Ferraro: Obama "Very Lucky To Be Who He Is"
Former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, who appeared on the Democratic ticket in 1984, is the latest high-profile figure to cause a stir with comments about one of the Democratic presidential frontunners.
"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position," Ferraro told California's "Daily Breeze" newspaper. "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."
As Politico's Ben Smith reports, Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said, "we disagree with her." But Obama foreign policy adviser Susan Rice is nonetheless calling on Clinton to repudiate the "outrageous and offensive" comments by Ferraro.
Last week, after Obama foreign policy advisor Samantha Power called Clinton a "monster" in an interview, numerous Clinton supporters called for Power to be fired. She issued an apology and later resigned.
Ferraro, a Clinton supporter, made the comments while arguing the former first lady hasn't gotten a fair shake from the press.
"For one thing, you have the press, which has been uniquely hard on her," Ferraro said. "It's been a very sexist media. Some just don't like her. The others have gotten caught up in the Obama campaign."
© 2008 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved. "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position," Ferraro told California's "Daily Breeze" newspaper. "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."
As Politico's Ben Smith reports, Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said, "we disagree with her." But Obama foreign policy adviser Susan Rice is nonetheless calling on Clinton to repudiate the "outrageous and offensive" comments by Ferraro.
Last week, after Obama foreign policy advisor Samantha Power called Clinton a "monster" in an interview, numerous Clinton supporters called for Power to be fired. She issued an apology and later resigned.
Ferraro, a Clinton supporter, made the comments while arguing the former first lady hasn't gotten a fair shake from the press.
"For one thing, you have the press, which has been uniquely hard on her," Ferraro said. "It's been a very sexist media. Some just don't like her. The others have gotten caught up in the Obama campaign."
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1) Hillary was the overwhelming favorite in this contest for more than a year. She even bragged about that fact in many of the debates." they''re not attacking me because I''m a woman; they''re attacking me because I''m winning!"
2) Hillary underestimated Barack because he is black as evidence of her mismanagement of her campaign not planning past Feb 5.
3) Even many Black leaders were cynical of Barack''s chances of "being in the position he is in" and put their support behind Hillary.
Barack is not winning because he is Black. He is winning because his message resonates with millions of Americans that have the hope of a different kind of politics that is not based on throwing kitchen sinks, but based on ideas, character, and judgement.
When Ferraro ran for VP she was very sensitive about being singled out for scrutiny because of her Italian ancestry, especially when it came to an investigation of her campaign finances.
Funny, Hillary still hasn''t released her financial statement has she?
Is it because he is black that Mr. Obama has no trouble raising millions over the internet and can be transparent about his finances?
No, it is because he is a true leader.
Is it because there is indeed a latent racism in the Clinton campaign that Mrs. Clinton cannot only officially disavow and repudiate Mrs. Ferraro''s comments but also distance herself from Mrs. Ferraro completely?
Perhaps.
If. Sen. Obama were white, Clinton''s wife would have had to give up some time ago.
If Sen. Obama were white, nee Rodham wouldn''t have stood a chance.
His character is so far superior to hers that only a bigot wouldn''t see it.
Sometimes some people could make it really easy to be embarrassed for being white, let alone a white woman. These two come close.
American. And just as I know a sexist statement when I hear one, so do I know a racist one. This was clearly a racist comment and I am deeply offended.