1/3rd of Democrats Racist? Seems They Agree With Geraldine Ferraro

Ok, kids, here's a question: if we agree that Geraldine Ferraro was expressing racism in her comments regarding Barack Obama, what does it say about those who agree with her? Hmm? Well, logically, it would say that they too have views that are racist.

Thus, if a survey shows that 34 percent of Democrats agree with Geraldine Ferraro , then it means that according to this survey we have a party with problems.

It means that about 1/3rd of the Democratic Party is racist and in my view, the party could lose part of that one-third to the Republicans and John McCain, unless something is done. Barack Obama has a wide lead in delegates and Clinton will not catch him. Dean needs to end this contest, now.

It also means that Dean and Pelosi should worry about causing the Democrats African American base to erode for the first time in history.

(As far as Florida and Michigan, just split the delegates 50 - 50 and move on.)

I think both Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi need to step in and correct this problem now. They need to make statements against these findings, because Ferraro and by extension Hillary Clinton is still doing damage to the Democratic Party, and Pelosi and Dean need to stop it.

Here's the results of the survey by MediaCurves.com (N=431 means that 431 people were surveyed.)

Geraldine Ferraro Defends her Statement About Barack Obama

Total N=431

Do you agree with Geraldine Ferraro’s comment that “Barack Obama would not have made it this far if he was a white man?”

Prior to viewing Ferraro’s explanation

Yes 29%
No 57%
Don’t Know 14%

After viewing Ferraro’s explanation

Yes 34%
No 53%
Don’t Know 13%


Do you believe that Geraldine Ferraro’s comment was racist?

Prior to viewing Ferraro’s explanation

Yes 48%
No 43%
Don’t Know 9%

After viewing Ferraro’s explanation

Yes 42%
No 51%
Don’t Know 7%


Do you agree with Geraldine Ferraro’s explanation of her comments about Senator Obama?

After viewing Ferraro’s explanation

Yes 45%
No 46%
Don’t Know 9%


Do you think Geraldine Ferraro should have resigned from Senator Hillary Clinton’s finance committee?

After viewing Ferraro’s explanation

Yes 45%
No 39%
Don’t Know 14%

Dr. Mary Frances Berry Defends Geraldine Ferraro And Pisses Me Off!

I just saw Civil Rights Pioneer Dr. Mary Frances Berry on CNN after the Geraldine Ferraro disaster and was really upset with what I heard her say. She essentially gave Geraldine Ferraro a "pass" on her terrible comments. The scene prompted me to write this letter to Dr. Berry.

Dr. Berry,

I want you to pay attention. Close attention to what I'm writing. I am VERY UPSET and DISAPPOINTED with how you allowed yourself to be portrayed on CNN on Wednesday. I -- until today -- was very proud of your history. You set a standard that many should know and follow -- I thought. My Mom -- Pat Abraham Yerger -- would sing your praises and I would listen.

No more.

First, you're a Clinton supporter; why, I do not know.

Senator Barack Obama is the first true African American candidate who can be President of the United States. I've raised thousands of dollars for him and over the last year worked the Internet to make sure his message is seen far and wide around the World. In my work I've seen many older African Americans like yourself ( I am younger) who come across as afraid to cause and see true cultural change where a Black man is in the position of the most powerful elected official in the World.

I've seen people like yourself pat people like the Clintons on the back for being "there" for civil rights. Well, I've got news for you Ms. Berry. They don't speak for young Black business owners like me. I'm not seeking protection for my civil rights -- I have them. I'm working to build a world where people like me are AUTOMATICALLY considered part of the business class and expected to make a contribution based on our merits. No handouts. And no people like the Clintons who always tell you how they've helped Blacks in the past.

That was then; this is now.

You need to grow and get with the 21st Century program because it's clear you're stuck in the 20th Century. This is 2008; not 1998. We are in an era where people are HUNGRY to get over our racial divide and many see Barack as a symbol of America's ability to grow.

Why you're not part of this desire is beyond me. It's terrible to see that you've taken this path. You do major damage by your appearance on CNN and views you expressed to young Black men who need to see that they too can reach for, and achieve, the American Dream. That you would even present your outdated views on television is a sure sign that the crab-barrel mentality is alive and well with you. I wish you would change; just plain turn on a dime and become a more productive member of MODERN American society.

Allowing Geraldine Ferraro to make her STUPID and idiotic and racist comments and then say that Obama should not have responded was patently silly. To place yourself in a postion where you allowed David Gergen to make you look like a self-hating Black person was worse, because that's what he did.

What the heck is wrong with you? Please tell me. That was painful to watch and terrible to recall as I write. You had no business letting that happen. But you did.

You can still improve. You can reach for that place that allows you to see and work for what can be done, and not wallow in a pool of sorrow and fear over a future that you and I know must happen: Barack Obama for President.

With much respect for -- and yet extreme disappointment with -- you.

--
Zennie Abraham, Jr.
Chairman and CEO
http://www.sportsbusinesssims.com
Sports Business Simulations
510-387-9809
SBS Online Marketing at http://www.sbson.com

Clinton Backer Geraldine Ferraro Steps Down But Leaves Warning

Geraldine Ferraro stepped down from her post on Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's Finance Committee (no wonder they lost money), but left this letter to Clinton obtained by CNN's Suzanne Malveaux, which, to me, serves as a warning to Clinton and the Democratic Party:

Dear Hillary -

I am stepping down from your finance committee so I can speak for myself and you can continue to speak for yourself about what is at stake in this campaign.

The Obama campaign is attacking me to hurt you.

I won't let that happen.

Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to make this a better world for my children and grandchildren.

You have my deep admiration and respect.

Gerry

What this says to me is that Ferraro will continue to be a divisive force in the Democratic Party. What's bothersome is that she refuses to see that she's causing damage. She will drive a great many people to Barack Obama. I say, Horray! for this, but I'm concerned about the Democratic Party and I think Pelosi needs to step in and stop this crap once and for all.

Clinton Backer Geraldine Ferraro's History Of Racism - Ben Smith In The Politico

Give Ben Smith credit for digging up this bit of history on Geraldine Ferraro's love of racist comments from 1988 using a Lexis search:

"If Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race," she said.

Really. The cite is an April 15, 1988 Washington Post story (byline: Howard Kurtz), available only on Nexis.

Here's the full context:

Placid of demeanor but pointed in his rhetoric, Jackson struck out repeatedly today against those who suggest his race has been an asset in the campaign. President Reagan suggested Tuesday that people don't ask Jackson tough questions because of his race. And former representative Geraldine A. Ferraro (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that because of his "radical" views, "if Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race."

Asked about this at a campaign stop in Buffalo, Jackson at first seemed ready to pounce fiercely on his critics. But then he stopped, took a breath, and said quietly, "Millions of Americans have a point of view different from" Ferraro's.

Discussing the same point in Washington, Jackson said, "We campaigned across the South . . . without a single catcall or boo. It was not until we got North to New York that we began to hear this from Koch, President Reagan and then Mrs. Ferraro . . . . Some people are making hysteria while I'm making history."

I would say that Ferraro's making history again, er, "making hysteria" again, I should say.

Geez.

Also on February 27th she appeared on John Gibson and said the same "Obama's Winning Because He's Not White!" crap. Wow.

Ferraro: "They're Attacking Me Because I'm White!

One day after Clinton backer and former Vice Presidential Candidate Geraldine Ferraro said that Senator Barack Obama had the campaign advantage because he's Black, she's opened her obviously lively mouth again. Today, in the same publication where she gave the interview, Ferraro said "They're Attacking Me Because I'm White!"

The full text is here:

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

FERRARO: "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?"

Geez.

Senator Clinton has said that Ferraro's comments were not welcome. But now, she's got a fresh set of stupid Ferraro comments to deal with. Of course, all of this just fires up the Obama supporters and Ferraro may have sealed the deal for Clinton's eventual loss by pissing of rank-and-file Dems.

Clinton Backer Geraldine Ferraro's Racism In Full National View

Geraldine Ferraro was one person that, as an even younger version of me, I looked up to. After today, I don't. What's unfortunatel about this election is just how many Democratic poiticians I respected who've turned out to have such racist views.

It's something that I should have expected given that for the first time a man of African-American decent in Barack Obama has the chance -- a real great chance -- to be the next, the 44th President of the United States. This prospect has caused those like Ferraro to show their real "colors".

This is what Ferraro said to the DailyBreeze in Southern California :

NEWSPAPER: When the subject turned to Obama, Clinton's rival for the Democratic Party nomination, Ferraro's comments took on a decidedly bitter edge.

FERRARO: "I think what America feels about a woman becoming president takes a very secondary place to Obama's campaign - to a kind of campaign that it would be hard for anyone to run against," she said. "For one thing, you have the press, which has been uniquely hard on her. It's been a very sexist media. Some just don't like her. The others have gotten caught up in the Obama campaign.

"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position," she continued. "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 does not buy the notion of Obama as the great reconciler.

"I was reading an article that said young Republicans are out there campaigning for Obama because they believe he's going to be able to put an end to partisanship," Ferraro said, clearly annoyed. "Dear God! Anyone that has worked in the Congress knows that for over 200 years this country has had partisanship - that's the way our country is."

This is stupid. There were many "white men" in this position. I think of the excitement of Mario Cuomo's run. And what about John F. Kennedy. Let's see. JFK's a white man whom Obama's compared to.

Nuts. Totally awful how some Democrats -- ok, some white Democrats -- have revealed themselves to have such racist views.