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NBC News: Obama Slams GOP 2016 Hopefuls for 'Ridiculous' Rhetoric

By Carrie Dann, Jul. 27, 2015, NBC News

Saying that Americans "deserve better," President Barack Obama offered his most extensive comments on the 2016 Republican field on Monday, accusing candidates like Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump of using rhetoric "that would be considered ridiculous if it weren't so sad."

During a press conference in Ethiopia, Obama slammed Huckabee for saying that the Iran nuclear deal "is marching Israelis to the door of the oven." And he accused GOP critics of violating a rule in American politics that "we don't play fast and loose" on important foreign policy issues.

"The American people deserve better," he said. "Certainly presidential debates deserve better."

Obama referenced Huckabee and GOP frontrunner Donald Trump by name and also criticized Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas for comparing top Iran negotiator Secretary of State John Kerry to Pontius Pilate.

"We have robust debates, look at the facts," he said. "There are going to be disagreements but we don't just fling out ad hominem attacks like that because it doesn't help inform the American people."

More: www.nbcnews.com