Obama Takes Implicit Shot at Clinton

President Obama called criticism of a Pacific trade deal "trying to score political points" Monday, countering arguments that the hot-button Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) would be bad for the United States.

"I have not yet seen a credible argument that once we get TPP in place, we're gonna be worse off. We're demonstrably better off, American workers and American businesses are better off if we get this deal passed," Obama said at a press conference in Vietnam.

The president said that opposition to the pact amounted to typical politicization in an election year and will continue to be "noisy." But he remains optimistic about its chances in Congress.

"I remain confident we're gonna get it done. The reason I remain confident is because it's the right thing to do," he said. "It's good for the country: It's good for America, good for the region, it's good for the world."

Both Obama and leading congressional Republicans agree that the TPP, which was signed by the 12 participating nations in February, should not be sent to lawmakers for approval until after primary season. But the GOP leaders have been skeptical of the deal's prospects, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell saying a vote shouldn't come during election season at all, and House speaker Paul Ryan casting doubt that it could pass.