Some Obama Critics Actually Are Racists

Jimmy Carter was right when he said racism fuels some of President Obama's critics, Eugene Robinson writes for the Washington Post. Carter may have overstated it—plenty of naysayers have legit policy concerns over issues such as health reform—but "the most vitriolic attacks" reject Obama's "legitimacy as president," Robinson writes. "I can't find any explanation for it other than race."

"Protest is part of our system," Robinson writes. "It's as American as apple pie." But this is something more nefarious. Rep. Joe "You lie!" Wilson's outburst was a game-changer. "Grumbling and even booing come with the territory, but a flat accusation of mendacity is an impermissible sign of disrespect," Robinson writes. "Nobody ever called Bush a liar when he was speaking in the House chamber."
(More Jimmy Carter stories.)