Obama accuses 2016 candidates of talking down America

Washington: US President Barack Obama waded deeper into the 2016 president race today, accusing Republican candidates of "talking down America."

During a speech designed to counter notions that the economy is still struggling seven years after the Great Recession, Obama suggested Republicans were painting an overly gloomy picture.

"There is nothing particularly patriotic or American about talking down America," Obama said in barbed remarks that also featured a direct swipe at Donald Trump -- who has campaigned to "make America great again."

"Despite the perennial doom and gloom that I guess is inevitably part of a presidential campaign, America is winning right now. America is great right now," he said sharply.

Seven years after Lehman Brothers was liquidated, Obama pointed to record corporate profits, growing manufacturing and an extended equities bull market as evidence the recovery has taken hold.

"You wouldn't know of this if you were listening to the folks who are seeking this office that I occupy."

"In the eco-chamber that is US presidential politics everything is dark and everything is terrible, they don't seem to offer many solutions for the disasters that they perceive, but they are quick to tell you who to blame."

While the recovery has seen the US economy return to growth and unemployment rates have fallen to near pre-crisis levels, the economic outlook is not all rosy for Obama.

Republicans' sometimes gloomy message has resonated in part because the recovery has not been felt across the economy.

Long-term unemployment rates remain high and workers' earnings have not substantially rebounded, meaning tough times remain for many middle class Americans and the working poor.