(Jordan Fabian) President Obama on Tuesday decried the rise of “vicious” politics in comments aimed at Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump.
Speaking at a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon at the Capitol, the president warned that “vulgar and divisive” rhetoric and violence on the campaign trail could tarnish America’s standing in the world and called on lawmakers in both parties to make it stop.
“Too often, we’ve accepted this as somehow the new normal. And it’s worth asking ourselves what each of us may have done to contribute to this vicious atmosphere in our politics,” Obama told the gathering of lawmakers and foreign dignitaries, noting that other politicians surely have remarks they regret, as he does.
“And while some may be more to blame than others for the current climate, all of us are responsible for reversing it, for it is a cycle that is not an accurate reflection of America. And it has to stop.”
Obama’s words brought a somber atmosphere to the typically festive luncheon, which was hosted by Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) in honor of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
The room became virtually silent when Obama turned to Ryan, a frequent political enemy of the president’s. While noting he “fiercely” disagrees with Ryan on policy, Obama said, “I don’t have a bad thing to say about you as a man.”
Ryan nodded as Obama continued, “I know you want what’s best for America.”
The president called his attitude toward Ryan proof that “we can have political debates without turning on another.”
But Obama made it clear Republicans have a special burden to end their “silence” when it comes to Trump’s rhetoric and tactics.
“When we leave this lunch, I think we have a choice,” Obama said. “We can condone this race to the bottom or accept it as the way things are and sink further, or roundly reject this kind of behavior whether we see it in the other party or, more importantly, when we see it our own party. … It starts with us.”
Ryan has publicly condemned violence at Trump’s rallies but reiterared Tuesday he will support him if he becomes the party’s presidential nominee.
Like Obama, the Speaker stressed the importance of having relationships with members of the other party.