Twelve percent (12%) of voters nationwide believe that most opponents of President Obama’s health care reform plan are racist. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of voters disagree, and 21% are not sure.

In recent days, several Democrats have suggested that racism is a factor. The most prominent to make that accusation is former President Jimmy Carter.

Eighty-eight percent (88%) of Republicans reject the notion that most of the opponents are racist. So do 78% of voters not affiliated with either major party. However, just 39% of Democrats share that view. Twenty-two percent (22%) of those in the president’s party say that most of the opposition to his plan comes from racists, and another 39% are not sure.

The president’s health care proposal has encountered stronger opposition than anticipated by the White House. For most of the summer, a majority of the nation’s voters opposed the plan. Following the president’s nationally televised speech last week, support for the plan increased temporarily. However, support is now back to pre-speech levels.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

During that speech, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson shouted “You Lie” after the president asserted that illegal immigrants would not be covered under his health care plan. Wilson subsequently apologized to Obama. But the South Carolina congressman was formally rebuked by the House on a generally party-line vote yesterday, although Democratic leaders downplayed charges by some that his outburst was racially motivated.

However, Wilson’s comment helped focus part of the discussion on taxpayer-subsidized health care coverage for illegal immigrants rather than other aspects of the presidnet's plan. That forced the White House to issue a clarification of its position and added a further complication for advocates of the plan. Eighty-three percent (83%) of voters nationwide say that people should be required to prove they are citizens before receiving government health care benefits.

Only one percent (1%) of those opposed to the health care plan believe that most of the opposition comes from racists.

Among Obama’s strongest supporters, those who Strongly Approve of his job performance, 35% say most opponents are racists, 32% disagree and 33% are not sure.

Among African-American voters, 27% say most opponents are racist, 25% disagree, and 48% are not sure.

Fifty percent (50%) of white Democrats reject the charge of racism, but 15% say it’s true.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll recorded a modest bounce in support for Obama immediately following the speech. However, like the bounce in support for the health care plan, it has begun to fade.

Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it’s free) or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. Let us keep you up to date with the latest public opinion news.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available to Premium Members only.