He waxed nostalgic about the chummier relations and bipartisan deal-making of his youth.
He
appealed to state lawmakers, and the public, to rid politics of
'polarization and meanness' that discourage widespread participation in
civic life.
'It's
gotten worse,' he said bluntly in an address to the Illinois General
Assembly, on the anniversary of his entry into presidential politics.
'Today,
that kind of citizenship is threatened by a poisonous political climate
that pushes people away from participating in our public life,' Obama
added.
'It
turns folks off. It discourages them. It makes them cynical. And when
that happens, more powerful and extreme voices fill the void.'
The sentiment echoed Obama's 2007 address delivered in the cold on the steps of the Old State Capitol building.
It
is one Obama has repeated throughout his presidency amid miserable
relationships with congressional opposition and new levels of gridlock
in Washington.
Still,
it carried added resonance on Wednesday, as outsider candidates in both
parties celebrated huge victories in the New Hampshire primary.
In the presidential campaign to succeed him, both parties are dealing with voters deeply frustrated with the political climate.
+15
Nine years ago he announced his run
for president at the Old State Capitol and declared it was 'time to turn
the page' on cynical, special-interest politics. On Wednesday
(pictured), Obama returned to Springfield, lamenting that the story has
not changed
+15
During his address, he made a renewed
call for better relations between Republicans and Democrats to create a
more positive tone in U.S. politics
+15
Obama (pictured on Wednesday) won the
White House in 2008 partially on a promise to overcome partisan divides
in Washington. He has called his failure to do that, seven years after
taking office, a regret
Republicans
have seen a willingness to embrace coarsening conversation - Donald
Trump has made a habit of using personal insults barely suitable for
print.
On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders is calling for political revolution fueled by animosity toward corporate interests.
Obama has not formally waded into the Democratic race, but is increasingly trying to play the role of a Greek chorus.
On
Wednesday, he spent much of his time outlining his worries about the
role of big money in politics and the impact on legislating. He warned
that compromise is necessary, and 'doesn't make me a sellout to my own
party.'
He
offered a few broad prescriptions for changing the political climate,
including the way congressional districts are drawn and making it easier
for people to vote in elections.
He
noted with some amusement that his audience, the state lawmakers he
held up as model for bipartisan pragmatism, seemed to have knee-jerk
partisan responses to his suggestions.
'This is fascinating to watch,' he said.
+15
Before delivering
his remarks, the president visited one of his old haunts he frequented
as a state senator, The Feed Store. During his unscheduled stop at the
eatery, Obama was seen as he surprised diners, including two young
siblings as they ate their lunch
+15
Obama greets two customers dining at the restaurant which is located near the Old State Capitol in Springfield
+15
While at the eatery he met customers
and staff who took out their cameras to take pictures. Obama seen above
as he poses for a selfie
+15
The president did not stay to eat but picked up a to-go order of beef barley soup and a turkey sandwich
+15
Obama spoke fondly of getting to know
his colleagues in Springfield over fish fries and poker games, an aspect
of political life in Washington that has all but disappeared
+15
'I miss you guys,' he said as he left the cheering chamber stood outside across from the Old State Capitol building
Obama's trip was laden with nostalgia for the capital where he got his start as a state senator.
But
before delivering his remarks, the president visited one of his old
haunts he frequented as a state senator, The Feed Store, where he
greeted customers and staff, posed for selfies and picked up a to-go
order of beef barley soup and a turkey sandwich.
During
his unscheduled stop at the eatery, Obama was seen as he surprised
diners, including two young siblings as they ate their lunch.
He
spoke fondly of getting to know his colleagues in Springfield over fish
fries and poker games, an aspect of political life in Washington that
has all but disappeared as House and Senate lawmakers rush out of town
on weekends to spend time with family back home.
'I miss you guys,' he said as he left the cheering chamber stood outside across from the Old State Capitol building.
Obama
called 'my inability to reduce the polarization and meanness in our
politics' one of his few regrets as president, although he didn't
acknowledge any specific mistakes.
+15
'We've got to build a better
politics,' Obama said during his address. 'When I hear voices in either
party boast of their refusal to compromise as an accomplishment in and
of itself, I'm not impressed'
+15
Obama returned to Springfield with
several of the architects of his successful first presidential campaign,
including then-chief strategist David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett, who
remains a senior White House adviser
+15
The crowd gives Obama a standing
ovation following his address. From Springfield, he was headed to
California where he will raise money for Democrats, appear on The Ellen
DeGeneres Show and host the leaders of 10 Southeast Asian nations for a
two-day summit
As
culprits for the climate, he pointed to the media, short-sighted
political tactics, gerrymandered districts and the Supreme Court's
Citizens United decision that opened up the floodgates for undisclosed,
unlimited contributions.
From
Springfield, he was headed to California where he will raise money for
Democrats, appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and host the leaders of 10
Southeast Asian nations for a two-day summit beginning Monday.
Obama returned to a statehouse that has weathered its share of turmoil since he left it behind in 2004.
Two
Illinois governors have been convicted of corruption and sent to prison
- including Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is serving time for
trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat Obama vacated when he became
president.
Meanwhile,
Democrats who control both chambers of the legislature have butted
heads with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner since the Republican and former
businessman took office last year.
The
two sides have yet to agree on a state budget more than eight months
into the fiscal year, prompting massive cuts to higher education and
social service programs.
Obama
returned to Springfield with several of the architects of his
successful first presidential campaign, including then-chief strategist
David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett, who remains a senior White House
adviser. Both accompanied the president aboard Air Force One.
