CULTURE WARS

Carter Cites ‘Racism Inclination’ in Animosity Toward Obama

By Garance Franke-Ruta

September 16, 2009

Excerpts

In remarks decried by Republicans, former president Jimmy Carter told NBC’s Brian Williams in an interview Tuesday that he believes race is at the core of much of the opposition to President Obama.

Video

Carter derides ‘racist’ tone against Obama (NBC Nightly News, Sept. 15, 2009) — In an interview with NBC’s Brian Williams, former President Jimmy Carter said he has been extremely bothered by the heightened climate of racial and other hate speech since the election of President Barack Obama. (00:54)

“I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African American,” Carter said. “I live in the South, and I’ve seen the South come a long way, and I’ve seen the rest of the country that shared the South’s attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African Americans.”

Continued Carter, who is famously from Georgia: “And that racism inclination still exists. And I think it’s bubbled up to the surface because of the belief among many white people, not just in the South but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country. It’s an abominable circumstance, and it grieves me and concerns me very deeply.” …

The remarks seem sure to renew the controversy over South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson’s outburst that might otherwise have faded following passage of a House resolution Tuesday rebuking him for his affront to decorum by shouting “You lie!” at President Obama during an address to Congress last week.

Carter spoke directly to the Wilson matter and the 9/12 anti-government protests during a forum at the Carter Center in Atlanta, also on Tuesday.

“I think it’s based on racism,” Carter said of the tone of the opposition, in response to an audience question. “There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president.”

Signs carried by protesters at the 9/12 anti-government march on Washington such as “we should bury Obama[care] with Kennedy, for instance, and Obama is a Nazi and Obama’s pictures with Hitler’s mustache on it — those kind of things are not just casual outcomes of a sincere debate over whether we should have a national program in health care or not,” the former president said. “It’s deeper than that.” …

Carter’s comments seem sure to revive the question as a point of controversy. Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele on Wednesday called for a direct response from the president to Carter’s remarks, accusing Democrats of “playing the race card … from the bottom of the deck.” …

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Related reports

White House disputes Carter’s analysis

What’s with all the public outbursts?

Conservatives say it’s their turn for empowerment
Are Obama’s policies fueling the angry protests, or is race part of the equation?

Rage about the transfer of power

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Related reports on this site

Bachmann Heads Teabaggers (Sept. 13, 2009)

Economy and Obama Volatile Mix (April 16, 2009)

Obama, Economy Fuel Hate Groups (Feb. 28, 2009)

Obama Racist Backlash (Nov. 16, 2008)

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11/25/09 Update

Poll: Obama Faces White Flight

By Matt Negrin

November 25, 2009

Just 39 percent of white Americans now approve of President Obama’s job performance, a steep drop-off of support since he was inaugurated in January, according to the latest Gallup Poll.

In his first full week in office, starting Jan. 26, just over six in 10 white people gave him their approval. Now that number is down to under four in 10, indicating a net drop of 22 points.

Black voters, meanwhile, have continued to support Obama to the tune of approximately 90 percent. And Democrats and liberals give Obama approval ratings of above 80 percent.

“Though he maintains widespread loyalty among Democrats, the small loss in support he has seen from his fellow partisans seems to be exclusively from white Democrats,” Gallup’s finding says. …

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago — September 16, 2008

Damaged and burnt-out vehicles alongside the road following a double car bombing in the central Baghdad district of Karrada on Sept. 15, 2008. Two near simultaneous car bombings in central Baghdad killed 12 people and wounded 32, security officials said (Photo credit: Ali Yussef / AFP — Getty Images)

After the Primary Election: Day 7

One year ago today, on the seventh day after losing my 2008 primary challenge against U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District, in line with my focus on national security, I reported on a spate of bombings in Iraq coinciding with an unannounced visit by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.