In an interview with NBC's Brian Williams, former Democratic President Jimmy Carter attributed much of the conservative opposition that President Obama is receiving to the issue of race.
"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 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 share the South's attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African Americans."
Carter continued, "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."
While I happen to agree that a lot of the anger currently being spewed across the nation is partially about the President's race, I also believe a lot of Americans are truly angry about the way the economy is, the lack of jobs, the two endless wars we're in and the bailouts that happened beginning with the Bush administration in 2008.
If former president Carter thinks he is helping the nation and the president by bringing out this issue, I'm afraid he is wrong. I think Carter's comments will have the reverse effect and cause even more problems for President Obama during a time when he's already got enough on his plate.
Can't you just see the right wingers bringing the Reverend Wright issue back into play again? I also see video's of the Obama vs Hillary Clinton campaign being repeated on air with them arguing over the "race card".
While there is some proof of the race issue being out there, there's not enough to really ride the train with sort of speak. Instead, it will be the conservatives and Republican Party that get on board accusing President Barack Obama of using the "race card" again (their words), just as his campaign was accused of doing against Senator Hillary Clinton.
Even though not one word has been spoken about the issue by Obama himself, it will be 'he' that is accused of using race to win support and rally the Democratic base.
So, I sincerely hope the base and the left winged media stay clear of this issue, at least until there is more proof than just a few angry folks out there marching with signs that imply a racial tone. Keep in mind, there were a lot of hateful signs and posters out marching against the Bush administration as well. That didn't mean the whole nation was feeling those same things.