Wednesday, August 13, 2008
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Colin Powell to Endorse Obama
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
5:45 PM
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According to this he is.
This is in some ways interesting, and in some ways to be expected.
It is interesting because you might have assumed that Powell, a military guy and a Republican who also happens to be a political donor to McCain -- might stick with him.
So why do this? You can certainly understand why Powell would be tempted to support the first African-American candidate with a legitimate shot at the presidency.
But aside from race, I think there is another similarity between Powell and Obama; the less you know about their political views, the more you like them. Frankly, had he wanted to, Powell could have probably been elected president as a Republican if he simply refused to say anything.
A cynical view for this move for this move, of course, is that Powell clearly cares about his legacy and this is his way, perhaps, of redeeming himself to the media and insiders.
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Republicans endorsing Obama, Democrats endorsing McCain (and maybe getting the VP slot too). Welcome to the California one-party system. Don't bother complaining about all the overt and scandalous corruption, no one's listening. Just keep telling yourselves that as bad as YOUR candidate is, the OTHER guy is HITLER!!!! Yeah, that's the ticket. No time for intelligent discussion. Let the nuts run the asylum. |
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Anyone who thinks that Powell is a conservative has not been paying attention. Powell has been a proponent of the UN, international do-gooding at the American taxpayer's expense, Progressivist-type mandatory national service, government-funded do-gooder programs in which young people will do the mandatory national service, gun control, and affirmative action. He is beloved by liberals because he is a military "moderate" - he does not like to use military power. Indeed, he was opposed to the Persian Gulf War - but did not have the integrity to bow out as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when the decision was made to go to a war which he had so adamantly opposed under the nickname "The Relucant Warrior."
Powell was an intellectual mediocrity who had been a C-student at a third rate college. GEN "Stormin' Norman" Schwartzkopf came up with and executed Operation Desert Storm while Powell sat back and basked in the glory of the war's success, getting credit because he had developed "The Powell Doctrine," which was simply a complete rip-off of the Weinberger Doctrine with Powell's own useless liberal/pacifist criteria added. Then after the war, Powell lied to Congress about the existence of a Reduction in Force, ticking off soldiers everywhere. Powell got where he is today ONLY because he was a country-club type officer, adept at schmoozing, sucking up, and fitting in. These abilities have served him well in his quest to ingratiate himself in successive Republican political apparatuses and has led to large numbers of conservatives unquestioningly accepting him as "one of us."
Powell is a high-ranking member of the traitorous Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and is associated with the liberal Aspen Institute. Last year, he went there to blubber about how he was against the Iraq War before he was for it and it wasn't his fault, etc. |
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Is quite easily recognized as a butt kisser that will do whatever is needed for his own advancement. Even if he has not been entirely successful in his choices his goal now is what it always has been, political advancement. I was never comfortable with him and he has always seemed to me as a shape shifting back stabber. Having spent 12 years in the military I had the opportunity to deal with quite a few like him. |
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Notes that Obama may be fading.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/0 8/obama-fading.html
Obama is not evil. Obama just lacks common sense about foriegn affairs, has zero experience in that regard, and has a dangerous tendancy to go all liberal and wishy-washy when there a confrontation. We are going to rely on a guy like that as Commander In Chief?
Oh yeah, Obama also wants to raise taxes when we are teetering on the edge of a recession. Obama does not want to drill for more oil, saying we can inflate our tires instead. |
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According to an analysis of campaign contributions by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, Democrat Barack Obama has received nearly six times as much money from troops deployed overseas at the time of their contributions than has Republican John McCain, and the fiercely anti-war Ron Paul, though he suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination months ago, has received more than four times McCain's haul.
Despite McCain's status as a decorated veteran and a historically Republican bent among the military, members of the armed services overall -- whether stationed overseas or at home -- are also favoring Obama with their campaign contributions in 2008, by a $55,000 margin. Although 59 percent of federal contributions by military personnel has gone to Republicans this cycle, of money from the military to the presumed presidential nominees, 57 percent has gone to Obama.
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Powell was lied to, and made to look like a fool in front of the whole world to see. Of course He will endorse Obama, a man that will not lie this country into a special interest, disatrous quagmire. |
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about Colin Powell, he referred to him as an Uncle Tom. Liberals think all blacks who use their noodles and become conservatives actually are nothing more than boot-licking Uncle Toms. Shameful, really. This deal with Colin Powell endorsing BHO just makes me shake my head and scream in my head WTF....I mean WT EFFIN F???? If Powell really thinks that this wet behind the ears socialist jack*ss is the best choice for leader of America, then I have officially lost respect for Powell. |
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helps sort out the fakes and phonies. Could be good for the Republican Party. Repubs have constantly been haunted by RINO's, it would be nice to root them out finally. |
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I would hope that Powell would feel proud of all the people who will taste freedom because of our actions in Iraq and Afganistan...than feel like it was a blot on his record.
He should be more concerned and proud with the success than worry about his resume. What a sad state of affairs. I really believe there needs to be term limits for Washington DC political class.
If you hang out too long in DC a person becomes stupid.
It is simply amazing and very scary. |
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Just as lots of whites are for Obama out of feelings of guilt for slavery, Powell feels guilty about his role in promoting the Iraq War, and this is his means of contrition.
In the FOX News article to which Matt Lewis links: "His tenure is most notable for presenting to the U.N. Security Council evidence that Iraq was pursuing weapons of mass destruction. His presentation led to a resolution endorsing military action against that country. He later described his role as a 'blot' on his record."
No doubt this isn't the only reason that Powell is throwing in for Obama, but I think it's the main reason.
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If he does endorse the "hollow man"...he is voting for color not content. This is very sad and something I would never have thought he was capable of doing.
...when a person running for president doesn't know that Russia has veto power on the UN security counsel...or thinks there are 57 states or doesn't know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day...It might be a big hint that he is too inexperinced and not very bright to be President. Maybe a male model...but not President. |
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Collin Powell has always been a rhino anyway. And his is just supporting a fellow "bro". That's what it's all about, supporting one of his own. But...Obama is not black, actually according to his father's side of the family, he is more arab than black. |
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I agree with the poster who said this makes them lose respect for Mr. Powell. I'm not sure what his motivation is... but it's too bad.
The financial policy of Obama scares me. Raising taxes (on anybody) is about the worst thing he could do to our economy. I found this today and on another blog and LOVE IT:
Expose Obama's economic agenda with the definitive bumper sticker of the '08 political season:
I'LL TAKE YOUR DOLLARS AND GIVE YOU CHANGE. http://www.OBAMAtookmydollars.com.
Cheers and go McCain!
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IF Powell does endorse Obama, I would suggest it's done for ONE main reason - political payback.
It was widely reported Powell was upset with the Bush Administration after the begining of the Iraq War. Powell's testimony to the UN was viewed by critics as misleading. Over time, largely due to Powell's vocal criticisms, Powell was moved out of the decion-making circle.
Spurned and scorned... Powell will have his payback by announcing his support for Obama.
And thus end any future he might have with conservatives and the GOP.
And right or wrong - many will view this as another "black man endorsing Obama". |
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So, Colin Powell is going for the "fluff and flowers" candidate? What a discrediting disappointment - I have lost a great deal of respect for Powell. Clearly his ideals have become warped by the media machine. |
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I believe that GOOD folks of this country will not vote based on race. It's interesting how people who always cry foul, make statements about how bad America is, are the same people who turn around and decide to blindly support a candidate based on the candidate's ethnicity as oppose to what the candidate can do for the better good of the country. The overwhelmingly 90% support for Obama from the African American community underlines my point.
Jan wrote " ....if Obama was a white man or a white woman with the same inexperience in: international foreign affairs, military understanding, economic know-how, and previous leadership roles, the least experienced in national congressional tenure of any congress man or woman, ..."
Honestly, I think Obama won't be where he is today if he were a white man or woman. The affirmative action only goes one direction. |
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Matt: 'Frankly, had he wanted to, Powell could have probably been elected president as a Republican if he simply refused to say anything.'
ME: All Powell had to do was give credible speech declaring himself firmly pro life, and we would now be coming to the close of the Powell administration.
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To counter the argument that 90% of blacks are voting for Obama - you say 100% of white republicans are voting for a white person.
Bryce - 90% of ALL BLACK PEOPLE (democrat, republican, hip-hop, etc) will be voting for Obama.
WHITE Americans split about 55%-45% Democrat to Republican. Likely 35-40% of WHITE PEOPLE will be voting for Obama.
Can you understand the difference??
Nahh... nevermind... it's like trying to convince Pelosi that drilling for oil IN AMERICA is a good thing (as opposed to sending $700 Billion to foreign nations). Liberals prefer flawed logic. |
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In the last 8 years, six of which were controlled by the GOP in congress, and all 8 of which were controlled by Bush, the federal governments spending has increased from $1.85 tillion to $3.25 trillion. That 80% increase in spending and the welfare state is the largest one time increase under any previous President. At the same time it was the GOP that twice led the fight for amnesty, and that had 6 years in power to stop the influx of illegals - and did nothing. As census reported today, you have one more generation before minorities constitute a majority in the US. We also set records for budget deficits, borrowing, balance of trade deficits, and the rapid decline of the dollar. The GOP Congress and Bush were liberals dressed up as conservatives to con the public. And they did quite a job of it. Your short attention span solves nothing other than to give yourself cover to pretend that its all the Democrats, but god forbid, never the people you vote for. In that sense, I guess you do represent the common man. |
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Did you not see the following in that article?
Powell immediately denied the report.
“I do not have time to waste on Bill Kristol’s musings,” Powell told ABC News. “I am not going to the convention. I have made this clear.”
Roll Call executive editor Mort Kondracke, also a FOX News contributor, said he personally has spoken with Powell, who denied the report and said he has made no endorsement decisions, according to Kondracke.
I did and still do trust his judgment, He say's he's not going. That is enough for me to say I will never vote for Obama. He will do nothing but bring harm and shame to this COUNTRY. The Democrat Congress has done enough of this. People, you have forgotten who has been charge of Congress the last two years. The blame everyone else, do nothing Democrats led by Pelosi and Reid.
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steemed General, who could have been the first "Black" president of the U.S. and loved by all, is it possible that he could betray the Republican Party?. If so this is so, this a real obituary to the one "real Hope" he represented, not the False Change running for office today..so devastatingly disappointing. |
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Powell does vote Obama, then I will have to think that he is just another loser. All respect I had will disintegrate. That he has served in one of the nation's higher offices and then could vote for someone who stands for nothing is appalling. And, then it means one thing...birds of a feather, no matter what the consequnces for our nation. |
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I don't believe much of what Kristol says, but this is highly unlikely.
If Powell were considering such an endorsement, Kristol would do all he can to derail it. Prematurely leaking it, creating a fire-storm and forcing Powell to deny is one way to pre-empt such a move. It's vital for the neocons to prevent Obama gaining traction with serious foreign policy machers.
But it makes sense in one obvious way: Powell understands how deep a hole the US is in internationally, and how only Obama truly has a chance to get the country back on its feet. It's the impulse of a patriot. And maybe the smears have made him mad.
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In my 50+ years of voting I have never made my selection because of someone's endorsement. The only people who vote because somebody endorsed a candidate either can't read, can't make their own decisions, or are simply stupid.
Anyone who votes for a candidate because some celebrity endorsed them deserves what they get. |
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The tendency of folks on both sides of the aisle to automatically demonize those with whom you disagree. Personally, I operate from the assumption that while I don't share the views of many on this cite, there are still loyal Americans who want what is best for this country. |
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Much has been made of the fact that 90% of blacks will vote for the black candidate. Yet, 100% of white Republicans will be voting for the white candidate. Are they voting for him because he is white or because they think he is the best man for the job? And, on what basis do some posters here formulate the assumption that Powell would not do the same? |
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Personally, I don't see a problem with him endorsing Obama if that's who he chooses to endorse. If you look at it, Colin Powell mostly identified himself as Independent, however, some of his views were considered Conservative enough to work for the Republican administrations. Most people think that since he supports affirmative action that he can't be a conservative when actually, that's not so. Affirmative action doesn't only help blacks, like so many would like to think, but it also helps other minorities and women as well. And believe it or not, some people, such as B2Slim, prove that there are still people out here who still consider race, ethnicity, and other topics of discrimination handicaps. This is the reason for affirmative action.
All in all, we all will vote for which ever candidate we want, and Colin Powell should have the same level of autonomy that we all have at the voting booth. |
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In one respect you are all correct! If General Powell ran for the Office of President he would win without saying a word. He will endorse(or not)whom ever his heart and mind decides will be the best choice for America. I may or may not agree with his choice if he does ever make it public but I will never lose respect for one whom I consider to have made his mark in America today and in the history books of future generations. I am an American, a Republican,a Vietnam Combat Veteran, and my heritage is French,Irish and Native American. (Yeah, one of those WHITE dudes. Is our country on the verge of insanity? I consider Collin Powell right up there with John Wayne only Collin Powell is what John Wayne represents as one of the best of what makes America great! |
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My prediction: If Powell endorses Obama, Powell will suffer categorical demise to his reputation and credibility. I think his endorsement will further infuriate and fuel the Hillary for McCainiacs; who believe that racial and media bias ripped the Democratic nomination from their preferred candidate, Hillary Clinton.
The possibility of Powell endorsing Obama is deeply disturbing. As an admirer of Powell, I felt that Powell transcended racial divides. I have found him supremely intelligent, accomplished, logical, conscience and forth right. I am surprised that Powell would consider endorsing Obama in such a public cartoonish atmosphere as the Democratic Convention. Do the Democrats have any ability to be anything less than shameful carnival provocateurs? Why, would Colin Powell agree to be the moniker of Democratic theatrics?
After all Democrats have demonstrated their innate ability to use people and tactics for their political gain—Ron Reagan is a case in point. Republicans have consistently admired and espoused Reagan’s legacy, and the Democrats were quick to use Ron Reagan in an attempt to diminish President Reagan’s political legacy in past elections—to no avail.
If I could write or speak with Colin Powell, I would ask the man I admire, if Obama was a white man or a white woman with the same inexperience in: international foreign affairs, military understanding, economic know-how, and previous leadership roles, the least experienced in national congressional tenure of any congress man or woman, who have previously ran for the office of President, would Powell endorse the person?
I think not, and that is why I find the prospect of his endorsing Obama troubling. The Obama run for the white house shows me, and my fellow Americans, the racial divides in “our” country run deeper than I (we) understood.
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Putin LOVES THIS:
He has been laughing his head off at incompetent illiterate Obama:
He knows that the illiterate, idiots, mentally demented, parasits and blacks will give him OBAMA and that will Make PUTIN KING OF THE WORLD, forever::
Putin finds, drills, pumps in less than 6 months:
Karl Marx, Obama is the most dangerous man in the USA:: he will destroy this nation in the first 100 days: |
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MORE PROOF
This election is ONLY about "RACE"
Certainly not about competence, maturity, responsibility, honesty, and integrity:
OBAMA KARL MARX is the most dangerous man in the USA: he will destroy this nation in the first 100 days: |
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NOT.....Powell never did strike me as a conservative.
For one thing, he supports "affirmative action". |
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And I raised with a loyal Obamaphile I know and he was unfased. Oh Powell. That doesn't help. He doubted any conservatives or indies would be swayed by Powell going for Obama.
I find that hard to believe (I think the endorsement would not be overwhelming, but would definitely help either candidate). But okay.
Then again, Powell's office denied he is endorsing anyone, which seems weird if he is in fact endorsing Obama (if he did not want to disclose it now, why not say "no comment" as opposed to catagorically denying it). |
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if this materializes. He denied it in the report and it would really surprise me if he sticks his neck out and endorses anyone. He's between a rock and a hard place and at the end of the day would it really change anyone's mind? |
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and I have a problem with a Republican voting for a Democrat. Just doesn't seem right somehow, does it? |
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He went native working in State and he's still kinda looney!
I have been puzzled for years why career military often seem to be lefties.
Then it came to me (I guess I'm a little slow!) - the military is a perfect socialist dictatorship with very little financial accountability.
What a perfect storm to churn out socialists.
Good job to all those making it through the military experience with righty values in tact!!
Let's hope the whole thing is a canard!! Obama would be such a hot tranny mess of a prez. |
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Are we certain that Powell is a Republican? I'm not surprised that he supports Obama. Condoleezza Rice has said that she won't announce which candidate she prefers. McCain must appreciate that. ; ) |
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It's just Bill Kristol trying to call Colin's bluff...We just went thru this with Hagel...Hagel was forced to deny as has Colin's spokesman. Can we push either to the "good side" not likely even though we know both Hagel and Powell admire McCain for many many reasons......They might still serve the Obama administration, God forbid, but will McCain want them in his!!!!!!!! |
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Koorbfen: That's an incredibly racist thing to say.
How does a comment like that contribute to the political discourse?
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Maybe there is a really simple answer. Maybe he thinks Obama will make a better president than McCain. A lot of intelligent people think the same thing, just as a lot of intelligent people think McCain would make a better president. |
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I think that's rather uncalled for. After all, Dr. Sowell, Dr. Williams, Larry Elder, and others do not support Obama.
I would say rather, that Powell IS Liberal; they stick together, don't ya know? They could all go back to Russia together, too. |
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