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I feel it is due to part race and part of all the issues that are surrounding us now.  He has a difficult presidency coming up.  We have internantional issues and new threats daily.  We have national issues only one of which is health care.   I think with some it is simply based on race and they are having a hard time with a black president.  With others they have fallen into the right wing theories and they are truly concerned about all the issues.  

In reply to #1:  I didn't vote for Obama and for a good reason!  It's obvious that all hi promises meant nothing as I haven't seen one thing come to fruition since he took office.  And, it's not racism that fueling everybody's anger at this point!  He even has the blacks up in arms at the ludicrous things that he's been doing!  I rolled my eyes at the bank industry bailout, and shook my head when the auto industry bailout came through, but this latest health bill takes the cake!  Angry?  Furious is more like it!  That anybody would be so blatant as to tell me when or where or how I pay for my personal medical costs is beyond me!  Heck yes, the accustions against him are fair!  We are NOT being racist by hating what our president is doing!  Is a black man being racist when he hates what a white president is doing?  If so, then I guess every American is a racist at one time or other.

I didn't vote for Obama and for a good reason!  It's obvious that all hi promises meant nothing as I haven't seen one thing come to fruition since he took office. - marbar57

I am wondering how could events that happened after the electios could influence the voting decision.

I would assert that all people are bigoted at some point or other throughout their lives. (The definition of bigoted that I'm using is: obstinately convinced of the superiority of one's own opinion and prejudiced against those who hold different opinions). Some people are bigoted more often than others, but it is human nature to assume that what you want or think is the right thing; therefore, one naturally tends to make the assumption that people who disagree with them are wrong. Some people are more forceful and outspoken about this human trait than others, but it is in everyone.

The issue with race comes into play when people vehemently disagree with someone on ideological grounds and they happen to be of another race. Then, the name calling and comments begin. Same thing happens if a person disagrees with someone of the opposite gender, or religion, or sexual orientation, or height, or age...Using disgusting language or remarks to take away that other person's humanity is an easy way to kick them down to a level where it is easier for you psychologically to place your ideas and thoughts above theirs without having to think about the actual merit of your idea versus theirs.

Oftentimes, I think, (especially with political figures like Obama), it's not that people are actually racist. It's that they dislike his platform and they use easy derogatory terms based on his skin color. They did the same with Palin and Clinton based on their gender. I'm sure a portion of these dissenters truly dislike Obama because of his skin color - those people exist and it can't be denied. But the vast majority of his dissenters are based on people talking politics and choosing to take the easy shots of bigoted statements rather than the more complex route of actually analyzing and discussing the issues they disagree with.

@snsuber... an interesting, intelligent post. Of course, I am only saying that because I agree with your post and it makes me think you are like-minded. :-) Oh my God!?!... I assume you're white! (Joke... obviously)

To be honest, I suspect a large section of all societies hold quite strong racist views. But it is 'comfortable' racism. Unlike the overt, venemous racism of the KKK and such like, it is 'lazy' racism, I think every society is infested with people who are generally disfunctional and predisposed to dislike other people; they quickly find reasons to place themsleves 'above' other races. It bolsters their need for superiority and sense of worth.

Ironically, in my experience, this seems to be true of all races.

It is a genuinely sad truth that those racist people who congratulate themselves with racial superiority are usually very inadequate as individuals and combat their insecurity by claiming exclusive membership of an elite group. Racism is the bulwark of the weak.

Truthfully, there is a fine line between racisim and hatred.  Obviously, many hate the President's point of view and opinions.  However, these people take their dislike and use misguided logic, blaming his policies on being black/Muslim/Kenyan/etc.  There is nothing wrong with saying people disagree, but leave it at that.  As a teacher, I deal with kids who often regurgatate what they hear on the news.  My advice is to get information from as many sources as possible and make your own opinion.  Information is out there, but many will go out of their way to hide or obscure it.  Be informed.  Be educated.  Be smart.