Obama passes on Romney question

Obama passes on Romney question

President Obama passed on the chance today to counter-attack Mitt Romney over the Republican candidate's criticism of foreign policy.

"It's still primary season for the Republican Party," Obama told reporters. "They're going to make a decision about who their candidate will be."

A reporter asked Obama about Romney's comment that "our president doesn't have the same feelings about American exceptio nal-ism that we do. And I think over the last three or four years some people around the world have begun to question that."

Obama did say that "I first arrived on the national stage with a speech at the Democratic Convention that was entirely about American exceptional-ism and that my entire career has been a testimony to American exceptional-ism."

"But, you know," he added, "I will cut folks some slack for now because they're still trying to get their nomination."

Obama spoke at a joint news conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper -- who were also asked about Romney's comment.

Calderon said, "your question was a little local for me, and so I'm glad that the president of the United States answered it."

Harper added: "Well, I don't think you really expect me to intervene in the U.S. presidential election."