Colin Powell’s Obama Endorsement
I’ve been looking over numerous stories about Colin Powell’s Obama endoresement. The phrases that appear over and over are that Obama is a “transformational figure” and could be an “exceptional president”. Is that all Powell could come up with? The guy who drives the ice cream truck in my neighborhood could be an exceptional president too, but I’d expect a bit more evidence from someone making the claim.
And let’s decode Powell’s “transformational figure” statement. It means that Powell is voting Obama because he’s black. Or stated another way, McCain is white, so he’s not getting Powell’s vote. But then Powell goes on to claim Republicans are saying Obama is a Muslim (would love to see the evidence there Colin) and not being inclusive. No small amount of hypocricy there coming from a guy who’s voting for Obama because he’s “transformational” AKA black.
If Powell truly wanted this to be substantive and transformational, why didn’t he tell me about Obama’s tax or health care plans? All he gave us is that Obama is black, he could be a good president, and it’s not fair to worry about Obama’s long standing associations with terrorists. Some endorsement.
Archived in: 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Colin Powell, RepublicansOctober 19, 2008 at 11:05 am | Trackback
14 comments
Hey Patriot,
You are not being fair to Ole’ Colin. After all, he’s a 4-star, a leader of men, who “know’s how to pick ‘em”. And give him some credit for really digging deep into Obama’s background and qualifications before committing to this endorsement. Since we both know that Obama is going to be corronated because of his abilities, it is understandable that Powell would endorse Him. And if you think otherwise, YOU’RE A RACIST!!!!!
Yup, Colin is looking for a Secretary’s job. Maybe as Admin Asst to the CG, Fort Igloo AK. if it’s open. He better hope the One wins.
Predictably and ridiculously many conservatives will cry racism on the part of Powell. Colin Powell eloquently articulated why he endorses Obama, and his reasons are along the same lines as many prominent WHITE conservatives that have endorsed Obama. What excuses do you make for these other endorsements?
If Powell were running for president, and was endorsed by Obama in preference to Clinton would you still scream racism? No you wouldn’t, you’d be commending Obama on his good choice.
In his endorsement of Obama, Powell did mention racial issues. he condemned the divisive far right attitude of those that try to smear Obama by “accusing” him of being Muslim or Arab. He rightfully challenged the racist assumption that a person can’t be a Muslim and be a good American patriot at the same time. He said…
“Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he’s a Christian. He’s always been a Christian,” he said. “But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer’s no, that’s not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, ‘He’s a Muslim and he might be associated terrorists.’ This is not the way we should be doing it in America.”
PLEASE LISTEN to his endorsement, and LISTEN as the former General tells the story of a Muslim that fought and died for his country. If you still find it impossible that a Muslim can be a good American then it’s YOU and not Powell that is racist.
Don’t be like the mobs at the McCain rallies, don’t be like the ones saying things like “I’m afraid, if he wins, the blacks will take over”, “He’s not a Christian. This is a Christian nation. What is our country gonna end up like?”, “When you got a Negro running for president, he ain’t a first-stringer. He’s definitely a second-stringer”, “Just the whole “Muslim thing” and everything. A lot of people forgot about 9/11, but I don’t know, it’s just a little but unnerving”. You can search YouTube to see video of McCain supporters saying these things.
May I suggest you go and READ the endorsements from prominent conservatives and newspapers that previously backed Bush. carefully read their thoughtful words on why they endorse Obama, and THEN come back with an equally INTELLIGENT and thoughtful argument as to why you support McCain and don’t support Obama. Don’t just bitterly scream and make the false, groundless and unsubstantiated charge of racism. Don’t play the race card.
Say Amen! That concludes our sermon for today.
Interesting conversation you’re carrying on with yourself, RC. Lots of finger-wagging, too, and the usual straw men. How do you folks get through the day?
Can you de-code Powells’ endorsement for us, and tell us in detail what he means by “transformational”? Obviously you know and we don’t.
Powell’s Muslim lecture is a red herring, and has nothing to do with a principled rejection of Obama. Did he address Black Liberation Theology and Rev Wright? Will you?
By the way, the post was written by a man with the same racial background as Obama. You’ll be stunned to know that African American “blood” is compatible with conservatism.
It sounds like Powell has managed to tune out every scintilla of real information about Obama aside from his skin color. Now, I’m not really accusing him of voting for Obama just because of his skin color (I think it has a lot more to do with sour grapes over the Bush Admin), but the idea that Obama’s campaign has been “inclusive” is laughable. This is a campaign that has legions of hit men running all over the country to silence true debate about The Great Healer. It’s only been “inclusive” of radicals like Wright and Ayers and crooks like the guys from Freddie and Fannie and Tony Rezko. Inclusive my ass.
RC,
Would not Obama’s judgement be in question if he should choose to select Powell for a position as he gained his Chief of Staff Chairman’s credentials via the (biased, non-inclusive) selection judgement of the villified (racist) George Bush?
Further, despite Obama’s lack of experience,”Powell praised Obama’s “depth of knowledge” and “steadiness,” while he was critical of what he described as McCain’s uncertainty over how to deal with economic crisis.” but as for Sarah Palin’s inexperience, “”She is a very distinguished woman and she is to be admired,” Powell said. “But … I don’t believe she is ready to be president of the United States.”"
Sir, tell me this isn’t sexist…
RC: “If Powell were running for president, and was endorsed by Obama in preference to Clinton would you still scream racism?”
Were Powell running for president, Obama could point to some real accomplishments on Powell’s behalf–Secretary of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, leader during the 1st Iraq War, etc.
The fact that Powell and all of Obama’s minions can’t point to any substantial Obama accomplishments is telling. It means they have to say things like “transformational” and “could be a good president” because there’s absolutely no evidence in Obama’s resume that points to any leadership ability.
Now, with Obama’s meager resume, I’d expect Powell to discuss his policies. But Powell clearly doesn’t have a handle on Obama’s policy initiatives. Therefore, Powell’s endorsement boils down to race. Obama’s black and that’s good enough for Powell.
Powell is really turning himself into a caricature of his former self. This endorsement was not thought out or well considered at all.
Don’t bother OP, RC has the treble hook lodged in his gullet. No matter what, they are reeling him in.
Powell’s endorsement doesn’t surprise me. He’s a company man, a Foggy Bottom apparatchik. He’s angling for something. Bush chose Powell as Sec State in his first stumble to incoherence, which at this point includes Paulson and Chertoff and a few others.
Interesting timing. I’m attending a professional conference which opened tonight and the keynote speaker was none other than General Powell. ( http://congresses.pmi.org/Nort.....eynote.cfm )
He did not go into his endorsement other then a couple of minor comments. The closest he came to discussing it was when he said he believed both Obama and McCain would make good presidents.
Several times in his speech he hit the topic of minorities in the workforce. He laid his words very carefully, but tone and context strongly suggested (to my not entirely unbiased mind) that he was advocating affirmative action. It was something that was obviously on his mind and it made me wonder how strongly it played into his decision.
He also talked a bit about the US’s standing in the world, and how we had lost some of it. Unfortunately I haven’t followed him closely enough to know if this is something he has been discussing for a while or if it is a new topic with his endorsement.
Take of this as you will, but I thought the timing of the speech he gave made it relevant to the discussion.
StargazerA5
Thanks for your comments, Stargazer. If I’m not mistaken, Obama has supported affirmative action strongly in the past having benefited himself.
http://www.slate.com/id/2097/
The Powell Endorsement…
Transcript of the endorsement on Meet The Press:
I know both of these individuals very well now. I’ve known John for 25 years, as your setup said. And I’ve gotten to know Mr. Obama quite well over the past two years.
Both of them are disti…
How ironic, several years ago, according to the liberal left, Powell was an ‘Uncle Tom’ and one of Bush’s war criminals.
Amazing transformation for Powell in the eyes of the left.
Powell is looking to be the Secretary of the new Obama cabinet position. Department of Affirmative Action.