The two campaigns clashed Tuesday over comments by Clinton surrogate and former vice-presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro. In an interview with a California newspaper, Ferraro said Obama is only a contender in the race because he is black. She said, “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman of any color, he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is.” Senator Clinton distanced herself from the remarks, but the Obama campaign criticized her for not denouncing Ferraro more forcefully. Ferraro meanwhile defended her comments in an interview with Fox News.

Geraldine Ferraro: “What I actually said before I made that comment — and that was in response to a question at a paid speech. I was not representing Hillary. I had been in Michigan the night before — two nights before with Bill Kristol arguing presidential politics. I get paid for doing that, no connection with the campaign. I got up, and the question was asked, 'So why do you think Barack Obama is in the place he is today, with all these candidates and all these delegates and all the rest of this stuff?' And I said, 'In large part, because he's black.’”

Ferraro’s comments were similar to a statement she made during the 1988 primaries about then-Democratic hopeful Jesse Jackson. Ferraro also said then that Jackson wouldn’t be in the race if he weren’t black.