Ferraro was right to say that his race is a factor in his appeal, just as Hillary's sex is. However she took it a step farther: she claims that his race is the ONLY reason he's made it this far, which is not only absurd, but extremely demeaning (both to Obama and his supporters). Remember that when Obama started his run, Clinton was getting a higher percentage of the black vote. Obama gradually earned their vote, and has gained momentum as a viable candidate--blacks vote overwhelmingly for him NOW, but they didn't always. Getting to viability in the first place has little to do with his race, and much more to do with his other qualities. So to dismiss these other qualities as unimportant, illegitimate, or unearned is why her comments are tinged with racism.