That’s Right Nate

I think when I first heard Ferraro’s comments regarding Obama this past week I had a reaction typical of a lot of people.  “Wow, she’s still alive,” I thought. 

Upon reflection I have to agree a lot about what she said.  Obama would probably not be in position to be the Democratic nominee for President if he was white.  If you look at people who have run for President in the past and not gotten their parties nomination with the exception of Keyes, Jackson, and Chisolm they were all white.    Assuming Obama is the nominee, that means 25% of all blacks who have run for President have become their party’s nominee.  Compared to the much smaller percentage of whites this is indeed a huge advantage.

I also don’t think its fair to call Ferraro a racist.  Being a Mexican woman and a major candidate for a national office  in 1984 was a big responsibility.  Alright, the Vice-President mostly goes to funerals and breaks ties in the Senate and maybe calling Mondale’s run a national campaign is an overstatement.  Still, she’s earned some respect.  Senorita Ferarro you deserved better.