Obama Says Holder Had a Point, But ‘Nation of Cowards’ Not Best Word Choice

President Obama says Eric Holder had a point, but his indication that we are a “nation of cowards” would not have been his own choice of words.

Speaking in February to Justice Department employees commemorating Black History Month, Attorney General Holder said that in too many ways we have have been essentially a “nation of cowards” in things racial. “Average Americans simply do not talk enough with each other about race,” he said. His comments generated controversy, spurring conservatives to wonder how a nation of cowards elected a black president.

The New York Times asked Obama whether he agreed with Holder, and reports that it took the president five seconds to answer.

“I think it’s fair to say that if I had been advising my attorney general, we would have used different language,” Obama told the Times. Obama said Holder had a point, in that we are often uncomfortable talking about race until there is a racial flare-up or conflict. But, Obama said, he doesn’t think that “constantly talking about race somehow solves racial tensions.”

“I think what solves racial tensions is fixing the economy, putting people to work, making sure that people have health care, ensuring that every kid is learning out there. I think if we do that, then we’ll probably have more fruitful conversations.”