Colin Powell Slams Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh: "Nothing Wrong With My Value System" (VIDEO)

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell took aim at Sarah Palin and the Republican party's emphasis on small-town values during an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakharia that will air this Sunday.

Powell also says that we should rethink its "don't ask, don't tell" policy on homosexuals in the military. And he tells Republicans that they should stop listening to Rush Limbaugh:

"Can we continue to listen to Rush Limbaugh?" Powell asked. "Is this really the kind of party that we want to be when these kinds of spokespersons seem to appeal to our lesser instincts rather than our better instincts?"

As noted by Think Progress, Powell says:

Gov. Palin, to some extent, pushed the party more to the right, and I think she had something of a polarizing effect when she talked about how small town values are good. Well, most of us don't live in small towns. And I was raised in the South Bronx, and there's nothing wrong with my value system from the South Bronx.

And when they came to Virginia and said the southern part of Virginia is good and the northern part of Virginia is bad. The only problem with that is there are more votes in the northern part of Virginia than there are in the southern part of Virginia, so that doesn't work.

Watch it:

Comments

[rbryanh]

"...the southern part of Virginia is good but the northern part of Virginia is bad. The only problem with that is that there are more votes in the northern part of Virginia..."

Breathtaking cynicism. No, the distribution of voters is far from the only problem with the Republican campaign in Virginia. First, it's a lie. Second, it's deliberately divisive propaganda, intended to gain short-term advantage for a group of politicians at the expense of the long-term welfare of citizens. Third, the idea that one group of American's is more "real" than another is nothing more than bigotry wrapped in the flag, waving the cross, and serving up Mom's apple pie to the gullible.

[raddick]

It amazes me that there is so much hate verbalized on this site. The ironic thing is that the posters on this site accuse others, especially republicans of being haters. Some of the most meanspirited comments have been made about other meanspirited people. This site reminds me of a pentecostal church: Just a place for folks to emote, to de-stress. The only problem is that you're spewing hate to one another. I doubt if Bush reads this site to see all the hate is hurled in his direction. Which means this is only therapy for haters. In a way, it is all so sad. On the other hand, there are some reasonable folks who have something meaningful to say. There not perpetually angry, pretending they and the democratic party have it right all the time and everyone should be democrats because being a republican is shameful. Anyway, you all have a nice day now and be kind to each other, boys and girls

[rejoyce5]

Well said. I have never seen so much hate as this site does. Can't we all be open minded and look at both sides of an issue??? Each party has its points. Not all are bad. Lets try and get together to do our country justice. I didn't vote for Obama but wish him well. I hope he can turn the country around.

[mari2JJ]

I think the comments were very specific about the hateful folks who complain about small town problems etc. The real problem is intolerance of other people's point of view. It would be wonderful if we could all allow each person the right to their own opinion without all these labels foisted off on us by true bigots.

[gblair]

You've definitely got a point about the hateful tenor of the dialogue about some issues, that's for sure. There's a lot of anger out there, I've got a lot of it myself. But, you know, 8 years of dubya.... I don't think he turned out to be quite the "uniter" he proclaimed he would be. I blame him and the neocons for starting the wars, cultural and military, that have been waged and for setting the tenor of the national debate. we're just defending ourselves and trying to put out the fires.

[HollyP]

Actually, it goes back further... to Reagan sewing together traditional conservatives with the religious right, and Lee Atwater fanning the flames during the GHWBush presidency. W's just carrying the flag that carried his dad to office.

[realspear]

Bush set the tone, it's just defense here. Just look at the Republicans on the Chicago mess, they are spending all their time trying to drag Obama into it, even though they know he had nothing to do with it. You want to end hating, start in your own house. We were just fine until people like Limbaugh, Hannity, and Palin took over the Republican Party. Don't forget, this really started with Reagan.

[HyperInfluential]

As Ms. Huffington said on the Daily Show, this site is a place for catharsis. When so many people are suffering so badly it's inevitable that anger comes out when they purge their minds of the thoughts that have been weighing on them so heavily.

[prabbit]

Um, ever been to Free Republic? Or listen to AM wingnut radio? This place is one long uninterrupted kumbaya compared to those reality free zones.

[margo4it]

A woman named Audrey has set up a blog that is very important. Audrey is thoughtful, logical and determined to prove that Sarah Plain has told a huge lie about her pregnancy. It's worth taking the time to read. Audrey is not a kook and I think you will agree that Audry is correct.

http://www.palindeception.com/blog/

[GeneCar]

Of all the 100+ falsehoods, distortions, lies, insinuation, hate, slime and snears heaped on Governor Palin during the last few months, this surely is the sickest. One can only repeat the words of a famous lawyer during the 1950s: 'Have you no decency Sirs? At long last , have you no decency?'

[rejoyce5]

Well said.

[realspear]

This isn't the sickest. Palin refused to release any info on her pregnancy, and never could explain why. What's really sick is the collection of lunatics and fanatics that she supported in her church. Lying about who had the baby is minor after that.

[HyperInfluential]

Is there some facet of the law that I am not aware of which makes certain crimes unable to be investigated, merely because they relate to something men find unmentionable, namely the pregnancy and birth process? The evidence is not rumor or speculation, it is 100% verified and admits of no alternative explanation.

Sarah Palin either flew on two flights across a continent while in labor with a special needs infant, which may or may not be criminal child endangerment, depending on Texas law, or else she faked being pregnant in order to shield her teenage daughter, a crime of abuse and fraud which used to be widely practiced in more unenlightened times, so it is not so unreasonable to entertain the idea that it might still be practiced in far-flung Alaska.

Today if a mother is going to adopt her teenage daughter's child, it must all be above-board, no fakery, because we realize that kind of lying harms everyone in the family's mental health, and society in general, which must be able to trust that events in fact happened exactly as they were publicly recorded.

[nothingmusic42]

seriously, this kind of crap is a childish as the morons who say obama isn't an american citizen. stop with the conspiracy theories, it doesn't help, it just gives the other side ammo to call US the crazies.

[LAThinker]

I propose Rush and Sarah for 2012, what a ticket!

http://www.ucubd.com/Index.aspx?id=997&cid =D010900

[ann279]

The only question I have for Powell is: Why not come over to the right side? Or should I say "left"...as in Democrat.

[rejoyce5]

He"s not a Republican He"s a RINO.

[MarkSB]

Don't discount sma town values --- nor take them for granted as Republican. They may be so in much of the south and west, but I come from small-town Illinois, and we are very Democratic. Also, "Bloggy" has long been known to be crrupt --- and Obama's people were probablyin on helping get him, so the Repugs better look out --- all their smearing may backfire once again in their faces.

[Moosekilla]

It is really sad when the GOP waste so much time trying to discredit Obama. The country is in a dire period in our history , yet all they have time to do is throw rocks. Until the GOP gets its head out of the sand and start working for the people and I mean all of the people. its ideals and platforms will serve no purpose. I see the GOP as a party of mean spirited hatred. They only represent one faction of our country. I have to look at a person that labels himself a republican twice. Who is this person and what do they really stand for?

[gblair]

You're absolutely right, it's a shame what's become of the Republican party. But, I, a decidedly left-leaning and unapologetic democrat, look at Colin Powel as one of a paltry few republicans that I trust and respect. He's the only republican I can think of that could ever imagine voting for for president. He speaks to truth, and the republican party ignores him at their peril.

[bioluminescence]

Mr. Powell seems to be positioning himself as a politician. I view him as an intelligent, sensible warrior. In that role I wish Mr. Powell would respond to these questions: In the post 9/11 era, is America spending its defence budget wisely or should it have different spending priorities? Accurate intelligence was a key issue in the Iraq conflict. What changes should be made to the process of intelligence gathering in the U. S. to ensure more timely and more accurate reporting? Should America reassess its commitment to the UNs security efforts? Does a failed auto industry in Detroit have security implications to the U. S.?

[philko]

I'll buy that Powell was tricked into his UN speech (it's a stretch, but for the sake of argument, I'll buy it). Buy WHY did he go to bat for Sen. Stevens? I won't be able to take his opinions seriously until I hear a reasonable explanation of why a "man of honor" like Powell spoke as a character witness for a "man of dishonor" like Stevens.

[JDHART]

Well said.

[markytex]

remember, rush accused colin powell of supporting obama solely because of his race. why, because sarah palin is a governor with executive experience and obama was just a junior senator from illinois. the choice was obvious, right?

the way i see it is this...the republicans have no message so they hijack the democrats message and massage it as their own and use some sort of logical acrobatics to twist our strengths into flaws. it doesn't work. it only publicized our message even louder. for instance, the only portrait on the gop website is barack obama. the biggest headline on the gop website is about barack obama.

why aren't they promoting their ideas and solutions? why aren't they providing profiles of their top leaders instead?

the gop message is old and dusty. it's about as interesting as an anonymous portrait of some farm couple from the late 19th century. it's like they are peering at you from beyond the grave and trying to scare you from the ever-changing world.

[wendynyc]

Rush Limbaugh has made millions selling h a t e.

We are the worse off for it!

[cdm35]

Last time I checked, Bristol Palin is pregnant out-of-wedlock ... Small town, right?

[Joey5]

Bristol Palin is a teen aged girl who made a mistake. She is not the first and she will not be the last. Where she lives has nothing to do with anything and her pregnancy has nothing to do with politics. There have been many low blows leveled during this presidential campaign and if you have a problem with Gov. Palin, take it up with her. To do otherwise is not only cruel, it is the epitome of tackiness and makes no sense, other than to cause hurt. You should be ashamed.

[GeneCar]

Colin Powell's comments make large assumptions about 'identity politics', that the 'disUnited States of America is an atomised collection of people divided into groups and tribes, based on ethnicity and race, 'majorities' and 'minorities' and other sub-categories. According to Powell, the GOP will prosper only if it adapts to these presumptions. This is dangerous and divisive. it envisages the US as a kind of enlarged version of the Balkans.

In stark contrast Governor Sarah Palin presents a unifying theme of all Americans together, as heirs to an exceptional founding ideal, a shared Republic and a common framework of laws. And in stark contrast to the bitter divisivenees of the feminist establishment, she presents a beautiful ideal of 'collaborative equality' between women and men.

When I compare the political presentation of Governor Palin on the one hand, and the effusions of Colin Powell and other detractors (such as Parker, Noonon and Brooks) on the other, I am struck by the contrast between an intelligence rooted in life and experience and a dissicated intellectualism rooted only in abstractions and 'terrible simplifications'.

As for so-called 'small town values', lets not despise them. They are not so bad when compared to some 'big city values' as exemplified by the recent revelations from Chicago.

[pavroviandog]

I recommend that you see a brilliant little movie called "Dogville." It takes place in a
"small town" and you may find this film rather chilling.

[thisisntme]

Look, I'm not going to allow to insult my city. Chicago does have morals and values. But of course if you've never been there or researched you wouldn't know that. Chicago has problems just like any other city, but there is a beauty there. Chicagoans care about people, we're honest, and we're passionate. Did you know that Chicago was once considered the gospel capital of the world?

And as far as Sarah Palin goes, how can someone be for equality when they refer to small America as "Real America?" Palin has been nothing but a divisive figure through the general election, and I am ashamed that you would post this.

[GeneCar]

Sorry my comment was indeed out-of-line and uncalled for and I sincerely apologise for the offence I caused.

[norkas]

Sarah Palin was devisive and sprewed dangerous remarks causing the EXTREME RIGHT WING to rear there head.

Sarah Palin allowed other Republicans to question there soul and see if they any longer wanted any connecttion to the Republican party and the answer was NO because many voted ofr Barak Obama and some very important Republicans openly supported Barak Obama.

In NO election have i ever seen a canidaite such as Sarah Palin continie with obvious lies and sprew dangerous hatfulness that caused death threats to Barak Obama and bring division that i had not seen in over 40 years.

There was o question that race is a issue with Sarah and the Extreme Right has the same issues
I am a Republican and was leaving America had Mc Cain and Sarah won and so were many others i know. I was raised with the Extreme Right and they are as UN AMERICA as i have ever seen..

[GeneCar]

The extreme right will rear its head in every election regardless of the Republican candidates, just as the extreme left will rear its ugly head regardless of the Democratic candidates. Everyone knows that the job of the VP nominee is to attack the top of the opposite ticket and it is legitimate to do this on issues of policy, past performance, ideology and character. At no stage did Governor Palin use race as an issue. A person who is married to a native American is hardly a racist. As for the death threat allegedly shouted at one rally, the secret service determined that it was a manufactured story designed to hit the airwaves and paint Palin in the most negative way possible.

[kareemachan]

Remember, the "political presentation" of Palin was totally manufactured by McCain's campaign staff, as she didn't have enough knowledge of world/political/cultural events to go it on her own. And for things being dangerous and divisive, think about the hate that Palin whipped up at campaign rallies. I don't call it unifying to emphasize an "us and them" kind of mentality, and her "common framework of laws" was good unless she wanted something different. Colin Powell is someone I can respect. Palin will never have that, as it sounds like she's just like Shrub - never admit mistakes, it's always someone else's fault, and divide rather than unify.

[GeneCar]

You are wrong. In making my comments about Governor Palin's political philosophy, I drew more on her life and career prior to her VP nomination. A lot of this got either buried or distorted in the heat of a necessarily partisan (what elections are not) camapign.

[in4success]

put down the crack pipe.

[AliLiz]

The Religious Right rule the Rebublicans...make no mistake about that.

One of two things have to happen: Form a another party or shut down the religious right. The Right is now the same as Religious ...this turns many away.