Who Really Puts "Country First"? Colin Powell
A primary motivator for Colin Powell's public endorsement of Barack Obama for president appears to have been the character of the negative attacks by the McCain campaign.
Appearing generally somber and thoughtful during his remarks following the taping of Meet the Press, former Secretary of State Powell became most animated during his discussion of the nature of John McCain's campaign strategy during recent weeks. Negative campaigning that sticks to highlighting realities is one thing -- but the distortions, slurs and race baiting implemented by the McCain campaign are another animal altogether. Their use by a candidate who has built his reputation on his professed integrity has puzzled, shocked and repelled many in the Republican Party who, like Powell, have known John McCain for years.
As Powell talked about the McCain campaign's emphasis on Obama's alleged connection with 1960s radical activist and Chicago-based education advocate William Ayers, Powell's voice rose in volume and his face became the most animated. He denounced the use of such tactics during such a critical time in our nation's history -- a time when we are not only dealing with continuing military engagement on two fronts but are also facing the greatest economic crisis in many decades. Powell went on to strongly point out that the McCain campaign's false claims that Obama is Muslim and its insinuations that he is a terrorist are creating division with the United States and further damaging our reputation and standing within the world.
It was clear from Powell's demeanor and the tone of his remarks that the man takes no pleasure in breaking from the Republican Party in making this endorsement. As a leader who has unparalleled respect within the upper reaches of the military and in public opinion, Powell's repudiation of the McCain/Palin ticket holds particular power. Powell is clearly aware of his influence. His carefully considered endorsement will no doubt lose him many friends within Republican circles.
In the end, however, one man in the Republican Party truly has decided to put "country first" - and that man is Colin Powell.
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Colin Powell endorsed Obama for one reason and one reason only and it was becuase the color of his skin. Tell me one liberal white guy Colin Powell ever endorsed? I thought so....case closed!
The praises for republicans on HuffPo just keep on coming. Last week it was Buckley and this week it is Powell.
You would think the democrats need the help by the slavish support for republicans who deign to support their candidate. Looks real good.
This is what bipartisanship looks like. Open hands instead of fists. It's about time.
Reading Bob Woodward's first three books on GW Bush: (Bush at War, Plan of Attack and State of Denial) can give the impression that Powell was the one voice of sanity in the GW Bush White House in the run up to the war..
Was Powell being the good soldier in following his Commander-in-Chief when he tried to sell the Iraq invasion to the UN? Good soldiers are supposed to do that. The neoconservatives in the White House were going to war with or without Powell on board.
Powell could have resigned but then Neocon servatives Cheney and Rumsfeld would have been completely unopposed. Did Powell . One theory could be that Powell decided to go down with the ship.
"Powell could have resigned but then Neocon servatives Cheney and Rumsfeld would have been completely unopposed."
When Powell used his prestige to sell the Iraq war he wasn't a general, he was the Secretary of State. And the only one at the table who was a former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. If he was an ethical man he would have resigned and gone public with his opposition. That would have been courageous.
Those who are interested in political courage might read or reread John F. Kennedy's book Profiles in Courage. Unlike Obama, he wrote about someone other than himself.
The only thing that could have made the Obama ticket better would be if he could have chosen Colin Powell for his running mate. It would have been an unbeatable combination.
I agree, Powell probably feels guilty and is haunted daily about his statements he made at the UN. Wonder why he resigned from the Bush administration? I believe Powell was set up by Cheny and Rumsfeld. He was intentionally misled about Iraq's WMD's and imminent threat against the U.S. The UN needed convincing, and who better to send to talk to them? Powell, whose credibility with the UN was great at the time, unlike Cheny or even Bush for that matter. What did Powell do when when there was evidence of misleading intelligence from the "CIA" about the whole Iraq report? He did the right thing, as a great American with integrity, he resigned. And again as a great American, he's going against his own party,doing the right thing, and endorsing Obama.
P.S. And by speaking about the true American spirit, of which many in the media or in Washington never bring up, shows us all why it's wrong to secularize Muslims, shows us Muslim Americans have died for their country....again shows us furthermore why he's a great American with great integrity. Kudos Mr. Powell, I forgive you for Iraq
Colin Powell is still a great American hero and diplomat. He would be an excellent choice for a Cabinet post in Obama's administration.
How can Powell put Country First by endorsing Obama when McCain's the one with the Country First signs all over his events?
/sarcasm
I can tell you one thing. McCain sure as hell didn't put the country first when he chose "that one", And you know to whom I'm referring. I think it's becoming blatantly obvious that he doesn't care what he has to do to win, he'll agree to it. Voters are already complaining that their votes are being switched on those electron machines (Diebold - a Republican contributor) made, when they choose Obama, it automatically switches to McCain. In other races when they select the GOP opponent, it switches back to the GOP candidate. FRUSTRATING!!!
FOLKS IT'S STARTING ALREADY!
I'll be !@##$D if they still this election.
Is this Colin Powell's redemption from the UN Security Council debacle? I'm glad he put country first this time instead of lying to the UN and the world like he did the last time. I guess we can say, live and learn. Too bad, many in the Republican Party won't.
I think it is time for John McCain to call a press conference and tell the whole world that he is endorsing Barack Obama for President of the United States of America.
LOL
See Leah McElrath Renna's Profile
This made me laugh - thanks!
That was funny, and I agree we should start a campaign for McCain to vote for Barack Obama. Cuz, he knows that Obama is the better equipped to lead this great nation of ours.
I believe that at one time Colin Powell could have been the first black president of the United States. He squandered that with his participation in the selling of the Iraq war. His credibility is gone. It's nice that he's endorsing Obama, but that's all. No big deal.
Since he has no credibility, his endorsement is a slap in the face of Obama.
He may have no credibility with you. And that is, of course, your right. But he does clearly still hold a lot of credibility with the general populace of this nation. His endorsement is coveted and it is powerful.
Do not kid yourself, the same people who can not support "O" because he is black would never have supported Powell, it is just easy to say you would after he decided to not run...
COME OUT IN THE TENS OF MILLIONS ON NOVEMBER 4TH AND VOTE THE OBAMA TICKET. NO EXCUSES EVEN IF IT RAINS HEAVILY OR THE LINES GO AROUND THE BLOCK,VOTE ,VOTE VOTE. STATES WHO HAVE EARLY VOTING,GO VOTE NOW,DONT WAIT,GO NOW. LETS GO.
Better yet, VOTE EARLY!!! It'll send a message.
I would like to see Obama have Powell in his cabinet. He would be a huge asset to Obama's White House.
Powell was duped just like Congress & the American public. When it came to convincing the UN the Bush administration knew they had to send someone the UN knew & respected to sell their pack of lies. They sold Powell on all the "evidence" and used him to convince the UN. When the truth came out Powell knew he had been used. He locked horns several times with Bush,Cheney, Rumsfeld over strategy of war. They wouldn't listen. He resigned when it was obvious that they were not going to take his advice. He is an honorable man. He had been watching Obama for the last two years and he had been impressed with him. When McCain became the repub. nominee he watched both closely. He knew when McCain started with his less than honorable campaign tactics - the same ones that had been used against him and he declared he would never use them - Powell knew he had to step forward before the lies did any damage to Obama. That's why he said this morning on MTP that he crossed the line when he started pushing the Ayers thing over less than a limited relationship on a charity board. He said the repub. party had gotten so "narrow and further than far right" that it had become exclusionary of a lot of people. It was something he felt he had to do for the sake of this country. GOTV- No complacency. O/B are working their butts off for us!
Could not agree more. Powell will be a tremendous asset in either an official or unofficial capacity.
One thing is certain: Obama will often seek his counsel.
For a while during McCain's campaign, Powell probably felt that McCain might have picked him as Vice President. Then he was passed up for Palin.
It's about time he endorsed Obama. I was waiting for so long for this endorsement I had actually given up waiting.
I think it's that Powell had been a good Republican soldier for so long and finally he decided to dissent. I'm puzzled that he did not entirely defect from the party. At this point, the Republican witch-hunting party probably considers Powell to be a Republican Lieberman. Powell probably realises that, with that thought in mind, much power to him for voicing his endorsement, as well as his indictment of current "G"oP operations and practices.
Colin Powell sold his integrity down the river, along with everyone who believed in him, when he LIED to the UN on behalf of the Village Idiot. I respect his opinion in the same way I respect everyone's right to make a choice in a democracy. But is Colin Powell anyone so very, very special or unique any more?
The answer is no.
He sold the chance to be a real instrument of Truth, Justice and Honor when he went before the world and gave in to those who would sell out the nation for which Colin Powell himself fought.
I cannot and will not forgive this, or overlook it for political expedience. I'm glad he's supporting Obama, but his voice should carry no more weight and volume than any other. And you know what? I think Collin Powell would agree.
Colin Powell's approval rating is at 75% so I think his endorsement will have an impact. He is well known and still respected by a lot of people. I am hopeful it will have an impact here in Florida where we have a lot of retired military. If Obama wins this state he is our next POTUS.
Do you believe that it might have been possible for Powell to have been mislead himself and not a co-conspirator in the presentation of the false justification to invade Iraq? I certainly believe it is possible. Powell was selected to present not only because he was Sec.of State. but because he HAD such a sterling reputation for being honest about the facts. The US ambassador to the UN could have just as easily presented the 'doctored' intel but if they sent Powell they knew it would be above reproach. He was used and probably that was why he was put in the cabinet to begin with.
You are exactly right. Roci, read Bob Woodward's book.
But during the primaries, the momentary left said that Clinton's war vote was unforgivable and that it was just a political thing. Now, Obama's fan club is all gushy over Powell, but he sold the war. If Powell -- the insider -- was just misled, isn't it possible that the entire Congress was skillfully misled, thus defeating Obama's argument that he was the one with good judgment?
PS: I disagree that Powell was misled....
Powell was a real leader today. His remarks were profoundly thoughtful and intelligent. These were not the ramblings of a partisan hack, but of a man who has made a rational and well-reasoned decision based on the good of his country and fellow Americans. I believe he is truly pained with McCain the candidate, and like most of us, feels insulted with McCain's reckless choice of Palin in these trying and dangerous times. Thank you Colin Powell.
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