Rep. King: Obama's terror speech was 'pitiful'

President Barack Obama's prime-time address on the battle against terrorism is receiving mixed reviews. In a rare Oval Office address, the president vowed Sunday night that the U.S. would overcome

News 12 Staff

Dec 8, 2015, 3:16 AM

Updated 3,287 days ago

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President Barack Obama's prime-time address on the battle against terrorism is receiving mixed reviews.
In a rare Oval Office address, the president vowed Sunday night that the U.S. would overcome a new terror threat that seeks to "poison the minds" of people around the world, and he sought to reassure Americans shaken by recent attacks in Paris and California. 
"I know that after so much war, many Americans are asking whether we are confronted by a cancer that has no immediate cure," he said, speaking from a lectern in his West Wing office. "The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it," he declared. 
The president's address evoked strong reactions from politicians like Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), who said it was "pitiful" and called for further action.
"His policy until now has been a failure and he was doubling down on that failure," King said. "He's not going to make any changes as far as the military overseas, he's not going to be increasing bombing missions, he's not going to be taking restraints off our pilots."
Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump tweeted, "Is that all there is? We need a new president - FAST!"
Long Islanders who spoke with News 12 offered differing reactions to Obama's remarks, with some saying more should be done and others agreeing with the president's stance.
 
AP wire services contributed to this report.