Clyburn: Obama's 'problems are in large measure because of the color of his skin'

Racism is to blame for the problems facing President Obama, according to a House Democratic leader. 

“You know, I’m 70 years old,” Assistant Minority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.)  said Wednesday according to The State newspaper. “And I can tell you — people don’t like to deal with it, but the fact of the matter is – the president’s problems are in large measure because of the color of his skin.”

Clyburn added that he thought the so-called "birther" movement, which argues that Obama wasn't born in the U.S., is motivated by racism.

“I don’t know why anybody didn’t ask for John McCain’s [birth certificate],” Clyburn also said.

“He wasn’t even born in this country,” Clyburn continued, referring to the fact that the 2008 GOP nominee for president and Arizona senator was born at the Coco Solo Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone. This did not disqualify him from running for the presidency.

Clyburn voiced support for Obama's decision to release his long-form birth certificate to once and for all debunk rumors that he was not born in Hawaii. Obama had previously released copies of his shorter birth certificate to prove he was born in the United States.