Powell: Who Really Cares?

If Colin Powell does endorse Obama, in my opinion, it will be a much bigger deal in the media, than anywhere else. The undecideds now are mostly low information voters, many probably don't even know who Powell is.

WASHINGTON - After months of playing political Hamlet, Colin Powell is finally ready to tell America who he likes for President - and the smart money says Barack Obama is Powell's choice.

My guess is most undecideds - who are white btw, as Obama has 95% of the black vote locked up, are going to see one black individual endorse another and find it pretty understandable from that point of view. Point being, I don't believe they'll attribute it as some statement on qualifications for Obama, ones he clearly doesn't have by the way.

It would be a much bigger deal if he endorsed McCain but I suspect he'll go with Obama to the extent he endorses anyone. He was dancing on stage with some African music group recently. Maybe he figures he can stay employed in DC under Obama as an Ambassador and try to do something positive in that corrupt swamp the world dumps too much money into already.

Comments

[jharp]

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gGg2xq

"My guess is most undecideds - who are white btw, as Obama has 95% of the black vote locked up, are going to see one black individual endorse another and find it pretty understandable from that point of view"

So I guess your saying most of the undecided's will view Colin Powell as a racist?

Wow. I have more faith in most American's than that. I think Colin Powell is highly respected and if not for his lies to the U.N. to justify attacking Iraq I always felt highly of him myself.

And I will Powell credit for coming clean about the lying. Something I wish W would do.

[Lala]

It's funny how liberals say "felt" instead of "thought".

[jharp]

It's funny how liberals say "felt" instead of "thought".

Posted by: Lala | Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 03:09 PM

Hmmm. Interesting. What do you mean "it's funny"?

[Dan Riehl]

I didn't say Powell was racist. As a black man, even if liberals disparaged him as an "Uncle Tom," who shouldn't he want to see America take the step of having a first black president? I don't think a black individual is racist for having that sentiment. Many Catholics voted for Kennedy because he was Catholic. That didn't mean that hated Baptists. I guess the racism interpretation is in your liberal mind. Big surprise.

[mary]

I just wish that america's first black president was a guy like Michael Steele.

[Worst President Ever]

Yeah, who really cares. Just because he's a Republican, former Chairman of the Joint Chief and former Secretary of State for G. W. Bush. And personally knows both candidates. Doesn't matter because, you know, he's black. And obviously, the only reason for him to endorse Obama is that they're both black - did you hear Powell likes to dance? - not because Powell may actually believe Obama a better candidate.

Could you insult the guy any more?

[jharp]

"I didn't say Powell was racist."

I know. And I didn't accuse you of saying Powell was a racist.

I said. "So I guess your saying most of the undecided's will view Colin Powell as a racist?"

After you posted "My guess is most undecideds - who are white btw, as Obama has 95% of the black vote locked up, are going to see one black individual endorse another and find it pretty understandable from that point of view"

Just what did you mean?

[jharp]

"As a black man, even if liberals disparaged him as an "Uncle Tom," who shouldn't he want to see America take the step of having a first black president?"

I believe Powell will endorse for the President the man he belives is best to lead America.

"I don't think a black individual is racist for having that sentiment."

I think no what what color anyone is it is stupid to not endorse and vote for the man best suited for the job.

[mary]

Speaking of "suited for the job", I can't seem to get out of my thoughts the very measured discussion that Michael Steele had when he was guest host on the Hannity program. He repeated several times that BO would not be able to get a job with the government because he would not pass the screening for those jobs. He asked why should he get the top job then. That is truly something to consider.

[mary]

"One question remains: Will a President Obama, with his party in absolute control of both Houses, revert to the politics and policies of the left that brought him the nomination, or resist his ex-comrades' demands that he seize the hour and impose the agenda ACORN, Ayers, Jesse and Wright have long dreamed of?

Whichever way he decides, he will be at war with them, or at war with us. If Barack wins, a backlash is coming."

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78333

Have read several articles like this today, some using the Governor of Mass. to illustrate their example.

[armchairpunter]

I think Powell the political opportunist believes Obama is going to win and is doing his best to make sure he has a paying job inside the Beltway come January. If this move were based on well considered, heart felt allegiance, why wait until October? Why wait until Obama is at 80+ on Intrade? Such courage.

[Powell is a Clown]

Sorry, but Powell is a buffoon. Right, Lefties? I guess we won't be hearing about his lying UN Iraq WMD Speech anytime between his O! endorsement and the election, right, right? Remember? Gosh, only a few years ago, he was a lying tool of Bush, but now. Now! Gosh, how the man has grown.

But seriously, Powell is a douchebag. Yep, I said it. He's a douchebag. He knew that Armitage leaked V. Plame's name to the press and he sat on it knowing that it would embarrass Bush.

As for O! and Powell: LOL! I am actually laughing. O!'s 'solution' to Iraq was to leave, not win, not finish, but pack up and go. Way to go, General. Nice judgment.

Oh, and before any of the resident RWV lefty sockpuppets go on about the war being a mistake, I ask: so I guess you won't be casting a vote for O/Biden, right? Since plagiarizing Joe has never backed down for his initial support of the war. Right? Right?

[jharp]

Powell is a Clown,

Yes, the war was a collosal mistake. And Hillary Clinton's support of it cost her the nomination. And since McCain has promised to continue the trillion dollar disaster and Obama has promised to end it, I don't really give a damn what Biden thinks.

And though Powell did go in front of the U.N. and lie he at least admitted he lied and expressed his regrets. That's worth something to me. Especially since I always liked the dude and felt he was a straight shooter.

Do ya suppose Bush will ever fess up to lying? Seems to me a real Christian would. Though I have never believed Bush to be a real Christian.

[PA]

"Hillary Clinton's support of it cost her the nomination."

Yea, all that fraud in the Texas primary had nothing to do with it...

[jharp]

"Hillary Clinton's support of it cost her the nomination."

Yea, all that fraud in the Texas primary had nothing to do with it...

Posted by: PA | Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 05:43 PM

What in the heck are talking about?

[man_in_tx]

"Just what did you mean? Posted by: jharp | Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 04:11 PM"

Uh... I think he said what he meant -- and meant what he said. Re-read his post: It is neither rocket science nor Egyptian hieroglyphics.

The problem with you liberals is that your inability to take something at face value (see the Second Amendment) also prevents you from understanding (or speaking in) plain English.

[man_in_tx]

Colin Powell is a nice guy and a good politician. He is neither a great General nor a great Secretary of State. Nor is he a man of extraordinary vision or particularly strong conservative principles. Should he endorse Obama, it is not like a lot of conservatives really care. He will be taking the path of least resistance more than he will be following his melanin quotient.

[MarkJ]

jharp,

"Yes, the [Iraq] war was a collosal [sic] mistake."

Yeah, and I'll bet the fact we've effectively won is a real pisser.

Gee, if you're upset about us going into Iraq, I can't even imagine how you're going to feel if, or when, your Dear Leader gets elected and then decides to "change the world" by invading Pakistan.

Don't blow it off, sweetie. You'll just be that more shocked and surprised when it actually happens.

[Denise]

A year ago Powell gave $2300 to John McCain and $1000 to the RLC.

[edward cropper]

It is difficult to say anything nasty about Colin Powell because he has served his country well and with a certain amount of dignity. He waffled on the war however and always seemed to linger in the background rather than be out front . Having said that let me add the following.
It is a natural impulse for someone to be proud and eager to see a fellow woman, man, black, Catholic, Mason, family member or whatever be appointed or elected to some office or the other. But !!! if that person is genuinely not the best person for the job and your country is in deep do do that impulse needs to be restrained for the love of one's country.
If you have two candidates of equal incompetence you just to hold your nose and hope you are choosing the lesser of two evils.

[WBestPresidentEver]

I guess if Powell does endorse him that he too, has been drinking too much of that tainted KOOL-AIDE that is being passed around.

[Powell is a Clown]

>>It is difficult to say anything nasty about Colin Powell because he has served his country well and with a certain amount of dignity.<<

Yeah, sure, endorsing a guy whose solution to a failing war was to surrender. That's some service there.

[BobinStamford]

This is an excellent gauge of the importance of a Powell endorsement. When the flag-wavers go out of their way to say that something doesn't matter - it matters a lot.

The SURGE worked!! Victory in Iraq! We WON!!!

[syn]

Powell has no choice in the matter, he has to endorse Obama. This is what the Democratic Party slave plantation requires from black and African-Americans.

[Dana from NYC]

To all you heavy thinkers who use the term "liberal" like it is a slur of the highest order:
A select dictionary.com definition of the adjective "liberal":
favorable to progress or reform, in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties, favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression, of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies, free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant, open-minded, characterized by generosity.
Liberal sounds like "America" to me. So all you mouthy people slinging "liberal" around - do you even know what you're talking about? Or, instead of using that organ between your ears, are you simply parroting all the hate language you've heard from the right (and boy are they competent when it comes to distorting meaning - hurricanes, wars and financial matters - not so competent). This country has always been liberal. Liberalism is one reason you have a safe forum for free speech. Speech should be thought made manifest. So use words for what they mean, not for what you've been led to think they mean. Otherwise you are running full speed off a cliff with your eyes closed. Wake up aleady!

[Dan Riehl]

Dana,

Evidently most readers here are far better informed, if not more intelligent than you. Comparing today's neo-liberalism to classical liberalism is a joke. Republicans are far closer to the model of classical liberalism today, than are Democrats. They derive their inspiration more from socialists and Left-wing fascists, than they do the Scoop Jackson wing of the Dem party. A wing that may ultimately disappear if Obama, Pelosi, Reid et al hold sway.

[mary]

Would be a hoot if there are absolutely no Supreme Court nominations during his presidency.

There is a lot of money floating around that campaign, money buys anything.

[ptg]

Not all racial discrimination is inspired by hatred, and not all of it is discrimination 'against' or 'for' but is merely discrimination 'between'.

The difficulty arises in determining when a particular application of racial discrimination is right or wrong. Still more subtle is whether a given form of racial discrimination is smart or stupid Folks disagree, for example, about racial affirmative action without necessarily being bigots. Some see affirmative action in terms or right and wrong, others in terms of smart or stupid.

Of course its OK to support Obama simply because he is black. This is America, and we can support or oppose a candidate for any reason we choose. Even reasons that are wrong or stupid.

[JimCap]

Who cares? No one really, except for maybe hundreds of thousands of middle-class, middle income, moderate, independent suburban voters who have kids and work hard at their jobs. You know, people who could vote Republican or Democratic, any given year, depending on the candidate and the circumstances.

The Powell endorsement, any way you cut it, is a net loss for John McCain. It might mean the difference in a state as close as Ohio or Florida.

[Lala]

Well, Dana, freedom of speech didn't work out so well for Joe the Plumber, did it?

[mary]

I don't know, I think that the Colin Powell endorsement might hurt BO in the end. He may have done John McCain a huge favor by not endorsing him as he brings with him all the baggage of the Bush administration.

I have to tell you, in many ways, BO looks a lot like GWB to me. A lot of his way of approaching things and his need to not be questioned. I think all these people flocking to him, being one of the cool kids will find out they may have been happier with the dull, boring, consistent, McCain than another GWB only with a different skin pigment and younger.

Lately, more people have said to me "Gee, I wish Hillary was in this race, it would be a totally different race and, at least we know about Hillary". Don't know how that translates but it means something to them. I find myself answering "well, if you are a dem and you didn't vote for her, now is not the time to complain about it to me, you dems made you bed now you have to sleep in it." It is times like this that I am thrilled to have no party affiliation, I would be embarrassed to be a part of either party at this point.

[mary]

read this over at malkin's comments section and found it very funny:

On October 19th, 2008 at 4:31 pm, ScottyDog said:

"The Current Drudge Report Headline
POWELL FOR OBAMA:IT’S NOT ABOUT RACE

“It’s not about race”

“I read Playboy for the articles”

“The check is in the mail”

“Really, I didn’t know that was your sister”

“You are pretty on the inside”

“Of course I want your mother to come and visit”

“I love going to poetry readings at Starbucks!”

“Christmas in Jersey with your folks sounds GREAT!

I hope more white people now understand that this election is all about race to black people.
IMHO"

[tally]

In 1994, Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder, the state’s first African-American governor, entered the Democratic primary in a bid for the U.S. Senate.
Powell donated $1,000 to Wilder’s campaign. So, Powell has supported a Democrat before, a black one. My goodness, "it's not about race" is a farce. And, Powell was just talking about what a great guy Rep. Stevens was - what? - IMO, Powell doesn't use very good judgement.

[mary]

You know, my friends who are black do say they are voting for him because he is black. They liken it to those of Italian or Irish or Hispanic decent voting for a candidate who happens to be of the same decent. And, I guess we have an honest relationship because I accept that, understand them and respect them for just telling the truth. Now, I will tell you, among my lower upper class, upper middle class friends who are black there are mixed reviews for the Senator. But I think it is more that they are identifying more with their class than with their color. As one of my friends said, "I know he's black but to me, I have worked very hard to get where I am and I intend to stay here and preserve my capital and my place in the community."

[seekeronos]

"--- Would be a hoot if there are absolutely no Supreme Court nominations during his presidency. ---"

that is one thing on the prayer list these days:

"That God, by His grace, preserves the lives and the will of the current SCOTUS justices to judge wisely and rightly, and that He upholds their health and willingness to serve throughout the presidency of Barack H. Obama."

[LOL]

rofl i bet you petition god for things like a raise at your job too. you are a pathetic venal and small minded man seeker.

[galloway]

So Powell cites the 'negativity' in McCain's campaign as a reason for backing Obama? What hypocrisy. Powell sure didn't have a problem accepting a job from the Bush Administration after they floated the rumour in South Carolina that McCain had black love child (who actually turned out to be his Asian adopted daughter). Why didn't Powell take a stand on the negativity then? Why doesn't he call Obama to task for the personal attacks on the Palin family? Or the current NYT attacks on Cindy McCain?

And McCain cites the choice of Sarah Palin as another reason for his inability to support McCain...saying she is unprepared to be Vice-President. But he doesn't have a problem with the empty suit running for President? I guess he'll take the black guy over the chick on that one huh?

I have lost all respect for Powell.

[mary]

"Colin Powell splits with son over White House race
By Alexander Bolton
Posted: 10/20/08 02:21 PM [ET]"
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/colin-powell-splits-with-son-michael-over-white-house-race-2008-10-20.html