Obama calls harsh rhetoric from foes 'troublesome'

Combined wire services

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said Friday that he finds harsh rhetoric from political opponents "troublesome" and said such talk isn't surprising in times of economic distress and sweeping societal changes.

In a CBS "Early Show" interview, he said a president has to have "pretty thick skin" and said he worries about a climate in which "the other side is demonized" by political opponents. He said there is a "tone and tenor" that needs improvement and people must be able to "disagree without being disagreeable."

According to Politico.com, which obtained a partial transcript of the interview, CBS' Harry Smith asked, "I've been listening to talk radio; the kindest of terms is a socialist, worst of which I've heard is you called a Nazi. Are you aware of the level of enmity that crosses the airwaves about you?"

"Well I think that when you listen to Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck, it's pretty apparent, but keep in mind that there have been periods in American history where this kind of vitriol comes out," Obama said. "It happens often when you've got an economy that is making people more anxious, but that's not the vast majority of Americans."