Racism is driving the recent anger-charged criticism of President Barack Obama, ex-president Jimmy Carter said Tuesday.

"I think that an overwhelming proportion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, he's African-American," Carter (84) told NBC television.

"I live in the South, and I have seen the South come a long way," Carter added.

"But that racism inclination still exists, and I think it has bubbled up to the surface because of a belief among many white people, not just in the South but across the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country."

"It is an abominable circumstance, and grieves me and concerns me deeply," added Carter.

Carter's remarks come after a week in which a Republican lawmaker Joe Wilson shouted "You lie" at the US president during a speech, and thousands protested against Obama administration policies in Washington.

A series of Democratic lawmakers and political columnists have pointed to the trends — the heckling, the gun-toting, the preachers leading congregations in prayers that Obama will die — and warned of the danger therein.

Join our Facebook fan page Follow us on Twitter

AFP

RSS
Digg
de.li.cious
facebook
It's JZ, leave a message... Jacob Zuma "Hi, this is Zuma. You know what to do. No, no... not the machine gun. Leave a message..."
Finding love in Zululand Mnqobokazi Susan Pletts ventures into Zululand and discovers that SA's hidden treasures are its people.
Visit our politics page Jacob Zuma supporters Need the latest political news, features, interviews and profiles? Visit our dedicated page...