Axelrod: Race A Factor In Some Criticism Of President Obama
(CBS) -- The political strategist who coined the "Yes We Can" slogan for Barack Obama's first presidential campaign says he thinks race plays a role in some of the harsh criticism the president receives, even now, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
On his way to becoming the nation's first African-American president, some critics insisted Barack Obama wasn't born on American soil and some even know characterize him as a Muslim extremist even though he is Christian.
Democratic strategist David Axelrod, who served the president in campaigns and in the White House, says some of this is indeed racial.
"I think race is a factor in some of this," Axelrod said. "No other president has faced…persistent questions about his citizenship. No other president has seen a member of the United States Congress stand up and shout 'You lie' during [the State of the Union]. There is a difference in the way this president has been treated by some."
He says President Obama embodies the diversity of the U.S., which many see as a strength, but some do not.
David Axelrod is the guest on our "At Issue" program this weekend and you can hear more of his thoughts on a wide range of topics by downloading the entire episode here.