Robert Gibbs

“ The President has confidence in the nominees that serve his administration. We're always looking for members and people that want to serve to advance an agenda that provides more affordable health care, that gets our economy moving again. ”

“ I want to flesh out another issue, just while I've still got your attention. On Iran today, the satellite launch from Iran, how does that affect President Obama's attitude about reaching out towards that country?
GIBBS: Well, obviously the White House has seen reports on Iran. Efforts to develop missile delivery capability, efforts that continue on an illicit nuclear program, or threats that Iran makes toward Israel, and its sponsorship of terror are of acute concern to this administration. The President is clear that he wants Iran to be a responsible member of the world community. ”

“ I think it is safe to say that when the President makes a decision relating to -- makes a decision related to our force structure in Afghanistan or our force structure in Iraq or the health of our forces in making either of those decisions, that the President believes it's in -- it's exceedingly important that he explain those decisions to the American people. ”

“ This a problem that confounds federal and state governments. It confounds families and businesses large and small. We watch each year as health care prices get higher and higher and higher, and more people slip through the cracks, more businesses are unable to afford to provide health care coverage for their employees. We are hopeful to sign a bill this week that closes that gap for children by expanding the popular Children's Health Insurance Program. ”

“ First, to follow up on Daschle. What does the -- or what is your time frame for announcing a new Secretary? And will this withdrawal affect any of the appointments to other health-related areas, like the FDA and the Surgeon General?
GIBBS: We're working on nominees for both of those positions. Obviously families all over the country have -- understand the importance of getting somebody at the Food and Drug Administration who will set forth a regulatory structure that protects American families, whether it's the medicine that they take or the food that they eat. ”

“ And then if we fail to act or if this town fails to act, the recession will be far worse and far deeper than it is right now, and many in America are facing dire consequences. Again, we'll get statistics later this week that demonstrate how many people lost their jobs in the previous month. I think that will continue to underscore for people how important it is to get something to the President's desk as quickly as possible.
[REPORTER] : Robert, are you saying that no one at the White House whispered or conveyed the word to Senator Daschle that it might be time for him to withdraw? ”

“ Each joined in an effort to change this country -- in Senator Daschle's case, to help more Americans get affordable health care, to get our economy moving again, to institute some fiscal responsibility and some fiscal discipline. The important work that the President does on those agenda items continues here today. ”

“ Does the legislation meet the test of putting money into the pockets of middle-class and -- middle-class families that have watched their incomes dwindle over the past few years? Yes, he believes it meets that test. Are we going to make the critical investments that will help our long-term economic growth? ”

“ No, I -- no, because I think there are obviously many people in this administration that are working on this issue right now. We're looking for a new nominee, but the problem has existed for quite some time and the work toward a solution to make health care more affordable won't stop or won't pause while we look for that nominee. ”

“ I think the President certainly is -- works hard every day to make sure that this administration and the Congress are working toward meeting the deadline the President has set to get action on his desk so that we can get help and relief to the American people. ”

“ Well, I think the basis for -- and the fundamentals in the House bill meet many of the tests that the President laid out -- and I enumerated them yesterday -- do you have a piece of -- do you have a proposal that, if he signed, would create more than 3 million jobs and put people back to work? ”

“ Again, they signed a letter, part of 19 governors that signed a letter in support of an economic recovery plan that they understand will help them make it through tough budget times so that they don't have to cut valuable services like health care and public safety; that will put people back to work and create more than 3 million jobs; as well as get our economy moving again.
So he made those phone calls earlier today. And with that, I'll take a few of your questions. Yes, ma'am.
[REPORTER] : Thanks, Robert. Why the about-face from here on Tom Daschle yesterday? ”

“ All of those are long-term investments that will leave a lasting footprint for long-term economic growth. So the work on this continues. It hasn't stopped.
Jonathan.
[REPORTER] : Yes, sir. Were there conversations, aside from that, of Governor Lynch calling the White House to talk about the appointment? Were there conversations after that at all between this White House and --
GIBBS: I don't understand your question. ”