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

[OBXartist]

This sexism argument is a red herring. It's nothing. Sure, sexism is out there and we've seen it in this race. But, Hillary has benefitted from it as often as she's been hurt by it.

What is really stunning to me about this Dean clip, is not anything that Dean says, but that once again that crackpot Geraldine Ferraro has been unable to keep her racist mouth shut. What the hell is wrong with that woman?! Exactly when and how has Obama played the race card? Exactly what does Obama say that should not resonate with "Reagan Democrats"? Exactly how has Obama implied that these "Reagan Democrats" will not be treated fairly because they are white? For month now, Ferraro has been making these accusations without offering any evidence to prove her claims.

Ferraro and the Reagan Democrats can deny it all they want and call it by any euphemism they wish, but this is racism, plain and simple.

[beverett]

Sexism arguments a red herring? Lol. Hardly. And, no, I doubt she's benefitted from it at all. Quite the contrary.

Re Ferraro's comment -- Didn't Obama sort of say that in "The Speech"? It seems to me he did...

Accusing HRC of calling for a 'hit' on Obama was anything but fair and you can go back to each instance.

As for Dean, his comments are way too little, way too late.

[beverett]

I should clarify what I meant by "Dean's comments": I meant his comments re sexism with respect to the media. Those comments are way too little, way too late.

It's quite rich he wishes now to blame it all on the media when he himself is at fault as is Obama and his campaign, supporters and the DNC.

[cyndeewi]

They should be talking about racism, forget the sexism!

[beverett]

For those of you who asked for examples of sexism:

From the media:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcdnlNZg2iM&eurl

From Obama:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke64670GkZ8

Neither, by far, covers it all.

[rosal]

Who said "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen?

[beverett]

What does that have to do with anything? I don't believe anyone knows who coined the phrase; it's been around for eons.

But to answer your question itself, it is quite clear that HRC can take the heat, she can take anything thrown her way. She's been doing it for, what, 16 years now and she's still standing. She's all class.

On the other hand, Obama doesn't appear to be able to withstand much heat at all. It's only when he is attacked himself that he pulls out his "new politics". Until that point, and beyond, he plays nothing but "old politics".

[kesiac]

I find it quite interesting that feminist believe if Barack does not stand up for Hillary against sexism, he is by definition sexist. Yet not only do Ferraro, Clinton and the like not stand up against racism, they inject it into the race.

[jsuaka17]

I watched the Youtube video of Obama's alleged sexism, and while I do agree that there has been some sexism displayed throughout this campaign, I don't see any link to show that Obama has directly participated. There were a couple of pictures of him and her and I guess it was supposed to depict him looking down his nose at her... that is a stretch. When you are constantly being photographed without being allowed the opportunity to pose, you will get some unflattering shots, there are plenty of Hillary floating around as well.

Obama has been the recipient of some pretty overt racism as well. I have yet to see Hillary come to his defense either. Obama has been very respectful of her throughout this whole campaign. He has had so many opportunities to jump on her lies, inconsistencies, rule changing, feminist baiting tactics, but never did. She on the other hand has attacked him from all angles, from distributing the picture of him supposedly dressed as a muslim, to lying about him talking to Canada about his NAFTA position, to attempting to link him with underground terrorist groups. In spite of all of this, she lost to him. Now her tactic is to try and make his win seem illegitimate by claiming the popular vote (using some wizardry mixed with mathematics). I used to love and respect the Clintons. I now wish I could retroactively take back my votes for him.

[cnobody]

"There were a couple of pictures of him and her and I guess it was supposed to depict him looking down his nose at her"

it's sexist that he's taller than she is. shame on you, barack obama, for being taller than hillary clinton.

[barackobama4prez]

I'm sorry but I don't think the majority of America agrees with you. Hillary IS a witch. Sorry. Majority rules.

[SethBLiNK]

Has the media been overtly sexist?

Hillary's biggest target has been Chris Matthews. His greatest transgression was saying that Hillary owes her success to sympathy garnered as a result of Bill's adultery.

That's about the worst... and while it was an unfair statement (for which he eventually apologized) that was dismissive of her personal accomplishments, when you consider that the media and her opponents have largely steered clear of the whole Bill adultery thing and that events stemming from that adultery caused him to be impeached, I would say she got a free ride this season.

She also reversed what might have been a devastating loss in New Hampshire by misting up, something few male candidates would expect to benefit from.

In other words, for all the complaints of sexism, the knife cuts both ways and the net result has been all that unfavorable.

When you also consider that Hillary continues to claim that Obama is trying to force her out of the race (when he is going out of his way not too) paints him unfairly as a dismissive sexist.

Meanwhile, she says that sexism has been an issue in this race while racism hasn't (and incredibly self-centered pronouncement) and that Ferraro can claim that the sexism and the racism of the race have both damaged Hillary.

Enough. We're electing a president, not a martyr.

[LeoMarvin]

Trying to prioritize my responses to the steady stream of nonsense that issues from Hillary, Bill, Gerry, Wolfson and Ickes wreaks havoc on my ADD. Why does Hillary hate the disabled?

[MariaHopeful]

Not to mention that were it not for her husband's name, legacy and goodwill she would not be running for President or thinking that she is entitled to it. Were it not for her husband's name she would not have won Puerto Rico today. She is reaping the benefit of the Clinton's Presidency. A Presidency that was saved by a coalition of BLACK PEOPLE, moveon.org and progressive whites. Of course today she forgot all about black people in touting her new base of "hardworking white people" and Hispanics. I tell my Latino friends to watch as you are used and then discarded.

[MariaHopeful]

So he is not going to address blatant racism but he is going to address perceived sexism. That is so telling. I will submit that Obama has had to deal with more overt and covert racism than any so-called sexism directed at Hillary. I am a woman and I do not see how sexism has negatively impacted Clinton's campaign or her positive/negative ratings. Matter of fact, she has used sexism to help her. She has openly appealed to women to vote for her because she is a woman and women have responded. She has said things about being a woman that Barack Obama could not dare say about being black. Barack Obama has had to walking a freaken tight rope so as to avoid being further lynched by the racist media and rejected by his own black people. The guy is awesome for having achieved what he has so far.

[robXdion]

Exactly. Ironically most of the sexist comments have come from her and her own supporters. She has turned this into some sort of gender war, she staged the "iron my shirt" trolls, and her supporters refer to male characteristics to make the case for her. Meanwhile, Obama has her and others openly hinting at his assassination, he can't win because he's black, he's an fluke, fairy tale, drug dealer, radical black muslim, unpatriotic / not a real "American" thru blackness, "boy", too young, inexperienced, empty suit and other coded terms and excuses to imply he is not worthy of his position. This primary has demonstrated so well the double standard and hypocrisy of American racism and the selective ignorance of it.

[Bon1042]

My God, what an insightful, sane and refreshing and accurate analysis. I'm a 64 yr old white woman, a radical feminist, ardent Obama supporter and I agree with you 100 %

[leftintheoven]

Absolutely right on. If you say the sky is falling enough times, there will always be someone out there who will buy into what you say. People like Geraldine Ferraro decided the sky is falling since she cannot come to intelligent conclusions. Both candidates can find examples of derogatory commentary for their own use. But there has not been any significant slant either way. That is what happens in political races unfortunately.

The real telling signs of who has exemplified leadership is how they have managed their campaigns relative to what they said their principles were. And I would challenge anyone to tell me the Hillary Clinton has followed her principles more closely than Barack Obama. Her money management has been poor. Her expectations of not having to go beyond Super Tuesday put her in this bind. Her exagerations of gunfire in Bosnia were nothing like reality. So it was okay to blame it on being tired even if she can think straight at 3:00 AM. Meanwhile Barack has made every attempt to keep his supporters out of negative displays such as those demonstrated at the DNC Rules Committee meeting on Saturday.

[cyndeewi]

Look at her website and see how she modeled it after. She stole the website and build on it.

[Insideout143]

Couldn't Stephagopaloss have a reasonable person who Supports Hillary as his guest? NOOOOO.... Of course not!

Gotta feed the fire.

[JimR]

What do you mean? He's the Clinton supporter.

[cnobody]

it isn't like they dragged him off the street. he's the DNC chairman! (or chairperson, wouldn't want to be sexist) Meet the Press had Ickes on, and for all of his indignation, he pretty much admitted that they had no plans of dealing with florida or michigan until after HRC had sewn up the nomination. i just can't believe that her supporters fawn over this guy. he's the one that stripped florida and michigan in the first place!

[DustyRebel]

There are a lot of reasons why Clinton lost, sexism is not one of them. In fact, none of the exit polls have shown any sign of sexism being a problem for Clinton.

On the other hand, we have her base (white older women) voting for her BECAUSE of her gender, while at the same time claiming she is not winning because of her gender. How's that for a perversion of feminism?

Many nations (Britain, India, Ireland, Pakistan, Israel, Germany and so on) have had females elected leaders (for several decades now), none of those women cried "sexism".

Could you imagine Thatcher having a pity party about how unfair it is for women in politics?

[Gingerously]

so by extension you are admitting that 90% of African Americans voted for obama due to racism.

over half of this country's population is female, yet what percentage of women constitute elected leaders and other positions of power? latinos are the largest minority group in the country, but they are certainly not proportionally represented either.

[CWW]

Ok even if 90% of African Americans voted for Obama simply because he was Black (which isn't the case) that is not racism. There is a distinct difference between a group voting for a candidate because they have something in common (race or gender) than a group not voting for a candidate based on those same things. Are you intelligent enough to follow that train of thought?

Also no Clinton supporters had a problem when 90% of African Americans were voting for Bill Clinton.

[Teritt]

Why do Clinton supporters have such a hard time accepting that there are actually people out here that really don't care or vote based on race or gender? I'm a white female, and I like Obama's message, the way he ran the campaign, his stand on issues such as Social Security (his tweaks/limits are far better than Hillary's), etc. I was for Hillary in the beginning, but she and her staff reminds me more and more of George Bush every day. The division of our country versus the divison of the Democrats, the way she changed her stand on FL & MI reminds me of the way Bush changed his reasons for invading Iraq. I mean, I don't understand how anybody can believe what she says anymore. There are excuses after excuses, hitmen like Lanny Davis & Terry McAulliffe & Mark Penn selling her propaganda.

Give me the high road anyday, it's been far too long since our country has taken it.

Superdelegates, please vote for Obama!

[Sovrana]

The sexism accusation should point first to the Clinton campaign. Her strategists Mark Penn and others insisted on portraying her as strong like a man....not strong like a woman.

Not trusting that Hillary could run on her own credentials and not on the coattails of her husband is sexist. These parameters were determined by her campaign, not by the voters, and not by the media and certainly not the Obama campaign..

[lallen]

Who thawed out Ferraro? Please put her back in her croyogenic chamber, and gag her.

[Gingerously]

ageist AND sexist (and a poor speller). a true obama fan.

[CWW]

Are you trying to say Ferraro isn't crazy? Have you heard the crap she has said.

Obama is sexist because he was dismissive of Hillary's criticism instead of attacking her
Obama is a racist
A white Catholic priest is racist for criticizing Hillary
Obama is lucky to be who he is, a Black man and that is why he is doing well

Interesting that she never said that if Hillary wasn't the former first lady no one would even know who the hell she is. Yeah Clinton is the woman I would want to hold up as an example of how to work hard and break glass ceilings...... marry the person with the job you want?

[kesiac]

Offensive, yes. Ageist and sexist....not. Is it by definition that any comment made to a white woman sexist. And Yes, I said white woman, because by looking at feminist sites, and pro Hillary sites it seems that there is no pause in denigrating Michelle Obama.

[Northlite]

As part of her withdrawal deal with Obama, Hillary has demanded that Lanny Davis be among Obama's first three Supreme Court nominees. Ickes and Wolfson will be given paid positions with the Obama campaign. And Hillary will support Obama--cross my fingers and hope to die!--even as she sticks the knife in his back every chance she gets.

[whatgive]

The democratic party needs some serious house-cleaning. They can start with dismissing the following two-faced criminals:

McAuliffe, Ferraro, Ickes, Hillary & Bill, Lany Davis, Ed Rendell, etc...

This party need to be reclaim by True and loyal Members that is, the colour-blind, common folks and the progressives.

[schicklett3]

Well said! BRAVO!!!

[Bluejay00234]

Thank you HD, GF needs to be muzzled!

[booksnmore4you]

More so than the need for the issue of sexism being addressed n this country, the issue of FOX News needs to be addressed, calling itself news.

[ReportThis]

I am genuinely curious: Would someone please cite me an example of the Mainstream Media being sexist toward Hillary?

[obamanation31]

Can Ferraro show me any examples of Obama or his team being sexist towards Hillary?

[kesiac]

Shepherd Smith asked her that question, her example was when Obama called her Annie Oakley. She said he would have never called a man that.

[njb5112]

Ohh....Thanks for the laugh! Loved it...

[drzoon]

didn't we all call RR "John Wayne"?

[apoyo]

How could you call a man Annie Oakley?

[live]

by the way i read a biography of annie oakley and she was a character that made it in a man's world through her skill and theatrical accumen. she was a hit werever she went.

as a woman i would feel honored to be called annie oakley!

[farseer]

But the fact is it was in no way a sexist comment to call her Annie Oakley. If she had called Obama Buffalo Bill (after a famous marksman) it would not be called sexism. He called her Annie Oakley to ridicule her attempts to pretend she was a great gun buff and hunter.