Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary's "Archie Bunker" strategy for Pa.

[babylonsister]

http://www.attytood.com/2008/03/geraldine_ferraro_and_hillarys.html

Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary's "Archie Bunker" strategy for Pa.

Davey glanced up and down the bar then leaned forward confidentially. "Let me tell you something about this neighborhood. It's like an Archie Bunker neighborhood here. Really conservative."

His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper.

"If Archie were real and he lived here," said Davey, "he'd be the mayor."

-- Associated Press, July 14, 1984, in a story about Geraldine Ferraro's congressional district in Queens, N.Y. (via Nexis.)



You've probably hearing for months now that the 2008 election is really all about the legacy of some old white guy who was popular a generation ago. The Republicans want that guy to be Ronald Reagan. The Hillary Clinton wing of the Democratic Party wants their 20th Century icon to be Archie Bunker.

And so now the Clinton campaign has found it's true voice in the person of Archie Bunker's former Queens congresswoman, Geraldine Ferraro. You couldn't make this up if you tried. It's just too perfect.

snip//

What matters is that the Clinton campaign is convinced that Archie Bunker is voting in Pennsylvania in April 22, and they clearly will not struggle hard to repudiate any idea -- no matter how loathesome -- that can squeeze out a few extra voters in that regard.

That's why it hangs out there the idea -- expressed this time by Clinton herself -- that Obama is not a Muslim "as far as I know." Or that losses in places like South Carolina don't matter because Jesse Jackson won there -- and check out what Geraldine Ferarro said about Jesse Jackson in 1988, so you see there's a history here. Or the paternalistic idea that Obama -- a fellow senator with Clinton and McCain -- is somehow "not ready" to be commander-in-chief, with not-so-vague overtones of affirmative action that is so unpopular in Bunker-land.

If Hillary Clinton is serious about becoming a true president for all Americans -- she would reject, denounce, repudiate, whatever the kids are calling it these days -- the support of Geraldine Ferarro. But that's not she's all about, not this springtime in Pennsylvania. She's all about winning.

And with Archie Bunker's congresswoman by her side, she thinks she can do exactly that.

[skooooo]

1. Bet the youngsters here don't know who Archie Bunker is...

[TheWraith]

4. Why not? Cultural literacy and all that. nt

[babylonsister]

8. Here's a video to refresh some memories:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d8FTPv955I&eurl=http://www.attytood.com/2008/03/geraldine_ferraro_and_hillarys.html

[Shakespeare]

19. They don't have to. As long as they know what affirmative action is....

...and can be conned into thinking that the black man is out to get their job, Hillary can capitalize on it.

[berni_mccoy]

20. Those were the days...

[CreekDog]

27. "and you knew who you were then..."

:eyes:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. I was thinking Strom Thurmond.

But I guess Archie Bunker works too.

[CitizenLeft]

3. I wondered what district she represented.

Explains everything.

[Armstead]

5. Yes that's a good analogy -- And the series title is ironic: All in the Family

Here's anotehr TV character comparison

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5038985&mesg_id=5038985

[Avalux]

6. I said yesterday that Ferraro's comments were deliberate; aimed at PA.

She's not crazy and didn't start talking crap out of the blue. This whole thing has been designed to 'remind' people in the Alabama part of PA that yes, Obama is a black man, and you'd better not vote for him or else. It's repulsive and revolting but that's how the Clinton camp plays.

[LSparkle]

10. And today she's STANDING BY THEM ...

I couldn't believe it when Diane Sawyer asked her on GMA, "Do you regret saying
it?" and her response was "Absolutely not."

Ferraro acts like she's PROUD of once again reducing this to a fight about race.
She ought to go back to Queens and Fixed Noize and stay there.

[Avalux]

13. I know, but remember she's doing it for a reason.

There are a lot of people in PA who agree with her. I hate to say that about my home state but it's true.

[LSparkle]

22. I think Obama needs to re-hire Samantha Power -- in a PUBLIC way

Hold a press conference with her and say that although her comments
may have been offensive to some people, he values her input and, on
further reflection, realizes that to jettison her based on ONE comment
made during an interview unrelated to the campaign was a hasty move.

He can't afford to give their campaign the satisfaction of calling
the shots when it comes to ethics, in light of Ferraro's reluctance
to even apologize for what she said.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

33. Where is the adult supervision of the Hillary campaign? Now you see why I wouldn't vote Hillary...

for dog catcher. Who would have ever thought Hillary could out-Rove Rove?

[mrreowwr_kittty]

16. You know it. It's the only thing her sorry campaign has done effectively.

They couldn't organize their way out of a paper bag, but they NAILED the racebaiting.

[Cha]

7. That's why Pennsylvania needs to repudiate hilary's

Archie Bunker ass so we can move on. So many people have turned against hilary 'cause of her roverian politics and I would think that those who think in Pennsylvania have a big surprise waiting for the girl.



hilary wants to be president of the stupids..she thinks there's more of them.

[Avalux]

14. Ed Rendell won't repudiate - he said something equally divisive weeks ago.

I dread watching how the next 6 weeks unfold.

[Cha]

18. I know..eddie rendell is one 'em..I'm talking

about people who think and don't suck the oxygen outta the room 'cause they need more of everything.

Obama has his eye on the prize and is not distracted by hilary, geraldine, and eddie rendell's slimeball ilk.

Doesn't Teresa Heinz Kerry have a good network in PA?

[Avalux]

24. The letter I sent to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl -

I sent it to his office and got a very nice reply in return, thanking me for taking the time to write and that it was appreciated. I only hope someone who is so similar to Obama will have the guts to stand with him. Pittsburgh could be a stronghold for Obama in PA.

Dear Mayor Ravenstahl,

I understand you have not yet endorsed a candidate in the Democratic primary and I also understand this is probably a very difficult decision for you, especially since your governor, Ed Rendell, has endorsed Hillary Clinton. Undoubtedly there is pressure for you to do the same. I don't know if I can say anything that will help you make your decision, but I'm going to give it a shot.

2 years ago, you ran for mayor of an old gritty city experiencing a rebirth. You ran for that office in the face of naysayers who called you "baby face" and said you were too young and inexperienced. In spite of this, the people of Pittsburgh decided to give you a chance and elected you mayor at the young age of 26. They decided to "give this young guy a chance and see what he can do".

I took great interest in your story because as a child in the 1970's, I remember industrial Pittsburgh enveloped in a cloud of coal dust; the city that was home to hard-as-nails blue collar workers who fervently loved their Steelers, Pirates and Penguins. As the years have gone by and I've moved away, I've had occasion to visit Pittsburgh and each time I return, I am amazed to see how it's been transformed into a city that is now quite beautiful. The blue collar workers are still there, but because of an infusion of new industry, the population has become quite diverse.

I see your election to the office of Mayor of Pittsburgh as symbolic of renewal and you have made good on many of your promises.

In your inaugural address, you said these words:

"You've gotta believe in the power of Pittsburgh, in where we've been, where we are, where we're going. You've gotta believe that our future is bright and that the good of the whole is worth putting aside individual agendas.

You've gotta believe in our families, our children, our seniors. Our hopes and dreams rise and fall on how our people prosper, and that we've gotta do all that we can to work for the best for each other.

You've gotta believe in change, that the transformation of this City can and will happen when we all work together."

I ask you to remember these words when considering whom you will endorse for the Democratic nominee. Like you, one of the candidates has a message of hope and renewal; like you, he is being attacked for being too young and inexperienced.

I would like him to have the opportunity to prove his detractors wrong, as you have.

Please endorse Barack Obama for President of the United States so that all Americans can have a bright future.

Very Respectfully Yours,

******

[BumRushDaShow]

25. Wow. What a great letter!

Whenever I have travelled to the other side of the state to go to Pittsburgh (I am in Philly), I have ALWAYS ALWAYS told my buddies there (and even people I meet if I'm at a store, etc) about how pretty and outright scenic the city is - with the hills all around (never realized that the city was almost as hilly as San Francisco) and the convergence of the 3 rivers (they can keep the snow though...lol).

Those who I would say this to would then sortof pause and think about it and then blurt out, yeah... I guess you're right (probably having the same memories of not being able to see the skyline through the haze nor being able to hang laundry out on the line on particularly sooty days).

Philly and Pittsburgh always have a friendly rivalry and have often come together to vote our conscience. Let's hope this happens in April! :thumbsup:

(edit to fix that damn sentence! LOL)

[Avalux]

28. Thank you. Friendly rivalry? lol -

I've been to Pens/Flyers hockey games and there isn't anything friendly about it! ;) Seriously though - you're right about Pittsburgh. I had moved away and the first time I came home to visit after several years I was amazed. :hi:

[BumRushDaShow]

32. LOL

I call it "friendly" because well... we are all Pennsylvanians, but we naturally have pride in our respective cities! :P But if some outsider came in here to mess with Pittsburgh, I know we in Philly would defend Pittsburgh in a hot minute (unleashing the Broad St. bullies on 'em)! LOL :hi:

[Cha]

26. Thank you, sparosnare! That's

a beautiful letter and I hope Mayor Luke Ravenstahl takes it to heart.

[Avalux]

30. I hope he does too.

It did come from the heart; I only hope it somehow makes him stop and think before he endorses. :hi:

[Cha]

37. Hopefully there's more out

there like you who are thinking along your lines .. writing and talking to people in PA and appealing to their better Angels in order to get this primary over with so we can move on to the GE.

It wouldn't be so bad if hilary were in any way good for our country but she's made herself into the desperate candidate from hell.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

34. Don't despair. I'm predicting this backfires big time.

[Major Hogwash]

9. Hillary needs to drop out of the race today, if not sooner.

She is a liability to the Democrats.
No one will want to have their picture taken with her.

She's not even good for photo ops now.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

31. She'll never drop out. She's running straight through 2012!

[Major Hogwash]

39. She can run all she wants, she'll never win. Dems don't elect people like her.

We didn't vote for George Wallace in 1968, and we ain't going to vote for Hillary in 2008.

Celebrating 40 years of racists in the Democratic party.

Congratulations, Hillary!

[AlertLurker]

11. Horseshit.

[BearSquirrel2]

12. My memories of Jesse Jackson are not fond ...

Jessie Jackson torpedoed to presidential election cycles (much like Ralph Nader). If Geraldine Ferraro was making comments like that ... I forgive him for 1984.

[Shakespeare]

15. That nails it. I've been thinking of the "in because he's black" as code language for affirmative..

...action, but hadn't had the time to put together a post about it yet.

Spot-on. :thumbsup:

Once this election is over, historians are going to have an interesting time sorting out the use of coded language, which I've seen so much more of this year than in any other election I can remember.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

17. Ding ding ding!

That's EXACTLY what the reference is. And that's why Ferraro is doing it on FOX News. Lots of working class Dems watch FOX and listen to talk radio.

[ProSense]

21. Perfect! On the defensive: Ferraro: 'They're attacking me because I'm white'

Ferraro: 'They're attacking me because I'm white'

Now she's the victim!

[Jacobin]

23. pretty much sums it up and it is disgusting

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

29. Sure miss the old Hillary. Those were the days

[stillcool]

35. I just hope the American voters

in this election, are a lot younger, and a lot smarter than she gives them credit for. This Presidency won't be won on the votes of 2004.

[NoBorders]

36. Ah! That's the phrase I've been looking for!

That sums it up well. Thanks for posting.

[Nia Zuri]

38. kick