Retired General Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama
Everyone following the US presidential campaign was all a-buzz this weekend at the news that retired general and former GWB Secretary of State Colin Powell would be appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press this morning. There was much speculation that Powell, who is a Republican and served in the cabinet of GWB, would be appearing on the show to formally endorse Senator Barack Obama’s candidacy for President of the United States of America. While it was not confirmed that Powell would be endorsing any candidate on Meet the Press, it was widely speculated that he was planning to do so … this morning, on live television, he did just that:
Former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president on Sunday morning as a candidate who was reaching out in a “more diverse and inclusive way across our society” and offering a “calm, patient, intellectual, steady approach” to the nation’s problems. The endorsement, on the NBC public affairs program “Meet the Press,” was a major blow to Senator John McCain, who has been a good friend of Mr. Powell for decades. Mr. Powell, a Republican, has advised Mr. McCain in the past on foreign policy. Mr. Powell told reporters after the taping of “Meet the Press” that he had been disturbed in recent weeks by the negative tone of Mr. McCain’s campaign, particularly its focus on Mr. Obama’s passing relationship with William Ayers, a 1960s radical and founder of the Weather Underground. The McCain campaign has sought to promote the idea that Mr. Obama is “palling around with terrorists,” in the words of Mr. McCain’s running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, because of Mr. Obama’s weak links to Mr. Ayers. “I thought that was over the top,” Mr. Powell told reporters. “It was beyond just good political fighting back and forth.” Mr. Powell did offer Mr. McCain a small dose of solace by calling him a different kind of Republican, although one who would support the party’s standard positions. “As gifted as he is, he is essentially going to execute the Republican agenda, the orthodoxy of the Republican agenda, with a new face and a maverick approach to it, and he’d be quite good at it,” Mr. Powell said. “But I think we need a generational change.” In offering his endorsement, Mr. Powell becomes the highest profile Republican to add his support to the Democratic ticket. Aides said it was not yet known whether the two men would campaign together – or what Mr. Powell would do alone – in the final two weeks of the presidential campaign. Those talks, aides said, were underway on Sunday … Mr. Powell met with both Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama in June in preparation to make a possible endorsement. He has said repeatedly in recent months that he wanted to wait until after the political conventions and the presidential debates before making a decision … Mr. Powell also told reporters on Sunday that he was troubled that a number of Americans believe that Mr. Obama is a Muslim, although he did not directly link that supposition to the McCain campaign. At a recent town-hall style meeting, Mr. McCain told an audience member who said she thought that Mr. Obama was an “Arab,” “no, ma’am, he’s a decent family man.” “These are the kinds of images going out on Al Jazeera that are killing us around the world,” Mr. Powell said. “And we have got to say to the world it doesn’t make any difference who you are and what you are. If you’re an American you’re an American.”
Before offering his vigorous endorsement of Barack Obama for President, Powell spoke very thoughtfully about how he came to his decision to endorse. He explained that he had been good friends with McCain for many years and didn’t come to his decision without much consideration. But, he says, he has come to realize that McCain is not ready to lead the country thru its current economic crisis nor does he believe that McCain has the judgment to make the right choices for our country (he cited McCain’s decision to elevate the, in his estimation, unqualified Sarah Palin to the office of Vice President. Powell contends that she is nowhere near ready to occupy that position). He, in turn, believes that Obama has shown steady leadership thruout his campaign, has showed intellectual vigor and offers a definitive way of doing the business of governance that will serve our country well. He also talked much about Obama’s inclusive nature that will unite our country rather than the Republican’s divisive nature that is further damaging our country. After the jump, watch video of Colin Powell offering his endorsement of Barack Obama in his own words …
Personally, I wholeheartedly agree with Powell’s endorsement. I don’t think I’ve heard a more eloquent reason why we need to have Obama become our next President. I didn’t really think he’d go this far in endorsing Obama but I love him all the more for it. It’s time that all Americans, Democrats and Republicans alike, realize that our country will only become stronger by unifying together. We may come from different walks and creeds but we are all Americans. It’s time we move forward with inclusiveness rather than splinter further by pitting the “us” against “them”. Nothing that I’ve seen from the Republican campaign has shown anything of an inclusive nature. It’s crystal clear to me.
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October 19th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Yea! I really appreciated him giving his reasoning for supporting Obama. On a seperate note, it was refreshing to finally hear someone say that Sarah Palin is not even close to being ready to lead this country if need be. Its time to UNIFY! Lets get fired up people!
October 19th, 2008 at 9:40 am
[...] Original post by It’s Trent, Bitch! [...]
October 19th, 2008 at 9:58 am
“It’s time that all Americans, Democrats and Republicans alike, realize that our country will only become stronger by unifying together.”
You mean unify together as long as it’s behind a Democrat President. You would be singing a different tune if it were about Democrats and Republicans joining together behind a Republican President. You talk a good game, but you only want to play together if the balls in your court. When it is the other way around all you want to do it bitch and moan and complain; and you forget all about this “unifying together.”
October 19th, 2008 at 10:00 am
No, I meant unifying as Christians, Muslims, Jews, Pagans, Gays, Straights, Whites, Asians, etc. You tell me which Republicans call for a unification of all Americans like this and I will happily look at that candidate more seriously.
October 19th, 2008 at 10:14 am
You mean bitch and moan and complain like youre doing Emily?
October 19th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Colin Powell is an empty suit. His military talents were never any close to general’s Schwarzkopf or Petraeus. He made his carrier because both Bushes have a “Mr. Nice Man” complex. They promoted him not because he shared any core believes with them, but simply because of his ethnicity. Today is your pay day Messrs. Nice Men!
October 19th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Wonderfully put Trent.
Unity isn’t defined by party- it’s defined by beliefs.
Thank god we have the amazing possibilty of having a President who knows the true meaning of unity.
October 19th, 2008 at 10:55 am
well put mr nice men thanks for bringing out those who have not just served but sacraficed.
October 19th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I don’t understand why people think that democrats are more for unity than republicans. That line of the thinking is using old stereotypes (or believing that all republicans are from the deep south). Biden is a rich devout catholic that doesn’t believe in gay marriage. Obama is a rich chirstian with his pastor being Jeremiah Wright.
What makes these two people better for uniting a country than McCain and Palin, who don’t get me wrong will do just an awful job if it.
October 19th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Hannah, watch this video of folks in line at a McCain rally and you tell me how some may believe that Republicans aren’t working hard for racial and social inclusiveness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itEucdhf4Us
October 19th, 2008 at 11:57 am
You don’t listen, I didn’t say republicans do that. I don’t like a lot of rebublicans, I wouldn’t vote for them.
That video has nothing to do with my point about democrats. The answer to every argument in this debate is “oh yeah, look how the other side is doing something worse.” Just because somebody is the lesser of the two evils does not change the fact they are still an evil.
October 19th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Absolutely true, but even if – by your contention – both are evil, we still have to make a choice. I do not find the Democratic party evil. By and large, they are more committed to equality in this country. They fight for women’s rights and gay rights and minority rights. Of course there are individual Republicans who do the same but by party platform standards, they do not. I’ve yet to see a group of Democrats yelling out the same heinous things that have been championed at Republican rallies — if you’re talking evil, then it’s right there in the video from the McCain rally.
October 19th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
What about working together for class unity, and not taking financial advantage of the poor? The two parties have very different policies on that issue, both historically and specifically in this election.
Republicans want the poor to work hard for them, Democrats work hard with the poor to help everyone.
This is an excellent endorsement, and I’m glad to see it reposted here. I’m not sure many young people watch Meet the Press, and this message needs to meet a diverse audience.
October 19th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
“Nothing that I’ve seen from the Republican campaign has shown anything of an inclusive nature.” – What about McCain almost alienating his party by befriending Lieberman and fighting against some of Bush’s policies? McCain has “crossed party lines” on many occasions to do what he thought was right..No one can dispute that fact..
October 19th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
The new Sarah Palin For President in 2012 website is now online, with related news, headlines & links at http://www.palin4pres2012.com/
October 19th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I just gotta say, Lieberman is not a Democrat. He’s an Independent, not that he really even acted like a Democrat when he was one…
October 19th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I wish that celebrities and gossip-raggers would just shut up and entertain. Trying to unduly influence others for your candidate is ridiculous. During the 2004 election we had a bunch of celebrities going around telling everyone to vote Demcratic then it turns out that only 1 of the 7 or 8 that were spouting off at the month actually was registered to vote. I bet it isn’t much different now.
October 19th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I smell NAACP- the infamous anti-racism org dedicated to being the biggest RACISTS. Their way is, you’re a traitor if you don’t support your own kind. Glad I’m not in that party.
October 19th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
” They promoted him not because he shared any core believes with them, but simply because of his ethnicity.”
This is offensive and not fair or true. Colin Powell has been a career soldier with 35 years of experience on the battle field and extremely accomplished in terms of studying and performing military strategy. He had earned his spot under both bush’s and I am by no means a Bush Fluffer. Colin Powell has been a republican in the true sense of the word his entire life, but even he himself said that the direction the party has taken has been too far right for anything good to come out of it. I’m extremely concerned that someone could even say that or imply that Colin Powell is a 4 start general and a distinguished secretary of state.
Do you research and don’t say some bigoted things.
October 19th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
p.s.
This is Trent’s blog and he can write about whatever he wants and you don’t have to read it. “everybody’s business is my business” is his tag line and that’s exactly what he’s doing. This is the most important election of our lives so far and it’s only pertinent to cover it. I’m sorry if you don’t feel that way, but the decisions that the people we elect make effect things you do every day.
Taxes, Roads, public transportation, whether you can pay for your house, health care and so much more. Don’t tell me those things don’t effect you because they do and it’s important that you pay attention to it or else you’ll get left behind.
I’m in fact glad that people are being forced to know what’s going on because that is what a democracy is and if you don’t participate, like I said, you’ll be left behind. More people are more informed than ever and it’s a good thing.
October 19th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
this place deletes comments that are not to trents liking fascist b*stard
October 20th, 2008 at 6:50 am
Lucy Fitzgerald, I am really upset by your hate speech. Calling me a bigot is offensive and not fair (and should be illegal).
In the early 1980s Powell’s commander General John Hudachek said in an efficiency evaluation that Powell was a poor leader who should not be promoted. Such evaluation would be end of career for any other soldier (and I guess you already know what I mean by saying “other”). Powell’s lightning-quick rise to a big wig status had very little to do with his accomplishments. Do your research.
October 20th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Wow, chelse. If you really feel that way about Trent, then why are you reading his blog? Why don’t you go start your own where you can post your hateful remarks as much as you want. Trent can do whatever he wants with his blog and the comments on his blog because it’s HIS.
October 20th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
its amazing how no one mentions that 99 percent of blacks are voting for obama. thats racist in and of its self. vote for someone because hes my race. in last weeks newsweek of 2500 blacks polled 2450 were voting for Obama. Of those 2450 only 570 could accurately describe one of his plans. This is exactly why people like myself wont vote for Obama. I refuse for someone who’s race only represents 10% of our population, push reforms and social welfare programs on the rest of the population. ALSO, unlike Trent (and probably the rest of you weenies), I have a REAL job, and I save my money accordingly. I do not spend over my needs.
October 21st, 2008 at 2:07 pm
i was honestly not aware that die hard republicans would read a gay persons blog… no offense to anyone.
BUT i totally agree and honestly i believe uneducated biased people who only listen to biased media and copy their opinions should not be allowed to vote or even have an opinion
October 21st, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Yeah…Colin Powell who makes the argument that Acorn is not a legitimate concern regarding the election, can’t say I’m surprised that he’s endorsing Obama. But it completely blows my mind.