Carney: Obama “Very Understanding” of “Tough Choices” on Spending

PressSec says president aware of states’ need to be “fiscally responsible” but warns against “assault on the collective bargaining rights of workers.”

Pool report #2

AF1 wheels down a few minutes before 11 local. Carney gaggles, warning us that he wanted to keep it brief so nobody got hurt upon landing. Sound familiar?

Carney led with a statement from POTUS on violence in MidEast:

"I am deeply concerned by reports of violence in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen. The United States condemns the use of violence by governments against peaceful protesters in those countries and wherever else it may occur. We express our condolences to the family and friends of those who have been killed during the demonstrations. Wherever they are, people have certain universal rights including the right to peaceful assembly. The United States urges the governments of Bahrain, Libya and Yemen to show restraint in responding to peaceful protests, and to respect the rights of their people."

Carney said POTUS is getting regular briefings, and for several weeks has been getting more regular updates from national security team to supplement PDB.

Said POTUS has had no calls to foreign leaders since we last spoke.

On Wisconsin:

"He is very understanding of the need for state governments, governors, state legislatures to reduce spending to make tough choices to be fiscally responsible. he's doing that at the federal level and he understands that states need to do that at the state level. but he also feels very strongly that we need not to make this an assault on the collective bargaining rights of workers in any given state."

Understands public employees need to make sacrifices just like everyone else.

Check quotes against transcript, but statement from POTUS is accurate.