Former president Jimmy Carter yesterday told NBC, “I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African American.”

Wilson, responding to Jimmy Carter this morning on the Washington Times radio show:

Wilson: That is such a distraction and a diversion from the issues that we should be discussing. That’s why I really want to take the request, advice of President Obama, that that’s that we should be discussing the issues. And that’s what I intend to do and I’ve always done it that way. It’s not the person I’m objecting to, it’s the issues.
Host Melanie Morgan: Congressman, If you were sitting right across from former President Jimmy Carter, you would have no response to him about him calling you a racist?
Wilson: I would say, Mr. President, let’s discuss health insurance reform. Let’s discuss the issues before us. I respect the office of the president, I would just tell him, ‘Hey, you need to get focused on the issue.’