Obama: Hope abounds and change is happening, but don't let the GOP snatch it away

EVANSTON, Ill., Oct. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama took the stage at Northwestern University to discuss the nation's economic progress under his administration in a televised speech, as well as warn the students that opposition policies threaten to curtail Americans' financial well-being.

"What supports our leadership role in the world is ultimately the strength of our economy here at home," President Obama told Northwestern University students, describing the nation's positive progress as "indisputable."

"There's a reason fewer Republicans are preaching doom on deficits -- because they're now manageable. There's a reason fewer are running against Obamacare. Because while good, affordable health care might still be a fanged threat to freedom on Fox News, it's working pretty well in the real world."

Despite his administration's quantifiable moral, social and political victories, President Obama warned Americans to remain proactive against the GOP lest the country regress to past shortcomings.

"I am not on the ballot this fall. Michelle's pretty happy about that. But make no mistake: these policies are on the ballot. Every single one of them."