President Obama says that the healthcare reform protests are not racist
While the healthcare reform protesters have been called racists by the media, some celebrities, and some politicians, including Jimmy Carter, the question that was left unanswered was where does Barack Obama stand on these accusations? By remaining silent on the issue it would appear that he was in agreement with the sentiment. His silence on the accusations certainly helped to embolden those who would call the protests racist events.
If he were to come out and condemn, or at least rebuff, those who throw around such incendiary, irresponsible comments than the issue could be laid to rest. But he refused to do that making, it seem as though he probably agreed with the critics.
But today he answered the question. Today he said that he did in fact believe that the healthcare reform protesters were true opponents of healthcare reform and that they are not simply protesting the fact that a black man is in the White House. He was late in addressing the issue and that probably contributed to the continued attacks on the protesters but at least he finally addressed the issue.
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
He continued:
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
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
There is probably no bigger critic of the president than I. I disagree with almost all of his policies, these differences have nothing to do with his race but rather his politics and I am glad that the president finally came out and told everyone that he also believes most of his detractors disagree with his policies and are not simply opposing him because of his race.
He is absolutely right here. He said “It’s an argument that’s gone on for the history of this republic, and that is, what’s the right role of government?” He and I have contrasting views of what the “right role of government” is. He believes in big government and he believes that the government is the answer to all of our problems. I hold the exact opposite view. So do many other Americans. So do most of the healthcare reform protesters. That does not make us racists.
Perhaps now that President Obama has gone on record as claiming that the healthcare reform protesters are legitimate we can shift the argument away from the name calling of the leftists and focus it on where it belongs; on the role of the government and the issue of healthcare reform.
America's Watchtower 
Plenty of reasons to disagree with Obama. Race is not one of them. He should be angry that his own backers have forced him into a position of having to answer to this controversy.
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True, and maybe now his backers will be upset at him now that he maginalized their argument.
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Race has absolutely nothing to do with it, being a socialist SOB and the most pathetic excuse to ever inhabit the Oval Office has everything to do with it…
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Exactly, and I think that the leftists know this and that is why they are trying to discredit us.
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Although it certainly is about time he fessed up that it isn’t all about race, I can’t give him credit for him doing what he eventually had to do. It’s all a game. He lets the pot boil and then comes off looking so presidential when he finally turns the stove off. His hesitance was all about appearances.
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Good points. He let the pot boil because it served his purpose but he probably knew that all along he would have to diown those that used the race card. He just waited until he had the most to gain politically to do it.
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You wrote: “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.”
My response: I’m not sure I agree with this statement. I think the constitution brilliantly laws out what the role of government is. I don’t think it says that our government needs to look out for one another. That is “spreading the wealth” and “socialism” and that is an ideological viewpoint.
The disagreement comes from men not the Constitution. It comes from those who would look at the Constitution as a living, breathing, evolving document. I personally don’t believe it is that.
If our elected officials would follow the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the letter of the Law, all our disagreements could be resolved within our court systems and judicial systems.
As to the race issue, I am glad that he did indeed clarify his position but did have to end with the vitriol barb?
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That was a quote from Obama, a quote that I also disagree with. I agree with every point that you made.
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“of whether “government” can do anything right?” HOLY COW!!!! Is there anyone that he will not throw under the bus? You better tell Barry, teflon does eventually wear off.
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