(Thumbnail image from: The National Journal) 

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact he is a black man, that he’s African American.  I live in the South, and I’ve seen the South come a long way and I’ve seen the rest of the country that shared the South’s attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African Americans, that racism in connection 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 around the country that African American’s are not qualified to lead this great country.  It’s an abdominal circumstance and it concerns and grieves me deeply."

Those comments from former President Jimmy Carter have set off a firestorm of controversy.  Marcos Malitis, the author of Taking on the System, told MSNBC Carter’s comments are important because of who he is.  

"It does carry a certain level of authority.  Not just intellectual, [but] moral authority, this guy is a guy who grew up in the South, knows the South better than most people, he was a governor of Georgia.  So he knows what he’s talking about."

John Tontillo wrote on Foxnews.com it would be hypocritical if Obama didn’t decry Carter’s remarks.  

"President Obama has consistently marketed his presidency as an issues driven one."

Michael Meyers, the executive director of the New York Civil Rights Coalition, wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Daily News claiming…

"When Obama’s supporters feverishly play the race card, they know exactly what they’re doing – they are trying to stop the conversation."

Huffington Post and MSNBC contributor Lawrence O’Donnell says Carter is a voice America needs to hear.  

"And instead, they have been up there, trying to slander Barack Obama and talk about death panels, talk about things that aren’t even in the bill because they’re afraid of something other than the bill.  And that’s why when you have someone like Jimmy Carter talking about this from his life experience; this has to be taken very seriously."

Meanwhile, Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune finds it ironic that conservative commentators are saying criticism of Obama has nothing to do with race.

"I am amused by conservatives like talk-radio host Rush Limbuagh who insist racism has nothing to do with Obama’s problems.  Just months ago they were blaming white guilt for his success.  Folks, you can’t have it both ways." 

So what do you think?  Did you notice racial undertones in comments like Sen. Joe Wilson’s or the Tea Party in Washington last weekend?  Or are these people simply criticizing the President’s policies?