Ferraro's Race Argument Isn't Insulting to Obama; It's Insulting to Democrats

[babylonsister]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-deggans/ferraros-race-argument-i_b_91169.html

Eric Deggans
Ferraro's Race Argument Isn't Insulting to Obama; It's Insulting to Democrats
Posted March 12, 2008 | 01:24 PM (EST)


When Obama started doing well in the Presidential primaries, I was actually embarassed.

That feeling came because I remembered two middle-aged white guy friends of mine who had told me months ago they supported Obama, drawn by the promise of a young, smart leader with good ideas who seemed poised to implement them without resorting to the same old nonsense of our political past.

I liked his approach and ideas, but I had a much more cynical view of race politics. I never thought he'd have a chance because I assumed America would never really let him compete.

So to hear so-called progressive politicians such as Geraldine Ferraro complain that Obama is only ahead in the Democratic primary race because of his race, sounds to these ears like hearing news that cats have been found on the moon.

You mean, somebody thinks being a black man with the name Barack Hussein Obama is a bigger advantage than being the wife of the most successful Democratic president since John F. Kennedy?

snip//

If Clinton wins this way -- basically encouraging working class white people and women to turn on Obama through race-based attacks -- the young people and black folks who were so excited about this election will stay home in November and John McCain will be president. Because nobody plays wedge issues and the fear game like the Republicans.

This is why I wound up voting for Obama when the primary rolled around in Florida. I'm tired of fear mongering, wedge politics and Democratic ineptitude. And, though I'm sure Obama cannot pull off everything he thinks he can as president, I'm desperate enough for a change that I'm willing to give him a shot.

Frankly, Ferraro's assumption that people like me voted for Obama because he self-identifies as a black man is less insulting to Obama and more insulting to me.

She better hope we get over our anger before November, or the Democratic party is going to pay the price.

[aquart]

1. Bull cookies. Would he be a candidate if he were half-Chinese?

Do you really think there are no smart, charismatic young Asian men in all of America? Doesn't matter if there are. They don't exist politically in this country.

Barack Obama has the potential to deliver a 17% minority. BECAUSE HE'S Half-BLACK. That's one heck of a dowry.

Only two things were needed to bring it home: black voters needed to see that whites would vote for him; and his opponents needed to become instant racists. DONE!

But stop congratulating yourselves on being colorblind. You ain't.

[hisownpetard]

2. And equally insulting to my ears is Ferraro's confession that the only reason she was chosen as a

candidate for Vp was because she was a woman!!

Doesn't say much for her own credentials or qualifications.
And it also makes the point that anyone who may have voted for the ticket she was on, believing
that she was a qualified candidate, was evidently hood-winked.

Brilliant, Geraldine!!

[Fredda Weinberg]

4. I guess you had to be there. Her qualifications, at the time, were

savaged ... because of her gender. She stood up for us then, and is taking the heat now.

You think the Democratic Party put up an otherwise unqualified woman? Think ... this is the same party you want to nominate your candidate.

[hisownpetard]

10. Those where *her own words*!! Ferraro said, on TV the other night, that she herself

was only chosen back then "because she was a woman."

Sorry I don't know how to give a link, but that was the point I was trying to make.

[bigbrother05]

3. I was just telling my husband that

I want an apology from Hillary, as a Democrat.

[Fredda Weinberg]

5. Then you're ignorant. Congratulations n/t

[bigbrother05]

8. I like how you judge people

[John Q. Citizen]

9. Is not!

[juajen]

6. Ah, for God's sake, blow itcha ear, won't you?

Don't ya'll every get tired of ten thousand posts on the same thing? I'm outta here.

[babylonsister]

7. Sorry if you don't like it, but this is the topic du jour and what

many people are writing about. :hi: