Poll Shows Sharp Divide on Whether Race Motivates Obama Protests

Former President Jimmy Carter's suggestion that racism has been a factor in recent protests aimed at President Obama stirred a political furor, but has also revealed a big divide between blacks and whites on the issue, according to a Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll conducted Sept. 15-16.

Whites believe 71 percent to 14 percent that opposition to Obama is based on honest disagreements and not motivated by racism, while blacks blame racism by 63 percent to 27 percent.

The public overall says by 65 percent to 20 percent that criticism of Obama is about legitimate differences on issues and that race is not a factor. Democrats hold that view 48 percent to 34 percent, Republicans 87 percent to 8 percent and independents 69 percent to 13 percent.

The poll was conducted in the wake of the "You lie!" outburst by Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina during Obama's health care speech to Congress last week. On Tuesday, Carter remarked that "there is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

Voters said by 60 percent to 27 percent that they believe the country has become more divided since January.

As for Obama, 54 percent regard him as a new kind of politician while 39 percent say he is a "typical" politician. A Pew Research Center poll released Thursday asked a similar question – has Obama brought a new approach to politics? – and found 63 percent of Americans holding that view, including half of Republicans.

But in the Fox poll, 58 percent of Republicans regarded Obama as a typical politician. Independents split on the question at 46 percent each and 72 percent of Democrats supported the idea that Obama brought something new to politics.

On other issues:

Fifty-seven percent wanted Obama to spend more time on fixing the economy than working on health care reform. Nineteen percent said the health care overhaul should be his first priority and 21 percent said Obama should concentrate on both equally.

Forty-eight percent of voters oppose the health care legislation under consideration based on what they know of it compared to 38 percent who support it. Democrats support health care reform 65 percent to 20 percent, but Republicans oppose it 79 percent to 13 percent and independents 55 percent to 31 percent.

The poll revealed concern about government spending with 53 percent of voters saying Obama was proposing too much of it while 34 percent said the level of spending was about right. Sixty-three percent believed it was possible the country could go bankrupt.