Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama
COLIN POWELL ON OBAMA: “He has energized a lot of people in America. He has energized a lot of people around the world. And so I think he is worth listening to and seeing what he stands for.” Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced today that he will be voting for Barack Obama.
COLIN POWELL ENDORSES OBAMA, which I am pretty sure means John McCain has us all “right where he wants us.”
(CNN) — Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Sunday that he will be voting for Sen. Barack Obama, citing the Democrat’s “ability to inspire” and the “inclusive nature of his campaign.” [...]
“He has both style and substance. I think he is a transformational figure,” Powell said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“Obama displayed a steadiness. Showed intellectual vigor. He has a definitive way of doing business that will do us well,” Powell said. [...]
Powell said he questioned Sen. John McCain’s judgment in picking Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate because he doesn’t think she is ready to be president. He also said he was disappointed with some of McCain’s campaign tactics, such as bringing up Obama’s ties to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers. [...]
On August 13, Powell’s office denied a report on Fox by commentator Bill Kristol that Powell had decided to publicly back Obama at the Democratic National Convention.
Several sources said at the time that Powell had not made a decision about a possible endorsement. [...] Powell himself brushed off queries on any potential presidential nod but told ABC News on August 13 that he would not be going to Denver, Colorado, for the convention.
“I do not have time to waste on Bill Kristol’s musings,” he said. “I am not going to the convention. I have made this clear.” [...] “I have voted for members of both parties in the course of my adult life. And as I said earlier, I will vote for the candidate I think can do the best job for America, whether that candidate is a Republican, a Democrat or an independent,” he added.
Powell has offered praise for Obama, calling him an “exciting person on the political stage.”
“He has energized a lot of people in America,” said Powell, who briefly weighed his own run for the White House in the mid-1990s. “He has energized a lot of people around the world. And so I think he is worth listening to and seeing what he stands for.”
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Powell says a lot of good things, in fact.
He also harshly criticized some of McCain’s campaign tactics, such as the robocall campaign linking Obama to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers.
“Mr. McCain says that he’s a washed up terrorist, but then why do we keep talking about him? And why do we have the robocalls going on around the country trying to suggest that because of this very, very limited relationship that Senator Obama has had with Mr. Ayers, somehow Mr. Obama is tainted. What they’re trying to connect him to is some kind of terrorist feelings. And I think that’s inappropriate. Now, I understand what politics is all about, I know how you can go after one another and that’s good. But I think this goes too far, and I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It’s not what the American people are looking for.”
Powell also spoke passionately against the insinuations by some Republicans that Obama is a Muslim.
“Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he’s a Christian. He’s always been a Christian,” he said. “But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer’s no, that’s not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, ‘He’s a Muslim and he might be associated terrorists.’ This is not the way we should be doing it in America.”
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That’s so true. But what I want to hear more about is how invading Iraq and deliberately conflating all Muslims with the rubble of the Towers had so much to do with this “way” he now so bravely condemns.
Tags: Barack Obama, Bill Kristol, Colin Powell, John McCain
Posted in Politics, Race for 2008, Republicans, United States Politics
It’s the least he could do after being used as a stooge at the U.N. Or did he do that willingly? OK, it’s good news for the campaign.
honestly? i had to fight not to title this “War Criminal Endorses Obama.”
I noticed his choking up, clearing of throat, and gagging when his explanation of his part in the war “run-up” began. I also felt he was reverting to spin when he laid the burden on both the “intelligence community” and congressional approval for the war (which is a re-interpretation of what the vote was all about.) I’d be willing to accept (but not approve)either: “I was stupid.” or “I was just being a loyal soldier and doing what I was told to do.”
agreed. people want to forgive him for simply endorsing Obama…but that just isn’t connected for me and just the fact that he yet turns down a chance to be honest about things gives me no great feeling about him.
Sometimes it takes time for people to see the light. McNamara did just that when he wrote a recent book about American wars. Yet he certainly was a big proponent of the Vietnam war.
Was Powell part of the problem? Oh hell yeah!
Is he part of the solution? Maybe.
Is he simply covering his ass or is he seeking redemption? We shall see….
i’m willing to watch him be part of the solution. but he says “what can i do? go around saying there is a blot on my record? it’s there, people can see it.”
no. that is not making amends for what you aided, sorry. first we need an honest accounting. then maybe he is allowed to enter Dismissive stage.
Powell’s endorsement of Obama does not verify Obama’s judgement, but rather brings Powell’s judgement into question. Powell says that Obama is ready to lead … WHY? … Regardless of Powell’s last minute endorsement, Obama is still the most liberal senator in congress … who accomplished nothing in his meager 3 years in office, except voting present 160 times, and campaigning for President, as well as associating with anti-American racists and domestic terrorists … and, taking America down the road to socialism. Obama betrayed a friendship of 20 years, for personal ambition. Powell betrayed his friendship with McCain. McCain did not betray his fellow prisoners, even during 5 years of torture. These facts speak volumes about who these men really are, and whether or not we can trust them.
he is the most liberal senator in congress??? realllly? you are funny. because…i love liberal thought. i’m all about a liberal heart. i’m down with liberal agenda. (you do know what “liberal” means, right?)
anyway, i’m not gonna bother refuting your stream of repeat as you are just a mccaniac slingin’ mud. means little here at UMX, where commenters are thoughtful and intelligent and original thinkers. you stand out here like a drunk toddler at a chess match.