Does racism play a role in the intense criticism of President Barack Obama ?

[Unrepentant Fenian]

So far only 20% voted yes, I can't believe it's that low! Vote if you want.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-poll0917,0,1068173,post.poll

[begin_within]

1. Racism is a form of classism, so yes.

[tularetom]

2. Does the pope? Is a bear?

[postulater]

6. Yes, the pope does shit in the woods

and yes a bear is a jew.

Sheesh!

Been on Jeopardy lately?

:silly:

[donco6]

3. Without question.

And I'm not limiting it to Joe Dumbass Wilson's comment. It's the whole atmosphere in this country right now.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

4. So much so, I no longer

believe the Healthcare debate is not really another disguised issue based on racism. Whether it's the hateful need to see those of color or poor with out coverage
or wanting to see Obama fail at any cost.

This will only fester and become worse, desensitizing the public to hateful racist speak. I agree with Obama this is not the time or place to have this discussion.

Obama is picking his battles well.

[Merlot]

21. I think no matter who is prez, we'd still see this fight against health care

The big corporations don't want any reform, and they will use what ever means possible to circumvent reform. They have an easier job of it because they can easily scare up the racists, but they'd be doing this no matter what IMHO.

If John Edwards were president, it would be bad, just maybe not this uncivil. But the same tactics would be there, they would want him to fail at any cost. Same goes for Hillary, but with Hillary it would have been even more vile than the JE scenario, I'm afraid.

[dhpgetsit]

5. It's a stupid poll and a useless question.

Of course a policy disagreement is not racism.

But questioning his citizenship and claiming he is a secret muslim nazi fascist commie whatever is probably based on racism.

[MercutioATC]

7. For some, yes. For others, no.

Taken literally, the same question could be asked of Bush (or anybody) and the answer would be "yes". Race is always an issue for some (of any race).

[virgogal]

8. Thanks for the nice,reasonable response.

[SammyWinstonJack]

20. +1

:thumbsup: Great reasoned response!

[The Straight Story]

9. yes and no

I didn't see folks of color being against bush because they were not the same color. And after reading here for years while bush was in office I can say people were not opposed to him based on his race.

I remember the Clinton years quite well, and people on the right were just as opposed to him as they are Obama.

SOME may see it as an issue of race, and to a few it may be, but overall I think they oppose Obama on the same grounds we did bush - he is in the opposition party.

[Merlot]

19. Agree that they oppose Obama because he's a democrat

The racism is just icing on their cake. And by that I mean that if Obama were white, they'd be just as loud and vocal, and be doing all the (nazi, socialist, etc) name calling. They'd find some other way to get the masses all riled up.

Although I do think that there is racism involved for some, there is a hatred for anything progressive and democratic. So when I see them hating on Obama, I know they are hating on me as well.

[customerserviceguy]

10. For the last couple of weeks

I have been one of the few voices in here trying to make the case that a few racists scattered among the teabaggers does not make them all racists.

Now that President Carter's remarks have been widely reported by all major media, we are about to see what white people who voted for President Obama think about being called racist if they happen to disagree with his policies. Polls like this are only the beginning.

Barack Obama has chosen to avoid talking about this "issue", and I don't think it's because he feels that there is no racism.

[MajorChode]

11. There's no doubt it plays a role, the only question is to what extent

Clinton was hounded for his entire 8 years in office and he was a white boy from the south.

[prostomulgus]

12. Criticism of President Obama and his policies IS racism

pure and simple. There can be no debating that.

It is a hate crime. Jimmy Carter got it right.

[TicketyBoo]

13. I can't read people's minds…

…but here in this town, you don't have to. They put it right out there, n-word and all.

From my perspective, there's absolutely no doubt about it.

[KyleA]

14. Is the Pope Catholic?

What a stupid question

[robcon]

15. I don't see the evidence of racism in the criticism.

Maybe it's there, but I don't think the case can be made.

[KyleA]

17. Just look at the images the wingnuts are showing at these teabagger rallies

It's quite obvious they don't like him because of A) His name (sounds Muslim) B) His skin color and C) his politics

[robcon]

18. Not terribly persuasive...; and it's not "quite obvious" about religion and race.

n/t

[KyleA]

22. I had the misfortune of running into one of these rallies.....

Believe me they are racists......

[tabbycat31]

16. voted

this poll needs some MAJOR DU love

[Forkboy]

23. It's not the only role, but it's clearly the driving one, imo.