Clinton Backer Ferraro: Obama Is Lucky He's Black

Daily Kos:

More classiness, from one of Clinton's top surrogates, Geraldine Ferraro.

If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.

Ferraro isn't some unknown lower-level or obscure advisor, but one of her top fundraisers, member of Clinton's finance committee, and a former Democratic vice presidential nominee.

Read the whole story: Daily Kos

Comments

[AxelDC]

Ferraro taught a valuable history lesson here. I know better understand how Reagan won NY and MA in 1984.

[NubianFirethorn]

What's all the fuss? Of course, she's right. This is about race. Would over 90% of blacks vote for a white person? Or a Mexican? Not on your life. If this was not about race, only a certain segment of blacks would like Obama, such as just the young, or the soccer moms, or women over 65. But that is not the case. Blacks, all blacks - rich, poor, educated, non-educated, women, men, old and young - are voting for Obama because he is black like they are. So don't give me that crap about how alful and racist it is to say Obama is ahead because he is black. Because the facts prove that Obama is ahead because he is black.

[Wanjiru]

...Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson were both black too when they ran for POTUS, and neither one of them got half way as far as Sen. Obama has in their respective presidential bids...

...I wonder why they didn't simply use their blackness to their advantage, like this racist old broad claims Sen. Obama is doing...

...give credit where credit is due, is that too much to ask?...

..Obama 2008-2016!

[REDWHITEBLUE]

I am so sorry that I voted for her and Mondale when they ran on the Democratic ticket.I am disgusted with her and dislike her intensely for saying she wasn't sorry. I think she will help drive votes to Obama. She was lucky then to run as a woman? Go back into hiding Geraldine.

[Teritt]

Yep, if Clinton snags the nomination, we'll get four more years of divisiveness, if she can beat McCain. New boss, old boss, it just won't matter....

BTW - did you see the CNN exit polls? It says that "Thirteen percent of the voters in today's Democratic primary identified themselves as Republican; they voted for Clinton, 78 percent to 22 percent."...do you really think all those Republicans are going to vote for Clinton or McCain when it comes to the general election?

[DocHP]

TO Gerry Ferraro: Affirmative action may garner you an appointed position, even one such as a VP slot.... but it won't get you elected by the votes of US citizens everywhere. Holy cow, girl, you don't get elected in this country because you're an African-American. You get elected in SPITE of it. And you know it, Gerry.

[DocHP]

To Gerry Ferraro: Affimative action may get you an appointment..even one such as a VP spot... but since when, in an ELECTION where the population VOTES, is it an advantage to be a Black man? Holy cow, girl, wake up! You have to get elected in SPITE of it!

[BadChristian]

It's amazing.
Are the Clintons TRYING to lose the urban centers?

Lose the rural AND urban votes... Shoot the center out of those "little blue islands" in the electoral map and the Democrats become "little blue zeroes."

[michael538]

The "DON'T BEAT UP ON THE BROTHER!" Syndrome

Even being a white mid-lifer (that grew up in Atlanta during the desegregation days), there is some unconscious feeling that emerges whenever I hear Hillary Clinton's cackling, whiny voice as she spews and rails against Obama. Disregarding my choice of Obama for the nomination and my dislike of Clinton, I am aware that there is this subtle knee-jerk reaction when she goes on and on and on. It is like there is this unannounced feeling that zips into my consciousness that says in effect: Shut-up bitch, don't beat up on the bro. I don't know if any of you have it, or recognize it- but I do.

And it could be a good thing, this "Don't beat up on the brother" syndrome might be just the tonic that our sicker-than-shit political system needs. It might be a blessing that Obama's blackness and the hypersensitivity derived thereof, might enable us to look towards politics above the gutter, mudslinging fray. Perhaps his untouchable-ness is an asset to the system as a whole, because it forces us to see how nasty things have become. Regardless of culture, color, gender or religion- maybe we needed an untouchable to heighten our senses and bridle our tongues.

Regarding strategy, Obama needs to continue attacking the politics of lies, innuendo, and corruption, but leave the dirty work of addressing specific attacks and retorts to his minions. Maybe this is why the pseudo "we love everybody" liberal facade of Hillary is beginning to fracture in all its ugliness. How does a proud card-carrying liberal viscously attack a brother and come away with clean hands??? Marvelous.

[ivana]

"The thin catalogue of complaints against the Clinton campaign from the Obama campaign were unfounded, manipulative and self-indulgent. At best they called into question the oversensitivity of Mr Obama, at worst they showed him willing to play a divisive race card that is damaging the entire Democratic Party and tarnishing a great and historic electoral contest for the centre Left. The whole episode has convinced me he isn’t tough enough for the White House.

Since when has referring to somebody’s past, admitted drug use - if indeed the Clinton campaign ever intended to do that, which is far from clear - been a racial slur? More racist is to equate drugs with blacks, and that’s what the Obama campaign did, not the Clinton camp.

As for Mrs Clinton’s statement that Martin Luther King’s dream of racial equality was realized only when President Johnson managed to get the 1964 Civil Rights Act through Congress? No more than fact, surely; an attack on Mr Obama’s lack of experience, certainly, but hardly a slur upon King. Mr Obama’s campaign is twisting things so that a comment about any black man is a comment about him, just as any attack on him is an attack on all black people. I ask again: who is playing the race card here?"

[ivana]

Her latest comment - she says what everyone has been thinking, but has been TOO AFRAID to say:

"I have to tell you that what I find is offensive is that everytime somebody says something about the campaign, you're accused of being racist." - GERALDINE FERRARO

[wendytheretard]

I no longer know who I despise more, Scum bag Clinton or Scum bag Bush!

[robXdion]

wow, This delusional woman actually said Obama shouldn't antagonize her in his response because he'll need her to raise money for the general election.....you have got to be kidding. Obama raises $55 million in one month and she thinks he needs her? We haven't seen her on the public scene this much since 84.

The arrogance.....

[rollingdivision]

Without the very high African American turnout and Obama's extremely high percentage vote totals within the African American community, Obama would be quite a bit behind in the elected delegate count.

[Egghead]

Have you read that Ferraro is "offended" that anyone is angry?

SHE is offended.

http://thepage.time.com/2008/03/11/obama-aide-calls-ferraro-remarks-far-worse-than-power-comments/

I was willing to be satisfied with an unqualified apology. I didn't even think she should be forced to resign. But this is right over the edge. Geez.