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

[OneLiberalLady]

It seems like McCain is going after all the rednecks and bigots in the country. Are there enough of them for victory?

[nana4g]

No! I am convinced there are not enough of them for victory! More and more "are coming out of the closet", so to speak, those with courage, and some without the courage are going to vote for what is the correct and sensible thing for our country; for a man who has proven himself to be wise and temperate, and everything Colin Powell said. There is news tonight that Barrak's grandmother is very seriously ill in Hawaii, has left the hospital to go home, and they have called him. So, let us prepare ourselves that while he is with his Grandmother who raised him through high school and who may be dying, the McCain/Palin and the Republicans will continue with their smears and jeers. My grandchildren remind me to drive courteously because I have an Obama/Biden and a Hillary bumper sticker on my car and they do not want me to "embarrass" Barrack. So, let us rise above this, keep the faith, and VOTE! Vote early!
People Power: the Congresswoman who said he was anti American and suggested that all those left liberals in Congress needed to be investigated for anti Americanism? Well, her opponent in her re-election bid in her district in Minnesota received almost 1 million dollars in contributions to his campaign from ALL OVER THE COUNTRY!

[dsjones01]

I really do not understand their logic. Powell has NEVER endorsed any other black candidate. I am black, so maybe my fellow Obama supporters here can really help me. I am sincere in asking this, bc I just don't get why they say this endorsement is based on race. Futhermore, my question is this....Di­d anyone accuse Lieberman, of crossing party lines and endorsing McCain..be­cause he is White? I really find this accusation of Powell offensive!

[sharri]

I wish I could help, but I don't get it, The portrait in the cartoon is not offensive I don't think, but the caption changes the whole tenor. It seems there is a logic on the neocon side that if you are black, you must vote black. I would have thought the Hillary/Sarah thing should have helped dispell the notion of women, but McCain didn't get it. go figure, neocons are just that ignorant

[nana4g]

The cartoon is just another example that confirms what Colin Powell expressed about his concern for the "ever right leaning Republican Party". They continue to use unintelligent, easy, refutable tactics because they have nothing to stand on or to stand for.

Rise above it and see it for what it is and, this time, too many of us will NOT allow it. Obama has been accused of everything in the book and it is NOT working!

[JubilationLeigh]

It's out of some irrational fear that all black people are going to ban together and get back at the white man.

I find the accusation incredibly offensive as well. Powell didn't endorse Jesse Jackson, Alan Keyes, Al Sharpton, etc. He explained his reasons which are the same reasons a lot of people, both Democrat and Republican, have brought up. And being a military man, I bet you anything he's not a big fan of McCain's voting record for veteran benefits.

This cartoon is pure nastiness and Gordon Campbell should be ashamed.

[cat feet]

So, what..is Condoleeza Rice invisible? I can only wonder what she's thinking right now.

[joebiz]

A new low or just the same old, same old.

Cartoon, er cartoonist, Campbell should get his facts straight:

Benedict Arnold was the Continental Army's most successful generals and switched sides to help the British surrender a fort while still in active military duty.

Powell is a civilian, not part of an administration or iactive military and is free to endorse whomever he wants.

Hardly the correct comparison. In was war and in peace, Powell has been nothing but a gentleman and a patriot.

After hurricane Katrina and the devastation of New Orleans, Kanye West was probably right in saying the GOP does not like (hates) African Americans.

[GhostOfXmasPast]

Republicans are on the verge of wrecking their own paty, as the middle, and even sensible righties are turning blue. Soon the only Repubs left will be Mc KI@n rally attendees.

[DrBillo]

this is not the lowest these Republican neanderthals will sink to--lets get this over with so they can sink back to their caves in disgrace!!!

[mdmurphyla]

Here is this dirtbag's email address: [e-mail]

I told him what I think, and you should too.

He has the First Amendment right to publish racist cartoons. And we have the First Amendment right to tell him exactly what we think of him.

[Richcelt]

Limbaugh, Buchanan, and this "artist" (and all the others like them) accuse Powell of supportin Obama solely because of race.

It's an insult to Powell's intelligence, and a confirmation of why a moderate Republican is supporting the Democratic candidate.

[MadFae]

Things like this only prove the point. The GOP would like to call Powell's endorsement "an about face," but we all know that Powell has slowly become more and more disaffected with his party over the last few years. I think he'd like to see the GOP return to some semblance of honor and true conservatism, rather than the wild-eyed righ-wing party of zealots. This was not a "sudden" change.

When will the GOP stop whining and accept responsibility for driving people like Powell away from the party?

As far as the cartoon goes...it'­s beneath comment.

[lisakaz2]

Excellent comment. Of course, the Rethugs don't do responsibility, as we've seen in the last 5+ yrs.

[nippyfan]

College educated, black woman here. I have a lot to lose by flipping out as I'm a writer with a good career, but, I'm getting angry. You know, Angry Black Woman. My boyfriend is caucasian. I have a slew of white relatives I'll have to get out of this country when a race war flares up.

STOP THE MADNESS!!! Before people forget themselves and get MAD.

[pjn]

Hang in there, nippyfan. This crap is inevitable. We are taking their power away, their lily white America. It's over and they know it. They can't go down without a fight. We have won, girl. We are changing this country. We're all in this together. All white people don't feel this way. Most of us get it! Stay the course and damn the torpedos!

[JubilationLeigh]

There are white people who are just as offended and appalled at this nonsense as we are. I'm also a college educated black woman and it makes me sad to see this craziness. What comforts me is that I'm seeing people of all different races and political affiliations standing up and saying this is not appropriate, this is wrong, and it needs to stop.

[naijaman]

Doesn't matter...B­arack Obama will be taking the oath of office on January 20th as the 44th President of the United States of America.

[Brainspore]

I see... when a black person supports Obama it's purely due to race, but when a white person supports McCain it's just because they agree with his policies.

Joe Lieberman's support of McCain irked a lot of Democrats, but most were reasonable enough to see it as an indication of Joe's true colors rather than a racist gambit. Powell's discomfort with Bush's policies has been well known for years, so this "betrayal" should hardly come as a surprise.

[nippyfan]

I've said this before and I'll say it again, if Al Sharpton (or the likes) were running, neither me or Colin Powell would've endorsed him. So, it's not about being black, it's about being undeniably the better choice for America and the world.

[Lombard42]

WOW.

A new low (of course, these seem to be coming every day).

[nana4g]

reliant1,
Take heart. Go and vote, you will feel a lot better. I voted this morning and found myself crying, too, AFTER I voted!! In all my years of voting, I have never cried after voting, many times after Nov 4, but never in response to the act of voting.
I realized what was at stake and what a sacred act I had just participated in. To save my country.
Do it. I will keep you in my prayers.

[pjn]

Me too! The historical implications and importance of this election was too much. I bawled like a baby!

[nana4g]

Just another example of confirmation and validation of Colin Powell's statement of opinion of the Republican Party's "ever more right leaning", bordering, in my opinion, on insanity.

Keep it up. One of the major benefits of Powell's going public with what all of us are thinking is that, now, everytime they flush up some lie from their potty, it is out there, starkly obvious confirmation of what he has said. They are proof positive of what he said.

[zombiejesus]

You think this is bad? Just wait, I bet it gets worse the closer to election day we get. They'll probally do somthing that will make this seem tame in comparison.