President Obama addresses poverty, stereotypes in panel discussion

WASHINGTON (AP) - It wasn't your typical panel discussion: President Barack Obama sat down Tuesday with leading thinkers from the left and right to reflect on poverty, income inequality and the stereotypes that get in the way of finding solutions.

"The truth is more complicated" than the caricatures of liberals just wanting to throw more money at undeserving "sponges," Obama said, and descriptions of "cold hearted" free-market types who see the poor as "moochers."

Obama told an audience of about 700 at Georgetown University that it makes him mad when he hears a "constant menu" of stories on Fox News Channel featuring poor people who want a "free Obama phone" or other easy benefits.

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