Washington: Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders accused Donald Trump and other Republican politicians Tuesday of mounting a "racist" effort to try to "delegitimize" President Barack Obama.
Appearing at a townhall-style forum on CNN, Sanders said Obama critics' questioning of the president's birthplace was part of what he called "continuous and unprecedented obstructionism" in Washington.
Trump helped lead the drive to raise doubts about Obama's citizenship in what is known as the "birther movement."
"You can disagree with Obama all you want," Sanders said, "but to say that the president of the United States, who won an election fair and square, was not a legitimate president, really undermines what we are as a nation."
"Do I think at least in some parts of that Republican base there is race involved in that?" he added. "Absolutely. Absolutely."
The campaign event took place in South Carolina, which holds its Democratic primary election Saturday.
Sanders, a self-described Democratic Socialist who is calling for a "political revolution," has astounded the political establishment with a surprise challenge to frontrunner Clinton.
But he faces a major obstacle trying to win over African American voters, who make up a large part of the electorate in South Carolina.
His Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who leads in the polls in the state, hopes a victory will put her well ahead in the race to win the Democratic nomination before November's presidential election.
She appeared separately at the CNN forum.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Appearing at a townhall-style forum on CNN, Sanders said Obama critics' questioning of the president's birthplace was part of what he called "continuous and unprecedented obstructionism" in Washington.
Trump helped lead the drive to raise doubts about Obama's citizenship in what is known as the "birther movement."
"Do I think at least in some parts of that Republican base there is race involved in that?" he added. "Absolutely. Absolutely."
Advertisement
Sanders, a self-described Democratic Socialist who is calling for a "political revolution," has astounded the political establishment with a surprise challenge to frontrunner Clinton.
Advertisement
His Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who leads in the polls in the state, hopes a victory will put her well ahead in the race to win the Democratic nomination before November's presidential election.
Advertisement
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Sniper's Shot Hit Trump Assassin's Gun, Disrupted His Aim, Saved Lives: Report "They Were Men": Trump Again Slams Olympic Gold Medalists Amid Gender Row "We Were Renters": Kamala Harris Shares Story Behind Childhood Photo "Trusted Mamata Banerjee But...": Father Of Murdered Doctor To NDTV Video: Delhi Man Dies After AC Falls On His Head From 2nd Floor "She Was Only Draped In Bedsheet": Father Of Kolkata Rape-Murder Victim How India-Japan Education Conference Plans To Make An Impact Sports Unite Northeast Communities At 'Fields Of Hope' Event In Bengaluru Dawood's Daughter's Gown And A Kidnapping: A Fresh Look At MP Underworld Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.