English subtitles for clip: File:9-29-09- White House Press Briefing.webm

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Mr. Gibbs:
Mr. Elliott, take us away.

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The Press:
Thanks, Robert.

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On the principals' meeting
today, what's the actual goal,

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what does the President want
to come away with in this

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discussion on Afghanistan?

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I know we're not at a point
where we're making decisions.

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What are we making
in this meeting?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, the meeting the
President will be in actually

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has been rescheduled
until tomorrow.

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The principals will meet to get
ready -- continue to get ready

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for that meeting.

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As I understand it, General
Petraeus and General McChrystal

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will participate in the meeting
that's had this afternoon.

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The Press:
Is this the first conversation
the President had with

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McChrystal since
receiving his report?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I don't believe that they've
spoken since the report

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has been given.

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Understanding for
a little context,

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the President receives a
memo every week from General

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McChrystal, as he does
from General Odierno,

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on -- an update on how things
are going in either Afghanistan

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or Iraq, respectively.

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Inputs also come from
the diplomatic side.

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As well as each of those
memos, the President meets,

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as he is today, regularly
with the chain of command,

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including the two top people
on that chain of command,

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Defense Secretary Bob Gates
and Joint Chiefs Chair Admiral

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Mullen, both of whom will
be a the White House today.

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The Press:
So what's he looking
for from this meeting?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, this is the
beginning of a reassessing

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of where we are.

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I think this will
be -- as we've said,

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this will take place over the
course of several meetings and a

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number of weeks, as we
look at where we are,

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what's happened in the
intervening months since the

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President made a
decision in March.

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And I think as you heard the
Secretary General of NATO,

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a key ally obviously
in our mission,

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is to evaluate this from a
strategic perspective and then

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have a discussion
later about resources,

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which is what the
President intends to do.

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The Press:
Are the principals offering
him options to consider?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I don't think
we're at that point yet.

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I think we're going to go
through the McChrystal

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assessment and go through
additional ideas,

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and go from there.

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The Press:
Now, Iran is saying that
they will not discuss this

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new nuclear plant tomorrow.

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Mr. Gibbs:
They may not, but we will.

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The Press:
That was -- I was going
to ask -- you're going to

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bring it up.

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What do you think about this
approach that they're taking?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, what is undeniable
is that a plant is in

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-- a plant was constructed in
violation of their obligations

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under the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty,

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something they've signed
with the IAEA, as well as U.N.

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Security Council resolutions.

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We will demand that IAEA
inspectors have unfettered

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access to the
facility, to personnel,

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to documents surrounding
the facility.

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There's no doubt this is
in violation of their own

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obligations to which
they're a party.

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I think it will show the world,
and I think the onus is on the

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Iranians to show the world, that
the program that they have is

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for -- is a peaceful
program to create energy,

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rather than a secret
program for nuclear weapons.

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I think if you're -- if the
Iranians are unwilling to

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discuss something that should
have been reported to the IAEA

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years ago, I think
that's quite telling.

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But again, I don't
want to prejudge.

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I'll let them do
their own talking.

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Yes, sir.

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The Press:
The President today in
the Oval Office with NATO

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Secretary General said that
he defined the mission in

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Afghanistan as
dismantling, disrupting,

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destroying the al Qaeda network,
and effectively working with the

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Afghan government to
provide the security

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necessary for that country.

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What -- how would you define
"effectively working with the

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Afghan government to
provide the security

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necessary for their country"?

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Can you explain more
what he means by that?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, I think
you've got -- I think,

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as you've seen in
places around the world,

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we've -- while we can help the
security environment in the

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short term, there has to be a
training mission for police and

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security forces that that
country can use to secure their

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own territory, because we
cannot stay there forever.

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Eventually the functions of
security and the functions of

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policing are going to have
to be assumed by the Afghans.

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So obviously some robust
training mission has to happen.

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The Press:
That's what you mean by
-- just kind of open-ended

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concept of --

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Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

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The Press:
-- they need to be able
to arm themselves and

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protect themselves?

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Mr. Gibbs:
They have to be able to secure
their own physical territory.

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The Press:
But that's obviously
not the case right now.

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Mr. Gibbs:
And that's why --
that's part of what the

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President talked about in March
and part of what is in --

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obviously in the assessment
from General McChrystal.

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The Press:
One other question is that
retired General Gration is

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quoted in The Washington Post
today, making comments about

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U.S. policy towards Sudan that
include suggestions that his

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goal is to normalize
relations with Sudan,

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and there were a lot of other
comments that have alarmed

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groups whose existence
is to object to the

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genocide in Darfur.

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Did you guys have a
reaction to that comment?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, just -- my reaction
is more to the story.

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The policy is being worked on.

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There are no announcements
of a new policy.

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Obviously, our policy would not
include that unless there were

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significant change on
the ground in Khartoum.

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Yes, sir.

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The Press:
Isn't there a danger for
the President that he may be

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perceived as weak or indecisive
as this policy or strategy

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review session drags on, fueled
by the perception that many in

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his own party are against
increasing the numbers of

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troops in the war?

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Mr. Gibbs:
When you say "drags
on" -- I mean,

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Secretary Gates said this
weekend it took three months in

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the previous White House
to discuss a policy on a

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surge of troops in Iraq.

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Did anybody -- was there a
suggestion by those then that

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the President was dragging
this assessment on?

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The Press:
You all have made a point
of saying that there is no

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time limit on this.

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Mr. Gibbs:
Right, because the
President wants to get

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the policy right.

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If the policy takes
time to get right,

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then that's what the
President intends to do.

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I think he owes that to the men
and women in uniform that are

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there; he owes that to the men
and women in uniform that could

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go; and he owes that to
each and every American.

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The Press:
Sure, but meanwhile, there's
probably what you could

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describe accurately as a rising
tide of sentiment against

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further engagement
in Afghanistan,

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and much of it is
on his own party.

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Mr. Gibbs:
The President isn't going
to make a political decision.

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The President is going to make
the decision that he feels is in

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the best interest of the United
States' national security.

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The President is happy to hear
the back-and-forth from both

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sides on this, but is going to
take his time to decide what is

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right for the American people.

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Yes, sir.

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The Press:
When you talk about the
President wants to hear the

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back-and-forth, where
does it stand now?

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Does the President -- is it the
sense that the President does

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not want to send in more troops,
but he needs to see the evidence

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and want to be convinced that
there really is a need for that?

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Mr. Gibbs:
The President is in the
process of doing exactly

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what he said he would
do after the elections,

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and that is assess where we are.

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Again, you heard Secretary
Gates this weekend discuss that

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General McChrystal, who's been
there for a couple of months,

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saw through his assessment on
the ground a situation that had

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deteriorated more rapidly
than people had expected.

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You have the ambiguity of the
Afghan election -- all of which

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has to be taken into account.

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The President is simply
taking this into account and

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demonstrating, again, as I said,
what he would do in March in

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assessing this policy.

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The Press:
And as he does that, what
are his concerns about

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sending in more troops?

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I have not heard
him talk specifically,

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and I wouldn't
get into if I had,

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what his concerns are right now.

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I think obviously the President
wants to ensure that we have a

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well-defined mission, that
we all understand that we

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can't be there forever.

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As Jake mentioned, the President
reiterated that the strategy --

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we have to have a strategy
that dismantles, disrupts,

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and destroys al Qaeda
and its extremist allies;

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builds up the security and
policing forces of the Afghans;

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and doesn't allow safe havens in
Afghanistan where terrorists can

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plot again to blow up buildings
or planes in this country.

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The Press:
Does the United States
believe Iran was trying

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-- is trying to acquire
a nuclear weapon?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I think that there is --
their reticence now for a

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second time to live up to its
international obligations put

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the onus on the Iranians to tell
the world and to demonstrate

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visibly for the world that their
program -- that their -- that

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they have a peaceful nuclear
program designed for power and

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energy, rather than a
secret program to develop

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a nuclear weapon.

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That is a question that only
the Iranians can answer to the

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satisfactory nature of
the world community.

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The Press:
The U. S. government isn't
prepared to say that they

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know the Iranians are --

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Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I'm not going
to get into --

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The Press:
-- that there seems to be some
dispute between intelligence

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agencies around the world.

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Mr. Gibbs:
And I'm not going to get into
discussing intelligence here.

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The Press:
On the IAEA, does the U.S.
government believe they've

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gotten enough information that
they need from them about what

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they've done in Iran previously?

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Have they gotten a full -- have
they gotten full cooperation

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from the IAEA -- the U.S.
government -- in getting

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everything they need?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I'd have to check with
somebody as to the exact nature.

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Again, the onus is on the
Iranians to provide full,

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unfettered access to
Qom, to documents,

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to live up to the international
obligations that they've signed.

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This facility should have been
reported to the IAEA at a point

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in which a decision was
made to begin constructing.

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That has long since passed.

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The Iranians are going to get a
chance to account for the world

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and be transparent about
their program and its intent.

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The Press:
On the hikers, the news
-- the news that the Swiss

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government is going to -- or the
Iranians are going to give the

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Swiss government some
access to the hikers,

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do you guys see this as some
sort of -- is it viewed within

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the talks are going to
take place in Geneva,

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some sort of attempt by them --

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Mr. Gibbs:
Our government has always
viewed that the hikers should

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be released and we don't
conflate the two issues.

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The Press:
Do you believe there
should be no connection?

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Mr. Gibbs:
There isn't any connection
and there shouldn't be.

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The hikers should be released.

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Yes, sir.

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The Press:
Robert, was Rasmussen speaking for the President when he said

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today in the Oval Office,

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"We will stay in Afghanistan
as long as it takes?"

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Mr. Gibbs:
Obviously, I'm not going to get
into parsing the words of --

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The Press:
It's pretty straightforward.

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Mr. Gibbs:
I understand, I just
don't currently hold the

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position of his spokesperson.

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The Press:
Well, does the
President agree with that?

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Mr. Gibbs:
I think the President
believes that we have to do --

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we have to, as I said
earlier, disrupt,

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dismantle and destroy al Qaeda,
prevent it from having a safe

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00:12:49,033 --> 00:12:53,363
haven that would allow it to
plan the type of activities that

234
00:12:53,367 --> 00:12:57,067
we saw happen in September
of 2001 in this country.

235
00:12:57,066 --> 00:13:00,366
The Press:
And that is the objective for which the U.S. will stay in

236
00:13:00,367 --> 00:13:02,237
Afghanistan, as
long as it takes?

237
00:13:02,233 --> 00:13:07,203
Mr. Gibbs:
That is the objective of our
U.S. policy toward Afghanistan.

238
00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,730
The Press:
Back to Iran, in
terms of sanctions,

239
00:13:09,734 --> 00:13:11,904
there's been some reporting
on insurance and targeting

240
00:13:11,900 --> 00:13:13,100
insurance and reinsurance.

241
00:13:13,100 --> 00:13:14,900
What else is the
administration considering?

242
00:13:14,900 --> 00:13:20,030
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm not going to get into
what happens a few steps

243
00:13:20,033 --> 00:13:22,833
down the road, except I think
you've heard the President be

244
00:13:22,834 --> 00:13:30,664
very forceful about what the
Iranians could face in the event

245
00:13:30,667 --> 00:13:33,937
that they don't live up
to their obligations.

246
00:13:33,934 --> 00:13:39,434
Our focus right now, though, is
on Thursday's meeting and hoping

247
00:13:39,433 --> 00:13:42,203
that they will live up to those
obligations and tell the world.

248
00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:44,300
The Press:
The administration is
considering sanctions?

249
00:13:44,300 --> 00:13:45,700
I mean, you guys
are working on this,

250
00:13:45,700 --> 00:13:47,970
this isn't all just
premature talk?

251
00:13:47,967 --> 00:13:50,137
Mr. Gibbs:
No, we're working on it.

252
00:13:50,133 --> 00:13:53,163
It's just me talking
about it is premature.

253
00:13:53,166 --> 00:13:55,136
The Press:
Could you talk a little
more generally then about

254
00:13:55,133 --> 00:13:57,203
the need for targeted
sanctions as opposed to --

255
00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:00,670
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, without -- I hate
to get into conjecture.

256
00:14:00,667 --> 00:14:07,297
Obviously I think what is most
important in any step that is

257
00:14:07,300 --> 00:14:11,170
taken next in the event that the
Iranians don't live up to their

258
00:14:11,166 --> 00:14:17,196
obligations is that we do this
with the entire international

259
00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:20,070
community working together.

260
00:14:20,066 --> 00:14:22,536
I think we're at a point through
the President's policy of

261
00:14:22,533 --> 00:14:25,503
engagement where we're not
having a debate about whether or

262
00:14:25,500 --> 00:14:29,330
not we should be confronting
the Iranians face to face,

263
00:14:29,333 --> 00:14:33,933
but instead we've put the onus
on the Iranians to discuss their

264
00:14:33,934 --> 00:14:36,864
intentions and their
program with the world.

265
00:14:36,867 --> 00:14:40,997
And we brought our allies,
particularly in the P5-plus-1,

266
00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:44,500
I think up to a point in
which that's all possible.

267
00:14:44,500 --> 00:14:45,430
Yes, sir.

268
00:14:45,433 --> 00:14:48,233
The Press:
Russia's deputy foreign
minister says Iran's

269
00:14:48,233 --> 00:14:54,863
missile tests shouldn't be
used to generate international

270
00:14:54,867 --> 00:14:56,237
support for sanctions.

271
00:14:56,233 --> 00:14:57,333
Do you agree with that?

272
00:14:57,333 --> 00:15:01,433
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, Wendell, as I
just said yesterday,

273
00:15:01,433 --> 00:15:07,033
obviously though the exercises
by the Iranians were part of

274
00:15:07,033 --> 00:15:13,063
preplanned military activities,
I don't think anybody thought

275
00:15:13,066 --> 00:15:19,396
that that was a helpful thing
heading into serious talks where

276
00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:22,170
the onus and
responsibility is on them.

277
00:15:22,166 --> 00:15:25,296
The Press:
Senator Kyl also has criticized the decision to go forward

278
00:15:25,300 --> 00:15:28,030
with the talks. He says --

279
00:15:28,033 --> 00:15:28,733
Mr. Gibbs:
We tried that.

280
00:15:28,734 --> 00:15:30,064
(laughter)

281
00:15:30,066 --> 00:15:33,736
We had that policy
for six years.

282
00:15:33,734 --> 00:15:37,564
It resulted in a
whole lot of nothing.

283
00:15:37,567 --> 00:15:38,937
The President,
through engagement,

284
00:15:38,934 --> 00:15:43,604
is at a point in which we are
about to confront face-to-face

285
00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:48,130
on behalf of the world the
intention of the Iranians and

286
00:15:48,133 --> 00:15:49,563
their nuclear program.

287
00:15:49,567 --> 00:15:51,567
And we'll give them the
opportunity to state for the

288
00:15:51,567 --> 00:15:56,297
world and to demonstrate through
its actions, not just its words,

289
00:15:56,300 --> 00:15:57,800
its responsibilities.

290
00:15:57,800 --> 00:16:00,470
I think we could go back to
what we had for six years,

291
00:16:00,467 --> 00:16:05,197
which I think amounted to
exceedingly little progress in

292
00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:10,500
dealing with the Iranians after
it was -- almost seven years

293
00:16:10,500 --> 00:16:13,930
after it was known that they
had built a massive uranium

294
00:16:13,934 --> 00:16:17,064
enrichment plant in the Natanz.

295
00:16:17,066 --> 00:16:17,866
Yes, sir.

296
00:16:17,867 --> 00:16:20,467
The Press:
When is the ongoing Sudan
review likely to be completed?

297
00:16:20,467 --> 00:16:21,967
And will you announce --

298
00:16:21,967 --> 00:16:24,897
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, we -- I know there's a
principal committee's meeting

299
00:16:24,900 --> 00:16:27,830
today that many will be at.

300
00:16:27,834 --> 00:16:31,434
I assume they'll come to some
series of recommendations that

301
00:16:31,433 --> 00:16:33,933
will be presented
ultimately to the President.

302
00:16:33,934 --> 00:16:35,564
The Press:
It's a different meeting
than the Afghan meeting?

303
00:16:35,567 --> 00:16:36,497
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

304
00:16:36,500 --> 00:16:37,670
The Press
Will Bono be by?

305
00:16:37,667 --> 00:16:39,767
Will Bono be by?
Serious question.

306
00:16:39,767 --> 00:16:41,197
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't think he's
participating in the

307
00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:42,330
principals committee meeting.

308
00:16:42,333 --> 00:16:44,233
The Press:
Will he be consulted on this?

309
00:16:44,233 --> 00:16:46,533
Mr. Gibbs:
Not that I'm aware of, no.

310
00:16:46,533 --> 00:16:47,533
The Press:
-- The Edge?

311
00:16:47,533 --> 00:16:50,603
The Press:
Will he be cleared
into the White House

312
00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:51,970
compound today at all?

313
00:16:51,967 --> 00:16:53,567
Mr. Gibbs:
Not that I'm aware of.

314
00:16:53,567 --> 00:16:56,437
I now see we've veered
from Iran to U2.

315
00:16:56,433 --> 00:16:57,903
The Press:
Larry Mullen?

316
00:16:57,900 --> 00:17:00,630
(laughter)

317
00:17:00,633 --> 00:17:01,463
The Press:
Can we go back to Sudan?

318
00:17:01,467 --> 00:17:02,697
Mr. Gibbs:
One more. Just go
ahead, get it all out.

319
00:17:02,700 --> 00:17:03,400
Come on.

320
00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:03,930
(laughter)

321
00:17:03,934 --> 00:17:04,104
Let's go ahead.

322
00:17:04,100 --> 00:17:05,170
The Press:
Got to leave them wanting more.

323
00:17:05,166 --> 00:17:06,396
Mr. Gibbs:
All right.

324
00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:08,100
The Press:
So you were saying?

325
00:17:08,100 --> 00:17:09,570
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm sorry. Before I was
so rudely interrupted with

326
00:17:09,567 --> 00:17:15,667
tonight's playlist -- look, the
principals committee will meet;

327
00:17:15,667 --> 00:17:17,197
they'll eventually have
recommendations for the

328
00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:20,700
President as part of an ongoing
review of our Sudan policy.

329
00:17:20,700 --> 00:17:24,870
And when we have a policy
to announce, we'll do that.

330
00:17:24,867 --> 00:17:26,937
The Press:
Any kind of approximation
of how long this could take?

331
00:17:26,934 --> 00:17:28,004
Mr. Gibbs:
Not that I've been given.

332
00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:29,130
But I can double-check.

333
00:17:29,133 --> 00:17:30,363
The Press:
And on tomorrow's
Afghanistan meeting,

334
00:17:30,367 --> 00:17:33,937
who all will be in the
meeting with the President?

335
00:17:33,934 --> 00:17:36,334
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me see if I can do some of
this off the top of my head.

336
00:17:36,333 --> 00:17:38,333
I'll try to get it -- we'll
certainly get you a more

337
00:17:38,333 --> 00:17:42,163
complete list for those that
actually attend the meeting.

338
00:17:42,166 --> 00:17:44,296
I know that the Vice
President will be there,

339
00:17:44,300 --> 00:17:46,100
the Secretary of
State will be there,

340
00:17:46,100 --> 00:17:48,070
the Secretary of
Defense will be there,

341
00:17:48,066 --> 00:17:50,536
the Chair of the Joint
Chiefs will be there,

342
00:17:50,533 --> 00:17:54,803
Ambassador Holbrooke
will be there,

343
00:17:54,800 --> 00:17:57,830
General Petraeus and
General McChrystal --

344
00:17:57,834 --> 00:17:59,234
The Press:
McChrystal will
personally be there?

345
00:17:59,233 --> 00:18:00,903
Mr. Gibbs:
No, I think -- what
I was going to say is,

346
00:18:00,900 --> 00:18:05,600
I'm not sure if one or both of
those is by teleconference.

347
00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:08,800
But we'll certainly get that.

348
00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:10,430
I'm trying to think if
I've left anybody out.

349
00:18:10,433 --> 00:18:11,263
The Press:
Lute?

350
00:18:11,266 --> 00:18:12,796
The Press:
Jones?

351
00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:15,030
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm sorry, of course General
Jones will be there and

352
00:18:15,033 --> 00:18:17,103
General Lute will
be there as well.

353
00:18:17,100 --> 00:18:18,130
The Press:
What was the last name?

354
00:18:18,133 --> 00:18:19,403
Mr. Gibbs:
General Lute.

355
00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:21,530
The Press:
Sit Room?

356
00:18:21,533 --> 00:18:24,303
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes. Yes. No pool.

357
00:18:24,300 --> 00:18:26,300
(laughter)

358
00:18:26,300 --> 00:18:30,170
The Press:
You mentioned the memos that the
President gets every week from

359
00:18:30,166 --> 00:18:32,396
General McChrystal
and General Odierno.

360
00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:34,100
Is there a reason why the
President hasn't actually spoken

361
00:18:34,100 --> 00:18:35,570
with President -- with
General McChrystal,

362
00:18:35,567 --> 00:18:38,297
except for the one
time, since June?

363
00:18:38,300 --> 00:18:40,170
President Bush obviously spoke
with his commanders every week.

364
00:18:40,166 --> 00:18:41,536
Is there a reason
why this President --

365
00:18:41,533 --> 00:18:47,963
Mr. Gibbs:
I think the President has --
receives tremendous input from

366
00:18:47,967 --> 00:18:52,337
the commanders on the ground;
receives input from regional

367
00:18:52,333 --> 00:18:56,133
commanders like General
Petraeus at Central;

368
00:18:56,133 --> 00:18:59,633
talks and meets weekly
with, as I said,

369
00:18:59,633 --> 00:19:05,233
the Chair of the Joint Chiefs,
or the Vice Chair if Admiral

370
00:19:05,233 --> 00:19:09,563
Mullen is traveling; and meets
weekly with the head of that

371
00:19:09,567 --> 00:19:14,497
chain of command,
Secretary Gates, often.

372
00:19:14,500 --> 00:19:17,400
The Press:
How does the President
view General McChrystal

373
00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:19,300
at this point?

374
00:19:19,300 --> 00:19:21,500
Arguably the General put
him in a political box.

375
00:19:21,500 --> 00:19:23,570
Is there a
feeling that --

376
00:19:23,567 --> 00:19:28,037
Mr. Gibbs:
No, the President is intent on
getting the decision that has to

377
00:19:28,033 --> 00:19:34,063
be made right, focusing our
effort and our resources on

378
00:19:34,066 --> 00:19:37,066
ensuring that we have the
best strategy possible.

379
00:19:37,066 --> 00:19:42,396
Understand, Peter, that the
President signed off on putting

380
00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,900
General McChrystal where he is.

381
00:19:44,900 --> 00:19:45,800
The Press:
Does he regret it?

382
00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:47,630
Mr. Gibbs:
No, not at all.

383
00:19:47,633 --> 00:19:50,403
The Press:
Robert, going on to health care,

384
00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:52,130
with the Finance
Committee meeting today,

385
00:19:52,133 --> 00:19:55,333
and just kind of a
"where we are" question.

386
00:19:55,333 --> 00:19:58,263
They're going to be having
votes today and obviously

387
00:19:58,266 --> 00:19:59,636
through the week.

388
00:19:59,633 --> 00:20:04,703
Are you expecting -- A, are you
expecting a finished product

389
00:20:04,700 --> 00:20:06,270
soon in the next few days?

390
00:20:06,266 --> 00:20:09,196
And is that going to be the
key that unlocks things?

391
00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:12,200
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think obviously
whether it is the end

392
00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:15,670
of this week or whether
this bleeds into next week,

393
00:20:15,667 --> 00:20:17,967
I can't say for sure.

394
00:20:17,967 --> 00:20:21,597
I know the Finance Committee is
making progress going through a

395
00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:24,430
series of amendments.

396
00:20:24,433 --> 00:20:27,463
But I expect in the new few days
that the Finance Committee will

397
00:20:27,467 --> 00:20:28,797
finish its work.

398
00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:31,230
I think at that point you'll
have five different committees

399
00:20:31,233 --> 00:20:35,063
that will have -- all of whom
have some series of jurisdiction

400
00:20:35,066 --> 00:20:37,966
over -- purview
over health care.

401
00:20:37,967 --> 00:20:40,967
Obviously both sides will then
have to reconcile different

402
00:20:40,967 --> 00:20:45,067
proposals before they go to
the floor fairly quickly.

403
00:20:45,066 --> 00:20:47,996
The Press:
But I guess what I'm
getting at is you've been

404
00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:49,900
putting a lot of emphasis
on the Finance Committee in

405
00:20:49,900 --> 00:20:51,400
the last few weeks.

406
00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:53,370
Is that going to be
the definitive version

407
00:20:53,367 --> 00:20:54,567
of the legislation?

408
00:20:54,567 --> 00:20:56,037
Is that going to be the
thing that unlocks things?

409
00:20:56,033 --> 00:20:58,463
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, I think --
just on the Senate side,

410
00:20:58,467 --> 00:21:02,137
obviously there's a process of
the Finance Committee that will

411
00:21:02,133 --> 00:21:04,903
then have to be reconciled with
the HELP Committee bill that

412
00:21:04,900 --> 00:21:08,200
passed out earlier this summer.

413
00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:14,070
That process will merge that
legislation together just as the

414
00:21:14,066 --> 00:21:16,436
committees in the House will
merge their bill together,

415
00:21:16,433 --> 00:21:17,703
and then it will go through.

416
00:21:17,700 --> 00:21:18,870
The Press:
But it's really just
incremental, then.

417
00:21:18,867 --> 00:21:20,337
I mean, you spoke of it
yesterday as being in a better

418
00:21:20,333 --> 00:21:22,303
place, which sounded
fairly definitive.

419
00:21:22,300 --> 00:21:27,970
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think the Finance
Committee is in a better place.

420
00:21:27,967 --> 00:21:30,967
I think they're going
through and -- I mean,

421
00:21:30,967 --> 00:21:32,997
I was asked this question in
relation to what the President

422
00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:34,670
said about the Olympics
several weeks ago.

423
00:21:34,667 --> 00:21:38,397
At that point, we didn't
have a chairman's mark,

424
00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:40,000
we didn't have a committee
that was meeting,

425
00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:42,570
we didn't have amendments
that were being debated,

426
00:21:42,567 --> 00:21:44,467
we didn't have
votes taking place.

427
00:21:44,467 --> 00:21:47,997
Obviously all of that happening
with the last committee of

428
00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:51,370
jurisdiction means we're making
progress on health care.

429
00:21:51,367 --> 00:21:52,937
The Press:
Robert, can I follow on that?

430
00:21:52,934 --> 00:21:54,034
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

431
00:21:54,033 --> 00:21:56,663
The Press:
Last week everybody from
Rahm, the Vice President,

432
00:21:56,667 --> 00:21:59,367
they all said they
anticipate a bill before

433
00:21:59,367 --> 00:22:01,167
the Thanksgiving recess.

434
00:22:01,166 --> 00:22:02,266
Is that still operative?

435
00:22:02,266 --> 00:22:03,196
And what do they mean?

436
00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:04,400
Do they mean out of
the House and Senate,

437
00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:05,500
or out of conference?

438
00:22:05,500 --> 00:22:06,570
Mr. Gibbs:
I'd have to check.

439
00:22:06,567 --> 00:22:08,037
Because we were on the
road so much last week,

440
00:22:08,033 --> 00:22:10,763
I have not talked
with Rahm or Peter

441
00:22:10,767 --> 00:22:12,067
exactly on their statements.

442
00:22:12,066 --> 00:22:18,466
But I think it's our hope that
this is a process that can be

443
00:22:18,467 --> 00:22:19,767
wrapped up by then.

444
00:22:19,767 --> 00:22:21,567
Margaret.

445
00:22:21,567 --> 00:22:22,567
The Press:
Thank you.

446
00:22:22,567 --> 00:22:25,297
On Iran, from a
technical standpoint,

447
00:22:25,300 --> 00:22:27,430
can you talk a little bit
more about what the U.S.

448
00:22:27,433 --> 00:22:29,103
vision is, going into Geneva?

449
00:22:29,100 --> 00:22:33,130
Are we going to be on our own,
or in conjunction with any of

450
00:22:33,133 --> 00:22:37,603
our allies, presenting on paper
some sort of specific demands or

451
00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:39,370
proposals for Iran?

452
00:22:39,367 --> 00:22:41,397
Or will it be more
of a verbal thing?

453
00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:45,330
How long is the U.S. prepared
to let the talks go on if one

454
00:22:45,333 --> 00:22:46,403
meeting doesn't cut it?

455
00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:52,470
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I would hesitate to
prejudge the second question.

456
00:22:52,467 --> 00:22:55,197
In terms of the first, I think
this is a lot less about what we

457
00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:58,430
and the P5-plus-1 have to do;
this is a lot more about what

458
00:22:58,433 --> 00:22:59,833
the Iranians have to do.

459
00:22:59,834 --> 00:23:04,504
I think there's a -- even before
Friday's acknowledgment by the

460
00:23:04,500 --> 00:23:13,300
Iranians several years belatedly
that they had a facility at Qom,

461
00:23:13,300 --> 00:23:16,130
there's a pending question
about their nuclear program.

462
00:23:16,133 --> 00:23:21,563
That program -- that question
only got more important with

463
00:23:21,567 --> 00:23:23,997
Friday's disclosure.

464
00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:26,200
And the onus and the
responsibility are

465
00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:27,800
clearly on them.

466
00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:30,370
The Press:
From a standpoint of
leverage or strategery --

467
00:23:30,367 --> 00:23:31,637
(laughter)

468
00:23:31,633 --> 00:23:34,103
-- how do you prod them into
that place --

469
00:23:34,100 --> 00:23:36,070
Mr. Gibbs:
I love how like a "Saturday
Night Live" word was just

470
00:23:36,066 --> 00:23:37,766
entered into the
lexicon of our --

471
00:23:37,767 --> 00:23:41,667
(laughter)

472
00:23:41,667 --> 00:23:43,737
I'm going to curse in
a minute, if that's cool.

473
00:23:43,734 --> 00:23:45,304
(laughter)

474
00:23:45,300 --> 00:23:49,670
The Press:
So the onus is on Iran, but
how does the U.S. approach that?

475
00:23:49,667 --> 00:23:52,537
Again, can you
answer specifically,

476
00:23:52,533 --> 00:23:55,503
will there be something on paper
that's given to the Iranians,

477
00:23:55,500 --> 00:23:58,000
and will the U.S. demands be joint with other countries or --

478
00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:03,270
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me check on the protocol of
whether something is going to be

479
00:24:03,266 --> 00:24:09,836
-- I know that Bill Burns, who
has worked on this issue for

480
00:24:09,834 --> 00:24:16,034
quite some time and was part of
the meeting I think it was last

481
00:24:16,033 --> 00:24:22,403
June or July -- that occurred in
the previous administration in

482
00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:28,470
the P5-plus-1 with Iran
will be in charge of it

483
00:24:28,467 --> 00:24:30,137
for the United States.

484
00:24:30,133 --> 00:24:30,663
Peter.

485
00:24:30,667 --> 00:24:32,167
The Press:
Robert, on the Olympics,

486
00:24:32,166 --> 00:24:34,296
the President is going to be
meeting privately, I guess,

487
00:24:34,300 --> 00:24:36,270
with some IOC members
in Copenhagen.

488
00:24:36,266 --> 00:24:38,096
What will his message be?

489
00:24:38,100 --> 00:24:41,100
Will he be making the case
for Chicago or asking them

490
00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:42,430
to vote for Chicago?

491
00:24:42,433 --> 00:24:46,463
Mr. Gibbs:
Absolutely. I think the
President, again, sees

492
00:24:46,467 --> 00:24:52,237
the opportunity to push strongly
on the international stage

493
00:24:52,233 --> 00:24:55,203
America's bid
for the Olympics.

494
00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:59,130
He will obviously have a part
in the Chicago presentation,

495
00:24:59,133 --> 00:25:03,563
but I think believes that it's
important for him to talk

496
00:25:03,567 --> 00:25:09,567
directly with voting members of
the IOC and make the strong case

497
00:25:09,567 --> 00:25:12,637
for the American side.

498
00:25:12,633 --> 00:25:15,363
The Press:
Your response to Chairman Steele's criticism about the

499
00:25:15,367 --> 00:25:18,637
President going to Copenhagen?

500
00:25:18,633 --> 00:25:20,133
Mr. Gibbs:
Who's he rooting for?

501
00:25:20,133 --> 00:25:22,033
(laughter)

502
00:25:22,033 --> 00:25:25,003
Is he hoping to hop a
plane to Brazil and catch

503
00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:26,470
the Olympics in Rio?

504
00:25:26,467 --> 00:25:28,497
(laughter)

505
00:25:28,500 --> 00:25:30,000
Maybe it's Madrid.

506
00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:31,300
The Press:
Why is the President
leaving before the

507
00:25:31,300 --> 00:25:32,870
decision is announced?

508
00:25:32,867 --> 00:25:35,837
Why isn't he going to stick
around for a couple hours?

509
00:25:35,834 --> 00:25:38,534
Mr. Gibbs:
To get back to do more work.

510
00:25:38,533 --> 00:25:41,163
The Press:
Robert, just on
Iran, how important,

511
00:25:41,166 --> 00:25:44,566
if sanctions are required,
would cooperation of the

512
00:25:44,567 --> 00:25:46,097
Russians and Chinese be?

513
00:25:46,100 --> 00:25:50,370
And can you talk about what your
level of confidence is that

514
00:25:50,367 --> 00:25:52,337
they'll be with the
United States on this?

515
00:25:52,333 --> 00:25:55,333
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I wouldn't
get, in all honestly,

516
00:25:55,333 --> 00:25:59,163
a lot more ahead of what
you heard, for instance,

517
00:25:59,166 --> 00:26:04,336
President Medvedev say last
week after meeting with the

518
00:26:04,333 --> 00:26:10,833
President, that we certainly
hope that Iran fulfills its

519
00:26:10,834 --> 00:26:13,204
obligation and its
responsibility.

520
00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:16,230
If it doesn't, we'll
then look at next steps.

521
00:26:16,233 --> 00:26:21,603
And I think what
he said is timely.

522
00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:22,670
April.

523
00:26:22,667 --> 00:26:24,167
The Press:
Robert, two questions.

524
00:26:24,166 --> 00:26:30,166
One, on Iran, how does gasoline
factor into these conversations?

525
00:26:30,166 --> 00:26:32,896
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm not going to get --
just like I did with Hans,

526
00:26:32,900 --> 00:26:40,470
I'm not going to get ahead
of getting into -- surmised

527
00:26:40,467 --> 00:26:42,367
specifics about sanctions.

528
00:26:42,367 --> 00:26:45,137
The Press:
But is gasoline something that
this administration -- could it

529
00:26:45,133 --> 00:26:47,903
be part of -- could it be one
of the options on the table?

530
00:26:47,900 --> 00:26:49,630
Mr. Gibbs:
See previous answer.

531
00:26:49,633 --> 00:26:50,733
The Press:
Okay.

532
00:26:50,734 --> 00:26:52,404
The Press:
Ask Tommy on Saturday.

533
00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:53,370
(laughter)

534
00:26:53,367 --> 00:26:54,837
Mr. Gibbs:
Right. Or call Tommy.

535
00:26:54,834 --> 00:26:58,664
The Press:
Next question. The U.S. Census
Bureau came out with a new study

536
00:26:58,667 --> 00:27:01,567
saying household income
declined across all groups,

537
00:27:01,567 --> 00:27:07,697
but at sharper percentages for
middle-income and the poor.

538
00:27:07,700 --> 00:27:12,530
Middle-income America is the
group that really is affecting

539
00:27:12,533 --> 00:27:15,833
these polls, the President's
approval ratings.

540
00:27:15,834 --> 00:27:20,664
Could you talk to me about how
this White House sees that?

541
00:27:20,667 --> 00:27:21,667
Mr. Gibbs:
Talk about how we see --

542
00:27:21,667 --> 00:27:23,567
The Press:
The report -- how the White
House sees the report as

543
00:27:23,567 --> 00:27:27,397
middle-income Americans are
the ones who really affect

544
00:27:27,400 --> 00:27:30,500
the approval ratings of
the President, up or down?

545
00:27:30,500 --> 00:27:31,900
Mr. Gibbs:
I've got to tell you, April,

546
00:27:31,900 --> 00:27:35,530
there's not a lot of time spent
correlating Census Bureau income

547
00:27:35,533 --> 00:27:41,503
data with approval
rating polling data.

548
00:27:41,500 --> 00:27:44,000
We're focused on
getting a policy right

549
00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:46,100
to turn the economy around.

550
00:27:46,100 --> 00:27:49,870
Obviously the President -- we
saw a little more than a year

551
00:27:49,867 --> 00:27:57,767
ago an economic catastrophe that
had been building for quite some

552
00:27:57,767 --> 00:28:01,597
time, with millions
of jobs lost.

553
00:28:01,600 --> 00:28:03,970
That obviously has
affected household income.

554
00:28:03,967 --> 00:28:06,597
It's not something we spend
a lot of time, though, on --

555
00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:08,870
The Press:
But some pollsters say that
it is directly linked --

556
00:28:08,867 --> 00:28:10,937
the middle-income pocketbook is

557
00:28:10,934 --> 00:28:14,234
directly linked and that your
approval ratings will go up or

558
00:28:14,233 --> 00:28:16,363
down if they see
their savings --

559
00:28:16,367 --> 00:28:22,837
Mr. Gibbs:
I'll let pollsters smarter
than me address that.

560
00:28:22,834 --> 00:28:23,464
Yes, sir.

561
00:28:23,467 --> 00:28:24,937
The Press:
Robert, when you
talk about Afghanistan,

562
00:28:24,934 --> 00:28:26,664
the one thing that I don't
hear in the strategy is

563
00:28:26,667 --> 00:28:27,897
defeat of the Taliban.

564
00:28:27,900 --> 00:28:30,300
Is defeat of the Taliban
something that we must do there?

565
00:28:30,300 --> 00:28:33,130
Mr. Gibbs:
Obviously when I talk about
al Qaeda and its extremist

566
00:28:33,133 --> 00:28:35,663
allies, that's what
we're talking about.

567
00:28:35,667 --> 00:28:36,737
The Press:
Defeating the Taliban as well?

568
00:28:36,734 --> 00:28:38,334
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes. Yes, ma'am.

569
00:28:38,333 --> 00:28:40,703
The Press:
As far as the
middle class issue,

570
00:28:40,700 --> 00:28:43,930
it's been recently recorded that
more and more middle-income

571
00:28:43,934 --> 00:28:47,164
people are reverting to public
health clinics because they've

572
00:28:47,166 --> 00:28:49,366
lost their jobs, they've
lost their insurance.

573
00:28:49,367 --> 00:28:54,197
The House bill has recommended
an additional $38 billion.

574
00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:56,500
I just wondered does the
administration in any way see

575
00:28:56,500 --> 00:29:00,600
this as another option
to a public option?

576
00:29:00,600 --> 00:29:03,570
I mean, you've got clinic
staff that are on salary.

577
00:29:03,567 --> 00:29:07,337
They don't really practice
defensive medicine.

578
00:29:07,333 --> 00:29:11,933
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, I think
what you're pointing out,

579
00:29:11,934 --> 00:29:14,504
with the drop of income, we've
seen an increase in the number

580
00:29:14,500 --> 00:29:21,330
of uninsured based on where the
economy is going -- the best way

581
00:29:21,333 --> 00:29:24,963
to deal with that problem is
bring the cost of health care

582
00:29:24,967 --> 00:29:29,037
down and provide an accessible
and affordable route for those

583
00:29:29,033 --> 00:29:32,103
that don't currently have health
care or have lost their health

584
00:29:32,100 --> 00:29:35,870
care to purchase something more
stable, so that they don't,

585
00:29:35,867 --> 00:29:40,297
like millions of Americans,
go bankrupt if they get sick.

586
00:29:40,300 --> 00:29:43,330
I think that's what underpins
the President's entire

587
00:29:43,333 --> 00:29:47,063
push for comprehensive
health care reform.

588
00:29:47,066 --> 00:29:47,966
Yes, ma'am.

589
00:29:47,967 --> 00:29:50,837
The Press:
With the focus on Iran this
week and the G20 and the U.N.

590
00:29:50,834 --> 00:29:53,964
last week, is the White
House losing control of

591
00:29:53,967 --> 00:29:55,597
its health care message?

592
00:29:55,600 --> 00:30:01,100
There hasn't been anything
about health care?

593
00:30:01,100 --> 00:30:03,700
Mr. Gibbs:
No. David.

594
00:30:03,700 --> 00:30:06,030
The Press:
Let me ask another
health care question.

595
00:30:06,033 --> 00:30:09,433
Progressive policy advocates are
complaining that the White House

596
00:30:09,433 --> 00:30:11,833
is not working with them
to develop what would

597
00:30:11,834 --> 00:30:13,334
be a strong trigger.

598
00:30:13,333 --> 00:30:16,203
They see Olympia Snowe's
idea of a trigger and her

599
00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:19,330
plan as being rather weak.

600
00:30:19,333 --> 00:30:22,033
And they're complaining that
there's nothing coming from the

601
00:30:22,033 --> 00:30:25,033
White House on an alternative
trigger that would be stronger,

602
00:30:25,033 --> 00:30:27,703
robust, that might be
a compromise position

603
00:30:27,700 --> 00:30:30,130
with House Democrats.

604
00:30:30,133 --> 00:30:31,403
Your response?

605
00:30:31,400 --> 00:30:33,830
Mr. Gibbs:
David, I have to admit
I haven't seen that.

606
00:30:33,834 --> 00:30:38,464
I will go ask Nancy-Ann
and others about that.

607
00:30:38,467 --> 00:30:41,067
Obviously, I think you've heard
the President on any number of

608
00:30:41,066 --> 00:30:47,296
occasions discuss the strong
need for choice and competition

609
00:30:47,300 --> 00:30:52,470
robustly to be in this bill;
that without it we're not going

610
00:30:52,467 --> 00:30:56,937
to have what needs to happen to
bring down health care costs and

611
00:30:56,934 --> 00:30:58,064
provide accessibility.

612
00:30:58,066 --> 00:30:59,336
I haven't seen the
direct criticism.

613
00:30:59,333 --> 00:30:59,963
I'll check.

614
00:30:59,967 --> 00:31:01,037
Yes.

615
00:31:01,033 --> 00:31:03,633
The Press:
With the White House
already weighing in on local

616
00:31:03,633 --> 00:31:07,503
elections, state elections in
Colorado, Virginia and New York,

617
00:31:07,500 --> 00:31:10,800
is there going to be a lot more
of this as 2010 gets closer?

618
00:31:10,800 --> 00:31:14,600
Is this going to be a standard
procedure for the White House to

619
00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:18,730
get involved in local races?

620
00:31:18,734 --> 00:31:20,634
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, when you say
"local races" you mean --

621
00:31:20,633 --> 00:31:22,963
The Press:
Well, I mean
congressional and gubernatorial.

622
00:31:22,967 --> 00:31:27,967
Mr. Gibbs:
Right. I think the President
will be an active participant

623
00:31:27,967 --> 00:31:30,597
in the elections in 2010.

624
00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:32,030
I don't think there's
any doubt about that.

625
00:31:32,033 --> 00:31:35,163
The Press:
Well, how significant is
the White House role going

626
00:31:35,166 --> 00:31:36,496
to be in these elections?

627
00:31:36,500 --> 00:31:38,830
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think we have a
significant interest in

628
00:31:38,834 --> 00:31:43,004
how they turn out.

629
00:31:43,000 --> 00:31:48,470
I think the President will put
-- we've got a long way before

630
00:31:48,467 --> 00:31:51,097
that -- put our best
case forward in 2010,

631
00:31:51,100 --> 00:32:01,730
and support candidates that
share his vision for long-term

632
00:32:01,734 --> 00:32:03,464
sustainable economic growth.

633
00:32:03,467 --> 00:32:04,437
Yes, ma'am.

634
00:32:04,433 --> 00:32:07,263
The Press:
Over the weekend former
President Clinton came

635
00:32:07,266 --> 00:32:10,136
out for support of
same-sex marriage,

636
00:32:10,133 --> 00:32:14,603
and he called his previous
position against it "untenable."

637
00:32:14,600 --> 00:32:17,470
What does the President
think about that?

638
00:32:17,467 --> 00:32:20,237
Mr. Gibbs:
I have not talked to
him and -- I did not

639
00:32:20,233 --> 00:32:22,233
see President Clinton's
comments and I haven't talked

640
00:32:22,233 --> 00:32:23,433
directly to him about it.

641
00:32:23,433 --> 00:32:24,563
Yes, ma'am.

642
00:32:24,567 --> 00:32:26,437
The Press:
On Afghanistan and on Iran,

643
00:32:26,433 --> 00:32:28,303
there's a question that's
been floating around really

644
00:32:28,300 --> 00:32:29,770
since the Vietnam War.

645
00:32:29,767 --> 00:32:33,167
If a significant majority of the
American people continuously say

646
00:32:33,166 --> 00:32:37,436
they are opposed to build up
involvement in Afghanistan,

647
00:32:37,433 --> 00:32:39,933
is the President obligated
to listen to the American

648
00:32:39,934 --> 00:32:41,904
people or go on his own?

649
00:32:41,900 --> 00:32:45,430
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, I've talked about
this a little in the past.

650
00:32:45,433 --> 00:32:47,663
I think the President clearly is
going to make a decision that he

651
00:32:47,667 --> 00:32:50,737
believes is in the best
interest of the national

652
00:32:50,734 --> 00:32:52,834
security of this country.

653
00:32:52,834 --> 00:32:55,764
At a point in which the
final decision gets made,

654
00:32:55,767 --> 00:32:58,597
he'll explain directly to the
American people what that

655
00:32:58,600 --> 00:33:02,370
decision is and why he
thinks it's the best one.

656
00:33:02,367 --> 00:33:05,697
The Press:
Will public opinion polls
play any role in his --

657
00:33:05,700 --> 00:33:08,070
The Press:
At this point, is there --

658
00:33:08,066 --> 00:33:09,436
The Press:
-- that strong statement you
made, we're about to confront

659
00:33:09,433 --> 00:33:11,963
on behalf of the world, do you
include military confrontation?

660
00:33:11,967 --> 00:33:13,937
Mr. Gibbs:
I think the President and
Secretary Gates both said

661
00:33:13,934 --> 00:33:17,304
that it would be a mistake to
take any option off the table.

662
00:33:17,300 --> 00:33:18,600
Sam.

663
00:33:18,600 --> 00:33:20,670
The Press:
Yes, sorry if I'm late
to the game on this,

664
00:33:20,667 --> 00:33:24,037
but is the White House concerned
at all about the scaling back of

665
00:33:24,033 --> 00:33:27,533
the proposed consumer financial
protection agency away from what

666
00:33:27,533 --> 00:33:29,003
it envisioned when
it was introduced?

667
00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:31,700
And what kind of steps is the
administration willing to take

668
00:33:31,700 --> 00:33:34,000
to make sure it's kept intact?

669
00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:37,600
Mr. Gibbs:
This is a big concern of
the President's and a big

670
00:33:37,600 --> 00:33:39,530
concern of the administration.

671
00:33:39,533 --> 00:33:41,963
I think we have
seen what happens,

672
00:33:41,967 --> 00:33:46,237
whether it's credit card
companies, mortgage companies;

673
00:33:46,233 --> 00:33:50,933
we now see it more in stories
covering the charges for bank

674
00:33:50,934 --> 00:33:55,604
overdrafts and the amount of
money that that costs of the

675
00:33:55,600 --> 00:33:59,830
American people each year; that
the American people deserve an

676
00:33:59,834 --> 00:34:04,834
advocate on their behalf
dealing with these entities.

677
00:34:04,834 --> 00:34:09,434
The President believes that
strongly and believes that at

678
00:34:09,433 --> 00:34:14,033
the end of the day, we'll
have a strong consumer finance

679
00:34:14,033 --> 00:34:18,563
protection agency working on
behalf of the American people --

680
00:34:18,567 --> 00:34:22,037
The Press:
Is he willing not to sign a
bill if he thinks it's too weak?

681
00:34:22,033 --> 00:34:24,503
Mr. Gibbs:
The President would not
sign any bill that he

682
00:34:24,500 --> 00:34:27,900
thought was too weak.

683
00:34:27,900 --> 00:34:28,370
Yes.

684
00:34:28,367 --> 00:34:30,937
The Press:
On the defense spending
bill now before the Senate,

685
00:34:30,934 --> 00:34:33,504
do you feel like that's
free enough of earmarks

686
00:34:33,500 --> 00:34:34,670
to avoid a veto?

687
00:34:34,667 --> 00:34:38,237
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, I know that
some of the most egregious

688
00:34:38,233 --> 00:34:41,563
spending on behalf
of the administration

689
00:34:41,567 --> 00:34:44,397
was and is addressed.

690
00:34:44,400 --> 00:34:46,670
We've talked in
here about the F-22.

691
00:34:46,667 --> 00:34:47,837
We've talked about the
alternative engine

692
00:34:47,834 --> 00:34:50,364
program for the F-35.

693
00:34:50,367 --> 00:34:54,597
We've talked about a series of
presidential helicopters that

694
00:34:54,600 --> 00:35:00,370
the President did not
believe was necessary.

695
00:35:00,367 --> 00:35:03,137
And we want to see that most
of all addressed in this bill.

696
00:35:03,133 --> 00:35:04,903
I have not talked specifically
with Legislative Affairs about

697
00:35:04,900 --> 00:35:05,800
the other stuff.

698
00:35:05,800 --> 00:35:09,430
The Press:
Is that a veto threat,
then -- (inaudible)

699
00:35:09,433 --> 00:35:13,403
if the consumer financial
protection agency --

700
00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:20,430
Mr. Gibbs:
The President will fight for
and fight against anybody in the

701
00:35:20,433 --> 00:35:25,733
special interests who don't
see it as an important part of

702
00:35:25,734 --> 00:35:27,134
financial regulatory reform.

703
00:35:27,133 --> 00:35:29,433
The Press:
Will he veto a bill
without that included?

704
00:35:29,433 --> 00:35:30,163
Mr. Gibbs:
I'm sorry?

705
00:35:30,166 --> 00:35:32,496
The Press:
Will he veto a bill
that doesn't include it?

706
00:35:32,500 --> 00:35:34,670
Mr. Gibbs:
We're confident that it
will be in a final bill that

707
00:35:34,667 --> 00:35:35,737
he's able to sign.

708
00:35:35,734 --> 00:35:37,334
The Press:
And what about
a veto threat on

709
00:35:37,333 --> 00:35:38,163
the defense authorization?

710
00:35:38,166 --> 00:35:40,836
If you guys see too
many earmarks in this,

711
00:35:40,834 --> 00:35:41,764
will you veto that?

712
00:35:41,767 --> 00:35:43,167
Mr. Gibbs:
I'll ask Legislative Affairs.

713
00:35:43,166 --> 00:35:45,836
Again, I think the largest
earmarks that we wanted to be

714
00:35:45,834 --> 00:35:50,034
addressed -- the presidential
helicopter and the two airplanes

715
00:35:50,033 --> 00:35:51,463
-- are first and
foremost on our mind.

716
00:35:51,467 --> 00:35:52,397
Thanks, guys.