by Peter Nicholas
As the nation's first black president strives to keep the public focused on healthcare, he is facing an unwanted detour into race.
That's probably the last thing Barack Obama wants to discuss as he presses for a healthcare overhaul, which tops his domestic agenda. But this week the White House has been forced to parry questions about the root cause of the raw criticism directed at Obama.
The latest dust-up began Tuesday, when former President Carter said at a town hall meeting that some of it is "based on racism." Carter continued that theme in an NBC interview. "An overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man," Carter said.
Carter added that "racism . . . still exists. And I think it has bubbled up to the surface because of a 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."
On Wednesday, the White House distanced itself from Carter's remarks. "The president does not believe that the criticism comes based on the color of his skin," Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said during a briefing for reporters.
In recent weeks, Obama has been subjected to vitriol that even former aides to Bill Clinton -- another president often demonized by critics -- say they've never witnessed. During Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress on Sept. 9, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) shouted, "You lie!"
A protest held in Washington last weekend included people who carried signs saying, "We come unarmed . . . this time," and, "Hitler gave good speeches too."
And as Obama traveled around the country last month -- including to Phoenix and Portsmouth, N.H. -- some protesters arrived with weapons.
See report on race and Obama in Tribune newspapers and here in the Swamp:
At this delicate stage of the Obama presidency, with the fate of his healthcare overhaul in the balance, the White House seems loath to discuss race. Democratic strategists say the best course is to keep the focus on policy.
"The more the White House communicates with regular Americans -- not the people who spend 24 hours a day listening to talk radio and cable TV, but those who are trying to raise families and make ends meet -- the better off they'll be in the long run," said Phil Singer, who worked on Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign.
Republicans see an opening. Citing Carter's remarks, top Republicans suggest that the Obama camp is using race to deflect legitimate policy concerns.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who is African American, said in a prepared statement: "Characterizing Americans' disapproval of President Obama's policies as being based on race is an outrage and a troubling sign about the lengths Democrats will go to disparage all who disagree with them."
Watching the attacks on Obama, some alumnae from the Clinton administration see familiar themes.
But Paul Begala, a former advisor to President Clinton, said that there was one worrisome difference.
"The undertone of potential violence is stronger now than it ever was before," Begala said. "I don't remember anyone ever bringing a gun to President Clinton's meetings."
Comments
I agree with the White House that the criticism of the policies of President Obama are not racially motivated.
I have concerns about the rising national debt, deficits, possibility of increased taxation and bailing out companies like General Motors and Chysler. These are economic concerns that many individuals fear will impact them in the future.
I have expressed these concerns over the summer and I am not a "Nazi" as Nancy Pelosi suggested.
I am not "un-American" as Harry Reid claimed.
I am not a "racist" as Jimmie Carter stated.
I am just an American citizen who has concerns that the current policies our government are engaging in will lead to out-of-control inflation that will make Jimmie Carter appear to be a fiscal conservative.
Posted by: Pat H | September 17, 2009 10:15 AM
Mar Williams leader of the tea party makes this statement in an interview with CNN.
The President is an Indonesian Muslim turned welfare thug and a racist in chief."
So much for an "honest" protest.
Posted by: bill r. | September 17, 2009 10:28 AM
And who brought the "gun" to a town hall meeting? skin color maybe? legally carried according to the laws of that state?
Racism is an ugly and never ending sickness around the planet. It will never go away and thinking so is a pathetic political rhetoric.
We must marginalize and stop the sensationalization of these thugs and morons for our own good. Our MEDIA is no more than a sensational seeking, reality show (makes me puke to even use the word reality) driven, instant gratification, gottcha livin' corps of mindless pundits pumping out drivel to the sheeple.
Both sides of the far reaching spectrum are to blame - right and left. The constant blather from this bunch of mindless pundits (Swampheads) toss out the "talk radio and cable TV" as if CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS and NBC are not puking out the same one sided drivel as the "talk radio and cable TV", which are by the way completely and utterly dwarfed by the numbers of stations and monetary backing as the lone cable TV (FOX) of the far right. Yet, this one station scares the bejeesus out of Goliath? More people watched FOX's coverage of President Obama's speech (accoding to the Swamprat) to Congress last week than any of the "Network" stations and more than a few of them combined.
OK, so I've said my piece and only ask for each of the far out whacko sides to start giving us something "in the middle" to consider rather than the "one side only" blame game garbage being pushed out daily.
Oh and yeah, support our troops, bring them home now safe and whole! just don't hold your breath waiting for it to happen.
Posted by: springfield | September 17, 2009 12:11 PM
OK, so I've said my piece and only ask for each of the far out whacko sides to start giving us something "in the middle" to consider rather than the "one side only" blame game garbage being pushed out daily.
Posted by: springfield | September 17, 2009 12:11 PM
Pot...meet Kettle!
Posted by: bill r. | September 17, 2009 1:30 PM
Former President, Jimmy Carter has caused a firestorm of both political and public response as a result of his statements concerning the racist posture of some white Americans in respect to our current head of state. According to Carter, many whites believe that a Black man cannot lead the country. He went on to say that it was true of whites in the northern and southern regions of the country. Well, dig this: President Obama was elected by a majority of white voters. Therefore, it is safe to assume that he is generally supported by white Americans. Those protesters, whom we see waving derogatory and racially motivated signs, don't mirror the overall mindset of white America and President Obama is politically correct by not addressing their foolishness. Still, one sign (in particular) disturbed me deeply. It read: "We came unarmed - this time." That was nothing more than a veiled threat and one African Americans should take seriously; especially accompanied by slogans like "Liberty or death!"
Posted by: Marshall Bolling PhD | September 17, 2009 8:06 PM
What the Hey!! Mar Williams and his right wing nuts, fringe element of the Republicans, probably a few K K K thrown in and a few racists like Joe Wilson and you could have some violence waiting to happen? Anybody notice that the tea bags were all white? whiteagle38
Posted by: Raymond Juneau | September 17, 2009 11:50 PM
I do believe the very white (and yes, I am white) GOP is having a hard time with a black president. I have never seen such hate and division in this country. The tea baggers were all white and all fairly old. Protesting a president who hasn't been in office a full year yet for the ills of the nation. Come on... it is illogical. Fox News has these people so brain washed. They will spend their time and money allowing the Fox folks to control their every move and sound bite. For all the accusations that Democrats view Obama as their "messiah" it really appears the the folks mindlessly following "the word of the right" are the Republicans. Be smart and stay in the middle. Don't let these people rule you. Think for yourself. Is race motivating the bad behavior of the Fox pundits and Rush Limbaugh... I believe it is a contributor. They are all letting their racism show.
Posted by: Andy | September 21, 2009 11:40 AM