Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009
– Remarks by the president on the economy, Wakarusa, Ind.
– President announces $2.4 billion in grants to accelerate the manufacturing and deployment of the next generation of U.S. batteries and electric vehicles
– Statement by president on the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee
– President Obama’s message to the AGOA Forum, Nairobi, Kenya
– Press gaggle with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Remarks by the president on the economy, Wakarusa, Ind.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. Well, it is wonderful to be in Wakarusa. Thank you so much for the wonderful welcome. Herman, thanks for the great introduction. It is great to be back in Indiana. (Applause.) This is as close as I’ve gotten to home in a while. (Laughter.)
And I flew out here with somebody who I think the people of Indiana have known for a long time, have trusted for a long time because he’s fighting for working families in Indiana each and every day — and that is our great Senator, Evan Bayh. Please give Evan a big round of applause. (Applause.)
And it’s nice to get out of Washington and spend some time with people who actually sent me to Washington. (Applause.) Too often, there are those in Washington who focus on the ups and downs of politics. But my concern is the ups and downs in the lives of the American people: the families feeling the pain of this recession; the folks I’ve met across this country who’ve lost jobs and savings and health insurance, but haven’t lost hope; the men and women who still believe in the capacity, the ability of this nation to meet the challenges of our times.
Now, these are challenges you know all too well here in Wakarusa and in Elkhart County. This area has been hit with a perfect storm of economic troubles. Over the last few decades, you’ve borne the brunt of a steadily weakening of American manufacturing in the face of global competition. You’ve felt the impact of the struggles of American auto industry and the repercussions that have hit the Midwest especially hard. And you’re living every day with the consequences of this recession and the financial meltdown, and you’ve felt it in the form of lost jobs and lost savings.
So as a result, the Elkhart area has experienced the second greatest increase in the rate of unemployment in the country -– up 10 points in a year. It’s an astonishing statistic. And there have been times where nearly one in five people in this area have been looking for work. You’ve seen factories close, and your sons and daughters move away in searches of jobs and opportunity. So this is more than an economic crisis. This goes to the heart and soul of a community. It tests the strength of families and the spirit of good people — hardworking folks who’ve given their all to a company and now don’t know where to turn.
There are some who see what’s taking place here and suggest that it’s all somehow inevitable, and that the only way for America to get ahead is for places like Elkhart to be left behind. You hear that argument sometime in Washington. But I know and you know that the truth is exactly the opposite. I’m here because I believe our ability to recover –- and to prosper –- as a nation depends on what happens in communities just like this one. (Applause.)
The battle for America’s future will be fought and won in places like Elkhart and Detroit, Goshen and Pittsburgh, South Bend, Youngstown –- in cities and towns across Indiana and across the Midwest and across the country that have been the backbone of America. It will be won by making places like Elkhart what they once were and can be again –- and that’s centers of innovation and entrepreneurship and ingenuity and opportunity; the bustling, whirring, humming engines of American prosperity.
For as the world grows more competitive, we can’t afford to run the race at half-strength or half-speed. If we hope to lead this century like we did the last century, we have to create the conditions and the opportunities for places like Elkhart to succeed. We have to harness the potential –- the innovative and creative spirit –- that’s waiting to be awakened all across America. That’s how we’ll rebuild this economy stronger than before: strong enough to compete in the global economy; strong enough to avoid the cycles of boom and bust that have wreaked so much havoc on our economy; strong enough to support the jobs of the 21st century; and strong enough to unleash prosperity for everybody, not just some.
But before we can rebuild our economy for tomorrow, we have to rescue it today. Now, that’s why we passed a Recovery Act less than one month after I took office –- and we did so without any of the earmarks or pork-barrel spending that’s so common in Washington, D.C. And let me just talk about the so-called stimulus package, or the Recovery Act, because there’s been a lot of misinformation out there about the Recovery Act. Let me tell you what it is and what it’s not.
`The plan was divided into three parts. One-third of the money has gone to tax relief for families and small businesses. One-third of the money is cutting people’s taxes. For Americans struggling to pay rising bills with shrinking wages, we kept a campaign promise to put a middle-class tax cut in the pockets of 95 percent of working families — (applause) — a tax cut that began showing up in paychecks of 4.8 million Indiana households about three months ago.
We also cut taxes for small businesses on the investments that they make. And more than 425 small businesses in Indiana have received SBA loans through the recovery package. So that’s — one-third of the money was tax cuts.
Another third of the money in the Recovery Act has been for emergency relief that is helping folks who’ve borne the brunt of this recession. For Americans who were laid off, we expanded unemployment benefits –- and that’s already made a difference for 12 million Americans, including 220,000 folks right here in Indiana. We’re making health insurance 65 percent cheaper for families relying on COBRA while looking for work. Some of you know people who lost their jobs, were worried about losing their health care, couldn’t afford COBRA — we were able to reduce their costs by 65 percent so they could keep their health care while they looking for jobs.
And for states facing historic budget shortfalls, we provided assistance that has saved the jobs of tens of thousands of teachers and public — and police officers and other public servants so that you wouldn’t see the recession get even worse.
So that’s the second half. First half, tax relief. Second half, support for individuals, small businesses, and states that had fallen on hard times.
The last third of the Recovery Act — and that’s what we’re going to talk about here today — is for investments that are not only putting people back to work in the short term, but laying a new foundation for growth and prosperity in the long run. These are the jobs of building the future of America: upgrading our roads and our bridges; renovating schools and hospitals. The Elkhart area has seen the benefits: Dozens were employed to resurface the runway at Elkhart Airport; a four-mile stretch of highway is being upgraded on US-33; the Heart City Health Center has received recovery dollars to expand services and hire additional staff.
And as part of the recovery plan, we’re making a historic commitment to innovation. The Recovery Act creates jobs doubling our capacity to generate renewable energy; building a new smart grid that carry electricity from coast to coast; laying down broadband lines and high-speed rail lines; and providing the largest boost in basic research in history –- to ensure that America leads in the breakthrough discoveries of the new century, just as we led in the last. Because that’s what we do best in America — we turn ideas into inventions, and inventions into industries.
Now, history should be our guide. The United States led the world’s economies in the 20th century because we led the world in innovation. Today, the competition is keener; the challenge is tougher; and that’s why innovation is more important than ever. That’s the key to good, new jobs in the 21st century. That’s how we will ensure a high quality of life for this generation and future generations. With these investments, we’re planting the seeds of progress for our country, and good-paying, private-sector jobs for the American people.
So that’s why I’m here today — to announce $2.4 billion in highly competitive grants to develop the next generation of fuel-efficient cars and trucks powered by the next generation of battery technologies all made right here in the U.S. of A. (Applause.) Right here in America. (Applause.) Made in America. (Applause.)
For too long, we failed to invest in this kind of innovative work, even as countries like China and Japan were racing ahead. That’s why this announcement is so important: This represents the largest investment in this kind of technology in American history.
See, I’m committed to a strategy that ensures America leads in the design and the deployment of the next generation of clean-energy vehicles. This is not just an investment to produce vehicles today; this is an investment in our capacity to develop new technologies tomorrow. This is about creating the infrastructure of innovation.
Indiana is the second largest recipient of grant funding, and it’s a perfect example of what this will mean. You’ve got Purdue University, Notre Dame, Indiana University, and Ivy Tech, and they’re all going to be receiving grant funding to develop degree and training programs for electric vehicles. That’s number one. (Applause.) We’ve got EnerDel, a small business in Indianapolis that will develop batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. You’ve got Allison Transmission in Indianapolis, Delphi in Kokomo, Remy in Pendleton, and Magna located in Muncie, all who will help develop electric-drive components for commercial and passenger vehicles.
And right here in Elkhart County, Navistar –- which has taken over two Monaco Coach manufacturing facilities -– will receive a $39 million grant to build 400 advanced battery electric trucks — (applause) — with a range of a hundred miles, like the trucks here today. (Applause.) Just a few months ago, folks thought that these factories might be closed for good. But now they’re coming back to life.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Thank you!
THE PRESIDENT: You’re welcome. (Laughter.) Thank the American people. (Applause.)
The company estimates that this investment will help create or save hundreds of jobs in the area. And already, folks like Herman are being rehired. So, overall, the companies believe these investments in battery technology will save or create thousands of Hoosier jobs. And I want to point out these thousands of jobs wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the leaders in Congress who supported the Recovery Act — leaders like Evan Bayh and Joe Donnelly, who’s here today. (Applause.) And Andre Carson and Brad Ellsworth and Peter Visclosky. (Applause.) And these grants will create tens of thousands of jobs all across America.
In fact, today, Vice President Biden is announcing grant winners in Michigan. Members of my Cabinet are fanning out across the country announcing recipients elsewhere. We’re providing the incentives to those businesses –- large and small –- that stand ready to help us lead a new clean-energy economy by developing new technologies for new kinds of vehicles.
See, I don’t want to just reduce our dependence on foreign oil and then end up being dependent on their foreign innovations. I don’t want to have to import a hybrid car — I want to be able to build a hybrid car here. (Applause.) I don’t want to have to import a hybrid truck — I want to build a hybrid truck here. (Applause.) I don’t want to have to import a windmill from someplace else — I want to build a windmill right here in Indiana. (Applause.) I want the cars of the future and the technologies that power them to be developed and deployed right here, in America.
And that’s just the beginning. In no area will innovation be more important than in the development of new ways to produce, use, and save energy. So we’re not only doubling our capacity to generate renewable energy and building a stronger and smarter electric grid. We’ve helped reach an agreement to raise fuel economy standards. And for the first time in history, we passed a bill to create a system of clean energy incentives which will help make renewable energy the profitable kind of energy in America -– while helping to end our dependence on foreign oil and protect our planet for future generations.
The bill passed the House; we’re now working to pass legislation through the Senate. Because we know that real innovation depends not on government, but on the generative potential of the American people. If the American people get a clear set of rules, if they know what’s needed, what challenges we’ve got to meet, they’ll figure out how to do it.
In fact, that’s why our budget makes the research and experimentation tax credit permanent — the R&D tax credit. This is a tax credit that helps companies afford what are sometimes very high costs in developing new ideas and new technologies and new products –- and that means new jobs. This tax credit returns $2 to the economy for every $1 we spend. And for a long time we were just trying to renew it once every year, and companies didn’t know whether or not they were going to be able to get it for the next year. That’s changed. We’ve now made it permanent.
I’ve also proposed reducing to zero the capital gains tax for investments in small or startup businesses. Because small businesses are innovative businesses; small businesses produce 13 times more patents per employee than large companies.
Of course, in order to lead in the global economy and ensure that our businesses can grow and innovate, we also have to pass health insurance reform that brings down costs. (Applause.) Reform that brings down costs and provides more security for folks who have insurance, and affordable options for those who don’t. I promise you: We will pass reform by the end of this year because the American people need it. (Applause.) The American people need some relief. (Applause.) We’re going to have to make it happen.
In fact, the recovery plan began the process of reform by modernizing our health care infrastructure. We took some long-overdue step of computerizing America’s health records, which can reduce all the waste and errors that cost billions of dollars and thousands of lives –- while protecting patients’ privacy. It’s important also to know that these records hold the potential of offering patients the chance to be more active participants in the prevention and treatment of illnesses. You won’t have to fill out the same form a dozen times. You won’t have to rely on your memory when talking to your doctor about your medical history. All those things make people healthier, but they also reduce your costs, lower your premiums, give you more security in your health care.
Now, in addition to energy, and in addition to health care, we also know that the nation that out-educates us today will out-compete us tomorrow. So we’re making a historic commitment to strengthening and improving education, from cradle through career. Right now, our schools continue to trail many of our competitors. And that’s why I’ve challenged states to dramatically improve achievement by raising standards and modernizing science labs, upgrading curriculum, forming new partnerships to promote math and science, and improving the use of technology in the classroom.
And I’ve set this goal: In the next decade –- by 2020 –- America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. (Applause.) We used to be number one. We will be number one again when it comes to college graduates. (Applause.)
Now, to reach this goal, we’ve provided tax credits and grants to make college education more affordable and we’ve made a historic commitment to community colleges, which are the unsung heroes in America’s education system. America can and must have the best-educated, highest-skilled workforce in the world — because if we’re building new cars here in America, if we’re building a new clean-energy grid in America, then we’re also going to need to build engineers in America, and scientists in America, and skilled technicians right here in America. So all these pieces end up fitting together.
Energy and innovation, health care and education — these are the pillars of the new foundation that we have to build. This is how we won’t just rescue the economy, but we’re going to rebuild it stronger than before.
Now, there are a lot of people out there those who are looking to defend the status quo. There are those who want to seek political advantage. They want to oppose these efforts. Some of them caused the problems that we got now in the first place, and then suddenly they’re blaming other folks for it. (Applause.) They don’t want to be constructive. They don’t want to be constructive; they just want to get in the usual political fights back and forth. And sometimes that’s fed by all the cable chatter on the media.
But you and I know the truth. We know that even in the hardest times, against the toughest odds, we have never surrendered. We don’t give up. We don’t surrender our fates to chance. We have always endured. We have worked hard, and we have fought for our future. Our parents had to fight for their future; our grandparents had to fight for their future. That’s the tradition of America. This country wasn’t built just by griping and complaining. It was built by hard work and taking risks. (Applause.) And that’s what we have to do today.
So I know these are tough times. If you haven’t lost a job, you know somebody who has — maybe a family member, a neighbor, a friend. You know that as difficult as the financial struggle can be, the sense of loss when you lose your job is about more than just a paycheck. We as Americans, we define ourselves by the work we do. It’s a source of pride; a sense that you’re contributing, that you’re supporting your family, that you’re doing the right thing, that you’re responsible. And the truth is, it can be easy to lose hope, especially when you see a lot of folks out there who failed to meet their responsibilities –- from Wall Street to Washington. It can be easy to grow cynical when you see politicians say one thing and then do another, or say one thing and then do nothing; when you’ve seen decades of broken promises and broken politics.
\But this is a rare moment in which we’re called upon to rise above the failures of the past. This is a chance to restore that spirit of optimism and opportunity which has always been central to our success. We’ve got to set our sights higher, not lower. We’ve got to imagine a future in which new American cars are powered by new American innovation; a future in which cities that led the global economy before are leading it again; a brighter future for Elkhart, a brighter future for Indiana, and for the United States of America. (Applause.)
That’s what we’re fighting for. That’s what this plant is about. That’s what you’re about. That’s what we’re going to achieve in the weeks and months to come. (Applause.)
So thank you very much, everybody. God bless you. God bless the United States of America. Thank you. (Applause.)
President announces $2.4 billion in grants to accelerate the manufacturing and deployment of the next generation of U.S. batteries and electric vehicles
Further accelerating the manufacturing and deployment of electric vehicles, batteries, and components here in America, and creating tens of thousands of new jobs, President Obama today announced 48 new advanced battery and electric drive projects that will receive $2.4 billion in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These projects, selected through a highly competitive process by the Department of Energy, will accelerate the development of U.S. manufacturing capacity for batteries and electric drive components as well as the deployment of electric drive vehicles, helping to establish American leadership in creating the next generation of advanced vehicles.
“If we want to reduce our dependence on oil, put Americans back to work and reassert our manufacturing sector as one of the greatest in the world, we must produce the advanced, efficient vehicles of the future,” said President Obama.
“For our nation and our economy to recover, we must have a vision for what can be built here in the future – and then we need to invest in that vision,” said Vice President Biden. “That’s what we’re doing today and that’s what this Recovery Act is about.”
The announcement marks the single largest investment in advanced battery technology for hybrid and electric-drive vehicles ever made. Industry officials expect that this $2.4 billion investment, coupled with another $2.4 billion in cost share from the award winners, will result directly in the creation tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs in the U.S. battery and auto industries.
The new awards cover the following areas:
o $1.5 billion in grants to U.S. based manufacturers to produce batteries and their components and to expand battery recycling capacity;
o $500 million in grants to U.S. based manufacturers to produce electric drive components for vehicles, including electric motors, power electronics, and other drive train components; and
o $400 million in grants to purchase thousands of plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles for test demonstrations in several dozen locations; to deploy them and evaluate their performance; to install electric charging infrastructure; and to provide education and workforce training to support the transition to advanced electric transportation systems.
Today, President Obama visited Navistar International Corporation, in Elkhart, Ind., to make the announcement. Navistar will receive a $39 million grant to manufacture electric trucks which the company reports will ultimately will create or save hundreds of jobs when full scale manufacturing at the site commences. Overall, seven projects in Indiana will receive grants totaling more than $400 million. The applications from the companies and from one university engaged in this technology research anticipate that these awards will create or save thousands of jobs.
Vice President Joe Biden and four Members of the Cabinet, also fanned out across the country to discuss the historic announcement.
Vice President Biden was in Detroit to announce over $1 billion in grants to companies and universities based in Michigan. Reflecting the state’s leadership in clean energy manufacturing, Michigan companies and institutions are receiving the largest share of grant funding of any state. Two companies, A123 and Johnson Controls, will receive a total of approximately $550 million to establish a manufacturing base in the state for advanced batteries, and two others, Compact Power and Dow Kokam, will receive a total of over $300 million for manufacturing battery cells and materials. Large automakers based in Michigan, including GM, Chrysler, and Ford, will receive a total of more than $400 million to manufacture thousands of advanced hybrid and electric vehicles as well as batteries and electric drive components. And three educational institutions in Michigan, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University in Detroit, and Michigan Technological University in Houghton in the Upper Peninsula, will receive a total of more than $10 million for education and workforce training programs to train researchers, technicians and service providers, and to conduct consumer research to accelerate the transition towards advanced vehicles and batteries.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu, whose Department selected the 48 award winners, visited Celgard, in Charlotte, NC, to announce a $49 million grant for the company to expand its separator production capacity to serve the expected increased demand for lithium-ion batteries from manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Celgard will be expanding its manufacturing capacity in Charlotte, NC and nearby Aiken, SC, and the company expects the new separator production to come online in 2010. Celgard expects that approximately hundreds of jobs could be created, with the first of those jobs beginning as early as Fall 2009.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson was in St. Petersburg, FL, to announce a $95.5 million grant for Saft America, Inc. to construct a new plant in Jacksonville on the site of the former Cecil Field military base, to manufacture lithium-ion cells, modules and battery packs for military, industrial, and agricultural vehicles.
Deputy Secretary of the Department of Transportation John Porcari visited East Penn Manufacturing Co., in Lyon Station, Penn., to award the company a $32.5 million grant to increase production capacity for their valve regulated lead-acid batteries and the UltraBattery, a lead-acid battery combined with a carbon supercapacitor, for micro and mild hybrid applications. East Penn Manufacturing is a third-generation family business with over 63 years in battery manufacturing.
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke visited Kansas City, Missouri, to announce a $10 million grant for Smith Electric to build and deploy up to 100 electric vehicles, including vans, pickups, and their “Newton” brand medium duty trucks. In addition, Secretary Locke announced three other grants supporting manufacturing and educational programs in Missouri: a $30 million grant to Ford Motor Company supporting the manufacturing of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in Kansas City and in Michigan; a $73 million grant to Chrysler, for the manufacturing of 220 plug-in hybrid and electric pickup trucks and minivans in St. Louis and in Michigan; and a $5 million grant to Missouri University of Science and Technology, in Rolla, Missouri, to fund educational and workforce training programs on advanced vehicles technologies.
Statement by president on the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. I want to just make a brief comment about the fact that the two young journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, are safely back with their families. We are obviously extraordinarily relieved. I had an opportunity to speak with the families yesterday once we knew that they were on the plane.
The reunion that we’ve all seen on television I think is a source of happiness not only for the families but for the entire country.
I want to thank President Bill Clinton — I had a chance to talk to him — for the extraordinary humanitarian effort that resulted in the release of the two journalists. I want to thank Vice President Al Gore who worked tirelessly in order to achieve a positive outcome.
I think that not only is this White House obviously extraordinarily happy, but all Americans should be grateful to both former President Clinton and Vice President Gore for their extraordinary work. And my hope is, is that the families that have been reunited can enjoy the next several days and weeks, understanding that because of the efforts of President Clinton and Gore, they are able to be with each other once again.
So we are very pleased with the outcome, and I’m hopeful that the families are going to be able to get some good time together in the next few days.
Thank you very much.
President Obama’s message to the AGOA Forum, Nairobi, Kenya
Hello everyone. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there with you in person. But please know that for me and for my family, the memories from our recent trip to Ghana are still fresh—we will always remember the warmth of the Ghanaian people and the promise of Africa’s potential.
I hope you’re enjoying Kenya—and the hospitality of the Kenyan people—as much as I always have. When I first came in 1987, it was to discover the story of my father, who had grown up herding goats in the tiny village of Alego. When I visited as a Senator, I promised to work for a U.S. foreign policy that gives hope and opportunity to the people of this great continent.
Today, it is my privilege to address you as President. And I want to repeat what I said three weeks ago in Accra. I do not see the countries and the peoples of Africa as a world apart. I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world. In our global economy, our economic fortunes are shared. And history shows that economic growth is among the greatest forces for progress in lifting people out of poverty.
That’s why the African Growth and Opportunity Act is so important. That’s why the AGOA Forum is so critical. By breaking down old barriers and opening new markets, we not only increase trade between our countries. We create powerful incentives for African entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, to create jobs and build a brighter tomorrow for their children. That is what AGOA is all about.
So I thank President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga for hosting this Forum. And I pledge to you the full support and partnership of the United States. That is why my Administration is represented there today by outstanding members of my Cabinet.
Over the last decade, AGOA has transformed the U.S.-African trade relationship. Opening America’s doors to your exports has been good for Africa—creating African jobs, bringing millions of dollars of investment to sub-Saharan Africa and sparking new trade across the continent. And it’s been good for America—with African exporters seeking U.S. expertise, investments and joint-ventures. And today, we’re your single largest trade partner.
At the same time, it’s clear that U.S.-African trade has yet to realize its full potential. And if the current recession teaches us anything, it’s that in a global economy not only the opportunities are shared. So are the risks. So there’s so much more we can do together to plant the seeds of our economic recovery, and to achieve lasting prosperity.
Only Africans can unlock Africa’s potential. It will take your entrepreneurship. Your innovation. And only Africans can ensure the good governance and strong institutions upon which development depends. Open markets alone are not enough. Development requires the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and an atmosphere that welcomes investment. And I encourage every country to set concrete goals for overcoming the obstacles to economic growth.
And to all Africans who are pursuing a future of hope and opportunity, know this: you have a partner and a friend in the United States. That’s why we’ll work with you to develop strong institutions, clear legal frameworks and the regulations and infrastructure that help bring new products to market. That’s why we’ll work together to harness Africa’s vast natural resources to generate clean, renewable energy for export. That’s why I’ve pledged substantial increases in our foreign assistance—not simply to help people scrape by, but to unleash transformational change. And that’s why we’ve joined with our international partners to promote food security by investing $20 billion in agricultural development—not simply to hand out American food, but to promote African self-sufficiency.
These are the things we can do together to unleash the skills and talents of our people. And to ensure our common prosperity in the 21st century. And if we do, I’m confident that Africans can live their dreams from Nairobi to Accra, from Lagos to Kigali, from Kinshasa to Cape Town.
Thank you for your work at this important Forum. Enjoy Nairobi.
Press gaggle with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
MR. GIBBS: How are you guys this morning? How was the breakfast?
Q Heavy. (Laughter.)
MR. GIBBS: It looked a little heavy.
Q It’s apple pie.
MR. GIBBS: What’s wrong with that? Apple pie for breakfast sounds interesting.
Q Did you have anything?
MR. GIBBS: I had just a bagel. It was more than I needed.
Fire away.
Q President Obama said before he left that he had a conversation directly with President Clinton — we hadn’t heard that before. Can you give us a bit of a readout about that?
MR. GIBBS: Yes, they talked for a few minutes right before President Obama went out to speak with you all about his reaction to the journalists being released. The President thanked him for a great job and knew how much the families appreciated the President’s trip and continued service to the country. And I assume they’ll — I know they hope to get together sometime soon.
Q The two Presidents?
MR. GIBBS: Yes.
Q Do you envision President Obama calling into service President Clinton in other ways?
MR. GIBBS: Well, you know, this was a private mission that President Clinton did, and I know the President is enormously thankful for his service. And look, I think if the President is ever looking for people to help, former Presidents are always a pretty good group to try.
Q Robert, did the events of the past 24 hours change in any way the U.S. relationship with North Korea?
MR. GIBBS: Well, Mark, I think first and foremost, as I’ve said and I think we talked about last night, this is — we view these as different events. And I would say secondly — the best way to change our relationship with North Korea would be for the North Koreans to decide that it’s time to live up to the responsibilities and the agreements that they themselves entered into. Our goal is a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. And the North Koreans can and should live up to those agreements.
Q Switching topics slightly and then we might go back to North Korea. Do you have any reaction to the swearing-in of President Ahmadinejad in Iran today?
MR. GIBBS: Well, let me correct a little bit of what I said yesterday. I denoted that Mr. Ahmadinejad was the elected leader of Iran. I would say it’s not for me to pass judgment on. He’s been inaugurated, that’s a fact. Whether any election was fair, obviously the Iranian people still have questions about that and we’ll let them decide that. But I would simply say he’s been inaugurated and we know that is simply a fact.
Q Do you recognize him as the leader, elected fairly or not?
MR. GIBBS: It’s not for — it’s not for me or for us to denote his legitimacy, except to acknowledge the fact.
Q Does the White House believe the election was fair?
MR. GIBBS: That’s not for us to pass judgment on. I think that’s for the Iranian people to decide, and obviously there are many that still have a lot of questions.
Q A couple logistical questions. Back on Korea, was the plane on the ground when the President spoke to Clinton, do you know?
MR. GIBBS: Yes. This was — President Obama called him from right outside the Oval Office after the two journalists and former Vice President Gore had spoken and before — but before he went out and spoke. So there were just a few minutes between there that they connected.
Q Who paid for the plane for this private mission, and what kind of a plane was that?
MR. GIBBS: I’d direct that to the Clintons — to Clinton’s group. It was not a government aircraft and not paid for by the government.
Q Not paid for —
MR. GIBBS: Private mission.
Q On today, Robert, why is today not a town hall meeting?
MR. GIBBS: I don’t know what the — why the logistical set-up is what it is, except I know the President wants to go and make an announcement about some very important — the largest investment in electric battery technology, and have a chance to — ow, sorry, I twisted my ankle last week and just tweaked it again — the President wants to share that news with a county in Indiana that’s been hit tremendously hard.
Q Just a quick follow — no concern from you all that you are going to get a lot of questions about: you were here in February, things have gotten worse, what’s happening, why aren’t you doing more?
MR. GIBBS: No, I mean, look, as I said earlier today, look, we’ve spent a lot of — we’ve spent a lot of time in places that are bad off economically, and that’s largely because most of the country is bad off economically. I think if you look at some of the reports today, you know, there are elected officials in the county that are pleased with the impact of the recovery plan that it’s been able to have. You know, you’ve got — we’re going to announce a grant for this electric battery technology that’s going to employ folks in a factory that once housed an RV manufacturer, which —
Q How many?
MR. GIBBS: Let me get it. It’s in the remarks. And I know there are some, you know, there was I think a recent announcement that one of the RV companies is going to expand and bring some more people back. So, look, the President will tell this community, as he’s told many others, and what he told them in February, which is: It took us a while to get here. You know, a year ago, the unemployment rate was 10 points lower in this area of Indiana. So this has built up over a year, and it’s going to take some time to dig our way out.
I think the President believes that the announcement today, though, represents the type of innovation and investment in a new economic foundation that can lay the groundwork for some long-term employment prospects for this area through clean-energy jobs.
Q Can I follow on that, please, just to make sure I understand?
MR. GIBBS: Sure.
Q I’m trying to figure out — for the employees of this company, what’s in this announcement for them? Are they — is this company getting any help, or this area specifically?
MR. GIBBS: We’ll announce a specific — a specific awarding grant as part of about I think $2.4 billion in battery — electric battery grants throughout the country. I forget how many individual ones, but this is one of them.
Q But presumably the employees of this RV company are going to have an opportunity for new employment? I’m trying to make that connection.
MR. GIBBS: Well, yes, I think whether it’s directed — let me look through the remarks one more time, so I don’t confuse the two.
Q Robert, does the President have a feeling on why North Korea decided to let the two Americans go?
MR. GIBBS: No. I don’t know that the President does and I haven’t heard anything — anybody but staff. I know, again, the call that we walked you guys through last night simply was that journalists had mentioned that the North Koreans had said to them this would be an avenue for release.
Q Just one last question on that. Did President Clinton brief President Obama today during their conversation about his talks with Kim Jong-il?
MR. GIBBS: No, I mean, it wasn’t long enough to do that. At some point, I think very soon, members of the team of the NSC will sit down with President Clinton and get a debrief on the events, just as the NSC guys sat down with President Clinton before he left over the weekend.
Q Did you say earlier that you think President Obama will meet with President Clinton?
MR. GIBBS: Sometime soon. Sometime soon. I don’t want to leave the impression that that’s in the next few days. Nothing is scheduled, but I know they both talked about hoping to get together soon.
Q Did President Clinton have — and you may have discussed this on the call last night — any authorization to make any kind of offers or suggestions for rewards for releasing these journalists?
MR. GIBBS: There were no messages that were passed.
All right? Thanks, guys.
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