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Welcome Back, Geraldine
I never thought we missed much when America was denied the Vice-Presidency of Geraldine Ferraro, but now I know I was wrong. Recently, the feisty former New York City Congresswoman and Mondale running mate had this to say in an interview with the Daily Breeze: "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." Let me get this straight - being black is helping him? That presumes a level of liberal guilt even Rush Limbaugh would not ascribe to the Democratic Party.
How wrong is she? First of all, allow me to point out that if former Senator George Allen had not had his "macacca moment", he would likely have been the Republican nominee. In other words, despite Ms. Ferraro sensitive analysis, it is still considerably easier for a white chucklehead to dream big in this country, then for a black man to get a taxi cab in Manhattan.
Ferraro's comment is rich on many levels, but I'll just mention this one: When she was named the Vice-Presidential candidate in 1984, the national reaction was: "Geraldine Who"? And then the part of the electorate that did not live within a fifty mile radius of Shea Stadium scratched their collective head trying to recall if they had ever heard her name before. Does anyone really believe that this Democratic Party water-carrier from Queens, N.Y., was put on a national ticket for anything other than her lack of a Y chromosome? What were her accomplishments that merited this inclusion? She had a perfectly ordinary record in the House, and some people believed she might have made a better VP than the Republican candidate, George Bush the Elder - who didn't do much when he was in Congress either, come to think of it - but she wasn't exactly making big waves back then.
Although Hillary doesn't have to "denounce and reject" her surrogate, in a week when Samantha Power was ritually sacrificed for an off-the-record comment she made to a reporter, shouldn't the candidate remove Ms. Ferraro from the campaign? Further, after Bill's mouthing off about Obama performing like Jesse Jackson in South Carolina, and now this, shouldn't the Clintons finally tell their troops to go easy on the black thing? It's kind of like reminding people Hillary wouldn't be where she was if her husband hadn't been President. It may be true, but don't we already know it?
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So much for the strong feminist that they are supposed to be. Ferraro and Clinton look like the victims
Sorry, Obama, they bested you this time because white folks won't stand for black men picking on their women.
it's bigotry and it meant to stir up resentment in future primaries.
Geraldine Ferraro was dealing from the bottom of the deck and this wasn't the first time for her to express such racially tinged sentiments.
"If Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race," she said this about Rev. Jackson during his 1988 run for president. April 15, 1988 Washington Post story (byline: Howard Kurtz),
Yes, very same comment 20 years ago. I guess she thinks that no black candidate would be there unless he or she was black.
Nicely put, Mr. Greenland!
Indeed, if Hillary were not married to William Jefferson Clinton, she'd still be a Walmart board member, busy lamenting it's sad record on advancing women to executive positions while shamelessly praising the company's vast profits made with the sweat and blood of "blue-collar" women employees...many of whom can't afford to feed their families.
After all, she did say "Walmart does it better than anyone".
Your last point needs be emphasized. No one would ever say publicly that Hillary is only where she is now because of her gender and her last name, but we all know it. Imagine the outrage if an Obama surrogate said something like that. I think Obama should rehire Samantha Power and if the Clinton people demand she be fired, Obama should say, "only if you fire Geraldine Ferraro first."
Many Obama people have said on this site that Hillary wouldn't be where she is if she wasn't married to Bill. Haven't you read any of those posts over the last few months?
Anonymous posting, no matter high an opionion of themselves any poster might have, does not equate to being a surogate for either campaign.
I agree with Ms. Ferraro--some people support Obama in part because of what they perceive his mixed race will allow his to accomplish as President. That's voting for someone because of race--and whether it's white, black or other, that's racism. Ferraro's comments were politically incorrect (heaven forbid) but not racist.
Constantly pointing out that someone is black is racist. Obama never mentions race or gender, other than to urge us to look beyond these superficialities. We all should follow his lead, not the lead of the one who is always bringing up our differences. They are both desperate and pathetic.
Who is "constantly" pointing out Obama is black? Obama never mentions race? That's a laugh. Michelle Obama declared "Ain't no blacks in Iowa" after the caucuses there. If Bill Clinton had said "Ain't no whites in SC" , how do you think that would have played.
I guess the Republican just have more class. 94% of Mormons voted for Romney, but the first thing out of every republican's mouth wasn't, "Romney is lucky to be a Mormon, and Mormans hate Christians."
So it's not possible that Obama's mixed race has anything to do with his prominence? But, of course, the only way a woman could get nominated as VP was because of gender preference.
"Hello. My name is Seth. And I'm a misogynist."
Ferraro herself stated that she would not have been Mondale's running mate in 1984 were she not female.
http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_8533832
Does that make Ferraro a misogynistic woman?
It'd be nice is she has said it during the campaign.
No, it makes her honest.
Perhaps this issue involving Geraldine Ferraro should be judged by facts and logic, and not by ridiculous notions of what is politically correct.
1) Geraldine Ferraro suffers from multiple myeloma [blood-borne cancer], and from what I heard last night, she has been placed on chemotherapy drugs again [which would indicate that her cancer is no longer in remission]. About multiple myeloma: There is no cure for multiple myeloma. About half of the people diagnosed with the disease die within 5 years. Geraldine Ferraro was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1998.
2) While I've never had chemo or cancer, I've been close to the finish line more than once, and I can tell you that when you know you're close, you just don't feel the need to sugarcoat your words for public consumption; you simply say what you mean.
3) The argument she has made is a logical one, and it is only in the realm of "politically correct speech" that her argument can be classified as inappropriate; it is a demonstrable FACT.
The Argument: Barack Obama would not be in his current position of advantage [within the Democratic Primaries] if he were not a black male.
Take all aspects of Barack Obama--sex, age, personality, race, qualifications, and political experience--and change one factor: RACE.
It"s a reasonable argument to assert that the demographic of voter percentages would change considerably. It"s unlikely that the white male Barack Obama would unify and consistently pull 80 - 90% of the African-American vote. In primary matches where the block African-American vote is the deciding factor in voter turnout for black Barack Obama, white Barack Obama would likely lose many percentage points in the comparative tallies, and could very well lose some of the closer primary contests that the black Obama has won.
My [and Geraldine Ferraro's] argument is based on common sense and logic; while it may very well be considered an inappropriate position to take or to state in public, the argument itself is sound, and theoretically falls within a logical range of projection for the available facts known about both candidates.
You are as silly as she is whatever the reason. Multiple lunatics. Common sense and logic are mutually exclusive. It is sheer folly to war on other nations when your own is falling apart, yet as we fall apart we war on other nations and who really cares. So much for common sense. So racist America is voting for the man because he is Black? That is America's "one drop" blues.
If she pointed out equally that Hillary is only where she is because she was once the first lady (which I am certain that she cannot recall) , a job she actually botched, she would give the appearance of being fair, having exercised both logic and common sense. In a nation that goes out of its way not to elect Black politicians, to suggest that one is getting the votes because of his color is illogical to say the least.
Was she thusly afflicted when she made similar comments about Jesse Jackson?
>"So racist America is voting for the man because he is Black?"
No, guilt-ridden, political correct Democrats are voting for Obama in the primaries and especially caucuses. Racist America will slaughter him in a landslide defeat in November.
>"...to suggest that one is getting the votes because of his color is illogical to say the least."
No, illogical for an organized party. We are talking about the Democrats, mind you... ;-)
Jesse Jackson is another cup of tea. Jackson was too radical, too black. Obama is just vague, flexible like rubber and coated like teflon. The extremely short attention span of his supporters and their love for flavor of the month definitely helps.
Not so sure about this one Buddy. How many states have been decided by the "African American bloc" vote? By the way, Obama does pretty well with democratic white folks in many western states where close to 100% of his supporters are white.
Historically, African Americans have consistently voted for white Democratic candidates at a very high rate. I believe that John Kerry got close to 90% of the African American vote in 04. I also know that Bill Clinton got a very high percentage of the African American vote. The African American vote didn't swing decisively toward Obama until Bill Clinton and other Clinton surrogates made race baiting statements that offended many in the African American community.
Ferraro and supporters forget that Obama is representing the whole of the progressive wing of the Democratic party while Clinton represents the status quo. Most Americans are tired of the status quo be it Democratic or Republican.
Not so sure about this one, Buddy. South Carolina showed Obama's appeal to black voters. The Clinton camp was sure that they would score with the black voters, based on the seemingly good relations between Pres. Clinton and this group. The black voters decide primaries in the Southern states. But only democratic primaries. Not general elections.
Obama is not the progressive wing, he is dealing in clever empty phrases, delivered like a Sunday sermon in a black church in Harlem. Moving, emotional, something to sing along with. People fill the empty phrase and if elected, most of his voters will be deeply disappointed.
Well said, it could be defined as the progressive end of the party vs. the status quo end. Hillary obviously made her vote on the Iraqi war for political expediancy. She thought she could not oppose the war and be a viable presidential candidate. Her campaigning has been mostly throwing tawdry stones at Obama, instead of boosting herself. I knew she was a politician who would vote for advantage instead of for what she believed, but I am very disappointed in how she is campaigning.
Thank you, Jacob but I'm afraid your thoughtful comment is wasted on the Obama supporters. They've been screaming racism since New Hampshire when Jesse Jackson Jr, said Hillary didn't cry for Katrina and they've successfully kept it up. LBJ got civil rights legislation through Congress. When Hillary said that, it was RACISM. We're in big trouble if Obama gets elected. It will be 'racism' this or that 24/7. The 'uniter', my butt.
Thank you for saving my time by making point that I would have made.
Your argument, couched in thoughtfulness, is just a rant. If Ferraro is going to die in five years, it is sad she would make possibly some of her last comments for public consumption such ugly ones. If she has something positive to say about Hillary let her say it and not demagogue the race issue.
Her arguments do not fall under the banner of politially incorrect or not, it is simple a bigot's argument.
She is not talking about the demographic makeup of the electorate, although Obama won in all-white Iowa and Wyoming. Ferraro is talking of Obama and saying he would not be there unless he was black. She used the exact words about Jesse Jackson, whose campaign may have been targeted more toward the minority community than Obama's. Her words are ugly. Obama is a distinguised and accomplished man. She should not say that his leading the race in the Democratic primary is simply because of his race, at a time particularly when as a nation we have only elected three or four black senators and only a couple of black governors.
In 1988, Ms. Ferraro made the same comment about Jesse Jackson.
From the Politico:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/A_Ferraro_flashback.html
"If Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race," she said.
Really. The cite is an April 15, 1988 Washington Post story (byline: Howard Kurtz), available only on Nexis.
Here's the full context:
Placid of demeanor but pointed in his rhetoric, Jackson struck out repeatedly today against those who suggest his race has been an asset in the campaign. President Reagan suggested Tuesday that people don't ask Jackson tough questions because of his race. And former representative Geraldine A. Ferraro (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that because of his "radical" views, "if Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race."
Asked about this at a campaign stop in Buffalo, Jackson at first seemed ready to pounce fiercely on his critics. But then he stopped, took a breath, and said quietly, "Millions of Americans have a point of view different from" Ferraro's.
Discussing the same point in Washington, Jackson said, "We campaigned across the South . . . without a single catcall or boo. It was not until we got North to New York that we began to hear this from Koch, President Reagan and then Mrs. Ferraro . . . . Some people are making hysteria while I'm making history."
It is so insulting to see this kind of commentary. Hillary is where she is because of her husband's Presidency, that is a fact. But Barack Obama is not a Senator because he is Black, on the contrary, a man with his set of skills, especially his ability to speak what he thinks so bravely, is the reason.
Now you were saying?
Dream on - white Baracks are a dime a dozen out there. It's not meant to be ugly, it's just real. Same for Clinton. And guess what, people with money have advanatages over those who don't. And people born with sports or musical talent have an advantage over those who don't. Being black or mixed right now is a good thing for Obama and he's capitalizing on it - that's ok, but don't be deluded by reality. All said, he is a very capable individual, but come on, he just barely got out of state office. Do you know how many thousands of those there are in this country? Do you know how many more experienced people there are? His color is good for him at this time and that's ok. Just don't shoot the messenger.
Dime a dozen? Where are they?
So you argue that white graduates of Harvard Law school who were editor of the law review are a dime a dozen. You must live in some expensive neighborhood.
Ferraro apparently admits the only reaason she was the Dem nominee for VP was because she was a women. Too compare her lack of accomplishment with Obama is blind. Despite her belief that she is not racist, in fact she is.
Hillary is only where she is because she was Bill's jilted wife. Is that sexist, or a fact? I suspect the Clinton campaign is trying desperately to get into that debate to rally even more women to her failed cause. Seems that many Clinton supporters have abandoned rational thought in support of their candidate -- to the peril of the Democratic Party and our Country. It is shameful.
Women can do better than Hillary and Ferraro. I know this for a fact.
Jesse Jackson came in third in the delegate count in the 1984 Democratic Presidential Primaries. He offered to be Vice-President. Walter Mondale reached into the bottom of the sack and chose a random white woman no one had ever heard of.
Her name was Geraldine Ferraro.
4 years later Jesse Jackson came in second in the delegate count in the Presidential Primaries, fighting Al Gore for number of states.
Geraldine Ferraro said that he's only getting votes because he's black.
The reality? Geraldine Ferraro feels a sense of entitlement that no popular vote has ever given her. She feels inadequate. She can't conceive of voters favoring a president who is not white over any that are white, so she flips it into blackness being an advantage. Not the message. Not the person. Race.
She did it to Jesse Jackson despite the fact that her whiteness and womanhood allowed her to say, "Screw the popular vote, screw the delegates, it's my turn!" Now she's going after Barack Obama to protect ignorant white people from their own votes.
Your on to something there. Although vice-presidents are often chosen for the reason Ferraro was chosen, either to win a particular state or for some symbolic reason. Her thinking is very out-of-date.
Thank you Gerry Ferraro. We needed to talk about this race and sex thing. Maybe now we can finally talk about them both.
Many Democrats want to vote for a black man for President to break an important racial barrier. But not this black man - Obama. His father is a foreigner with Muslim roots. Obama has the taint of being a foreigner. It would have been better if his father was an African American.
Not this year - not this black man.
Have you noticed? Obama is looking pretty mean nowdays. His talk of being the unifier is sounding pretty stale. He cannot "close the deal" with voters.
And what is this with all the black people voting in a block? Does anyone think for themselves? What other group all votes the same way? Who are the "real" racists?
No problem that we unlike any ethnic group in this country votes 85 to 95 percent for Democratic Candidates in elections all across this country I guess. That doesn't seem to bother you.
All people should really think for themselves.
Decide on a standard for the support of a favorite Presidential candidate - and then stand up to the pressure to change except for a legitimate reason. Is voting for race or gender identity legitimate?
I don't think any Democrats think that way. Or I didn't use to think Democrats would act that way.
White/Black/Yellow/Tan - Female/Male - Democrat/Republican. We all tend to think and vote differently except for Black people.
What gives? Is color all you vote for?
If the Black community would be split between Democratic/Republican - I would think the community had left some feelings of victimization further behind and were thinking more for themselves.
It would be better if members of one's own group would not bully other members to vote a certain way.
I'm Independent, so it doesn't really matter to me what happens to the party anymore.
Bully people and they leave.
So you are more than willing to bring out racial and gender biases, but you say that Obama is "looking mean"? Hypocrite much?
Ahh the "black people voting in a block" argument. Were you not paying attention in the earlier race when black voters were for Hillary in majority? They switched because the Clinton camp started bringout out race baiting in SC. They weren't necessarily voting for Obama because he was black, but because they felt Clinton was being racist. And don't even get me started on the "women voting for a woman" block.
November 2007... "Black America will wake up and get it" Michelle Obama
Michelle's exclamatory statement in Nov '07 is what changed things.
Of course - if Bill had said - "White America will wake up and get it" in So. Carolina - we would think he was being racist to say that.
Think! Make some arguments that are not a double standard for behavior and it won't cause so many problems.
Michelle's statement really was awful. Don't you agree?
well glaringly obvious from reading your post it appears you are
The shoe pinches even harder on the other foot:
Many Democrats want to vote for a white woman for President to break an important gender barrier. But not this white woman - Hillary Clinton. Her husband is an overt serial adulterer, and she herself botched the only important job she got to handle as his First Lady, that of getting universal health care passed. And she has been campaigning more and more "below the belt" as the race goes on and she keeps on falling behind.
Not this year - not this white woman.
Have you noticed? Hillary is looking (and sounding) pretty mean nowadays. She cannot "close the deal" with voters.
And what is this with all the white women voting in a block? Does anyone think for themselves? What other group all votes the same way? Who are the "real" sexists?
Ahh !
Isn't it great when these bottom-feeding failures (Ferraro) come up from the depth's seeking one more minute on the stage ?
Geraldine Ferraro can kiss her Secretary of State appointment in the Clinton Administration good-bye. Not because of her racially offensive-- OK, they were racist-- comments. But the position has been promised-- on account of historic diplomatic work in Bosnia-- to Sinbad.
If only the junior senator from New York's name could be Hillary Hussein Rodham (rhymes with Saddam, or, worse, Sodom). She would have had the nomination locked up by now-- locked up like one out of four 25 year old black men. The purged felons list of white executives may have hurt her fake victory in Florida. The black woman portraying her on SNL may have slowed down her ascent. But nothing could be as bad as being married to a successful two term popular ex-President.
As for Barack Obama (in Kenya, "Barack Obama" means George Washington), forget the Kindergarten Papers. His ambitions to win the White House with complete ease began when his father left home. Being a black kid with a white mom in the 1960s-- well, needless to say, *they* get all the advantages, as any photo of all the U.S. Senate members will show. Losing his mom at age ten-- hasn't every American president been a biracial kid raised by his white grand parents in Hawaii?
When Obama was spending ten years teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago, having been editor of the Harvard Law Review, while also practicing civil rights law and serving as a state senator, he shouldn't have been wasting his time doing such impressive things. According to Ferraro, being black would have been enough to make him President.
Apparently the highest, hardest ceiling is only slightly higher and harder than the heads of some of Hillary Clinton's bitter, vicious surrogates.
Very well said! Sinbad would make a good Secretary of State and Ice-T for Secretary of Defense.
Ferraro was one of the reasons I didn't vote for a democrat for eight years.
The crap that comes out of her mouth! It ain't my values.
This is what the Clinton campaign is all about. elitest, east coast, devorced from reality, white rich liberals. This is the wing of the dem party that shut Edwards down.
True. So true.
No, it is more of a white ethnic, chip-on-the-shoulder, worried-about-housing-values, big city kind of riff than an elitist one. At least, though, the Democratic party has candidates for president who resemble America as opposed to the Republicans, whose candidates look like a corporate board room.
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Posted March 11, 2008 | 10:50 PM (EST)