Geraldine Ferraro, in a NYTimes article, says she may not vote for Obama:
“ 'I think Obama was terribly sexist,' she said."
The threat comes in a wrap-up story about bitterness among Hillary's female supporters as she faces the possiblity of defeat. Some say Obama has been "dismissive." Some say he has been "condescending." Some seem to blame him for benefiting from what they see as sexist treatment of Hillary by males in the media (i.e. Matthews, Russert).
Some seem to just blame him for winning. Some seem to think it's sexism to defeat a woman. Some seem to see Hillary as so qualified that losing can't be explained by anything other than sexism. Some are just mad, the same way Obama loyalists would/will be if he lost/loses.
Ferraro, of course, has a special complaint. She argued a couple of months ago that Obama was lucky he was mixed race, it gave him a lot of advantages, and he wouldn't have had a chance if he had been a white male. She took a lot of incoming fire, and eventually left a minor role in the Clinton campaign.
But does it make any sense? McCain is a Republican. He would appoint judges who might overturn and certainly wouldn't extend Roe, and would keep on in Iraq. He's the opposite of Clinton and Obama -- and Ferraro -- on those issues.
Ferraro, of course, can do whatever she wants with her vote.
But, for a woman who was once the Democratic nominee for vice-president, it seems kind of like an act of political immaturity.
Comments (23)
MELTDOWN
When has Ferraro committed an act of political maturity? She's an awfully old dog to be learning new tricks.
Slow news week? No newsworthy events anywhere? What is the point of this kind of journalism?
No Sweetie, Obama ain't sexist. No way, sweetie.
You're scolding Ferraro? Do you know what Ferraro's full set of priorities and values are?
You apparently assume you do. Which strikes me as rather condescending. Or sexist, perhaps you might say.
So, what, she would rather have a man who uses foul language to describe his own wife? Lovely. What a hypocrite.
People need to use a little sense. These kinds of comments are awfully easy to make in May or June. Clinton isn't even out of the race. There's a long time between now and November. Remember how pissed off the repubs were when McCain beat Romney? Ann Coulter swore on the Necronomicon said she'd come out of her crypt to vote for Clinton instead of McCain. That lasted how long?
Obama made a remark that people find offensive. it is what it is. Other than that Obama is the right person for the job and Ferraro is not an idiot. Tell me what she says in September or October.
Shakespeare had it figured out a long, long time ago: "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned".
I guess that's sexist in today's context, but many of these women are just angry Hillary is losing. It's not really about anything Obama has done.
Pug, "Hell hath no fury..." is from Congreve.
Speaking out against and not voting for a candidate isn't "principled?" Wow. You just proved her point. Way too many --especially in the media -- don't get it.
Speaking out against and not voting for a sexist candidate isn't "principled?" Wow. You just proved her point. Way too many --especially in the media -- don't get it.
Let's talk immaturity by all means. What party in their right mind would nominate a forty-five year old for the President of the United states who has no outstanding record of accomplishments whatsoever—except of course the ability to make a good speech. Obama has never shown any leadership in the Illinois Senate and has barely gotten his feet wet in the US Senate. Electing Obama as president would be like hiring a five-year-old to babysit an infant. We've been down that road before with Bush. Don't talk to me about maturity!! I'll take my chances with McCain any day.
It is the whole package "my friends".
His recent comments about Americans need to stop driving their SUV's, eat less and not keep the heat at 72 speaks of utter elitism. Meanwhile back in Chicago, his constituents froze under his and Rezko watch. He is so out of touch it is pathetic. Obama has just committed his Marie Antoinette moment
LET THEM EAT ARUGULA
You know, it's columns such as this one that only serve to further solidify my resolve to never vote for Obama. I have been a loyal member of the Democratic Party for the last 32 years, I have held my nose more times than I can count to vote for the democratic nominee; no more. I have had enough and it's time to take a stand. I find it despicable that once again women are being brushed aside, called all sorts of names and treated as children. Unbelievable that it's coming from the members of my own former party. Using Roe v. Wade as a blackmailing device to get our votes is disgusting and ridiculous. Look at some of Obama's biggest supporters, look at his good buddy Casey from PA. No, that supposed threat exists with an Obama presidency as well. Perhaps more so, who knows? We obviously know very little about this candidate, his views, his background, his experience.
It is time for women to walk away from this abusive relationship with the democratic party, it is time women took a stand for their daughters, for their grandaughters, for their mothers and sisters and for themselves! This is way bigger than a primary, a single candidate or even the general election. The democratic party has awoken a sleeping giant this primary season and boys and girls, she is really pissed off!
I totally agree with Ferraro and its all about principle.
Would you expect a Jewish person to belong to and support an antisemitic organization? No you wouldn't. Would you ask a black person to belong to and support a racist organization? Of course not. Then why would you expect women to belong to and support a sexist organization?
The leaders and elected officials of the Democratic Party felt the need to speak out and endorse Obama over the last five months but NONE felt the need to speak out and condemn the rampant sexism that's been going on.
In November I'm either going to write-in Hillary's name for not vote at all.
I am also not going to vote for Obama. The sexism and misogyny and the willful disenfranchisement of voters is unforgivable. I have not quite reached the point of voting for McCain, but, with each statement of the Obama campaign and the media saying that Obama has reached the number without FL and MI, I am getting closer to that decision.
As far as a woman's right to choose, because of the relentless attacks on doctors, hospitals, clinics and at the state level, that choice has been eroded considerably; so much so, that in many states there is no doctor to perform an abortion. With funding stripped for low income and military women, abortions are not an option. Finally, many health insurance plans also do not pay for abortions. Therefore, Roe v. Wade is a hollow hope, and perhaps, if it were overturned, young women would realize the fragility of their rights and join in a real political movement to bring about real change for more than 51% of the population.
I don't trust Obama on this issue, or on Social Security or health care or in fact any issue that I care about. Compromise at the beginning always shows a lack of commitment and thus is a weak position, and, you certainly cannot bargain away on core issues.
It has been an eye opening nomination process for me, a life long Democrat and activist to realize that the Party I thought reflected my values, really doesn't. Therefore, I will also be renouncing my membership in this Party and become an Independent. This is truly a very sad time for me; I am really shocked that I have to make this decision.
It is certainly not political immaturity. It's a decision to stop enabling the Democratic Party's good old boy network. There would not be this hardened anger and rage, had the DNC, Barack Obama, Michelle, Obama, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, and a host of other Party leadership , simply step forward and said "enough." But, no, that sat silent. They knew that the women's vote was the single most consistent (in terms of numbers of votes delivered) within the party. They thought the little women would march forth as soon as they were called to order. If any of them got out of line, they'd just scream SCOTUS and wave Roe v Wade.
No, this new Dean, Brazile, Obama Democratic Party is not the one I voted for over the last 20 plus years. The Democratic Party that I had allegiance to no longer exists as currently represented.
How condescending of you to infer that this is being viewed as some popularity contest by Clinton supporters. What you and others don't seem to get is that this isn't about Hillary Clinton. It is about me and my daughters and my sister.
That's it guys, keep up the talk of immaturity, and slamming Clinton supporters, and you will certainly anger so many of them, and end up getting John Mc.Cain elected. I applaud Geraldine Ferraro for calling it like it is. Obama is NOT qualified to be dog catcher, let alone president. Both Hillary Clinton and Mc.Cain have the experience to lead this country. I am a Hillary supporter, and will also not vote for Obama. This has nothing to do with him personally, I just think Clinton is the better candidate.
If it becomes an Obama/Mc.Cain matchup, I will either vote Mc.Cain, stay home, or write in Hillary's name.
I think this article is spot-on. Ms. Clinton presided over an extremely negative and uninspiring campaign, which failed to showcase her strengths, and which only showed signs of life after the majority of Democratic voters had already decided against her.
Some of Ms. Clinton's supporters have difficulty acknowledging her many mistakes, and have begun casting about on all sides for scapegoats.
If Mr. Obama were so obviously sexist, and Ms. Clinton so experienced a leader, why did she not raise these (supposed) examples of bias earlier for the voters to consider? The answer is obvious to most -- that the accusations are without merit -- and that lack of merit explains why surrogates such as Ms. Ferraro are bringing this up, instead of Ms. Clinton herself.
Hillary Clinton and her campaign have not been able to voice any type of protest of negative, sexist, reverse racist etc...etc...etc...complaints because she would have the media and your type of journalist down her throat in an instant...However Barack H. Obama and his wife Michelle with their obvious racist, unpatriotic and condescending comments in print and verbalized; by them and their Rev. along with their other terrorist minded associates would jump up and down demanding the media chastise Hillary and her campaign. Barack H. Obama's campaign and supporters as well as the delegates supporting him when Hillary won their states votes and they should be supporting her, lap up everything Obama and his wife are throwing out for them, wait if he is elected what chaotic country this will be...it is already on that path. With someone like Obama at the helm everyone will be scrambling to guide him and he will not know who to listen to, so he will make his own gargantuan blunders.
Americans will pay for it...
I too am writing in Hillary as my candidate or voting for McCain.
That does not show immaturity (OBama's favorite word next to oh how silly is that where you so called journalist got that from?) Well no matter, wait til November the Democratic Party will know who we are (voters to be reckoned with)
The behavior modification research clearly and repeatedly shows that when inappropriate behavior is reinforced (i.e., rewarded), you get more of it than ever behavior. There is NOTHING immature of illogical about anyone who has seen how sexism has been used against Clinton, Ferraro, those who protest against it, etc. To give in to threats of what may or may not happen if Dems. refuse to vote for Obama is to reinforce threatening behavior, as well. It is perfectly and completedly logical, mature, evidence-based, and rational decision to take strong action because when lesser action could have been an option had Dems./Obama, etc. taken women's objections seriously, they did not. Women Dems. will not be made to feel that they are entirely to blame for not being team players (how often have we been coerced by that !?)
Self-proclaimed "Clinton supporters" who will vote for McCain over Obama ought to just grab a coat hanger and head for a back alley, since under a President McCain when abortion is illegal it will be a great way to make money--even with the weak dollar.
The tribalism and identity-politics of Clinton supporters is deeply sad. They are willing to abandon every value of their candidate and their party for the sake of her womanhood. It doesn't matter who becomes president, as long as it's a woman. It's "just time" for a woman.
No, Hillary, it's time for a president who actually earned his or her way through life instead of inheriting or marrying into it. It's time for a president who hasn't internalized and normalized the rhetoric of Bill Kristol and Karl Rove, who didn't support the Iraq War and doesn't think Iran is a boogeyman hiding under the bed. In short, it is time for a serious-minded president.
As for Geraldine Ferraro, she should shut up and go back to 25 years ago when she almost mattered a little.
NJMOM, your post rocks! I couldn't have said it better. Yup, I'm switching my vote for McCain if Obama is an nominee. Mind you, I use to support Obama until I'd become well informed on policies and voting records. I think McCain just voted for his party to get the backing but if you hear him speak, he isn't that harsh. If Obama is prez, 9/11 will happen again because apparently he wishes to speak to terrorist leaders and begin trusting them, like we did from the Iran-Contra ,