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Former Texas Governor Rick Perry zinged President Obama on Thursday by saying he has presided over increased poverty among black families during his six and a half years in office.

"I'm proud to live in a country that has an African-American president, but President Obama cannot be proud of the fact that the prevalence of black poverty has actually increased under his leadership," Perry said in a Washington, D.C., address at the National Press Club.

While Obama has said racial tensions and race-based violence still exists in America, Perry said the country has made immense progress on these issues over the years.

"When it comes to race, America is a better and more tolerant and welcoming place than it has ever been before," Perry said. "We're a country with Hispanic CEOs, Asian billionaires and a black president. So why is it that so many black families feel left behind?"

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