Top aide: Obama will talk about ‘why he’s optimistic about the future of our country’

One of President Obama’s top advisers early Tuesday touted the president’s record and said he will talk during his farewell address about his optimism for the future of the country.

“I think the president’s optimism comes from the American people,” Valerie Jarrett said on CNN’s “New Day.”

“He’s had the privilege the last eight years of traveling our country, meeting so many ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things, who are committed to our country, to making it better.”

Jarrett said the president is enjoying his high popularity among Americans and is “proud” of his track record.

{mosads}”If you think about when he took office, the fact that we were losing nearly 800,000 jobs a month and unemployment rate ticking up to 10 percent. Now it’s down to 4.7,” she said.

“High school graduation rates are up. College admissions are up. Poverty is down. Typical family income is up.”

She said much of what’s happening in the country now is “positive.”

“There’s just a lot to feel very positive about and he wants to reflect briefly on the progress that we’ve made,” she said.

“But also looking forward, taking the long view about why he’s optimistic about the future of our country.”

Jarrett said young Americans give both the president and the first lady hope.

“And they always take the long view. As the president has said, the progress of our country has always been messy,” she said.

“There are going to be zigs and zags along the way. But if you really focus on what makes our country extraordinary, what makes it great, I think that there is reason to be optimistic and hopeful.”