American Morning
Carter: Racism plays major role in opposition to Obama
(CNN) - Former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday that racial politics played a role in South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress last week and in some of the opposition the president has faced since taking office.
[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."]
"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African-American," Carter told NBC News. "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 shares 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 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 it grieves me and concerns me very deeply," Carter said.
What’s on Tap – Wednesday September 16th, 2009
Here are the big stories on the agenda today:
- There's new information this morning on the man in custody in the case of the murdered Yale grad student, found hidden in a wall on her wedding day. We're awaiting DNA tests from the person of interest, Raymond Clark. We'll go live to New Haven for the latest.
- And former President Jimmy Carter is saying race played a role in the "you lie" outburst during President Obama's speech last week. Carter said he thinks "an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man." Today, we're giving you a chance to weigh in on that explosive charge.
- And the swine flu vaccine gets the green light. The Food and Drug Administration just approved two versions that should be available next month, one a shot, one a nasal spray. Is it safe for expecting moms? They’re on top of the priority list for a number of reasons. Our Elizabeth Cohen is with one of the first pregnant women to get the vaccine, this morning.
- And forget that Roger Federer lost in an upset in the U.S. Open men's final. The dominating headline from the grand-slam tournament was, and is still the profanity-laced outburst by Serena Williams. But Williams says she was in the moment and doesn't even remember what happened. And now that's she's apologized, she just wants to move on. Serena Williams will join us live to talk all about this, her new book and a whole lot more!
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