 The final debates were nasty , and Holtzman in particular constantly attacked Ferraro 's integrity and finances . In an unusual election @-@ eve television broadcast , Ferraro talked about " the ethnic slur that I am somehow or other connected to organized crime . There 's lots of innuendo but no proof . However , it is made plausible because of the fact that I am an Italian @-@ American . This tactic comes from the poisoned well of fear and stereotype ... " On the September 15 , 1992 , primary , Abrams edged out Ferraro by less than a percentage point , winning 37 percent of the vote to 36 percent , with Sharpton and Holtzman well behind . Ferraro did not concede she had lost for two weeks . 
