By GottaLaff
Robert Gibbs, re: the vetting process:
"The president has confidence in the system, in the nominees... The president has confidence in the process... We all take responsibility, the president takes responsibility."More Q and A:
Q: There's a standard of responsibility, why didn't President Obama make the decision, not the nominee?
Gibbs: I'm not going to look through the rear view mirror. The president understands that each of these individuals has served his country with distinction. Each decided they couldn't distract from the agenda that the president is pursuing, which is bigger than any of us. He accepts their decisions.
Chuck Todd: So, had he not withdrawn, the president wouldn't have asked him to resign?
Gibbs: I won't play hypothetical. Senator Daschle decided and that's where we are. ... The decision was made by Senator Daschle. ... He did not get a signal from the White House.
Q: Daschle's unique qualifications have been discussed. Now what, for health care?
Gibbs: The issue of affordable health care is bigger than one person. It encompasses so much of our economy... Many people are working on this issue right now. We're looking for a new nominee.
Q: Will Daschle now lobby the goverment?
Gibbs: He's not a lobbyist, so he can't.
Fox Q: Lobbyists in your administration...
Gibbs: We have the best record of anyone on this. Go read Norm Ornstein. I'm just telling you to refer back to the same people you use at your own network. [paraphrased some]
Q: Convos between the Governor Lynch and the White House?
Gibbs: They weren't involved in picking which party, person. The sole person for selecting the next Senator from N.H. is the governor. There may have been convos between Senators and the governor...
Q: Is there a breakdown in the vetting process?
Gibbs: He's confident in the process.
David Corn: Change in D.C.... Daschle gave advice to lobbyists, same with George Mitchell... others, too. Is it more difficult than you imagine to change the ways in Washington?
Gibbs: He didn't believe he'd change the way D.C. works in the first 2 weeks in office. Our set of ethics requirements exceeds any that came before.... We have four years to try to change things.
Lynn Sweet: Did the vetting team just not know the details?
Gibbs: Asked and answered. ...
Q: Now you don't want to talk about it?
Gibbs: Two names have been withdrawn. We're looking for new names.
Q: Have things moved too quickly? Maybe things should slow down a little?
Gibbs: There are many problems in this country, and they don't slow down. We'll be working on a recovery plan shortly, financial stability... and that's just economic issues. What happened today won't slow down the challenge of the many problems we face.
Q: Concern is growing about Afghanistan...
Gibbs: The president is reviewing our policy there, met with commanders... He's evaluating... correcting... He won't make decisions without being in touch with the units involved, their families, coordination with Congress... He'll announce decisions himself, explain things to the American people himself.
Q: Nominees... Was their decision, Obama's acceptance, will they impair his credibility?
Gibbs: The decisions the nominees made were to withdraw. The president knows that change is not a 2 week project. ... He has set the highest ethical standards... He expects nothing less from anyone serving his administration.
Q: Is Obama worried about losing his message?
Gibbs: No. He talks/meets with members of Congress daily. He's working toward meeting the deadline he has set.
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