SMART POLITICS - AT 10:10 P.M. ET:  The White House doesn't want to go near Jimmah Carter's charge that racism is fueling criticism of the president.  From The New York Times:

Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, pretty much rejected today the views of former President Jimmy Carter, who publicly characterized as racist the remarks made by Representative Joe Wilson and the motives of some angry protesters against President Obama’s policies.

At the White House briefing, Mr. Gibbs repeatedly reverted to quoting from his television interview on Sunday, before Mr. Carter injected yet another level of highly charged views into a boiling flashpoint aimed at Mr. Obama. Mr. Gibbs echoed sentiments among administration officials in recent days, by seemingly and deliberately tiptoeing around the race question, preferring to paint the often vociferous opposition as rooted in upset over the economic downturn and fear.

COMMENT:  Smart politics by a White House that has faltered politically in recent weeks.  When you charge something as nefarious as racism, you'd better have the goods.  The White House understands that Carter, a creep in creep's clothing, doesn't have anything but his own illusions and resentments.  Obama is smart enough not to want to be linked with Carter, whose book on the Arab-Israeli conflict was recommended this week by Osama bin Laden. 

The faster the "r" word goes away, the better it is for Obama.

September 16, 2009