President Barack Obama says the Republican presidential contenders seem a lot like Internet-superstar sourpuss "Grumpy Cat," accusing the candidates of being both divisive and pessimistic.
Speaking to about 500 supporters at the Women's Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. – and broadcast on
C-Span – the president contrasted the gloom-and-doom GOP field with Democratic presidential contenders, whom he praised for being "logical and civil" in their
first debate in Denver last week.
"Why is it that Republican politicians are so down on America? I mean, they are gloomy – they're like Grumpy Cat," Obama said of Republicans, doing his best impression of the famous feline. "Everything is terrible according to them."
Video of the remark was posted by
Mediaite.
He also suggested GOP lawmakers would be to blame if there's a government shutdown as lawmakers wrestle over raising the debt ceiling and government funding bills, criticizing those who want to defund Planned Parenthood as part of any agreement.
"We should not even be thinking about something as ridiculous as shutting down our government over Planned Parenthood," he said.
Mediaite notes the president's Grumpy Cat jab wasn't the first time the Obamas have referenced the popular meme.
First Lady Michelle Obama told former TV host David Letterman last May that one of the Obama daughters "we call our Grumpy Cat. Our salty biscuit.”
She wouldn't say if it was Sasha or Malia.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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