English subtitles for clip: File:9-10-09- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,166 --> 00:00:01,296 Mr. Gibbs: Good afternoon. 2 00:00:01,300 --> 00:00:08,930 Before we get started, let me just run through real quickly, 3 00:00:08,934 --> 00:00:13,334 just for your planning purposes, some events that the President 4 00:00:13,333 --> 00:00:18,433 will be doing in and around the meeting later this month at the 5 00:00:18,433 --> 00:00:20,963 United Nations General Assembly. 6 00:00:20,967 --> 00:00:23,337 We'll have more detail on this for you then, 7 00:00:23,333 --> 00:00:26,703 but I just wanted to give you just a quick sketch. 8 00:00:26,700 --> 00:00:29,500 The President of course will deliver his first address to the 9 00:00:29,500 --> 00:00:31,630 U.N. General Assembly. 10 00:00:31,633 --> 00:00:35,433 Secondly, he will attend and deliver remarks at Secretary 11 00:00:35,433 --> 00:00:39,103 General Ban Ki-moon's climate change summit. 12 00:00:39,100 --> 00:00:41,730 The Press: Can you give us some dates? 13 00:00:41,734 --> 00:00:43,864 Mr. Gibbs: That would be good if I had them. 14 00:00:43,867 --> 00:00:47,967 I don't at the moment. 15 00:00:47,967 --> 00:00:50,397 Third, the President will attend the Secretary General's luncheon 16 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:54,570 for heads of state and host the traditional American reception 17 00:00:54,567 --> 00:00:56,737 for other heads of state. 18 00:00:56,734 --> 00:00:59,264 The President will also host a lunch for heads of states and 19 00:00:59,266 --> 00:01:05,636 governments from sub-Sahara Africa to discuss building a 20 00:01:05,633 --> 00:01:07,733 21st century partnership to increase 21 00:01:07,734 --> 00:01:12,664 economic and social development. Here's one date I do have. 22 00:01:12,667 --> 00:01:15,637 On September 24th, the President will chair a summit-level 23 00:01:15,633 --> 00:01:19,933 meeting of the U.N. Security Council on the topic of nuclear 24 00:01:19,934 --> 00:01:23,434 non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament. 25 00:01:23,433 --> 00:01:26,103 This is only the fifth time in the history of the U.N. that a 26 00:01:26,100 --> 00:01:28,900 head of state-level Security Council summit has been 27 00:01:28,900 --> 00:01:32,730 convened, and the first time ever that a U.S. President will 28 00:01:32,734 --> 00:01:35,504 chair a U.N. Security Council summit. 29 00:01:35,500 --> 00:01:37,670 The Press: Did you ask for it? 30 00:01:37,667 --> 00:01:41,737 Mr. Gibbs: We did ask for it, and are heading it. 31 00:01:41,734 --> 00:01:43,534 And then lastly, the President will host a meeting with 32 00:01:43,533 --> 00:01:46,233 countries that contribute the largest numbers of troops and 33 00:01:46,233 --> 00:01:50,563 police to U.N. peacekeeping operations. 34 00:01:50,567 --> 00:01:56,297 Again, more detail on this as we get a little closer to U.N., 35 00:01:56,300 --> 00:01:57,970 but wanted to walk -- 36 00:01:57,967 --> 00:01:59,197 The Press: Can you repeat that last one? 37 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:00,200 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 38 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:02,370 Host a meeting with countries that contribute the largest 39 00:02:02,367 --> 00:02:07,037 number of troops and police to U.N. peacekeeping operations. 40 00:02:07,033 --> 00:02:12,233 The Press: Are all the heads of state invited to the reception? 41 00:02:12,233 --> 00:02:16,263 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have a list of who's RSVP'd. 42 00:02:16,266 --> 00:02:18,566 The Press: Will President Ahmadinejad be invited? 43 00:02:18,567 --> 00:02:19,497 Mr. Gibbs: I doubt it. 44 00:02:19,500 --> 00:02:20,830 The Press: Who controls the invite list? 45 00:02:20,834 --> 00:02:22,334 Mr. Gibbs: Burton does. 46 00:02:22,333 --> 00:02:23,533 The Press: No, but I mean, is it -- 47 00:02:23,533 --> 00:02:24,363 (laughter) 48 00:02:24,367 --> 00:02:25,767 -- is it the U.S. or -- 49 00:02:25,767 --> 00:02:29,837 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, yes, this is an American reception, so yes. 50 00:02:29,834 --> 00:02:32,334 All right, now back to our regularly scheduled programming. 51 00:02:32,333 --> 00:02:33,133 Yes, ma'am. 52 00:02:33,133 --> 00:02:35,203 The Press: Why would he be left out? 53 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:39,700 Mr. Gibbs: Because Iran is failing to live up to its 54 00:02:39,700 --> 00:02:41,330 international obligations. 55 00:02:41,333 --> 00:02:43,433 The Press: There's no other nation in the U.N. -- 56 00:02:43,433 --> 00:02:49,903 Mr. Gibbs: No, I don't -- I think there are others that might miss out on 57 00:02:49,900 --> 00:02:50,930 the hors d'oeuvres. 58 00:02:50,934 --> 00:02:52,304 Yes, ma'am. 59 00:02:52,300 --> 00:02:55,970 The Press: Earlier today, Speaker Pelosi said that she sees little 60 00:02:55,967 --> 00:02:58,897 support in the country or in Congress for sending 61 00:02:58,900 --> 00:03:01,670 more troops to Afghanistan. 62 00:03:01,667 --> 00:03:04,967 Has the President decided what he's going to do in Afghanistan? 63 00:03:04,967 --> 00:03:09,297 Do her comments kind of box him in in any way? 64 00:03:09,300 --> 00:03:15,300 Mr. Gibbs: Look, as we've discussed before, obviously the assessment that 65 00:03:15,300 --> 00:03:19,400 has been delivered to Central Command, to the Pentagon, 66 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:22,900 and to the White House from General McChrystal is part of a 67 00:03:22,900 --> 00:03:26,600 rigorous assessment process that the President wanted instituted 68 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:31,070 upon coming into office, and to reassess our strategy in this 69 00:03:31,066 --> 00:03:34,636 very important region of the world. 70 00:03:34,633 --> 00:03:39,533 That continues to be discussed here and at the Pentagon. 71 00:03:39,533 --> 00:03:42,803 As we've also talked about, separate resource decision 72 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:47,470 reports will be coming in the next few weeks, 73 00:03:47,467 --> 00:03:51,467 but have not been received as of yet. 74 00:03:51,467 --> 00:03:56,897 The President will make a decision based on what he thinks 75 00:03:56,900 --> 00:04:00,900 is in the best national security interest of this country. 76 00:04:00,900 --> 00:04:04,870 The Press: What is his time frame for making a decision? 77 00:04:04,867 --> 00:04:07,837 And when he does make a decision, how will he -- 78 00:04:07,834 --> 00:04:11,764 Mr. Gibbs: Well, it's hard -- again, the evaluation process is ongoing on 79 00:04:11,767 --> 00:04:12,737 the original assessment. 80 00:04:12,734 --> 00:04:19,404 We've not received yet a resource report from commanders 81 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,130 in Afghanistan to begin to consider. 82 00:04:22,133 --> 00:04:26,063 So there are several different assessments that will happen 83 00:04:26,066 --> 00:04:31,066 prior to that, and this is an ongoing process. 84 00:04:31,066 --> 00:04:34,936 The Press: Haven't they been told not to ask for more troops? 85 00:04:34,934 --> 00:04:38,234 Mr. Gibbs: Not in any way, shape, or form. 86 00:04:38,233 --> 00:04:39,733 Yes, ma'am. 87 00:04:39,734 --> 00:04:44,204 The Press: Speaking of Iran, yesterday you said the administration wanted 88 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:46,670 to see progress from Iran in the proposals 89 00:04:46,667 --> 00:04:49,397 that it submitted yesterday. 90 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:51,330 Now that you've had a chance to look at them, 91 00:04:51,333 --> 00:04:53,033 did you see what you wanted? 92 00:04:53,033 --> 00:04:57,103 Also, Iran is saying that the proposals did not deal directly 93 00:04:57,100 --> 00:04:58,930 with its nuclear activities. 94 00:04:58,934 --> 00:05:00,304 Is that the case? 95 00:05:00,300 --> 00:05:05,330 And finally, Russia came out a little bit ago and said the U.N. 96 00:05:05,333 --> 00:05:08,363 Security Council would not support oil sanctions. 97 00:05:08,367 --> 00:05:11,997 Does this administration agree? 98 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:14,870 Mr. Gibbs: I have not seen the Russian comments. 99 00:05:14,867 --> 00:05:22,197 Let me speak more broadly about Iran and -- 100 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:29,670 obviously this week's discussion at the IAEA makes further clear 101 00:05:29,667 --> 00:05:33,737 the concern that the international community has and 102 00:05:33,734 --> 00:05:40,804 the gravity that we have about Iran's illicit nuclear program. 103 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:43,830 Iran has failed to address past violations, 104 00:05:43,834 --> 00:05:47,404 failed to comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions to 105 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:50,670 suspend its nuclear activity. 106 00:05:50,667 --> 00:05:56,137 The offer is still being evaluated by the P5-plus-1. 107 00:05:56,133 --> 00:06:01,433 I would say Iran's proposals have time and again failed to 108 00:06:01,433 --> 00:06:08,263 live up to its international obligations. 109 00:06:08,266 --> 00:06:13,366 And we've discussed that Iran obviously has two paths that 110 00:06:13,367 --> 00:06:14,767 they can choose. 111 00:06:14,767 --> 00:06:20,467 One of those paths leads to increased international 112 00:06:20,467 --> 00:06:23,967 isolation if they don't take concrete steps 113 00:06:23,967 --> 00:06:26,967 to end their program. 114 00:06:26,967 --> 00:06:30,537 As we get closer to the U.N. and the G20, 115 00:06:30,533 --> 00:06:35,063 obviously there will be a period of discussion and evaluation as 116 00:06:35,066 --> 00:06:38,896 to where we are as we move forward together with the 117 00:06:38,900 --> 00:06:40,970 international community. 118 00:06:40,967 --> 00:06:42,397 Yes, sir. 119 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:47,670 The Press: The President yesterday, last night, said that the bills, 120 00:06:47,667 --> 00:06:50,067 the health care reform bills, whatever he signs will be 121 00:06:50,066 --> 00:06:55,496 deficit-neutral and will bend the cost curve. 122 00:06:55,500 --> 00:06:59,170 The Democratic bills that have been introduced in the House and 123 00:06:59,166 --> 00:07:02,566 Senate so far, at least according to the Congressional 124 00:07:02,567 --> 00:07:04,637 Budget Office, will not do that. 125 00:07:04,633 --> 00:07:08,963 They will increase the deficit, according to Doug Elmendorf, 126 00:07:08,967 --> 00:07:11,397 and they will not bend the cost curve. 127 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,270 In fact, the cost curve will continue to go up. 128 00:07:14,266 --> 00:07:17,296 Does the White House accept what the CBO director 129 00:07:17,300 --> 00:07:20,500 says about these bills? 130 00:07:20,500 --> 00:07:26,570 And if so, what pressure is the White House conveying or using 131 00:07:26,567 --> 00:07:32,037 on Congress and Democrats to improve these two elements that 132 00:07:32,033 --> 00:07:34,033 the President said were so important to him? 133 00:07:34,033 --> 00:07:37,063 Mr. Gibbs: Well, let's -- let me take these separately. 134 00:07:37,066 --> 00:07:40,396 First and foremost, it's not up to us to judge -- 135 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:44,230 well, obviously we take at face value whatever the CBO says 136 00:07:44,233 --> 00:07:49,703 about legislation, as we've discussed in here. 137 00:07:49,700 --> 00:07:54,970 The proposal that the President outlined last night is obviously 138 00:07:54,967 --> 00:07:57,967 in some ways different than what we -- 139 00:07:57,967 --> 00:08:03,137 what has been discussed on Capitol Hill thus far. 140 00:08:03,133 --> 00:08:06,403 I think CBO would be one of the first to tell you that one way 141 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:15,800 to bend that cost curve is to go after and discuss how to prevent 142 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:19,170 what the President called Cadillac health insurance plans 143 00:08:19,166 --> 00:08:26,496 last night, that tend to make steeper 144 00:08:26,500 --> 00:08:27,970 that curve going upwards. 145 00:08:27,967 --> 00:08:31,597 I think one of the things that the CBO has said is addressing 146 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:35,470 that will put that downward pressure on cost, 147 00:08:35,467 --> 00:08:37,767 and obviously the President, as part of his plan, 148 00:08:37,767 --> 00:08:45,867 last night outlined a fee on insurance companies that offer 149 00:08:45,867 --> 00:08:51,037 these Cadillac plans after -- at a certain rate. 150 00:08:51,033 --> 00:08:53,263 So I think that, first and foremost, 151 00:08:53,266 --> 00:08:55,966 is one of the things that the President outlined. 152 00:08:55,967 --> 00:08:59,297 And I think, secondly, the President outlined a trigger, 153 00:08:59,300 --> 00:09:07,830 a deficit trigger that would evaluate whether or not savings 154 00:09:07,834 --> 00:09:09,004 have been achieved. 155 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:11,970 And if savings haven't been achieved before moving forward, 156 00:09:11,967 --> 00:09:15,097 how that savings can be achieved before the plan is fully 157 00:09:15,100 --> 00:09:17,630 implemented in 2013. 158 00:09:17,633 --> 00:09:22,503 I think those are two ways that the President outlined last 159 00:09:22,500 --> 00:09:24,200 night to address those concerns. 160 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:30,730 But, Jake, you heard him I think say pretty clearly that this was 161 00:09:30,734 --> 00:09:34,334 -- this has to change the direction of our -- 162 00:09:34,333 --> 00:09:37,233 of government spending on health care, 163 00:09:37,233 --> 00:09:40,463 and this has to not add a dime to the deficit. 164 00:09:40,467 --> 00:09:43,997 The President is very serious about keeping those promises. 165 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:46,370 The Press: How firm is he being with Democratic leaders, 166 00:09:46,367 --> 00:09:49,337 because they -- I mean, we've heard from Harry Reid and Nancy 167 00:09:49,333 --> 00:09:51,703 Pelosi that they're 90% there. 168 00:09:51,700 --> 00:09:54,300 You guys have said that there's 80% agreement. 169 00:09:54,300 --> 00:09:56,230 It seems to be that they're -- and I 170 00:09:56,233 --> 00:09:57,103 understand the President -- 171 00:09:57,100 --> 00:09:58,870 Mr. Gibbs: I put some of the proposal the President outlined in that sort 172 00:09:58,867 --> 00:10:00,837 of 10 to 20 percentage range. 173 00:10:00,834 --> 00:10:03,004 The Press: Well, is it going to be that significant? 174 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:04,470 I mean, are these major steps that are actually going to 175 00:10:04,467 --> 00:10:06,037 change the impacts of these bills, 176 00:10:06,033 --> 00:10:07,503 according to the CBO announcing -- 177 00:10:07,500 --> 00:10:12,070 Mr. Gibbs: I mean, again, I think the CBO has evaluated a number of 178 00:10:12,066 --> 00:10:17,796 cost-cutting mechanisms that have been outlined. 179 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:23,700 And the one that they think has the greatest ability is to -- 180 00:10:23,700 --> 00:10:26,070 deals with these Cadillac health insurance plans, 181 00:10:26,066 --> 00:10:27,366 which the President talked about last night. 182 00:10:27,367 --> 00:10:31,697 So I do think the President believes that will have a -- 183 00:10:31,700 --> 00:10:35,130 will have an impact on the cost curve. 184 00:10:35,133 --> 00:10:36,463 Yes, ma'am. 185 00:10:36,467 --> 00:10:38,967 The Press: Congressman Wilson's apology -- I don't want to dwell too much 186 00:10:38,967 --> 00:10:41,497 -- but how was that apology conveyed to the President? 187 00:10:41,500 --> 00:10:46,930 Mr. Gibbs: It's my understanding that Congressman Wilson called the 188 00:10:46,934 --> 00:10:50,634 Chief of Staff last night -- I can check on the time in which 189 00:10:50,633 --> 00:10:54,963 we got an e-mail on that -- an hour or so after the conclusion 190 00:10:54,967 --> 00:11:00,737 of the speech, to express his apology for what he had said, 191 00:11:00,734 --> 00:11:03,304 and that the Chief of Staff accepted that on 192 00:11:03,300 --> 00:11:05,100 behalf of the President. 193 00:11:05,100 --> 00:11:08,070 The Press: Was that apology conveyed to the President this morning or -- 194 00:11:08,066 --> 00:11:08,896 Mr. Gibbs: Last night. 195 00:11:08,900 --> 00:11:10,000 The Press: Last night. 196 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:11,970 Mr. Gibbs: But, you know, again, the President -- 197 00:11:11,967 --> 00:11:14,597 to reiterate what the President said in the Cabinet meeting, 198 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:19,770 we can disagree -- he's said this millions of times -- 199 00:11:19,767 --> 00:11:23,697 we can disagree without being disagreeable; 200 00:11:23,700 --> 00:11:28,630 that we can have an honest debate about our views on health 201 00:11:28,633 --> 00:11:32,863 care and what we think is best for the American people, 202 00:11:32,867 --> 00:11:37,537 but we can do so without what you saw last night. 203 00:11:37,533 --> 00:11:40,533 And I think it's obvious that Congressman 204 00:11:40,533 --> 00:11:42,133 Wilson agrees with that. 205 00:11:42,133 --> 00:11:44,233 The Press: And do you have details on this meeting with the President and 206 00:11:44,233 --> 00:11:47,433 centrist Democrats today in the Senate? 207 00:11:47,433 --> 00:11:50,133 Mr. Gibbs: I think we will, if we haven't already, 208 00:11:50,133 --> 00:11:53,863 put out a list of senators that will be there. 209 00:11:53,867 --> 00:11:57,467 I think there's 15 to 17 that will be there. 210 00:11:57,467 --> 00:11:59,697 The Press: What time? 211 00:11:59,700 --> 00:12:02,270 Mr. Gibbs: I think it's at 4:15 p.m. this afternoon, if I'm not mistaken. 212 00:12:02,266 --> 00:12:04,336 The Press: And what's the President's message going to be? 213 00:12:04,333 --> 00:12:09,733 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think the President wants to talk through with 214 00:12:09,734 --> 00:12:13,934 moderate Democrats and centrist Democrats some of the proposals 215 00:12:13,934 --> 00:12:16,364 that he outlined last night, some of which we just talked 216 00:12:16,367 --> 00:12:20,897 about that have and enjoy their support, 217 00:12:20,900 --> 00:12:24,070 and figuring out how we can move this -- 218 00:12:24,066 --> 00:12:26,696 continue to move this process forward. 219 00:12:26,700 --> 00:12:30,130 We'll have a short readout from after the meeting, as well. 220 00:12:30,133 --> 00:12:31,703 The Press: How long do you think it will go? 221 00:12:31,700 --> 00:12:35,470 Mr. Gibbs: I think it's on the schedule for probably 30 to 45 minutes, 222 00:12:35,467 --> 00:12:36,737 but we'll check. 223 00:12:36,734 --> 00:12:37,734 Yes, ma'am. 224 00:12:37,734 --> 00:12:40,764 The Press: Do you think he has satisfied the liberal Democrats? 225 00:12:40,767 --> 00:12:44,337 And also, what is he going to do now to keep the momentum? 226 00:12:44,333 --> 00:12:50,833 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think most of you have seen that we will travel on 227 00:12:50,834 --> 00:12:56,834 Saturday to Minnesota to talk again -- on Saturday -- 228 00:12:56,834 --> 00:12:59,434 to talk again about the importance of health care reform 229 00:12:59,433 --> 00:13:06,203 and to keep this going. 230 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:09,170 In terms of -- I think what the President outlined last night is 231 00:13:09,166 --> 00:13:13,066 something that can appeal to Democrats and Republicans and 232 00:13:13,066 --> 00:13:15,196 bring people together to solve this problem that we've been 233 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:17,430 talking about for so long. 234 00:13:17,433 --> 00:13:20,233 I don't want to speak directly for members of Congress, 235 00:13:20,233 --> 00:13:23,003 but judging from many of the comments that I've seen in 236 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:30,000 reporting today, I think the President did a good job of 237 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:34,970 appealing across the political spectrum in outlining a proposal 238 00:13:34,967 --> 00:13:39,937 that -- the elements of which he thinks can represent an 239 00:13:39,934 --> 00:13:43,164 important step forward in health care reform. 240 00:13:43,166 --> 00:13:44,136 Yes, sir. 241 00:13:44,133 --> 00:13:48,063 The Press: Senator Baucus today said that as far as he's concerned, 242 00:13:48,066 --> 00:13:50,936 it sounded like the President was reading his plan -- 243 00:13:50,934 --> 00:13:52,234 or "our plan" as he put it. 244 00:13:52,233 --> 00:13:55,733 He said, it sounds like we're in sync in openness to co-ops, 245 00:13:55,734 --> 00:13:59,004 $900 billion, deficit-neutral, deficit trigger. 246 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:02,070 Was the President making a conscious effort to move in the 247 00:14:02,066 --> 00:14:05,366 direction of the Gang of Six/Baucus plan? 248 00:14:05,367 --> 00:14:10,697 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, let me -- obviously the President fully supports and 249 00:14:10,700 --> 00:14:15,770 has lauded the efforts of the Finance Committee to continue to 250 00:14:15,767 --> 00:14:19,137 work on getting a plan out of their committee. 251 00:14:19,133 --> 00:14:22,263 Obviously he talked about four of five committees of 252 00:14:22,266 --> 00:14:24,096 jurisdiction -- something that's never happened before -- 253 00:14:24,100 --> 00:14:26,030 have completed that work. 254 00:14:26,033 --> 00:14:31,333 Senator Baucus announced earlier yesterday that the committee 255 00:14:31,333 --> 00:14:39,033 would convene on the 21st to mark up legislation. 256 00:14:39,033 --> 00:14:41,633 Again, I think it's a tremendously positive and 257 00:14:41,633 --> 00:14:45,163 important development in continuing health care reform 258 00:14:45,166 --> 00:14:49,136 through the congressional process. 259 00:14:49,133 --> 00:14:53,233 Look, I think there's plenty of room for agreement. 260 00:14:53,233 --> 00:14:56,533 The President has used the figure that Jake cited as about 261 00:14:56,533 --> 00:15:01,833 80 % agreement, I think a lot of which he reiterated last night. 262 00:15:01,834 --> 00:15:05,634 And we certainly hope that the Finance Committee, 263 00:15:05,633 --> 00:15:08,233 the Gang of Six, Republicans and Democrats, 264 00:15:08,233 --> 00:15:13,803 will find enough to like in all these pieces of legislation and 265 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:16,600 in this proposal to move something forward. 266 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:18,600 The Press: A lot of your favorite people, the pundits, 267 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:21,970 are concluding already that what the President was basically 268 00:15:21,967 --> 00:15:26,167 doing, by making an argument for public option but then making it 269 00:15:26,166 --> 00:15:29,736 so clear that he's open to either the co-op or the trigger, 270 00:15:29,734 --> 00:15:32,134 he's basically saying, I'm moving in the direction of 271 00:15:32,133 --> 00:15:35,563 Baucus and company, or the trigger, and you 100 or 80, 272 00:15:35,567 --> 00:15:38,097 whatever you are, liberal Democrats in the House, 273 00:15:38,100 --> 00:15:39,130 you're going to have to face reality here; 274 00:15:39,133 --> 00:15:40,663 you're not going to get what you want. 275 00:15:40,667 --> 00:15:42,997 Was that the President's message last night? 276 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:47,030 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I mean, I -- again, without referring to my good 277 00:15:47,033 --> 00:15:51,963 friends, the pundits, I'd look more directly just exactly at 278 00:15:51,967 --> 00:15:53,297 what the President said. 279 00:15:53,300 --> 00:15:59,070 I think there's no doubt that the President laid down the 280 00:15:59,066 --> 00:16:01,866 notion that we have to have options, 281 00:16:01,867 --> 00:16:04,397 particularly in a private insurance or small group 282 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:12,170 insurance market that, as the President noted, 75% of -- 283 00:16:12,166 --> 00:16:16,896 more than half the states are dominated by just five companies 284 00:16:16,900 --> 00:16:18,570 in each state. 285 00:16:18,567 --> 00:16:22,597 I have used the example many times of Alabama being dominated 286 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:25,230 -- 89% of that insurance market is dominated by exactly one 287 00:16:25,233 --> 00:16:28,803 company; that we have to have that choice and competition. 288 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,970 And quite frankly we've always thrived in this country with 289 00:16:31,967 --> 00:16:36,667 choice and competition in whatever it is. 290 00:16:36,667 --> 00:16:41,137 I think he reiterated that the public option is not the be-all, 291 00:16:41,133 --> 00:16:47,763 end-all of health care reform; that he's open to ways to 292 00:16:47,767 --> 00:16:50,897 achieve choice and competition and wants to work with Congress 293 00:16:50,900 --> 00:16:52,770 to see that happen. 294 00:16:52,767 --> 00:16:55,297 I think this is part of the process of bringing people 295 00:16:55,300 --> 00:16:58,630 together and getting a solution. 296 00:16:58,633 --> 00:17:01,803 The Press: A lot of people say what you just said is a death knell, 297 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:03,900 really, for a robust public option. 298 00:17:03,900 --> 00:17:10,300 Mr. Gibbs: I think -- I think if you watched what the President said 299 00:17:10,300 --> 00:17:12,470 last night, I think he's very clear on that. 300 00:17:12,467 --> 00:17:13,297 Yes, sir. 301 00:17:13,300 --> 00:17:16,930 The Press: Robert, we heard the President today again say he's open to 302 00:17:16,934 --> 00:17:19,634 talking to anybody about any ideas. 303 00:17:19,633 --> 00:17:21,133 But is it fair to say that actions are 304 00:17:21,133 --> 00:17:22,303 speaking louder than words? 305 00:17:22,300 --> 00:17:26,000 Today, the President is meeting with a group of just Democrats. 306 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:28,570 Saturday, he's traveling to Minneapolis, 307 00:17:28,567 --> 00:17:30,867 a state that has got two Democratic senators, 308 00:17:30,867 --> 00:17:35,297 a state that gave you the 60th U.S. Senate seat. 309 00:17:35,300 --> 00:17:36,700 Mr. Gibbs: There's 59 U.S. Senate seats right now. 310 00:17:36,700 --> 00:17:38,030 The Press: There's 59, I understand that. 311 00:17:38,033 --> 00:17:40,433 But it was -- gave you the 60 at the time. 312 00:17:40,433 --> 00:17:41,833 Is there -- 313 00:17:41,834 --> 00:17:45,264 Mr. Gibbs: I remember Minnesota being a swing state at or around this 314 00:17:45,266 --> 00:17:46,596 time last year. 315 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:47,870 The Press: I was trying to remember when that was. 316 00:17:47,867 --> 00:17:49,437 Mr. Gibbs: It was about the time the Republican convention ended in 317 00:17:49,433 --> 00:17:50,603 St. Paul, Minnesota -- 318 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:51,500 (laughter) 319 00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:53,230 -- with Tim Pawlenty as the governor. 320 00:17:53,233 --> 00:17:54,333 The Press: My point is the President talked -- 321 00:17:54,333 --> 00:17:55,533 Mr. Gibbs: At or around then. 322 00:17:55,533 --> 00:17:56,363 (laughter) 323 00:17:56,367 --> 00:17:58,197 The Press: -- the President talked a lot about Republican 324 00:17:58,200 --> 00:17:59,470 ideas, bipartisanship. 325 00:17:59,467 --> 00:18:00,867 Should we expect to see a meeting here at the White House 326 00:18:00,867 --> 00:18:02,197 with a group of Republicans? 327 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:05,330 Mr. Gibbs: Look, I presume we will have Republicans and Democrats down 328 00:18:05,333 --> 00:18:06,833 here to talk about this proposal. 329 00:18:06,834 --> 00:18:09,034 The President didn't go to Capitol Hill just to give lip 330 00:18:09,033 --> 00:18:14,533 service to both sides of the aisle. 331 00:18:14,533 --> 00:18:20,333 I don't think that you can judge one day's effort, 332 00:18:20,333 --> 00:18:24,633 or one afternoon's effort, the one day after the speech. 333 00:18:24,633 --> 00:18:29,803 The President is focused on hearing all of those ideas. 334 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:32,170 Again, as you said, he reiterated that not once, 335 00:18:32,166 --> 00:18:37,466 but then a second time at the Cabinet meeting today when you 336 00:18:37,467 --> 00:18:39,997 all were in there. 337 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:44,970 I hesitate to -- again, Minnesota was a swing state for 338 00:18:44,967 --> 00:18:50,337 quite some time in the general election. 339 00:18:50,333 --> 00:18:53,963 So I don't know that I would throw Minnesota in one -- 340 00:18:53,967 --> 00:18:56,337 The Press: But this is about winning votes, and a lot of times we see -- 341 00:18:56,333 --> 00:18:59,403 we watch Presidents when they've got initiatives that they're 342 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,630 trying to win votes, all of a sudden they show up in states 343 00:19:02,633 --> 00:19:06,103 where they're trying to get -- it's obvious you have both 344 00:19:06,100 --> 00:19:08,030 Democratic Senate -- but, I mean -- 345 00:19:08,033 --> 00:19:09,803 so I'm just saying, should we not read into 346 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:11,230 where you're going? 347 00:19:11,233 --> 00:19:16,233 Mr. Gibbs: No, the state wasn't -- the state wasn't picked for who 348 00:19:16,233 --> 00:19:20,363 represents it in the Senate, no more than it was than who 349 00:19:20,367 --> 00:19:23,737 represents it at any level of government. 350 00:19:23,734 --> 00:19:26,364 It's a state the President hasn't been to, 351 00:19:26,367 --> 00:19:28,737 and looks forwards to going to going to on Saturday. 352 00:19:28,734 --> 00:19:30,764 The Press: Who was the last Republican, besides Olympia Snowe, 353 00:19:30,767 --> 00:19:32,567 that he's talked with about -- that he's -- 354 00:19:32,567 --> 00:19:34,537 the President himself has talked with about health care? 355 00:19:34,533 --> 00:19:38,603 Mr. Gibbs: I have to go back and look at my call list. 356 00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:40,130 The Press: Was it recent? 357 00:19:40,133 --> 00:19:41,763 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have the call list. 358 00:19:41,767 --> 00:19:46,697 I'd have to go back and look. 359 00:19:46,700 --> 00:19:48,030 Let me go back and look. 360 00:19:48,033 --> 00:19:54,003 The Press: And following up on Afghanistan, does the President believe there 361 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:55,270 should be an exit strategy at some point? 362 00:19:55,266 --> 00:19:56,496 Mr. Gibbs: Absolutely. 363 00:19:56,500 --> 00:19:58,300 I mean, I think the President -- first and foremost, 364 00:19:58,300 --> 00:20:00,930 I think the President has always discussed, 365 00:20:00,934 --> 00:20:05,904 and particularly since coming to office, that there isn't a -- 366 00:20:05,900 --> 00:20:09,500 there isn't a military solution alone for Afghanistan. 367 00:20:09,500 --> 00:20:18,330 We do not have -- we do not have the troops or the money to be 368 00:20:18,333 --> 00:20:20,803 there in perpetuity. 369 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:23,500 I think the Secretary of Defense has been pretty clear on this, 370 00:20:23,500 --> 00:20:31,400 as well, that we're not there to build some utopian democracy. 371 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:33,630 We have very clear goals. 372 00:20:33,633 --> 00:20:38,363 We are working with Congress on those benchmarks -- 373 00:20:38,367 --> 00:20:44,497 as the Speaker mentioned in her press availability today -- 374 00:20:44,500 --> 00:20:47,900 to disrupt, dismantle, and destroy al Qaeda and its 375 00:20:47,900 --> 00:20:52,500 extremist allies. 376 00:20:52,500 --> 00:20:56,130 But, no, we're -- the President does not in any way envision us 377 00:20:56,133 --> 00:20:59,403 being there -- being there forever. 378 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:01,400 The Press: Should the American public expect to see the President say, 379 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:04,900 okay, look, we have an exit strategy, here it is, or -- 380 00:21:04,900 --> 00:21:06,370 (inaudible) -- happen sooner rather than later? 381 00:21:06,367 --> 00:21:08,637 Mr. Gibbs: I think the President will continue to talk about -- 382 00:21:08,633 --> 00:21:10,533 I think the President will continue to talk about the 383 00:21:10,533 --> 00:21:13,203 objectives and the goals that he has for this policy, 384 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:17,770 and underscore that, again, we don't have -- 385 00:21:17,767 --> 00:21:21,937 we don't have the human resources or the material 386 00:21:21,934 --> 00:21:23,904 resources to be there forever. 387 00:21:23,900 --> 00:21:25,700 The Press: Well, what's the strategy? 388 00:21:25,700 --> 00:21:26,630 Mr. Gibbs: What's the strategy? 389 00:21:26,633 --> 00:21:28,333 Well, the President has outlined -- 390 00:21:28,333 --> 00:21:29,803 The Press: To leave. 391 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:32,700 Mr. Gibbs: Well, the President and Congress are working on very strict 392 00:21:32,700 --> 00:21:38,300 benchmarks to measure our progress in, as I just said, 393 00:21:38,300 --> 00:21:41,230 dismantling, disrupting, and destroying al Qaeda. 394 00:21:41,233 --> 00:21:43,233 The Press: So how long will that take? 395 00:21:43,233 --> 00:21:46,503 Mr. Gibbs: That's part of the current assessment that is going on. 396 00:21:46,500 --> 00:21:51,230 Obviously this is an effort, Helen, that started in 2001, 397 00:21:51,233 --> 00:21:55,233 and I think it's fair to say the President was a critic of the 398 00:21:55,233 --> 00:22:02,203 lack of attention and focus paid to this effort for quite some 399 00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:04,630 time; that he asked that the strategy be 400 00:22:04,633 --> 00:22:08,333 reassessed during the transition. 401 00:22:08,333 --> 00:22:09,933 Part of that reassessment was changing 402 00:22:09,934 --> 00:22:11,934 commanders on the ground. 403 00:22:11,934 --> 00:22:14,904 And as part of that change, we now have received General 404 00:22:14,900 --> 00:22:20,200 McChrystal's assessment of his first two months in Afghanistan. 405 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:21,670 Jonathan. 406 00:22:21,667 --> 00:22:24,497 The Press: Picking up on Chuck's line of questioning -- 407 00:22:24,500 --> 00:22:28,030 pre-Afghanistan. 408 00:22:28,033 --> 00:22:35,233 Is Democratic unity now the first objective post-speech in 409 00:22:35,233 --> 00:22:37,033 the legislative strategy? 410 00:22:37,033 --> 00:22:38,963 And what is your thinking right now 411 00:22:38,967 --> 00:22:42,067 about avoiding reconciliation -- 412 00:22:42,066 --> 00:22:48,036 Mr. Gibbs: Well, we have always discussed on any topic the notion that we 413 00:22:48,033 --> 00:22:52,103 want, first and foremost, Democrats and Republicans to 414 00:22:52,100 --> 00:22:58,670 work together to solve the problem of the magnitude that 415 00:22:58,667 --> 00:23:03,667 health care is. 416 00:23:03,667 --> 00:23:08,237 I wouldn't put one series of lawmakers above another. 417 00:23:08,233 --> 00:23:13,403 I think every vote in Congress is created equal. 418 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:15,470 And the President would be pleased and happy to have each 419 00:23:15,467 --> 00:23:17,237 and every one of them. 420 00:23:17,233 --> 00:23:20,763 So, again, I think there will be extensive consultation with 421 00:23:20,767 --> 00:23:24,067 Congress -- Democrats, Republicans, and independents -- 422 00:23:24,066 --> 00:23:26,536 about how we move forward best on this legislation. 423 00:23:26,533 --> 00:23:31,333 The Press: And can you tell us what other folks like the Chief of Staff, 424 00:23:31,333 --> 00:23:35,033 Jim Messina, Phil Schiliro, what their -- 425 00:23:35,033 --> 00:23:38,033 and actually Joe Biden -- what their roles are right now, 426 00:23:38,033 --> 00:23:41,733 what they might be doing today and the next couple of days? 427 00:23:41,734 --> 00:23:45,334 Mr. Gibbs: All four of those guys spent at least an hour and a half in a 428 00:23:45,333 --> 00:23:47,603 Cabinet meeting today where health care 429 00:23:47,600 --> 00:23:50,030 was discussed extensively. 430 00:23:50,033 --> 00:23:54,933 Can somebody go check on the -- just have them turn it off if 431 00:23:54,934 --> 00:24:01,764 the static is -- but I have no doubt that they will be reaching 432 00:24:01,767 --> 00:24:03,337 out throughout Capitol Hill, again, 433 00:24:03,333 --> 00:24:05,803 to Democrats and Republicans. 434 00:24:05,800 --> 00:24:10,200 Nancy-Ann will be meeting with groups of lawmakers to discuss 435 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:13,030 how best we move forward. 436 00:24:13,033 --> 00:24:17,563 The Press: Now, on Joe Biden, the Vice President was called on as the 437 00:24:17,567 --> 00:24:20,237 pivotal person at the end of the stimulus process. 438 00:24:20,233 --> 00:24:23,363 And I wonder what role you see the Vice President taking -- 439 00:24:23,367 --> 00:24:26,737 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, obviously the Vice President brings extensive 440 00:24:26,734 --> 00:24:34,204 knowledge of a number of members of Congress, 441 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:39,070 knowledge that the President relied on in the buildup in the 442 00:24:39,066 --> 00:24:41,696 days ahead of the speech, in the discussions, 443 00:24:41,700 --> 00:24:44,000 the policy discussions, that we had here. 444 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:49,130 And he will continue to rely on his knowledge and his expertise 445 00:24:49,133 --> 00:24:50,803 in moving this legislation forward. 446 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:54,770 I think Vice President Biden on this topic as well as many other 447 00:24:54,767 --> 00:24:59,937 topics plays an incredibly important and crucial role for 448 00:24:59,934 --> 00:25:02,804 the President and our team. 449 00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:06,270 The Press: Robert, can you elaborate beyond the one sentence in your written 450 00:25:06,266 --> 00:25:09,936 readout on what the President said to Prime Minister Brown 451 00:25:09,934 --> 00:25:14,334 about the release of the Pan Am 103 bomber? 452 00:25:14,333 --> 00:25:19,363 Mr. Gibbs: Look, the President restated to Prime Minister Brown our 453 00:25:19,367 --> 00:25:24,337 opposition that was conveyed to the Scottish government prior to 454 00:25:24,333 --> 00:25:30,303 their decision, and the President relayed during this 455 00:25:30,300 --> 00:25:32,230 conversation the disappointment in the 456 00:25:32,233 --> 00:25:34,233 decision that had been made. 457 00:25:34,233 --> 00:25:35,903 He thought this was a mistake. 458 00:25:35,900 --> 00:25:37,730 He continues to think it was a mistake. 459 00:25:37,734 --> 00:25:43,534 Obviously nearly 200 Americans lost their lives in that 460 00:25:43,533 --> 00:25:45,963 terrorist tragedy. 461 00:25:45,967 --> 00:25:49,597 The President and the administration had communicated 462 00:25:49,600 --> 00:25:54,700 clearly to the Scottish government that we believed any 463 00:25:54,700 --> 00:25:57,070 release would be a mistake and that this individual should 464 00:25:57,066 --> 00:26:01,536 serve the remainder of their term in Scotland. 465 00:26:01,533 --> 00:26:08,203 The Press: Is the President satisfied with what Brown responded? 466 00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:12,600 Mr. Gibbs: He is satisfied, but again underscores his opposition to 467 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:15,800 and disappointment at the decision that was made. 468 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:19,730 The Press: Did Prime Minister Brown respond differently to what he has 469 00:26:19,734 --> 00:26:21,004 said publicly? 470 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:24,530 Mr. Gibbs: I would -- we sort of have a practice not to read out what 471 00:26:24,533 --> 00:26:27,633 other governments have said, and I would ask you to speak with 472 00:26:27,633 --> 00:26:28,763 the Brits on that. 473 00:26:28,767 --> 00:26:30,167 The Press: And one more. 474 00:26:30,166 --> 00:26:33,496 Is there any health care event beyond Saturday coming up in the 475 00:26:33,500 --> 00:26:35,330 early days of next week? 476 00:26:35,333 --> 00:26:37,633 Mr. Gibbs: Let me -- I have not looked that far on the schedule. 477 00:26:37,633 --> 00:26:39,103 Lynn, do you have a -- 478 00:26:39,100 --> 00:26:43,000 The Press: Just to follow up on that release situation. 479 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:46,770 Later this month in New York the President is going to host a 480 00:26:46,767 --> 00:26:50,637 reception for the world leaders after the U.N. opening. 481 00:26:50,633 --> 00:26:53,233 Will Ghadafi be invited to that reception? 482 00:26:53,233 --> 00:26:56,463 Mr. Gibbs: We will get a list of who is and who won't be invited to 483 00:26:56,467 --> 00:26:58,467 the party. 484 00:26:58,467 --> 00:27:00,767 The Press: Because usually all the world leaders are. 485 00:27:00,767 --> 00:27:05,297 Mr. Gibbs: Let me -- having not been here for an administration's effort 486 00:27:05,300 --> 00:27:07,630 at the U.N. General Assembly, let me get NSC 487 00:27:07,633 --> 00:27:08,833 to weigh in on that. 488 00:27:08,834 --> 00:27:09,964 Yes, ma'am. 489 00:27:09,967 --> 00:27:13,097 The Press: Of the $900 billion cost over 10 years that the President said 490 00:27:13,100 --> 00:27:16,700 last night, could you outline and break down the specifics to 491 00:27:16,700 --> 00:27:17,930 how the White House would -- 492 00:27:17,934 --> 00:27:19,264 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have some of that paper with me. 493 00:27:19,266 --> 00:27:22,466 I'll outline it in sort of broad effect. 494 00:27:22,467 --> 00:27:29,337 Obviously we have discussed, I think in some detail, the waste, 495 00:27:29,333 --> 00:27:32,933 fraud, and abuse that is prevalent in Medicare -- 496 00:27:32,934 --> 00:27:38,534 that strengthening the Medicare trust fund through spending 497 00:27:38,533 --> 00:27:41,633 health care dollars more wisely; ending the insurance company 498 00:27:41,633 --> 00:27:44,733 subsidies to Medicare Advantage. 499 00:27:44,734 --> 00:27:56,564 Obviously you have some amount of revenue from agreements with 500 00:27:56,567 --> 00:28:00,667 the hospitals and with the pharmaceutical industry, 501 00:28:00,667 --> 00:28:04,037 some of which will be used, in the pharmaceutical industry's 502 00:28:04,033 --> 00:28:08,133 example, to close the doughnut hole for seniors and again 503 00:28:08,133 --> 00:28:10,963 strengthen the Medicare program as we know it. 504 00:28:10,967 --> 00:28:15,567 Also some of that will be used for broader health care reform. 505 00:28:15,567 --> 00:28:19,667 And then obviously the fee that we talked about on insurance 506 00:28:19,667 --> 00:28:22,567 companies is a broad part of that, as well. 507 00:28:22,567 --> 00:28:25,937 The Press: Do you have any estimate of how much that fee -- 508 00:28:25,934 --> 00:28:28,934 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have that -- I don't have that with me. 509 00:28:28,934 --> 00:28:31,134 The Press: Or even the threshold that the President would like to see? 510 00:28:31,133 --> 00:28:33,603 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think, again, I think that's one of the things that 511 00:28:33,600 --> 00:28:34,930 we'll work through and discuss with 512 00:28:34,934 --> 00:28:36,964 Congress as we move forward. 513 00:28:36,967 --> 00:28:38,267 Obviously there are -- 514 00:28:38,266 --> 00:28:39,966 The Press: You haven't set a threshold. 515 00:28:39,967 --> 00:28:43,897 Mr. Gibbs: Not that I know of yet, no. 516 00:28:43,900 --> 00:28:46,100 The Press: Robert, a couple on health care and then one on trade. 517 00:28:46,100 --> 00:28:50,900 How would the medical malpractice aspects that the 518 00:28:50,900 --> 00:28:52,700 President talked about last night work, 519 00:28:52,700 --> 00:28:55,930 and when are we likely to see action on that? 520 00:28:55,934 --> 00:28:59,964 Mr. Gibbs: Well, as you know, the President instructed the Secretary of 521 00:28:59,967 --> 00:29:02,267 Health and Human Services to begin working 522 00:29:02,266 --> 00:29:06,436 on these projects immediately. 523 00:29:06,433 --> 00:29:09,563 I'll give you a couple of different examples of how some 524 00:29:09,567 --> 00:29:12,867 of these things might work, and as these get developed obviously 525 00:29:12,867 --> 00:29:15,067 we'll report on them for you. 526 00:29:15,066 --> 00:29:19,296 The President introduced legislation with now Secretary 527 00:29:19,300 --> 00:29:26,500 of State Clinton in 2005 in the Senate that builds on very 528 00:29:26,500 --> 00:29:31,000 successful programs that medical systems and hospitals in areas 529 00:29:31,000 --> 00:29:37,200 have tried that seeks mediation over litigation in ways of 530 00:29:37,200 --> 00:29:40,370 solving some of these disputes. 531 00:29:40,367 --> 00:29:46,197 I think the President and his team will look at very closely 532 00:29:46,200 --> 00:29:50,200 what Congressman Bart Gordon put in the Energy and Commerce 533 00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:56,900 legislation, which requires prior to a suit being heard in 534 00:29:56,900 --> 00:30:00,100 court, prior to that litigation moving forward, 535 00:30:00,100 --> 00:30:08,800 a certificate of merit that is given by a board of medical 536 00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:13,330 professionals that certifies the validity of any litigation 537 00:30:13,333 --> 00:30:17,733 moving forward to cut down on unnecessary costs, 538 00:30:17,734 --> 00:30:21,264 and as the President said, defensive medicine that he hears 539 00:30:21,266 --> 00:30:24,466 about from doctors and doctors' groups. 540 00:30:24,467 --> 00:30:28,167 The Press: Does that suggest that part of this could become a part of the 541 00:30:28,166 --> 00:30:29,136 legislation itself? 542 00:30:29,133 --> 00:30:31,163 Or would -- you want to handle it entirely through the 543 00:30:31,166 --> 00:30:32,196 administrative process? 544 00:30:32,200 --> 00:30:33,700 Mr. Gibbs: We -- I think -- 545 00:30:33,700 --> 00:30:34,500 The Press: Open to both? 546 00:30:34,500 --> 00:30:35,530 Mr. Gibbs: Open to both. 547 00:30:35,533 --> 00:30:36,733 The Press: Okay. 548 00:30:36,734 --> 00:30:40,434 And the President talked about this trigger or hinge mechanism 549 00:30:40,433 --> 00:30:43,363 -- if you're not saving enough, we have to hold back. 550 00:30:43,367 --> 00:30:45,297 Is that a must-have in the legislation? 551 00:30:45,300 --> 00:30:48,630 Mr. Gibbs: That's a -- that is a -- it is one of the President's 552 00:30:48,633 --> 00:30:51,133 proposals, and I think one of the things that he'll insist on 553 00:30:51,133 --> 00:30:52,463 being in reform. 554 00:30:52,467 --> 00:30:55,737 Again, I think it underscores the promise that he made that 555 00:30:55,734 --> 00:31:00,534 this must -- that this must not add to the deficit. 556 00:31:00,533 --> 00:31:03,363 And, look, it's probably an uncomfortable moment for 557 00:31:03,367 --> 00:31:07,167 Democrats and Republicans when the President reminded many in 558 00:31:07,166 --> 00:31:14,496 that chamber that we'd watched over the past many years 559 00:31:14,500 --> 00:31:19,170 sometimes very popular programs added to the government's tab 560 00:31:19,166 --> 00:31:25,436 without being paid for, right -- $1.6 trillion for tax cuts in 561 00:31:25,433 --> 00:31:31,033 2001 and 2003; several hundred billion dollars, 562 00:31:31,033 --> 00:31:36,363 I forget the final price tag, for Medicare Part D; 563 00:31:36,367 --> 00:31:41,037 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that never went 564 00:31:41,033 --> 00:31:43,233 through a budget process. 565 00:31:43,233 --> 00:31:47,503 We have troops in two countries, and you are going through an 566 00:31:47,500 --> 00:31:51,530 emergency supplemental process that is not 567 00:31:51,533 --> 00:31:53,663 counted on the deficit. 568 00:31:53,667 --> 00:31:58,137 Those are three pretty broad examples of big chunks that 569 00:31:58,133 --> 00:32:02,803 we're now paying for that weren't 570 00:32:02,800 --> 00:32:05,270 paid for when we started. 571 00:32:05,266 --> 00:32:07,036 I think the President is determined, 572 00:32:07,033 --> 00:32:10,403 as we address the challenges that this country faces, 573 00:32:10,400 --> 00:32:13,130 that one of the challenges that we face is paying for 574 00:32:13,133 --> 00:32:14,663 what we want to do. 575 00:32:14,667 --> 00:32:16,697 And I think that's exactly what the President outlined. 576 00:32:16,700 --> 00:32:18,570 The Press: And that's only up until 2013? 577 00:32:18,567 --> 00:32:20,367 Or does that continue on after -- 578 00:32:20,367 --> 00:32:21,397 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, the -- I think -- 579 00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:23,530 The Press: -- the 10-year window of this legislation? 580 00:32:23,533 --> 00:32:27,763 Mr. Gibbs: The President -- the President extended that going forward. 581 00:32:27,767 --> 00:32:28,837 Do you have a follow-up on that? 582 00:32:28,834 --> 00:32:32,764 The Press: If it is so important to keep this deficit-neutral, 583 00:32:32,767 --> 00:32:36,737 why not outline specific ways of getting to the $900 billion -- 584 00:32:36,734 --> 00:32:39,364 Mr. Gibbs: Again, I just outlined some very specific ways that the President 585 00:32:39,367 --> 00:32:40,537 seeks to do it. 586 00:32:40,533 --> 00:32:42,163 The Press: But to break it down dollar -- dollar by dollar? 587 00:32:42,166 --> 00:32:44,566 Mr. Gibbs: Again, we're going to work with Congress on -- 588 00:32:44,567 --> 00:32:48,397 it would be hard to estimate the total amount raised by the fee 589 00:32:48,400 --> 00:32:53,130 on Cadillac insurance plans, the fee on insurance companies, 590 00:32:53,133 --> 00:32:54,733 without a threshold. 591 00:32:54,734 --> 00:32:57,064 Obviously that's something that we're going to discuss with 592 00:32:57,066 --> 00:33:00,866 Democrats and Republicans alike who have come to the table at 593 00:33:00,867 --> 00:33:04,097 this point in the debate, understanding that this proposal 594 00:33:04,100 --> 00:33:08,400 can do -- can do several things, including bend that cost curve. 595 00:33:08,400 --> 00:33:11,270 The Press: So you do have some sense to be able to -- 596 00:33:11,266 --> 00:33:13,636 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I mean, there's a broad range of different things, yes. 597 00:33:13,633 --> 00:33:15,303 The Press: Let me do the one trade thing, Robert. 598 00:33:15,300 --> 00:33:17,200 It's somewhat obscure, but it's pending, 599 00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:19,230 so I hope you have some general analysis you 600 00:33:19,233 --> 00:33:20,263 can give me on this. 601 00:33:20,266 --> 00:33:21,496 Mr. Gibbs: We'll see on that. 602 00:33:21,500 --> 00:33:24,400 The Press: A union representing U.S. tiremakers won a claim against 603 00:33:24,400 --> 00:33:29,200 China for the surge of tire imports in the United States. 604 00:33:29,200 --> 00:33:33,470 The President has until the 17th of this month to either follow 605 00:33:33,467 --> 00:33:35,237 an International Trade Commission recommendation of 606 00:33:35,233 --> 00:33:37,333 three years of tariffs against China, 607 00:33:37,333 --> 00:33:39,433 or do something else or nothing at all. 608 00:33:39,433 --> 00:33:43,063 What is his approach? How is this being handled? 609 00:33:43,066 --> 00:33:45,566 Is he more in favor in sanctions, meaning tariffs, 610 00:33:45,567 --> 00:33:48,167 or some sort of negotiated mediation on this? 611 00:33:48,166 --> 00:33:50,996 Mr. Gibbs: I am aware, but you probably will find the answer 612 00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:53,630 to be semi-unsatisfactory. 613 00:33:53,633 --> 00:33:58,533 It's obviously something that the administration was -- 614 00:33:58,533 --> 00:34:01,103 we didn't have an Economic Daily Briefing with the President 615 00:34:01,100 --> 00:34:03,470 today for some scheduling reasons, 616 00:34:03,467 --> 00:34:07,867 but this has been touched on in a couple of those and is being 617 00:34:07,867 --> 00:34:15,067 worked on with representatives from the Department of Labor, 618 00:34:15,066 --> 00:34:17,866 the Department of Commerce, the U.S. Trade 619 00:34:17,867 --> 00:34:19,337 Representative, and the NEC. 620 00:34:19,333 --> 00:34:20,763 And as we get closer to that deadline, 621 00:34:20,767 --> 00:34:21,737 we'll have more on that. 622 00:34:21,734 --> 00:34:24,064 The Press: Would a response involving tariffs be viewed by the 623 00:34:24,066 --> 00:34:26,996 President as protectionist or within the realm of something 624 00:34:27,000 --> 00:34:31,000 that is a natural response if you are a victim of surge or -- 625 00:34:31,000 --> 00:34:32,870 Mr. Gibbs: Let me just not get ahead of where we are 626 00:34:32,867 --> 00:34:33,767 on that at this moment. 627 00:34:33,767 --> 00:34:34,637 Yes, sir. 628 00:34:34,633 --> 00:34:35,763 The Press: Thanks, Robert. 629 00:34:35,767 --> 00:34:37,667 The United States Olympic Committee is meeting today in 630 00:34:37,667 --> 00:34:41,667 Chicago about the city's bid to host the 2016 games. 631 00:34:41,667 --> 00:34:44,097 The International Olympic Committee makes its decision 632 00:34:44,100 --> 00:34:45,700 October 2nd in Copenhagen. 633 00:34:45,700 --> 00:34:48,270 Apparently it's very important for a leader to be there. 634 00:34:48,266 --> 00:34:50,636 Spain, Tokyo -- the leaders of Spain, Tokyo, 635 00:34:50,633 --> 00:34:52,963 and Brazil have committed to being there October 2nd in 636 00:34:52,967 --> 00:34:54,367 Copenhagen, I believe. 637 00:34:54,367 --> 00:34:55,797 Is the President going to go? 638 00:34:55,800 --> 00:34:57,030 Mr. Gibbs: Not that I'm aware of, no. 639 00:34:57,033 --> 00:34:57,633 The Press: Has he -- 640 00:34:57,633 --> 00:34:58,763 The Press: Really? Why not? 641 00:34:58,767 --> 00:35:05,297 (laughter) 642 00:35:05,300 --> 00:35:06,870 Mr. Gibbs: The -- yes, I was going to -- hometown interest. 643 00:35:06,867 --> 00:35:07,867 The Press: Chicago wants to know. 644 00:35:07,867 --> 00:35:09,297 Mr. Gibbs: Let me double-check on the President's schedule. 645 00:35:09,300 --> 00:35:14,770 Obviously I anticipate having representatives there. 646 00:35:14,767 --> 00:35:16,837 The Press: But we know that Valerie is going, okay, 647 00:35:16,834 --> 00:35:19,004 and there had always been a thought, I thought -- 648 00:35:19,000 --> 00:35:20,170 thank you for bringing it up -- 649 00:35:20,166 --> 00:35:22,266 (laughter) 650 00:35:22,266 --> 00:35:23,496 The Press: No, please. 651 00:35:23,500 --> 00:35:24,370 The Press: All right. 652 00:35:24,367 --> 00:35:26,037 (laughter) 653 00:35:26,033 --> 00:35:30,703 Mr. Gibbs: The gentleman yields his time to the gentle lady from 654 00:35:30,700 --> 00:35:32,130 -- representing Chicago. 655 00:35:32,133 --> 00:35:33,633 Yes. 656 00:35:33,633 --> 00:35:35,763 The Press: Well, as you now know, you probably made a few million ears 657 00:35:35,767 --> 00:35:38,367 perk up by saying that he's not coming. 658 00:35:38,367 --> 00:35:39,937 So if you have some explanation as to why not, 659 00:35:39,934 --> 00:35:41,004 that says something. 660 00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:44,530 Mr. Gibbs: I should say -- I said that as far as the schedule I had seen, 661 00:35:44,533 --> 00:35:46,463 that was not planned. 662 00:35:46,467 --> 00:35:49,867 I will -- based on the millions of -- 663 00:35:49,867 --> 00:35:50,997 The Press: Well, you don't hop over to Copenhagen. 664 00:35:51,000 --> 00:35:52,130 I mean, obviously -- 665 00:35:52,133 --> 00:35:53,563 The Press: Is the date being held? 666 00:35:53,567 --> 00:35:57,697 Mr. Gibbs: This is -- I will, because of those several million ears that 667 00:35:57,700 --> 00:36:00,470 have now since perked, check. 668 00:36:00,467 --> 00:36:01,937 The Press: Is the date being held? 669 00:36:01,934 --> 00:36:04,204 Mr. Gibbs: Let me check. 670 00:36:04,200 --> 00:36:06,670 It's hard for me to look into my invisible crystal ball. 671 00:36:06,667 --> 00:36:09,697 The Press: If he's not -- that would -- that he might not come if it was 672 00:36:09,700 --> 00:36:11,900 thought the city's bid -- which has a little bumpy road back 673 00:36:11,900 --> 00:36:14,630 home right now -- was in trouble. 674 00:36:14,633 --> 00:36:17,763 So that would be very useful to get the whole picture from you. 675 00:36:17,767 --> 00:36:24,197 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I think the last set of articles I read on where the 676 00:36:24,200 --> 00:36:32,300 IOC was on Olympic bids had America's bid in Chicago at 677 00:36:32,300 --> 00:36:34,130 the top of that list. 678 00:36:34,133 --> 00:36:40,463 So I don't -- without getting into Chicago politics on that, 679 00:36:40,467 --> 00:36:44,097 I think our bid is -- this country's bid is very well 680 00:36:44,100 --> 00:36:48,830 represented and seems to be making progress. 681 00:36:48,834 --> 00:36:50,364 Are you extending your time? 682 00:36:50,367 --> 00:36:51,597 (laughter) 683 00:36:51,600 --> 00:36:52,970 The Press: No, I'll pass. 684 00:36:52,967 --> 00:36:55,097 The Press: Well, now could this be a today thing to get back and clarify? 685 00:36:55,100 --> 00:36:57,730 Mr. Gibbs: I will endeavor to call up the schedule when I 686 00:36:57,734 --> 00:36:58,734 get back to my office. 687 00:36:58,734 --> 00:36:59,634 The Press: Thank you. 688 00:36:59,633 --> 00:37:01,363 The Press: Can you get back to all of us? 689 00:37:01,367 --> 00:37:04,297 Mr. Gibbs: I was going to say, I guess these million or so ears include 690 00:37:04,300 --> 00:37:07,830 quite a few dozen in here. 691 00:37:07,834 --> 00:37:08,864 Yes, ma'am. 692 00:37:08,867 --> 00:37:11,367 The Press: A couple of "statistics" questions. 693 00:37:11,367 --> 00:37:15,897 I noticed last night the President said 30 million or 694 00:37:15,900 --> 00:37:18,500 more than 30 million American citizens lack insurance and I 695 00:37:18,500 --> 00:37:21,600 was struck by that figure, commonly used figure -- 696 00:37:21,600 --> 00:37:24,270 the one the Census Bureau used today was 46 million 697 00:37:24,266 --> 00:37:25,466 people without insurance. 698 00:37:25,467 --> 00:37:26,637 Mr. Gibbs: Forty-six point three, right. 699 00:37:26,633 --> 00:37:27,733 The Press: Right. 700 00:37:27,734 --> 00:37:29,664 So why did the President limit it to 36 million -- 701 00:37:29,667 --> 00:37:31,497 or 30 million citizens? 702 00:37:31,500 --> 00:37:33,800 Was this a way to draw a distinction between American 703 00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:37,600 citizens and those who are illegal immigrants and the 704 00:37:37,600 --> 00:37:39,230 subject of contention, or what -- 705 00:37:39,233 --> 00:37:42,163 Mr. Gibbs: Obviously this has been a point of some contention during the 706 00:37:42,166 --> 00:37:43,766 speech, as I recall. 707 00:37:43,767 --> 00:37:44,767 The Press: Right. 708 00:37:44,767 --> 00:37:48,397 So -- 709 00:37:48,400 --> 00:37:52,330 Mr. Gibbs: The legislation -- the proposal that the President outlined 710 00:37:52,333 --> 00:37:54,603 covers American citizens. 711 00:37:54,600 --> 00:38:00,900 I think he was clear for almost everyone that the legislation 712 00:38:00,900 --> 00:38:03,730 does not cover -- his plan would not cover illegal immigrants. 713 00:38:03,734 --> 00:38:11,304 If you subtract a rough estimate from that 46.3 million, 714 00:38:11,300 --> 00:38:15,870 you get a number that's somewhat unknown but in the 30s that 715 00:38:15,867 --> 00:38:19,667 represents American citizens, as the President pointed out. 716 00:38:19,667 --> 00:38:23,637 I would go one step further to point out that last night was 717 00:38:23,633 --> 00:38:27,433 not the first time that the President has talked about the 718 00:38:27,433 --> 00:38:30,333 fact that illegal immigrants aren't covered -- 719 00:38:30,333 --> 00:38:32,663 or would not be covered as part of his plan. 720 00:38:32,667 --> 00:38:35,867 He said that most recently in the interview -- 721 00:38:35,867 --> 00:38:38,367 radio interview that was done here, 722 00:38:38,367 --> 00:38:42,067 and said that also in the campaign in 2008. 723 00:38:42,066 --> 00:38:46,996 The Press: So in effect he's saying that a quarter or more of the people 724 00:38:47,000 --> 00:38:52,370 who currently lack insurance will still lack insurance once 725 00:38:52,367 --> 00:38:54,437 the plan is passed, is that correct? 726 00:38:54,433 --> 00:38:56,503 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, I don't know -- 727 00:38:56,500 --> 00:38:59,300 The Press: -- many uninsured people in this country presumably driving up 728 00:38:59,300 --> 00:39:01,400 health care costs. Is that correct? 729 00:39:01,400 --> 00:39:04,330 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think the President would look at -- 730 00:39:04,333 --> 00:39:09,503 because he's -- would look at how many American citizens are 731 00:39:09,500 --> 00:39:17,670 covered under our proposal, rather than looking at different 732 00:39:17,667 --> 00:39:20,067 numbers that don't include American citizens. 733 00:39:20,066 --> 00:39:22,796 The Press: What I'm asking, though, is it then his vision that there could 734 00:39:22,800 --> 00:39:25,770 still be at the end of the day as many as, say, 735 00:39:25,767 --> 00:39:28,897 16 million people living in this country 736 00:39:28,900 --> 00:39:30,630 without health insurance who -- 737 00:39:30,633 --> 00:39:39,963 Mr. Gibbs: Again, I don't think it's -- the President outlined a plan that 738 00:39:39,967 --> 00:39:42,397 doesn't cover illegal immigrants. 739 00:39:42,400 --> 00:39:48,300 The number that the President seeks to cover is to provide 740 00:39:48,300 --> 00:39:52,800 universal access to coverage for American citizens. 741 00:39:52,800 --> 00:39:56,370 I think you heard the President even discuss last night that 742 00:39:56,367 --> 00:40:02,267 there are going to be some American citizens who decide 743 00:40:02,266 --> 00:40:07,296 they don't want or don't need health insurance that are also 744 00:40:07,300 --> 00:40:08,330 going to be living here. 745 00:40:08,333 --> 00:40:09,903 The Press: Robert, what's the reasoning behind that? 746 00:40:09,900 --> 00:40:15,700 Obviously some concerns among conservative Republicans about 747 00:40:15,700 --> 00:40:19,130 this have to do with that you're not legislating the negative 748 00:40:19,133 --> 00:40:21,633 here, you're not adding -- you know, passing this amendment, 749 00:40:21,633 --> 00:40:25,363 I guess, that they want to triple-check that there's no way 750 00:40:25,367 --> 00:40:27,837 illegal -- I mean, why not go along with 751 00:40:27,834 --> 00:40:29,304 that if that assuages -- 752 00:40:29,300 --> 00:40:30,600 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Chuck, I think -- 753 00:40:30,600 --> 00:40:31,630 The Press: What is the legal reason -- 754 00:40:31,633 --> 00:40:34,063 Mr. Gibbs: Let me just give you this example. 755 00:40:34,066 --> 00:40:36,836 I got how many questions for how many weeks about why the 756 00:40:36,834 --> 00:40:41,604 President hasn't offered his views on the legislation, right? 757 00:40:41,600 --> 00:40:44,200 How come he hasn't introduced his plan? 758 00:40:44,200 --> 00:40:45,870 We did that last night. 759 00:40:45,867 --> 00:40:47,697 The President said in his plan it 760 00:40:47,700 --> 00:40:49,330 wouldn't cover illegal immigrants. 761 00:40:49,333 --> 00:40:51,833 The Press: So if it takes throwing an amendment on this, 762 00:40:51,834 --> 00:40:53,064 you guys are okay with that? 763 00:40:53,066 --> 00:40:55,766 Mr. Gibbs: The President -- the legislation that the President will sign 764 00:40:55,767 --> 00:40:57,567 won't cover illegal immigrants. 765 00:40:57,567 --> 00:40:59,537 The Press: But in the past he has used the larger number, 766 00:40:59,533 --> 00:41:01,933 so then they were including illegal immigrants? 767 00:41:01,934 --> 00:41:03,964 Mr. Gibbs: I think there was just a reference to the larger number. 768 00:41:03,967 --> 00:41:07,937 The Press: But you knew that included a very large number, 769 00:41:07,934 --> 00:41:09,464 millions of illegal immigrants. 770 00:41:09,467 --> 00:41:13,237 So isn't it logical for people to assume that for a long time 771 00:41:13,233 --> 00:41:15,703 you were including illegal immigrants in people you want to 772 00:41:15,700 --> 00:41:16,830 get health insurance? 773 00:41:16,834 --> 00:41:18,564 Mr. Gibbs: No, no more than I would assume the logic of them having 774 00:41:18,567 --> 00:41:19,797 listened to what he said in the campaign where 775 00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:20,970 it's not going to happen. 776 00:41:20,967 --> 00:41:22,737 The Press: Well, Robert, Joe Wilson this morning said -- 777 00:41:22,734 --> 00:41:26,204 defended his outburst by saying that illegal immigrants could 778 00:41:26,200 --> 00:41:28,770 still buy money on the federal exchange. 779 00:41:28,767 --> 00:41:30,497 Mr. Gibbs: Again, Jonathan, let me -- let me use the example -- 780 00:41:30,500 --> 00:41:31,330 The Press: Can you -- 781 00:41:31,333 --> 00:41:32,863 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, no, no. 782 00:41:32,867 --> 00:41:34,467 Let me -- because I stood up here and caught a lot of spears 783 00:41:34,467 --> 00:41:37,667 for a lot of days about where the President's plan was. 784 00:41:37,667 --> 00:41:43,137 It was delivered last night -- 10 minutes after 8:00 p.m., zip 785 00:41:43,133 --> 00:41:47,903 code 20015, the President outlined and reiterated his 786 00:41:47,900 --> 00:41:51,300 belief, as enunciated in the campaign in 2008, 787 00:41:51,300 --> 00:41:53,600 that his plan wouldn't cover illegal immigrants. 788 00:41:53,600 --> 00:41:54,800 The Press: So are you saying -- 789 00:41:54,800 --> 00:41:58,070 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not going to get into -- I'm not a member of the House. 790 00:41:58,066 --> 00:42:00,936 The Press: Right, but his -- look, in his plan, 791 00:42:00,934 --> 00:42:04,204 would he say that an illegal immigrant could not take money 792 00:42:04,200 --> 00:42:06,600 out of his pocket, go on the federal exchange, 793 00:42:06,600 --> 00:42:09,270 and buy an insurance policy with his money? 794 00:42:09,266 --> 00:42:12,696 Mr. Gibbs: The policy would not cover -- the plan would not cover illegal 795 00:42:12,700 --> 00:42:14,630 immigrants, period. 796 00:42:14,633 --> 00:42:17,203 The Press: I think the question is the House bill, for instance, 3200, 797 00:42:17,200 --> 00:42:19,800 explicitly says that none of the subsidies can go to people who 798 00:42:19,800 --> 00:42:20,800 are in this country illegally. 799 00:42:20,800 --> 00:42:21,830 Mr. Gibbs: Right. 800 00:42:21,834 --> 00:42:24,304 The Press: Right, but some -- what some of the criticisms, 801 00:42:24,300 --> 00:42:26,900 and what the Congressional Research Service analysis says 802 00:42:26,900 --> 00:42:29,770 of it, is that people who are illegal, as John points out, 803 00:42:29,767 --> 00:42:32,697 are able to buy insurance, as they already do -- 804 00:42:32,700 --> 00:42:34,700 Mr. Gibbs: I can't speak for somebody that's here illegally. 805 00:42:34,700 --> 00:42:37,200 But I would think it would be somewhat of a bad course of 806 00:42:37,200 --> 00:42:39,600 events, if you're here illegally, 807 00:42:39,600 --> 00:42:42,900 to alert people that you are here illegally and sign up 808 00:42:42,900 --> 00:42:45,730 for a government program. 809 00:42:45,734 --> 00:42:48,434 The Press: Just to put the dot on that, I mean, 810 00:42:48,433 --> 00:42:53,363 there are illegal immigrants who are covered by emergency 811 00:42:53,367 --> 00:42:55,237 Medicaid all the time -- millions. 812 00:42:55,233 --> 00:42:57,933 Mr. Gibbs: As a result of I think a 1986 law that was 813 00:42:57,934 --> 00:42:59,364 signed by President Reagan. 814 00:42:59,367 --> 00:43:03,767 The Press: Right. But the House bill -- 815 00:43:03,767 --> 00:43:05,467 Mr. Gibbs: The last time Congress took up immigration reform, in 1986. 816 00:43:05,467 --> 00:43:07,937 The Press: The House bill would expand Medicaid, 817 00:43:07,934 --> 00:43:11,764 and that could lead to expansion of emergency Medicaid 818 00:43:11,767 --> 00:43:14,937 that would cover, possibly -- 819 00:43:14,934 --> 00:43:16,204 Mr. Gibbs: Again, the proposal -- 820 00:43:16,200 --> 00:43:17,700 The Press: This is what I'm asking -- 821 00:43:17,700 --> 00:43:21,030 so when you say that illegal immigrants will not be covered, 822 00:43:21,033 --> 00:43:23,503 does that mean they can't be covered by any expansion in 823 00:43:23,500 --> 00:43:26,500 emergency Medicaid; they can't buy into the health exchange? 824 00:43:26,500 --> 00:43:29,930 Mr. Gibbs: Again, again, let me check with the health care guys on how this 825 00:43:29,934 --> 00:43:33,064 would affect the 1986 law. 826 00:43:33,066 --> 00:43:38,936 But they would not be covered under the health care exchange 827 00:43:38,934 --> 00:43:39,834 in the proposal -- 828 00:43:39,834 --> 00:43:41,704 The Press: And they can't -- right, they can't -- they would be 829 00:43:41,700 --> 00:43:44,100 prohibited from buying insurance through the exchange? 830 00:43:44,100 --> 00:43:45,730 Mr. Gibbs: As I understand that, yes. 831 00:43:45,734 --> 00:43:47,934 The Press: If I could just follow up. This sort of takes us to the -- 832 00:43:47,934 --> 00:43:50,504 another issue that the President has said he wants to address, 833 00:43:50,500 --> 00:43:52,330 which is immigration reform. 834 00:43:52,333 --> 00:43:55,163 And I wonder, would it be his vision, 835 00:43:55,166 --> 00:43:58,266 when he addresses immigration reform, 836 00:43:58,266 --> 00:44:03,136 to bring those people who are illegal immigrants into a path 837 00:44:03,133 --> 00:44:06,563 toward citizenship, and ultimately into a status where 838 00:44:06,567 --> 00:44:07,897 they could be insured? 839 00:44:07,900 --> 00:44:11,100 Mr. Gibbs: That's -- I don't know what would be involved in, 840 00:44:11,100 --> 00:44:13,630 or has been involved in legislation in the past -- 841 00:44:13,633 --> 00:44:15,963 The Press: May I follow up on that to clarify what you mean by an 842 00:44:15,967 --> 00:44:19,167 exchange, because you keep saying that you have a range of 843 00:44:19,166 --> 00:44:22,996 choices in an exchange, one of them being a public option, 844 00:44:23,000 --> 00:44:27,430 which, you know, means that if an illegal immigrant wants to 845 00:44:27,433 --> 00:44:31,333 get insurance and it isn't the public option, 846 00:44:31,333 --> 00:44:36,403 then how could there be any documentation or any way of 847 00:44:36,400 --> 00:44:38,770 forbidding them to do that? 848 00:44:38,767 --> 00:44:44,037 Mr. Gibbs: You've taken your confusing question and confused me. 849 00:44:44,033 --> 00:44:46,633 I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about. 850 00:44:46,633 --> 00:44:47,663 The Press: On the fees, the President -- 851 00:44:47,667 --> 00:44:48,867 Mr. Gibbs: Can we just -- we skip on that one, because -- just -- 852 00:44:48,867 --> 00:44:50,097 we're skipping that one because -- 853 00:44:50,100 --> 00:44:51,600 The Press: Yes, well -- 854 00:44:51,600 --> 00:44:52,700 Mr. Gibbs: You're as befuddled as I am? Fair enough. 855 00:44:52,700 --> 00:44:53,900 (laughter) 856 00:44:53,900 --> 00:44:55,370 The Press: All right, here's a simple question. 857 00:44:55,367 --> 00:44:56,737 Mr. Gibbs: Well, one would presume that one was. 858 00:44:56,734 --> 00:44:57,804 Go ahead. 859 00:44:57,800 --> 00:44:59,070 The Press: Okay. 860 00:44:59,066 --> 00:45:02,536 The President talked about imposing a fee on insurers that 861 00:45:02,533 --> 00:45:04,233 offer high-end policies. 862 00:45:04,233 --> 00:45:05,663 Mr. Gibbs: Right. 863 00:45:05,667 --> 00:45:08,167 The Press: But he used to talk about being open to a tax. 864 00:45:08,166 --> 00:45:10,696 And Baucus's plan calls for a tax on 865 00:45:10,700 --> 00:45:12,300 high-end insurance policies. 866 00:45:12,300 --> 00:45:14,400 So why is he backing off of that? 867 00:45:14,400 --> 00:45:18,030 Mr. Gibbs: I think the proposal that the President outlined last night is 868 00:45:18,033 --> 00:45:22,533 very analogous to what Senator Baucus apparently has in his 869 00:45:22,533 --> 00:45:27,703 plan and what Senator Kerry has offered or -- 870 00:45:27,700 --> 00:45:29,100 I think what Senator Kerry devised -- 871 00:45:29,100 --> 00:45:31,030 first devised this idea. 872 00:45:31,033 --> 00:45:32,403 The Press: It might be slightly analogous, but it doesn't 873 00:45:32,400 --> 00:45:35,730 change the (inaudible). 874 00:45:35,734 --> 00:45:41,904 Mr. Gibbs: Ask an insurance company whether their fee or whatever you call 875 00:45:41,900 --> 00:45:45,170 it is -- it's the same thing. 876 00:45:45,166 --> 00:45:48,796 The Press: Robert, on the 9/11 anniversary, A, 877 00:45:48,800 --> 00:45:51,430 I know we've talked about some of this before. 878 00:45:51,433 --> 00:45:52,663 I'm interested in whatever preview you could give 879 00:45:52,667 --> 00:45:53,997 us on the President's remarks. 880 00:45:54,000 --> 00:45:56,970 And also -- I know we've also talked about this before -- 881 00:45:56,967 --> 00:45:59,037 has the President, since taking office, 882 00:45:59,033 --> 00:46:02,803 made a conscious effort to tone down some of the "war on terror" 883 00:46:02,800 --> 00:46:05,430 rhetoric that we have heard over the years of the Bush 884 00:46:05,433 --> 00:46:10,333 administration and specifically on 9/11 anniversaries? 885 00:46:10,333 --> 00:46:15,003 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I mean, remember -- well, 886 00:46:15,000 --> 00:46:18,300 let me just outline again what the President is going to do. 887 00:46:18,300 --> 00:46:21,900 The President will visit with families at the memorial at the 888 00:46:21,900 --> 00:46:23,670 Pentagon and speak there. 889 00:46:23,667 --> 00:46:27,037 I think we just announced that Vice President Biden and his 890 00:46:27,033 --> 00:46:30,963 wife will visit New York and take part 891 00:46:30,967 --> 00:46:32,367 in that official ceremony. 892 00:46:32,367 --> 00:46:34,967 I think, if I'm not mistaken, that's the first time either a 893 00:46:34,967 --> 00:46:37,597 President or a Vice President -- 894 00:46:37,600 --> 00:46:39,630 sitting President or Vice President has taken part of the 895 00:46:39,633 --> 00:46:47,903 official ceremony. And I would -- 896 00:46:47,900 --> 00:46:49,300 The Press: In New York? 897 00:46:49,300 --> 00:46:52,600 Mr. Gibbs: The official ceremony. I think that's the case. 898 00:46:52,600 --> 00:46:56,470 But I certainly will ask the Vice President to go back and -- 899 00:46:56,467 --> 00:46:57,567 The Press: The ceremony on the fifth anniversary, 900 00:46:57,567 --> 00:46:59,867 George Bush was President -- 901 00:46:59,867 --> 00:47:06,297 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I'll get back to you. Look, this was -- I'm not sure 902 00:47:06,300 --> 00:47:09,100 exactly what you were trying to get at in your question. 903 00:47:09,100 --> 00:47:10,300 I think the President -- 904 00:47:10,300 --> 00:47:13,470 I mean, I think if you look at how the President observed this 905 00:47:13,467 --> 00:47:17,837 last year as a candidate for the presidency with his Republican 906 00:47:17,834 --> 00:47:27,204 competitor for the same office, there was a conscious effort on 907 00:47:27,200 --> 00:47:29,100 both sides, I think, quite frankly, 908 00:47:29,100 --> 00:47:35,370 to remove the politics of 9/11 and instead remember the 909 00:47:35,367 --> 00:47:39,897 sacrifice that so many made, the tragedy that was involved, 910 00:47:39,900 --> 00:47:48,500 and do it in a way that removed political labels 911 00:47:48,500 --> 00:47:53,270 from such an important day. 912 00:47:53,266 --> 00:47:55,966 I don't know if that answers that part of your question. 913 00:47:55,967 --> 00:47:57,897 The Press: Well, let me ask it this way. 914 00:47:57,900 --> 00:47:59,330 President Bush used to say repeatedly, 915 00:47:59,333 --> 00:48:01,333 "America is a nation at war." 916 00:48:01,333 --> 00:48:04,703 He did so on 9/11, but other occasions during the year. 917 00:48:04,700 --> 00:48:07,770 My impression is that since taking office, 918 00:48:07,767 --> 00:48:10,637 President Obama has purposely tried to turn down 919 00:48:10,633 --> 00:48:12,163 the heat on the rhetoric. 920 00:48:12,166 --> 00:48:15,736 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I think we've certainly cut down on the use of 921 00:48:15,734 --> 00:48:20,104 the phrase, but, again, our focus is on 922 00:48:20,100 --> 00:48:21,700 getting the policy right. 923 00:48:21,700 --> 00:48:27,430 I don't -- I think the President spends part of each of his day 924 00:48:27,433 --> 00:48:30,563 in meetings about and thinking about the men and women that we 925 00:48:30,567 --> 00:48:34,067 have in Iraq and Afghanistan and that are through -- 926 00:48:34,066 --> 00:48:37,496 stationed throughout the world to protect our freedom and to 927 00:48:37,500 --> 00:48:45,100 address Islamic extremism. 928 00:48:45,100 --> 00:48:51,170 And that takes up part of his day and is something that -- 929 00:48:51,166 --> 00:48:54,566 the sacrifice which he's thankful for and I think all of 930 00:48:54,567 --> 00:48:56,537 us are thankful for each and every day. 931 00:48:56,533 --> 00:49:01,763 Regardless of how it's phrased, he's mindful of the effort of 932 00:49:01,767 --> 00:49:05,637 so many on our behalf. 933 00:49:05,633 --> 00:49:06,563 Savannah. 934 00:49:06,567 --> 00:49:09,197 The Press: Just to clear this up, are you saying that the President's 935 00:49:09,200 --> 00:49:12,130 plan, in contrast to what Democratic plans are right now, 936 00:49:12,133 --> 00:49:17,063 would expressly prohibit illegal immigrants from buying private 937 00:49:17,066 --> 00:49:19,496 insurance on this exchange? 938 00:49:19,500 --> 00:49:21,200 Mr. Gibbs: Let me double-check. That's my impression, yes. 939 00:49:21,200 --> 00:49:22,100 The Press: Okay. 940 00:49:22,100 --> 00:49:26,730 We all know that the House bill even says you can't subsidize -- 941 00:49:26,734 --> 00:49:28,064 no government subsidies for illegal immigrants -- 942 00:49:28,066 --> 00:49:29,396 Mr. Gibbs: Let me -- I will double-check -- 943 00:49:29,400 --> 00:49:31,130 The Press: -- but on a free market -- 944 00:49:31,133 --> 00:49:34,463 Mr. Gibbs: -- again, this is not something that -- I think the President 945 00:49:34,467 --> 00:49:37,067 was pretty clear on not covering illegal immigrants. 946 00:49:37,066 --> 00:49:38,336 Yes, Margaret. 947 00:49:38,333 --> 00:49:40,563 The Press: Thank you. But illegal immigrants would still, 948 00:49:40,567 --> 00:49:44,397 if they were grievously injured and wandered into a hospital, 949 00:49:44,400 --> 00:49:47,230 be able to receive the same emergency care that they do now 950 00:49:47,233 --> 00:49:49,333 -- it's a basic human right, right? I mean -- 951 00:49:49,333 --> 00:49:50,433 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know whether -- 952 00:49:50,433 --> 00:49:53,163 I don't know whether the legislation envisioned changes, 953 00:49:53,166 --> 00:49:55,266 as I said, to the 1986 immigration law that went 954 00:49:55,266 --> 00:49:59,936 through Congress and was signed by then-President Reagan. 955 00:49:59,934 --> 00:50:01,934 The Press: What I wanted to ask is, when you're going back to check with 956 00:50:01,934 --> 00:50:05,334 your health experts, have you guys -- 957 00:50:05,333 --> 00:50:06,733 and I think this follows on Sheryl's question 958 00:50:06,734 --> 00:50:08,734 -- been able to -- 959 00:50:08,734 --> 00:50:09,604 Mr. Gibbs: She asked like eight. 960 00:50:09,600 --> 00:50:11,200 (laughter) 961 00:50:11,200 --> 00:50:12,400 The Press: And they were all excellent. 962 00:50:12,400 --> 00:50:13,670 The Press: They were great, right. 963 00:50:13,667 --> 00:50:15,537 But it's sort of a Catch-22, right, 964 00:50:15,533 --> 00:50:17,363 because there's the political reality that the country 965 00:50:17,367 --> 00:50:20,937 probably wouldn't support including illegal immigrants in 966 00:50:20,934 --> 00:50:24,134 a comprehensive care bill, but then there's the reality of the 967 00:50:24,133 --> 00:50:25,533 way we treat people in this country, 968 00:50:25,533 --> 00:50:27,033 which is if you're injured and you to a 969 00:50:27,033 --> 00:50:28,333 hospital you'll get the care. 970 00:50:28,333 --> 00:50:29,233 So -- 971 00:50:29,233 --> 00:50:31,803 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think I'd go back and point you 972 00:50:31,800 --> 00:50:36,300 to the President's interview -- 973 00:50:36,300 --> 00:50:40,730 the President's interview where he last talked about this. 974 00:50:40,734 --> 00:50:42,464 The Press: Can you achieve true cost savings, 975 00:50:42,467 --> 00:50:44,837 sufficient cost savings, to repair the system and bend the 976 00:50:44,834 --> 00:50:47,904 cost curve if you still treat illegal immigrants through 977 00:50:47,900 --> 00:50:50,170 emergency care, because you can't do it the other way? 978 00:50:50,166 --> 00:50:53,566 Mr. Gibbs: Well, certainly the President believes so. 979 00:50:53,567 --> 00:50:58,867 I mean, if you're taking some untold number out of 46 and 980 00:50:58,867 --> 00:51:01,397 reducing it by -- 981 00:51:01,400 --> 00:51:03,670 well, quite frankly, more than that. 982 00:51:03,667 --> 00:51:05,097 I think the latest -- 983 00:51:05,100 --> 00:51:10,870 I do not have the latest number handy on an estimate for illegal 984 00:51:10,867 --> 00:51:13,937 immigrants is what, 10 to 11 million, 985 00:51:13,934 --> 00:51:20,104 minus 46.3 million is 36 to 35.3 million. 986 00:51:20,100 --> 00:51:22,200 So you're reducing by -- 987 00:51:22,200 --> 00:51:24,770 again, I'm in politics, that's why I'm not so good at math -- 988 00:51:24,767 --> 00:51:26,667 three-quarters, or -- 989 00:51:26,667 --> 00:51:28,237 between two-thirds and three-quarters. 990 00:51:28,233 --> 00:51:30,333 The Press: But those 10 million hanging out there are not 991 00:51:30,333 --> 00:51:32,033 going to mess up the equation? 992 00:51:32,033 --> 00:51:35,603 Mr. Gibbs: I think the President believes that through a series of 993 00:51:35,600 --> 00:51:39,830 proposals that he's outlined, we can achieve significant cost 994 00:51:39,834 --> 00:51:41,964 savings and bend that cost curve. 995 00:51:41,967 --> 00:51:44,567 The Press: Robert, the President during the campaign talked about 996 00:51:44,567 --> 00:51:48,167 surmounting old divisions, following back on some of the 997 00:51:48,166 --> 00:51:49,896 polarization in the country. 998 00:51:49,900 --> 00:51:54,100 Given the outburst we saw on the floor of the House last night, 999 00:51:54,100 --> 00:51:56,770 and given some of the anger we saw at the town hall meetings 1000 00:51:56,767 --> 00:51:59,367 over the summer, is that project still alive? 1001 00:51:59,367 --> 00:52:02,267 Is that feasible, to try to ratchet down that temperature? 1002 00:52:02,266 --> 00:52:04,036 Mr. Gibbs: Sure. 1003 00:52:04,033 --> 00:52:08,063 Quite frankly, I think that's what Congressman Wilson did 1004 00:52:08,066 --> 00:52:11,166 around 10:45 p.m. last night. 1005 00:52:11,166 --> 00:52:14,236 I think -- look, the President I think said this today, 1006 00:52:14,233 --> 00:52:16,363 that we all make mistakes. 1007 00:52:16,367 --> 00:52:21,467 Sometimes we all let our emotions get the better of us. 1008 00:52:21,467 --> 00:52:25,337 But I think the President outlined a series of ideas last 1009 00:52:25,333 --> 00:52:28,863 night, many of which Republicans have talked about. 1010 00:52:28,867 --> 00:52:32,467 We talked about one today, medical malpractice reform. 1011 00:52:32,467 --> 00:52:35,297 It might not be everything that everybody wants, 1012 00:52:35,300 --> 00:52:38,930 but I did notice a number of people on that side of the 1013 00:52:38,934 --> 00:52:42,364 chamber stand up and applaud. 1014 00:52:42,367 --> 00:52:47,867 I have seen remarks from Republicans throughout the 1015 00:52:47,867 --> 00:52:50,767 political spectrum, discuss the need to get 1016 00:52:50,767 --> 00:52:52,667 something done this year. 1017 00:52:52,667 --> 00:52:56,037 We always take them at their word on that. 1018 00:52:56,033 --> 00:52:58,703 We're working with Democrats and Republicans to get something 1019 00:52:58,700 --> 00:53:02,070 done, and I think there's a genuine chance 1020 00:53:02,066 --> 00:53:04,396 to see reform this year. 1021 00:53:04,400 --> 00:53:04,970 April. 1022 00:53:04,967 --> 00:53:07,267 The Press: Robert, a follow-up somewhat to that. 1023 00:53:07,266 --> 00:53:09,396 Understanding that the Republican Party and 1024 00:53:09,400 --> 00:53:10,330 even this White House -- 1025 00:53:10,333 --> 00:53:12,133 some people in this White House want to see this 1026 00:53:12,133 --> 00:53:14,163 liar comment story go away -- 1027 00:53:14,166 --> 00:53:15,396 Mr. Gibbs: See the what? 1028 00:53:15,400 --> 00:53:18,830 The Press: The liar comment story go away -- 1029 00:53:18,834 --> 00:53:21,904 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think it -- well, go ahead. 1030 00:53:21,900 --> 00:53:23,030 No, no, no. 1031 00:53:23,033 --> 00:53:24,533 The Press: Go ahead, finish what you have to say. 1032 00:53:24,533 --> 00:53:27,463 (laughter) 1033 00:53:27,467 --> 00:53:33,597 Mr. Gibbs: It's like I'm -- no, I'm not going to say that. 1034 00:53:33,600 --> 00:53:35,730 I think the story largely goes away, April, 1035 00:53:35,734 --> 00:53:37,764 because the Congressman admitted a mistake, 1036 00:53:37,767 --> 00:53:40,367 called the Chief of Staff to apologize, 1037 00:53:40,367 --> 00:53:43,567 and the President today accepted publicly that apology. 1038 00:53:43,567 --> 00:53:46,367 The Press: That's the point. The White House -- 1039 00:53:46,367 --> 00:53:47,397 Mr. Gibbs: I knew it. 1040 00:53:47,400 --> 00:53:48,570 (laughter) 1041 00:53:48,567 --> 00:53:50,837 Go ahead. 1042 00:53:50,834 --> 00:53:54,134 The Press: Either way, there's a large segment of this country that's 1043 00:53:54,133 --> 00:53:57,363 still very upset with the fact that decorum was breached -- 1044 00:53:57,367 --> 00:53:59,497 and other issues, at the very least -- 1045 00:53:59,500 --> 00:54:02,830 and they want this man to either step down, 1046 00:54:02,834 --> 00:54:06,234 resign, what have you -- something to happen to him. 1047 00:54:06,233 --> 00:54:09,963 And with this apology being accepted, 1048 00:54:09,967 --> 00:54:11,367 it's still not going away. 1049 00:54:11,367 --> 00:54:13,997 What do you say to that segment of America 1050 00:54:14,000 --> 00:54:18,070 that still wants something -- some type of punishment? 1051 00:54:18,066 --> 00:54:20,636 Even people are asking for a public apology since he made a 1052 00:54:20,633 --> 00:54:23,833 public declaration of the word in the well of the House. 1053 00:54:23,834 --> 00:54:25,704 People are wanting a public apology from this man. 1054 00:54:25,700 --> 00:54:28,400 Mr. Gibbs: I don't think -- 1055 00:54:28,400 --> 00:54:32,930 I'm not here, and I don't think anybody in this building or 1056 00:54:32,934 --> 00:54:36,404 anybody, quite frankly, on Capitol Hill is here to 1057 00:54:36,400 --> 00:54:39,200 absolve what was said. 1058 00:54:39,200 --> 00:54:47,730 We take Congressman Wilson at his word that he apologizes for 1059 00:54:47,734 --> 00:54:49,904 an outburst that he regrets. 1060 00:54:49,900 --> 00:54:53,030 That was the message that was communicated to the Chief of 1061 00:54:53,033 --> 00:54:55,003 Staff last night. 1062 00:54:55,000 --> 00:54:58,330 The President strongly believes, though, 1063 00:54:58,333 --> 00:55:01,963 that if we are going to deal with many of the big problems in 1064 00:55:01,967 --> 00:55:04,897 our country that for years and years and 1065 00:55:04,900 --> 00:55:06,700 years have not been settled -- 1066 00:55:06,700 --> 00:55:10,930 partly because we get into these very convenient, 1067 00:55:10,934 --> 00:55:15,634 often Washington games, where seeking a solution takes a 1068 00:55:15,633 --> 00:55:20,033 backseat to political points being scored and name-calling 1069 00:55:20,033 --> 00:55:22,103 and what have you -- 1070 00:55:22,100 --> 00:55:24,600 the President is determined to break that cycle. 1071 00:55:24,600 --> 00:55:29,370 The President is determined to seek solutions for, 1072 00:55:29,367 --> 00:55:35,267 and get solutions passed, for those problems. 1073 00:55:35,266 --> 00:55:43,596 I think millions of Americans would rather see their President 1074 00:55:43,600 --> 00:55:46,970 and their Congress -- all of their Congress -- 1075 00:55:46,967 --> 00:55:50,567 focus on providing that security and stability for those that 1076 00:55:50,567 --> 00:55:53,937 have insurance, and providing a route to accessible and 1077 00:55:53,934 --> 00:55:56,304 affordable coverage for those who don't, 1078 00:55:56,300 --> 00:55:59,930 rather than debating the back-and-forth of the apology. 1079 00:55:59,934 --> 00:56:01,604 The Press: Robert, could I just follow on that, please? 1080 00:56:01,600 --> 00:56:03,270 There seems to be a bigger -- 1081 00:56:03,266 --> 00:56:05,536 I think there is a bigger issue here, which a lot of people see, 1082 00:56:05,533 --> 00:56:07,733 following on April's question, which is, one, 1083 00:56:07,734 --> 00:56:10,764 the decorum of the House, and the other is the respect for the 1084 00:56:10,767 --> 00:56:13,867 presidency of the United States, no matter who it is. 1085 00:56:13,867 --> 00:56:19,067 Senator Specter and Whip James Clyburn both this morning said 1086 00:56:19,066 --> 00:56:21,296 that if you just let him get away with making the phone call 1087 00:56:21,300 --> 00:56:22,730 to Rahm Emanuel, you're just encouraging other people to do 1088 00:56:22,734 --> 00:56:23,964 the same thing. 1089 00:56:23,967 --> 00:56:26,637 So don't you need something like a public apology or a reprimand 1090 00:56:26,633 --> 00:56:27,833 to make sure that -- 1091 00:56:27,834 --> 00:56:28,904 Mr. Gibbs: Without having talked to -- 1092 00:56:28,900 --> 00:56:31,570 I bet if you talked to the press secretary of that congressman 1093 00:56:31,567 --> 00:56:36,737 today, I would not think that he's gone unpunished. 1094 00:56:36,734 --> 00:56:39,734 My sense is that phone rang off the hook for quite some time. 1095 00:56:39,734 --> 00:56:41,404 The Press: Doesn't it encourage the same kind of behavior for other 1096 00:56:41,400 --> 00:56:46,400 people towards Presidents, no matter who it is? 1097 00:56:46,400 --> 00:56:48,270 Mr. Gibbs: I doubt anybody wants to do that and stand 1098 00:56:48,266 --> 00:56:49,936 up and publicly apologize. 1099 00:56:49,934 --> 00:56:53,534 I don't think that's what people want to do. 1100 00:56:53,533 --> 00:56:54,763 George. 1101 00:56:54,767 --> 00:56:57,497 The Press: Robert, two weeks ago you said the President was willing to go 1102 00:56:57,500 --> 00:57:00,770 to the moon if necessary to get health care reform -- 1103 00:57:00,767 --> 00:57:03,167 Mr. Gibbs: I will check on that, and about Copenhagen, as well. 1104 00:57:03,166 --> 00:57:05,096 (laughter) 1105 00:57:05,100 --> 00:57:06,370 Could be on the way. 1106 00:57:06,367 --> 00:57:07,697 (laughter) 1107 00:57:07,700 --> 00:57:13,230 The Press: House Republicans have been waiting since May, 1108 00:57:13,233 --> 00:57:14,633 trying to get a meeting with the President. 1109 00:57:14,633 --> 00:57:16,863 Are they somehow in an orbit beyond the moon? 1110 00:57:16,867 --> 00:57:19,867 Or why no -- why hasn't he responded? 1111 00:57:19,867 --> 00:57:23,737 Mr. Gibbs: Tempting to answer that in certainly different ways. 1112 00:57:23,734 --> 00:57:25,904 (laughter) 1113 00:57:25,900 --> 00:57:30,800 No, the President -- 1114 00:57:30,800 --> 00:57:33,600 I mentioned that the President would meet with many groups and 1115 00:57:33,600 --> 00:57:35,900 many different leaders. 1116 00:57:35,900 --> 00:57:39,600 And I believe that that includes Senate Republicans; 1117 00:57:39,600 --> 00:57:44,500 he's talked to them. It includes House Republicans -- 1118 00:57:44,500 --> 00:57:46,400 again, many of which I think have constructive ideas and want 1119 00:57:46,400 --> 00:57:50,430 to see this process move forward. 1120 00:57:50,433 --> 00:57:51,963 The Press: So you don't rule out that he'll accept a meeting 1121 00:57:51,967 --> 00:57:54,197 with House Republicans? 1122 00:57:54,200 --> 00:57:56,700 Mr. Gibbs: No, not all. I mean, you know, again, we -- 1123 00:57:56,700 --> 00:58:00,370 look, the President went to Capitol Hill four hours after 1124 00:58:00,367 --> 00:58:03,067 the House Republican Caucus announced its opposition to the 1125 00:58:03,066 --> 00:58:05,166 recovery plan in order to go up there to 1126 00:58:05,166 --> 00:58:07,236 talk to House Republicans -- 1127 00:58:07,233 --> 00:58:09,763 whose leadership had just said, we oppose your plan -- 1128 00:58:09,767 --> 00:58:12,737 to try to get them to support the plan. 1129 00:58:12,734 --> 00:58:15,404 I don't doubt that the President will have a similar effort on 1130 00:58:15,400 --> 00:58:16,800 this legislation, as well. 1131 00:58:16,800 --> 00:58:17,970 Yes, sir. 1132 00:58:17,967 --> 00:58:22,537 The Press: Who will be the ultimate arbiter of whether the health care 1133 00:58:22,533 --> 00:58:26,003 legislation that comes before the President's desk increases 1134 00:58:26,000 --> 00:58:27,200 the budget deficit? 1135 00:58:27,200 --> 00:58:32,370 Will it be the OMB? Will it be the CBO, another entity? 1136 00:58:32,367 --> 00:58:34,897 Who do you perceive being the arbiter on that? 1137 00:58:34,900 --> 00:58:37,870 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know that it's been designated, 1138 00:58:37,867 --> 00:58:47,267 but obviously CBO is by law charged with letting you and 1139 00:58:47,266 --> 00:58:51,396 America and, more importantly, Congress know how much 1140 00:58:51,400 --> 00:58:54,370 legislation is going to cost. 1141 00:58:54,367 --> 00:58:59,267 So I certainly believe that they're going to -- 1142 00:58:59,266 --> 00:59:02,266 they will enter a verdict into what a bill costs, 1143 00:59:02,266 --> 00:59:06,466 and I think that would certainly be a large part of this. 1144 00:59:06,467 --> 00:59:07,637 Thank you. 1145 00:59:07,633 --> 00:59:09,263 Mr. Gibbs: Thanks, guys. 1146 00:59:09,266 --> 00:59:11,236 The Press: Is that the binding one, the administration, CBO? 1147 00:59:11,233 --> 00:59:13,003 The binding arbiter? 1148 00:59:13,000 --> 00:59:15,000 Mr. Gibbs: I wouldn't say binding, but I would say it's a -- 1149 00:59:15,000 --> 00:59:16,100 it goes a big, big way. 1150 00:59:16,100 --> 00:59:17,400 Thanks, guys.