Obama: ‘I Believe’ a Lot of Republicans Share My Same Values

‘I believe in science and the science behind things like climate change’

" I’m going to make another point here.  I believe that people should have access to health care.  I believe they should have access to a good public education.  I believe that workers deserve a higher minimum wage. I believe that collective bargaining is critical to the prospects of the middle class, and that pensions are vital to retirement, as long as they’re funded responsibly. (Applause)

Hold on a second. Hold on a second. (Applause) Sit down, Democrats. Sit down.  Sit down -- just for a second.  I appreciate that, but I want to make this larger point.  (Laughter)

I believe we’re judged by how we care for the poor and the vulnerable. I believe that in order to live up to our ideals, we have to continually fight discrimination in all its forms.   (Applause)  I believe in science, and the science behind things like climate change, and that a transition to cleaner sources of energy will help preserve the planet for future generations.  (Applause)

I believe in a tough, smart foreign policy that says America will never hesitate to protect our people and our allies, but that we should use every element of our power and never rush to war.

Those are the things I believe.  But here’s the point I want to make.  I believe that there are a lot of Republicans who share many of these same values, even though they may disagree with me on the means to achieve them.  I think sometimes my Republican colleagues make constructive points about outdated regulations that may need to be changed, or programs that even though well-intended, didn't always work the way they were supposed to.

And where I’ve got an opportunity to find some common ground, that doesn’t make me a sellout to my own party.  (Applause)  That applies -- (Laughter) -- well, we’ll talk later, Duncan.  (Applause) This is what happens, everybody starts cherry-picking." (Laughter)  

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