June 23, 2009 President Obama press conference: Liveblog

By GottaLaff

Chris Matthews is pushing the "is the honeymoon over?" meme. Puh-leeze.

Prez O: (paraphrased)

Iran: He strongly condemns the unjust actions. Appalled. Respects sovereignty of Islamic Republic of Iran. Deplores the violence against innocent civilians ANYwhere it takes place. Accusations of U.S./the west instigating are FALSE. Scapegoating is a tired strategy. It's not about U.S. or west, it's about the people of Iran. They can speak for themselves, and that's what's happened. Expelling journalists doesn't work. We see it all anyway. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. Right to assembly, free speech. They must govern through consent, not coercion.

Clean energy economy: The House is moving ahead with legislation. Clean energy transformation, lessen oil dependence. Incentives to make clean energy profitable, new industries, millions of new jobs that can't be shifted overseas. Paid for by polluters who emit carbon emissions. Provides assistance to businesses as they transform to clean energy. The nation that leads in clean energy will lead in global economy.

Health care: Congress is debating. Complicated issue, but I'm very optimistic. This must and will be paid for, will not add to deficits. Costs will be brought down. We must control costs. If we don't act, $1 out of every 5 will be spent on health care in a decade. Status quo unacceptable. Pushing Congress.

Q: Talk to Iran's leaders?
A: What's happened there is profound. We're still waiting to see how it plays itself out. We have core interests in their nuke ability. It's up to THEM to make a decision to choose the right path. So far, not encouraging based on past weeks. What's happening now may color what they do. We're monitoring before we make any judgments. There is a path available to them in which their sovereignty, faith respected, but where they operate according to international rules and norms. Consequences? The international community is watching. Their gov't. should understand that how they handle dissent in their own country will help shape the tone for their future and rel'ship to other countries.

Q: Nico Pitney: From an Iranian: Under which conditions would you accept election of Ahmadinejad? And would that be a betrayal?
A: We didnt' have observers on the ground. We can't say definitively what happened. We do know that a large % of Iranians considered it illegit. Not isolated instance here or there. Significant questions of legitimacy. Most important for the gov't. is legitimacy in eyes of Iranians, not us. It's up to the Iranians. What we CAN do is set norms for violence/peaceful dissent that span cultures, borders. What we've seen is that norms have been violated. It's not too late for Iran gov't to recognize a peaceful path. We hope they take it.

Q: Rate the Feds and Bernanke.
A: I'm not gonna make news about him, but he's done a fine job. ALL regulators needed to do more, which is why we put forward boldest reform. Enforcement wasn't there. SINCE the crisis, Ben has performed well. We need risks monitored, systemic risks as a whole. But that's not the only part of regulation. Also: Consumer protection, re: sub prime loans, credit cards, annuities, what to expect from 401(K)s.

Q: Major Garrett: You said that you were appalled at Iran. What took you so long?
A: I don't think that's accurate. Right after election I said we had profound concerns, but it's not up to us to determine outcome. In anticipation of violence, we said it was unacceptable. So we've been entirely consistent. My role has been to say we won't be a foil for Iranian gov't.; that this is an issue led by the people; we've been very consistent since the first day. It's not about U.S. And we've said there are universal principles, freedom of assembly/speech, and we've been speaking out clearly about that. We don't have formal diplomatic relations with Iran. We're interested in healing some of the wounds if they come around. ... it's a choice the Iranian people will have to make.

Q: Health care reform
A: We can't just stand pat. Premiums double every 9 years. U.S. gov't. can't afford Medicare/Medicaid on current trajectory. So, that we can keep doing this is not true. We have a longstanding critical problem. It's pulling down economy, families, businesses, deficit. So, we need serious changes. Our top priority: costs. Not tinkering, but it means looking at incentives, delivery system, why some communities spend 30% less but getting better outcomes... prevention, etc. That's a starting point for reform. A bill must reform costs. Reallocate dollars that aren't being spent well. #2: Also, wise policy to start providing coverage for those w/o insurance or are under-insured. The public plan is an important tool to discipline insurance companies. Like Congress has. If you like your plan/dr. you keep them. BUT, if you're a small business person, if you can't afford a plan, you can go to this marketplace and choose... as a public option that is not profit driven, keeps down costs, offers good quality care. Why would it drive private insurance out of business? If they say they're offering a good deal, how can the gov't who they say can't do anything can drive them out of business? That doesn't make sense! There will be legit. debates, but conceptually, if these co's. say they can't compete with consumers making the decision, that defies logic. There's overwhelming support in the polls.

Q: Chip Reid, re: Major's Q about your being timid and weak. Today it sounded stronger, like what McCain suggested. Were you influenced by McCain and Graham?
A: What do you think. [laughter] I think McCain has genuine passion, but only I'm the prez of the U.S. and I have responsibilities to make sure we advance our national security interests and not be used as a too. ... You have reports of my comments being mistranslated in Iran to tell rioters to riot more. ... that the CIA is behind this.. all false, but gives you sense of the narrative Iran wants to play into. Members of congress has their duties, I have mine. We can parse this all we want, but look at my statements.

Q: Chuck Todd: You've avoided spelling out consequences.
A: When a young woman gets shot it's a problem, but I won't spell it out because we need to say how it plays out. You're on a 24 hour news cycle. I'm not. Shut up. [That last part was mine]

Q: Tapper: Health care. (sorry, missed the Q, got phone call)
A: You coopted David's question. Reform has to control costs, provide relief. A public plan makes sense. There is a legit concern IF the public plan was simply eating off the taxpayer trough, that it would be hard for private insur. to compete. But if it's structured, to provide good services, then if what the insurers say is true, that they're there for their customers, they should be able to compete. If public plan can reduce admin. costs, then I'd like the insur. co's to take note! There should be no objection to that. Part of the reform is, if you want to be a private insurer, there will be different rules, like no preexisting condition rules, etc. Ground rules. Insur. co's have been spending time on premiums, not care. If the free market is innovative, competitive, then this is one more option. If not, then Americans should know. Re: Americans won't have to change plans: I'm saying the gov't won't make you change plans under health reform. Employers, if we do nothing, Americans won't have the same health care they have because as costs go up, premiums would be raised, or eliminate insurance, so health reform is important

Q: McClatchy: Quitting smoking... How many cigarettes a day do you smoke? Will new law help you?
A: New law is not about me, it's about kids coming up. You just think it's neat to ask me about my smoking, but that's fine, it's interesting... But I've said, as a former smoker, I struggle. I've fallen off the wagon. I'm not a daily, constant smoker. Don't do it in front of my kids or family. I'm 95% cured, but I mess up. I get this question every month. It's like AA, once you've gone down this path, you always struggle. Which is why the legislation is important, to prevent kids from taking this path.

Q: Latin America [missed question, sorry]
A: We'll be talking about cooperation w/ Chile on clean energy. Trade. Cancer research. Chile is partners with fed and state gov'ts, like CA. We don't always agree, but they're an important partner, we don't dictate to them, we've achieved great cooperation. We'll look for advice on how to expand this to all of Latin America. Chile is leading by example, but same is true of Brazil. Lula has a different political orientation than most Americans do. Perceived as strong leftist, but is very practical person, instituted smart market reforms. A good working relationship with them points the way to other countries.

Q: Need a second stim package?
A: Not yet. The package was the first thing we did, and nobody understood the depths of what the recession would look like, then got a report that the economy tanked. It's not surprising we missed the mark of employment estimates. It will go over 10%. Even after new hirings, etc. it takes awhile for that employment number to catch up. This will be a difficult period. I have no crystal ball, since you threw back at us our original prognosis. I do know that w/o the stim, the recession would be much worse. States would have laid off more teachers, firefighters, police officers. The Recovery Act had an impact. But this is the worst since the Great Depression. Tough times, and I don't expect people to be satisfied. The media reports all the poll numbers, all the bad news, but people have a right to know/feel accordingly. This is a tough, tough period. I'm not satisfied. We need to get recovery $ out faster... The mortgage program hasn't been keeping pace with foreclosures. We need to focus on short term and long term... making sure that by reforming health care, energy, education systems, regulatory reforms, we have a foundation for longterm growth, v. juicing up the economy artificially w/ bubble strategies of past.

Q: Economy: WaPo says African Amer. unemployment will hit 20%. Why not target intervention now?
A: We know that the AA rate, Latino rate higher than national average. If economy is bad, they're hit harder. So, whatever community, I need to get the econ. moving, or nobody gets helpoed. In certain inner city communities, the unemploy. rate was already sky high. We do want to look at proven programs that will help get them jobs. Training programs helping. If we can duplicate that kind of thing, we will. Most important is to lift economy overall.

Q: Suzanne Malveau: Human face, Neda shooting. Have you seen it?
A: Yes. Heartbreaking. Something fundamentally unjust about hat.
Q: Streets quieter now, paralyzed by fear... concerned?
A: Yes. About how peaceful demonstrators and who want votes counted are being stifled. There are international norms, freedom of speech...[Helen just interjected, couldn't hear]... We have to let the Iranian people know we are watching, they're not alone. We have to believe justice will prevail.

Chris Matthews: He showed his cool again, his command. Worked way thru snark and he held his cool.

Andrea Mitchell: He walked the narrow line... Sympathetic, saying his words had been twisted, but wouldn't play into Iranian gov't hands. Downpedaled his engagement with Iran, but talked about path for Iranian people.

Gene Robinson: Didn't hesitate to come back at reporters. On Iran, he turned up the heat a little. Said we don't have a lot of good news for Iranians, can't raise false hopes. His remarks were conditional, maybe had in mind what was going on with Mullah's councils. Wanted to sound optimistic, but not specific with costs (health care).