White House spokesman: Criticism of Obama is not based on his race

White House: Criticism of Obama not based on race

WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama doesn’t believe he’s being criticized because of his race.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs said Wednesday that Obama — the nation’s first black president — doesn’t think that criticism of his policies is “based on the color of his skin.”

Gibbs was asked about the topic following comments on Tuesday by former President Jimmy Carter.

Carter said that Rep. Joe Wilson’s outburst during Obama’s speech to Congress last week was “based on racism.” Carter also said “There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president.”

Gibbs says some people have disagreements with some of Obama’s decisions but that those concerns were not because of his race.