Carney: Obama's Outreach To Republicans Not A "Joke"
QUESTION: Jay, this morning the National Journal quoted a senior administration official who spoke anonymously and said about the President’s trips to the Hill and this outreach to Republicans, “This is a joke. We’re wasting the President’s time and hours. I hope you all (in the media) are happy because we’re doing it for you.” Is this a show? Does the President feel this is a joke?
JAY CARNEY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I saw that story, Jim, and I appreciate the question because I have no idea who said that, but I can tell you that opinion has never been voiced in my presence, in the President’s presence, in the West Wing. It does not represent the President’s view. It does not represent the White House’s view, and it does not represent the administration’s view.
QUESTION: And did you talk to the President personally about this to make sure that this was not his view?
MR. CARNEY: I talk to the President every day about this very issue, and the answer is he believes strongly that it is important to engage with lawmakers of both parties in order to find common ground so that we can move forward not just on our budget issues, but on the other issues that confront us. And there is great opportunity to do that.
We have seen progress on immigration reform. We have seen progress, as I mentioned at the top, in the Congress, in the Senate on efforts to reduce gun violence. We need to make progress on enhancing our energy independence. We need to make progress on rebuilding our infrastructure, because it puts people to work now and it makes us more competitive economically in the future. And there is reason to believe that we can do that.
We’re not naïve. There are disagreements and obstacles. But the President is at the head of this effort because he believes deeply in it. And that comment again, I’m not sure who said it, I have no idea, but it does not represent in any way the President’s view or the views of this White House.
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