Obama Says Ferraro Race Comments Are ‘Patently Absurd,’ Campaign Calls for Ouster
Barack Obama speaks at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss., Monday. His campaign called on a prominent Hillary Clinton supporter to step down Tuesday for saying Obama wouldn't be enjoying positive attention if he were white. (AP Photo)
Barack Obama on Tuesday lashed out at Geraldine Ferraro, a prominent Hillary Clinton supporter who says Obama has been helped politically by his race. The former Democratic vice presidential candidate responded that she stands by her remarks.
Ferraro first made the controversial remarks to the Los Angeles-area newspaper The Daily Breeze last week, saying Obama would not be enjoying such positive media attention if he were white.
“If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position,” Ferraro said during an assessment of Obama’s treatment by the press that she attributes to an infatuation with the racial implications of his candidacy.
“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.”
Ferraro added that Clinton has suffered from a “sexist media.”
Obama labeled the comments as “patently absurd” after his campaign demanded Ferraro leave her post on Clinton’s finance committee. The Democratic presidential candidate told the Allentown Morning Call Tuesday: “I don’t think that Geraldine Ferraro’s comments have any place in our politics or the Democratic Party. … I think they were divisive.”
He added: “I think that anybody who understands the history of this country knows they are patently absurd. I would expect that the same way those comments don’t have a place in my campaign, they shouldn’t have a place in Senator Clinton’s.”
Ferraro told FOX News Tuesday that she’s “sorry that people thought it was racist.” But she quickly turned the tables on Obama, claiming his supporters are too eager to cry race when faced with criticism.
“What I find is offensive is every time anybody says something about the campaign, you’re accused of being racist,” she said.
She then told The Daily Breeze on Tuesday: “Racism works in two different directions. I really think they’re attacking me because I’m white. How’s that?”
Clinton said in Pennsylvania Tuesday that she doesn’t agree with Ferraro’s remarks, but did not say anything about removing her from the campaign.
“I think it’s important we stay focused on the issues that matter to the American people. Both of us have had supporters and staff that have gone over the line and we’ve both had to rein them in,” she said.
The Clinton campaign also released a statement accusing Obama of trying to renege on an apparent pledge to leave the race issue alone.
“We reject these false, personal and politically calculated attacks on the eve of a primary,” said campaign manager Maggie Williams.
Voters headed to the polls in the Mississippi on Tuesday. The state offers 33 pledged delegates and the largest black electorate of any state. Polls there consistently favor the Illinois senator.
The race comments set off a back-and-forth similar to the one the campaigns shared last week, when former foreign policy adviser Samantha Power left the Obama campaign after calling Clinton a “monster” in an interview with a Scottish newspaper.
Obama chief strategist David Axelrod suggested the emphasis on race is part of an underlying effort that has continued for months. He noted other allegedly insensitive comments by Clinton supporters BET founder Bob Johnson and New Hampshire co-chairman Bill Shaheen.
“All this is part of an insidious pattern that needs to be addressed,” Axelrod told reporters on a conference call Tuesday. “When you wink and nod at offensive statements, you’re really sending a signal to your supporters that anything goes.”
Axelrod said the Obama camp has been “very firm” in dealing with such wayward comments — a reference to the campaign’s handling of Power’s remarks. He said Ferraro should be removed from her campaign positions.
Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky said that Clinton should call on her advisers to “change the tone” of the campaign.
“Any and all remarks that diminish Senator Obama’s candidacy because of his race are completely out of line,” she said. “We need to stop tearing each other down with personal attacks and focus on defeating Senator McCain in November.”
The issue of Obama’s race surfaces periodically, often when a southern state, rich in black voters, is on the line. Bill Clinton raised it in South Carolina, which went heavily for Obama with the help of black voters. Clinton suggested Obama only won because of his race by raising the point that Jesse Jackson also won there when he ran for president.
Click here to read the Ferraro interview in The Daily Breeze.
I think what is very prejudice right now is that eveeryone used Hillary’s middle name but every one refuses to use Obama’s middle name. Every where I look on TV you see her middle name but not his. I believe that his name should be used just as her’s is
WITH ALL THE DEMOCRATIC HOOPLA ABOUT THE RACE CARD BEING PLAYED BY
OBAMA AND THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN, THINKS THIS RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE
IS IN THE BAG? THEY WILL BE SADLY MISTAKEN.
THERE ARE REAL ISSUES BEING DECIDED THAT WILL MAKE THEM
THE FOIL FOR THE SPOILERS.
THEIR ANTICS AND TACTICS WILL BACKFIRE ON THEM COME NOVEMBER.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE NOT STUPID, NOR IGNORANT OF THE CHARGES
BEING LEVELED AT THE DEMOCRATS, AND, THE REPUBLICANS, ADMINISTRATION.
THEIR OWN TACTICS AND OBSTRUCTIONISM IN THE SENATE AND THE CONGRESS,
HAVE MADE THEM AND BACKED THEM INTO A CORNER.
NOW THE REPUBLICANS, ALSO HAVE THEIR FAIR SHARE OF BLAME,
BUT THIS IS NOT ABOUT THAT.
IT IS ABOUT WHATS BEST FOR THE COUNTRY AND THE NATION AS A WHOLE, NOT AS SEPERATISTS AND DEVISIVENESS OF; THE, PARTY LINE. NOT, WITHSTANDING THE BACKLASH OF THEIR NEGATIVITY AND CONDENSATION TO THE FAR LEFT WING AND ADAMENT POLITICAL RETORIC.
THAT WILL AFFECT NOTHING BUT, MOORE AND MOVE-ON, THEM TO DEFEAT
AND MORE GRIDLOCK IN THE CONGRESS AND THE SENATE!
WITH VETO AFTER VETO FROM THE WHITE HOUSE FOR THEIR OBNOXIOUS AND ARRAGANT CONDUCT; OF THE COUNTRIES BUSINESS AND OUR, INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL SECURITY, INTERESTS AROUNT THE WORLD.
DON’T EVER FORGET, AND NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ADMINISTRATION WHEN THE
PARTY POLITIC OF THE (DEMOCRATS) ARE THE INSTIGATOR OF THE CURRENT CRISIS
IN THE ECONOMIC SECTORS. AS WELL AS,
“THE DEFENSE! OF THIS NATION, AND THE BORDERS.”
AND THE ILLEGAL IMIGRATION, ISSUES ALL ARE THE DECIDING FACTORS!
THEY MUST ADDRESS THESE ISSUES BEFOR THEY GET TO THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.
AND MR. McCAIN; IS OUT DOING THE JOB OF THE COUNTRY WITH HIS UPCOMMING
OVERSEAS VISITS THAT, WILL HAVE THE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW TO
STRENGTHEN OUR DEFENSE AND INTERNATIONAL ALLIES SUPPORT FOR THE WAR ON TERROR.
IN OTHER WORDS, BEING THE RIGHT CANDIDATE TO DATE; FOR AS HE IS CONSENTRATING ON; THE WORLD VIEW, AND THE BIG PICTURE, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE IGNORED AND ARE BLIND TO, WITH THEIR HATE OF BUSH AND BASHING THIS COUNTRY WITH THEIR, SOCIALIST DOGMA AND AGENDA.
THEIR CONVENTION AND THE SUPER DELEGATS, WILL NOT GET EITHER ONE OF THEM ELECTED, IN NOVEMBER. FOR THE REPUBLICANS AND THE PEOPLE WILL TAKE ALL THIS INTO CONSIDERATION; FOR THEIR SELECTION IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
END TRANS: MARV!
The race card is really getting old! When something is done to a white politician it’s called dirty politics… However, when it is done to a black politician it is racism. Too many are willing to forget about 9-11. I know that there are a lot of good Muslin people in this world; however, we’ll never know who is good and who is Bad. I think Obama is very charismatic and he is someone I can like; however, I don’t trust him. I think he is lying about his faith and God knows what else. Any true blue Christian wouldn’t keep a Muslin name. I banged on doors, worked on the polls and voted for black senators, congressmen/women, mayors, city councilmen\women, etc. 30 years ago, when there were predominately white candidates the black voters sporadically came out to vote; however, when black candidates start running for office, most of the black constituents registered to vote, came out to bang on doors, work on the polls and voted. I think that every ethnic group should have candidates to support their needs. I found out throughout the years that there are a large number of white people will support black candidates in major elections; however, there is a low number of blacks that will support a white candidate. The message I get from working on the polls is “we only support our own”; we don’t care if the candidate is the “Antichrist”.
Should we conclude, from Ms. Farraro’s analysis that the considerable support Obama has received in states like Iowa and Virginia comes from variously guilt-ridden or racist White votes? Her analysis is simplistic if not absurd, and insults votes of every strip that support Obama:
I think the Clintons and many old line Democrats believe, as does Ms. Ferraro, that race somehow accounts for Obama’s success – Iowa, Virginia et al., notwithstanding. They don’t see the problem in their logic because, if challenged, they focus on whether their views are racist, and not on the degree to which their opinions faithful approximate political reality.
It probably is not racist, their reasoning, as much as it is racialism. That is, these are ideas or beliefs based on the notion that ones race, or in this case, race, is the primary determent of ones abilities, failure or success. At least one problem with this conceptual framework is that it is outdated, and clearly misapplied it the case of the 2008 Obama candidacy
Yes racialism, as a social, economic and political dynamic, is as real as ever in this country. The notion that this dynamic manifests today in the same way that it did in 1918, 1958 or 1968 however, is inexcusably simplistic. It is a perspective that has ossified Democratic political strategy for three decades, and represents an increasingly paralyzing psychosis within Democratic Party leadership. Some Democrats, Senators Ted Kennedy and John Lewis for example, seem to get it. Others, like President and Mrs. Clinton (egos and ambitions aside), Mr. Jessie Jackson and Ms. Geraldine Farraro, remain blinded by a historiography made static by racialism.
[...] is qualified to be President (or for that matter Hillary Clinton). FOXNews.com reports, “Obama Says Ferraro Race Comments Are ‘Patently Absurd,’ Campaign Calls for Ouster.” Now CNN.com reports that Gerldine Ferraro has left the Clinton campaign, “Ferraro [...]
Everyone is too “PC” (politically correct) and will not acknowledge the fact that the United States is still racially divided. If you watch any mainstream media you will see that this is promoted in all news casts and marketing ploys. In some cases it is intentional some it is not but if anyone believes that this election is not directly tied to the ‘Race” card then you may want to take another look.
We base our first impressions on skin color, body size/shape, even the way people talk. All of us are guilty of this and most if not all find it hard to change. As an individual we have a “perception of how things should be” or in this case ‘what CHANGE” we can help implement. We have heard the word “CHANGE’ in every election from every canidate and every party and “NONE” of the have delivered. Some have made little adjustments but nothing major. Until such a time as the citizens of this country decide to promote “change” themselves and be willing to give up certain expectations, we will ever be at the mercy of a political machine that manipulates human emotion and plays upon our fears.
None of the candidates are qualified for the position of President. Black or White, Man or Woman they all have political agendas that are “THEIRS” and not will of people. Be careful who you elect because you may find that the “Change” you have been promised is just a different perspective on a issue and some one elses perspective at that.
Barack is Arab-American not African-American.
Um, Geraldine . . . when all the white candidates win, does anyone accuse white folk of voting for them just because they are white? You forgot to left off when you said black, you forgot: AND QUALIFIED. Stop hatin! The double standard is just a tool used to perpetuate the hate. A black man who has transcended race is winning and he’s winning just because he’s black? What does that say for those who voted for him? That we don’t know better, that we are all so dumb that we have been sold a bill of goods in this man’s skin tone. Well, what about his heart? Well, Good for Obama. I don’t care how or why he’s winning or in the position he is in. It could be that yes, he’s black. But he’s also qualfied, capable, able, strong — morally and ethically, got no baggage [and if he does have any his handlers better bring it to the front]. Hate is old. Just put a lid on that mess because when George Bush carried all the red states, and when Ronald Reagan brought his chariot into the ’80’s nobody, but nobody said he’s winning just because he’s white and you all know how the eurocentric culture is to tow the line. They say, be like me be because I’m so righteous and I know the way and I am the way; and if you don’t want to be like me or if you don’t bow under my politics, then you are immoral, unethical, un-American. There’s a strong possibility that we may have a President of the United States of African descent. It took 400 years, but so what? Don’t hate because Obama may succeed where you didn’t and Hillary is not succeeding up to this point. The only way for “them” to win is with fear and negativity, which is sad, but not surprising in the age of Jerry Springer and reality TV where folk love to see others humiliated. I hope the voters see this for what it is and vote for America. . A black man was good enough for Obama’s mother and you can’t get more heart of American than Iowa. Imagine that: a woman from Iowa was attracted to and made love to a man from Kenya and through that union, we have the strongest, most viable candidate, just in my humble opinion, to date. But tell the whole story, please : Say he’s winning “Just because he’s Black and qualified and viable, and refreshing, and hopeful and legitimate, carries little baggage, has a good credit score, is “articulate” has a strong ivy-league educated wife; has his marriage intact; two beautiful little girls, has family and friends from all walks of life and all colors of the rainbow. The good, the bad and the ugly. I admit that it is true that Obama didn’t always have the black vote. And if it’s putting him over the top, so what? What vote should he be getting if not the black vote? One final thing, it’s not just black folk voting for Obama.
Why is it, that everything anyone says about Obama is called racism?
The man has certainly made his share of racial comments. I just don’t think at this time that Obama is the right person to be our president. IUf he really cares about this country, he will drop out, and watch and learn from the next president, no matter who it may be. I do not find the remarks made by Ferraro, to be racist. She is just staing a true fact.
#1 Obama is HALF-Caucasian. Anyone who doesn’t recognize this is an idiot.
#2 As is obvious from the postings on this board, Obama’s ethnic heritage is a hindrance and not a help. Look at how many racially charges statements are being written.
#3 Iowa, Vermont, Wyoming etc. are not voting for him because they “love black people” or because of some mythical allegiance to Affirmative Action. They voted for him without regard for his skin color. They voted for him because they believe that he is the best thing for this country.
#4 Most African-Americans actually supported Hillary when the campaign started. Did you forget that? The reason for he shift is because of the racially accusatory statements coming out the of Clinton camp. Think about it- if you were Italian, and Senator Obama were start trashing Italians, would you vote for him?
#5 The only people playing the race card is the Clinton camp. Obama’s supporters only talk race when the Clinton hit squad forces them into defensive posture. Even John McCain is campaigning with more honor and integrity. Good for him. (Of course, that’s why the evangelicals hate him)
#6 Racists always say that a person of color cannot win/get hired/get admitted/achieve on their own merits. Racists don’t believe in the skills of the people they are racist towards. No one in the Obama camp has ever called Ferarro a racist. Her actions speak for themselves.