Carter: Animosity Toward Obama Is Based In Racism

President Carter spoke yesterday on the tone of the health care debate, saying much of the animosity is based in racism.

“I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African-American,” he told NBC News.

“I live in the South, and I’ve seen the South come a long way,” he said. “That racism inclination still exists and I think it’s bubbled up to the surface because of belief among many white people, not just in the South but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country. It’s an abominable circumstance and grieves me and concerns me very deeply.”

The former president added that he believes Obama will be able to “triumph over the racist attitude.”

Video after the jump.