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United States. Department of State

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Wikileaks, Tax Cuts, and the START Treaty

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" on December 1, 2010, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs addressed the controversy surrounding Wikileaks, the Bush tax cuts, and the ratification of the New START treaty. Gibbs defended Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, stating that she is doing a "wonderful job" and that the foreign policy she and the president are pursuing will make the country stronger and safer. When questioned about the possibility of arresting Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, Gibbs replied that the US government has not ruled out any options, but did not provide further details.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gibbs strongly defended Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, stating that she is doing a "wonderful job" and that the foreign policy she and the president are pursuing will make the country stronger and safer.
  • The US government has not ruled out the possibility of arresting Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, but Gibbs did not provide further details.
  • Gibbs acknowledged that Wikileaks is seeking to release more sensitive information, including corporate and bank documents, but emphasized that the US government's foreign policy is "stronger than one person and one person's website."
  • The president appoints his OMB Director Jack Lew and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to work with members of Congress to find a compromise on the tax cuts.
  • The president's principle is that middle-class tax cuts cannot be allowed to expire, while many Republicans want to extend tax cuts for the wealthy permanently.
  • The president's top priorities for the remaining legislative sessions are the ratification of the START treaty and the extension of unemployment benefits.
  • Gibbs stated that some staff changes in the White House may be announced before the president's vacation, but did not provide a specific timeline.

Statistics:

  • According to Gibbs, the Bush tax cuts will expire at the end of the year, potentially affecting middle-class Americans.
  • The START treaty was negotiated to reduce nuclear stockpiles and improve verification processes between the US and Russia.
  • The US unemployment rate was a major concern during this period, with many Americans relying on unemployment insurance benefits.

Sources:

  • ABC's "Good Morning America" interview with Robert Gibbs on December 1, 2010
  • Federal News Service, Inc. (2010)

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