Open Thread: Carter Calls Criticism of Obama Racist

September 16th, 2009 9:22 AM

Former President Jimmy Carter with NBC's Brian Williams Tuesday night:

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African-American. 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. That racism, inclination, still exists. And I think it's 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. It's an abominable circumstance and grieves me and concerns me very deeply."

Thoughts?