General Colin Powell supports Barack Obama!

Bravo. About 2 years ago, one of my fears was a McCain-Powell ticket, which I thought would tap into the moderate and Independent demographics. I'm not sure how likely it was though given that both are military men and presidential tickets generally rely on experiential diversity. Still, McCain's considerable length in the Senate made him seem more than just military, and the racial/geographic diversity between the two was impressive. So I thought that the pairing would be unstoppable. And although I myself would not have voted for McCain, I've always liked Powell and saw him as a sacrificial pawn in the Bush Administration.

That, of course, was before all the rumored anger that was attributed to Powell for blemishing his near-perfect career. The dignified Powell himself never said anything publicly, but an aide told the press of his anger and disappointment. Who can forget that UN presentation? Despite all that, I never expected him to give Obama a public endorsement, especiallly since McCain is a fellow military man. Powell's endorsement is at the very least a repudiation of the entire Iraq war -- including the surge -- since it's McCain's main platform. And that's a very strong message from a respected military expert. I'm especially surprised given the public perception that the surge worked (Bob Woodward's new book says otherwise. His sources claim that the success was due to other factors as much as the surge). Powell could have stayed silent but he went out on a limb. Bravo.

I would have loved to have seen an Obama-Powell ticket but America is in no way ready for two African-Americans on one ticket (well, one-and-a-half actually because Obama is biracial). But here's the thing, I personally don't see them as black men, per se. Just as JFK didn't run as a Catholic president, I think both have the breadth of scope and vision to simply be American leaders, irrespective of their race or mine.

ps - I have never seen a presidency where so many former staff members have turned against a president. I can think of at least 5 notable cases, the most recent being Scott McClellan, former White House spokesman. Each time these former staffers come out with a book, Bush's people make the same statement: 1) He wasn't there at all the meetings; and 2) This is old news.

===============

New York Times article

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/powell-endorses-obama/

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[CheeezMaster]

well, this is the man that lied the to the entire un security council about wmd´s, and he supports an elect that supports the PA 1&2, afghanistan and the bush doctrine.

COULD he be lying now too about how fucking great obama is? perhaps.

[RationalSaneThinker]

CheeezMaster

> lied the to the entire un security

> council about wmd´s

Wrong. A lie is intentional. All accounts, i.e. Woodward, say that he was kept in the dark by the Administration, which distorted the data.

> the bush doctrine

Wrong. It's well-known that he was at odds with the more hawkish members, especially over pre-emptive strikes.

> lying...about.. how great obama is

He didn't give facts, only his impression. You can't lie about an impression. THink before you type.

[chevon1920]

OMG I DONT CARE POWELL. I freaking cant stand you, you screwed us all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However I do like what you said about the muslim woman and her poor son, I nearly teared up.

BUT I STILL FREAKING CANT STAND YOU!

[RationalSaneThinker]

chevon1920

> BUT I STILL FREAKING CANT STAND YOU!

Who cares? Why do you think we'd about your rant -- a rant without any facts or point?

[RationalSaneThinker]

I have never seen a presidency where so many former staff members have turned against a president. I can think of at least 5 notable cases, the most recent being Scott McClellan, former White House spokesman. Each time these former staffers come out with a book, Bush's people make the same statement: 1) He wasn't there at all the meetings; and 2) This is old news.

[RationalSaneThinker]

Bush is an embarrassment and has done more damage to the US than American in recent memory (or our entire history). Has any other leader gotten as much protest around the world? Yassir Arafat, Fidel Castro and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad didn't get as much protest as Bush attending the UN -- and it's on Bush's own soil!

More than any American in history, Bush deserves the title War Criminal for his Crimes Against Humanity. Sadaam Hussein or Bush: who has affected more lives and countries negatively?

[DURkeith]

Republicans for OBAMA!

GOBAMA!

[juron76]

Very inspiring words, thank you for bring such message in this time where we need it the most.....you have my respect and admiration.

[Tommybooy68]

obama is not patriotic and you are a racist trader powell

[luvcheney1]

Except even if Obama is reelected, we still will be in IRAQ.

[luvcheney1]

Bush told the truth at the UN. Everyone present, except the US, is irrelevant.

[luvcheney1]

Powell is just your typical, black racist. He would vote for Satan himself if he was running, and black.

[evansville70]

How do you spell hope and change? SCOTT BROWN

[chevon1920]

Ok, then why are you responding??????

You might do some research to find out why people might be less than happy with Powell, but that might be assuming too much of you.

Seeing as he stood in front of us and said, "We need to go into Iraq", a false war, that is going to bankrupt us, I cant quite be so forgiving as you.