This Time-Line is based off of an interview conducted with Geraldine Ferraro released after she died. The interview can be found here if you're interested (it's the "Last Words" video on the side). The P.O.D. is in long-form but I'm not sure how I'll do the rest. If you read the first post and think it would work better like this or in a day-by-day or in a headline format please share. Anyways, I hope you enjoy.
Geraldine Ferraro had electrified the nation and inspired women across the world when she was chosen to be Walter Mondale’s Vice Presidential Nominee in 1984. Only eight years later Ferraro was ready to emerge on the political stage when she announced her campaign for United States Senate. She burst to the front of the pack, with a 20% lead over Bob Abrams, but soon old skeletons were resurrected and Ferraro’s campaign began to flounder. Inside the campaign was worried and confused about the direction with Ferraro growing increasingly agitated about all of the alleged mob connections and tax evasion problems. “Look, my opponents don’t deserve a response because they’re lying,” she said at one campaign meeting but the truth was the mudslinging was working. The primary was in September and by late-July her lead had shrunk to five points (almost within the margin of error). Soon it became that Ferraro had to react.
The idea was hers and it was a testament to the political genius in Geraldine Ferraro. She stood outside the New York State Capitol and addressed each and every issue that the press had. The “till you drop Press Conference” was effective and began to turn public opinion decidedly in Ferraro’s favor. The press conference lasted a staggering two hours and thirty-three minutes but it worked. By mid-August the press had stopped airing the stories continuously on evening broadcasts and they became a simple footnote. Elizabeth Holtzman, one of Ferraro’s primary opponents wouldn’t give up throwing out claims with little basis and suggesting that Ferraro supported child pornography. Holtzman went after Ferraro in the debates and Ferraro said the same words to every allegation, “Liz – I’ve answered the matter time and time again. I answered every question the press had of me and no one besides you and Bob seems to care about these lies anymore.” Eventually former Congresswoman Holtzman’s popularity plummeted when she came across as desperate.
Meanwhile the real race was between Abrams and Ferraro. Ferraro succeeded in deflecting the questions again by insisting that she had responded to every matter, but Abrams wouldn’t let go. Finally, in the final debate between the candidates, Ferraro used her closing statement to nail Abrams: “I have with me the ethics report that Bob claims found me guilty. I would like to read excerpts proving my innocence.” When she concluded she handed the report to Abrams and said, “So tell me where it says I’m guilty.” Abrams couldn’t. He put the book in the center of the table and said, “I’m not going to play your games.” Ferraro was amazed, “You’re the one playing games by throwing out claims without true evidence.”
Finally, in Abrams’ closing statement Holtzman interrupted him saying he was soft on equal rights where Abrams shouted back, “I don’t think there are equal rights at this table because the women won’t let the men speak!” The burst of anger received boos and jeers and diminished Abrams in the eyes of the voters – on Tuesday of the next week voters in New York went to the polls and delivered Ferraro a victory with 41% of the vote, Abrams received 34%, Al Sharpton received 19%, and Holtzman received a dismal 6%. The primary had gone to Ferraro handily.
There was now a dilemma for Ferraro: Abrams remained on the ballot as the Liberal Party Candidate. Finally she decided to call Abrams and ask for his support but when he declined she ran to the Liberal Party who asked Abrams to drop out of the race and under intense pressure by the State Democratic Party he agreed and the Liberal Party nominated Ferraro. Ferraro was in truth a moderate however. She had a sensible approach to the Department of Defense and was openly willing to compromise on Health Care and other issues but she hit Alfonse D’Amato on his record with education and insisted he was leaving the children of New York behind. Ferraro was relentless in attacking D’Amato’s record and with the endorsement of Abrams and the appearance of a unified Democratic Party Ferraro begun to lead Abrams by 2.5% heading into the November general election.
Once again, however, allegations of reported mob connections tarnished Ferraro’s reputation and she fell behind in the polls – Ferraro decided to rely on the debates and substance to regain her lead. In the debates with D’Amato ahead of the general election vote Ferraro argued that the Senator had left New York behind and demanded that he apologize to the state for his lack of action on education. D’Amato responded by insisting he was only “one vote” and couldn’t change a whole lot. Ferraro used her quick debate skills to make a terrific response, “Look, Al, that answer isn’t good enough for the people of New York. You may only have one vote but you have a voice. If I were the Senator from this state I would use that voice to shape the debate and to insist on better schools, a stronger economy, and a reformed health care system – what have you done with your voice Al? With my voice I talked straight talk with Americans across this nation in 1984. With my voice I made history. What have you done with your voice, Al? With my voice, as a Prosecutor, I put prisoners behind bars. With my voice, as a Teacher, I educated children. With my voice I’ve made change and with my voice I will make change happen in the Senate. So, Al, let me ask you one more time: in the 11 years you’ve been in the United States senate what have you done with your voice?” The response brought the convention hall to their feet and Ferraro won the election days later with 50.2% of the vote, D’Amato received 46.5% while other candidates received the remaining 3.3% of the vote. Senator Geraldine Ferraro was off to Washington.
As a United States Senator Ferraro worked closely with the Clinton Administration and some saw her as a Clinton “Yes Man”, but she stuck to her guns in the Budget Process by insisting (and succeeding) in getting the Senate to reduce spending in the Department of Defense. Her plan was solid and well-received and made her a star within the Democratic Party; though she was only a freshman Senator her stardom and nationwide name recognition put her in a unique position. She introduced legislation to cut school voucher funding and though Democrats were in the minority by the time the bill was written, Ferraro insisted that the bill be treated seriously. She was a passionate debater but also a fiery and charismatic speaker who brought the Senate floor to life through several back-and-forths with conservative Republicans on the otherside of the aisle. Her passion earned her respect from other prominent Democrats like Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Tom Harkin, and the entire female caucus. Her successes were not unnoticed and by 1998 while she was in the midst of a reelection campaign, there were rumors she would run for President.
Polls between Gore, Ferraro, and Bradley showed the Vice President at 44% with Ferraro at 32% and Bradley at 12% - which left 12% of the electorate undecided. Ferraro thought her odds were favorable considering she held leads in the first primary state (New Hampshire) as well as advantages in three delegate-rich states (Illinois, New York, and California). However some issues had to be addressed. There were still allegations of tax fraud among other things that needed to be addressed. Ferraro had allies in the New York Times and national television media issue articles and stories about how numerous ethics boards had found Ferraro innocent and one editorial in the Times went as far as to say that the “baseless and purely sexist attacks had no place in responsible civic discourse.” Was it enough to lay the issues to rest? Only time could tell.
After her 1998 campaign however Ferraro grew increasingly tired but doctors said she was in “perfect physical condition” but would need an extended period of rest before pursuing a Presidential Campaign. With that Ferraro took time off and waited until March 17, 1999, to announce her Presidential campaign at a crowded venue in New York City. It marked the first time a female candidate stood a legitimate chance at winning a major party’s presidential nomination.
A LOST DREAM
CHAPTER ONE: VICTORY IN NEW YORK
CHAPTER ONE: VICTORY IN NEW YORK
Geraldine Ferraro had electrified the nation and inspired women across the world when she was chosen to be Walter Mondale’s Vice Presidential Nominee in 1984. Only eight years later Ferraro was ready to emerge on the political stage when she announced her campaign for United States Senate. She burst to the front of the pack, with a 20% lead over Bob Abrams, but soon old skeletons were resurrected and Ferraro’s campaign began to flounder. Inside the campaign was worried and confused about the direction with Ferraro growing increasingly agitated about all of the alleged mob connections and tax evasion problems. “Look, my opponents don’t deserve a response because they’re lying,” she said at one campaign meeting but the truth was the mudslinging was working. The primary was in September and by late-July her lead had shrunk to five points (almost within the margin of error). Soon it became that Ferraro had to react.
The idea was hers and it was a testament to the political genius in Geraldine Ferraro. She stood outside the New York State Capitol and addressed each and every issue that the press had. The “till you drop Press Conference” was effective and began to turn public opinion decidedly in Ferraro’s favor. The press conference lasted a staggering two hours and thirty-three minutes but it worked. By mid-August the press had stopped airing the stories continuously on evening broadcasts and they became a simple footnote. Elizabeth Holtzman, one of Ferraro’s primary opponents wouldn’t give up throwing out claims with little basis and suggesting that Ferraro supported child pornography. Holtzman went after Ferraro in the debates and Ferraro said the same words to every allegation, “Liz – I’ve answered the matter time and time again. I answered every question the press had of me and no one besides you and Bob seems to care about these lies anymore.” Eventually former Congresswoman Holtzman’s popularity plummeted when she came across as desperate.
Meanwhile the real race was between Abrams and Ferraro. Ferraro succeeded in deflecting the questions again by insisting that she had responded to every matter, but Abrams wouldn’t let go. Finally, in the final debate between the candidates, Ferraro used her closing statement to nail Abrams: “I have with me the ethics report that Bob claims found me guilty. I would like to read excerpts proving my innocence.” When she concluded she handed the report to Abrams and said, “So tell me where it says I’m guilty.” Abrams couldn’t. He put the book in the center of the table and said, “I’m not going to play your games.” Ferraro was amazed, “You’re the one playing games by throwing out claims without true evidence.”
Finally, in Abrams’ closing statement Holtzman interrupted him saying he was soft on equal rights where Abrams shouted back, “I don’t think there are equal rights at this table because the women won’t let the men speak!” The burst of anger received boos and jeers and diminished Abrams in the eyes of the voters – on Tuesday of the next week voters in New York went to the polls and delivered Ferraro a victory with 41% of the vote, Abrams received 34%, Al Sharpton received 19%, and Holtzman received a dismal 6%. The primary had gone to Ferraro handily.
There was now a dilemma for Ferraro: Abrams remained on the ballot as the Liberal Party Candidate. Finally she decided to call Abrams and ask for his support but when he declined she ran to the Liberal Party who asked Abrams to drop out of the race and under intense pressure by the State Democratic Party he agreed and the Liberal Party nominated Ferraro. Ferraro was in truth a moderate however. She had a sensible approach to the Department of Defense and was openly willing to compromise on Health Care and other issues but she hit Alfonse D’Amato on his record with education and insisted he was leaving the children of New York behind. Ferraro was relentless in attacking D’Amato’s record and with the endorsement of Abrams and the appearance of a unified Democratic Party Ferraro begun to lead Abrams by 2.5% heading into the November general election.
Once again, however, allegations of reported mob connections tarnished Ferraro’s reputation and she fell behind in the polls – Ferraro decided to rely on the debates and substance to regain her lead. In the debates with D’Amato ahead of the general election vote Ferraro argued that the Senator had left New York behind and demanded that he apologize to the state for his lack of action on education. D’Amato responded by insisting he was only “one vote” and couldn’t change a whole lot. Ferraro used her quick debate skills to make a terrific response, “Look, Al, that answer isn’t good enough for the people of New York. You may only have one vote but you have a voice. If I were the Senator from this state I would use that voice to shape the debate and to insist on better schools, a stronger economy, and a reformed health care system – what have you done with your voice Al? With my voice I talked straight talk with Americans across this nation in 1984. With my voice I made history. What have you done with your voice, Al? With my voice, as a Prosecutor, I put prisoners behind bars. With my voice, as a Teacher, I educated children. With my voice I’ve made change and with my voice I will make change happen in the Senate. So, Al, let me ask you one more time: in the 11 years you’ve been in the United States senate what have you done with your voice?” The response brought the convention hall to their feet and Ferraro won the election days later with 50.2% of the vote, D’Amato received 46.5% while other candidates received the remaining 3.3% of the vote. Senator Geraldine Ferraro was off to Washington.
As a United States Senator Ferraro worked closely with the Clinton Administration and some saw her as a Clinton “Yes Man”, but she stuck to her guns in the Budget Process by insisting (and succeeding) in getting the Senate to reduce spending in the Department of Defense. Her plan was solid and well-received and made her a star within the Democratic Party; though she was only a freshman Senator her stardom and nationwide name recognition put her in a unique position. She introduced legislation to cut school voucher funding and though Democrats were in the minority by the time the bill was written, Ferraro insisted that the bill be treated seriously. She was a passionate debater but also a fiery and charismatic speaker who brought the Senate floor to life through several back-and-forths with conservative Republicans on the otherside of the aisle. Her passion earned her respect from other prominent Democrats like Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Tom Harkin, and the entire female caucus. Her successes were not unnoticed and by 1998 while she was in the midst of a reelection campaign, there were rumors she would run for President.
Polls between Gore, Ferraro, and Bradley showed the Vice President at 44% with Ferraro at 32% and Bradley at 12% - which left 12% of the electorate undecided. Ferraro thought her odds were favorable considering she held leads in the first primary state (New Hampshire) as well as advantages in three delegate-rich states (Illinois, New York, and California). However some issues had to be addressed. There were still allegations of tax fraud among other things that needed to be addressed. Ferraro had allies in the New York Times and national television media issue articles and stories about how numerous ethics boards had found Ferraro innocent and one editorial in the Times went as far as to say that the “baseless and purely sexist attacks had no place in responsible civic discourse.” Was it enough to lay the issues to rest? Only time could tell.
After her 1998 campaign however Ferraro grew increasingly tired but doctors said she was in “perfect physical condition” but would need an extended period of rest before pursuing a Presidential Campaign. With that Ferraro took time off and waited until March 17, 1999, to announce her Presidential campaign at a crowded venue in New York City. It marked the first time a female candidate stood a legitimate chance at winning a major party’s presidential nomination.
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