Election 2004

With less than two weeks to go in the closely contested presidential election, the race is still too close to call. Both sides are feverishly courting undecided voters, rallying their base and aggressively pushing their candidate.

Former Vice-Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro took your questions on politics, the 2004 Election and her career.

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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Geraldine Ferraro: Hi,
I've just logged on (this is my first time in a chat room!) and I'm here to answer your questions.

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East Lansing, Mich.: It is great to see you On Line. I have fond memories of your appearance at Michigan State University at Beaumont Tower leading a late afternoon campaign rally under the blazing fall colors for the Mondale Ferraro ticket.
How is your health? The press is notorious for the sharing the initial story... and then it fades away into a distant memory. Hope you are doing well.

Geraldine Ferraro: Thanks for asking. I'm feeling fine - I'm in remission - As my daughter who is a daughter says - "Cancer sucks (not a medical opinion) but you're (I'm) very lucky. I was diagnosed early, have great doctors, research in the past three years in multiple myeloma has been incredible" producing one of the miracle drugs I'm on.
As for my Michigan State University rally in 1984, it was one of the highlights of that wonderful campaign.

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Lyme, Conn.: Mrs. Ferraro, we miss you. Have you considered returning to Crossfire or to some similar television venture? You are very articulate, composed (which is sometimes lacking in today's television), and exceptionally knowledgable. I hope you return to television analysis and debate.

Geraldine Ferraro: Hi Lynn,
Actually, I left Crossfire when I ran in the democratic primary for the Senate in 1998. They had already moved on by the time I was available again (as you know I lost the primary) but FOX contacted me and asked if I would work as a "contributor". So for the last several years I am the person on the left who allows them say they're "fair and balanced". It's also a good arrangement since I work a full time job as a consultant and can pick and choose my appearances. I'm going to be on the Hannity and Colmes show tonight at 9.

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Fairfax, Va.: How many more national election losses do you think it will take before the Democratic Party realizes they must adopt the Republican posture of continually preparing for the next election in everything they and their candidates and congressional representatives do? Should Kerry lose for failing to make the case against Bush's monumentally failed presidency will the Party implode?

Geraldine Ferraro: Remember that we had a Democrat in the White House for 8 years before 2000. I would hope that my candidates, for President or any and every other office, would not act solely in a way that advances their own political interests. I would hope that the people I vote for would work in the best interest of the country. As you know I have great admiration (and love him too as a person) for Fritz Mondale. He once said "If I have to loose my integrity to win an election, or keep my integrity and loose an election, ---- I'd rather loose an election." Me too.
Kerry is not going to loose the election and even if he did, (God forbid) the party will not implode.

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Cookeville, Tenn.: Ms. Ferraro, I'm a huge fan and supporter, and am also a cancer survivor. I am curious though about your thoughts on what several polls have suggested is a "dwindling" gender gap. Previously, we have thought the Democratic party has had a significant lead among women. Do you see this shifting at all, especially with more moderate Republican women in power than in previous years?

Geraldine Ferraro: Recent newspaper reports (yesterday's NY Times - forgive me Washington Post) show that Kerry is leading the president among women. Single women have always been with his candidacy. Married women were less supportive but I do believe as we get closer that the gap will widen even more. We grandmothers are worried about the future for our grandchildren and have started a websight called www.grannyvoter.org to make our views known. Young mothers are beginning to question this administration's approach to national security and realize that the world their children are growing up in becomes less safe each day because of current policies. And I'm not even mentioning the fact that the Supreme Court and what would happen to women's rights if President Bush is reelected.

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Atlanta, Ga.: Hi Ms. Ferraro, glad you're here!

I'm about your age but, unlike you, I've never been involved in politics until now. And, wow, I'm a nervous wreck. I'm obsessive about the polls, ecstatically happy if I see a Kerry bumper sticker, devastated when I see a Bush one, I'm grinding my teeth, I can't wait until 5 p.m. every day when the Washington Post poll results are put up. Is this normal? I mean, are politically involved people like this every 4 years? Or is something bigger going on now?

Geraldine Ferraro: Thanks for being involved - though you've got to admit if you're my age that you're a late bloomer!!
I don't know if we politically involved people become nervous wrecks every four years, --- well, maybe we do --- but we do obsess about polls even though we say we don't. This year however, I'm hearing from more people like you and it's great to see this new involvement on one hand, but sad to know that it's because people are worried about the situation in Iraq, they're worried about the deficit and the're worried about terrorism. Yes, something bigger is going on now but don't let it wear you down - stay involved.

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Washington, D.C.: Do you think that Hillary Clinton is electable in 2008, and do you think that there is an equal opportunity for men/women in politics today?

Geraldine Ferraro: Well, Hillary won't be running in 2008 because John Kerry will be running for reelection. But I'm going to be the first in line to volunteer in the Hillary for President campaign in 2012!

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Washington, D.C.: What is it like on the campaign trail for a national office? How did it differ from your run for the Senate?

Geraldine Ferraro: The campaign was an incredible experience. I was the nominee of the party, I didn't have to raise any money, I had my own plane and wonderful secret service agents to make my life easy and safe. But most importantly, I got to meet people from all over the country who shared their hopes and dreams with me. And, since there were real differences between where Fritz Mondale and I stood on the issues as compared to President Reagan and VP Bush (the dad) I truly enjoyed talking about our different our policies would be if we were elected.
In my Senate race, I was running against two people I had supported for other offices, there was maybe a sliver of difference in our views on the issues, and not only did I have to raise money for the campaign, but I wasn't very successful at doing so and so I was outspent if I recall (there are some things I'd like to forget) eight to one.

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Atlanta, Ga.: Ms. Ferraro:
I was a 7 year old little girl during the summer of 1984, which is the period of your campaign with Walter Mondale that I remember best. I had such pride that a woman (!!) was running for vice-president. I'm sure these memories have helped to inform some of the life decisions I've made since that summer. Just wanted to say thank you.

Geraldine Ferraro: Many many thanks.

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Monterey, Calif.: Ms Ferraro, I'm hoping you might be able to provide some balance and perspective to what seems to me to be an unhinged political environment.

I don't see that "it's just politics" at all, but something much more dangerous. But is it somehow, "just politics?"

Geraldine Ferraro: It is what "just politics" has become. I hate the negativism of the televism adds and I really dislike the fact that so many people are not reading newspapers or watching news shows but instead are tuning in to idealogues on the radio and on cable to shape their opinion. If we had voters as informed on the issues as we have baseball fans informed on the stats of their favorite players (ok - I'm really upset about the Yankees) our political environment would be a lot better.

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Seattle, Wash.: Ms. Ferraro, What do you make of the Bush campaign traveling today in Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania while Kerry goes to Colorado and Nevada? Do you think the Kerry campaign knows something about those three big battleground states that the current polls aren't showing and that's why he spending time in two states worth only 13 electoral votes?

Geraldine Ferraro: Kerry has been in all of the battleground states - Colorado and Nevada are also in that category. I understand Presdident Clinton will be going to Pennsylvania with him I think this week. I'll be going there for Kerry on Saturday - to both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Healthwise, my doc's tell me to avoid big crowds - this election is too important to stay home.

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Washington, D.C.: Isn't it ironic that the Democrats pledge to support diversity and democracy and yet are doing everything within their power to limit the choices of the voters on election day? Clearly Nader will take votes from the Democrats, but perhaps they should take that as a sign for party reform rather than for restricting choice.

Geraldine Ferraro: You'll forgive me, but that is dumb. Nader is not a symbol of "diversity" or "democracy". He's someone who at one time was admired for his leadership on issues like the environment and civil rights, but who, because of his ego (there is no other rationale for his candidacy) is willing to sacrifice the environment, the Supreme Court, programs that address poverty, housing and education, all those programs where he claims there is no choice between Kerry and the President. He's dead wrong. And I would hope that his supporters who care about the issues would recognize his candidacy for what it is - a reelect Bush vehicle, financed in large part by Republican operatives who are obviously smarter than Nader is - and put an end to his silliness once and for all on election day.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: We appear to be headed toward an even more litigous post election. I am very cynical and believe that even if Kerry is viewed as having over 50 percent of the popular vote and enough narrow victories to have a clear electoral college majority, litigation may lead to a Bush victory. Will the country be governable if the Supreme Court makes a decision that enables Bush to remain in the White House?

Geraldine Ferraro: I think this election will be close, but if Kerry has a clear electoral college majority, he's the winner. The Supreme Court doesn't get a chance to decide the election.

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Laurel, Md.: Good afternoon Mrs. Ferraro;

I am a bit too young to remember the campaign of 1984, since I was born in late 1980. However, I do plan to vote for Kerry and generally vote with the Democratic ticket. The prevailing notion among women and minorities (I am an African American male) is that the Democratic party does more to assist these groups. Though I tend to concur with this standpoint, and though I have grave concerns about the current administration's handling of the war in Iraq and the national economy, I am a Christian, and, as such, tend to have very conservative views. For instance, I support Israeli statehood and am against moving Jews out of Gaza. Listening to conservative talk radio this morning, it appears that Kerry, as opposed to Bush, would be willing to appease the international community (e.g., the European Union) in various matters, and accordingly, would support Palestinian territory in what now belongs to Israel (if that is what the EU would advocate). This is very alarming for me as a self-proclaimed conservative Democrat. Can you comment? Thank you.

Geraldine Ferraro: Both candidates have indicated that they would support an independent Palestinian state and both candidates have left it to Israel and the Palestinian Authority to determine what would be the land boundaries of that state. Unfortunately, in the past four years, President Bush has walked away from the "Road Map" that had been agreed upon between those two parties at the end of the Clinton Administration. As had President Carter and President Clinton, a "President" Kerry will once again be engaged in helping to move that conflict toward resolution. It's a shame that President Bush has squandered a four year opportunity.
Just a word of advice regarding your listening habits - try balancing those talk show hosts with PBS. You'll learn something without the shouting!!

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Washington, D.C: Is this country a better or worse place than it was 25 years ago. Ignore technology and focus on social effects and intangibles.

Geraldine Ferraro: This is going to be my final response - Though I've enjoyed doing this, I've got to get back to work!

Our country is a better place for some, and decidely a worse place for others. But the constant is that it is the best country in the world and no matter how this election turns out, will continue to be so.
That being said - don't forget to vote everyone and of course :::: Vote for John Kerry

Goodbye

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