I know you just heard the President speak on this. Jack and Tim are here to take your specific questions. After they’re done -- if you could just...

Yes, thank you. Would someone explain why the President knowingly put forward a plan that includes these tax increases that Republicans are -- I mean,...

Could you explain more about how the Buffett rule would work? The President made reference to it in the Rose Garden, and none of the materials spell...

Why not give a specific recommendation on that, though? You’ve spelled out how much revenue you want to raise overall. Why not be specific on that...

Also, can I ask you a question about the European crisis? You’ve said that the Europeans have the firepower to tackle this crisis. Is there the political...

Jack a question for you. If the expiring Bush tax cuts, if that -- for the wealthy -- if that’s seen as a savings of $800 billion, then what about...

So it’s factored in there?

Secretary Geithner, just a couple questions. One, is are you maintaining the $1.5 trillion in tax increases, all of which would be on the top two tax...

Okay. At this point I’ll ask one other question. I wanted to give you an opportunity -- there is a big splashy book out this week called, "Confidence...

Those might be my words. (Laughter.)

There is a memo written in February 2010 by White House senior advisor Pete Rouse, who talks about -- it’s a year-one review that looks at the economic...

Specifically, though, Mr. Secretary, did you slow walk on the President’s effort to --

And why not --

On the deficit plan, do you -- specifically, the President has been talking about fair share, everyone paying their fair share. But when you’re counting...

Just following -- talking about Social Security specifically, the President, by his own admission, has said that this is a program that does need to...

And since we have you both here, the President has said that his jobs plan is insurance against going into a double-dip recession. How much concern...

Can you guys clarify the President's veto threat? Would he veto any bill that does not have revenues in it, or is it only if it doesn’t also --

But he could end up with a situation where you have an end product that doesn’t have any revenues in it as long as it didn’t have --

Gentlemen, can you explain whether the Buffett rule is another level of AMT?

Are you able to say what the Buffet rule tax rate would be?

Mr. Secretary, could you clarify what the President said on the fees on banks relating to TARP? Maybe I missed it in all the briefings last night --

-- 10 basis points for banks that have assets over $50 billion, that's --

But this wouldn’t add to revenues? This would just make you whole from TARP?

Do you have an estimate of how many millionaires currently pay an effective tax rate that’s lower than, say, 28 or some middle-class tax rate?

A couple more on this. Alexis and then Andrei.

I don’t know any serious policymakers on either side of the aisle who thinks sequestration is a good place to go. It was designed to be something...

I don't know. But I would say that if you step back and you look at the basic economic or the financial requirements of what we’re trying to do, what...

Yes, we have. I mean -- but you’re raising the economic term. Primary surplus is the term that refers to revenues and expenditures being in balance...

That’s right. That’s the test for sustainability for the economy like the United States.

Well, I think one of the great strengths of the world economy, looking forward, is the prospects of a long period of very rapid growth in the major...

Are there any specific -- sorry, just to follow up -- are there any specific policies you would encourage them to take, to help the Europeans for instance?

We’re going to do John Christopher, and then Paula, and then we’re going to let these guys go.

Well, again, a basic fundamental tenet of the President’s economic strategy for this country is to do things that make us more competitive over the...

Secretary Geithner, you’ve indicated that details for tax reform wouldn't really come out yet -- there’s too many variables. Yet there's also been...

Before or after November 23rd?

Thank you, guys.

Okay, let’s move on here. April, you have your hand up?

Well, as you know, the President has written that he believes the death penalty does little to deter crime but that some crimes merit the ultimate punishment....

I’m not aware of a review of that nature. There may be one, but, yes, I would direct you to the Department of Justice if, in fact, they're doing that...

Well, honestly, Justice is an independent -- is an agency that decides when it deals with the press how it will answer those questions.

Again, this is an issue, broadly speaking, both the death penalty and broader issues in terms of crime and punishment, that the President as a state...

Well, we obviously saw what Mr. Abbas said. We remain where we were on the inadvisability of unilateral actions that will bring the Palestinians no...

It has not been scheduled, but we believe that the two leaders will meet. And when we have a scheduling update for you we’ll give it to you.

You spoke first. Yes, Victoria.

Well, I think you ought to listen to the address. (Laughter.) I’m not going to preview the speech from here. You know what our --

Well, again, I don’t want to foreshadow or preview the speech that he will give. He will talk about a number of issues that are very much on the minds...

Well, you know our position on this. It has been clearly stated. What kind of conversations we’ve had with our allies and others I’ll leave to your...

Well, I think that there have been intense diplomatic negotiations about the right way forward. We firmly believe that the right way forward, the way...

He was talking about it with regard to the size of the economy. The President spoke, and has spoken, clearly about the decisions that were taken in...

Thanks for that. (Laughter.) Look, I, too, have not read the book, although I’ve read a lot about it. What we know is that very simple things, facts...

We can get that for you. It just -- there’s almost a word-for-word Wikipedia.

Yes, Chris. And then I did promise you on Social Security, yes.

Well, I think that’s rich as an assertion, when we have been clear from the beginning, this President has been clear from the beginning of this process...

Sarah, I know, I forgot. I’m sorry, I'm so focused on the --

I don't believe that, by the way. (Laughter.)

Well, I think -- let me just go to your question. First of all, as you know I’m sure, and as Jack and Tim just discussed, the President did not include...