President Obama said Tuesday that although Donald Trump gets the most attention, the rest of the Republican presidential field is just as bad as Trump when it comes to remarks that are concerning to the international community.
Speaking at a press conference in California during a trade summit of Southeast Asian leaders, Obama said foreign observers are “troubled” by the rhetoric in the Republican race, particularly about climate change.
“I find it interesting that everyone’s focused on Mr. Trump, primarily because he says in more interesting ways what the other candidates are saying as well,” Obama told reporters. “And so he may up the ante in anti-Muslim sentiment, but if you look at what the other Republican candidates have said, that’s pretty troubling, too.”
“They’re all denying climate change. I think that’s troubling to the international community, since the science is unequivocal,” he continued.
Obama said “this is not just Mr. Trump,” noting that none of the GOP candidates favor action on climate change.
He also said he doesn’t believe Trump will be President, and that he has faith in the American people to cut through the “entertainment” of the primary race.
“During primaries people vent and they express themselves and if it seems like entertainment, and oftentimes it’s reported just like entertainment,” Obama said. “But as you get closer, reality has a way of intruding.”
Usually I’m not a fan of guilt by association. But this time I’m ok with it.
That’s OK, considering it was not at all guilt by association.
By far the most interesting commentary I’ve heard/read on the Republican primary candidates. Obama, in his usual understated and thoughtful way, says what the pundit class just can’t quite bring themselves to acknowledge.
He goes on, past the remarks posted on TPM, to talk about the duties, burdens and international perception of the President. It was quite an insight from the man on the inside.
President Obama said Tuesday that although Donald Trump gets the most
attention, the rest of the Republican presidential field is just as bad
as Trump when it comes to remarks that are concerning to the
international community.
…
Sir, you are too kind. Trump is a bully and a buffoon on a scale well past the other sorry candidates the right has to choose from.
Not really. He’s just more open about it.