‘Racism behind anger towards Obama’

FORMER US president Jimmy Carter claims Republican Joe Wilson’s outburst to President Barack Obama during a speech to congress last week was an act “based on racism” and rooted in fears of a black president.

“I think it’s based on racism,” Carter said in response to an audience question at a town hall meeting held at his presidential centre in Atlanta. “There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president.”

The Georgia Democrat said the outburst was part of a disturbing trend directed at the president that has included demonstrators equating Obama to Nazi leaders.