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Open Thread: Colin Powell’s Obama endorsement and reax from the right…

By Carmen D. on Monday, October 20th, 2008, 6:45 am Comments

UPDATE: Politicker.com features a “cartoon” of Colin Powell as Benedict Arnold in blackface. “Benedict Powell…race patriot.” It is repugnant and should be an affront to all decent people.

When I awoke yesterday morning to learn that Colin Powell had endorsed Barack Obama I was exhilarated. I remain a firm supporter of Colin Powell’s although I have taken plenty of heat for my opinions from my friends on the left. They feel he allowed himself to become a NeoCon pawn. I don’t see it that way and supported the Iraq war myself for many years, but if I knew then what I know now…

So General Powell, who fought wars for us, who served three Republican presidents, is all of a sudden, according to Pat Buchanan, Rush Limbaugh and others, simply all about race?

Why am I not surprised that they would attempt to diminish General Powell in this way? But given the dynamics of this particular presidential contest, the brazen display of double standard analysis is particularly galling.

Lieberman supports McCain. What role did race play in that endorsement?
McCain picks Palin. What role did gender play in that decision?

Some six weeks or so ago, on ‘Morning Joe,’ I watched Pat Buchanan’s immediate reaction to Palin’s selection as John McCain’s running mate. “Electrifying” was one of the words Buchanan used I believe. So why is it all about race when Powell believes that if Obama is elected president it will be electrifying for our nation?

Please share YOUR thoughts.

Read More: Prominent Maine Republican Accuses Powell of Racism, Mainepolitics.net

  • cinco
    Even with all his contributions to America, his military career, his inteligence and his long history of respect, it doesn't matter He's still Black and that's enough to discredit as well as disbelieve him by today's standards! (Or lack there of)
  • Not completely on the topic, but I just don't trust Powell after joining the Bush administration and not fighting for his country while he was there. I just see this endorsement as a P.R. move on his part. I hope he's sincere, but I am not totally sold.
  • Jim
    A couple of points, first, it is not just white conservatives who are making the point about racial loyalty. So do a number of black conservatives, men and women, speaking OF THEMSELVES, who say they have "come around" to support of Obama for just that very reason, believing "it is time" for an African-American president. If Powell feels that way also, he is not alone, but it is his right in any case.

    The second point is this: Powell is a loyal and conscientious man who has been stung deeply in his service to President Bush. He has been misled, misused, and ungraciously shown the door. He has borne this outrage with amazing strength, dignity, and bearing. Remember also that Bush II did not heed his advice, as Bush I did about Iraq. Powell was vindicated by events.

    He may now be sizing up McCain and possibly sensing an impulsiveness that frightens him as a military man. Moreover, he may have concluded that Palin would be hopeless in the role of Commander-in-Chief. I am not a mind-reader, but I imagine some kind of thinking like this occurred.

    Obama will need a man like Powell at his side. My hope is that he will listen and exercise prudence, especially regarding Afghanistan and Pakistan -- the kind of prudence that Powell urged on both Bushes, with varying results.
  • Norrish Hall
    Is it about race?
    Only one person knows for sure…and that’s Powell
    Of course, Powell claims that he’s not happy with the “rightward shift” of the Republican party. But is there any merit in his accusation???
    Listen to the views of Republican Senator Michelle Bachmann
    Click to watch Senator Michelle Bachmann’s interview on Hardball
    So...what do you think??. is Colin Powell was just being overly sensitive, or does he have a point???
  • Alan
    I believe that this endorsement from General Colin Powell is a very impressive one. People need to remember that he left the Bush administration because he had strong disagreements with them and imagine felt lied too as everyone else after NO WMD were found. He has a very reasoned explanation for his decision and gives me faith that the real truth does triumph in the end. I am sure Mr. Obama is euphoric over this distinguished endorsement.
  • fcg#p
    I believe that colin powell innoculated himself.
    Obie, Kucinich, Murtha, Waxman, etc. have been laying the
    groundwork for post election trials of Bush & Co. for
    war crimes. This move will make Powell untouchable.
    This isn't racial and any pundit who says so is in the wrong
    business. This was a calculated move for self preservation and not
    a whole hearted endorsement. not to mention, his speaking fees
    probably just doubled.
  • n-2-me-i-c
    Carmen, in response to the question at the end of your post:

    Pat Buchanan, Rush Limbaugh and numerous others see this election based on race. Racialized black-and-white thinking is part their DNA. Unfortunately, that kind of diseased mind set is in places all over America and won’t be going away any time soon even if Obama wins.

    IMO, it doesn't matter how much time and careful in-depth thought Powell gave to his decision; and it doesn't matter how exceptional Obama may as a leader for America and the world; nor does it matter that a number of Republicans have endorsed and ‘crossed over’ to vote for Obama…. They will conclude that Colin Powell endorsed Obama PRIMARILY because he is Black…

    Thanks for the post.
  • Eugene
    Now everyone is talking about the American economy and eclections, nice to read something different. Eugene
  • Dawn Turner Trice, a columnist at the Chicago Tribune started a similar thread on her blog, Exploring Race, today as well. For me, I think it's two-dimensional to suggest that any time an African American person supports an African American candidate it's simply out of loyalty to race. It insults the qualifications of the candidate and the autonomy and depth of the voter and the examples you point out clearly demonstrate the double standard (e.g. Joe Lieberman, etc.) On that same theory, it would logically follow that all women would vote for the McCain/Palin ticket to support the woman candidate. That my have been the theory in selecting Palin, but I believe that strategy has backfired, given her qualifications (or lack thereof) and position on issues." (I've blogged about this as well at www.interculturaltalk.org.).
  • Hey Curious Texan, welcome to the conversation. I think it is great that you've read about 'transformational leadership.' These days too few people feel compelled to research an idea if they have questions about it. As an Obama supporter, what I will say to you is that of course: "Just because someone believes they are right, it does not mean they are right.”

    But just because YOU believe they are wrong does not mean that they are wrong. Bottom line is that I probably feel about McCain/Palin the way you feel about Obama/Biden. On November 5th, no matter which one of our picks wins you and I will have to work in concert to get America going on the right track again.
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