One debate question

The one debate question Obama would like to ask

By Nick Gass

President Barack Obama has a simple question for those seeking to succeed him in the White House: Why?

In the last portion of a year-end interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep airing Monday on "Morning Edition," the president was asked what he would inquire of his would-be successors.

"So I might just ask somebody, why do you want to do this? And I suppose they'd give a cliché answer because that's what candidates do, but I will tell you as president, if you are interested just because you like the title or you like the trappings or you like the power or the fame or the celebrity, that side of it wears off pretty quick," Obama remarked. "At least it has for me."

In an earlier segment of the interview aired last week, Obama blasted Republican candidate Donald Trump for "exploiting" anger and fear among white, blue-collar men.

"Some of it justified, but just misdirected," the president said of that demographic's feeling. "I think somebody like Mr. Trump is taking advantage of that. That's what he's exploiting during the course of his campaign."

In order to want the job, Obama added, "then you really need to love this country and have a very clear vision and idea of what it is that you want to do to help make this country work even better."

"I don't think this country works best on fear," he said. "I don't think this country works best on hate. I don't think this country works best on cynicism. I think this country works best on community and hope and optimism and dynamism and change. If you are aspiring to this job then you need to ask yourself some very serious questions about why you're doing it because that's what's going to keep you going on those days that things aren't going so well."