Our “lucky” contenders

Geraldine Ferraro has drawn the ire of the Obama campaign (and the appreciation of the 24-hours new media, I would imagine) for stating in an interview with The Daily Breeze that Barack Obama “happens to be very lucky to be who he is.” Namely, a black man.

I suspect the Obama campaign responded angrily because — well, because you knew they would. And the story would’ve evaporated, had Ferraro not then taken issue with their indignation. But the fact of the matter is, she’s right: in the context of this election, Barack Obama is at an advantage, being a black man.

Of course, it’s deeply uncouth to say so. I mean, Hillary Clinton is “very lucky” to have married a charismatic, politically astute playboy; without that guy, her campaign would have the same dismal chance as … well, as Geraldine Ferraro’s 1984 vice presidential bid. I’m telling you, that Hillary Clinton is one lucky gal.

Yikes! Ouch! What a dickish thing to say! Still, it’s neither sexist nor misogynistic — just rude. Nor is it racist to assert that Barack Obama — the candidate — is lucky to be a black man. But you have to be pretty callous to say so.

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