"Yes, Obama is a good orator, and has a powerful message of 'change' — but even that message is tied up with his race. For many of his supporters, nothing could be more emblematic of a 'changed' America than one in which a black man makes history by becoming President.

"Does anyone honestly believe that a first-term senator from Illinois who had all Obama's qualities — but was white and named Joe Blow — would be the front-runner to become the Democratic nominee for President?

"One final point: Though I've never been a huge fan of Ferraro, I really admire the manner in which she's sticking to her guns on this issue — instead of publishing some touchy-feely apology. I particularly liked this gutsy little flourish: 'Any time anybody does anything that in any way pulls this campaign down and says let's address reality and the problems we're facing in this world, you're accused of being racist, so you have to shut up … Racism works in two different directions. I really think they're attacking me because I'm white. How's that?'"