NPR: Geraldine Ferraro Leaves Clinton Campaign

Geraldine Ferraro Leaves Clinton Campaign

Geraldine Ferraro has stepped down from Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. A Clinton campaign official confirmed the decision by Ferraro, who caused a firestorm this week by suggesting that Barack Obama is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination because he's black. Last week, she told a newspaper in Torrance California that "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position." Ferraro remains the only woman to have run on a major presidential ticket in the US.

Ferraro was serving in an honorary position on Clinton's campaign finance committee. She insisted her comment was not racist. And she told ABC News that if her name was Gerard Ferraro instead of Geraldine, Walter Mondale would not have picked her as a running mate in 1984.

Obama spoke to reporters about Ferraro's comment, before her decision to step down: "I think it was an unfortunate remark and I said so I think it encourages and feeds into the divisive politics that ultimately does not serve us well."

Clinton said that she disagreed with Ferraro, and that she hopes to keep the campaign focused on issues.

-- David Greene

6:20 PM ET | 03-12-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Why does the media have to lay on the horn for days before the truth behind the story comes to the surface? It's very easy to understand how and why her comments were taken out of context. The real reason why Osama Bin Laden bombed the Twin Towers--The WORLD TRADE CENTER--still remains undiscussed by most of the media. Pity. GWB has been allowed to "misinform" the American People on that subject and the media have been carrying his banner forth ever since. But I digress.... From what I read into her comments, Ferraro's real message was that It's time and past that Outstanding People were given the credit that they've earned for their abilities and achievements, no matter what race, religion, gender, etc. they happen to be, and I agree.

Sent by Valerie K. Myers | 8:01 PM ET | 03-12-2008

Mr. Greene,

Why didn't you also point out that Ferraro also said the same thing about Obama in an interview with John Gibson of Fox News on Febuary 26th?
the main news agencies didn't pick up on this so she needed to repeat herself, so it seems. i wonder why?

interesting she didn't ask(and NPR, who seems to so obviously endorsed Clinton) would Hillary have the woman vote she has if she wasn't a woman?

Sent by william merryman | 8:22 PM ET | 03-12-2008

We are lucky that the time has come in the United States that a black man can mount a serious campaign for the presidency. This candidate inspires many but a quick look at the behavior of electorate reinforces what some other political leaders are saying. We are far from where we should be with respect to race. That is, when the comments of Geraldine Ferraro make such a firestorm. Especially when they seem by all outside appearances to be potentially true. A double standard exists in many ways. Whites cannot even mention race in any form that could have negative results towards a black candidate or a black sensitive issue regardless of whether or not the facts, as reported by the media are accurate.

Sent by Dave Forsythe | 6:53 AM ET | 03-13-2008

You mean, that's all? Geesh. Mention Ron Paul and there's ten thousand spammers hitting the NPR blogs.

Hey, you know what I see here?

I see that even the NPR legion of the most vociferous Obama backing Clinton bashers are so embarrassed by Obama's latest race baiting tactics, that even the loudest Clinton denouncers can't get past their embarrassment to come forward to defend the Obama race baiting.

Ya know, maybe there is some hope for you Michael Moore Liberal Utopians yet. There is something of an indication that even the most ardent NPR Liberal Utopian Obama supporters can't support race baiting as a political tactic.

After all the years of aiding and abetting al-Qaeda while out troops are over there fighting, you Liberal Utopians finally show there is a limit.
I'm almost proud of some of you.

You might actually come out of this having shown that you can exhibit at least a little integrity.

But, wait! It's still early. I'm sure that before the day is over those who want to create a race war in America will come out into the open.

Well, don't be shy. Don't disappoint.

Four years of Obama and we'll be looking at lots and lots of race war issues being tossed about most everyday.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 10:00 AM ET | 03-13-2008

I quess Geraldine Ferraro only said what Hillary is afraid to say. Since one can only be judged by what you say or do, but not what you think, Geraldine needs to be reminded that Obama's mother is as white as she is and (2) Her candidate was not able to beat Obama in any of the debates because Obama is just smarter than her (reference Hillary failed her Washington DC bar exam). More to follow.
For Geraldine to start seeking comfort from Sean Hannity on Fox news and still continue to be a Hillary insider/outsider (what does resignation really mean, I guess active beneath the radar). Democratics should starting thinking because this train goes nowhere.

Sent by concern | 10:08 AM ET | 03-13-2008

The sad thing is that Ferraro even now believes that she has said nothing wrong. And Hillary this morning rejecting the Ferraro comments but with BUT factor.(both campaigns have fired surrogates for speaking out of turn). Ferraro, why even go there!?! And as for Hillary she just put us on notice that her food fights will probably now include some slim mixed in there. Unfortunately, McCain and the Republicans are building and polishing their arsenals.

Sent by Roger | 12:10 PM ET | 03-13-2008

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