Obama: I'm not opposed because of race
Washington (CNN) - President Obama echoed past statements in a Wednesday interview with PBS' "Newshour," telling the show's anchors that Republican opposition to his agenda isn't motivated by the color of his skin.
"It doesn't have to do with race in particular," Obama said. "It has to do with an effort to make sure people who might otherwise challenge the existing ways that things work are divided."
[twitter-follow screen_name='politicalticker'] [twitter-follow screen_name='jhseher']
Amid celebrations across the country commemorating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, the comments place the focus back on bridging the partisan divide – not necessarily a racial one.
In the interview with PBS anchors Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill, the president said the GOP's attempts to obstruct his policies stem from their ideological opposition to government-led reforms. Obama insisted his partisan foes dole out bitter pills of rhetorical bluster in equal doses across racial lines.
"It's directed at Bill Clinton or Nancy Pelosi just as much as its directed at me," the president said.
Clinton struck a similar tone in his remark earlier in the day. While delivering his speech paying tribute to the thousands who marched down Constitution Avenue in 1963, Clinton railed against red-and-blue colored Maginot Lines impeding the country's progress.
"Martin Luther King did not live and die to hear his heirs whine about political gridlock," Clinton said. "It is time to stop complaining and put our shoulders against the stubborn gates holding the American people back."
But both remarks from Obama and Clinton come in a year very much tinted by a national discourse on race. The president, notably, commented on the Trayvon Martin trial after a Florida jury acquitted George Zimmerman of second-degree murder, telling reporters in late July, "Trayvon Martin could have been me."
Other high-profile politicians have garnered attention by accusing some in the Republican Party of basing their opposition to the president on his being black.
In a radio interview with a Las Vegas-based NPR affiliate, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, created a miniature maelstrom when he wondered aloud if the GOP's unwillingness to cooperate with the President was "based on substance and not the fact that he's an African American."
Former Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell, made similar waves in January, when he told NBC's "Meet the Press" he, too, suspected some within the more conservative wing of the Republican Party harbor racist beliefs.
"There's also a dark vein of intolerance in some parts of the party," Powell said. "They still sort of look down on minorities."
From CNN Politics
- Austin announces increase to US military presence in Germany April 13, 2021 01:54 pm
- White House says pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine 'will not have a significant impact on our vaccination plan' April 13, 2021 01:52 pm
- Nikki Haley says she'll support and not challenge Trump if he runs in 2024 April 13, 2021 01:36 pm
- Biden attempts balance amid major protests during his presidency April 13, 2021 12:30 pm
- Analysis: Michigan vaccine rebuff puts Biden and a top ally in a dicey political spot April 13, 2021 12:00 pm
- Yes, Andrew Yang could be New York City's next mayor April 13, 2021 11:01 am
"There is neither Jew nor Greek...male nor female:..YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS "Abraham's seed"
(Galatians 3: 28-29) with the same inheritance (1st Peter 1: 4)returning to 'dust' Genesis 3: 19 ,then to heaven(smile)
Well, Obama, do not worry about these, we all know you are doing EXCELLENT JOB. GOP is doomed for a Decade or two.
Do you know that this nation loves you because you are doing the best job. Proven fact in November Election–340/102 electoral votes. Proof.
No more than this present time blacks look at whites the black community is full of hate if ur white and listen to anything other than rap the majority of black community hate u
Oh, honey, you are waaaay too kind to these haters. they are punishing the country for daring to put a black man in the white house! do you honestly think they'd accuse you of not even being a natural born American and a Christian if you were white? yes, they hate everything you're trying to do because it supports the middle-class and poor, but the pure vitriol with which they hate stems from mindless bigotry. you need to get way tougher with these traitors. if you are somewhat lacking in the cojones dept, which i doubt, may i suggest you borrow Hillary's?
You have created a divided class you are not even 1% of what King stood for or for that fact is now.
Never disliked Obama for his skin color, just his policies. If we ever get a qualified President who does a good job, I don't think race will be an issue.
Yeah...right!! Tell that to someone who will believe it Mr. President! I believe you are oppose by at least 80% of those who oppose you because of your race!!
The republican party is mostly klan and racist bigots. Thats where all the judges, lawyers, and cops from the civil rights era are. its no secret, look and listen at them.
Now can the anchors on MSNBC please "Shut Up"!!!
Mr. President, love you, love your family even your dogs but if you think that the color of your skin is not what is motivating these rethugs/teatrolls you are mistaken.
Racism is alive and well in the US 50 years after the March in 1963. Some things have gotten better but the teatrolls and the Koch brothers, among others, have woken the sleeping giant.
On the other hand, I see progress because we are not going to stand in the shadows anymore and white, Blacks, Latinos, gays, women, seniors, veterans, will prevail against those who want to take us back to the jim crow days.
Obama needs to be realistic, their are people especially in the tea party ranks, that would love to see this country go down to discredit his presidency. the thought of Obama being one of the greatest presidents in America's history angers some folks so bad that they would take any means necessary to undermined his illegitimacy, can some one say birtherism. they're trying everything in the books to stop his agenda: such as looking in every corner of our country of more than a quarter billion people to find any kind of black on white crimes to stoke racist mentality; when the facts shows that lightening is liable to strike a person than a black person to commit homicide on a white person, but leave it to the fox news of the world, black folks are committing crimes against white folks all over the country and their refusal to say that 80 percent of killings against white folks are committed by other white folks, while 00000.1 are committed by blacks.