Nice tie. Jay.

Thank you. (Laughter.)

Yes, that's pretty good, huh? He came to my aid, and I appreciate it.

I do not have any other comments to make at the top of the briefing. (Laughter.)...

Unfortunately, no -- because what the Ryan plan fails to do is in any way meet the test of balance that every credible person in this debate has said...

Well, it’s hard to anticipate what the end of the year will look like. Let’s put that aside. Driving in this morning -- I have satellite radio...

I would refer you to the State Department. I don't have that figure for you. Obviously, one of the central messages that is contained within it is...

Well, let me say two things. One, the President is very concerned about the high price of gasoline that American consumers are paying when they're...

It is certainly true that the price of oil is driven by a global market, and that's a point I make when asked about what tools the American government...

I don't have any specifics for you.

I don't have that information for you. I can take the question. Again, as this administration -- as previous administrations have, of both parties...

Well, let's look at the difference between a principle like the Buffett Rule, which would say that if you make $1 million or more you should not pay...

Well, we put forward a plan in -- a very clear plan that achieves over $4 trillion in deficit reduction, that achieves -- as the CBO recently re-estimated,...

Unfortunately, no, we do not believe that there is much difference at all in this proposal. It is still a proposal that creates a voucher system for...

What we've seen in -- well, that’s why Medicare Advantage is not the foundational program of the system. One of the reasons why we know that doing...

In terms of the action that we're taking?

To allow certain companies to -- that provide information technology?

Well, fortunately, there remain some avenues for Iranians to get access to information. We want to do what we can to allow companies to -- make sure...

No, I honestly -- I'll see if I can get an answer. But again, I just didn't look into it yesterday. I just forgot. But it is simply -- I mean, it...

Well, let me just see what we are gathering here versus what the organization that you referenced or others might have to give out, because we're not...

The President believes that the tax breaks, the loopholes and subsidies that exist that provide $4 billion in taxpayer money to oil and gas companies,...

He said that? (Laughter.)

Two things. The reason why America always comes back when it's down is because of the American people. The President firmly believes that. It is...

I have no conversations to report out to you. I note that the Justice Department has said that it’s looking into the matter, and I would refer you...

I talk to him about a lot of things.

Yes.

Well, I’ll make two points. There is more, and we are working with our allies to put greater pressure on the Assad regime to isolate it further,...

Well, we are working -- very much preparing for that "Friends of Syria" meeting. We’re obviously very concerned about getting humanitarian aid to...

I don't have anything new to add today.

Norah.

Sure.

I believe General Allen is testifying today on the Hill broadly about Afghanistan, obviously since he’s the commanding general. And on that issue,...

I think I made clear last week when we were talking about Afghanistan that there will be -- while Afghanistan will clearly be a subject of intense discussion...

I’m sorry?

Should not. That's correct.

NATO is operating under a timeframe in Afghanistan that was established at Lisbon. And as we have said in recent...

Norah, I don't have any conversations with the President to read out to you. I can tell you that, setting aside an individual case and obviously a...

I think he meant that the decision the President made, as you all know and are aware of, was a very difficult one; that, as has been reported, that...

Well, the historical assessments I'll leave to him and others, but there's no question that this was a very, very difficult decision that only Commanders-in-Chief...

No.

Yes.

Well, we are certainly aware of the attacks. We strongly condemn the attacks on innocent civilians in Iraq -- a blatant attempt by extremists to undermine...

Well, I think that, as I just said, that the -- we have seen some spectacular attacks in Iraq over the number of years that this President has been...

Well, I would say on those reports that we have seen them and -- those and other reports of excesses committed against security forces. And we would...

Yes and no. He will continue to talk about the absolute need to have an all-of-the-above approach to our energy challenges, to the need to have American-made...

I'll have to check if there was a formal report. And I would refer you to the Justice Department about the efforts that the task force or unit undertook...

Well, the President looks forward to his visit to Seoul to participate in the Nuclear Security Summit. As you know, the President made nuclear security...

You know, I'll have to refer you to our friends at the national security staff for specifics on that. He will obviously spend some time with our host,...

I'm sorry.

How about that, huh? I don’t know. Who's going to get Tebow? What do you think? Is there a pool? (Laughter.) Is that what you meant? Yes. ...

I actually have not -- I can report out that I have not had that conversation with him yet, but I look forward to it.

Chris.

Well, all I would say is, since this is in reference to a conversation we've had a few times in this room about an executive order, I just -- I'm not...

I have no updates on his positions or policies to give you on that matter, but -- with regards to the questions about an executive order, I just don’t...

Thank you for the question. I think, as folks who regularly report on the First Lady's speeches, they'll know that she has said this before and has...

It was a reference to DOMA.

Yes.

Well, I haven't had that high-altitude conversation with him. I know that nuclear security is a very high priority for this President. That's why...

No.

On the what? Sorry.

All right.

Rather than give you a play-by-play or an update on the conversations internally on this issue, I'll simply say that we have no announcement to make...

I have no announcement on a timeline to make. (Laughter.)

Goyal.

I haven't made that assessment myself, and I haven't heard any assessments made with regards to that. Obviously India is a growing economy and I'm...

Well, one of the reasons why the relationship with Pakistan remains extremely important to us because of the -- is because of the role that Pakistan...

You know what, you asked for two, you got four. Let me leave it at that.

Alexis.

Well, I haven’t seen the comments that you refer to. The idea that tax reform is a good idea is certainly one that I think is broadly shared by members...