them or they've 588 00:32:37,834 --> 00:32:39,934 been described to you by people who know a little bit more than 589 00:32:39,934 --> 00:32:43,104 you do, are authentic? 590 00:32:43,100 --> 00:32:47,600 Mr. Gibbs: I think we've acted as if they were. 591 00:32:47,600 --> 00:32:48,600 The Press: Okay. 592 00:32:48,600 --> 00:32:50,870 There have been some who've talked about it and say these 593 00:32:50,867 --> 00:32:54,737 things should be viewed by the public as it, 594 00:32:54,734 --> 00:32:56,804 to the degree it does, goes through them with some degree 595 00:32:56,800 --> 00:32:59,600 of skepticism because they are, by nature, fragmentary. 596 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:03,030 They develop or talk about one certain episode or -- 597 00:33:03,033 --> 00:33:04,263 Mr. Gibbs: Right. 598 00:33:04,266 --> 00:33:07,136 The Press: What would you as spokesman for the White House advise the 599 00:33:07,133 --> 00:33:09,833 public who may be running through these things and 600 00:33:09,834 --> 00:33:13,364 taking them in, in some degree of interest -- 601 00:33:13,367 --> 00:33:14,367 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look -- 602 00:33:14,367 --> 00:33:16,137 The Press: -- what is your overall 603 00:33:16,133 --> 00:33:18,033 assessment of how much is true? 604 00:33:18,033 --> 00:33:19,033 What's not true? 605 00:33:19,033 --> 00:33:20,103 Mostly true, mostly untrue? 606 00:33:20,100 --> 00:33:22,230 How should they weigh this? 607 00:33:22,233 --> 00:33:27,663 Mr. Gibbs: I think these are -- I think I'm, Major, 608 00:33:27,667 --> 00:33:30,697 not going to play that broad a role except to say that I 609 00:33:30,700 --> 00:33:35,970 think obviously this is on-the-ground reporting. 610 00:33:35,967 --> 00:33:38,467 What is unclear, certainly, if you read through the stories, 611 00:33:38,467 --> 00:33:41,067 is whether some of the events that they think 612 00:33:41,066 --> 00:33:43,466 might happen happened. 613 00:33:43,467 --> 00:33:47,737 But, again, I think the -- I would sum this up the way I 614 00:33:47,734 --> 00:33:53,034 summed it up a little bit ago, and that is that what -- the 615 00:33:53,033 --> 00:33:56,633 concerns that are in these documents -- and they're 616 00:33:56,633 --> 00:33:58,663 important concerns; they're concerns that we've certainly 617 00:33:58,667 --> 00:34:03,037 dealt with since the time we've been here and certainly as it 618 00:34:03,033 --> 00:34:05,433 related to Afghanistan and Pakistan, 619 00:34:05,433 --> 00:34:08,603 what precipitated the administration from doing a 620 00:34:08,600 --> 00:34:13,430 comprehensive review about our policy in both areas. 621 00:34:13,433 --> 00:34:18,433 That is -- our goal is to get this right. 622 00:34:18,433 --> 00:34:23,403 Our goal is to keep America safe and to ensure that -- and ensure 623 00:34:23,400 --> 00:34:27,330 the safety of those that are conducting these operations. 624 00:34:27,333 --> 00:34:28,733 The Press: Let me take it from a different point of view. 625 00:34:28,734 --> 00:34:32,204 There are some -- and this was part of the subtext or one of 626 00:34:32,200 --> 00:34:35,100 the subtexts of the Washington Post's lengthy series last week 627 00:34:35,100 --> 00:34:37,930 -- that maybe too many things are kept secret. 628 00:34:37,934 --> 00:34:39,964 Some might look at these documents and say do these 629 00:34:39,967 --> 00:34:41,997 all need to be top secret? 630 00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:44,200 Is all this information really that vital, 631 00:34:44,200 --> 00:34:47,670 really that sensitive to American national security 632 00:34:47,667 --> 00:34:49,667 that these should all be top secret? 633 00:34:49,667 --> 00:34:50,997 Do you have any evaluation of that? 634 00:34:51,000 --> 00:34:54,130 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, I think that is -- those are made on a 635 00:34:54,133 --> 00:34:57,803 document-by-document basis. 636 00:34:57,800 --> 00:35:03,200 I'm not an expert in the classification process. 637 00:35:03,200 --> 00:35:07,070 Look, obviously if you -- I think the President would 638 00:35:07,066 --> 00:35:12,596 always lean on the American people knowing as much as 639 00:35:12,600 --> 00:35:14,230 they possibly can. 640 00:35:14,233 --> 00:35:16,133 Look, I think if you -- 641 00:35:16,133 --> 00:35:17,463 The Press: -- not this time. 642 00:35:17,467 --> 00:35:18,537 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, no, no. 643 00:35:18,533 --> 00:35:19,503 Hold on, let's be clear. 644 00:35:19,500 --> 00:35:26,100 Go back to the 12 or so meetings held in the Situation Room. 645 00:35:26,100 --> 00:35:28,030 We announced every one. 646 00:35:28,033 --> 00:35:29,333 We had readouts from every one. 647 00:35:29,333 --> 00:35:32,063 Lord knows, you had readouts beyond the readouts from each 648 00:35:32,066 --> 00:35:32,966 and every one. 649 00:35:32,967 --> 00:35:34,167 There were photos from each. 650 00:35:34,166 --> 00:35:38,666 We didn't exactly have a cloistered evaluation of our 651 00:35:38,667 --> 00:35:41,137 policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. 652 00:35:41,133 --> 00:35:43,203 That's not the way we've operated. 653 00:35:43,200 --> 00:35:47,530 And, again, I think it's -- let's be clear, 654 00:35:47,533 --> 00:35:51,563 and I want to make sure that I'm clear on this -- based on the 655 00:35:51,567 --> 00:35:54,337 fact that there's nothing -- there's no broad new revelations 656 00:35:54,333 --> 00:36:01,603 in this, our concern isn't that people might know that we're 657 00:36:01,600 --> 00:36:04,670 concerned about safe havens in Pakistan, 658 00:36:04,667 --> 00:36:09,237 or that we're concerned, as we are, about civilian casualties. 659 00:36:09,233 --> 00:36:12,903 Lord, all you need is a laptop and a mouse to figure that out, 660 00:36:12,900 --> 00:36:18,900 or 50 cents or $1.50, depending on which newspaper you buy. 661 00:36:18,900 --> 00:36:25,230 I don't think that is, in a sense, top secret. 662 00:36:25,233 --> 00:36:28,833 But what generally governs the classification of these 663 00:36:28,834 --> 00:36:32,734 documents are names, operations, personnel, 664 00:36:32,734 --> 00:36:38,804 people that are cooperating -- all of which if it's compromised 665 00:36:38,800 --> 00:36:41,900 has a compromising effect on our security. 666 00:36:41,900 --> 00:36:44,670 The Press: And can you explain the precipitating factor for 667 00:36:44,667 --> 00:36:47,397 the al-Megrahi letter? 668 00:36:47,400 --> 00:36:49,170 Mr. Gibbs: I just have a copy of it. 669 00:36:49,166 --> 00:36:51,366 I don't know -- I assume -- look, 670 00:36:51,367 --> 00:36:54,137 at this point -- and this is some conjecture on my part -- 671 00:36:54,133 --> 00:36:59,933 at this point, this is a fairly public process. 672 00:36:59,934 --> 00:37:05,334 I don't know what exactly lead to this letter. 673 00:37:05,333 --> 00:37:10,363 I know the letter speaks quite clearly to our preference, 674 00:37:10,367 --> 00:37:13,097 strong preference, as communicated both in this 675 00:37:13,100 --> 00:37:18,070 letter and in conversations that we had directly with the 676 00:37:18,066 --> 00:37:22,636 government there, that Megrahi should not be released. 677 00:37:22,633 --> 00:37:23,733 Yes, sir. 678 00:37:23,734 --> 00:37:26,934 The Press: Robert, take your premise that there is nothing really 679 00:37:26,934 --> 00:37:29,464 new in these documents that broadly says something 680 00:37:29,467 --> 00:37:31,137 different than what we already knew. 681 00:37:31,133 --> 00:37:34,263 There are many examples in Washington where the same thing 682 00:37:34,266 --> 00:37:37,596 can be said and that a precipitating event like this 683 00:37:37,600 --> 00:37:42,770 causes political shockwaves that change the dynamic. 684 00:37:42,767 --> 00:37:44,967 Mr. Gibbs: I think you're talking about the media culture, aren't you? 685 00:37:44,967 --> 00:37:47,137 The Press: Well, perhaps. 686 00:37:47,133 --> 00:37:49,233 But we know there's some interaction there. 687 00:37:49,233 --> 00:37:52,203 So I guess the question is -- and it sort of goes back 688 00:37:52,200 --> 00:37:53,800 to Jonathan's, which I don't think you answered, 689 00:37:53,800 --> 00:37:56,600 which is are you all doing anything -- 690 00:37:56,600 --> 00:37:58,130 Mr. Gibbs: No, I answered Jonathan's question. 691 00:37:58,133 --> 00:38:00,133 The Press: You answered the first part, 692 00:38:00,133 --> 00:38:02,203 but not the second part, which was have you done anything since 693 00:38:02,200 --> 00:38:04,230 the documents -- since the documents were released this 694 00:38:04,233 --> 00:38:11,363 morning to try to assess whether or not these documents provide 695 00:38:11,367 --> 00:38:15,537 any ammunition to your critics, any political -- 696 00:38:15,533 --> 00:38:17,333 Mr. Gibbs: Critics like who? 697 00:38:17,333 --> 00:38:20,403 The Press: Well, there are critics of the Afghanistan war, 698 00:38:20,400 --> 00:38:23,500 increasingly people who are uncomfortable with it even 699 00:38:23,500 --> 00:38:25,970 in the Republican Party. 700 00:38:25,967 --> 00:38:29,397 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know if -- I don't know every call that's 701 00:38:29,400 --> 00:38:30,630 been made out of here. 702 00:38:30,633 --> 00:38:32,603 What I was trying to do was decouple the fact that we 703 00:38:32,600 --> 00:38:35,300 notified Congress that 90,000 documents are about to be put 704 00:38:35,300 --> 00:38:39,400 on a website that were, up until the moment that they go live, 705 00:38:39,400 --> 00:38:44,600 were classified documents is part of what is generally 706 00:38:44,600 --> 00:38:47,400 assumed to be our notification process. 707 00:38:47,400 --> 00:38:54,370 Look, I don't know of -- I certainly have not heard of a 708 00:38:54,367 --> 00:38:59,867 broad effort relating to what you're talking about. 709 00:38:59,867 --> 00:39:03,467 The Press: Robert, I'll change the subject, too. 710 00:39:03,467 --> 00:39:05,767 The President I guess is going to make a statement about the 711 00:39:05,767 --> 00:39:07,737 DISCLOSE Act today. 712 00:39:07,734 --> 00:39:10,634 And given that that's coming up in the Senate tomorrow and 713 00:39:10,633 --> 00:39:13,833 you're not expected to get 60 votes -- he campaigned a lot 714 00:39:13,834 --> 00:39:19,634 about corporate influence in elections and 527s and the like 715 00:39:19,633 --> 00:39:22,763 and for more disclosure -- do you feel like the administration 716 00:39:22,767 --> 00:39:29,597 sort of miscalculated or misunderestimated -- 717 00:39:29,600 --> 00:39:31,630 (laughter) 718 00:39:31,633 --> 00:39:33,763 -- the extent of opposition there would be to trying to 719 00:39:33,767 --> 00:39:36,137 crack down on corporate giving? 720 00:39:36,133 --> 00:39:39,863 Mr. Gibbs: You mean from Republicans? 721 00:39:39,867 --> 00:39:41,497 The Press: And? Just Republicans? 722 00:39:41,500 --> 00:39:44,500 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I don't know what the final vote will be 723 00:39:44,500 --> 00:39:51,430 tomorrow, but I know that if you had a sliver of Republicans that 724 00:39:51,433 --> 00:39:53,933 thought special interest giving and corporate influence in 725 00:39:53,934 --> 00:39:57,264 elections was part of the problem, 726 00:39:57,266 --> 00:40:01,336 then this bill would pass. 727 00:40:01,333 --> 00:40:03,163 The Press: -- alterations to the legislation sought by 728 00:40:03,166 --> 00:40:03,896 some groups on the left. 729 00:40:03,900 --> 00:40:04,500 Mr. Gibbs: Pardon me? 730 00:40:04,500 --> 00:40:05,970 The Press: There have been alterations to the legislation in the Senate 731 00:40:05,967 --> 00:40:07,637 and the House by some groups on the left as well. 732 00:40:07,633 --> 00:40:10,233 Mr. Gibbs: There's a legislative process and then there's a vote, Major. 733 00:40:10,233 --> 00:40:12,833 In a vote, you get to decide what side you're on. 734 00:40:12,834 --> 00:40:15,764 It's the beauty of voting -- it's called choosing. 735 00:40:15,767 --> 00:40:17,997 You get to decide whether or not you think there is too much -- 736 00:40:18,000 --> 00:40:19,670 The Press: Yes, but in the legislative process objections from the 737 00:40:19,667 --> 00:40:20,967 left did arise. 738 00:40:20,967 --> 00:40:23,797 Mr. Gibbs: And they're supportive of the legislation. 739 00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:25,600 Now we get to see -- 740 00:40:25,600 --> 00:40:27,000 The Press: After they got their -- 741 00:40:27,000 --> 00:40:30,270 Mr. Gibbs: Now we get to see who in the Senate is -- who in the 742 00:40:30,266 --> 00:40:32,966 Senate thinks there's too much corporate influence and too much 743 00:40:32,967 --> 00:40:35,337 special interest money that dominate our elections, 744 00:40:35,333 --> 00:40:37,003 and who doesn't. 745 00:40:37,000 --> 00:40:40,170 I don't know how it could be any clearer than that. 746 00:40:40,166 --> 00:40:42,366 The Press: Well, especially in the wake of Citizens United, 747 00:40:42,367 --> 00:40:44,897 when at the State of the Union speech and such, 748 00:40:44,900 --> 00:40:47,330 the President has made a big deal about this, 749 00:40:47,333 --> 00:40:52,733 did you -- did he underestimate and miscalculate just how hard 750 00:40:52,734 --> 00:40:54,764 this was going to be? 751 00:40:54,767 --> 00:40:56,967 Mr. Gibbs: In your words, we might have misunderestimated 752 00:40:56,967 --> 00:41:01,237 that those in the Senate on both the Democrat and Republican side 753 00:41:01,233 --> 00:41:05,203 shared the President's goal -- mostly, if not completely, 754 00:41:05,200 --> 00:41:09,370 on the Republican side -- in protecting the corporate 755 00:41:09,367 --> 00:41:15,297 influence and the special interest donors that seek to not 756 00:41:15,300 --> 00:41:19,070 just influence elections but ultimately influence policy. 757 00:41:19,066 --> 00:41:22,296 Again, I think, as I've said here in the last few weeks, 758 00:41:22,300 --> 00:41:25,030 governing is about choices, right? 759 00:41:25,033 --> 00:41:28,303 You're either going to extend unemployment insurance for those 760 00:41:28,300 --> 00:41:31,830 that have lost their job, or you're not for that -- okay? 761 00:41:31,834 --> 00:41:34,934 You're either for a small business -- increased money 762 00:41:34,934 --> 00:41:37,534 for small business lending, or you're not for that. 763 00:41:37,533 --> 00:41:41,003 And in the next couple days, we'll figure out who thinks 764 00:41:41,000 --> 00:41:43,300 there's too much corporate influence in our elections, 765 00:41:43,300 --> 00:41:47,000 and who's just fine with the corporate influence we've got. 766 00:41:47,000 --> 00:41:48,000 Mark. 767 00:41:48,000 --> 00:41:49,470 The Press: WikiLeaks one more time. 768 00:41:49,467 --> 00:41:53,397 To follow on Michael's question about the inflection points in 769 00:41:53,400 --> 00:41:57,700 public opinion in history, what do you make of the comparisons 770 00:41:57,700 --> 00:42:01,100 between these leaks and the Pentagon Papers? 771 00:42:01,100 --> 00:42:05,970 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, the Pentagon Papers are different in the 772 00:42:05,967 --> 00:42:08,837 sense that you're talking about policy documents. 773 00:42:08,834 --> 00:42:14,934 These are sort of on-the-ground reporting of different events. 774 00:42:14,934 --> 00:42:20,604 I don't see how in any way they're really comparable, 775 00:42:20,600 --> 00:42:27,870 again, given the fact that -- go back and look at -- again, 776 00:42:27,867 --> 00:42:30,997 just in the past month I know we've talked about in here, 777 00:42:31,000 --> 00:42:34,330 we've talked about the concern about civilian casualties. 778 00:42:34,333 --> 00:42:37,063 It's not something that has been -- not something that we 779 00:42:37,066 --> 00:42:39,836 previously hadn't touched on that all of a sudden burst out 780 00:42:39,834 --> 00:42:41,704 into the public arena. 781 00:42:41,700 --> 00:42:44,800 Certainly, as I said earlier, the historic relationships that 782 00:42:44,800 --> 00:42:48,700 have been had between the Taliban and the Pakistani 783 00:42:48,700 --> 00:42:52,670 intelligence services -- the headline in The New York 784 00:42:52,667 --> 00:42:57,767 Times story says -- basically attributes the headline of that 785 00:42:57,767 --> 00:43:00,797 connection to U.S. aid. 786 00:43:00,800 --> 00:43:03,770 So, again, it's not -- I'm not trying to downplay the 787 00:43:03,767 --> 00:43:05,997 seriousness of those concerns. 788 00:43:06,000 --> 00:43:08,230 They are serious. 789 00:43:08,233 --> 00:43:11,233 That's why we've taken steps to try to improve that 790 00:43:11,233 --> 00:43:15,103 relationship, for the Pakistanis to take certain steps, 791 00:43:15,100 --> 00:43:22,900 so that we can build in Pakistan and in Afghanistan a situation 792 00:43:22,900 --> 00:43:24,570 that improves our security. 793 00:43:24,567 --> 00:43:26,697 The Press: You probably could have said a lot of those things 794 00:43:26,700 --> 00:43:28,400 about the Pentagon Papers, too, a lot of those same concerns 795 00:43:28,400 --> 00:43:29,430 were raised before. 796 00:43:29,433 --> 00:43:31,363 I guess my question is about the public opinion climate -- 797 00:43:31,367 --> 00:43:32,697 Mr. Gibbs: What I'm trying to -- what I'm trying to -- 798 00:43:32,700 --> 00:43:34,070 The Press: -- does it change it? 799 00:43:34,066 --> 00:43:37,736 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think the material that's in the Pentagon 800 00:43:37,734 --> 00:43:41,504 -- again, the Pentagon Papers is a fairly exhaustive policy 801 00:43:41,500 --> 00:43:44,000 review by the Pentagon. 802 00:43:44,000 --> 00:43:48,170 I think as Major said earlier, these are a series of one-off 803 00:43:48,166 --> 00:43:52,996 documents about an operation here or an instance there, 804 00:43:53,000 --> 00:43:59,170 or a -- they're not a broad sort of -- this isn't a broad review 805 00:43:59,166 --> 00:44:03,666 of aspects of civilian -- progress that we have or haven't 806 00:44:03,667 --> 00:44:05,367 made on civilian casualties. 807 00:44:05,367 --> 00:44:07,967 It's just on-the-ground reporting on that. 808 00:44:07,967 --> 00:44:09,767 I think that's -- 809 00:44:09,767 --> 00:44:12,937 The Press: But don't they kind of paint sort of a portrait, Robert? 810 00:44:12,934 --> 00:44:14,634 I mean it's -- the aggregation of these documents -- don't they 811 00:44:14,633 --> 00:44:16,063 sort of collectively paint a portrait? 812 00:44:16,066 --> 00:44:19,366 Mr. Gibbs: But again, Glenn, you don't -- because there's only a 813 00:44:19,367 --> 00:44:22,437 certain time period and you don't know what was and what 814 00:44:22,433 --> 00:44:28,233 wasn't either leaked or posted, I think to say that you know 815 00:44:28,233 --> 00:44:30,103 everything is probably not the case. Ann. 816 00:44:30,100 --> 00:44:33,670 The Press: Would you compare it to Abu Ghraib or at least the 817 00:44:33,667 --> 00:44:36,337 repercussions from the impact -- 818 00:44:36,333 --> 00:44:39,433 Mr. Gibbs: I'm always -- I will say this. 819 00:44:39,433 --> 00:44:43,763 I'm always loath to look back and compare one event to 820 00:44:43,767 --> 00:44:49,897 something else when I just don't always -- I think we have a 821 00:44:49,900 --> 00:44:52,230 tendency to always want to compare it to something else 822 00:44:52,233 --> 00:44:55,033 rather than simply reporting out what -- but, again, Ann, 823 00:44:55,033 --> 00:45:01,633 I want to stress again that the notion that -- again, 824 00:45:01,633 --> 00:45:05,463 if you wrote down all of what our concerns in our relationship 825 00:45:05,467 --> 00:45:08,997 with Pakistan, if you wrote down what they were about our 826 00:45:09,000 --> 00:45:12,300 relationship and the challenges that we face in Afghanistan, 827 00:45:12,300 --> 00:45:17,830 I do not know that you would list one thing differently today 828 00:45:17,834 --> 00:45:20,364 as a result of what we've read in these documents that you 829 00:45:20,367 --> 00:45:22,897 wouldn't have already listed a week ago. 830 00:45:22,900 --> 00:45:26,630 I just don't -- and I think that's partly your answer to 831 00:45:26,633 --> 00:45:35,433 that, Mark, that you don't have some revelation that there's a 832 00:45:35,433 --> 00:45:38,033 systematic change of the course of events, 833 00:45:38,033 --> 00:45:41,363 that we have stepped up operations at a certain part in 834 00:45:41,367 --> 00:45:44,267 the war in Southeast Asia, that we've escalated -- that's just 835 00:45:44,266 --> 00:45:47,436 not -- that's not what these documents are. 836 00:45:47,433 --> 00:45:51,233 The Press: The head of WikiLeaks tells us that he won't identify 837 00:45:51,233 --> 00:45:52,703 the source of the material. 838 00:45:52,700 --> 00:45:55,230 He actually says, we still don't know who the source is, 839 00:45:55,233 --> 00:45:57,533 but if it was Private First Class Manning, 840 00:45:57,533 --> 00:46:01,333 who is already in custody, the head of WikiLeaks says 841 00:46:01,333 --> 00:46:02,703 he's a hero. 842 00:46:02,700 --> 00:46:05,800 What does the President say to WikiLeaks and those who believe 843 00:46:05,800 --> 00:46:08,730 that they are doing the right thing in outing a 844 00:46:08,734 --> 00:46:10,364 policy they disagree with? 845 00:46:10,367 --> 00:46:13,737 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think there are ways in which one can 846 00:46:13,734 --> 00:46:18,334 disagree with a policy without breaking the law and putting in 847 00:46:18,333 --> 00:46:24,063 potential danger those who are there to keep us safe. 848 00:46:24,066 --> 00:46:27,196 Again, Ann, if I were to have handed one of you these 849 00:46:27,200 --> 00:46:31,130 documents, I would be breaking the law. 850 00:46:31,133 --> 00:46:39,463 I think there are certainly better ways to discuss and 851 00:46:39,467 --> 00:46:41,797 register one's opposition rather than putting people 852 00:46:41,800 --> 00:46:43,430 in potential harm's way. 853 00:46:43,433 --> 00:46:45,063 The Press: What's Manning's status, do you know? 854 00:46:45,066 --> 00:46:46,366 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not going to get into that. 855 00:46:46,367 --> 00:46:47,767 The Press: Robert, you talked about choices. 856 00:46:47,767 --> 00:46:50,467 Is the President hoping to sway some choices on the DISCLOSE Act 857 00:46:50,467 --> 00:46:53,267 this afternoon or just shine a spotlight for the public on the 858 00:46:53,266 --> 00:46:55,266 choices that people make? 859 00:46:55,266 --> 00:46:58,436 Mr. Gibbs: We certainly hope that those in the Senate listen 860 00:46:58,433 --> 00:47:01,833 to what the President says and take that into account 861 00:47:01,834 --> 00:47:03,834 before they vote. 862 00:47:03,834 --> 00:47:04,764 Yes, ma'am. 863 00:47:04,767 --> 00:47:06,267 The Press: Robert, on Congressman Rangel, 864 00:47:06,266 --> 00:47:08,596 the President is obviously the head of the Democratic Party, 865 00:47:08,600 --> 00:47:10,830 and you yourself, when asked about Rangel in February -- 866 00:47:10,834 --> 00:47:12,364 Mr. Gibbs: I'm happy to find some stuff on this, 867 00:47:12,367 --> 00:47:13,667 but I don't have anything for you. 868 00:47:13,667 --> 00:47:14,737 The Press: You don't want to say more? 869 00:47:14,734 --> 00:47:16,264 Mr. Gibbs: Peter. 870 00:47:16,266 --> 00:47:17,996 The Press: Robert, on the Shirley Sherrod case, 871 00:47:18,000 --> 00:47:21,370 she invited the President to come to south Georgia, 872 00:47:21,367 --> 00:47:23,767 lead him on a tour of some civil rights landmarks. 873 00:47:23,767 --> 00:47:24,597 Also, others -- 874 00:47:24,600 --> 00:47:25,570 Mr. Gibbs: I would say this. 875 00:47:25,567 --> 00:47:28,597 Having listened to the call, she invited him broadly 876 00:47:28,600 --> 00:47:30,070 to south Georgia. 877 00:47:30,066 --> 00:47:33,896 I don't remember them getting that detailed into what a visit 878 00:47:33,900 --> 00:47:35,300 or a tour might be. 879 00:47:35,300 --> 00:47:37,500 The Press: And also, is there a moment where the -- is 880 00:47:37,500 --> 00:47:39,970 this a moment where the President might lead a 881 00:47:39,967 --> 00:47:41,197 national conversation on race? 882 00:47:41,200 --> 00:47:43,770 Do you expect us to hear more from the President 883 00:47:43,767 --> 00:47:44,837 on this particular -- 884 00:47:44,834 --> 00:47:47,804 Mr. Gibbs: Again, Peter, I said this certainly a lot last week. 885 00:47:47,800 --> 00:47:50,370 I don't think the President -- I don't think you have to look at 886 00:47:50,367 --> 00:47:52,137 the events of last week and need the President 887 00:47:52,133 --> 00:47:54,303 to lead that conversation. 888 00:47:54,300 --> 00:47:57,970 I assume and I hope that, whether it was in the offices 889 00:47:57,967 --> 00:48:00,837 of this administration, whether it was in the offices of 890 00:48:00,834 --> 00:48:04,604 newspapers, television, radio, or whether it was in the homes 891 00:48:04,600 --> 00:48:09,070 of millions of Americans, that we learned a little bit about 892 00:48:09,066 --> 00:48:12,366 ourselves and about how we react to things. 893 00:48:12,367 --> 00:48:17,497 I don't think the President has to be -- as I said last week, 894 00:48:17,500 --> 00:48:20,330 I don't think the President has to be the teacher in 895 00:48:20,333 --> 00:48:21,603 every teachable moment. 896 00:48:21,600 --> 00:48:22,500 Yes, sir. 897 00:48:22,500 --> 00:48:24,030 The Press: Thank you, Robert. 898 00:48:24,033 --> 00:48:28,633 Just a different question regarding personnel. 899 00:48:28,633 --> 00:48:33,103 Two weeks ago, the Capitol Hill publication "The Hill" reported 900 00:48:33,100 --> 00:48:37,800 that a top staffer on Senator Baucus's finance committee, 901 00:48:37,800 --> 00:48:42,300 Ms. Liz Fowler, was about to be named to a key position at 902 00:48:42,300 --> 00:48:44,430 the Department of HHS. 903 00:48:44,433 --> 00:48:49,133 And Ms. Fowler is also a former vice president of the WellPoint 904 00:48:49,133 --> 00:48:51,003 insurance company. 905 00:48:51,000 --> 00:48:53,300 Can you confirm that appointment, 906 00:48:53,300 --> 00:48:55,770 and would appointing someone of her position -- 907 00:48:55,767 --> 00:48:56,667 Mr. Gibbs: I would say this. 908 00:48:56,667 --> 00:48:57,997 I hope you talk to HHS. 909 00:48:58,000 --> 00:49:01,270 I don't get down to that level of detail. 910 00:49:01,266 --> 00:49:04,496 I have not been given that level of detail 911 00:49:04,500 --> 00:49:08,800 on any potential impending announcement. 912 00:49:08,800 --> 00:49:10,400 The Press: Robert, can I ask you about the congressional 913 00:49:10,400 --> 00:49:12,930 briefings on WikiLeaks? 914 00:49:12,934 --> 00:49:14,304 Mr. Gibbs: Richard, I'll come back around. 915 00:49:14,300 --> 00:49:16,930 The Press: Let me follow on WikiLeaks -- let me just follow on 916 00:49:16,934 --> 00:49:17,934 WikiLeaks for a second. 917 00:49:17,934 --> 00:49:20,404 Even if there is nothing substantially new in these 918 00:49:20,400 --> 00:49:22,770 documents -- you're in the communications business -- 919 00:49:22,767 --> 00:49:26,967 are you concerned that the public and, therefore, 920 00:49:26,967 --> 00:49:29,737 perhaps members of Congress will think that there's something new 921 00:49:29,734 --> 00:49:32,904 here, and that perception will drive reality and it will have 922 00:49:32,900 --> 00:49:35,700 an impact on your policy? 923 00:49:35,700 --> 00:49:42,730 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I think inherently the last phrase of 924 00:49:42,734 --> 00:49:46,504 your question that you didn't necessarily enumerate was about 925 00:49:46,500 --> 00:49:49,700 the politics of all this. 926 00:49:49,700 --> 00:49:57,600 The President made a decision to put almost 50,000 more troops in 927 00:49:57,600 --> 00:50:02,300 Afghanistan not based on the politics but based on what was 928 00:50:02,300 --> 00:50:08,000 right; based on what he believed was -- gave us the best chance 929 00:50:08,000 --> 00:50:12,830 at succeeding in Afghanistan, and in making the decisions that 930 00:50:12,834 --> 00:50:16,104 gave us the best opportunity to improve our relationship with 931 00:50:16,100 --> 00:50:19,300 Pakistan and create, as Ed pointed out, 932 00:50:19,300 --> 00:50:24,400 a partnership to go after those in Pakistan that sought 933 00:50:24,400 --> 00:50:28,670 to do Pakistanis harm or those in Pakistan and Afghanistan that 934 00:50:28,667 --> 00:50:32,397 sought to do Americans harm. 935 00:50:32,400 --> 00:50:34,370 That's the filter by which the President went 936 00:50:34,367 --> 00:50:35,767 through the meetings. 937 00:50:35,767 --> 00:50:39,667 That's the filter by which the President made that decision. 938 00:50:39,667 --> 00:50:44,937 The politics of all of this stuff will 939 00:50:44,934 --> 00:50:47,304 settle out regardless. 940 00:50:47,300 --> 00:50:49,470 The question the President asked himself and the question that 941 00:50:49,467 --> 00:50:53,497 the team asked themselves in making this decision is, 942 00:50:53,500 --> 00:50:56,100 what's the right policy for this country? 943 00:50:56,100 --> 00:50:58,070 What's the right policy that keeps us safe, 944 00:50:58,066 --> 00:51:04,936 and what's the right policy that prevents safe havens from being 945 00:51:04,934 --> 00:51:11,334 recreated in Afghanistan, where planning can happen again, 946 00:51:11,333 --> 00:51:15,103 unfettered, to attack this country, 947 00:51:15,100 --> 00:51:18,000 as happened on September 11th? 948 00:51:18,000 --> 00:51:21,870 That's what we're focused on. 949 00:51:21,867 --> 00:51:23,437 The Press: May I follow on that, please? 950 00:51:23,433 --> 00:51:25,903 Is it unanimous among all the administration that this is the 951 00:51:25,900 --> 00:51:28,070 right policy, that it is keeping America safer? 952 00:51:28,066 --> 00:51:30,596 And what is the U.S. policy towards the Taliban right now? 953 00:51:30,600 --> 00:51:34,430 Are there U.S. troops protecting the Taliban's crops? 954 00:51:34,433 --> 00:51:37,303 Mr. Gibbs: I would point you to DOD on that. 955 00:51:37,300 --> 00:51:43,870 I would say this, that there was a very, very large, very, 956 00:51:43,867 --> 00:51:48,137 very extensive, with multiple inputs, 957 00:51:48,133 --> 00:51:51,433 review of where we were and what we needed to do going forward. 958 00:51:51,433 --> 00:51:58,003 We're in the process of implementing going -- we're in 959 00:51:58,000 --> 00:51:59,870 the process of implementing that new strategy, 960 00:51:59,867 --> 00:52:03,797 evaluating that new strategy and moving forward. 961 00:52:03,800 --> 00:52:06,600 The Press: But is America really safer? 962 00:52:06,600 --> 00:52:08,030 Mr. Gibbs: I believe America is safer, 963 00:52:08,033 --> 00:52:15,663 because if we were not to be in this area, 964 00:52:15,667 --> 00:52:21,237 if we were to -- if the Taliban were to come and overthrow a 965 00:52:21,233 --> 00:52:25,233 government and create a safe haven that allowed al Qaeda and 966 00:52:25,233 --> 00:52:30,533 its extremist allies to not have to plot in a cave but sit in the 967 00:52:30,533 --> 00:52:38,633 open and plot the next September 11th, our country would be much, 968 00:52:38,633 --> 00:52:42,603 much more dangerous, a much greater target. 969 00:52:42,600 --> 00:52:45,170 And I think that's why the President has made 970 00:52:45,166 --> 00:52:47,696 the decisions that he's made. April. 971 00:52:47,700 --> 00:52:49,200 The Press: Robert, one short question? 972 00:52:49,200 --> 00:52:52,530 The Press: Robert, granted documents in the WikiLeak date back to 2004, 973 00:52:52,533 --> 00:52:55,003 is this a direct slap in the face to this administration's 974 00:52:55,000 --> 00:52:58,600 intelligence efforts in Afghanistan? 975 00:52:58,600 --> 00:53:00,630 Mr. Gibbs: Again, I think if it says anything, 976 00:53:00,633 --> 00:53:05,003 it speaks to some concerns about operational security. 977 00:53:05,000 --> 00:53:10,300 I don't believe that that's directed at us personally. 978 00:53:10,300 --> 00:53:12,800 The Press: Okay, well, and let me -- and also on that, 979 00:53:12,800 --> 00:53:15,200 on the intelligence, but more so on a broader scope on 980 00:53:15,200 --> 00:53:19,370 intelligence -- after 9/11 the Bush administration kept saying 981 00:53:19,367 --> 00:53:23,097 it was not about "if" but a matter of "when" another attack 982 00:53:23,100 --> 00:53:24,630 would happen on U.S. soil. 983 00:53:24,633 --> 00:53:27,133 Is that still the case, as you deal with intelligence 984 00:53:27,133 --> 00:53:30,063 on a daily basis? 985 00:53:30,066 --> 00:53:32,666 Mr. Gibbs: Well, without getting into discussing the same type of 986 00:53:32,667 --> 00:53:35,437 material I've said I wouldn't discuss here, 987 00:53:35,433 --> 00:53:40,833 we are -- there are a group of people within this government 988 00:53:40,834 --> 00:53:43,004 and within this White House that work each day to make 989 00:53:43,000 --> 00:53:43,900 sure that doesn't happen. 990 00:53:43,900 --> 00:53:45,800 The Press: And on another -- wait a minute, 991 00:53:45,800 --> 00:53:48,430 on another subject really fast, the President is going to 992 00:53:48,433 --> 00:53:50,263 "The View" this week to have a conversation with the 993 00:53:50,266 --> 00:53:51,366 women of "The View." 994 00:53:51,367 --> 00:53:54,637 And he's also going to be at the Urban League 995 00:53:54,633 --> 00:53:55,763 talking about education. 996 00:53:55,767 --> 00:53:58,767 Last year at the NAACP, the President talked about education 997 00:53:58,767 --> 00:54:01,567 and he put in a lot of civil rights issues as 998 00:54:01,567 --> 00:54:02,937 it relates to education. 999 00:54:02,934 --> 00:54:04,704 And then he's going to be talking on "The View." 1000 00:54:04,700 --> 00:54:07,770 Will the issue -- will he have a cursory possibly conversation 1001 00:54:07,767 --> 00:54:11,497 with the women of "The View," who have a tendency to be 1002 00:54:11,500 --> 00:54:16,530 politically astute on matters in the news on some issues? 1003 00:54:16,533 --> 00:54:18,163 Mr. Gibbs: Will he have a conversation with them? 1004 00:54:18,166 --> 00:54:19,366 The Press: On race possibly. 1005 00:54:19,367 --> 00:54:20,837 Could he generate that -- 1006 00:54:20,834 --> 00:54:22,264 Mr. Gibbs: Oh, you -- I missed that word. 1007 00:54:22,266 --> 00:54:23,436 You didn't -- I thought you said, 1008 00:54:23,433 --> 00:54:24,663 are they going to ask him questions, 1009 00:54:24,667 --> 00:54:28,667 and I think I can confirm that, as a senior administration 1010 00:54:28,667 --> 00:54:32,137 official, that that is entirely the case. 1011 00:54:32,133 --> 00:54:33,533 The Press: On the matter of race. 1012 00:54:33,533 --> 00:54:39,263 Mr. Gibbs: You know, look, I have no idea what they're going to ask and I 1013 00:54:39,266 --> 00:54:45,696 presume the President will answer their questions. 1014 00:54:45,700 --> 00:54:49,470 Look, I know that we talked about last week that the 1015 00:54:49,467 --> 00:54:53,067 President has long been scheduled to go the Urban League 1016 00:54:53,066 --> 00:55:03,136 and will deliver again a speech about what has been done in this 1017 00:55:03,133 --> 00:55:06,803 administration to change and improve the educational system 1018 00:55:06,800 --> 00:55:12,170 in this country, and ultimately the opportunity that our 1019 00:55:12,166 --> 00:55:15,736 children are given as a result of that, 1020 00:55:15,734 --> 00:55:18,464 and the responsibilities that they and their 1021 00:55:18,467 --> 00:55:19,697 parents alike have. 1022 00:55:19,700 --> 00:55:22,300 The Press: Will civil rights be infused in that speech? 1023 00:55:22,300 --> 00:55:24,230 Mr. Gibbs: I think that's safe to bet. 1024 00:55:24,233 --> 00:55:25,403 The Press: One short question? 1025 00:55:25,400 --> 00:55:26,130 Just one short -- 1026 00:55:26,133 --> 00:55:28,363 The Press: Les -- Les, it's not your turn, buddy. 1027 00:55:28,367 --> 00:55:29,837 Hold on, hold on. 1028 00:55:29,834 --> 00:55:31,234 (laughter) 1029 00:55:31,233 --> 00:55:32,133 The Press: Wait a minute. 1030 00:55:32,133 --> 00:55:33,263 Why is it your turn back there and I'm up here? 1031 00:55:33,266 --> 00:55:34,866 Mr. Gibbs: Because I said "Sam." 1032 00:55:34,867 --> 00:55:35,867 The Press: You said Sam? 1033 00:55:35,867 --> 00:55:36,997 Mr. Gibbs: I said "Sam." 1034 00:55:37,000 --> 00:55:39,900 You were too busy yelling, Lester. 1035 00:55:39,900 --> 00:55:41,630 (laughter) 1036 00:55:41,633 --> 00:55:44,063 This is instructive. 1037 00:55:44,066 --> 00:55:45,036 The Press: You'll come back? 1038 00:55:45,033 --> 00:55:46,003 Thank you very much. 1039 00:55:46,000 --> 00:55:46,970 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, Sam. 1040 00:55:46,967 --> 00:55:49,397 The Press: You said you all reached out to Congress last week, 1041 00:55:49,400 --> 00:55:51,300 and I get that most of this information predates 1042 00:55:51,300 --> 00:55:52,200 the President -- 1043 00:55:52,200 --> 00:55:53,370 Mr. Gibbs: I think that -- honestly, 1044 00:55:53,367 --> 00:55:55,397 I think that most of the outreach was probably done 1045 00:55:55,400 --> 00:55:58,630 less last week and more, quite honestly, Sam, 1046 00:55:58,633 --> 00:56:00,633 over the course of the last 24 hours. 1047 00:56:00,633 --> 00:56:02,763 The Press: Well, the message that this -- that most of this 1048 00:56:02,767 --> 00:56:05,167 information predates the President's new strategy doesn't 1049 00:56:05,166 --> 00:56:07,136 seem to have gotten through to people like Senator Kerry, 1050 00:56:07,133 --> 00:56:08,803 who said today that this information 1051 00:56:08,800 --> 00:56:10,270 raises serious questions. 1052 00:56:10,266 --> 00:56:11,766 Are you all trying to tamp that down and make 1053 00:56:11,767 --> 00:56:13,097 sure that there's a real -- 1054 00:56:13,100 --> 00:56:18,070 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, let me first be clear about -- I think it 1055 00:56:18,066 --> 00:56:23,036 would be hard to identify anybody that has done as 1056 00:56:23,033 --> 00:56:26,433 much as Senator Kerry has. 1057 00:56:26,433 --> 00:56:29,233 He was obviously intimately involved in, 1058 00:56:29,233 --> 00:56:35,933 met several times with President Karzai around the election and 1059 00:56:35,934 --> 00:56:38,734 the aftermath on that. 1060 00:56:38,734 --> 00:56:43,404 He has been -- he's traveled to both countries and I think has 1061 00:56:43,400 --> 00:56:55,100 been an important leader in ensuring that our policy 1062 00:56:55,100 --> 00:56:57,400 is the right one. 1063 00:56:57,400 --> 00:56:58,830 The Press: Well, then he should know more than anybody that 1064 00:56:58,834 --> 00:57:00,134 these aren't new concerns, but he's still saying it 1065 00:57:00,133 --> 00:57:01,403 raises serious questions. 1066 00:57:01,400 --> 00:57:03,130 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, it -- again, 1067 00:57:03,133 --> 00:57:06,533 I'm not minimizing that this information is out there. 1068 00:57:06,533 --> 00:57:10,533 What I'm simply saying, Sam, is I think if you asked this of 1069 00:57:10,533 --> 00:57:13,833 Senator Kerry, I think if you asked this of most on 1070 00:57:13,834 --> 00:57:17,004 Capitol Hill -- and this doesn't have to do with whether 1071 00:57:17,000 --> 00:57:18,330 this stuff predates it. 1072 00:57:18,333 --> 00:57:21,563 I will say that, again, our concern about the direction of 1073 00:57:21,567 --> 00:57:24,867 the war, the funding and the resources that were being given 1074 00:57:24,867 --> 00:57:29,967 to it -- and, look, that is your strategy. 1075 00:57:29,967 --> 00:57:32,937 If you're not going to fund your strategy or if you're going -- 1076 00:57:32,934 --> 00:57:35,804 if your strategy is going to be predicated on 25,000 1077 00:57:35,800 --> 00:57:37,430 troops rather than 100,000 troops, 1078 00:57:37,433 --> 00:57:40,703 that limits your ability to impact that strategy. 1079 00:57:40,700 --> 00:57:45,100 But, look, I think Senator Kerry has been a leading voice on this 1080 00:57:45,100 --> 00:57:48,400 and I think our responsibility and his responsibility as the 1081 00:57:48,400 --> 00:57:51,870 leader of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is to do all 1082 00:57:51,867 --> 00:57:53,737 that we can to get this right. 1083 00:57:53,734 --> 00:57:58,504 Sam, we have weekly -- the President hears weekly from 1084 00:57:58,500 --> 00:58:01,830 commanders on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan, 1085 00:58:01,834 --> 00:58:04,264 and we have monthly meetings -- as I said, 1086 00:58:04,266 --> 00:58:09,096 that will happen just this Thursday in the Situation Room 1087 00:58:09,100 --> 00:58:11,530 -- to evaluate where we are and to make adjustments. 1088 00:58:11,533 --> 00:58:14,733 Nobody is writing -- nobody wrote anything in stone and is 1089 00:58:14,734 --> 00:58:17,234 then just hoping that it all happens. 1090 00:58:17,233 --> 00:58:19,733 We will continually evaluate where we are, 1091 00:58:19,734 --> 00:58:22,604 what needs to happen, how do we build Afghan capacity, 1092 00:58:22,600 --> 00:58:26,030 how do we train up the Afghan national police and the Afghan 1093 00:58:26,033 --> 00:58:29,603 national army as part of a comprehensive national security 1094 00:58:29,600 --> 00:58:34,830 force that gives us the ability, once areas are cleared, 1095 00:58:34,834 --> 00:58:37,504 to be able to transfer, again, both from a governance and a 1096 00:58:37,500 --> 00:58:38,700 military perspective. 1097 00:58:38,700 --> 00:58:40,800 I think all of that is important, 1098 00:58:40,800 --> 00:58:42,630 and all of that will be continually evaluated. 1099 00:58:42,633 --> 00:58:43,603 The Press: Thanks, Robert. 1100 00:58:43,600 --> 00:58:46,030 Just one short -- one short question. 1101 00:58:46,033 --> 00:58:47,663 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, sir. 1102 00:58:47,667 --> 00:58:50,767 The Press: What assurance has the President received from his 1103 00:58:50,767 --> 00:58:55,167 Secretary of State that in 2012 she will not run for President? 1104 00:58:55,166 --> 00:58:57,536 (laughter) 1105 00:58:57,533 --> 00:58:59,663 Mr. Gibbs: I will -- 1106 00:58:59,667 --> 00:59:01,097 The Press: Just a brief question. 1107 00:59:01,100 --> 00:59:04,230 Mr. Gibbs: I am unaware of any assurance that this 1108 00:59:04,233 --> 00:59:06,163 President needs about his Secretary of State. 1109 00:59:06,166 --> 00:59:07,066 Thank you.