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

[Indie2008]

Rush Limbaugh questioning Gen. Powell's motives?
GEN. COLIN POWELL:
Purple Heart
Bronze Star
2 tours Duty inVietnam
Soldier's Medal for heroism
MBA from Geo. Washington University
Chmn. Joint Chiefs
US Secretary of State
RUSH LIMBAUGH:
1-year at Southeast Missoury State Univ., dropped out.
Top-40 radio DJ
Nationally syndicated talk-radio host.

[MikeGuy]

Bingo.

I just hope this is just the beginning of the eventual downfall of the far right talking mouthpieces.

[OneLiberalLady]

You forgot the drug bust for Rush.

[LWilkinson315]

Hey Condi watch your back. Dont publically acknowledge you admire a fellow African American person- your republican "friends" just may call you a racist as well

[Drwho1300]

Really Rush, race is the only reason you can think of that Powell my endorse Obama? I think maybe Powell has some real insight into the current Administration and the GOP and he loves his Country more than his party. He knows the Iraq warr is a lie, he knows the War on Terror is a farce and he understands that his honor is more important to him than being popular. Had he run 4 years ago I would have voted for him, he is the only one in the Bush Administration that has taken responsibility for his actions. If McCain had wanted to be taken seriously in this election Powell should have been his running mate.

[Shieldmaiden]

Republicans are now being told why they are losing, why they are reviled by even their own. Powell has explained his disappointment with the party's narrowness and anger and how do members of the party respond? With narrowness and anger of course. Colin Powell explained why he's jumping ship but you do the exact thing that makes him jump ship? And you people wonder why you're going down in the polls? Even your own people are jumping ship. Colin Powell is giving out free advice on how to turn the party around and nobody is listening and responding with racism. Pure brilliance.

[LWilkinson315]

Sad:(

Our nation is going backwards in time instead of forward.

[hominidx]

Just consider who's ahead in every poll. The worst are stepping back, the better are...fina­lly...step­ping forward.

[sonoffestus]

L ....I been saying this for some time. I asked a very good friend , (who happens to work in
medical research), what he thought about our present state of affairs. He thought for a moment and then replied.

" It is all over. When the rest of the world is educating their children in the fields of science, engineering and medicine, and we are arguing evolution, guess who will lead the world?"

I thought it was a very good point. Don't worry though there's always a manager's position at Wal Mart for our children to aspire too.......­..........­....LOL

[Missmn]

The only reasonable explanation for such a political about face is the fact that McCain is ill-equiped to handle the economic crisis that is nowhere near over due to his absolute lack of understanding of the global economy, that his campaign has been 180-degrees from what he supposedly has stood for since his Keating Five reinvention, that he picked a running mate that does have even a basic understanding of domestic or foreign policy, and that the Obama/Biden ticket is just plain better in all areas than the one the Republicans put forth.

[MikeGuy]

In Gordon Campbell's world, it's party before country. Come to think of it, that's McCain's world, too.

[SanityNowPlease]

yet another highly respectable republican thrown under the nearly empty republican bus. must be getting down the driver shortly. now that ought to be interesting.

[zippywpinhead]

the straight talk express is turning into the short bus...

[Dystopic]

a short bus being pulled by satan

[Wallysmom]

That's odd...I've got someone in the white house that looks like me and I'd never vote for him....

[reliant1]

I am sick....si­ck and tired, sick and crying, sick and out of coherent thoughts and sick of repuke bas.ta.rds who are a waste of space and oxygen.

Either those people take care of this filth themselves or so help me - no forgiveness no mercy no 2nd chances no nothing

let them drown starve burn freeze or bleed - I have no food water heat or bandages or time to waste on them the sooner they are gone the better

[CintiBlue]

This type of thing is a direct result of how Senator John McCain is running his campaign.

No deflecting responsibility or blaming the fringe - it is John McCain's campaign.

[notthistime]

Republicans views are getting narrower and narrower

[RobinSeattle]

Yeah, it can't be that reasonable people can amicably disagree, but it has to be the racial angle.

The GOP feels as if it owns Powell lock, stock and barrell. McCain's ancestors were slaveholders and I guess he thinks that the General doesn't know his place.

[GOP-Hater]

An Republicans are wondering why their losing!

[2bad]

Where are the trolls, the sheep that normally defend themselves and the republitard attitude here. I'd love to see their defense of this one!