Reverse would be the start of a very bitter road down a slippery slope. And we have to nip this in the bud. We have to stand up resolutely against any such attempts. But we are pinning our hopes on political efforts. This is why we launched the normandy process in close coordination with the United States of america. And particularly from a german, from a european perspective, i can only say again russia is our neighbor and just look at poland and the sort of european perspective this has. So we have an interest in seeing this relationship be a good one. We have a lot of historical ties of course, a history that we share. But this mustnt keep us from wherever we feel there are very grave differences of opinion to raise them with them. But again with political means. And always trying to work for political settlements. This is what im going to continue to work on with all my heart. So on the question whether i will put up a candidacy, i will do this at the appropriate time and this is not today. Translator press agency, mr. President , your country is devied. You as first black president , first africanamerican president , did so many things differently, raised so much hope around the world, do you think perhaps in a way put too much of a strain, too much demands on americans . And to what extent do you think your successor may well be a threat to the rest of the world, to the security, because there are, after all, Nuclear Weapons here in germany to which he has access now. Will you want to be, now, madam chancellor, see to it, new administration, try to make europe and germany less dependent on the United States and are you afraid of this wave of populism hitting germany, hitting europe as well . And the next question, president obama, i pay tribute to you as an outstanding politician. You are somewhat most sober when you describe your partner. How difficult is it to take leave today of your partner . My guiding principle as president has been to try to do the right thing, even when its not politically convenient. To look at longterm trends in our economy, in our society, the International Sphere and what will serve our people, keep the economy growing and put people back to work. Best ensure peace, cooperation and stability around the world. And based on current surveys of Public Opinion in the United States, it turns out that the majority of americans think ive done a pretty good job. That we havent, in fact, gone too fast, as you describe it. But what is certainly true is that the american people, just like the german people, just like the british and people around the world, are seeing extraordinarily rapid change. The world is shrinking. Economies have become much more integrated. And demographics are shifting. Because of the internet and communications, the clash of cultures is much more direct. People feel, i think, less certain about their identity. Less certain about economic security. Theyre looking for some means of control. And what that means is the politics in all of our countries is going to require us to manage technology and global integration and all these demographic shifts in a way that makes people feel more control, that gives them more confidence in their future. But does not resort to simplistic answers or divisions of race or tribe or a crude nationalism which i think can be contrasted to the pride and patriotism we all feel about our respective countries. And i think that our politics everywhere are going to be going through this bumpy phase, but as long as we stay true to our democratic principles. As long as elections have integrity. As long as we respect freedom of speech, freedom of religion. As long as there are checks and balances in our governments so that the people have the ability to not just make judgments about how well government is serving them but also change governments if theyre not serving them well. Then i have confidence that over the long term, progress will continue. And i think its especially important for those of us who believe in a world where were interdependent, that believes in mutual interest and Mutual Respect between nations. Its particularly important that we reach out to everybody in our countries. Those who feel disaffected. Those who feel left behind by globalization. And address their concerns. In constructive ways as opposed to more destructive ways. And i think that can be done. But its hard. It requires creativity. It requires effective communications. Part of ways changed in politics is social media and how people are receiving information. Its easier to make negative attacks and simplistic slogans than it is to communicate complex policies. But well figure it out. So ultimately i remain optimistic. About not just americas future but the direction the world is going in. Part of what makes me most optimistic is if you look at the attitudes of young people. Across the board, young people are much more comfortable with respecting differences. They are much more comfortable with diversity. They are much less likely to express attitudes that divide us between us and them. They see themselves as part of a Global Economy that they can navigate successfully. And our showing enormous creativity and entrepreneurship and working with each other across borders. So thats where the future is. But we have to create that bridge to the future. And that means making sure were paying attention to the wages of workers in countries and making sure that were investing in their education and their skills that we are growing the economy in smart ways and rebuilding our infrastructure and investing in science and development. And that we stay true to those values that helped get us here. If we do that, i think were going to be fine. Translator on the issue first of independence of germany, after the time of national socialism, germany has been given an enormous amount of help, particularly and also from the United States of america. The fact that we were able to enjoy european sorry, germ unification is due first and foremost to the help of the United States of america, and ever since germany was able to regain its unity, it is in an Even Stronger position to give its contribution to upholding this order to which we feel committed and for which particularly people in the german democratic republic stood out there in the streets to keep this up, to maintain this order. Particularly also in our country. Now, were trying to do more than it used to be 26 years ago, and there are a number of other areas where we have to also make a stronger contribution. We will all have to make do more in development cooperation. Its important that this desp r disparity in the Living Conditions cannot be allowed in this digital period to be too marked. Each and every one must be given an opportunity to participate. Germanys fate in many ways depends on its firmness with its alliance with nato, with European Union. We cannot stand alone with 80 Million People. In this world today you cannot when you stand on your own achieve much. Even though you may be economically strong. Alliance is part of our destiny as a nation. This is what guides me in my policy, what guides my government as a whole. Secondly, this wave of populism that seems to engulf us. Well, look at the seems in your words to come from the United States. Look at the european parliament. We there are a lot of people who are looking for Simplistic Solutions. Who are sort of preaching policies of well, very unfriendly policies. We have them here in europe too. We have them here in germany too. And to take up where the president left off, digitization is a disruptive force, a disruptive Technological Force that brings about deepseated change, transformation of a society. Look at the history of the printing press, when this was invented what sort of consequences this had or industrialization, what sort of consequences that had. Very often it led to enormous transformational processes within individual societies. It took a while until societies learned how to find the right kind of policies to contain this and to manage and steer this. And i think we live in a period of profound transformation. Very similar to when we had a transition from Agricultural Societies to industrial societies. Now, when we, for example, see shifts of huge production lines from certain areas to other countries, people tend to ask the question wheres my place in this modern world. We have this here, this tendency in our country, we have it in other countries. Trying to keep a society together. Trying to keep the older and younger people together. Trying to keep those who live in rural areas together with those who live in cities is one of the most important and most noble tasks of politicians these days. Trying to see to it each and every one can find his or her place. Those who are belong purportedly to certain groups say we are the people and not the others. That is something we cannot allow to happen. That is something that i think at the time in the gdr, at the time when we had this in the gdr, when the people stood in the street and said we are the people, that is something that filled me with great joy, but the fact that these people have hijacked it is not something that fills me with great joy. Im optimistic we are able to do so. Now, taking leave from my partner and friend, well, yes, it is hard. If youve worked together with somebody very well, leave taking is very difficult. But we are all politicians. We all know that democracy lives off change. So in the United States of america, the constitution is very clear. Stipulations on this. Its a tough rule. Eight years and thats it. Out goes the president and a new one comes in. So if its in the german interest to have good transatlantic relations, well, the task is also to look ahead but our personal we have freedom of movement in the whole germany so if we want to see each other, well, im game, so were not completely out of this world, as we would say. Thank you very much, mr. President. You spoke a great deal about what you characterized as kind of a crude form of nationalism perhaps on the rise. Im wondering if you would advise some protesters at home to stop demonstrating against some of the charged rhetoric that has been used by donald trump and im wondering as well if youve advised your successor to be extra mindful of what you see is some very worrisome trends, particularly when it comes to making his own potential powerful staff picks. Lastly, sir, in these final weeks of your presidency, do you believe you have any leverage to stop Bashar Al Assad and Vladimir Putin from continuing to bomb aleppo . Chancellor merkel, id like to ask you, Bashar Al Assad has described donald trump as a natural ally. Your own foreign minister has described donald trump as a preacher of hate. Im wondering, would you tell americans that they now have a perception problem . One of the great things about our democracy is it expresses itself in all sorts of ways. And that includes people protesting. Ive been the subject of protests during the course of my eight years. And i suspect that theres not a president in our history that at some point hasnt been subject to these protests. So i would not advise people would feel strongly or are concerned about some of the issues that have been raised during the course of the campaign, i wouldnt advise them to be silent. What i would advise, what i advised before the election and what i will continue to advise after the election is that elections matter. Voting matters. Organizing matters. Being informed on the issues matter. And what i consistently say to young people i say it in the United States but ill say it here in germany and across europe. Do not take for granted our systems of government and our way of life. I think theres a tendency because we have lived in an era that has been largely stable and peaceful, at least in advanced countries, where Living Standards have generally gone up. There is a tendency i think to assume thats always the case. And its not. Democracy is hard work. In the United States, if 43 of eligible voters do not vote, then democracy is weakened. If we are not serious about facts and whats true and whats not. And particularly in an age of social media where so many people are getting their information in sound bites and snippets off their phones. If we cant discriminate between serious arguments and propaganda, then we have problems. If people, whether theyre conservative, liberal, left or right, are unwilling to compromise and engage in the democratic process and are taking absolutist views and demonizing opponents, then democracy will break down. And so i think my most important advice is to understand what are the foundations of a healthy democracy and how we have to engage in citizenship continuously, not just when something upsets us. Not just when theres an election. Or when an issue pops up for a few weeks. Its hard work. The good news is i think theres a lot of young people certainly who were involved in my campaigns and i think continue to be involved in work not just politically but through nonprofits and other organizations. That can carry this hard work of democracy forward. I do think sometimes theres complacency. Here in europe, theres a lot of young people who forget the issues at stake during the cold war. Who forget what it meant to have a wall. Ill be honest, there have been times when ive listened to the rhetoric in europe where an easy equivalent somehow between the United States and russia and between how our governments operate versus how other governments operate, where those distinctions arent made. Ive said many times around the world that like any government, like any country, like any set of human institutions, we have our flaws. Weve operated imperfectly. There are times weve made mistakes. There are times where ive made mistakes or our administration hasnt always aligned ourselveses with the values we need to align ourselves with. Its a work of constant improvement. But i can say to the german people that the United States has been good for germany. Has looked out for germany. Has provided security for germany. Has helped rebuilt germany. And unify germany. I can say across europe that many principles that have been taken for granted here around free speech and around Civil Liberties and an independent judiciary and fighting corruption. Those are principles that, you know, not perfectly but generally we have tried to apply not just in our own country but also with respect to our foreign policy. And that should be remembered, because at an age where theres so much active misinformation and its packaged very well and it looked the same when you see it on a Facebook Page or you turn on your television. Where some overzealousness on the part of, you know, a u. S. Official is equated with constant and severe oppression elsewhere. If everything seemed to be the same and no distinctions are made, then we wont know what to protect. We wont know what to fight for. We can lose so much of what weve gained in terms of the democratic freedoms and marketbased economies and prosperity that weve come to take for granted. That was a long answer, wasnt it . I dont remember if there was a second part to it. I got all caught up in that one. Ah, yes, i did. I did. He ran an extraordinarily Unconventional Campaign and it resulted in the biggest political upset in perhaps modern political history. American history. And that means he now has to transition to governance. What i said to him was that what may work in generating enthusiasm or passion during elections may be different than what will work in terms of unifying the country and gaining the trust even of those who didnt support him. And hes indicated his willingness to his understanding of that. But youre absolutely right, that has to reflect itself not only in the things he says but also how he fills out his administration. My hope is thats something he is thinking about. Because not only is the president of the United States somebody that the entire country looks to for direction but sets the agenda internationally in a lot of ways. With respect to syria, we are going to continue to work as we have over the last five, six years to push a political transition and settlement. It would be naive of me to suggest that with russia committed militarily as it is to supporting what in many cases are barberist tactics by the assad regime to crush the opposition. The sort of indiscriminate bombing that weve been seeing not just in aleppo but in many parts of the country over the last several years. It would be naive of me to suggest theres going to be a sudden 180degree turn. In policy by either assad or russia or iran at this point. But we are going to continue to make the argument. We are going to continue to try to find humanitarian steps that can reach the people there. Were going to continue to try to obtain cessations of hostilities that lesson, the human tragedy, and the migration thats taking place. But ultimately, the way this is going to be resolved is going to have to be a recognition by russia and a willingness to pressure assad that a lasting durable peace with a functioning country requires the consent of people. You cannot purchase peoples consent through killing them. They havent made that transition yet. But were going to keep on trying. Translator i think i can speak for the whole of the federal government when i say we are no longer in election mode in the United States, were in post election mode. Theres an interest of the federal republic of germany to cooperate well with the United States of america. This goes for each and every president on the basis of shared values. I believe these are indeed shared values and should be shared values. As to my position on president assad, assad as president has actively tried to kill his own people. Help has bombed them with barrel bombs in a most terrible way. He has brought untold suffering over his people. If you look at aleppo and other places. When you talk to the refugees who have fled here to germany, they will be able to tell you their own personal story. The great majority of them fled assad. So i dont see him as an ally. Translator thank you very much. Mr. President , you describe your hopes rather more great historical terms. Let me break this down to months and years. The fact that Steven Bannon was made as chief strategist, the fact that prominent republican representatives did not decide to join this transition team. What makes you confident President Trump can be a partner to the world and europe and germany . If you hear those words of praise of the president with regard to you, this what he said, can this not sort of demand too much from you and from germany . Because too many is demanded, too much is expected from you, too great are the expectations you cant meet them . Im always optimistic. There are times where i was in the oval office and people would come to me with all kinds of political problems and policy problems and International Problems and my team would be getting discouraged and depressed and i would say to them i have to be optimistic because the odds of somebody named barack obama being president of the United States were very low. And the fact that in my lifetime i have seen such enormous positive change in the United States and around the world. Tells me that, that although history does not travel in a straight line, it moves in the direction of justice. And freedom. And a better life for people. But we have to fight for it. We have to work for it. What makes me cautiously optimistic about my successor and the shift from Campaign Mode to governance is theres something about the solemn responsibilities of that office. The extraordinary demands that are placed on the United States, not just by its own people but by people around the world. That forces you to focus. That demands seriousness. And if youre not serious about the job, then you probably wont be there very long. Because it will expose problems. Even when youre doing a good job. Even when you are attentive. Theres so many things that come across your desk that people are going to question you and youre going to have opponents and youre going to have critics and you figure that out pretty fast when youre sitting there. And i think the president elect is going to see fairly quickly that the demands and responsibilities of a u. S. President are not ones that you can treat casually and in a big complex diverse country, the only way you can be successful is by listening and reaching out and working with a wide variety of people. And so it is my hope that that is what will happen. And im going to do everything i can over the next two months to help assure that that happens. It is absolutely true that chancellor merkel is going to have significant responsibilities. Has had extraordinary burdens that shes had to carry. If she chooses to continue, youre right, she will have big burdens. I wish i could be there to lighten her load somewhat. But shes tough. And i have i know what it means to carry burdens. Because the fact of the matter is if there are problems around the world, the first question people ask is why isnt washington doing something about it. This is why its so important not to discount the importance of the Transatlantic Alliance. In international forum, in g7s, in the united nations, the United States and germany are not always perfectly aligned. But the voice that spoke out on behalf of some dissident who is jailed halfway around the world. The voice is expressing concern about some child in an african village who doesnt have clean Drinking Water or is subject to some terrible disease. The voice that insists on rules and norms governing international affairs. The voice that helps to steer the world away from war wherever possible. Thats our voice more often than not. And wraern not always successful. But if that voice is absent, if that voice is divided, we will be living in a meaner, harsher, more troubled world. And we have to remember that. Whoever is president and whoever is the chancellor of germany and whoever is the leader of other european nations and other democracies around the world, they need to recognize that. There are going to be forces that argue for cynicism. For looking the other way with somebody elses problems. That are not going to champion people who are vulnerable because sometimes thats politically convenient. And if we dont have a strong Transatlantic Alliance thats standing up for those things, we will be giving to our children a worst world. We will go backwards instead of forwards. So whoever the u. S. President is, whoever the chancellor of germany is, we need to remember that. And our citizenry who decide who our president s and chancellors are need to remember that. Translator first, it is after all a good thing if after eight years of cooperation the president of the United States says this is a cooperation based on friendship that we cooperated well. I feel that this is a very good a very positive message and indeed encouragement for me. Now, secondly, i fortunately know very many people, and there are many, many more that i dont know. Many politicians. Would stand up for the same values of the liberal societies, of open societies, of respect for the dignity of man, and i feel that we are in a community of people who stand up for these values, would try to maintain them, and wherever they are not yet respected, to stand up for peoples rights to enjoy them as well. This is worth every effort. But i think were gratified to know there are many, many people who feel committed to this goal. Thank you develop. Thank you very much. President obama in germany with Angela Merkel. What probably is going to be the last press conference we would expect they would ever be sharing the stage together. Im Brianna Keilar in washington. Im joined now by some of our experts here, elise labot and gloria borger, Michelle Kosinski traveling with the president as well. Lets talk a little bit, michelle, in terms of what you saw as a different tone. Was there anything different you saw from president obama that we havent heard from other recent appearances after the election that hes spoken about donald trump and his expectations . Yeah, its interesting, because this is now the third time weve heard president obama take questions. So when its all amounted to is kind of this in depth postmortem of what led to the election outcome. What he never gets into is the democratic side. What he thinks could have been better. What went wrong. I mean, during one of these appearances, he was asked, do you think your policies contributed to it. He didnt even answer that question really. What he wanted to get into here was kind a combination of what we heard so far. Partly optimism. Talking about being optimistic and wanting to keep the close ties with other countries. The foundations at the very least of some of his policies and ways been worked on. But also his kind of dark view of the forces at work here. He talked about people looking for Simplistic Solutions. He talked about politicians offering Simplistic Solutions and answers to tough questions. He talked about using a tax, absolutism, nationalism, a lack of compromise. Kind of on the one side offering a dark warning of where those impulses can go. Unless you stick to the core democratic values. He also talked about donald trump specifically. List listen. He ran an Unconventional Campaign and it resulted in the biggest political upset in modern political history. American history. And that means that he now has to transition to governance. What i said to him is that may work in generating enthusiasm or passion during elections. May be different than what will work in terms of unifying the country and gaining the trust even of those who didnt support hip. I think what comes glaringly out of all of these press conferences is that there are big question marks here. That president obama can really offer very little in the way of reassurance to other World Leaders. Other than saying, you know, americas Democratic Foundation is strong. The relationships with these other nations are strong. But he cant offer them clarity on how any part of his policies will continue moving forward. With the exception of nato. He did say that donald trump expressed a commitment to the organization. Beyawn that brianna. Thats right, he seemed to be trying to reassure europe on nato. I want to talk to gloria about social media. This is a president who has used social media so often. Its been his vehicle to go around the media. This is something he and his white house have loved to do. Yet he was talking lets listen to this, he was talking about the negative aspects of this, in this past election. If we are not serious about facts, and whats true and whats not, and particularly in an age of social media where so many people are getting their information in sound bites and snippets off their phones, if we cant discrimination between serious arguments and propaganda, then we have problems. If people, whether theyre conservative or liberal, left or right, are unwilling to compromise and engage in the democratic process and are taking absolutist views and demonizing opponents, then democracy will break down. It is so interesting, gloria, to hear him issue this warning. Yeah, you know, hes talking about the way we get our news in this country and how we dont know what to believe anymore. So some of its fake, right . And some of it is fake. And i think hes also in a way talking to donald trump about that, who likes who has in the past liked to retweet things without giving it that much thought. And i think what hes saying is you cant google you cant google your way to any serious opinions. And i think hes talking to the country when he says that. And i think hes talking to the president elect about that. When he uses the word, this job demands seriousness. And if youre not serious about the job, you probably wont be there very long. And i think its part a larger explanation that he gave to donald trump himself it seems to me, and that hes saying to the country. It sounds like he also may be trying to reassure people who have concerns about donald trump. Just the gravity of this position. The gravity of being president of the United States is something entirely different than being out there campaigning and going for sort of the message and going for riling people up or drawing people in. Thats right. He said the demands placed on the upz, n u. S. , not just the country but the world, demans focus. I think what he was trying to say, to reassure people from his meeting with donald trump, that he gets it. Even when you heard president obama and donald trump after that meeting, you could see how sobered he was, donald trump, and how you could see a little bit as he gets more understanding of what the job entails, some of the dangers out there, that perhaps this even this short meeting changed his world view slightly. And i think as we see his cabinet picks and such, i think that was a good question, how that will shape what he thinks is his world view on foreign policy. David gergen is with us. You worked with multiple president s. As you hear president obama saying this, that the gravity of the office is something that is going to what hes basically saying is bring donald trump to confront reality, to understand how serious of a position he is in. Is that true . I mean, have you seen that happen . Not often. I think the president has been expressing hope more than optimism. What really fascinated me about this press Conference Today was that it was just about eight years out that president obama was launched on to the International Stage by this mass imrally in berlin and over 2 Million People showed up and it was dramatic. Really helped him gain the presidency. Here now hes come back to berlin to make his valedictory talk to the europeans. One had a strong sense today this what also an ode to politics in which the president of the United States worked closely with the chancellor of germany. They were the two most powerful leaders of the western world. They share so many values from the past. They agree on most big issues. But here, what became what was so starkly clear was were entering a new age when the new president of the United States has sharply different views from the chancellor of germany on a whole range of issues starting with climate change, with trade, with the European Union and the unity of the European Union. On russia. On iran. On syria. On all of those issues. Chancellor merkel has very, very different views and is going to have collision with the United States over them and have to do a lot of sorting out. But we are entering a new age and i think president obama and chancellor merkel recognized this today. Almost in many ways were saying goodbye to an old chapter, earlier chapter in our relationship. We start a new chapter now. Lets hope for the best. When you say you feel like on this other thing hes expressing hope more than optimism which i think is an important conversation there, when hes trying to reassure, when hes trying to reassure europe that donald trump basically didnt mean what he said about nato when he was campaigning is that the same thing as in your estimation, is that president obama feeling like he can really say actually its going to be different, dont panic, or is that him expressing hope in maybe not anything that is possibly based in fact about that . I think president would very much like to see donald trump become more like a traditional american president. I think in his heart hearts he has as much uncertainty as the rest of us do. I do think its extraordinary, weve never seen this before that i can remember. When an outgoing president would serve as the best ambassador to the rest of the world for an incoming president. Normally its someone representing that incoming president whos making the rounds in europe and saying were going to get along and lets try to figure out where we are common ground. I think president obama is making every effort he can to hand over the power, the reins of power, in as good a shape as he possibly can, because i think hes fearful of what may be coming. I think hes trying to do the best he can to hold things together and try to express the hope, try to coax donald trump into being more like the president he would like to see. I think hes you just have to know that somewhere in them theres fear of whats coming and he has to do his best he can to hold things together. When he spoke about russia, he said, you know, my hope is we simply dont take a real politic aprobe and suggest we just cut some deals with russia without considering our values and international norms. I think Angela Merkel felt the same way. That is clearly a fault line. Youve seen Angela Merkel really straddle this balance. A lot of the World Leaders are just kind of saying look forward to the new relationship with donald trump. Angela merkel is take pg upon herself to send a warning to this president elect. We want to work with you. We want good cooperation. But it has to be based on the shared values we have for liberal open societies where a community of people, shes saying to donald trump, are you part of this community . Ive heard what youve said about building a wall against mexico. Ive seen the racism thats been tinged in your campaign. And im very concerned about it. We want to be your friend. The u. S. And germany have this great alliance. But we want to see you turn course from the election. She ended by saying were done with the election, were done with the campaign, now its time to get to work. And thats the message that shes sending. Its so much uncertainty let me add one other thing, brianna. If i may add one other point. Its really important to understand even as this transition is under way, the russians and the syrians are trying to take advantage of the transition by pounding, you know, aleppo and by pounding all sites. Russian bombing has stepped up since donald trump talkeded to putin. Hours after they had a conversation, the russians stepped up their bombing in syria. And that has to be a concern that the russians are going to try to make this a done deal in which assad is going to stay in power and assad may see trump as sort of an ally. Big things are taking place even during the transition. So much change. Gloria borger, elise labott, thank you. Well been talking about the transition. The Revolving Doors at trump turn will be kept very busy today. A pack of experts and posts, cabinets, filing into the headquarters. Nikki haley awried a short time ago to meet with donald trump. The governor, as you recall, has been very outspoken, critical of trump in the past. Reportedly, though, shes being considered for secretary of state. Donald trump is also preparing for his first facetoface with a sitting foreign leader since being elected, japans Prime Minister shinzo abe is in new york, hes going to meet later with the president elect. Live outside of trump tower, monitoring all these comings and goings. Ways going on . There certain lip hly has be parade of people at trump tower. Many of whom could go on to claim some top post positions in the trump administration. We saw general Michael Flynn go in. He of course is one of the top contenders for National Security adviser rudy giuliani. He spent about an hour inside. Kellyanne conway, a top trump adviser, saying he is the leading contender for a number of positions. We know according to sources that including attorney general, department of Homeland Security secretary, and potentially secretary of state. So too is South Carolina governor nikki haley, who was seen earlier going inside. She is meeting one on one with donald trump today. According to sources is being actively considered for secretary of state as well. As you pointed out, notable, since she was is up a fierce trump critic during many points of the campaign. I think we can say the pace of these meetings, especially the highprofile candidates for some of these top posts, really picking up today. The first Daily Press Briefing by the trump team. Tell us about this. This was a first formal press briefing that Trump Transition Team had. Thankfully they are turning it into a daily occurrence. The big news today from that was trump has called for a twohour meeting friday at trump tower with his whole transition team. Certainly i think we can say this phase moving into this transition, where he felt the need to get everyone together at one table in one room. And i asked the transition advisers if this was an indication that trump was inching towards making final decisions on many of these Key Administration posts. Heres their answer. The focus from this administration will be to put together the absolute best team to help lead this nation forward. And when those decisions have been made by the president elect, then it will be abe nounced. Theres not an arbitrary timetable. Its about getting it right. So not tipping their hand too much there. But an aide also added to me after that, saying this would be a good time for donald trump to go over some of the reflections he had during those private meetings he had over the course of this week. Lets talk more about all this with editor in chief of the Hill Bob Cusack with us now. I want to talk to you about nikki haley. I am completely fascinated. Lets listen to this. This is some of the not so nice things that they have to say about each other over this past year. First of all, she very weak on illegal immigration, very weak. Shes very, very weak on illegal immigration. You cant have that. We need to show that South Carolina makes president s and that our next president will be marco rubio. I will not stop until we fight a man that chooses not to disavow the kkk. That is not a part of our party. Thats not who we want as president. We will not allow that in our country. Wow. Thems not some nice words. So whats going on here . Is this wound healed between them . I think it is. I think its a good sign that trump is reaching out to people. Rememb remember, hes got to fill 4,000 positions. If he just sticks to loyalists this is a huge one. This is secretary of state that shes being considered for. This is basically his righthand person on the world stage. Yes. As we saw, she was very critical of him during the primary. I do think thats part of both uniting the party and also uniting the country. I think thats a good sign. So what does that say, especially when you look at this press conference going on overseas, president obama and Angela Merkel, lets say she is secretary of state or even just being considered. What does that say to allies . What does that say to foes of the u. S. , that he is looking at someone who is not a loyalist . I think theyll probably look at it as a good sign. However, the boss is going to be donald trump. Whether thats on trade or isis or russia, whoever fills that slot is going to be very different policies that what weve seen with president and john kerry. I want to talk about this draining the swam. Has to provide a lobbying form and when officials leave the government they will be banned for being a lobbyist for five years. I want to talk to you about this. How much of this is really draining the swamp . Is there any way for people to get around this . Is this going to maybe discourage people from joining or can they just basically lobby without registering as a lobbyist and it doesnt actually drain the swamswamp . Thats the key one. The registration rules are kind of fuzzy. However, five years is a long time. Obama also ran on an antilobbyist theme. They were waived in. They were waived in. Will donald trump do that. I do think they are going to lose some people who look at that and say five years, i dont think i can do that. I need to have a livelihood in d. C. Its a very lucrative business, we cannot overstate that at all. Bob cusack with the hill, editor and chief, thank you. Thank you so much for watching newsroom, wolf starts after a quick break. Hello, im wolf blitzer. Its 1 00 p. M. From here in washington. Wherever youre watching aar in the world, thanks for joining us. A parade of past president s and possibly future leaders descending on trump tower in new york city. The president elect is meeting with potential cabinet and top staff members. His former Campaign ManagerKellyanne Conway was asked if we should expect any announcements today. Its possible, but i think its basically right after thanksgiving is probably more appropriate. We looked at where past administrations have been also and we feel like were right on target, right on time for all of that