While Presidents have long been targeted with vitriolic criticism, the hateful personal attacks directed at President Obama by the right wing is unprecedented. About a quarter of the public (and a much higher percentage of Republicans) regularly claims that President Obama is not an American, or that he is a secret Muslim and terrorist, or an Arab, or a Nazi. This line of attack, supported by Fox News and right-wing talk radio, began before Obama's first primary victory and has only grown louder and more shrill since then. In a very recent poll of New Jersey Republicans, about one-third said that President Obama was or might be the Anti-Christ. The Anti-Christ, for God's sake!

Last night on AC360, Anderson Cooper attempted to equate these radical attacks against President Obama with some of the excesses in rhetoric against George Bush's invasion and occupation of Iraq. At that time, the anti-war protestors opposed the unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country, and didn't attend their demonstrations armed with automatic weapons. Nor did they regularly call for the assassination of the President or pray for his death. Indeed, very recently a right-wing talk radio jock said that the assassination of President Obama should not be considered a murder. And that shouldn't be surprising given the right's rhetoric- what do you do with the Anti-Christ?– you kill him, of course!

Through this withering attack of racist or xenophobic smears and threats, AC360 and CNN has generally tried to remain 'neutral'. Great work guys, you're real journalists! Maybe you'll hold on to some of those Tea Baggers before they all drift over to Fox. Surely, Lou Dobbs is doing his best to hold on to them.

Of course, ultimately it's going to be a bit embarrassing for you some day when your children or grand children ask what you did when our era of McCarthyism targeted the first Black president- you'll have to say, "'well, I was neutral".

Cheers!

Very good discussion, but one thing that was not discussed was how many of those attending the TEA parties or demonstrations against the health care plan voted for President Obama. Mr. Gergen asserted racism is not that prevelent by the fact of the overwhelming numbers of votes received by Presdident Obama. However, a study of how many of those attending the demonstrations voted for President Obama would validate that assertion. If a vast majorty in attendance did not, then Mr. Gergen's reasoning, as well of that of the panel is flawed.

In my opinion this is the nest panel that Cooper has had so far on this racist discussion. Well except for Roland who still won't listen to a word anyone says but wants to monopolize the conversation.

I totally agree with John Legend that we are wasting time on talking about race when we should be talking about what truly matters to us all and that is the issues that are affecting every one of us. Instead we are letting a few bad apples high jack this whole thing and we are missing the perfect opportunity to talk and maybe work out something on the issues.

Cindy..Ga.

First i would like to say Anderson I have enjoyed watching you since your channel one news days. You have certainly become one of the most respected reporters i have ever had to pleasure of watching since Peter Jennings. As much as we don't want to admit it Mr. Carter was right. Race is a one of the many factors. I feel that some republicans have played on the fears of white America. As you know back in the early history of america fear is what drove the killing of black people. It does not help when you have radio host like Rush and Beck fanning the flames of fear and hatred. As i think about how long ago people rushed to america to see streets paved with gold. If they know than what we know now this would not have become the melting pot.

The idea that racism fuels this anger is pure nonsense. This is the classic straw-man fallicy. Or, perhaps liberals truly don't understand what the U.S. and our Constitution is all about. It's about limiting the power of the federal government over its citizens. When tax & spend democrats do that which comes to them so naturally; when governements are able to impose higher and higher tax rates, their power over individual citizens increases. It doesn't matter what those increase tax rates concern (and let's face it – the only way to pay for universal HC or anything that resembles it is through taxation). Most Americans (hopefully) understand this and won't let it happen. This is the only "underlying" reason for the anger toward Obama's HC policy. Charges that opponents are racially motivated are made by fools – including Jimmy Carter...especially Jimmy Carter, the worst pres the U.S. has ever had!

Race Race Race! That is all WE are hearing these days. While I am certain there are some low class individuals that dislike Obama for the color of his skin, I believe without a doubt that the opposition of Health Reform is not based on the color. Now media and talk show hosts are making statements about how the South is racist(as if racism only exists in the South), which is just another way of grouping people into a category. I am from the South, I am not racist, and I am offended that I have to be referred to as a racist by media on a daily basis. And let's be real...Black people are equally as capable of exhibiting racist agendas! Is Kanye West racist? Is Serena Williams racist? Where as they have not been given the title of a racist for their actions in contradiction to Joe Wilson receiving the title after his actions is a direct contradictory of how the world works. Had a drunk white singer smeared a young black 17 yr old's moment the singer would have immediatly been a racist. Had a white athlete made a threat to someone of the opposite race to cause bodily harm, they would have immediatly been a racist. How come people aren't screaming racism in these instances? Jimmy Carter should stop trying to return to headlines and apologize to Americans. Those who claim every opposition of President Obama is motivated by hatred for the color of his skin are only hurting the progress WE as Americans have made. When race is not an issue there should not be so much attention given to the matter. What a foolish mistake this was to declare race issues to frighten anyone opposing Obama. And one cannot expect that anything will come of this accusation but legitimate race issues thanks to media, Democrats, and racists. Yes racists! Were you not aware that not only white people could be racist?

Roland Martin is laughable. How can this guy be taken serious after watching this video. He understands race relations like Bill Clinton understands respect for the office of President. (see M.Lewinsky)

I love John Legend but I'm confused about why he was even on the panel.

I dont know why we cant EMBRACE the fact that we are a racist Nation, yes, blacks and whites alike, and agree to treat each other equal. Just because one is racist doesnt mean one will ACT ON IT.

Hi Anderson,

Although I don't believe that all the people behind these smear campaigns are racist, I do believe that they are astute. Therefore, using racist scare tactics are a smart thing to do to. If they can get the impressionable masses to believe some of these crazy things (e.g. welfare thug, Indonesian Muslim, hater of whites, communist) there job is done.

Mary

P.S. It could be a double-edged sword to invite some of these crazies to your program. In some cases these people are exposed because of the incoherence of their arguments. In other cases the spread of the madness could be facilitated.

I think we are naive to think racism is dead! It is alive and well. There are many people who want Obama to fail just because he is black. However, it is not just one sided. There are black people that hate white people just because of the color of their skin. Obama would not have won without alot of white votes. I do think it is wrong to assume all the protesters are racist, but do believe some of them are. Had McCain chosen a running mate that moderate republicans and independents could have lived with, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Racism is not fueling MY anger, but the bankrupting and destruction of America by the Democrats is.................plain and simple. To try and distract us with phony claims of racism are only adding fuel to the fire.

We're always going to have people who judge by the color of the skin. No matter what country it is. Either skin color or facial features. Get over America. We've been through that and learned our lesson. The President's proposal is one that is desperately needed for our country. Japan & Britain have better health care programs than the USA. With that said, how do you feel as a American? So many rumors are being spread about the health care bill. To you "Tea Party" participants, go get your facts straight and clear the smoke. Instead of just getting fired up in agreement with others. Because Im sure you're doing it b/c the Presd. is "black". I say that b/c you believe in the rumors before getting any real facts. So your actions are motivated by.........?

Americans have the right to disagree no matter what side you are on just like the mean things that were said about the former pres. bush. I might have disagreed with what they said but i would die for their right to say it. And now that it is going the other way they cant deal with it and throw race into it which for most has nothing to do with it. Yes there are some racist people black and white (there is such a thing as racsim against white people) but when people join together to voice their opinion it is un american to call them racist because differing views dont mean they hate black people. Citizens that are concerned about issues have a right to voice it with fear of attacks by those who disagree

After listening to comments about Past Pres. Carter's comment about racism. After watching your panels comments I came to the conclusion that watching, and listening to Roland Martin, he could rise the threats of racism. Why is it that Black are the ones who are always bringing up racism. Roland Martin is very irritating and I wonder why you would have him on your panel. He spits sputters and smirks throughout the discussion.

hopefully you realized i meant without fear

Does former President Carter know his statement on racisim being behind all this disrespect of President Obama is ludicrous and will only spark more unrest in the USA , and God forbid can even be the actual cause of more tention or even rioting in the USA?
He needs to keep his misguided opinions to himself!
I feel having a President who is half white and half black represents almost everyone in the USA!!
President Obama has taken us from the brink of dispair finacially (which was left to him from the Republicans).
We should all be greatful to him and alow him to continue on with healthcare for everyone in the USA as well!
Those who are trying to stop him will be losing money and so they
are motivated to spread lies to the people!

This country has suffered so many set backs over the previous 8 years. Where was all the public out cry from conservatives while this country was being driven into the ground? Why suddenly are there all the voices of concern against thbis administration like none other before it. If the charge is that those who suggest race plays a part bin the animosity of our nation is made only by fools, then conservatives in America are still "foolish" if they choose to believe that there is NOT an issue of race at play here. I think it speaks volumes of just how sad our country and the conservatives who want to control it really are. America is in denial and is either afraid or ambarrassed to acknowledge it! While race is not the sole issue, it certainly plays a part in the anger that exists today. Like it or not America, this is our reality. So, so sad.

very disappointed in the tone of this discussion.Sick of hearing people in the media placate and make excuses for right wing kooks. Insurance companies and politicians are swaying the masses by finding their weak spots, fear of taxes, racism, blatant stupidity,apathy,etc...we just lived through 8 years of horrific deficit increases, tax cuts to the very wealthy, and cowtowing to corporate America at the expense of EVERYONE ELSE- how can dissatisfaction with Obama, who is bending over backwards to play to the middle, be the result of anything BUT racism???!!! Also, how can Anderson Cooper compare the right's depiction of Obama as aNAzi with the left's calling the BUsh/Cheney administration Facists? Look up the definition of facism...DUH...Their (Bush&Cheney's) pictures rae next to it!

It is total idiocy to not see how these anti-Obama people have found a way to allow there racist beliefs to come out. Sarah Palin started all of this with her seperatist talk. Rallies with peopl holding signs calling Obama the "N" word. A CNN camara man being called the "N" word. Signs showing Obama as a Nazi. Swatstikas all over theses rallies. Confederate flags flying high. Men with guns at rallies threatening the life of the President in the open. People wanting to seperate their states from the union "States Rights", languge stating, "We want our country back". This all happened and is happening at Reublican rallies. There are no democrats there. These rallies are all white with the exception of a couple of massas "House Negroes". Old people shouting they want the government out of healthcare only they care medicare cards. Vets hollering they want the government out of healthcare, only they go to the VA. Poor people stating don't raise my taxes only he has stated they won't get a tax increase. I am a black male with a white wife. I am 43 y/o. I thought we would get passed this. Americas' racism is boiling out. We are worse now race-relations wise that we were 30 years ago. These people need to be called out. Our leaders should call them out.

If, you notice, all the people who claim that they are only opposed to "democrats bankrupting and destroying" the country; are totally wrong. It was President Bush and Republican policies that did that. We were already bankrupt when President Obama took office and The Patriot Act already shredded the constitution and bill of rights; let alone the lying and torturing. None of them were marching or threatening armed violence then. So, those claims are false and are a cover for something else. If, it is not racism, then it is just fanatical partisanship, without regard to the facts or the effect on America. I know for a fact that much of it is racism, I have friends in the south and hear it from them all the time.

I always listened to David Gergen... I hope you're right! I think the majority of American are not racist but there is dangerous group out there who makes me uncomfortable! I think Obama being president took them out of their holes!!! I have seen racism around me. I live in Vacaville CA, a town north of San Francisco. I had to stop my step daughters many times when they were growing up from making racist comments. My soon to be son in law has racist jokes on his cell phone and a coworker at work proudly showed my husband his cat dressed as a nazi! The economy has to get better soon... it would make the ugliness go away, at least in some people.

Roland cannot stay in the topic, he argues by emotion, all other speakers had constructive and well argued points. Roland is not qualified to participate as long as he has already made up his mind as pro Obama. i wonder why Roland cannot defend Pres. Bush when he was attacked with similar attacks?

Whether people want to admit it or not, racism is at least part of whats going on. The amount of racism in this country never ceases to amaze me.

Whats fueling my anger? Republicans, their selfishness and their willingness to turn this country into a third world country out of greed.

The TEA parties are NOT about race, they are about government wasting our hard earned dollars. The healthcare protests are NOT about race, they are about destroying healthcare and bankrupting America in the process. Is it so hard to believe that not everyone wants the destruction of America by the Democrats. Unless you are angry about this, you have NO clue what the heck you are talking about........it doesn't affect you. Now take away Welfare and let's see who's protesting then.

For those of you who were not around in the 50s and 60s (as adults), you are not aware of the "code words" that were used to continue the status quo of Jim Crow and segregation. Their purpose in those days was to maintain control and deny progressive change, so the changes in this country were only obtained due to the sheer numbers of people who participated and, don't forget, these movements were wrought with violence. They didn't then and they wont now give up gracefully. I can only hope and pray that level heads prevail over the next four years.
Those of us old heads recognize the intent behind the "we want OUR country back" as well as other phrases used to speak to a target group of people. Labeling people as racist or otherwise is not the problem, the problem is that too many of us don't recognize it because we don' beling to the "good ole boys" network that Carter was privy to in the "old south". Now he's taking a whole lot of flack because he is calling it as he sees it. It's just my opinion, but he's more qualified to make this statement because he has first hand experience and knowledge of what's is said and intended behind the closed doors whether they be in meetings or in public gatherings. Some of these people doth protest too much.

I think you are wrong Mr. Rollins: Jimmy Carter is not trying to incite people but bring out the raw truth about how some people are motiivated by their socialogical upbringing! To think people would call Obama the Antichrist or Hitler; what is that all about?? I believe it stems from brainwashing from far right religious beliefs and intrenched racial beliefs learned in childhood and carried on into adulthood. The last thing President Carter would do is start a race riot and we who support President Obama are sick of the hateful responses these individuals are projecting. These people have no intelligent thought process but only hate.. The media pundits can call it all they want. These people are sick with their allegations. I suppose you think its a healthy response to things they hold dear to their heart! Think again before you speak. We can't handle the truth.

For anyone watching the Tea Party debate from outside your country, it is so obvious that race is a big factor. In fact, racism is like a Elephant in a small room: it is so big that no one can't (or won't) see it! Just look at all the hate express on a lots of the protest signs.

Unless you are attending the Tea parties, you don't know what the heck you are talking about................you are speculating on what you want to think!

@Denis
I am watching that Tea Party debate and the comments from Germany,honest i am wondering,and of course it is obvious.
I thought "there was the time for change"Did America lost that idea ?

Why is it ok to give massive tax breaks to the most wealthy (that contributed to the current fiscal problems) but not ok to give healthcare to everyone... because poor people will get healthcare, that is class-ism, whats funny is the majority of the people complaining about dems and taxation are not wealthy. They lobby against their own well being. The arguments are based on fear of change and me-ism.

Who was it who said Limbaugh speaks for me, us, a particular party etc.??? Excuse me, but Limbaugh really only speaks for himself and does not in anyway represent what I'm thinking or my political views, thank you very much. When you say what Limbaugh says represents what an entire party is thinking, it's the same as saying that the entire party is thinking racist and that is the only thing that drives their thoughts on the issues. Sounds pretty ridiculous doesn't it? Yeah, thought so... So stop saying it!

Racism in this country has always been here it's just been hiding in the closet.... now someone opened the door and has allowed these bigots to use health care as a pulpit to voice their hate...
Obama didn't cause the financial or the health care issues in this country, didn't put the deficit at an unpresidented level, the republicans did and now he is doing his job and fixing their mess... which is working...
this minority of right wing radicals are spreading lies and hate as a backdrop to keep Obama from making America a better country for all...

Obama is doomed to fail in his Presidency if he, both parties, and the media do not stop using race to explain his and others' actions! This is a dangerous way for anyone to deal with adversity and confrontation! He claimed the police who arrested his friend was racist, Carter claimed the 
Senator was racist, Kanye thought Bush was racist... See the pattern? Racism is like a mirror that only allows you to see what's on the other side but never your own reflection, thus the problem. The cry of racism is often used to cover what has been revealed by our own insecurities and typically is reflected both ways. Do we not see the insecurities of men in these recent stories of supposed racism? There have been grave injustices in our history perpetrated through the ignorance of racism and thousands have died of it's plague. Can we really compare lack of common sense, human error and just plain bullying on racism? Or should we place the blame where it belongs on the peole who act out  of selfishness, ignorance, or in an attempt to self promote. These are flaws in our human nature but are not representative of the cancer of racism. The President must lead the way toward an America with a greater sense of personal accountability. He must lead us to a place where we are compelled to face our mistakes head on without hiding behind old sins or the monetary recession we experience now will only be a precursor to an impending moral recession.     

Race is a factor in the Tea Party debate. The vast majority of the participants didn't vote for Obama. A person's vote is not the factor here. What concerned me was the awful signs that was allowed by the organizers. One sign that really got me attention was, "We didn't come with guns, this time." I'm afraid if Obama continues his presidency for another year, these people will try and overthrow the government. They need to stop crying and come together as a nation.We didn't cry when they enjoyed 12 years of the Reagan and Bush era.

Far Left Winger are killing and no one wants to look at why:
Ray Clark- animal activist, save the rats

For that comment from the proud tea bagger, lol if they take away welfare its gonna hurt a multitude of people.

Let's get it correct: Implying that dissenters to the President's health care reform are racist is ludicrous. However to witness signs of "Hitler-esque" likenesses and/or "Deep South portraits circa 1940's showing up at "Tea Parties" or remnants from the "OK Coral" sufficiently "holstered-up" with handguns, are most definitely signs of bigotry that should not be tolerated. The freedoms afforded to Americans should not be applied to those who couldn't even identify the Bill of Rights if their lives depended on it.

The anger I havbe experienced and witnessed has absolutely nothing to do with skin color. It has to do with ineptitude witha man and a party who are the experts on running the country into the ground. Our current president had no experience in running a business, managing money or militaryexperience. He served our nation for about 180 days as a junior senator and yet he is believed to be competant to run car companies, the health industry, insurance companies etc.? That is what millions of us don't buy for one minute. I hate what Obama stands for and what he is trying to do.
My choice for president (and several of my white friends) was a black woman who didn't want to run – Condeleezza Rice. Race, like gender, is used by liberals whenever they know they are losing the argument on content. Racism does exist, but it goes both ways and I hate both kinds.

First of all, really, AC360, you couldn't find one LEGITIMATE panelist to be part of a POLITICAL panel, so you invited John Legend, the MUSICIAN?!

Patrick
I ahev one question for you were you out there hollering when I debt balloned over the last eight years?

Enough
then you should have got together a Tea Party and protested the last eight years. Our deficit has nothing to do with Obama. This was during the last administration. Were you calling in to shows and blogs expressing your anger or did you remain silent. If you chose to remain silent then maybe you can understand why people may think race is involved. I think people are right by no means are all white people racist but to think that some of those clowns there Saturday were not racist is naive and frankly just plain stupid.

After 200 years of brain washing based on the amount of pigmentation a person has,

Some people can not determine racsim. because of their indoctrination; I doutb that they ever will.

Not even the fact that they are 100 million vs. 6 billion.

for those tea baggers with all their protest, clinton gave the country to bush with a surplus and bush gave it to obama with debt.... where was all the protesting then?

The world should be looking at us and laughing at how stupid we really are. These people who run these tea parties dont read or listen. The republicans need to do their job and stop acting like two year olds. If you cant read the legilation bills get out of office. We already have health care run by goverment medicare & medicade etc. Something has to be done with the millions of Americans who dont have anything.

To the Proud Member of the Tea Party, exactly what do you mean by that comment? ................."Now take away Welfare and let’s see who’s protesting then." Who exactly are you talking about? Please clarify.

Not Racism; You must be kidding: What do you think the picture of President Obama as a witchdoctor with a bone in his nose signifies?
You've got to be kidding race is not the hidden factor in these people's minds!

I saw a clip of a lady at one of these Tea Party demonstrations and she made a comment that had me both shaking my head at her ignorance, feeling a bit overwhelmed with it all, and feeling a bit sorry for her and others like her.

She said she didn't particularly find anything wrong with the views of the then, candidate Obama but didn't vote for him. She then went on to say, "It's just like all of my FEARS are really starting to happen."

What were these fears based on when she clearly had no objection with his platform at the time and why.....why is white America always so afraid?

Take away Medicare, Disabilty, Unemploment payments, Social Security, VA Benefits too tea party people because those are all government run too. Why didn't you show your anger when Bush was around. Where were your rallies when the housing and finacial markets crashed., when wire tapping was exposed, when no WMD were ever found and we were told they didn't exist. Why are your people carrying signs with witch doctor images, references to animals in zoos in "Africa", why are people carrying guns loaded guns to these rallies, why are there signs that say bury this bill with Kennedy, yeah, no racism their, no violence tendencies, and what's with calling health care reform "Obamacare" like it's welfare. Watch footage of your rallies other than what's on Fox and then see if race is not a huge factor. I don't recall the Clintons being dressed like a witch doctor when they tried to reform healthcare do you?

Of course racism is at the base of this conversation, it's sad but true. Racism still exist and it's obvious when you see reports of the groups of angry protesters shouting out racist comments and shoving racist posters at reporters, It's sad but it's a scene out of a movie from the 60's where blacks were fighting for their right to vote and the whites who didn't agree on the attack, it's all very troubling. I felt that the panels discussion was good and Roland is right about most of what he said. These people who dislike President Obama don't like the idea of a black man running this country, like they say they want their country back as if he's taken it from them somehow, it's ridiculous. It has racism written all over it. But I think the majority of white & black voters don't accept what the negative few has to say about President Obama and they supports him with an open mindedness.

To V. Powell, your statement is so astoundingly true but terribly discouraging. I hope and pray that at least some can be brought back from the abyss. Perhaps like a computer with corrupted files, there is a system restore that can reprogram them. I don't say this with jest. I really just want us "all to get along".

How come so many bright/outspoken people can’t ever even once come up with a viable solution? Answer is that: These people are not bright, even if they might be outspoken and part of your refined/selective CNN 360 guest roster. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” The Americana approach ain’t working.

People take a look a craigslist houston, rants and raves column. there is your racism right there!!

Jon Ohio

Anderson,

I've been reviewing these blogs with much interest. It's pretty clear to me there is an abundance of speculation about the movitation of those directly involved with the tea parties. Nobody seems to know, including those commentators appearing on your show.

So I have an idea. Your a investigative reporter right? Go investigate.

Clearly this is of interest to many people I for one would really like to have a better idea what people are thinking. The people directly involved, not just the speculators or the paid pundits.

Sincerely,

If the correct ethnic term had been applied to and used in reference to President Obama, the whole racist issue would be a moot point. He is biracial. Half black and half white. Let's stop digressing and get back to the real issues of the economy, health care and unemployment.

Anderson needs to address my comments tonite, so the American People can see for themselves where racism lies so, we can move on. Craigslist houston rants and raves, go read people it makes no sense. let find out who sends those hate comments lets investigate their ip address. find out who it is, maybe senators, house reps, the texas republic. lets do some real investigating on a real issue. accountability is the new slogan right. lets hold the people who post those comments accountable, have some sort of round table to discuss their racism. how can we get over it if we never really address it, with real citizens not some rich politician. i want real people on tv discussing issues not some politician. let the people speak for themselves. Please!!

You cannot legitimately deny that a portion of this country holds racist views towards African Americans. Those racists will join in and support anyone else who opposes President Obama. Two people can both voice opposition to Obama's policies each with a different underlying reason for such opposition. Anyone who is not racist, but holds legitimate reasons for opposing Obama's policies will be embarrassed to find themselves on the same side of the argument as a racist, but denying that there are those who are on your side for the wrong reasons is disingenous or even cowardly. Republicans should admit the existence of and also denounce those who expouse such blatantly racist views. Doing so will not weaken the legitimacy of their own opposition.

No need to go far to mention racism. Just remember, in the early this year, the cartoon in the NY Post that showed the rabid chimpanzee with the following comment: 'They'll have to find someone else to write the stimulus bill'

Not only America is racist, but many places in the world. My country, where there is a huge diversity of races, there is much racism too. America took a big step against racism when elected President Obama, but in the battle against racism there are still many barriers to be broken.

As I've stated before, there were alot of protesters around when GWB was POTUS. To say that there wasn't is just not true. Are there Racist in the mix HELL YEAH! But, to call everyone a Racist, is just not right. And, do you all think that just because GWB ran us into the ground with debt, that gives Obama the right to do the same? He should be getting us out of debt, not adding more to it. Double Standards do not apply when adding to this debt, we can't let it, or all of our children and grandchildren, will never know what it is like to not owe someone. Is that what you all really want? One more Question, Every Black person that hated GWB, was that because of what he stood for, or was it because of the color of his skin? Or maybe it was a little of both?

Unfortunately racism is everywhere, in multi-ethnic societies as well as in more homogeneous ones (Europe/Africa/Asia). I think it was obvious when he was sworn in that President Obama will face these kind of situations. Not all the people that voted for McCain voted "against" Obama, but I'm sure that there is a portion of his voters that actually voted "against" Obama rather than "for" McCain. I think as race of human beings, we are far from achieving acceptance at a social level. Right now I think that we have it on an individual level, i.e. a person can be open minded. But where a bunch of people make up a community or society, you'll always find a bigot or a chauvinist or a xenophobe or a racist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Jan_Pawel_and_Quiana_Jenkins_Pietrzak

As a 60 year old white woman from the heart of Alabama and grew up during the civil rights movement, I hear racists remarks everyday from my famly and friends about the president. I have a few I don't even speak to anymore because of the racists remarks they make.

I voted for Obama and think he is trying very hard to do a good job but nothing he does will please the repupblicians. It's like John Legend said, just don't waste time trying to defend the racists people because they will never change. I never thought it was right in the 60's what America did to the blacks and sure don't think it is right today.

My father stood in the doors of the University of Alabama with George Wallace so believe me I know what I'm talking about. Thank God I didn't believe what was preached to me everyday of my childhood.

I agree with Jon, why doesn't CNN dig into these protests objectively? That is what CNN should be doing to maintain it's jouranalistic integrity. Not sponsoring shouting matches between the 'pundits' and 'strategists.' What is the value of these people who just spit out the talking points and/or make up their 'facts'
We didn't see Tea Parties when President Bush was running up the deficit like crazy for 8 years. In fact we didn't hear a peep from these people who are 'mad as hell' now over government spending.
What is it that makes these people so mad in less than one year of President Obama being in office, and never brought out the same reaction towards President Bush for 8 long years? They don't exactly look like folk who are patient and long suffering.
I would be interested in an objective, piece of reporting on this subject

Is there a rational Republican or Conservative talk show host or strategist in the US? They all freak out the minute anyone points out a racist sign or comment. In all the CNN Wed Sept 16th interviews everyone of them said "no racism in the US". Do they know how stupid they sound? Larry King asked a black Conservative Republican if he saw the racist signs and heard the bombastic yelling that the rest of the world did at the "tea party" in DC on the weekend and his answer was NO and how come nobody said anything when Bush was being called a Nazi? Like one has anything to do with another and two wrongs make a right. I can't believe I am saying this but Al Sharpton said it best "it is just as irrational and insane to say everybody who opposes healthcare reforms is racist as it is to say "there is nobody who opposes healthcare that is a racist". David Gergen is so right when he says let's not dignify the discussion by mentioning Limbaugh's name – the majority of the world know he is a opportunistic loser who says what he says for ratings and gives all his followers a terrible reputation.,