White House hopes Obama will convince Trump on issues

WASHINGTON

President Barack Obama will try to convince President-elect Donald Trump about his key policies, the White House said Wednesday.

Following the stuffing defeat of former Secretary Hillary Clinton by Trump, the hot topic in Washington is now the fate of Obama’s legacy. Trump has vowed to undo many of the achievements of the Obama administration.

“There is a tradition, particularly with regard to executive agreements of successive presidents preserving some element of continuity. I don't know whether or not that will apply in this case,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

“President Obama will have an opportunity to talk to President-elect Trump about some of these policies about some of the benefits of these policies,” he added.

He said the Obama administration will live up to its commitments under foreign deals up until Jan. 20 when Trump takes office.

Trump has said he would renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal well as the free trade Trade Partnership, or TPP, which was inked with 12 Pacific rim because he believes they were “badly negotiated”.

Earnest tried to defend Obama’s criticism of Trump when he referred to him as being unfit for president and even a threat to country’s national security.

“The president had used forceful language in helping people understand exactly why he was so passionate in his support for Secretary Clinton,” Earnest said. “Now the responsibility that President Obama has is to turn his attention to prioritizing a smooth transition with his successor and ensuring a peaceful transition of power.”

Earnest said it was too early to discern “exactly what message the voters were trying to send last night” but he acknowledged he does not have an explanation for why a lot of people who voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 voted for Trump on Tuesday.

Trump won the key swing states of Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan that voted for Obama in both elections.

Trump, Vice President-elect Mike Pence and members of the transition team will get presidential briefs from the White House until the new president takes office, according to Earnest.