Colin Powell Endorses Obama

[Joeychgo]

Excerpt:

Powell said he had watched both Obama and Sen. John McCain in the last "six or seven weeks," since the national political conventions, and paid special attention to how they reacted to the nation's worsening economic situation.

"I must say, he seemed a little unsure about how to approach the problem," Powell said of McCain.

"He didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems we have."

Powell also expressed concerns about McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. "I don't believe she's ready to be President of the United States, which is the job of vice president," Powell said, adding that it raised "some questions in my mind" about McCain's judgment.

As for Obama, Powell said, "I think that he has a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well."​

More:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/19/colin_powell_endorses_obama.html

 

[pepperman]

I wonder what Bryan will say about this.

 

[ford nut]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp=27265490&#27265490

Watch the video
He is very clear why and where he thinks the Rep. party is going.

 

[fossten]

Colin Powell's voting for the black guy.

98% of blacks will be voting for the black guy.

Gee, color me surprised.

 

[Joeychgo]

I wonder what Bryan will say about this.

Im sure Bryan will think Powell is a commie now too.

 

[pepperman]

Colin Powell's voting for the black guy.

98% of blacks will be voting for the black guy.

Gee, color me surprised.

Colin Powell is endorsing the candidate that he believes is best for this country, whether Obama is or not remains to be seen.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

"Colin Powell is endorsing the candidate that he believes is best for this country, whether Obama is or not remains to be seen."


Yeh, and Oprah Winfrey didn't contribute a dime to that black dude for his campaign.
You really need to get you head out of the clouds.
The only reason blacks are voting in numbers this year is because there is a black dude running.
They wouldn't be caught dead voting for a white dude.
Bob.

 

[Calabrio]

Colin Powel has been a conservative Democrat at least through out my life time. That's why I've never been supportive of him running for office. His wife can be quite outspoke regarding her left leanings.
However, Limbaugh has summed it up quite effectively this morning:

Limbaugh: Where are the inexperienced, white liberals Powell has endorsed?

Rush Limbaugh said Colin Powell's decision to get behind Barack Obama appeared to be very much tied to Obama's status as the first African-American with a chance to become president.

"Secretary Powell says his endorsement is not about race," Limbaugh wrote in an email. "OK, fine. I am now researching his past endorsements to see if I can find all the inexperienced, very liberal, white candidates he has endorsed. I'll let you know what I come up with."

As for Powell's statement of concern this morning about the sort of Supreme Court justices a President McCain might appoint, Limbaugh wrote: "I was also unaware of his dislike for John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy and Antonin Scalia. I guess he also regrets Reagan and Bush making him a four-star [General] and Secretary of State and appointing his son to head the FCC. Yes, let's hear it for transformational figures."

 

[foxpaws]

Who is turning this into a race card now?

And since there is one to be played is that such a bad thing?

 

[turborich]

Colin Powell's voting for the black guy.

98% of blacks will be voting for the black guy.

Gee, color me surprised.

EXACTLY!

 

[Calabrio]

Who is turning this into a race card now?

And since there is one to be played is that such a bad thing?

Yeah.
Racism isn't a white man's burden any longer.
And even where it exists, it's not condoned.

For example, I know of no one that would say, "I'm going to vote for the white guy because he's the white guy." Those that might say that either don't because of the social pressure or are subject to a backlash and condemnation.

The opposite can not be true. There are entire segments of the population voting for Obama purely because of his race. And doing so, a racist gesture by definition, is applauded. Hell, I know of white people who say they'll vote for Obama solely because he's black and that it'll be a gesture to end the perceived "racism" in this country.

They did that in NYC back in the late 80s. They elected David Dinkins over Rudy Gulliani.
White liberals thought it would reduce racial tension in the city.
It didn't work.




-----
In candor, all of the intelligent people that I've met or read that are endorsing him on the condition that:

A. He's an intelligent man. He is thoughtful, has a capacity to learn and he will grow into the office.

B. He's going to have good people around him

And it's on B that I take the most issue with. THIS IS WHY HIS ASSOCIATIONS ARE SO IMPORTANT.

There is no reason to think that after election he'll be surrounded by Warren Buffet or even Collin Powel or Dick Luger. WHERE IS HE GOING TO DRAW HIS ADVISERS FROM??

And when you consider that, you must consider the people he has surrounded himself with up until this point. And you also need to consider everything he said BEFORE running for national office.

And when you do that- it gets really scary.

 

[TheDude]

"Colin Powell is endorsing the candidate that he believes is best for this country, whether Obama is or not remains to be seen."


Yeh, and Oprah Winfrey didn't contribute a dime to that black dude for his campaign.
You really need to get you head out of the clouds.
The only reason blacks are voting in numbers this year is because there is a black dude running.
They wouldn't be caught dead voting for a white dude.
Bob.

Funny coming from the guy who's voting for the "white dude", simply because the "other dude's black."

Black people have voted in every election. Rediculous of you to assume there is a racist agenda, simply because you have one.

97.7% of whites who are voting for McCain, are voting because he's white! <--- another arbitarily made claim.

 

[foxpaws]

Well, Calabrio - Mr Hubbard is certainly voting against Barack because: the reason I changed party affillation is I have a huge dislike and mis trust of black people.

He doesn't say out loud - "I am going to vote for the white guy because he is a white guy", I wonder what would happen if 2 black men were running - would he be voting at all?

Calabrio, there are plenty of people, a few on this site, who aren't voting for Obama because he is black. Only reason - skin color. Not issues, not anything else, prejudice is the only thing that they are looking at.

One of the conclusions you can draw from that is that the biggest reason they are voting for McCain is because they are voting for the white guy. They aren't basing this on McCain's voting record, his plan for America, they are voting for him because he isn't black.

I am voting for the candidate who isn't black - isn't that the same as saying I am voting for the candidate who is white?

"There are entire segments of the population voting for Obama purely because of his race.:" I am voting for the candidate who is black (only reason - color of his skin). Therefore I am voting against the white guy.

In your argument both statements are true, so therefore, there are many people voting for McCain simply because he is the 'white guy'. They don't state it in those words, but they do state it by saying 'I am voting against the black guy'.

Maybe there is a distinction there I am missing...

And there is every reason to believe that Obama will chose his advisers from the people who currently surround him.

First - obviously these people believe in him, and he has chosen them to advise him within his campaign. If he gets elected, and assuming he will want a second term, doesn't it make sense to continue the associations that 'got him to the White House'? And maybe avoid the ones that could be damaging?

Secondly, McCain didn't always surround himself with 'pillars of the community' either. I don't believe he will chose his advisers from his "Keating, Contras, lobbying, etc" days. That is his past, not his present - I believe he would surround himself with people he currently looks for advice from. Why would Obama be any different? They have both made current choices on current conditions within the economy, the military, the healthcare system, etc. They have made choices to look for advice from men who have a mix of current/future viewpoints that they respect.

Certainly you look at the past - where both men have made questionable (and depending on your point of view 'wrong') choices. But, I personally give credence to current associations and decisions, and give this present day viewpoint a lot more "weight".

I allow for candidates to grow, change, and improve over time, if they just remained static it would be far, far worse.

 

[Calabrio]

Well, Calabrio - Mr Hubbard is certainly voting against Barack because: the reason I changed party affillation is I have a huge dislike and mis trust of black people.
And, wasn't he met with a big crap storm of condemnation as a result?
It wasn't accepted, he wasn't universally congratulated.

But if he'd said that he intended to vote for Obama BECAUSE he was black, you would have been congratulatory of him.

One of the conclusions you can draw from that is that the biggest reason they are voting for McCain is because they are voting for the white guy. They aren't basing this on McCain's voting record, his plan for America, they are voting for him because he isn't black.

Or, more likely, their voting for him because he's not a marxist. He hasn't been surrounded by and indoctrinated by radical communists and racists his entire life. He's an American hero, he's an honorable guy. He has a reputation of integrity......

I am voting for the candidate who isn't black - isn't that the same as saying I am voting for the candidate who is white?

I'm also voting for the candidate who isn't Japanese... At best you have a weak point, more likely you have none. You're rambling.

In your argument both statements are true, so therefore, there are many people voting for McCain simply because he is the 'white guy'. They don't state it in those words, but they do state it by saying 'I am voting against the black guy'.

I'm not arguing that there aren't some racists in this country...
I'm demonstrating that it is unique that in the case of Obama, it is culturally and socially acceptable among liberals to vote FOR him based on race. This is racist.

And there is every reason to believe that Obama will chose his advisers from the people who currently surround him.

First - obviously these people believe in him, and he has chosen them to advise him within his campaign. If he gets elected, and assuming he will want a second term, doesn't it make sense to continue the associations that 'got him to the White House'? And maybe avoid the ones that could be damaging?

Which demonstrates ANOTHER one of his lies.
When asked in a debate who he will surround himself with, he mentions very main stream sources with little direct association with him. Most find this reasuring. "Oh Warren Buffet will be in charge of the treasury" is the implication.

Of course this isn't going to happen. Obama will pick some fringe socialist, perhaps a friend of Bill Ayers, to fill that position. Who's going to oppose the confirmation? Harry Reid and his Congressional super majority?? I don't think so.

Secondly, McCain didn't always surround himself with 'pillars of the community' either. I don't believe he will chose his advisers from his "Keating, Contras, lobbying, etc" days. That is his past, not his present -

I'll debate this if you wish, but be specific.
Otherwise all you are doing is floating buzz words that provoke a reaction from people who watched the CBS news in the 80s but otherwise have no idea what it is your referring to.

I believe he would surround himself with people he currently looks for advice from. Why would Obama be any different?

He wouldn't be.
That's why Obama is so scary to imagine as a President.
That's why Obama has invested so much energy in misrepresenting himself to the public.
And all the people who think that we'll be protected by the "good people" around this inexperienced junior senator, with the mysterious radical marxist background are being tricked.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

"Well, Calabrio - Mr Hubbard is certainly voting against Barack because: the reason I changed party affillation is I have a huge dislike and mis trust of black people."

"He doesn't say out loud - "I am going to vote for the white guy because he is a white guy", I wonder what would happen if 2 black men were running - would he be voting at all?"

You got it.
If two black people were running for president,besides myself, there would be many others staying home on election day.
What this prooves is that racisim is alive and well in both races, and proably a lot others.
Always has been, and always will be.
There isn't a living sole on this earth that will ever convince me that Colin Powell and Oprah Winfrey are voting for Obama because he is qualified.
Plain and simple they chose him because he is BLACK.
They are black racist just as I am white racist.
I don't feel I have to change my feelings to suit anyone except myself.
If people don't like the fact that I don't like blacks, they can take a hike.
The difference between myself and many others is, I admit I don't have any use for them, and the others hide behind a curtain, hoping no one will know their true feelings.
I will vote for "the white dude", not only because he is not black but, I feel he would make a better leader.
I think we will all find, come election day, that the "Bradley effect" is also alive and well.
In the privacy of the voting booth, "closet racist" can make their feelings known.
For those of you who don't happen to agree with me, that is fine, but there is one thing you can never overlook, racisim is alive and well through out this land, always has been, and always will be.
Bob.

 

[Joeychgo]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp=27265490&#27265490

Watch the video
He is very clear why and where he thinks the Rep. party is going.

Racism coming in now. Thats the last ditch effort. Go to the race card when you cant think of anything else logical to make your point.

For me, if you watch the above posted video of Colin Powell on Meet the Press, you can see EXACTLY how I feel about making my decision. Powell hit every point directly on the head for me. Its as if he was speaking for me.

 

[lincolnx2]

Have you guys ever wondered what it feels like to hold the brains of your best friend in your hands in the middle of iraq? Have you ever wondered why chrysler and general motors assemble their cars in canada? Maybe Colin Powell asked those questions being the good leader that he made a smart decision based on that, besides colin powell isnt black, dont you all watch Dave Chapelle? By the way i support Obama because lost several friends in iraq, and my uncle who worked for chrysler for 25 years was just forced to retire, luckily he had pretty savings.

 

[ford nut]

Racism coming in now. Thats the last ditch effort. Go to the race card when you cant think of anything else logical to make your point.

For me, if you watch the above posted video of Colin Powell on Meet the Press, you can see EXACTLY how I feel about making my decision. Powell hit every point directly on the head for me. Its as if he was speaking for me.

"I must say, he seemed a little unsure about how to approach the problem," Powell said of McCain.
"He didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems we have."

Powell also expressed concerns about McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. "I don't believe she's ready to be President of the United States, which is the job of vice president," Powell said, adding that it raised "some questions in my mind" about McCain's judgment.

The retired general continued that "John McCain is as non-discriminatory as anyone I know," but he expressed serious concerns about his campaign's, and the Republican Party's recent focus on Obama's past association with William Ayers and robocalls the campaign has placed in battleground states this past week.

"I think this goes too far. I think it's made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign, and they trouble me. The party has moved further to the right," he said.

Powell also spent several moments discussing the false rumors that Obama is a Muslim, saying he was upset he had even heard the rumors from senior Republicans.

The facts are he says the party is going to far right.
He is not alone.

Joey your right...Racism is the last ditch effort.
It makes me sick to see it on this form.

Bob you make me sick your racism is ugly and hard to stomach :yuck:

 

[fossten]

besides colin powell isnt black, dont you all watch Dave Chapelle?

Ah, yes, of course. We should be watching semi-lunatic comedians to buttress our political knowledge.

According to your logic about Chappelle's statement, Obama isn't black either. But Obama says he is. Is he lying?

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Have you guys ever wondered what it feels like to hold the brains of your best friend in your hands in the middle of iraq? Have you ever wondered why chrysler and general motors assemble their cars in canada? Maybe Colin Powell asked those questions being the good leader that he made a smart decision based on that, besides colin powell isnt black, dont you all watch Dave Chapelle? By the way i support Obama because lost several friends in iraq, and my uncle who worked for chrysler for 25 years was just forced to retire, luckily he had pretty savings.

Thankfully I have never had that terrible experience you describe but, I can answer the reason GM and Chrysler shipped production out of the country.
Very simply put, the unions caused ALL the problems we have in the auto industry.
The workers , under union direction, priced themselves right out of jobs.
The auto makers simply could not afford to hire American workers, and pay all the things the unions demanded.
Henceforth, they moved to produce some product out of the country where labor is not as costly.
That can never be blamed on any administration, it was union greed and that's all.
So electing your buddy to the presidency, or anyone else to the office, is not going to help the auto industry one bit.
Let's take a look at the most successful auto maker in the world, Toyota.
How did they get there, and more importantly, how have they remained there?
NO UNIONS.
Perhaps you may want to rethink you statement above.
No adminintration caused the problems in the auto inddustry.
Obviously you agree with the black dude's position on getting out of Iraq.
The only thing I can say to you on that position is, SHAME ON YOU.
Of all the people in the world, our beloved service men and women who have fought and died for freedom for that country were there for the honor to serve.
Leaving (surrendering if you will) is a kick in the teeth to all who served, and died
Leaving with our tails between our legs would not honor those who gave so much, let alond the disgrace at giving up.
Saying you held your best friends brains in youir hands in Iraq tells me you were one of those service men or women.
You better than anyone else should have a firm grasp on just what has been accomplished there, and what a cowardly withdrawell would mean to the region, and the rest of the world, let alone our standing in the world.
Iam truly sorry you lost your best friend, but war is NEVER easy.
Withdrawell is the easy way out.
i don't think you or Obama, or for that matter, anyone who supports him, and his position have given any thought to what leaving now, would do.
I was under the impression all our fighting forces in the region were on the same page.
Obviously not.
Bob.

 

[Frogman]

You support Obama because you lost friends in Iraq??? Boo forking hoo! It's war, soldiers die!

People like you chose to be "soldiers" for the free education money. You never thought you'd be in a hot zone while you earned your money for college. You were hoping to put in your 4 years, ten get out. Now that you had to deploy, you bitch and moan about it.

REAL soldiers choose to be soldiers because they love their country and want to serve, not because they want free money. And if need be, they will die for the honor to have served.

I never thought I'd hear a service member say that he'd support a guy because he would advocates US soldiers coming back defeated. Shame on you. PM me where you're stationed in the sad box, and I'll see about paying you a visit with some REAL soldiers that would be more than glad to educate you.

But fear not we'll be in the sandbox for many years to come, even if Obama gets to be POTUS.

 

[Joeychgo]

Ah, yes, of course. We should be watching semi-lunatic comedians to buttress our political knowledge.

According to your logic about Chappelle's statement, Obama isn't black either. But Obama says he is. Is he lying?

Get off the race card.

Face it. Factors in favor of Obama just keep piling up. McCain just keeps on making mistakes and chaing this issues day by day. He seems to be to be flailing around looking for something that works.

And you know what? I believe it's you far right wingers that did it. You took someone who was electable, and forced him to be far right, which isnt McCain. So he isnt in his element and keeps getting trapped. McCain is more moderate, but that wasnt good enough for you. So, now it looks like you get your worst nightmare. Obama.

If you want to blame someone for Obama, blame yourselves. You couldnt be happy with a republican, you had to have him be YOUR kind of republican. Well, after 8 years of GW, the people dont want another right winger who doesnt seem to really know what to do next.

 

[TheDude]

You got it.
If two black people were running for president,besides myself, there would be many others staying home on election day.

Plain and simple they chose him because he is BLACK.
They are black racist just as I am white racist.

There's a flaw in your rhetoric, Bob, Powell and Oprah have voted for white presidents, unless you believe this is the first time they're voting.

 

[Machspeed]

You know, with all this talk about racism, why do you people who support Obama take no issue with the fact that this man attended a black racist church for 20 years? What, you don’t think he believes that stuff that Wright preached. Please explain that so we can all be clear on it.

 

[Calabrio]

First let's address two points-
People think that under Obama two things will happen.
1. We'll suddenly disengage from the world and no longer utilitze the military.
2. Industry will come back to the country.

Of course, the same people who think these two things will happen are never capable of explaining the how.

Here's the reality-
they are wrong on both counts.

Regarding point one, let's look at Bill Clinton for an example.
Clinton was not nearly as left leaning as Obama is. Or for the matter we can use Jimmy Carter or LBJ. I don't care, they all reinforce the same point.

While these left leaning "leaders" privately have contempt for military culture, they seek out ways to undermine it and use it in a manner befitting their world views. This leads to an underfunded, under equipped military with morale issues. And inevitably it means that these Democrat administrations will engage these poorly equipped troops in places they have no reason to be, without the authorization or training to properly defend themselves.

The Clinton Administration is full of these "peace keeping" missions consisting of American soldiers who do not have permission to fire until they've be directly fired upon. This is the result of a presidents who do not understand the military, do not respect the military, and they don't understand what it can or can not do.

At this point, the knee jerk liberal response will be to attack Bush for "running down the military." I'm not interested in that debate right now. The fact is, the next President will get the military that we presently have. Will they spend the money to build it up, or will they steal funding from it to finance "School breakfasts for nursery school kids."

Obama might well snatch defeat from the hands of victory in Iraq and Afghanistan, but will he deploy "peace keepers" under a UN flag into Africa with orders to NOT FIRE.

Oxford, Rhodes Scholar, draft dodging, peace loving Bill Clinton brought us Somalia, Bosnia, increased military activity in Iraq (including the policy of regime change regarding Hussein), and it was his policy that was responsible for the gunners on the U.S.S. Cole having empty guns and no order to fire before it was struck by a terrorist boat with high explosives.

Jimmy Carter's foreign policy failures brought us the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, the Chinese control of the Panama Canal, he Iran we have today,the Iranian hostage crisis, and his incompetence, lack of commitment to the military, and inability to make a decision led to the deaths of 8 more service men.

And LBJ was responsible for the escalation of activities in Vietnam, without a commitment to win it.


And lastly, the problem of exporting jobs.
Why do companies leave the U.S?
We have the most productive work force in the world and it costs a lot of money to import things back into the country.

I'll tell you- BECAUSE IS COSTS TOO MUCH.

If you want to increase domestic production, if you want to have other countries moving their manufacturing HERE, you need to reduce the taxes and reduce the burdensome regulation.

Obama wants to RAISE taxes, he wants to empower the Unions that are crippling industry, and he wants to INCREASE regulation.

That's a recipe for a hard-core recession.
Or maybe we should just call it a "malaise."