How the GOP Reacted to Obama’s Speech

After weeks of watching his political opponents drive a national debate on safety and security, President Obama sought Sunday night to reinsert himself into the conversation, warning the country away from fear and division. After a much-maligned response to the Paris terrorism attacks and criticism that he waited too long to address the American people after last week’s shooting in San Bernardino, Obama argued he’d intensified his assault on ISIS, turning up the rhetoric on “thugs” who are “part of a cult of death.” But he largely made the case for staying to his course—with an international coalition and air war, combined with new efforts.

Republican presidential candidates were swift to condemn the speech, arguing Obama’s strategy is not working and that his comments were too little too late. While it remains to be seen whether the 2016 election will be defined by foreign policy, it is now clear that it is dominating at least in the lead-up to the Iowa caucuses. Amid a tumultuous presidential primary, no GOP consensus has emerged on policy, save for “toughness” they argue Obama has not displayed. As Obama appealed to quell fears, some Republicans sought to play too them, with Marco Rubio retelling stories of people adjusting travel plans in light of new threats, and Ted Cruz and Rand Paul warning of threats from refugees and other immigrants from Muslim countries. Others, like Chris Christie and Jeb Bush, focused on re-instituting controversial government surveillance programs.

Bernie Sanders wins the TIME Person of the Year reader poll. Rubio takes aim to halt Cruz’s rise. And Ben Carson longs for the days of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

President Obama: ‘We Will Overcome’ ISIS Threat
Obama sought to calm the nation amid growing fears about terrorism [TIME]

Republican Candidates Respond Harshly to Obama’s Prime-Time Terrorism Address
President Obama’s attempt to rise above politics is challenged by GOP candidates [TIME]

Marco Rubio, Switching Focus, Aims to Halt Ted Cruz’s Momentum
Cruz’s conservative consolidation worries his rival [New York Times]

Ben Carson on Military: ‘Deal With the Transgender Thing Somewhere Else’
Fondly recalls ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ [NBC]

95,000 Words, Many of Them Ominous, From Donald Trump’s Tongue
Echoes of the appeals of demagogues of the past century [New York Times]

Sound Off

“Our success won’t depend on tough talk, or abandoning our values, or giving into fear. That’s what groups like ISIL are hoping for.” — President Obama in his address to the nation

“I ran into someone else who said they’re avoiding stadiums and malls this holiday season because they’re scared. They’re scared not because of these attacks, but the growing sense we have a president that’s completely overwhelmed by them.” — Marco Rubio responding to Obama’s address on Fox News

Bits and Bites

Bernie Sanders Wins Readers’ Poll for TIME Person of the Year [TIME]

Former President Jimmy Carter Says He Is Cancer-Free [TIME]

Trump’s False Claim That the 9/11 Hijackers’ Wives ‘Knew Exactly What Was Going to Happen’ [Washington Post]

Sanders’s Focus on Inequality Overshadowed as Guns, Terror Grab Headlines [Washington Post]

Donald Trump and Chris Christie Square Off Over Racial Profiling [New York Times]

Posh Hotels And Pricey Airfare: Meet the Senate Candidate Driving Some Democrats Crazy [National Journal]

Iowa Caucus Gifts That Can’t Be Found in Any Store [The Gazette]

Dynasties Thrive on Campaign Staffs [Politico]

Campaign Problems: Ben Carson’s Glass Jaw, Hillary Clinton’s Glass Curtain [Wall Street Journal]