Are Obama's critics racist? Jimmy Carter thinks so

Former President Jimmy Carter, who has a habit of stirring controversy, said this morning that "an overwhelming portion" of those opposing President Obama's policies are racist.

In an interview with NBC's Brian Williams, Carter lobbed a bomb into Washington politics, already seething with passions over healthcare, federal spending and whether a congressman named Wilson should apologize to the House for screaming "You lie!' to a president.

Here's what Carter said:

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The charge is likely to ignite a firestorm of anger, and could provoke a backlash among those who would oppose Obama's healthcare reform whatever his racial identity. One site calls it evidence of a "failed ex-President making this ignorant, outlandish charge."

Carter, who has been an ex-president for almost 30 years, has done this sort of thing before. The 39th president angered the Clinton White House with his frequent diplomatic freelancing with various dictators around the world.

Of course Carter has been an equal-opportunity thorn to White Houses of both parties, making life difficult for Republican presidents as well as Democrats. Among other things, he called George W. Bush the worst president in history in international relations.

The current bombshell is likely to make life difficult for the Obama White House, which as MSNBC's Chuck Todd noted this morning, will now have to rebut the impression that it played the race card to win votes on healthcare.

Maybe it's not too late for Carter, who turns 85 on Oct. 1, to learn tact.

-- Johanna Neuman

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Comments

[imawasp]

I'm a racist! I don't like Jimmy Carter!

[Moon54]

Very little was heard about racism during the campaign. The mainstream media was focusing on Sexism against Sarah Palin. Now after the president has been in office for 9 months, all of a sudden race is an issue. If it is truly racism and not overspending tax dollars, big government, ACORN scandals, pork spending and the long list of other failed policies. Then I guess racism is still running rampant in America. Since we are not ready for an African American president, I think Obama should step down immediately, so our country can start the healing process.

[Clearsky54]

I am furious. Who says that the White House will have to "rebut the impression that it played the race card to win votes on healthcare"? Who said that? Who's impression is that? Joe Wilson is a horrible person with the manners of a three-lettered animal that starts with "a." President Obama is desperately trying to knock sense into the heads of stupid Americans. Chuck Todd said the White House will have to "rebut the impression"? What impression? Who has the impression? Racist monsters that are trying to bring President Obama down? Who are secretly thrilled that Joe Wilson screamed at our President with as much grace as a three-year-old with wet pants? The White House does not and should not rebut anything--unless it wants to "butt" Joe Wilson's head against a wall (not that that would help).

[Dirose]

I wish that poor old soul would stop trying to make himself important. He and Bush can both be considered the Two worst presidents in history of our country.

[Bruce]

Yeh, Mister Carter, Let's make Black People special. They should be treated differently, not like Asians and Whites.
If you don't agree with Black - You are Racist!

Thank you, Mister Carter for Downgrading USA!

[spinnikerca]

Actually, I think 'playing the race card' whenever people oppose a policy that might impact non-white races or is proposed by a person who happens to be both non-white and on the left, ideologically, is a pretty knee jerk reaction in some circles. This only suggests that Carter is one of those who uses that ploy. I don't know that that is worth a controversy.

(However, I do note with some irony that when people with a leftist bent don't like Clarence Thomas or our rescent Attorney General or either recent Secretary of State, that is never decried as racism. Only when people don't like someone who is both non-white and to the left of center does it become a matter of race.)

[Marylander 6]

But what if what he is saying is true? A lot of us believe that. It seems as if those who actually hold historic power, high salaries (who have paid insurance!) are saying in this debate to those, who are most likely of color, "you can't have any of our piece of the pie. It's just for us. You can die on the side of the road without healthcare for all we care. We immigrated in and no one stopped us, But there's no more room for you."

Not what our country was about when the Statue of Liberty was erected or when John Kennedy spoke.

My insurance went from $1,200/year 9 years ago to over $4,000 this year, my employer does not have money to pay either and many people are losing jobs, so they won't have it either. I pay it myself. And I have far from full coverage.

[jsp1229]

Jimmy Carter is once again telling it like it is... Thank God we have a man like that around.. You Go Pres. Carter!!!!

[Tom Whitaker]

For those of you who are to young to remember, and did not suffer through the Carter presidency now understand why this narrow minded man was a one term president.

[Uncle Bernie]

I find it amusing that Neuman is one of the 10 people who actually watch
MSNBC.

[JL]

I'm sorry, but he's absolutely right. I don't believe he is calling all critics of President Obama racist. He's calling out those who are likening our president to Hitler because of something so fundamentally critical as universal health care for all American citizens. He's calling out those who spread lies in order to scare their base into fearing health care reform, and calling out those who are themselves ignorant enough to shout out "YOU LIE" during a Presidential address.

No, the race card can't be pulled every time someone has a criticism of Obama, and perhaps former president Carter should have made it more clear that he isn't calling all critics racist; however, when the debate is no longer civilized or based on fact, but rather name-calling and screaming out of turn like children, you have to wonder how much of all this rabid dissent is really about not agreeing with his plans for health care, and rather about the color of his skin.

And don't think for a second that racism is dead. It's alive and well throughout this country. You'd be a fool to think we have overcome it.

[Robert G Cleveland]

The position of God is already taken, Pres. Carter doesn't have it, and he purports to know the minds of the "overwhelming portion" of those critical of Pres. Obama's actions. He's no better, right there, at several things, than he was at being president (for those too young to remember THAT time....).

[Johny Reb]

If I took my shoe off and threw it at him, would I be a racist????

I would hit him between the ears!!! :P

[HJ]

This is ridiculous. I'm a non-white American and as such as sensitive as anyone to (genuine) racism. However, the backlash against Obama is overwhelmingly driven by an opposition to his policymaking which is too far to the left of the center of gravity in American politics.

Are there are a handful of racists on the fringe? Sure, there are and likely always will be - but to suggest that an "overwhelming" portion of the opposition is race-driven is preposterous. When Obama had won a commanding electoral victory last November, possessed an 85% approval rating in January and had America fawning on his every move, where were all these racists? Did millions of white Americans just now over this summer realize that Obama is black? Obviously not.

There are enough times in this world where real racism exists -- I know, because I have experienced it firsthand. However, when a political movement callously exploits the race card as Obama's supporters have done, it cheapens the whole debate and serves only to cast doubt and discredit calls against genuine racism. As an American of color, this is perhaps the element of this whole row which grates me the most.

However, for the Democrats more broadly, this whole race debate has a real possibility of boomeranging back to them in a major way: the vast majority of white Americans are neither pathalogically racist nor weighed down by white guilt. They will not appreciate being tarred in such a way. The large, pragmatic independent swathe of the American electorate -- made up largely of white Americans in the middle of the country and coastal suburbs -- may end up distancing themselves from Obama just as quickly as they embraced him in the last two years.

[Chris]

The Elephant in the room. I think this was pretty obvious to everyone.

[J Cline]

LOL. Jimmy Carter is about as relevant to current politics as Walter Cronkite was to media before he died.

Besides, Obama just called Kanye West a "jackass." Seems civility and class are missing in both parties. Doesn't anyone remember Pres. Bush being booed by Democrats during his House address?

Um, kettle? The pot called. You're black.

[Herewegoagain]

We have seen so much improvement in race relations, we have a Black President! Why do democrats constantly feel the need to bring up hostility that creates racism on both sides for political gain. They take something that has nothing to do with race and make it about race just to fuel their agenda. If the democrats would stop doing this we would all get further past this issue and become one people like it should be.

[Del]

Carter has lived in the South all his life. If anyone would know. . .

[sms]

Carter is a moron. I suppose I'm a racist then since I didn't support ANY of his idiotic policies either. The left deserves a poltroon like Carter. I must be a racist since I support Clarence Thomas, Condi Rice and a plethora of other AMERICANS who happen to be black. These dip-shits don't deserve to be on the national stage--of course neither does Obama, the ever-more idiotic Biden, and the most stupid of all--Reid and Pelosi. The LA Times is right up there with the NYT and MSNBC for pathetic journalism too. At least Joanna did a decent job not spinning this one--but of course--she would look like the rest of the Obamorons if she had tried.

[Tyler]

False allegations of racism against the right don't work anymore. Jimmy may have missed that memo. This debate is not about race. It's about ideology and the direction of our public policy. This very paper reported recently the results of a poll showing the large numbers of white voters who disapprove of Obama's policies. What the Times did not show was that Obama's black disapproval numbers doubled (a growth rate of 100%) in the last five months where his white disapproval numbers only grew by 40$. So he is losing black support more than twice as fast as he is losing white support. Clearly this is not about race.

[Joe Ro]

I was on the home stretch and thought I was safe and in the clear, but at the very last moment, WHAM it hit me square in the nose. You just couldn't resist, could you? This is not an article about poker. Nor is it an article about pinochle, hearts, solitaire, or gin rummy. Card references are not necessary.

Next time you feel the urge to use another horrendously overused media catchphrase, don't.

[D_russ]

Coming from a Jew-hater like Carter, these kinds of comments are less than meaningless. The media would do everyone a favor by just ignoring this disgraceful old man, who as president supported genocide in Cambodia and the rise of Islamic tyranny in Iran.
He also helped legitimize the rise of Venezuela's Chavez, who is now seeking nuclear weapons.
Just because Carter grew up as a bigot in the racist south doesn't mean everyone else did. It's time for him to recognize he's an old man and the world has changed.

[Mike]

First of all, get the quote correct. President Carter said NOTHING about people being against Obama's policies. These people out there screaming, yelling and making outrageous statements clearly are emotionally unbalanced, and I also think there is a racial element. There is also a clearly concerted effort by the media to change a few words here and there which majorly change the meaning of what is said - and I believe this is to try to change the subject and keep health care reform from happening.

He said:

"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."

[J in NJ]

Tact ?

Yes, tact is carrying automatic weapons to a location where the President of the United States will be.

Yes, tact is calling the President of the United States a liar in the US Congress.

And Up is Down, apparently, for you Johanna. None of these things would have happened to a white President. The extremist reactions (from Teabaggers and their ilk) are coming from old white men who are angry about this President (who happens to be a young black man) acting, well, Presidential.

[Jim Hummel]

Is isn't just Jimmy Carter who believes this. I'm a 65 yo white retired military man who believes this too. I have to laugh at people like Joe Scarborough and his hanger-ons. They have their undies all up in knots because Jimmy Carter speaks the truth everyone else is trying to avoid. Most Americans are well aware of which "country" these sign toters want back. Anyone see Pat Buchanan's rant on The Rachel Maddow Show? He clearly stated that this is "our" country and went on to state that it was white men who fought for independence and created this country. I thought I was back on the kindergarten playground hearing, "Ihad it first." Get over white people. In years to come it will be black and brown people who get their turn at the wheel. And to the Joe Scarboroughs and Pat Buchanans of our country I would say you've had your time. Wilson & Buchanan are total racists. Pat's below the surface rage which was very apparent on Rachel's show is the more scary of the two. He likes to hide his racism. Wilson has worn it on his sleeve for years. Pitiful.

[Scout]

Racism? No! American politics have been heating up and getting more polarized for the last 25 years. Were the people so upset with Clinton Racist? No! Were the people carrying Bush Nazi posters and calling him a liar racist? No! This is just how American politics have been going for the last 25 years and getting its worse. Both parties are being steered by the fringe. The Democrats by the far left and the Republicans by the far right. This is making it difficult to elect a middle of the road politician, as they could not stand through their own primaries. It also doesn’t help when presidents have shady connections, Bush big oil, and Obama Acorn, Ayres, Wright, etc. There is a lot pushing the divide in American politics, but racism is barley measurable.

[Betty Foston]

I commend former President Carter for "speaking truth" about what is going on with these critcs and the "racially fueled" Tea Party.

[Jmill]

Why is it that if someone feels like they are not getting their way or things are getting a little tough they cry racism?? Get over it! No one cares what a old senial ex-president says anyway. You had your shot 30 years ago and it didn't really work out that great for you then either!!

[Re'Genia Brown]

Thanks Jimmy the truth shell set you free

[CallMeRacistIDoNotCare]

For many years since the 60's and 70's, calling a white person a racist has had the same effect as throwing holy water on a vampire, vanquishing them to oblivion. This has been recognized by the left and implemented over and over again to trump arguements where the left has felt they were losing ground. And now, the effect is beginning to fail. No longer does the "racist" call push back their foe. What is strange is that it may be that the left was effected by their own fear of racism in potentially voting against a black man. For now, let it be known that calls of racism no longer effect this bloodsucking white man; call me racist, I do NOT care. What will the left think of next to trump arguements they have lost already? Let's watch and see, but recognize it for what it is.

[Joseph Baldwin]

Well Mr. Carter should take a step back and remember how Mr. Bush was treated during his presidency. He was criticized and mocked all through his career. What makes Obama any different. Could it be that he is the first black president? Or could it be that the very people that are saying that those of us that criticize are racist are themselves the racist. I say if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. I am proud that we have gotten to this point in race relations, a point where we can elect a black president. Mr. Carter you are setting race relaions back fifty years by your comments. Stop stirring up hate and realize that we live in acountry that allows us all to speak our minds, that right should extend to the politicians that we send to Washington to speak for us the voters. Racism will never get better if the ones that CLAIM they are being victimized can't stop yelling racism everytime something happens that they don't like. I say live and let live, and stop saying people are racist just because they disagree with you views.

[Eddo]

The fact that Jimmy Carter has said "an overwhelming portion of those opposing President Obama" automatically this a false statement. Has Carter ever been right on anything?

[Steve]

One knew as soon as Obama was elected that as soon as he ran into difficulty the Democrats would trout the race card. Rather than deal with the opposition to what they are doing and plan to do, they would rather deflect criticism by this tired old play.

[K Brown]

Claiming racism has been a tried and true tactic of the left against any white person who opposes them or their agenda. By design calling someone a "racist" effectively deflects from having a real argument because it is delegitimizes anything that person may say. So, according to Carter, no matter what Joe Wilson says he cannot be taken seriously because he is personally tainted – the substance of what President Obama or Joe Wilson said is suddenly set aside and the focus is turned to Joe Wilson’s motive instead of whether or not President Obama was telling the truth. So much for genuine public debate or a “color-blind” society.

[me]

I love how the LA Times tut-tuts Carter for stating the obvious but sees no need for "tact" for the people who are painting Hitler mustaches on pictures of Obama. Never change, corporate media.

[David Cowie]

I am white and I dislike Jimmy Carter much more than I dislike Barack Obama. The only thing I dislike about Obama is his policies. Not sure how that is racism.

[turkeyvulture]

Race is only an issue for the left. Obama was elected by a majority of Americans. The majority of Americans liked him and supported him until he pushed congress to vote for and approve a huge sweeping overhaul of our medical system without giving anyone time to read it or understand it. His popularity has been falling ever since then. It is not racism. It is disappointment.

[J.M.]

Wow. Carter does more damage to Obama with that stupid comment than any conservative or republican. To say that anyone who disagrees with this president must be doing so because he is black is frankly astounding today. There is a lot I disagree with. It has nothing to do with race. I disagreed with a lot of what Bush did and I am white. So, what does this say? It simply means that Jimmy Carter is more likely a racist than current-day people that happen to disagree with Obama. It means that Maureen Dowd is in the same camp as Jimmy Carter. Living in the past. Stuck in the 60's and 70's.

[Louis Calabro]

When former President Carter calls most opponents of Obama racists its all over the news, when he calls Israelis horrible oppressors of the Palestinian people he is virtually ignore. How that be?

[Lyingallthetime]

It was so predictable that the left played the race card. Carter didn't do this on his own. Why don't you debate the issues? Or actually read the bills. They've resurrected the "death panel" again in the Baucus bill. The new panel has no method for review by congress and stopping individual life and death decisions made by the panel. It's called a "Commission" this time.

[no sanctuary]

Surprise, the worst president in history is the worst ex-president in history. This delusional clown was an incompetent idiot as president and has gone downhill since. Hey Jimmy, how bout you go back to your rest home and have a nice large cup of STFU.

[L Taylor]

Carter has shown his lack of intelligence once more. He calls a Doctor of being racist about exposing the "Truth" of a socialist style form of health care. Nothing in this opposition had to do with race. The statement was from an educated professional in that field. Furthermore, on the subject of racism, Obama calls a white police officer "acting stupidly" for doing his job. This officer of the law was backed by an African american police officer that witnessed he incident and stated the officer did nothing wrong. If you wish to accuse someone of being a racist, look to Obama. He is the only person in politics less qualified than Jimmy Carter, and is the worst leader since Jimmy Carter.

[Chet]

Jimmy Carter was the worst president I know of. He's as old as Xmas and his mind is like a sail. Every past president has been called bad names and criticized. Obama has critics, he always will, some are from his own party. I think it's destructive for americans to think we can't criticize president Obama because he's black. People must have the right to speak their opionions about any president's policies, no matter what color he is.

Racism is in the mind of the beholder.

[Billium1953]

Ah, Jimmy Carter - the poster boy for liberal blindness. Have you read his books? It is sad how a man of his age has managed not to learn anything in the past 20 years. As typical, any disagreement with Comrade Obama is blamed on racism. Against rampant goverment growth, down on govenment decisions on your life and death, not for socialization of banking and auto industries - well you must be a racist. Honestly I am sick to death of idiots like Carter. He was the most ineffective president of the 20th century, was a coward in the face of terrorism, and his economic policies hindered the US for years after he got kicked out of office. This is the man we are supposed to listen to? Jimmy, please do service to the US and go sit in a peanut field with you mouth shut.

[dina osullivan]

This is typical for Carter who is trying to hold on to his status of ex presidency. He is tactless and stirs up trouble as the article says. he should just be quiet. He made stupid comments about Israel and Gaza from bad research.He needs to just build Homes for Humanity and shut up.

[Jmatt]

I have great respect for Jimmy Carter as a human being but his view of a working economy is in conflict with a group of Americans that are extremely committed to being heard. President Carter is searching his own narrow vision of America to explain outcry over the policies he adhered to so strongly.

Calling ones political opponents racists will get plenty of media coverage but the fact is, so many Americans are terrified that President Obama's agenda will yield a bankrupt socialist state.

[Ajdx4]

Sounds like Kanye West isn't the only Jackass.

[bditman]

In many ways, beauty and racism are both in the eye of the beholder. President Carter may see racism more than others in the criticism directed at President Obama. That may be valid, I don't know. It may equally be valid that the American people are increasingly frustrated with Washington's inability to solve problems. We all know Congress' ratings are very low. We have not seen a very good enunciation of all of the health care issues that need attention; fact finding has been rare. The current Congress has done a great disservice to the American people because they have acted without a clear minded definition of what they are trying to fix. We saw them pass enormous spending bills without even reading them. We see them desperate to pass some sort of health care reform without a clear understanding of what the legislation contains, what it will cost, and how it can be paid for. Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Reid have not communicated well to the American people. Just today, Sen. Bachus released his plan - but remember that President Obama wanted this past two months ago. How could they have known what they were doing?? It's time to stop the bus and ask for directions, figure out what to do, and plan ahead. Otherwise, most Americans will think this country is run by a bunch of Jackasses. (No offense to Mr. Kanye West.)

[RMT]

Give this man another Nobel prize. He is the bravest of all ex presidents. A true statesman who doesn't give a @#$% who gets bothered by hearing the truth.

Had Obama been white and Republican, many of these conservatives - who are tearing their shirts expressing anger - would be bending backwards kissing the President's feet.

Mr. Carter, you are last of a dying breed.

[DAVEGOOD57]

Carter?? Why is this man being interviewed at all? How soon we forget double digit inflation, the detention of our embassy staff in Iran because Carter ignored the warnings of the CIA not to allow the former Shah of Iran into the country for medical treatment, the failed attempt TO rescue these prisoners, just to name a few of his inane policies that got him thrown out of office after only one term.
PLEASE GOD, SPARE US FROM FURTHER SERMONS FROM THIS ANOINTED ONE FROM GEORGIA.