Ferraro: Obama "Very Lucky To Be Who He Is"

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Barack Obama

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."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

46 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 46 Comments


by sshump March 12, 2008 5:38 PM EDT: Geraldine is the white version of Farrakan...both very ignorant!; Reply to this comment


by impartialman March 12, 2008 6:10 AM EDT: This has to be one of the dumbest statements in political history.. Mrs Ferraro needs to be reminded the following:
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.; Reply to this comment


by gposs1 March 12, 2008 4:27 AM EDT: If Obama had anything substantial to say, then I would agree that what Ferraro has said is incorrect. But what she said is only what everyone else is thinking, they just don''t have what it takes to say it out loud. Again, it took a woman to make a statement wearthy of recognition. This is a free country and I''m proud to be an American. It''s good to see that someone is speaking out and taking part in our 1ST Ammendment right to free speech.; Reply to this comment


by rrcampbell11 March 12, 2008 1:08 AM EDT: 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.; Reply to this comment


by user168-2009 March 12, 2008 12:04 AM EDT: Well educated, smart white males are supporting Obama in large number. Who''s jealous? Geraldine Ferraro, very!; Reply to this comment


by dawg09 March 11, 2008 11:51 PM EDT: This comment has NO negative connotation. Too many people think that simply raising the issue of race is racist. It is not. It is the basis of free speech and debate this country is founded on. Take the negative filters from your eyes and see the statements for what they really are.; Reply to this comment


by luvcomments March 11, 2008 10:56 PM EDT: Re Ferraro-the-Bigot''s remark - only a racist could say such a stupid, stupid thing.

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.; Reply to this comment


by bareb0nes March 11, 2008 9:53 PM EDT: Geraldine, i voted for you in ''84, and i admired you. I was as MORE aghast at the comment you made than i was with the recent behavior of our governor of NY. I say this only because I really didnt have quite the respect for our governor as i did for you. You''ve proved me wrong, and I truly hope you dont believe what you uttered.; Reply to this comment


by cysofga March 11, 2008 9:52 PM EDT: I am both a woman and an African-
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.; Reply to this comment


by desertclair March 11, 2008 9:15 PM EDT: Why is Ferraro being called a racist for expressing her opinion, which seems to make a relevant point? I thought Obama''s campaign was against this kind of politics ... calling people names because they disagree with them. First, they call Hillary a monster and now Ferrara is a racist. Is that why the press is playing dead when it comes to Obama? Are they afraid of being called racist?; Reply to this comment