"Republican Activists Are Racist"

Jillian Bandes | September 16, 2009 9:24 AM

That's the meme I'm getting from several sources today. First is the new Rasumussen poll, which holds that Americans (ostensibly the ones who support Obamacare?) believe 12 percent of those who oppose Obamacare are

racist. You read that right — support for free markets and private health care is the same as hating black people.

Second is Former President Jimmy Carter — yes, a former PRESIDENT — claiming that the reason Rep. Joe Wilson needed to be rebuked for his "You lie!" comment during Obama's speech was because his outburst had racist undertones.

I'd shake my head in bewilderment, except a number of other House Democrats agree with Carter! Led by Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson, they believe Wilson's outburst could actually lead to KKK activity. No joke. Here's Johnson, speaking about Wilson's "attitude" to Bloomberg:

“We will probably have folks putting on white hoods and white uniforms again, riding through the countryside intimidating people,” Johnson said. “That’s the logical conclusion if this kind of attitude is not rebuked.”