CNN is displaying a variety comments from readers regarding the ridiculous situation with Geraldine Ferraro and her comments that in my opinion, really weren’t all that bad in comparison to what some of Barack Obama’s supporters have said.

Anyway, here are a few of what I think are the best:

Sylvia Mays of Beaver, West Virginia
Whether you believe in her statement or disapprove, Ferraro has the right to say what she feels. That is why we live in this country. We have freedom of speech. That is why we have a war going on, so that we can give a country their freedom. I think the media have forgotten why they have the right to print what their views or beliefs are. Do you want to have restrictions placed on you? People need to think before they judge. It is a two-way street.

I absolutely agree. It almost seems like the media assumes that we are bored with the stump speeches and need something more titillating. The Elliot Spitzer “situation” is titillating, but the focus on comments from people other than the candidates is just becoming annoying and I’m sure there are some Democrats that will agree with that.

Leann Chan of New Hyde Park, New York
I do not think Ferraro should have to apologize for her statements. She might be wrong but definitely had a point.

Politics is about the free exchange of ideas. How can we live in a free society and engage in politics as encouraged by both of these candidates when you cant say what you want because you fear it might cause you your job or position with the campaign?

Susan Baldwin of San Francisco, California
As a 59-year-old woman who felt such pride when Mondale selected her as a running mate, I am disgusted by what Geraldine Ferraro has become: a shrill, uncompromising, bitter-sounding woman. Should she apologize? Why? It’s gone so far now that not only would it be disingenuous, it would just make this whole unfortunate situation make another news cycle. From what started as a history-making race, with such promising opportunities for change, has become a muckraking spectacle that is playing to audiences around the world. Shame on all the Democrats and the media for letting this happen.

I can’t even begin to imagine what people watching this in other countries are saying. I’m sure they find all of this quite humorous.

Lawrence Hartung of Elysian, Minnesota
I think her comments are appropriate; why shouldn’t she say what’s on her mind and how she feels about it? So what if it offends someone? Apologize for what? Get over it.

Amen.

Mary Murray of North Canton, Ohio
Ferraro is just verbalizing what many others are thinking, although she needs to learn not to say everything on her mind. Barack Obama has gotten very positive media coverage that has helped him amass the votes/delegates that he has received. Were he a 46-year-old white male senator with little experience and no real plans for the future except unspecified “change,” he would have been virtually ignored.

I think we can all think of a few candidates from various races that fit that mold.

Last one:

Christopher Nichols of Palo Alto, California
Geraldine was absolutely right in what she said. Her comments were taken out of context, and they are not racist at all. She is simply stating the facts. If Obama were white, he wouldn’t stand a chance in this election. People recognize him as a “different” candidate, and not just because he’s about his crazy rhetoric of hope and change. It’s because he is different from the usual white male presidential candidates who we’ve seen grace the stage time and time again.

In all fairness to Obama, Hillary may not have the same appeal if she weren’t a woman. They both need to accept and embrace that they aren’t the average presidential candidates. Hillary graciously accepts being a woman running for office. Whenever someone approaches Obama about it, he accuses them of being a racist. Ferraro speaks the brutal truth and absolutely should NOT apologize for her remarks. There was nothing inflammatory in what she said, and she is not a racist.

I’ll leave it at that.

I just really wish the Dems and the media would move on to something with some substance soon.

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