Obama: Greece needs to recognize that 'hardships will likely be worse' if it leaves eurozone

Ben Feller - The Associated Press

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
President Barack Obama talks about the economy, Friday, June 8, 2012, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. The president said that Greece needs to recognize that "hardships will likely be worse" if it leaves eurozone.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The economy at risk, President Barack Obama accused Republicans on Friday of pursuing policies that would weaken the U.S. recovery, and he simultaneously urged Europe's leaders to prevent an overseas debt crisis from dragging down the rest of the world. The president said that Greece needs to recognize that "hardships will likely be worse" if it leaves eurozone.

At a White House news conference five months before Election Day, the president also said Republican allegations that his administration has leaked classified information for political gain were offensive. He said his administration has "zero tolerance" for leaks of classified information.

As for the economy, Obama urged passage of legislation that he said would create jobs — proposals that Republicans have long blocked.

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June 08, 2012

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1. Philip Vorgias wrote on June 08, 2012 3:43 PM	He spent 3 years blaming Bush for all his economic problems, even that's not selling with the voters anymore. This guy couldn't pick a winning economic policy in a one horse race. He's right about Greece, though. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in awhile.

2. Niko Seretis wrote on June 08, 2012 11:58 PM	Obama is worried about getting re-elected and if Greece leaves the Euro it may make his re-election a little bit harder. Thats the only reason he is even talking about Greece. He's done nothing for Greece or Cyprus since he's been in office.

3. Philip Vorgias wrote on June 09, 2012 12:00 AM	Absolutely correct, Niko.

4. Nicholas Kostopoulos wrote on June 09, 2012 5:49 AM	Obama is the most partisan politician I have ever seem. He is not a binder but a trouble maker. He has caused racial strafe her, and is a devotee to Turkey (Moslem country).. This doesn't really surprise me, since according to Moslem law (His father's religion) he is considered Moslem. He has done everything to destroy Greece, and make the Turkey seem like a good neighbor. The only reason he is speaking out now, that for once he knows his days of governing are coming to a end. Nobody now is finally fooled by his actions, except his core base.

5. Philip Vorgias wrote on June 09, 2012 9:41 AM	Incumbents run on their record, or they should. Obama can't run on his record, because it's a record of failure. So I suspect this campaign will get very ugly and personal-Obama has shown himself to be vindictive when his job is on the line.

6. Nicholas Kostopoulos wrote on June 09, 2012 10:00 PM	Philip you are completely correct in this matter. He is a dirty politican, of course being a street agitator in good old corrupt Chicago. He will say anything to get elected, even cheat or do criminal acts to get elected. He is of course a clone of Rev. Wright, who loved his pastor for over 20 years, and agreed with everything he said.
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Saturday, May 25, 2013 Last Update: 8:51 PM ET