Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 11:45AM | Ellen Ratner
President Clinton: Former President Clinton will meet with President Obama and NSC/State department staff on the situation in North Korea and his talk with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. The White House will release a still photo from the meeting. President Clinton has had previous meetings with the NSC staff but not with President Obama. Asked if President Clinton would give remarks to the press at the stake out, Gibbs replied that he does not control who comes to the stake out anymore. President Obama has spoken with President Clinton only one time about North Korea which was when the two women landed in the United States on August 5, 2009.
Health Care: Gibbs described an over-reaction to what Health and Human Service’s Secretary Sebelius said was "based on many of your stories". He said "we have been boringly consistent. Asked if this was a signal, Gibbs said " if it was signal it was a dog whistle we have been blowing for three months." He also said if there are other options/plans "we're certainly happy to look at those plans". Concerning choice and competition he said you may find yourself in a state or group of states where only one insurance company is active in the area and having the ability to choose between plans assures quality and ability to get insurance. Asked about car insurance he said that he is not sure that health insurance and auto insurance are totally analogous and that the notion of a public option is to guarantee choice in a market that is closed to choice. In terms of phone calls, the President has made he has not made any calls either to liberals or lawmakers.
President of Egypt Mubarak Visit to the White House: Gibbs said that there are responsibilities we see for them [Egypt].
Israeli Settlements: Gibbs said that both sides believe we are making progress on the settlement issue.
Guns: Questioned about guns being carried around outside the event in Arizona, Gibbs said laws that govern firearms are state and local laws and that you "can't take one of those into an event with the President"
Lockerbee Bomber: The President's position is that he should continue to serve his full sentence.
Chelsea's Clinton's Possible Wedding: Did not say if there was an invitation and quipped, "Do you know where she is registered?"
White House Morning Meeting With Robert Gibbs
Former President Clinton will meet with President Obama and NSC/State department staff on the situation in North Korea and his talk with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
The White House will release a still photo from the meeting. President Clinton has had previous meetings with the NSC staff but not with President Obama. Asked if President Clinton would give remarks to the press at the stake out, Gibbs replied that he does not control who comes to the stake out anymore. President Obama has spoken with President Clinton only one time about North Korea which was when the two women landed in the United States on August 5, 2009.
Health Care:
Gibbs described an over-reaction to what Health and Human Service’s Secretary Sebelius said was "based on many of your stories".
He said "we have been boringly consistent. Asked if this was a signal, Gibbs said " if it was signal it was a dog whistle we have been blowing for three months." He also said if there are other options/plans "we're certainly happy to look at those plans". Concerning choice and competition he said you may find yourself in a state or group of states where only one insurance company is active in the area and having the ability to choose between plans assures quality and ability to get insurance.
Asked about car insurance he said that he is not sure that health insurance and auto insurance are totally analogous and that the notion of a public option is to guarantee choice in a market that
is closed to choice. In terms of phone calls, the President has made he has not made any calls either to liberals or lawmakers.
President of Egypt Mubarak Visit to the White House:
Gibbs said that there are responsibilities we see for them [Egypt].
Israeli Settlements:
Gibbs said that both sides believe we are making progress on the settlement issue.
Guns:
Questioned about guns being carried around outside the event in Arizona, Gibbs said laws that govern firearms are state and local laws and that you "can't take one of those into an event with
the President"
Lockerbee Bomber:
The President's position is that he should continue to serve his full sentence.
Chelsea's Clinton's Possible Wedding:
Did not say if there was an invitation and quipped, "Do you know where she is registered?"