Cartoonist Depicts Powell As Benedict Arnold In Blackface

As if Colin Powell needed one more reminder of the toxic level of political discourse that, in part, fueled his decision to endorse Barack Obama, political cartoonist Gordon Campbell has captured the moment by portraying Powell as Benedict Arnold, in blackface. Inscribed at the bottom of the cartoon is the phrase, "Benedict Powell, Race Patriot."

In remarks reported on by Politicker, Campbell echoed the sentiments of Rush Limbaugh, saying:

"The only reasonable explanation for such a public political "about-face" in the midst of this important election is that Colin Powell, perhaps understandably, wishes to see someone who looks like himself in the White House," Campbell said.

"It's my opinion that General Powell has based his endorsement of Barack Obama on the color of his skin, not his qualifications, his experience or the content of his character."

Here is Campbell's cartoon, a model of decorum and overall classiness.

RELATED:
Cartoonist depicts Colin Powell as Benedict Arnold in blackface. [ThinkProgress]
Cartoonist equates Powell's endorsement to Benedict Arnold in blackface [Politicker]

Comments

[berryessence]

10:10 AM on 10/22/2008

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[letuckerchicago]

01:58 PM on 10/21/2008

Screw the cartoonist and the horse he rode in on. Spiteful, spoiled brats!

[freddymedal]

10:56 AM on 10/21/2008

Didn't read all the comments yet, so sorry if this is a double post.

Here's his website:
http://www.cagle.com/politicalcartoons/PCcartoons/gcampbell.asp

Here's his email:
[e-mail]

Have fun!

[Zapp384]

09:24 AM on 10/21/2008

So help me understand, I am a life long Black Republican. Voted for white men and woman all my voting life. So, if I vote for a Black in any position, I am considered a Traitor.

DAM, WHAT A LOSER I HAVE BEEN........

[PoliticalPolyanna]

09:09 AM on 10/21/2008

Based on their flawed logic, it can also be assumed that idiots such as this Campbell and Rush Limbaugh base their opposition to Barack Obama solely on race and the fact that he looks DIFFERENT from them.

If you're gonna paint with a broad brush, Rush, be ready to get splattered with your own medium.

[ehartsoe]

07:58 AM on 10/21/2008

Looks like a loony cartoonist on the loose in the big city

[pr0metheus]

07:26 AM on 10/21/2008

Campbell is not only just plain stupid, but lacking in all decency as well.

To make such a revoltingly partisan play on both loyalty to the nation (when Powell's own party set up him up to lie for them at the United Nations - where his own integrity paid the ultimate price for being a good soldier) and then adding the race card to it was about the most puerile and dishonest attempt at political comment I have ever seen.

Powell is a Great American. And Campbell in this case is the real traitor.

[RexPrimoris]

05:47 AM on 10/21/2008

""It's my opinion that General Powell has based his endorsement of Barack Obama on the color of his skin, not his qualifications, his experience or the content of his character."

------------

THe stupidity and unfairness of this comment is really stunning. Not to mention the not-so-subtle racism inherent in it. I mean, how about giving Powell some credit as an intelligent, thoughtful individual who can look beyond Obama's ethnicity as a rationale for his endorsement? Powell's disillusionment with the GOP and the Bush administration has been well known for a long time and he delineated his reasons for not supporting McCain very clearly. Besides, since Obama is 50% white, at a minimum, at least half of Powell's reasons for endorsing were not race-motivated...

[sandrarita]

03:18 AM on 10/21/2008

You take away racism from the purpose of people like Cambell and Limbaugh and there is nothing left - only an empty shell. They are empty people from an empty party.

[sandrarita]

03:16 AM on 10/21/2008

Apparently Campbell does not know the saying "Be true to thine self" or would even consider that a man of integrity will follow his conscience not his party. Doesn't say much for Campbell. People like him are a dime a dozen and shouldn't even be given attention.

[goldmon3]

12:34 AM on 10/21/2008

At least the cartoonist had the good grace not to use the American flag...General Powell is not the first US military general to oppose McCain...let's be honest...General Powell is a Republican and far outranks McCain...what he is saying is that he is against McCain, even though he considers him a friend, he does not support him for the presidency. I have to take the advice of senior military officers in this case and side with the voices of reason.

[the964kid]

10:58 PM on 10/20/2008

Powell should be asking himself why he was ever rolling with such a**holes.

[PoliticalEnnui]

10:51 PM on 10/20/2008

The Republican Tent just keeps getting smaller. It's actually quite sad to see the pathetic desperation lashing out to retain relevance of any kind. They simply can't admit that their politics are so off the rails and that, just maybe, sensible people can tell them "no". They're wounded animals, which makes them dangerous to themselves and others.

[UrbanInterloper]

10:09 PM on 10/20/2008

Campbell and Limbaugh only like McCain because he's white. See how foolish that sounds?

This cartoon's implication that the endorsement is treasonous is what really ought to be called out and condemned. The racial implication is secondary.

[swift goat pet for truth]

08:17 PM on 10/20/2008

If a progressive had done this six months ago, the right would have been very unhappy.