RIP, Gerry Ferraro

Former New York Congresswoman (and 1984 Democratic VP candidate) Geraldine Ferraro passed away at the age of 75.

I never found Ferraro to be a very skilled politician. Although she undoubtedly had to work twice as hard for her achievements early in her career as a man would have, her gender eventually brought her to more prominence than she ever would have had otherwise, so I found it irritating that she never got rid of the enormous chip on her shoulder.

In 2008, Ferraro had one last moment in the spotlight when she excoriated the Democratic Party (and its primary voters) for preferring Barack Obama to Hillary Clinton. People seem to have forgotten how much her words (and the perception of an electoral opportunity that they created) influenced McCain's choice of running mate.

So in the end, Ferraro's most lasting legacy is the national prominence of Sarah Palin.