Susan Walsh/AP
With Republican candidates still in an uproar over last week’s dismal CNBC debate, President Obama on Monday found the perfect opportunity to skewer their ongoing complaints while at the same time challenging the GOP candidates’ self-proclaimed strengths concerning their toughness in foreign affairs.
“Every one of these candidates says, ‘Obama’s weak, Putin’s kicking sand in his face. When I talk to Putin, he’s going to straighten out,'” Obama told a crowd at a Democratic fundraising event in New York. “And then it turns out they can’t handle a bunch of CNBC moderators.”
“If you can’t handle those guys, I don’t think the Chinese and the Russians are going to be too worried about you.”
The president’s zinger followed a performance of the critically acclaimed musical Hamilton, an Obama favorite, which was the setting for Monday’s fundraiser.
As for the latest on where GOP presidential hopefuls stand regarding future debates, Donald Trump’s camp announced yesterday he’s decided to negotiate with networks directly, distancing himself from the rest of the group and their list of demands.
