Obama: Intense health care not motivated by racism

Obama: Health care anger not motivated by his race

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he does not think race is the main factor driving the angry criticisms of his health care agenda.

The president told CNN he assumes some people don’t like him because of his race but said that wasn’t the “overriding issue.”

Obama, the nation’s first black president, said the intense public reaction reflects a long-standing debate about the role of government.

He said it’s more fierce “when presidents are trying to bring about big changes.”

Public outbursts of anger about Obama’s proposed health care overhaul has raised questions about whether they are racially motivated, as suggested by former President Jimmy Carter.