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 Robotic Knowledge Of Robert Gibbs' Thinking - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 6/18/09 — Thursday, June 18, 2009 —  Q Robert, on Iran, is there an internal debate in the White House now between those who clearly support what the President is doing in terms of the hands-off approach and those who think the President needs to have some stronger language? Is that ongoing in the White House?MR. GIBBS: There's no debate in the White House. Q Never? Q Is there division at all? Is everyone on the same page on this, or are there those who think that the President -- internally, that the President is -- MR. GIBBS: Everybody is on the same page. There's no difference of opinion. I think the only thing I might take -- the only thing I would take some exception to is the notion that the President has been hands-off. Again, the President -- Q Well, in terms of not wanting to interfere with the election. MR. GIBBS: Well, I mean, I think that's a fairly time-honored principle. At the same time, the President has been -- has talked about, and we talked about it from my statement on Sunday and every statement either by me or other administration officials and by the President, concern about how this election was conducted, as well as stating, as I said earlier to Phil's question, ensuring that the world knows and that people in Iran know of our belief that they have the right to have their causes and concerns heard and not fear violence, while at the same time respecting that this is a debate being had in Iran, by Iranians, about their leadership. I think if you look at Democrats and Republicans alike, they share where the President has been on this as we continue to watch the developments unfold. [...] Q You said there's no difference of opinion. Well, we've been led to believe this President seeks out different opinions from his advisors. You've got these incredibly knowledgeable people sitting around the room. He can't find a single person who does anything other than nod, "Yes, Mr. President, you're absolutely right on this"? I mean, how can there not be -- how can there not be some difference of opinion on this? MR. GIBBS: There is a belief by all here that this is a debate that, as I've said I think every day for the last five days, four days, plus my statement, that the American people and this government are not going to pick the next leader of Iran. That's something that the Iranians have to do. We have to ensure that we express our views, as I've said, about ensuring that people can demonstrate, have their causes and concerns heard. And that's what people here believe. Q But is there nobody who believes he ought to be a little more open in supporting the demonstrators? Nobody has expressed that opinion to him? MR. GIBBS: Everybody is on the same page. Yes, sir. Q Just absolutely verbatim? Nobody -- MR. GIBBS: We walk around like robots, Chip. (Laughter.) Q Can we quote you on that? Q Too late. Q It's already there. MR. GIBBS: It's on the record -- I'm a senior administration official -- (laughter) -- robotic knowledge of Robert Gibbs' thinking. Go ahead. (Laughter.) Q So you say "We're all on the same page." But the world sees many members of the United States government, members on Capitol Hill, who believe that -- MR. GIBBS: Well, Chip didn't ask me did the entire Congress believe everything -- Q I didn't say that -- no, no, no, no -- MR. GIBBS: That I can tell you on the record is likely not the case. Q I understand that. Does the President or does the administration believe -- Q (Laughter.) MR. GIBBS: A little delayed back there, Lester. What was the -- Q I know, we're on the seven-second -- MR. GIBBS: Right, I know, it's -- Q -- delay. (Laughter.) Q Does the administration believe that the vocal criticism of -- that members of the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill, and many very prominent members of Congress, have said -- have spoken out forcefully in favor of the demonstrators, do members of the administration believe that's a bad thing for the U.S. government to be doing? MR. GIBBS: Well, it's not -- it's not the tack that we've taken. But, Chuck, let's -- Q But should the government -- I mean, are you guys reaching out quietly to members on Capitol Hill, saying, hey, guys, this is what our intelligence is saying, you shouldn't be doing this? MR. GIBBS: No. Look, I appreciate the opportunity to get Congress to agree with everything that we believe. I will wait and see whether that comes to fruition. Again -- Q But this is a national security issue. It's not uncommon sometimes for - MR. GIBBS: Chuck, let's be honest. Let's -- but hold on. Q -- for the White House to reach out to Capitol Hill and say, hey -- MR. GIBBS: No, no, but let's be honest. Q -- let me tell you what we know. MR. GIBBS: You make it sound monolithically like the President is saying one thing and everybody else is saying another thing. That's not even true in the Republican Party, right? Q So you think it's good that there are members out there, prominent members of the United States government, saying -- MR. GIBBS: The President and his team are responsible for what the President and his team say. I'm not going to get into what motivates other people to do or say what they do or say. But I think the President believes that he's struck the right tone, and as do others in the administration, as do others in the Republican Party, as do others in the Democratic Party. Q And you're not reaching out? Nobody in this administration is reaching out to members of Congress who have been very vocal in saying, can you buy us some time, can you give us a few days to get this sort of -- MR. GIBBS: Give us a few days for what? Q To see what happens. I mean, it seems to be -- MR. GIBBS: Well, I think everybody is watching what happens, but I'm not -- you know, I'm not -- ask for two days to do what? Count the ballots Q I'm talking about the critics -- the very vocal criticism that is now -- MR. GIBBS: But what are we asking for a few days for? Q I'm asking you. MR. GIBBS: Okay. (Laughter.) Q So I guess the answer is no. Iran | Obama Administration | Press Briefing | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Iran, Obama Administration, Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 6:44:00 PM
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