Outright wacky

Obama: Trump's ideas are 'outright wacky'

By POLITICO Staff

President Barack Obama took a swipe at Donald Trump Thursday, saying the GOP presidential nominee has contradictory and “outright wacky ideas.”

Speaking at a press conference in Laos, Obama repeated earlier claims that Trump isn’t qualified to be president, adding that “everytime he speaks that opinion is confirmed.”

“I can tell you from the interactions that I’ve had over the last eight or nine days with foreign leaders that this is serious business,” Obama said. “And you actually have to know what you’re talking about. And you actually have to have done your homework. And when you speak, it should actually reflect thought-out policy that you can implement.”

Obama's comments were triggered when a reporter asked him to defend his legacy against Trump's accusations that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a more effective leader — a question that caused the president to break out in laughter.

“Do I care to defend my … ok ok respond. Got it," Obama said.

Trump has blasted Obama's policy toward China as weak and said the president was humiliated by the Chinese during his visit to Asia this week.

Obama also touched upon Guantanamo Bay, saying he's not ready to concede that the U.S. military prison will remain open when he leaves office.

He says aides are still "working diligently" to shrink the prisoner population. About 60 prisoners are being held there, down from hundreds.

Obama set a goal early in his presidency of closing the prison, but he's been blocked by Congress. He says the facility is unnecessary, is too expensive and serves as a recruitment tool for terrorist organizations. He says he hopes that by continuing to shrink the population, Americans will start to ask about the expense.

He also notes that he has told the region's leaders that he is committed to advancing a free trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He says the U.S. will also standing with allies and partners in upholding freedom of navigation and flights in international spaces.

Obama says the leaders also are united is expressing grave concerns about recent ballistic missile launches by North Korea.