Let Candidates Speak for Themselves

During World War II, they used to say: “Loose lips sink ships.” Even though it doesn’t rhyme, today they should say: “Loose lips sink presidential campaigns.”

Lately, the Democratic primary has seen a string of one verbal gaffe after another. Not by the candidates. But by the people around them. You know them all.

An Obama adviser called Hillary Clinton a monster. A Clinton staffer compared Obama to Ken Starr. Chris Matthews insisted Hillary is only where she is today because Bill cheated on her. And now Geraldine Ferraro seems to suggest Barack Obama’s only where he is today because he’s black.

Speaking to reporters in California, Ferraro said: “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position … He happens to be very lucky to be who he is.”

Of course, she’s dead wrong (at least, the way it came out), and she was wrong to say it. Obama’s where he is because he’s a very smart, very talented, very charismatic individual. The color of his skin has nothing to do with it.

I know Gerry Ferraro well. We were partners on “Crossfire.” She’s a fabulous person and a real trailblazer herself. There’s not a racist bone in her body. But, this time, she badly misspoke.

Geraldine Ferraro has apologized and resigned from Clinton’s finance committee. It’s time to move on and get back to the issues. And, from now on, let’s hope both campaigns adopt a new rule: Clinton supporters and Obama supporters should stop trying to make their own headlines — and let the candidates speak for themselves.

Visit Mr. Press’s website at billpressshow.com.