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Barack Obama on the 2016 Presidential Debate: I’d Be ‘Even More Gray’ If I Let Donald Trump’s Digs Get to Me

President Barack Obama seems to be glad he sat this one out. The 44th president of the United States discussed Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton’s heated presidential debate during an interview with Ryan Seacrest on Tuesday, September 27. 

Related: PHOTOS: Donald Trump's Most Offensive and Outrageous Quotes

Obama, who watched Monday’s debate in the White House’s Treaty Room, joked that if he were affected by Trump’s digs during Monday night’s event, then he’d be “even more gray” than he already is. (During the heated exchange, Trump caused a frenzy on social media by referring to Obama as “your president.” The businessman also claimed he did our country a “great service” by causing Obama to present his birth certificate and slammed the president’s focus on climate change.)

Related: PHOTOS: Hillary Clinton’s A-List Supporters

U.S President Barack Obama speaks at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on September 24, 2016 in Washington, DC.
U.S president Barack Obama speaks at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on Sept. 24, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

“Anybody who was watching the debate I think got a sense that you got really sharply contrasting visions about where we should take the country,” Obama, 55, continued about the vigorous debate. “I am admittedly biased. I’ve worked with Hillary, I know her, she is well prepared, she’s got the right temperament for the job, she’s well respected around the world, she’s serious, she does her homework and she’s got a vision to put people back to work and make sure the economy is working for everybody and not just a few.”

As for Trump, Obama didn’t even address him by his name. 

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (L) speaks as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton listens during the Presidential Debate at Hofstra University on September 26, 2016 in Hempstead, New York.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton listens during the presidential debate at Hofstra University on Sept. 26, 2016, in Hempstead, NY.

“I would say that the other guy doesn’t have the preparation, the temperament or the core values of inclusion and making everybody have opportunities that would take our country forward,” he noted of the controversial Republican presidential nominee.

Obama stressed for everyone to register to vote today, on National Voter Registration Day, given what’s at stake.

“If you’re concerned about the cost of going to college, if you’re concerned about where the jobs are going to be when you graduate, if you’re interested in a trade, or figuring out how you’re going to save to buy your own home, if you want make sure women are getting paid the same as men for doing the same job, or once you have a family, that you’re going to be able to take some time off if somebody gets sick and you’re not going to go broke if you get sick — these are all issues that really matter; they’re going to count,” the president continued. “Like I said, I’ve got a strong opinion that there’s only one candidate in this race, Hillary Clinton, who is actually qualified to do the job and make good decisions for us. Regardless, you should do your own homework, but don’t sit out on this thing.”

To register to vote, head to IWillVote.com. Click here for a complete recap of what went down between the two presidential nominees on Monday night during the first presidential debate of 2016. 

Related: PHOTOS: 2016 Presidential Campaign Swag

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