Now, Geraldine Ferraro -- the first female vice presidential candidate in the history of the nation back then -- has become the first casualty of the racially charged war of words coming from the Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign she supports. Ferraro was quoted recently as saying that Barack Obama wouldn't be a contender if he was a white man and that people voting for him were really supporting a concept, not him.These comments were portrayed as racist by the media but the question is were they really?
It is true that more blacks than ever before are casting their ballots; most of them for Obama. Those votes gave him landslide victories in several states. However, this doesn't explain his big wins in numerous states without large black populations.
Obama took the high road saying he wasn't personally offended by Ferraro's comments and called her statement "ridiculous." While saying Ferraro's words were ridiculous takes some of the sting out of them for Obama, it was just another slap at the accomplishments of black men.
Despite being a senator, a highly trained attorney, and a happily married man, to believe Ferraro, he is still nothing but a token. Why is it that no matter how much black people achieve they are still seen as the exception, the affirmative action candidate, rather than being judged on their merits?
To make matters worse, Ferraro was given the opportunity to explain her remarks on "Good Morning America" yesterday. Rather than doing so, she spent the time defending herself. She also proclaimed she was not racist. Yet, her comment was solely race based.
Clinton may have more years in Washington than Obama but neither she nor he has been President of the United States, so their level of experience in respect to that job is the same.
Still, one must wonder if Ferraro isn't a scapegoat. After all, when Bill Clinton made what was perceived to be derogatory comments downplaying Obama's win in South Carolina, there was no outcry from Hillary and he remains on the campaign trail stumping for his wife.
Sen. Clinton did apologize for her husbands words, but that was after initial denials that he said anything wrong. In fact, she didn't atone for his words until she went to a conference in New Orleans in front of a majority black crowd.
Maybe blacks are willing to overlook the Clinton's transgressions in lieu of an easier target.
Comments: (88)
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By: DarkNLovely on 3/13/2008 5:34PM
It's infuriating to even speculate whether or not this was a racist comment. Of course it was - whether intended or accidental...
It suggests, from the word go, that a man of color has no legitimate place in the race for President of the U.S. That's insane! Why, because, this is the first time a black man has been taken seriously for the cause? That statement implies that a stereotypical, less-controversial race with old white men is what we're used to and the only reason we're fighting to see Sen. Obama man in office as president is because he's black. She could have made the exact same comment pertaining to Hillary...she's not an old white man...she's an older white woman - we've never had a choice like that either. That's ridiculous!
It's not rocket science...the reason people, black and white are hungry to see Sen. Obama win this election is because we are desperate for someone to fight for us as a people...someone who truly seems to care about what WE want...he just happens to be black...excuse me for my personal excitement!
He remains calm in the midst of all the typical, under-handed tactics that have come from Hillary's campaign and she's been anything but a class-act. No matter what happens in the end, she'll never be looked upon the same way as she was prior to this pre-presidential race.
The smartest thing Ferraro did was step down...her association w/Hillary is just making it that much worse.
It's probably time to take a stronger look at spending more time w/the grandchildren and out in the garden planting flowers...maybe politics just isn't what a woman of her years should be concentrating on.
You never know when senility will creep in and take over completely.
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By: RJ on 3/13/2008 5:34PM
With the PA primaries coming ahead was this just another political ploy do divide us? We all know the Pa is predominately white. Barack has ran his campaign to receive votes from all. I hope we can one day get pass the race division.
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By: kitty Cat on 3/13/2008 5:49PM
Ofcourse she talked it over with them first. If you are trying to help someone you want, to get to a certain position,would you just throw it out there without giving them a heads up. Ofcourse not that would be disrespectiful. What are we Idiots.
Peace
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By: Philip Bailey on 3/13/2008 6:38PM
Let's turn the tables a bit. If Ferraro was a black woman, she would not be in this position.
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By: MC on 3/13/2008 6:21PM
While I agree with Dark 'N Lovely that is clear to me that Ferraro-- due to her age and obvious ignorance of racial issues-- delivered several racist statements, I am still wondering why no one is attacking the Clintons.
It is clear that if she was fundrasing for them, they were as aware of her views as she was of theirs. It is clear that there was no vehement denouncement of her statements by Hillary Clinton. It's obvious that both Clinton have made dubious racial comment during this race. What's sad is that black people in droves continue to support them without calling them to the mat for their questionable views.
Sadly, we as a people will continue to vote party favorites into office without really looking at what they will or won't do for us. If discounting our vote in South Carolina and other states won by Barack doesn't indicate that the Clinton devalue black people and our intellect what does? Moreover, he disrespectful offer of the Vice Presidency to the front runner further shows a disrespect for Obama, black men and all of the people who are trying to vote him into the top spot.
To continue to buy that Bill was the closest thing to a black President or that Hillary has the interest of blacks or women at heart, is to ignore their campiagn rhetoric.
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By: AKHENATON on 3/13/2008 6:30PM
geraldine farraro is a idiot who many thought was dead. The old woman must bse suffering from dementia. She probably having had sex in such a long time that she went mad. Even her lesbian friend do not want her. So now she is becoming infamous because of her stupid statement.
also see www.pyramidoftruth.com and listen to pyramid of truth at www.live365.com
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By: mo power to the people on 3/13/2008 6:38PM
Ferraro and the Clinton are using undercover racism. They are trying to turn Obama into the Black President. Bill Clinton used the same technic in South Carolina. They are trying to scar white america in Pennsylvania to vote for the Clinton. That what you call Clinton dirty politic.
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By: Greg Jones on 3/13/2008 6:56PM
URGENT: From Blacks 4 Barack:
The 'WE WILL NOT BE CHEATED' Campaign !
Out of desperation, the Clinton campaign is now stooping to extreme lows by having surrogate Geraldine Ferraro in the media making racist statements against Barack Obama. Also, it is a fact that even if Hillary wins Pennsylvania there is absolutely no way she can get enough delegate votes to defeat Obama. And her BIG ploy now is to have a 're-do' in Michigan and Florida, despite the fact that this would be a changing of the rules in the middle of the game which should not be allowed. She then hopes that, after stealing the nomination, she will offer Obama the V.P. slot....figuring that if he excepts, Obama supporters will vote for her....while if he does not....she would at least look like she offered the slot. THIS IS UNEXCEPTABLE ! Her tactics will end up extremely detrimental to the Democratic Party. It is time to let the DNC know that if Hillary wins through ANY methods deemed trickery (which is the only way she can win) WE....THE PEOPLE WILL NOT SUPPORT HER IN THE GENERAL ELECTION ! National radio talk show host Warren Ballentine is asking EVERYONE to call the DNC at 202-863-8000 to let them know 'We Will Not Support A Cheater !'We need 50 thousand people to FLOOD THE PHONES !!! So Call Today !!!! 202-863-8000. Say It Loud....WE WILL NOT SUPPORT A CHEATER.....PERIOD!!! Tell everyone you know to make this call. The Time Is NOW....To Take Back OUR America !!!!
Visit: www.Blacks4Barack.org
PASS THIS ON !!!
NOTE: Don't Be Fooled....OBAMA WON TEXAS !!!!
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By: Omaha Ne. Patricia on 3/13/2008 7:07PM
O.K. Black People here we go, Hillary has thrown us another curve and she hopes we will catch it she is now apologizing ON T.V.for everything, (she said she is sorry what Bill said if it offended anybody, she is sorry for what Geraldine Ferraro said, she is sorry about any racial remarks and proud of Barack.) but let me tell you that she is just sorry that "we ain't voting for her sorry azz anymore," and that's the only thing she is sorry about. Will the real Hillary please stand up. And tell Bill to bring his sorry azz out of hiding he has been missing in action ever since that sex scandal came out about Spitzer, he is hiding because he is afraid somebody might ask him his opinion on the subject. DON'T BE FOOLED Hillary and Bill are no friends of ours they just want to use us to get her to the whitehouse. GO BARACK OBAMA
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By: Omaha Ne. Patricia on 3/13/2008 7:24PM
( TO GREG JONES # 8) AND BY THE WAY GREG JONES THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT GOOD INFORMATION YOU KEEP FEEDING US AND I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO CALL THAT NUMBER FOR THE DNC (DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE) AND LET MY VOICE BE HEARD.
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