multitude of things we have to do to ensure our energy independence and to make the -- to make the transition to a clean energy future a bridge to that. so, yes, i -- that is still -- that is still his belief. but we have to do it in a responsible way. and if we can't do it in a responsible way, then we won't move forward. >> so just to be precise, he's still open to, in his words, the expansion of offshore oil and gas exploration. >> there were additional areas opened up for that possibility. and we're going to make sure that if -- before anything moves forward, before new leases are let and drilling is done, that it's done in accordance with safety precautions that guard against the kind of incident that we saw here. >> david axelrod, the senior adviser to the president. david, thanks for coming in. >> okay. good to be with you. gays in the u.s. military. the defense secretary robert gates tells cnn's john king his views about changing don't ask, don't tell. stabbed by.