Hole? What hole?

/said memory...

RINO endorses Obama! Bring me my fainting couch!

Well, this is just what I've been waiting for to determine MY vote.

Will any moonbat heads be exploding over this? After all, they’ve been vilifying Powell for years for “lying us into a war.”

They'll probably say he was lied to by Pres. Bush and that he was just following orders.

Well, it is the top line news on the BBC ...

Surprised he didn't insist on waiting a year to see what UN thinks

I’m going to take a wild guess and say the lefties will suddenly forget all about it.

We and our allies in Eurasia have always been at war with Eastasia! We must do everything in power to help our allies in Eastasia crush our eternal enemies in Eurasia!

Colin who? Yawn.

While saying he doesn't want to see his taxes go up, Powell said he also doesn't want to see a $12 trillion debt and $500 billion annual deficit.

So I guess he was really impressed with Obama's plan to balance the budget and reduce the national debt. Which works like this: ... um... wait a minute, it'll come to me...

Whooooooooooooo cares.

Witness protection program in the Senator Government camp ......Bush/Cheney war crimes will begin in first 100 days ......First up on the stand .......Powell ....

Will this be a first?

Secretary of State under 2 different presidents (opposite parties)?

What a brown nose.... oops, my bad.

re: #12 MarkX

Will this be a first?

Secretary of State under 2 different presidents (opposite parties)?

What a brown nose.... oops, my bad.

RACIST!

/

the next individual to serve as president of the United States will have to reach out to the world community

This is kindergarten talk.

And exactly what did Colin Powell do to attain revered status in this country?

Anybody?

I didn't think so.

If Powell is a real republican, then Barack is an African name.

But in reality, Powell was always a Rin0 and Barack is an arabic name.

I plan do do a Colin-ectomy and avoid mention of his name in the future.

While saying he doesn't want to see his taxes go up, Powell said he also doesn't want to see a $12 trillion debt and $500 billion annual deficit.

So he endorsed a socialist? *head spinning*

Coming this late in the game, exactly how valuable is his endorsement?

It looks a whole lot like he waited to see if Obama had a chance of winning.

onto the world stage and the American stage

The coming of the obamaoneworldgovernment.

Powell donated money to McCain, sees what he thinks is the 'writing on the wall' of an obamalama victory and wants to be relevant.
Got news for ya colin, McCain is going win and you will once again be irrelevant in just a couple of weeks.

(We're now hearing the sound of Lizard's shoveling their comments over from the prior thread.)

Like Wes Clark, Powell is a political general, not a combat leader ... and an opportunist

And this excuse "He had harsh words about the tone of McCain's campaign and rising Islamophobia in Republican circles"

Rings profoundly weak and ignorant in my mind and is nothing more than a fig leaf for his personal racism.

re: #5 yma o hyd
Well sure, yma, but it IS a slow news day after all.
BTW, as I posted and linked in the Dead Thread (prior thread) Rueters/CNN/Zogby poll had McCain less than 3 points down to Obama. THAT's why Sir Colin Powell's endorsement was released on what would otherwise be a very slow news day (except, of course, for football!).

General (ret) Colin Powell today with his endorsement of Barack Obama for president joins the lofty ranks of Mickey Mouse, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Fidel and Raul Castro, Hugo Chavez, Raila Odinga, Mickey Mouse and someone named "Loving You".

Great group of friends you have there, General Powell.

re: #9 Occasional Reader

So I guess he was really impressed with Obama's plan to balance the budget and reduce the national debt. Which works like this: ... um... wait a minute, it'll come to me...

Hey just think of all that free soup and bread we will all be getting,

Repost from previous thread:

The Borg's Foggy Bottom's assimilation of Gen. Powell was more complete than I ever imagined.

re: #25 taxfreekiller

So, RINO's , RINO'S DO WHAT RINO'S DO, DO.

I do my best to avoid RINO do do...

re: #14 Occasional Reader

This is kindergarten talk.

And ... IIRC ... it's parroting what Kofi Anal said.

re: #20 pre-Boomer Marine brat

(We're now hearing the sound of Lizard's shoveling their comments over from the prior thread.)

Yeah, I guess you're right...

re: #17 Fat Jolly Penguin

So he endorsed a socialist? *head spinning*

He didnt endorse a socialist, he raised a fist to the establishment and gave white America a one finger salute....

1984 was written by a lifelong socialist as a warning to his fellow socialists about totalitarianism. Why is that nonsocialists get it while socialists ignore the warning?

/rhetorical

This means absolutely nothing to me. I've distrusted Powell, the RINO, for years.

However, I'm worried that, in reality, hundreds of thousands of middle-class, middle income, moderate, independent suburban voters could be influenced by this, especially if they're on the fence. I'm concerned about those people who could vote Republican or Democratic, any given year, depending on the candidate and the circumstances. This could, I'm afraid, make a difference, in a bad way.

I don't see how the Powell endorsement could hurt BHO. Or help McCain.

The Powell endorsement, any way you cut it, has to be a net loss for John McCain. It might mean the difference in a state as close as Ohio or Florida.

Like, duh!

All I can say is:

Et tu Colin, et tu?

When all the anti-war lefties were doing their protests in San Francisco, they had a favorite intersection to shut down.

That would be at Bush and Powell Streets.

Refresh my memory - why did Colin Powell step down as Sec of State?

The Kool-Aid must not have been quite as sweet for Gen. Powell, but he drank it, nonetheless.

Powell is a hero again. Sigh

so, he likes the 'transformational figure's' "spread the wealth around" jargon"? ?
these people supporting the commie are really nuts.
THEY have made it abt. race. not facts and issues.

McCain on Powell's character:
"Well, I have always admired and respected General Powell. We are longtime friends. This doesn't come as a surprise. But I am also very pleased to have the endorsement of four former secretaries of state ... and I am proud to have the endorsement of well over 200 retired army generals and admirals," McCain said, noting the support offered by Henry Kissinger, James Baker, Lawrence Eagleburger and Alexander Haig.

re: #23 Intrepid

General (ret) Colin Powell today with his endorsement of Barack Obama for president joins the lofty ranks of Mickey Mouse, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Fidel and Raul Castro, Hugo Chavez, Raila Odinga, Mickey Mouse and someone named "Loving You".

Great group of friends you have there, General Powell.

Don't leave out Madonna, Oprah, Rosie O'Donnell.... and all of the other Hollywood assorted intellectual giants.

re: #21 Bobibutu

And this excuse "He had harsh words about the tone of McCain's campaign and rising Islamophobia in Republican circles"

Rings profoundly weak and ignorant in my mind and is nothing more than a fig leaf for his personal racism.

Islamophobia? He really has gone over to the other side. Is there some nice honoria from CAIR awaiting him?

This is almost Biblical
If you sin against "The One" your entire life is torn apart; like Joe the Plumber.
If you are "born again" and accept "The One", all sins are forgiven.

Those moonbats have one helluva religion.

re: #21 Bobibutu

And this excuse "He had harsh words about the tone of McCain's campaign and rising Islamophobia in Republican circles"

Rings profoundly weak and ignorant in my mind and is nothing more than a fig leaf for his personal racism.

That reminds you that while he was SOS the Saudi's removed his brain and replaced it with Folger's Crystals and hoped nobody would notice. They did the same to Condi.

style and substance

I guess the good General has been reading a bit too much into Alice in Wonderland.

re: #29 Spiny Norman

Yeah, I guess you're right...

I wasn't complaining -- should have made that clear.
The subject was masticated pretty thoroughly over there.
/as was Powell

re: #32 JimCap

This means absolutely nothing to me. I've distrusted Powell, the RINO, for years.

However, I'm worried that, in reality, hundreds of thousands of middle-class, middle income, moderate, independent suburban voters could be influenced by this, especially if they're on the fence. I'm concerned about those people who could vote Republican or Democratic, any given year, depending on the candidate and the circumstances. This could, I'm afraid, make a difference, in a bad way.

I don't see how the Powell endorsement could hurt BHO. Or help McCain.

Whether it hurts McCain or helps Senator Government immediately is not the desired outcome ...........it is to keep the endorsement on the news for as many days as possible to wait out the clock ......... when this dies down ....... there will be something else ...... it is all part of the propaganda machine .......

The Powell endorsement, any way you cut it, has to be a net loss for John McCain. It might mean the difference in a state as close as Ohio or Florida.

Good morning Lizards. Not surprising that Powell endorses the 0. He has been a RINO forever.

re: #21 Bobibutu

And this excuse "He had harsh words about the tone of McCain's campaign and rising Islamophobia in Republican circles"

Well I don't see could be irrational about a fear of being raped, robbed, or murdered by the practitioners of a cult created by rapist, robber, and murderer.

Oh no, This could help Obama win the African American vote!

re: #31 The Other Les

1984 was written by a lifelong socialist as a warning to his fellow socialists about totalitarianism. Why is that nonsocialists get it while socialists ignore the warning?

/rhetorical

Because they're too busy using it as a blueprint.

Let's see: Can the man "who lied us into a war" lie us into a President Obama?

Hee, hee! I'm becoming giddy!

Now, I COULD move in with my in-laws in Canada. Then U. S. tax slaves (oops) could support me through social security. Anyone want to buy my handgun? Can't take THAT across.

Race is the only reason for this endorsement. And that's very sad.

re: #31 The Other Les

1984 was written by a lifelong socialist as a warning to his fellow socialists about totalitarianism. Why is that nonsocialists get it while socialists ignore the warning?

/rhetorical

Today's socialists see 1984 not as a warning, but as a template.

re: #51 Bagua

Oh no, This could help Obama win the African American vote!

Exactly! Obama now has the remaining 0.02% locked up!

re: #54 sonopasquale

Race is the only reason for this endorsement. And that's very sad.

Identity politics are all the rage these days.

re: #41 MarkX

Don't leave out Madonna, Oprah, Rosie O'Donnell.... and all of the other Hollywood assorted intellectual giants.

But he doesn't have the support of the esteemed philosopher Roseanne Barr. She's thrown her (considerable) weight behind that pantheon of virtue and wisdom, Cynthia McKinney.

I recall being surprised when he declared himself a Republican after military retirement so this does not surprise me today.

He's a lib. Always has been in my puny opinion.

Speaking with reporters after his appearance on NBC, Powell said that part of the reason he is supporting Obama is because he did not like the negative tone of John McCain's campaign, which has noted the links between Obama and domestic terrorist William Ayers.

"It troubled me. We have two wars. We have economic problems, we have health problems. ... Those are the problems the American people want to hear about, not about Mr. Ayers, not about who's a Muslim and not a Muslim. Those kind of images going out on Al Jazeera are killing us around the world," he said.

Noooooo......what's killing us around the world are Islamic terrorists who can't deal with the fact that we exist. Jeez...where the hell did you get your commission?

re: #55 Spiny Norman

Today's socialists see 1984 not as a warning, but as a template.

There's so much irony there I don't know where to begin.

If the Democrats nominated J.J. Walker Powell would've endorsed him.

So, Powell all of sudden gets embraced by the very folks who were going to send him up in effigy for being part of the Bush cabal? Nice.

Also, you've got to question the timing. How exactly does this help Obama now? Try to make Obama look more mainstream to attempt and sway voters who've heard about his joe the plumber comments - welcome to socialism 2.0 - now with more hope, change, and spread the wealthiness?

Endorsements do little to sway voters in the end, but they do help with fundraising, though you've got to wonder where Obama's getting all this money from - it's a down economy and yet he's raking in money faster than you can shake a stick at. I guess the economy isn't nearly that bad (though if Obama loses, that's quite a lost investment in Obama, don't you think?) Obama's trying to buy the Presidency with hundreds of millions raised and spent.

Powell gains little out of this - the race is already close, and he doesn't exactly say what the nation's going to look like after Obama gets done with the transformation (again, socialism 2.0?). He doesn't exactly say what Obama's said or done that made him choose Obama over McCain (or not endorse anyone). There's an achievement gap here, and the media continues to gloss over that because they have already made their choice.

Sad.

again, at the risk of repeating myself

here is a list of people I respect who support Obama

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
.
.
.
.

re: #22 realwest

Well sure, yma, but it IS a slow news day after all.
BTW, as I posted and linked in the Dead Thread (prior thread) Rueters/CNN/Zogby poll had McCain less than 3 points down to Obama. THAT's why Sir Colin Powell's endorsement was released on what would otherwise be a very slow news day (except, of course, for football!).

Yep - and I read (might have been at Hillbuzz) that the B0 campaign is not happy with the polls, they reckon they need to be ahead by 10 come the election, in order to win.

So - desperation station for B0, but Powell doesn't read blogs, only the MSM. He has no idea that he not only is jumping onto a sinking ship but also regurgitating just what the msm have been saying.

Not clever, not smart - how did he get as far as he did?

I'm sorry, no linkee, still too green to bookmark interesting stuff ...

re: #57 Spiny Norman

Identity politics are all the rage these days.

Are you saying black people have lots of rage?

RACIST!

Who gives a shit? Why is the media and others making a big deal out of this? They villified Powell for years? They act like the Pope cam out and said he was supporting Obama and would hold joint rallies with him. Look, it is a liberal Republican voting for a candidate because he is black. Plain and simple.

re: #32 JimCap

This means absolutely nothing to me. I've distrusted Powell, the RINO, for years.

However, I'm worried that, in reality, hundreds of thousands of middle-class, middle income, moderate, independent suburban voters could be influenced by this, especially if they're on the fence. I'm concerned about those people who could vote Republican or Democratic, any given year, depending on the candidate and the circumstances. This could, I'm afraid, make a difference, in a bad way.

I don't see how the Powell endorsement could hurt BHO. Or help McCain.

The Powell endorsement, any way you cut it, has to be a net loss for John McCain. It might mean the difference in a state as close as Ohio or Florida.

Well, I think you kind of hit the nail on the head. Powell's endorsement does nothing for partisans--Democrats were already supporting BHO, and it's not like strong GOPers were going to look at this endorsement and say, "Screw JSM. I'm switching because Colin Powell said so."

Similarly, there probably aren't very many Democrats who look at Joe Lieberman's endorsement as a sign they should switch to JSM, and it's doubtful that Republicans looked at it as a strengthening of their opposition to BHO.

In both instances, it's a play to the undecided middle. Now, I think it's folly to pretend that Lieberman matters to the casual voter as much as Colin Powell, but I also don't think this is particularly game-changing. Where it benefits BHO the most, IMO, is that it probably stalls out (for now) the natural tightening of the race that was improving JSM's standing in public polls.

re: #52 Steffan

Because they're too busy using it as a blueprint.

[slaps head]

Of course!

Some of those people also believe that pornography is the instruction manual for the act of rape. (Never mind the fact that the Big Mo' never needed it himself.)

re: #38 pat "Powell is a hero again. Sigh"
Uh, where did you get the "again" from?
Sir Colin Powell (yes, Sir Colin, he was knighted by the Queen of England, though I forget why) is 71 years old, he's been completely irrelevant for the past oh, six years or so now, and wants to see a Black man elected President (as long as it isn't him).
It's really that simple, you know?
And his remarks about Ayers (who bombed what used to be Sir Colin's Pentagon) and Socialism (yeah, way to build up that Military he was so proud of serving in/presiding over) and Sarah Palin (who has more executive/administrative experience than either Biden or Obama) is all just a smokescreen for Sir Colin's desire to see a Black President. Period.
Oh and - although I personally doubt this - it could be that Sir Colin would like a government job again.

The Powell endorsement today is not meant to affect the polls as much as ......it is just meant to keep the media focused on this one issue ....... Senator Government is trying to run out the clock ....... after a few days when this does not get as much play ...... there will be something else ....Axelrod will pull something from the Red Propaganda Playbook ...... there are many more cards to be pulled ...... they will trickle out slowly ..... he has played this game before .....has Condi Rice ever said anything about Senator Government ...... no that would be too obvious ......probably more republicans are up his sleeve ......Axelrod the Maker of Black Political Kings .......

This is a truly racist move, and quite expected: he endorses O for the same reason 99% of African-Americans do: for his "race", whatever this word may mean.

I for one am taking great pride in the fact I was against his appointment to state and that I bad mouthed him the entire time he was there :)

re: #49 CapeCoddah

Good morning Lizards.

Good morning to you. Great to see vintage Beckett and Okajima last night, wasn't it?

re: #55 Spiny Norman

Today's socialists see 1984 not as a warning, but as a template.

Watching the destruction of a human soul may be a form of entertainment for them.

Saw him this morning on Fox. His acceptance of raising taxes as "the only way" to fix our economy floored me! What about government cutting spending? What about tax breaks for businesses to inspire growth? Why lie to the American people to get someone elected?

Powell has agreed to hire a man with Zero military or foreign affair experience to be Commander-in-Chief in a time of war and violence.

In what other profession would Mr Powell be looked upon as wise?

You know - I think this is a good thing.

For some reason all of a sudden this morning I think I feel the winds shifting and the change of season.

I think Powell is just the last leaf raked on that big pile about to be blown away.

re: #67 Occasional Reader

re: #57 Spiny Norman

Identity politics are all the rage these days.

Are you saying black people have lots of rage?

RACIST!

I denounce myself.

re: #78 DistantThunder

Powell has agreed to hire a man with Zero military or foreign affair experience to be Commander-in-Chief in a time of war and violence.

In what other profession would Mr Powell be looked upon as wise?

As a journalist, maybe?
/

re: #80 Spiny Norman

I denounce myself.

And you think that will keep you out of Room 101? Not bloody likely.

re: #60 LGoPs

You got that right. I'm also canceling my reservation for a bus tour of southern Kandahar Province. I hear the Headchoppers' Ball is in high gear.

He can join the ranks of the other fake conservatives that sold their soul to the obama. see ya! don't need ya!

re: #78 DistantThunder

Powell has agreed to hire a man with Zero military or foreign affair experience

Not true! Obama 1) thought about joining the military once, and 2) did a backpacking tour through Europe this summer. What more do you want?

(Okay, he "backpacked" on a private jet, but still)

re: #73 SouthAmericanWay

This is a truly racist move, and quite expected: he endorses O for the same reason 99% of African-Americans do: for his "race", whatever this word may mean.

That's kind of a bold statement. Don't you think Hillary would be enjoying similar support from the African-American electorate? I mean Al Gore got 90% of the black vote in 2000.

re: #44 dgax65

This is almost Biblical
If you sin against "The One" your entire life is torn apart; like Joe the Plumber.
If you are "born again" and accept "The One", all sins are forgiven.

Those moonbats have one helluva religion.

Excellent!

Colin Powell should have been the first black President.

But no.

When the time came for him to REALLY put his life on the line for his nation, he balked.

Sad, really. He would have been liberal compared to most Gopers, but still infinitely preferable to the Weatherman's Friend.

re: #73 SouthAmericanWay

This is a truly racist move, and quite expected: he endorses O for the same reason 99% of African-Americans do: for his "race", whatever this word may mean.

Oh, and it will not be a "game-changer" - though its immediate effect is to try to stall the tightening of the race. It remains to be seen if the pivotal vote (that of middle-class whites in battleground states) is influenced by this or disturbed by the notion that 100% of African-Americans, whatever their positions on different issues may be, wish to vote for O just because he is black - a clearly racist attitude.

re: #54 sonopasquale

Race is the only reason for this endorsement. And that's very sad.

"Squaleson" -

I believe you are right - AND - I think a LOT of Pressure was brought on him for the endorsement. Saw the Morning announcement, Gen. Powell did not look like he was enjoying it.

-S-

re: #32 JimCap

I wouldn't worry about it. I think the majority will see it as most here see it. When the news stated that he was considering or about to endorse obamama I thought: Gee, how surprising. He's endorsing another black. Duh.

Colin Powells's announcement on this Sunday, is the just the DNC's "Announcement of the Day". It is the campaign's strategy to make one MSM or person of Title a day. We can expect this every day for the next week...They don't have enough converts to name one for Two Weeks!
Todays convert will do them no favour. Colin has been disliked and discredited by the leftists when he served under the Bush admin. as a traitorous liar for Bush. This is window dressing and the lefts will not embrace him now anymore than they have before.
He may be used to sit 500.00 a plate placards at their fundraiser dinners.
Shameful. Hell of a way to go out Powell, over iced shrimp and cheap champagne.

re: #42 Spiny Norman

Islamophobia? He really has gone over to the other side. Is there some nice honoria from CAIR awaiting him?

Things that make you go Hmmmmmm.

re: #32 JimCap
Well

However, I'm worried that, in reality, hundreds of thousands of middle-class, middle income, moderate, independent suburban voters could be influenced by this, especially if they're on the fence. I'm concerned about those people who could vote Republican or Democratic, any given year, depending on the candidate and the circumstances. This could, I'm afraid, make a difference, in a bad way.

I don't see how the Powell endorsement could hurt BHO. Or help McCain.

The Powell endorsement, any way you cut it, has to be a net loss for John McCain. It might mean the difference in a state as close as Ohio or Florida.

I find myself disagreeing with you. In point of fact ACORN will help put Obama over the top in Ohio (IF Obama goes over the top in Ohio) and Sir Colin's endorsement probably hurt him in Florida. This is based on my scientific survey of......well.....my Mom and my two Aunts (both of whom live in Florida and my Mom used to) and all three of them were shocked and disappointed at Sir Colin's endorsement - and are now more firmly for McCain in Florida (and here in North Carolina) than before.
Disappointment in Sir Colin I believe runs far longer, deeper and faster amongst those who have supported him in the past, than it will help people who did nothing but villify Sir Colin in the past.

re: #77 Born Again Republican

Saw him this morning on Fox. His acceptance of raising taxes as "the only way" to fix our economy floored me! What about government cutting spending? What about tax breaks for businesses to inspire growth? Why lie to the American people to get someone elected?

He has never been in the private sector in his whole life. He has not the slightest understanding of economics.

Besides that, he was in the Army during Carter's gutting of the military, and he knows O! plans the same thing, so identity politics are the only thing driving his decision, all the rest of his excuses are nonsense.

re: #86 Jamie

That's kind of a bold statement. Don't you think Hillary would be enjoying similar support from the African-American electorate? I mean Al Gore got 90% of the black vote in 2000.

True, but all polls clearly indicate that O will get an even higher percentage this year - and 10% of any large group of voters may be fundamental. The 10% of African-American voters who voted for Bush, particularly in Florida (2000), but also in Ohio (2004), may have been fundamental for his victories.

re: #89 Arkay

Colin Powell should have been the first black President.

You know, I actually thought so at the time (1996). Now I'm thinking maybe we dodged a bullet.

re: #44 dgax65

"If you are teacher, doctor, professional, all is forgiven. Angka needs you."

re: #98 Occasional Reader

You know, I actually thought so at the time (1996). Now I'm thinking maybe we dodged a bullet.

President Steele has a nice ring to it.

re: #78 DistantThunder
"In what other profession would Mr Powell be looked upon as wise?"
Um, academia? The MSM? OK, I give up, no where.

re: #79 uncle_monkey

You know - I think this is a good thing.

For some reason all of a sudden this morning I think I feel the winds shifting and the change of season.

I think Powell is just the last leaf raked on that big pile about to be blown away.

I like that image - very appropriate, very seasonal, and everybody who has ever had to rake leaves knows exactly what it means!

re: #98 Occasional Reader

We didn't dodge. I prefer to think it would not have benefited this country at all to place him a position of Executive Power!

re: #89 Arkay

Colin Powell should have been the first black President.

But no.

When the time came for him to REALLY put his life on the line for his nation, he balked.

I think he would have had a hard time getting nominated from either party. His career-long Republican affiliation would have made him a tough sell among the liberal base of the Democrats, and his social liberalism would have either made him unpalatable to the church-going conservative base of the GOP, or forced him to engage some Romney-esque convenient "evolution" of his political beliefs.

re: #63 lawhawk

I wouldn't be at all surprised to "discover" (assuming the big zero gets elected) Colin Powell in a new cabinet post -- or a little quid pro quo...

re: #98 Occasional Reader

You know, I actually thought so at the time (1996). Now I'm thinking maybe we dodged a bullet.

Not necessarily. I suspect he would have been the same "compassionate conservative" (aka Big Government Republican) that Bush is, so I doubt things would have been drastically different.

re: #86 Jamie Actually, if Hillary had won over Obama as closely as Obama did win over her, I don't think the Black community would be supporting her quite so completely at all.

Not suprised that Powell did this.

I don't like him. The only thing I liked about him ever was that he was a Shabbes goy and speaks passable Yiddish. Other than that-FUGGETABOUT IT.

re: #106 Spiny Norman

Not necessarily. I suspect he would have been the same "compassionate conservative" (aka Big Government Republican) that Bush is, so I doubt things would have been drastically different.

Saddam Hussein would still be in power. No question in my mind.

A bit of PUMA balance for this thread's Colin-oscopy.

Two minute video ... the first part is unremarkable ... THEN it gets to the lady at the end!

re: #109 Occasional Reader

Saddam Hussein would still be in power. No question in my mind.

No, I doubt that very much. A President Powell would have spanked him just as hard.

A President Gore, on the other hand...

re: #60 LGoPs

Anyone who thinks that America's image is the real issue for the world, or for America is in major moonbat territory-no matter what their previous accomplishments or current occupation.

re: #104 Jamie

I think he would have had a hard time getting nominated from either party. His career-long Republican affiliation would have made him a tough sell among the liberal base of the Democrats, and his social liberalism would have either made him unpalatable to the church-going conservative base of the GOP, or forced him to engage some Romney-esque convenient "evolution" of his political beliefs.

Not to mention that had Powell run on a Republican ticket the MSM/democrats would have tarred, feathered and crucified him for his role in the Mi Lai massacre. Supporting Obama not only helps a brotha, but washes away any guilt via association with Mi Lai.

Gen or SoS Powell - Equal failures in my eyes.
He was too weak kneed to finish the Republican Guard during the Gulf war as such allowed Saddam enough man/ fire power to crush any internal opposition.
Can you say Chamberlain ?
Knowing that outcome to think Powell had the stones to do any serious sanitizing of the septic tank of Leftists that is the US Dept of State would be delusional.
Of course then you have to factor in the race thing...... .
AS for his swipe at Sarah.... - Typical Washington elitist NONSENSE.
Give me someone - anyone with common sense, principals who puts this Republic first over the mindset that dominates the Rino's and Leftist Elites any day 24/7.
Colin who ?

re: #105 J.S.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to "discover" (assuming the big zero gets elected) Colin Powell in a new cabinet post -- or a little quid pro quo...

I think it's a foregone conclusion that an Obama presidency would include a significant role for Powell, one of Powell's choosing, should he want it.

OTOH, if he's more interested in private sector work, he could probably command a princely sum from any clients seeking an audience with the upper echelons of the executive branch.

re: #115 Jamie

I think it's a foregone conclusion that an Obama presidency would include a significant role for Powell, one of Powell's choosing, should he want it.

OTOH, if he's more interested in private sector work, he could probably command a princely sum from any clients seeking an audience with the upper echelons of the executive branch.

Exactly. This endorsement is job security.

re: #115 Jamie

I bet Condi's going to do the same thing.

Boy, the paranoia exhibited here today.

To even imagine that race has something to do with Sir Colins' well thought-out, considered and brilliant endorsement is , well almost
racist!

/sarc

re: #107 realwest

I agree completely. There would have been no reciprocity-only hurt feelings and anger, and accusations of 'unfair' or 'stolen' votes.

Colin is just whoring to be Secretary Commander of Barrack's new Department - The Education and Work Corps

re: #110 pre-Boomer Marine brat

A bit of PUMA balance for this thread's Colin-oscopy.

Two minute video ... the first part is unremarkable ... THEN it gets to the lady at the end!

Sorry, I just can't find it in myself to trust the PUMA's. The Clintons are and always were the masters of deception and slight of hand.

re: #115 Jamie

Yep. I actually tend to believe (as someone else pointed out) that the major motivating factor for Colin Powell is simple oportunism...He's a bureaucrat who does/behaves according solely to whichever way the wind is currently blowing...with an eye (always) on feathering his own nest...(I also suspect that Polin felt humiliated by being "used" in the run up to the Iraq war, and now it's "pay back time" -- it's a way of getting revenge on George Bush...).

Et tu, Colin?

re: #121 doriangrey

Sorry, I just can't find it in myself to trust the PUMA's. The Clintons are and always were the masters of deception and slight of hand.

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly about Slick and Hillary, but keep in mind, these PUMAs are individuals.

So the man who sold the world the war in Iraq at the U.N.,now seeks absolution for his sins with Obama---will he call Rev Wright now just like Bill with Monica called Rev Jackson in?

Screw Colin Powell. The man is selling out his own military brothers and sisters.

re: #117 WriterMom

I've heard her speak about Obama and says she's first a Republican but feels if Obama were elected he would do a fine job.

re: #117 WriterMom

I bet Condi's going to do the same thing.

I saw that mentioned on RedState also. Admittedly, I haven't paid much attention to Sec. Rice lately. What's the source of the buzz that she would endorse Obama? Is it merely silence on her part?

Would BHO even want the support of an active member of President Bush's cabinet?

Fuck Colin Powell. Like SNL, he hasn't been relevant in years.

He's right that this isn't about race. Powell is classic State Department, so very worried about Saudi Muslim feewings. He prefers the 20th century status quo of trading a certain amount of Western/Jewish blood for Eastern oil, while appearing neutral.

He's in good company with most of Obama's advisors, and Obama himself already, so this is no surprise.

re: #45 Alouette

That reminds you that while he was SOS the Saudi's removed his brain and replaced it with Folger's Crystals and hoped nobody would notice. They did the same to Condi.

Hey, that's my line!

;-P

And his elitist shot a Palin...confirms all my suspicions about the man. I'd vote for Palin over anyone in the House and Senate at this point.

His comment that "Biden is ready to be President on day 1"? Maybe so from the perspective of a failed SoS...

re: #121 doriangrey

Sorry, I just can't find it in myself to trust the PUMA's. The Clintons are and always were the masters of deception and slight of hand.

Another thing -- I don't think Bill and Hillary are calling the shots regarding the PUMAs. Why would they be doing so? The possible explanations are too complex (re Occam's Razor). No, the PUMAs are fundamentally and seriously pissed -- probably pissed enough to be listening to issues, like the lady in that video.

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

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

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

So much for Johnny Mac's pulling his punches on Rev. Wright in the hope of getting Powell's endorsement.

re: #119 WriterMom
Thanks. Yeah, I must say I was kinda taken aback by, first, my Mom's extremely angry reaction to Sir Colin's announcement and then that of each of my Aunt's (one of whom called while Mom was talking to the other). They are really upset and see this as a betrayal by a man they all once admired - for not letting race get in the way of human accomplishment and freedom.
And all three saw it the same way: Sir Colin is Black, Obama is Black (and was falling in the polls,
Rueters/CNN/Zogby TODAY had McCain WITHIN 3 points of Obama) and so Sir Colin "abused their trust in him" and went for the Black candidate only because he is Black.

To the original post. Agree. Gone are the days when he was vilified
for Nam "cover ups" and his looking the other way on Iran Contra.
Thats down the memory hole now.
Now he's useful.
For what I cant quantify exactly...but its certainly a big headline.
Right there with Palin's SNL appearance.

re: #110 pre-Boomer Marine brat

A bit of PUMA balance for this thread's Colin-oscopy.

Two minute video ... the first part is unremarkable ... THEN it gets to the lady at the end!

I left a post there. Am loving the PUMAS. :)

, I'm back after cooling down, but i would Like to Add this, Mr. Powell, did you forget in this decisoion the remarks made by Obama,

Obama "says our troops in Afghanistan are 'just air-raiding villages and killing civilians.

so Mr Powell, that doesn't disturb you?

If the liberals reject Powell because of his past associations and deeds with the Bush Administration , will Obama throw him under the bus?

crud, i hit the end of the thread again. moving upstream.

re: #139 willowone

, I'm back after cooling down, but i would Like to Add this, Mr. Powell, did you forget in this decisoion the remarks made by Obama,

Obama "says our troops in Afghanistan are 'just air-raiding villages and killing civilians.

so Mr Powell, that doesn't disturb you?

Exactly. The Dems will raid the defense budget to try and stave off the inevitable coming fiscal crisis caused by entitlement spending. Colin's brothers and sisters in arms will get screwed again.

You're dead to me, Mr Powell...

re: #140 right_on_target
I think Obama will throw Sir Colin under the bus in a NYC minute if he thought it would help him. That's the major problem in this election: Obama is about Obama; McCain is about America.

"I think he is a transformational figure, he is a new generation coming into, onto the world stage and the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama," Powell.......said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Obama is not a transformational figure. He's just a prettied up, smooth talking version of the very same communist/socialist dogma that killed 100 million the last century.

The only reason he gets away with the transformational bullshit is because we've consciously erased any teaching of the costs of communism from our educational system. Most people on the street today would tell you that Marx was a pretty good comedian in his day....freakin' clueless.

/

What part of "socialist" does the good general not understand?

He says it is not about race, then Mr. Powell, you are a socialist also.

re: #143 realwest

That's the major problem in this election: Obama is about Obama; McCain is about America.

Several of my Obama voters say they will forgive Obama anything. They often tell me I don't know what it's like to be black. My retort is they don't know what it's like to be white! If they did they wouldn't be standing around whinning.

re: #138 rightymouse

I left a post there. Am loving the PUMAS. :)

Put this into a comment a few days ago. There's a video out there titled "We Will Not Be Silenced", about what these people saw happening in the caucuses. Most of the way through watching it, I suddenly got the image of a Lexington and Concord moment. Those trampled-upon Hillary supporters were Americans, gathering on the village green with muskets and cartridge boxes, steely determination in their eyes. ... This is America, and what happened is NOT right!

My last ounce of respect for the man is gone.
He turned out to be a tool, supporting Obama based on race alone.

defintion of racism (merriam-webster): a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

When you think only in terms of race, Colin, you fall into the trap of racism yourself.

re: #110 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Love it! "The last man that told me to get in line....I divorced him!"

And we should be concerned that a front runner, who stabbed W in the back at every turn, cast his lot with Obambi! How could this bum ever have been considered a conservative is beyond me. Pro abortion, against free trade, etc etc. He was responsible for a whole lot of leaking. you notice that he was fired after the 2004 election, and not allowed to stay until a replacement was found, now thats a vote of confidence wasn't it. Colin Powell deserves Obambi, and vice versa.

re: #86 Jamie, re: #73 SouthAmericanWay

That's kind of a bold statement. Don't you think Hillary would be enjoying similar support from the African-American electorate? I mean Al Gore got 90% of the black vote in 2000.

Definitely, yes, if Hillary had been the nominee...but that is not where the evidence lies.

It is the overwhelming black support for Obama in the PRIMARY that serves as evidence of blatant racism.

Obama immediately garnered that same 90% black support even though Hillary has been one of the strongest supporters of black causes in senatorial history, had a high probability of winning if nominated, had much more legislative and executive experience, etc. etc... By all accounts Hillary was a much better candidate for democrats...except for the fact that she wasn't black.

This was way out of character for black voting patterns which, like most whites and other minorities, split relatively evenly as they always have in other primaries.

So, again, of course we could expect overwhelming support for the democratic nominee from black america....but how do you explain why hillary was dropped en masse by the black community as soon as Obama declared his entry into the race?

Bold statement indeed!

The "cutting edge" producers of SNL were inspired to create the show based upon a lowly local favorite late night TV show in Tulsa Oklahoma,

So much for originality. I bet that Gaylard Sartain and Gary Busey rarely if ever watch that show. Their show was so much better in almost every way. But we'll try to imagine that the NY elites can actually pretend to do a cutting edge show and actually pull it off.

Com on guys, we can disagree with Colin Powell, and good people of all political ideologies can disagree without vilifying each other. I think Gen. Powell's position is mistaken, but I will never doubt for a moment that he is a patriot.

Gen Powell is not our enemy, he may be mistaken, but he is not our enemy. His endorsement of Sen Obama may weaken our nation and he may live to regret the decision, but I believe that he is mistaken rather than unpatriotic.

re: #149 notutopia

Love it! "The last man that told me to get in line....I divorced him!"

I liked that too. I just so happen to be a guy who, 40 years ago, bought into "Women's Lib is Men's Lib too". 20 years later, I was the spouse who asked for a divorce. 15 years after that, I'm deliberately not dating.

/I know what that lady's talking about

Btw (this isn't surprising, just more of the same), everything the BBC talking heads say about Colin Powell's switch to Obama -- requires a reversal...So, when a Beeb person states, "It isn't about the timing.." (as I laugh), then you, the viewer, knows beyond a doubt, "it's all about the timing." (There were a whole series of these kinds of statements being made -- at least a half dozen which require immediate inferring the opposite -- I'm not going to repeat them...but ya get the drift...)

My respect for C Powell has plummeted faster than the mutual funds in my IRA. I suppose he was promised a cabinet or secretary position. Sounded as though he memorized that whole endorsement.

re: #156 A Typical Patriot

My respect for C Powell has plummeted faster than the mutual funds in my IRA. I suppose he was promised a cabinet or secretary position. Sounded as though he memorized that whole endorsement.

i do not believe a man who stood by Pres Bush, and took his case to the UN and took the heat for the administration is a sell out; liberals hate his guts as a result of his statement to the UN and he has nothing to gain from endorsing Obama. He is mistaken, not a sell out.

Here's the question: Who's more conservative? Colin Powell or The Governator?

Mr. Powell, thank you. My great worry with Obama was military/foreign policy. If he's ok with you, that's all I need to hear. If we had taken your advice, we would have gone into Iraq with complete and overwhelming force, instead of Rumsfeld's strategy, and we would not have needed the surge or the last 2-3 years of force. Thank God we are winning the Iraq war, most think it's a done deal (as do I). al-Qaeda has been nearly defeated, there is a popularly elected government, and we have changed the future of the MIddle East. Stability in Iraq is almost at hand. I needed your words this morning. Thank you. My instincts are aligned with yours. I was on the fence, but no more.

Yes, And my scrotum endorses my rectum.

re: #159 footballrules

just remember it was powell who let saddam retreat from the highway from hell in the first gulf war.because it did not look good for our military destroying saddam in living color.big fing deal another rino shows his stripe.

re: #153 shanec99

Com on guys, we can disagree with Colin Powell, and good people of all political ideologies can disagree without vilifying each other. I think Gen. Powell's position is mistaken, but I will never doubt for a moment that he is a patriot.

Gen Powell is not our enemy, he may be mistaken, but he is not our enemy. His endorsement of Sen Obama may weaken our nation and he may live to regret the decision, but I believe that he is mistaken rather than unpatriotic.

The point is that ridiculous positions and turn-arounds like this are self-destructive. Like so many moonbat positions, they may be well-intended in some insane ways, but rational people very reasonably label them as unpatriotic.

Ho-hum, who cares who endorses who? Like we didn't see this coming. What next, Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson is gonna endorse the Chosen One and we are supposed to be surprised? Like I'm gonna care or change my vote due to someone endorsing a candidate. I'm not that shallow or easily led.

I smell Demonrat desperation...smells like VICTORY!

[Link: www.pennypresslv.com...]

After reading the above, it's interesting to analyze how Obama's speeches have their effect on the masses. The wording, the pauses, tone are all tools used to get the listener to focus and act and to vote him in as president while ignoring that they are not getting any specific information. He cannot use these techniques when he has to be spontaneous which is probably why he avoided townhall meetings and preferred speech making. There are many youtube videos that show how these techniques work as well as information on who is selling how to use these techniques.

I wonder how many people realize that they are no different than those who stood around medicine men and their wagons in the wild west, those selling their doctored water as great medicine.

re: #159 footballrules

Mr. Powell, thank you. My great worry with Obama was military/foreign policy. If he's ok with you, that's all I need to hear. If we had taken your advice, we would have gone into Iraq with complete and overwhelming force, instead of Rumsfeld's strategy, and we would not have needed the surge or the last 2-3 years of force. Thank God we are winning the Iraq war, most think it's a done deal (as do I). al-Qaeda has been nearly defeated, there is a popularly elected government, and we have changed the future of the MIddle East. Stability in Iraq is almost at hand. I needed your words this morning. Thank you. My instincts are aligned with yours. I was on the fence, but no more.

Nice try, Moby

Registered since: Aug 27, 2008 at 4:21 pm
No. of comments posted: 33
No. of links posted: 5

Looks like a bunch of Mobys / Trolls have gotten in here over the last few weeks.

re: #161 jtm371

just remember it was powell who let saddam retreat from the highway from hell in the first gulf war.because it did not look good for our military destroying saddam in living color.big fing deal another rino shows his stripe.

Well, but that's not exactly how it went then, the highway to hell was a retreat that we did NOT allow to happen. We did not advance to Baghdad because we (ahem, that "we" includes Saudi Arabia) wanted Iraq still as a counter to Iran, and secondarily because under the 1991 version of the Powell doctrine "you break it you own it", we did not want to have to restructure or occupy Iraq. But it was Bush-41's decision, and James Baker and such, Powell was heard, but did not decide.

That all made a kind of sense.

What did NOT makes sense is that it ALSO went along with the hope (?!) that there would be an internal uprising in Iraq to overthrow Saddam. Instead, our erstwhile allies within Iraq were murdered, hundreds of thousands of Shiites and Kurds. Their deaths are on Bush-41's and Powell's hands. So of course, when we waltzed in there eleven years later, we found ourselves somewhat short of friends. Maybe we made up for it, but it cost all the way around.

Anyway, Powell doesn't come out looking much better, even after the facts are recited.

Personally, I think it's a non-event. Powell hasn't been a real Republican for a long time and only then, when it suited his purpose.

I would expect that Fox News ala Britt Hume and all will keep their hands either off this or downplay it accordingly since dear Mort Kondracke's wifey is: Not that it's not a good program

Hey look, Rush is awake on weekends after all!

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

I'm not surprised by this. Disappointed but not really that surprised. Race trumps everything for some people and they may not even realize it as they rationalize themselves to their choice. I admired Powell before learning that it was his suggestion to stop the offensive in GWI because it was to effective at destroying Saddam's armored and mobile forces etc setting the stage for Saddam being able to hang onto power for another decade plus. I admired him way before he started drinking the state department koolaid... But then I've constantly met people who think they aren't racist (off all ethnic groups I've run across) and can't see anything wrong with their racist viewpoints because when they are pointed out the pointer is labeled as "proof of the other to be hated" or "an idiot who doesn't see it my way" etc...

Rush is right though - If this were John Kerry Powell wouldn't be endorsing him... but then I wonder if Powell would endorse Steele in a national run? Would Powell rather never see another Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court?

It makes me wonder if Powell is angling for Secretary of State or something under the O's administration...

The main reason why Powell seems important was that at one time he was being pushed by the Republican east coast establishment as a presidential candidate to show how tolerant of diversity the Republicans were. There was no big movement by the grassroots, just a lot of spin by the flacks. All image. I don't know why the Republican party can't give us really good candidates no matter what color, gender or religion. Instead they try to give us candidates that they think we will vote for based on image.

In other news: Keith Olberman pops a pup tent in his pants.

Carry on.

I have no respect left for Powell. If Powell had any courage he'd have done this a while ago and not waited to watch the lefty polls shifting in Barry's favor... guess he's shown himself to be more of a spineless poll-driven politician than the brave soldier he once was.

re: #173 zato

I have no respect left for Powell. If Powell had any courage he'd have done this a while ago and not waited to watch the lefty polls shifting in Barry's favor... guess he's shown himself to be more of a spineless poll-driven politician than the brave soldier he once was.

He was once a brave soldier? When was that?

Here's my theory: Colin Powell is endorsing Obama to cover his ass. I'm pretty sure that we're going to have those "war trials" that the Democrats have been screaming about since we went into Iraq. If Obama is elected, and we get a filibuster Democrat majority, expect the trials to start. And W, Cheney, Condi, Rumsfeld, and Rove are all in their sights. This endorsement is Collin's "get out of jail free" card with the Obama tribunal. He's buying his innocence.

But of course, my tinfoil hat could be too tight again..

The endorsement proves the support for Barry Hussein is all about race and racism and,
That we can expect to see Powell get a senior cabinet position in the (unlikely) event that Barry Hussein wins on Nov 4.

But it's not about race./

re: #177 kansas

But it's not about race./

It's a RACE race........

You do not get 4 stars by not playing politics and being at least to some degree a self promoting opportunist. Not to say that you do not have to be capable at the same time.

Where did Powell put his money?
[Link: www.newsmeat.com...]

As I said earlier, this is job security.

#51 Bagua

Good one!
Or, the Jamaican-American vote

re: #159 footballrules

Mr. Powell, thank you. My great worry with Obama was military/foreign policy. If he's ok with you, that's all I need to hear. If we had taken your advice, we would have gone into Iraq with complete and overwhelming force, instead of Rumsfeld's strategy, and we would not have needed the surge or the last 2-3 years of force. Thank God we are winning the Iraq war, most think it's a done deal (as do I). al-Qaeda has been nearly defeated, there is a popularly elected government, and we have changed the future of the MIddle East. Stability in Iraq is almost at hand. I needed your words this morning. Thank you. My instincts are aligned with yours. I was on the fence, but no more.

You have made the ultimate mistake. Obama has always had a foreign policy...it is an Anti-American one. And while I don't want to get racist here, that foreign policy is one of submission, of shame, of subservience.

Do you think that someone like Powell will be influencing foreign policy for a Barak administration when the great Soros had paid for Obama and will direct his world view more completely then any cabinet member could? Colin has been had because he is not a man of his convictions. He is political and not grounded in a world view. Not good. Kind of like you.

And now, why don't you swim off the thread......

This is more about Powell helping his own image on the world stage.

It is my belief that it was General Norman Schwarzkopf that defeated the Iraqis in 1991.

It was Colin Powell who thwarted attempts to seize Baghdad and remove Saddam Hussein; thus leading to the need for a second war in 2003.

As for his being Secretary of State my humble opinion of the State Department is that is ranks only behind the United Nations in terms of worthlessness.

Powell is a RINO, and I know RINOs all too well; having Voinovich here in Ohio and Specter across the border in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Powell, thank you. My great worry with Obama was military/foreign policy

Did he mention military policy or ability to be an effective commander in chief?

No?

That's telling because that's Powell's only expertise.

Those of us who always knew he was an Affirmative Action empty suit are vindicated.

Our failure is that we also didn't appreciate that he was an ungrateful backstabbing SOB to the people who gave him a career of prominence.

Did you hear some of his reasons? Because of the meanness of Obama being called a Muslim. That must be Powell's thank you to McCain for jumping in to correct and praise Obama after that woman referred to Obama as an Arab.

Colin Powell has always been a "light weight" and I have always wondered how he got the jobs he did because he certainly did not have the educational or intellectual abilities to land any job of a General to Secretary of State.

If Obama were any color other than black, Powell would not be endorsing him. Powell has never been an "important Republican" so endorsing Obama means nothing much of anything. Well, we know what Powell is now -- a jerk!

re: #186 Miss Molly

Right ON he said he did not want another conservative judge elected to the SC.pro choice affirmative action fan.look up rino and it says see powell.

Thank goodness Powell has come out with his endorsement! I had not made up my mind about either of the candidates, and this cinches it.

In related news, I will start eating McDonalds because their ads are full of people enjoying life, and, quite obviously, that is how I wish to live mine.

Tomorrow's headline...TODAY!:

"OBAMA TO POWELL: ALL IS FORGIVEN, MY BROTHER! DEVIL BUSH HYP-NO-TIZED YOU!"

Powell believes we need Obama as President to make up - on bended knee- with the rest of the "World".

So does Louis Farrakhan.

yes Colin. It is always a good idea to have a far left military-hating, chicago political machine marxist who has spent a total of 100 weeks in the senate join a tax and spend marxist far left marjority in both houses of congres while the country is fighting two wars and facing its worst economic crisis since the great depression. good choice.
Moron...
hey moonbats, you can have him.

Although never forgetting his RINO-ness, I am surprised that CP (or any other retired military type, including our hero Wesley Clark) would endorse The One. Powell served in Viet Nam and then gutted it out in Mr. Carter's hollow Army (along with me, a lowly E-3)...he HAS to know what The One's policies will mean to the military, the US, and sadly, the world. They will be an unmitigated disaster...hell, we're still paying for Carter's mistakes 30 years ago.

Rank and cynical opportunism? Payback? I don't know...but unfortunately, as others on this thread have pointed out, I think his endorsement will carry some weight with the few Scoop Jackson type Dems out there...

Shame on you General.

KBO

re: #174 doriangrey

Extending him the benefit of the doubt because of the 35 years he served in the military along with his two tours in Vietnam and a purple heart. Now, he's clearly a disappointment.

number 1 guest for olberdork colon powell.all will be forgotten about his slamdunk speech.just like that clown the former press sec.i would rather lose with my pride rather then follow the polls.once again why is 95%of the black vote going to the messiah okay but if your white and don't vote for him your a racist .i know i'm just an angry dumb white voter clinging to guns and religion.
BOOMER SOONER!

I seem to remember the last time this issue came up, someone warned that this would happen because Powell is just another affirmative action liberal, but he is just a little smarter than most.

re: #127 Born Again Republican

I've heard her speak about Obama and says she's first a Republican but feels if Obama were elected he would do a fine job.

Ya . you can't tell me that it's not a race thing.

Another way to look at this is that Obambi must be concerned to have Powell come out now. I think that this is desperation, and floundering.

re: #176 Colin Nelson

The endorsement proves the support for Barry Hussein is all about race and racism and,

re: #117 WriterMom

I bet Condi's going to do the same thing.

She won't endorse him. But I would bet she votes for him.

Which we will never know. But I'll tell you what we will know- watch, if Obama is President- has a foreign policy 180% from Rice's purported current policies- with the exception that they both screw Israel- you will not hear any criticism of Obama from Rice.

re: #62 little boomer

If the Democrats nominated J.J. Walker Powell would've endorsed him.

DY-NO-MITE!

Powell knew it was his deputy, Richard Armitage, who leaked Valerie Plame's name to Robert Novak & let Scooter Libby swing in the wind during that farce of a trial. Well, I'm not racist...I'm not voting for the half of Hussein-Obama that is white, & because I don't like his marxist policies.

No surprise here...Powell is on record as faulting the "JINSA (Jewish Institute of National and Strategic Affairs) crowd" for hoodwinking all those gullible gentiles into going into Iraq to please the evil Zionists. He probably read Jessie Jackson's tirade and thought he would feel right at home. Condie is next (and they say jews stick together, jeez).

A public servant with an admirable career appears to have decided to embarrass himself because he is at war with far right conservatives. It is supposed to be that distinguished Americans like Powell do not stoop to such common levels. It is a shame he has done so.

re: #153 shanec99

Com on guys, we can disagree with Colin Powell, and good people of all political ideologies can disagree without vilifying each other. I think Gen. Powell's position is mistaken, but I will never doubt for a moment that he is a patriot.

Gen Powell is not our enemy, he may be mistaken, but he is not our enemy. His endorsement of Sen Obama may weaken our nation and he may live to regret the decision, but I believe that he is mistaken rather than unpatriotic.

I totally agree. It would have been prudent for Powell withhold endorsement of either candidate. By endorsing the McCain he would have incurred the wrath of the ‘Obamedia’ who would have just used the endorsement to paint McCain as GWB and Powell as just another Bush crony. By endorsing Obama he’s effectively crossed the Rubicon by permanently abandoning his conservative credentials; with little/no chance of redemption should Obama lose of if an Obama Presidency turns into a repeat of the Carter administration, or some derivative of it. The only way Powell can possibly presume his reputation as a conservative is if Obama governs from the center (at the very least) if he’s elected - which doesn’t seem like something he’s likely to do.

Anyone that calls into the question the McCain campaign tone after observing what the msm and the liberals have done to Gov. Palin, her family, and Joe the plumber, is definitely drinking the kool aid.

Powell supporting Nobama...wow let me put on my surprised face.

Stormin' Norman really had no use for powell either, in his book he basically said Powell was basically an office general, not really from the trenches.

As far as Condi goes, she has stated years ago at the republican convention in 2000 that she would never vote democrat because she KNOWS it was the southern democrats that were trying to keep that segregation stuff alive in the 60's. I really doubt she would vote for obama bin laden. I think (or hope) she is a little too smart to vote for an islamic marxist.

re: #153 shanec99

Com on guys, we can disagree with Colin Powell, and good people of all political ideologies can disagree without vilifying each other. I think Gen. Powell's position is mistaken, but I will never doubt for a moment that he is a patriot.

Gen Powell is not our enemy, he may be mistaken, but he is not our enemy. His endorsement of Sen Obama may weaken our nation and he may live to regret the decision, but I believe that he is mistaken rather than unpatriotic.

Today, maybe I will be proved wrong, I hope, I believe Obama will transform the Nation is very bad ways. Some possibly irreparable.

So anyone- anyone- who furthers along the possibility that Obama will be elected is my enemy.

Powell never fooled me that he was EVER a republican. He is a man of dubious character, and now he has confirmed that the race has always been about RACE.

I could respectfully disagree with much of what Powell said. But, when he told the story of a Muslim American soldier who gave his life for this country, with the insinuation that somehow Republicans appreciate his sacrifice less than Democrats, I lost a lot of respect for him.

Apart from what this says about Powell personally (and nothing good, IMO), this endorsement is meaningless.

What sort of constituency does Powell actually have anymore? Did he EVER really have one? Who is listening to HIM for election advice at this eleventh hour?

Its maybe nice symbolically for Obama to get a nod from someone formerly in the Bush administration, but the smell of identity politics here is way too overwhelming for this endorsement to matter.

re: #65 yma o hyd

...
Not clever, not smart - how did he get as far as he did?
...

I got the impression long ago that he is not a deep thinker at all.

re: #203 kham

I totally agree. It would have been prudent for Powell withhold endorsement of either candidate. By endorsing the McCain he would have incurred the wrath of the ‘Obamedia’ who would have just used the endorsement to paint McCain as GWB and Powell as just another Bush crony. By endorsing Obama he’s effectively crossed the Rubicon by permanently abandoning his conservative credentials; with little/no chance of redemption should Obama lose of if an Obama Presidency turns into a repeat of the Carter administration, or some derivative of it. The only way Powell can possibly presume his reputation as a conservative is if Obama governs from the center (at the very least) if he’s elected - which doesn’t seem like something he’s likely to do.

Seeing that Powell is a political animal (he worked for years in the Pentagon and White House), he HAS to know this.

So either Powell is making this endorsement out of pure identity politics (which if true, is really disappointing), or he's angling for a cush appointment/job in an Obama administration.

My money is on the latter.

Powell's too old now to run for political office, and he'd be unlikely to get elected on a national ticket anyway. He also knows he's unlikely to have any voice in a McCain administration. So what has he got to lose with this endorsement?

re: #208 jamihabs

I could respectfully disagree with much of what Powell said. But, when he told the story of a Muslim American soldier who gave his life for this country, with the insinuation that somehow Republicans appreciate his sacrifice less than Democrats, I lost a lot of respect for him.

Dare we ask what that story even has to do with who should be President?

Are we electing a President for the purpose of soothing Muslim feelings at home and abroad?

Do the voters know?

I can read the headlines tomorrow:

Powell Wrong About Iraq, Wrong About Obama

Sorry, I was just dreaming!

Surprise, surprise. He endorses the same man that 95% of other Blacks endorse! What ever happened to being judged on the content of your character instead of the color of your skin, as MLK put it. Every time you give someone a preference because of the color of their skin instead of their merit, you reduce the outcome and the quality for both sided. If you give entrance to college, low cost housing, set aside contracts, any preference at all you lower the college standard, give loans to those who can't pay them, get lower quality work than you would have, all because you didn't select the best qualified. We are about equality of opportunity, not equality of people. It hurts the ones who get the break as well as thinking people consider them not as qualified but getting by only because of their race.

When you get 95% of a demographic voting one way, it demonstrates that they don't consider much other than skin color. It is like a giant OJ Simpson jury.

The Democrats and Blacks want a Black president so much that, typically, they refuse to look at the likely consequences. Obama has the most left wing orientation based on his associations and what legislation he voted for than any presidential candidate in history. The problem is that they will inflict on the rest of us the consequences of their compassion.

Look forward to what John Lindsay did to N.Y. happening to the US. It will take decades to undo the damage. Well, at least they will feel good about themselves.

re: #205 Hellfire

As far as Condi goes, she has stated years ago at the republican convention in 2000 that she would never vote democrat because she KNOWS it was the southern democrats that were trying to keep that segregation stuff alive in the 60's. I really doubt she would vote for obama bin laden. I think (or hope) she is a little too smart to vote for an islamic marxist.

I doubt she'll make any endorsement at all. As sitting Secretary of State, it would be inappropriate for her to do that.

Did Albright endorse Gore? I don't think so, though she was strongly behind Kerry and currently Obama.

I can't get that scene in The Godfather at Don Corleone's funeral out of my mind. You know when Michael is sitting there all cold faced having been warned by his father before his death that whoever approaches him at the funeral to set up a meeting is the one who is betraying him. And it is that tall lurchy looking one (whose name escapes me right now,) and Michael comments later "He was smarter than the others, and it [betraying him] is the smart move."

If McCain wins the Republicans will say Powell is voting for a fellow black man (we don't like it but understand it), it's an historical election, etc. and McCain is a forgiving kind of guy. But if he went for McCain and Barack won, he'd be looking at war crimes and a lifetime of criticism and diminishing his legacy. I've never been terribly impressed with Powell. I always thought he was a careerist who rose to the top because he knew how to take care of himself.

It appears Colin Powell forgot a part of HIS OWN speech at George Washington University talking about electing the first African-American president. I guess that O-heroin is some powerful stuff (for some) and even Powell has hit skid row.....

Then came Powell. “[T]o send that kind of a message, I think would be electrifying,” he said, “but at the same time, we have to make a judgment here ... which of the candidates blends a right measure of experience and judgment? I have been watching both of these individuals, and I know them both extremely well and I have not decided who I’m going to vote for yet.”

Bottom line: Words from Powell's own mouth tells me he has overlooked better judgment to make an endorsement that flies in the face of everything he knows to be right and wrong, especially in his attempts to minimize the Obama/Ayers connection. It's clear he has a personal motive here and of course unfortunate conclusions can be made regarding race, considering he seems to have folded on his own words. Quite honestly, I wonder if he will or CAN be taken seriously anymore. Talk about "unstable".

re: #11 JacksonTn

Witness protection program in the Senator Government camp ......Bush/Cheney war crimes will begin in first 100 days ......First up on the stand .......Powell ....

I agree, Powell is just covering his butt. He knows if Obama wins, the leftist will indict all past and current members of Bush cabinet for war crimes.

I guess he does not want to be hung.

wonder what O'Bama promised him. SofState? add some respectability and gravita at first?

Now that Powell has been appropriately cowed by the lefists and the media he has fallen into line like a good black man should when it comes to race politics in the United States. One of the bigger mistakes of the Bush 43 years was to appoint a political hack like Powell as his Secretary of State in a move to get along with the left.

Now, I AM showing a wee bit of bitterness. Powell had it good under the Bush family and this is how he repays the Bushes and the Republican party that once would have voted for him as president.

Don't worry, though, I'm sure there's still some room on my back for another dagger somewhere...

re: #220 Octohedron

and another Moby

re: #62 little boomer

If the Democrats nominated J.J. Walker Powell would've endorsed him.

Democrats would never endorse J. J. He's a conservative.

As I've often said, we neglect the politics of political spouses at our own risk. They are the last lobbyist of the day and always get an audience.

While Powell is saying he is not supporting Obama because of his race, just a few weeks ago he gushed that electing an African-American for president would be "electrifying". Somehow Powell's denial of Obama's race being a factor is just more crap from the RINO ass.

But then when he was in charge during the first Gulf War he tried as much as he could to scuttle the US effort, and when that failed he blunted the action as much as he could get away with so that Saddam would end up with a victory without being able to blame it on rear-guard US generals for the intended loss. General Schwarzkopf "blew" that strategy.

I don't care I'm gonna say it: It wouldn't matter if Obama pissed on the Lincoln Memorial in front of school kids on a field trip, 98% of Blacks would vote for him anyway and Obama himself would tell us, "This is just a distraction. There's no story here."

re: #216 bungie

I can't get that scene in The Godfather at Don Corleone's funeral out of my mind. You know when Michael is sitting there all cold faced having been warned by his father before his death that whoever approaches him at the funeral to set up a meeting is the one who is betraying him. And it is that tall lurchy looking one (whose name escapes me right now,) and Michael comments later "He was smarter than the others, and it [betraying him] is the smart move."

His name was Tessio.

If McCain wins the Republicans will say Powell is voting for a fellow black man (we don't like it but understand it), it's an historical election, etc. and McCain is a forgiving kind of guy. But if he went for McCain and Barack won, he'd be looking at war crimes and a lifetime of criticism and diminishing his legacy. I've never been terribly impressed with Powell. I always thought he was a careerist who rose to the top because he knew how to take care of himself.

Powell does have a lot more to worry about if he gets on the wrong side of Obama.

Powell doesn't feel the need to be courageous at this point in his life.

John McCain is a year older and he does still feel this need.

Some warriors are still warriors until the end.

John McCain qualifies. Powell does not.

Powell has been suffering a serious case of BDS ever since he was 'forced' to make the speech about Iraq to the UN. I believe he referred to it as the worst moment of his life.

I think the Powell endorsement is significant in that it will give a military imprimatur to Obama's candidacy that will be the last thing that some fence sitters need to feel comfortable. These would be people who haven't followed the good General's recent career too closely and still find him credible.

Powell said he was concerned about what he characterized as a negative turn of Republican Sen. John McCain's campaign and his choice of a running mate. full story

I'm trying to watch football, Green Bay and Indianapolis, and all I get is Obama lying about McCain. Powell must be missing that while he rap dances on TV. That and the fact that Palin has more experience that Hussein. But WTF? If you're gonna sell out for whitey you may as well sell out for a brother, eh?

re: #229 FlakMusic
I cannot imagine any McCain leading voter is going to change his/her mind based on a Colin Powell endorsement. By the way Colin Powell is the very definition of a "courtier."

Oops I meant McCain leaning voter.

I wonder if any of these clowns voting for Obama's ability to be "trasnsformational" would regard an Alan Keyes presidency as transformational.

No? Didn't think so. You can't transcend racial politics in this country if your real motiviation is racial -- it has to be political. And there's nothing -- repeat: nothing -- about Obama's politics that meet that threshold.

Can we say "Field Marshall Von Hindenberg circa 1932?"

re: #21 Bobibutu

And this excuse "He had harsh words about the tone of McCain's campaign and rising Islamophobia in Republican circles"

Wow. I must confess to an excessive amount of prior ignorance regarding where Colin Powell was really coming from, but this absolutely clinches it. He is toast.

He's supporting Obama because of 'Rising Islamophobia'? In other words, Powell is supporting Obama as a closet Muslim. Why else would the subject of Islam have come up, in the same context as Barack Hussein Obama's campaign?

Since it's impossible for someone like Powell to be out of touch with what's recently been happening in all of Europe, and especially the UK, regarding an official acceptance of repressive Sharia law (and by extension, what must be in the planning stages for the USA), one can only assume that Colin Powell is now a fellow traveler with Islam extremisim. No telling where or when he deserted Thomas Jefferson etc., assuming he was ever really and sincerely on board in the first place.

Here's a valid question for him, from a typical mainstream 'Joe the Average Citizen':

(Deliberately ignoring titles and honorifics) "Powell, just how many different times have you supposedly accepted a post of high responsibility where you publicly swore to uphold and protect/defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, both foreign and domestic?"

Putting the shoe on the other foot, there are a LOT of folks who have harsh words about the repressive tone of Obama's campaign, with the attendant rising of an obvious 'Joe the Average Citizen' Phobia in Democratic circles.

I AM JOE, AND I VOTE!
.

This was a radical Colinectomy(from the Republican Party).
He claims that the McCain campaign has falsely fed rumors that Barack is a Moslem (Huh?). He says that Palin is not qualified (but Barack is?). The Ayers connection to Obama is off-base?

David Axelrod drafted these talking points, which only proves that a Yiddish speaking former grocery clerk from the Bronx should never have been appointed by W to a Sec of State position.

BTW, the most recent poll by Siena College shows Barack leading McCain in New York among African-Americans 97% to 0%. They are still looking for the first one to support McCain; it won't be Colin.

What's Colin Powell doing? Doesn't he realize that Uncle Joe cleansed the officer corps after he came to power? What does he think Mr. Transformational will do, give him a 'pass' when the time comes? When Mr. Transformational feels it's time for a national colonoscopy Colin just might find himself purged with all the others the progressive left finds disgusting. Ideologues aren't known for their tolerant views of their opponents the last time I checked; certainly not those from the far left.

re: #231 Joel

I cannot imagine any McCain leading voter is going to change his/her mind based on a Colin Powell endorsement. By the way Colin Powell is the very definition of a "courtier."

I'm suggesting it's significant for Obama leaners who have been hesitant because of the messiah's lack of military and foreign policy experience. Powell's endorsement--which has nothing whatsoever to do with race, BTW--confers that last bit if legitimacy in those people's minds.

Because Obama has better judgment than McCain. McCain, a war veteran who survived years of torture and abuse by an enemy as an American POW, picked an inexperienced, moose hunting woman for VP.

Obama, on the other hand, chose a 30-year political insider who wanted to give the Iranians a $200 million "no hard feelings" gift after 9/11 (a brilliant policy move like that, giving cash to our sworn enemies, would never even occur to that Alaskan hick-town mayor, Sarah Palin).

This would be the same Obama who has worked extensively with a man who bombed the Pentagon, and undermined the efforts of the military in which Powell served.

Yes, Colin Powell understands that it's McCain that has the judgment deficit.

Clearly this endorsement had nothing to do with race! Only a racist would suggest otherwise!

This endorsement has made me realize that Powell did not have any of my respect left to lose.

re: #225 FurryOldGuyJeans

The first Gulf War exposed Powell as a career general not a war time general. He got ahead due to his willingness to say whatever was expedient at the time.

Regarding Powell's decision to not support the party line. While it may not seem consistent with his history and party affinity, it is his choice to cast his vote a he sees fit.

He may be choosing based on personal convictions, or maybe seeking opportunity either personal or familial. We know what the convictions of Cosby cost him in a perceived slight in taking a hard line on his racial type.

I think, it is fair to question the possible motivations, but Powell has done the American thing and cast his vote, but it is still his one vote for one person. If concerned that it may sway others, so be it. I respect his service, but do not share his choice.

re: #214 Miggie

The Democrats and Blacks want a Black president so much that, typically, they refuse to look at the likely consequences. Obama has the most left wing orientation based on his associations and what legislation he voted for than any presidential candidate in history. The problem is that they will inflict on the rest of us the consequences of their compassion.

Make no mistake, it's a lot more than just 'compassion'. A nebulous group of clever planners -- an 'Obama Cult Think-Tank', if you will -- set this scenario in action many years ago, and they have been carefully stroking it and steering it to where it is today. Virtually every move, every nuance has been pre-planned and coordinated.

Practically nothing was overlooked, including immediately slandering and libeling anyone who opposes the Obama Cult steamroller. Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber were both unplanned patriotic average-citizen anomalies, but you'll notice that an identical snarling pit-bull 'attack and nullify innocent citizen' tactic immediately and automatically came into play, both from the DNC and the Mainstream Media. It was a pre-programmed knee-jerk reaction, showing their true colors only over the internet.

Proof: If the Obama Cult wasn't so broadly coordinated, at least half of the immediate media response would have been in favor of Sarah and Joe. We're being snookered, big-time.

We need to publicize more private citizens like Sarah and Joe, over the next couple of weeks.
.

Just a brother showin some love for a brother from another mother

Pepper, Powell could have done the American thing and voted in private. He didn't have to broadcast his choice on major Television. He also could have skipped the "smears" against McCain ....

re: #245 nigella

True, Powell could have remained private in his choice, but it was solicited. I also reserve the right to maintain a private vote, but I feel the need to express my point of view and attempt to persuade others. Unfortunately, the press fails to understand the importance of my point of view ;)

Powell's choice has been long awaited, and for anyone to suggest that it was spontaneously solicited--"Oh, by the way Colin, who are you supporting this year?"--is naive. He knew damn well that his choice would be a MSM-significant event and showcased himself to make it public.

re: #2 Occasional Reader

I agree with that. He is a RINO at best.

In fact, Powell have has always been for racial preferences during this time in the Bush administration.

Now, he is “electrified” that a black man could become president. Who would have guessed. Yes, he is now a democrat.

A military contractor friend thinks Powell got where he is strictly through racial preferences. I tend to agree.

As previously posted the military overwhelming supports McCain over Obama – except in Black/African American class. That is exactly where Powell sits.

[Military Times Poll]

Percent McCain / Obama:

Overall 68 23
Army 68 23
Navy 69 24
Air Force 67 24
Marines 75 18
Retirees 72 20
White Non-Hispanic 76 17
Hispanic 63 27
Black/African-American 12 79
Enlisted 67 24
Officers 70 22

See: Rardar site and Military times poll

Powell endorsement is a well timed event. It's designed to give the declining Obama campaign a boost.

colin powell is a racist, so this is no surprise.

If I don't feel Powell electrical surge or get the Matthews leg tingle, does that mean I'm a racist?

re: #56 Occasional Reader

Exactly! Obama now has the remaining 0.02% locked up!

I doubt that Alan Keyes will be voting for the ZERO.

re: #232 Joel

I heard from a friend today who said she was going to reconsider her vote for McCain based on Powell's support for Obama since she respected Powell so much. I wrote back and told her that he'd lost my respect a long time ago when he stood by and watched Scooter Libby go through that farce of a trial, when he knew it was his deputy who had outed Plame's name to Robert Novak.

Let's see, one overhyped, affirmative action beneficiary endorses another overhyped, affirmative action beneficiary.

Let's give these people a country...but not this country.

re: #60 LGoPs

"It troubled me. We have two wars. We have economic problems, we have health problems. ... Those are the problems the American people want to hear about, not about Mr. Ayers, not about who's a Muslim and not a Muslim. Those kind of images going out on Al Jazeera are killing us around the world," he said.

So.... a former General and former Sec of State thinks it's COOL! to hang with a terrorist?

re: #238 FlakMusic

I still believe that any Obama leaning voter was going to vote Obama no matter what. People will see the Powell endorsement for what it really is - one black man endorsing another black man. Powell was a false God for too many otherwise intelligent Republicans.

Everyone has already made up their minds long ago who they were going to vote for. All we can do is hope for a great turnout for our side.

Powell/Obama

No fun bein' one 'les yo' axts like one!

re: #252 pianogirl

I heard from a friend today who said she was going to reconsider her vote for McCain based on Powell's support for Obama since she respected Powell so much. I wrote back and told her that he'd lost my respect a long time ago when he stood by and watched Scooter Libby go through that farce of a trial, when he knew it was his deputy who had outed Plame's name to Robert Novak.

Good for you! As for your friend I suspect she was going to vote for Obama eventually all along. John McCain is a lot of things but a hard right Republican ideologue (full disclosure I was a Rudy man all the way) is not one of them so your friend frankly is full of shite.

re: #252 pianogirl

I wrote back and told her that he'd lost my respect a long time ago when he stood by and watched Scooter Libby go through that farce of a trial, when he knew it was his deputy who had outed Plame's name to Robert Novak.

The Scooter Libby affair proved that Colin Powell despite his aura of gravitas is not a man of honor.

re: #255 Joel

I still believe that any Obama leaning voter was going to vote Obama no matter what.

Why? If that were true we wouldn't see fluctuations in the poll numbers. I think there are still a lot of people out there than can go either way and/or may or may not show up at the polls depending on what's on TV Nov. 4.

re: #258 Joel

The Scooter Libby affair proved that Colin Powell despite his aura of gravitas is not a man of honor.

The aura of gravitas has been replaced by the aura of Obama's ass...the one he's kissing right now.

re: #258 Joel

Amen to that! I no longer worry about speaking up...there's something "freeing" about being in my 60's and saying whatever I want to. I was at a concert two weeks ago and a friend (who should have known a bit about me politically since we discussed things during the primaries) commented that only a dumb, uneducated person would vote for Sarah Palin. I smiled and said I didn't think I was all that dumb, and I certainly was educated (masters of music degree in piano performance), and I thought she was a wonderful pick. He did have the good graces to send a note the next morning apologizing for having used both hands to stick his feet in his mouth.

I won't "start" a political discussion if I don't know how a friend leans, but if they bring it up, stand by for me to respond!

The Last Two Years
By Randall Hoven
The Obama/Biden ticket's entire campaign theme is based on "the last eight years." Maybe we should really look at "the last two years," or the time period when both the House and the Senate were run by Democrats.
In December 2006, after six years of Bush and the last month before the Democrats took over both houses of the national legislature, a snapshot of our economy looked like this.
Unemployment stood at 4.4%.
Real GDP growth over the previous four years (under a Republican President, House and Senate) averaged 3% per year.
A gallon of regular gasoline cost $2.30.
The S&P 500 stock index stood at 1418, or 84% above its post-911 low and more than 7% higher than when Bush took office.
Every year of Bush's Presidency, real (inflation-adjusted) disposable income per person went up. By the end of 2006, the average person was making 9% more in real terms than before Bush became President .
If you recall, that 2006 election was considered a referendum on Iraq. The people wanted change, so they threw out the Republicans and replaced them with Democrats. Welcome Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi.
Here is how they handled Iraq once in office: Harry Reid told us that the Iraq war was "lost" and the surge was not "accomplishing anything." Senator Obama introduced legislation that would have prevented the surge and would have taken all US troops out of Iraq by March 2008 (that would be seven months ago, as you read this) .
Were they right?
Barack Obama now admits that "the surge succeeded." So much for that change. And as the surge succeeded, Congress's approval ratings plummeted. The latest CBS/New York Times poll has it at 12%, well less than half of the already low level it stood at when the Republican Congress was being tossed out in 2006.
The Democratic Congress did a great job, if what you're looking for in a Congress is continual investigation of Republicans. Did the White House out CIA agent Valerie Plame? No, it was the anti-White House Richard Armitage at State, but Congress investigated anyway. Did Alberto Gonzalez, with White House urging, fire nine prosecutors for political reasons? Probably not, and it wouldn't be a crime anyway, but Congress investigated, and is still investigating. Did the CIA, under orders from the White House, "torture" prisoners? No evidence of that yet, but Congress is on the case.
What Congress would not investigate was anything about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In fact, they fought against such investigations and cast aspersions against anyone who would even doubt the soundness of those institutions. Here is what Barney Frank said:
"These two entities, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are not facing any kind of financial crisis. The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing."
But now we know what happened. Fannie and Freddie were run corruptly and ineptly and went bankrupt. Their $1.5 trillion portfolios had to be rescued by the government this year. Franklin Raines, the Clinton-appointed CEO of Fannie Mae who was vigorously defended by Congressional Democrats, was sued by government regulators for cooking the books to the tune of $10 billion to increase his own bonuses to the tune of tens of millions. He settled his suit for an estimated $25 million.
On the other hand, here is what the New York Times had to say in 2003 .
The Bush administration is rightly pushing for the Treasury Department to regulate the two giants, along with the network of federal home loan banks. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae provide financing to lenders by creating a secondary market for mortgages. All told, these two institutions' debt portfolio exceeds more than $1.5 trillion. Their current regulator is ill equipped to keep tabs on Freddie's and Fannie's sophisticated hedging strategies and the other financial moves they use to manage their huge investments.
see part 2

And here is what John McCain said on the Senate floor:
For years I have been concerned about the regulatory structure that governs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac... I join as a cosponsor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190, to underscore my support for quick passage of GSE regulatory reform legislation. If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole.

So on the big things, the surge in Iraq and the failure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that led to our recent financial mess, the Democrats were wrong. Dead wrong. One hundred eighty degrees out wrong.

On the other hand, who supported the surge? George W. Bush and John McCain.

Who tried to strengthen the oversight and regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? George W. Bush and John McCain.

In the case of the surge, Bush and McCain got their way. The result? Apparent victory in Iraq, a country that is now a democracy, at peace with its neighbors, no longer a WMD threat, no longer a terrorist sanctuary, and no longer filling hundreds of mass graves with hundreds of thousands of its own citizens.

In the case of Fannie and Freddie, Bush and McCain did not get their way - Barney Frank did. The result? The failure of Fannie and Freddie, law suits against their executives and the spark that sent banks failing and stocks falling across the globe to the point of threatening a Great Depression.

Let's vote for change. Let's undo what we did in 2006.

it sure seems like it is all about race
Powell gave $2,300 to McCain last year when Hillary was the front runner from the socialist party

then along comes a black man and Powell ditches a 25 year old friendship

now tell me this General
what professional contact have you had with Obama before this year ?

likely zero, Obama was not evern in the Senate when Powell made his speech to the UN

Powell even admits he is still "getting to know Obama"

man, if that doesn't sound racist........

A disaster for Obama. He just looks more like a racial candidate. A polarizer, not a uniter. Obama would be hugely better off with 60% of the black vote and 48% of the non-black vote (he wins) than with 100% of the black vote and 40% of the non-black vote (he loses). This endorsement diminishes both Obama and Powell.

I actually don't think this is a race thing.

Powell lost his mind to liberalism a way back now. He'd have endorsed Hillary or Edwards with equal ease.

re: #266 uptight

I actually don't think this is a race thing.

Powell lost his mind to liberalism a way back now. He'd have endorsed Hillary or Edwards with equal ease.

he donated the max amount to the McCain campaign just a year ago.

I wouldnt chalk it up to race or brainwashing. I think Powell just thinks Obama would make a better President. I dont see how he came to that conclusion, personally, but I still respect the man.

I defy anyone to show me or tell me anything remarkable that Powell has ever said or done.

I have a theory concerning these liberal elitists and I want to advance it here on this web blog. I believe the reason all these ivy league educated elitists consider socialism to be viable, is because they are themselves the recipients of privileged socialism. Look at Barack and Michelle - how could they afford their ivy league educations? If they didn't get scholarships, grants, aid & loans - they wouldn't have been able to attend. Even though BO's bio says he "took a job to pay off his student loans", I'd really like to see some definitive investigative reporting concerning balances, payments made and received and pay-offs. Follow the money and we'll learn something about BO's character. If I received an ivy league degree and didn't really have to do anything other than hand over funds I myself was handed, I'd probably think socialism was a pretty good deal too. What I'm saying is that BO strikes me as a guy who hasn't really had to work hard at making a living, he's the ultimate affirmative action entitlement poster child.
The scary thing about this election is that so many people think that having a history of accomplishments is an unnecessary thing.