Just Words? Clinton Camp Uses Obama's To Defuse Race Comments
(CBS)
From CBS News' Ryan Corsaro
PHILADELPHIA – While Barack Obama’s campaign continues to hammer away on Hillary Clinton for comments Geraldine Ferraro made about him, the Clinton camp tried to turn the tables on Obama today. Clinton campaign manager Maggie Williams brought up an interview Obama did in January in an attempt to defuse the situation.
In an e-mail sent to the press, Williams quoted Obama from an appearance on “Meet the Press” where he talked about race and comments from his supporters: “I think that, as Hillary said, our supporters, our staff, get overzealous. They start saying things that I would not say. And it is my responsibility to make sure that we’re setting a clear tone in our campaign, and I take that responsibility very seriously, which is why I spoke yesterday and sent a message in case people were not clear that what we want to do is make sure that we focus on the issues."
Williams added, “We agreed then. We agree today. Supporters from both campaigns will get overzealous.”
Clinton herself told the Associated Press today that Ferraro’s comments were “regrettable.”
The comments made by Ferraro, widely recognized for being the first woman to run for vice president in 1984, were published recently by a California newspaper.
“If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position," Ferraro told the local newspaper “Daily Breeze.” "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."
The Obama campaign expressed outrage at the comments made by Ferraro, saying that the Clinton surrogate was attempting to drag race into the context of Obama’s popularity in a “divisive” manner.
An immediate connection was also made to the Obama campaign’s dismissal of a top foreign policy advisor, Samantha Power, for calling Clinton a “monster” last week.
Williams ended her email by saying, “Senator Obama’s campaign staff seems to have forgotten his pledge. We have not. And, we reject these false, personal and politically calculated attacks on the eve of a primary.”
Case in point: Can you imagine if someone in the audience at an Obama speech had held up a sign (as was done to Hillary Clinton - iron my shirts) that said "shine my shoes". Or if people were wearing vulgar and derogatory t-shirts about Obama that spoke to his race as they do against Hillary Clinton based on her gender. The world would be outraged and rightfully so.
But when it is done against women it is just accepted and expected. That''s the reality she was referring to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwLaCb07lAs
Ask yourself, is this the kind of "experience" we need in the White House?! NO THANKS!!
However, as usual, the Hillary camp is allowed to do whatever they want against whomever they chose and get away with it.
The Clintons are very experienced in DIRTY OLD POLITICS AS USUAL. And the Old Politics as usual is Not what the American people want.
Of course, since Obama campaign manager David Axelrod doubles as the political assignment editor for all the national networks, we''re not hearing a word about that. Ironically, what Geraldine Ferraro said rings true. Obama is a first term senator with no record of accomplishment, yet here he is, a media icon. How did that happen?
TRUTH=HURTS
Somebody finally said out loud what we all know is true.
Give Ferraro a medal for bravery!
susaninok: you are absolutely right. Prejudice against women is the last, remaining acceptable prejudice. WHY DO YOU ALL PUT UP WITH IT???
If women voted as a block as A-A do, you''d have the nomination already---Instead we''re *** around with the most over-rated under qualified presidential candidate in history
http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_8533832
"Any time anybody does anything that in any way pulls this campaign down and says let''s address reality and the problems we''re facing in this world, you''re accused of being racist, so you have to shut up," Ferraro said. "Racism works in two different directions. I really think they''re attacking me because I''m white. How''s that?"
Ferraro said she was simply stating an obvious truth, as seen in exit polls that show Obama taking as much as 80 percent of the black vote in the Democratic primaries.
"In all honesty, do you think that if he were a white male, there would be a reason for the black community to get excited for a historic first?" Ferraro said. "Am I pointing out something that doesn''t exist?"
Obama campaign manager David Axelrod called Ferraro''s comments part of an "insidious pattern" of remarks from Clinton supporters that have drawn attention to Obama''s race.
"When you wink and nod at offensive statements, you''re really sending a signal to your supporters that anything goes," Axelrod said, according to ABC News.
Ferraro said the Clinton campaign cannot fire her because she is not an adviser.
So, not only NO apology but an accusation of reverse racism.
The "Silly Season" has now fully slipped into the "SICK Season" - the only thing is it is the Democratic Party, elections for BOTH the White House and both the Senate and Congress that could DIE because of it.
Of course, since Obama campaign manager David Axelrod doubles as the political assignment editor for all the national networks, we''''re not hearing a word about that. Ironically, what Geraldine Ferraro said rings true. Obama is a first term senator with no record of accomplishment, yet here he is, a media icon. How did that happen?
I did not know this, how about the rest of you? I will repeat America wake up.
When 60 minutes interviewed a black woman voter and asked her who she was voting for she said Obama. They asked why, she said because he is black. No racism in this race, yeah right.
Look Hillary Clinton is not perfect, but we already know all the dirt on her and Bill. The media is still trying to beat the same old dead horse.
Why is David Axelrod, the political assignment editor for all the national networks? Someone not connected to any candidates campaign should be doing this. What is wrong with the picture? Setup job, setup job, setup job.
We have the press and pro-Obama op-ed columnists writing plain nonsense about the Clinton campaign yet no one is crying gender slander. See the recent inflammatory article in the NYT trying to stir up more racial divide (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/opinion/11patterson.html?hp).
Why is every criticism levied against Obama a racial slander? Obama brought race into his campaign and has benefited from the racial divide he has fanned.
Remember David Axelrod, Obama%u2019s strategist? Interesting to note that David Axelrod was written up back in 1993 as %u201CMedia consultant David Axelrod sells Democratic politicians just like Pepsi sells soft drinks. But don''t blame him if you get one-calorie candidates%u201D (by Donald Sevener).
Now if you buy into this new line from Obama-Axelrod, we will indeed be a nation of one-calorie politicians.
I repeat, how many of you women have lost a job, bonus, promotion to some man, that is younger, less educated and less experienced.
Ladies, it is OUR TIME TO LET OURSELVES BE HEARD.
I wish someone would publish the words to the Helen Reddy song, I AM Woman, maybe some of these so-called free thinking 17-29 years would REALLY THINK. That group of voters that have backed Obama, I swear I am reminded of those nutcases in that movie Independence Day. Where they welcomed the invaders with open arms and Zapped, gone....were the nutcases.
Let''s all pander to the racists in PA! Kinda like we did with the "muslim" thing in Ohio, but without turbans. (Hillary: "Geraldine''s not an ancient racist...as far as I know".)
I miss "Jive-Talking Hillary" pandering for the "black" vote from way back--she was more fun than "Get to the back of the bus-Hillary" pandering to the pasty low life white racists.
My God, she''s like a chickenhead crack addict...she''ll do anything for votes.
I have now lost all respect for Hillary Clinton. She seems to think she is entitled to the Presidency. As such, she also feels entitled to do or say anything to accomplish that end, without any repercussions. We''ve already suffered through nearly eight years of that kind of self-centered arrogance. The U.S. cannot afford another petty tyrant as President.
He is using racism to divert people''s attention from his lies on NAFTA, Iraq, Rezko.
Sadly, Democrats accomodate him every time... no exceptions. And then those he maligns get stuck with a charge that is false but takes time to defend.
Enough!
If Obama keeps this up, half the Democratic Party will be accused as "racists" before the primary ends. See here:
Obama used "racism" when people raised his cocaine use. Obama raised "racism" if we say his middle name. Now he says its racism if we mention that "90% of the black votes - the same race as him? Is Obama going to control our words, our thoughts and our actions by threatening "racism" on the whole country?
Ridiculous.
He is using racism to divert people''s attention from his lies on NAFTA, Iraq, Rezko.
Sadly, Democrats accomodate him every time... no exceptions. And then those he maligns get stuck with a charge that is false but takes time to defend.
Enough!
If Obama keeps this up, half the Democratic Party will be accused as "racists" before the primary ends. See here:
Obama used "racism" when people raised his cocaine use. Obama raised "racism" if we say his middle name. Now he says its racism if we mention that "90% of the black votes - the same race as him? Is Obama going to control our words, our thoughts and our actions by threatening "racism" on the whole country?
Ridiculous.
Do You believe she will bring jobs?
She is FOR POWER for her, and promises - they are for You, if You will believe, not thiking. When You will understand - it all from Dirt for Dirt by Dirt.
we all are the dirt for her to step on.
So clear.
Open Your eyes and think - it does not hurt.
I find it hard to believe that white America hasn''t caught on to this unfair advantage before. Look at the Gulf coast and how those blacks have gotten such preferential treatment since Katrina. Geraldine Ferraro has a right to be mad that this uppity young black man has the temerity to think he has earned the right to be the President of the most powerful nation in the world.
Just who the devil does he think he is? I''m sick and tired of welfare queens and pimps intruding on the workings of things which they clearly don''t understand. Stand up for White Women Geraldine! You go girl! Hillary, you should have been president before that no account husband of yours anyway. Right???
Well said!
Geraldine, yo buddy is getting her butt kicked. I understand that it''s hard for you to accept. After all, an uppity scrawny black man ought to stay in his place. After all, Hillary wouldn''t be in the position she''s in if it wasn''t for her husband''s rather tattered coattails.
The worst part is that the black voters were not even supporting Barack until caucasians lifted him up on their shoulders.
And just because you say your not racist is no reason to accept that notion as fact. Particularly when your actions stand in such stark contrast to your words. Your not racist, black folks just need to know what place they belong in.
I''m not sexist. In fact, if you think I''m sexist, then you yourself are sexist! Does this idiotic line of reasoning sound familiar?
During the first-8-eight years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills,introduced 233 regarding healthcare reform,125 on poverty and public assistance,112 crime fighting bills,97 economic bills,60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills, 21 ethics reform bills,15 gun control, 6 veterans affairs and many others his first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These included **the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law, **The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law, **The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate, **The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law, **The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, In committee, and many more. In all, since entering the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096.An impressive record.He''s not just a talker. He''s a doer.
"Chauvinist" means someone who assertively maintains that his or her kind -- usually people of the same *** or nationality they think they are superior; "chauvinism" refers to an extreme and bigoted form of patriotism.
I am so sickened that to women with so much power and influence are wielding it in such ugly, horrible ways. This is not feminine power. I do not consider them good examples of women in power. I am glad my daughter can see right through all of this.
And by the way. I am a 44 yr old, educated, white, single mother, small business owner in Colorado and I wrote to Senator Obama and asked him to run for president. The first time I saw him and heard him speak I sincerely wished he was our president. He was not running at the time. He is a brilliant man of integrity. His race had nothing to do with. I just wanted this man to be our president. I could tell our country would be in excellent hands with his leadership. So there''s a fact for you Geraldine.
I hope that my wish comes true!
OBAMA/EDWARDS ''08
Now this hyper-sensitivity is what you get as a result of going negative in a campaign. The Clinton campaign started down this road so now they have to deal with the mess.
If the Clinton camp can call for Samantha Power to resign for her unfortunate comments then the Obama campaign has every right to expect the same.
Excellent Take here -
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/geraldine-ferraros-ugly-_b_91075.html
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by missglo
March 12, 2008 6:32 PM PDT
- E-mail sent to the Press? This is something that the Clinton Camp has been doing all along. Spreading wicked gossip.
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