Chuck Todd interviews Robert Gibbs: Liveblog

By GottaLaff

Robert Gibbs is on MSNBC's Hardball right now, with Chuck Todd subbing for Chris Matthews, who is recovering from tests he had related to his diabetes.

Chucky is pressing Gibbs to fill in some blanks.

Gibbs is referring Chucky to the web site and a radio address for health care answers. He's saying we'll save money via malpractice reform. He's reiterating the illegal immigrant policy. "We've had a very good week."

Chuck: You'll need Republicans. At least one.

Gibbs: Obama has talked to Repubs in the past few days... [he won't reveal names because their "phone would ring off the hook"]. He's reiterating talking points about health care reform, you've heard them all.

Chuck: War in Afghanistan... to get Al Qaeda, Bin Laden. Why is he still out there? Is getting him your goal? What is?

Gibbs: Disrupt, dismantle, destroy Al Qaeda and its extremist allies. That's where 9/11 attack started. We want to prevent future attacks. We want to capture or kill Bin Laden, but that's not all. There are terrorists who want to kill Americans.

Chuck: Two enemies: Al Qaeda, the Taliban. If you feel you've destroyed Al Qaeda, then at what point can you say you've destroyed the Taliban?

Gibbs: Taliban wants to destabilize Afghan., Pakistan, sow seeds of terror. We have to disrupt, dismantle both.

Chuck: More R's agree with Afghan. policy than Dems. Pelosi, Levin nervous. How much will Obama work on the politics of that?

Gibbs: Long view: Obama asked to reassess and reevaluate. He authorized more troops to bring security to region, for election. He's asked for a review, assessment since then. No imminent timetable for troop decisions. It'll be many, many weeks. We're working through McChrystal's assessments.

Chuck: Detailed exit strategy for Congress?

Gibbs: We're working with Congress to establish benchmarks.

Chuck: A negative strategy.

Gibbs: It's a measure of strategic progress. We won't be there forever. No resources for that, or manpower, or budget. We have to focus our goals.

Chuck: Reports about training exercise about Coast Guard.

Gibbs: The Coast Guard is trying to come up with explanation. The TV reporting was false, it alarmed too many people, especially today. I wish the reporters had taken time to check for accuracy. It's more important to be first to report accurately, not just first, instead of scaring people.