English subtitles for clip: File:8-17-12- Press Briefing by Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest.webm
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1 00:00:00,300 --> 00:00:02,633 Mr. Earnest: Good afternoon, everybody. 2 00:00:02,633 --> 00:00:05,333 Nice to see you all on this Friday afternoon. 3 00:00:05,333 --> 00:00:07,467 Mr. Carney is getting a well-deserved three-day 4 00:00:07,467 --> 00:00:08,500 weekend with his family. 5 00:00:08,500 --> 00:00:14,065 So as the Washington Nationals manager, Davey Johnson, might 6 00:00:14,066 --> 00:00:15,834 say, it's a spot start for me today. 7 00:00:15,834 --> 00:00:16,600 (laughter) 8 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:21,000 So before I get started, though, let me flag an 9 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:24,200 announcement that was made this morning. 10 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:25,433 Today, the Obama administration is taking 11 00:00:25,433 --> 00:00:28,700 another "We Can't Wait" action to put Americans to work and 12 00:00:28,700 --> 00:00:31,500 improve the nation's infrastructure. 13 00:00:31,500 --> 00:00:34,333 Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced this morning 14 00:00:34,333 --> 00:00:38,667 that we're making more than $470 million in unspent 15 00:00:38,667 --> 00:00:41,834 earmarks immediately available to states for projects that 16 00:00:41,834 --> 00:00:44,300 will create jobs and help improve transportation across 17 00:00:44,300 --> 00:00:46,266 the country. 18 00:00:46,266 --> 00:00:48,699 As you know, President Obama has vowed to veto any bill 19 00:00:48,700 --> 00:00:51,100 that comes to his desk with earmarks and would support 20 00:00:51,100 --> 00:00:53,600 legislation to permanently ban earmarks. 21 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:57,433 But $473 million in highway earmarks from fiscal year 22 00:00:57,433 --> 00:01:02,567 2003-2006 appropriations acts remain unspent. 23 00:01:02,567 --> 00:01:04,667 So those acts contain provisions that authorize the 24 00:01:04,667 --> 00:01:08,800 Secretary of Transportation to make the unused funds 25 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:11,899 available for eligible surface transportation projects. 26 00:01:11,900 --> 00:01:14,667 Instead of letting these funds sit idle for years-old earmark 27 00:01:14,667 --> 00:01:18,066 projects, we'll use them to put Americans back to work 28 00:01:18,066 --> 00:01:22,400 repairing our crumbling roads and bridges right now. 29 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:25,100 States will have the ability to use their unspent earmarked 30 00:01:25,100 --> 00:01:28,199 highway funds, some of which are nearly 10 years old, on 31 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:32,400 any eligible highway transit passenger rail or port project. 32 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:36,000 They must identify the projects they plan to use 33 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:39,266 the funds for by October 1st and must obligate them before the 34 00:01:39,266 --> 00:01:40,266 end of the year. 35 00:01:40,266 --> 00:01:41,867 If they don't meet these deadlines the funds will 36 00:01:41,867 --> 00:01:43,867 be given to states that can. 37 00:01:43,867 --> 00:01:47,533 So that's an important "We Can't Wait" announcement from 38 00:01:47,533 --> 00:01:49,033 the administration. 39 00:01:49,033 --> 00:01:51,700 With that, Ken, I'll let you dig into the 40 00:01:51,700 --> 00:01:52,834 batter's box first. 41 00:01:52,834 --> 00:01:56,633 The Press: There's been a heavy focus from the President this week 42 00:01:56,633 --> 00:02:02,800 on issues like Medicare, the devastating drought, wind 43 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:04,333 energy, things like that. 44 00:02:04,333 --> 00:02:07,300 Do you think that the focus on the economy has taken a 45 00:02:07,300 --> 00:02:09,000 backseat, perhaps? 46 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:12,667 And when Congress returns in September, if they're not 47 00:02:12,667 --> 00:02:15,633 willing to act, are there any tools that the President has 48 00:02:15,633 --> 00:02:19,767 between now and the election to spur along the economy? 49 00:02:19,767 --> 00:02:23,700 Mr. Earnest: Well, I just cited the "We Can't Wait" announcement from 50 00:02:23,700 --> 00:02:25,232 the Department of Transportation today. 51 00:02:25,233 --> 00:02:28,600 So this is -- these "We Can't Wait" announcements have been 52 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:32,033 efforts by the administration to take administrative action 53 00:02:32,033 --> 00:02:33,566 where Congress won't act. 54 00:02:33,567 --> 00:02:37,934 And so, currently, among the proposals that's sitting on 55 00:02:37,934 --> 00:02:40,166 the front door of the House of Representatives right 56 00:02:40,166 --> 00:02:44,400 now are proposals that would extend funding for 57 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:46,266 infrastructure projects. 58 00:02:46,266 --> 00:02:49,367 So we're meeting part of that need now in a way that we can 59 00:02:49,367 --> 00:02:51,899 move administratively. 60 00:02:51,900 --> 00:02:54,700 I would add, however -- I do think I would quibble just a 61 00:02:54,700 --> 00:02:58,299 little bit with the premise of your question, because I do 62 00:02:58,300 --> 00:03:01,567 think that some of the things that you cited, that the 63 00:03:01,567 --> 00:03:03,800 President talked about earlier this week -- dealing with 64 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,233 drought conditions throughout so much of the country that 65 00:03:06,233 --> 00:03:09,166 has been plagued by that problem, extending the 66 00:03:09,166 --> 00:03:11,867 production tax credit that would ensure that the wind 67 00:03:11,867 --> 00:03:13,899 energy that has grown significantly under President 68 00:03:13,900 --> 00:03:17,100 Obama continues to grow -- ending that production tax 69 00:03:17,100 --> 00:03:19,700 credit, which is what some Republicans on Capitol Hill 70 00:03:19,700 --> 00:03:22,767 want to do, would take a toll and would eliminate up to 71 00:03:22,767 --> 00:03:26,133 37,000 jobs nationwide if we didn't extend that production 72 00:03:26,133 --> 00:03:28,900 tax credit, and even the issue of Medicare that the President 73 00:03:28,900 --> 00:03:30,700 has talked about quite a bit -- all of these are pretty 74 00:03:30,700 --> 00:03:37,966 basic economic issues that the President believes goes to his 75 00:03:37,967 --> 00:03:40,400 fundamental vision about the future of our economy, that we 76 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:41,834 need to make important investments in our 77 00:03:41,834 --> 00:03:47,533 infrastructure, and that we need to -- all in an effort to 78 00:03:47,533 --> 00:03:50,632 create jobs, to stand up for our seniors and keep the basic 79 00:03:50,633 --> 00:03:55,233 promise that is Medicare, the guarantee that is Medicare, 80 00:03:55,233 --> 00:03:59,300 and to ensure that these good-paying manufacturing jobs 81 00:03:59,300 --> 00:04:05,734 in the wind energy industry actually stay here in America. 82 00:04:05,734 --> 00:04:05,934 This is part of building our economy by strengthening the 83 00:04:05,934 --> 00:04:08,567 middle class and building this economy from the middle class 84 00:04:08,567 --> 00:04:11,300 out, which stands in contrast to the approach that's 85 00:04:11,300 --> 00:04:17,333 advocated by Republicans, which is to essentially extend 86 00:04:17,333 --> 00:04:20,133 and expand tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires 87 00:04:20,132 --> 00:04:22,633 and expect those benefits to trickle down for 88 00:04:22,633 --> 00:04:23,633 everyone else. 89 00:04:23,633 --> 00:04:25,032 So there is a pretty fundamental debate on the 90 00:04:25,033 --> 00:04:27,233 economy that we've been having through the summer, and I 91 00:04:27,233 --> 00:04:31,100 would anticipate that that debate about the economy will 92 00:04:31,100 --> 00:04:33,333 continue in the fall. 93 00:04:33,333 --> 00:04:34,033 The Press: Separate topic. 94 00:04:34,033 --> 00:04:36,400 There are reports that the administration is considering 95 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:40,000 releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. 96 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:44,900 Gas prices have risen about 39 cents since early July. 97 00:04:44,900 --> 00:04:47,133 Is the administration considering this action? 98 00:04:47,133 --> 00:04:49,265 And how should the public view this? 99 00:04:49,266 --> 00:04:52,633 Is this a sign of real concerns over gas prices, 100 00:04:52,633 --> 00:04:55,433 or is this election-year politics? 101 00:04:55,433 --> 00:04:59,266 Mr. Earnest: Well, as we've said for some time, a release of the 102 00:04:59,266 --> 00:05:03,700 Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an option that's on the table, 103 00:05:03,700 --> 00:05:06,200 but I don't have anything to announce further on that topic 104 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:08,366 at this point. 105 00:05:08,367 --> 00:05:13,133 The administration does carefully monitor the global 106 00:05:13,133 --> 00:05:16,133 oil market and the global price of oil. 107 00:05:16,133 --> 00:05:18,900 So it's something that we watch closely because of the 108 00:05:18,900 --> 00:05:22,066 economic consequences for changes in that market and 109 00:05:22,066 --> 00:05:23,734 changes in the price. 110 00:05:23,734 --> 00:05:25,599 It's also one of the reasons that the President has 111 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:29,667 advocated so aggressively for taking steps that will make 112 00:05:29,667 --> 00:05:33,166 the United States of America independent of foreign oil, 113 00:05:33,166 --> 00:05:38,200 that we can finally ensure -- provide some insulation to our 114 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:42,233 economy and to families so that they're not so 115 00:05:42,233 --> 00:05:45,066 dramatically affected by swings in the oil market. 116 00:05:45,066 --> 00:05:50,734 So this is why the President has made a priority about 117 00:05:50,734 --> 00:05:54,366 domestic energy production of all forms, that the production 118 00:05:54,367 --> 00:05:56,633 of oil and gas has gone every single year that 119 00:05:56,633 --> 00:05:58,400 he's been in office. 120 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:01,532 Incidentally, our imports of foreign oil have actually 121 00:06:01,533 --> 00:06:04,400 declined every single year that he's been in office. 122 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:05,599 But it hasn't just been that. 123 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:07,867 It's also been important investments in renewable 124 00:06:07,867 --> 00:06:09,467 energy -- something you heard the President talk about 125 00:06:09,467 --> 00:06:11,834 earlier this week when he was in Iowa. 126 00:06:11,834 --> 00:06:14,667 Renewable energy production through sources like wind and 127 00:06:14,667 --> 00:06:19,500 solar have actually doubled since the President has been 128 00:06:19,500 --> 00:06:20,500 in office. 129 00:06:20,500 --> 00:06:22,467 So we've made good on these promises. 130 00:06:22,467 --> 00:06:25,366 We've made some important progress that will mean 131 00:06:25,367 --> 00:06:27,767 important benefits in the short term in the form of job 132 00:06:27,767 --> 00:06:30,467 creation, but over the long term, as we take the kinds 133 00:06:30,467 --> 00:06:32,900 of steps that are needed to finally make us independent 134 00:06:32,900 --> 00:06:35,200 of foreign energy. 135 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:36,033 Thank you, Ken. 136 00:06:36,033 --> 00:06:36,633 Matt. 137 00:06:36,633 --> 00:06:39,467 The Press: On that same subject, in Houston today, the head of the 138 00:06:39,467 --> 00:06:42,300 International Energy Agency said that oil markets were 139 00:06:42,300 --> 00:06:44,567 currently well supplied and there was no reason for 140 00:06:44,567 --> 00:06:47,433 governments to release oil from the Strategic Reserves. 141 00:06:47,433 --> 00:06:49,700 Does the administration have any reason to disagree with 142 00:06:49,700 --> 00:06:53,300 that analysis, or do you go along with it? 143 00:06:53,300 --> 00:06:54,667 Mr. Earnest: This is the first I've heard of that analysis. 144 00:06:54,667 --> 00:06:57,265 I don't think I have a specific reaction to it other 145 00:06:57,266 --> 00:06:59,467 than to say that this is something that we're also 146 00:06:59,467 --> 00:07:03,200 watching ourselves very closely because of the 147 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:07,233 economic impact of changes in the global oil market. 148 00:07:07,233 --> 00:07:10,100 But other than to say that this is something that we 149 00:07:10,100 --> 00:07:12,533 continue to watch closely, I don't have a specific reaction 150 00:07:12,533 --> 00:07:14,233 to that analysis that offered today. 151 00:07:14,233 --> 00:07:16,867 The Press: The last release was done in concert with international 152 00:07:16,867 --> 00:07:18,934 partners and with the IEA. 153 00:07:18,934 --> 00:07:21,667 Is the U.S. -- is the administration in any 154 00:07:21,667 --> 00:07:23,734 kind of contact with partners, with the IEA 155 00:07:23,734 --> 00:07:27,066 to discuss this matter? 156 00:07:27,066 --> 00:07:28,799 Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't have any specific calls to read 157 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:29,567 out to you today. 158 00:07:29,567 --> 00:07:33,633 However, you may remember back in May when the G8 summit 159 00:07:33,633 --> 00:07:37,032 convened at Camp David that there was an announcement at 160 00:07:37,033 --> 00:07:40,600 that point in which the G8 leaders announced that they 161 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:44,033 would continue to monitor the situation closely and that 162 00:07:44,033 --> 00:07:45,900 they stood ready to take coordinated action 163 00:07:45,900 --> 00:07:47,433 if necessary. 164 00:07:47,433 --> 00:07:50,300 So I would remind you that in the past we have been in close 165 00:07:50,300 --> 00:07:56,867 touch with our partners and that we'll continue 166 00:07:56,867 --> 00:07:58,934 to coordinate with them moving forward. 167 00:07:58,934 --> 00:08:00,734 The Press: And the last thing, on Syria -- the U.N. 168 00:08:00,734 --> 00:08:03,933 confirmed just within the last hour that the veteran Algerian 169 00:08:03,934 --> 00:08:10,266 diplomat, Lakhdar Brahimi, will replace Kofi Annan as the 170 00:08:10,266 --> 00:08:12,433 international Syria mediator. 171 00:08:12,433 --> 00:08:15,233 Does the administration support that appointment, and 172 00:08:15,233 --> 00:08:17,567 what, if anything, could he accomplish considering the 173 00:08:17,567 --> 00:08:21,233 failure of previous efforts on this track? 174 00:08:21,233 --> 00:08:24,200 Mr. Earnest: We have seen the announcement that Mr. Brahimi will be the 175 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:26,533 new U.N. envoy for Syria. 176 00:08:26,533 --> 00:08:28,867 Mr. Brahimi is a capable and seasoned diplomat, well known 177 00:08:28,867 --> 00:08:31,533 to us and others in the international community. 178 00:08:31,533 --> 00:08:33,600 We look forward to continuing to work closely with the U.N. 179 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:36,332 to support an end to the bloodshed in Syria and the 180 00:08:36,332 --> 00:08:39,600 advancement of a Syrian-led and internationally supported 181 00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:41,066 political transition. 182 00:08:41,066 --> 00:08:43,934 What we do need to do, though, is we need to hear more from 183 00:08:43,933 --> 00:08:48,367 the U.N. on the mandate of Mr. Brahimi's new position. 184 00:08:48,367 --> 00:08:52,165 But our position and our view about the solution to this 185 00:08:52,166 --> 00:08:55,033 problem hasn't changed -- that it's time for President Assad 186 00:08:55,033 --> 00:08:58,667 to step down and to allow this political transition 187 00:08:58,667 --> 00:08:59,667 to move forward. 188 00:08:59,667 --> 00:09:02,500 And that is the fastest way for us to achieve our ultimate 189 00:09:02,500 --> 00:09:06,400 goal, which is ending the violence in Syria, the 190 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:08,500 terrible violence that President Assad has 191 00:09:08,500 --> 00:09:14,433 perpetrated on his own people, and move to a more stable 192 00:09:14,433 --> 00:09:17,834 Syrian government that reflects the wishes of 193 00:09:17,834 --> 00:09:20,000 the Syrian people. 194 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:20,600 Mark. 195 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:21,967 The Press: If I could follow up on that. 196 00:09:21,967 --> 00:09:24,266 You say you need to hear more about the mandate that Brahimi 197 00:09:24,266 --> 00:09:24,834 is being given. 198 00:09:24,834 --> 00:09:26,632 Does that mean that you share the concerns that 199 00:09:26,633 --> 00:09:29,100 were expressed about Kofi Annan's mission, that it 200 00:09:29,100 --> 00:09:33,266 was essentially giving Assad's regime more time and playing 201 00:09:33,266 --> 00:09:35,433 into his hands and his play for time? 202 00:09:35,433 --> 00:09:38,467 Mr. Earnest: Well, there were concerns that we had expressed that the 203 00:09:38,467 --> 00:09:40,533 Assad regime wasn't living up to the commitments that he'd 204 00:09:40,533 --> 00:09:41,533 made to Mr. Annan. 205 00:09:41,533 --> 00:09:42,934 That certainly is true. 206 00:09:42,934 --> 00:09:49,333 But I think this is actually a genuine interest in hearing 207 00:09:49,333 --> 00:09:52,433 what kind of mandate Mr. Brahimi will be given by 208 00:09:52,433 --> 00:09:53,567 the U.N. 209 00:09:53,567 --> 00:09:56,800 The Press: You want teeth to be in it. 210 00:09:56,800 --> 00:10:00,400 Mr. Earnest: I'm not prepared from here to advocate what kind of mandate 211 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:04,066 he should be given, but rather we'll have a response to -- 212 00:10:04,066 --> 00:10:07,133 we'll have some additional thoughts to share after it's 213 00:10:07,133 --> 00:10:08,834 clear what kind of mandate the U.N. 214 00:10:08,834 --> 00:10:10,333 will grant him. 215 00:10:10,333 --> 00:10:11,165 Dan. 216 00:10:11,166 --> 00:10:14,800 The Press: I want to ask you about this "let's make a deal" letter 217 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:19,132 that Messina sent to the Romney campaign to release 218 00:10:19,133 --> 00:10:23,500 five years' worth of tax returns and they'll back off 219 00:10:23,500 --> 00:10:26,000 running any ads or making any commentary. 220 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:28,266 Does the President believe that this is an issue that 221 00:10:28,266 --> 00:10:31,533 voters even care about -- whether or not Mitt Romney 222 00:10:31,533 --> 00:10:36,266 releases two years or three years' worth of taxes? 223 00:10:36,266 --> 00:10:38,699 Mr. Earnest: Well, in terms of the specific letter that was sent by the 224 00:10:38,700 --> 00:10:41,000 President's campaign manager, I would refer you to my 225 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:44,033 colleagues in Chicago to talk about that specifically. 226 00:10:44,033 --> 00:10:45,433 There have been a lot of questions that have been 227 00:10:45,433 --> 00:10:48,667 raised about Governor Romney's tax returns and about whether 228 00:10:48,667 --> 00:10:51,433 or not he's going to live up to the precedent that was 229 00:10:51,433 --> 00:10:56,500 established by every major party presidential candidate 230 00:10:56,500 --> 00:10:58,834 since Governor Romney's father himself established this 231 00:10:58,834 --> 00:11:02,834 precedent in 1968 by releasing his tax returns. 232 00:11:02,834 --> 00:11:05,000 I know that this room is filled with a lot of dogged 233 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:07,900 advocates for transparency, so I know if I were to take 234 00:11:07,900 --> 00:11:10,333 a poll in this room, you all would think it was important. 235 00:11:10,333 --> 00:11:11,100 The Press: But do the voters care? 236 00:11:11,100 --> 00:11:14,400 Mr. Earnest: And I do anticipate -- I do think that the voters do have 237 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:22,867 an expectation about transparency. 238 00:11:22,867 --> 00:11:24,400 That is important. 239 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:31,834 It also illustrates I think a broader debate that is ongoing 240 00:11:31,834 --> 00:11:34,500 across the country in the context of this presidential 241 00:11:34,500 --> 00:11:38,100 campaign, in the context of Senate and House campaigns all 242 00:11:38,100 --> 00:11:41,834 across the country, about the future of our tax policy and 243 00:11:41,834 --> 00:11:46,834 what approach makes the most sense for strengthening the 244 00:11:46,834 --> 00:11:49,834 economy in this country; what kind of approach, in the 245 00:11:49,834 --> 00:11:53,000 President's view, will ensure that middle-class families get 246 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:56,767 a fair shot and a fair shake, but will also ensure -- what 247 00:11:56,767 --> 00:12:00,100 policy will also ensure that people at the top of the 248 00:12:00,100 --> 00:12:02,667 income scale are doing their fair share. 249 00:12:02,667 --> 00:12:06,100 And that certainly is a relevant part of the debate. 250 00:12:06,100 --> 00:12:07,734 The Press: On another issue, does the White House have anything to 251 00:12:07,734 --> 00:12:12,333 say about the conviction of this punk rock group in Russia 252 00:12:12,333 --> 00:12:16,132 that was -- they were convicted for mocking Putin 253 00:12:16,133 --> 00:12:19,734 in his prayer in a cathedral? 254 00:12:19,734 --> 00:12:21,967 Mr. Earnest: We do have a reaction. 255 00:12:21,967 --> 00:12:23,967 The United States is disappointed by the verdict, 256 00:12:23,967 --> 00:12:27,199 including the disproportionate sentences that were granted. 257 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:29,266 While we understand the group's behavior was offensive 258 00:12:29,266 --> 00:12:33,367 to some, we have serious concerns about the way that 259 00:12:33,367 --> 00:12:37,666 these young women have been treated by the Russian 260 00:12:37,667 --> 00:12:38,633 judicial system. 261 00:12:41,533 --> 00:12:42,200 The Press: Okay, one other thing. 262 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:46,066 The President this week has done a number of interviews -- 263 00:12:46,066 --> 00:12:50,500 People magazine, Entertainment Tonight, local morning radio, 264 00:12:50,500 --> 00:12:52,166 everywhere -- but we haven't heard from the President in 265 00:12:52,166 --> 00:12:55,767 terms of a full-blown press conference in quite some time. 266 00:12:55,767 --> 00:12:58,166 Any updates on when we can see the President again? 267 00:12:58,166 --> 00:13:01,266 Mr. Earnest: I don't have any scheduling announcements to make here 268 00:13:01,266 --> 00:13:03,065 today about a press conference actually. 269 00:13:03,066 --> 00:13:04,800 I do have a week-ahead that we'll get through at the end 270 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:07,500 of this session, but I don't have anything new in terms of 271 00:13:07,500 --> 00:13:08,834 the timing of the news conference. 272 00:13:08,834 --> 00:13:09,433 The Press: Can I follow up on that, Josh? 273 00:13:09,433 --> 00:13:11,734 Mr. Earnest: So let me get to the back and I'll come back to you. 274 00:13:11,734 --> 00:13:12,567 Olivier? 275 00:13:12,567 --> 00:13:16,567 The Press: Yes, that question that was just asked sort of stole some 276 00:13:16,567 --> 00:13:18,200 of my thunder I think, but -- 277 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:20,333 Mr. Earnest: I hate when that happens. 278 00:13:20,333 --> 00:13:21,033 (laughter) 279 00:13:21,033 --> 00:13:23,133 The Press: Yes. You guys have expressed misgivings about the pace and 280 00:13:23,133 --> 00:13:25,967 the health of Russian democratic reforms under 281 00:13:25,967 --> 00:13:27,834 Vladimir Putin in the past. 282 00:13:27,834 --> 00:13:31,834 More specifically, what conclusions do you draw about 283 00:13:31,834 --> 00:13:34,400 those reforms in the aftermath of the verdict 284 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:36,467 against Pussy Riot? 285 00:13:36,467 --> 00:13:40,934 Mr. Earnest: I don't think that I would be in a position to expand upon 286 00:13:40,934 --> 00:13:43,699 the statement that we've given other than to reiterate the 287 00:13:43,700 --> 00:13:46,333 serious concerns that we have about the treatment of these 288 00:13:46,333 --> 00:13:49,567 women by the Russian judicial system. 289 00:13:49,567 --> 00:13:50,367 Kristen. 290 00:13:50,367 --> 00:13:52,300 The Press: Josh, thanks, to follow on Dan's question -- 291 00:13:52,300 --> 00:13:52,867 Mr. Earnest: Yes. 292 00:13:52,867 --> 00:13:54,500 The Press: -- why haven't we heard from the President in over 293 00:13:54,500 --> 00:13:56,333 two months? 294 00:13:56,333 --> 00:13:57,333 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think you've actually heard quite 295 00:13:57,333 --> 00:13:58,199 a bit from the President. 296 00:13:58,200 --> 00:13:59,533 Anybody that was on the bus tour heard from the President 297 00:13:59,533 --> 00:14:00,934 three or four times a day. 298 00:14:00,934 --> 00:14:01,934 The Press: He hasn't talked to us. 299 00:14:01,934 --> 00:14:04,000 Mr. Earnest: And he certainly is talking to a number of reporter -- he 300 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:05,800 certainly talks to a number of reporters, 301 00:14:05,800 --> 00:14:07,567 all of which you've seen. 302 00:14:07,567 --> 00:14:08,734 The Press: Entertainment Tonight and People? 303 00:14:08,734 --> 00:14:11,166 Mr. Earnest: Which I think you actually aired in your broadcast, so -- 304 00:14:11,166 --> 00:14:12,333 The Press: We have no choice. 305 00:14:12,333 --> 00:14:13,433 (laughter) 306 00:14:13,433 --> 00:14:14,300 The Press: We had no choice. 307 00:14:14,300 --> 00:14:16,699 Mr. Earnest: Right, but you had an opportunity to broadcast those 308 00:14:16,700 --> 00:14:19,000 comments on your network. 309 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:21,000 The President did a bill signing in the Oval Office at 310 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:23,567 the beginning of last week in which one of your colleagues 311 00:14:23,567 --> 00:14:25,633 asked a question and the President answered it. 312 00:14:25,633 --> 00:14:33,233 So, again, I don't have any announcements to make in terms 313 00:14:33,233 --> 00:14:35,367 of what kind of timing you would have. 314 00:14:35,367 --> 00:14:38,367 But the President has spent a lot of time answering 315 00:14:38,367 --> 00:14:40,033 questions from journalists all across the country. 316 00:14:40,033 --> 00:14:43,066 The President spent a lot of time talking publicly about 317 00:14:43,066 --> 00:14:46,400 the issues that he thinks are at stake in this election and 318 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:49,066 are worthy of an important political debate about the 319 00:14:49,066 --> 00:14:51,900 future of the country, and that is something that he 320 00:14:51,900 --> 00:14:53,333 feels a responsibility to do. 321 00:14:53,333 --> 00:14:56,100 The Press: But, Josh, today he was asked questions about what superhero 322 00:14:56,100 --> 00:14:58,967 he would want to be, what he thinks of the latest Carly Rae 323 00:14:58,967 --> 00:14:59,766 Jepsen song. 324 00:14:59,767 --> 00:15:02,100 Doesn't he risk looking dismissive of some of these 325 00:15:02,100 --> 00:15:04,700 larger issues that have been discussed this week -- 326 00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:07,467 Medicare, the issues that -- the comments that Vice 327 00:15:07,467 --> 00:15:09,834 President Biden brought up this week that came under 328 00:15:09,834 --> 00:15:12,934 so much scrutiny -- by not addressing the press corps, 329 00:15:12,934 --> 00:15:15,132 the journalists who follow him every day? 330 00:15:15,133 --> 00:15:17,567 Mr. Earnest: Again, anybody who has listened to what the President 331 00:15:17,567 --> 00:15:20,767 has said on the campaign trail -- the President over the 332 00:15:20,767 --> 00:15:23,934 course of this week has done three and four events a day 333 00:15:23,934 --> 00:15:26,033 where he's talking about issues that he thinks are 334 00:15:26,033 --> 00:15:28,166 at the top of the political agenda that are so critical 335 00:15:28,166 --> 00:15:29,667 to the future of this country. 336 00:15:29,667 --> 00:15:32,400 So from issues ranging from dealing with the drought 337 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:36,500 conditions -- a disaster emergency has been declared 338 00:15:36,500 --> 00:15:38,100 for more than half the counties all across 339 00:15:38,100 --> 00:15:39,100 the country. 340 00:15:39,100 --> 00:15:41,600 Congress has stood in the way -- I should be precise about 341 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:44,600 that -- House Republicans have stood in the way of passing a 342 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:47,767 bipartisan farm bill that was passed through the Senate that 343 00:15:47,767 --> 00:15:51,633 would offer additional tools for us to deal with the 344 00:15:51,633 --> 00:15:52,633 challenges of the drought. 345 00:15:52,633 --> 00:15:55,533 The President has spent extensive time talking about 346 00:15:55,533 --> 00:15:57,533 the production tax credit. 347 00:15:57,533 --> 00:16:00,967 This is a tax credit that supports the growing wind 348 00:16:00,967 --> 00:16:01,967 industry in this country. 349 00:16:01,967 --> 00:16:06,199 As I pointed out earlier, the renewable energy production 350 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:09,066 has doubled since President Obama took office. 351 00:16:09,066 --> 00:16:11,066 We're making important gains in this. 352 00:16:11,066 --> 00:16:14,867 But there are also jobs at stake -- 37,000 jobs could be 353 00:16:14,867 --> 00:16:18,065 put at risk if the production tax credit is not extended. 354 00:16:18,066 --> 00:16:19,800 This is something that a lot of Democrats support. 355 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:21,699 This is also something a lot of Republicans support. 356 00:16:21,700 --> 00:16:24,734 But yet, it's something that hasn't passed the Congress and 357 00:16:24,734 --> 00:16:27,066 is steadfastly opposed by the President's 358 00:16:27,066 --> 00:16:28,834 Republican opponent. 359 00:16:28,834 --> 00:16:31,132 These are the kinds of issues -- these are the issues that 360 00:16:31,133 --> 00:16:32,834 the President has been talking about. 361 00:16:32,834 --> 00:16:35,199 This is what he spends his time talking about. 362 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:37,400 He also spends his time talking to reporters from a 363 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:40,567 wide range of outlets and he does his best to answer those 364 00:16:40,567 --> 00:16:41,867 questions when they come up. 365 00:16:41,867 --> 00:16:44,699 The Press: I know you don't have an exact date, but will the President 366 00:16:44,700 --> 00:16:47,567 address the White House press corps within the next week, 367 00:16:47,567 --> 00:16:48,266 the next two weeks? 368 00:16:48,266 --> 00:16:49,900 Can you give us a rough -- 369 00:16:49,900 --> 00:16:51,533 Mr. Earnest: You want to plan your own schedule around it? 370 00:16:51,533 --> 00:16:52,934 (laughter) 371 00:16:52,934 --> 00:16:55,333 I don't have any guidance to offer you now. 372 00:16:55,333 --> 00:16:58,699 But as the President did last week when he took a question 373 00:16:58,700 --> 00:17:01,367 from one of your colleagues in the Oval Office, I have no 374 00:17:01,367 --> 00:17:03,400 doubt that the President will continue to take questions 375 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,733 from the august body of journalists that are gathered 376 00:17:05,733 --> 00:17:06,367 in this room. 377 00:17:06,367 --> 00:17:07,599 The Press: Do you have any superpowers that we -- 378 00:17:07,599 --> 00:17:10,233 The Press: Can you bring a whiteboard? 379 00:17:10,233 --> 00:17:11,165 Mr. Earnest: Victoria. 380 00:17:11,165 --> 00:17:16,399 The Press: Yes. This morning, I was asked a question by a voter who follows 381 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:21,734 the news, is dispassionate, impartial, independent, could 382 00:17:21,733 --> 00:17:24,165 be a swing voter -- 383 00:17:24,165 --> 00:17:25,066 Mr. Earnest: You are laying it on thick. 384 00:17:25,066 --> 00:17:25,800 (laughter) 385 00:17:25,800 --> 00:17:30,567 The Press: -- genuinely disengaged, who just flat out said, when is 386 00:17:30,567 --> 00:17:34,033 the Obama campaign going to hit back on Romney/Ryan on 387 00:17:34,033 --> 00:17:35,300 these Medicare attacks? 388 00:17:35,300 --> 00:17:37,233 Why are they letting them hammer them? 389 00:17:37,233 --> 00:17:41,567 The perception was of this voter that they are just 390 00:17:41,567 --> 00:17:47,600 laying down and allowing Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan to attack 391 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:51,233 them on Medicare and on not responding. 392 00:17:51,233 --> 00:17:55,433 That was the perception, that this is happening in an echo 393 00:17:55,433 --> 00:17:59,600 chamber and that President Obama and the Vice President 394 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:01,132 are not responding. 395 00:18:01,133 --> 00:18:02,200 It's not being heard. 396 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:05,867 Mr. Earnest: Well, I would refer you to my colleagues in Chicago in terms 397 00:18:05,867 --> 00:18:09,966 of what kinds of tactics will be employed to ensure that the 398 00:18:09,967 --> 00:18:13,300 truth about Medicare and the President's record of 399 00:18:13,300 --> 00:18:16,066 strengthening Medicare is heard. 400 00:18:16,066 --> 00:18:18,734 I did say a public news release from Chicago that 401 00:18:18,734 --> 00:18:20,966 there is a new television ad that's being broadcast by the 402 00:18:20,967 --> 00:18:22,567 campaign on this topic. 403 00:18:22,567 --> 00:18:26,734 But for questions about that ad or where it's being placed 404 00:18:26,734 --> 00:18:29,166 or other strategies for dealing with it, you should 405 00:18:29,166 --> 00:18:30,367 direct to them. 406 00:18:30,367 --> 00:18:32,934 But I would point out at the same time that there is a 407 00:18:32,934 --> 00:18:36,700 pretty clear difference between what the Republican 408 00:18:36,700 --> 00:18:40,533 ticket is advocating, and what President Obama and 409 00:18:40,533 --> 00:18:42,166 Vice President Biden are advocating. 410 00:18:42,166 --> 00:18:45,233 Even the AARP notes the differences between the 411 00:18:45,233 --> 00:18:45,767 two plans. 412 00:18:45,767 --> 00:18:50,700 They note that according to the approach that's been taken 413 00:18:50,700 --> 00:18:54,166 and implemented by the Obama administration, that benefits 414 00:18:54,166 --> 00:18:56,300 -- Medicare benefits, the Medicare guarantee that 415 00:18:56,300 --> 00:19:00,466 seniors rely on has been strengthened, and that they 416 00:19:00,467 --> 00:19:06,300 did an analysis of the Ryan budget and noted 417 00:19:06,300 --> 00:19:08,066 that it would actually undermine the fundamental 418 00:19:08,066 --> 00:19:09,467 premise of Medicare. 419 00:19:09,467 --> 00:19:14,767 So there is a debate that we should have about this issue. 420 00:19:14,767 --> 00:19:17,000 We're talking about Medicare benefits that millions of 421 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:20,100 seniors all across the country rely on every single day. 422 00:19:20,100 --> 00:19:21,367 It's something that the President remains 423 00:19:21,367 --> 00:19:22,834 committed to. 424 00:19:22,834 --> 00:19:25,433 And it's a worthwhile debate. 425 00:19:25,433 --> 00:19:29,266 And I think it is a debate that over the course of -- 426 00:19:29,266 --> 00:19:32,300 certainly between now and the election, but even after that, 427 00:19:32,300 --> 00:19:35,265 as we make the difficult -- as we confront the difficult 428 00:19:35,266 --> 00:19:40,367 challenge of dealing with our nation's fiscal problems, this 429 00:19:40,367 --> 00:19:42,166 is a debate that's going to continue. 430 00:19:42,166 --> 00:19:44,734 But the American people and those who know the President's 431 00:19:44,734 --> 00:19:48,699 record can count on the fact that the President believes 432 00:19:48,700 --> 00:19:52,266 that strengthening Medicare is the way to go, and undermining 433 00:19:52,266 --> 00:19:56,200 Medicare, the way that the AARP says the Ryan plan would, 434 00:19:56,200 --> 00:19:57,500 is not the way to go. 435 00:19:57,500 --> 00:19:59,400 The Press: Why do you think the President has been struggling to get his 436 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:02,000 voice heard on this, this week? 437 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:05,967 Mr. Earnest: Well, I'm not sure -- again, I don't agree with the premise 438 00:20:05,967 --> 00:20:06,500 of your question. 439 00:20:06,500 --> 00:20:09,433 I think that many people are aware of those differences. 440 00:20:09,433 --> 00:20:11,066 If you want to talk about tactics, you can certainly 441 00:20:11,066 --> 00:20:12,734 consult my colleagues in Chicago. 442 00:20:12,734 --> 00:20:15,466 But there is a television ad that's running now. 443 00:20:15,467 --> 00:20:19,834 And, again, this is a debate that we're happy to have and a 444 00:20:19,834 --> 00:20:23,133 record of the President's that's worthy of close 445 00:20:23,133 --> 00:20:27,066 examination, because the facts tell a very interesting story. 446 00:20:27,066 --> 00:20:27,600 Ed. 447 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:33,199 The Press: Yesterday, Jay said that -- to follow up on what Dan was 448 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:36,533 saying about taxes, the tax returns -- he was saying that 449 00:20:36,533 --> 00:20:38,433 all these questions about Vice President Biden were 450 00:20:38,433 --> 00:20:40,033 a distraction and that the President doesn't want to 451 00:20:40,033 --> 00:20:42,500 deal with these distractions, we should focus on the big issues. 452 00:20:42,500 --> 00:20:45,166 And less than 24 hours later, the Obama campaign puts out a 453 00:20:45,166 --> 00:20:47,367 letter about Mitt Romney's tax returns. 454 00:20:47,367 --> 00:20:48,332 It's not a letter about Medicare. 455 00:20:48,333 --> 00:20:50,000 It's not a letter about jobs. 456 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:52,834 I understand that Chicago runs the campaign and they write 457 00:20:52,834 --> 00:20:55,000 those letters. 458 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:57,767 However, you guys are on the same page. 459 00:20:57,767 --> 00:21:00,233 How can you, within 24 hours, try to change the subject to 460 00:21:00,233 --> 00:21:02,533 tax returns when you keep saying you want to talk about 461 00:21:02,533 --> 00:21:04,367 jobs, you want to talk about Medicare? 462 00:21:04,367 --> 00:21:06,466 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think there are two ways that I would approach 463 00:21:06,467 --> 00:21:07,000 your question. 464 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:08,633 Again, transparency is important. 465 00:21:08,633 --> 00:21:11,900 I know that that is a view, a principle that is shared by a 466 00:21:11,900 --> 00:21:13,066 large number of people in this room. 467 00:21:13,066 --> 00:21:19,900 And the principle of transparency that Governor 468 00:21:19,900 --> 00:21:22,233 Romney has been asked by my colleagues in Chicago to live 469 00:21:22,233 --> 00:21:25,466 up to is not one that is above and beyond what his 470 00:21:25,467 --> 00:21:26,767 predecessors have done. 471 00:21:26,767 --> 00:21:29,567 In fact, we're just asking him to live up to the standard of 472 00:21:29,567 --> 00:21:33,700 previous major party candidates for President, a 473 00:21:33,700 --> 00:21:35,934 standard that was established by his father when he ran for 474 00:21:35,934 --> 00:21:38,233 President in 1968. 475 00:21:38,233 --> 00:21:41,000 So the principle of transparency is important. 476 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:44,133 The second thing is it is part of a larger debate about what 477 00:21:44,133 --> 00:21:46,633 kind of tax policies we want to have in this country. 478 00:21:46,633 --> 00:21:49,467 Governor Romney has put forward a tax plan that 479 00:21:49,467 --> 00:21:53,066 would shower benefits on millionaires and billionaires, 480 00:21:53,066 --> 00:21:55,900 that would reduce their tax burdens significantly. 481 00:21:55,900 --> 00:21:59,100 And in order to pay for it -- in order to do it in a way 482 00:21:59,100 --> 00:22:01,934 that doesn't add -- that he says won't add to the deficit, 483 00:22:01,934 --> 00:22:04,266 it will require increasing the tax burden 484 00:22:04,266 --> 00:22:05,567 on middle-class families. 485 00:22:05,567 --> 00:22:06,900 That is a simple fact. 486 00:22:06,900 --> 00:22:09,834 And that's a debate that stands in stark contrast 487 00:22:09,834 --> 00:22:13,400 to the proposal that the President has offered, which 488 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:14,934 he believes that we need to ask the wealthy to pay a 489 00:22:14,934 --> 00:22:16,800 little bit more because it's in the best interest 490 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:17,466 of the country. 491 00:22:17,467 --> 00:22:18,433 The Press: But to Dan's question, is there a single public poll 492 00:22:18,433 --> 00:22:21,233 you are seeing that says this is top 10 in voters' minds, 493 00:22:21,233 --> 00:22:23,300 compared to jobs, education, Medicare? 494 00:22:23,300 --> 00:22:26,133 Instead, you keep talking about the tax returns. 495 00:22:26,133 --> 00:22:28,400 Mr. Earnest: Yes, again, because the principle of transparency 496 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:28,900 is important. 497 00:22:28,900 --> 00:22:30,166 I mean, if there is somebody that disagrees with me about 498 00:22:30,166 --> 00:22:32,633 the principle of transparency, people should speak up. 499 00:22:32,633 --> 00:22:33,467 The Press: Transparency is important. 500 00:22:33,467 --> 00:22:35,033 So if the President believes in transparency -- 501 00:22:35,033 --> 00:22:35,699 Mr. Earnest: He does. 502 00:22:35,700 --> 00:22:37,800 The Press: -- why did he invoke executive privilege a few weeks ago on 503 00:22:37,800 --> 00:22:41,000 the Fast and Furious investigation? 504 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:44,233 Mr. Earnest: We can have a debate about transparency when it comes 505 00:22:44,233 --> 00:22:47,300 to Fast and Furious, too, an investigation that Republicans 506 00:22:47,300 --> 00:22:49,367 have acknowledged is politically motivated. 507 00:22:49,367 --> 00:22:53,066 The point is we can have a transparency debate. 508 00:22:53,066 --> 00:22:54,967 We can also have a debate about the proper tax policies 509 00:22:54,967 --> 00:22:56,166 in this country. 510 00:22:56,166 --> 00:22:58,100 And that's one that we're happy to engage with the 511 00:22:58,100 --> 00:23:00,265 Romney campaign on. 512 00:23:00,266 --> 00:23:01,867 And here's the other thing -- and this is I think a point 513 00:23:01,867 --> 00:23:04,500 that's important not to get lost -- is this has prompted 514 00:23:04,500 --> 00:23:07,600 a lot of questions from you and Dan and from other people 515 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:08,766 to the campaign. 516 00:23:08,767 --> 00:23:12,033 The fact is Governor Romney has it within his capacity 517 00:23:12,033 --> 00:23:15,033 to put all these questions to rest before the end of the day 518 00:23:15,033 --> 00:23:17,265 today, which is he can just release the tax returns. 519 00:23:17,266 --> 00:23:19,500 He can do what every other major party candidate for 520 00:23:19,500 --> 00:23:20,433 President has done. 521 00:23:20,433 --> 00:23:21,066 The Press: One quick last thing. 522 00:23:21,066 --> 00:23:22,834 There was a report -- on another subject -- about 523 00:23:22,834 --> 00:23:26,100 MF Global not facing any criminal charges. 524 00:23:26,100 --> 00:23:28,033 Now, I realize that the President makes the case 525 00:23:28,033 --> 00:23:32,300 on the stump that he has put in new regulations for the future 526 00:23:32,300 --> 00:23:35,000 to try and stop more Wall Street abuses. 527 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:37,500 But isn't it true that the administration has sort of 528 00:23:37,500 --> 00:23:40,767 let a lot of these companies off the hook for past actions, 529 00:23:40,767 --> 00:23:42,133 past wrongdoing? 530 00:23:42,133 --> 00:23:43,867 There haven't been criminal charges against any of these 531 00:23:43,867 --> 00:23:45,367 companies that have been accused of some 532 00:23:45,367 --> 00:23:46,367 serious wrongdoing. 533 00:23:46,367 --> 00:23:48,533 Mr. Earnest: Well, questions about criminal prosecutions should be 534 00:23:48,533 --> 00:23:52,300 directed to the Department of Justice, because those are -- 535 00:23:52,300 --> 00:23:55,500 because of the structure of our country -- we were just 536 00:23:55,500 --> 00:23:57,033 talking about the Russian judicial system, in fact -- 537 00:23:57,033 --> 00:24:01,065 we do draw some distinctions here in that those kinds of 538 00:24:01,066 --> 00:24:05,467 prosecutorial decisions are made by attorneys at the 539 00:24:05,467 --> 00:24:07,567 Department of Justice and by other independent regulators 540 00:24:07,567 --> 00:24:10,400 who have a responsibility for regulating Wall Street. 541 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:12,500 What the President believes is important -- and, again, this 542 00:24:12,500 --> 00:24:15,266 is another subject that's worthy of debate -- is the 543 00:24:15,266 --> 00:24:16,834 President believes that we need to make sure those 544 00:24:16,834 --> 00:24:20,633 regulators have all the tools that they need to do the job 545 00:24:20,633 --> 00:24:23,800 of protecting consumers, protecting small businesses, 546 00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:26,667 and not letting Wall Street write their own rules. 547 00:24:26,667 --> 00:24:28,867 That's not what Governor Romney and the Republicans 548 00:24:28,867 --> 00:24:29,700 want to do. 549 00:24:29,700 --> 00:24:32,400 What they want to do is actually roll back those 550 00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:35,367 rules and allow Wall Street once again to run wild -- 551 00:24:35,367 --> 00:24:38,066 writing their own rules, making up their own systems 552 00:24:38,066 --> 00:24:40,400 that actually got us into this mess, or contributed 553 00:24:40,400 --> 00:24:43,834 significantly to the financial decline that we're just 554 00:24:43,834 --> 00:24:44,767 getting out of here. 555 00:24:44,767 --> 00:24:46,600 Margaret. 556 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:48,800 The Press: In the interest of transparency, I'd like 557 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:51,734 to go back to the SPR question one more time. 558 00:24:51,734 --> 00:24:56,567 I think it sounds like what you're saying is that nothing 559 00:24:56,567 --> 00:24:59,567 more than is always going on is going on with the SPR. 560 00:24:59,567 --> 00:25:02,066 But you might be saying that more is going on, but you just 561 00:25:02,066 --> 00:25:03,333 don't have any statement to give us. 562 00:25:03,333 --> 00:25:06,500 So I was wondering if you could clarify that you just 563 00:25:06,500 --> 00:25:08,600 mean the first one so we can stop asking you about it. 564 00:25:08,600 --> 00:25:11,233 And if you can talk about -- I mean, it's like the end of the 565 00:25:11,233 --> 00:25:12,966 summer, so this isn't a summer thing. 566 00:25:12,967 --> 00:25:17,934 Is this about Israel and Iran and the threat of some sort of 567 00:25:17,934 --> 00:25:20,100 a strike? 568 00:25:20,100 --> 00:25:23,100 And is that what -- there's a reason why people are talking 569 00:25:23,100 --> 00:25:26,065 again about the SPR as if something is about to happen. 570 00:25:26,066 --> 00:25:28,633 So I think the reason we're asking you this is because 571 00:25:28,633 --> 00:25:31,467 there's this buzz underneath the surface and we would sort 572 00:25:31,467 --> 00:25:34,300 of like to get to the bottom about whether the buzz is 573 00:25:34,300 --> 00:25:36,066 precautionary, or whether it's based on something like 574 00:25:36,066 --> 00:25:38,867 back-channel conversations between the administration and 575 00:25:38,867 --> 00:25:41,633 the industry or other players. 576 00:25:41,633 --> 00:25:44,700 Mr. Earnest: I don't have any more light to shed on the handling of 577 00:25:44,700 --> 00:25:45,967 this sensitive matter. 578 00:25:45,967 --> 00:25:47,500 (laughter) 579 00:25:47,500 --> 00:25:49,767 I appreciate your valiant attempt, though, 580 00:25:49,767 --> 00:25:53,834 but it is sensitive. 581 00:25:53,834 --> 00:25:58,133 And that is the reason that we so closely monitor the global 582 00:25:58,133 --> 00:25:59,133 oil markets. 583 00:25:59,133 --> 00:26:01,967 But in terms of how that decision is going to get made 584 00:26:01,967 --> 00:26:04,900 or whether it's getting made or what's going to factor into 585 00:26:04,900 --> 00:26:07,066 that decision, I'm not able to shed any light on that 586 00:26:07,066 --> 00:26:08,200 for you. 587 00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:11,867 The Press: Josh, is it accurate to say that the administration is 588 00:26:11,867 --> 00:26:16,600 actively considering tapping the SPR again? 589 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:19,000 Mr. Earnest: It is accurate to say that I don't have any comment about 590 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:21,767 those kinds of confidential conversations. 591 00:26:21,767 --> 00:26:22,500 Nancy. 592 00:26:22,500 --> 00:26:24,467 We'll do CBS back-to-back. 593 00:26:24,467 --> 00:26:28,433 The Press: I understand the interest in transparency on the tax 594 00:26:28,433 --> 00:26:31,266 returns, but aren't you also sending a signal -- by 595 00:26:31,266 --> 00:26:34,300 continuing to go back on this issue again and again after 596 00:26:34,300 --> 00:26:36,899 Governor Romney has said he paid all the taxes that he 597 00:26:36,900 --> 00:26:38,767 should have and that he's not going to release any more 598 00:26:38,767 --> 00:26:41,700 returns -- aren't you sending a signal that you think that 599 00:26:41,700 --> 00:26:45,300 he did something wrong and is covering it up? 600 00:26:45,300 --> 00:26:48,700 And how is that any different from when people ask the White 601 00:26:48,700 --> 00:26:52,033 House to release the long-form birth certificate obviously 602 00:26:52,033 --> 00:26:54,166 implying that he wasn't born in this country? 603 00:26:54,166 --> 00:26:56,767 Are you comfortable making that implication? 604 00:26:56,767 --> 00:26:58,033 Mr. Earnest: Well, I would point out that I don't know that any other 605 00:26:58,033 --> 00:27:00,399 presidential candidate has released their long-form birth 606 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:03,266 certificate, but this President did. 607 00:27:03,266 --> 00:27:05,800 I'm certainly not making any accusations. 608 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:08,667 All I'm pointing out is all the questions you're asking 609 00:27:08,667 --> 00:27:12,233 could be answered before the end of the day today. 610 00:27:12,233 --> 00:27:14,800 But that will require Governor Romney to live up to a 611 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:18,200 standard that's been met by every other major party 612 00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:20,767 presidential candidate since his father ran for President 613 00:27:20,767 --> 00:27:21,967 in 1968. 614 00:27:21,967 --> 00:27:24,667 The Press: But are you comfortable making those implications when there 615 00:27:24,667 --> 00:27:27,632 is no real evidence that he didn't pay the taxes 616 00:27:27,633 --> 00:27:28,500 that he's owed? 617 00:27:28,500 --> 00:27:34,800 Mr. Earnest: Well, I'm happy to suggest that it is important that 618 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:36,834 Governor Romney live up to the standard that's been 619 00:27:36,834 --> 00:27:39,600 established by every major party presidential candidate 620 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:42,466 since his father ran for President in 1968. 621 00:27:42,467 --> 00:27:44,500 Let's go to the back here. 622 00:27:44,500 --> 00:27:45,333 John. 623 00:27:45,333 --> 00:27:46,433 The Press: Thank you. 624 00:27:46,433 --> 00:27:49,300 You said every major presidential candidate. 625 00:27:49,300 --> 00:27:52,899 If I recall, John McCain released two years of his 626 00:27:52,900 --> 00:27:55,200 federal tax forms. 627 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:59,166 And I -- correct me if I'm wrong -- I don't remember the 628 00:27:59,166 --> 00:28:03,934 campaign in 2008 complaining or asking for more years to be 629 00:28:03,934 --> 00:28:05,633 released for John McCain. 630 00:28:05,633 --> 00:28:10,700 Why is a different standard being put forward for Mitt Romney? 631 00:28:10,700 --> 00:28:12,600 Mr. Earnest: Well, you should talk to my colleagues at the campaign 632 00:28:12,600 --> 00:28:13,699 about this. 633 00:28:13,700 --> 00:28:16,200 The Press: You were on the campaign in 2008, and I'm sure you 634 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:18,166 remember what happened in 2008. 635 00:28:18,166 --> 00:28:21,399 So give me a sense about what happened in 2008 -- 636 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:24,400 Mr. Earnest: You're offering up a lot of credit for my memory. 637 00:28:24,400 --> 00:28:25,867 A lot has happened since then. 638 00:28:25,867 --> 00:28:26,500 The Press: I'm sure it has. 639 00:28:26,500 --> 00:28:27,400 But maybe -- go ahead. 640 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:28,667 Explain to me the difference. 641 00:28:28,667 --> 00:28:30,632 Mr. Earnest: Well, I would encourage you to check with my colleagues 642 00:28:30,633 --> 00:28:31,700 in Chicago. 643 00:28:31,700 --> 00:28:34,300 My recollection is -- and again, you should check with 644 00:28:34,300 --> 00:28:37,300 my colleagues at the campaign because they're the ones that 645 00:28:37,300 --> 00:28:39,667 answer questions about the campaign, not just in 2012 646 00:28:39,667 --> 00:28:40,833 but also 2008. 647 00:28:40,834 --> 00:28:44,033 But my recollection is, is that Senator McCain, over the 648 00:28:44,033 --> 00:28:46,332 course of his career in the Senate, had released 649 00:28:46,333 --> 00:28:47,400 tax returns. 650 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:50,066 So it's worth checking with my colleagues in Chicago 651 00:28:50,066 --> 00:28:50,767 about that. 652 00:28:50,767 --> 00:28:51,834 Amy. 653 00:28:51,834 --> 00:28:54,500 The Press: Can you give us a brief readout of the President's 654 00:28:54,500 --> 00:28:57,600 lunch yesterday with Vice President Biden? 655 00:28:57,600 --> 00:28:59,632 Did the "chains" comment come up at all? 656 00:28:59,633 --> 00:29:01,500 Did they talk about it? 657 00:29:01,500 --> 00:29:03,066 Mr. Earnest: As you know, Amy, the Vice President and the President 658 00:29:03,066 --> 00:29:05,700 have lunch just about every week when they're in town 659 00:29:05,700 --> 00:29:07,967 together, but that is an opportunity for them to have 660 00:29:07,967 --> 00:29:10,734 a private conversation about a range of sensitive issues. 661 00:29:10,734 --> 00:29:13,166 And it's not one that I'm in a position to read out 662 00:29:13,166 --> 00:29:14,833 to you today. 663 00:29:14,834 --> 00:29:15,900 Yes. 664 00:29:15,900 --> 00:29:20,000 The Press: I asked you this yesterday, but I didn't get a real 665 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:21,133 good response. 666 00:29:21,133 --> 00:29:22,934 Mr. Earnest: Okay. We'll try to do better today. 667 00:29:22,934 --> 00:29:24,600 It's a new day. 668 00:29:24,600 --> 00:29:25,867 The Press: It's a completely different subject. 669 00:29:25,867 --> 00:29:28,000 On the "We Can't Wait" initiatives that you've 670 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:33,533 had at least two dozen of them coming out since a year ago, 671 00:29:33,533 --> 00:29:36,433 basically a year before the presidential election -- we 672 00:29:36,433 --> 00:29:39,400 saw this campaign unveiled, the "We Can't Wait" initiatives. 673 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:44,400 I've asked you guys whether you can cite any hard evidence 674 00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:48,867 that this has had any impact on the economy whatsoever and 675 00:29:48,867 --> 00:29:50,233 I haven't gotten a response. 676 00:29:50,233 --> 00:29:51,200 I'm just curious. 677 00:29:51,200 --> 00:29:55,166 So we've heard these -- and we dutifully report on them, but 678 00:29:55,166 --> 00:29:58,033 then don't hear anything else, we don't hear any follow-up. 679 00:29:58,033 --> 00:30:02,699 And it seemed like yesterday in particular it was a 680 00:30:02,700 --> 00:30:05,667 campaign that was creating a technology hub in Youngstown, 681 00:30:05,667 --> 00:30:08,233 Ohio, which you know is a battleground state, so it 682 00:30:08,233 --> 00:30:09,667 looked a little bit political. 683 00:30:09,667 --> 00:30:13,332 So if you're going to release these or unveil 684 00:30:13,333 --> 00:30:15,967 these programs, we'd like to see what kind of impact 685 00:30:15,967 --> 00:30:17,233 they're having. 686 00:30:17,233 --> 00:30:18,567 Mr. Earnest: Sure. 687 00:30:18,567 --> 00:30:20,900 I'm glad that you brought up the National Network for 688 00:30:20,900 --> 00:30:23,233 Manufacturing Innovation Institute initiative that 689 00:30:23,233 --> 00:30:24,399 was unveiled yesterday. 690 00:30:24,400 --> 00:30:26,066 It's an interesting one. 691 00:30:26,066 --> 00:30:29,900 It is actually -- the announcement yesterday, 692 00:30:29,900 --> 00:30:32,667 as you pointed out, was a "We Can't Wait" announcement. 693 00:30:32,667 --> 00:30:35,899 And what it is, is the President proposed his budget 694 00:30:35,900 --> 00:30:40,734 the creation of these regional incubators, essentially, that 695 00:30:40,734 --> 00:30:42,699 are related to advanced manufacturing. 696 00:30:42,700 --> 00:30:46,000 And what they've done is they've encouraged state and 697 00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:50,533 local governments, academic institutions, businesses large 698 00:30:50,533 --> 00:30:53,367 and small to collaborate on these efforts, to form an 699 00:30:53,367 --> 00:30:54,966 incubator, to make advancements in 700 00:30:54,967 --> 00:30:56,700 advanced manufacturing. 701 00:30:56,700 --> 00:30:58,333 And we would offer up government grants to 702 00:30:58,333 --> 00:31:02,100 facilitate that coordination and spawn 703 00:31:02,100 --> 00:31:03,132 some improved developments. 704 00:31:03,133 --> 00:31:07,066 Now, Congress has not acted on that proposal, so what the 705 00:31:07,066 --> 00:31:10,800 administration did was we were able to collect some funding 706 00:31:10,800 --> 00:31:13,466 that's related to this project, that had already been 707 00:31:13,467 --> 00:31:16,033 appropriated by Congress, from the Department of Defense and 708 00:31:16,033 --> 00:31:21,800 other places, to award essentially one of these 709 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:24,500 grants as something that we could do unilaterally. 710 00:31:24,500 --> 00:31:27,667 And this is a grant that was given to the states of 711 00:31:27,667 --> 00:31:33,833 Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, and included 712 00:31:33,834 --> 00:31:35,767 institutes of higher learning -- Carnegie Mellon was 713 00:31:35,767 --> 00:31:38,433 involved -- and some businesses in the area 714 00:31:38,433 --> 00:31:44,133 that would take a look at and facilitate advancements in 715 00:31:44,133 --> 00:31:47,667 some manufacturing techniques that could yield some 716 00:31:47,667 --> 00:31:50,300 significant private sector benefits, but also yield some 717 00:31:50,300 --> 00:31:52,834 significant benefits for the Department of Defense, which 718 00:31:52,834 --> 00:31:55,500 is why they're willing to dedicate some resources to it. 719 00:31:55,500 --> 00:31:57,867 So these are the kinds of announcements that I think are 720 00:31:57,867 --> 00:32:01,233 really important, and they are related to the President's 721 00:32:01,233 --> 00:32:05,934 sort of fundamental goal here of encouraging the 722 00:32:05,934 --> 00:32:09,166 manufacturing sector to improve and to strengthen, 723 00:32:09,166 --> 00:32:11,533 since, just in the last 29 months or so, more than half a 724 00:32:11,533 --> 00:32:14,265 million manufacturing sector jobs have been created. 725 00:32:14,266 --> 00:32:18,200 So we've enjoyed and experienced some real 726 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:20,934 important growth in that area, and that's something that, 727 00:32:20,934 --> 00:32:24,332 through this initiative, that we hope will continue. 728 00:32:24,333 --> 00:32:27,233 Now, to get back to your first question here about what was 729 00:32:27,233 --> 00:32:30,966 the impact of "We Can't Wait" initiatives -- it's varying, 730 00:32:30,967 --> 00:32:34,400 because these are -- the idea here is not that these "We 731 00:32:34,400 --> 00:32:37,100 Can't Wait" initiatives are a replacement for congressional 732 00:32:37,100 --> 00:32:38,466 action -- quite the opposite. 733 00:32:38,467 --> 00:32:40,900 We've actually said proactively that they don't 734 00:32:40,900 --> 00:32:43,567 replace all the things that Congress should be doing to 735 00:32:43,567 --> 00:32:46,367 invest in our economy, to support the private sector 736 00:32:46,367 --> 00:32:47,567 and to create jobs. 737 00:32:47,567 --> 00:32:49,300 There are a whole range of things that the President has 738 00:32:49,300 --> 00:32:51,233 offered up that Congress should be acting on -- whether 739 00:32:51,233 --> 00:32:53,667 it's allowing responsible homeowners to refinance at 740 00:32:53,667 --> 00:32:56,934 these historically low mortgage rates, or putting 741 00:32:56,934 --> 00:32:59,700 teachers and firefighters and police officers and 742 00:32:59,700 --> 00:33:03,667 construction workers back to work. 743 00:33:03,667 --> 00:33:05,567 The Press: What about the vets tax credit, for instance? 744 00:33:05,567 --> 00:33:07,667 I mean, there were some very substantive issues that were 745 00:33:07,667 --> 00:33:12,567 unveiled very early on, maybe last year, that were -- the 746 00:33:12,567 --> 00:33:15,200 vets tax credit -- how many vets have been hired because 747 00:33:15,200 --> 00:33:15,967 of that? 748 00:33:15,967 --> 00:33:19,233 And we'd like some substantive responses to the student loan 749 00:33:19,233 --> 00:33:22,867 issue -- you made it easier for students to pay down their 750 00:33:22,867 --> 00:33:25,767 loans by saying they only had to pay 10 percent of their 751 00:33:25,767 --> 00:33:29,333 overall monthly income to their student loans. 752 00:33:29,333 --> 00:33:31,066 About how many students has this helped? 753 00:33:31,066 --> 00:33:35,867 I'd like to get some follow-up on what the impact of -- I 754 00:33:35,867 --> 00:33:37,734 mean, and if you've -- and there's been other initiatives 755 00:33:37,734 --> 00:33:38,399 that were more -- 756 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:38,967 Mr. Earnest: That happened. 757 00:33:38,967 --> 00:33:39,734 The Press: -- like small businesses. 758 00:33:39,734 --> 00:33:42,233 Mr. Earnest: There's been a housing refinancing one as well. 759 00:33:42,233 --> 00:33:42,867 The Press: Exactly. 760 00:33:42,867 --> 00:33:44,600 Mr. Earnest: I don't have the details of those -- the results of those 761 00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:46,766 specific programs up to date in front of me. 762 00:33:46,767 --> 00:33:48,900 But we can certainly work with you and the agencies that are 763 00:33:48,900 --> 00:33:53,767 involved to try to give you some -- to try to help you get 764 00:33:53,767 --> 00:33:55,600 some evidence about the impact that these 765 00:33:55,600 --> 00:33:56,934 announcements are having. 766 00:33:56,934 --> 00:33:57,867 The Press: That would be great, thanks. 767 00:33:57,867 --> 00:34:00,633 Mr. Earnest: Okay, all right. Anybody else? 768 00:34:00,633 --> 00:34:01,600 In the back. 769 00:34:01,600 --> 00:34:02,433 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 770 00:34:02,433 --> 00:34:04,700 Yesterday, the President went to the DNC. 771 00:34:04,700 --> 00:34:07,300 Did he have any one-on-one meetings, or was it just 772 00:34:07,300 --> 00:34:09,132 talking to a large group of people? 773 00:34:09,132 --> 00:34:09,933 Mr. Earnest: I didn't travel there with him. 774 00:34:09,934 --> 00:34:13,667 My understanding was that he primarily went there to thank 775 00:34:13,667 --> 00:34:16,467 all of the people who work at the DNC. 776 00:34:16,467 --> 00:34:18,533 My understanding is that he basically walked through the 777 00:34:18,533 --> 00:34:20,065 building and went desk to desk to thank people for 778 00:34:20,065 --> 00:34:20,799 their efforts. 779 00:34:20,800 --> 00:34:22,900 There are a lot of folks that are working really hard over 780 00:34:22,900 --> 00:34:25,533 there that don't get a lot of recognition and don't have the 781 00:34:25,533 --> 00:34:28,100 opportunity to travel with him across the country. 782 00:34:28,100 --> 00:34:29,967 And so he wanted to take a little time out of his 783 00:34:29,967 --> 00:34:31,800 schedule to thank them for their hard work. 784 00:34:31,800 --> 00:34:35,333 It wasn't a strategy session, it was more of an opportunity 785 00:34:35,333 --> 00:34:37,133 to thank people who are working pretty hard for him. 786 00:34:37,132 --> 00:34:40,366 The Press: So was it an official stop or a campaign stop? 787 00:34:40,367 --> 00:34:42,734 Mr. Earnest: I don't know. 788 00:34:42,734 --> 00:34:43,766 Well, does it matter? 789 00:34:43,766 --> 00:34:44,433 (laughter) 790 00:34:44,433 --> 00:34:46,934 The Press: Well, yes, because, I mean, having a meeting like that at 791 00:34:46,934 --> 00:34:49,700 the DNC -- or even going to the DNC off campus like that 792 00:34:49,699 --> 00:34:52,766 could create a situation where he could have strategy 793 00:34:52,766 --> 00:34:54,833 meetings with people where they don't have to come to the 794 00:34:54,833 --> 00:34:58,265 White House and go through the logs of visitation and any of 795 00:34:58,266 --> 00:34:59,233 that stuff. 796 00:34:59,233 --> 00:35:03,500 So, I mean, couldn't that opportunity have come up? 797 00:35:03,500 --> 00:35:06,567 Mr. Earnest: I guess I hadn't really thought about it, to be 798 00:35:06,567 --> 00:35:07,266 honest with you. 799 00:35:07,266 --> 00:35:10,367 It seems like the premise of that question is true of every 800 00:35:10,367 --> 00:35:12,233 single time the President leaves the building. 801 00:35:12,233 --> 00:35:14,700 So what I know the President did was he traveled to the 802 00:35:14,700 --> 00:35:16,834 Democratic National Committee and he went desk to desk to 803 00:35:16,834 --> 00:35:19,100 try and thank all the people there who are working very 804 00:35:19,100 --> 00:35:21,967 hard for his reelection, to thank them for their efforts. 805 00:35:21,967 --> 00:35:24,967 And that was really the extent of that visit. 806 00:35:24,967 --> 00:35:26,233 The Press: Sounds political. 807 00:35:26,233 --> 00:35:26,834 Mr. Earnest: Dan. 808 00:35:26,834 --> 00:35:27,533 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 809 00:35:27,533 --> 00:35:31,299 On South Africa, did the President see either on TV or 810 00:35:31,300 --> 00:35:34,900 his iPad -- which I know he consults with frequently -- 811 00:35:34,900 --> 00:35:42,066 the shooting -- that shooting incident in South Africa? 812 00:35:42,066 --> 00:35:45,700 And if he did see it, why no statement on that kind 813 00:35:45,700 --> 00:35:46,767 of thing? 814 00:35:46,767 --> 00:35:48,966 Mr. Earnest: I haven't spoken to him about it, but I do have a statement 815 00:35:48,967 --> 00:35:52,800 that I can share with you. 816 00:35:52,800 --> 00:35:55,233 It's not from the President, but a statement from me 817 00:35:55,233 --> 00:35:56,500 representing the White House and representing the 818 00:35:56,500 --> 00:36:00,333 President's views -- which is that the American people are 819 00:36:00,333 --> 00:36:02,934 saddened at the tragic loss of life and express our 820 00:36:02,934 --> 00:36:05,233 condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones 821 00:36:05,233 --> 00:36:06,600 in this incident. 822 00:36:06,600 --> 00:36:09,467 We note President Zuma's statement of shock and dismay, 823 00:36:09,467 --> 00:36:12,200 and the remarks of other South African officials on these 824 00:36:12,200 --> 00:36:14,866 events and their efforts to resolve the situation without 825 00:36:14,867 --> 00:36:16,100 further bloodshed. 826 00:36:16,100 --> 00:36:17,900 We are confident that the South African government will 827 00:36:17,900 --> 00:36:19,834 investigate the facts around this case. 828 00:36:19,834 --> 00:36:22,633 And, as always, we encourage all parties to work together 829 00:36:22,633 --> 00:36:25,265 to resolve the situation peacefully. 830 00:36:25,266 --> 00:36:26,934 The Press: Can I just follow up on Israel -- because Margaret 831 00:36:26,934 --> 00:36:28,300 was talking about that. 832 00:36:28,300 --> 00:36:31,900 Is the President -- believe that he offered ironclad 833 00:36:31,900 --> 00:36:35,233 enough assurances to Prime Minister Netanyahu earlier in 834 00:36:35,233 --> 00:36:37,133 the year regarding the Iran nuclear issue? 835 00:36:37,133 --> 00:36:40,667 Because, as you know, much of the comment in the Israeli 836 00:36:40,667 --> 00:36:43,866 press right now is that somehow Netanyahu is looking 837 00:36:43,867 --> 00:36:47,533 for a more ironclad guarantee in terms of U.S. 838 00:36:47,533 --> 00:36:51,133 action or U.S. help against Iran. 839 00:36:51,133 --> 00:36:54,299 Mr. Earnest: Well, the President's commitment to ensuring 840 00:36:54,300 --> 00:37:00,667 that Iran doesn't develop and acquire a nuclear weapon 841 00:37:00,667 --> 00:37:01,900 is rock solid. 842 00:37:03,934 --> 00:37:08,300 It's unwavering, and it is why the President has expressed 843 00:37:08,300 --> 00:37:13,433 such fierce resolve in terms of asking Iran to live up to 844 00:37:13,433 --> 00:37:16,567 their international obligations, in terms of 845 00:37:16,567 --> 00:37:20,767 working with the international community to apply very 846 00:37:20,767 --> 00:37:25,200 onerous sanctions on the Iranian regime. 847 00:37:25,200 --> 00:37:27,966 It's why we've also acted unilaterally to apply some 848 00:37:27,967 --> 00:37:30,834 very strict sanctions and put those in place; to provide an 849 00:37:30,834 --> 00:37:33,866 incentive for the Iranian regime to live up to their 850 00:37:33,867 --> 00:37:34,967 international obligations. 851 00:37:34,967 --> 00:37:37,600 All of that is with the goal of preventing Iran from 852 00:37:37,600 --> 00:37:39,165 acquiring a nuclear weapon. 853 00:37:39,166 --> 00:37:43,133 This is something that we've conveyed extensively publicly. 854 00:37:43,133 --> 00:37:46,933 It's also something that we've conveyed in the many private 855 00:37:46,934 --> 00:37:49,767 conversations that are going on every day between the Obama 856 00:37:49,767 --> 00:37:52,799 administration and our counterparts and colleagues 857 00:37:52,800 --> 00:37:53,867 in Israel. 858 00:37:53,867 --> 00:37:58,000 We certainly were gratified to see President Peres's comments 859 00:37:58,000 --> 00:38:02,400 on this topic that were reported yesterday. 860 00:38:02,400 --> 00:38:04,033 Jim. 861 00:38:04,033 --> 00:38:08,200 The Press: Why has the President proposed a one-year extension of 862 00:38:08,200 --> 00:38:10,165 middle-class tax levels? 863 00:38:10,166 --> 00:38:13,533 Why doesn't he make that permanent? 864 00:38:13,533 --> 00:38:16,734 Mr. Earnest: Well, the reason for that is quite simple -- is that the 865 00:38:16,734 --> 00:38:22,133 President, basically, wanted to try to fulfill the essence 866 00:38:22,133 --> 00:38:25,133 of what it means to compromise, which is 867 00:38:25,133 --> 00:38:27,100 stake out the common ground. 868 00:38:27,100 --> 00:38:30,033 And while we might have some long-term differences about 869 00:38:30,033 --> 00:38:34,600 reforming the tax system, the President believes that we 870 00:38:34,600 --> 00:38:36,734 should do it in a way that offers more benefits to the 871 00:38:36,734 --> 00:38:39,433 middle class, that asks folks at the top of the income scale 872 00:38:39,433 --> 00:38:40,667 to pay a little bit more. 873 00:38:40,667 --> 00:38:44,799 Republicans, on the other hand, have nominated somebody 874 00:38:44,800 --> 00:38:47,200 who believes that we should actually significantly 875 00:38:47,200 --> 00:38:49,366 increase the tax benefits that go to those at the top of the 876 00:38:49,367 --> 00:38:52,266 income scale and ask middle-class families to pay 877 00:38:52,266 --> 00:38:56,967 more to subsidize those tax benefits for the wealthy. 878 00:38:56,967 --> 00:39:00,734 So what the President did by offering up this proposal was 879 00:39:00,734 --> 00:39:03,533 to stake out some common ground. 880 00:39:03,533 --> 00:39:08,000 Republicans and Democrats agree that taxes shouldn't 881 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:10,233 go up on middle-class families. 882 00:39:10,233 --> 00:39:12,867 So it's the President's view that Democrats and Republicans 883 00:39:12,867 --> 00:39:14,967 should be able to offer some certainty to middle-class 884 00:39:14,967 --> 00:39:18,166 families and should be able to pass in bipartisan fashion a 885 00:39:18,166 --> 00:39:20,900 one-year extension of the Bush tax cuts for those families 886 00:39:20,900 --> 00:39:23,166 making less than $250,000 a year. 887 00:39:23,166 --> 00:39:27,266 This shouldn't be a controversial, hotly 888 00:39:27,266 --> 00:39:29,467 debated initiative. 889 00:39:29,467 --> 00:39:33,300 This should be the kind of thing that should and would in 890 00:39:33,300 --> 00:39:35,467 the past have just sailed through the Congress on a 891 00:39:35,467 --> 00:39:37,367 bipartisan basis. 892 00:39:37,367 --> 00:39:40,367 So that is something that the President was going to 893 00:39:40,367 --> 00:39:41,367 continue to push for. 894 00:39:41,367 --> 00:39:43,500 He believes that providing this kind of certainty -- at 895 00:39:43,500 --> 00:39:45,567 least for the next year -- for middle class families -- we 896 00:39:45,567 --> 00:39:49,667 can have a longer debate about how to handle tax reform past 897 00:39:49,667 --> 00:39:50,667 that point. 898 00:39:50,667 --> 00:39:54,500 But it does say something about the state of Washington 899 00:39:54,500 --> 00:40:00,300 D.C. that there is broad agreement among Democrats 900 00:40:00,300 --> 00:40:03,433 and Republicans that we should extend tax cuts for 901 00:40:03,433 --> 00:40:07,500 middle-class families, but it's not going to happen 902 00:40:07,500 --> 00:40:09,967 because Republicans are standing up for tax cuts 903 00:40:09,967 --> 00:40:11,800 for wealthy people. 904 00:40:11,800 --> 00:40:14,000 There's also a policy currently being considered 905 00:40:14,000 --> 00:40:16,800 that's prepared to go in place in the form of a sequester 906 00:40:16,800 --> 00:40:21,033 that everybody disagrees with, but yet it is possible that it 907 00:40:21,033 --> 00:40:23,467 could happen because Republicans are standing 908 00:40:23,467 --> 00:40:25,934 on the side of millionaires and billionaires trying to protect 909 00:40:25,934 --> 00:40:27,900 their tax cuts. 910 00:40:27,900 --> 00:40:29,967 So I think it's a pretty appropriate illustration of 911 00:40:29,967 --> 00:40:31,834 where we stand now, and it's an appropriate illustration of 912 00:40:31,834 --> 00:40:34,466 what the Republican priorities in Congress are right now. 913 00:40:34,467 --> 00:40:36,900 It's the President's view and the President's hope that 914 00:40:36,900 --> 00:40:38,000 that's going to change. 915 00:40:38,000 --> 00:40:39,734 We'll see what happens when they come back from spending 916 00:40:39,734 --> 00:40:43,299 five weeks with their constituents in September. 917 00:40:43,300 --> 00:40:43,867 A follow up? 918 00:40:43,867 --> 00:40:44,900 The Press: No -- 919 00:40:44,900 --> 00:40:46,066 Mr. Earnest: Okay. Or a different topic? 920 00:40:46,066 --> 00:40:51,100 The Press: At the end of July, Jay Carney said that the President had 921 00:40:51,100 --> 00:40:55,266 administrative tools to help alleviate the employment 922 00:40:55,266 --> 00:40:56,533 problems in the country. 923 00:40:56,533 --> 00:40:59,333 Now, you mentioned today the transportation money. 924 00:40:59,333 --> 00:41:02,300 What else does he have in his quiver? 925 00:41:02,300 --> 00:41:06,300 What else will the President do administratively to help 926 00:41:06,300 --> 00:41:08,433 alleviate unemployment? 927 00:41:08,433 --> 00:41:10,200 Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't have anything to announce right now. 928 00:41:10,200 --> 00:41:11,799 I can tell you that that's something that the President 929 00:41:11,800 --> 00:41:13,433 and his staff spend a lot of time on. 930 00:41:13,433 --> 00:41:15,433 As Susan pointed out, there are a couple of dozen "We 931 00:41:15,433 --> 00:41:18,000 Can't Wait" initiatives that we've put forward that do 932 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:22,400 represent administrative actions that we can take to 933 00:41:22,400 --> 00:41:25,467 try to work on the economy, but, again, to try to do 934 00:41:25,467 --> 00:41:27,567 things that would strengthen the economy and support the 935 00:41:27,567 --> 00:41:28,934 private sector as we strengthen our 936 00:41:28,934 --> 00:41:30,800 economic recovery. 937 00:41:30,800 --> 00:41:33,033 But like I said, that is not a replacement. 938 00:41:33,033 --> 00:41:35,333 That is not a substitute for congressional action. 939 00:41:35,333 --> 00:41:37,433 There is currently sitting on the steps of Congress right 940 00:41:37,433 --> 00:41:39,934 now a proposal from the President, in the form of 941 00:41:39,934 --> 00:41:42,433 the American Jobs Act, that includes the kinds 942 00:41:42,433 --> 00:41:46,567 of proposals that earn and deserve bipartisan support; 943 00:41:46,567 --> 00:41:48,333 that would put construction workers back to work 944 00:41:48,333 --> 00:41:51,166 modernizing our classrooms and building our roads and 945 00:41:51,166 --> 00:41:54,700 our railways and our runways and bridges; the kinds of 946 00:41:54,700 --> 00:41:56,667 proposals that would put teachers and police officers 947 00:41:56,667 --> 00:41:58,299 and firefighters back to work. 948 00:41:58,300 --> 00:42:00,800 Independent economic analysts say that this would create up 949 00:42:00,800 --> 00:42:02,900 to a million jobs all across the country. 950 00:42:02,900 --> 00:42:05,000 And the only reason that it hasn't passed Congress is 951 00:42:05,000 --> 00:42:06,867 because there are Republicans who are saying that they don't 952 00:42:06,867 --> 00:42:09,934 want to ask millionaires and billionaires to pay just a 953 00:42:09,934 --> 00:42:13,600 little bit more so that we can afford to put in place these 954 00:42:13,600 --> 00:42:14,667 kinds of programs. 955 00:42:14,667 --> 00:42:17,400 So there are things that we're always looking at that we can 956 00:42:17,400 --> 00:42:19,300 do unilaterally to try to strengthen the economy. 957 00:42:19,300 --> 00:42:22,500 But the most impactful thing that can be done to strengthen 958 00:42:22,500 --> 00:42:27,100 our economy is for Congress to take action on a common-sense 959 00:42:27,100 --> 00:42:30,433 bipartisan proposal that the President offered up many, 960 00:42:30,433 --> 00:42:32,333 many months ago. 961 00:42:32,333 --> 00:42:33,533 Goyal. 962 00:42:33,533 --> 00:42:34,799 The Press: Two questions, thank you. 963 00:42:34,800 --> 00:42:41,700 One -- first of all, thousands of Sikhs, they were having a 964 00:42:41,700 --> 00:42:43,667 candle vigil in front of the White House and across 965 00:42:43,667 --> 00:42:44,266 the country. 966 00:42:44,266 --> 00:42:46,100 And they were very thankful to the President and the 967 00:42:46,100 --> 00:42:48,667 administration for what they have done more than 968 00:42:48,667 --> 00:42:49,600 they expected. 969 00:42:49,600 --> 00:42:52,700 But at the same time, what they're asking is now that 970 00:42:52,700 --> 00:42:54,466 the President or the administration should have 971 00:42:54,467 --> 00:42:59,000 some kind of debate on race or against hate in America, a 972 00:42:59,000 --> 00:43:03,166 national debate that will help them bring all those issues 973 00:43:03,166 --> 00:43:08,667 behind -- facing America today. 974 00:43:08,667 --> 00:43:10,700 And second, if I -- 975 00:43:10,700 --> 00:43:11,866 Mr. Earnest: Yes, go ahead. 976 00:43:11,867 --> 00:43:14,166 The Press: Second, my question will be that if the President 977 00:43:14,166 --> 00:43:19,033 is worried about Pakistan's nuclear program, because in 978 00:43:19,033 --> 00:43:22,700 the last three days there was a major attack by the 979 00:43:22,700 --> 00:43:27,232 terrorists on Pakistan's military and nuclear 980 00:43:27,233 --> 00:43:30,867 establishment and there were casualties because terrorists 981 00:43:30,867 --> 00:43:33,667 are after Pakistan nuclear program. 982 00:43:33,667 --> 00:43:37,066 And it might end up one day in their hands. 983 00:43:37,066 --> 00:43:39,600 Mr. Earnest: I don't have anything for you on -- I've seen the reports of 984 00:43:39,600 --> 00:43:43,000 those attacks in Pakistan, but I don't have anything for you 985 00:43:43,000 --> 00:43:45,200 in reaction to those attacks. 986 00:43:45,200 --> 00:43:48,567 In terms of your first question on violence, the 987 00:43:48,567 --> 00:43:53,133 President was pretty outspoken after that terrible attack 988 00:43:53,133 --> 00:43:58,700 that occurred at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin, and 989 00:43:58,700 --> 00:44:01,399 expressed his concerns and sorrow for those 990 00:44:01,400 --> 00:44:03,300 who were lost. 991 00:44:03,300 --> 00:44:05,767 The President believes that violence like that 992 00:44:05,767 --> 00:44:09,433 and violence of any kind is certainly something that, 993 00:44:10,166 --> 00:44:12,867 tragically, this summer has happened all too frequently, 994 00:44:12,867 --> 00:44:16,900 both in high-profile incidents but also in communities large 995 00:44:16,900 --> 00:44:18,767 and small all across the country. 996 00:44:18,767 --> 00:44:21,100 And this is something that the President is concerned about; 997 00:44:21,100 --> 00:44:25,933 that there are more things that we can do, that we can 998 00:44:25,934 --> 00:44:28,333 continue to do to try to eradicate violence from 999 00:44:28,333 --> 00:44:29,400 our communities. 1000 00:44:29,400 --> 00:44:31,700 But again, none of that, none of the actions that the 1001 00:44:31,700 --> 00:44:34,366 government can take to eradicate that violence will 1002 00:44:34,367 --> 00:44:38,900 replace what can be done in communities, in churches, and 1003 00:44:38,900 --> 00:44:43,533 in homes to try to address the root causes of violence and 1004 00:44:43,533 --> 00:44:46,533 make those instances less frequent. 1005 00:44:46,533 --> 00:44:50,133 The Press: And finally, is the President trying to make any -- plan his 1006 00:44:50,133 --> 00:44:53,433 schedule some time to visit the community there in Oak 1007 00:44:53,433 --> 00:44:54,900 Creek, Wisconsin? 1008 00:44:54,900 --> 00:44:56,500 Mr. Earnest: I don't have any updates for you on the President's 1009 00:44:56,500 --> 00:44:57,867 schedule on that front. 1010 00:44:57,867 --> 00:45:00,467 Mary, I saw that you had your hand up. 1011 00:45:00,467 --> 00:45:02,734 The Press: Going back to Medicare for a second, you referenced the new 1012 00:45:02,734 --> 00:45:05,767 campaign ad that mentions comments from AARP. 1013 00:45:05,767 --> 00:45:09,933 In their response, AARP said, "the candidates owe voters 1014 00:45:09,934 --> 00:45:12,333 straight talk, not just 30-second ads." 1015 00:45:12,333 --> 00:45:14,667 Should we expect to hear in the coming days more directly 1016 00:45:14,667 --> 00:45:16,400 from the President on Medicare, or is this a debate 1017 00:45:16,400 --> 00:45:18,567 that you think will just continue to play out through 1018 00:45:18,567 --> 00:45:21,500 campaign surrogates and web videos and campaign ads? 1019 00:45:21,500 --> 00:45:23,700 Mr. Earnest: It's certainly a topic that the President has talked about 1020 00:45:23,700 --> 00:45:25,466 in the past; I think he talked about it a little bit on 1021 00:45:25,467 --> 00:45:29,166 Friday -- today's Friday -- on Wednesday when he was in Iowa. 1022 00:45:29,166 --> 00:45:30,900 I would anticipate that you're going to hear the President 1023 00:45:30,900 --> 00:45:32,500 talk about it quite a bit more. 1024 00:45:32,500 --> 00:45:35,033 And the reason for that is simply just there is a really 1025 00:45:35,033 --> 00:45:37,165 important difference of opinion about this that 1026 00:45:37,166 --> 00:45:40,467 has significant consequences for seniors all across the country. 1027 00:45:40,467 --> 00:45:45,066 The approach that is favored by Governor Romney and 1028 00:45:45,066 --> 00:45:48,600 Congressman Ryan would have a devastating toll -- would take 1029 00:45:48,600 --> 00:45:50,567 a devastating toll on Medicare. 1030 00:45:50,567 --> 00:45:56,800 It would undermine the very promise, the very guarantee of 1031 00:45:56,800 --> 00:45:59,567 Medicare by turning it into a voucher program. 1032 00:45:59,567 --> 00:46:02,467 And that is what the AARP said would undermine the program, 1033 00:46:02,467 --> 00:46:03,934 would undermine the benefit. 1034 00:46:03,934 --> 00:46:06,300 The other thing that I think is important to that, that has 1035 00:46:06,300 --> 00:46:08,734 gotten lost in this debate a little bit, it actually would 1036 00:46:08,734 --> 00:46:12,133 accelerate the insolvency of Medicare. 1037 00:46:12,133 --> 00:46:15,567 And, in fact, if Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan 1038 00:46:15,567 --> 00:46:17,900 were elected President and implemented their plan, 1039 00:46:17,900 --> 00:46:20,133 Medicare under their plan would actually be insolvent 1040 00:46:20,133 --> 00:46:21,667 before even the end of their first term. 1041 00:46:21,667 --> 00:46:26,667 President Obama, on the other hand, has put in place 1042 00:46:26,667 --> 00:46:28,734 important reforms in Medicare that have actually 1043 00:46:28,734 --> 00:46:32,600 strengthened the program and strengthened benefits -- which 1044 00:46:32,600 --> 00:46:35,299 is what the AARP said about it -- but also has extended the 1045 00:46:35,300 --> 00:46:38,533 life of the program by eight years. 1046 00:46:38,533 --> 00:46:40,667 And the reason for that is the President believes that 1047 00:46:40,667 --> 00:46:42,900 Medicare is an important fundamental guarantee for 1048 00:46:42,900 --> 00:46:43,900 our seniors. 1049 00:46:43,900 --> 00:46:46,667 He understands that seniors across this country rely on 1050 00:46:46,667 --> 00:46:53,100 Medicare on a daily basis to preserve their health, but 1051 00:46:53,100 --> 00:46:56,066 also to keep seniors out of poverty. 1052 00:46:56,066 --> 00:46:58,299 Before Medicare was created, we had a situation in this 1053 00:46:58,300 --> 00:46:59,934 country where there were a lot of seniors who fell into 1054 00:46:59,934 --> 00:47:02,367 poverty only because they were trying to afford their health 1055 00:47:02,367 --> 00:47:03,734 care bills. 1056 00:47:03,734 --> 00:47:05,500 The last thing that I'll say about this is there are also 1057 00:47:05,500 --> 00:47:07,433 important reforms that were included in the Affordable 1058 00:47:07,433 --> 00:47:10,133 Care Act that also did some things to help seniors in 1059 00:47:10,133 --> 00:47:13,799 Medicare that, included in the Affordable Care Act, was 1060 00:47:13,800 --> 00:47:15,266 assistance to seniors for their prescription 1061 00:47:15,266 --> 00:47:16,467 drug coverage. 1062 00:47:16,467 --> 00:47:19,867 And the latest number that I have on this is that there are 1063 00:47:19,867 --> 00:47:23,166 actually 5.2 million seniors across the country that have 1064 00:47:23,166 --> 00:47:28,967 saved a total of $3.9 billion in prescription drug costs. 1065 00:47:28,967 --> 00:47:31,000 That's money saved by seniors all across this country 1066 00:47:31,000 --> 00:47:34,200 because of reforms that have been put in place 1067 00:47:34,200 --> 00:47:35,466 by the President. 1068 00:47:35,467 --> 00:47:38,700 If congressional Republicans move forward on their promise 1069 00:47:38,700 --> 00:47:41,533 to repeal the Affordable Care Act, those benefits 1070 00:47:41,533 --> 00:47:43,299 would go away. 1071 00:47:43,300 --> 00:47:46,133 More than 32 million seniors all across the country have 1072 00:47:46,133 --> 00:47:49,366 actually taken advantage of the opportunity to get free 1073 00:47:49,367 --> 00:47:50,667 preventative benefits. 1074 00:47:50,667 --> 00:47:53,633 So they've been able to go and get mammograms and other 1075 00:47:53,633 --> 00:47:57,799 cancer screenings free of charge. 1076 00:47:57,800 --> 00:48:02,266 They've been able to do that without making any payments. 1077 00:48:02,266 --> 00:48:05,300 And those are important benefits that would go away if 1078 00:48:05,300 --> 00:48:08,600 congressional Republicans move forward with their promise to 1079 00:48:08,600 --> 00:48:11,033 repeal the Affordable Care Act. 1080 00:48:11,033 --> 00:48:13,633 So these are the kinds of benefits that the President 1081 00:48:13,633 --> 00:48:14,899 believes are important. 1082 00:48:14,900 --> 00:48:16,500 And that's why the President believes it's so important for 1083 00:48:16,500 --> 00:48:18,166 us to have this debate, and I think that's why you're going 1084 00:48:18,166 --> 00:48:19,767 to hear quite a bit more from the President on this in the 1085 00:48:19,767 --> 00:48:22,033 days and weeks ahead. 1086 00:48:22,033 --> 00:48:24,767 Before I go, we'll do the week ahead. 1087 00:48:29,166 --> 00:48:31,200 On Monday, the President will attend meetings at 1088 00:48:31,200 --> 00:48:33,133 the White House. 1089 00:48:33,133 --> 00:48:36,265 On Tuesday, the President will travel to Columbus, Ohio and 1090 00:48:36,266 --> 00:48:38,900 Reno, Nevada for campaign events. 1091 00:48:38,900 --> 00:48:41,867 The President will then remain overnight in Henderson, Nevada 1092 00:48:41,867 --> 00:48:43,867 -- which is right outside Las Vegas, Nevada, for those of 1093 00:48:43,867 --> 00:48:47,800 you that are trying to plan your Tuesday night activities. 1094 00:48:47,800 --> 00:48:49,300 The Press: Aren't there hotels in Vegas? 1095 00:48:49,300 --> 00:48:53,133 (laughter) 1096 00:48:53,133 --> 00:48:54,767 Mr. Earnest: On Wednesday morning, the President will wake up in 1097 00:48:54,767 --> 00:48:58,966 Las Vegas, Nevada and have a campaign event there before 1098 00:48:58,967 --> 00:49:01,300 traveling to New York City where he will have a campaign 1099 00:49:01,300 --> 00:49:04,800 event in New York that night, and then return to Washington 1100 00:49:04,800 --> 00:49:07,000 D.C. later that evening. 1101 00:49:07,000 --> 00:49:08,533 On Thursday and Friday, the President will be here in 1102 00:49:08,533 --> 00:49:11,433 Washington D.C. conducting meetings at the White House. 1103 00:49:11,433 --> 00:49:12,600 Have a good weekend, everybody.