by John McCormick, updated
Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has won the backing of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a much anticipated endorsement from a Republican with impressive foreign policy credentials.
The endorsement came during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."
Robert Gibbs, a top adviser to the Illinois senator, said Powell and Obama spoke by phone for about 10 minutes this morning.
"He said he looked forward to taking advantage of his advice in the next two weeks and hopefully over the next four years," Gibbs said.
Obama spent Saturday night is in North Carolina, where he has a rally Sunday afternoon. He is then expected to return home to Chicago, before heading Monday morning to Florida for a two-day campaign swing there.
Powell was once viewed as a possible running mate for Sen. John McCain. He has advised the last three Republican presidents and was once considered the first African American to have a real chance at the presidency.
The retired general noted Obama's "steadiness and an intellectual curiosity" and also mentioned his selection of Sen. Joe Biden as a running mate.
He questioned McCain's pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as a vice presidential candidate, saying he did not think she was ready to be president. "That raised some questions in my mind as to the judgment Sen. McCain made," he said.
Powell said "either one of them would be a good president," but McCain has been "a little unsure" with how to deal with the nation's financial crisis.
He said he was "disappointed" by the McCain campaign's use of Bill Ayers, a former 1960s radical who Obama knows through community work in Chicago.
"He has both style and substance. He has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president. I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming onto the world stage, on the American stage," Powell said. "For that reason, I will be voting for Sen. Barack Obama."
Powell, who said he does not plan to actively campaign for Obama, served as secretary of state for President Bush from 2001 to 2005.
Asked about a possible Powell endorsement on Friday, David Axelrod, Obama's top adviser, said the two men had not spoken.
The full transcript of Powell's appearance, as provided by NBC, is below.
(New York) - October 19, 2008 - Former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.) endorses Sen. Barack Obama, D-Il., in an exclusive interview with NBC's Tom Brokaw on "Meet the Press." Powell, who had been courted by both Obama and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., breaks his recent silence and shares his reasons for crossing party lines to endorse Sen. Obama.
Below is the "Meet the Press" Transcript for Sunday, Oct. 19 -- if used, mandatory credit: NBC News' "Meet the Press"
MR. TOM BROKAW: Our issues this Sunday: He served as President George W. Bush's Secretary of State and was once called the man most likely to become the nation's first African- American president. He has been courted by both the Obama and McCain presidential campaigns and said this last month:
(Videotape)
GEN. COLIN POWELL (RET.): I have been watching both of these individuals. I know them both extremely well, and I have not decided who I'm going to vote for yet.
(End videotape)
MR. BROKAW: Is he now ready to make an endorsement in this presidential race? What are his thoughts on the major issues facing the country and the world? Our exclusive guest this Sunday, former Secretary of State General Colin Powell.
Then, with 16 days to go, Decision 2008 heads into the home stretch. What states still are in play? We will hear the latest on some new state polls with NBC's political director, Chuck Todd. Also, insights and analysis on the race to the White House with David Brooks of The New York Times, Jon Meacham of Newsweek magazine, Andrea Mitchell of NBC News, and Joe Scarborough of MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
But first, General Colin Powell, welcome back to MEET THE PRESS.
GEN. POWELL: Thank, thank you, Tom.
MR. BROKAW: We indicated in that opening, there is a lot of anticipation and speculation about your take on this presidential campaign. We'll get to that in a moment. But in your old business we might call this a tour of the horizon. Whoever's elected president of the United States, that first day in the Oval Office on January 21st will face this: an American economy that's in a near paralytic state at this time; we're at war in two different countries, Afghanistan and Iraq; we have an energy crisis; we have big decisions to make about health care and about global climate change. The president of the United States and the Congress of the United States now have the highest disapproval ratings that we have seen in many years. In all your years of public service, have you ever seen an incoming president face such daunting challenges?
GEN. POWELL: No. I have seen more difficult times in our history. I think about the early '70s when we were going through Watergate, Spiro Agnew, Nixon period, that was not a good time. But right now we're also facing a very daunting period. And I think the number one issue the president's going to have to deal with is the economy. That's what the American people are worried about. And, frankly, it's not just an American problem, it's an international problem. We can see how all of these economies are now linked in this globalized system. And I think that'll be number one. The president will also have to make decisions quickly as to how to deal with Iraq and Afghanistan. And also I think the president has to reach out to the world and show that there is a new president, a new administration that is looking forward to working with our friends and allies. And in my judgment, also willing to talk to people who we have not been willing to talk to before. Because this is a time for outreach.
MR. BROKAW: Given the state of the American economy, can we continue our military commitments around the world at the level that they now exist?
GEN. POWELL: We can. I think we have to look as to whether they have to be at that level. But we have the wealth, we have the wherewithal to do that. (Clears throat) Excuse me, Tom. We have the ability to do that. And so, first and foremost, we have to review those commitments, see what they are, see what else is needed, and make sure we give our troops what they need to get the job done as we have defined the job. We have that ability.
MR. BROKAW: If you were called into the Oval Office on January 21st by the new president, whoever it happens to be, and he said to you, "General Powell, I need from you your recommendation on where I begin. What should be my priorities?" Where would you start?
GEN. POWELL: I would start with talking to the American people and talking to the world, and conveying a new image of American leadership, a new image of America's role in the world. The problems will always be there, and there's going to be a crisis come along in the 21st or 22nd of January that we don't even know about right now. And so I think what the president has to do is to start using the power of the Oval Office and the power of his personality to convince the American people and to convince the world that America is solid, America is going to move forward, and we're going to fix our economic problems, we're going to meet our overseas obligations. But restoring a sense of purpose, a sense of confidence in the American people and, in the international community, in America.
MR. BROKAW: What's not on the screen right now that concerns you that should be more prominent in the minds of the American people and the people running for president?
GEN. POWELL: I think the American people and the gentlemen running for president will have to, early on, focus on education more than we have seen in the campaign so far. America has a terrible educational problem in the sense that we have too many youngsters not finishing school. A third of our kids don't finish high school, 50 percent of minorities don't finish high school. We've got to work on this, and my, my wife and I are leading a campaign with this purpose. Also, I think, the new president has to realize that the world looks to America for leadership, and so we have to show leadership on some issues that the world is expecting us to, whether it's energy, global warming and the environment. And I think we have to do a lot more with respect to poverty alleviation and helping the needy people of the world. We need to increase the amount of resources we put into our development programs to help the rest of the world. Because when you help the poorest in the world, you start to move them up an economic and social ladder, and they're not going to be moving toward violence or terrorism of the kind that we worry about.
MR. BROKAW: Well, let's move to the American presidential campaign now, if we can. We saw at the beginning of this broadcast a short tease of what you had to say just a month ago. Let's share with our viewers now a little more of Colin Powell on these two candidates and your position.
(Videotape, September 20, 2008)
GEN. POWELL: I'm an American, first and foremost, and I'm very proud--I said, I've said, I've said to my beloved friend and colleague John McCain, a friend of 25 years, "John, I love you, but I'm not just going to vote for you on the basis of our affection or friendship." And I've said to Barack Obama, "I admire you. I'll give you all the advice I can. But I'm not going to vote for you just because you're black." We, we have to move beyond this.
(End videotape)
MR. BROKAW: General Powell, actually you gave a campaign contribution to Senator McCain. You have met twice at least with Barack Obama. Are you prepared to make a public declaration of which of these two candidates that you're prepared to support?
GEN. POWELL: Yes, but let me lead into it this way. I know both of these individuals very well now. I've known John for 25 years as your setup said. And I've gotten to know Mr. Obama quite well over the past two years. Both of them are distinguished Americans who are patriotic, who are dedicated to the welfare of our country. Either one of them, I think, would be a good president. I have said to Mr. McCain that I admire all he has done. I have some concerns about the direction that the party has taken in recent years. It has moved more to the right than I would like to see it, but that's a choice the party makes. And I've said to Mr. Obama, "You have to pass a test of do you have enough experience, and do you bring the judgment to the table that would give us confidence that you would be a good president." And I've watched him over the past two years, frankly, and I've had this conversation with him. I have especially watched over the last six of seven weeks as both of them have really taken a final exam with respect to this economic crisis that we are in and coming out of the conventions. And I must say that I've gotten a good measure of both. In the case of Mr. McCain, I found that he was a little unsure as to deal with the economic problems that we were having and almost every day there was a different approach to the problem. And that concerned me, sensing that he didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had. And I was also concerned at the selection of Governor Palin. She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired; but at the same time, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Senator McCain made. On the Obama side, I watched Mr. Obama and I watched him during this seven-week period. And he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems like this and picking a vice president that, I think, is ready to be president on day one. And also, in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor. I think that he has a, a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well. I also believe that on the Republican side over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower. Mr. Obama, at the same time, has given us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people. He's crossing lines-- ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines. He's thinking about all villages have values, all towns have values, not just small towns have values. And I've also been disappointed, frankly, by some of the approaches that Senator McCain has taken recently, or his campaign ads, on issues that are not really central to the problems that the American people are worried about. This Bill Ayers situation that's been going on for weeks became something of a central point of the campaign. But Mr. McCain says that he's a washed-out terrorist. Well, then, why do we keep talking about him? And why do we have these 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. And I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign and they trouble me. And the party has moved even further to the right, and Governor Palin has indicated a further rightward shift. I would have difficulty with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration. I'm also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is permitted to be said such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. 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. I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery, and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards--Purple Heart, Bronze Star--showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death. He was 20 years old. And then, at the very top of the headstone, it didn't have a Christian cross, it didn't have the Star of David, it had crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he can go serve his country, and he gave his life. Now, we have got to stop polarizing ourself in this way. And John McCain is as nondiscriminatory as anyone I know. But I'm troubled about the fact that, within the party, we have these kinds of expressions. So, when I look at all of this and I think back to my Army career, we've got two individuals, either one of them could be a good president. But which is the president that we need now? Which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time? And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities--and we have to take that into account--as well as his substance--he has both style and substance--he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president. I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the world-- onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama.
MR. BROKAW: Will you be campaigning for him as well?
GEN. POWELL: I don't plan to. Two weeks left, let them go at each other in the finest tradition. But I will be voting for him.
MR. BROKAW: I can already anticipate some of the reaction to this. Let's begin with the charge that John McCain has continued to make against Barack Obama. You sit there, as a man who served in Vietnam, you commanded a battalion of 101st, you were chairman of the Joint Chiefs, you were a national security adviser and secretary of state. There is nothing in Barack Obama's history that nearly paralyze any--parallels any of the experiences that you've had. And while he has performed impressively in the context of the campaign, there's a vast difference between sitting in the Oval Office and making tough decisions and doing well in a campaign.
GEN. POWELL: And he knows that. And I have watched him over the last two years as he has educated himself, as he has become very familiar with these issues. He speaks authoritatively. He speaks with great insight into the challenges we're facing of a military and political and economic nature. And he is surrounding himself, I'm confident, with people who'll be able to give him the expertise that he, at the moment, does not have. And so I have watched an individual who has intellectual vigor and who dives deeply into issues and approaches issues with a very, very steady hand. And so I'm confident that he will be ready to take on these challenges on January 21st.
MR. BROKAW: And you are fully aware that there will be some--how many, no one can say for sure--but there will be some who will say this is an African-American, distinguished American, supporting another African-American because of race.
GEN. POWELL: If I had only had that in mind, I could have done this six, eight, 10 months ago. I really have been going back and forth between somebody I have the highest respect and regard for, John McCain, and somebody I was getting to know, Barack Obama. And it was only in the last couple of months that I settled on this. And I can't deny that it will be a historic event for an African-American to become president. And should that happen, all Americans should be proud-not just African-Americans, but all Americans--that we have reached this point in our national history where such a thing could happen. It will also not only electrify our country, I think it'll electrify the world.
MR. BROKAW: You have some differences with Barack Obama. He has said that once he takes office, he wants to begin removing American troops from Iraq. Here's what you had to say about that: "I have found in my many years of service, to set arbitrary dates that don't coincide with the situation on the ground or what actually is happening tends not to be a useful strategy. ... Arbitrary deadlines that are snatched out of the air and are based on some lunar calculation is not the way to run a military or a strategic operation of this type." That was on February 10th of this year on CNN. Now that you have Barack Obama's ear in a new fashion, will you say to him, "Drop your idea of setting a deadline of some kind to pull the troops out of Iraq"?
GEN. POWELL: First of all, I think that's a great line, and thanks for pulling it up. And I believe that. But as I watch what's happening right now, the United States is negotiating the-an agreement with the Iraqi government that will call for most major combat operations to cease by next June and for American forces to start withdrawing to their bases. And that agreement will also provide for all American troops to be gone by 2011, but conditioned on the situation as it exists at that time. So there already is a timeline that's being developed between the Iraqis and the United States government. So I think whoever becomes the president, whether it's John McCain or whether it's Barack Obama, we're going to see a continued drawdown. And when, you know, which day so many troops come out or what units come out, that'll be determined by the commanders and the new president. But I think we are on a glide path to reducing our presence in Iraq over the next couple of years. Increasingly, this problem's going to be solved by the Iraqis. They're going to make the political decisions, their security forces are going to take over, and they're going to have to create an environment of reconciliation where all the people can come together and make Iraq a much, much better place.
MR. BROKAW: Let me go back to something that you raised just a moment ago, and that's William Ayers, a former member of the Weathermen who's now active in school issues in Illinois. He had some past association with Barack Obama. Wouldn't it have been more helpful for William Ayers to, on his own, to have renounced his own past? Here was a man who was a part of the most radical group that existed in America at a time when you were serving in Vietnam, targeting the Pentagon, the Capitol. He wrote a book about it that came out on 2001, on September 11th that said, "We didn't bomb enough."
GEN. POWELL: It's despicable, and I have no truck for William Ayers. I think what he did was despicable, and to continue to talk about it in 2001 is also despicable. But to suggest that because Mr. Barack Obama had some contacts of a very casual nature--they sat on a educational board--over time is somehow connected to his thinking or his actions, I think, is a, a terrible stretch. It's demagoguery.
MR. BROKAW: I want to ask you about your own role in the decision to go to war in Iraq. Barack Obama has been critical of your appearance before the United Nations at that time. Bob Woodward has a new book out called "The War Within," and here's what he had to say about Colin Powell and his place in the administration: "Powell ... didn't think [Iraq] was a necessary war, and yet he had gone along in a hundred ways, large and small. He had resisted at times but had succumbed to the momentum and his own sense of deference--even obedience--to the president. ... Perhaps more than anyone else in the administration, Powell had been the `closer' for the president's case on war."
And then you were invited to appear before the Iraq Study Group. "`Why did we go into Iraq with so few people?' [former Secretary of State James] Baker asked. ... `Colin just exploded at that point,' [former Secretary of Defense William] Perry recalled later. `He unloaded,' Former White House Chief of Staff] Leon Panetta added. `He was angry. He was mad as hell.' ... Powell left [the Study Group meeting]. Baker turned to Panetta and said solemnly, `He's the one guy who could have perhaps prevented this from happening.'"
What's the lesson in all of that for a former--for a new secretary of state or for a new national security adviser, based on your own experience?
GEN. POWELL: Well, let's start at the beginning. I said to the president in 2002, we should try to solve this diplomatically and avoid war. The president accepted that recommendation, we took it to the U.N. But the president, by the end of 2002, believed that the U.N. was not going to solve the problem, and he made a decision that we had to prepare for military action. I fully supported that. And I have never said anything to suggest I did not support going to war. I thought the evidence was there. And it is not just my closing of the whole deal with my U.N. speech. I know the importance of that speech, and I regret a lot of the information that the intelligence community provided us was wrong. But three months before my speech, with a heavy majority, the United States Congress expressed its support to use military force if it was necessary. And so we went in and used military force. My unhappiness was that we didn't do it right. It was easy to get to Baghdad, but then we forgot that there was a lot more that had to be done. And we didn't have enough force to impose our will in the country or to deal with the insurgency when it broke out, and that I regret.
MR. BROKAW: Removing the weapons of mass destruction from the equation...
GEN. POWELL: I also assure you that it was not a correct assessment by anybody that my statements or my leaving the administration would have stopped it.
MR. BROKAW: Removing the weapons of mass destruction from the equation, because we now know that they did not exist, was it then a war of necessity or just a war of choice?
GEN. POWELL: Without the weapons of mass destruction present, as conveyed to us by the intelligence community in the most powerful way, I don't think there would have been a war. It was the reason we took it to the public, it was the reason we took it to the American people to the Congress, who supported it on that basis, and it's the presentation I made to the United Nations. Without those weapons of mass destruction then Iraq did not present to the world the kind of threat that it did if it had weapons of mass destruction.
MR. BROKAW: You do know that there are supporters of Barack Obama who feel very strongly about his candidacy because he was opposed to the war from the beginning, and they're going to say, "Who needs Colin Powell? He was the guy who helped get us into this mess."
GEN. POWELL: I'm not here to get their approval or lack of approval. I am here to express my view as to who I'm going to vote for.
MR. BROKAW: There's a summing up going on now as, as the Bush/Cheney administration winds down. We'd like to share with our audience some of what you had to say about the two men who are at the top of the administration. At the convention in 2000, this is Colin Powell on President Bush and Dick Cheney at that time.
(Videotape, July 31, 2000)
GEN. POWELL: Dick Cheney is one of the most distinguished and dedicated public servants this nation has ever had. He will be a superb vice president.
The Bush/Cheney team will be a great team for America. They will put our nation on a course of hope and optimism for this new century.
(End videotape)
MR. BROKAW: Was that prophetic or wrong?
GEN. POWELL: It's what I believed. It reflected the agenda of the new president, compassionate conservatism. And some of it worked out. I think we have advanced our freedom agenda, I think we've done a lot to help people around the world with our programs of development. I think we've done a lot to solve some conflicts such as in Liberia and elsewhere. But, at the same time, we have managed to convey to the world that we are more unilateral than we really are. We have not explained ourself well enough. And we, unfortunately, have left an impression with the world that is not a good one. And the new president is going to have to fix the reputation that we've left with the rest of the world. Now, let me make a point here. The United States is still seen as the leader at the world that wants to be free. Even though the numbers are down with respect to favorability ratings, at every embassy and consular office tomorrow morning that we have, people will be lined up, and they'll all say the same thing, "We want to go to America." So we're still the leader of the world that wants to be free. We are still the inspiration of the rest of the world. And we can come back. In 2000, it was moment where I believed that the new administration coming in would be able to achieve the agenda that President-elect Bush had set out of compassionate conservatism.
MR. BROKAW: But it failed?
GEN. POWELL: I don't think it was as successful--excuse me (clears throat)--I don't think it was as successful as it might have been. And, as you see from the presidential approval ratings, the American people have found the administration wanting.
MR. BROKAW: Let me as, you a couple of questions--quick questions as we wrap all of this up. I know you're very close to President Bush 41. Are you still in touch with him on a regular basis? And what do you think he'll think about you this morning endorsing Barack Obama?
GEN. POWELL: I will let President Bush 41, speak for himself and let others speak for themselves, just as I have spoken for myself. Let me make one point, Tom, both Senator McCain and Senator Obama will be good presidents. It isn't easy for me to disappoint Senator McCain in the way that I have this morning, and I regret that. But I strongly believe that at this point in America's history, we need a president that will not just continue, even with a new face and with some changes and with some maverick aspects, who will not just continue, basically, the policies that we have been following in recent years. I think we need a transformational figure. I need-- think we need a president who is a generational change. And that's why I'm supporting Barack Obama. Not out of any lack of respect or admiration for Senator John McCain.
MR. BROKAW: And finally, how much of a factor do you think race will be when voters go into that booth on November 4th?
GEN. POWELL: I don't know the answer to that question. One may say that it's going to be a big factor, and a lot of people say they will vote for Senator Obama but they won't pull a lever. Others might say that has already happened. People are already finding other reasons to say they're not voting for him. "Well, he's a Muslim," "He's this." So we have already seen the so-called "Bradley factor" in the current--in the current spread between the candidates. And so that remains to be seen. I hope it is not the case. I think we have advanced considerably in this country since the days of Tom Bradley. And I hope that is not the case. It would be very unfortunate if it were the case.
MR. BROKAW: Finally, if Senator Obama is elected president, will there be a place for Colin Powell in that administration? Maybe as the ambassador at large in Africa or to take on the daunting task of resolving the Israeli/Palestinian issue?
GEN. POWELL: I served 40 years in government, and I--I'm not looking forward to a position or an assignment. Of course, I have always said if a president asks you to do something, you have to consider it. But I am in no way interested in returning to government. But I, of course, would sit and talk to any president who wishes to talk to me.
MR. BROKAW: You're not ruling it out?
GEN. POWELL: I would sit and talk to any president who wishes to talk to me, but I'm not anxious to rule it in.
MR. BROKAW: General Colin Powell, thank you very much for being with us this morning. Appreciate it.
GEN. POWELL: Thank you, Tom.
Comments
Prepare for the hate filled right to smear Powell. They continue to divide the country till I fear violence will errupt. Their hate and lies fill the airways. Reasonable men and women like Powell see the way forward and reject the fear politics that McBush brings. He sees Palin for what she is...a bad choice...plain and simple.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | October 19, 2008 9:34 AM
As the election draws near, my worry about America’s future increases. I continue to have faith that American’s will make the right choice (as long as ACORN doesn’t steal it). The article America’s Attachment to the Idea of Change is the Perilous “Will o’ The Wisp” That’s Confounding Voter’s Perceptions sums up my concerns. It is found at:
http://zachjonesishome.wordpress.com/2008/10/19/voters-obama-will-o-the-wisp-change-confounding-voters-perceptions/
Posted by: ZachJonesIsHome | October 19, 2008 9:35 AM
In my opinion, Colin Powell lost his credibility and ability to influence any reasonable observer when he blindly and dishonorably aided in the lead up to the Iraq war. Were I an undecided voter, Powell's endorsement would not be a plus.
Posted by: Nick Falcone | October 19, 2008 9:43 AM
Wasn't Colin the target of the left for lying to the UN?
Posted by: Pete | October 19, 2008 9:46 AM
To paraphrase Twain, the difference between a patriot and a nationalist is that the patriot supports his/her country always: but he/she supports the government (or prospective government) only when it deserves it.
Powell is a patriot.
Posted by: PJW | October 19, 2008 9:49 AM
It's nice seeing an endorsement coming from General Powell who stopped our troops from decimating Saddam Hussein's army in 1992 when we had 500,000 troops in Iraq and enough forces to make Iraq a success. By allowing Saddam off the hook it set the stage for the mess we have now. By overruling his generals in the field Powell is partly responsible for the situation. What would you expect from a man who was against criticizing Arafat when he was sending suicide bombers into Israel?
Posted by: Marjorie Oberon | October 19, 2008 9:51 AM
cool!...... the beat goes on.
And get ready for personal attacks on Powell by the right wingers. Colin must be anti-American.
Posted by: rupert | October 19, 2008 9:54 AM
Colin Powell blew any chances of political office when he let himself be used in the run up to the Iraqi war. His performance at the UN lent credibility to the lie and he can never be forgiven for that. That he's waited so long to endorse a candidate shows just how slow on the uptake he is.
Posted by: Jim A in Chicago | October 19, 2008 10:04 AM
Great news from a Great American. Thank-you GENERAL Powell. You are not only a war hero, but insightful into the greatest needs for AMERICANS.
Posted by: Mike Urban | October 19, 2008 10:06 AM
Democrats and the media have trashed Colin Powell for years over his involvement with the Iraq war and his other decisions as Secretary of State.
Now watch how they gush all over him for his "statesmanship" in supporting Obama. His reason couldn't be that Obama is black, could it be? Or that he wants a position in the Obama administration? Nah, that would be condescending and petty.
Posted by: Derrick | October 19, 2008 10:09 AM
I have been waiting to hear who Powell would endorse. This is huge. There was a great article written about John McCain in The Rolling Stone. It paints a very scary picture of who John McCain is and how he chose to live his life. Since reading that I have been watching to see who Powell would endorse and I am very happy with his decision.
Powell explains his decision very well. I believe the way he describes Obama is the way many people feel about him. I do wish that we had a more open and honest way of truly looking at candidates. What I read about John McCain in the Rolling Stone article did not surprise me. It confirmed what I had already seen for myself. I encourage people to read the article particularly if you are undecided, on the fence or certain that McCain is your man. A disadvantage for McCain is that he is older, there is more of his life and his choices to examine. Unfortunately for him, he has made very bad choices and has exhibited very bad character consistently throughout his life. I wish the republicans would have come up with a better candidate, but they chose him and that's how the party will lose the election.
Posted by: Kay | October 19, 2008 10:13 AM
Well that's a fantastic endorsement and great news for Barack Obama. This makes the clear statement to me that it's not just the "liberal [fill in the blank]s" and crazies that support Barack Obama. I don't think anyone can deny how powerful of a political figure Colin Powell is in this country. Say what you will but his endorsement speaks volumes to me, this country and to Republicans. We need change and, ironically, a steady hand at the tiller. I will be breathing easier on Nov. 5 when I know this country will finally begin heading back in the right direction.
Posted by: Jason | October 19, 2008 10:17 AM
Wow! One empty suit endorsing another empty suit...hey Colin..where have you been hiding for the past five yrs. Under your bed? You gutless little coward!!!
Posted by: Joe | October 19, 2008 10:27 AM
Powell's "logic" isn't making much sense. What "substance?" How is Obama, himself, more qualified than Palin??? Seems more like racial solidarity to me.
Posted by: Forked Tongue | October 19, 2008 10:34 AM
Hey, No big suprise, Powell always was a big liberal, he has made a good life living off the tax payers. He is now looking for a position in the leftis cabinet. CZ
Posted by: cliff zeider | October 19, 2008 10:34 AM
It's amazing; a mass exodus from the religiously right-winged GOP. They're ineptitude, and lying and cheating ways are catching up with them. It's about time people woke up.
Obama will win in a landslide!
Posted by: M. Kenney | October 19, 2008 10:35 AM
I see Colin Powell has drank some of the Kool-Aid.
He's also mad that McCain didn't pick him for VP.
Posted by: Rey Flores | October 19, 2008 10:42 AM
Although I am not a US citizen, my son, his wife and their 2 NH-born daughters, are.
I strongly agree with Gen. Powell's endorsement of Obama. For my granddaughters, he will be their next generation's President. With Obama at the helm, the US will regain its former status of the country of liberty, of endless opportunity, the envy of the rest of the world. I am now optimistic that Americans will have a bright future. They are in good, steady hands. Most countries of the world would welcome a President Obama too.
Posted by: LIAT TAN | October 19, 2008 10:51 AM
Surprise,as if we didn't already know this.Yet they make a whole news column about it.....
Posted by: Terri | October 19, 2008 10:54 AM
Gee!...the great mystery has always been "is Colin Powell a conservative or a liberal." He just endorsed Obama with 100% Liberal talking points...mystery solved!!!
Posted by: Joe | October 19, 2008 10:56 AM
Welcome President Obama!
Good by George and Richard. We will obviously miss you a great deal because of your incredible insight and sound judgment in deciding to invade Iraq, and also for keeping a close eye on Wall Street during your watch to prevent any serious shenanigans. Sorry Bill and Hillary. Of course we really wanted to have you back again so that Bill could have another shot at some more action with interns in the oval office. Too bad John and Sarah. It looks like we will probably never get a chance to fulfill our wildest dream of someday having President Palin lead the free world. Welcome President Obama! You are an intelligent, articulate, and insightful 47 year old biracial man, a top of the class graduate of Harvard Law School and president of its Law Review, a former instructor in constitutional law for 12 years at the University of Chicago Law School, a 3 term Illinois State Senator and US Senator for the past 4 years who on November 4 will very likely win the right to begin what may be an eight year process of helping to unite, reform, and lead the greatest and most powerful country in the history of the planet, and in the process, despite the cynics, skeptics, and nay sayers, perhaps become the most practical, effective, and respected American president in modern times. Welcome.
Posted by: Robert | October 19, 2008 11:37 AM
Colin Powell's lesson in civic education ...
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/261355http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/261355
BREAKING NEWS: Colin Powell Says He Is Voting For Obama
... Colin Powell did indeed endorse Illinois Democrat Barack Obama for President. ... he called John McCain a friend and a capable individual who would do a job as president, but that he feels the country needs a generational shift that Barack Obama can provide. He also expressed dissappontment with the McCain campaigns tactic of attempting to tie Barack Obama to william Ayers, and the fact that they were labeling the Democrat as a socialist.
He also specifically sighted his displeasure with Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann's statements that the Democratic members of Congress should be investigated for their anti-American views....
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5goINYNQHy_vv8cBCBiZYaDYakrKA
Obama wins Colin Powell's vote
... He had harsh words about the tone of McCain's campaign and rising Islamophobia in Republican circles as smears purport to portray Obama as a secret Muslim.
"I have said to Mr McCain that I admire all he has done. I have some concerns about the direction the party has taken in recent years. It has moved more to the right than I would like to see it," he said.
McCain had gone "too far" with a negative advertising barrage over Obama's ties to former 1960s radical William Ayers, Powell said.
He said the economic crisis engulfing the United States had made up his mind, along with McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Palin as his vice presidential nominee.
"In the case of Mr McCain I found that he was a little unsure as to how to deal with the economic problems that we are having. Almost every day there was a different approach to the problem, and that concerned me," he said.
"I was also concerned at the selection of Governor Palin," he said. "I don't believe she is ready to be president of the United States. And so that raised in my mind some question as to the judgment that Senator McCain made."
Powell said that Obama, in contrast, had come out of recent weeks looking presidential.
"He displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at (economic) problems like this, and picking a vice president (Joseph Biden) that I think is ready to be president on day one."
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/martinedwinandersen
Posted by: Martin Edwin Andersen | October 19, 2008 11:46 AM
Colin in Cabinet?
Posted by: Allen Braun | October 19, 2008 11:55 AM
Sad day in America when a Great General bows to Conrade Obama a drift toward Socialism
Posted by: George | October 19, 2008 12:03 PM
Big deal! Powell lost all credibility when he helped to bring the US into the war in Iraq by his spurious UN address. I used to admire the guy, but he's a whore for whomever will advance his interests. Powell's endorsement sealed my vote for McCain (and I wrote in Powell as VP in 1992).
Posted by: Chuck | October 19, 2008 12:03 PM
I just saw McBush talking about this. As he claimed he has 4 secretary of states, like (i'm in charge here) Haage, he also said it was "not surprising". What did McBush mean by that? Did he mean, a republican who worked in the Bush administration sees what failed policies have done to the country.....or was he saying because Powell happens to be black?
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | October 19, 2008 12:06 PM
I still haven't forgiven him for his being the mouthpiece of the lying Bush administration scheme to take us into war. But nevertheless it's never to late to learn from your mistakes.
Posted by: Joe | October 19, 2008 12:14 PM
He questioned McCain's pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as a vice presidential candidate, saying he did not think she was ready to be president.
-
And that is the TRUTH. You can list all the good things about McCain that you want, but in the end, this is the deal-breaker.
Posted by: Bruce Y | October 19, 2008 12:27 PM
It was time for Powell. He was such a blunder in his post with Bush that he was looking for a way to redeem himself with the populace he had become a traitor to.
It still does not change my mind about his blunder in believing there were WMDs and AL Qaeda in Iraq.
Posted by: Leon | October 19, 2008 12:33 PM
This is the final blow to McCain's bid to become president. The man he should have asked to be his VP is now so dissatisfied with the Republican party he can't bring himself to vote for it. What has happened to the GOP?
Posted by: Dean Conner | October 19, 2008 12:37 PM
Well, I guess the hard-line right will now turn around and argue that Powell is supporting a socialist and terrorist sympathizer?
Powell is smarter than that, so don't fall for it. He's been watching the GOP, the party he used to work for and support, the party that trusted him with classified information, and he can't support that party anymore. Anyone who is still on the fence - like I used to be - should consider that carefully.
Posted by: John | October 19, 2008 12:46 PM
He's still a criminal, even though he got this right.
Posted by: Cheryl Hussein | October 19, 2008 12:49 PM
The “SARAH PALIN” EFFECT:
“Salt Lake Tribune said:
Then, out of nowhere, and without proper vetting, the impetuous McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She quickly proved grievously underequipped to step into the presidency should McCain, at 72 and with a history of health problems, die in office. More than any single factor, McCain’s bad judgment in choosing the inarticulate, insular and ethically challenged Palin disqualifies him for the presidency.
Kansas City Star said, in endorsing Obama:
Despite his age and previous health problems, McCain chose a vice presidential candidate who is so clearly unqualified for high office that the thought of her stepping into the presidency is frightening.
That irresponsible decision casts serious doubt on McCain’s judgment at this point in his political career. And over the past eight years, Americans have come to know, all too well, the high price of carelessness and ineptitude in the White House.
the Tennessean:
Further, Obama demonstrated sound judgment in selecting as his running mate Sen. Joe Biden, whose experience and knowledge of foreign policy prepare him to step in if need be as chief executive. McCain’s selection of Gov. Sarah Palin, by comparison, may have shown political savvy, but at the expense of offering a vice president the country could rally around.
the Miami Herald:
A turning point came during the Republican convention, when he chose a long-shot for a running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, out of an apparent need to appease the right wing of the party. For all of her rhetorical skills on the campaign trail — particularly in the attack mode — Gov. Palin appears to know little about the issues and simply is not qualified to be commander in chief.
the Oregonian:
Supporting her, McCain has offered the equally jaw-dropping claim that Sarah Palin knows more about energy than anyone else in the United States.
Having Palin a heartbeat from the presidency makes our own heart miss a beat.
The LA Times was scathing:
Indeed, the presidential campaign has rendered McCain nearly unrecognizable. His selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate was, as a short-term political tactic, brilliant. It was also irresponsible, as Palin is the most unqualified vice presidential nominee of a major party in living memory. The decision calls into question just what kind of thinking — if that’s the appropriate word — would drive the White House in a McCain presidency. Fortunately, the public has shown more discernment, and the early enthusiasm for Palin has given way to national ridicule of her candidacy and McCain’s judgment.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Consider that while Mr. McCain selected as his running mate Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, a callow and shrill partisan, Mr. Obama selected Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware. Mr. Biden’s 35-year Senate career has given him encyclopedic expertise on legislative and judicial issues, as well as foreign affairs.
The Houston Chronicle:
Perhaps the worst mistake McCain made in his campaign for the White House was the choice of the inexperienced and inflammatory Palin as his vice-presidential running mate. Had he selected a moderate, experienced Republican lawmaker such as Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison with a strong appeal to independents, the Chronicle’s choice for an endorsement would have been far more difficult.”
And Now, the distinquished Colin Powell, has come out against John McCain! Why? Sarah Palin!
Posted by: Angellight | October 19, 2008 1:05 PM
I think that they ought to get Jack Kecorkian to help put an end to the GOP's suffering, just as soon as he does the same for SNL.
Posted by: Pete | October 19, 2008 1:10 PM
www.obamacrimes.com
Good news! This is horrible for the Obama camp. Powell was the one that lied to the country about WMD! Liars associate with liars.
Posted by: So What | October 19, 2008 1:25 PM
Powell is used to being catered to through the military environment he grew up in. Once he was forced to work with personnel equal or greater than him in power he quickly revealed his leftward slant. No surprise in his endorsement - he is extremely liberal and if you were able to get beyond the code of honor of the former soldiers under him they would confirm this view. He is working to seek relevance in the coming leftward/socialist tilt.
Posted by: NC Military Guy | October 19, 2008 1:29 PM
Well you know Rummy, Dickey and I lied to everyone about the WMD's. Then we lied some more about, well, everything. That's why Powell left my cabinet; he didn't like us lying to him. Well hell, what's the big deal, Rummy and Dickey and Iied to everyone, what's the big deal, we've been doing it for years. Now Powell goes out and supports the other party. Wow, I guess I've messed up the Republican party. Now my ratings are lower that Nixon's at the height of Watergate. Daddy was right, I'm not smart enough to be president, I'm not smart enough to be anything. Where's Laura, did she leave too?
Posted by: Geo Bush | October 19, 2008 1:41 PM
If McCain would have picked Powell as a vp vs Palin, McCain could have become the winner. Forget about McCain winning now. Just observing Powell speak vs Palin & you know who has the experience.
Let's just say Powell wouldn't be the one who's credentials included seeing Russia, or praying for pipelines.
Posted by: RomanB | October 19, 2008 1:51 PM
I am so completely sick and tired of seeing Obama's face! I can't wait for this election to be over, so I won't have to see it ever again once he concedes. Puleeeeze spend his ad budget by tomorrow, and get it over with so I don't have to see his face ever again!
Posted by: Pro-Life-Forever | October 19, 2008 1:57 PM
After getting stabbed in the back by this administration and then reading the namecalling like "coward" and "leftist" above, it's no wonder he jumped the aisle. McCain himself was close to doing the same after the 2000 elections.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport ☮ | October 19, 2008 2:11 PM
Welcome President Obama!
Good by George and Richard. We will obviously miss you a great deal because of your incredible insight and sound judgment in deciding to invade Iraq, and also for keeping a close eye on Wall Street during your watch to prevent any serious shenanigans. Sorry Bill and Hillary. Of course we really wanted to have you back again so that Bill could have another shot at some more action with interns in the oval office. Too bad John and Sarah. It looks like we will probably never get a chance to fulfill our wildest dream of someday having President Palin lead the free world. Welcome President Obama! You are an intelligent, articulate, and insightful 47 year old biracial man, a top of the class graduate of Harvard Law School and president of its Law Review, a former instructor in constitutional law for 12 years at the University of Chicago Law School, a 3 term Illinois State Senator and US Senator for the past 4 years who on November 4 will very likely win the right to begin what may be an eight year process of helping to unite, reform, and lead the greatest and most powerful country in the history of the planet, and in the process, despite the cynics, skeptics, and nay sayers, perhaps become the most practical, effective, and respected American president in modern times. Welcome.
Posted by: Robert | October 19, 2008 2:22 PM
"MR. BROKAW: Given the state of the American economy, can we continue our military commitments around the world at the level that they now exist?"
Translation: I'm a pacifist who hates the military but has to pretend I approve of at the least the 'boys on the ground' so I'm not excorciated. But let me ask this couched question to appear 'thoughtful' while really just advancing my dream-agenda of the decline of American power!
Greatest generation my behind
Posted by: Pax | October 19, 2008 2:25 PM
Gen. Powell's reasoning is something the Republicans just can't understand: intellectual. They are underestimating the intelligence of the American people and are assuming that people like me "hate" the U.S. My late father was one of the heroes of WWII, a hard-working average Joe, as we used to say. So for someone like Congresswoman Bachman to say that someone like me is anti-American is simply anti-American on its face. Understand that, GOP?
Posted by: Off topic | October 19, 2008 2:37 PM
Its clear the General doesn't want to be called an "Uncle Tom".
Posted by: paul | October 19, 2008 2:43 PM
Using the same logic as McCain is using, then the robo calls of 2000 were true. He cannot say that because he says them that they are true although every reputable source questions them. His campaign is so outlandish that his intellectual conservative base has condemned it and disassociated itself from him. It is like a bad football game when a team plays so dirty to win that it offends the sense of decency and fairness of the viewer. The team may win but the team loses the crowd that begins to boo it. McCain has crossed the line.
Posted by: Rodolfo Acuna | October 19, 2008 2:49 PM
Looks like Powell lost his credibility and is showing his true colors. I guess he's one of the 95% of the racist blacks voting based on the color of his skin.
Divided we fall -
Time to end affirmative action and white people to organize like the blacks have - before it's too late.
Posted by: noneoftheabove | October 19, 2008 2:53 PM
Powell has put race over country. Simple as that. He has lost credibility he had with Americans with this socialistic endorsement. He lost mine when he announced he was pro-abortion.
Posted by: suzie | October 19, 2008 2:54 PM
Black people are racist towards white, we need an org called NAWP! Sick of the blacks racism
Posted by: Dan | October 19, 2008 3:01 PM
Powell's endorsement was predictable!
I do have to give credit to Jesse Jackson for the first time ever he has the balls to go against his own!
Even Jesse Jackson sees Obama as an empty suit!
Posted by: Gidget | October 19, 2008 3:04 PM
Pete, you wrote:
>Wasn't Colin the target of the left for lying to the UN?
Yes--but is it okay to change your mind, or not?
Personally, I heard Powell's words today with tears in my eyes.
Posted by: Tim | October 19, 2008 3:31 PM
It is sad to see a man of Powell's stature support an empty individual like Obama. Obama has no real accomplishments in his career compared to McCain or Powell.
Perhaps Powell should lay off the TV for a bit because it has apparently brainwashed him to support it's socialist agenda.
Posted by: Nick | October 19, 2008 3:35 PM
Since Gen. Powell felt he could not run for President himself, I would have voted for him, he has lost the right to endorse either candidate. He could not stand the heat so he got out of the kitchen. He should now just stay home and keep his opinions to himself. If he wanted to run the country, he should have been willing to put himself out front in the beginning.
Posted by: Jeannine Harkins | October 19, 2008 3:38 PM
Those who are bashing Mr. Powell from both the right and the left obviously did not listen to his eloquent lead up to his Obama endorsement today. Even Rush Limbaugh attacked Mr. Powell today, saying hat he would research what white liberals Mr. Powell has endorsed in the past.
Powell only really had two choices right no and this pont in time: McCain or Obama. He watched, listened and selected the person who would best lead America at this point in time and into the future. Someone with a fresh approach whose campaign is not about divisive politics. After looking at it that way, how could he have reached any other conclusion. And finally admitting that Palin is in now way intellectually ready to be President
Posted by: Norman Maslov | October 19, 2008 3:58 PM
The fact that this person who claimed to be a republican all these yeas now endorses Obama just shows that for blacks race always trumps every thing. Powell has endorsed the most liberal and socialist thinking member of congress. Whilst he claims to be a republican. The only explanation is that black racisim is at work. Powell felt he had to give up on what he believes in to endorse and vote for the black person.
Posted by: steve | October 19, 2008 4:00 PM
Strange that a conservative military man would endorse a far left liberal socialist. That is until you consider this...
1. Obama is black.
+
2. Powell is black.
=
Finish the math yourself folks.
Posted by: Mark | October 19, 2008 4:04 PM
Colin Powell's decision to endorse Obama is disappointing. It is not disappointing to me that Powell didn't endorse McCain. I thoroughly understand that. What disappoints me is that I know Powell knows what Obama stands for - including his far left ideology. That Powell would back a person who champions such ideas is the real disappointment. It’s the same as if LeMay or Westmoreland had endorsed McGovern.
Posted by: John W. | October 19, 2008 4:32 PM
"Powell's "logic" isn't making much sense. What "substance?" How is Obama, himself, more qualified than Palin??? Seems more like racial solidarity to me." - Posted by: Forked Tongue
--------------------------
Uhh, the FACT that Obama, unlike Palin, has broad and in-depth knowledge about the issues facing the nation (heck, a good no. of conservative commentators/intellectuals have also stated the same).
Palin, otoh, has a lesser grasp of the issues than an intelligent HS student.
Posted by: cscs7 | October 19, 2008 4:40 PM
It's nice seeing an endorsement coming from General Powell who stopped our troops from decimating Saddam Hussein's army in 1992 when we had 500,000 troops in Iraq and enough forces to make Iraq a success. By allowing Saddam off the hook it set the stage for the mess we have now. By overruling his generals in the field Powell is partly responsible for the situation.
Posted by: Marjorie Oberon
-------------------------
Uhh, Marjorie, if we had gone into Baghdad during the (1st) Gulf War, we would be in the exact SAME mess that we are in now.
The problem was NEVER he IRAQI military, but the resulting power vacuum once Saddam was toppled and the inevitable rise of militias/insurgents (not to mention toppling the prime adversary to Iran).
All this was well known but Bush/Cheney were too arrogrant/ignorant.
Posted by: cscs7 | October 19, 2008 4:47 PM
Thank you, General Powell for your words today. I am born in America (fair skinned and blue eyes ... if that matters to some of you) and I was born Muslim too. The constant and blatant media blasts against the people of my faith have saddened me to the point that I am considering moving to Canada. I do not feel like I'm living in a free country when there is a systematic, blatant and continuous attack on the people of my faith. To stand up on Meet the Press and say that a 7 year old Muslim American can have dreams of being president some day ... and "so WHAT if Obama were Muslim?? SO WHAT?" I thank you. You have given me faith on this day, October 19, 2008 that there is hope in our country once again.
Posted by: thanking General Powell | October 19, 2008 4:52 PM
What's next? Hillary Clinton endorsing John McCain? Say it ain't so? But just wait, that will be next. Don't know if that would be a positive or negative for McCain and Palin.
Posted by: Laurence | October 19, 2008 5:07 PM
This election is going to be about the people's rejection of Socialism, Liberalism and hype. People all over the country are afraid of Sen. Obama, and what he represents and where he has come from. Gen. Powell's endorsement will not stop the tide of people who do not trust the Obama/Biden ticket, and regardless of the polls, I believe McCain is going to win because people CAN trust him. The American people will get this election right, even if Gen. Powell does not...
Posted by: djn | October 19, 2008 5:08 PM
Let's see...Powell was part of the Bush administrations invasion of Iraq...well, well, well, Obama is now closer to Bush then McCain is...explain that Lib's!!!
Posted by: Joe | October 19, 2008 5:11 PM
1. Obama is black.
+
2. Powell is black.
=
Finish the math yourself folks.
Posted by: Mark | October 19, 2008 4:04 PM
I would take it you're voting McBush. I also take it you're white.......Stop voting race.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | October 19, 2008 5:15 PM
Huge or Minor? Powell endorses Obama- assess its impact [VOTE] - http://www.thriveorfail.com/db432
Posted by: Kevin Kapauldo | October 19, 2008 5:19 PM
There is no surprise here. Mr. Powell has to endorse Obama because he is black. Just tell me how much love Mr. Jackson has toward Obama if he wants to cut his "XXXX" off.
Mr. Obama will lose the race for sure. This country needs to be ready for any troubles that might bring - Army, National Guards, Police, and all.
Posted by: Frank | October 19, 2008 5:20 PM
Back when Colin Powell was acting even a little bit Republican or conservative, he was the 'wrong' kind of black, just like the Libs have hammered Condoleeza for the same thing. Now, they will fall all over themselves singing his praises because of this endorsement. What a pile of steaming stinking hypocrites.
Posted by: Corey | October 19, 2008 5:35 PM
My math says that prior to Senator Obama 100% of all presidential candidates were endorsed by white men. When General Colin Powell previously endorsed President Bush, where was the outcry? What racist BS!
Posted by: Man Up | October 19, 2008 5:45 PM
Good lord....what a bunch of racist crap in the swamp tonight. All those who say Powell is voting for Obama because he is black....are you voting McBush because he is white. All good Christians too.
Bravo republicans! Great Americans all.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | October 19, 2008 5:58 PM
noneoftheabove writes:
"Looks like Powell lost his credibility and is showing his true colors. I guess he's one of the 95% of the racist blacks voting based on the color of his skin.
Divided we fall -
Time to end affirmative action and white people to organize like the blacks have - before it's too late."
You are the racist, your post proves it!!!
Posted by: MikeD | October 19, 2008 6:11 PM
na, na, naaa, na...good bye - Republicans...
Finally...
Posted by: Eric | October 19, 2008 6:14 PM
I admired and respected Colin Powell.....until today...
Posted by: Just a Cop | October 19, 2008 6:25 PM
* * * * *
Posted by: djn | October 19, 2008 5:08 PM
*
I wouldn't be so optimistic. I really don't believe many people understand what makes Obama a socialist, or why being a socialist isn't a good thing. To the contrary, I believe most voters remain happily ignorant of our governmental institutions, our constitutional traditions, and the differing political philosophies and their ramifications on the direction of the country. Indeed, I would give U.S. voters about as much chance of knowing what socialism is as I would their ability to find Delaware on a map of the lower 48, or in explaining why we have separate state and federal governments. So, no, the issue of socialism won't even make a blip on the political radar this time around.
*
Instead, most people will vote their bottom line - which is their pocketbook. They will vote for Obama because of their perception that he has some greater ability to lead us to economic recovery (although I am at a loss to understand their confidence in him). Others will vote for Obama simply because he is the non-Bush and the candidate for the largest non-Republican party. Add to this mix the sharp division in the Republican Party between traditional conservatives and neo-cons - which has undermined support for McCain - and the chances of a Republican win look rather dismal.
Posted by: John W. | October 19, 2008 7:15 PM
I was proud to hear Colin Powell let everybody in the world know that all of us are capable of being able to reach dreams outside the norm; not only those who happen to be white!
Posted by: visadkline | October 19, 2008 7:18 PM
Colin Powell missed the opportunity to keep the little shame he had left. Who sold the Irak war to the WORLD at the United Nations. Colin Powell's endorsement is a real CHANGE. Joe Biden who voted for the war as a VP is another real CHANGE.
Colin Powell is a SHAMELESS MAN RUNNING FREE, A WARMONGER. Colin Powell wanted Saddam Hussein out of power in Bagdad, How do you feel Mr Powell having the name Hussein knocking at the door of the White House two years after Saddam 's HANGING in Bagdad. This is PATHETIC! YES! SYMBOLS DO MATTER! WHAT A NIGHTMARE!
Max
Posted by: Max | October 19, 2008 7:23 PM
Well look at all the ugly personal posts about Colin Powell now. He does one thing you GOP drones don't like, and suddenly you're all on the bandwagon against the war, calling him a racist, and saying how Un-American he is.
Shame on every last one of you hypocrites. If he had endorsed McCain, every one of you people would be tolling the bells for Obama with glee. You shameful, shameful anti-American drones.
Posted by: Kevin | October 19, 2008 8:02 PM
Another Brother endorses a brother... Suprise. This election is about race.
White People had better wake up. We are going to lose our freedoms so a black man can be President.
God help us.
Posted by: Democrats for Truth | October 19, 2008 8:13 PM
The hypocrisy of Powell giving a view of what the next president must do in communicating with nations and allied friends we didn't talk to before...inaction he was a big part of. And he still needs to be held responsible for the lies at the UN about Iraq--a responsibility along with Bush and many others in his adminisitration. Powell didn't even have the cojones to stand up to Condi Rice let alone George W.
Posted by: robb | October 19, 2008 8:31 PM
blind deaf and dumb
This great country of ours is so caught up in finding a savior that we will be blind, deaf and dumb to the truth. The truth is right in front of us yet we refuse to recognize. I too began this year with favorable feelings for Obama. I too was blind, deaf and dumb. But my reality is you can not be blind to a man's past. We wouldn't choose a President who was involved in the KKK or anyother anti American group. Yet we turn our back on the truth of Obama. No one cares that he will not participate in the Pledge to our flag. Nor that he has completely changed the symbols of the American Presidency. We see this as change? Is this the kind of change we really want? Has anyone not noticed the Obama's Black Power sign to some audiences? Are we going to change the way our soldiers salute by giving the Black Power sign? People...these things are very telling. Go the Obama supported website obeygiant.com with artist Shepard Fairey who designed Obama's merchandise. Click on exhibits to see the upcoming poster REGIME CHANGE STARTS AT HOME being exhibited now in D.C. Are we going to be a Regime? I don't know about everyone else but that IS NOT AMERICA.
Posted by: broo | October 19, 2008 8:59 PM
Nothing like jumping on the band wagon after the race is won. I would have respected him more if he had made the endorsement before Obama locked up the Democratic nomination. I would have respected Powell even more if he did the right thing and endorsed McCain even thou he knew he could not win. Picking the kid was he easy way out.
Posted by: ReaganDem | October 19, 2008 9:33 PM
It's nice seeing an endorsement coming from General Powell who stopped our troops from decimating Saddam Hussein's army in 1992 when we had 500,000 troops in Iraq and enough forces to make Iraq a success. By allowing Saddam off the hook................
The General in charge was Norman Schwarzkopf who is under the command of The president. G.W. Bush. It was GWB who ordered the halt
Posted by: torcik | October 19, 2008 9:34 PM
Hey, No big suprise, Powell always was a big liberal, he has made a good life living off the tax payers.
For a second, I thought you were referring to Mc Cain and his 25 years on the dole as a Senator. Powell should have got smart and married an heiress
Posted by: torcik | October 19, 2008 9:42 PM
Hey, No big suprise, Powell always was a big liberal, he has made a good life living off the tax payers.
For a second, I thought you were referring to Mc Cain and his 25 years on the dole as a Senator. Powell should have got smart and married an heiress
Posted by: torcik | October 19, 2008 9:49 PM
obama live on meet the press:
"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides"
so our president shouldn't take sides? will he not take our side when we are attacked in our homeland again? obama again:
"My wife disrespects the Flag for many personal reasons. Together she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past, many years ago."
a flag burning president...nice
and again:
" Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put aside my hatred."
of course, the same reason he put aside pastor wright
and he does have hatred for us...
DIRECT quotes from che guevara, the communist/marxist whose face graces the flag that hangs (or hung since as we know he removes things that hamper his abilty to overtake us) in obama's houston campaign office. please note that america is the enemy he continually refers to.
"Our every action is a battle cry against imperialism, and a battle hymn for the people's unity against the great enemy of mankind: the United States of America. Wherever death may surprise us, let it be welcome, provided that this, our battle cry, may have reached some receptive ear, that another hand may be extended to wield our weapons, and that other men be ready to intone our funeral dirge with the staccato singing of the machine guns and new battle cries of war and victory."
"We must carry the war into every corner the enemy happens to carry it: to his home, to his centers of entertainment; a total war. It is necessary to prevent him from having a moment of peace, a quiet moment outside his barracks or even inside; we must attack him wherever he may be, make him feel like a cornered beast wherever he may move."
"Arms cannot be regarded as merchandise in our world. They should be delivered to the peoples asking for them for use against the common enemy without any charge at all, and in quantities determined by the need and their availability."
"While envisaging the destruction of imperialism, it is necessary to identify its head, which is no other than the United States of America."
and liberals say sarah palin is evil?! what a joke!
and for anyone who wants to respond that this was a campaign aide who hung this flag and not obama...WHATEVER, you hold bush accountable for everything anyone and everyone has done during his administration from guantanamo to taking us into war based on the same information everyone else had. and if you really believe there weren't weapons of mass destruction in iraq, shame on you, can you say syria?
why would anyone want a president in a time of war that identifies with someone like this? and for powell to profess that obama is a christian is ludicrous. his pastor (whom he has conveniently distanced himself from now that he is running for president) preached racist hate from the pulpit and obama was there for 20+ years. when your preacher preaches something you are opposed to or you disagree with continuously you leave. investigate black liberation theology and if you don't conclude it is hate filled racism then you are lying to yourself. we have an all voluntary military here, no draft and that alone tells you that our soldiers choose what to fight for.
i am not usually this imposing with my political views however i feel that obama as president will threaten the safety of my children, thus summarizing that anyone who votes for him has directly put my children and all americans in the line of fire and delivered us straight into the hands of the enemy. have we come this far from the memory of 911 that we vote for for someone who ironically bears the name of a terrorist. what a way to honor the remembrance of all those lives lost. the muslims will be laughing all the way to the bank. or maybe just the bomb shelter.
lastly another quote from obama and meet the press...
"There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing. If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.
We should consider to reinvent our National Anthem as well as to redesign our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It's my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we as a Nation of warring people, should conduct ourselves as the nations of Islam, whereas peace prevails. Perhaps a state or period of mutual concord between our governments. When I become President, I will seek a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts. "
is he serious?! when has there been "peace in the middle east"
and if america is so oppressive why stay why not go to the middle east where he could get a real lesson in oppression
the last time our "middle east brethren " got to us 3000 innocent civilians died (not comparable to civilians killed in iraq that is war, not an unprovoked attack based on a fundamental hatred for a certain sect of people)
so we need obama why? because everyone hates george bush
"the
president who took us into war and has no plan to
get us out?
The president who has a measly 31
percent approval rating?
Is this the same
president who guided the nation in the dark days
after 9/11?
The president that cut taxes to
bring an economy out of recession?
Could this
be the same guy who has been called every name in
the book for succeeding in keeping all the
spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist
attacks?
The commander in chief of an
all-volunteer army that is out there defending
you and me? "
our soldiers are defending us against extremely oppressive nations of people that hate us.
we have freedom of religion here even if it is a religion that teaches hate whether it be towards a race or another religion . how oppressive of us. try to go to the middle east and express yourself in the ways you are free to do here and see what happens.
just because people are free to be a part of whatever religion they choose here in our oppresive USA doesn't mean we have to lie to ourselves about the fundamental truths of those religions. if america is so bad why is everyone trying to get in and not out?!
as benjamin franklin said "Generally speaking, the simplest way to determine the greatness of a country is to weigh those trying to get in versus those trying to get out."
From Audacity of Hope:'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.'
out of context? given his upbringing, his spiritual mentoring and theology and everything that came out of his mouth this morning...I THINK NOT
"i'd like to teach the world to sing"??? that is an anthem for a soda pop, not a country. if he wanted to teach people to sing he should have been a choir director.
Posted by: storylaine | October 19, 2008 10:01 PM
Strange that a conservative military man would endorse a far left liberal socialist. That is until you consider this...
1. Obama is black.
+
2. Powell is black.
=
Finish the math yourself folks.
I just finished and came up with this
Kissinger is white
+
Haig is white
+
Baker is white
+
Eagleberger is white
=
McCain is..........Well you guess
Posted by: Rufus T Firefly | October 19, 2008 10:06 PM
Good Morning President Obama!
Posted by: RPM | October 19, 2008 10:19 PM
Did I miss the Swamp story when they announced the four fomer secretaries of state endorsed McCain? You know, the big headline with Henry Kissinger, retired Gen. Alexander Haig, Lawrence Eagleburger and George Shultz? How come we don't hear about those endorsements?
Posted by: VivianC | October 19, 2008 10:29 PM
The blatant racism on this message board is honestly disgusting and pretty discouraging. How many of you making such comments dare to post your real names? Not many (any?), I imagine.
General Powell has redeemed himself with this decision. I always viewed him as an honorable man, although I have little love for Repugnants. In fact, it was his very honor that was used and abused by the Bush administration when they pushed him out front to provide "proof" for their dirty war. On the day he resigned, he is reported to have told his driver to drive and "don't look back."
I still believe this country is better than all the bigots writing on this board would try to make us think. Fortunately, YOU all are in the minority. This country really is a melting pot, and becoming more so every single day. You had better get used to it -- as the racial and economic dynamics change, so will the political alignments. I can just imagine what a shock that must be to the Limbaughs and Wills out there -- but it's real. THIS is our collective future, and it's already on the way.
We can either brace ourselves -- or celebrate.
Posted by: Len | October 19, 2008 10:31 PM
To those of you who say that a black man is just voting for a black man, and that black people are racist, most black people in this country are the descendents of "slaves", they had to freed and slavery outlawed. Also, don't forget to drink the kool-aid, just remember to do it from the "whites only" cooler! Oh yeah Jim Crow and segregation were harmless. All those fire hoses and dogs they let loose on those civil right marchers were meant for fun. All those lynchings were just a little ruckus by those funny southerners. All black americans should forget about that stuff and just appreciate how good everyone treats them now and how nobody ever thinks of them as being "black". Look up the "white man's league rebellion of 1874 in New Orleans" and the also effective ending of "the reconstruction" in the south that kept blacks in their "place." Remember America, black history is AMERICAN HISTORY. Btw I'm asian lol!!!!!
Posted by: gmanzs | October 19, 2008 10:39 PM
to be endorsed by the guy that started the war is go to be obamas downfall
Posted by: mark | October 19, 2008 11:54 PM
I'm an independent who considers McCain and Powell to be among those individuals who I consider great Americans. And all I can say to those who speak vile things of either candiate, "Ah, nuts." And with that I'm voting for Obama.
Posted by: Paul | October 20, 2008 2:42 AM
oh and btw this is my real name i have NO reason to hide
Posted by: storylaine | October 20, 2008 10:10 AM
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 ... giving good speeches ... and, taking America down the road to socialism. I used to respect Colin Powell ... but, now that's history!!!
Posted by: Howard | October 20, 2008 11:14 AM
Good Morning President Obama!
Posted by: RPM | October 19, 2008 10:19 PM
WHY BOTHER GOING THROUGH THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS CALLED ELECTIONS? LET'S SEE WHAT AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL DECIDE. THE CHICAGO ELECTORAL CUISINE MIGHT NOT WORK COUNTRYWIDE BUDDY!
Max
Posted by: Max | October 20, 2008 12:14 PM