Geraldine Ferraro, calling Barack Obama "sexist," may not back him

Might fully one-third of the six surviving Democratic vice presidential nominees end up opposing their party's national ticket this November?

That possibility arose today based on comments Geraldine Ferraro, the 1984 Democratic veep candidate, made to The New York Times.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, who occupied the No. 2 slot for the Democrats in 2000, months ago declared for presumptive Republican White House nominee John McCain.

And Ferraro, a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter who sparked a brouhaha earlier this year over whether she made a racially dismissive remark about Barack Obama, apparently is no longer a reliable Democratic vote.

Ferraro, in the NYT story, terms Obama "terribly sexist." And, as a result, she says she may not be able to cast her ballot for him if, as anticipated, he gains the Democratic presidential nod.

On the positive side for Democrats, no signs of apostasy are emanating from the four other one-time party veep candidates still alive -- John Edwards (the '04 nominee who officially signed on with Obama last week), Al Gore (the nominee in 1992 and '96), Walter Mondale (the 1976 and 1980 nominee) and Sargent Shriver (George McGovern's running mate in 1972 -- they may have gotten trounced by the GOP's Richard Nixon/Spiro Agnew pairing, but their longevity is impressive).

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[tiredofallthis]

The difference between Barack and Geraldine is that Barack is being chosen by the voter. Geraldine was chosen by the party establishment. So when Geraldine says that Barack is benefitting because he is black, is just not true. And as she pointed out herself, if anyone benefitted because of affirmative action, its Geraldine Ferraro.....

[Michael]

One-third of six is two. Good use of hyperbole to inflate the number two; bad use of journalism to inflate the number two.

[Malama Makena]

The Democrats need to be more careful who they pick for VP.

Geraldine and Lieberman - go register Republican! It's where you belong.

And for those who think the racists will make a difference, look at the three "safe" Republican Congressional seats just won by the Democrats - two in the deep South.

The overriding issue in the general election will be George W. Bush and whether the country wants more of the same, or real change.

The three Congressional elections are the forerunner of what will be a landslide of historic proportions sweeping not only the first African-American into the White House but huge Democratic gains in both houses of Congress as well as governors and state legislatures everywhere.

[Alex]

wow, this has blown out of proportion, he called somone sweety- what is the big deal, its not even important. Everyone does this to everyone all the time, will it actually make a difference in real life... NO

[anon]

"...fully one-third of the six..." in other words, two.

[Johnny]

This illustrates just how divisive this race is becoming for the Dems. Hillary needs to bow out, back Obama in no uncertain terms and accept the vp position. Otherwise it's another four years of crusty, out-of-touch Republican politics.

[Eliza]

Sexist? No.

Sexy? Yes!

Yummy Obama

[Malama Makena]

Geraldine Ferraro and Robert Byrd.

The former VP candidate makes another racist comment.

The former KKK leader endorses the African-American.

Take a look at whose comments more closely represent your opinions to see where YOU stand on the scale of progress in racial tolerance.

[Pat Curtiss]

To Obama: Sorry, "Sweetie." If you are the nominee, I am voting for McCain.

[John McCain]

Dear Democrats,

dear Hillary and dear Geraldine,
thank you so much for letting me win the presidential elections. You did a magnificent job at deviding the liberal scum, and having them fight one another! I would never had thought I could win these elections, given the liberal scum's loathing of the Bush administration. But against all odds, you are making it possible! Thank you again, I so hope that you, Hillary, will run again in four years and thus secure my second term.

Love, John McCain

[Jack Stanley]

We never heard of Ferraro afer the early eighties after Mondale lost the election. Has she made any contributions to this country? I dont think so. She can stuff her vote wherever she wants. This country is not counting on her vote anyway.

[al10101010]

And, and, and if Hilary is not on the ticket I am going to hold my breath until my face turns blue. Then, then, then....I am going to vote for the party that will take away my choice, limit my opportunites, withold my my rights and place members on the supreme court that will ratify all of the opposite things from which I believe. That will show them.

[BOO-HOO]

WHO CARES WHAT THIS OLD BROAD SAYS OR DOES? SHE, LIKE HILARY IS YESTERDAYS OLD NEWS. SHES AN ALBATROSS, ASK MONDALE.

[Mandelay]

Run as an independent, HIllary. You have my vote. Let's send a message to the DNC that they cannot be the party of sexism ... the party of not counting votes... the party of "putting down the working class."

[Trish]

I agree... If HIllary doesn't make it, Obama will not get my vote either.... I will be forced to go to McCain...... Gee, I guess you guys will call me a sexist, racist, both, but gee again.... I don't care.

[Brian Weiss]

What would be the downside be to Obama of a non-endorsement from Ferraro? Is there anyone who really CARES what Geraldine Ferraro thinks to the point where it would influence their vote? She's obviously cranky because Obama is going to get the nod. The Democratic party needs a lot more Obamas and a lot fewer Ferraros.

[BALD TRUTH]

YEAH "NEW_YORK_LONER" ...

YOU SOUND LIKE A REAL "WINNER"....NOT!!!!

SHUT YOUR BLOATED JOWELS AND LET THE HUMANS DECIDE...

BESIDES, YOUR ROTTEN BREATH SMELLS LIKE A CADAVER'S ASS!

[Stuck N Middle]

Barack Obama is not being chosen by the voter, he is being chosen by the democrat voters. That's a subtle but important distinction.

[John McCain]

Dear Democrats!

Dear Hillary, dear Geraldine,
thank you so much! I hope that you, Hillary, will run again in four years and make my second term possible. Thanks for dividing the liberal scum, and making it possible for me to be president against all odds, and despite everybody hates the Bush administration. Thanks, all American women, for uniting with us! Never will a liberal negro be president, that's our common purpose. See you in four years!

Love,

John McCain

[JayBird]

I've learned over many years that people would much rather believe a convenient lie than to believe the truth. Geraldine may have some sour grapes because of Obama's attacks on her, but in this matter she is right. Let the truth be the truth and the lies be the lies.

[Skip]

I will L_A_U_G_H when the republican take the white house yet again. I will laugh harder when the democrats cry like children and ask for recounts again and again and...

[Geraldine]

That's good.

[KM]

Dear Sir
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

MY Friends, MY FAMILY AND I WILL ONLY TO DO MORE CONTRIBUTION IF SENATOR HILLARY TO BE NOMINEE.

YOURS TRULY,

KENNETH

In a message dated 5/16/2008 11:15:25 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, democraticparty@democrats.org writes:

Kenneth,
Last week, we told you how John McCain raised over $9 million for his campaign and the Republican National Committee in 48 hours.
Yesterday, he was in Washington, D.C., attending back-to-back receptions for his top donors. The night ended with a "Spring Gala" dinner for those willing to pay thousands of dollars to wine and dine with John McCain and his top campaign staff.
The RNC has boasted it plans to raise at least $120 million to support John McCain. That's why Republican operatives are working around the clock to bank as much money as they can, while they can. They're gearing up for a Swift Boat offensive on our nominee.
Make a contribution now -- and help match what the Republicans are raising:
http://www.democrats.org/NoSwiftBoat
We can't let the Republicans get ahead of us.
Tom McMahon
Executive Director
-----Original Message-----
Subject: No letting up
Date: Fri 9 May 2008 11:59:17 AM
From: Phil Murphy
To: Tom McMahon

Dear Kenneth,
I'm Phil Murphy, Finance Chair of the DNC. I'm responsible for making sure our Party has the funds it needs to stay competitive.
I wanted you to see these two clips that were posted on Politico.com this week...
John McCain will raise over $7 million tonight at a high-dollar New York fundraiser, his largest one-event haul yet during the campaign, according to sources familiar with the expected haul.
McCain raises over $2 mil in Michigan ... So said John Rakolta -- a former national finance chair and ubiquitous presence around Mitt Romney during the primary -- last night at the suburban Detroit funder for the GOP nominee.
In the past 48 hours, John McCain raised over $9 million for his campaign and the Republican National Committee. While we're choosing our nominee, the Republican machine is working their way across the country, raising money and expanding their bank accounts.
What are they going to do with that money? Attack. As soon as we have our nominee, they'll unleash a flood of expensive negative attacks to try to define our candidate.
That's why we have to be ready for anything -- we can't let them Swift Boat us right out of the gate.
Can you make a contribution to offset the $9 million John McCain has raised the last 48 hours? We need to be able to defend our candidate from the Republican machine as soon as it kicks into gear:
http://www.democrats.org/NoSwiftBoat
Everywhere John McCain goes his handlers are organizing fundraising receptions, catering to special interests and lobbyists. It's straight out of the George Bush and Karl Rove playbook.
While our primary continues, we can't afford to let John McCain and the Republican machine get a financial advantage. Help us and our nominee stay competitive.
Thanks for your support.
Phil Murphy
________________________________________

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[Carlos]

....Wasn't she a regular on the Golden Girls?

[Ben]

Poor Geraldino, its just the Alzaimer or sever depression.