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

[ninetwelve]

republicans are scaring away a whole generation of potential GOPers.

[robXdion]

Everything a black person does is suspect because whites are paranoid blacks will mirror their own racial solidarity and underhanded tactics. The argument made against Colin Powell is the same argument made against the 95% pro-Obama supporters, "It must be race." It couldn't possibly have anything to do with the snarky, xenophobic rage in the McCain-Palin rallies. --- And yet, no one has asked white Republicans why they've endorsed Obama. No one has asked liberal Democrat Lieberman why he supports McCain. --- Too many just can't rationalize blacks can think for themselves without their permission and influence. This is the kind of attitude that breeds virulent black Republicans that even defend racism. Many blacks are also led from supporting Obama because they're more worried about what whites think than having integrity in their own beliefs or guarding their human dignity from racism.

Colin Powell has been judging leaders for decades. He knows a good one when he sees one. For someone to pin his judgment on race says more about their own hidden racism and the truth of the unspoken white supremacist thinking in this country.

[kmich718]

As a white, 40-ish female, I could not agree with you more! This is pathetic! Which part of Country First is this....on­ly the white part of the country?

Sorry, but my America is multi-colored, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-gendered and I like it that way.

I wanted to save this for a bumper sticker or a t-shirt but I think it bares repeating now:

My color isn't what makes me an American!!!

[AlaskanWannaB]

I want one of those t-shirts or bumper stickers.

[HRHuffnstuff]

I'm continued to be in awe as to how ignorant Conservative Republicans can say things and be completely clueless that what they say can be said of them.

"Colin Powell, perhaps understandably, wishes to see someone who looks like himself in the White House," Campbell said."

Isn't that what conservatives are doing as well or wishing to do? Put someone who is more like them in the White House? Most of the Republican base it seems in all the video clips I've seen are uneducated. They support Sarah Palin because she best represents them... uneducated. Lazy in thought. So for this mofo cartoonist to say or even suggest that Powell endorsed Barack Obama solely on the color of his skin, not his qualifications, his experience or the content of his character is basically the pot calling the kettle stupid.

Most video clips I have seen of the Republican base

[dayvidBrooks]

So let me get this str8, if you turn your back on your party and go with the other side and you are WHITE , you are called a MAVERICK, but if you are Black and do the exact same thing, you are called a BENEDICT ARNOLD.

[DanniD]

Yup! Yup! Youbetcha!

[11907281]

Only in the party of "pro-america", Lieberman has been able to push betrayal beyond the limits and all he is told is he might be discarded if he is no longer needed.

[PC0207]

Yep, you seem to have gotten it correct! They're a joke! I somehow believe there will not be enough padded rooms to hold them all come November 5th!

[pfc1369]

It's the difference between Joe the Plumber and Joe the Traitor.

[mapu]

You have to remember that this is the same party that thought women would vote for Palin just because she is a woman.

[OutragedMom]

These Repub spokespeople just cannot shut up. These disgraceful comments just keep the issue alive. If they had basically ignored Colin Powell's endorsement or been civil about it (sorry, I know that is impossible but I never give up hope) it would be much less important. I don't think Powell was going to change that many votes.

[HalBrown]

The more this kind of racism comes out in the mainstream media the more undecided moderate Republicans and Reagan Democrats will be persuaded to vote for Obama.

As I wrote here http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/11623 the poetic justice in all of this is that the likes of Limbaugh, Buchanan, Will and this cartoonist and their statements about Powell's motivation may swing the election to Obama.

Powell says Obama is a transformational person, but is too modest to admit even to himself that in his own way, so is he. Many people, black and white, Republican and Democrat, see him that way.

[BarackMarley]

Here's why the GOP is trying to racialize Powell's endorsment
http://newsone.blackplanet.com/elections/gop-pundits-question-powells-integrity-on-race/

[ShockedNAmazed1]

The Republican Strategy:

“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on.”
Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

McCain and Palin, the truth is coming Nov. 4th, with it you will see an end to your deceit and desperate measures. I am like many Americans who never really took a true liking to politics and politicians. Watching you, your party, and your VP candidate has enlightened me to all that is wrong with politics. You are not about hope, dreams, or the future. You are about winning by saying and doing anything except what's good for the people. It was inexperience, then it was liberal, then it was taxes, then it was he’s a terrorist and a Muslim, and then it was associations with radicals, now it’s socialist, and what's next? It’s Acorn, you are laughable and so are your staff and party. You are not even the John McCain I often heard about and respected. You have sold your soul to win, and now your sold has been compromised, now you are going to loose and your and your legacy and reputation is going to be hurt for ever more. One good thing about this is, you going to take a lot of republicans with you. That's always a good thing.

[TroubleNYC]

This is just complete nonsense. First of all, Powell has always been a social liberal so his disgust with the far right fringe is no surprise. Secondly, there are white Republicans endorsing Obama. Michael Smerconish endorses Obama. Christopher Buckley endorsed Obama. There's a Republican contributor here to HP (his name escapes me right now) that endorsed Obama. And Powell's endorsement of Obama is because they're both black?? PLEASE!

[dafletcha]

Very nice, Conservatives. So Christopher Buckley (white) can support Obama on the basis of his ideas and abilities. But if Colin Powell (black) supports him, it's only because of his race. WTF?

[mazees]

No, Christopher Buckley may not support Obama - he's received hate mail, as did Kathleen Parker when she dared question Palin's qualifications. As a Republican, you may not have a single opinion that crosses the party line. Ever.

[OutragedMom]

Without paying the price for your disloyalty­.....

[ricitizen]

Christopher Buckley did in fact endorse Obama.

Sorry, Dad, I'm Voting for Obama
by Christopher Buckley

His article begins with:

"Let me be the latest conservati­ve/liberta­rian/whate­ver to leap onto the Barack Obama bandwagon. It’s a good thing my dear old mum and pup are no longer alive. They’d cut off my allowance.­"

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-10/the-conservative-case-for-obama

[dafletcha]

Yeah, but this isn't about being cast out of the GOP as traitor; it's about the reasons ascribed to your defection. If you're white, you're taken at face value about why you support Obama. If you're black, it can only be because he's black too. Shameful.

[mazees]

Republicans eat their young when they misbehave.

[breakingnews]

Apparently they canabalize their General when they disagree.

[valkyrie607]

Here's a link to Gordon Powell's home page. Yes, there is a link to send him an email.

http://www.cagle.com/politicalcartoons/PCcartoons/gcampbell.asp

[thestargazer]

McCain....­....Trying to go out as the supernova of failure!

[LisaSilb]

Wow, I really thought that the Repubs had sunk as low as they could, but I guess I was wrong. The reaction to Powell's endorsement proves there's an even lower level.

I can understand that there would be anger and dissapointment when Powell chose to cross party lines. However, Powell's words about each candidate and how he came to his decision were very eloquent and well thought out. After all, we live in a free country ans we're allowed to make the choices we want. It's OK to express disappointment but the reaction from the right has been incredibly offensive. This "cartoon" is total crap and I hope the "artist" rots in hell.