Washington - A round of fierce partisan attacks and animosity levelled by opponents of President Barack Obama in the last few months has now led some supporters to raise a serious and explosive question: Is it racism?Former president Jimmy Carter has become the most high-profile politician to make the accusation, arguing that many of Obama's detractors have motives other than his policies.
"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African American," Carter said in an interview with broadcaster NBC News Tuesday night.
"I think it's bubbled up to the surface because of a belief among many white people, not just in the South but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country," Carter said. "It's an abominable circumstance and grieves me and concerns me very deeply."
Much of the vitriol has stemmed from a heated debate over major health care reform, which has divided the country over how to lower costs and extend coverage to some 46 million uninsured. Conservatives argue Obama has designs on a government-takeover of the largely private system. The level of intensity increased over the summer months just over six months into Obama's presidency.
Yet while the attacks on Obama have been strident and sometimes personal, very few have involved race. Most pundits and protestors have stayed away from the issue of Obama's skin colour, and until now supporters have rarely accused the other side of alternative motives.
The partisanship and anger seemed to reach a fever pitch in the last week. Thousands protested against Obama's deficit spending at a rally Saturday in Washington.
A few protestors carried signs comparing Obama to Adolf Hitler and the Joker from the Batman comics. He has been repeatedly derided as a socialist and Marxist, while a movement that questions whether he was born in the United States refuses to go away.
A Republican congressman shouted "you lie" during Obama's September 9 speech before a joint session of Congress - a rare outburst in a chamber that is usually far more formal than many other parliaments around the world.
The congressman, Joe Wilson, apologized to the president hours after the speech and Obama accepted. But Democrats demanded an apology to Congress and went ahead with a formal reprimand Tuesday night that was fiercely opposed by Republicans.
Republicans took offense Wednesday at Carter's comments that the criticism has been racially motivated.
"President Carter is flat out wrong. This is not about race. This is about policy," said Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, himself an African American.
But accusations like Carter's are growing. Some Democratic congressman have also made the suggestion that race is a factor, though Obama has so far stayed out of the fray.
"I don't think the president believes that people are upset because of the color of his skin," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told CNN on Sunday. "I think what we have to all do is take a step back, take a deep breath and remember who were here to represent."
