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The Democrat Punch and Judy show continues

By Michelle Malkin  •  March 11, 2008 09:07 PM

Geraldine Ferraro opened her mouth and said something that would have gotten any Republican who said it drummed off the public stage:

Former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro today defended a remark she made to the Daily Breeze last week, in which she suggested that Sen. Barack Obama would not be where he is if he were white.

In an interview with the Breeze, Ferraro said, “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. And the country is caught up in the concept.”

The comment was picked up by political blogs and cable news shows across the country. The Obama campaign held a conference call today to denounce the remark, and Obama surrogates urged Sen. Hillary Clinton to repudiate it…

But far from backing off from her initial remark, Ferraro defended it and elaborated on it.

“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?”

Susan Rice, an Obama adviser, called on Clinton to repudiate the remark in an appearance today on MSNBC.

“That is a really outrageous and offensive comment,” Rice said. “I think if Sen. Clinton is serious about putting an end to statements that have racial implications, that diminish Barack Obama because he’s an African-American man, then she ought to really repudiate this comment, and make it clear there is no place in her campaign for people who say this kind of thing.”

Live by identity politics, die by identity politics.

Keep tearing each other apart, Dems.

And keep whining about the “sexist media,”
Gerry. You know, the one that keeps putting you on the airwaves and quoting you incessantly as you ply the same old retread feminist talking points.

Those chauvinist pigs!

***

Look! It’s a theme with Ferraro, via Politico:

“If Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn’t be in the race.”

Give her points for consistency.

See what others have said

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Comments

  1. #1
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:14 pm, gayle said:

    Wow! What an oops!

    LOL!

    The Democrats will self destruct very soon! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. #2
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:15 pm, Jaded said:

    Oh my how rich is that “I think they are attacking me because I am white”….I so enjoy the identy politics that the Democrats have used for 40 years coming back to bite them in the ass!!!!

  3. #3
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:24 pm, allrsn said:

    “If Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn’t be in the race.”

    This is the racism I so clearly see in the Democratic party. Get ready its comming to a head just like a good cold beer.

  4. #4
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:26 pm, Marshall Russ said:

    Couldn’t be happening to a more deserving bunch of folks. They are choking on their hypocrisy. I just wish we had a stronger candidate that could contrast what is going on with the Democrats.

  5. #5
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:28 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

    While I can’t say I agree with all of this:

    “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. And the country is caught up in the concept.”

    I do agree with her when she said:

    “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.

    Anytime someone questions something about his lack of experience, nothing more than the Democratic talking points as his campaign, they are told–you are racist for questioning this fine man.

  6. #6
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:35 pm, allrsn said:

    Anytime someone questions something about his lack of experience, nothing more than the Democratic talking points as his campaign, they are told–you are racist for questioning this fine man.

    And is that not the deepest most ingrained of all racisms?

  7. #7
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:35 pm, zyzzyg said:

    Rep Ferraro take a deep breath and tell me if you are offended by this had it been said about your VP candidacy?

    “If Ferraro was a white man, she would not be in this position. And if she was a man (of any color), she would not be in this position. She happens to be very lucky to be who she is. And the country is caught up in the concept.”

    The concept being that your only qualification is your gender.

    Is that right? Is that fair? Bottomline, it says you only got to be the VP nominee because you were a woman. That any of your many qualifications have been dismissed. Would you not be offended by that?

    Rep Ferraro it is not about race or gender, it is about consistency. And, no one is calling you a racist. Had what you said about Sen Obama been said about you and your nomination, people would still be flipping out.

    Rep Ferraro please take a deep breath, think, and be consistent.

  8. #8
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:39 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

    allrsn, you’ve lost me on that one.

  9. #9
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:41 pm, txvet2 said:

    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:14 pm, gayle said:

    Wow! What an oops!

    LOL!

    The Democrats will self destruct very soon! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Yeah, the Republicans could win the presidency in a walk this year, if they had a real candidate.

  10. #10
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:51 pm, allrsn said:

    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:39 pm, Tennessee Dave said:
    allrsn, you’ve lost me on that one.

    What I am saying is that anytime you question some ones value B A N G it is racism!!!!!!! NO it is NOT it is a question of somones worth in some specific profession. Are they good at it or not??

    Does that help?

  11. #11
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:52 pm, allrsn said:

    Let me add. If you are considering someones worth. Why would thier color or enthinticy even enter your mind????

  12. #12
    On March 11th, 2008 at 9:59 pm, behiker said:

    So Obama is upset by this? In effect he is saying that his race doesn’t matter and it has nothing to do with his qualifications or lack of; oh… and his ability to “change”. It makes me laugh that he is denouncing it now.

    I fear that if he does become the nominee, race is going to be a HUGE issue and it won’t matter to him then. Any time, any one says something against Obama, it will be followed by the race card. Obama might not be the one screaming racism, but I doubt we will hear him denouncing it.

  13. #13
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:05 pm, allrsn said:

    I fear that if he does become the nominee, race is going to be a HUGE issue

    I agree 100%! I am trying to make this point on ha and mm .

    “The Democrats racism will come to light” Howard Dean is in fear of Obama(precisly because he is black) and does not know what to do at this point. The racism of the left CANNOT allow Obama to win.

  14. #14
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:08 pm, madchef said:

    I sure could enjoy watching the Democrats tear each other to shreds alot more if there was a Duncan Hunter or Mitt Romney waiting on the Republican side.
    Oh well, we have to play the hand that we are dealt.

  15. #15
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:10 pm, zyzzyg said:

    allsrn #10

    No one from Sen Obama’s campaign said the statement was racist. The statement allowed an interprtation that dismisses all the other things that Sen Obama has accomplished.

    The knock against what Rep Ferraro said is that had the same thing been said about her VP nomination it would have dismissed all but her gender as the reason for her nomination. Each, Sen Obama and Rep Ferraro, had more to offer than his ethnicity, or her gender.

    Rep Ferraro should appreciate that she is more than a woman, that she has a track record to run on, and that Sen Obama also has a track record.

    Go ahead, discuss the merits of their track records, but do not dismiss where they are, or what they are doing, because she is a woman, or he is black.

    Her statement lacks intelluctal consistency.

  16. #16
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:10 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

    allrsn, I did not question his “value” or “worth”, so I don’t know where you got that from. I do question his experience or lack therof.
    Can he do the job? In my opinion–NO. Is is because of his race? NO
    I have stated here before: I don’t care if someone is black, white, purple, or blue, I want someone who can do the job.

  17. #17
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:13 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

    P.S.: I don’t like Hillary and not because she is a woman. I don’t like her because she is a power hungry maniac. Other than that I’m sure she’s a nice person.

  18. #18
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:15 pm, allrsn said:

    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:10 pm, zyzzyg said

    It sounds like we are on the same page, different paragraphs.

    I would add that I think she is very racist.

  19. #19
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:15 pm, allrsn said:

    WOW what the hell happend there? let me try again

  20. #20
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:17 pm, allrsn said:

    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:13 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

    It sounds like we are on the same page differant paragraphs.

    I would like to add, I think she and the democratic party are very racist.

    I hope this post works,

  21. #21
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:18 pm, Alphonse said:

    Ferraro said. “Racism works in two different directions. I really think they’re attacking me because I’m white. How’s that?”

    Woman has ovaries. Most pols would grovel and beg for forgiveness.

  22. #22
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:21 pm, allrsn said:

    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:10 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

    Actually I was quoting Geraldine Ferraro It seems you did too. Just a misunderstanding there.

  23. #23
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:23 pm, hadsil said:

    An Affirmative Action nomination?

  24. #24
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:23 pm, hadsil said:

    I still blame Jeri Ryan.

  25. #25
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:24 pm, radio relay said:

    Has John McCain reprimanded Geraldine, yet?

    I mean, the “Maverick”, is such an upstanding guy. I figured he’d be part of the slap down…

  26. #26
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:26 pm, 29Victor said:

    Like Dave Lister watching female topless boxing; I don’t care who wins, I’m just hoping it goes the distance.

  27. #27
    On March 11th, 2008 at 10:42 pm, geminicontender said:

    I don’t like this woman….never have. Loudmouth with a skewed perspective. All in the name of feminism.

  28. #28
    On March 11th, 2008 at 11:23 pm, Jim M. said:

    Race should not be an issue in this day and age. But unfortunately it seeps into everyone’s lives. From affirmative action-type preferences to the election process.

    What is interesting are the percentages of voters broken down by race. There is little difference, if any, between the platforms and policies of Clinton and Obama. If you had no names attached to either candidate’s platform and policy papers, most people would not be able to tell who was who. In fact, with Hillary having a few more years in the US Senate, her experience would, in purely objective terms, swing the balance toward her resume.

    Yet, well over 80% of African American voters go with Obama. I believe it has recently been over 85%.

    It is not as if the Clinton’s have no positive history with the African American community. Far from it. Bill Clinton even went so far as to select the location of his post Presidential office in Harlem.

    To say that race is not a factor is to ignore the elephant in the room.

    I recall the OJ Simpson case, where a clear majority of African Americans believed him to be innocent, while an overwhelming majority of the rest of the country believed him to be guilty.

    While I think Geraldine’s comments minimize Obama’s talents, there is indeed an issue of race here in terms of voting trends. And ironically, every time Obama’s camp comes out railing against a negative comment about him on the basis of race, they “inadvertently” not only make race an issue, they capitalize on it.

    It is interesting that Obama has chosen not to embrace his maternal grandparents (whom he has referred to as “nice white folk”) while he has made hay with his Kenyan family connections during his campaign. It was his maternal grandparents that put him through the best of schools in Hawaii, and provided him with an educational springboard second to none.

  29. #29
    On March 11th, 2008 at 11:36 pm, Dimsdale said:

    Oooo! I guess the truth hurts!

    Of course Obama is where he is because he is black (or half black pretending to be all black to be precise). Just as he has made his middle name verboten because it makes associations with Muslims. How much did his ancestry affect his election to the post of the Harvard Law Review (first black editor etc.)?

    And he gets the majority of black votes for no other reason than he is black, just as Hillary is counting on the women’s vote because she is a women (allegedly).

    Ferraro is correct: without the black vote, Hillary would have trashed him a long time ago.

    Now she has to make it look like an accident (or a suicide, a la Vince Foster ;-) )

  30. #30
    On March 12th, 2008 at 12:07 am, almeehan said:

    I grew up in an era where racism was very much a part of the American culture. There were ethnic slurs for just about everyone. In Michelle Malkin’s now adopted state, when you went to the beach (and there are many in MD) there were signs that said “Gentiles Only!” There were colored and white restrooms, restaurants, fountains, etc. Things changed and the country made significant progress in addressing these troubling issues. Then I noticed the creeping in of liberalism which came on strong in the 60’s and suddenly the libs, media, etal made our differences a centerpiece and the ethnic grievance industry was hatched. It is fed with a fury by liberals, MSM, and other left wing fringe who mistakenly view themselves has the “norm.” Nothing could be further from the truth. These usurpers of our Republic need to be confronted and if necessary with force before there is no country left. It is these same people, some of which feel there is no problem with Spitzer remaining in office. The nation of law has become through lawyers, MSM and liberals a lawless nation.

  31. #31
    On March 12th, 2008 at 12:11 am, BOB said:

    How lucky the Dems are to have all this going on when the Repubs have such a lousy candidate.

  32. #32
    On March 12th, 2008 at 12:17 am, vsatt said:

    If W would have gotten Cheney to step aside in 2004 and made Condoleezza Rice his running mate, we could have the whole first black president/first woman president all wrapped up into one neat little package. And with the name Condoleezza, you might even have a chance at the Latino vote.

  33. #33
    On March 12th, 2008 at 12:24 am, puhiawa said:

    At least she doesn’t beg and crawl like McCain does any time someone speaks the truth.
    His groveling apologies to Hillary and Obama are becoming embarrassing. If he disassociates himself from from any more supporters he might be standing there with only Juan Hernandez and his lobbyists.

  34. #34
    On March 12th, 2008 at 1:38 am, bit_boy said:

    Live by identity politics, die by identity politics.

    I agree with Ferraro 100%. If it were not for identity politics B.O. would not be even close and for that matter if it were not for Bill Clinton the same would be true of jihillary. Neither Hussein or jihillary are qualified to be the President of the United States and especially the Commander in Chief (neiter is McSame for that matter). It’s all identity politics, identity politics, identity politics and Ferraro was right in 1988 and she’s right now. I’m shocked, just shocked to find that 95% of the blacks vote for Black Hussein Obama.

  35. #35
    On March 12th, 2008 at 4:24 am, graysonret said:

    I agree with Ferraro too. Obama wouldn’t be where he is, without being black. So far, he’s said nothing of substance to convince anyone that he has plans…just “hope and change”. Voting for someone based on skin color and not policy is absurb, but many people vote that way. They feel he’s going to do something for them. Boy, will they be surprised! He’s in it for himself and power…nothing else.

  36. #36
    On March 12th, 2008 at 5:23 am, BROOKLYN said:

    Check out the Politico. She said the same exact thing about Jesse Jackson back in 1988.

  37. #37
    On March 12th, 2008 at 6:16 am, gayle said:

    I believe (intuition) that Mitt will be the VP of choice.

    Saw his interview with Sean last night……he never said he wouldn’t when asked. Just a little smile.

    That might just work.

  38. #38
    On March 12th, 2008 at 8:11 am, Chief RZ said:

    Well, her statement would be difficult to prove, but just take a look at the demographics. 92% vs 8%–those are pretty significant figures. She is on Hillary’s campaign; said the obvious but in the Democratic Party where Political Correctness is the rule of law, she shouldn’t have. Now maybe we can get back to The Truth in America.

  39. #39
    On March 12th, 2008 at 8:28 am, MDH3 said:

    First Geri says

    “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position.

    Then she says

    “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.

    Inconsistent, much?

    “Racism works in two different directions.”

    Actually, no. There’s only one kind.

    I so love watching these idiots implode.

  40. #40
    On March 12th, 2008 at 8:32 am, rooster said:

    History is always distorted.

    Republicans are always branded as racist when in fact gender and race is the democrat play book standard.

  41. #41
    On March 12th, 2008 at 8:37 am, MrVIBEMAN said:

    I thought everything she said was true. It’s too bad that so many people think it’s racist. I just think it was a statement of fact.
    He’s getting a significant portion of his primary votes from minorities, not because he’s the best candidate for them, but because, in their eye’s he’s one of them. He’s either black for the blacks, or brown for the hispanics, and he’s part white for those who need him to be ‘not-black’, he’s minority for all those who need to vote minority to assuage their white guilt, and he’s mixed for the rest. Which makes it a Race race.
    Geraldine was 100% correct when she said he wouldn’t be where he is if he was white.

  42. #42
    On March 12th, 2008 at 9:24 am, governmentdrone said:

    Gotta agree with MrVIBEMAN on this one. Ferraro was 100% correct in her assessment.

    The reaction of people who see this as a racist statement is basically the same as the reaction of those to Rush Limbaugh and his comments on the media in re Donovon McNabb on ESPN a few years back.

    People need to analyze and digest what has really been said, rather than have a gut reaction and jump on the “race” bandwagon.

  43. #43
    On March 12th, 2008 at 9:43 am, StandardDeviation said:

    Yup. Ms. Ferraro should just tell everyone to shut up and remind them that truth is an absolute defense.

    Just like Michael Graham has been saying. If Barack Obama were Bob O’Banyon, we wouldn’t be talking about him today.

  44. #44
    On March 12th, 2008 at 9:49 am, CharlieT said:

    When 30-year-old Ted Kennedy ran for his brother’s old senate seat in 1962, his oppopnent, state Attorney General Edward McCormack, quipped, “If your name were Edward Moore instead of Edward Moore Kennedy, your candidacy would be a joke.” Clinton certainly falls within this category on two scores (name and gender) and Obama on one (race).

  45. #45
    On March 12th, 2008 at 10:05 am, SoonerMarine said:

    It’s been said here before that based on his ‘accomplishments’ Sen Obama has no business being a serious candidate for President. What he does have is an effective speaking style and a persona that generates enthusiasm. Part of that persona is race based, and he uses it. Ferraro pointed this out. It doesn’t make her racist to comment on the obvious. And, it is neither unfair or underhanded of Obama to use his race to sway people that are affected by that aspect. Also, to Ferraro’s credit, she said similar factors came into play in her selection as a running mate. “I said in large measure, because he is black. I said, Let me also say in 1984 — and if I have said it once, I have said it 20, 60, 100 times — in 1984, if my name was Gerard Ferraro instead of Geraldine Ferraro, I would never have been the nominee for vice president,”

  46. #46
    On March 12th, 2008 at 10:41 am, terrig said:

    I’m not a fan of hers at all either but I think she has a point here as well but Hillary shouldn’t be there either. However, it good she acknowledges her place in history. I remember she couldn’t keep track of her own kids during the 1980’s. Maybe she should have kept a closer eye on them instead of making history.

  47. #47
    On March 12th, 2008 at 10:42 am, radio relay said:

    I caught Geraldine, on Fox being interviewed about her statements. The old girl is standing her ground! Good for her. She might be a democrat, but she’s got some backbone!

    If the democrats think they are going to intimidate the rest of the country into voting for a candidate for no other reason than that he has negro genes, then they better wise up!

    Also, the division that Obama is casting into the democrat party by his tactics of falling back on the race card (identity politics) whenever someone on Hillary’s side criticizes him, is going to alienate an awful lot of liberal, non-black women.

  48. #48
    On March 12th, 2008 at 11:09 am, emjem24 said:

    Man, the left really does eat its own. This is guerilla comedy theater at its best.

    On another note: I agree with Ferraro’s comments to a certain extent (first time in my life). Obummer is “popular” and a cult icon because it’s hard to “label” him. When you’re preaching “hope” or “change” or “unity” you can do no wrong. Obummer is also of mixed race so he doesn’t fit into any one category. He makes for a great bumper sticker candidate which makes the young people swoon over his charisma.

  49. #49
    On March 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pm, bit_boy said:

    Per: Townhall Alan Fram

    Whites largely shunned Barack Obama in Mississippi’s Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday (when) 92 percent of blacks lined up behind the Illinois senator (and) 70 percent of whites supported Hillary Rodham Clinton, according to an exit poll of voters conducted for The Associated Press and the television networks.

    Identity Politics at work. Is it unique to Mississippi, don’t think so.

  50. #50
    On March 12th, 2008 at 2:48 pm, jungatheart said:

    On March 12th, 2008 at 12:17 am, vsatt said:
    If W would have gotten Cheney to step aside in 2004 and made Condoleezza Rice his running mate, we could have the whole first black president/first woman president all wrapped up into one neat little package. And with the name Condoleezza, you might even have a chance at the Latino vote.

    I would have loved this but, unfortunately, Ms. Rice has stated on numerous occasions that she is not interested. She is a very smart woman.

  51. #51
    On March 12th, 2008 at 5:26 pm, nyc123me said:

    Geraldine Ferraro is leaving the Hillary Clinton campaign in the wake of a controversy regarding her remarks about Barack Obama.
    -CNN developing story

  52. #52
    On March 13th, 2008 at 12:13 pm, mytake said:

    Headline: RACE CARD INVENTED BY DEMOCRATS BITES HAND THAT FEEDS IT!

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