English subtitles for clip: File:8-7-12- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,333 --> 00:00:01,333 Mr. Carney: Thanks for being here. 2 00:00:01,333 --> 00:00:02,700 I appreciate your flexibility. 3 00:00:02,700 --> 00:00:06,934 I know we moved the briefing up. 4 00:00:06,934 --> 00:00:10,100 And I have no announcements to make at the top, 5 00:00:10,100 --> 00:00:12,600 so I will go right to questions. 6 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:15,300 The Press: Thanks, Jay -- just wanted to start with Syria. 7 00:00:15,300 --> 00:00:18,400 Secretary of State Clinton said that the defection of Syria's 8 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:22,633 prime minister increases the urgency of preparing for a 9 00:00:22,633 --> 00:00:24,834 post-Assad Syria. 10 00:00:24,834 --> 00:00:30,133 What type of role should the U.S. have in those plans? 11 00:00:30,133 --> 00:00:32,400 Mr. Carney: Well, I would point you, first of all, 12 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:37,300 to Secretary of State Clinton's comments. 13 00:00:37,300 --> 00:00:40,199 But it is certainly the case that contingency planning is the 14 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:42,233 responsible thing to do. 15 00:00:42,233 --> 00:00:45,532 I think we discussed a little bit of that here yesterday. 16 00:00:45,533 --> 00:00:49,266 And we are, of course, actively consulting with friends, allies, 17 00:00:49,266 --> 00:00:55,567 and the opposition about a post-Assad Syria. 18 00:00:55,567 --> 00:00:58,233 But I'm not going to get into the specifics of our 19 00:00:58,233 --> 00:00:59,433 contingency plans. 20 00:00:59,433 --> 00:01:01,100 As Secretary Clinton said earlier today, 21 00:01:01,100 --> 00:01:04,400 we can't possibly predict a timeline at this point, 22 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:06,667 but we know the transition will happen. 23 00:01:06,667 --> 00:01:12,600 We know that Assad ultimately will not be a part of 24 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:15,399 Syria's future. 25 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:18,066 I can say that in this transition we think it's 26 00:01:18,066 --> 00:01:21,567 essential to make sure that state's institutions stay intact 27 00:01:21,567 --> 00:01:24,567 and that we send very clear expectations about avoiding 28 00:01:24,567 --> 00:01:27,000 sectarian warfare. 29 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:30,033 We have to think about what we can do to support a Syrian-led 30 00:01:30,033 --> 00:01:32,233 democratic transition that protects the rights of 31 00:01:32,233 --> 00:01:33,266 all Syrians. 32 00:01:33,266 --> 00:01:36,300 We have to figure out how to support the return of security 33 00:01:36,300 --> 00:01:38,533 and public safety, and how to get the Syrian economy up 34 00:01:38,533 --> 00:01:40,433 and going. 35 00:01:40,433 --> 00:01:42,834 We are working with our allies, we're working with the "Friends 36 00:01:42,834 --> 00:01:49,133 of Syria" and we're working directly with the opposition in 37 00:01:49,133 --> 00:01:53,433 our efforts to plan for that eventuality and to help the 38 00:01:53,433 --> 00:01:59,667 Syrians make that transition in a way that gives them the best 39 00:01:59,667 --> 00:02:02,200 possible prospects for the future. 40 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:06,133 The Press: Do you anticipate an increased aid package in the coming weeks? 41 00:02:06,133 --> 00:02:09,265 Mr. Carney: Well, I can't get into specifics, as I said before, 42 00:02:09,265 --> 00:02:12,266 and I think it's premature, because we can't predict a 43 00:02:12,266 --> 00:02:19,899 timeline, to say what we will do when that happens except to say 44 00:02:19,900 --> 00:02:24,333 that we will be actively engaged in helping the Syrian people, 45 00:02:24,333 --> 00:02:29,900 together with a broad array of nations who have the interests 46 00:02:29,900 --> 00:02:32,633 of the Syrian people at heart. 47 00:02:32,633 --> 00:02:37,700 Again, this transition -- this day will come once Assad 48 00:02:37,700 --> 00:02:39,299 steps aside. 49 00:02:39,300 --> 00:02:42,300 And it is essential that it does come because the longer Assad 50 00:02:42,300 --> 00:02:47,100 remains in power, the longer that he has the support of the 51 00:02:47,100 --> 00:02:51,266 Iranians, for example, or others, the more bloodshed, 52 00:02:51,266 --> 00:02:54,834 the more chaos there is in Syria. 53 00:02:54,834 --> 00:02:57,967 The Press: On a separate topic, the Romney campaign is out with a new ad 54 00:02:57,967 --> 00:03:01,233 accusing the President of gutting welfare reform, 55 00:03:01,233 --> 00:03:02,967 essentially saying that the administration has turned 56 00:03:02,967 --> 00:03:07,367 welfare into a blank check for states without any 57 00:03:07,367 --> 00:03:08,667 work requirements. 58 00:03:08,667 --> 00:03:12,567 From a policy standpoint, does the White House feel that 59 00:03:12,567 --> 00:03:15,667 offering these states this flexibility has somehow 60 00:03:15,667 --> 00:03:19,467 undermined the work requirement? 61 00:03:19,467 --> 00:03:23,900 Mr. Carney: From a policy standpoint, let me say that this advertisement is 62 00:03:23,900 --> 00:03:28,667 categorically false and it is blatantly dishonest. 63 00:03:28,667 --> 00:03:31,800 This administration's policy will strengthen the program by 64 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:35,300 giving states the opportunity to employ more effective ways to 65 00:03:35,300 --> 00:03:38,233 help people get off welfare and into a job. 66 00:03:38,233 --> 00:03:42,367 Under this policy, governors must commit that their proposals 67 00:03:42,367 --> 00:03:46,200 will move at least 20% more people -- more people -- 68 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:48,867 from welfare to work. 69 00:03:48,867 --> 00:03:51,466 And as we have made very clear under our policy, 70 00:03:51,467 --> 00:03:55,600 any request from any state that undercuts the work requirement 71 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:59,100 in welfare reform will be rejected. 72 00:03:59,100 --> 00:04:04,799 Now, the ad is particularly outrageous as Governor Romney 73 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:09,066 himself, with 28 other Republican governors, 74 00:04:09,066 --> 00:04:13,033 supported policies that would have eliminated the time limits 75 00:04:13,033 --> 00:04:15,966 in the welfare reform law and allowed people to stay on 76 00:04:15,967 --> 00:04:18,400 welfare forever. 77 00:04:18,399 --> 00:04:22,532 Those are not standards the President supports. 78 00:04:22,533 --> 00:04:26,600 It is also worth remembering that this waiver policy that 79 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:31,166 we're discussing was specifically requested by two 80 00:04:31,166 --> 00:04:34,367 Republican governors -- Governor Herbert of Utah and Governor 81 00:04:34,367 --> 00:04:37,900 Sandoval of Nevada -- two men, I think you know, 82 00:04:37,900 --> 00:04:40,667 who are supporters of Governor Romney. 83 00:04:40,667 --> 00:04:44,332 And I don't think if you ask them -- and I suggest you do -- 84 00:04:44,333 --> 00:04:47,300 that they believe that their interest in these waivers was 85 00:04:47,300 --> 00:04:50,867 guided by a desire to undermine work requirements. 86 00:04:50,867 --> 00:04:55,533 Their interest in these waivers was to achieve more flexibility 87 00:04:55,533 --> 00:04:59,633 for their states, to innovate and to move more people from 88 00:04:59,633 --> 00:05:01,032 work to welfare. 89 00:05:01,033 --> 00:05:04,200 That's the purpose of this policy. 90 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:05,300 Reuters. 91 00:05:05,300 --> 00:05:07,033 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 92 00:05:07,033 --> 00:05:10,166 The British bank Standard Chartered is in hot water with 93 00:05:10,166 --> 00:05:14,100 New York financial authorities for allegedly hiding 94 00:05:14,100 --> 00:05:18,700 $250 billion in transactions tied to Iran. 95 00:05:18,700 --> 00:05:20,500 I wondered if this was an issue that's reached the President's 96 00:05:20,500 --> 00:05:23,266 desk and if the White House has been in touch with British 97 00:05:23,266 --> 00:05:25,767 authorities on this. 98 00:05:25,767 --> 00:05:27,200 Mr. Carney: Well, let me say that I've seen those reports, 99 00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:30,734 but I do not have specific comment on what is an 100 00:05:30,734 --> 00:05:33,166 ongoing investigation. 101 00:05:33,166 --> 00:05:35,834 Of course, as you know, sanctions violations are 102 00:05:35,834 --> 00:05:37,934 something that this administration takes extremely 103 00:05:37,934 --> 00:05:43,400 seriously and has a strong record of action to this end. 104 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:46,032 The Treasury Department remains in close contact with both 105 00:05:46,033 --> 00:05:48,333 federal and state authorities on this matter, 106 00:05:48,333 --> 00:05:54,066 and I would refer you over there for further questions. 107 00:05:54,066 --> 00:05:55,967 That's it? 108 00:05:55,967 --> 00:05:56,834 Julianna. 109 00:05:56,834 --> 00:05:57,667 The Press: Thanks. 110 00:05:57,667 --> 00:05:59,566 The stock market seems to be rallying today, 111 00:05:59,567 --> 00:06:02,934 in part on some positive developments out of Europe. 112 00:06:02,934 --> 00:06:08,266 Does the White House share that optimism? 113 00:06:08,266 --> 00:06:13,066 Mr. Carney: Julianna, our view of the situation in Europe remains what 114 00:06:13,066 --> 00:06:16,232 it has been, which is that the difficulties Europe faces are 115 00:06:16,233 --> 00:06:19,967 not going to be solved overnight. 116 00:06:19,967 --> 00:06:23,633 But we are working with European leaders, 117 00:06:23,633 --> 00:06:25,332 both at the presidential level -- 118 00:06:25,333 --> 00:06:26,867 I think yesterday I read out a -- 119 00:06:26,867 --> 00:06:29,433 or we read out a phone call the President had with the Spanish 120 00:06:29,433 --> 00:06:34,700 Prime Minister -- and at the level of the Treasury Secretary, 121 00:06:34,700 --> 00:06:39,099 to assist them and advise them as they seek to take, 122 00:06:39,100 --> 00:06:42,100 in their words, whatever steps are necessary to safeguard the 123 00:06:42,100 --> 00:06:45,200 financial stability of the euro area. 124 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:48,866 What we believe is that it's important that officials move 125 00:06:48,867 --> 00:06:51,767 quickly to make good on leaders' commitments from the late-June 126 00:06:51,767 --> 00:06:54,900 summit in order to reduce immediate financial market 127 00:06:54,900 --> 00:06:57,834 stresses, even as they undertake longer-term reform and 128 00:06:57,834 --> 00:07:03,767 integration plans to promote growth adjustment and stability. 129 00:07:03,767 --> 00:07:05,933 This is all important to us because what happens in Europe 130 00:07:05,934 --> 00:07:07,767 affects our economy. 131 00:07:07,767 --> 00:07:10,734 Europe, as you know, is our largest economic partner and we 132 00:07:10,734 --> 00:07:14,099 are closely linked in many ways, and we have a profound interest 133 00:07:14,100 --> 00:07:15,600 in Europe's stability and growth. 134 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:17,467 And we've noted, the President has noted, 135 00:07:17,467 --> 00:07:23,866 that instability in the eurozone creates a headwind for the 136 00:07:23,867 --> 00:07:25,333 U.S. economy. 137 00:07:25,333 --> 00:07:29,834 So it is very much in our interests to see European 138 00:07:29,834 --> 00:07:36,166 leaders take the steps that they said they would take to deal 139 00:07:36,166 --> 00:07:37,700 with the situation. 140 00:07:37,700 --> 00:07:42,332 The Press: German Chancellor Angela Merkel's announcement yesterday 141 00:07:42,333 --> 00:07:44,300 that she's accepting the bond-buying program, 142 00:07:44,300 --> 00:07:47,333 does that send any more optimism to think -- the White House, 143 00:07:47,333 --> 00:07:51,400 the President think that Europe is on track to meet -- 144 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:54,633 Mr. Carney: Well, without critiquing individual statements or steps, 145 00:07:54,633 --> 00:07:57,667 because this is obviously something that European leaders 146 00:07:57,667 --> 00:08:05,633 are doing themselves, I would simply say that we encourage 147 00:08:05,633 --> 00:08:09,200 European leaders to, in effect, operationalize the commitments 148 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:11,133 at the late-June summit. 149 00:08:11,133 --> 00:08:20,567 And steps that demonstrate an effort to do that I think are 150 00:08:20,567 --> 00:08:25,033 welcome here and across the world. 151 00:08:25,033 --> 00:08:26,033 Ann, how are you? 152 00:08:26,033 --> 00:08:27,467 The Press: Fine, thank you, Jay. 153 00:08:27,467 --> 00:08:30,900 Back to welfare -- it is not just a campaign commercial. 154 00:08:30,900 --> 00:08:34,366 Governor Romney, minutes ago in Illinois, 155 00:08:34,366 --> 00:08:37,165 stated the same thing -- that the President wants to take the 156 00:08:37,166 --> 00:08:40,100 work requirement out of welfare. 157 00:08:40,100 --> 00:08:44,800 You called the ad categorically false and blatantly dishonest. 158 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:48,199 Is Governor Romney being dishonest about what he should 159 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:50,300 know the truth is on welfare reform? 160 00:08:50,300 --> 00:08:54,099 Mr. Carney: It's his ad, and so as a matter of policy -- 161 00:08:54,100 --> 00:08:58,467 and my response to this utter misrepresentation of the 162 00:08:58,467 --> 00:09:02,165 President's policy -- the answer is yes. 163 00:09:02,166 --> 00:09:05,867 The attack is dishonest. 164 00:09:05,867 --> 00:09:08,132 It is false. 165 00:09:08,133 --> 00:09:17,834 Look, again, this policy arose and was specifically requested 166 00:09:17,834 --> 00:09:21,032 by two Republican governors -- Republican governors who, 167 00:09:21,033 --> 00:09:23,533 I believe if you asked them, would not say that they sought 168 00:09:23,533 --> 00:09:27,633 or are seeking to undermine the work requirement in 169 00:09:27,633 --> 00:09:29,333 welfare reform. 170 00:09:29,333 --> 00:09:36,433 Secondly, because it seems to be the case these days that -- 171 00:09:36,433 --> 00:09:40,133 with charges like this, that hypocrisy knows no bounds, 172 00:09:40,133 --> 00:09:47,433 Governor Romney joined with 28 other Republican governors in 173 00:09:47,433 --> 00:09:51,333 support of policies that would have eliminated the time limits 174 00:09:51,333 --> 00:09:53,733 in the law and allowed people to stay on welfare forever. 175 00:09:53,734 --> 00:09:57,600 So perhaps his argument is with his past self. 176 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:01,800 And I suppose that should not be a surprise. 177 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:02,867 (laughter) 178 00:10:02,867 --> 00:10:07,165 The Press: But President Obama, last night, talked about "Romney Hood" and 179 00:10:07,166 --> 00:10:11,100 Governor Romney wanting to take money from the middle class and 180 00:10:11,100 --> 00:10:14,333 apply that tax money to the upper class. 181 00:10:14,333 --> 00:10:18,333 The Republicans say there is nothing in Governor Romney's 182 00:10:18,333 --> 00:10:22,300 economic plan that raises taxes on the middle class. 183 00:10:22,300 --> 00:10:25,199 Isn't the President guilty of the same kind of 184 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:27,533 stretching the truth? 185 00:10:27,533 --> 00:10:32,467 Mr. Carney: Absolutely not, because as independent analysts have said, 186 00:10:32,467 --> 00:10:37,633 as the Tax Policy Center documented last week, 187 00:10:37,633 --> 00:10:43,033 Governor Romney's promise of a $5 trillion tax cut that is, 188 00:10:43,033 --> 00:10:48,300 as promised, revenue-neutral is a mathematical fantasy. 189 00:10:48,300 --> 00:10:49,733 It cannot happen. 190 00:10:49,734 --> 00:10:53,367 It simply will not work. 191 00:10:53,367 --> 00:10:57,000 It is understandable, I suppose, in the heat of a primary battle 192 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:03,233 that you would make fantastical promises about what you might do 193 00:11:03,233 --> 00:11:04,233 in policy. 194 00:11:04,233 --> 00:11:08,065 But the problem is at some point someone is going to analyze your 195 00:11:08,066 --> 00:11:13,767 proposals and make the obvious judgment that it cannot happen. 196 00:11:13,767 --> 00:11:22,000 There is no way to give that kind of tax relief without, A, 197 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:26,900 blowing a hole in the deficit; B, 198 00:11:26,900 --> 00:11:32,766 asking middle-class Americans to pay a tax hike, to pay more; or, 199 00:11:32,767 --> 00:11:38,600 C, radically savaging Social Security or Medicare. 200 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:40,800 It simply doesn't add up. 201 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:42,900 There is no mathematical way to make it happen. 202 00:11:42,900 --> 00:11:47,233 And assertions that it can happen without any kind of 203 00:11:47,233 --> 00:11:50,800 documentation to prove otherwise should be taken for 204 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:51,800 what they're worth. 205 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:58,165 This goes -- I think it's incumbent upon the referees here 206 00:11:58,166 --> 00:12:01,433 to say -- to not cover this stuff simply as a campaign 207 00:12:01,433 --> 00:12:05,967 tactic, but to assess fact from fiction. 208 00:12:05,967 --> 00:12:10,934 Look at the policies of this President when it comes to 209 00:12:10,934 --> 00:12:11,934 welfare reform. 210 00:12:11,934 --> 00:12:17,266 Look at the specific proposals for allowing states that request 211 00:12:17,266 --> 00:12:21,800 it more flexibility to implement welfare reform, 212 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:26,733 provided that their proposals will move at least 20% more 213 00:12:26,734 --> 00:12:28,834 people from welfare to work. 214 00:12:28,834 --> 00:12:31,000 That's fact from tactic. 215 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:38,500 And again, on the tax policy, it is simply a fact that you can't 216 00:12:38,500 --> 00:12:43,533 cut taxes by $5 trillion, promise that it won't add a dime 217 00:12:43,533 --> 00:12:46,066 to the deficit, that it will be revenue-neutral, 218 00:12:46,066 --> 00:12:50,700 without doing one of two things: Raising taxes on the middle 219 00:12:50,700 --> 00:12:54,166 class, or savaging Social Security and Medicare. 220 00:12:54,166 --> 00:12:55,166 The money is just not there. 221 00:12:55,166 --> 00:12:58,800 Or savaging defense, which Governor Romney claims he 222 00:12:58,800 --> 00:13:00,500 actually wants to increase spending on. 223 00:13:00,500 --> 00:13:08,500 So at some point, it's incumbent upon those who would govern or 224 00:13:08,500 --> 00:13:14,233 legislate to demonstrate how their policies are more than 225 00:13:14,233 --> 00:13:15,733 flimsy sheets of paper. 226 00:13:15,734 --> 00:13:17,934 The Press: Would the President entertain a head-to-head debate sometime 227 00:13:17,934 --> 00:13:20,266 earlier than October on something like this? 228 00:13:20,266 --> 00:13:26,099 Mr. Carney: Well, I think there is a schedule of debates set for -- 229 00:13:26,100 --> 00:13:28,033 set by the Presidential Commission on Debates. 230 00:13:28,033 --> 00:13:33,233 The President looks very much forward to debating policy and 231 00:13:33,233 --> 00:13:36,834 his vision for America's future, which is very focused on this 232 00:13:36,834 --> 00:13:41,065 whole question of how do we keep the economy growing, 233 00:13:41,066 --> 00:13:44,266 how do we keep it creating jobs, how do we make it grow faster 234 00:13:44,266 --> 00:13:48,666 and create more jobs, and what policies will work to 235 00:13:48,667 --> 00:13:49,667 get us there. 236 00:13:49,667 --> 00:13:54,800 And we have some recent history by which to judge the different 237 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:57,132 policy proposals that are on the table. 238 00:13:57,133 --> 00:14:02,066 And the President believes -- not as a matter of wishful 239 00:14:02,066 --> 00:14:05,767 thinking, but as a matter of concrete fact -- 240 00:14:05,767 --> 00:14:12,333 that his policies of taking a balanced approach to our fiscal 241 00:14:12,333 --> 00:14:14,632 challenges, to deficit reduction, 242 00:14:14,633 --> 00:14:18,266 of making sure we continue to invest in education and 243 00:14:18,266 --> 00:14:22,467 innovation and infrastructure, research and development, 244 00:14:22,467 --> 00:14:26,199 are the right ones; that his policies of extending tax relief 245 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:30,200 to the middle class while asking the wealthiest 2% of American 246 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:32,800 taxpayers to pay a little more are the right ones; 247 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:36,500 and that the policies that we tried in the eight years prior 248 00:14:36,500 --> 00:14:41,367 to President Obama taking office empirically, demonstrably, 249 00:14:41,367 --> 00:14:43,800 provably, did not work. 250 00:14:43,800 --> 00:14:48,500 Because, after all, when we all assembled here in January of 251 00:14:48,500 --> 00:14:51,166 2009, those of you who were covering the administration from 252 00:14:51,166 --> 00:14:53,967 the beginning -- and I working across the street for the Vice 253 00:14:53,967 --> 00:14:57,467 President -- remember what those headlines were like -- 254 00:14:57,467 --> 00:15:00,667 economic calamity like none of us had seen in our lifetimes, 255 00:15:00,667 --> 00:15:03,633 job loss like none of us had seen in our lifetimes, 256 00:15:03,633 --> 00:15:07,934 like this country had not seen since the Great Depression. 257 00:15:07,934 --> 00:15:12,033 That was the legacy of the very policies that are being put 258 00:15:12,033 --> 00:15:14,800 forward for a repeat performance. 259 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:17,500 The President feels very strongly that they are the 260 00:15:17,500 --> 00:15:18,500 wrong policies. 261 00:15:18,500 --> 00:15:20,233 And he looks forward to the debate about which way to 262 00:15:20,233 --> 00:15:21,599 go forward. 263 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:22,700 Briana. 264 00:15:22,700 --> 00:15:25,900 The Press: Jay, the Priorities super PAC has an ad out today that 265 00:15:25,900 --> 00:15:28,567 features a man who used to work at a steel plant that closed 266 00:15:28,567 --> 00:15:29,533 in 2001. 267 00:15:29,533 --> 00:15:32,266 This was after it was acquired by Bain Capital. 268 00:15:32,266 --> 00:15:35,000 And the implication is that Mitt Romney bears responsibility for 269 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:38,066 the death of this man's wife because he lost his insurance 270 00:15:38,066 --> 00:15:40,667 when the plant closed in 2001 and then, in 2006, 271 00:15:40,667 --> 00:15:43,934 his wife who was uninsured at the time, died of cancer. 272 00:15:43,934 --> 00:15:46,900 I'm wondering if the President believes that Mitt Romney shares 273 00:15:46,900 --> 00:15:48,699 responsibility in her death. 274 00:15:48,700 --> 00:15:51,967 Mr. Carney: I have not seen the ad, and I would refer you to the campaign 275 00:15:51,967 --> 00:15:53,567 or to the organization. 276 00:15:53,567 --> 00:15:55,967 I can't comment on that when I haven't seen it. 277 00:15:55,967 --> 00:15:58,766 The Press: But you just took a very vocal position on an ad from a 278 00:15:58,767 --> 00:16:00,433 conservative super PAC. 279 00:16:00,433 --> 00:16:05,800 Mr. Carney: An ad that falsely and dishonestly represents the 280 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:06,967 President's current policy. 281 00:16:06,967 --> 00:16:08,333 I haven't seen this. 282 00:16:08,333 --> 00:16:09,632 I can't respond to it. 283 00:16:09,633 --> 00:16:11,533 The Press: Will you look at it and then let me know? 284 00:16:11,533 --> 00:16:12,934 Mr. Carney: Again, I think I would refer you to the President's 285 00:16:12,934 --> 00:16:14,033 reelection campaign. 286 00:16:14,033 --> 00:16:16,734 The Press: But if you see it and you're responding to ads by a 287 00:16:16,734 --> 00:16:19,767 conservative super PAC, couldn't you respond to one about the 288 00:16:19,767 --> 00:16:20,567 super PAC -- 289 00:16:20,567 --> 00:16:21,800 Mr. Carney: By all means, ask me tomorrow. 290 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:23,300 I said, I'm simply saying that I have not seen this, 291 00:16:23,300 --> 00:16:26,666 so how could I possibly assess it without seeing it? 292 00:16:26,667 --> 00:16:28,367 The Press: But you can -- will you assess it later? 293 00:16:28,367 --> 00:16:32,834 Mr. Carney: If you ask me tomorrow, sure. 294 00:16:32,834 --> 00:16:36,300 The Press: There's been a lot of talk over the past 24 hours about the fact 295 00:16:36,300 --> 00:16:39,834 that Mr. Romney has outraised President Obama for the third 296 00:16:39,834 --> 00:16:40,834 month in a row. 297 00:16:40,834 --> 00:16:43,032 Before that, the President was outraising Mr. Romney. 298 00:16:43,033 --> 00:16:46,333 But at the end of the day, if both of these candidates and 299 00:16:46,333 --> 00:16:50,800 their supporters raise a billion dollars or $1.2 billion, 300 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:54,733 does it really matter who raises more? 301 00:16:54,734 --> 00:16:58,934 Mr. Carney: Well, I think that qualifies as a question beyond my purview 302 00:16:58,934 --> 00:17:04,399 here that I would refer to the campaigns and to political 303 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:09,800 professionals on the outside about how much money is involved 304 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:11,133 in a presidential election cycle. 305 00:17:11,133 --> 00:17:12,934 I mean, one thing we certainly know -- 306 00:17:12,934 --> 00:17:15,433 and this goes to policy, because of the President's position on 307 00:17:15,433 --> 00:17:20,599 Citizens United -- is that untold millions, 308 00:17:20,599 --> 00:17:23,265 hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent by outside groups 309 00:17:23,266 --> 00:17:26,433 disproportionately attacking the President. 310 00:17:26,433 --> 00:17:33,667 Much of that money will be spent by organizations that do not 311 00:17:33,667 --> 00:17:36,065 reveal to the public who their supporters are, 312 00:17:36,066 --> 00:17:38,667 who their donors are. 313 00:17:38,667 --> 00:17:42,100 The President obviously thinks that is an unfortunate result, 314 00:17:42,100 --> 00:17:45,867 but a predictable result, of the Citizens United decision. 315 00:17:45,867 --> 00:17:52,000 But assessments for how the money factor plays into the 316 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,133 presidential election, I would refer you to the campaign. 317 00:17:54,133 --> 00:17:57,100 The Press: But at this point, the President has had to attend so many more 318 00:17:57,100 --> 00:18:01,332 fundraisers than, say, George W. Bush had during this point in 319 00:18:01,333 --> 00:18:02,533 his reelection campaign. 320 00:18:02,533 --> 00:18:05,833 Does that impact the President's ability to do his day job? 321 00:18:05,834 --> 00:18:06,767 Mr. Carney: Well, it does not. 322 00:18:06,767 --> 00:18:11,033 It certainly is part of running for President and running 323 00:18:11,033 --> 00:18:13,600 for reelection. 324 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:18,065 But as we've discussed here, it is a simple reality that even as 325 00:18:18,066 --> 00:18:20,567 he is a candidate for reelection, 326 00:18:20,567 --> 00:18:23,700 he continues to be President of the United States, 327 00:18:23,700 --> 00:18:28,867 and the demands of the job restrict his capacity in some 328 00:18:28,867 --> 00:18:32,200 instances to focus entirely on the campaign. 329 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:33,166 He simply cannot do that. 330 00:18:33,166 --> 00:18:38,800 So he and we carefully allocate his time working with 331 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:40,332 the campaign. 332 00:18:40,333 --> 00:18:49,667 And when matters of state trump campaign requests for his time, 333 00:18:49,667 --> 00:18:52,033 that's a fact that he has to live with and we have to live 334 00:18:52,033 --> 00:18:55,300 with because that is his primary responsibility. 335 00:18:55,300 --> 00:18:56,466 Wendell. 336 00:18:56,467 --> 00:19:00,600 The Press: The President of the Boston Fed is suggesting the Fed should 337 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:03,800 again act because the economy is just treading water. 338 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:06,767 How do you respond to Republican criticism that it's the Fed's 339 00:19:06,767 --> 00:19:09,734 actions, and not the President's economic policies, 340 00:19:09,734 --> 00:19:12,766 that are keeping the economy from going under? 341 00:19:12,767 --> 00:19:14,000 Mr. Carney: Well, I haven't seen those assessments, 342 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:18,667 but I would simply say, Wendell, that I don't comment on the Fed. 343 00:19:18,667 --> 00:19:20,300 The Press: I'm not asking you to comment on the Fed. 344 00:19:20,300 --> 00:19:21,934 Mr. Carney: Well, you're asking me to comment on comments 345 00:19:21,934 --> 00:19:22,934 about the Fed. 346 00:19:22,934 --> 00:19:23,934 I would -- 347 00:19:23,934 --> 00:19:27,966 The Press: I'm asking you to comment on people who weigh the Fed's 348 00:19:27,967 --> 00:19:30,967 actions against the President's economic policies in line with 349 00:19:30,967 --> 00:19:32,400 the President's economic policies -- 350 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:34,734 Mr. Carney: Well, if you're asking me, am I surprised that Republicans are 351 00:19:34,734 --> 00:19:38,533 criticizing the President's policies, I am not. 352 00:19:38,533 --> 00:19:41,800 I am happy to access the President's policies and point 353 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:47,166 you to this simple fact -- that when the President took office, 354 00:19:47,166 --> 00:19:50,100 we were in a cascading economic crisis, 355 00:19:50,100 --> 00:19:54,867 the likes of which none of us had seen in our lifetimes. 356 00:19:54,867 --> 00:19:57,500 The President took dramatic action -- sometimes, 357 00:19:57,500 --> 00:20:01,066 as with the auto bailout, action that was deemed politically 358 00:20:01,066 --> 00:20:04,667 unwise and unpopular, but was the right thing to do. 359 00:20:04,667 --> 00:20:09,233 He took action working with Congress to pass and implement 360 00:20:09,233 --> 00:20:10,734 and sign the Recovery Act. 361 00:20:10,734 --> 00:20:15,132 And his policies, once they began to take effect, 362 00:20:15,133 --> 00:20:21,133 have helped this economy reverse the course it was on when he 363 00:20:21,133 --> 00:20:26,567 took office, which was one of -- at the time, 364 00:20:26,567 --> 00:20:29,567 seemed like bottomless decline -- 365 00:20:29,567 --> 00:20:34,100 and put us in a situation where, while we are far from where we 366 00:20:34,100 --> 00:20:40,033 need to be, we have been growing economically since the 367 00:20:40,033 --> 00:20:44,533 President's policies have taken effect and we have been creating 368 00:20:44,533 --> 00:20:47,800 -- this economy has been creating private sector jobs, 369 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:50,100 4.5 million of them. 370 00:20:50,100 --> 00:20:55,667 That stands in stark contrast to the situation that existed when 371 00:20:55,667 --> 00:20:57,433 the President took office. 372 00:20:57,433 --> 00:21:04,734 And as I noted, it is instructive to look back at the 373 00:21:04,734 --> 00:21:07,132 result of the policies that are now being put forward as an 374 00:21:07,133 --> 00:21:10,934 antidote or the answer to our problems and see what they 375 00:21:10,934 --> 00:21:14,867 bequeathed to us in 2007 and 2008. 376 00:21:14,867 --> 00:21:17,100 The Press: Would you say it's a combination of the President's policies -- 377 00:21:17,100 --> 00:21:20,934 Mr. Carney: Again, I'm not going to comment on the Fed and its actions, 378 00:21:20,934 --> 00:21:21,934 its impact on the economy. 379 00:21:21,934 --> 00:21:24,033 That's simply something I do not do. 380 00:21:24,033 --> 00:21:26,734 The Press: The President's comment about "Romney Hood" -- 381 00:21:26,734 --> 00:21:30,833 was that an ad-lib or was that in his prepared remarks? 382 00:21:30,834 --> 00:21:32,800 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't really talk about the President's speeches -- 383 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:36,300 The Press: You were pleased with it, weren't you? 384 00:21:36,300 --> 00:21:38,934 And it got a predictable response from Republicans. 385 00:21:38,934 --> 00:21:42,867 Mr. Carney: I think the President's point is a point that he's been making 386 00:21:42,867 --> 00:21:50,800 quite frequently of late, which is that policies that promise 387 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:57,966 massive tax cuts, that overwhelmingly benefit the 388 00:21:57,967 --> 00:22:05,266 wealthiest of us, are not the right prescription for the 389 00:22:05,266 --> 00:22:08,600 economy and they are simply bad for the middle class, 390 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:13,533 because as the Tax Policy Center made clear in its study last 391 00:22:13,533 --> 00:22:17,500 week -- a study which, by the way, 392 00:22:17,500 --> 00:22:20,900 reporters who wrote about it said, 393 00:22:20,900 --> 00:22:27,934 bent over backwards to be generous to Governor Romney's 394 00:22:27,934 --> 00:22:34,934 policy proposals -- simply cannot work without resulting in 395 00:22:34,934 --> 00:22:37,200 a tax hike for the middle class. 396 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:40,066 As I said earlier, the numbers don't add up. 397 00:22:40,066 --> 00:22:42,467 The math is a fantasy. 398 00:22:42,467 --> 00:22:47,967 And we are in a reality-based universe here when we talk about 399 00:22:47,967 --> 00:22:49,133 economic policy. 400 00:22:49,133 --> 00:22:54,700 The economic crisis, the Great Recession that was in full bloom 401 00:22:54,700 --> 00:23:00,133 when President Obama took office was a real tangible consequence 402 00:23:00,133 --> 00:23:08,500 of policy decisions that ended up being wrong for America. 403 00:23:08,500 --> 00:23:11,834 And the President took bold action, 404 00:23:11,834 --> 00:23:15,500 some of it at the time unpopular, 405 00:23:15,500 --> 00:23:20,066 to halt the economic decline that this country was 406 00:23:20,066 --> 00:23:22,500 experiencing, and to reverse it. 407 00:23:22,500 --> 00:23:26,033 Now, the hole dug by the Great Recession is very deep, 408 00:23:26,033 --> 00:23:29,533 and we continue to climb out of it together as a country. 409 00:23:29,533 --> 00:23:33,600 But one thing is quite clear, and that is that we cannot go 410 00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:43,233 back, that we should not buy any more magic potion that promises 411 00:23:43,233 --> 00:23:48,100 to cure the economy's ills by giving tax cuts to the wealthy. 412 00:23:48,100 --> 00:23:51,367 We know that doesn't work. 413 00:23:51,367 --> 00:23:53,066 Scott. 414 00:23:53,066 --> 00:23:54,233 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 415 00:23:54,233 --> 00:23:55,466 Mr. Carney: You're going to relieve me with a little foreign 416 00:23:55,467 --> 00:23:56,400 policy, aren't you? 417 00:23:56,400 --> 00:23:57,200 The Press: I'm not. 418 00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:58,066 (laughter) 419 00:23:58,066 --> 00:23:58,934 Mr. Carney: Oh! 420 00:23:58,934 --> 00:24:00,133 The Press: A little counter-programming. 421 00:24:00,133 --> 00:24:01,834 (laughter) 422 00:24:01,834 --> 00:24:05,567 Earlier this week, the President made a phone call to the women's 423 00:24:05,567 --> 00:24:07,600 gymnastics team. 424 00:24:07,600 --> 00:24:08,533 Mr. Carney: I was with him. 425 00:24:08,533 --> 00:24:09,600 He was very excited. 426 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:11,766 The Press: Okay -- and said, "Michelle and I have watched and decided, 427 00:24:11,767 --> 00:24:14,934 of all the Olympians, you guys amaze us the most." 428 00:24:14,934 --> 00:24:18,533 I wonder if he wants to revisit those after the awesomeness of 429 00:24:18,533 --> 00:24:20,367 the U.S. women's soccer team coming back -- 430 00:24:20,367 --> 00:24:21,834 (laughter) 431 00:24:21,834 --> 00:24:23,900 Mr. Carney: I have to say that time stopped -- 432 00:24:23,900 --> 00:24:25,367 I don't know where everybody here was -- 433 00:24:25,367 --> 00:24:28,834 but in upper press and lower press, it was -- 434 00:24:28,834 --> 00:24:30,667 and I think across the West Wing -- 435 00:24:30,667 --> 00:24:36,399 that last half hour of that game was just extraordinary. 436 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:38,900 And I haven't spoken about this yet with the President, 437 00:24:38,900 --> 00:24:45,600 but I know that he was extremely excited by the victory and looks 438 00:24:45,600 --> 00:24:47,966 forward to the final. 439 00:24:47,967 --> 00:24:51,700 I mean, I think -- look, the President's comments about the 440 00:24:51,700 --> 00:24:53,967 women's gymnastics simply reflected his, 441 00:24:53,967 --> 00:24:56,667 as you've heard him say, he knows how to swim, 442 00:24:56,667 --> 00:24:58,867 he just can't swim as fast as our Olympians, 443 00:24:58,867 --> 00:25:02,834 and he knows how to run, he simply can't run as fast as 444 00:25:02,834 --> 00:25:03,834 our Olympians. 445 00:25:03,834 --> 00:25:10,567 But it amazes him that those young women can do what they do 446 00:25:10,567 --> 00:25:14,433 on the balance beam and the parallel bars and the vault. 447 00:25:14,433 --> 00:25:17,266 It's really quite extraordinary. 448 00:25:17,266 --> 00:25:19,867 He spoke with the members of the women's gymnastics team after 449 00:25:19,867 --> 00:25:21,399 they had won the team competition. 450 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:26,066 And I know he was very excited to see Gabby Douglas win the 451 00:25:26,066 --> 00:25:28,066 individual competition. 452 00:25:28,066 --> 00:25:30,700 So it's been a great Olympics so far, I think we can all agree. 453 00:25:30,700 --> 00:25:34,166 The Press: Does he have a comment at all about Mrs. Romney's horse not 454 00:25:34,166 --> 00:25:35,667 making the semis? 455 00:25:35,667 --> 00:25:36,632 (laughter) 456 00:25:36,633 --> 00:25:38,934 Mr. Carney: I haven't had a discussion with him. 457 00:25:38,934 --> 00:25:39,800 The Press: Sorry -- 458 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:40,934 Mr. Carney: No, no -- I know you're really playing against 459 00:25:40,934 --> 00:25:41,899 type here, Scott. 460 00:25:41,900 --> 00:25:45,700 (laughter) 461 00:25:45,700 --> 00:25:50,767 But I appreciate the diversion. 462 00:25:50,767 --> 00:25:52,066 I have not had that discussion with him. 463 00:25:52,066 --> 00:25:59,266 But, look, I can tell you the President was strongly behind 464 00:25:59,266 --> 00:26:04,667 every American athlete and entrant into the Olympics and 465 00:26:04,667 --> 00:26:08,833 wanted all of them to succeed. 466 00:26:08,834 --> 00:26:11,266 Chuck. 467 00:26:11,266 --> 00:26:15,166 The Press: You used some rough language -- "hypocrisy knows no bound", 468 00:26:15,166 --> 00:26:17,367 "blatantly dishonest", "categorically false" -- 469 00:26:17,367 --> 00:26:20,233 to talk about this ad from the Romney campaign. 470 00:26:20,233 --> 00:26:23,800 And, yesterday, when asked about what Harry Reid is doing, 471 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:26,200 you basically said, well, you guys know Harry Reid, 472 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:27,633 he can speak for himself. 473 00:26:27,633 --> 00:26:30,367 So what Harry Reid is doing is appropriate and what Mitt Romney 474 00:26:30,367 --> 00:26:31,734 is doing is inappropriate? 475 00:26:31,734 --> 00:26:32,500 Is that -- 476 00:26:32,500 --> 00:26:34,100 Mr. Carney: I speak for the President. 477 00:26:34,100 --> 00:26:35,600 This ad -- 478 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:37,000 The Press: I didn't say about the ad -- what about Harry -- 479 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:38,734 what does Harry -- is what Harry Reid doing appropriate? 480 00:26:38,734 --> 00:26:39,699 Mr. Carney: Hold on. 481 00:26:39,700 --> 00:26:46,367 I explain and defend the President's policies. 482 00:26:46,367 --> 00:26:53,734 This advertisement falsely and dishonestly represents the 483 00:26:53,734 --> 00:26:54,667 President's policy. 484 00:26:54,667 --> 00:27:01,500 And so I very clearly made our views on that known in my 485 00:27:01,500 --> 00:27:04,066 response to questions about it. 486 00:27:04,066 --> 00:27:05,767 I do not speak for Harry Reid. 487 00:27:05,767 --> 00:27:08,133 He is fully capable, as you know well, 488 00:27:08,133 --> 00:27:10,100 and others who have covered him know well, 489 00:27:10,100 --> 00:27:11,833 of speaking for himself. 490 00:27:11,834 --> 00:27:18,500 I would simply say that it is certainly a fact that -- 491 00:27:18,500 --> 00:27:21,467 I mean, let me back up here. 492 00:27:21,467 --> 00:27:24,166 When we talk about ads like this and we talk about other ads that 493 00:27:24,166 --> 00:27:26,700 have been aired in this campaign, 494 00:27:26,700 --> 00:27:30,433 I understand there's an eagerness to cover this as 495 00:27:30,433 --> 00:27:38,133 tactic, as will it work, will it be effective -- 496 00:27:38,133 --> 00:27:40,567 even if it's blatantly false. 497 00:27:40,567 --> 00:27:44,567 And I urge my former colleagues to also cover -- 498 00:27:44,567 --> 00:27:49,567 I understand there's interest in who wins and what tactics are 499 00:27:49,567 --> 00:27:53,633 effective -- but to also assess things and to separate fact 500 00:27:53,633 --> 00:27:54,667 from fiction. 501 00:27:54,667 --> 00:27:55,833 The Press: It sounds like you're denouncing what Harry Reid is doing, 502 00:27:55,834 --> 00:27:57,500 because you don't like these -- you don't like these tactics. 503 00:27:57,500 --> 00:27:58,934 Mr. Carney: No, no -- I'm denouncing ads that categorically -- 504 00:27:58,934 --> 00:28:00,166 The Press: Well, why is the Harry Reid tactic okay? 505 00:28:00,166 --> 00:28:04,833 Mr. Carney: Look, what I'm saying is we can point you to the President's 506 00:28:04,834 --> 00:28:08,266 policies and demonstrate that the ad is false. 507 00:28:08,266 --> 00:28:09,433 The Press: I understand that. 508 00:28:09,433 --> 00:28:11,200 Mr. Carney: In terms of -- again, I don't speak for Harry Reid. 509 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:14,767 But there is a way to resolve this dispute, right, 510 00:28:14,767 --> 00:28:16,233 which is for the Governor -- 511 00:28:16,233 --> 00:28:17,433 The Press: -- there's a responsible way to go about it. 512 00:28:17,433 --> 00:28:20,033 Mr. Carney: Well, it's for the Governor to follow a tradition that was 513 00:28:20,033 --> 00:28:25,533 established by his own father many years ago of presidential 514 00:28:25,533 --> 00:28:28,033 candidates releasing multiple years of their tax return. 515 00:28:28,033 --> 00:28:34,332 So, again, I would -- I think the dispute here is between the 516 00:28:34,333 --> 00:28:36,333 Romney campaign and Harry Reid. 517 00:28:36,333 --> 00:28:43,233 And Senator Reid doesn't take direction. 518 00:28:43,233 --> 00:28:44,300 He speaks for himself. 519 00:28:44,300 --> 00:28:46,800 The Press: But you could say, hey, you know what, this is the low road. 520 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:49,100 The President has been in an ad saying sometimes our 521 00:28:49,100 --> 00:28:50,132 politics are small. 522 00:28:50,133 --> 00:28:52,934 Is this an example of one of the small -- 523 00:28:52,934 --> 00:28:56,600 Mr. Carney: As I said yesterday, the President believes that the 524 00:28:56,600 --> 00:29:00,699 broader issue of tax fairness is very important to this campaign. 525 00:29:00,700 --> 00:29:04,600 The particular issue of a presidential candidate's 526 00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:08,399 willingness to be transparent about his or her background 527 00:29:08,400 --> 00:29:09,400 is important. 528 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:13,500 And as a matter of tradition, it dates back to 1968, as you know, 529 00:29:13,500 --> 00:29:17,200 or the '68 election actually, prior to '68. 530 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:22,367 And I speak to his positions. 531 00:29:22,367 --> 00:29:28,332 For the campaign tit-for-tat, at the purely political level, 532 00:29:28,333 --> 00:29:29,834 I refer you to the campaigns. 533 00:29:29,834 --> 00:29:31,834 The Press: I guess I go back -- and you've been very hesitant, 534 00:29:31,834 --> 00:29:34,633 very tough when there have been unsubstantiated allegations that 535 00:29:34,633 --> 00:29:37,533 come about the President from people, 536 00:29:37,533 --> 00:29:40,000 whether it's a Donald Trump or somebody like that. 537 00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:44,367 And you've called on Republicans to speak out against this. 538 00:29:44,367 --> 00:29:49,200 Why is this -- explain to me why this is different, 539 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:50,266 what Harry Reid is doing. 540 00:29:50,266 --> 00:29:53,834 Mr. Carney: I really can't do anything but reiterate what I said both 541 00:29:53,834 --> 00:29:56,767 yesterday and today, which is, I speak for the President. 542 00:29:56,767 --> 00:29:59,200 I explain and defend his policies. 543 00:29:59,200 --> 00:30:05,200 And I am very clear, crystal clear, 544 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:10,600 when I believe that his policies have been falsely represented, 545 00:30:10,600 --> 00:30:14,500 as is the case here or when his words have been 546 00:30:14,500 --> 00:30:16,033 completely mischaracterized. 547 00:30:16,033 --> 00:30:17,132 The Press: You stand by what Harry Reid is doing? 548 00:30:17,133 --> 00:30:18,400 Do you think this is a good thing to do? 549 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:19,767 Mr. Carney: Again, I would refer you to Senator Reid. 550 00:30:19,767 --> 00:30:24,433 I think that the issue could be resolved now if a tradition 551 00:30:24,433 --> 00:30:27,567 that's been in place since 1968 were honored. 552 00:30:27,567 --> 00:30:29,834 I understand, as I've said before -- 553 00:30:29,834 --> 00:30:32,834 and everybody who has covered presidential candidates knows 554 00:30:32,834 --> 00:30:35,567 this and everybody who has worked on campaigns I'm sure 555 00:30:35,567 --> 00:30:39,467 knows this -- that the process of running for President, 556 00:30:39,467 --> 00:30:42,600 if you're a serious candidate, a major candidate, 557 00:30:42,600 --> 00:30:47,500 is not always pleasant and it involves a lot of revelation 558 00:30:47,500 --> 00:30:51,834 about one's past and the positions you've taken. 559 00:30:51,834 --> 00:30:54,000 And this is part of the process, as I said yesterday, 560 00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:58,333 that isn't always comfortable, that isn't what I think 561 00:30:58,333 --> 00:31:02,100 candidates leap up and volunteer to do -- 562 00:31:02,100 --> 00:31:04,567 here, look at all of my financial records. 563 00:31:04,567 --> 00:31:07,667 But it's a tradition that as Governor Romney, 564 00:31:07,667 --> 00:31:12,265 Governor George Romney said back in the 1968 cycle is important 565 00:31:12,266 --> 00:31:13,333 to get a sense of -- 566 00:31:13,333 --> 00:31:16,033 The Press: So you're comfortable with what Harry Reid is doing? 567 00:31:16,033 --> 00:31:17,100 Is the President comfortable? 568 00:31:17,100 --> 00:31:19,166 Mr. Carney: Again, I'm not making a judgment on it. 569 00:31:19,166 --> 00:31:24,033 I'm simply saying that this whole thing could be resolved in 570 00:31:24,033 --> 00:31:24,934 a minute. 571 00:31:24,934 --> 00:31:26,899 The Press: Let me ask you about guns. 572 00:31:26,900 --> 00:31:31,333 You were very careful yesterday on the Sikh shooting and on 573 00:31:31,333 --> 00:31:35,300 Aurora, basically saying that it's too early to talk 574 00:31:35,300 --> 00:31:38,867 about policy. 575 00:31:38,867 --> 00:31:42,066 When is it appropriate to talk about policy? 576 00:31:42,066 --> 00:31:48,600 When does -- does the President believe we have a gun problem in 577 00:31:48,600 --> 00:31:52,466 this country, that access to guns is too easy? 578 00:31:52,467 --> 00:31:55,800 Mr. Carney: The President believes we have a violence challenge in this 579 00:31:55,800 --> 00:32:02,700 country, a violence problem that we need to address and come at 580 00:32:02,700 --> 00:32:05,667 from a variety of fronts, because it is not a problem that 581 00:32:05,667 --> 00:32:08,934 is just related to gun laws. 582 00:32:08,934 --> 00:32:13,332 The President believes that when it comes to firearms, 583 00:32:13,333 --> 00:32:15,700 that we need to take common-sense measures that 584 00:32:15,700 --> 00:32:18,834 respect and uphold the Second Amendment rights of the 585 00:32:18,834 --> 00:32:19,700 American people. 586 00:32:19,700 --> 00:32:20,734 The Press: Are there enough measures on the books? 587 00:32:20,734 --> 00:32:22,500 Mr. Carney: Well, I was asked about the assault-weapons ban, 588 00:32:22,500 --> 00:32:26,367 which the President supports reinstating. 589 00:32:26,367 --> 00:32:30,233 So I think, in that regard, he believes that Congress has not, 590 00:32:30,233 --> 00:32:32,332 but should, take action on that. 591 00:32:32,333 --> 00:32:34,567 But beyond that, he thinks that we are -- 592 00:32:34,567 --> 00:32:37,100 that we can, recognizing a stalemate in Congress, 593 00:32:37,100 --> 00:32:39,867 recognizing the difficulty of moving forward even with 594 00:32:39,867 --> 00:32:42,899 something like that, that there are measures he can take, 595 00:32:42,900 --> 00:32:46,433 directing his administration, his Department of Justice, 596 00:32:46,433 --> 00:32:48,800 to make it harder for those who should not have weapons under 597 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:52,500 existing law from obtaining them by improving and enhancing our 598 00:32:52,500 --> 00:32:57,033 background check system, on which progress has already been 599 00:32:57,033 --> 00:33:00,734 made, and by directing, as he has since he took office, 600 00:33:00,734 --> 00:33:02,934 his administration to work with local communities, 601 00:33:02,934 --> 00:33:08,133 local law enforcement, to address violence from a variety 602 00:33:08,133 --> 00:33:10,834 of angles, including through education and other means. 603 00:33:10,834 --> 00:33:16,000 So I think the point the President was trying to make in 604 00:33:16,000 --> 00:33:19,367 New Orleans, and did make, and that I've reiterated from here, 605 00:33:19,367 --> 00:33:25,066 is that these horrific incidents, 606 00:33:25,066 --> 00:33:30,767 like we saw in Aurora and like we saw outside of Milwaukee, 607 00:33:30,767 --> 00:33:35,633 are terrible, but we should not forget that violence occurs in 608 00:33:35,633 --> 00:33:41,533 America too frequently all the time. 609 00:33:41,533 --> 00:33:45,600 And it is a problem that needs to be addressed on 610 00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:46,800 multiple fronts. 611 00:33:46,800 --> 00:33:48,166 The Press: Jay, can I just follow please? 612 00:33:48,166 --> 00:33:49,667 Mr. Carney: Sure. 613 00:33:49,667 --> 00:33:50,667 The Press: Two questions. 614 00:33:50,667 --> 00:33:55,867 One, Sikhs are being -- demonstrating throughout India 615 00:33:55,867 --> 00:33:59,500 against violence and gun laws in the U.S. 616 00:33:59,500 --> 00:34:03,800 And also, at the same time, on Sunday night they gathered 617 00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:08,632 outside the White House for a vigil prayer and also thanking 618 00:34:08,632 --> 00:34:11,466 the President for his concern. 619 00:34:11,467 --> 00:34:15,433 Now, question is that they're also frightened and scared 620 00:34:15,433 --> 00:34:19,600 throughout the gurdwaras in the U.S. and also getting support 621 00:34:19,600 --> 00:34:20,533 from India. 622 00:34:20,533 --> 00:34:24,266 They're asking the President what message he has for them for 623 00:34:24,266 --> 00:34:26,800 the future to put up protection because they are part of this 624 00:34:26,800 --> 00:34:35,867 society and President has place in their hearts. 625 00:34:35,867 --> 00:34:41,000 Mr. Carney: Well, I can say that the President feels very strongly 626 00:34:41,000 --> 00:34:42,833 that in the wake of this shooting that we need to 627 00:34:42,833 --> 00:34:48,033 recognize the significant contributions of the Sikh 628 00:34:48,033 --> 00:34:52,433 community to the broader American community. 629 00:34:52,433 --> 00:34:58,200 I cannot, as I said yesterday, comment on an ongoing 630 00:34:58,200 --> 00:35:04,567 investigation or on the motives behind the attack in Wisconsin. 631 00:35:04,567 --> 00:35:08,867 I did note yesterday that since 9/11 there have been occasions 632 00:35:08,867 --> 00:35:16,200 where Sikhs have been targeted for violence because they have 633 00:35:16,200 --> 00:35:20,066 been misidentified as Muslims. 634 00:35:20,066 --> 00:35:29,033 And that is a terrible thing on two levels because obviously 635 00:35:29,033 --> 00:35:32,200 neither Muslims nor Sikhs should be targeted for this kind of 636 00:35:32,200 --> 00:35:33,899 terrible violence. 637 00:35:33,900 --> 00:35:35,834 And again, I'm speaking in a broader sense here, 638 00:35:35,834 --> 00:35:38,734 not with regard to what happened in Wisconsin, 639 00:35:38,734 --> 00:35:42,834 because I cannot make judgments about motive there while it's 640 00:35:42,834 --> 00:35:44,533 under investigation. 641 00:35:44,533 --> 00:35:50,000 The President, as he said in his statement, 642 00:35:50,000 --> 00:35:53,533 the President and the First Lady -- 643 00:35:53,533 --> 00:35:58,200 their hearts go out to the victims, to their families, 644 00:35:58,200 --> 00:36:00,567 to the broader community. 645 00:36:00,567 --> 00:36:05,834 And as you know, the FBI is part of this investigation and, 646 00:36:05,834 --> 00:36:08,834 more broadly, the administration is certainly assisting in 647 00:36:08,834 --> 00:36:10,433 whatever way it can. 648 00:36:10,433 --> 00:36:15,867 The Press: And second, I see American flag is half-staff or lowered, 649 00:36:15,867 --> 00:36:19,934 and is that in connection with the victims in Oak Creek? 650 00:36:19,934 --> 00:36:21,767 Mr. Carney: Yes, it is. 651 00:36:21,767 --> 00:36:24,332 The Press: And also, is President going to make a phone call to Prime 652 00:36:24,333 --> 00:36:27,100 Minister of India, or going to visit the victims? 653 00:36:27,100 --> 00:36:31,467 Mr. Carney: I have no calls or scheduling announcements, 654 00:36:31,467 --> 00:36:36,066 or schedule changes to announce to you at this time. 655 00:36:36,066 --> 00:36:38,332 But the answer is yes with regards to the flags 656 00:36:38,333 --> 00:36:39,767 being lowered. 657 00:36:39,767 --> 00:36:41,066 Donovan. 658 00:36:41,066 --> 00:36:42,133 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 659 00:36:42,133 --> 00:36:44,366 I have a question -- there's a report out today, 660 00:36:44,367 --> 00:36:48,400 I think it's on the Drudge Report, that the President -- 661 00:36:48,400 --> 00:36:50,567 Mr. Carney: Be mindful of your sources. 662 00:36:50,567 --> 00:36:53,767 (laughter) 663 00:36:53,767 --> 00:36:55,533 The Press: I'm just asking the question. 664 00:36:55,533 --> 00:36:59,100 That the President told someone he believes Mitt Romney wants to 665 00:36:59,100 --> 00:37:02,834 pick General Petraeus as a running mate. 666 00:37:02,834 --> 00:37:04,567 Do you have any information on this? 667 00:37:04,567 --> 00:37:08,734 Mr. Carney: I can say with absolute confidence that such an 668 00:37:08,734 --> 00:37:13,299 assertion has never been uttered by the President. 669 00:37:13,300 --> 00:37:15,633 And again, be mindful of your sources. 670 00:37:15,633 --> 00:37:16,767 The Press: Drudge is wrong? 671 00:37:16,767 --> 00:37:17,866 (laughter) 672 00:37:17,867 --> 00:37:21,400 Mr. Carney: Apparently so. 673 00:37:21,400 --> 00:37:23,700 The Press: Would Petraeus make a good Vice President? 674 00:37:23,700 --> 00:37:24,933 (laughter) 675 00:37:24,934 --> 00:37:28,533 Mr. Carney: General Petraeus was an excellent general and is 676 00:37:28,533 --> 00:37:34,500 currently serving very well at the Central Intelligence Agency. 677 00:37:34,500 --> 00:37:38,667 The Press: In these waning months, weeks, leading into November, 678 00:37:38,667 --> 00:37:40,500 how important are the polls? 679 00:37:40,500 --> 00:37:42,467 I know you say you don't look at the polls, 680 00:37:42,467 --> 00:37:43,633 but we know for sure -- 681 00:37:43,633 --> 00:37:45,899 Mr. Carney: I've never said that. 682 00:37:45,900 --> 00:37:48,667 The Press: We know for sure that the Democratic Party and this White 683 00:37:48,667 --> 00:37:51,900 House are looking at the polls throughout the country, 684 00:37:51,900 --> 00:37:54,800 how Democrats are faring and what people are thinking. 685 00:37:54,800 --> 00:37:59,333 How important are the poll numbers to you at this time? 686 00:37:59,333 --> 00:38:01,667 Mr. Carney: Well, that sounds like a question that would be best 687 00:38:01,667 --> 00:38:02,667 directed to the campaign. 688 00:38:02,667 --> 00:38:04,767 I can simply say, speaking for the President, that -- 689 00:38:04,767 --> 00:38:05,866 The Press: Then answer a campaign question. 690 00:38:05,867 --> 00:38:09,500 Mr. Carney: -- that he has said all along that he believes this will be a 691 00:38:09,500 --> 00:38:10,500 close election. 692 00:38:10,500 --> 00:38:14,066 And the President has said that and others have said that, 693 00:38:14,066 --> 00:38:16,799 speaking for him and his campaign. 694 00:38:16,800 --> 00:38:20,967 The President fully understands that this country is continuing 695 00:38:20,967 --> 00:38:23,100 to emerge from the Great Recession, 696 00:38:23,100 --> 00:38:30,533 that Americans continue to be concerned about the direction of 697 00:38:30,533 --> 00:38:35,933 the economy, the need to have the economy grow more, 698 00:38:35,934 --> 00:38:38,033 to have it create more jobs. 699 00:38:38,033 --> 00:38:44,299 And that's why the President is so focused on the security, 700 00:38:44,300 --> 00:38:46,934 the economic security of the middle class, 701 00:38:46,934 --> 00:38:48,633 because he believes that that is, 702 00:38:48,633 --> 00:38:51,966 as he said back when he ran for office the first time, 703 00:38:51,967 --> 00:38:56,633 for this office in 2008, that the security of the middle class 704 00:38:56,633 --> 00:39:01,165 is elemental to his vision of America's economic future. 705 00:39:01,166 --> 00:39:08,200 And long before the Great Recession delivered a hammer 706 00:39:08,200 --> 00:39:17,399 blow, to use a recently used phrase, to the middle class, 707 00:39:17,400 --> 00:39:19,400 the middle class was suffering already. 708 00:39:19,400 --> 00:39:26,266 It was being squeezed by economic policies that 709 00:39:26,266 --> 00:39:29,934 disproportionately rewarded the wealthiest of Americans but did 710 00:39:29,934 --> 00:39:33,266 not, as promised, deliver the kind of economic growth or job 711 00:39:33,266 --> 00:39:38,967 creation that we, the American people, 712 00:39:38,967 --> 00:39:40,133 had been told they would. 713 00:39:40,133 --> 00:39:42,100 And so that's why we cannot go back to those policies, 714 00:39:42,100 --> 00:39:45,933 and that's why this President is focused with such determination 715 00:39:45,934 --> 00:39:50,834 on an agenda that expands opportunity for the middle 716 00:39:50,834 --> 00:39:53,600 class, expands security for the middle class, 717 00:39:53,600 --> 00:39:56,533 that takes a balanced approach to our fiscal challenges, 718 00:39:56,533 --> 00:39:59,232 that ensures that we are continuing to invest in 719 00:39:59,233 --> 00:40:02,233 education and innovation and research and development, 720 00:40:02,233 --> 00:40:04,400 so that our economy has the foundation to grow in the 721 00:40:04,400 --> 00:40:06,400 21st century. 722 00:40:06,400 --> 00:40:10,567 These are the issues that preoccupy the President, 723 00:40:10,567 --> 00:40:13,734 and they are certainly the issues that will be debated in 724 00:40:13,734 --> 00:40:14,667 this election. 725 00:40:14,667 --> 00:40:17,433 The Press: I talked to David Axelrod last week, and he -- 726 00:40:17,433 --> 00:40:20,533 I brought up the question about some Republicans are saying that 727 00:40:20,533 --> 00:40:23,734 there will be -- Mitt Romney will receive 40% of the vote in 728 00:40:23,734 --> 00:40:24,967 November at least. 729 00:40:24,967 --> 00:40:26,467 And he said it would be tighter than that. 730 00:40:26,467 --> 00:40:30,800 And he even likened it possibly to Gore v. Bush. 731 00:40:30,800 --> 00:40:32,700 What do you say about that from the tightness? 732 00:40:32,700 --> 00:40:41,433 Mr. Carney: Again, I'm not going to predict outcomes. 733 00:40:41,433 --> 00:40:46,734 The President has the economic vision that he believes and I 734 00:40:46,734 --> 00:40:48,667 believe and we all believe are the -- 735 00:40:48,667 --> 00:40:53,467 is the right one for this country's future. 736 00:40:53,467 --> 00:40:55,300 We need to move forward and not backward. 737 00:40:55,300 --> 00:41:02,333 The election in the end takes place on a single day when 738 00:41:02,333 --> 00:41:04,300 Americans across the country cast their ballots. 739 00:41:04,300 --> 00:41:07,533 I know that some of them will have cast their ballots ahead of 740 00:41:07,533 --> 00:41:11,266 time because of early voting, but we'll know the outcome when 741 00:41:11,266 --> 00:41:12,266 we know the outcome. 742 00:41:12,266 --> 00:41:15,100 This President right now is focused on the possibilities 743 00:41:15,100 --> 00:41:16,600 that -- you like that quote there, Chuck? 744 00:41:16,600 --> 00:41:17,866 (laughter) 745 00:41:17,867 --> 00:41:18,934 The Press: It is what it is. 746 00:41:18,934 --> 00:41:20,200 Mr. Carney: Is it what it is. 747 00:41:20,200 --> 00:41:22,100 But seriously, from now until then, 748 00:41:22,100 --> 00:41:25,600 you're going to see the President focus on his 749 00:41:25,600 --> 00:41:30,767 responsibilities in office and on making the case about why his 750 00:41:30,767 --> 00:41:33,966 vision is the right one for our future economically, 751 00:41:33,967 --> 00:41:40,900 and why his opponent's proposals are mirror images -- 752 00:41:40,900 --> 00:41:43,333 although slightly exaggerated in size and form -- 753 00:41:43,333 --> 00:41:45,333 of the very policies that contributed to the worst 754 00:41:45,333 --> 00:41:49,667 economic disaster of our lifetimes. 755 00:41:49,667 --> 00:41:50,567 Peter Baker. 756 00:41:50,567 --> 00:41:51,700 The Press: You left out "one day at a time." 757 00:41:51,700 --> 00:41:53,066 (laughter) 758 00:41:53,066 --> 00:41:55,700 Mr. Carney: One day at a time. 759 00:41:55,700 --> 00:41:57,734 The Press: Jay, could I ask a question on early voters? 760 00:41:57,734 --> 00:41:58,667 Mr. Carney: I called on Peter. 761 00:41:58,667 --> 00:42:00,799 The Press: Governor Romney has promised 12 million jobs in the next four 762 00:42:00,800 --> 00:42:02,133 years if he is elected. 763 00:42:02,133 --> 00:42:05,533 Is that a realistic goal? 764 00:42:05,533 --> 00:42:09,400 Is there a goal that the President has by number for how 765 00:42:09,400 --> 00:42:10,333 many jobs he would -- 766 00:42:10,333 --> 00:42:13,200 Mr. Carney: Well, I would say two things about that -- 767 00:42:13,200 --> 00:42:15,633 that a single piece of paper or a couple pieces of paper upon 768 00:42:15,633 --> 00:42:18,399 which you base a representation like that I think should be 769 00:42:18,400 --> 00:42:21,066 judged accordingly. 770 00:42:21,066 --> 00:42:26,600 I would also note that projections by outside 771 00:42:26,600 --> 00:42:30,567 economists as well as the CBO suggest a certain amount of 772 00:42:30,567 --> 00:42:36,133 economic growth and job creation over those years. 773 00:42:36,133 --> 00:42:38,600 But I would -- let me go back to the first point because I think 774 00:42:38,600 --> 00:42:40,567 it's most important. 775 00:42:40,567 --> 00:42:47,967 It is not enough to simply make promises about what your 776 00:42:47,967 --> 00:42:50,767 economic policies deliver -- will deliver, 777 00:42:50,767 --> 00:42:57,232 and then not expect the policy specifics to be analyzed and 778 00:42:57,233 --> 00:43:01,734 judged for what, realistically, they can deliver. 779 00:43:01,734 --> 00:43:02,734 And that's what we saw. 780 00:43:02,734 --> 00:43:07,165 That's why the Tax Policy Center's assessment was so 781 00:43:07,166 --> 00:43:12,033 valuable, because it simply -- to quote I think one of the 782 00:43:12,033 --> 00:43:15,033 articles I read, the analysts there "bent over backwards" to 783 00:43:15,033 --> 00:43:19,467 be as generous as possible to Governor Romney's plan, 784 00:43:19,467 --> 00:43:26,767 to insert all the assumptions that would be most generous to 785 00:43:26,767 --> 00:43:31,767 it, and yet still came to the irrefutable conclusion that you 786 00:43:31,767 --> 00:43:38,165 cannot have a tax policy like the one that has been proposed 787 00:43:38,166 --> 00:43:41,867 without -- that does not result in the wealthiest Americans 788 00:43:41,867 --> 00:43:47,300 getting huge tax cuts and middle-class Americans seeing 789 00:43:47,300 --> 00:43:48,300 their taxes go up. 790 00:43:48,300 --> 00:43:50,333 It just can't happen, because you have to -- 791 00:43:50,333 --> 00:43:55,333 in order to give that huge tax break to millionaires -- 792 00:43:55,333 --> 00:44:02,100 I mean, what is it, $250,000 -- another $250,000 to someone who 793 00:44:02,100 --> 00:44:08,033 makes $3 million without then asking dozens and dozens of 794 00:44:08,033 --> 00:44:10,667 middle-class families to pay the bill for that tax cut. 795 00:44:10,667 --> 00:44:16,033 So the money that's being asked for here, the price -- 796 00:44:16,033 --> 00:44:19,500 when the plan says, you, middle-class America, 797 00:44:19,500 --> 00:44:23,500 has to pay more -- you have to pay more to pay for this 798 00:44:23,500 --> 00:44:26,467 proposal, it's not, well, you need to pay more because we all 799 00:44:26,467 --> 00:44:29,433 need to contribute to bringing the deficit down. 800 00:44:29,433 --> 00:44:33,934 It's not you need to pay more to pay for our national defense or 801 00:44:33,934 --> 00:44:37,500 for education or for Social Security and Medicare. 802 00:44:37,500 --> 00:44:40,533 It's you need to pay more, on average, 803 00:44:40,533 --> 00:44:42,299 for a middle-class family, $2,200 more, 804 00:44:42,300 --> 00:44:47,834 so that a millionaire or multi-millionaire can get a 805 00:44:47,834 --> 00:44:48,899 massive tax break. 806 00:44:48,900 --> 00:44:52,100 That's not -- and that's not our assessment. 807 00:44:52,100 --> 00:44:54,467 That's the assessment of an independent outfit. 808 00:44:54,467 --> 00:44:56,900 The Press: You segued nicely from my question to your answer. 809 00:44:56,900 --> 00:44:58,633 I wonder if we could go back to the jobs question. 810 00:44:58,633 --> 00:44:59,433 Mr. Carney: Sure. 811 00:44:59,433 --> 00:45:01,433 The Press: Is it realistic to expect 12 million jobs -- 812 00:45:01,433 --> 00:45:03,200 Mr. Carney: I haven't assessed it. 813 00:45:03,200 --> 00:45:08,966 I think it's -- I would encourage you and others to take 814 00:45:08,967 --> 00:45:15,300 that promise and bring it to outside economists and see 815 00:45:15,300 --> 00:45:16,300 what they say. 816 00:45:16,300 --> 00:45:17,400 I don't have an assessment of it. 817 00:45:17,400 --> 00:45:21,867 What I know is that the economic policies that have been put 818 00:45:21,867 --> 00:45:29,233 forward will result in massive tax breaks for millionaires and 819 00:45:29,233 --> 00:45:32,734 substantial tax hikes on middle-class families. 820 00:45:32,734 --> 00:45:34,232 That's not the right policy. 821 00:45:34,233 --> 00:45:36,367 The Press: Will the President give us his sense of what he expects us to 822 00:45:36,367 --> 00:45:38,467 see in four years before the campaign is over? 823 00:45:38,467 --> 00:45:40,400 Mr. Carney: Well, I think the President has been very clear about what his 824 00:45:40,400 --> 00:45:43,266 economic policies are, what he believes we need to do, 825 00:45:43,266 --> 00:45:45,433 not just in the four years going forward. 826 00:45:45,433 --> 00:45:48,500 I mean, he would encourage Congress to take this issue away 827 00:45:48,500 --> 00:45:50,934 from him, the middle-class tax cut, 828 00:45:50,934 --> 00:45:55,367 by coming back now during recess or immediately upon their return 829 00:45:55,367 --> 00:45:58,200 in September, and reaching an agreement. 830 00:45:58,200 --> 00:46:00,299 Because if you look at what the Senate passed, 831 00:46:00,300 --> 00:46:02,200 the bill the President supported, 832 00:46:02,200 --> 00:46:05,066 and the tax cuts it extended for 98% of the American people, 833 00:46:05,066 --> 00:46:11,232 and you look at what the House passed, which was that same 98%, 834 00:46:11,233 --> 00:46:14,633 but tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of taxpayers, 835 00:46:14,633 --> 00:46:16,933 the overlap is pretty substantial -- 98%. 836 00:46:16,934 --> 00:46:19,233 Well, let's make that law. 837 00:46:19,233 --> 00:46:20,834 Sign it into law and take that issue away. 838 00:46:20,834 --> 00:46:23,332 Give the middle class the certainty that would be 839 00:46:23,333 --> 00:46:24,333 created by that. 840 00:46:24,333 --> 00:46:27,967 Give the economy the boost that would be delivered by that. 841 00:46:27,967 --> 00:46:32,033 And then, continue to debate whether or not the wealthiest 2% 842 00:46:32,033 --> 00:46:34,667 should be getting another substantial tax cut next year. 843 00:46:34,667 --> 00:46:35,667 The Press: Right. 844 00:46:35,667 --> 00:46:36,866 Can I ask just maybe -- the President always says or likes 845 00:46:36,867 --> 00:46:39,000 to say we've created 4.5 million jobs. 846 00:46:39,000 --> 00:46:41,066 Given his fascination with that number, 847 00:46:41,066 --> 00:46:43,866 can we get any expectation from him of what he thinks we'll be 848 00:46:43,867 --> 00:46:45,333 able to create in the next four years? 849 00:46:45,333 --> 00:46:47,300 Mr. Carney: Again, I don't -- well, let me just say, 850 00:46:47,300 --> 00:46:50,900 I don't have a prediction for you of future economic growth. 851 00:46:50,900 --> 00:46:54,900 We have economists here who put forward policy proposals and 852 00:46:54,900 --> 00:46:57,166 assessments of the future. 853 00:46:57,166 --> 00:46:59,600 You can also look at CBO and other analysts. 854 00:46:59,600 --> 00:47:03,200 What the President does is focus on his policy proposals. 855 00:47:03,200 --> 00:47:05,633 And what you saw with the American Jobs Act is that rather 856 00:47:05,633 --> 00:47:10,600 than make predictions of -- like you're seeing from Governor 857 00:47:10,600 --> 00:47:14,033 Romney of 'my one-sheet plan here will create 12 million 858 00:47:14,033 --> 00:47:17,734 jobs' -- the President put forward a comprehensive job 859 00:47:17,734 --> 00:47:21,767 creation proposal, legislation that went before Congress, 860 00:47:21,767 --> 00:47:25,667 and we made no assessments of how many jobs it would create. 861 00:47:25,667 --> 00:47:28,266 Instead, we let outside analysts, 862 00:47:28,266 --> 00:47:32,433 outside economists assess it, and they made a judgment that 863 00:47:32,433 --> 00:47:35,433 the portions of the American Jobs Act that Congress has yet 864 00:47:35,433 --> 00:47:39,934 to pass would add an addition 1 million-plus jobs to the 865 00:47:39,934 --> 00:47:41,200 American economy right now. 866 00:47:41,200 --> 00:47:42,332 So Congress should pass that. 867 00:47:42,333 --> 00:47:45,166 Put teachers back to work, firefighters and police officers 868 00:47:45,166 --> 00:47:48,333 back to work, construction workers back on the job. 869 00:47:48,333 --> 00:47:50,400 That would certainly help those families. 870 00:47:50,400 --> 00:47:52,700 It would help the economy overall. 871 00:47:52,700 --> 00:47:54,933 And it would help build infrastructure in this country 872 00:47:54,934 --> 00:47:58,667 that would allow the American economy to continue to grow. 873 00:47:58,667 --> 00:47:59,700 Jon-Christopher. 874 00:47:59,700 --> 00:48:02,100 The Press: Will the President be holding a full-blown press conference 875 00:48:02,100 --> 00:48:03,834 anytime soon, Jay? 876 00:48:03,834 --> 00:48:04,899 Mr. Carney: Define "anytime soon." 877 00:48:04,900 --> 00:48:06,400 The Press: Before November. 878 00:48:06,400 --> 00:48:08,033 Before his vacation. 879 00:48:08,033 --> 00:48:09,000 The Press: Before the convention. 880 00:48:09,000 --> 00:48:09,834 The Press: Before the convention. 881 00:48:09,834 --> 00:48:11,100 Mr. Carney: The President will be holding -- I'm sure the President will be 882 00:48:11,100 --> 00:48:14,633 taking questions from you in the relatively near future. 883 00:48:14,633 --> 00:48:15,533 Mr. Collinson. 884 00:48:15,533 --> 00:48:16,433 The Press: Thank you. 885 00:48:16,433 --> 00:48:19,233 You said that it was important that the institutions of the 886 00:48:19,233 --> 00:48:23,300 state to be maintained in Syria after the fall of Assad. 887 00:48:23,300 --> 00:48:26,100 How much of this approach is informed by what happened in 888 00:48:26,100 --> 00:48:30,533 Iraq when the Ba'athist state institutions were torn up after 889 00:48:30,533 --> 00:48:33,200 the fall of Saddam Hussein? 890 00:48:33,200 --> 00:48:41,966 Mr. Carney: Well, I think it's fair to say that that precedent is useful 891 00:48:41,967 --> 00:48:42,967 to look at. 892 00:48:42,967 --> 00:48:44,700 There are other precedents to look at, 893 00:48:44,700 --> 00:48:49,700 and the experience that we've had and that the region has had 894 00:48:49,700 --> 00:48:52,567 in various countries that have been affected by the 895 00:48:52,567 --> 00:48:54,533 Arab Spring. 896 00:48:54,533 --> 00:49:00,165 But it is also true, as I have said or tried to say frequently, 897 00:49:00,166 --> 00:49:01,734 that each country in the region is different. 898 00:49:01,734 --> 00:49:07,900 And so I would not suggest that any other country's past 899 00:49:07,900 --> 00:49:15,000 experience is identical to what we can expect or what we could 900 00:49:15,000 --> 00:49:19,000 expect in Syria if various decisions were made about 901 00:49:19,000 --> 00:49:20,000 the transition. 902 00:49:20,000 --> 00:49:22,734 We're focused on, with our partners, 903 00:49:22,734 --> 00:49:27,767 what needs to happen in Syria in a post-Assad world there that's 904 00:49:27,767 --> 00:49:29,866 best for the Syrians; that allows for, 905 00:49:29,867 --> 00:49:31,166 as you mentioned and I mentioned, 906 00:49:31,166 --> 00:49:33,934 the state institutions to stay intact; 907 00:49:33,934 --> 00:49:40,600 that allows for a transition that brings about a government 908 00:49:40,600 --> 00:49:46,366 that is inclusive, that is responsive to the Syrian people, 909 00:49:46,367 --> 00:49:52,700 and that acknowledges and enforces the liberties and 910 00:49:52,700 --> 00:49:54,633 rights of all Syrians. 911 00:49:54,633 --> 00:49:57,633 The Press: I think King Abdullah said that -- in CBS News today -- 912 00:49:57,633 --> 00:50:00,533 that he was worried that Assad -- if Damascus fell, 913 00:50:00,533 --> 00:50:03,667 Assad might retreat to an Alawite enclave, 914 00:50:03,667 --> 00:50:06,400 and that could lead to the kind of breakup of Syria and 915 00:50:06,400 --> 00:50:07,633 ethnic conflict. 916 00:50:07,633 --> 00:50:10,700 Is that something that the White House is concerned about, too? 917 00:50:10,700 --> 00:50:14,899 Mr. Carney: Well, as we've said, the longer this goes on, 918 00:50:14,900 --> 00:50:17,467 the longer Assad remains in power, 919 00:50:17,467 --> 00:50:22,433 the longer he is helped in his efforts to remain in power by 920 00:50:22,433 --> 00:50:25,967 those who continue to prop him up, 921 00:50:25,967 --> 00:50:29,100 the more chaotic the situation becomes in Syria, 922 00:50:29,100 --> 00:50:31,467 the more violence, the more bloodshed. 923 00:50:31,467 --> 00:50:33,066 And those are all bad things. 924 00:50:33,066 --> 00:50:36,366 That is why it is so essential that Assad step aside and that 925 00:50:36,367 --> 00:50:39,633 the Syrian people be given the opportunity to determine their 926 00:50:39,633 --> 00:50:40,866 own future. 927 00:50:40,867 --> 00:50:45,867 There are all sorts of possible outcomes in Syria that are less 928 00:50:45,867 --> 00:50:48,900 than ideal. 929 00:50:48,900 --> 00:50:53,700 The least ideal, the worst outcome is one that would 930 00:50:53,700 --> 00:50:58,600 somehow allow Assad to stay in power and to continue to butcher 931 00:50:58,600 --> 00:51:00,133 his own people. 932 00:51:00,133 --> 00:51:01,133 That will not happen. 933 00:51:01,133 --> 00:51:04,633 The Syrian people won't allow it to happen. 934 00:51:04,633 --> 00:51:07,899 And as we've seen in recent days and weeks, 935 00:51:07,900 --> 00:51:11,400 Assad's grip on power continues to loosen. 936 00:51:11,400 --> 00:51:13,700 His control over his government, of his military, 937 00:51:13,700 --> 00:51:20,366 of the country continues to lessen. 938 00:51:20,367 --> 00:51:26,066 But there is no question that suffering continues as well due 939 00:51:26,066 --> 00:51:28,165 to his actions. 940 00:51:28,166 --> 00:51:29,467 Mr. Carney: Yes, last one. 941 00:51:29,467 --> 00:51:30,467 Connie. 942 00:51:30,467 --> 00:51:31,967 The Press: On the chemical weapons -- do you have an update on 943 00:51:31,967 --> 00:51:32,967 where they are? 944 00:51:32,967 --> 00:51:35,133 And could these be the weapons that were looked for and never 945 00:51:35,133 --> 00:51:37,567 found in Iraq? 946 00:51:37,567 --> 00:51:40,667 Mr. Carney: I have not heard that suggestion posited. 947 00:51:40,667 --> 00:51:43,033 I would simple say, as I have in the past, 948 00:51:43,033 --> 00:51:47,700 that we remain concerned about the stockpiles of chemical 949 00:51:47,700 --> 00:51:49,299 weapons in Syria. 950 00:51:49,300 --> 00:51:52,600 We have and our international partners have made clear that it 951 00:51:52,600 --> 00:51:55,299 is the responsibility of the Syrian government to safeguard 952 00:51:55,300 --> 00:52:00,433 those stockpiles, and that any -- 953 00:52:00,433 --> 00:52:04,200 that the government and individuals within it will be 954 00:52:04,200 --> 00:52:11,232 held accountable if those stockpiles are not safeguarded. 955 00:52:11,233 --> 00:52:13,600 The Press: And that cross-border raid between Israel and Egypt, 956 00:52:13,600 --> 00:52:16,433 was there al Qaeda behind it as far as you can assess? 957 00:52:16,433 --> 00:52:19,300 Mr. Carney: I don't have an assessment of that. 958 00:52:19,300 --> 00:52:20,867 Perhaps the State Department can help you. 959 00:52:20,867 --> 00:52:21,867 Thanks.