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President Obama responds to Ray Rice domestic violence video

President Barack Obama said "hitting a woman is not something a real man does" in a statement in response to the release of video of Ray Rice hitting his then-fiancée. Rice was released by the Baltimore Ravens, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Rice indefinitely hours after the video was made public.
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President Barack Obama said "hitting a woman is not something a real man does" in a statement in response to the release of video of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice hitting his then-fiancée.

Rice was released by the Ravens, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Rice indefinitely hours after the video was made public.

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White House press secretary Josh Earnest released the following statement on Monday night:

"The President is the father of two daughters. And like any American, he believes that domestic violence is contemptible and unacceptable in a civilized society. Hitting a woman is not something a real man does, and that's true whether or not an act of violence happens in the public eye, or, far too often, behind closed doors. Stopping domestic violence is something that's bigger than football – and all of us have a responsibility to put a stop to it."

Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to give a speech at the National Archives on Tuesday as part of the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act.

On Tuesday, the Associated Press said it viewed a longer video, which included spitting and obscenities.

- Paul Palladino