Ethiopia – Insisting that Americans deserve better, President Barack Obama chided Republicans Mike Huckabee, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz on Monday for a series of campaign-trail attacks that he said would be “ridiculous if it weren’t so sad.”
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In some of his first commentary on the budding race to replace him, Obama accused the candidates of violating a time-honored American tradition of not playing “fast and loose” on topics of grave concern like foreign policy. And he said that regardless of which party wins the White House, he wants to ensure he’s turning over the keys to someone capable of seriousness and honesty.
“We have robust debates, we look at the facts,” Obama said during a news conference in Ethiopia. “We just don’t fling out ad hominem attacks like that because it doesn’t help inform the American people.”
Obama has largely avoided wading into the increasingly turbulent debate over who should be the next president. But during a news conference with Ethiopia’s prime minister, Obama was asked about criticism from Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, and seemed eager to add his take.
A day earlier, Huckabee said Obama was so naive about Iran that he agreed to a nuclear deal that would “take the Israelis and basically march them to the door of the oven,” a reference to crematoria in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust.
Obama suggested the tough rhetoric was a ploy by Huckabee to “get attention” or to push Trump out of the headlines.
“It’s not the kind of leadership that’s needed for America right now,” he said.
Huckabee quickly responded, saying that “What’s ‘ridiculous and sad’ is that President Obama does not take Iran’s repeated threats seriously.”
In his initial remarks, Huckabee said that “this Iran deal should be rejected by both Democrats and Republicans.”
“We forget Iranians have never kept a deal in 36 years under the ayatollah. There’s no reason to think they will suddenly start doing it.”
Huckabee said about the deal: “I read the entire thing. We gave away the whole farm. It’s got to be stopped.”
Trump, whose poll numbers are on the rise, has drawn consternation from the Republican Party over provocative comments he’s made about immigrants and his GOP rivals, which some Republicans say could hurt the party’s prospects in 2016.
Obama also singled out Cruz, the Texas senator, for suggesting in the wake of the nuclear deal that Obama — not Iran — is the leading state sponsor of terrorism.
“These are leaders in the Republican Party,” Obama said incredulously. He warned it was creating a culture that would stifle good politics and policies in the U.S. “The American people deserve better. Certainly presidential debates deserve better.”
Unprompted, the president also brought up how Trump had dismissed Arizona Sen. John McCain’s reputation as a war hero because he was captured in Vietnam. Trump said he liked “people who weren’t captured.”
Praising McCain’s heroism, Obama said the Republican Party was shocked at Trump’s remark, but added that it grew out of a culture where those types of comments are tolerated.
“When outrageous statements are made about me, a lot of people outraged about McCain were pretty quiet,” Obama added.
Although Obama reserved his toughest rebuke for Republicans, he said both parties needed to approach the campaign with decorum. So far, the Democrats competing for the nomination have mostly avoided the type of caustic attacks that have become commonplace in the GOP primary more than a year out from Election Day.
The Republican rhetoric has grown hotter by the day as the party’s 16 White House contenders vie for attention ahead of their first debate. Only the top 10 candidates in an average of national polls will meet the criteria for the Aug. 6 debate in Cleveland, Ohio.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, after Trump’s quip about McCain, called the reality television personality a “cancer on conservatism.” South Carolina Gov. Lindsey Graham dubbed Trump a “jackass,” leading Trump to call Graham an “idiot” and to give out his cell phone number on national television.
Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee chairman, has asked Trump to tone down his rhetoric, but some in the party have expressed concerns that putting the squeeze on Trump could lead him to run as an independent. That could split Republican voters between two candidates and make it easier for the Democratic nominee to win the election.
“I don’t see that happening,” Priebus told NBC Monday about a third-party run by Trump. He added that there’s consensus in the party that “if Hillary Clinton is going to get beat, she has to get beat by a Republican.”
As he talks very nice against his opponents
“Barack Obama says the American people deserve better than the outrageous statements being made by 2016 presidential candidates.”
I think POTUS or story transcriber is Dyslexic Story should read
the American people deserve better than the outrageous statements being made by “Barack Obama says 2016 presidential candidates.”
Sadly, Huckabee’s remarks are far from ridiculous. The Ayatollah swear to destroy Israel into oblivion, to wipe off the map and now this administration has made them even more possible with their foolish deal.
6 Million Jews sit in terror with Iran, an Iran, like Germany, made of smart, good people, but run by crazies. The Obama administration, led by Kerry, who is the real player here, is making a deal with an evil crazy, and yes, doing so has made that scary scenario a greater possibility. Every Israeli leader from the right and the left, says that. Except they dont have the luxury to speak frankly as the US holds Israel on a tight leash.
Good on Huckabee for framing it this way. Good. Maybe it will start the conversation going on how dangerous and foolish this deal really is.
What??????
He wants to turn over the keys to someone who capable and serious and honest,
Well anyone coming in will be better then the one who is now in,
He shouldnt had the keys to begin with
what obama has a problem with some one speaking the truth
. NEVER AGAIN NOW.
Guess what Mr. President. We have an equal say who you are giving the keys too. One person one vote.
maybe he can have his lynchpin Ms. Lynch of DOJ make a fake trial of Huckabee just like they are doing to Menendez since he opposes the fuhrers words.
The historic context we cited was not included in the article.
Netanyhu’s father was Ben Zion Netanyahu, personal secretary to Vladimir Jabostinsky. In the late 1930’s Jabotinsky went to Poland screaming at the Jews to get out, listen to what Hitler is saying.
They refused to listen.
Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister, “Peace in our Time”, was very thrilled with the agreement Hitler signed to avoid war. Hitler’s records show, when he was asked about the agreement, Hitler brushed off the criticism saying it was only a piece of paper.
Mr. Obama:
Your Republican opponents are not criticizing you, although there is nothing they can say against you that couldn’t be true. They are saying that the deal stinks. And they read it through completely. Not like your dear fellow Democrats did with your Obamacare that wrecked the health care system beyond repair. You are the imbecile that turns this into partisan politics. History is clear, as stated in earlier comments. Iran suffers from pathological lying. They haven’t kept a commitment in 36 years. I might not trust their threats either, but they fund a great portion of anti-Israel terror. If you deny that, then you prove to be one of them. All the candidates are saying is that you cannot give Iran anything without 100% plus verification, and no expiration date on anything. But you really don’t care. The drama and chaos will happen after you leave office, and you’ll blame it on someone else, or Bush.
Jackie Mason was correct. Restaurants in New York are inspected more often and thoroughly than Iran’s nuclear program. You have been pathetic, and you are a disgrace to America. How soon can you leave?
“Americans deserve better”
Truer words were never spoken.
The full sentence should read: “Americans deserve better than Obama”