Jimmy Carter Claims Racism Behind Opposition to Obama

"I think it's based on racism," Carter said. "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president." That pretty much sums up Carter's position on the matter, but it only scratches the surface of what is an extremely complex and layered issue.

There is no doubt that race is a factor in "some" of the opposition to Obama as President. Some of that, in fact, is overt and its participants are simply too ignorant to hide their race-based animosity. But beyond that small minority, many people are simply upset by the idea that a new Democratic regime has taken such broad steps in spending tax payer dollars and that such sweeping reform legislation as health care could be on the table less than a year after Obama took office.

Yes, the Obama administration inherited the one of the worst financial crises of the last 100 years. Yes, action was required to stop the free fall and return some stability to the financial markets. That has been done and the cost of those moves may not be fully understood for years. Some would argue that the more pressing "reform" should be focused on the financial industry itself, which was already the biggest government subsidy recipient, long before the controversial bailouts began taking place.

Carter is no doubt correct that some of the opposition Obama faces is based on race, but it is almost certainly a secondary concern. The primary problem is that people feel like they have no control over a situation that they will be paying for their entire lives - and the fact that Obama is an African American simply adds to their fears, however unjust and misguided that may be.

Jimmy Carter doesn't have anything to lose by introducing the racial component into the discussion, but this is America. Nothing will slow down meaningful discourse faster than a race debate. This is when all of the know-nothings will come out swinging, launching accusations and investigations and basically taking the focus off the issues that matter.