I believe the correct phrase, Mr. Gibbs, is “that’s above my pay grade.” Gibbs doesn’t understand Friday’s DOJ Bagram decision:
Q — the unrelated front. The Justice Department under the Bush administration took a position in opposing the lawsuits you brought regarding the White House email system. Two groups — National Security Archive and CREW — filed a suit to force the White House to locate up to perhaps 5 million missing emails and protect others. And the Justice Department filed to dismiss that suit — the Bush Justice Department filed. You just missed a deadline on Friday, the Obama administration, to remove that Justice Department motion. So is it the Obama administration’s position — is it the same as the Bush administration position on the White House emails? And do you not want to have a full accounting of what might have been missed, lost during the Bush administration?
MR. GIBBS: I’m out of my depth in terms of the legal issues on Friday. Dare I say e-mail the Justice Department and — I think they’re the best repository for such –
Q But given your transparency, your love of transparency and all the wonderful executive orders –
MR. GIBBS: I’m not sure I would — there are many things I love, David. I’m not sure transparency –
Q I meant institutionally.
MR. GIBBS: Yes. (Laughter.)
Q I mean, would you — do you think that citizens who care about these matters would expect a different approach to this issue from the Obama administration than the Bush administration?
MR. GIBBS: Without understanding the specifics of what the Justice Department has been engaged in, I think you understand that this administration and this presidency seek a greater amount of transparency than Washington has seen. I would leave the specific issues relating to the case that you’re talking about to — for somebody at the Justice Department to answer.





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