Ferraro Jumps The Shark, Claims Reverse Racism?
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in 2008 Election, Barack, Democrats, Dumb Things Said By Smart People, Hillary, Race
As you read this, remember that nobody from the Obama camp accused her of being racist. They accused her of needlessly injecting a comment about Obama’s race into the campaign, and therefore trying to marginalize him because of it. Those are two very different things and the fact Ferraro is trying to confuse them after committing a pretty obvious gaffe is telling.
Here’s Ferraro’s response to criticism about her previous comment:
“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?”
Again, the problem is she’s say that her statement was reality, and it’s not. In fact, it was an opinion which doesn’t fit the historical record. If, as Ferraro claims, Obama’s race is such a help, then why didn’t Jesse Jackson make a more serious run for the White House? Especially when the African American population made up a bigger portion of the minority population back in the 80s?
Also, for her to suggest she’s being “attacked” because she’s white is beyond dumb. She’s being rebuked because she made a really obtuse comment about race and politics.
Geraldine, you really need to take a breather. You’re hurting Hillary A LOT more than you’re helping her.
But don’t just take my word for it, just read Hillary’s statement when asked about Ferraro’s comments:
“I do not agree with that. It is regrettable that any of our supporters on both sides, because we’ve both had that experience, say things that kind of veer off into the personal.”
Done and done.
UPDATE:
Josh Marshall hits on a lot of same thoughts about how odd it is to suggest that race is a somehow the biggest help to him in this campaign.
Here’s his conclusion:
You might support Obama or not, think he’s qualified or an empty suit but suggesting he’s only where he is now because he’s black is something much worse than outrageous. It just seems obviously false.
Indeed.
UPDATE 2:
Again, the Clinton camp distances themselves from Ferraro’s increasingly wild comments…
Ms. Ferraro is speaking for herself. We have made clear that we reject her remarks.
But one thing I missed today is when Clinton’s campaign manager Maggie Williams said that the Obama camp was injecting race into the campaign, which seemed to suggest that his campaign couldn’t respond to Ferraro’s comments without somehow playing the race card?
Huh?
This story feels like it could keep on going…
This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 and is filed under 2008 Election, Barack, Democrats, Dumb Things Said By Smart People, Hillary, Race. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
