Obama: Race Not The "Overriding Issue" (VIDEO)

(AP) WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said Friday that angry criticisms about his health care agenda are driven by an intense debate over the proper role of government -- and not by racism.

"Are there people out there who don't like me because of race? I'm sure there are," Obama told CNN. "That's not the overriding issue here."

Obama, the first black president in the nation's history, spoke about the issue of race during a battery of interviews on Friday. In a media blitz aimed at pounding home his health care message, he taped interviews with ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Univision to be shown during the networks' Sunday morning talk shows.

Some excerpts aired during Friday night broadcasts.

Time and again, Obama was asked about whether the tenor of the health care turned nasty because of undercurrents in racism. Former President Jimmy Carter raised the point prominently this week when he said the vitriol was racially motivated.

Not so, Obama said.

"There's been a long-standing debate in this country that is usually that much more fierce during times of transition, or when presidents are trying to bring about big changes," Obama told CNN.

To NBC News, Obama put it this way: "It's an argument that's gone on for the history of this republic, and that is, What's the right role of government? How do we balance freedom with our need to look out for one another? ... This is not a new argument, and it always evokes passions."

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Obama said most people across the country are just trying to follow the debate and figure out how proposed changes would help them.

"Now there are some who are, setting aside the issue of race, actually I think are more passionate about the idea of whether government can do anything right," Obama said told ABC News. "And I think that that's probably the biggest driver of some of the vitriol."

Some health care town halls over the summer had bitter moments of confrontation. And South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson shouted "You lie!" at Obama during the president's address to a joint session of Congress last week. The White House has said for weeks that such moments are not representative and overblown.

Obama told CBS News that the media was partly to blame.

"The 24-hour news cycle and cable television and blogs and all this -- they focus on the most extreme elements on both sides," Obama said. "They can't get enough of conflict. It's catnip to the media right now."

Obama also is visiting David Letterman on Monday, the first appearance ever by a sitting president on Letterman's "Late Show."

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Comments

[forbitten]

President Obama is a very smart President and politician. He knows he can't say: Many of my critics are waging a war against me based on racism. He's too smart for that.

Therefore, he will let others say what he knows is true and, he knows he can't agree with President Carter in the open. President Carter as a white man can say it, but President Obama can't. He can't even speak to white school children without white parents pulling their kids out of school.

Just like he knew he couldn't attack Palin when she was smearing him during the campaign. He knew it would have been turned around to say: A black man attacking a helpless white female, thus killing his chances of becoming President.

I can assure you, years down the line when he's out of office, he will write his memoirs outlining his true feelings on these types of issues.

[Kellea Tibbs]

While I realize that this is the politically correct answer that President Obama kind of has to give, I find it hard to believe that there are others, who believe that race is not a reason why he's getting this backlash.

The question I ask is, if it's not racism, then why the are all of these "town halls", and "tea parties", and "marches", only full of White people? If it's truly all about ALL AMERICANS, then why is there no diversity at these events? I get a funny feeling in my stomach when a bunch of white people come together, calling themselves patriots and creating groups like "Take Back America" These groups are nothing but code for an opportunity for people to get behind closed doors and plot against how they can get people rallied for hate. And, it's actually SCARY that folks are making "Go Back to Kenya" signs and comparing President Obama to Hitler and others. The closest people came to making fun of Bush was comparing him to the Mad Magazine character. People are acting out their hate and aggressions about our First Black President and are taking the Freedom of Speech way too far, teetering on Hate Speech.

People are AFRAID of the CHANGE that President Obama has brought to America. And please don't get it twisted, it was not President Obama who got us into this mess with debt or healthcare, it was the previous administration. Please give him and me a break.

[kiznatch]

Just to clarify: When health care reform crashes and burns, it will crash and burn solely because of the 60-vote squandering Democrats.

But Republicans will be blamed because they are inherently racist and generally represent flyover territory.

Sound about right?

[wayoutleft]

"The 24-hour news cycle and cable television and blogs and all this -- they focus on the most extreme elements on both sides," Obama said. "They can't get enough of conflict. It's catnip to the media right now."

this is absolutely unacceptable. furthermore, it's a lazy, one-size-fits-all cheap shot. MSM has been a great friend to obama throughout his campaign and months in office. i have known from the rev. wright episode a year ago that- despite many god-like virtues- obama's no one to have covering your back. the pattern would be to have him bad-mouthing friends like chris matthews to fox news or some business council in order to be "bi-partisan" . i didn't vote bipartisan. i voted true liberal: http://gp.org

[ClevelandTom]

How can anyone disagree with the notion that the media looks for conflict and covers it to a greater degree than other news? It is simply undeniable.

[twiggy2]

if obama said race is the main issue he would be lynched. i.e the impeachment process would begin-thus he would be stripped of his presidency for inciting violence- he would loose any creditabil­ty,respect­. he would no longer be considered a man. he would be demonized - his name and reputation destroyed, career destroyed.
this country has always maintained the status quo - even as people of color excel they manage to remind them of their postion in society - ask sotomoyer -{ misspelled }
i pray they repent, i serve a just God and He is no respector of persons -

[SvrWx]

I read all this and discover that in my opinion, racism is a small part of the protests from a small % of people involved. And that small % are ig.norant. That being said...the driving reason for these protests is that people are pi.s.sed off at our elected representatives for allowing us to get into this situation. When the economy collapsed the folks called our government overwhelmingly and told them not to bail out the banks and let them fail. The government didn't listen and did it anyway. Hence, the beginning of the realization that our govt doesn't care what the people think...they only care about how much money they can make by Kowtowing to special interests.

Wake up everyone and realize this. It isn't about racism...it's about overreaching governmental powers and a helplessness that citizens feel about not being heard by a government (and this also means the Bushies, because this started under him).

It's our whole Government...it's broken and it needs to be fixed.

[wdw505]

well said

[AnotherTry]

Gee, I remember folks telling the government not enter an illegal war built on lies. The government didn't listen and did it anyway. I remember folks telling the government not to torture. The government didn't listen and did it anyway. I remember the folks telling the Bush government not to bail out the banks and Bush did it anyway. And it's only NOW that the most racist and misinformed among us have figured out that government doesn't care what the people think? Seemed like they had no problem with it under Bush. Only now it's a problem.

Two things changed: The president is a democrat, so the right would attack and obstruct no matter what. Second thing that is different is the guy's half black. Call it a perfect storm if you like, but it would be the anti-feminist Clinton haters out in front if she had won. Either way, they were going to go batsh!t crazy once a Democrat won because that's what they always do. It's what they live for. The color of Obama's skin merely colors their choice of attacks.

[SvrWx]

What you are seeing is a reaction to the fact that the government doesn't listen. Yes, the president and congress is democratic, but I feel (note this is my opinion) that this has been building over time. What put it over the edge was the bank bailouts and not listening to the people who wanted the idiot banks to fail because they made poor choices.

[Chernynkaya]

When asked why they burned the African American church, the night of Obama's election as President, the two men told police feared minorities would be given more rights. (From McClatchy).

I'm sure these two were also racists, but what is pathetic is that they were fighting over the perceived extras they thought were going to black people. Like dogs fighting over table scraps, these two can't see beyond their masters to realize that, not only weren't African Americans going to get anything extra, they are both being played. The enemies of the People love to keep us fighting for the dross from their tables.

There IS economic injustice, and it is not an equal playing field, but the middle class and poorer folks are not taking it from each other.

[KaosnLA]

Educated people are usually intrigued by things they don't understand. Ignorant people however, are more often frightened by things they can't grasp. Virtually every single ultra right wing Obama-hater I've met usually exhibits bad grammar, illogical behavior patterns, and little regard for polite decorum — all signs of lower educational levels. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I haven't come across very many!

[Kenright]

So, based on your assumptions, the plumber, electrician, carpenter, auto line worker, auto repair mechanic, highway worker, food server.....I could go on an on, are not educated enough for your standards. Ok, the exact people who built the house you live in, built the car you drive, provide the switch for the lights you turn on, provide the highways for your BMW to have a smooth ride. Read your comment, you so far out of line it's beyond mind boggling. If you could correct my spelling and grammer I would appreciate it, I'm only a nuclear technicain during the day.

[SameSo]

Kenright..­..........­......sorr­y, but you havent refuted KaosnLA's point if that was your objective. Try again.

[FGDinVA]

Members of the working class are not necessarily less educated than anyone else. But people who are ignorant of facts ARE less educated and they might base their opinions on what they hear on the radio talk shows or one particular news source or a neighbor. So if a talk show or pastor tells them what they should be afraid of, if they don't have the inclination to find out what is true or false, then they are basically acting out of fear and ignorance.

Anyone who can use the internet has a vast store of factual information at their finger tips. Then there's always the local library. People cannot fully understand what is happening in the world today if they choose to ignore history and if they are not interested in understanding the actual workings of government.

[springbaby]

I have to ask this question. If most of these protesters are racist, where were they when Obama was campaigning for president?

[LookingHawk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c_EkOD8CJU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2kuQow8BN4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04Ysv9B5ic0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fieGfc6DL7k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvPJOQhXrak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjxzmaXAg9E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N44R8fIvgvk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDHnWVPKqSY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-q4MDQ0cDI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaOYtxd-dXE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtIYpBGlv1U&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vagD-4AH4Vc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fieGfc6DL7k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzd5n9BicSk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtZWwgw__WY&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD3p_g2jXh8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hVvMfgvocE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvPJOQhXrak&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKUovpF9LWU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2tON2RkTqM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rTps4Iau1E&feature=related

[water57]

They were at Palin's rallies. Remember, they did not save Palin and McCain from defeat. Don't start putting all your eggs in that basket.

[goodog]

right here, being racist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRqcfqiXCX0

Look at the twist people will go through trying to downplay the obvious racism:

"I think it's reprehensible for (Carter) to attribute racial motives to people who simply disagree with Barack Obama's policies," Kessler said. "Quite a few of the threats are racially motivated, which doesn't necessarily mean 'right wing.' It means they're racists. It means they're white supremacists. They're jackasses, but it doesn't necessarily mean they're politically tuned in to any particular philosophy. I don't know how they vote, but they're not necessarily involved in any political movement."

[water57]

This is what MSM specifically chose to sensationalize, there has not been a republican leader to denounces this type of behavior. Therefore, the republican leaders are guilty by their silent, it is act of condoning it. Likewise, the party gets tainted by wing nuts.

[water57]

The race issue is specifically what the MSM chosen to sensationalize. The Republican leaders have chosen not to denounce racists behavior. Therefore, they are guilty by their silent, which is in act of condoning it. Likewise, the republican party gets painted by the far right. Like it or not, the far right is the face and voice of the republican party.

[termgirl]

They were the ones carrying the mon kies to the McCain / Palin rallies.

[forbitten]

They were also the ones sending racist emails via the Internet.

[AudiGuy]

Clueless and you still manage to have 6 fans. One can only hope they have better memories than you. Or is it you just refuse to see the obvious?

[jessicadevyn]

To be fair it might have been a rhetorical question. I couldn't be sure so I didn't bother.

[Paris]

It's not a debate about the proper role of government. It a "debate" or reaction, more like, to a black man having a say about the proper role of government.

[springbaby]

If Obama were to acknowledge that the protests are about his race, what do you think would happen?

[Chernynkaya]

He would immediately be called a race baiter, be excoriated for playing the race card and for whining. That would be the reaction our enemies on the Right are waiting to accuse him of. From then it would go downhill, not only for him, but for the whole country.

[leekinny]

For the right wing conservatives to say it's not about race and that it's only a few extremists isn't true. To silently tolerate racists speech and actions within your midst is the same as participating in that hatred.

[water57]

The optics of far right and their conservatives TV show telling the public that this is not racist, is very disturbingly telling. How can tell anyone what is not racist when they have never personal experience it. They are telling the public don't believe what you hear and see. In other words, they are urinating on your leg and telling you its raining.

[leekinny]

Reactionary media have made it very clear to their hypnotic audience that the truth comes only from them.

No one else is to be believed.

We hold the true truth.

It's dangerous to listen to them.

We are the truth.

LISTEN!

[sherbug]

I think Richard Pryor put it nicely....Who are you going to believe...Me or your lying eyes.

[water57]

The republicans who have lead a willing media by the nose in playing the race card. They have used worn-out, best, and last card in the deck. There are not more cards to play. Republicans can't win on the issues as long as they have the far right the voice and face of the party. You can't have intellgent exchange of ideals when they have Rush and Beck premeditating committing a fraud on assaulting the public intelligences daily. The other spineless leaders are force to go long with Rush or get their republican card taken. That is very telling, because THEY HAVE NOTHING. If Obama get a health bill pass and jobs improves the republican party is history, and they know it.

[wdw505]

the only way any bill of value will pass is if they do line item by line item on the things most can agree on.
address the following one by one

Insurance companies may not use preexisting conditions when pricing

Insurance companies may not drop you if you get sick as long as the premium is paid

No insurance caps

A company or individual may purchase from any insurance company in any state from any state.

[So Calif Ind]

Oppose Obama on anything and you're a_racist. That's just how the democrats want it, make the other side look so bad that no one would want to be on that side. That's how the democrats see it.

[LookingHawk]

The Conservative White Victim Card. Clearly you didn't leave home without it.

[kutkreata]

Geez. Are you guys really that dense? It's all or nothing with you. Once again: There is an element of r@cism in SOME of the opposition against PRESIDENT Obama. NOT ALL who oppose PRESIDENT Obama are r@cists.

[jessicadevyn]

No one is saying that. Then again, I wonder about conservative comprehension skills.

[sherbug]

I see from your post that at least one child was left behind. Try to focus.

There are some conservatives who are racists and there are some conservatives who are not. You can disagree with President Obama all you want to, but how does disagreement with his policies translate to he was not born in this country?

When you guys ask for your country back...the question is back from where? from whom?

What say you, Republican.

[gwashington1776]

Oppose the Bush administration and you are un-american. That's just how the republicans want it, make the other side look so bad that no one would want to be on that side. That's how the republicans see it!!

[Heru1]

even the Ku Ku Klan hides its racism behind sheets

[MadJeffersonian]

Not anymore.