White House Gaggle

Notes from the Morning Gaggle with White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs:

GDP Numbers
GDP down 1%.  Gibbs said their first mission was to rescue the economy, to stop the slippage.  They have a sense now that the recession has been deeper than previously thought.  The data shows progress is being made.  There is a lot of work to do, particularly on putting people back to work. Gibbs expects hundreds of thousands of more jobs lost when employment figures come out next week.

Cash for Clunkers
Administration and bipartisan leaders in Congress are working this morning to develop ways to continue to fund the program. The program is up and continuing to run. The program appears to be a success for car buyers, car dealers, car companies and tax payers who are seeing people choose more fuel efficient cars.  The program will run this weekend. Confident they will have a solution and the program will continue. Can, should and will be extended. Looking at different avenues for the money, Gibbs declined to be specific. 

Afghanistan
Asked whether there will be an increase in troops as has been reported in the press, Gibbs said this is not something that has got to Gen McChrystal’s desk or to the Pentagon. McChrystal is the new commander and they are working through a policy review.

Muhamad Jawad
Asked if the US will bring Guantanamo detainee Muhamad Jawad to the US for trial, Gibbs said that is something DoJ is working on.

Withdrawal from Iraq Memo
Secretary Gates said earlier this week that if the security situation continues to improve, it’s possible to see troops coming home from Iraq earlier.

Report that CEOs Paid for Their Meals at the White House
Gibbs said that he paid for his own meals with the President when he has had lunch with him. In Washington there really is no such thing as a free lunch, he said.