DNC's Howard Dean Criticizes Ferraro For Comments, Blames Media For Sexism Of Campaign

Ever since Geraldine Ferraro was released from whatever cryogenic tube was housing her lizard brain and propensity for verbal diarrhea, people of all races and genders have suggested that some sort of cork be placed in her word-hole to prevent her embarrassing herself further.

Today, DNC Chair Howard Dean went a long way to making this happen. Responding to Ferraro's recent natterings in the Boston Globe, Dean wrested the conversation on sexism in the 2008 campaign away from Ferraro and placed it in his own hands, and refocused the ire away from the Obama campaign to where it actually belonged: the media. Perhaps most of all, he basically closed the door on any further suggestion that the primary season results can be construed as anything other than the primary season results: "...there's two issues here. One is one candidate is ahead and one is not. That happens all the time in primaries, and you get over that. What you don't get over is deep wounds that have been inflicted on somebody because they happen to be a woman running for President of the United States."

Watching Dean today, by the way, one got a real impression that now that the Florida/Michigan matter is behind him, that old Dean confidence was on the rebound.

[WATCH.]

STEPHANOPOULOS: Let me bring up another point on unifying the party. Geraldine Ferraro wrote an op-ed in the Boston Globe this week where she talked about the persistent -- what she's saying is sexism -- in the party and the difficulty that Barack Obama is going to have winning over Reagan democrats. Let me show -- here's a portion of what she wrote. She said that "Reagan democrats see Obama's playing the race card throughout the campaign and no one calling him for it as frightening. They're not upset with Obama because he's black. They're upset because they don't expect to be treated fairly because they're white. It's not racism that's driving them, it's racial resentment, and that is in force because they don't believe he understands them and their problems." She's talking about a deep breach. What does Senator Obama --

DEAN: Well, first of all, I'm not going to respond to Senator -- I mean to Geraldine Ferraro's views on race because I think they have been outside the mainstream and unhelpful. But I will respond --

STEPHANOPOULOS: So you are responding to them.

DEAN: No, but I will respond to something she said on sexism. There has been enormous amount of sexism in this campaign on the part of the media, including the mainstream media. We'll leave present company excepted because I think that's true. But there have been major networks that have featured numerous outrageous comments that if the words were reversed and they were about race the people would have been fired. So that's a big issue. And there are a lot of women in this country who -- there's two issues here. One is one candidate is ahead and one is not. That happens all the time in primaries, and you get over that. What you don't get over is deep wounds that have been inflicted on somebody because they happen to be a woman running for President of the United States.

Comments

[lvdragonlady]

I am not a clinton fan and never was but I have to ask....
WHY is it EVERY time I see a picture of her, anywhere, she has her mouth open?
To me this should be considered very 'sexist' and to me it is the ONLY thing sexist that has happened too her..........she says otherwise but the pics were by far the worst.

[Cd1234]

You folks still do not get it, and will not see the truth, because you blindly support BO.
1. The unvetted, relatively inexperienced BO is the (anti-Clinton) DNC’s man.
2. The DNC has engaged in a course of conduct to sabotage HRC’s chances of winning.
a. The DNC did not follow their own rules in punishing Mich & Fla (winning states for HRC) for getting out of line. They could/should have imposed the 50% vote reduction at the time of the infraction as called for by the rules; instead it went against the rules and illegally declared the entirety of their elections invalid, so the true votes could never be known and the delegates could never be accurately and fairly apportioned. The timing of these transgressions impacted the momentum in the following contests..
b. At the same time the DNC allowed New Hampshire (now a losing state for HRC) to get away with getting out of line for their appointed time for the primary as set down by the DNC, without punishing NH by taking away half of its delegates which would have further adversely impacted BO.
c. BO took his name off the Mich ballot (not required) as it was a no win state for him since he was predicted to lose there. Instead, this weekend the DNC awards him some 30 unearned pledged delegates, taking away pledged delegates from HRC, based on no rules. It is the DNC which is the mid-game rule changer.

[Cd1234]

3. NEITHER BO or HRC currently has or will have enough pledged delegate votes to claim victory as the democratic presidential candidate. The efforts of the DNC and super delegates to push HRC out of the contest prematurely is self-serving, and contrary to the rules of the DNC (DNC rule changers).
4. As neither candidate has enough pledged delegate votes to claim victory, the decision goes to the super delegates who are supposed to make up their mind at the convention, and not by pledging votes in advance to attempt to prejudice the results. They are supposed to be taking into account a myriad of factors to determine which candidate is most electable in the GE. This does indeed include consideration of the popular vote, which will determine who actually wins in the Nov. HRC carries that vote including in the important swing states, Latinos, working class, etc. She has a solid argument about her electability in support of her continued bid for the presidential nomination.
This will be no easy task for the super delegates as suggested by the BO camp who would like to pack up everything and get to the GE. An example one blogger pointed to is apt here: should Ed Kennedy and Patrick Kennedy cast their super-delegate votes for BO who they backed, or for HRC who their states (Mass & RI) elected by overwhelming popular vote with the majority of their pledged DELEGATES going to HRC.

[Cd1234]

There is also great concern that it would be a bad thing if (largely white) super delegates took the election away from an AA, notwithstanding they would be completely justified in casting their votes for the more electable HRC. The exact same argument can be made that the election is being taken away from HRC by mostly male/anti-­Clintonian­s/sexist/w­hite-racis­t super delegates unwilling to cast their votes in a fair manner, which better reflects the true will of the popular vote and the eventual electability of the chosen candidate. I submit THE SUPER DELEGATES DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF WOMEN VOTERS IS JUST AS EVIL AS POTENTIAL DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF AA VOTERS. Do NOT assume that HRC supporters will all rally around BO if he actually secures the nomination. The DNC and super delegates may irreparably alienate many women voters, if the DNC and super delegates remain on their current course to disenfranchise women voters/the popular vote. Some disenfranchised women voters will come out to vote AGAINST McCain to insure their continued right to choose. Others will jump the fence, leave the party and/or just stay home. Insistence by the DNC, Dean, Peolosi, and other dem power brokers that the vote be wound up by tomorrow night is rule breaking by the party officials.

[Cd1234]

5. Whether you are willing or able to see it or not, sexism has permeated, prejudiced and corrupted the outcome of the Democratic party primary campaign. Sunday morning on ABC, the DNC chairman finally and fully acknowledged the rampant and detrimental sexism against HRC exhibited by the press in this primary cycle. However, Dean himself and members of the DNC have been among the dog-whistling sexist culprits. He can be generous now that he and the DNC got their way –– OB almost certainly in/HRC more securely closed out by the resolution of the DNC rules committee this weekend. It is likely he is setting up the scapegoat: blame HRC's loss on the sexism in the press, rather than the shenanigans of the anti-Clint­onism/sexi­sm of the DNC itself who has not followed its own rules, and is willing to ignore the will of the majority of the people and the mandate to select the most electable candidate.

[cnobody]

I think you forgot a few standard HRC talking points there...

[Cd1234]

6. The DNC’s candidate, BO was not vetted at all by the press early on (to his advantage and early gains), while HRC was torn to pieces by a blatantly sexist press. Examples include the name calling: witch, bxxxx, nutcracker, suffering mood swings, psycho, etc. [see e.g., http://mediamatters.org/items/200802270010?f=i_latest]. Those reporters and pundits would have been fired if comparable racist remarks had been made about anyone, let alone a presidential candidate. It is apparently still okay to refer to a word like bxxxx as "the b-word" [see MSNBC’s Geist’s use reported at http://mediamatters.org/items/200802250006?f=h_top]. However, it is no less abusive than a comparable reference to say the “n-word”. Substitute it instead of the “b-word” in Geist’s comments, and it is still NOT okay. I read a half a dozen bloggers call HRC a “bxxx” just today. This is not to say that HRC could not take the heat.
The race baiting by BO and his supporters has further colored the landscape.

[RandyRP]

We should also remember that Hillary's "I could have stayed home a baked cookies" remark is an insult to women who do choose not to pursue careers. But then again what do you expect from a candidate with 17,000,000 cojones.

[RandyRP]

"place a cork in her word-hole" good one Jason...

[buggedabouttheus]

I am ashamed to say I used the term "evil old bat" on my mail list. I voted for her and Mondale when they ran in '84. She didn't take responsibility for her failure to hold up her end of the campaigning then. Even so, I remember being rather proud that a woman could be even a heartbeat away from the presidency.

This year my feminist feelings have been toss out due to race. I support Senator Obama. I am a hard working black person. And according to Ms. Ferraro I don't count.

Vote Democratic in November!

[patch61]

i a regan dem voter says you howard dean has no idea what it like to be black or a woman so this is how we explain ourselves to people like you maybe obama promised you something thats what we figure and to pick a person who has 3yrs and no documents showing in what obama did except hang with that no so nice people we dont scare easy and i dont see obama beating mccain due to experenice and anyway i see the GOP beating him to the point that he will not get up and win i am looking foward in a fight of obamas life see obama you can not scare the GOP like you did your own ....we hope you pick sen.hillary clinton for your VP to beat the republicans.....at least you will have some help in fighting them....... change is good but you have not showed us in anyway you can with stand the blows of what your fight for us or wanting the presidencey......

[kesiac]

What! Without punctuation, your post is unreadable. But Im sure it had something to do with you touting the brilliant campaign of Obama.

[Georgianna]

In 1988 after Jesse Jackon had won the Michigan Democratic Primary, Geraldine Ferraro said, "He would not be in his position if he were not black." Twenty years later, speakng about Senator Obama, she said the same.

I will not try to get inside the "inner workings" of Mrs. Ferrarro's mind, but something about these cries of Obama playing the "race card" and charges of "sexism" leveled against Senator Obama seem terribly disingenuous.

And just how does one go about playing this race card? As an African America professional, I take great offense at hearing the term bandied about in the media like it is somehow "fashionable to be black." Having grown up in the segregated South and having attend segregated schools up until the age of 18, I can tell you, segregation was no picnic.

I, for one, am proud that our younger generation is looking beyond these "isms" and supporting a candidate who offers them a vision of "change".

[cnobody]

from what I see in the media, they want to give the impression that racism is over and done with; yesterday's news. i think that has more to do with their inability to talk about it in any "real" way without fear of sounding somehow racist, so they gloss over charges of racism as though they never happened.
but with sexism, they aren't as fearful of that term, so charges of sexism are given more importance, not because it is, in fact, more important, but because they'll actually give it screen time. but they do sexism a disservice as well. for all of the charges of sexism, i don't hear any of the chargers, the chargees or the pundits talk about the specific charges. if ferraro wants to talk about sexism, then talk about it! say what's on your mind! tell us who said what and why it's offensive and maybe guys like me can learn something about it!

[CaptainSunshine]

James Carville:

If Hillary Gave Obama "One Of Her Cojones, They'd Both Have Two"

[RonNYC]

Maybe Hillary can finally "come out" now???

[PLUMPLUM]

Down in Appalachia, Hillary's voice was almost as deep as Barack's, she drank beer and whisky like a drunk at the corner shop. She was referred to as having "testicular fortitude" - albeit by a man. A man said this about a woman.

Listen to Chris Matthew's voice, he is a soprano compared to how she sounded on the campaign trail and even in some of those debates. Poor Barack was in hell trying to figure out how to deal with dainty little Hillary and her booming voice. They even called him "girly". He just did not take the bait.

Gosh, what do her supporters want?

[PLUMPLUM]

This is a fine example of why we should humble ourselves when things don't happen as we THINK they should. One of my mother's favorite sayings is "Every disappointment , is for a good" meaning that we don't see and we cannot understand at the very time, why we didn't get what we wanted but there is a reason that God didn't give us and we will find out later.

I was too young to vote and was not too impressed with Ms. Ferraro but I remembered the vexation and hurls of "sexism" during and after her stint with Mr. Mondale; outrage and cries of stealing the election with Mr. Lieberman after his stint with Mr. Gore.

Honestly, look at what Ferraro and Lieberman had lurking inside them. I am not as religious as my mother, but some power is out there looking out for us Democrats.

On the other hand, Dems, I wonder what power unleashed Bush and his administration on us. Any suggestions?

[coinier]

ferraro should be kicked out of the country,and sent to some island inhabited solely by white women.

[barackobama4prez]

My major problem with the accusations of sexism are these: (and yes, I do agree there have been racist and sexist comments from the media, some Clinton surrogates and Hillary Clinton herself).

1. Barack Obama has repeatedly & continuously REFRAINED from making negative comments against women and specifically HRC. To try to pin sexism on him because of what OTHER people have said, and to then suggest that Obama HIMSELF should have stood up for Hillary is ridiculous. Obama can't control what others think and say. Also, HRC has RARELY gone to bat to stick up for Obama, even when there were obvious racist remarks coming from Hillary and others.

2. Some of Clinton's own surrogates have made some pretty hawkish comments (Hillary has 3 balls + testicular fortitude to boot).

3. The talk of sexism is NEW and comes as HRC is LOSING. This talk was not around when Hillary was LEADING or when she was trying to make a comeback.

Therefore, the sexist arguments are diminished.

[JackND]

Yes, back then we had Hillary strutting around like George Jefferson, talking about everyone getting out of the kitchen, where the fish don't fry and the beans don't burn.

[cnobody]

and her extremely smug "It'll be over by February 5th"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saBU6ux0hsQ

was very offensive to her competitors.

[AshevilleVoice]

The most offensively sexist comments that I've heard this year have been from Clinton's minions. If Hillary wanted to address misogyny, she had ample opportunities handed to her by her own staff and endorsers.

James Carville's comment That if Hillary Gave Obama "One Of Her Cojones, They'd Both Have Two", implied that assertiveness is a male attribute, something that cannot exist without with male genitalia. Where was Hillary's outcry over that?

[txgal44]

After Hillary Clinton loses the nomination, Geraldine Ferraro will __________­__________­.

(fill in the blank)

[MrChris]

Be consigned to the dustbin of history. The one marked "Bitter ex-politicians who have lost their moral bearings, common sense, & rationality".

[JackND]

Match Game '08?

[JimR]

Join "The View."

[PLUMPLUM]

try black like Barbara Walters.

[DiegoUK]

Hillary seems to be of the belief that when anyone in the country is sexist, ever her own 'supporters' at her own rally (!), and Obama doesn't defend her that he is thus being sexist. She has led a very negative and damning campaign and yet expects Obama to defend her?

How about this: that he doesn't defend her is why he is not sexist. If he felt she wasn't strong enough to defend herself she would also use it against him as an attack and accuse him of being sexist. There is no winning with her, no right response. Either way he goes she is there to smear him with the sexist brush.

Her position is untenable and the best move Obama can make is the one he is making: to leave her to fight her own battles. To ignore her attacks on the stump and in the press and on TV. I commend him for his restraint.

Obama/Wexler '08!

[gjoh]

G Ferraro is Hillary Clinton's Rev Wright.