(Sep 16, 2009): "White House Disputes Carter's Racism Critique" (Video, Associated Press)

[CGP]

The White House is disputing former President Carter's assertion that opposition to President Barack Obama is being fueled by racism. The AP's Julie Pace has the latest on Carter's controversial comments. (Sept. 16)


YouTube - White House Disputes Carter's Racism Critique

[foxyladi]

good

[Wyoming Dem]

Good and politically self-serving and Obama better watch out because if you piss Mr. Peanut off, who's going to be our "ad hoc" hostage negotiator?

[CGP]

Obama disagrees with Jimmy Carter on race issue (http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE58F5NX20090916)

(Reuters, 9/16/09)


President Barack Obama's spokesman publicly disagreed with former President Jimmy Carter on Wednesday over Carter's contention that some conservative opposition to Obama is based on race.

"The president does not think it is based on the color of his skin," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters.

Carter injected race into Obama's struggle for a healthcare overhaul after South Carolina Republican Representative Joe Wilson shouted "You lie" at Obama during a healthcare speech in Congress last week and thousands of conservatives rallied opposition to Obama at demonstrations in Washington.

"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," Carter told NBC News.

He said this "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."

Carter's remark drew the condemnation of Michael Steele, the first African-American to become chairman of the Republican National Committee.

"President Carter is flat out wrong. This isn't about race. It is about policy," he said in a statement. "This is a pathetic distraction by Democrats to shift attention away from the president's wildly unpopular government-run healthcare plan that the American people simply oppose."

Obama, America's first black president, was steering clear of the issue, weeks after he injected himself into a debate about race in Massachusetts after black Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested at his own home on suspicion of breaking into it.

After Obama created an uproar by saying that Cambridge, Massachusetts, police had acted stupidly in the case, he later expressed regret for the tone of his remarks and had the professor and police officer to the White House for a beer in what was dubbed a "beer summit."

Gibbs said the uproar among Obama's opponents was more likely a reaction to some of the decisions Obama had made to help the U.S. economy, such as bank and auto bailouts.

"We understand that people have disagreements with some of the decisions that we've made," he said.

[greenleaf]

O.K. That's another good move by Obama and this one is on the record, if through a spokesman. :thumbsup:

[NativeSun]

The last thing that the WH wants is to have a discussion about racism. Obama avoided it like poison ivy during the campaign. And bringing it up because of these false racism charges will only polarize the populace, which is the last thing he needs right now. So I say GO FOR IT! :thumbsup:

[mack20]

The last thing that the WH wants is to have a discussion about racism. Obama avoided it like poison ivy during the campaign. And bringing it up because of these false racism charges will only polarize the populace, which is the last thing he needs right now. So I say GO FOR IT! :thumbsup:


You're totally right, the LAST thing that Obama wants is an open discussion on race. I mean, he might then have to make some sort of national spee.....oh, wait a minute.....

[mavfin]

[QUOTE=mack20;620326]You're totally right, the LAST thing that Obama wants is an open discussion on race. I mean, he might then have to make some sort of national speech with substance to it.[QUOTE]

There. Fixed. :rotfl::rotfl:

[mack20]

[QUOTE=mack20;620326]You're totally right, the LAST thing that Obama wants is an open discussion on race. I mean, he might then have to make some sort of national speech with substance to it.[QUOTE]

There. Fixed. :rotfl::rotfl:

You don't think his speech on race had any substance? Interesting....

[mavfin]

[quote=mavfin;620338][QUOTE=mack20;620326]You're totally right, the LAST thing that Obama wants is an open discussion on race. I mean, he might then have to make some sort of national speech with substance to it.

You don't think his speech on race had any substance? Interesting....

The most substance-filled speech he's had yet is when he called Kanye a jackass. Otherwise, it's all been smoke and mirrors. He's still on the campaign trail, not being a President.

[NativeSun]

You don't think his speech on race had any substance? Interesting....

You mean the one where he threw "toot" under the bus to distance himself from Reverend Wright?

[mavfin]

You mean the one where he threw "toot" under the bus to distance himself from Reverend Wright?

He's a better speaker (with his teleprompter anyway) than Bush was, but, his content's no better, if as good. And that's not good.

[NativeSun]

I'm watching Olbermann and he cannot stop gushing about Carter. That tells you a lot right there.