Ferraro is correct.  All a Black person has to do is run for president and s/he becomes a shoo-in: reference Presidents (Shirley) Chisholm, (Jesse) Jackson and (Al) Sharpton.  Since half the American voters are Black and only 15% are women, women have a much harder time getting elected!  To quote Bill Clinton "Give me a break!"

P.S. most of the pundits also missed the significance of Tuesday's primaries.  The big story is not that Obama won Mississippi; the story is that Obama won   TEXAS and Clinton did not.

--John Odom

I think that it's possible that it is true that being black is an advantage for Obama.  Why not? It's a good thing. It's possible that being a woman is Hillary's advantage. We just don't know for certain how it plays out when it comes to voting. It's also possible that Ferraro's comments were racially motivated. We just don't know.  If she has a history that supports the idea that she is racist, then it's probable. If there's no history that supports the accusation that she is racist, then we have to assume it's equally possible that it was a comment made that was not racially motivated.

--Aubrey Morgan

I was, quite frankly, appalled. Is Geraldine Ferraro in the position she is in just because she is a woman? Is Hilary Clinton in her position just because she is a woman? Ferraro's comment is just more of what we have heard so often for years and years. If people of color don't "make it" it is their fault for not trying hard enough. If people of color do "make it" it is because they are being babied, coddled, given special opportunities because of their skin color, etc. In fact, reams and reams of research on implicit bias, etc. clearly show that darker skin color is still very much a handicap in this society and that people of color have to work much harder to prove they are qualified. It is appalling that Ferraro didn't even realize her comments were racist and that initially Clinton hardly raised an eyebrow. I sincerely hope this incident highlights some of the differences between Clinton and Obama.

--Dawn Hunt

Ferraro was right to step down. Once again, some so-called feminists want to express a feeling of entitlement to the White House based on their gender and see Barack as an undeserving obstacle. The idea that because Obama is a black man, he is receiving preferential treatment over Senator Clinton, who is a woman, is absolutely absurd. Obama has excellent credentials, including serving on the Harvard Law Review. He worked in the community, did not work for Wal-Mart, and served in both the state and the federal legislatures. Hillary is a lawyer, but also served as First Lady. Serving tea to heads of state does not qualify you to be a foreign policy expert and her only job in the Clinton Admin., health care, was a miserable failure. Yes, Obama is interesting, but if he were using the same divisive tactics as Gerry and Hillary, we would not be interested in him. Yes, the black community is proud of him. Let's consider the historic nature of this campaign. Not since slavery has there been an African American who has come so close to the White House. Millions of women voted for Hillary because of her gender.  Is anyone complaining about that?

I remember when Mrs. Ferraro did little to include black women when she ran for Vice President. For that reason, we formed the National Political Congress of Black Women, to support ourselves, knowing we would get little support from her and her colleagues. Her recent comments remind me of that unfortunate turn of events. Hilary has lost all credibility not distancing herself from Ferraro's race-baiting, conscious or unconscious.

--SJ Wilcher

It is very sad that we are in the year 2008 and the same comments that have been used against successful and qualified people of color are facing Senator Obama.  When African Americans get promoted or selected for positions, racists frequently say they got them because they are Black and not because they are qualified.  Their is frequently no regard for their achievements.  Its time to end this form of racism and see this campaign for what it is--a formidable one with two formidable, qualified candidates.  I do have one question for Ms. Ferraro, how does she explain Senator Obama's appeal in the predominantly White states such as Iowa, Alaska,  Connecticut, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Utah, Nebraska,  Maine, Wisconsin, Vermont,  and Wyoming?

--LaJuana Caldwell

I glad that Geraldine Ferraro was made to step down.  The number of people who run for public office while secretly holding very racist views is frightening to me as an African American. Until all people are treated as equals and allowed to share in the American dream, America will never be the great country that it should be.

--Kathy Forsythe

Ferraro is right. He is NOT Qualified to run an entire country... yet. Maybe next election. He is a professional speaker. So he talks well, but does NOT say that much. I am actually sick of hearing, "Change" come out of his mouth, like so many others. I think the "Change," he is really talking about is being the first Black President. Obama has never said what he is really going to do. I don't care what color or sex a person is. I want an EXPERIENCED FAIR President, that is NOT AFRAID to stand up & fight for this nation. I do NOT like all their marketing sexist digs..."If Obamam was a woman" per say. Then "Change" might mean....menopause. Gee his speeches would be phrased differently. All in all, Obama is starting to sound like a broken record. If he is hurt being called a baby, then tell him get over it. A tough guy wouldn't let names bother him. I agree with Ferraro.

--Kimberly Panfil

To say that I am not surprised would be an understatment. I have seen in the past several months with disappointing results at the negativity concerning race that has been used in the Clinton campaign in order to elicit support within the black community. I was one of those Clinton supporters but lately I have seen a side to both of the Clintons that I believe I chose not to see early on. I believe that Barack Obama is capable of weathering this storm and that he is just the leader we need. A new face in the White House. He may not have the experience that everyone believes that he should have but he has new and fresh ideas and can lead this country to the future not spiraling down in the past.

--Shawna Banks

I think Ferraro, like many other white individuals in America has convinced themselves that they are not racist; does not even realize how truly sterotypical their thinking is. Obama has truly forced many whites to face themselves including Bill and Hilary. Bill said every thing except the Nword.  No one could have invisioned the impact he would have on Americans, especially the generation that does not see the racial lines as definitive as my generation' (I am 63). and all I want is more of my money in my pockets, and our babies to stop dying in a war that we should have never began.  A war that was began based on a bunch of lies that generated fear in the minds of certain Americans.  Obama is everything the we as Blacks have been told for four hundred years that we are not. He is Black, confident, educated, a fantastic speaker, he does not see race as many do. He has a vision for the country not just the Trumps of the world.  Ferraro is an under cover racist and her words reflected her true opinion of the Black man that had the audacity to think he could run against white; be it male or female for the highest office in the nation and win.    

--Betty Blue

What an ignorant, unacceptable comment to make.  All she did is unify Obama supporters.  For those who perhaps were fence sitting, her remark will probably have some become Obama supporters as they recognize that racist thinking still exists.  Maybe she finally showed her true colors?  I honestly believe that the majority of Obama supporters support him because he is a uniter, an includer...just the opposite of the intention of Ferraro's remark.

--Karen Green

America's shadow rears its head at last through the thoughtless utterances of quite a few on the campaign trail  We are privileged to see what we have not been facing or what still exists under covers (or does it really).  At some point, compassion, real compassion and not the hoax presented by the Bush administration, is in order as we struggle to find the maturity and humanity to embrace the disenfranchised.

Certainly, it is the talk of many my friends here in Europe, who, by the way, in addition to detesting Americans, are having a good laugh. 

--Winfred Davis

Ms. Ferraro claims that her remarks have been taken out of context and exploited by the Obama campaign.  I disagree.  Ms. Ferraro is a sophisticated woman who understands that words have meaning.  What she put out there had to be intentional and she should be prepared to address the concerns raised about her inflamatory words. It is highly untrue and unfair to say that Senator Obama would not be where he is if he were white.  He is where he is because of who his is as a person.  He is more than a black man.  He is a hard working person who loves his family and his country.  It is really unfortunate that some want to limit the discussion of our nation's important issues by focusing on something as unimportant as race. Ms. Ferraro ought to rethink her words and the Clinton campaign ought to distance itself  from these divisive tactics.  I for one am sick to death of the same old divide and conquer politics.  Ms. Ferraro asks all to wake up and realize that this is the way it always was and will be.  I personally have hope that it can be what we want it to be - something different.

--C L

 More Readers' Comments >>