The Politics of Identity

The election cycle is turning out to be the most politically correct yet. Feminist politician Geraldine Ferraro, who was the first woman to be put on an American presidential ticket, resigned from the Hillary Clinton campaign today for saying that the only reason anyone is paying attention to Barack Obama because he is black. While Ferraro admits that she was the “token woman,” what exactly was her point to speak out against Obama at this time?

Ferraro’s admission is only the latest example in the identity wars between Clinton and Obama. But from where I stand, the only one playing the identity card is Clinton.

From her slighting Martin Luther King’s legacy to her husband comparing Obama ambititous campaign to Jesse Jackson’s less spectacular presidential run in ’84 and ’88, Hillary is the real bigot here. I don’t seem to remember Obama making under-the cuff sexist remarks about her.

In a desperate move to save face with African American voters, last night Clinton addressed the National Newspaper Publishers Association, a collaboration of 200 black newspapers by apologizing for hers and her huband’s ‘sins.’

From CNN

"I want to put that in context. You know I am sorry if anyone was offended. It was certainly not meant in any way to be offensive," Hillary Clinton said. "We can be proud of both Jesse Jackson and Senator Obama."

"Anyone who has followed my husband's public life or my public life know very well where we have stood and what we have stood for and who we have stood with," she said, acknowledging that whoever wins the nomination will have to heal the wounds of a bruising, historic contest.

(Regarding Ferraro’s comments) "I certainly do repudiate it and I regret deeply that it was said. Obviously she doesn't speak for the campaign, she doesn't speak for any of my positions, and she has resigned from being a member of my very large finance committee."

With all due respect, Mrs Bill Clinton, the only reason anyone is paying attention to you in the race is because you are Mrs Bill Clinton.