Say What Now of the Day

Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman appeared on NPR's Tell Me More on Thursday to help promote two of his upcoming films, The Dark Knight Rises and The Magic of Belle Isle. The discussion with host Michael Martin took a political turn, and Freeman offered his thoughts on President Barack Obama and the racial qualifications of a black President:

"First thing that always pops into my head regarding our president is that all of the people who are setting up this barrier for him...they just conveniently forget that Barack had a mama, and she was white — very white American, Kansas, middle of America. There was no argument about who he is or what he is. America's first black president hasn't arisen yet. He's not America's first black president — he's America's first mixed-race president."

However, Freeman went on to say that he thinks President Obama has been unfairly treated by his political opponents since taking office, and criticized the Republican Party for being uncooperative during his first term. [pink]