Jimmy Carter: Wilson comments 'based on racism'

[*Robert* 2]

ATLANTA – Former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday that U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst to President Barack Obama during a speech to Congress last week was an act "based on racism" and rooted in fears of a black president.

"I think it's based on racism," Carter said in response to an audience question at a town hall held at his presidential center in Atlanta. "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

The Georgia Democrat said the outburst was a part of a disturbing trend directed at the president that has included demonstrators equating Obama to Nazi leaders.

"Those kind of things are not just casual outcomes of a sincere debate on whether we should have a national program on health care," he said. "It's deeper than that."

Wilson, a South Carolina Republican, was formally rebuked Tuesday in a House vote for shouting "You lie!" during Obama's speech to Congress last Wednesday.

The shout came after the president commented that illegal aliens would be ineligible for federal subsidies to buy health insurance. Republicans expressed their disbelief with sounds of disapproval, punctuated by Wilson's outburst.

Tuesday's rebuke was a rare resolution of disapproval pushed through by Democrats who insisted that Wilson had violated basic rules of decorum and civility. Republicans characterized the measure as a witch hunt and Wilson, who had already apologized to Obama, insisted he owed the House no apology.

Wilson's spokesman was not immediately available for comment, but his eldest son defended his father.

"There is not a racist bone in my dad's body," said Alan Wilson, an Iraq veteran who is running for state attorney general. "He doesn't even laugh at distasteful jokes. I won't comment on former President Carter, because I don't know President Carter. But I know my dad, and it's just not in him."

"It's unfortunate people make that jump. People can disagree — and appropriately disagree — on issues of substance, but when they make the jump to race it's absolutely ludicrous. My brothers and I were raised by our parents to respect everyone regardless of background or race."

South Carolina's former Democratic Party chairman said that he doesn't believe Wilson was motivated by racism, but said the outburst encouraged racist views.

"I think Joe's conduct was asinine, but I think it would be asinine no matter what the color of the president," said ####### Harpootlian, who has known Wilson for decades. "I don't think Joe's outburst was caused by President Obama being African-American. I think it was caused by no filter being between his brain and his mouth."

Harpootlian said he received scores of racial e-mails from outside South Carolina after he talked about the vote on Fox News.

"You have a bunch of folks out there looking for some comfort in their racial issues. They have a problem with an African-American president," he said. "But was he motivated by that? I don't think so. I respectfully disagree with President Carter, though it gives validity to racism."

Carter called Wilson's comment "dastardly" and an aftershock of racist views that have permeated American politics for decades.

"The president is not only the head of government, he is the head of state," he said. "And no matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect."

___

Associated Press Writer Seanna Adcox in Columbia, S.C., contributed to this report.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090916/ap_on_...kling_carter_10

[Ban Hammer 13,482]

yes, it must be racism!

[HAL 9000 96]

"There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

Yes, in some. Not all, but some.

"Those kind of things are not just casual outcomes of a sincere debate on whether we should have a national program on health care," he said. "It's deeper than that."

Yes, in some. Not all, but some.

I do disagree with former President Carter on Rep Wilson being fueled by racism- I do not know Rep Wilson to be able to judge him.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Generally speaking, I think Carter is right (though perhaps not about Joe Wilson).

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"You have a bunch of folks out there looking for some comfort in their racial issues. They have a problem with an African-American president," he said. "But was he motivated by that? I don't think so. I respectfully disagree with President Carter, though it gives validity to racism."

Harpootlian is right on that.

[*Robert* 2]

I agree with all the comments so far, but am concerned that the more people (especially like a former President) throw out the "race card", the more polarized the country will become over race.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I agree with all the comments so far, but am concerned that the more people (especially like a former President) throw out the "race card", the more polarized the country will become over race.

I think you're right...Carter should have chosen his wording more carefully.

[HAL 9000 96]

I agree with all the comments so far, but am concerned that the more people (especially like a former President) throw out the "race card", the more polarized the country will become over race.

Don't know about that, Robert... IMO we are slowly inching towards a post-racial America... for realz.

Reality doesn't change overnight with sharp turns. Things overshoot their intended targets in the real world... and things eventually settle in on a happy medium where neither extreme is too strong.

Also we need to remember that there actually ARE racist people out there in these events that precisely HAVE that kind of logic in their heads. This makes them EXTREMELY uncomfortable to have to think of the President of the USA as being (in their retrograde thinking)... different and therefore worthy of disrespecting.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Sounds like something Carter would say.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I agree with all the comments so far, but am concerned that the more people (especially like a former President) throw out the "race card", the more polarized the country will become over race.

Don't know about that, Robert... IMO we are slowly inching towards a post-racial America... for realz.

Reality doesn't change overnight with sharp turns. Things overshoot their intended targets in the real world... and things eventually settle in on a happy medium where neither extreme is too strong.

Also we need to remember that there actually ARE racist people out there in these events that precisely HAVE that kind of logic in their heads. This makes them EXTREMELY uncomfortable to have to think of the President of the USA as being (in their retrograde thinking)... different and therefore worthy of disrespecting.

I think for the most part we are a post-racial America. We hired a black president for crying out loud. Racism will always exist because stupid people are allowed to breed.

I see Roberts point and agree. So many people are tired of hearing the race card being pulled and it does no good for Carter to say this #######. I dont take Carter seriously but alot of people do and it will get a lot of attention, creating more animosity.

[*Robert* 2]

The local news channel is asking the question "was it racisim?", and the majority of people e-mailing them are saying "No", it was not. One viewer felt it was a means to distract from the real issue, which is health care.

Carter needs to go back to building homes, which he seemed to actually be good at. It is a proven fact that he doesn't know sh!t about politics!!!

Edited September 16, 2009 by *Robert*

[alienlovechild 75]

Also we need to remember that there actually ARE racist people out there in these events that precisely HAVE that kind of logic in their heads. This makes them EXTREMELY uncomfortable to have to think of the President of the USA as being (in their retrograde thinking)... different and therefore worthy of disrespecting.

I haven't heard anyone say in person that they don't like Obama because he's black. The idea Obama's policies are generally judged differently because of the color of his skin is ridiculous.

The trend now is to now label opponents of Obama as racist because they desperate need something, anything to save the Democrats. I expect we'll have more of these racist charges as Obama's poll numbers and the economy continues to tank.

[doodlebugg 10]

Tuesday's rebuke was a rare resolution of disapproval pushed through by Democrats who insisted that Wilson had violated basic rules of decorum and civility. Republicans characterized the measure as a witch hunt and Wilson, who had already apologized to Obama, insisted he owed the House no apology.

I don't think it was racism at all BUT this is really over the top. If they were to let this slide what's next in the House?? Swearing at the top of their lungs? The whole world is able to watch this stuff and I for one am embarassed by his outburst and then on top to say it's a witch hunt and for him to say he owes no apology? What is this country coming to? A witch hunt? Didn't really have to hunt him down, he kinda sorta made himself VERY accessible and public and yes, he does or did (not sure if has up till now) owe not only the House an apology but his constituents whom he embarassed. There were many other polically correct ways to get his point across.

[HAL 9000 96]

I agree with all the comments so far, but am concerned that the more people (especially like a former President) throw out the "race card", the more polarized the country will become over race.

Don't know about that, Robert... IMO we are slowly inching towards a post-racial America... for realz.

Reality doesn't change overnight with sharp turns. Things overshoot their intended targets in the real world... and things eventually settle in on a happy medium where neither extreme is too strong.

Also we need to remember that there actually ARE racist people out there in these events that precisely HAVE that kind of logic in their heads. This makes them EXTREMELY uncomfortable to have to think of the President of the USA as being (in their retrograde thinking)... different and therefore worthy of disrespecting.

I think for the most part we are a post-racial America. We hired a black president for crying out loud. Racism will always exist because stupid people are allowed to breed.

I see Roberts point and agree. So many people are tired of hearing the race card being pulled and it does no good for Carter to say this #######. I dont take Carter seriously but alot of people do and it will get a lot of attention, creating more animosity.

You know when a ball on a string is swung in one direction and then is jerked back? When that ball passes the initial point of origin, it never stops- it overshoots to then swing back and forth until it reaches rest.

That's were we're at as a society. Not quite post-racial, but on our way there.

Also we need to remember that there actually ARE racist people out there in these events that precisely HAVE that kind of logic in their heads. This makes them EXTREMELY uncomfortable to have to think of the President of the USA as being (in their retrograde thinking)... different and therefore worthy of disrespecting.

I haven't heard anyone say in person that they don't like Obama because he's black. The idea Obama's policies are generally judged differently because of the color of his skin is ridiculous.

The trend now is to now label opponents of Obama as racist because they desperate need something, anything to save the Democrats. I expect we'll have more of these racist charges as Obama's poll numbers and the economy continues to tank.

Not a whole lot of racists will be that blunt.

[_Simpson_ 250]

You know when a ball on a string is swung in one direction and then is jerked back? When that ball passes the initial point of origin, it never stops- it overshoots to then swing back and forth until it reaches rest.

That's were we're at as a society. Not quite post-racial, but on our way there.

We elected a black President, still not enough to convince you? Im convinced.