“Surveys show our standing around the world is higher than when I was elected to this office, and when it comes to every important worldwide issue, people of the world do not look to Beijing or Moscow to lead-they call us”, Obama said. “We as Republicans need to own that truth”, she said. Will we respond to the changes of our time with fear, turning inward as a nation, and turning against each other as a people? “Leadership means a wise application of military power, and rallying the world behind causes that are right”, Mr. Obama said, listing the new opening with Cuba, the nuclear deal with Iran, the Trans Pacific Partnership that would limit China and establish USA leadership in Asia as examples of his internationalism.
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His remarks was seen was a direct response to the recent anti-Muslim rhetoric of Republican presidential candidates in particular Trump, who has proposed to temporarily bar all Muslims from travelling to the US.
He also criticized those who say IS represents Islam.
“The rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better”, he conceded.
But perhaps the most touching point was when he called for more resources to find better treatments for cancer – he named Vice President Biden “Mission Control” of that fight.
“I believe in change”, he said in closing, echoing the theme of his historic first campaign in 2008, “because I believe in you, the American people”. So is all the rhetoric you hear about our enemies getting stronger and America getting weaker. Obama has never traveled to either community during his presidency, according to the White House.
The president also said the United States is in the middle of the “longest streak of private sector job creation in history”, adding that 14 million new jobs have been created. “Period. It’s not even close”, he said.
“Basically, I disagreed with much of what he had to say, and I just wanted to be respectful and not wince or grimace or do anything”, he told USA TODAY’s weekly video newsmaker series.
Republican front-runner Donald Trump tweeting that the speech was boring and rambling.
OBAMA: This is not a matter of political correctness. “We are looking forward to holding Hillary Clinton accountable for her role in the many failures of the Obama Administration”.
Obama said terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State or ISIL use the Internet to poison the minds of individuals inside the country and undermine American allies.
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HALEY: During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices.
