Liveblogging Robert Gibbs briefing: The economy, more

By GottaLaff

Robert Gibbs: (forgive my shorthand... it's the only way I can get most of the convos down)

We knew this was gonna be a long road... ups and downs. There are some light spots that are at least encouraging... People have lost their jobs and are hurting.

Re: Gasoline prices rising... Yes, a concern to the president. He will make a statement.

Tapper: How worried is Obama about double dip recession?

Gibbs: He wakes up concerned every day, understands millions are hurting, whether last months job losses or present... He's not satisfied with where we were. He's not an economic prognosticator, but concerned about the economy, people hurting, stories he's heard for many, many years, creating environment to hire (re: small businesses, etc.)

Tapper: Gitmo... where are 6 you transferrred?

Gibbs: Not getting into transfers.

Tapper: Convert prison to supermax. Timetable?

Gibbs: No timetable. We'll work with Congress re: retrofitting, purchasing prison in Thomson, moving prisoners.

Ed Henry, CNN: Geithner should testify?

Gibbs: Geithner not involved in emails (NY Fed). He wasn't party to the decision being made.

Ed: 1000s more emails. Transparency?

Gibbs: I'll point you to Treasury. Emails did not involve him. Decision made by 2 people, didn't involve him. He has Obama's full confidence.

Chip Reid: President hasn't opened himself up to questions lately. Why?

Gibbs: You all reminded me of our "dramatic overexposure" last time.

Chip: That was then. [laughter]

MSNBC: Net job growth this year?

Gibbs: Look at trajectory, numbers, leads you to believe positive job growth, yeah.

MSNBC: Detainees... Yemen... Gitmo has been a black eye on US. Guarantees that other govt's will treat prisoners properly?

Gibbs: Won't discuss it today.... back and forth on something we're not gonna discuss today, don't want to do that.

VIDEO: Robert Gibbs' tense exchange with April Ryan

By GottaLaff



Cringeworthy:

However, the one that took place Wednesday between White House press secretary Robert Gibbs and April Ryan of American Urban Radio, in which Gibbs essentially compared Ryan to a petulant child, is among the most heated (and entertaining) in recent memory. [...]

Ryan claimed that there have been whispers around Washington insinuating that Rogers had overstepped the traditional role of her title at the event to become the "belle of the ball," thus "overshadowing the first lady." Frustrated by Ryan's tabloid-y line of questioning, Gibbs instructed her to "calm down" and to take a deep breath," adding "I do this with my son and that's what happens."

Squirmitude.

Liveblog: Robert Gibbs talks Afghanistan at daily briefing

By GottaLaff

Robert Gibbs is holding his daily briefing. Liveblogging:

Obama envisioned: We are going to increase number of our forces in Afghanistan, more there sooner, staying longer in order to degrade Taliban, fight insurgency... while helping train Afghan army, police forces. July 2011 is when he believes we should begin transition. We're not gonna be there forever.

We'll provide them with the incentives they need to get their act together to train security force and army, and we can transfer responsibility to the Afghans.

Obama believes that this is best course forward.

Jake Tapper: Pressing about Rumsfeld 2001-2006, whether level of resourcing decisions, etc. were sufficient... Gibbs won't bite.

Gibbs: 9/11 brought us to Afghanistan.

Tapper: March speech, Obama said if Taliban returns it would be bad for women/girls. Didn't mention that last night.

Gibbs: In context of 3 pillars, human rights is obviously part of what is happening, more broadly. That includes women/girls... nothing to read into here. Basic human rights of everyone would include that.

Q: Stability there in 2011, or is that less important?

A: You can't have one w/o the other... Gates said he believed what we laid out was achievable... Part is to incentivize Afghans. We won't be there forever. Providing security will have to rest mainly with Afghan security forces. The team believes conditions will be met.

Q: So if they're not up to speed...? leave again?

A: We're there to make sure it happens. We started w/ 32K military in Afghanistan in January. Then 68K by summer. By end of summer 2010, another 30K. Triple the resources in order to accelerate the training. Bench marks will be laid down to ensure on a frequent basis that we're achieving level of training necessary to do what plan envisions doing. Gates and others who testified today and others believe it's achievable.

Helen: Didn't mention pipeline in speech.

A: Didn't come up in the 9 or 10 meetings. It's about Taliban, 9/11.

Helen: You gonna keep referring to 9/11?

A: As Jake mentioned, in authorization to go in there was a result of 9/11, Afghan safe haven.

Helen: Isn't that an intervention? (I missed some, unintelligible)

A: We're in Afghanistan. We hae a plan that incentivizes actions, whether training, improving governance... if those who are responsible are providing services that it needs, then we'll have a great rel'ship working with them. If not, we'll find people who will... because we'll have, by mid next year, more men and women... (Helen keeps pushing about whether they want us in)... They approve of us being there, quite clearly... but not forever.

Helen: Why do you have to demand of a sovereign country what they do?

A: There's congressional authorization. If you ask if they want us there, they say yes. But not a permanent dependence on us being there. Incentivize, training, blahblah... meet needs of people... security force to prevent Taliban overthrow or safe haven for Al Qaeda to prevent attack on us.

Chip Reid: Majority doesn't support sending troops.

A: What poll are you...? Well, he didn't make a national security decision based on polling. Obama believes the decision is the right one and he'd like to tell America why he thinks it's right. It's not a one shot deal... any one of your news orgs will poll reactions to speech, etc. This isn't a one shot deal.

Chip: But over coming months, if polls still low...?

A: We didn't make decision based on polls, and won't in future. If we looked at polls before decisions, the financial system would have suffered collapse... There's be one domestic auto company.. maybe we would have pulled out of Afghanistan. He didn't believe in our system collapsing....

And now both CNN and MSNBC cut away...

Robert Gibbs: "Our critics haven't been so right"

By GottaLaff

Robert Gibbs is taking questions now. Liveblog:

Darn, I missed his comments about the suppression of the torture photos.

The stimulus jobs report is what we expected.

Our critics didn't think the plan would help the recovery grow... our critics haven't been so right.

Helen: Critics don't want President to succeed.

A: They're playing a political game instead of addressing reform.

Helen: Call them what they are.

A: President has done quite a bit of that.

Chuck Todd: Iranian govt. negotiating in good faith?

A: We're waiting for detailed response to IAEA. President's time is not unlimited. It's about reaching an agreement that seemed to be something the Iranian's wanted.

Todd: H1N1... anything you could have done differently to speed up vaccine?

A: There are 26.2 million doses now available. We had delivery problems, but now 26.2 million more than we had 2 days ago. President is frustrated... won't be satisfied until all have the vaccinations if they want them. Manufacturing took 6 mos. or so, but not as fast as we were told/hoped.

Mark Knoller: Anyone in White House reading House health care bill?

A: I'm sure many are.

Major Garrett is pushing hard on economy numbers. Long back and forth, and finally:

A: Economy is growing for the first time in a year based on your figures?

Major: Yeah.

The Dow is down 234 as I type this.

"What's more important: Health care reform bill or public option bill?"

By GottaLaff

Lalalala! I can't hear yo-o-ou!

Just now on the Tee Vee Machine, during the daily briefing, Jake Tapper asked Robert Gibbs,

"Is it more important for President Obama to get a bi-partisan health care reform bill ....or a public option bill?"

His answer: A choice and competition bill. In other words, he gave no answer.

VIDEO-- Gibbs: Why is anyone still listening to Dick Cheney?

By GottaLaff

Robert Gibbs had something to say about Cheney's remarks on the investigation of the BushCo Torture Machine, posted here. Zing:

Today, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs responded to these accusations, wondering whether it’s really useful to listen to anything Cheney has to say on foreign policy:

I’m not entirely sure that Dick Cheney’s predictions on foreign policy have borne a whole lot of fruit over the last eight years in a way that have been either positive or, to the best of my recollection, very correct.

Dickless Cheney emasculated again. Of course, that wrongly assumes he had anything there to render impotent to begin with.

Robert Gibbs on health care deal: "Stay tuned; process is not over"

By GottaLaff

Robert Gibbs is taking questions. Liveblog:

Bill Plant: Does Obama have the muscle to push this through?

Gibbs: Stay tuned... the argument, debate, legislative process is not over. The public option meme [paraphrased] "is contrived almost entirely by you guys." Pres. believes we have to have choice in competition, choose among insurers to drive down cost, improve quality. His preference is public option. If others have ideas, he'll look at those.

We'll fight for what's best that brings choice in competition [in answer to Helen Thomas, who I couldn't hear].

Tapper: Exchange with public plan as part of it... does "must" only apply to exchange?

Gibbs: I'd have to go look back...

Tapper: It's one of the most public quotes!

Gibbs: Haven't looked in a few days. We can quibble about how he phrased it... He's stated his position.

Tapper: How can you achieve bipartisan bill, when you have trouble with a PARTISAN bill?

Gibbs: There are Blue Dogs on the committee who voted out a bill on House side before recess. The notion we can't get something done just isn't true.

Tapper: More divisions between House and Senate.

Gibbs: That's what we'll spend the fall doing. Part of that progress will be what progress Sen. Finance Committee will make. Hope for bipartisan solution.

Q: Talk of strategic discussions about going all Dem, and you said no... That's not happening at all?

Gibbs: We're focusing on how to get bipartisan support. Pres. met with Baucus Friday. They discussed the progress being made on Finance Committee.

Q: Grassley on CNN said nobody has gotten support, but we should keep working. WH failed?

Gibbs: WH agrees with what Grassley says there. Our preferred option is to get all involved at the table to agree to something that can be supported by both parties. I can't say what Rs will end up doing.. Obama doesn't have control over every person's vote. He'll work to get agreement on both sides of aisle. Too important to not try. To walk away from the opportunity to get both sides together.... He's not wedded ideologically to different things. focused on what's right for American people.

Todd: Line in sand: No taxes on people making $250 K or less?

Gibbs: Yes. Reiterates Choice in Competition. Prefers public option. If others offer other ideas, he'll hear them.

Todd: Drew line on $250K, same line on Public Option?

Gibb: I won't play ranking game.

Helen: Preferred means you can take it or leave it!

Gibbs: In your poll, Todd.... Big myth 2 weeks ago was end of life decisions by govt. Your poll shows that myth is not believed by American people. 45% is not half the country. Majority, and same number of srs. believe that it's a myth. He'll have to deal with other misconceptions. He's talking to faith leaders today, doing radio call in show tomorrow....

Q: Open to anything ... has he seen anything aside from p.o.?

Gibbs: No full details on co-ops yet to evaluate their effectiveness.

Q: Sen. Dems trying to figure out through reconciliation... WH not participated in these convos?

Gibbs: Not that I'm aware of. I'll check. Focus not on what happens IF... on here and now.

Fox: Rahm's view...

Gibbs: There are many in leadership who appear not to support reform. NBC poll: Asked approval for Rs on health care. 21% approve, 62% disapprove. America knows something has to be done. Insurance company bureaucrats shouldn't be in charge of health care.

Fox: Pursue bipartisan agreement... ?

Gibbs: Some Rs have committed to reform.

Fox: So they defy their leadership?

Gibbs: I doubt if McConnell is supportive of their efforts.

Fox: Move on with Dems support only: Poll said 59% said didn't agree, most Independents didn't...

Gibbs: We want to work with Dems and Rs. That's important. They're working to get reform done...

Q. Repubs obstructing...?

Gibbs: I haven't seen a lot of action on part of R leaders to enunciate what they want to do to cut h.c. costs, cover those uninsured, reforms... they're not overwhlemed with that as a focus.

Q: Good news that most don't believe in death panels, per poll. That was pulled, end of life care.

Gibbs: It's in Sen. Finance Committee bill that nobody's seen. Pres. is explaining those provisions, no matter which section of what bill at what time. He's correcting the record. It's more to do with sustained dialog of misrepresentation than something being pulled.

[...] The arguments are tried and true. Interests won the day. Prez O has different approach.

I'll update if anything else comes up.

VIDEO: Robert Gibbs spars with CNN's Ed Henry over public option

By GottaLaff

Earlier I posted a liveblog of Robert Gibbs sparring with Ed Henry over the public option.

Here's the video:



The apparent difference between what Gibbs claims President Obama was saying then vs. now: The public option was "essential"... now it's "preferred".

Robert Gibbs talks public option

By GottaLaff

I missed some, but here's a liveblog of what I caught:

Robert Gibbs to Ed Henry: [paraphrased] The president was clear at the town hall meeting. He hasn't changed. It's the media that's sending a message that he's backing off the public option, not him.

They're getting into it... Ed Henry is all over Gibbs.

Gibbs: President is open to other options, is for choice in competition, but he's for public option... He's listing all the times Obama said that at various locations.

We have to cut costs for small businesses. Accessibility is important. Public office has been his preferred choice.

Essential? He answered that on Saturday. Ed, what did the Pres. say on Saturday? He used the word essential.

Ed: Why didn't Sebelius?

Gibbs: They said the same thing. Go find the transcript, and you'll answer your question. No offense, but you heard what Sebelius said on Sunday, but not what Pres. said on Saturday. [he hands Henry the transcript]

Tapper: Co-ops are viable alternative?

Gibbs: I don't think anybody has seen a level of detail that you could make a completely educated assumption....

Tapper: Votes aren't there, said Conrad.

Gibbs: I think that's what people have said, but we haven't talked recently about it.

Tapper: Union had collective disappointment... has Pres. seen the letter?

Gibbs: I doubt it.

Tapper: ACLU FOIA request about detainees at Bagram.

Gibbs: I haven't seen the letter, have no info on this.

MSNBC: Policy position is that public option is not a deal breaker?

Gibbs: We always said that.

MSNBC: That's not giving comfort to Congressional Dems... If that is the consistent position, that bothers Dems in Congress. Pres. is saying that the option is optional?

Gibbs: It is the preferred option. Ed has my transcript, but pres. said on Saturday... choices in competition are fundamentally important... Without that, no cuts in cost.

MSNBC: He can live without it, but Congress Dems can't.

Gibbs: He can't live w/o choice and competition, choice and quality, costs. Coverage, deficit neutral... insuring choice and competition, that's what's important to him.

Rahm's fishing out west, David Axelrod's in Michigan...

Ed: Used to say, Public option is your friend, but not saying it any more. Not pro-active...

Gibbs: He was clear on Saturday... in 2 questions. He said, this isn't one size fits all, a variety of strategies, all are on the table.

Ed: On CNN, Sebelius said it's not essential part of health care reform.

Gibbs: I just said it's the preferred option. He has said repeatedly he's open to ideas, but that public option is preferred option.

Robert Gibbs answers questions about health care reform; spars with Fox's Major Garrett

By GottaLaff

Robert Gibbs is taking questions at the Daily Briefing. Liveblog:

He won't say that Grassley was the last straw for bipartisanship. Bill Press is pushing the point. Gibbs still thinks there can be bipartisanship. Said: "We'll see" if he's playing "rope-a-dope".

Public option: "Obama is willing and wants a bill with adequate choice in insurance market. The option is to simply provide choice in competition to people who can only get insurance that way. There needs to be a mechanism that institutes a choice/mechanism in a private insurance market."

Note: He did not say "yes, he wants a public option".

"This is an option that provides choice in competition.. that's the president's goal.. to give you something with which to compete." Lather, rinse, repeat.

Fox News Major Garrett:

How do people get emails from the W.H. if they've never asked to be on any list? Gibbs has no idea, asked for more info.

"So I have to give you these people's emails so you can check to see if they're on a list?"

Gibbs has no explanation, and is challenging Major Garrett's attitude, which is really pushy, accusatory, impatient.

Gibbs: "Let me go to someone else who might be constructive."

Buh-bye, Major ClusterFox.

Robert Gibbs addresses issue of "skeptics" of his health care plan

By GottaLaff

Re: The disruptions and battles over health care reform

Robert Gibbs is on MSNBC right now, doing his daily press briefing:

We'll take it [health care bill? Missed the reference] up seriously in September. President's doing 2 more town halls.... President doesn't believe people will make up their minds based on things that are false, or said as false...[paraphrasing]... You [press] people show videos [of disruptions]... take those concerns and show the factuals... If people believe for some reason that this plan is gov't controlled health care, which it's not, and the pres. goes out there, it helps...

I'm not assuming the audiences aren't representative. I sense disappointment that Pres. O didn't get yelled at. We'll continue to pick people randomly.

Q: President campaigned on bipartisanship and rational discussion. What happened to that?

A: I don't know if you were outside or inside, but there was a rational discussion inside the town hall... I can't tell you why someone believes, despite all evidence, that pres. was born not here... Poll said 8% didn't know Hawaii was a state.

Q: Many feel "very negative" to president. There's an emergence..

A: President never believed that all would agree with him all or even majority of the time. You can disagree without being disagreeable. He'll continue to reach out to both parties for ideas, both in and out of DC. Continue to try to bridge differences, seek common sense solutions.

VIDEO: President Obama Serenades Helen Thomas on Their Birthday

By GottaLaff

Awww!



Via Political Punch

President Obama surprised Hearst newspapers columnist Helen Thomas today with cupcakes and a serenading of "happy birthday" to the trail-blazing journalist, 89 years young today.

Thomas wished for world peace, for everyone to be happy, for health care reform and for no more prejudice.

Class acts, both of them. What more appropriate than to have these two share a birthday?

H/t: muttlikemeblog

White House daily press briefing: Health care, birthers, etc.

By GottaLaff

David Corn liveblogs (via Twitter) the White House Daily Briefing so I don't have to:

WH presser begins. AP: O considering taxing hi-end hlth ins? G: WH evaluating Kerry proposal. I have nothing more

AP: what will change dynamic on HCR, "a lit of problems." G: not a lot of problems. We're 80% there

Gibbs: no date set for Fates-Crowley beer. /And no brand chosen.

Jake asks what I asked Friday: a new deadline for HCR? G: looking forward to signing bill in fall. Again, no new deadline.

Ed Henry: what happened to letting TV cameras film all negotiations on HCR? G: O is very comfortable w level of transparency.

Henry pushes G on transp. Why not release names of health execs visiting WH b4 being sued? G: O is comfortable w WH transp.

Gibbs takes a pass on commenting on having a co-op instead of a public plan in HCR bill. /will O ever take a stand on this?

WSJ: what is WH view on prog TV adds pressing Dems on HCR G: haven't sen ads Not even OFA ads? Gibbs: no.

G: O hasn't laid down marker on public option. O backs "the option of looking at" co-ops. Confusing on if O prefers pub option

Fox: Crowley prefers Blue Moon, Gates says Red Stripe or Becks. What does O prefer? G: he had a Bud at the all-star game.

Q: any comments on 9/11 tapes re Gates episode. G: no. /Any bootlegs out yet?

Is VP becoming more of a distraction to O? G: "no". /Imagine the shortest no that Gibbs could say.

Bill Press: is there anything you can say to make the Birthers go away? G: no. "fictional nonsense"

Mark Knoller adds:

"The President was born in Honolulu, Hawaii...he's a citizen," said Gibbs today of Obama.

Gibss says of the doubters "nothing will assuage them." He says there are 10,000 more imptnt issues for people in this country to discuss.

Gibbs says Obama's status as an American has been "proven ad nauseum."

Back to David Corn:

Sam Stein: has public option been watered down too much? Is O upset by this. G suggests not. /O never gets upset about the deets of HCR.

VIDEO: President Obama makes unexpected appearance at Daily W.H. Briefing re: Gates incident

By GottaLaff

UPDATE: Here's the video, blog title edited to reflect...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Damage control by Prez O just now, during a surprise appearance at the White House Daily Briefing. He's speaking about the "Skip" Gates/Sgt. Crowley matter. Liveblog:

He's a good man. This has been ratcheting up and I helped to contribute. My choice of words, unfortunately gave impression I was maligning. I should have calibrated the words differently, and I told Sgt. Crowley. There was an overreaction in pulling Gates out of his home, to the station. I believe, based on what I heard, Gates probably overreacted as well. You have 2 good people in a circumstance in which neither could resolve the incident the way they'd like to have.

The attention garnered shows these are sensitive issues. My choice of words contributed to more media frenzy, that's important. So let's step back, see these are 2 different people, not extrapolate too much.

BECAUSE of history, A.A.s are sensitive to these issues. Even with someone like Crowley with good track record, there can be misunderstandings. I hope this is a teachable moment. Instead of pumping up volume, listen to each other, focus on how to improve relations between officers and minorites. Be more reflective, contribute to more unity.

This issue has overshadowed health care. I won't use this time on health care right now, but that won't be true next week.

One last point: As pres. I shouldn't have stepped into local issue? I disagree. The fact that it has become so big, it shows race is still troubling aspect of our society. ... Discussion about Sgt. Crowley and I having a beer in W.H. may happen, not scheduled yet.

Crowley asked if he could get press off his lawn..? I can't get the press off of MY lawn. [laughter]

Robert Gibbs on Iran + on Palestine, spars with Helen Thomas + more

By GottaLaff

Watching Robert Gibbs on CSPAN 2 right now, is getting lots of questions about President Obama's reaction to Michael Jackson's death. Global warming? Not so much, as Gibbs noted.

But wait! Someone just picked up on a new subject... Ir... Ira... Iran! Yeah, that's it.

Gibbs:

President Obama is taking pains not to interject himself into Iran equation.

Hear that, J Sid McC?

Helen:
Carter said people in Gaza treated like animals. Reaction?

Gibbs: I haven't seen the statement, but that comprehensive peace can bring security to all the Middle East. Hopes for opportunity for Palestinians, wants powers to come together.

Helen: He doesn't speak of Palestinians right to exist. Do they?

Gibbs: Absolutely, Helen. [Refers back to Cairo speech.] Repeats stability, security, opportunity for everyone line.

Helen: Repeats.

Gibbs: We'll pull the Cairo speech...

Helen: I'm talking about other things. He doesn't speak of Palestinians

Gibbs: Go back and look at his comments. He's very clear on this.

Chip Reid asks if Obama "more forceful" words gave Iran ammo.

Gibbs responds: "Interesting 180 on your question earlier in the week." ...He's done what he needs to do to make sure he doesn't become a foil for the Iran regime.... He spoke out forcefully against violence from the very beginning. Obama will continue to speak out. Events will have to play out.

WSJ: Merkel called for recount. does O agree?

G: thats's for the Iranians to work out.

CBS Q on climate bill, did Prez O make any calls?

Gibbs: He's made a few calls.

Q: Prez threatened to veto defense appropriations bill. Still stand?
A: Absolutely. Gates has a robust plan that makes sense for the future. He and others recommended veto.

Q: Schumer said a comprehensive immigration bill in order. Naturalization and border security in same package?
A: I haven't talked to them about that. Verifiable systems to check employees when hired, borders, pathway to citizenship, that's comprehensive reform.

STOP THE PRESSES!
Q: Did Obamas ever meet Michael Jackson?
A: I don't think so.

Q: Any announcements planned on gay issues? DOMA and DODT.
A: No.

Q: Another Michael Jackson question. Oy. Why no written statement?
A: I thought I do a pretty good job. There wasn't gonna be a statement, I asked Prez O today, and as his spokesman, I passed that on to you.

Q: Bill Press, health care reform. Who's driving this train, re: public option?
A: Prez O set his priorities, said it's a long negotiation. Believes public option provides important choice, competition. Both committees are working on his goals.
Q: Will Prez say no bill w/o public plan?
A: Lots of twists and turns till bill gets to desk. He's been clear. Over 100 amendments from Rs have been adopted in committee. Ds and Rs are working together to further some of those goals.

David Corn: DOMA case.
A: Filed by solicitor general of this admin.
Q: Who has O spoken to about Iran. Experts.
A: Don't know of anyone in particular he's spoken to.

I'll stop here.

VIDEO: Ana Marie Cox asks Gibbs about Don't Ask Don't Tell

By GottaLaff

Note: Changed blog title.

Beautiful:



H/t: Shoq (via Twitter)

Robert Gibbs Deals with Press Corps Distractions

From our friends at The Full Ginsburg.

Tweeting Robert Gibbs' presser

By GottaLaff

Via Tweets (in reverse chronological order) from CBS's Mark Knoller, a recap of Robert Gibbs' briefing:

1. Asked if Obama alienating the left, Spksmn Gibbs said the pres will do what he believes is in the best security interests of the nation.
   
   
2. On Pelosi's charge that CIA lied, Gibbs said he appreciated the invitation to comment, but won't RSVP.
   
   
3. WH/Gibbs says its "simply not true" that Obama is embracing the same system for detainee trials.

Short and tweet.

Robert Gibbs addresses President Obama's remarks on torture "formulators", and more

By GottaLaff

Rough quick-notes:

Robert Gibbs at the White House daily presser:

On President Obama's "shift" on the "formulators" of the torture memos: I'd point you to what the president said.... Nobody in the country is above the rule of law.... The president's position is to look forward... if some want to look back, as long as it doesn't overpoliticize or hamper the functions of their jobs...

On MoveOn.org's petition: I doubt the president has been on MoveOn.org in the last 24 hours. To clear up confusion, the president maintains his posture to look forward...

I don't know [if there are other memos to be declassified]... ask the CIA. They won't give them to you, they won't give them to me... Ask the CIA.

On Cheney: We've had at least a 2 year policy disagreement with the vice president... on whether or not you can uphold the values on which this country was founded while protecting the citizens. We say you can.

President Obama has, on his first two foreign trips, changed the image around the world.. on leadership.. made us safer, more secure, stronger. That's the main disagreement we have with the former v.p.

Chavez photos, bipartisanship: The president will reach out to those who want to work with him on the priorities in making our country safer, stronger economically. The v.p. had a way of conducting foreign policy. The election spoke to a change in the way that is done. To make us more secure. Go pull the pictures of 3 years ago at the Summit of the Americas. Maybe Cheney thinks we're more secure with 1000s of protesters burning in effigy something that looks like leaders, or the American flag. Let's break the tie.

[He quotes Harper of Canada praising Obama]

Bushies broke the law? A determination of whether a law was broken or who broke the law would be made outside the confines of the WH, in the Justice Dep't.

Rhetorical change? What changed? Has he learned more since last remarks? No.

No change in policy today? None? I'd point you to what the president said. I don't think so. He's stated that we should look forward, not backward. He believes the laws of the country should be upheld. He commented on what a panel would look like IF one were set up. He didn't PROpose it, because he's looking forwards.

Has he talked to Holder? Was Holder blindsided by his "non-change in policy today"? I don't know when they last spoke about this.

Todd-- No interrogator prosecutions, but open the door to those who wrote the opinions: You're confused. The pres. and the A.G. both said you have applicators of a policy that acted in good faith on what they were told to be legally permissible. He also said, no one should be above the law.

Todd: Where does it stop? That's to be determined by the legal dep't.

Todd: Gonzales? The president? Obama has stated he'd not the chief law enforcement officer of the U.S. A determination as to whether a law was broken should be made by Justice... The ones who carried it out were acting in good faith.

Todd: Both Feinstein and Feingold are now taking issue with what Rahm said Sunday. Did this influence Obama? Not that I'm aware of.

Justice will review whether a law was broken. The president doesn't determine on who the A.G. charges.

The legal opinions were drafted by lawyers, approved by Bush. Why would he not be in part of the review? I can't speak for A.G. or in absence of a review of whether the rule of law was carried out. Your question is ahead of what has happened.

Quickie: The White House gets it; Si se puede!

By GottaLaff

Today's Quickie:

A smart, politically savvy White House Daily Briefing first: A Spanish-speaking briefer is delivering the news from the podium about President Obama's policies on Cuba.

Imagine that: Communicating to the Spanish-speaking community in Spanish.

That was today's Quickie. Was it good for you?