Evening Buzz: Racism Fueling the Anger at Pres. Obama?
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/09/15/carter.obama/art.carter.nbc.jpg caption= "Former President Carter tells 'NBC Nightly News' that racism has surfaced in opposition to President Obama."]
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
Is racism fueling the animosity against Pres. Obama? Former Pres. Jimmy Carter thinks so. That's what he told NBC Nightly News yesterday. And, just moments ago at Emory University Carter defended his comment that's sparked some heated talk across America today. Hear what he said just moments ago tonight on 360°.
We'll dig deeper on this subject with an interesting panel. Anderson will talk with Grammy award-winning singer John Legend. He saw our program last night on this topic and e-mailed Anderson and our Sr. Executive Producer David Doss, so we invited him on the program to share this thoughts. David Gergen, Roland Martin and Mississippi conservative activist Nic Lott will also weigh in on race and politics.
Do you agree with the former president? Share your thoughts below.
We've also learned that murdered Yale grad student Annie Le was strangled to death. But who did it? That's what police are trying to determine. They have a person of interest. His name is Raymond Clark. He worked at the lab where Le's body was found stuffed inside a wall on Sunday. We know more about him. Tom Foreman will share what he uncovered.
And a catering worker was only supposed to get a $29 tip, but because of typo she ended up getting $29,000. She's since left the job, though those who made the mistake want the money back. We'll tell you where this cash drama is playing out and what bold move is being taken in an effort to get the goods.
Join us for these stories and much more starting at 10pm ET.
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Filed under: Maureen Miller • The Buzz |
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Here is the truth, and I know it hurts,.... the minority and the leftists play the race card at every turn regardless if there is any validity to it.
Val, you are blinded by your hate for the right. You fail to get it.
Some of it is racism but from the town halls I've been to in Austin Texas, far more of it is fueled by conspiracy theory nuts. A lot of those people think Bill Clinton created secret concentration camps to hold Americans. Those are the same people who now think Obama is a socialist communist secret Muslim. "Secret government take overs" of all kinds fill those peoples heads. So, sure, some lash out with racism to express their fear, but more are just screaming crazy stuff because, well, they are freaked out paranoids. I know last night all the people on the panel agreed that most of the tea party crowd were not racist and were simply normal Americans voicing their concerns, but have you talk to them? They are the people who think that real journalist on the MSM are nothing but government pawns that are lying to them. They think that entertainment commentators and conspiracy theory blogs are the only ones telling the truth. They really believe it. And they become enraged if you try to speak reason with them. Reality does not confirm their fears. And their feelings are very real. And if information does not give their emotions affirmation then it feels false to them. They want to believe the worst because the worst confirms their worst fears. That feels true. I don't know how a person can find productive conversation with most of them. They all called me a brain washed obamabot. They all think the same thing about the MSM and real journalist with integrity.
I'm not so sure Carter has it right this time, the crowds have some racist in them, but most the tea bag crew seem to be made up of fearful angry conspiracy theory paranoids.
Why are my comments still awaiting moderation?
I sent them in last night. Is there a problem?
Far be it from me to explain Rush Limbaugh to you esteemed panel last evening, but even I caught what he was saying with his comment about the white kid being beaten. Currently, a white child being beaten for demanding a seat on a school bus is not a "hate crime". However, if an American-American child had been beaten for demanding a seat on a school bus, it would have been labeled a "hate crime" and the usual would have been marching in the streets.
Secondly, CNN has picked, the few signs in the DC March that could be construed as "racist". I was there. We were there not for race, but for policies, such as taxes, health care, cap and trade and immigratio.
The "witch doctor" sign you showed on last nights show would have better explained itself (and its satire) had Pelosi and Reid also been shown as witch doctors. We, as taxpayers, are not buying their snake-oil in the form of his pretty speeches but higher taxes and a 1000+ health care bill.
Lastly, I am not uneducated although I am originally from the South. I hold 2 advanced degrees as does my husband. I told my 16 year old last night that her father and I are being called racist. She laughed. Four of our 5 children are mixed racial. They are our hearts and we feel they are the future of this great nation as they acknowledge all sides of their heritage.
Republican plan- do any and all to slow down the presidents social agenda targeted at mostly low to no income families (any race) who most likely dont pay taxes anyways and wont have to foot the bill for the increased spending.
Democratic plan- To call any one who disagrees with their policies a racist in hopes that they will quiet down and stop making waves. Spend trillions of dollars on people that feel they are entitled to get money from the govt while contributing almost nothing back.
I dont see race i dont see religion i see americans that work hard for their money and have to fork it over to the govt. You can only play the victim for so long before it starts to get old we have to move beyond this and focus on americans not african americans not irish americans but just plain old americans. Adding these titles only deepens the divide
Yes, I believe racism is fueling anger toward Obama. I think everyone is trying to be so politically correct, they ignore the subtle racism that is now becoming more overt. Carter was correct in calling it like it is. Unfortunately, Carter has become a target of the right and everything he says is discounted.
Being a White Southerner, I have noticed the change and have noticed how "entertainers" such as Rush, Sean and Glenn are mobilizing the everyday citizen with innate racist tendencies to rebel – hence these outbursts from people like Wilson who are responding to their constituency
I think the politicians have it wrong. They say these accusations of racism are distracting from the greater issues such as health care.
They are too politically correct to acknowledge it may be the other way around – "we are beyond that." I know people who in the past have been for health care, are now against anything Obama does and are always prefacing their opinion with some racist remark.
If the current atmosphere continues, we as a nation are heading to chaos
With all the race talk, I would never vote for a black again. Roland on CNN and MSNBC crew only talk about race. I thought they were a news station.
I think Carter just said out loud what plenty of people are thinking. He's going to be slammed for saying it, but as a country we SHOULD be talking about it. Racisim has not gone away and we cannot continue to pretend that just because Obama was elected President of the United States of America that it is over. We need to keep talking about it, that is the only way we can come together as a nation.
Racism, racism, racism! President Carter is correct and has been all alone. I always knew that the oppositions to everything that the President does were just a front for Racism. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glen Beck, etc. are all racist who fuel the weak-minded white racist. Michael Steele, Larry Elder, etc. are stupid and brain-washed to thinking that everything is all right in this country. No matter what happens to those two, they still back the white supremacist party.
All those in the Tea Parties and the marches against the President need are their white gowns and hoods. Now days, they march without the hoods and gowns, but they are still the same. Just a different approach.
So, who asked President Carter anyway? I think it is very inappropriate for him to bring up the race factor. Racism won't die, because people won't let it! I thought the issue was health-care?
I am a white southerner, who voted for Obama, because I thought he would do the best job. Skin color never crossed my mind, and I think most Americans feel that way. AND he was elected by the people!
Carter, and others like him, need to stop stirring the pot. I agree there is racism, not only for blacks, but every other race in the world, including whites. I've experienced it myself, but I don't dwell on it, and I don't think this health-care issure, has anything to do with race!
NO!!!! The cry baby Republicans cant get over the fact that they lost the election. President Obama is in office for a couple of years. I suggest that they do the job that Americans put them in office to do. The republicans need to learn how to read long legislation bills because thats what they are paid to do. If they dont want the job theirs plenty of unemployed workers out their ready to take their place.
I think people should really pick their battles. His race is also what got him into office? That means people were being racist towards McCain!
i am very angry that the liberal democrats are finding excuse after excuse for the backlash against their efforts to pass SOMETHING, ANYTHING on health care, regulate everything and in general make us more dependent on an ever growing government.
Instead of calling the protestors racists, special interest spokespersons, members of the radical right, un-American, etc., they need to spend some time and energy finding out why so many people are unhappy with them.
They will find that there is a broadbased disgust with governement spending, political corruption, passing legislation for Ted's legacy, passing legislation they haven't read well enough to understand and growing the government more (even though we can't find enough taxes and fees to pay for it already), etc. Failure of legislators and other politicians to understand what people are thinking could result in our throwing them ALL out in the upcoming elections
It's surprising, you get a fabulous melting-pot, a real heart and a good energy .Your president works so hard for each nivel of your country, he 's succeeding to stop big injuries of the crisis, that's why i believe that certain republican tries to destabilize him, searchs old subject like that because the tension and the fear about health care program exists. Even if the time is difficult, i hope so deeply that the trust of your president will never change.
"Yes we can", we are many people to believe it again, again,again,again.......
Thanks for your feelings, your energy and your shared dream.