Notes From Today's White House Press Briefing

LATEST ON PAYROLL TAX NEGOTIATIONS:

Press Secretary Jay Carney said the bipartisan compromise exists, it is embodied in the Senate bill and is available now for the House to vote on. House leadership has refused to allow the House to vote. Speaker Boehner should reconsider and allow the House to vote. We’re confident it would pass.  There’s a growing chorus of Republicans calling on Boehner to do the right thing and pass this compromise.

President Obama was the first to put it on the table. It is not that difficult. The House has the ability to call up that legislation. We urge them to do that. Obama is committed to the one year tax cut. He’s pushed for it since September. It would require finishing the work McConnell and Reid started. They can explain to the 160 million people why House Republicans would not listen to their Senate colleagues, elder statesmen. The ball’s in the House’s court. (Quotes Sen Corker and Sen McCain criticizing House Republicans.)

This is not a game of high stakes poker or a quid pro quo. There was a bipartisan deal reach. The deal passed in the Senate was a compromise, including extraneous political victory that Republicans insisted on.  No scheduled updates on the President’s travel schedule. Negotiation has happened. Compromise worked … with the approval, even the instigation, of the Speaker. Very concerned about the macro and micro economic effect on growth. Independent economists say it could have a negative effect up to 25% (I think that’s what I heard) GDP. We believe it will get done.House Republicans will see about exercising their authority at the demand of the American people. It’s not giving Obama a victory. On the micro, we’re worried about individual families. The House is not behaving in the interests of the country.

(When told that Boehner has responded to the President’s readout and says we can get a year long deal done today) We disagree because we need to be sure that taxes don’t go up. Because of the debt ceiling debate when the Republicans were willing to keep coming back every few months and risk uncertainty, their concern over uncertainty now seems hollow. Asked whether he should reach out to the Speaker to help him, Carney said the president’s doing everything he can to help the American people. The Speaker’s able to help himself. The important thing is not who’s up and who’s down politically. The last thing is to fail to pass the payroll tax. There is a clear avenue - shining a light on the cul de sac - vote on a bill. it seems not that much of an ask. Obama will sign a one year at current levels.

FALLOUT FROM ENDING WAR IN IRAQ:

Their progress has often been hard won. We will continue to expect difficult days ahead. Progress is substantial. Nonsensical to suggest troops should not have left (paraphrase). Robust important relationship with Iraq. We worked with Iraq on the political process. Important that they pursue a representative government so everyone’s interests are represented.

SITUATION IN NORTH KOREA:

We’re monitoring the situation. Regarding Kim Jung-Un, there is no indication that he has changed as successor.

WAR IN AFGHANISTAN:

We are in the process of drawing down. By the end of 2014 we will have turned over full security lead to Afghanistan. Part of the process may include troops in support. We have met the goal of this year for drawdown. There will be continued reduction as we turn more of the country over to Afghanistan. We will make decisions at the appropriate time. Anything past 2014 will be at the invitation of the Afghan government.

ONGOING VIOLENCE IN SYRIA:

Worked to increase pressure, isolation. Continuation horrific violation. Diplomats are leaving, oppositions is more unified, more defectors, financial duress, pressure from the Arab League,the regime will come to an end - only fear is holding it together. The writing is on the wall. More international members are joining the call to end the atrocious behavior.

RECESS APPOINTMENTS?:

No announcements or speculation. We’re not relinquishing any rights. May nominees have been unnecessarily blocked. (Details) The effect is very damaging. It’s a constant, growing problem. The practice should stop. Contrary abomination Senate behavior.