Obama touts Asia's role in US prosperity, security Associated Press Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 4:44 a.m., Sunday, November 18, 2012 BANGKOK (AP) — President Barack Obama says it is "no accident" that he planned his first foreign trip to Asia after winning re-election. Speaking at a news conference Sunday in Bangkok, Obama emphasized that the United States is a "Pacific nation." [...] he says the Asia-Pacific region will be crucial for creating jobs in the U.S.