Posted on 03/17/2008 9:37:20 AM PDT by seanmerc
Geraldine Ferraro, a pioneer and trailblazer in American history, has done more to ruin a sterling reputation in the past few days than anybody but Eliot Spitzer.
By claiming, I think falsely, that Obama would not be where he is if he were white or a woman, I think she totally overlooks the impact of his charisma, eloquence, demeanor, message, use of the Internet, focus on caucus states, and his refusal to take special interest money as factors in his sudden rise.
She betrays a stunning inability to look more than skin deep for reasons for his success.
But this begs the real question: Why is she now so unable to peer into the deeper reasons for Obama's success and stopping at skin level? Ferraro is no racist. Her entire career speaks to the contrary.
The blunt fact is that Geraldine Ferraro would not make a statement like this one without at least the tacit knowledge and acquiescence of the Clintons and their campaign. Ferraro is an old pro and would know enough not to shoot off her mouth without making it part of a carefully conceived strategy to discredit Obama based on race.
As such, her comments need to be seen as a piece with the attacks on Obama's minister and his endorsement by Farrakhan. With Hillary now almost totally dependent on older voters, the race card may be the only way to produce the kinds of margins she needs in the future primaries to offset Obama's large and widening lead among elected delegates.
The fact is that Obama cannot and should not be held accountable for the ranting and raving of his minister, unless he fails to disavow these remarks. He has done all he needs to do in distancing himself from the likes of Farrakhan. And is success is due to his imaginative use of the political process to achieve what he has earned.
Obama out-organized Hillary by focusing on the small caucus states in February, by which time Hillary confidently expected the race to be over.
Obama out-messaged Hillary by refusing special interest PAC or lobbyist money, giving him a way to paint Hillary as the candidate of the Washington establishment.
Obama out-fundraised Hillary by understanding the potential of the Internet to raise quick and clean money and to permit reloading quickly.
Obama out-positioned Hillary by using her claim to experience (faux as it was) to paint her as just another cycle in the oscillation between Bushes and Clintons which has dominated our politics for two decades now.
Obama out-spoke Hillary by showing and eloquence and elegance that she cannot hope to match.
Obama out-targeted Hillary by focusing on young voters and grasping the amazing insight that in an election with a black and a woman, that age would be the decisive variable.
And now Hillary is trying, through her surrogate Ferraro, to make it appear that all Obama had to do was show up, show some skin and win.
Even for the Clintons, this is a new low.
I haven’t seen anything written by Morris is the last several months which wasn’t a scathy denunciation of Hillary. He really hates her and it appears to be personal which compromises his credibility.
Sorry, Dickie, but Geraldine was right.
Ferraro is exactly right. Obama wouldn’t even be considered if he was white. Hillary wouldn’t be considered if her husband wasn’t Bill. These people just can’t accept the truth can they?
I hate Ferraro, and I can’t stand Hillary.
But, what Ferraro said wasn’t anything egregiously racist.
The Clintons WERE probably using her for an attack dog.
So what?
Morris is a liberal Democrat who hates the Clintons. That is his sole claim to fame and what he is practising here.
But I wouldn’t waste any tears on Ferraro and Clinton - or Obama either for that matter. A pox on BOTH their houses and I hope Florida and Michigan are written in their political obituaries.
Soros not a special interest?
For once I agree with Dick Morris completely. Gerard Ferraro made exact same remarks against Jesse Jackson in 88. She simply doesn’t appreciate negros getting out of line. Klintons were hell bent on destroying moral standards in America just to save their necks last time around. They couldn’t care less if the whole country erups in riots or if there is civil war. Harm to the nation is not their concern.....only self preservation and glorification.
Morris defends Obama at every opportunity, maybe because of his animus against the Clintons.
I agree with his assessment of the strength of Obama as a campaigner, but he continues to ignore the overwhelming support of African American voters that cannot be dismissed so easily, given the popular support enjoyed by the Clintons among African Americans in the past.
Well, when Hillary calls someone a “F*cking Jew B*stard” like she did Morris I can understand why he hates her guts.
Morris is either being dishonest or is totally clueless about the harm Wright has done to the Obama campaign. Is Morris a church-goer? Probably not. If he was, he’d understand what Wright said were parts of sermons, not “comments”. And Obama’s attendance at the church speaks volumes.
Obama listened to his preacher of choice for years. He never objected, he never left. He gave tacit approval. That is enough to condemn him.
Wrong as usual. If anything, she's scored a few points with her detractors.
Look, that may seem the correct posture to Morris (and others I've heard say it), I deeply disagree. Geraldine was right. I mean, you'd have to be fatuous to imagine a white, 44-year-old, 1st-term senator with no portfolio, taking 90% of the black vote away from the Nominatrix. Period. Case closed. Please, let's not hear this little gloss any more.
This is becoming a worn-out phrase.
-PJ
I like his style. He tells the TRUTH. Everything he said about her is true. Obama has outshone her in every aspect. Doesn’t suprise me how low the clintins sunk...that’s who they are.
She keeps providing good material.
Dick Morris has worked with the Clinton’s for two decades. He knows more about their Methods and tactics than just about anyone. Hilliary is trying to take a short cut to the White House. And she is not a true Feminist, in the textbook definition. She is a Socialist pretending to be a Feminist.
Hilliary has never governed anything. She has no Administration experience. And even Bill’s ex Counsel says she has embellished her resume and stretched the truth. I.E. she has lied. IMHO Hilliary is too narcissistic to quit. She will cheat or even wreck the Democrats to get the nomination.
But she is hated by White Males the Second Largest voting block. And Conservative Females have little use for her either. If she cheats and gets the nomination, Blacks will stay home or vote for McCain out of spite. Either way she loses. Couldn’t happen to a more deserving Person.
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