Obama disagrees with ex-President Carter's race comments

The White House said Wednesday that President Barack Obama does not agree with former President Jimmy Carter's assessment that criticisms of Obama's policies are largely rooted in racism.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said neither he nor Obama agrees with Carter's belief that Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-S.C.) outburst during a joint address was “based on racism.”

“The president does not believe that criticism comes based on the color of his skin,” Gibbs said.

Carter's remarks sparked a firestorm Wednesday, the day after Congress officially rebuked Wilson for shouting, "You lie!" during Obama's second address to a joint session of Congress.

“There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president,” Carter told an Atlanta audience.

While Gibbs said Obama disagrees with what Carter said, he does think that what the former president said “adds to our dialogue.”

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