Geraldine Ferrarro-"What they are trying to do is move voters from Clinton by distorting things"

[2rth2pwr]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/us/politics/14campaign.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

"Geraldine A. Ferraro, who was the Democratic candidate for vice president in 1984, said she thought Mr. Obama and his campaign were fanning the issue to draw black voters away from Mrs. Clinton before the primary in South Carolina, where about 50 percent of the electorate is expected to be black.

“As soon anybody from the Clinton campaign opens their mouth in a way that could make it seem as if they were talking about race, it will be distorted,” Mrs. Ferraro said. “The spin will be put on it that they are talking about race. The Obama campaign is appealing to their base and their base is the African-American community. What they are trying to do is move voters from Clinton by distorting things. What have they got to lose?”"

[babylonsister]

1. For crying out loud, tell CLINTON to stop with the bullshit tactics! nt

[2rth2pwr]

2. It's the chicken or egg causality dilemma.

Tell Obama to stop trying to portray the Clintons' as racists.

[lumpy]

3. I am so disgusted with the flap against Clinton by Obama

supporters on this forum that I am tempted to support Clinton. The things that have been said by the Clintons have been taken out of context, plumped up, convoluted, stretched beyond the pale in a most vicious manner. Makes one wonder if they are truly supporting the Democratic party or have joined here in an effort to split the party and loyal DUers.

[cali]

4. Another Clinton surrogate spinning and pointing out the scary black man

It's a lie that the Obama base is African American and she fucking well knows that she's lying. Clintonistas started this and Clintonistas won't stop until they destroy Obama and the party. Stupid beyond words.

[jackson_dem]

5. This seems to be a Clinton campaign strategy

But if you dare to draw logical conclusions, namely that it is causing Obama to lose some white support Obamites call you a racist. :shrug:

[cloudythescribbler]

42. I am an Obama supporter and I think it DOES hurt some, but how much is hard to say ...

and there is a VERY good chance, maybe even a probability, that it will backfire with MORE white Democratic voters than it draws to HRC. In that context, these swarms of protestators pointing the finger of blame perversely at Obama are, indeed, part of the defense of Hillary Clinton. Perhaps they should be called:

HILLARY's BUTT-COVERING BRIGADE (HBB)

[2rth2pwr]

6. Now Geraldine is racist?

Where does this end?

[cali]

7. Not at all. Stop twisting virtually everything you touch.

I'm pointing out that Ferraro is evidently not above mischaracterizing things and using race to press for her candidate. Why did she lie and say that Obama's base of support is African-American? It's not. African Americans comprise approx 12% of the population. It's clearly not his base, and until less than two weeks ago he was splitting it evenly with Clinton. Geraldine told a whopper, and in doing so, she used divisive tactics. Ugly shit. Have fun playing in it.

[2rth2pwr]

10. Ok dismiss Ferrarro discussing the Black vote in S Carolina

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Stephanie_Tubbs_Jones,_official_109th_Congress_photo.jpg/160px-Stephanie_Tubbs_Jones,_official_109th_Congress_photo.jpg

“To say that there is a pattern of racist comments coming out of the Hillary campaign is ridiculous,” said Ohio Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones. “All of the world knows the commitment of President Clinton and Sen. Clinton to civil rights issues — and not only the commitment in terms of words but in terms of deeds.”



Referring to the King quote, Sheila Jackson Lee,... ... said Clinton was trying to contrast King and Obama, not to diminish King: "It really is a question of focusing on the suggestion that you can inspire without deeds — what is well-known to the child who studies Dr. King in school is that yes, he spoke, but he also moved people to action."

[Barack_America]

12. So just because these women are black doesn't mean...

That they are beholden to support Obama. In fact, they have both endorsed Hillary. Good for them. That might explain their interpretation of the events, ya think?

But thanks for providing the photos so that everyone can see that they're black. :eyes:

[2rth2pwr]

15. In my previous example Ferrarro was accused by a DUer

as "using race to press for her candidate."

And now here you go.

This purposeful stubborness to not concede a point is an old habit picked up somewhere, it is
quite transparent and really, really sad.

[Barack_America]

17. What's wrong with that statement?

Clinton is Ferrarro's candidate. She's endorsing her. She's her candidate by choice. Did you take that statement to mean that Clinton was Ferrarro's candidate because the poster assumed that Ferrarro was black? If so, why?

[2rth2pwr]

20. R U drinking?

Are you saying that these 3 women have sold themselves out because they expressed support for Clinton?

They will accept anything from Hillary because they have picked her for now?

[Barack_America]

21. It's part of endorsing a candidate.

Part of endorsing a candidate is (and has always been) to say nice things about them. To say things that are in line with that campaign. That's what an endorsement is all about. So yeah, I think their statements have something to do with the fact they've endorsed Hillary.

ETA: When you endorse someone, you're effectively joining their campaign.

[2rth2pwr]

25. Ok you're not drinking.

You easily call these 3 respectable women liars, without batting an eye.

I'm movin' on.

[Barack_America]

56. Are you naive?

They're not lying about the events, they're spinning them. There's a big difference and all politicians do it.

[2rth2pwr]

64. Obama agrees with them, whoda thunk it? nt

[aquart]

36. Maybe Obama can get an endorsement from Alice Palmer.

Her reputation is excellent.

[lumpy]

14. Thanks for posting the comments by these 2 ladies.

What better people to out things in context. DU whiners should be ashamed for using the race card in support of Obama.

[Barack_America]

18. Just because two black women...

...who have endorsed Hillary, by the way, say that Hillary is not doing something doesn't make it so.

Black people can have different viewpoints and opinions. You do realize that, right? Two black women do not and cannot speak for all black people.

This is getting very close to "token" mentality, which would be shocking to see on DU.

[lumpy]

23. Anyone who has taken the time to dissect the Clinton comments

and has the ability to properly interpret them would have to agree that no hint of racism was intended.

[Barack_America]

24. That's your opinion, nothing more.

Some pretty smart people have dissected them and, upon taking them as a collective whole, come to a different conclusion.

[lumpy]

32. That's your opinion, nothing more.

x

[cloudythescribbler]

44. For example, THE NEW YORK TIMES in an editorial called HRC's remarks re: Dr King & LBJ "peculiar".

(It was the editorial Jan 9 that I have cited to in more than one DU thread).

[aquart]

39. "Pretty smart" Obama supporters? Oh, could it be?

How amazingly convenient and helpful of the Clintons to become racists just before SC. Why, one could almost call them Obama supporters.

Cui bono?

[Barack_America]

9. Another race thread started by a Clinton supporter...

...who are *supposedly* on the defensive, not the offensive, with this whole race thing.

[aquart]

30. "Clintonistas"?

But you army of devoted saints don't engage in name calling, I take it?

What's Obama the saint of? Garden variety Illinois corruption?

[lumpy]

35. There are no saviors OR saints in politics.

v

[Barack_America]

8. Again, she must assume the MSM works for the Obama campaign.

It is most decidedly the MSM who is reporting this stuff and doing any of the distortions.

The Obama camp has been almost entirely mum.

[2rth2pwr]

13. J Jackson Jr, Obama's National Co-Chair has been mum?

Michelle Obama has been mum?
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/1/14/0414/94676
"I don't think either race or gender should be an issue in the presidential campaign. It should be about individuals and who is the best qualified and equipped for the job.

Obama denies he's injecting race into the campaign. With his wife's comments today, I have to say they are both not just reacting to the Clintons' comments, but playing the card themselves."- Jeralyn Merrit


up is down
war is peace
wtf?

[aquart]

31. Washing your hands, Pontius?

[Anouka]

11. Obama's base is college students -- who happen to be mostly white.

I take it Ferraro is investing her 30 pieces of silver well.

[2rth2pwr]

16. In South Carolina?

[FrenchieCat]

19. yes....everywhere.

Obama's "base" are voters who can vote in the primaries. The message is not aimed at any group in particular except for those who want a change.

Ferrarro doesn't get to define who Obama's base is...and that's why her statement is a problem.

[lumpy]

26. To be perfectly honest, American college students are

not famous for using the best judgement, perhaps because of lower US educational standards and societal mores.

[aquart]

34. There's that.

[cloudythescribbler]

46. Is that why students started the national anti-war movement in the 60s? furthermore ...

sds (students for a democratic society), the premier anti-imperialist organization in this country, was rebirthed in 2006 and can be found on the web at:

http://studentsforademocraticsociety.org/

There is also in the new sds a substantial wing for all-nonstudents, called movement for a democratic society (mds)


CHECK IT OUT

:toast:

[aquart]

33. And well to do, also.

One of them was bragging earlier that his side supports the son of a goatherd. He simply oozed with proud and condescending virtue as he touted it.

Me, I figure after the goatherd's been to college...at that point it's an affectation.

[aquart]

40. What percentage of the population is in college?

Because I'm thinking that's a very small base.

[MrSlayer]

22. It would serve both campaigns right if the people decided to vote Edwards over the bullshit.

Eliminate the bickering with one stroke.

[2rth2pwr]

27. JEDNE.

Is that a picture of an older James Dean?

[MrSlayer]

28. Yes, I got it from a parallel universe.

Surprisingly enough, he's also the President there.

[robbedvoter]

61. How about BWAE? (But what about Edwards?) JEDNE seems like a self fulfilling

profecy :shrug:
Anyway, Edwards too speaks about MLK and race issues - but that's OK, because he's attacking Hillary.

[lumpy]

37. I'm cool with that.

Sick of zealots.

[cloudythescribbler]

47. I wholeheartedly reject this "plague on both your houses" stuff -- the fault is in the HRC camp

[Jeremy of Kansas]

29. I hope Hillary comes out on top.

Geraldine is right to call him out on this, it is BULLSHIT. This is such crap it's disgusting and it really makes me loose respect for him.

- Jeremy

[cloudythescribbler]

48. what Ferraro said simply inverted the truth .... nt

[gaspee]

38. I still can't believe

People are buying the Clintons as racists crap. Now that's one smear I'd never thought I'd see against the Clintons. And from so-called Democrats no less.

I was convinced a black man couldn't win the presidency due to the racists in the other party. It never occurred to me that people would accuse Democrats -- who basically gave up hopes of competing in an entire region of the country to do the right thing - and what should have been done long before -- well, I'd never thought Democrats would accuse other Democrats of being racists.

Hello, the racists LEFT the Democratic party in the 50's and 60's -- which is a huge chunk of the reason the Repukes have been so dominant.

Never in a million years would I have thought the hate of the Clintons would stoop to this level.

My ignore list, which mostly includes people calling other people out as racists is now up to about 150 people. I'm sure I'm not seeing the worst of the threads.

And the standard primary season disclaimer -- I am not a Clinton supporter, nor an Obama supporter. I will not vote for Obama due to his pandering to the black evangelical churches on the backs of us glbtq folks. I don't know if I'll vote in the general if Clinton gets the nomination. Maybe, maybe not. I live in a state that will vote 80% or higher Dem so my vote isn't critical if I can't pull the lever for the nominee - my vote won't matter. If I lived in a state where my vote mattered, I'd vote for whoever the Dem nominee is. We can't afford even one more republican appointment to the supreme court.

[bigdarryl]

41. they may not be racist but they are trying to draw white voters away from Obama to make him out to .

be a Jesse Jackson that only wants the black vote. these Clinton people will do ANYTHING to get into that White House and if using the race card on Obama works they could care less.

[cloudythescribbler]

50. You mischaracterize Jesse Jackson as only wanting the black vote ...

but you are right that Obama is a different and more mainstream-oriented sort of candidate than the progressive movement oriented Jesse Jackson. At first, Hillary was competing strongly with Obama among blacks, and still has a fair number of prominent black supporters (including, to his shame I think, Cong. Lewis). Then came Oprah, Iowa, and other factors (like Kris Rock), and Obama started leading VERY heavily among black voters. Before this whole race-baiting issue by HRC and her top supporters came to crystallized in recent days, Obama was already running some 15+ points ahead in S Carolina among blacks in the polls, while HRC ran similarly ahead among whites.

As Ferraro said about Obama and black voters (perversely), among white voters it really was true that HRC had little to lose among black voters. Nevertheless, swarms of protestators on DU in HRC's defense notwithstanding, the race baiting STRATEGY of HRC could very well backfire among Democrats. The Repukes didn't help themselves much by trying to milk immigration as a wedge issue in 2006. As they say -- you can't fool all of the people all of the time (but you sure can fool enough of the people enough of the time)

[cloudythescribbler]

43. Who remembers the slogan from the 1984 election: "A FEMINIST NOT A FEINSTEIN"? nt

[gaiilonfong]

45. Ferraro is a CRIMINAL

Sge and her family always have been....She is a liar and a has-been

[Didereaux]

49. like her or not she has described the reality of the moment quite accurately

[fightindonkey]

51. Truth Hurts, Doesn't It, Obamanuts?

[Barack_America]

58. Gotta love the name calling...

Yep, that's productive. :eyes:

[Perry Logan]

52. Bingo. What's even weirder is that the Obama people think no one has noticed this.

[journalist3072]

53. As an African-American, I totally agree with Geraldine Ferrarro.

I'm totally disgusted by the Obama campaign.

[CyberPieHole]

54. Geraldine Ferraro nails it!

It's patently obvious to anyone who is not an Obamaton. Just as Obama threw the LGBTQ community under the bus with McClurkin, he is willing to to libel and call the Clintons racists in order to curry votes in SC. I hope it fails and that voters wake up to see the sham of the Obama campaign.

:kick: and recommend

[SaveElmer]

55. Right on the money Geraldine...

Obama campaign is using the Rovian tactic of attacking their opponents strengths. In this case the Clinton's appeal to African American voters. So, Obama decides to distort their statements, "accidently" leak internal memos etc to try and imply the Clinton's are racist...

Will it work? It might...

But at what cost...possibly driving away middle of the road voters who had up until now been impressed (incorrectly in my view), with Obama's high road approach...it has certainly cost him my vote in the general...

Might also induce a third party challenge...

[LostinVA]

57. Ms. Ferraro should know -- she was treated horribly

BEYOND normal campaigning nastiness.

[robbedvoter]

59. Hate her, but there's an Obama memo confirming just that:

"The document provides an indication that, in private, the Obama campaign is seeking to capitalize on the view - and push the narrative - that the Clintons are using race-related issues for political leverage. In public, the Obama campaign has denied that they are trying to propagate such a perception, noting that the document never was sent to the press."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/12/obama-camps-memo-on-clin_n_81205.html

Thing is, with MLK day and campaigning in the south, every Dem candidate needs to address race issues - they always did - Obama has no monopoly on the subject.

[Skip Intro]

60. She is absoluteley right. it couldn\'t be more blatant.

[Strawman]

62. That makes no sense

If anyone wants to racialize this race, it's the Clintons. I suppose you could make the argument, as Ferraro does, that Obama might benefit in South Carolina, but I'm pretty skeptical of the idea that his campaign is that short-sighted.

All these surrogates seem to have been mobilized on the Clinton side around this. That's pretty fishy. If there is a strategy here, it is for the Clinton's to bait Obama into a spat over race, where Obama plays the role of the angry black guy and the Clintons are the poor victims of hypersensitive "political correctness."

If this is all staged, it doesn't make sense that Obama is the one staging it. It reeks of a second "Sister Souljah" moment. I hope that's not the case. Even if it helps the Clinton's here, it's bad for the country and I would like to believe they are not that selfish. Hopefully, my suspicion is wrong and this spat is more media media driven than Clinton driven. That explanation makes sense too. They need a story. Both campaigns should stop this and clarify that both MLK and the Civil Rights movement and skillful politicians like LBJ played an important role in the passage of Civil Rights legislation.

[Anouka]

63. I agree with you, except

I do believe the Clintons are that selfish. No one else is pulling this.

But yes, I agree with the rest of your post.

[ChiciB1]

65. You Know What I'm Seeing?? I'm Seeing That The Clintons Have

obviously been working for a VERY VERY long time on so many people who have "name recognition" to come out and support them! Each day ANOTHER person who we've known from the past state they support Clinton! IMHO, I NOW believe that there is something very sinister going on with the Clintons, and they have been working this thing for YEARS! If I didn't know better, to me it looks JUST LIKE The BUSHIES and all the crap they have done. Rules, Laws and the Constitution be damned!

I've always heard the "politics is dirty" but I did believe in the process! Now, I'm not so sure.

And no, I don't support Obama either, I support the person who they are trying to IGNORE!!! I wonder how John Edwards must feel because I'm sure he knows what is so evident to almost everyone!

Thank you John Edwards for fighting for "we the people" because it does seem we don't count, and of course we haven't counted for a very long time.

I've been cynical for a long time, I'm now VERY VERY BITTER!!