DISQUS

bring lawyers · 1 year ago

who needs Powell when you have Norman Swartzkoph Jr., and Alphonzo...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxhYampIl7A

Andy · 1 year ago

If we presume (which only right-wing loons are doing), that Powell endorsed Obama because of race, then can we assume telenovela fixture Katie Barberi endorsed McCain because McCain is an Hispanic woman and Steven Baldwin endorsed McCain because McCain is um, a total fundamentalist moron?

Dennis · 1 year ago

I find it interesting the media falling over itself to report an evidently compromised Secretary of State's endorsement of the "other party" candidate and at the time, and still, virtually no coverage of the former vice-presidential candidate's endorsement of the "other party" candidate. Powell became the "Obama of the Republican Party" in part because of the way the media covered him. Andy's ad hominem statements aside, what to make of his lack of endorsing Kerry in 2004? Powell's endorsement is generating a lot more coverage than is warranted. Will hit it on the head, wait until the last minute and go with the flow, very courageous of him to cross the party line he crossed many years ago. Much more courageous politically has been the Lieberman endorsement, a man the Democrats wanted to put the proverbial heartbeat away from the White House--but he did not endorse the man that the Times, ABC, etc. want to win so I guess it does not mean much.

Andy · 1 year ago

There's been no shortage of coverage on the Lieberman endorsement, but, then it was no surprise, either.

But if it makes you feel better to blame the media, go ahead.

BTW, McCain is obviously not a total fundamentalist moron, but I don't expect the literalists to understand that.

Howard · 1 year ago

Powell's endorsement of Obama does not verify Obama's judgement, but rather brings Powell's judgement into question. Powell says that Obama is ready to lead ... WHY? ... Regardless of Powell's last minute endorsement, Obama is still the most liberal senator in congress ... who accomplished nothing in his meager 3 years in office, except voting present 160 times, and campaigning for President, as well as associating with anti-American racists and domestic terrorists ... and, taking America down the road to socialism. Obama betrayed a friendship of 20 years, for personal ambition. Powell betrayed his friendship with McCain. McCain did not betray his fellow prisoners, even during 5 years of torture. These facts speak volumes about who these men really are, and whether or not we can trust them.

Andy · 1 year ago

And here's a pic of Howard protesting Obama's visit to Ohio:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2939476582_...

howardx · 1 year ago

i hope its socialism for the poor this time, the last 8 years of socialism for the rich hasnt really worked for me.

John_B · 1 year ago

Colin Powell is a well educated fellow with a distinguished record of service to our great nation, both as a Soldier and a Civilian.

Born in Harlem and raised in the South Bronx he remained pretty directionless until joining the ROTC Program at his local Community College. And that, as they say, was that: 2-tour Combat Viet Nam Vet, Bronze Star for Valor, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit and Soldiers Medal, MBA, White House Fellowship, Army War College, 4-Star General, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Chairman of "America's Promise: the Alliance for Youth", Secretary of State (to date, the highest rank ever held by a black man in the United States government).

This man has well and truly "been there and done that" and has the many scars to prove it. He's been on the receiving end of hostile fire in a very nasty war and survived to tell about it. If Powell were, himself, the Democrat nominee for President it would probably take a Republican of the stature of Ronald Reagan himself to convince me to not vote for him.

I'm thinking Colin Powell has more than earned the right to endorse whomever he damned well pleases and more power to him!

howardx · 1 year ago

good post john b

Dennis · 1 year ago

Given Biden's gaffes and Uncle (Buck) Joe demeanor one wonders if Obama could/should have pressed Powell to be his running mate. Given that Biden and Obama are both on the far-left of the Senate, bringing in "moderate" Powell would have picked up a lot more independents and undecideds than Biden attracts. Interesting to ponder the "what if" on that one, interesting to me perhaps.

Surfer meg · 1 year ago

I was not surprised by Powell's endorsement of BO--this was pretty well know and reported by Bill Krystal back in August.. Question is why did he wait until 2 weeks before the election to announce it?? If you watched, "Meet The Press" when Powell stated this was not about race-and belived him--then you must have been born this morning.
He completely contradicted himself because when he spoke at George Washington University he said, "Having an African American as President would be electricfing".
The reason for Powell endorsing BO is quite transparent.. Obama has no credentials; certainly no credentials that would appeal to an Army General and a Secretary of State who served under Bush--it's all about race. It's obvious-a brother voting for a brother. And that's Ok, Colin--but be honest about it!!

Surfer meg · 1 year ago

I was not surprised that Colin Powell endorsed Obama--this was known and reported back in August by Bill Krystal--question is why did he wait until 2 weeks before the election to announce this? If you beleive Powell's support of BO is not based on race--you must have been born this morning!

If you watched, "Meet the press" Powell stated this was not about race--but he contracticted himselself when he spoke at George Washington University and said, "having an an Africian American as President would be electricfing."
The reason for Powell endorsing OB are quite transparent. Obama has no credentials; certainly none that would appeal to an Army General and Secretary of State who served under Bush--it is all about race--a brother voting for a brother.
Polls show that 96% of African Americans are voting for Obama regardless of issues.
Colin Powell has joined that club and most of it can by attributed to Black pride. Go for it Colin--but be hones on your endorsement.!!

Andy · 1 year ago

Could you cite your poll source? I couldn't find that percentage anywhere on the internet, and put in in a historical context of the percentage of African-Americans that usually vote for the Democratic candidate.

And I don't see how he is contradicting himself in your paraphrased quotes above.

howardx · 1 year ago

not being mindreaders all we really know about powell's endorsement is that he examined the candidates and found mccain wanting.

LB City Girl · 1 year ago

Aren't Powell and Obama also both as white as they are black?
Why are we only discussing their blackness, when we could just as easily discuss them as a white man supporting a white man? Would that be rascist?

There definitely are some racists here, I'm just not sure that Colin Powell is one of them.

norrishall · 1 year ago

Is it about race?
Only one person knows for sure…and that’s Powell.
Powell claims that he’s not happy with the “rightward shift” of the Republican party.
Any merit in his accusation???
Listen to Republican Senator Michelle Bachmann
Click to watch Senator Michelle Bachmann’s interview
So...what do you think??.Is Colin Powell was just being overly sensitive, or does he have a point???

Dennis · 1 year ago

If the GOP was shifting further right this race would have been over some time ago. McCain is the most middle ground candidate that the GOP could have offered up, at the possible expense of the far right of the party. The perception may be the party is lurching right because of the bits and pieces that are chosen to be reported from the right, as well as those chosen not to be reported from the left giving the illusion of movement. If the GOP has moved further right then the GOP base that tends to turn out for primaries would not have selected McCain as the party's nominee. This frame of reference for his endorsement rings hollow with me and feels like the most palpable reason he could give.

wswaim · 1 year ago

Dennis: You're right that McCain is, himself, a moderate. That's what makes his choice of Palin so politically difficult for him: They disagree on far too much that's essential. McCain was once pro-choice; now with Palin at his side he's calling for the overturn of Roe v Wade. He was once for campaign finance-reform; now he disavows that. He and Palin both say they oppose "spreading the wealth" because that's so clearly socialist, and yet Palin herself jacked up the tax on Alaskan oil drilling near the peak of oil prices, captured the revenue and sent it out to Alaskan residents. When the history of this campaign is written, it is likely that Palin will be fingered as the reason for McCain's loss. She's been terrific at solidifying the Republican base--yes, because she is pulling McCain rightward--but she's undermined McCain's reformer credentials.

Laurence B. Goodhue · 1 year ago

Powell demonstrates he is human.In endorsing Obama. He made a mistake-clear and simple.
At the end of the day Obama is little more than a slimmed down version of the former LAPD
Chief,Willy Williams.Obama,like the unqualified former Chief was jettisoned to center stage simply
because the misguided wanted to be fair an appoint or elect a black man not with standing
neither are remotely qualified.That is no way to run a police department or a country.!!!!

LB City Girl · 1 year ago

Maybe Powell is smart enough to see that the Republican party put the worst president in the history of the United States in power and he figures Obama can't screw things up worse.

DWR · 1 year ago

Chief Willy Williams was Police Chief of Philadelphia before moving to the LAPD. Whatever his subsequent foibles in LA, he was very much qualified to to lead LAPD. Per your reverse logic, you are thus also saying the more experienced McCain isn't qualified to lead!

wrongbeachJohn · 1 year ago

"This man has well and truly "been there and done that" and has the many scars to prove it."

Most recent extremely-severe scars were self-inflicted at the U.N.