White House plays down race row

Washington: The White House has chosen to play down former president Jimmy Carter's statement that there was a racial bias against Obama among some people, which led to a congressman shouting 'You Lie' during the President's address last week.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Obama, the first African-American US president, does not think that criticism of his policies is "based on the colour of his skin."

Joe Wilson, a South Carolina Republican, was formally rebuked on Tuesday in a House vote for shouting, "You lie!" during Obama's speech to Congress last Wednesday.

Carter, in an interview had said the outburst was disturbing and rooted in racism.