apology to Daniel Larison

Aziz, I think you are right on the money with your theory. I will add that both racism and this birther movement are based on the same premise, ignorance. I am not using the word "ignorance" as a slander towards anyone in particular, but in reference to anyone who are willfully deficient in the knowledge, truth, and understanding of a particular matter. It seems apparent this is the case regarding these issues.

"it's not Obama's skin color so much as his blatant and proud foreign affiliation that generates the racist response"

I'm really having trouble interpreting your argument overall, but especially here. You label them racist instead of nationalist because their "racism" is generated by Obama's lack of nationalist fervor instead of by his racial identity? Huh?

The word "racism" has thirteen or so different meanings in just the few paragraphs you've written here. The word's meaning (here and nearly everywhere) has slipped nearly as badly as "Nazi" and probably more so than has "Socialist." Words which have degraded to the point where they mean little more than "poo-poo head" in general discourse should probably be avoided in serious discussion.

most racists may be birthers without most birthers being racists.

Racism or nationalism? Here's another take... Remember the crazy stories that circulated about the Clintons when they were in office? (Had murdered people while governing Arkansas, the 'Arkansas Mafia', etc.) These stories were circulated by the same ultra-right-wingers that are circulating the Obama stuff. I think the formula is fairly simple: all left-wingers are evil (trying to destroy American virtues, etc.), so it's just a matter of time until they reveal their true colors. When a story emerges that appears to reveal that 'dark side' to their lives, that story takes on immediate credibility with this crowd. 'See, I told you -- they ARE evil, and this proves it.' Any attempt to disprove the story simply fuels the flames - 'It's a coverup, that's what evil people do!'

lawls.
racism just colonizes the same neuro-memetic substrate as nationalism, fear of the Other.
The GOP has a looooooong tradition of racism.
But overt racism is socially and electorally unacceptable in the 21st century.
We know racism is still endemic in the GOP....the michelle obama gorilla-relatives incident, the Magic Negro song, the watermelon patch, the blackface mount rushmore.....
Empirical data that the undercurrent is strong still.
The birthers are subliminating their racism into birtherism because racism is unacceptable in 21st century society.

this is correct, I think.
“50 years ago we shouted nigger, 30 years ago we talked about States Rights, now we ask to see the president’s birth certificate.”

I don't see what Larison pretending it doesn't exist does for the problem.
Lance the boil or dwell in the wilderness for 40 years.

Dear all,
I believe President Obama appears to be honest , genuine and sincere about his roots and his exposure to different cultures specially with Muslims shows his appreciation for other planet dwellers : Muslims are followers of a great religion and in fourteen centuries have commanded respect of knowledgeable people who have some exposure of history science culture and other fields : whereas Jindal seems to be more like an opportunist and wants things at any cost; generally speaking (historically) Indians have proven to have mastered the art of hiding their real feelings since they have practiced this science for centuries under foreign rulers and master the art of public and home life behavior as two separate modes of conduct and Jindal is no different from any other.