Sent: Tue Aug 16 12:46:46 2011
Subject: Pool report #5
Motorcade left Rausch’s Cafe at 10:57 am.
Carney gaggled aboard Press 1 en route to the rural economic forum.
A transcript should follow, but here are a few highlights. Please
check any quotes against transcript.
–Re: Perry’s comments on Bernanke. Carney said “when you’re running
for president you have to think about what you’re saying because your
words have greater impact.” Said “we take the independence of the
Federal Reserve quite seriously.”
–Said POTUS invited participants at breakfast to come to rural
economic forum and they’d try to come
–Said the communication capabilities on the new armored bus carrying
POTUS are “comparable” to those on other modes of transport
–Said Obama was “struck” by the GOP candidates’ comments on taxes and
said it was “representative of an unwillingness to compromise.”
–Said debate over economy and debt would continue in the fall “having
removed” the “threat” of a debt ceiling default
–Said he’s not aware of any coordination between Buffett and the
White House on the op-ed. “We endorse his point of view.” “ I think
Mr. Buffett is an independent person who speaks his mind and he has
for a long time now.”
–On Fitch decision to maintain AAA, said Administration certainly
thinks country is an AAA nation
–Referring to Post story on the Obama’s housing finance plan, said it
is “untrue that the administration has settled on a specific option”
and the story “mischaracterizes core principles.” Said Treasury would
have a comment.
–Wouldn’t give any more details on Obama’s September plans. “I’m sure
he will have some new ideas as well.”
–”If we are unable to achieve some of those goals then we would have
to take the argument to the American people.”
-Said Obama is not in campaign mode.
–
Zachary Goldfarb
Staff writer, The Washington Post
