WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says freshmen senators who seek attention by playing to political extremes are behaving in a way that’s not good for government.
Obama was asked about senators such as Republicans Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky who are playing high-profile roles during their first terms, in part by opposing Obama’s agenda.
Obama says he recognizes that being controversial and rallying extreme parts of a political base are the fastest ways to get attention and fund raise.
But he says it isn’t good for the people lawmakers are serving.
Obama says as a first-term senator, he didn’t seek media attention or try to shut down government. He says he must remind lawmakers that real people’s lives are at stake.
Obama spoke during an Associated Press interview.
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