London, Nov 20 : Sarah Palin has branded US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle `unpatriotic' and `racist'.

In leaked extracts of her new book, Palin delves into the minefield of racial politics, arguing that Mr Obama is among those who regarded the conservative tea party movement as racially prejudiced and who thinks, "America is a fundamentally unjust and unequal country," reports the aTelegraph.

To back it up with evidence, she dredged up a quote from a 2008 campaign speech in which Mrs Obama said, "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country".

Palin went on to say: "I guess this shouldn't surprise us, since both of them spent almost two decades in the pews of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright's church listening to his rants against America and white people."

In America By Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag, Palin characterised the First Lady as only being proud "when her husband started winning elections".

The attack is likely to deepen the impression that the former Alaska governor is too divisive a figure to win the presidency. (ANI)