October Surprise: The One on the Right was On the Left
*sigh*
Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama on Meet the (De)Pressed, today.
Color me unamazed, but disappointed. Apparently he feels "energized" by Senator Obama's rock star charisma and ability to generate excitement amongst the masses.
I need a little Cash, to humor me up a bit:
Cross-posted at Flopping Aces
Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama on Meet the (De)Pressed, today.
Color me unamazed, but disappointed. Apparently he feels "energized" by Senator Obama's rock star charisma and ability to generate excitement amongst the masses.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Sunday that he will be voting for Sen. Barack Obama, citing the Democrat's "ability to inspire" and the "inclusive nature of his campaign."I know Republicans haven't been thrilled with Colin Powell (his State Dept was part of the problem in making the WMD angle a centerpiece of his UN speech, as well as with bungling post-war operations); but someone remind me of all the names he was called by those on the Left. They don't know whether to embrace him or savage him some more, over there.
"He has both style and substance. I think he is a transformational figure," Powell said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
"Obama displayed a steadiness. Showed intellectual vigor. He has a definitive way of doing business that will do us well," Powell said.~~~
Powell said he questioned Sen. John McCain's judgment in picking Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate because he doesn't think she is ready to be president.
He also said he was disappointed with some of McCain's campaign tactics, such as bringing up Obama's ties to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers.
I need a little Cash, to humor me up a bit:
Cross-posted at Flopping Aces
Labels: Barack Obama, Colin Powell, Johnny Cash, Meet the Press, Music Video
posted by The WordSmith from Nantucket at 10/19/2008 07:11:00 AM
21 Comments:
It must really be sad to be a Republican nowdays. I feel for you. I've been going through for the last 8 years what you'll be going through for the next...
Somehow, I think it'll all work out in the end, though.
Maybe. If Senator Obama is the next president, I will give him a chance and a fair shake.
I think Bruce Kesler makes a solid point in maintaining some restraint- at least in how we present criticism- of Powell:
Friends, may I strongly suggest that complete respect be paid to Powell.
He truly rose from humble beginnings, although his latter rise may have benefited from color.
He truly is a patriot, who has paid his dues.
He, like many in the Pentagon and State, are often excessively cautious, but that is not always a bad thing. Like many illnesses, time and aspirin, or patience and low-key, often let the disease peter out or natural and other forces disable it.
Like the Wash. Post, hope is placed above facts, and that's it, and what should be stressed.
We should avoid lending anything to the meme, sure to come anyway, that his or our racism is part of the critique. Those prone to think that way will anyway. We should be reaching out to those who don't buy sham hope and change compared to reality and experience.
We should disagree with Powell, point out why he's choosing the wrong candidate, but not engage in character defamation, simply because we disagree with his political choice.
The above comment of course, is addressed to my "amen chorus", not to you, Tim. (^_~)
What got me was that he called McCain's campaign negative and said nothing about Obama's
It's the OBAMA MACHINE in overdrive, don't kid yourself..
I just posted only "COLIN POWELL..THE JOE THE PLUMBER ANTIDOTE"
This machine is strong and powerful and effective.
TRANSFORMATIONAL? "yes, Colin, if Obama wins, America will certainly be transformed. Be careful what you wish for."
He is disengenuous, confused and painfully naive and he is well respected. Go figure. Oh, I meant Powell, but I guess those terms fit the left's messiah, too.
Wow, did Johnny improve with age, or WHAT?!!!
Walt and I are both disappointed in his decision too, Wordsmith, but I think Powell has ulterior motives. The next post I put up, which will probably not be until Tuesday, will go into that.
Obama definitely has style, but where's the so-called "substance?" I see none. And I don't care how many years Biden has in the senate, he makes so many gaffes that as president he would be a complete embarrassment! Actually I like Biden. I think he'd be someone fun t know. He'd keep us laughing. I just wish he'd retire.
Powell isn't my favorite person by no means, but I was suprised by this. I probably shouldn't have been seeing the way this election is playing out. Obama can do no wrong...and it is getting very tiresome. Call me racist, (the dems do anyway) but I see this as just another black man wanting a black president. They are so focused on calling those that don't like Obama racists that they can't see it or recognize it when it happens to the democrats. More likely , they just don't want to see it.
Powell is what he is. David Hackworth summed it up best when he quantified Powell as one of the Pentagon's "Perfumed Princes."
So hey: I say it's time for Joe Lieberman and Zell Miller to step up and say they support McCain.
BZ
BZ-Why would they do that? It is obvious to me that the Dems will win. They do not want to be on the outside looking in.
There are no permenant friends or enemies in politics, only interests.
Wordsmith, I have not gotten to know you nery well, but if you really mean what you say about giving Obama a chance, you are someone that I can have a conversation with.
I will vote Republican again, but this mess just has to stop.
bloviating zepellin: lol! I'm in agreement over Hackworth's pet name for Powell. So true.
I think Colin is betting for some work in an Obama administration. Here's to him finding himself out of a job.
Wow, This is messed up, Cube you are so right about that. Some one is looking for a job or they got a nice check. I have to voice that if you believe that our nations problems will be solved by this democratic nom (BO) that has an empty answer for everything that sounds so fluffed, you are putting your hope in the wrong thing. We need a leader with strong American values that will round up a team that will be of great value and wisdom to stand on those values and reshape our great nation. Look at the state of our nation we need to join together. We can’t afford a mishap of false hope at this time, it will cost to much for everyone and we have already lost way to much. Build your house on shifting sand and when the rain, floods and winds come, the house will fall. We need to build the house on the rock a solid foundation of our nations values and if we do it will not fall. If Powell makes this recommendation of sound mind, an if (BO) is thinking of bringing him on board with him, please…God help us all. We need the anvil to reshape and strengthen the sward of this nation not re-design it with imported shiny new chrome covered plastic Ideals.
NY
Not shocked. I personally have lost almost all of my respect for Powell over the last few years, and I used to have a fair amount.
The Secretary of State is in charge of post-war operations in Iraq?
Holy Rewrite History Batman!
Wow! As we say on Fox News, "if the truth doesn't fit then make your own."
The connection, federalist, is to how the State Department played a big part in the direction of post-war Iraq, which conflicted with that of the White House and Pentagon. Read up.
Tim,
I didn't realize you ever voted Republican, since I know you are not a Bush fan.
Wordsmith, I have not gotten to know you nery well, but if you really mean what you say about giving Obama a chance, you are someone that I can have a conversation with.
As partisanly harsh as I have been toward fighting against an Obama presidency, I'm more toward the center than I may sometimes let on. I'm not so far out there in rightwing blogland, that I am failing to see some of what it is about Obama that the mainstream is so enthralled about; and some of that sort of optimism and energy might actually be positive for the country, even if I think he is largely undeserving of the presidency. If he can inspire this type of adoration...yes hero-worship can be scary...but people need a charismatic leader they can believe in, and who inspires confidence and a belief in themselves as a people. It was part of Reagan's appeal.
Just don't tell any of my fellow conservatives, I typed all this.
Actually, go to the comments of my cross-post, for more.
So hey: I say it's time for Joe Lieberman and Zell Miller to step up and say they support McCain.
BZ, Lieberman's already done that. The media doesn't care.
Colin Powell thinks that NOBAMA has style and substance, is transformational, and displayed a steadiness(Colin, can you say "flip-flop"). He was disappointed in McCain's campaign tactics concerning Ayers, and Palin is not ready to be President (but NOBAMA is?).
Pretty damned flimsy excuses made to disguise his RACIST endorsement of the messiah! There was a time when you had my utmost respect, NOT ANY MORE!
Wordsmith-
80 & 84 Reagan
88 Dukakis
92 Perot
96 Dole
00 Gore
04 Kerry
That's 3 Republicans, 3 Democrats, and one independent. So, I go both ways depending on the most pressing issues at the time.
I read that cross post and I think we think a lot alike.
I'd love to have a MODERATE Republican. The current evangelical, call everybody a traitor, "why do you hate freedom" Taliban whack jobs just turn me off.
I think Obama has the charisma of a Kennedy or Reagan. Great presidents can come from both parties. Heck, they can even come from family members from different parties (TR and FDR).
The important thing is for them to inspire the people to get behind a plan and pull towards that goal and move the country forward.
There are huge issues to be dealt with out there and I just don't see McCain inspiring anybody.
I was disappointed by Powell's endorsement, but not surprised by a long shot. I did very much appreciate that he took some time and really thought about his choices.
I am also very relieved Powell didn't endorse Obama like so many others, 'because he's sexy'.
Amazing how Republicans rewrite history as it happens...
State Department now the lead agency of post-war construction in Iraq?
Wow...well, then I guess the whole Department of Commerce, Defense, NSC, CIA and ORHA agencies do not fit very well when Colin Powell endorses Obama.
How could the State Department interfere with Cheney, Bremer, Perle, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz? Are you joking? Even God has difficulty with those 5 men.
Have you been reading Newsmax?
I hope not Wordsmith. You're much too intelligent for that garbage.
federalist,
The State Department is the leading agency on foreign affairs; the Secretary of State is the President's chief advisor on issues of foreign policy and relations. As such, Powell was in a position of influence and power. It seems apparent to everyone that Powell was a reluctant player in the decision process for invading Iraq. Even though he tried to be a "good soldier", and faithfully carry out his professional duties to implement the foreign policy objectives of the President, sometimes he and State Dept. career bureaucrats had their own notions on how things should be done, making them on occasion act in defiance of the wishes of the President, where opportunity presented itself.
This was the case when Powell put heavy emphasis on the wmd angle, in his speech to the UN General Assembly. That emphasis was not the approach favored by Rumsfeld, Feith, and the President. Throughout the runup to war, the CIA and the State Department had their own ideas on how to carry things out that conflicted with the wishes of the White House and the Pentagon.
The Bush Administration did have post-war plans, despite what critics say. And the original objective was indeed "liberation, not occupation". State Department had a hand in changing that. They along with CIA were responsible in sabotaging and scrapping the entire post-war strategy of hand-over to an interim government.
I'd love to have a MODERATE Republican.
tim,
My fear is the trifecta-whammy of the country in the hands of Obama, Nancy, and Reid.
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