Obama vows to boost next generation of leaders after leaving White House

U.S. President Barack Obama says one of his missions after leaving office will be to develop a new generation of leaders on issues such as climate change, criminal justice reform and expanding health insurance coverage.

In a wide-ranging interview with radio service NPR, Obama said he wants to ensure that young people working on those issues have "whatever resources, credibility, spotlight that I can bring to help them rise up."

Obama said in the interview airing Monday that the issues he cares most about will be well served when that new generation moves into positions of authority.

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The Democratic Party has been hit hard during his presidency. He'll leave with the Republicanscontrolling the White House and Congress.

Obamasaid Republicans have been systematic in building from the ground up while Democrats have had a bias toward national and international issues.

"As a consequence, I think we've ceded too much territory,"Obamasaid.

Obamasaid he leaves office with some ideas about how to build the party, but he says he'll serve more as an adviser, coach and friend.

"I'm less likely to get involved in all the nuts and bolts of electioneering,"Obamasaid.