It is the pinnacle of hypocrisy for Geralding Ferraro-Zaccaro to complain that the "race card" is being used to devalue her position. The race card has been one of her principal tools she has used in her political career, just as has been the "gender card". Her real complaint is that she is being hoisted on her own petard.

David, Covington, KY USA

The comments from Obama's spiritual mentor Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., a couple of months ago, asking for African Americans not to vote for Clinton, were not better.

I agree that Ms. Ferrero should have been more careful with her statements, but unfortunately, she is likely correct when she says that if Obama would be a woman (of any color) he wouldn’t have a chance.

Hillary will be a great President, and I hope she wins!

Anne , LA, USA

Im tired of the injustice of this country. Its time people wake up and stop making excuses. Excuses are only for the people that make them. If u don't want me to vote for somebody, give me hardcore facts. Let who is without sin cast the first stone.

J'Maine, Clarksville, Tennessee

I suggest that Ms Ferraro is now protesting too much in attacking Obama for his defending himself regarding her comments. Unfortunately as a democrat I find her original statement and her follow-ups to be extremely distasteful and a poor reflection on the state of our party. I wonder what her response would have been if someone had correctly pointed out that Hillary Clinton would have been un-known but for the fact that she is married to Bill. She only obtained he position in the Arkansas legal firm because the firm wanted to get the inside track with Bill Clinton the Arkansas Governor.

Victor Marriott, Sarasota, FL

"If Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race," she said.

Yup, the same Geraldine Ferraro in April 1988.

Geoffrey , Belfast,

Ferraro has a habit of making racial remarks; almost identically Ferraro said in 1988: "If Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race"

With high-profile supporters like Ms Ferraro and the priapic Eliot Spitzer it is little wonder that the Clintonista campaign has crashed and burned. More slime to come no doubt but whichever way they slice 'n dice it Senator Obama has won. It is time for the DNC to step in and stop Clinton's scorched earth policy making the Democrats unelectable against McBush.

Robert, Mobile, Alabama

It really saddens me that a vote for one or the other candidate somehow "proves" you are either racist or sexist. As if there is any other motivation!

Ben Hoff, New Jersey, USA

Even if Obama is voted for by black people becasue he is black, so what?!! That's a good thing! A lot of people who would never vote are out there votting now, for whatever reason. That's great.

Bush's supporters voted for him because he has the same background as them, rich greedy and selfish.

Many of Clinton's supporters will vote for her becasue she is a women, and she does play that card. So what? This is all fair enough.

By the way Obama's speeches are the best I've heard in many years, by any politician, especially in the states.

TV, Lancs, UK

Her entire history until now is one of boredom and bungling and political failure, now she adds ugliness.

We've had touchiness in the press before over various remarks that really weren't racist, but Ferraro's remarks were genuinely racist.

And, like all racist remarks, they display hateful ignorance.

Who ever thought this person suitable for any office?

John Chuckman, toronto, Canada

Wasn't there an issue with counting ballots in Florida when Bush was elected? And now they spoil the Democratic selection process by moving their voting dates. How long are they going to be allowed to gerimander before being made to get their house in order?

Adam, London, UK

I had respected Ferraro in the past but now she has made herself look ridiculous and a fool. She is quoted now as saying that she is being attacked because she is 'white' and unapologetic.

People forget that Obama's mother was white but now he is considered a 'black' candidate. Keanu Reeves father was Chinese but he is never considered a 'Chinese' actor.

Obama is a deserving candidate because he has earned the respect and vote of the American public who decide, not on skin color (or half skin color), but on real honesty and integrity, something both Clintons will never have.

John T ex-pat, London,

There are two ways to campaign. Either leave race completely out of it, or include it and discuss it accurately.
The Obama camp does seem to allow race to be used to his advantage, ie, the virtue of electing the USA's first Black President. Therefore we may talk about it.
Obama is not "Black". He is Arab-Caucasian. genealogically
speaking, he is 50% Caucasian, 43.5% Arab, and 6.5%
"Black", which is below the legal limit for claiming minority
ethnicity.
So in the interests of accuracy, Obama supporters could claim
the virtue of electing our first Arab President.
Maybe race doesn't matter - but intentional and clever deception should matter.

Dave M, London, UK

I've never been a fan of Ferraro that is until this evening. She spoke the truth. And its damn unfortunate for America that expressing ones beliefs are labeled racist way before freedom of speech is considered. She is right!! The media is making Obama. Sadly its the same old story. Take New York's governorship. The story now isn't about who succeeds the present one...its all about the first NY "black" governor. Race even transcends the fact that he is legally blind. The real tragedy though is that blacks can say nearly everything they want about caucaisions in the media. But as soon as a white expresses an opinion they're denounced as rebel flag waving crackers bent on keeping the black man down. And the media lets them get away with it.

Murph, Madisonville, KY/USA

Does anyone else feel that there is some kind of irony in the argument from some in the USA that they are bringing 'democracy' to other parts of the world? When dynasties and superdelegates rule, where is democracy?

Steve, Preston,

Geraldine spoke truth. Why should she feel remorse for that. This is why politics is corrupt!!!!!!!!

ET, Montgomery, Illinois

Rules should not change. Obama has won more states bringing out the African American vote, which is very important., pulling Republican votes as well as Independent and white votes. Also, there simply is no money and no guarantee that mail-in and private contributors won't lead to fraud. Hillary has betrayed the people.

Sherae D White, South Boston, Virginia

I believe that if the shoe was on the other foot and Obama was in the position Hillary was in he would want the votes to count also. I think that if the money can be raised by private contributors then it should be raised and the primaries should be held again. Futhermore, if Obama had seen that Hillary still had her name on the ballot in Michigan and Florida then Obama should have made SURE!!! his name was on the ballot also....Even if the votes didn't count. My opinion, it is his fault he lost those votes...

Dwayne Willis, South Boston , Virginia

I think it's too late to do anything about Florida and Michigan now. There's no way we can count the votes already taken especially as Obama wasn't on the Michigan ballet. I also remember Hillary referring to a future victory in Florida shortly after losing Iowa so although she didn't campaign there, she certainly wasn't ignoring the state. A re-run of both votes is feasible but who would pay for this? I suspect that even if both ballets were held again it would make no difference and Obama's support in both states would be high making absolutely no difference to the final nationwide delegate count. Let's face it - Obama is the Democratic choice for President. He's played fairly, he has wider appeal and far less hatred directed to him, he's appealing to new voters and independents and he now has the support of more than half of the states of the United States (26) with 10 still to vote. Hillary would make a great President but Obama would make a greater President.

Tom Swade, UK,

I am surprised that Ferraro still cannot see that she sounds a lot like a modern day version of those folks in Mississippi who defended segratation in the 1960s. Bottom line here is that what she said is highly offensive, she needed to resign.

Also most people believe Ferraro was out there as part of the planned offensive behind the scenes by the Hillary team, that if true, is much more worrying because it means that the Clinton people will stop at nothing to win, even if it means using Machiavellian tactics and dividing the United States of America.

JP, Milano, Italia

Rules are rules and if the democratic party decided not to count the votes, than everyone should stand by those rules. Do not change the rules because things are not going your way. Stick to the rules and make your word your bond........

Wanda Vaughn, South Boston , Virginia

At last, we on this side of the Atlantic have something with as arcane a set of rules of Cricket - Democratic candidate selection. While I try to understand the whole concept of test matches, would someone in the UK try to explain to me the intricacies of this election muddle?

But wait, I am a sociologist by training (O, OK, college training but not university) and what I that training tells me is that this is not about rules, but about a Iron Law - the Iron Law of the Oligarchy: "those in the power elite will do anything to stay in power." The Clintons (bedfellows of the Bushes, family friends of the Bin Ladens), while not in office, are still part of the power elite. Obama is not.

Ah, I understand; now, if only I could only get our selection process to limited overs.

Rev Randolph Becker, Key West, Conch Republic

People in London must be sitting back and laughing at our juvenile-looking woes over spilt milk. Mrs. Clinton has taken the high road with her thought of fairness to the voters in the primary. We can see through this ploy and know that she is feeling the pressure of being behind Mr. Obama. She deserves credit for her attempt but she should not be taken too seriously by the party. The votes in Florida and Michigan should still not count.

Dennis Dawson, South Boston , Virginia

rules should be followed no matter what! if Hillary is going back on her word with this, how can I give her my vote? and trust her to be the next president of this great nation?!?! If she will go back on her word to get her way on this she will go back on her word when she is in the White House to get what is good for her not what is good for this country!

Rachel Blosser, South Boston , Virginia

Ferraro's resignation letter does NOTHING to correct her mistake. It only reinforces her firm racial discriminatory attitude towards colour. What a travesty!

Ajay Kansal, Glen Carbon, IL USA

Play by the rules. Michigan and Florida were decided ages ago and Clinton did not complain at the time. Too late now. How low can you go?

Phil, Hong Kong,

Let Florida and Michigan votes stand or revote

Linda Farmer, Mammoth Spring, USA AR.

The rules should go by what was addressed when the issue of the Michigan and Florida primaries were first addressed. Obama has a strong advantage over Hillary and she is getting scared. There aren't finances that are trust worthy nor reliable to fund the primaries to be redone. Simply put, things should be left to the set rules and not tampered with.

Gabrielle A Watkins, South Boston , Virginia

Don't recognize Michigan and Florida because they broke the rules and you alienate the people of Michigan and Florida.

Break the rules and recognize Michigan and Florida, and you alienate Democrats in the entire rest of the country.

Violate the rules in Michigan and Florida, and if Clinton wins the nomination as a result, Blacks just might sit out the election. Can Democrats win without the Black vote?

Arik Silverman, Milwaukee, USA

The Clintons in charge of a mail-in re-count. Who is going to oversee it-Jimmy Carter?

Desmond Taylor, Houston, Tx USA