Notes From Today's White House Gaggle

No big news from today’s Gaggle. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs focused a lot obviously on the tax vote, called it a “good agreement for Democrats.” Called the vote a “big win” for Obama. Said Dems clearly did not have the votes to pass a middle class-only extension. Said he was asleep when the actual vote occurred around midnight last night. Said VP Biden will introduce Obama later this afternoon before he signs the bill into law. Added that most folks in the media are probably surprised that the bill got done “with two weeks to spare…”

On START, Gibbs said he thinks the votes are there, and called Jim DeMint’s proposal to force an entire reading of the treaty “outrageous.” Of course, DeMint also threatened earlier this week to force an entire reading of the nearly 2,000-page omnibus spending bill that Harry Reid pulled the plug on late last night…

Speaking of which, on the omnibus defeat, Gibbs said the administration would have preferred to have it passed, but said Obama wanted a bill with no earmarks. Said the WH would now prefer Congress to pass a one-year clean resolution. This sentiment conflicts slightly with Robert Gates’ comment yesterday that he opposed a one-year CR, but Gibbs danced around the issue, repeating that the WH wants the 1-yr CR. Gibbs also downplayed a question on whether the omnibus defeat represented a defeat for Obama’s healthcare law (bill contained a ton of implementation funding for new law)…

On DADT, Gibbs said it’s clear that the votes are there to pass a repeal. Said Obama will be spending the next few days making calls to lawmakers urging them to support repealing DADT and passing the START treaty. He cautioned though that both bills are “not in the bag.” Gibbs guessed that Obama might leave town and head to Hawaii on Wednesday 12/22. However, he hedged a little, reminding reporters that he once predicted that Congress would finish healthcare reform 8 months before it actually happened.

On the 9/11 Responders bill, Gibbs said that although the WH hasn’t made a huge publicity push for it, they are “supportive” of it passing. Note: It is unclear whether that bill will be voted on before or after Christmas, but Reid said yesterday that he will bring it to the floor sometime before the lame-duck session ends…

Notable Quotes:

“What was the alternative plan?” (responding to a question of why the WH didn’t fight for a more progressive tax cut deal)

“I’m not the best understander of conservative grassroots.” (responding to question about the Tea Party’s role in defeating the omnibus package)

Former Secretary Of State Concerned By Key Element Of Obama’s Nuclear Policy

Former Secretary of State James Baker III expressed hesitancy Wednesday over the Obama administration’s pledge to not use nuclear force against countries that have signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty, even if they launch a biological or chemical attack against the U.S.

“I question the wisdom of that position,” Baker said during an appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Baker, who served under President George Bush Sr., said his opinion stemmed from an interaction with the Iraqi Foreign Minister on the eve of the Gulf War, wherein Baker cautioned that the U.S. could use nuclear arms if the Iraqis attacked American forces with biological or chemical weapons.

“It is entirely possible, and even likely in my opinion, that Iraq did not use its chemical weapons against our forces because of that warning,” Baker said. “Years later when Saddam Hussein was captured, debriefed and asked why he did not use his chemical weapons, he recalled the substance of my statement.”

The restraint on nuclear force was included in the administration’s Nuclear Posture Review unveiled in April. Iran and North Korea, who have not signed the nonproliferation treaty, are still considered legitimate targets for a nuclear attack.

The former Secretary also posed questions over a number of provisions in the New START Treaty, including whether the program in place to verify compliance was satisfactory and if the treaty will provide a large enough nuclear capacity to protect allies. Baker also argued that the treaty should just focus on the reduction of arms and not seek to limit missile defense.

These concerns aside, Baker characterized the new treaty to limit both countries to 1,500 warheads as “a modest, and appropriate” continuation of the original START treaty that expired last year.

START Will Be Ratified, Says Senate Democrat

By Benny Martinez
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Senator Robert Casey (D-Pa.) expressed extreme optimism Thursday that the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) signed last month in Prague by President Barack Obama will be ratified despite fears of GOP opposition.

During a press conference held at the Center for American Progress in downtown Washington, D.C., Casey said the new START agreement “is a renewal of America’s commitment to diminishing the threat posed by nuclear weapons and nuclear material.”

The Democratic Senator said that START makes America a safer place by instilling a more transparent nuclear arms system. He also said that the new treaty demonstrates that the U.S. is upholding its disarmament obligation under the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

“The new START agreement is a necessary step in reaffirming leadership on the non-proliferation issues,” Casey said. “Without a clear commitment...it will be increasingly difficult for the United States to secure international support.”

Casey acknowledged that there are critics of the new START treaty, and fears of GOP opposition still linger. But expressed a high degree of confidence that the new treaty will be ratified.

“We will achieve ratification in the Senate,” Casey said.

Experts Applaud New Direction In Nuclear Policy

By Justine Rellosa-Talk Radio News Service

A number of experts applauded the direction the Obama administration is taking in their nuclear policy during a conference call hosted by the Center for American Progress Tuesday.

“[The new guidelines] state that the U.S will not develop new nuclear warheads, and use only nuclear components based on previously tested designs,” said former British Defense Minister, Des Brown. “That’s extremely important for us here in the United Kingdom because we anticipate in the next parliament that we will have to make the decision about the future of our own nuclear warheads.”

The policies, contained in the administration's Congressionally mandated Nuclear Policy Review, outlines a significant change in the U.S government’s position on the use of nuclear weapons. The U.S. stance is now revised to emphasize the prevention of nuclear proliferation and terrorism. It also outlines the U.S agreement to withdraw from using weapons of mass destruction against any non-nuclear country that has signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The release of the review comes just days before President Barack Obama is scheduled to sign the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Prague.

Associate Director of Russia and Eurasia at CAP, Samuel Charap, praised the move to stabilize relations with Russia.

“We’ve gone a long way in being able to discuss some issues that are crucial for the security of both the United States, Russia, and the rest of the world. They have sort of set the groundwork both for a broadening of the relationship between the U.S and Russia, and a deepening of the relationship on arms control and nuclear security issues,” said Charap.

In the political realm, START has bipartisan support from various former Repubican national security officials, according to Max Bergmann, a Policy Analyst of nuclear non-proliferation at CAP.

“[Former Secretaries of State] Henry Kissinger, Colin Powell, George Schultz and Senator Dick Lugar (R-Ind.), have stated their support for the ratification," said Bergmann.

White House Reaches Agreement With Russia On START

President Barack Obama announced Friday that he will head to Prague on April 8 to sign a new arms control agreement with Russian President Dimitry Medvedev. The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the U.S. and Russia is an attempt by the two nations to limit the spread of nuclear weapons worldwide.

"Since I took office, I’ve been committed to a “reset” of our relationship with Russia. When the United States and Russia can cooperate effectively, it advances the mutual interests of our two nations, and the security and prosperity of the wider world...Today, we have reached agreement on one of my administration’s top national security priorities -- a pivotal new arms control agreement," said Mr. Obama during brief remarks in the White House.

The President spoke via telephone with Medvedev shortly before the announcement. According to White House officials, the conversation marked the 14th meeting or phone call between the two leaders. Mr. Obama was joined in the briefing room by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen.

Under the new treaty, both nations would agree to cut their stock of nuclear warheads by 30 percent. Mrs. Clinton said the deal symbolized the ushering of a new era in relations between the U.S. and Russia.

“The START treaty, it says to our country the Cold War really is behind us and these massive nuclear arsenals that both of our countries maintained as part of deterrence no longer have to be so big."