Geraldine Ferraro, First Female VP Candidate, Dies at 75

Image from Forbes

I'm old enough to know and remember that Sarah Palin was not the first female vice presidential candidate. Nor was Palin the smartest, not by a long shot. But I do have to say that I came from a Republican household, and that Walter Mondale was far from a charismatic candidate. So--other than Geraldine Ferraro's husband's vaguely shady dealings--distinct memories of Ferraro are sketchy. Likewise, Ferraro's later career as a FOX "News" commentator leaves a sour feeling in my memory banks, but nothing particularly distinct. Was it something racist? Was she overtly anti-Obama/pro-Hillary? I don't know if that's exactly it, since I basically flipped a coin to pick between those two (no Obama-bot here!).

So, when The Other Half said I had to eulogize Ferraro here on the blog, I agreed. . .she has a notable position in history. But I can't claim to have any special  emotional ties. RIP, Gerry. Sorry I didn't pay more attention.

[Excerpt]

First woman on US national ticket, Geraldine Ferraro, dead at 75



Geraldine Ferraro, who became the first woman on a US major-party national ticket as the 1984 Democratic vice presidential nominee, died Saturday in Boston after a long battle with cancer. . .
 
Read more at: Monsters & Critics

John Stewart on Ferraro: You're Not Helping!

Leave it to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to find the humor in a contentious, incendiary, unfunny situation. Take a look.

Keith Olbermann: Clinton & Ferraro Special Comment

I've posted several of Keith Olbermann's "Special Comments" from MSNBC's Countdown, and have usually been really jazzed by them. In this case, I find his subject material a little overblown, as I've written about here and here. Still, it's great to see Keith get fired up about something, and I've learned--at least on this issue--that I'm in the extreme minority of opinion on this story. See what you think.

Is Geraldine Ferraro a Racist?

Photo from Daily Breeze

Yesterday, I posted a story about Geraldine Ferraro's comments about Barack Obama. There, I said that I didn't think it was worth all the fuss; that what she said had a nugget of truth to it. Sure, saying it wasn't a smart thing to do, but being black is undoubtedly part of Barack Obama's appeal. I won't belabor my point of view further--as I'm not all-fired wedded to it--but you can read it here if you'd like.

I will say that the statement she made does rise a notch above some of the other squabbles raised so far in this campaign. Rather than faux outrage, this one has sparked genuine outrage. I simply believe that it is misplaced. What she said may have been stupid, but I don't honestly believe that Geraldine Ferraro is a racist.

I was pleased to find a genuine discussion on the matter, including a bit of my own point of view. Here's part of it.

[Excerpt]

Editorial board smackdown: Is Geraldine Ferraro a racist? Would Obama win if he weren't black?

. . .I agree that Ferraro was dumb to say this: She is a member of Hillary Clinton's campaign finance committee, and her comments thereby complicate life for the Clintons, who have already been accused of "playing the race card." But optics and political strategy aside, I'm having a hard time disagreeing with the substance of Ferraro's comments. The fact is, she's right. Check out the March 9 front-page New York Times story entitled "Obama in Senate: Star Power, Minor Role," which summarizes how Obama has done nothing much as a federal legislator. To quote from the article: "While [Obama] rightly takes credit for steering through an ethics overhaul that reformers called a 'gold standard,' like most freshmen he did not play a significant role in passing much other legislation and disappointed some Democrats for not becoming a more prominent voice in other important debates. Yet Mr. Obama was planning for the future. He spent much of his time raising money for other Democrats, which helped him build chits and lists of potential voters. He tended to his image, even upbraiding a reporter for writing that he had smoked a cigarette (a habit he later said he gave up for his presidential bid). . ."

Read more at: National Post

Geraldine Ferraro and Barack Obama

Photo from source, Daily Breeze

Geraldine Ferraro, the first serious female contender for Vice President back in 1984, has tromped through a big pile of poo. A Clinton supporter, she made a comment to the effect that Barack Obama would not be the Democratic front runner if he were not black. This has inspired outrage all across the blogs, the press, and the Democratic Party.

Now, this may be an unpopular opinion, but I think she's right. There's no doubt that Obama is a dynamic, intelligent, and charismatic man. He's a great orator, and his fans are legion. And while there is no delicate way to phrase the opinion--and Gerri probably should have kept it to herself--it is unlikely that Obama would have made this big a splash if he looked like Mitch McConnell. The black part is his hook, as much as John Edward's handsomeness or John McCain's Viet Nam experience.

Being black is not all Barack Obama is, but I doubt he'd have this huge of an impact absent some sort of hook--something that set him apart from other political overachievers. And John McCain is going to have an even tougher time than Ferraro (and Clinton), once the general election starts. Every slip of the tongue, any word that doubles as a potential "racial" word--I hardly think I need examples--is going to blow up just like this, only worse. Count on it.

[Excerpt]

Ferraro defends controversial comments on Barack Obama

Former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro today defended a remark she made to the Daily Breeze last week, in which she suggested that Sen. Barack Obama would not be where he is if he were white.

In an interview with the Breeze, Ferraro said, "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. 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. . ."

Read more at: Daily Breeze