English subtitles for clip: File:Press Briefing by Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest.webm
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
1 00:00:00,433 --> 00:00:02,033 Mr. Earnest: Good afternoon, everybody. 2 00:00:02,033 --> 00:00:04,867 It's nice to see you all this afternoon. 3 00:00:04,867 --> 00:00:06,667 Mr. Carney is not in the office today, 4 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:08,433 as you probably guessed. 5 00:00:08,433 --> 00:00:10,300 He has traveled to New Hampshire to drop off his 6 00:00:10,300 --> 00:00:14,834 son for his first stay at an overnight camp. 7 00:00:14,834 --> 00:00:15,867 The Press: Awww -- 8 00:00:15,867 --> 00:00:19,967 Mr. Earnest: So he's tending to some important familial 9 00:00:19,967 --> 00:00:22,567 responsibilities that actually seem a lot more fun than we're 10 00:00:22,567 --> 00:00:23,367 going to have today. 11 00:00:23,367 --> 00:00:24,567 (laughter) 12 00:00:24,567 --> 00:00:25,333 But it should be good. 13 00:00:33,033 --> 00:00:35,433 So in lieu of Mr. Carney's attendance today, 14 00:00:35,433 --> 00:00:37,166 as you might say at the London Olympics, 15 00:00:37,166 --> 00:00:39,065 I'll be the one catching your javelins today. 16 00:00:39,066 --> 00:00:42,667 So, Mr. Kuhnhenn, I'll let you toss the first one. 17 00:00:42,667 --> 00:00:43,934 The Press: Thank you. Welcome to the podium. 18 00:00:43,934 --> 00:00:44,967 Mr. Earnest: Thank you. 19 00:00:44,967 --> 00:00:47,100 The Press: Two topics. 20 00:00:47,100 --> 00:00:50,867 The first one, in Israel, Governor Romney said that 21 00:00:50,867 --> 00:00:53,266 culture is a factor that accounts for economic 22 00:00:53,266 --> 00:00:56,065 disparity between Israel and the Palestinian Territory, 23 00:00:56,066 --> 00:00:58,600 and Palestinian officials have characterized the 24 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:00,367 remarks as racist. 25 00:01:00,367 --> 00:01:02,766 I was wondering does the President or the White 26 00:01:02,767 --> 00:01:04,900 House have a view on Romney's remarks? 27 00:01:04,900 --> 00:01:08,633 And two, what does the President believe accounts 28 00:01:08,633 --> 00:01:10,399 for that disparity? 29 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:14,100 Mr. Earnest: Well, Jim, I saw the reports of those remarks. 30 00:01:14,100 --> 00:01:18,032 I didn't see the full context of them. 31 00:01:18,033 --> 00:01:21,700 One of the challenges of being an actor on the international 32 00:01:21,700 --> 00:01:25,133 stage, particularly when you're traveling to such a 33 00:01:25,133 --> 00:01:29,399 sensitive part of the world, is that your comments are very 34 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:34,066 closely scrutinized for meaning, for nuance, 35 00:01:34,066 --> 00:01:37,066 for motivation. 36 00:01:37,066 --> 00:01:41,667 And it is clear that there are some people who have taken a 37 00:01:41,667 --> 00:01:43,767 look at those comments and are scratching their heads a 38 00:01:43,767 --> 00:01:45,066 little bit. 39 00:01:45,066 --> 00:01:47,633 But I would leave it to Governor Romney to further 40 00:01:47,633 --> 00:01:52,767 explain what he meant and what he intended when he said that. 41 00:01:52,767 --> 00:01:55,934 The Press: What's the President's view for what the economic 42 00:01:55,934 --> 00:01:57,667 disparity is? 43 00:01:57,667 --> 00:02:00,834 Mr. Earnest: Well, it's the President's view that certainly economic 44 00:02:00,834 --> 00:02:07,500 issues are among the wide range of issues that need to 45 00:02:07,500 --> 00:02:09,767 be determined, need to be settled, 46 00:02:09,767 --> 00:02:14,200 need to be negotiated and settled in the context of 47 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:17,100 negotiations between the parties in the region. 48 00:02:17,100 --> 00:02:20,466 But in terms of the specifics, I don't have anything more for 49 00:02:20,467 --> 00:02:21,200 you on that. 50 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:24,299 The Press: Also, last week Jay was talking about what the 51 00:02:24,300 --> 00:02:27,033 administration's position is vis-à-vis Jerusalem as 52 00:02:27,033 --> 00:02:29,500 the capital. 53 00:02:29,500 --> 00:02:32,700 Governor Romney declared flatly that Jerusalem is 54 00:02:32,700 --> 00:02:33,733 the capital of Israel. 55 00:02:33,734 --> 00:02:35,333 And I'm wondering, what does the White House -- 56 00:02:35,333 --> 00:02:38,033 does that undermine the administration's position? 57 00:02:38,033 --> 00:02:41,700 Is that a comment that the administration would have 58 00:02:41,700 --> 00:02:43,466 preferred gone unsaid? 59 00:02:43,467 --> 00:02:45,266 How does the administration view that? 60 00:02:45,266 --> 00:02:48,667 Mr. Earnest: Well, our view is that that's a different position than this 61 00:02:48,667 --> 00:02:50,233 administration holds. 62 00:02:50,233 --> 00:02:53,667 It's the view of this administration that the 63 00:02:53,667 --> 00:02:56,066 capital is something that should be determined in final 64 00:02:56,066 --> 00:02:58,800 status negotiations between the parties. 65 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:02,800 I'd remind you that that's the position that's been held by 66 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:07,367 previous administrations, both Democratic and Republican. 67 00:03:07,367 --> 00:03:10,767 So if Mr. Romney disagrees with that position, 68 00:03:10,767 --> 00:03:12,400 he's also disagreeing with the position that was taken 69 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:16,133 by Presidents like Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan. 70 00:03:16,133 --> 00:03:18,266 So, again, if he does disagree with that position, 71 00:03:18,266 --> 00:03:20,867 I would leave it to him to explain it. 72 00:03:20,867 --> 00:03:24,632 The Press: Last week, we heard about an Olympic security briefing and 73 00:03:24,633 --> 00:03:28,734 we had the President sign a security bill. 74 00:03:28,734 --> 00:03:31,500 Any chance of anything unfolding this week? 75 00:03:31,500 --> 00:03:33,734 Mr. Earnest: Not that I have for you right now. 76 00:03:33,734 --> 00:03:34,934 Thanks for the question, though. 77 00:03:34,934 --> 00:03:35,633 (laughter) 78 00:03:35,633 --> 00:03:36,367 Matt. 79 00:03:36,367 --> 00:03:38,399 The Press: I'd like to ask you about not something that Governor Romney 80 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:40,133 said, but what Prime Minister Netanyahu said 81 00:03:40,133 --> 00:03:42,700 during Romney's visit. 82 00:03:42,700 --> 00:03:45,733 Netanyahu said, and I quote, "We have to be honest that 83 00:03:45,734 --> 00:03:49,200 sanctions have not set back the Tehran program one iota, 84 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:51,733 and a strong military threat coupled with sanctions are 85 00:03:51,734 --> 00:03:54,633 needed to have a chance to change the situation." 86 00:03:54,633 --> 00:03:58,266 That seems to suggest quite strongly the impatience, 87 00:03:58,266 --> 00:04:01,934 frustration with the approach that has been pursued by the 88 00:04:01,934 --> 00:04:03,400 administration so far. 89 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:05,500 What's your view on that? 90 00:04:05,500 --> 00:04:08,734 Mr. Earnest: Well, I'd start by reminding you of the situation that the 91 00:04:08,734 --> 00:04:11,133 President encountered when he took office. 92 00:04:11,133 --> 00:04:14,533 When President Obama took office in 2009, 93 00:04:14,533 --> 00:04:16,800 the international community was splintered about how to 94 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:20,000 confront the challenge of Iran and their aspirations for a 95 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:23,233 nuclear weapon, while inside Iran there was unanimity among 96 00:04:23,233 --> 00:04:26,367 that regime that pursuing a nuclear weapon was the wisest 97 00:04:26,367 --> 00:04:27,900 course of action. 98 00:04:27,900 --> 00:04:29,200 Here we stand, three years later, 99 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:30,734 because of the President's leadership on the 100 00:04:30,734 --> 00:04:33,933 international stage, he's marshaled international 101 00:04:33,934 --> 00:04:36,934 support and the international community is now presenting a 102 00:04:36,934 --> 00:04:40,367 united front to the Iranians about the importance of living 103 00:04:40,367 --> 00:04:43,000 up to their international obligations when it comes to 104 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:44,667 their nuclear program. 105 00:04:44,667 --> 00:04:47,599 This includes passing a resolution through the 106 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:49,633 United Nations Security Council with the support 107 00:04:49,633 --> 00:04:52,099 of Russia and China. 108 00:04:52,100 --> 00:04:53,567 So not an insignificant development. 109 00:04:53,567 --> 00:04:55,266 As a result of those -- 110 00:04:55,266 --> 00:04:59,700 of that Security Council resolution and other actions, 111 00:04:59,700 --> 00:05:01,834 crippling sanctions have been put in place against 112 00:05:01,834 --> 00:05:08,033 the Iranian regime that have resulted in the Iranian regime 113 00:05:08,033 --> 00:05:11,166 acknowledging the economic toll that those sanctions have 114 00:05:11,166 --> 00:05:14,033 taken, and have started -- 115 00:05:14,033 --> 00:05:16,333 and the Iranian regime is starting to exhibit some signs 116 00:05:16,333 --> 00:05:19,433 of dissent within the ranks. 117 00:05:19,433 --> 00:05:23,332 So that change over the course of three years I think is 118 00:05:23,333 --> 00:05:25,567 notable, and thanks in no small part to the President's 119 00:05:25,567 --> 00:05:27,967 leadership on this issue. 120 00:05:27,967 --> 00:05:30,032 Governor Romney, in one of the interviews that he conducted 121 00:05:30,033 --> 00:05:32,400 yesterday, actually acknowledged something similar 122 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:37,099 about the impact that economic sanctions were having on Iran. 123 00:05:37,100 --> 00:05:44,233 And it is the President's view that those sanctions are 124 00:05:44,233 --> 00:05:48,567 taking an important toll and they are steadily increasing. 125 00:05:48,567 --> 00:05:52,734 And this administration is going to continue to work both 126 00:05:52,734 --> 00:05:54,433 with our international partners as well as 127 00:05:54,433 --> 00:06:00,266 unilaterally to continue to pressure the Iranian regime to 128 00:06:00,266 --> 00:06:02,000 live up to their obligations when it comes to their nuclear 129 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:02,900 weapons program. 130 00:06:02,900 --> 00:06:05,799 The Press: Well, what, if any, concern is there in the administration 131 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:08,667 that those words of frustration coming from 132 00:06:08,667 --> 00:06:13,532 Netanyahu could be translated into unilateral action -- 133 00:06:13,533 --> 00:06:16,567 unilateral military action against Tehran? 134 00:06:16,567 --> 00:06:18,500 Mr. Earnest: Well, you know, Matt, the policy of this administration 135 00:06:18,500 --> 00:06:21,934 has been that there is still a window -- 136 00:06:21,934 --> 00:06:25,266 a shrinking window, but still a window nonetheless -- 137 00:06:25,266 --> 00:06:29,000 for a diplomatic solution to be reached to resolve these 138 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:32,300 concerns about the Iranians' failure to live up to their 139 00:06:32,300 --> 00:06:34,266 international obligations. 140 00:06:34,266 --> 00:06:38,700 So we're going to continue to work in coordinated fashion 141 00:06:38,700 --> 00:06:40,099 with the international community, 142 00:06:40,100 --> 00:06:41,734 including with the Israelis. 143 00:06:41,734 --> 00:06:43,332 We have worked -- 144 00:06:43,333 --> 00:06:45,266 we have marched in lockstep with them, 145 00:06:45,266 --> 00:06:47,233 we've been side by side with them as they've confronted 146 00:06:47,233 --> 00:06:51,166 this threat, and will continue to be. 147 00:06:51,166 --> 00:06:52,500 All options do remain on the table. 148 00:06:52,500 --> 00:06:54,500 That's something that we've said all along, 149 00:06:54,500 --> 00:06:56,266 that continues to be the case. 150 00:06:56,266 --> 00:06:58,867 But right now, what we're focused on is taking advantage 151 00:06:58,867 --> 00:07:02,400 of this diplomatic window that remains open to pursue 152 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:07,200 a solution that satisfies the world community and results 153 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:08,200 in the international -- 154 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:09,834 in the Iranian regime living up to their 155 00:07:09,834 --> 00:07:11,667 international obligations. 156 00:07:11,667 --> 00:07:13,734 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 157 00:07:13,734 --> 00:07:16,500 In your first answer, are you suggesting that Governor 158 00:07:16,500 --> 00:07:19,467 Romney is failing that challenge of being an 159 00:07:19,467 --> 00:07:21,332 actor on the world stage? 160 00:07:21,333 --> 00:07:22,567 Mr. Earnest: Well, that's not an assessment that I would 161 00:07:22,567 --> 00:07:23,667 draw from this podium. 162 00:07:23,667 --> 00:07:25,265 I will leave it to you and others, 163 00:07:25,266 --> 00:07:28,767 who are experienced observers of candidates and Presidents 164 00:07:28,767 --> 00:07:32,834 and other world leaders who have gone onto the world stage 165 00:07:32,834 --> 00:07:36,266 and have faced that challenge. 166 00:07:36,266 --> 00:07:37,700 And it's not -- 167 00:07:37,700 --> 00:07:39,866 it wouldn't be appropriate from my position to grade 168 00:07:39,867 --> 00:07:40,800 him from here. 169 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:43,967 I'm not an Olympic judge, as it were. 170 00:07:43,967 --> 00:07:47,834 The Press: Speaker Pelosi is quoted as saying that Republican Jews 171 00:07:47,834 --> 00:07:51,700 are being exploited because they are more interested in 172 00:07:51,700 --> 00:07:54,734 the tax cuts that they would get from the Republican Party 173 00:07:54,734 --> 00:07:56,133 than the interests of Israel. 174 00:07:56,133 --> 00:08:00,166 Does the President believe former Speaker Pelosi is on 175 00:08:00,166 --> 00:08:01,633 to something with that? 176 00:08:01,633 --> 00:08:04,032 Mr. Earnest: Well, I haven't seen those comments. 177 00:08:04,033 --> 00:08:06,200 There are -- 178 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:08,567 there's no question that there is a difference of opinion 179 00:08:08,567 --> 00:08:11,367 when it comes to what congressional Republicans 180 00:08:11,367 --> 00:08:12,900 are advocating on tax policy and what 181 00:08:12,900 --> 00:08:13,967 the President has advocated. 182 00:08:13,967 --> 00:08:16,032 The President has advocated that we should seize on the 183 00:08:16,033 --> 00:08:19,433 common ground that exists to act immediately to provide 184 00:08:19,433 --> 00:08:21,467 certainty to 98 percent of Americans -- 185 00:08:21,467 --> 00:08:24,834 all Americans making less than $250,000 a year, 186 00:08:24,834 --> 00:08:26,867 97 percent of American small businesses, 187 00:08:26,867 --> 00:08:28,667 to prevent their taxes from going up at the end 188 00:08:28,667 --> 00:08:29,400 of the year. 189 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:30,767 So there's no question that there's a difference of 190 00:08:30,767 --> 00:08:34,366 opinion between Democrats and Republicans on that issue. 191 00:08:34,366 --> 00:08:35,265 It's something that the President hopes 192 00:08:35,265 --> 00:08:36,065 will get resolved. 193 00:08:36,066 --> 00:08:38,467 I understand that this is something that House 194 00:08:38,467 --> 00:08:40,433 Republicans are going to consider this week. 195 00:08:40,433 --> 00:08:45,233 But in terms of Leader Pelosi's comments, 196 00:08:45,233 --> 00:08:46,934 I haven't seen them so it's difficult for me 197 00:08:46,934 --> 00:08:47,733 to react to them. 198 00:08:47,734 --> 00:08:49,233 The Press: -- the "To-Do" list for Congress before it takes 199 00:08:49,233 --> 00:08:50,599 a break in August? 200 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:52,133 Mr. Earnest: Well, there's a pretty long "To-Do" list that we've talked 201 00:08:52,133 --> 00:08:53,100 about quite a bit. 202 00:08:53,100 --> 00:08:54,700 There are a number of things in the American Jobs Act that 203 00:08:54,700 --> 00:08:56,533 Congress could do, from putting teachers and 204 00:08:56,533 --> 00:08:57,734 firefighters and police -- 205 00:08:57,734 --> 00:08:58,467 The Press: This week? 206 00:08:58,467 --> 00:09:00,667 Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't set the congressional schedule. 207 00:09:00,667 --> 00:09:03,200 If I would, I'd probably have a pretty long list for them 208 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:04,767 because there are a lot of things that the President 209 00:09:04,767 --> 00:09:06,200 believes that they should do. 210 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:08,900 Some of the important work that needs to be done to 211 00:09:08,900 --> 00:09:13,199 support the private sector as we recover from the worst 212 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:18,300 economic calamity since the Great Depression -- 213 00:09:18,300 --> 00:09:20,032 that there's a lot that remains to be done, 214 00:09:20,033 --> 00:09:22,033 a lot of ideas that the President has put forward, 215 00:09:22,033 --> 00:09:24,066 that have traditionally earned bipartisan support, 216 00:09:24,066 --> 00:09:25,700 that Republicans haven't acted on. 217 00:09:25,700 --> 00:09:28,066 And I'll leave it to them to make up their own to-do list. 218 00:09:28,066 --> 00:09:29,700 I think what will be challenging for them -- 219 00:09:29,700 --> 00:09:31,867 as they consider what to put on that to-do list, 220 00:09:31,867 --> 00:09:34,533 I would urge them to also think about the reaction that 221 00:09:34,533 --> 00:09:36,000 they're going to get from their constituents when they 222 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,767 go home and spend the month of August in town hall meetings 223 00:09:38,767 --> 00:09:40,567 and traveling across their districts. 224 00:09:40,567 --> 00:09:42,433 I do think that there are going to be some rather 225 00:09:42,433 --> 00:09:47,133 pointed questions that Americans have about what 226 00:09:47,133 --> 00:09:50,834 Congress is doing to strengthen -- 227 00:09:50,834 --> 00:09:52,900 to support the private sector as we recover, 228 00:09:52,900 --> 00:09:56,132 as we continue to strengthen our economy and we continue 229 00:09:56,133 --> 00:09:57,500 to recover. 230 00:09:57,500 --> 00:10:01,834 And hopefully they'll put some things on their to-do list 231 00:10:01,834 --> 00:10:06,165 that will strengthen their answer to that question. 232 00:10:06,166 --> 00:10:08,934 The Press: On Mr. Romney's trip, is there anything that he spoke about 233 00:10:08,934 --> 00:10:13,065 this weekend, whether it's regarding moving the U.S. 234 00:10:13,066 --> 00:10:16,567 embassy to Jerusalem, or on sanctions on Iran -- 235 00:10:16,567 --> 00:10:18,533 that you think interferes with 236 00:10:18,533 --> 00:10:20,367 U.S. foreign policy? 237 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:30,867 Mr. Earnest: Well, there is nothing that jumps out at me that would in 238 00:10:30,867 --> 00:10:33,967 any way limit the President's ability to fulfill his 239 00:10:33,967 --> 00:10:35,834 responsibilities as the Commander-in-Chief, 240 00:10:35,834 --> 00:10:37,500 as the President of the United States and as the leader of 241 00:10:37,500 --> 00:10:38,800 the free world. 242 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:41,599 And those are priorities and responsibilities that the 243 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:43,467 President takes very seriously. 244 00:10:43,467 --> 00:10:45,233 Those are priorities and responsibilities that the 245 00:10:45,233 --> 00:10:48,800 President believes should be above the partisan fray. 246 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:50,599 And despite the questions that I'm getting today, 247 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:52,500 I'm doing my best to live up to that standard. 248 00:10:52,500 --> 00:10:54,400 The Press: But when you say that people are scratching their heads 249 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:56,132 about his comments, you mean because his comments were 250 00:10:56,133 --> 00:10:59,567 confusing or out of line? 251 00:10:59,567 --> 00:11:01,533 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think it's in the way in which Jim posed 252 00:11:01,533 --> 00:11:02,533 his question -- 253 00:11:02,533 --> 00:11:06,367 he asked what the intention or meaning of Governor Romney's 254 00:11:06,367 --> 00:11:08,666 comments were. 255 00:11:08,667 --> 00:11:13,000 And so I would leave it to Governor Romney to explain 256 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:16,867 them to the extent that there is some measure of confusion 257 00:11:16,867 --> 00:11:18,467 that led to Jim's question. 258 00:11:18,467 --> 00:11:20,600 Okay. Ed. 259 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:21,900 The Press: Josh, on the Commander-in-Chief question, 260 00:11:21,900 --> 00:11:25,500 Senator McCain is on a tour right now about defense 261 00:11:25,500 --> 00:11:28,834 sequestration cuts, and he has been prodding the President, 262 00:11:28,834 --> 00:11:30,400 saying he should show more leadership as 263 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:33,199 Commander-in-Chief to come together on a deal here. 264 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:34,333 And a Democrat as well -- 265 00:11:34,333 --> 00:11:36,233 Dick Durbin -- said on CNN yesterday, 266 00:11:36,233 --> 00:11:39,433 that the President should -- he said, with the President's 267 00:11:39,433 --> 00:11:42,633 leadership, there could be a bipartisan deal here to prevent 268 00:11:42,633 --> 00:11:43,934 these massive defense cuts. 269 00:11:43,934 --> 00:11:44,834 Where are we on that? 270 00:11:44,834 --> 00:11:46,032 Is the President making calls? 271 00:11:46,033 --> 00:11:50,000 Is he working to get a bipartisan deal? 272 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:51,667 Mr. Earnest: I don't have any specific calls to read out to you 273 00:11:51,667 --> 00:11:52,800 at this point. 274 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:56,333 What I can tell you is that the President remains 275 00:11:56,333 --> 00:12:00,165 concerned about the impact that the sequester could have. 276 00:12:00,166 --> 00:12:03,633 But it's important for everybody to remember 277 00:12:03,633 --> 00:12:05,934 how we got to this point, which is that the sequester 278 00:12:05,934 --> 00:12:06,934 was put in place -- 279 00:12:06,934 --> 00:12:10,867 it was voted into law by Republicans and Democrats to 280 00:12:10,867 --> 00:12:15,367 force Congress to take action on a plan that would have a 281 00:12:15,367 --> 00:12:19,099 meaningful impact on our long-term deficit. 282 00:12:19,100 --> 00:12:21,967 In response to that -- 283 00:12:21,967 --> 00:12:25,300 to those extended negotiations that led up to the sequester, 284 00:12:25,300 --> 00:12:26,900 the President put forward his own plan. 285 00:12:26,900 --> 00:12:29,266 He announced it in a Rose Garden ceremony. 286 00:12:29,266 --> 00:12:31,400 He posted it on the White House website. 287 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:32,900 I believe it's still there -- 288 00:12:32,900 --> 00:12:37,533 a balanced approach to reducing our deficit by $4 289 00:12:37,533 --> 00:12:39,266 trillion over 10 years. 290 00:12:39,266 --> 00:12:41,867 This is an approach that includes significant cuts to 291 00:12:41,867 --> 00:12:44,165 government programs that in a different fiscal environment 292 00:12:44,166 --> 00:12:46,100 the President might otherwise support, 293 00:12:46,100 --> 00:12:49,734 but it also includes asking -- 294 00:12:49,734 --> 00:12:51,734 important reforms in Medicare and Medicaid that over the 295 00:12:51,734 --> 00:12:53,834 long term will make those programs stronger. 296 00:12:53,834 --> 00:12:58,532 But it also includes asking those who make over $250,000 297 00:12:58,533 --> 00:13:00,433 a year to pay their fair share, 298 00:13:00,433 --> 00:13:02,800 to pay a little bit more, so that we can take a balanced 299 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:05,165 approach, that we can share the burden when it comes to 300 00:13:05,166 --> 00:13:06,767 dealing with our long-term deficit challenges. 301 00:13:06,767 --> 00:13:09,700 The reason that that's important is because we're not 302 00:13:09,700 --> 00:13:11,433 going to be able to cut our way out of this problem. 303 00:13:11,433 --> 00:13:14,000 And I think that's what most Americans understand. 304 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:17,066 We can't gut our investments in education. 305 00:13:17,066 --> 00:13:19,066 We can't gut our investments in infrastructure. 306 00:13:19,066 --> 00:13:22,166 We can't gut our investments in research and development 307 00:13:22,166 --> 00:13:26,433 and in clean energy to solve our deficit challenges. 308 00:13:26,433 --> 00:13:28,633 What we need to do is we need to grow our economy, 309 00:13:28,633 --> 00:13:31,400 and so those kinds of investments are important as 310 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:37,834 we ensure that we have a 21st century modern infrastructure 311 00:13:37,834 --> 00:13:39,199 that can support our economy. 312 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:41,834 So over the long term, what we're looking to do is to take 313 00:13:41,834 --> 00:13:43,900 a balanced approach to reduce our deficit, 314 00:13:43,900 --> 00:13:46,000 ask those at the top of the income scale to pay their fair 315 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:48,400 share, and make the kinds of investments that are going to 316 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:50,600 strengthen our economy not just in the short term, 317 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:51,834 but also over the long term. 318 00:13:51,834 --> 00:13:52,532 The Press: A couple other quick topics. 319 00:13:52,533 --> 00:13:55,100 Former President Bill Clinton we hear is going to have a big 320 00:13:55,100 --> 00:13:56,433 role at the convention. 321 00:13:56,433 --> 00:13:58,734 Can you walk us through why the President chose him? 322 00:13:58,734 --> 00:14:00,900 They have not always been on the same page. 323 00:14:00,900 --> 00:14:03,367 They've been on the same page on a lot of other things. 324 00:14:03,367 --> 00:14:05,800 But also there is some question as to whether 325 00:14:05,800 --> 00:14:09,333 this is going to overshadow Vice President Biden's role. 326 00:14:09,333 --> 00:14:10,632 Mr. Earnest: Well, a couple things about that. 327 00:14:10,633 --> 00:14:15,400 The first is the President himself, President Obama, 328 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:19,367 has spoken many times publicly about his respect 329 00:14:19,367 --> 00:14:21,834 for President Clinton and President Clinton's ability 330 00:14:21,834 --> 00:14:28,467 to -- well, I should say it this way -- 331 00:14:28,467 --> 00:14:30,633 President Obama has spoken frequently, publicly, 332 00:14:30,633 --> 00:14:33,400 about President Clinton's success in dealing with some 333 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:35,266 of the economic challenges that this country faced when 334 00:14:35,266 --> 00:14:37,632 President Clinton was here in the White House, 335 00:14:37,633 --> 00:14:40,367 and President Clinton's record speaks for itself. 336 00:14:40,367 --> 00:14:42,800 It certainly means that President Clinton is a very 337 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:45,400 effective communicator in terms of talking about the 338 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:48,100 challenges that we face and in talking about the kind of 339 00:14:48,100 --> 00:14:51,467 vision that he and President Obama share in addressing and 340 00:14:51,467 --> 00:14:53,199 confronting these challenges. 341 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:54,867 The Press: But could that not highlight the difficulties 342 00:14:54,867 --> 00:14:57,065 this President has had meeting those 343 00:14:57,066 --> 00:14:58,500 same economic challenges? 344 00:14:58,500 --> 00:15:00,533 Mr. Earnest: I don't think so because I think what ultimately you're 345 00:15:00,533 --> 00:15:03,200 going to find is President Clinton is going to reinforce 346 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:05,000 the message that President Obama himself will be laying 347 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:08,567 out a day or two later, which is his belief that if we're 348 00:15:08,567 --> 00:15:10,767 going to strengthen our economy over the long term, 349 00:15:10,767 --> 00:15:12,567 we need to do it by strengthening the middle 350 00:15:12,567 --> 00:15:14,100 class, by investing in the middle class, 351 00:15:14,100 --> 00:15:16,033 and growing our economy from the middle out. 352 00:15:16,033 --> 00:15:18,200 This stands in stark contrast to the approach that's 353 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:21,500 advocated by Governor Romney and congressional Republicans 354 00:15:21,500 --> 00:15:24,333 who believe that we should just shower the wealthy with 355 00:15:24,333 --> 00:15:26,900 tax cuts; that if we invest in those at the top of the income 356 00:15:26,900 --> 00:15:29,165 scale, that all the benefits will trickle down on everybody 357 00:15:29,166 --> 00:15:30,734 else and we'll all benefit. 358 00:15:30,734 --> 00:15:33,000 We've tried that approach and it didn't work. 359 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:34,300 President Clinton's approach -- 360 00:15:34,300 --> 00:15:36,400 a balanced approach that asks those at the top of the income 361 00:15:36,400 --> 00:15:39,132 scale to pay their fair share while also dealing with our 362 00:15:39,133 --> 00:15:41,166 deficit, while also making important investments in 363 00:15:41,166 --> 00:15:43,734 infrastructure, in education, in research and development -- 364 00:15:43,734 --> 00:15:45,600 that that's the way that we're going to grow our economy. 365 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:48,367 Those kinds of investments that ultimately benefit the 366 00:15:48,367 --> 00:15:50,766 middle class, are what's going to lead to the strongest 367 00:15:50,767 --> 00:15:53,000 economic recovery for this nation. 368 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:54,800 And I think the opportunity that President Clinton will 369 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:59,065 have to deliver that message in the convention isn't just 370 00:15:59,066 --> 00:16:01,066 appropriate, it's something that will be very beneficial 371 00:16:01,066 --> 00:16:01,834 to the President. 372 00:16:01,834 --> 00:16:02,500 The Press: Last thing on a different topic -- 373 00:16:02,500 --> 00:16:03,333 the bin Laden raid. 374 00:16:03,333 --> 00:16:05,333 There's a book out by an author, Richard Miniter, 375 00:16:05,333 --> 00:16:08,834 who in context seems like a critic of the President and is 376 00:16:08,834 --> 00:16:10,532 claiming that he has information that the 377 00:16:10,533 --> 00:16:12,934 bin Laden raid was called off a few times, 378 00:16:12,934 --> 00:16:14,867 in part because Valerie Jarrett suggested to the 379 00:16:14,867 --> 00:16:16,333 President that he call it off. 380 00:16:16,333 --> 00:16:17,867 Does the White House have any reactions, 381 00:16:17,867 --> 00:16:20,300 whether this is factually correct? 382 00:16:20,300 --> 00:16:23,367 Mr. Earnest: That is an utter fabrication. 383 00:16:23,367 --> 00:16:26,333 It seems pretty clear that Mr. Miniter doesn't know what 384 00:16:26,333 --> 00:16:27,500 he's talking about. 385 00:16:27,500 --> 00:16:29,934 Ms. Jarrett, like many -- 386 00:16:29,934 --> 00:16:32,333 like the vast majority of the President's senior staff, 387 00:16:32,333 --> 00:16:39,567 was not read in the operation, on the mission against Osama 388 00:16:39,567 --> 00:16:40,900 bin Laden. 389 00:16:40,900 --> 00:16:43,132 So I wouldn't put any stock into that vignette -- 390 00:16:43,133 --> 00:16:45,333 or into the book itself. 391 00:16:45,333 --> 00:16:46,567 Kristen. 392 00:16:46,567 --> 00:16:47,367 The Press: Josh, thanks. 393 00:16:47,367 --> 00:16:49,266 Going back to Senator Durbin's comments -- 394 00:16:49,266 --> 00:16:51,099 he said this weekend, specifically, 395 00:16:51,100 --> 00:16:52,834 "We believe there is a responsible, 396 00:16:52,834 --> 00:16:54,000 reasonable way to move forward, 397 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:55,967 and we're going to try to put something on the table 398 00:16:55,967 --> 00:16:57,100 to be considered." 399 00:16:57,100 --> 00:17:01,100 He almost struck a cautiously optimistic tone there. 400 00:17:01,100 --> 00:17:04,300 What is the President's level of optimism that they can 401 00:17:04,300 --> 00:17:05,899 actually get something done? 402 00:17:05,900 --> 00:17:07,934 Mr. Earnest: Well, this is something that ultimately Congress is going 403 00:17:07,934 --> 00:17:08,966 to have to move on. 404 00:17:08,967 --> 00:17:12,967 The President has been very candid about his 405 00:17:12,967 --> 00:17:14,166 views on this. 406 00:17:14,165 --> 00:17:15,966 You have all heard him talk about this quite extensively 407 00:17:15,967 --> 00:17:18,400 on the road. 408 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:20,800 You've heard him talk about it even from this podium. 409 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:22,733 You've read the plan that the President has put out, 410 00:17:22,733 --> 00:17:25,165 the detailed plan that is on the White House website that 411 00:17:25,165 --> 00:17:29,066 the President laid out almost 11 months ago now. 412 00:17:29,066 --> 00:17:33,066 So the President's views are quite well known. 413 00:17:33,066 --> 00:17:36,467 And it really is just a responsibility of Democrats 414 00:17:36,467 --> 00:17:40,367 and Republicans in Congress to come together to resolve 415 00:17:40,367 --> 00:17:41,166 this challenge. 416 00:17:41,166 --> 00:17:43,767 The President believes that they should take a balanced 417 00:17:43,767 --> 00:17:47,233 approach to dealing with it, and that's going to require 418 00:17:47,233 --> 00:17:48,966 Republicans to do something that they haven't demonstrated 419 00:17:48,967 --> 00:17:53,600 a willingness to do thus far, which is to stop fighting 420 00:17:53,600 --> 00:17:59,166 tooth and nail to protect the tax benefits of millionaires 421 00:17:59,166 --> 00:18:00,233 and billionaires. 422 00:18:00,233 --> 00:18:01,667 That can't be the top priority. 423 00:18:01,667 --> 00:18:04,033 What needs to be the top priority is dealing with 424 00:18:04,033 --> 00:18:05,033 our deficit. 425 00:18:05,033 --> 00:18:07,600 What needs to be our top priority is investing in the 426 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:12,300 kinds of policies that are going to create a strong 427 00:18:12,300 --> 00:18:14,600 middle class and that are going to lay the groundwork to 428 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:17,800 ensure that our economy can recover over the long term. 429 00:18:17,800 --> 00:18:19,966 Those should be the priorities. 430 00:18:19,967 --> 00:18:23,200 And thus far, Republicans have made protecting the tax 431 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:25,533 benefits of millionaires and billionaires the top priority. 432 00:18:25,533 --> 00:18:26,567 That's what stood in the way. 433 00:18:26,567 --> 00:18:30,367 As soon as they drop that priority -- 434 00:18:30,367 --> 00:18:33,265 or at least de-prioritize it -- 435 00:18:33,266 --> 00:18:35,100 then I think we're going to be able to make some ground. 436 00:18:35,100 --> 00:18:38,533 And the reason that that's important is that neither -- 437 00:18:38,533 --> 00:18:41,199 although both Republicans and Democrats voted for the 438 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:44,900 sequester in an effort to force some action on deficit 439 00:18:44,900 --> 00:18:47,400 reduction, neither Democrats, nor Republicans 440 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:49,500 support that policy. 441 00:18:49,500 --> 00:18:51,767 So it's in the interest of both parties to come together 442 00:18:51,767 --> 00:18:53,266 and try to resolve this. 443 00:18:53,266 --> 00:18:56,600 The Press: Does the President have any sense of confidence that they 444 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:59,332 will be able to come to a resolution on this, 445 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:01,767 given that they failed so many times in the past? 446 00:19:01,767 --> 00:19:03,834 Mr. Earnest: Well, given the stakes, the President is certainly hopeful 447 00:19:03,834 --> 00:19:10,800 that Republicans will adopt an approach that is supported by 448 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:12,332 the vast majority of Americans -- 449 00:19:12,333 --> 00:19:14,066 according to some polls, is even supported by a majority 450 00:19:14,066 --> 00:19:15,133 of Republicans -- 451 00:19:15,133 --> 00:19:16,934 which is that we should adopt a balanced approach, 452 00:19:16,934 --> 00:19:18,767 that we should ask those at the top of the income scale, 453 00:19:18,767 --> 00:19:22,800 those making more than $250,000 a year and higher, 454 00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:24,800 to pay a little bit more, to do their fair share. 455 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:28,433 That, coupled with tough decisions about cuts in 456 00:19:28,433 --> 00:19:32,533 government spending, coupled with reforms to the Medicare 457 00:19:32,533 --> 00:19:36,033 program and other things that are part of this balanced 458 00:19:36,033 --> 00:19:39,332 approach, will lead us to a solution that ultimately is in 459 00:19:39,333 --> 00:19:41,333 the best interest of the American people and the 460 00:19:41,333 --> 00:19:42,567 American economy. 461 00:19:42,567 --> 00:19:45,266 The Press: And, Josh, I also want to get your reaction to the reports 462 00:19:45,266 --> 00:19:48,333 today about the Inspector General who finalized -- 463 00:19:48,333 --> 00:19:50,767 who discovered that the U.S. 464 00:19:50,767 --> 00:19:52,834 initiative to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on 465 00:19:52,834 --> 00:19:55,233 construction projects in Afghanistan, 466 00:19:55,233 --> 00:19:57,767 which is part of the effort to combat the Taliban won't 467 00:19:57,767 --> 00:20:01,600 actually be finished and yield results until the majority of 468 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:02,800 U.S. troops have been withdrawn. 469 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:05,300 Does the administration have a reaction? 470 00:20:05,300 --> 00:20:09,265 Mr. Earnest: I've seen the reports of the study, 471 00:20:09,266 --> 00:20:12,133 but I don't have an actual reaction to give to you at 472 00:20:12,133 --> 00:20:12,600 this point. 473 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:13,500 If you want to check back a little bit later, 474 00:20:13,500 --> 00:20:15,233 we'll see what we can do for you on that, okay. 475 00:20:15,233 --> 00:20:18,066 I'm trying to move it around just a little bit. 476 00:20:18,066 --> 00:20:18,867 Ari. 477 00:20:18,867 --> 00:20:19,433 The Press: Thanks. 478 00:20:19,433 --> 00:20:21,066 Today, apparently the committee charged with 479 00:20:21,066 --> 00:20:23,400 drafting the Democratic Party platform for the convention 480 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:27,100 unanimously approved including support for same-sex marriage, 481 00:20:27,100 --> 00:20:29,766 and I wonder if you have any reaction to that. 482 00:20:29,767 --> 00:20:32,367 Mr. Earnest: I haven't seen those reports. 483 00:20:32,367 --> 00:20:35,265 The President's position on this view has been well 484 00:20:35,266 --> 00:20:37,066 chronicled, shall we say. 485 00:20:37,066 --> 00:20:38,934 But in terms of a specific reaction to the platform, 486 00:20:38,934 --> 00:20:42,133 I'd refer you to my colleagues at the DNC. 487 00:20:42,133 --> 00:20:42,900 Roger. 488 00:20:42,900 --> 00:20:43,767 The Press: Thanks. 489 00:20:43,767 --> 00:20:46,500 Some of the congressional Democrats are highlighting 490 00:20:46,500 --> 00:20:48,533 differences with the President when they're 491 00:20:48,533 --> 00:20:50,233 on the campaign trail. 492 00:20:50,233 --> 00:20:53,899 Others are skipping the convention -- 493 00:20:53,900 --> 00:20:56,066 others won't even say whether they favor the President for 494 00:20:56,066 --> 00:20:58,400 the second term. 495 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:00,500 How do you guys respond to that? 496 00:21:00,500 --> 00:21:04,266 Mr. Earnest: Well, this is something that happens I think every four 497 00:21:04,266 --> 00:21:08,333 years on both sides, frankly, and I know that what the 498 00:21:08,333 --> 00:21:13,367 President is focused on right now is certainly his day job 499 00:21:13,367 --> 00:21:15,567 here as the Commander-in-Chief. 500 00:21:15,567 --> 00:21:16,700 But when it comes to his reelection, 501 00:21:16,700 --> 00:21:18,967 what the President is interested in doing is making 502 00:21:18,967 --> 00:21:21,667 the case to the American people, to all Americans -- 503 00:21:21,667 --> 00:21:24,065 Democrats, Republicans and independents -- 504 00:21:24,066 --> 00:21:26,734 about what his vision is for the future of this country, 505 00:21:26,734 --> 00:21:29,600 about how his view that it's so important to invest in a 506 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:30,667 strong middle class. 507 00:21:30,667 --> 00:21:32,734 The key to our economic recovery is investing in the 508 00:21:32,734 --> 00:21:35,000 middle class so that we can grow our economy from the 509 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:37,400 middle out and how that stands in pretty stark contrast to 510 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:39,967 the policies that are being advocated by the other side. 511 00:21:39,967 --> 00:21:43,333 And the President himself has been pretty candid about his 512 00:21:43,333 --> 00:21:47,266 view that, whomever is listening to him, 513 00:21:47,266 --> 00:21:50,000 that if they agree with what Governor Romney and 514 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:54,834 congressional Republicans are saying about the benefits of 515 00:21:54,834 --> 00:21:58,500 offering tax cuts to the wealthy and how that prospect 516 00:21:58,500 --> 00:22:00,400 could lead to economic strength, 517 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:02,633 the President has said that if you agree with that approach, 518 00:22:02,633 --> 00:22:04,233 an approach that we've tried and has not worked, 519 00:22:04,233 --> 00:22:05,734 but if you agree with that approach -- 520 00:22:05,734 --> 00:22:08,100 whether you're a Democrat or a Republican or an independent 521 00:22:08,100 --> 00:22:09,300 -- that you should support the other guy. 522 00:22:09,300 --> 00:22:12,166 But the President has also said if you agree with him 523 00:22:12,166 --> 00:22:15,833 that investing in the middle class is the best way to grow 524 00:22:15,834 --> 00:22:18,300 our economy, that that's the tried and true method of a 525 00:22:18,300 --> 00:22:20,533 strong American economy, that Democrats, 526 00:22:20,533 --> 00:22:22,934 Republicans and independents who feel that way should 527 00:22:22,934 --> 00:22:23,934 support the President. 528 00:22:23,934 --> 00:22:25,332 That's the case that he'll be making, 529 00:22:25,333 --> 00:22:27,433 and that's the case that, frankly, 530 00:22:27,433 --> 00:22:28,767 transcends partisan lines. 531 00:22:28,767 --> 00:22:31,266 The Press: Is there any concern that it's a sign of diminished 532 00:22:31,266 --> 00:22:33,300 support among Democrats, especially in sort of 533 00:22:33,300 --> 00:22:35,100 Republican-leaning districts? 534 00:22:35,100 --> 00:22:38,166 Mr. Earnest: No, it's not. Peter. 535 00:22:38,166 --> 00:22:40,200 The Press: Josh, you mentioned in response to some earlier 536 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:43,200 questions the economic issues in the Middle East, 537 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:46,000 Israeli-Palestinian specifically, 538 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:48,767 and the status of Jerusalem should be settled as part of 539 00:22:48,767 --> 00:22:50,166 the peace process. 540 00:22:50,166 --> 00:22:53,600 Realistically, what are the prospects for any progress 541 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:55,899 anytime soon on that? 542 00:22:55,900 --> 00:22:59,800 And what, if anything, is the President doing to promote it? 543 00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:01,899 Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't want to be in a position of trying to handicap 544 00:23:01,900 --> 00:23:04,633 the outcome of those kinds of conversations. 545 00:23:04,633 --> 00:23:07,400 This is something that many American Presidents 546 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:10,333 have worked on. 547 00:23:10,333 --> 00:23:16,033 There is no doubt about the interest that the United 548 00:23:16,033 --> 00:23:20,934 States of America has in the resolution of some of those 549 00:23:20,934 --> 00:23:25,567 issues, that turmoil in that region is not in the best 550 00:23:25,567 --> 00:23:27,834 interests of the United States of America. 551 00:23:27,834 --> 00:23:30,600 We've seen the President's strong support for the nation 552 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:33,966 of Israel in a wide range of formats. 553 00:23:33,967 --> 00:23:35,867 The President signed a piece of legislation in the Oval 554 00:23:35,867 --> 00:23:38,734 Office on Friday further deepening the security 555 00:23:38,734 --> 00:23:41,233 cooperation between the United States and Israel. 556 00:23:41,233 --> 00:23:42,734 You've seen the President stand on the floor of the 557 00:23:42,734 --> 00:23:46,966 United Nations against efforts to delegitimize Israel or to 558 00:23:46,967 --> 00:23:49,133 minimize their security concerns. 559 00:23:49,133 --> 00:23:52,433 You've seen the President stand to block efforts at the 560 00:23:52,433 --> 00:23:56,700 U.N. to go around those negotiations between the 561 00:23:56,700 --> 00:24:00,333 parties in terms of the Palestinians efforts to 562 00:24:00,333 --> 00:24:01,266 get statehood -- 563 00:24:01,266 --> 00:24:03,600 be recognized for statehood at the United Nations. 564 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:07,265 You've seen the President, when he traveled to Israel 565 00:24:07,266 --> 00:24:11,000 as a candidate, affirm his solidarity with the Israeli 566 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:14,233 people, where he talked about the Iron Dome program that 567 00:24:14,233 --> 00:24:17,934 commenced under his watch and has been -- 568 00:24:17,934 --> 00:24:20,533 we've invested nearly $300 million in that program, 569 00:24:20,533 --> 00:24:22,800 that to this day, right now as we're talking, 570 00:24:22,800 --> 00:24:25,834 is providing a blanket of protection for the Israeli 571 00:24:25,834 --> 00:24:30,767 people who had previously been in danger of being showered 572 00:24:30,767 --> 00:24:33,400 with rockets fired from Gaza. 573 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:37,300 So the President has a long record on these issues, 574 00:24:37,300 --> 00:24:41,767 both in terms of his strong support with Israel, 575 00:24:41,767 --> 00:24:46,000 but also in articulating his interest about why it's 576 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:48,567 important to the United States for some of these issues to be 577 00:24:48,567 --> 00:24:50,700 confronted, to be negotiated between the parties, 578 00:24:50,700 --> 00:24:52,667 and ultimately resolved. 579 00:24:52,667 --> 00:24:55,766 The Press: Can you point to any progress in the peace process since he 580 00:24:55,767 --> 00:24:56,900 took office? 581 00:24:56,900 --> 00:24:58,400 In the peace process. 582 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:02,367 Mr. Earnest: There have been a number of dialogue sessions that the 583 00:25:02,367 --> 00:25:04,633 President has participated in, both unilaterally, 584 00:25:04,633 --> 00:25:06,066 but also trilaterally. 585 00:25:06,066 --> 00:25:07,900 There were some of those meetings at the White House 586 00:25:07,900 --> 00:25:11,500 in the past, and those were conversations that 587 00:25:11,500 --> 00:25:13,867 the President played an influential role in. 588 00:25:13,867 --> 00:25:17,899 And ultimately, the way this is going to be resolved is 589 00:25:17,900 --> 00:25:19,166 dialogue through those parties, 590 00:25:19,166 --> 00:25:21,265 and the President is interested in doing what he 591 00:25:21,266 --> 00:25:23,767 can to play a leadership role in facilitating some of that 592 00:25:23,767 --> 00:25:26,800 dialogue and reaching this -- 593 00:25:26,800 --> 00:25:29,966 reaching a conclusion that is, of course, 594 00:25:29,967 --> 00:25:31,867 in the best interests of the two parties who are part of 595 00:25:31,867 --> 00:25:37,000 that dialogue, but that enduring resolution is 596 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:40,200 something that is in the solid interest of the United States 597 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:41,300 of America. 598 00:25:41,300 --> 00:25:43,533 The Press: One quick question on a totally different subject, 599 00:25:43,533 --> 00:25:46,233 domestically -- is the President aware of this report that's out 600 00:25:46,233 --> 00:25:49,667 there today about his family tree? 601 00:25:49,667 --> 00:25:50,966 Mr. Earnest: I've seen some of those reports. 602 00:25:50,967 --> 00:25:52,333 I have not talked to the President about 603 00:25:52,333 --> 00:25:55,834 it today, though. 604 00:25:55,834 --> 00:25:58,333 The Press: In the past, White House officials have said that 605 00:25:58,333 --> 00:26:01,900 Mitt Romney's position on Iran showed no discernible 606 00:26:01,900 --> 00:26:03,667 difference with the President's position and that 607 00:26:03,667 --> 00:26:07,265 if he wanted to articulate a difference, he should. 608 00:26:07,266 --> 00:26:09,467 In the wake of his speech in Israel about Iran, 609 00:26:09,467 --> 00:26:11,266 do you still feel the same way, 610 00:26:11,266 --> 00:26:14,767 that he has essentially not carved out any difference with 611 00:26:14,767 --> 00:26:15,700 administration policy? 612 00:26:15,700 --> 00:26:17,734 Or do you see something different? 613 00:26:17,734 --> 00:26:20,600 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think in terms of the specific positions that Mitt 614 00:26:20,600 --> 00:26:22,533 Romney has advocated on his trip, 615 00:26:22,533 --> 00:26:25,466 I would refer you to my colleagues at the campaign. 616 00:26:25,467 --> 00:26:28,066 The Press: But this isn't really exactly a campaign question. 617 00:26:28,066 --> 00:26:28,967 I'm asking, based on -- 618 00:26:28,967 --> 00:26:30,633 Mr. Earnest: Well, you're sort of asking me to assess whether or not 619 00:26:30,633 --> 00:26:31,967 he agrees or disagrees with the President of 620 00:26:31,967 --> 00:26:32,800 the United States. 621 00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:36,899 So I guess if you're a little confused about what position 622 00:26:36,900 --> 00:26:38,700 Mitt Romney is taking, then I guess I'd suggest that you 623 00:26:38,700 --> 00:26:41,767 reach out to his campaign. 624 00:26:41,767 --> 00:26:45,100 But I don't know that I'm in a position to assess how 625 00:26:45,100 --> 00:26:51,233 strongly or weakly he agreed with the President. 626 00:26:51,233 --> 00:26:52,200 Goyal. 627 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:53,700 The Press: Thank you. Two questions. 628 00:26:53,700 --> 00:26:57,200 One, how serious you think Iran's presence in the Gulf is 629 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:01,834 as far as the world oil supply is concerned? 630 00:27:01,834 --> 00:27:04,734 Mr. Earnest: Well, we certainly are concerned about instability 631 00:27:04,734 --> 00:27:05,500 in the region. 632 00:27:05,500 --> 00:27:08,266 It's one of the reasons that we have worked, 633 00:27:08,266 --> 00:27:11,000 as I mentioned earlier, in collaboration with our 634 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:13,967 partners around the globe and even partners there in the 635 00:27:13,967 --> 00:27:18,633 region to try to bring some greater stability to that 636 00:27:18,633 --> 00:27:23,367 region; that it has in the past had some impact on oil 637 00:27:23,367 --> 00:27:25,667 prices and it's why we're eager for the Iranian regime 638 00:27:25,667 --> 00:27:28,533 to live up to their international obligations. 639 00:27:28,533 --> 00:27:31,332 And that's where we are. 640 00:27:31,333 --> 00:27:34,900 The Press: And second, as far as the U.S.-Indian economic and trade 641 00:27:34,900 --> 00:27:38,767 relations are concerned, recently hundreds of Indian 642 00:27:38,767 --> 00:27:41,600 companies have been investing in Indian billions of dollars 643 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:43,166 and creating thousands of jobs. 644 00:27:43,166 --> 00:27:45,367 Is there some kind of special agreement between the two 645 00:27:45,367 --> 00:27:49,667 countries now, since the finance minister of India 646 00:27:49,667 --> 00:27:52,033 is now the president of India? 647 00:27:52,033 --> 00:27:56,567 Mr. Earnest: In terms of the details of our trade relationship with India, 648 00:27:56,567 --> 00:27:58,533 I'd refer you to the USTR. 649 00:27:58,533 --> 00:28:01,600 I don't have any details on the relationship that 650 00:28:01,600 --> 00:28:03,433 you're citing there. 651 00:28:03,433 --> 00:28:04,500 Jen. 652 00:28:04,500 --> 00:28:05,767 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 653 00:28:05,767 --> 00:28:08,133 Senator Lautenberg and Congresswoman McCarthy just 654 00:28:08,133 --> 00:28:12,033 introduced a new bill that would ban online ammunition sales. 655 00:28:12,033 --> 00:28:14,632 Their bill would also require reporting to law enforcement 656 00:28:14,633 --> 00:28:16,400 of bulk ammunition sales. 657 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:17,533 I'm wondering if the President would support 658 00:28:17,533 --> 00:28:19,632 a bill like this. 659 00:28:19,633 --> 00:28:21,734 Mr. Earnest: I don't know that he's seen that specific piece 660 00:28:21,734 --> 00:28:24,033 of legislation that's been offered. 661 00:28:24,033 --> 00:28:26,433 The President's views that have been relayed quite 662 00:28:26,433 --> 00:28:31,633 frequently over the last few days is that he believes in 663 00:28:31,633 --> 00:28:33,066 the Second Amendment of the Constitution, 664 00:28:33,066 --> 00:28:36,166 in the right to bear arms, but he also believes that we 665 00:28:36,166 --> 00:28:40,300 should take robust steps within existing law to ensure 666 00:28:40,300 --> 00:28:42,533 that guns don't fall in the hands of criminals or others 667 00:28:42,533 --> 00:28:44,132 who shouldn't have them. 668 00:28:44,133 --> 00:28:48,200 The Press: Would that include a ban on online sales of ammunition? 669 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:50,233 Mr. Earnest: Well, like I said, I haven't seen the specific piece of 670 00:28:50,233 --> 00:28:52,734 legislation that has been offered up today. 671 00:28:52,734 --> 00:28:55,766 But as that and other pieces of legislation make their way 672 00:28:55,767 --> 00:28:58,166 through the legislative process we'll consider -- 673 00:28:58,166 --> 00:29:01,800 we'll evaluate them as they make their way 674 00:29:01,800 --> 00:29:02,899 through the process. 675 00:29:02,900 --> 00:29:05,066 The Press: So he will evaluate a bill like this? 676 00:29:05,066 --> 00:29:05,667 Mr. Earnest: I'm sorry? 677 00:29:05,667 --> 00:29:07,766 The Press: The President would evaluate a bill like this? 678 00:29:07,767 --> 00:29:11,600 Mr. Earnest: Our administration will be taking a look at this 679 00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:15,332 legislation and others as they make their way 680 00:29:15,333 --> 00:29:16,433 through Congress. 681 00:29:16,433 --> 00:29:18,433 The Press: Can you check on that particular thing, 682 00:29:18,433 --> 00:29:20,266 whether he supports it or not? 683 00:29:20,266 --> 00:29:23,100 Mr. Earnest: I can take a look. 684 00:29:23,100 --> 00:29:25,567 The Press: Can you tell us why the White House decided to weigh in on 685 00:29:25,567 --> 00:29:29,800 this whole Winston Churchill bust scandal and whether you 686 00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:33,899 guys are going to clarify what bust is where and -- 687 00:29:33,900 --> 00:29:38,633 (laughter) 688 00:29:38,633 --> 00:29:40,834 Mr. Earnest: It is almost like a bad Sherlock Holmes script, right? 689 00:29:40,834 --> 00:29:42,433 (laughter) 690 00:29:42,433 --> 00:29:45,900 "The Case of the Missing Winston Churchill Bust." 691 00:29:45,900 --> 00:29:51,033 The reason that we weighed in on Friday is because there is 692 00:29:51,033 --> 00:29:55,300 a myth floating in some of the darker corners of the Internet -- 693 00:29:55,300 --> 00:29:56,899 (laughter) 694 00:29:56,900 --> 00:29:59,300 -- that suggests that upon taking office, 695 00:29:59,300 --> 00:30:04,899 the President went out of his way to snub the British people 696 00:30:04,900 --> 00:30:11,867 by prematurely returning the bust of Winston Churchill that 697 00:30:11,867 --> 00:30:14,767 had occupied a prominent place in the Oval Office under the 698 00:30:14,767 --> 00:30:17,033 previous President. 699 00:30:17,033 --> 00:30:19,367 That's not true. 700 00:30:19,367 --> 00:30:22,834 As the White House Curator has previously explained, 701 00:30:22,834 --> 00:30:24,433 and I believe as we explained at the end of the day on 702 00:30:24,433 --> 00:30:29,000 Friday, the bust was loaned to President Bush 703 00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:31,266 by the British government. 704 00:30:31,266 --> 00:30:33,834 As is customary, at the conclusion of President Bush's 705 00:30:33,834 --> 00:30:38,000 term and before President Obama entered the Oval Office, 706 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:41,000 the bust was returned to the British embassy. 707 00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:44,000 What hasn't changed are two things: one, 708 00:30:44,000 --> 00:30:46,100 the President's -- 709 00:30:46,100 --> 00:30:48,500 the priority and value that the President places on our 710 00:30:48,500 --> 00:30:52,133 special relationship with the United Kingdom, and two, 711 00:30:52,133 --> 00:30:54,934 the location of the prominently placed Winston 712 00:30:54,934 --> 00:30:57,332 Churchill bust in the White House residence. 713 00:30:57,333 --> 00:31:00,800 And I think you may have seen the picture that we put on the 714 00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:04,466 White House website on Friday of President Obama showing off 715 00:31:04,467 --> 00:31:06,700 the Churchill bust in the White House residence to Prime 716 00:31:06,700 --> 00:31:08,433 Minister Cameron when he visited the U.S. 717 00:31:08,433 --> 00:31:09,433 back in March. 718 00:31:09,433 --> 00:31:12,200 (laughter) 719 00:31:12,200 --> 00:31:13,767 Have we settled the case of the missing Winston 720 00:31:13,767 --> 00:31:15,100 Churchill bust? 721 00:31:15,100 --> 00:31:16,100 I hope so. 722 00:31:16,100 --> 00:31:16,632 Brianna. 723 00:31:17,166 --> 00:31:17,966 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 724 00:31:17,967 --> 00:31:22,066 Senator McCain has said that the looming fiscal cliff 725 00:31:22,066 --> 00:31:25,300 situation requires presidential leadership 726 00:31:25,300 --> 00:31:27,133 and he's accused the President of being 727 00:31:27,133 --> 00:31:28,667 M.I.A. on it. 728 00:31:28,667 --> 00:31:31,132 What's your reaction to that? 729 00:31:31,133 --> 00:31:35,033 Mr. Earnest: Well, my reaction is that the President has expressed his 730 00:31:35,033 --> 00:31:38,966 concerns quite vividly about the impact that the sequester 731 00:31:38,967 --> 00:31:41,567 would have both on our national security, 732 00:31:41,567 --> 00:31:43,900 but also on some programs that are pretty important 733 00:31:43,900 --> 00:31:46,967 to a strong middle class. 734 00:31:46,967 --> 00:31:50,266 The President has also noted frequently that the sequester 735 00:31:50,266 --> 00:31:53,400 is something that was voted into law by Republicans and 736 00:31:53,400 --> 00:31:57,800 Democrats, and it was voted into law as an action-forcing 737 00:31:57,800 --> 00:32:01,033 mechanism to convince Congress to finally take important 738 00:32:01,033 --> 00:32:04,265 steps to reduce our deficit over the long term. 739 00:32:04,266 --> 00:32:07,000 And the President is hopeful that Congress will follow 740 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:09,467 through on those important steps and prevent the 741 00:32:09,467 --> 00:32:12,967 sequester from taking effect. 742 00:32:12,967 --> 00:32:16,533 There are a whole range of reasons why that's true. 743 00:32:16,533 --> 00:32:18,399 This is something on which there is bipartisan agreement. 744 00:32:18,400 --> 00:32:20,633 As you point out, Senator McCain is expressing concerns 745 00:32:20,633 --> 00:32:23,467 about the impact the sequester would have. 746 00:32:23,467 --> 00:32:25,533 The President himself has expressed similar concerns. 747 00:32:25,533 --> 00:32:28,667 The Defense Secretary has expressed similar concerns. 748 00:32:28,667 --> 00:32:31,667 So what we need right now is we need for Congress to take 749 00:32:31,667 --> 00:32:32,667 some action. 750 00:32:32,667 --> 00:32:36,000 And what seems to me and other members of the administration 751 00:32:36,000 --> 00:32:42,166 to be the principal stumbling block is the commitment, 752 00:32:42,166 --> 00:32:44,667 the die-hard commitment on behalf of congressional 753 00:32:44,667 --> 00:32:49,000 Republicans, to even consider asking millionaires and 754 00:32:49,000 --> 00:32:50,567 billionaires to pay a little bit more to deal with our 755 00:32:50,567 --> 00:32:51,700 deficit challenges. 756 00:32:51,700 --> 00:32:54,367 This seems like it should be a common-sense policy proposal 757 00:32:54,367 --> 00:32:55,633 that we could get done. 758 00:32:55,633 --> 00:33:03,300 There is, broadly speaking, support from the American 759 00:33:03,300 --> 00:33:05,899 people for a balanced approach similar to the one that the 760 00:33:05,900 --> 00:33:07,266 President has advocated. 761 00:33:07,266 --> 00:33:09,166 You've seen bipartisan commissions, 762 00:33:09,166 --> 00:33:11,800 including the Simpson-Bowles commission, 763 00:33:11,800 --> 00:33:14,367 including the Domenici-Rivlin commission, 764 00:33:14,367 --> 00:33:16,133 including the "Gang of Six" -- 765 00:33:16,133 --> 00:33:19,133 all of which are bipartisan bodies who spent a lot of time 766 00:33:19,133 --> 00:33:21,567 taking a look at this challenge and have advocated 767 00:33:21,567 --> 00:33:23,500 a balanced approach similar to the one that the President 768 00:33:23,500 --> 00:33:24,633 has put forward. 769 00:33:24,633 --> 00:33:27,266 The Press: What about what he could do -- you're saying that he's -- 770 00:33:27,266 --> 00:33:31,166 I mean, is expressing concerns and noting things frequently 771 00:33:31,166 --> 00:33:33,466 and being hopeful that a Congress that doesn't normally 772 00:33:33,467 --> 00:33:34,667 act will act -- 773 00:33:34,667 --> 00:33:36,265 is that strong presidential leadership? 774 00:33:36,266 --> 00:33:37,233 Mr. Earnest: And you left out one key thing, 775 00:33:37,233 --> 00:33:39,367 which is laying out a very specific plan for how we can 776 00:33:39,367 --> 00:33:40,667 resolve this challenge. 777 00:33:40,667 --> 00:33:44,934 The Press: But why not get more involved than just putting 778 00:33:44,934 --> 00:33:45,600 a plan out there? 779 00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:46,433 Why not doing some wrangling -- 780 00:33:46,433 --> 00:33:47,467 Mr. Earnest: Than just talk about it and offer a specific solution that 781 00:33:47,467 --> 00:33:49,100 is broadly supported by the American people about how to 782 00:33:49,100 --> 00:33:50,766 resolve it? 783 00:33:50,767 --> 00:33:52,066 That's what the President has done. 784 00:33:52,066 --> 00:33:53,400 The Press: Why not do thing more than that? 785 00:33:53,400 --> 00:33:56,166 Is that strong presidential leadership? 786 00:33:56,166 --> 00:33:57,767 Mr. Earnest: I think that it is strong presidential leadership. 787 00:33:57,767 --> 00:34:01,900 Advocating an approach that is balanced, 788 00:34:01,900 --> 00:34:06,166 that mirrors the approach that bipartisan commissions have 789 00:34:06,166 --> 00:34:08,299 taken, that everybody acknowledges would do 790 00:34:08,300 --> 00:34:10,633 something serious about our deficit challenges, 791 00:34:10,632 --> 00:34:14,065 reducing our deficit by $4 trillion over the course of 792 00:34:14,065 --> 00:34:17,833 10 years, including some very difficult cuts in government 793 00:34:17,833 --> 00:34:19,667 programs that in a different fiscal environment the 794 00:34:19,667 --> 00:34:21,699 President might otherwise support. 795 00:34:21,699 --> 00:34:26,567 We've cut government spending down to the lowest level as it 796 00:34:26,567 --> 00:34:28,233 was during the Eisenhower administration when you 797 00:34:28,233 --> 00:34:30,533 consider it as a percentage of GDP. 798 00:34:30,533 --> 00:34:32,500 So the President has made the important sacrifices. 799 00:34:32,500 --> 00:34:34,233 The President has laid out a specific plan. 800 00:34:34,233 --> 00:34:36,233 And the President has made his case to the public about why 801 00:34:36,233 --> 00:34:37,834 this is the right approach. 802 00:34:37,833 --> 00:34:40,033 The Press: So could it come to the point of going over the fiscal 803 00:34:40,033 --> 00:34:42,132 cliff, and obviously that would hurt the middle class 804 00:34:42,132 --> 00:34:44,232 that the President says he's the champion of -- 805 00:34:47,467 --> 00:34:50,133 will he feel comfortable pointing to what he's done 806 00:34:50,132 --> 00:34:54,065 and saying, well, hey, I did that and that was enough, 807 00:34:54,065 --> 00:34:54,699 that was strong leadership? 808 00:34:54,699 --> 00:34:55,799 Mr. Earnest: When you say "that," what do you mean? 809 00:34:55,800 --> 00:34:57,767 The Press: The things that you just talked about. 810 00:34:57,767 --> 00:34:59,500 Is that enough in the end? 811 00:34:59,500 --> 00:35:02,066 Mr. Earnest: I think the President and the American people acknowledge 812 00:35:02,066 --> 00:35:04,533 that he's played an important leadership role in trying to 813 00:35:04,533 --> 00:35:05,866 advance this debate. 814 00:35:05,867 --> 00:35:07,433 And I think most people recognize, 815 00:35:07,433 --> 00:35:11,066 and I think most people who take a look at this situation 816 00:35:11,066 --> 00:35:12,767 without a partisan point of view -- 817 00:35:12,767 --> 00:35:15,433 and it doesn't seem like there are many people in Washington, 818 00:35:15,433 --> 00:35:16,900 D.C. who are able to do that -- 819 00:35:16,900 --> 00:35:18,800 but people who take a look at this from a neutral 820 00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:22,967 perspective acknowledge that congressional Republicans who 821 00:35:22,967 --> 00:35:25,967 have dug in their heels to protect the tax benefits of 822 00:35:25,967 --> 00:35:30,500 millionaires and billionaires are the chief obstacle to 823 00:35:30,500 --> 00:35:31,700 a solution. 824 00:35:31,700 --> 00:35:33,500 I'm not trying to make the case to you that these kinds 825 00:35:33,500 --> 00:35:37,600 of decisions are easy, but I do think that it's pretty easy 826 00:35:37,600 --> 00:35:40,000 to figure out right now what the chief stumbling block is. 827 00:35:40,000 --> 00:35:42,734 And as soon as Republicans are willing to drop that 828 00:35:42,734 --> 00:35:45,933 opposition and acknowledge that a balanced approach is 829 00:35:45,934 --> 00:35:47,633 the one that's been historically supported 830 00:35:47,633 --> 00:35:49,366 by bipartisan commissions that have spent a lot of 831 00:35:49,367 --> 00:35:50,867 time studying this -- 832 00:35:50,867 --> 00:35:53,033 it's an approach that's supported by a majority of 833 00:35:53,033 --> 00:35:56,232 the American public and even a majority of some Republicans, 834 00:35:56,233 --> 00:35:59,667 according to at least a couple of polls -- 835 00:35:59,667 --> 00:36:01,834 that that's how we're going to eventually reach a solution. 836 00:36:01,834 --> 00:36:06,700 And the goal of the sequester is to raise the stakes. 837 00:36:06,700 --> 00:36:09,399 And this is a goal that was shared by 838 00:36:09,400 --> 00:36:11,266 Republicans and Democrats. 839 00:36:11,266 --> 00:36:16,133 So there is no doubt that congressional failure to take 840 00:36:16,133 --> 00:36:19,799 action on this will have very, very serious consequences. 841 00:36:19,800 --> 00:36:25,367 And recognition of those consequences is hopefully the 842 00:36:25,367 --> 00:36:30,633 first step to reevaluating priorities and finding the 843 00:36:30,633 --> 00:36:33,700 kind of balanced approach that should be bipartisan in 844 00:36:33,700 --> 00:36:36,232 nature, that has been bipartisan in the past, 845 00:36:36,233 --> 00:36:38,800 and that will ultimately deal with our deficit challenges, 846 00:36:38,800 --> 00:36:41,000 which is something that both Republicans and Democrats 847 00:36:41,000 --> 00:36:42,533 agree we need to do. 848 00:36:42,533 --> 00:36:45,500 The Press: And then just a quick follow on President Clinton's role in 849 00:36:45,500 --> 00:36:46,533 the convention. 850 00:36:46,533 --> 00:36:48,866 President Obama is not concerned at all that having 851 00:36:48,867 --> 00:36:52,567 him in that role will highlight their respective 852 00:36:52,567 --> 00:36:56,700 economic policies or outcomes, and that that may not serve 853 00:36:56,700 --> 00:36:59,500 President Obama well in the convention? 854 00:36:59,500 --> 00:37:01,834 Mr. Earnest: I mean, for detailed questions about the convention, 855 00:37:01,834 --> 00:37:03,165 I would encourage you to check with the campaign. 856 00:37:03,166 --> 00:37:05,000 But what I can tell you is that -- 857 00:37:05,000 --> 00:37:06,100 The Press: I'm talking about records. 858 00:37:06,100 --> 00:37:07,033 Mr. Earnest: Yes, I understand. 859 00:37:07,033 --> 00:37:10,433 And I think as I mentioned earlier, a couple of things -- 860 00:37:10,433 --> 00:37:12,166 President Clinton has appeared publicly with President Obama 861 00:37:12,166 --> 00:37:14,300 in a couple of different settings, 862 00:37:14,300 --> 00:37:18,834 I think most recently in New York a couple of months ago. 863 00:37:18,834 --> 00:37:21,500 And as I mentioned, I think President Clinton, 864 00:37:21,500 --> 00:37:23,033 because of his record on these issues, 865 00:37:23,033 --> 00:37:27,834 because he shares President Obama's view that the best 866 00:37:27,834 --> 00:37:30,299 policies to put in place are the kinds of economic policies 867 00:37:30,300 --> 00:37:32,100 that invest in the middle class, 868 00:37:32,100 --> 00:37:34,000 that will grow our economy from the middle out, 869 00:37:34,000 --> 00:37:37,133 are the right approach -- 870 00:37:37,133 --> 00:37:39,165 that President Clinton's participation at the 871 00:37:39,166 --> 00:37:46,266 convention will be a very important way to reinforce 872 00:37:46,266 --> 00:37:47,900 President Obama's views. 873 00:37:47,900 --> 00:37:50,433 And that multiplier effect, if you will, 874 00:37:52,900 --> 00:37:55,834 will make it clear the choice that voters have 875 00:37:55,834 --> 00:37:57,600 in this election. 876 00:37:57,600 --> 00:37:58,467 George. 877 00:37:58,467 --> 00:38:00,333 The Press: Thank you. Two questions. 878 00:38:00,333 --> 00:38:03,433 Do you think it's appropriate for a candidate to have 879 00:38:03,433 --> 00:38:05,433 fundraisers on foreign soil? 880 00:38:05,433 --> 00:38:07,900 And secondly, is the President watching the Olympics? 881 00:38:07,900 --> 00:38:11,500 (laughter) 882 00:38:11,500 --> 00:38:13,367 Mr. Earnest: For your question about the propriety of fundraising 883 00:38:13,367 --> 00:38:15,633 locations, I'd refer you to my colleagues at the campaign who 884 00:38:15,633 --> 00:38:17,433 organize fundraising events. 885 00:38:17,433 --> 00:38:20,633 They can talk to you about their views on that. 886 00:38:20,633 --> 00:38:24,165 In terms of the President's Olympic viewership, 887 00:38:24,166 --> 00:38:29,633 I haven't spoken to him since the events began their 888 00:38:29,633 --> 00:38:35,265 around-the-clock broadcasting on a range of NBC outlets, 889 00:38:35,266 --> 00:38:37,100 but I can tell you that going into the Olympics, 890 00:38:37,100 --> 00:38:38,533 the President was very interested. 891 00:38:38,533 --> 00:38:40,200 So now that we're 72 hours into it, 892 00:38:40,200 --> 00:38:42,200 I would be surprised if the President hadn't spent some 893 00:38:42,200 --> 00:38:44,265 time watching our Olympians compete on 894 00:38:44,266 --> 00:38:46,467 the international stage. 895 00:38:46,467 --> 00:38:47,166 Alexis. 896 00:38:47,166 --> 00:38:49,633 The Press: Josh, can we follow up on Senator McCain. 897 00:38:49,633 --> 00:38:52,200 My understanding is he's been trying to float alternatives 898 00:38:52,200 --> 00:38:54,899 that might attract Republican support. 899 00:38:54,900 --> 00:38:57,400 Does the President believe that Senator McCain has been 900 00:38:57,400 --> 00:39:00,100 showing leadership in his party up to this part, 901 00:39:00,100 --> 00:39:02,533 trying to work on the sequestration problems? 902 00:39:02,533 --> 00:39:06,500 And secondly, isn't this level of anxiety that's building 903 00:39:06,500 --> 00:39:09,433 exactly what the President had hoped might -- 904 00:39:09,433 --> 00:39:11,767 isn't that what he expected to have happen by now? 905 00:39:11,767 --> 00:39:13,466 Is that a good sign, in other words, 906 00:39:13,467 --> 00:39:18,266 that there's a lot of interest percolating on this issue now? 907 00:39:18,266 --> 00:39:20,000 Mr. Earnest: Well, as I mentioned, the reason that both Republicans 908 00:39:20,000 --> 00:39:22,700 and Democrats voted for this last summer was because it 909 00:39:22,700 --> 00:39:25,366 would raise the stakes and it would be an action-forcing 910 00:39:25,367 --> 00:39:27,800 mechanism to convince Congress to take the 911 00:39:27,800 --> 00:39:29,166 steps that they need. 912 00:39:29,166 --> 00:39:32,934 These steps aren't easy, and so raising the stakes has been 913 00:39:32,934 --> 00:39:35,900 important, and it was an important part of the plan for 914 00:39:35,900 --> 00:39:40,100 eventually reaching some sort of bipartisan agreement to 915 00:39:40,100 --> 00:39:42,933 take these kinds of steps. 916 00:39:42,934 --> 00:39:47,000 So generally speaking, I do think that this is what 917 00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:48,834 Democrats and Republicans had in mind when they voted for 918 00:39:48,834 --> 00:39:50,033 the sequester. 919 00:39:50,033 --> 00:39:52,467 In terms of Senator McCain's role in all of this, 920 00:39:52,467 --> 00:39:55,667 I'm not aware, frankly, of all the things that -- 921 00:39:55,667 --> 00:39:57,900 all the conversations that Senator McCain has had or 922 00:39:57,900 --> 00:40:01,567 the proposals that he may or may not be floating. 923 00:40:01,567 --> 00:40:05,033 But I can tell you that the President has said many times 924 00:40:05,033 --> 00:40:07,700 that he's willing to work with anybody in Congress, 925 00:40:07,700 --> 00:40:10,299 Democrat or Republican, who is willing to pursue 926 00:40:10,300 --> 00:40:12,467 a constructive, balanced approach to dealing with 927 00:40:12,467 --> 00:40:13,800 our deficit challenges. 928 00:40:13,800 --> 00:40:15,767 And if Senator McCain is in that category, 929 00:40:15,767 --> 00:40:17,767 then I'm confident that members of this administration 930 00:40:17,767 --> 00:40:20,933 will be working with him to reach a solution. 931 00:40:20,934 --> 00:40:22,834 Yes, Victoria. 932 00:40:22,834 --> 00:40:26,500 The Press: On the cyber security bill coming up this week, 933 00:40:26,500 --> 00:40:29,266 which Senator McCain and some other senators watered down to 934 00:40:29,266 --> 00:40:30,734 some extent last week -- 935 00:40:30,734 --> 00:40:32,100 well, quite a lot last week -- 936 00:40:32,100 --> 00:40:34,500 there's been some criticism in the Senate that the President 937 00:40:34,500 --> 00:40:37,400 hasn't been involved enough in getting that 938 00:40:37,400 --> 00:40:39,066 bill moving forward. 939 00:40:39,066 --> 00:40:41,133 Do you accept that criticism? 940 00:40:41,133 --> 00:40:41,933 Mr. Earnest: I don't. 941 00:40:41,934 --> 00:40:45,300 I can tell you that while I'm not able to speak on the 942 00:40:45,300 --> 00:40:47,734 specifics of the piece of legislation that you're 943 00:40:47,734 --> 00:40:53,467 talking about, reaching a coherent cyber security policy 944 00:40:53,467 --> 00:40:54,567 is something that the President believes is 945 00:40:54,567 --> 00:40:57,133 very important both to our economic security, 946 00:40:57,133 --> 00:40:59,567 but also our national security. 947 00:40:59,567 --> 00:41:01,934 But in terms of the details of the legislation that's moving 948 00:41:01,934 --> 00:41:03,967 through Congress, I'm going to have to get some more 949 00:41:03,967 --> 00:41:05,734 information from my colleagues on the National 950 00:41:05,734 --> 00:41:07,033 Security Council. 951 00:41:07,033 --> 00:41:08,933 I actually would just suggest that you reach out to them 952 00:41:08,934 --> 00:41:10,667 directly and they can fill you in on this. 953 00:41:10,667 --> 00:41:13,066 The Press: Can I ask an Olympic-related question? 954 00:41:13,066 --> 00:41:13,933 Mr. Earnest: Sure. 955 00:41:13,934 --> 00:41:17,333 The Press: Did the President watch the opening ceremonies? 956 00:41:17,333 --> 00:41:19,633 Mr. Earnest: To be honest with you, I don't know whether or not he caught 957 00:41:19,633 --> 00:41:21,433 any of the opening ceremonies. 958 00:41:21,433 --> 00:41:26,000 The Press: What is your view of the decision by NBC to cut the 959 00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:29,967 tribute to the dead and to air an interview by 960 00:41:29,967 --> 00:41:31,967 Ryan Seacrest instead? 961 00:41:31,967 --> 00:41:34,166 (laughter) 962 00:41:34,166 --> 00:41:35,900 Mr. Earnest: Well, I watched the Olympic ceremonies, 963 00:41:35,900 --> 00:41:38,266 and I'm not sure that I was aware that that happened. 964 00:41:38,266 --> 00:41:39,900 But maybe that's because I wasn't paying close 965 00:41:39,900 --> 00:41:41,300 enough attention. 966 00:41:41,300 --> 00:41:44,166 So I don't have any specific reaction to that, 967 00:41:44,166 --> 00:41:47,700 and I'm not sure that I'm prepared to stand up here 968 00:41:47,700 --> 00:41:49,265 and play media critic-in-chief. 969 00:41:49,266 --> 00:41:51,734 Cheryl, I'll give you the last one. 970 00:41:51,734 --> 00:41:53,133 The Press: Thanks. 971 00:41:53,133 --> 00:41:55,933 Democratic leaders on the Hill are already working on 972 00:41:55,934 --> 00:42:00,934 a package with a continuing resolution to get the spending 973 00:42:00,934 --> 00:42:03,500 bills out of the political season. 974 00:42:03,500 --> 00:42:05,200 Does the White House support a three-month 975 00:42:05,200 --> 00:42:08,165 or a six-month extension? 976 00:42:08,166 --> 00:42:09,867 Mr. Earnest: I've seen those reports, Cheryl. 977 00:42:09,867 --> 00:42:11,433 I'll have to get back to you in terms of whether or not 978 00:42:11,433 --> 00:42:13,834 we're weighing in on any of the proposals. 979 00:42:13,834 --> 00:42:18,667 I can tell you that the President certainly believes 980 00:42:18,667 --> 00:42:23,433 that we shouldn't be in a position where we're playing 981 00:42:23,433 --> 00:42:28,033 chicken in terms of shutting down the government either in 982 00:42:28,033 --> 00:42:30,467 the election season or outside of the election season. 983 00:42:30,467 --> 00:42:33,333 There should be a more strategic approach that 984 00:42:33,333 --> 00:42:35,967 we can take to resolving some of those challenges. 985 00:42:35,967 --> 00:42:37,834 But in terms of the proposals that have been floated on 986 00:42:37,834 --> 00:42:39,265 Capitol Hill, I'm going to have to get back to you in 987 00:42:39,266 --> 00:42:42,200 terms of whether or not there is one that we have weighed in 988 00:42:42,200 --> 00:42:44,100 in support of. Okay. 989 00:42:45,166 --> 00:42:46,200 Thanks, everybody.