In a conference call with reporters today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), an Obama supporter, responded to Geraldine Ferraro's recent comments about Obama.

"I have the highest respect for former Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro," Schakowsky began. "As the first woman on a presidential ticket, she understands the obstacles of women and minorities."

However, she continued, "any and all remarks that diminish Senator Obama's candidacy because of his race are out of line. We need to come together to celebrate the progress our party has made. ... And I urge Senator Clinton to call on her advisers and supporters to change the tone of her campaign."

Obama chief strategist David Axelrod spoke after Schakowsky. "Leadership in campaigns comes from the very top," Axelrod said, and "the signals that have been sent from the Clinton campaign have been really unfortunate. ... It was an offensive statement by Congresswoman Ferraro. ... It's all part of an insidious pattern that needs to be addressed."

Axelrod called on the Clinton campaign to "take further action" and remove Ferraro from her position with the campaign. He noted that Samantha Power immediately resigned from her role as a senior adviser to Obama after calling Clinton a "monster."