Obama: 'I Continue To Believe Trump Will Not Be President'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- President Barack Obama doesn't think Donald Trump will be the next commander in chief.
Speaking during a news conference at the conclusion of a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders at a Southern California desert retreat, Obama said he has faith in the American people not voting the Republican presidential hopeful into office.
"I continue to believe Mr. Trump will not be president, and the reason is because I have a lot of faith in the American people," Obama said.
Obama stated that people see what a serious job being president is, and it's not just some sort of show.
"It's not hosting a talk show, or a reality show, it's not promotion, it's not marketing. It's hard," Obama told reporters. "And a lot of people count on us getting it right."
Trump shot back at Obama's comment, telling CBS News' Major Garrett that Obama would have been a one-term president if he ran in 2012.
"Obama is lucky I didn't run last time because if I ran instead of [Mitt] Romney, he would have been a one-term president," Trump said.
In the latest CBS News poll, Trump is the favorite to win the South Carolina primary.
Obama also took aim at the Republican presidential field for making troubling comments that have raised concerns overseas.
Obama chided the candidates for harsh talk about Muslims and immigration and for questioning climate change. He said: "This is not just Mr. Trump."
In regards to the Democratic presidential contest, Obama would not take sides between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, calling it a "healthy debate."
"Ultimately, Democratic voters believe in the same things," Obama said, adding, "I'm not unhappy that I'm not on the ballot."
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