Robert Gibbs' Daily Briefing, February 13, liveblog

By GottaLaff

Let's see how the librul media treats the press secretary today. I'm sure they'll be gentle and respectful and all kid-glovey, treating him exactly the way they treated Bush.

Q: Judd Gregg... Is there a sense that the WH isn't thinking hard enough about each nominee? What can you do to stop people from dropping out and causing embarrassment?
A: Obama continues to have great respect and admiration for Gregg. He had a change of heart/mind (Gregg), and would have had a hard time serving on any cabinet. ... The president was disappointed, but he remains focused on the work he has in front of him. The progress on our agenda bodes well for the economy, the American people. We're on the cusp of some big developments, 800 billion dollar recovery plan... People will take the long view. Lots of work continues, challenges are ahead. He's focused on looking forward.

Q: Bank plan... Geithner. [sorry, missed the question, got busy and only heard key words]
A: The administration is working on the financial stability package. I didn't understand your question. [Q: The plan is short on details. ] He continues to move forward to put a plan in place to stabilize the system. This won't be solved overnight.

Q, Tapper: Caterpillar.... CEO said he didn't think the package would let him rehire workers in the short term. Today he said the package would help move the economy toward recovery, and could hire over time. Not exactly what Obama said.
A: Prez said that the plan would allow him to rehire some employees. What you just said, and what prez said are consistent.
Tapper [impatient]: I don't even know how to respond to this. [he repeats his prior Q] Today he said this package plus other packages worldwide, over time...
A: [repeats his previous statement]
Tapper [impatient]: Okay, I won't belabor it.

Q, Chuck Todd: Was Obama upset that the CEO said he'd lay more people off? There's a disconnect.
A: He's always concerned about the job situation. He's said many times the economy will get worse before it gets better.
Q: Anything about Afghanistan in the week ahead? Today, the Pentagon said it could happen this week, troops going in.
A: Nothing is on my schedule for this week. The prez hasn't made a decision on augmenting our forces. You'd hear him talk about this. Once this happens, other things have to happen, notify units, families, Congress... You too will be notified by either me, or someone like me...

Chip Reid: If the stimulus is passed today, why wait till Monday to sign it?
A: We won't receive the bill until then, the paperwork has to be done... Knock on wood. Monday or Tuesday. It's a huge priority. We'll have a signing ceremony and talk about the positive impacts... on Denver, Tuesday. And he'll talk about foreclosures, as well as financial stability, regulatory reform, other aspects.
Chip: What can you do differently to make sure the nomination thing doesn't happen again?
A: What might we pose? You tell us [paraphrased]... You ask a lot of questions... I'll pass on your ten best questions to expand our process. It's hard to generalize over individual instances. Even today, "is bipartisanship dead?" is in the papers. It all seems somewhat silly to me, the arguments. Look at the almost 4 weeks of this administration... and before, Obama was talking to Senators, approving money for financial stability.. was done with Rs and Ds. SCHIP, for example... done with Rs and Ds. When the dust settles today, you'll see an economic recovery plan because Rs and Ds worked together. We'll continue to reach out to Rs.

Q: Controlling the census bureau...
A: Commerce will oversee that, in consultation with Congress and the WH.
Q: Why in consultation with the WH?
A: Historically, they've been involved. The census will be done out of the census bureau, Commerce.

Q: Allow judges to alter terms of the mortgage?
A: We'll address that Wednesday.

Q: Job creation: Is prez too optimistic? The numbers? Caterpillar...?
A: The numbers depend on the package/the legislation. The principles of the plan do what is needed to save or create 3.5 million jobs, the number that the economic team is comfortable with. Not laying off teachers, cops. Investment in energy... likely to increase employment. He's optimistic, but understands that the economy is getting worse. The unemployment rate over the last 3 mos. is about the same as the previous 9 months.