Obama's Dividing Democrats?
Geraldine Ferraro, the Democratic VP candidate in 1984, a leader in the party, made a rather bizarre statement the other day. Essentially she said that Barack Obama wouldn't be leading the Democratic race if he weren't a Black man. He has the advantage because people are entralled with the idea. She then chided the Democratic party for being sexist -- that is Hillary is at a disadvantage.
That the Obama campaign called her on this isn't divisive, its appropriate. And her continued explanations/defenses haven't helped. I don't think she's a racist, but I do believe that the Clinton campaign has played on the fears of white Americans. As Obama points out, being African American and having the name Barack Obama (yes it has a lyrical sense to it) isn't exactly advantageous in our country.
The reality is that there are those who feel uncomfortable with a woman president (I'm not one of them). There are also those uncomfortable with a Black president (I'm not one of them). There are all kinds of little things at play in our decision making. I'm for instance uncomfortable with dynasties -- though had I been of age in 1968 I might have voted for Bobby Kennedy (so I'm not consistent myself).
But my point is this. Calling for Hillary to reject Ferraro's statements isn't divisive. Its an appropriate response.
By the way, to update last night's election totals. Obama took 61% of the vote.
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