(CNN) – Geraldine Ferraro has stepped down from her role as a member of Hillary Clinton's finance committee.
In a letter to Clinton obtained by CNN's Suzanne Malveaux - who spoke with the former vice presidential candidate shortly after she sent it to Clinton - Ferraro said she is stepping down so, "I can speak for myself and you can continue to speak for yourself about what is at stake in this campaign."
In a phone conversation with Malveaux, Ferraro said she was not asked to step down by Senator Clinton or her campaign.
Ferraro said thousands of people are part of the finance committee, saying it is not a staff position, but a voluntary one for those who raise money for the campaign. She also said she has raised $125,000 for Senator Clinton.
When asked if she had any regrets about what she said, Ferraro replied, "absolutely not."
"I am who I am and I will continue to speak up," she said. She added that she thought it was a shame that the Obama campaign was trying to block her First Amendment rights, and that she felt that was no way to conduct a campaign.
She said, "it's not me slicing and dicing," a reference to Obama's comments earlier in the day accusing Ferraro of dividing the party.
Ferraro said David Axelrod, Obama's campaign manager and an acquaintance, should have called her to ask her the intention of her remarks, which she says the Obama campaign used to hurt Clinton.
When asked how she felt about Hillary Clinton distancing herself from her remarks, Ferraro replied, "I am perfectly fine," and that there were no hard feelings. She said she understands what Clinton is going through, and understands that being part of a presidential campaign is "very hard."
Full letter:
Dear Hillary –
I am stepping down from your finance committee so I can speak for myself and you can continue to speak for yourself about what is at stake in this campaign.
The Obama campaign is attacking me to hurt you. I won't let that happen.
Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to make this a better world for my children and grandchildren.
You have my deep admiration and respect.
Gerry
(Updated 6 p.m. ET with additional reporting.)
CNN's Matt Hoye contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
"I'm stepping down so I can continue spread racist blather and finish tarnishing my legacy in order to help your campaign race-bait without being blamed for it. Thank you."
Melodramatic.
another one bites the dust
Yea for Gerry-. Well said.
GOOD BYE! It's about time, thats for sure. She started the battle, NOT OBAMA.
Who cares what Geraldine thinks or says at this point? She was history BEFORE she missed a wonderful opportunity to keep her mouth shut. And why in heaven's name is this getting so much press coverage. We don't CARE.
Pathetic letter. Hilary should have shown some LEADERSHIP and RESPONSIBILITY for her campaign and asked her immediately to resign. Obama showed good judgement when we asked his advisor to resign. Another good judgement on behalf of Obama. Poor judgement, Clinton.
What a pity for the democrat party!
You can only resign to say the truth!
It's not that Obama is attacking you, it's that everyone can see that you've made a fool of yourself. Your comments were out of line... you know it, Senator Clinton knows it & best of all the people know it
So stop pointing fingers and playing the blame game... take responsibility for your words and act your age
You thought you could say this and get away with it. It was a cheap down-market & mean spirited thing for you to do. We didn't expect this from a woman of your standing... And now you're throwing a 'hissy fit'
Get a life...
I await HC's statement that she both "denounces" and "rejects" Ferraro's comments. But I'm not holding my breath.
Good! She was really starting to get on my last nerve!
Another example of a Clinton supporter twisting a story to try to appear as the victim. How sad!
Good! Good riddance to bad garbage. Now we just need Hillary to get out of the way and let true progress happen! I never want to see another Clinton or Bush run for anything!
See ya!
Your bitterness and divisiveness should have no place in this campaign or in our politics.
Take responsibility for your own actions.
That is what we teach our children and our grandchildren.
I don't think she's racist. She was attacking the media, after all, and accusing them of racial bias, albeit positive.
I do think she should shut up, or at least get some medication, before she does anymore damage.
What happened to FREEDOM OF SPEECH!
What she said was the truth as she saw it. Many other seemed to agree with her. What's wrong with that?.
Come Clean, Geraldine !!!!
Another racist.... done gone........... Ferraro is soooo yesterday
What happened to our first ammendment? Isn't free speech protected by the US constitution?
Sorry to see a voice of reason leave the campaign, but she's right: she can do more good as an independent voice of reason. Any one who thinks race is not a factor is NOT paying attention...A junior senator with a mainstream, mediocre record? Spare me!
HERE! HERE! Grace. Well written. Right on the nose.
Good call, the best thing to do... big head
What a disgusting letter. Mark my words, this divisiveness will hand John McCain the White House. Show some decency (for once) and just drop out Hillary.
Your presence is doing more harm to the nation than good.
Gerry's comments were awful, unnecessary and just untrue. This is no time for such divisive attacks. See ya!
The Obama campaign paying the race card to shut people's real voice for his background and question for him, he's behavior is so ugly.