OBAMA nem érzi magát felelősnek TRUMP felemelkedéséért

Barack Obama regnáló amerikai elnök a 2016-ös amerikai elnökválasztás során eljutott a szélsőségektől sem mentes idei elnökválasztás személyes felelősségének kérdéséig. Nem minden esetben van ez így; azonban az elmúlt hónapokban olyan kampányidőszaknak vagyunk tanúi, ami kezdi alulmúlni az eddig sem túl fellegekben járó politikai erkölcsöket.

Obama: I'm not responsible for the rise of Trump
President Obama discusses Donald Trump during his remarks on Thursday at the joint press conference.
03/10/16 12:55 PM EST.

Obama: I'm not responsible for the rise of Trump

President Barack Obama on Thursday disavowed any responsibility for the rise of Donald Trump. While he acknowledged his duty as president to bridge divides between the American people and its chief executive, Obama said he found it "novel" that the GOP would argue that his efforts over the past seven years have led to Trump's march toward the Republican nomination. “But what I’m not going to do is validate some notion that the Republican crackup that’s been taking place is a consequence of actions that I’ve taken," Obama said during a news conference in the Rose Garden with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Obama suggested that "thoughtful conservatives who are troubled by" Trump's success and the direction of their party should look in the mirror. "I think it is very important for them to reflect on what it is about the politics that they’ve engaged in that allows the circus we’ve been seeing transpire," he said. "And to do some introspection, because ultimately, I want an effective Republican Party. I think this country has to have responsible parties that can govern and that are prepared to lead and govern whether they’re in the minority or the majority, whether they occupy the White House or they do not. "Addressing protectionist trade concerns from both Trump and, indirectly, Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, Obama added that the United States "cannot put up walls around a global economy and that to sell a bill a goods to the American people and workers that if you just shut down trade somehow, our problems will go away" actually prevents the country from addressing the root issues. "And certainly, it's not going to be heard if it's coupled with vehement anti-immigrant sentiment that betrays our values," he said. The president praised the tone and direction of the Democratic Party primary, though he still has not endorsed a candidate. "My most important role will be to make sure that after primaries are done, is that

I'm bringing everyone together so that we focus on winning the general election, "he said. Obama noted that he has in the past acknowledged regrets about the polarization and "nasty tone" of American politics over the past seven years, including during January's State of the Union. "And I do all kinds of soul-searching in terms of are there things I can do better to make sure that I’m unifying the country," he said, while adding, "objectively, it’s fair to say that the Republican political elites and many of the information outlets, social media, news outlets, talk radio, television stations have been feeding the Republican base for the last seven years a notion that everything I do is to be opposed, that cooperation or compromise somehow is a betrayal, that maximalist, absolutist positions on issues are politically advantageous, that there is a them out there and an us, and them are the folks who are causing whatever problems you’re experiencing. "Obama also brought up the controversy that swirled over his birth certificate years ago, which Trump brought to the national forefront as he flirted then with a presidential bid. Obama made it clear on Thursday that he had not been the one to broach the issue. "I don’t remember saying, 'Hey, how ‘bout you ask me about that? Why don’t you question whether I’m American, or whether I’m loyal, or whether I have America’s best interests at heart. Those aren’t things that were prompted by any actions of mine," Obama said. The current political climate "within the Republican Party is to some degree, all those efforts over a course of time creating an environment where somebody like a Donald Trump can thrive," Obama said. "He’s just doing more of what has been done for the last seven-and-a-half years. "Other Republicans running for president do not have such different views as Trump on issues like immigration, he added, noting the policy positions of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. “Mr. Trump might just be more provocative in terms of how he says it,” he mused.

Politico, by NICK GASS, 12/31/1969 7:00 du EST.