By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

No surprise here: President Barack Obama isn't publicly signing on to the recent statements of former President Jimmy Carter regarding racism in America.

After all, Obama has nothing to gain by agreeing with Carter and his blunt view:

"There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

Spokesmen for Obama on Tuesday and Wednesday were circulating their views that Obama is not going to obsess about the racial aspects of opposition to his policies.

White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday, "I’m just simply saying that I don’t think the president agrees with (Carter)."

Obama knows the racial landscape better than anyone, of course.

If he publicly agrees with Carter, it just further ratchets up the opposition by conservatives to the president's ideas.

If he publicly rebukes Carter, the president would be merely refusing to acknowledge reality in a politically correct sort of way.

Obama gains little from this mini-outburst from Carter. It sucks away more attention from the policies he's trying to promote, especially health care reform.

And it gives opponents -- such as the conservative wing of the GOP party and some of the shock-jock radio hosts -- more ammunition to hammer away at Obama.