Obama’s lunch with GOP leadership, Egypt and trade deals top Gibbs’s session with reporters.
On Obama’s lunch with GOP leaders: “I think it was a very productive lunch… I would say reducing the deficit and growing the economy were the things that were most discussed.”
On Egypt: “I think it’s clear they’ve yet to meet the threshold to satisfy the people.”
On Colombia/Panama trade deals: “I think the model we used for South Korea is one that we believe can capture broad bipartisan support…. We had a lot of delays, particularly on cars and beef, but we worked those out.”
Egypt transition: “VP Soliman is in charge of a process to negotiate with those not in government. It’s not for us to determine who’s in charge of that process.”
Advice to Carney: “Your obligation is to always tell the truth. While that might seem readily obvious, in the past that has not always been the case [for press secretaries].”
On lunch with GOP leaders: “We need to do a better job of reaching out… I don’t think this is a one-time thing.”
