Timeline of Geraldine Ferraro's race-based rants against Obama

FEBRUARY 26

Ferraro make her original comments on The John Gibson radio show.

MARCH 7

The Daily Breeze in Torrance, Calif. interviews Ferraro PRIOR to her speech on Sunday, March 9.

In this story, she repeats the comment she made on John Gibson's radio show.

"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."

MARCH 9

Ferraro gives her speech at the Armstrong Theatre in Torrance, Calif.

MARCH 10

Nothing reported on her comments

MARCH 11

Susan Rice goes on "Morning Joe" on MSNBC and never called Ferraro a racist. I'm looking for the link now to the transcript.

Obama talks about his win in Mississippi and responds to Ferraro on "Good Morning America"

Obama campaign holds a midday conference where Ferraro's comments are addressed. His strategist, David Axelrod, never called her a racist. Read story here on Politico.com.

Comments

[Ivan]

That audio needs to hit the networks. Let her explain that.

[BS,PhD, MD]

Keith did a good job laying all of that out last night and prefacing it the night before. I, as Barack Obama suggested, want to move on because members of the media are only using this sensationalism to drive up their numbers. Any race controversies can only damage one candidate and he avoids it at all costs for good reason, while the opponent leverages it with the help of her media fans.

Michigan and Florida, along with Pennsylvania, could throw a serious wrench into everything and they are slipping re-votes plans by us while all eyes are on Geraldine.

[Joseph Cinque]

Now that pretty much settles it. Actually, we could take this timeline and run it all the back to the 80's when she made very similar comments about Jesse Jackson during his presidential run. She may not be a racist, but she sure does have a history of making some very highly questionably racist remarks.

Thanks Rowland.

[Lynne '08]

I am happy to see that Barack is moving on toward John McCain. Leaving the petty stuff behind. He hit him up today for changing his mind about Bush's deep tax cuts, while simultaneously calling on HRC to release her earmark requests. McCain doesn't need time to rest, Obama can run on two fronts (too bad he has to fight his fellow Dem while fighting Reps) - I always thought there should've been a cut-off point for attacks/bashing when HRC endorsed McCain. that completely went off the page and it should be a DNC violation! Maybe she is turning to the I-party, or better yet, the Reps party and then she can be VP to McCain!

[Chuck]

Thank you for the insight. I found it to be very good reading. Yes, you are correct, Ferraro is the one that is keeping this mess alive and unfortunately the one that started it all. It is a shame for the Clinton campaign that they did not take a harder stand on this. Will it be her undoing, I doubt it, will Baracks campaign be hurt from all of this, yes, that is becoming more obvious; yet if he gets back on track and refocuses he will raise above it all and sucessfully I would hope.

[J Miller]

CLINTON 2008 --- PHONY SINCE DAY ONE!

[BS,PhD, MD]

Today is March 13th, Roland. Do you know what the biggest gossip of today is? Pelosi ruling out any combination of the two democratic candidates on the same ticket complete with a guarantee. If we are going for sensational, can we at least be contemporary and not behind.

[Reecie]

Thank you Roland for giving us a voice on the internet. Unfortunately there aren't many Black-oriented Political sites out there with this type of platform. I get so sick of reading all of the racist comments on sites like CNN, Huffington Post, etc...but given my interest level in politics, I have very few alternatives.

Yes I would like the discussion to move past this issue, but until it does, I am glad we have a site where we aren't treated like paranoid maniacs for stating the obvious.

[Angela]

Here's the link to MSNBCs replay of Susan Rice's statement.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23575145#23577674

[Angela]

Now Hillary Clinton has decided to apologize. Well, I think her apology is too little, too late, and not sincere. All of a sudden she is sorry about the comments her husband made in South Carolina....hmmmm is it because his approval rating has lowered? I was wondering since she was doing all this apolozing why didn't she bother to apologize for saying "Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act. It took a president to get it done. The power of that dream became real in people's lives because we had a president capable of action." She never apologizes for her actions, just the actions of others, if you've notice.

I am really getting annoyed with her dirty tactics. We have a lot of SERIOUS issues that need to be addressed, i.e., poverty in the United States, inequitable higher education for minorities, the cost of higher education in general, minority children NOT BEING ABLE TO READ, this whacky Bush Medicare plan, just to name a few!!!

[Greg]

First thanks Roland for being one of the few that speak up for us blacks that are watching this stuff thats being said and done. And thanks for not being one sided about your views, you seem to look outside the box on lots of topics.
As far as this race for the white house, i'm so sick of the Clinton camp, i really think they plan this stuff, just so they can spin it and make Obama look like another black pulling the race card out. Hillary is pretty much selling her soul in order to get into the white house, she didn't run her campaign right; now she is going overboard, and its pushing me out of the party. When all this started out i was for her, she and her camp has done nothing but ignore and belittle all the states that aren't "big States". I really feel for Obama, he really could be the answer to our community.

If she ends up being the winner of this over Florida and Michigan, I WILL NOT VOTE FOR HER. John McCain is starting to look a lot better than her.

[AnnaList]

Hillary's apology is as hollow as her "repudiation" of Geraldine Ferraro's dispicable remarks. These "Twisted Sisters, are playing a very dangerous game, the Good cop, Bad cop routine. Hillary Clinton and her surrogates will say anything and do anything in order to win. Ferraro may not be a "racist," but she certainly is a "short-sighted,schemer." I say "schemer" because a strategist is a thinker. Because of their diabolical schemes, the Clintons and their surrogates have "poisoned the Democratic well." As a result, should she get the nomination, many Democrats will "sit-out" the National Election. Hence, she cannot beat John McCain. WE SHOULD PUT WOMEN VOTERS, in particular, ON NOTICE, as well as AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS SUPPORTERS that a vote for Hillary in these primary elections is a vote for VERY CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT JUDGES. John McCain has already pledged to appoint judges who are like minded, as Justice Scalia, who will TURN BACK THE CLOCK on issues important to us. The Clinton's "win at any cost" has put us in serious jeopardy. They have put us in a situation where eveyone looses. It is unforgiveable and may very well bring an end to the Democratic Party. At this point, she should concede to Obama who can beat McCain. Otherwise, she can hang up any idea of a future political career. She has already lost this race by destroying the Democratic party through divisiveness, and there is no way for her to win.

[Joyce]

I think that the damaged done to the Clinton's standing in black communities is tremendous and this is something that the Democratic party will feels for a long time to come. I am a black woman and I have never been this insulted in my life by so many supposedly democratic people. Geraldine Ferraro is an insensitive imbecile who has no place in the politics of today. One of the reasons people are drawn to Obama is because of people like both Geraldine Ferraro and Bill Clinton, not that that is the only reason. But they and their type of politics is a part of the problem our nation is in currently. They both represent a part of America’s past that society wants to forget and forge ahead in a different direction from. For Ferraro to make such statements and then take the high road and accuse the Obama campaign of being racist is the worst insult of all.

Americans don’t like to be called out when the word 'racism' is involved. We want to act as if slavery, prejudice, injustice, and hate committed toward blacks hasn’t happen in the past and are still happening even today. Get your heads out of the sand and face America’s dirty little secrets, we are a nation which is deeply divided with no prospects of closing the gaps. Why? Because like when slavery was common, people don’t want to admit that they are wrong. Why does the darker color of ones skin so intimidate the white race? People of all races are created equal, we all bleed red blood, and we all grieve and celebrate the same. We must remember that racism isn’t an airborne disease nor a contagious virus, but it is something which is taught. So answer me this, why is racism still so prevelant today in the twenty-first century?

Roland I think you like Senator Obama represent change. You show young people of all races that you can be successful and prosperous, outside of sports and music, with hard work and goal orientation. We need leaders who have the good of all people to move us forward from the crisis we are currently in. We are suppose to be 'one nation, under GOD, individual, with liberty and justice for all.'

Please continue in your effort to educate the people to the truth.

Joyce
Stockbridge, GA

[simplycharming47]

Thank you Roland for this very informative forum. I have a new found respect for men such as yourself and the Keith Olbermans of the world (which are few and far in between) You along with Keith have kept it real for as long as I can remember and I give the two of you much respect.
Keep doing what you do and may God continue to bestow his blessing upon you..

[George]

I’m a little disturbed about Clinton’s campaign tactics. Since South Carolina there have been subtle hints of race and religion used to either downplay Obama’s accomplishments or possibly scare people away from voting for him. I was reading a separate post on CNN regarding the Clinton’s standing in the black community. My personal feeling is that is at a critically low standing and many voters may be turned off in the general election.

But I’m wondering if the Clinton campaign has already calculated a loss of black votes into their general election strategy. Clearly her general election strategy will be to win every state Kerry won plus either Florida or Ohio. Most blacks live in heavy republican states. However there are still significant numbers in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

My question…if significant number of blacks drop off in these states (particularly Ohio), can she still win the general election?

[Niko]

The Clintons has taken the African American community for granted for YEARS!!!! It's horrible. If Hillary really wanted to offer a sincer apology to the African American community, she would have done so in South Carolina, but she did nit. She JUSTIFED every word and deed both she and Bill executed.

The apology is far too little and far too late!!

[Jorge Silva]

Roland, Why don't you talk about the Peter Paul Case?? Why is the mainstream media is Hiding this case??? Please, I am sick and tired of everyone trying to Hide this case!!! Please TALK about it!!!

[Robert Muhammad]

Roland

2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I remember April 4, 1968 and the riots that came thereafter like it was yesterday. I was visiting my grandmother who lived on 117th St. and 7th Avenue in Harlem. As I walked out of her apartment building a recall a woman yelling from the 2nd or 3rd floor "Oh my God, they killed Dr. King!"

As I crossed the street to catch the 2A bus to travel uptown to our apartment in Washington Heights, I saw the collective mood and demeaner of the people change from shock to anger. As a youngster this affected me so much, I prayed to never see it again.

I wrote the above to highlight the dangerous game the Clintons, Hannity of Fox News, and the conservatives are playing right now. An atmosphere is being created that could lead to tragic events. I want to be on record that history does not have to be repeated. Policy differences are legitimate; personal attacks, however, are dangerous, especially in this time of war and economic uncertainty. Let us pray more for Senator Obama and his family's safety than his political success. We can lose an election, but I don't think this country can afford to lose such a man as Barack in this hour. The world is watching...and so is God! Keep up the good work. Thanks Roland.

[Rhonda]

I thank god for Barack. I pray daily for his safety and his health. I truly belives that whatever is destiny, that our lord and creator will order his steps. I have no fear in the media and their travesty and lies. We need to stay focused as a people and look at the issuses facing us. God will exalt Barack. God is moving in a mysterious way, many will be surprised at the end results. If Hillary is given the the nomination by the superdelegates, i am then resigned to live Bush/Mcain policies.

[ELAINE]

ROLAND COULD YOU PULL TOGETHER A THINK TANK OF OBJECTIVES LEADERS WHO CAN DISCUSS INTELLIGENTLY STATEMENTS LIKE GERALDINE FARRARO, HOW EVERYONE INCLUDING WHITE WOMEN GAINED RIGHTS OUT OF THE MOVEMENTS STARTED IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCH AND HOW THE DEMONCRATS, THE PARTY OF INCLUSION HAS ALLOWED THE CLINTONS TO USE RACE IN ANYWAY THEY CAN TO WIN. ALL THE AFOREMENTIONED ISSUES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BARACK. HE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN HOW HE WILL ADDRESS THE WAR, ECONOMIC SITUATION, ETC.

THANK YOU ROLAND. THE CLINTONS ARE LIKE KIDS, THROW A ROCK AND HIDE THEIR HANDS. THIS SPEAKS TO THE TYPE OF PEOPLE IN HER CAMPAIGN. GERALDINE IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OLDER WHITE WOMEN WHO CAN'T MOVE ON. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHY YOUNG PEOPLE FIND BARACK INSPIRING. THEY DON'T WANT AND DON'T ACCEPT THE RACIST VIEWS AS REPRESENTED BY GERALDINE.

[ELAINE]

MADE A MISTAKE OF LAST COMMENT. BARACH SHOULD NOT WASTE HIS TIME ADDRESSING THE RACIST COMMENTS FROM THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN. WE THE PROFESSIONALS SHOULD DEVELOP A THINK THANK TO STAMP OUT THESE COMMENTS FROM THE CAMPAIGN.

[za'island]

the fact of the matter is, the clinton campaign do not believe that an opponent that they should have walked over by super tuesday is actually winning more states, more delegates and the popular vote. That he is actually getting votes from all demographics despite efforts by the clintons to marginalize his appeal. they believe that somehow their is another reason other than his message of hope and change that he can be so succesful. maybe people are caught up in the concept of electing a black president they say!. give me a break, this goes to show you how much they believe that somehow she deserves to be president and he does not. maybe its a birth right of the clintons . whatever the case they are willing to burn the village to save themselves especially now after missisipi, they dont have to worry about the black vote so much, they would prefer race to be a focus of this campaign. they will make this comments and resign as long as we are talking about them.

[rosalind]

Posted by:Rosalind|March 17,2007 9:00P.M.
The Clintons continue to play the race card, with insincere rhetoric in an attempt to flip-flop their way back to the White House. I don't believe anything "they" say. Other countries are watching America as we continue to speak divisively about race, creed or color. We are "one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all." Geraradine Farrarro and/or anyone else with this racial type of discourse needs to be checked. This country has many issues to address and people are suffering here and in other parts of the world. Can these people get by their selfish behavior and move on to a better place in this election? It only shows how shallow some "leaders" can be. You don't have to be my color/race to be my kind of person. If you are qualified, have integrity and of good character, than you have my vote. I've read several books and information about both Democratic Candidates (Sen.Clinton and Sen.Obama). I will make my choice based in the information gathered. I sincerely hope others will do the same void of any rhetoric based on race, which is a distraction from the political issues that need to be addressed in this country. I am also appalled that some politicans are using the race "card" against a candidate whose background is multiracial and multicultural. Where is the intelligence is all of this? The young people will not be fooled and they are saying, by their actions, that they want a better country and better race relationships. Obama, in my view, stands just for that. Moreover, he has the leadership qualities to bring about the change we need in this country.

"Together we stand, divided we fall."

Thank you Roland and may God's blessings be with you.

[Vera Richardson]

Dear Mr. Martin:
The urgency is right now!!!

Racism and/or race relations in America are being used to derail the Presidential candidacy of Senator Obama. We must do everything possible to prevent the plans of the Sean Hannitys of America from ending Obama's historic journey. Last night Sean was celebrating Obama's defeat as the nominee.

We have 5 weeks before to the PA primary. We must refocus this race on the issues that unite us and agree that we can as a nation work to improve race relations in this country.

I know that you will agree with me that Obama's speech today was incredible in so many ways. One of the things that Obama did today was to put race, racism, and discrimination on the table for an honest debate.

I believe that nothing happens in this world by chance. It is a divine moment that Senator Obama is just months away from being a President for all Americans. It is also a divine moment for me because I have written and published a book for just this time in our history. "A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined" will show the world the hardships and unfairness of employment discrimination.

I know that my divine purpose is to shed light on employment discrimination in America. That light will reveal that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 must be amended again.

On March 1, 2008, I gave you a copy of my book. I am begging you to give this book and me a voice. The book can be previewed and/or purchased at http://www.lulu.com/content/1362173. It is also available at amazon.com, barnes and noble.com and many other web sites.

My book is a powerful tool to show Black, White, and all Americans that discrimination and racism is real and a daily struggle for some black people. The book also shows that Governor Spitzer victimized me in his role as the Attorney General of NYS and that the courts including the United States Supreme Court failed in this case.

I also blog on yourblackworld.com. Click on the following links to view by blogs that support our next President Barack Obama. I can be reached at 281-798-4697.

http://politics.yourblackworld.com/2008/01/audacity-of-hope.html for excerpt from book

http://politics.yourblackworld.com/2008/02/personal-cry-for-justice.html

[Ricky Handy]

Brother Roland, thanks for your standing up a being a strong Black man on CNN. I appreciate your giving objective perspectives regarding the three candidates vieing for the presidency, including your not knuckling under to the conservative political pundits views regarding Rev. Wright and brother Barack's choice to remain a member of Trinity church.

Stay stong and God bless you!