The Powell Endorsement

This helps the democratic ticket.

Ya, I think Powell is speaking for many republican moderates who are tired of extreme right policiies and McCain’s really nasty campaign in particular.

I have two family members who have served in Iraq (one is currently serving a third rotation) and I know that General Powell is very well respected among military families. I believe his endorsement will go a long way in convincing undecided members of the military that Senator Obama is indeed ready to lead.

wmam: “Powell also created most of the disaster in the beginning of the IRAQ war”
It is well documented that the disaster in the beginning of the Iraq war was clearly forseen by Powell’s state department, who was cut out and ignored by “great us with roses” Cheney and “small force, shock and awe” Rumsfeld.
Once again, another data point proving the Republicans are the Party of Ignorance – reality need not apply.

liberati: “Powell, a man who openly lied in a UN speech, a GOP, long time friend of McCain, who knows McCain’s committment to country and experience. Yet endorses Obama, ”
The rest of your post devolved into incoherent ranting that made little sense, but I think the above deserves to be repeated. Colin Powell is a long time member of the GOP and is notorious for being a good soldier – that is not bucking his boss (Bush told him to go to the UN, so he swallowed hard and did his job) and holding generally conservative views. Yet he is endorsing Obama from a position of great knowledge about McCain and close knowledge of the job. That does indeed say a great deal.

Well, I guess I’m going Obama/Biden this time around, if you can believe it.

Say goodnight Bush- McCain-Palin losers. Your Reign of Error is almost over.

vs – you should rehearse these words “President Obama”

Makes no matter that Powell endorsed another black.
McCain has the endorsement of FOUR EX- SECRETARIES OF STATE.
Americans vote on their own judgement, not some endorsement by anyone!
HILLARY SUPPORTER FOR McCAIN

Is this the same Colin Powell that 8 years ago the African American and Liberals were calling an “Uncle Tom”? Funny when somebody who 8 years ago you all hated because he did not share your view you considered him a “Uncle Tom”, and now that he is supporting your side he is the greatest thing ever! I am sure Powell’s endorsment will help sure up the African American vote for Obama’s Black From 98% to 98.5.
New Poll…
ZOGBY: Obama 47.8%, McCain 45.1%…

Bravo Mr. Powell! We needed and appreciate his wonderful endorsement! Mr. Powell said so many things. That needed to be said. Senator Obama has the ability to reach out to people of different races, religions, ages, etc. We need someone who will not just focus on “hockey moms”. We need someone who is interested in helping all moms, rich, poor, Black, White, Latino, etc.

HILLARY SUPPORTER FOR McCAIN
Posted by: Hope, Change, Hate, Nobama ’08 | Oct 19, 2008 12:35:44 PM
Newsflash! Hillary is supporting him too.

NoSpin
It seems the Republican Party is splitting between the dogma or Spin eaters and the true thinkers. And thank goodness I am beginning to see them as such. For a while there I was beginning to think there was some form of mass hypnotism going on. And a note about Joe the Plumber – McCain spends a lot of time arguing over a 3% tax increase for people who have taxable income above $250,000.00 – Most of us voters are not going to have to worry about that issue after 8 years of Republican leadership our children. Sen. McCain might as well be talking about taxes for Lottery winners as $250,000.00 taxable income. Yes I am White Male, a US Veteran, I’ve voted for Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton – I never voted for Bush and I will not Vote for McSame – it’s not about color it’s about Country and I am voting for Obama.

If I had Warren Buffett advising me on monitary pollicy and Colin Powell advising me on Foreign Policy even I could be president

Obama has undergone two years of the most thorough back ground check ever made of a candidate anywhere for any office. Yet there are still those who use Ayers, Wright, Acorn, along with the words traitor, terrorists, etc. to attack him.
These people cry for the “Truth”!
The problem is that the truth has already been told, and both John McCain and Sarah Palin have, with their recent recognition of Obama’s patriotism and love of country, support this fact. The people that continue to espouse such attacks only want to hear their version of the truth, not reality.
Powell’s support of Obama should put the final nail in the coffin of personal attacks against Obama. Only the far right hate filled sub-humans could possibly continue their false rhetoric.

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.

The Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times, and now Colin Powell – it’s just like the primaries, Obama is racking up the endorsements. These things DO matter. Whether they sway undecideds or not, it says something about a person and his candidacy when respected people and organizations back them.

I am so sick of all the foul spewing garbage going on in this campaign. Both sides are guilty of it – but it seems the Republicans and the Republican-slanted media (Limbaugh – Fox News)really cannot have an open discussion with out throwing negative ideas out. What we need to do is throw THOSE bums out of the country because they are the ones that keep stoking the hate fires.
Colin Powell is a man I repsect. As Secretary of State, he had a job that no one wanted to do. He did it well – he just followed what President Bush and V-P Cheney wanted. Nothing more nothing less. I blame the people in charge, not the messenger. His endorsement was thoughtful and well-spoken.
Also the Chicago Tribune, for the first time in 160 years gave a Democrat and Obama the nod. It is his demeanor and his thoughtfulness that is gaining supporters.
I just wish Senator McCain was the same person he was 8 yrs ago. There was a man who really had a good and decent campaign. It seems now all he can do is belittle and demean. I blame McCain, since he is ultimately in charge of his campaign for the tone of it. He ultimately doomed himself.

1. It proves that many educated blacks are making race the sole issue in the election.
2. what Powell’s endorsement means bottom line: it’s all about race.
3. Is it any wonder. Powell is black.
4. it’s the ultimate form of racism, race before country, race before our safety and security.
_________________________________________________
Those of you claiming Powell is endorsing Obama because he is black need a history lesson.
If race were the reason, Powell would have supported Jesse Jackson in 1988 instead of George Bush. An administration he served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. The same holds true for 1984 when Powell served under Reagan as his National Security Advisor.
If you are so certain Powell is endorsing based on race, why did he not endorse these past African-American presidential candidates?
Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Alan Keyes, Carol Moseley Braun, and Lenora Fulani
The fact is this is not about race, you know it and efforts to taint it that way just reflect poorly on you and your candidate.

Gen. Powell cites Obama’s “ability to inspire” and the “inclusive nature of his campaign.”
You know that is exactly what is missing in the McCain/Palin camp the ability to suggest any reasonable change is this countries basic downward direction of the past 8 years -
Why it is all the Republican supporters and messages are all about tearing down negativism –the Republican message is all about Fear, Anger and Hate – If that’s your message you’ve lost more than the White House – If you don’t even understand the problem, chances are you are the problem. Now we have people trashing Gen Powell for standing up and speaking out on the negative nature of the Republican campaign, how status quo for the Republicans. Would the last RNC Member turn out the lights!!!
And all the Democratic supporters are about positivism and change– the Democratic message seems to be about acknowledging the issues and finding solutions.
FYI – it’s OK to be against the War in Iraq and still be a Patriot – in fact as a free country we need to question every time we take a life or sacrifice one of our own brave soldiers in the line of fire – when we stop questioning ourselves we are in real trouble.

Although the endorsement is important, it was his reasons for it that were most startling.
He listed many well thought out reasons about how McCain he shown he might not be a good President, including both McCain’s policies and his willingness to run an intensely negative campaign that doesn’t address real issues and instead just promulgates questionable attacks on his opponent.
In the end, he did provide a concise soundbite “that’s why I’ll be voting for Barack Obama”, but it was the long-winded way he got there that really impressed me.
I hope that many more traditional Republican voters feel the same way Colin Powell does.
NotMcCainFriend

Posted by Rob: “Obama has undergone two years of the most thorough back ground check ever made of a candidate anywhere for any office.”
Where have you been? Never has Senator Obama’s background been thoroughly checked. Access to records that would even make a thorough background check possible, has been denied throughout the campaign.

Isn’t it amazing…
There are so many of us who feel John McCain is “so out of touch” with mainstream America and showed great lack of “Judgement” when he picked the ex-beauty queen as his running mate.
Finally, we have one of the most respected man in American History telling us the exact same thing. Respect and honor is very much alive in this wonderful country….Thank you for so much, Colin Powell for your courage and belief in Barack Obama for President.

LJC
You are mistaken, The records are out there and have been available to every investigative reporter on the planet, not to mention Obama’s web site.
And, in your excellent knowledge of this subject, what records have not been provided? What records have been hidden and by whom?
Where the heck is this type idiotic paranoia coming from? What you say about Obama’s past is just silly. There is no way for anyone’s past to that hidden unless you want to be so paranoid that you might think the NSA is involved???
LJC you are the type that will not believe the truth unless it is the truth you want to hear.

For all those white folks saying Powell is voting for Obama because they both happen to be black are you’ll all saying one black man cannot vote for another. If my memory serves me right Powell voted for GWB not once but twice. I didn’t hear complaints then. Powell said clearly we need to go another route, different type of politics. The Republicans have been in the White House for 8 years and look we we ALL are at right now. I can assure you Obama has nothing to do with that. It’s unbelievable that a man of Colin Powell’s stature in American history can be so easily reduced to bigotry by ignorant people calling themselves Americans.

James…
I’m wondering what a “die heart” Republican might be?
I understand that DIE HARD racists are having a hard time, and perhaps some fervent Republican hearts are dying.
CHANGE is on the way….

Some people can sound so very ignorant. Osama /Bin Laden or Hussein has nothing to do with Sen. Barack
Obama. Just because his middle name is Hussein does not make him there relative either, and doesn’t give you the right to accuse him of such; Grow up people!!!
I have a grandson named Hasan who is not Muslim or related to anyone from that race of people.

Couple of more thoughts for the RNC Spin Eaters out there
McCain – wants to give tax breaks to Big Business’s to create jobs – same big business’s that off shore their workforce and production
Obama – Wants to tax those Corporations that offshore the jobs and production – sort of a labor tariff so that our wages don’t fall to the 3rd world levels
Re: Drill Baby Drill – Check it out the price of a barrel of Oil is half what it was two weeks ago – man those Republicans are fast – was that Supply and Demand? Or could it be the markets need a little governance? Is it only me or does anyone else think that those of us making less than $250,000 are going to suffer a significantly disproportional penalty in terms of the Republican Financial planning?
Re: Fannie Mae late 1990 – So you are telling us Bush drove the defective car – knowing it had problems, and did nothing to fix it – and now the Republicans are going to say Clinton did it? I am sorry you drove that car into the wall knowing it had bad breaks – Own it RNC!!!!

to jhw539
lived in Europe for 17 years while I was in the USAF and I can tell you that America is one of the most racially intolerant countries in the world. I say this not because I harbor any Anti-American sentiment nor any Anti-Republican sentiment either. I say this based on 17 years of being amongst Europeans who saw me as an American first and a black man second. And it pains me to say this the entire time I was in Europe the only race issues I experienced came from my fellow (white) Americans not the host nations were I was treated almost like a king at times. The Europeans are not so hung up on race as we Americans are.

Such Liars!!! Bush and Bush alone created the disastorous war that’s happening in Iraq. Everyone with good sense knows that!! We have so many haters and hypocrits in this world until it’s a shame. It won’t help your cause though, and stop implying that race has anything to do with Secy. Colin Powell’s vote for Barack. Thank You……

Powell’s favorables just went down. The GOP will smear him just like it is smearing Obama. I appreciate General Powell for the courage to speak out about what he thinks is right. I especially appreciated what he had to say about the charge that Obama is a Muslim.

The out-in-the-open fascism is too much even for Powell. Unfortunately, because of his dramatic performance at the UN and his complicity in sanctioning torture Powell cannot call for war crimes trials without implicating himself.

Fareed on CNN just enforsed Obama. He spoke slearly about the reasons for his decision. I believe there will be more public endorsements in the days to come. The attacks, robocalls and misleading attacks are not resonating with Americans in this country. Negative campaigning is not going to make me feel more secure in this engonomy. It will not make me feel better about losing most of my retirement. We need to decide based what O and McC will do for us as Americans.

I remember that during the months leading up to the Iraq war, Colin Powell was a lonely voice of reason within the Bush administration. He was not one of the war hawks. Rather, he was being used and deceived by the war hawks who controlled the administration.
Maybe he should have resigned, but I think that his sense of duty and service to the President prevented him from doing so. He is first and foremost a soldier and as such he knows the importance of staying loyal to your commander, no matter if you agree with his decisions or not. So he stayed and served.
But the beauty of democracy is that every four years you get to choose your own commander. Gen. Powell has made his choise and now it is up to the rest of the American people to make theirs.

A black man endorses another black man.
That’s how everyone will see it.
Nice try though.
Yawn.

Why do racists spit hate whenever they disagree with something? Yesterday Powell was a hero, today he is a traitor. Why because some disagree with his endorsement. And this site is overwhelmingly fill with hate instead of discussing important issues such as the economy, health, and war. Unity should be the task at hand, not preaching hate & extremist views.

At this point Joe The Plumber’s endorsement means more than Colin Powells.
And that’s the fact, Jack.

I know it must have been difficult for General Powell not to endorse John McCain, his old friend, and to go against his own party in a critical election. I have always respected him, never more so than now. I am a moderate Democrat who would certainly have voted Republican had he been on the ticket. Once in a while, our society produces a truly great man, who admits his mistakes, who rises above politics. He is one of those.

…what a refreshing, courageous, and well articulated POV from Colin Powell!

Barack Obama will be President of the United States of America, because he is the Best Man for the job!!! He will be able to turn things around for the American people. As Secy. Powell said: Because of his ability to Inspire and lead is the reason he is endorsing him for President. And too!!! The fact that he has substance and style, not whether he might be from Muslim faith or catholic. Because what is wrong with being Muslim or being from the Muslim faith? Nothing, they are humans too!! And we have men that are from the Muslim faith serving in the Military, so what does that tell you? My personal feeling is that race and religion should have nothing to do with who is running for the Presidency.

The idea that some of you folks insist that a patriotic, distinguished general as Colin Powell would endorse Obama just because he is black is unconscionable. Give it up folks. McCain is toast, God bless him…

John McCain is doomed.

Alan Keys is running for office. He’s black. How many blacks even know who he is?! It’s not about race, it’s about the right man for this time and Obama is the right man. OBAMA/BIDEN 2008

People make the argument that McCain is more experienced.
Despite having 99 years of experience AND running for president 56 times, he got wupped by a newcomer. So much for his great experience! He cant run a campaign, I dont want him running him anything on my behalf.
I think his heart is in the right place but he gets influenced by republican terrorists and he pals around w/ dimwits and morons and that is something to worry about.

concede McCain and apologize to Obama and the Nation!
shame on you McCain!

Colin Powell lost ALL credibility when he went to the UN and willingly LIED to the world about non existent Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
Senator Obama will win this election handily WITHOUT the need for an endorsement from this Bush appointed filthy C-O-W-A-R-D

When Republicans get in the White House, the economy tanks, the deficit skyrockets, and the gap between rich and poor widens. George Bush Sr. got bounced out of office because of a massive recession (“It’s the economy, stupid!”). When it comes to mismanaging the economy, Junior George has now exceeded dear ol’ dad by light years. The GOP has always been the party of big business and the wealthy; that’s their number one constituency. If you’re in the middle class or are poor, you’d be voting against your own economic self-interest by voting for McCain. “Actions speak louder than words, but results speak loudest of all”: Just look at what has happened to the economy during the Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. terms of office.

Thank You Mr. Powell

I find it amusing that there are people here who want to reduce Powell’s choice to a mere matter of race. Using that “logic”, what does that say about one’s endorsement of McCain?
Also, the notion that it was Powell who was responsible for our involvement in Iraq is equally foolish. One can certainly make him partly complicit because of his 5 Feb 03 statement before the UN, but he was operating on information given to him by others, the President presented similar evidence to Congress and the American people, and Congress voted on it.
How can a sane, rational person trust the judgment of a candidate who would put a person like Palin that close to the Presidency? What kind of idiot would agree with that kind of person? Do you not understand the implications of such an action? Is your perception of the Presidency and concept of leadership that shallow?
America has suffered mightily from such ignorance. We can’t afford it any more.

While Gen. Powell is an honorable American whom we all admire for his service to the nation, let’s not forget who he endorsed for President in the last election. A Governor with little foreign policy experience and whom he served as Secretary of State and for whom he made the case for Iraq war at the UN. Does it mean Gen. Powell has always made sound judgements about diplomatic and foreign policy issues. Certainly Not. It is therefore also quite disingenuos on Gen Powell’s part to be criticising Sen. McCain for his choice of his running mate.

Rational thought trumps party.

EXCELLENT !!!
An endorsement by the only Republican who
could possibly beat Obama !!!
An endorsement by the only Republican with
more credentials than McCain and Palin
combined !!!

Only people living with wolves could be undecided at this point. We have all seen both candidates and had a chance to asses their claims. In my opinion there is only ONE logical choice in this election and that is Senator Obama. John McCain has illustrated that he is too erratic, prone to rash decisions and could have a cancer relapse at any moment.

Its very hypocritical to say Powell endorsed Obama because he is ‘black’!
Powell obviouly put a lot of thought into this and he Hit the nail on the head when he said ‘THE Replublican Party has got Narrower in this campaign”-
The petty negative campaigning with vicious words and divisive actions has cost the party its own members.The people representing the party, time and again, have spewed out extreme ideas and almost a hatred towards Obama.This is not the core values that the Republican party is supposed represent!

I have been participating in political process since 1968, at the height of vietnam war. I think republican ideology is very divisive and mean spirited in all the presidential campaigns that I have been part of.
And they have won in spite of all their dirty tricks. I have a feeling that this election is going to be extremely close in spite of all the polls.
It is going to come down to counting and recounting of votes in some battleground states till MaCain wins.
I hope not but that is what I see in my crystal ball.

I’m no fan of the George W. Bush administration, so if that’s where you’re coming from, you may want to stop right here.
I just booted up my computer to learn that former secretary of state Colin Powell has endorsed Barack Obama for President.
OK, that’s his right.
But here’s the good part: Yahoo News says Powell bases his endorsement on his feeling that Obama is better suited to handle the nation’s economic problems as well as help improve its standing in the world.
So let me get this straight: the man who performed his little dog and pony show in order to sell the Iraq invasion to the United Nations in February 2003 believes that Obama is better suited to clean up our nation’s standing in the world??
The standing that POWELL HIMSELF HELPED TO DESTROY?
I have lost what little respect I had for Powell.

It seems now that Powell has endorsed Obama simply because they are both black, we can safely blame the entire Iraq war on him? So that white guy who DUPED Powell into presenting all that made-up crap to the U.N. and Powell went along with his Commander in Chief like the good General he is, he takes NO BLAME?? Wow in that case, McCain must be thrilled that white guy Bush is endorsing him for President. Of course he has to, them both being white and all.

Anyone who says that Powell is simply racist in endorsing Obama is as ridiculous as anyone who says that any white person is racist in endorsing McCain.
I think Powell’s criticisms of the GOP really resonate.

Powell articulated quite well what we all know: John McCain is erratic, indecisive, shows poor judgment, and flat-out does not have the temperment to be President.

I come to this blog because there seems to be a nice mix of republican and democratic view points. I have to say that the McCain and the republicans have done themselves a disservice through their negativity and hateful comments. You are costing yourselves the election and thank god for that.

FOR ALL THOSE DIE HARD PALIN FANS…..SHOW ME ONE INTERVIEW THAT IS NOT LIMITED QUESTIONS, THAT SHE IS NOT PREPARED FOR, OR THAT SHE CAN ANSWER ON HER OWN WITH OUT HER HANDLERS.

Just another reason to vote for Barack Obama. General Powell is a respected national hero. I found it telling not only that he endorsed Barack but that after 30 years of knowing McCain he did not endorse McCain. Let’s make sure we get to the polls to elect Barack Obama President of the United States.

Just another example of black people voting based on skin color and nothing else. General Powell contradicts himself because nothing that Obama does reflect any of the principles that the General claims to fight for. Obama has no record of experience, so how is he supposed to be the best person for the job? The only things Obama can lay claim to are voting for infaticide and voting present on hundreds of other issues. And to General Powell, this makes Obama presidential? Please!!!! General Powell, you’ve lost some credibility points when you couldn’t make critical decisions in both gulf wars. Now your voting endorsement shows that you’re really not a good decision maker.

Every voter should take a lesson from General Powell. Study the Candidates, evaluate their ability to become CEO of this great nation FIRST. Then make your decision, regardless of long time friendships or many other factors, including whether the person chosen to fill the Vice President’s seat is also capable of becoming a CEO of this great nation as well. As an “Independent Arizona Voter” this is how we make our decisions. Not on the basis of Party affliations, but on the basis of candidate qualifications to manage our national interests both at home and around the world. One’s ability to surround themselves with knowledgeable, experienced and capable US Citizens is an absolute must. No one man or woman can run this nation alone.

I am another Democrat who, although disappointed that Colin Powell did not (or could not) stop the storm of misinformation that lead to the invasion of Iraq, was also always aware of the realities of General Powell’s position and have had the deepest respect for him…always. Knowing that he is a lifelong Republican, I was fully prepared for General Powell to endorse McCain. I was gratified by his choice to endorse Barack Obama, and greatly moved by the thoughtfulness and eloquence of his reasoning.

General Colin Powell’s endorsement of Obama brings out one of the reasons he has chosen to vote the way he is.
McCain/Palin will continue to divide
Americans in the most disgusting ways. The nasty comments against Powell are in these ABC comments.
McCain does not have the courage or leadership to stand up to these “left nut-wings”.
Americans deserve more from its president! Muslim Americans also die defending our Country.

The Right Wing posts on this are truly astonishing. It truly demonstrates how driven by simple minded hate they really are. I don’t think they should be allowed to use sharp tools without adult supervisions – much less run a country with a vast nuclear arsenal.

What happen to Colin Powell being called Uncle Tom when along with President Bush he backed the Iraq war.

Isn’t it funny how we were all the same color on 9/11 when the United States of America was attacked? Do you think the troops care about the color of the guy next to him when he’s being attacked and needs backup?
Stop the hatred, we must be united

Just a little fact check for you people bashing Mr. Powell about the Iraq war. He was steadfastly against going in which started his demise in the Chaney/Rumsfeld Whitehouse and led to his resignation. Once he knew that Bush, Chaney, and Rumsfeld were going into Iraq against his and the CIA’s recomendation, he told them they better go in with overwhelming force to take control of the country and his pleas were again ignored. If you also recall, he also had major problems with what he was told to say at the UN stating “I won’t read this cr*p”. He was given revised information to sell at the UN, which of course he and everyone found out later was still fabricated by Chaney/Rumsfeld. Know what your talking about before you pass along statements as facts. Colin Powell is one of the most credible people in Washington and his patriotism and values are unquestionable. His endorsement is most likely one of the most coveted in this election and I believe will turn this contest from a comfortable Obama/Biden win into a rout.

It’s a shame that many Republicans and Democrats are so divided that they consider the other side as the enemy. The candidates continually refer to each other as “my opponent”. Like it’s some kind of a competition or a war. Then they wage their campaigns like it is a war, especially Republicans (sorry, but it’s true and you know it). It’s too bad that politicians can’t say where they really stand and what they’ll really do in office because they’re afraid that their “opponents” will use it against them. The candidates choose their running mates based on which one can help them win the election, instead of who will be most qualified to take over in the role of President (again, Republicans are more guilty of this than Dems, remember Quaile and now Palin?). All this does is divide America, and who suffers the most? Us.

Dave
I would normally agree with you but then Obama is running with no executive experience at all. Campaigning for President does not count.

Colin Powell was fantastic this morning on MTP. He articulated very well – something the Republicans can’t do these days. His endorsement may not help Obama, but it certainly didn’t hurt. Obama supporters need to make sure they get out and vote – we can’t take the chance on the Electoral College again… remember 2000?

We had better get a couple of facts straight: Powell did not get us into the mess in Iraq. Bush Jr., Cheney & Rumsfeld got us into that mess and Powell was the one who advised those three against going into Iraq but that if they were going to do it anyway, they had better send 350,000 to 400,000 troops up front. When the trio decided to send less than 200,000 troops and ignore Powell’s advice, well, that’s pretty much how the mess started. (Actually, the mess started when those 3 decided to get us into Iraq in the first place, which decision was made before 9/11) Yes, it is true that Powell miss-stated facts to the UN, but he was repeatedly reassured by Bush Jr., Cheney, Rumsfeld, et. al. that these “facts” were true. Vote for the person that you truly believe in, but don’t spread lies. How can that possibly make you feel good about your vote?! Please, give credit where credit is due. It simply is incorrect to blame the Iraq war on anyone other than Bush Jr., Cheney & Rumsfeld.

Georgia for Obama/Biden
Palin spoke the truth and now you’re against her? Doesn’t make sense. Obama first said that Ayers was just a guy who lived down the street and then he said they served on a board together and who knows what else he will say a week from now. If Obama would tell the truth from the beginning when asked, people wouldn’t mistrust him as they do. Whether Obama was eight years old when Ayers committed the crimes, he is a Harvard grad who should have brains enough not to have anything to do with an American terrorist. If I met someone who had a previous record of bombing or murder, do you think I would associate with them? NO! Race has nothing to do with this. I choose not to vote for someone who has displayed bad judgment when it came to picking his pastor and associates.

Powell stood up to Bush and behind the scenes tries to make Bush not go to war. He was a REAL hero who saved some soldiers lives before. He fought the first war under Bush’s father the righjt way and won the right way. He told Bush the perils of Iraq and Bush didnt listen or do it the way Powell wanted. Like a good soldier he went along with his President regardless. Like a good soldier he stepped down because he no longer wanted any part of what Bush was doing. Many of you dont know a real hero when you see it. He gave the specific reasons he chose Obama and they where really good ones. If Mr Powell sees a certain candidate as ready then I trust his judgement because he was the only person who had any during the Iraq situation. The fact that no one listened wasnt his fault because he wasnt President or in power to so anything about it. Bush was and Mc Cain who pushed harder than anyone to go to war in Iraq if you Republicans want to go there.

Linda, another fact check about Acorn. They have collected 1.3 million voter registrations so far this election About 1% are dubious. Who informed election officials about those 1%? ACORN did. They are required by law to turn in EVERY SINGLE application for registration to vote. The county election officails then verify the information BEFORE they issue voter registration. NONE of those applications that are not legitimate will result in a valid voter. NONE. ZERO. NADA! Please learn what is real and what is not before you fall victim to political propaganda spewed out by political schills and hacks. Then and only then you can become a part of an informed electorate.

It’s great that Powell endorsed Obama. It “somewhat” makes up for his stupidity in arguing before the UN on the need for us to go into Iraq.
16 more days and we START to see whatever light may still be glowing at the end of the tunnel.
Obama/Biden in an electoral “blow-out”!

Please, all of you who think with your biased ideas about what denotes a redneck, just stop it. You’re as bad as racists.
Connecticut raised, college educated, big game hunter, white female, love Toby Keith and Moody Blues, support our troops, pro-choice (but hates abortion), live on a farm, four kids (all college grads). This is the description of this OBAMA Supporter.
Stop putting people in your little boxes you are offensive. Thanks

Why are we all wasting our time on a beautiful Sunday afternoon by making lame comments on this website? Nobody’s mind is going to change here. It’s just argument for the sake of argument. I’m going for a bike ride, see you all later.

I’m a Republican voting for Obama! Powell’s views on both canidates and he’s choice for Obama is exactly what I admire about Obama and resent about the 3 ring circus McCain/Palin ticket has turned out to be. McCain/Palin represent and bring out the worst of the Republican Party and show no evidance of bringing the country together, but only tearing it apart. Powell is a great Republican and American who is well repected even by McCain.

The far right wing conservative Republican is a dying breed. With every new generation, those hard line ideas are getting filtered out. The same goes for the far left wing liberals, but not as much. Society becomes more and more of a melting pot with each generation. Politicians in the next few years would be wise to stay in the middle.

Voice,
Just goes to show you how diversified people can be. There are very few kinds of music I don’t like. There are country songs with lyrics that aren’t just about love gone wrong and the dog died and some good musicians with good licks.
Moody Blues, Steve Miller Band, Steely Dan, Santana, etc. Instrumentals are great.
Born again christian for Obama/Biden

So now that my music has given away my age….I was in high school in the 60′s. I went to an all white school before high school. Our english teacher in 8th grade had us read a book call “Black Like Me” written by a white author. She wanted us to have a little more insight before we attended a school with black kids during a very explosive era. I left that school and tested out in my junior year. It made me sad to make this decision but things were happening in our school that were really scary. For two years it was fine. We, all of us from our white world, made black friends and were enjoying winning at sports with great black atheletes and then everything changed. I really couldn’t understand so much hate coming into our school. I know the black kids felt the same way.
It’s really time all this nonsense stopped.
If Colin Powell had run for president in 2000 or 2004 I think he would have won. I would have voted for him. He is a great american and we should all appreciate him taking a stand and doing what I think, he believes in his heart. I take his word as truth.

All I can say is, in the last presidential election – Republican’s outrightly stole the election; lied about WMD, watched people on national TV drowing in New Orleans, and now the Wall Street Bail out. Come-on people, do you really want four more years of the same-ole crap. Get over what color a person is.

An insightful articulation of the choice we all face in Nov. Colin Powell is not influenced by image or fear, but has worked through the mental process of reaching a decision based on principles that really matter.
One tenet of morality, deontology, has long held that the end NEVER justifies the means.
This is why Obama’s image of integrity & his message of bringing people together and healing the nation, is so very welcome to many of us, regardless of differences in policy & issues.

Obama is crooked like many other politicians. But he is a tool that will lead to the fall of the Imperialist/Capitalist government. That is CHANGE I BELIEVE IN! The new order will provide health care, education and employment for everyone. Then we will have total control over all resources and all decisions that people make- removing all freedom. It will be wonderful!
SOCIALISTS FOR OBAMA!
OBAMUNISM in 08!!!!!!!!

I have to wonder if any of people who commented actually saw “Meet The Press” this morning.
Powell very articulantly explained his reason for his endorsement. Watch him do this before you make anymore boneheaded assumptions he’s doing this because he is black. I probably would have voted for him before I would have voted for Obama. Don’t make crap about Powell just because he didn’t pick your candidate. Up until now, he was on your side. Gotta respect a man who doesn’t do something just necause he’s expected too.
P.S. Would someone put Obama’s name in the spellcheck already?

McLoser commentators above: It’s a shame you can’t think for yourselves. You need to repudiate your statements then go back to playing with your Caribou Barbies.

How can you Republicans ignore the wreckage your incumbants have caused. Just look! The country is near economic collapse, and you guys are still throwing billions at Americas’ various dire problems, as if quantities of money is the magic cure for everything. With all respect, change is way overdue.

Posted by: John Foster | Oct 19, 2008 12:58:27 PM
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.
—————————-
My friend, you’ve described me to a Tee — middle income, middle class, educated, suburban, moderate, independent, veteran who’s voted Republican, Democrat, and Reform. This endorsement means a huge amount to me and eliminates any question that remained about for whom I should vote.
Colin Powell endorses Obama as CINC and international diplomat; Warren Buffett (the man McCain listed as his choice for Treasury Secty) endorses Obama on economics. I’ll take their advice and let Todd and Sarah slink back to Alaska.

As a rule, if a public servant in some capacity takes a favor from someone and returns the favor with an award of contract or uses his influence to award a contract, then it is called bribe or corruption.
Obama did not award Rezko a contract or contracts or used his influence to award a contract in return for any favor from Rezko.
This is the bottom line.

We owe the success in the first Iraq war to generals like Collin Powell.
His decision to endorse Obama and not McCain is based on sound & patriotic reasoning, & not shallow things like racism.
General Collin Powell is a great American Hero.

I’m a “lefty liberal” who’s been accused here of hating Powell. That’s not how we feel. In 2002/2003 I urged Powell to stop the Iraq invasion, by leaving the administration if necessary. I still believe he could have done it – but recognize that I was watching from the outside. Today on Meet the Press he said that nothing he could have done would have changed Bush/Cheney’s mind (note the singular). I guess that was the basis on which he made his choice. I don’t think he could have changed their mind, either, but I think he could have changed the people’s mind, and brought protesters into the streets like in 1968. That’s what we needed.
At any rate, today Powell reinforced the national perception of him as a person of conscience. There is a right wing that has some ideas and is needed to balance the left. Powell is an example of it. He made the point today that the Republican party has become too radicalized and unscrupulous to represent him. If McCain had made that same point the central narrative of his campaign, he would be winning the election today, and he would have had Powell’s endorsement.
A correction to the left is needed. Obama’s not a socialist; he’s barely left of center, and would be considered to be on the right anywhere in Europe. So relax, people. He’s a good man. You know that Powell’s a good man. It takes one to know one.

I love the stupidity America.
The LEFT did not like Colin Powell for being a Republican and doing what he was ordered, but are now thrilled to have his endorsement for their canidate.
The RIGHT liked Colin Powell because he was a black Republican with a unquestionable military record. Now, they revile him as voting his race, or worse yet, an out right traitor.
Pot, meet Kettle…
Kettle, meet Pot…

On Powell and the UN – Nobody should forget that he chose NOT to continue as Bush’s Secretary of State – ie: he got out as soon as felt he could, to me that makes some amends for his acquiescing to say things that should, and probably will, shame him for the rest of his life.
On Racism – in the US, just as in the UK and Europe and Australia – where you are, who you are with will make a massive difference to whether you perceive racism. The sheer scale of the US seems to allow for communities with remarkably low levels of racism, and others that produce the kind of stomach-churning examples of bigotry seen in this thread, which go beyond anything I’ve encountered anywhere in Europe in their outright vitriol.
The best thing to come from this campaign may be the forced realisation on the Republican party that it is no longer acceptable to quietly accept the support of the bigoted moral-right, because this campaign has drawn them out into the open, screaming as the light of day tears into their fundamental immorality.

You neocons are pathetic—-First you try to tear down Obama through every manner of calumny and character assasination and then attack Colin Powell, a highly respected and honerable man, (former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, former Secretary of State, former National Security Advisor; all in Republican administrations!) for endorsing him. Are you now going to start calling Powell, who’s dedicated his life to the service of this country, un-American and socialist!
What about the Chicago Tribune, one of the most conservative newspapers in the country. They just endorsed Obama and have never in their history supported a Democratic candidate for president! What’s next? Are you now going to say that Obama bewitched this astute publication through his eloquence—Yes, haven’t you heard, Obama now practices voodoo! No! you can no longer demonize him, the press or those who support him. We too are Americans, who desire more to practice the virtues on which this great country was founded than just talking them up!

Enough of this Powell rubbish, let’s get back to JOE THE PLUMBER !

You neocons!—-First you try to tear down Obama through every manner of calumny and character assasination and then attack Colin Powell, a highly respected and honerable man, (former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, former Secretary of State, former National Security Advisor; all in Republican administrations!) for endorsing him. Are you now going to start calling Powell, who’s dedicated his life to the service of this country, un-American and socialist!
What about the Chicago Tribune, one of the most conservative newspapers in the country. They just endorsed Obama and have never in their history supported a Democratic candidate for president! What’s next? Are you now going to say that Obama bewitched this astute publication through his eloquence—Yes, haven’t you heard, Obama now practices voodoo! No! you can no longer demonize him, the press or those who support him. We too are Americans, who desire more to practice the virtues on which this great country was founded than just talking them up!

It does not surprise me a bit for those Right Wing Republicans to call General Colin Powell “a racist”. Myself, I view them as desperate KKK with no brains who only wish the downfall of America. I could not be much happier than that when Mr. Powell endorsed Senator Obama. It is hard for me to comprehend that anyone even including those rednecks can support MC/Palin in a critical moment such like this of our history. Yet 95% of the population are hurting financially because of the failed economic policies of president Bush which strongly supported by John MCCain. A MC/Palin who blamed the mortgage mess on the middle class while the greedy lenders are the real causes of the problem. It seems to me those rednecks have so much hate in their heart that they would rather be broke than to see progress for this country. You should be feeling ashamed of yourselves.

Strongguer: Your post sounds smart but you forget an important point which makes it sound stupid. The congress is run by democrat’s. Barney Fife frank, Pelosi, Doddy….they could have fixed the problem….they made it worse because they are on the take. Both party’s are to blame and your inability to see that will lead you to begging on the street.

Maybe Acron paid Gen. Powell to say it?!! Duh, if the shoe fits wear it and while your at it, get some new lipstick!! OBAMA 2008!!

Kudos for Colin Powell for setting an example for all of us that loyalty to country should come before loyalty to party. John McCain has lacked the courage of his convictions. His campaign has been an embarrassment to the country, and the selection of Palin quite simply a disgrace. Hopefully this is a wake-up call for the GOP, and that in 2012 the party will return to its roots in the center rather than pandering to the right-wing fringe. As for this election, I’m putting country first and voting Obama.

All that the Obama-haters have left is their clinging to racism and shameless smears. Notice how much that they, just like McCain, stay away from talking about the actual issues? Like flies on crap, they are obsessed with perpetuating hateful lies, smears of “Muslim”, “Terrorist”, “Socialist”, etc. Today, Colin Powell squashed all of those arguments, and made Obama critics look like pathetic, fear-mongering idiots.

I know it’s a legitimate question if Obama can attract enough white votes across the country to win. I understand why it’s asked and why it’s a concern of the Obama campaign whether they address it directly or not.
But for the life of me, I don’t understand why no one in the media raises the very obvious point that when you look at a typical McCain/Palin rally, no matter what part of the country they’re in, it looks like they’re running for the presidency of “white America” and not the entire, multi-racially and culturally diverse nation that we are in the year 2008. I mean, change the fashions and hair styles and a McCain/Palin rally looks like an episode of “Happy Days”! And it’s not just an “Obama thing”; Hillary Clinton’s supporters were a diverse group too.
Why doesn’t anyone in the media ever ask Senator McCain, “Does it bother you at all that at a time when our nation has never been more culturally and ethnically diverse, that you and Governor Palin are only seen speaking before virtually all-white audiences?” I don’t know about you but I’d sure love to hear what his response would be.

Kathleen Parker, George Will, David Brooks, Christopher Buckley, Peggy Noonan, Andrew Sullivan, Andrew J. Bacevich of the American Conservative, Michael Smercomish, and the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune (a paper which has never in its lifetime supported a Democrat for president), have all either endorsed or reported very favorably on Barack Obama. Now, the much respected Colin Powell joins this growing list, and Limbaugh and other conservatives of his stripe have suggested that Powell did so simply because Obama is a fellow black man. Is it any wonder that the current conservative element of the Republican Party has fallen into such disfavor among so many thinking Americans, including the Conservative intelligentsia?

Yeah General Colin Powell. I’ve always loved you and thank you for coming forth and endorsing Senator Barak Obama. You are a paragon of strength and integrity and your words rang so true. Senator McCain has lost his mind by choosing Gov. Palin who has been in the public’s eye for 7 weeks and is a total idiot. So long live great, honest people like you and Barack.

How in the world can Collin Powell endorse Obama over McCain? I really do think he did it because Obama is black, they have different views on everything.
My vote say the same! McCain/palin 08!
HILLARY 2012!

Cindy:
Aside from the VP taking over as president the remaining line of succession is by law as specified in U.S. Code (3 USC 1) which is currently Speaker of the House, President Pro Tem of the Senate, then members of the Cabinet (in a specific order). This order has changed several times over the years, in 1792, 1886, and most recently in 1947 with the Speaker of the House reverting back to next in succession. There are 2 amendments that attempt to deal with this situation which was not covered in the Constitution, Amendment 20 (ratified in 1933) and Amendment 25 (ratified in 1967).
While I concede to you that it may not play out exactly how I described previously I can not envision that if McCain was not able to finish his term that, unlike other situations where a VP that has taken over for a President and finished out the remainder of the term without having a VP as a backup, in today’s world I seriously doubt that it would happen. I did make and state my assumptions that if things stayed basically the same (Pelosi was still Speaker, Democrats do not lose or may even gain seats) that she would in fact take over as VP (she needs to be able to discharge her duties as Speaker first).
This seems to be a very gray area of what would/might actually happen here. Assuming that Congress stays Democratic any attempt by the then president (Palin) to nominate someone other than the Speaker for VP it appears that it would require a ratification by 2/3 majority of both houses. We could probably go back and forth as to the possible outcomes but the bottom line is that it would be a mess in very critical times. Given McCain’s reoccurring bouts with melanoma and Palin’s lack of presidential qualifications it is something that should be avoided at all costs, assuming that people can see beyond their noses. Should things happen that way I could almost envision Bush and Cheney somehow getting involved in attempting to control the outcome if not worse.
Anyway, to get back to the topic, I applaud Powell for stating his position. I always thought highly of him and even though I did not like or agree with his UN presentation, unfortunately Bush and Cheney were pulling his strings. He was still acting as if he was a General following the orders of his commander-in-chief, fortunately he got away before he was completely disemboweled.

Johanna – did you listen to the great reasoning behind Powell’s endorsement? He along with a huge majority of America is voting for Obama for the same reasons as Powell.
My vote stays the same too, Obama/Biden 08 and in 2012 ;)

.
Indiana4ObamaFinally! said:
“Billw – Now I’d list all the positive endorsements of Obama but I don’t want you to read 50 million pages of names”
OK, just send a list of bad boys supporting McCain as despicable as those supporting Obama.
.

Karl Rove
Sean Hannity
Bill O’Reilly
Rush Limbaugh
G. Gordon Liddy
Sarah Palin
George W. Bush
Donald Trump
Charles Keating
Joe the Plumber
Need anymore? haha

NoObamaNoPelosiNoReid – You do realize that if someone registers even 70 times, they can only vote 1 time. The made up names that are consisted of a real human being? Yeah, I don’t think they’ll be showing up to the polls come Nov. 4. Just because we don’t vote for your candidate doesn’t make educated voters “foolish.”

Karl Rove – Radical
Sean Hannity – Anti positive America
Bill O’Reilly – Radical
Rush Limbaugh – Crook
G. Gordon Liddy – Crook
Sarah Palin – Soon to be crook
George W. Bush – Let’s no go there
Donald Trump – Well he’s just Trump
Charles Keating – Criminal
Joe the Plumber – Doesn’t pay his taxes

liberati,
In all your condemnation of GENERAL Powell, you conviently leave out the fact of why he lied…because he was lied to. By Rumsfeld, Cheney, former CIA director George Tenet, and his Commander in Chief George Bush. You also conviently leave out the fact that this is the reason he resigned from the Bush Administration as Secretary of State. He is the only one in that administration that has shown even a a sliver of honor, or integrity. Save your condemnation for those who truly deserve it, starting with your current president, whom I have no doubt you voted for twice. Why is it if a black person votes for another black person it’s because of teir race, or some kind of crazy reverse discrimination, but if a white person vote for another white person, your just voting for the “best” candidate. Is the fact that Baker, Kissenger, and Haig have all endorsed McCain mean they’re practicing racism against Obama? I’m sure you would argue “of course not”. Careful…your hypocrisy is showing.

Hope, Change, Hate,
You prove that not only is Mccain out of touch, but so are his supporters. If you weren’t then you would know, most of us “lefties” respect, admire, and yes even (gasp!) like Colin Powell. Always have, we just like him more since he left the Bush administration, stated several times how they’ve screwd up the Iraq war, endorsed talking to our enemies, and now the icing on the cake…his endorsment of Barack Obama. I know it hurts. Suck it up.

Nice arguing with you. My vote and your vote will be cancelling each other out. Now you just have to figure out how to cancel out all the other Obama votes with McCain votes, plus one. Good luck with that!
Obama/Biden 08

As a life-long republican, for the first time, a democrat will be receiving my vote… It was a ‘hard-call’ to vote for McCain… I kept awaiting his announcement for VP; sadly, it came… I still kept looking for a solid justification to give him my vote… I simply can’t; McCain is completely out of touch economically and otherwise and his choice for VP borderlines insanity… Gen. Powell’s endorsement didn’t change my vote; rather, reinforced my decision to vote for my first Democrat ever.

Bill Ayers and Barack Obama at one time lived in the same neighborhood in the city of Chicago, and both had worked on education reform in the state of Illinois. The two met “at a luncheon meeting about school reform.” Obama was named to the Chicago Annenberg Challenge Project Board of Directors to oversee the distribution of grants in Chicago. Later in 1995, Ayers hosted “a coffee” for “Mr. Obama’s first run for office.” The two served on the board of a community anti-poverty group, the Woods Fund of Chicago, between 2000 and 2002, during which time the board met twelve times. In April 2001, Ayers contributed $200 to Obama’s re-election fund to the Illinois State Senate. Since 2002, there has been little linking Obama and Ayers. The senator said in September 2008 that he hadn’t “seen him in a year-and-a-half.” In February 2008, Obama spokesman Bill Burton released a statement from the senator about the relationship between the two: “Senator Obama strongly condemns the violent actions of the Weathermen group, as he does all acts of violence. But he was an eight-year-old child when Ayers and the Weathermen were active, and any attempt to connect Obama with events of almost forty years ago is ridiculous.” CNN’s review of project records found nothing to suggest anything inappropriate in the non-profit projects in which the two men were involved. Internal reviews by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time magazine, The Chicago Sun-Times, The New Yorker and The New Republic “have said that their reporting does not support the idea that Obama and Ayers had a close relationship”. William C. Ibershof, the lead federal prosecutor of the Weather Underground case noted, “I am amazed and outraged that Senator Barack Obama is being linked to William Ayers’s terrorist activities 40 years ago when Mr. Obama was, as he has noted, just a child.”

whoever says this is just because he is black is flat out misinformed. the palin pick was/is disasterous and there are many republicnas high up who feel the same and will prob not vote for Mccain but to cowardice to say it out loud because of blowback from right wing party first(not country) whackos!! You Right wing fringe sailboats will go after ANYONE who doesnt agree with you. Well cya nov 5th when mccain and palin will be picking up popped ballons!

The 2008 presidential campaign has been watched by all citizens all over the world.And from the campaign,I understand that the Republicans are the 21century nazis,who are not governed by common sense and reason but only colur.

If Americans elect McCanin as president with all his defects because is white,they will face severe security challenges everywhere in the globe.Because this election is going to prove whether Americans are racist or not.

If McCain wins this election the every country in the world will be disappointed and the racists Americans will be happy. The only reason that McCain may win is that whites are going to vote for him to prevent a half white president from entering the white house. I have traveled around the world, and I have never seen so much anticipation and excitement about a presidential candidate as that shown for Obama..it refreshing!

Powell’s endorsement doesn’t make any difference to me. I was never a big fan of Colin Powell’s anyway. I am a little disappointed that he wouldn’t want to keep our millitary strong, though. Obama will weaken it and, with his negociating ideas with people like the president of Iran, he will make our country look like a wimp! Our country is the only world super power left on the planet and we should look like it! Letting our defenses down and not keeping alert and not keeping the world a little bit afraid of us is how Al Queda was able to attack us on 9/11! We need to keep them a little afraid of us!Never again should we ever let our guard down again! That is one of the reasons that I’m voting for John McCain! He will keep our millitary strong!

Good morning all,
I am a proud American and a working 36yrs old woman who is amongst the middle class in America. I feel that Obama speak to me personally about the problems that exist for me and the problems that exist in my home town right now! My hope has been shattered because racism is still alive in this country. You see and here it throughout this campaign. If Bush can steal the vote from Al Gore surely this history can be repeated… I hope that people will investigate what they see & hear because there is alot of lies out there… Be smart and lead by truth and not hate. Let the issues be your guide to the voting polls and not color.

Stick a fork in the McCain/Palin campaign. They are done!

America…can we all close our eyes for one moment, relax and take slow deep breaths, not see color (black or white), not see angry faces, hear angry words but listen to words of our future as a country. Listen quietly to your hearts. We are all in this together.

These are interesting posts. Lots of the Republican leaning commentaries question race as a factor, and attack Colin for being a traitor. They also dismiss Colin’s perspective, or the extent of his examination of this endorsement as though it was something he decided on a whim. Several news articles currently circulating state that Obama has met with Colin a bunch of times while Colin onlyy metwith McCain once in June. Hypothetically this may attest to a continued dismissive attitude on the part of the GOP towards Colin, and the review that his “service,” was in the past. After all, he came to bat for the Bush team in the run-up to the war only to have the information that he stated to the rest of the world as being false. A person of his stature might get a bit peaved at being used as a pawn in that run-up to the war. With these items as background to his decision I can understand endorsing the opposite party.
Hey why is this such a surprise….check out Joe Lieberman, he spoke at the Republican Convention none the less!!!

Powell’s endorsement is the final nail in the coffin for the McCain campaign.

I come from a bi-racial household and I keep forgetting how many racist and narrow minded people actually live in the “Untied States of America”!!! This is 2008 people. We are admonished to put all prejudices aside and vote based on facts, NOT on the smear campaigns BOTH parties have launched about each other. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life and it saddens me to see this country divided so strongly against each other based merely on the color of ones skin. At this point I think BOTH Presidential contenders and their running mates are horrible. If I am to be honest, as I am looking at the “facts” I’ve been presented with, I am voting based on who will be the lesser of the 2 evils and even now I still don’t know. Truly a shame.

We’re witnessing a dramatic transformation of the republican party and an historical democratic backlash to the Iraq war. God protect Obama so he can lead us out of this mess!

Had John McCain selected Mitt Romney as his VP… This would be a completely different race, in fact, I believe with a Mccain/Romney ticket we would see a complete reversal in the polls. McCain’s campaign strategy would have been completely different… Think about it… McCain would not have use negative and attack tactics and campaigning that has hurt him with independents. His weakness with the economy would have been strengthen with Romney on the ticket, erasing voter doubts, and he would have picked-up the endorsement on Colin Powell… one of the remaining republicans who most Americans respect…. All things would have been different with McCain had better judgment by not picking Sarah Palin as his VP… She was a liability from the beginning, he didn’t vett her… McCain gambled his campaign away pandering to Sen. Clinton’s supporters… BIG MISTAKE!!!!

I think it was a serious thing for Powell to embrace Obama it shows the man it not just thinking Party/Color but COUNTRY. I think that’s how other should look at this election,what’s good for our Country & our PEOPLE.Gone SHOULD be the days of racism,it is time that we come together as one people,one country DIVERSE BUT UNITED. OBAMA is clearly doing that & is definetly Presidential material. McCain/Palin keep trying with Saturday Night Live.Can you imagine this is what wants to lead our country. What are they going to display their talents on pagents/comedy shows? Please next time at least pick a VP that actually comes with a brain included.

This can be concluded that brotherhood among black race are strong!!This is same General Powell who are among the close military advisers of George Bush who strongly supports the invasion of Iraq. He is among the Bush advisers that testified that there are MADs in Iraq. Just one question to ask the voters: If Obama is under a republican ticket, would you still vote for him? Would you think Powell will endorse Obama? In my opinion, most probably yes particularly among the black voters.

Might I ask why you all are arguing back and forth? It’s pretty clear cut. #1. The electoral college votes are the votes in the end that make the most impact on who becomes president. As they stand now Obama will win. #2. This country does not need another President like Bush and any republican worth their weight will admit that even if they wont do so in public. #3. Remind yourselves of this. Bush helped the Bin Laden family easily and discreetly remove themselves from this country when 9/11 happened. Why? Because he is the one who allowed 9/11 to happen in the first place. Proof? He knows where Bin Laden is and has refused to bring him to justice. More proof? Bin Laden has a huge dialysis machine with him that isn’t going to be moved through any mountain or cave. He’s sitting in Pakistan in comfort with Bush’s full knowledge and sanction. #4. Remember that it is when Presidents LEAVE office that the true investigations begin and all the above truths will finally come out. And finally #5. As a white, middle class woman it is about darn time we get a President in office who knows how to be diplomatic, knows how to speak to people and knows how to put down plans that don’t just tell us what he thinks we want to hear but tell us what we need to hear. The truth. This man is a brave man for doing what he is doing. And he’s doing it at a critical time when this country needs a huge amount of change. And he has an intelligent and experienced running mate. None of this is true of McCain except for the bravery part.
Now let me ask you this. If Obama is killed who will be President? Joe Biden. He has experience and will see us through. If McCain is killed who will be President? PALIN?????? Do you really want that woman as President? I am all for a woman as President. I was all for Hillary. But not because she was a woman. I was for her because of her intelligence. But Sarah Palin doesn’t have the intelligence of a june bug. She has no idea what’s going on and she would send this country reeling back into the 19th century if she could.
So please think about ALL aspects of your vote before you take your trip to the polls.

If Gen. Powell had endorsed Sen. McCain, he would be a hero!!!! But, because he chose to use his intelligence, all of a sudden, he becomes a vilan!!! How convenient!!!!?

i can tell that some watch “W” this weekend. people stop being so small minded, as if General Powell could have prevented the war in Iraq, and if i remember correctly it was almost unanamous to go into Iraq from congress. Jeolous because General Powell is voting for the best qualified???

Sorry, I meant to say if John McCain were black, who would you vote for in this election??

Colin waited until he thought he knew who was going to win until he endorced antone so he could get an appointment. In posted by Happy in Austin, if i had a running mate that thought FDR was on tv in 1929, i would not gloat too much. Also, Happy why won’t obama submit a birth certificate in pa where the court has asked him for it? why no info from Columbia or Harvard about this liar, could it be he is not a citizen of the usa? But you are so blind, you don’t care. You think he going to give you a few bucks, well he is going to take more than tha from you Unhappy in Austin. Is Austin the car or the town?
George the American in Greensboro

Powell is correct, he very politely stated that the choice of Palin was irresponsible and cynical. Given McCain’s health issues, Palin scares the heck out of me.
Vote early for Barack in Florida and elsewhere. This particular endorsement does matter. I submit that we see a point or two bump in key states as a result. Particularly from the millitary.
Obama/Biden 08

I’m a conservative and I’m voting for Obama. I don’t agree with all of his views, but I REALLY don’t agree with the direction McCain has demonstrated that he is heading. What really bothers me about the GOP is that they have become so out-of-touch with people who are different from their majority, that they honestly didn’t sense the hatred and division being stirred up in their rallies, and campaign. If you are so accustomed to something that you don’t even realize that it is wrong, that’s bad! That’s out of touch!

Powell made his decision after careful, reasoned analysis…unlike a lot of people who are reacting from emotion. THAT’s the kind of leadership we need, and Powell saw that it wasn’t going to come from McCain..or more correctly, from the people who were pulling his strings.

Wait a second..Was he the one who showed satellite picturs about Iraq’s WMD at the UN security coucil to convince the world that we had to go into Iraq? So, he’s partially responsible for this Iraq War? We had to go into this war because of Mr. Powell’s failure diplomacy? I hope Obama won’t give him that role if he’s elected..so that we have go into another country for another world.
I admired Mr. Powell after reading “my american journey” book and I respect his service to this country. In this case, he’s nothing but an opportunist who seek a political profit and wanted to side with the people who he thinks is wining. If McCain is ahead in the polls, I’m sure he’ll sided with McCain. He’s a man with no principles.

not sure why republicans think that democrats or progressives hate Powell. Certainly, we were disappointed that he was wrong about the WMD, but he was the only one the world trusted, so Bush needed him to sell the case. I can tell you that before this year, given a short-list, the two most respected Republicans among independents, democrats, and even our allies around the world would have been Colin Powell and John McCain. McCain will recover some honor after the election when he comes to terms with his capitulation to the hate-mongering extremists in his party, but he will never be the same man to anyone. Powell has always been admired, despite the Iraq mistake, and this simply adds to that.

I wouldn’t say it’s over yet for McCain, it’s not over you know till the “Fat Lady” sings! Put she’s heading to the microphone and the curtains about to go up, on an event that will change the world for years to come~ Young and Old, Black and White, Republicans, Independents, and Democrats, Catholics, Jews, and Baptist, Rich and Poor, Students and Teachers, Soccer Mom’s and Stay at Home Dad’s will stand together, to elect a “GREAT” man!!!! President Barak Obama, God Bless this Inspiring Man and the USA ~~~ And I agree with Jerry’s listing, may all the “hate” go away is “my” Prayer! I am a first time deaf student that has been inspired by Mr. Obama, God Bless him and his family

42% of the people dont understand what ACORN is or what the accusations mean.
Donald Duck never shows up to vote.
The problems with the ACORN forms never result in problems on election day. It is a beauracratic mess and a lot of paperwork.
The spin is false. GOP does a great job of repeating big lies though. Give them credit.
Lie and deny. That’s the right wing in America these days.

General Powell, I am so proud of you as is my family that you chose to endorse the best, smartest man to lead our country — Senator Barack Obama. You have my F U L L support. We must stop Senator John McCain from further nastier tactics. He has surely run a most negative campaign. I am from the great state of AZ and believe me, this man, Senator McCain is not well thought of in his own home state. He is known as a carpet bagger and never having done one thing (remember no earmarks) for our great state.
Kudos to you!

Did you know? Greenspan quit along with many other high level officials because G.W. Bush wanted to run his own administration? Yes, with a low “c” average, he thought that he knew everything. Found out that he knew nothing! “Better to be seen and thought of as an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubts”
Abe Lincoln, and young republican from Illinois who later became one of our best because he listened, to the people, to the world, to other politicians.

Why is it RACISM when Powell endorses Obama
BUT it is NOT RACISM?
that McCain has four former secretaries of state: Secretaries [Henry] Kissinger, [James] Baker, [Lawrence] Eagleburger and [Alexander] Haig,” all of them White?
Black people DIED for the right to vote! and for years they have voted for WHITE politicians….NO ONE complained! Why is it a big deal now if they vote for a Biracial politician?(even though you all want to ignore his White mother)
A majority of Black people voted Bill Clinto into power…NO ONE complained! Why now is it wrong for those same Black Democrats to vote for Obama?
But it is NOT RACISM and NOT SEXISM for McCain to pander to women by getting Palin? Oh wait he ended up being lucky because its the men who think of her as hot not as a VP who will vote her in!

And for all those who think that Powell should not have gone to the UN to claim WMD’s were in Iraq.
a) most people without military knowledge or briefing would have told you there were NONE. The UN should have known better! but it would not have mattered anyway we would have gone to war REGARDLESS of the evidence!
BUT
b) As all those in Alaska who have disagreed with Palin what the result has been? Remember she says its within her “RIGHT” to fire anyone who is in her administration. And also go ask those who have disagreed with McCain. Like the woman whom he tried to prevent her hiring 15 years after they disagreed!
So why dont you walk in Powell’s shoes before you state what he should have done!

Those bashing Powell, get a grip! It’s amazing to me that all of you are “mind readers” and were actually able to be there, inside his mind, during his decision making process. What happened with Powell? Why did you endorse Obama? He wised up. You might try it some time.
To steal a line from McCain: Country first! Vote Obama!

Colin Powell’s worst assessment for the security of this country was in the first gulf war when he was the joint chief of the armed services, just when General Schwartzkoff and his army had Sadam Hussein and his regime outflanked and defeated, he recommended to President George Herbert Walker Bush for Saddam to live and his regime to stay in power which in turn gave us a greater threat for our current President to go before the UN and with UN forces invaded Iraq for not complying with the UN resolutions to inspect for weapons of mass destruction. I personally blame Colin Powell and his judgement for the lives and the cost for having to go back to Iraq today, and I believe his assessment and judgement for endorsing Obama as a leader of this country and the free world is wrong and if elected Obama and his left wing socialist regime could be a bigger threat to the security of this country.

I strongly agreed with GVK’s honest opinion and comment. Powell is racist and sexist. This same Powell is among Bush’s advisers who testfied that there are MAds in Iraq. The question is: If Obama right now is running under a Republican ticket, Will Powell and other black voters still vote for Obama? Most probably, the answer is YES.
Posted by: Raymond | Oct 20, 2008 12:06:55 PM
——————————–
Of course it’s YES! It doesn’t matter to a great number of us Average Joe’s what party the candidate belongs to. It’s his/her knowledge of the issues, character and intelligence that warrants our support. Obama is the quality candidate in this election and his choice of running mates has bolstered our opinion of his judgement. The Powell endorsement just adds comfort to our decision.

Another thing…
Before you say Joe the Plumber said…
Mr Clean (Joe the Plumber) is a big fraud….
He’s the GOP Grandson of GOP operative Robert Wurzelbacher….
Who’s Robert Wurzelbacher? Only Charles Keating’s son-in-law and the former senior vice president of American Continental, the parent company of the infamous Lincoln Savings and Loan….
Robert Wurzelbacher was Keating’s business partner in the Keating Five S&L banking scandal. Keating bribed McCain and McCain was censured by the Senate….
Robert Wurzelbacher went to Federal Prision for 3 1/2 years for his involvement in the Lincoln S&L collapse / Keating Five bribery case … and was a very close friend of John McCain….
Don’t be duped by Fox… look it up.

What worries and scares me is how McCAIN AND Palin have causedso much trouble They are pitting us against each other.When every one knows what a divided country is .Why cant we realize that we all live here,and we do better if and when we work together rather than taking pot shots at each other,twisting every thing any one says .and yes even lies

Delores…I am not sure why you think it is that McCain is pitting anyone against anyone. They are merely seeking answer to questions of millions of people. The media refuses to investigate these questions THOROUGHLY and in a non biased manner.
We know more about Cindy McCain’s past addiction to pain killers than we know about Obama’s several year long addiction to COCAINE, his refusal to show his college transcripts, thesis, documents that show he is no longer and Indonesian citizen.
In fact, the media spent more time trying to discredit “Joe the Plumber” than they have investigating AYERS, WRIGHT, REZKO, FARRHAKAN, ACORN, Obama’s donating over $800,000 to ACORN’s subsidiary…etc…etc…
What many seem to forget is that questioning someone character and intentions/judgement is not a means of putting people againt one another and the only one who has made this about race is Obama himself, and he started that way back in the primaries against Hillary.
Hillary, Bill Clinton and Biden all said he is not ready, this job does not lend itself to on the job training, questioning his connections to all of the above people, so why is McCain racist or trying to divide the country for doing the same thing?

When people bring up Obama’s supposed relationship with Rezco someone should chime in with Keating! McCain stayed at Keating’s house in the Bahamas an estimated 10 times. Now which is worse, buying a 10′ piece of property from a criminal, or flying with a criminal on his jet and staying in his beach front house TEN TIMES????

Obama will not be any more tested than McCain or any other President has been in the past and since Obama is seen with a more favorable light than McCain in other countries, he might actually help many of the wounds that the Bush/Cheney administration have caused during the last eight years.
Whoever is President will face challenges at home and abroad. Two wars and an ailing economy. But, Obama has the leadership qualities to advance the United States agenda. ;-)

Goodbye McLiar and Pal FOR SURE. The time of the liars and warmongers are finally coming to an end. FINALLY someone stood up to the lies and rot coming from the McSame campaign. General Colin Powell, I SALUTE YOU! :) Looks like 60% of those polled do too! :)

I agree with Stanley…….Go Obama Go

BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!! do go against the republicans or you will be reduced back to being a race, or a terrorist, or un-American. Powell was an American Hero to the republicans till he endorsed Obama. Now he is just a negro, shamefully sending kids off to a war Bush lied to start, supporting another negro because he puts race before country. he has gotten uppity and forgot who put him where he is. Does that about cover the bigot point of view. i did the best i could. Obama08

I knew that many McCain supporters would immediately cry racism if Colin Powell endorsed Obama. If that’s what you think then nothing anyone can say will change your mind. In the end the only thing that matters is how many people will believe Colin Powell’s words and how many will think he’s so shallow and weak minded that he would only vote for someone because he’s black.

This is from National Women’s Political Caucus, SFV, Newsletter, Sept – Oct. ‘08. “…When she Sarah Palin was Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska she tried to get the local library to ban 69 books! Including Brave New World by A. Huxley, Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller, Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman, Lysistrata, Aristophanes, Of Mice & Men, John Steinbeck, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken Kesey, Slaughterhouse – Five, Kurt Vonnegut, The Merchant of Venice & Twelfth Night, Shakespeare, Oh yes & all the Harry Potter’s… Confirmation on this comes from the official minutes of the Wasilla Library Board. When the Librarian refused to ban the books, Palin tried to get her fired.”

Majus
Well, you probably have written the best you can, but I think you sound stupid and narrow-minded. I support Obama, but I don’t fancy insulting others because of my passion for a Candidate. Obama will certainly not approve of comments like yours, divisive and racist in nature. Shame on you.
Vote for Obama/Biden, the image of what America should be.

I find it worse than stupid that anyone who ever supported Hillary can spin around hard enough to support McCain and Palin. They clearly have no respect for what Hillary has always stood for. I can’t answer for how others will react to General Powell’s support for Obama-Biden, but for me it restores my love and respect for Powell. When he worked for Bush he was a good soldier and did what he was told, clearly not always happy to do so, and now his terrific love of our country has overcome his Republican past. It takes a real hero, a real American to side with America first. Powell points to the vile and despicable attacks by McCain against Obama. I agree. McCain is running the most vile and despicable personal smear campaign I have ever seen in America, a complete and disgusting and unpatriotic disgrace. McCain says he reaches across the aisle. I used to admire him for that. Today’s new McCain does not reach across aisles. He calls good Americans like Obama traitor, terrorist and worse, if worse is possible. McCain is burning bridges and trying to split America wide open for his own personal benefit in a race he has never deserved to win. McCain’s economics has always been poor, and despite his impressive achievements in some less important areas, all his foreign policy experience shows is how badly his judgment has been: getting us into the Iraq war, ignoring the dangerous shifts of power in Russia, missing entirely the danger of Al Qaida in Afghanistan… the list is painfully and dangerously long. Obama is young, which makes him more vigorous, and Obama has shown a most remarkable courage and patriotism standing against invading Iraq when it was not popular to do so. Obama would never tear America apart with the sort of vicious campaign McCain is using, and he would never pick a completely incompetent radical like Palin to be a heartbear away from being President. McCain’s campaign shows a desparate man who will do absolutely anything, say anything, to help himself no matter how much it damages America. A true patriot like General Powell had no choice but to turn away from a man like McCain and to support Obama, a man he knows personally to be a great opportunity for ALL of America to unite and move forward.

I think that this was a very good endorsement. I think that Powell is the type of guy that people trust and I think that this has done some good for the Barack Campaign!