Colin Powell drops the other shoe
posted at 11:10 am on October 19, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama today on NBC’s Meet the Press. The endorsement had been rumored for months, as Powell has made no secret of his disaffection from the Republicans since his retirement as Secretary of State. It gives Barack Obama much needed support on questions of foreign policy and military affairs in a period of time when people may question whether to trust a man with no experience at either. But did Powell miss the window?
After months of hints and speculation, former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama this morning, a huge vote of confidence in the Illinois Democrat with just 16 days left before the November election.
“He has both style and substance,” Powell said of Obama on NBC’s “Meet the Press”. “I think he is a transformational figure.”
As we wrote on Friday, the Powell endorsement carries huge symbolic importance — not only is he a former high-ranking member of President Bush’s Cabinet but he also was the most visible face in making the case for the war against Iraq.
Powell’s endorsement complicates any attempt by John McCain and others within the Republican Party to cast Obama as naive on world affairs and unready to lead in a dangerous time. Obama now has a ready retort: “Well, Colin Powell seems to trust my judgment; that’s why he endorsed me.”
I’m not going to impugn Powell’s motives here. He served his country honorably in every task assigned to him, and he’s earned the right to participate in the political process. Unlike endorsers like Christopher Buckley, Douglas Kmiec, or Michael Smerconish, Powell has never publicly identified himself as a conservative activist. He’s mostly stayed within the military and foreign-policy realm and could easily have served as Secretary of State in a Clinton administration as much as in a Bush administration. This doesn’t represent any hypocritical apostasy, and it doesn’t come as much of a surprise, either.
However, I don’t think this will have the same impact it may have had in the summer, for two reasons. First, I think most people expected Powell to endorse Obama, and most of us expected it at the Democratic convention. Powell hasn’t hidden his disdain for his former colleagues well, especially while his closest aide Richard Armitage spent most of his time ripping them. Coming as it does now, it may impact some voters who still feel uncomfortable with Obama’s lack of experience. Otherwise, I don’t think anyone likely to be swayed by this endorsement didn’t already factor it into their thinking.
In August, Obama could have used this when he fumbled the Russo-Georgian conflict. Now, though, foreign policy has dropped to the second tier for most voters. They’re more interested in economic issues, and I think Joe the Plumber has more resonance than Colin Powell at this point in the election. Powell, who has no experience in economic issues and has never spoken out on them, simply doesn’t figure into those concerns.
Powell’s endorsement still gives Obama a boost and certainly some gravitas. Does it really change the ground in this election? I’m skeptical. McCain needs to hammer on these economic themes to make Powell’s endorsement less relevant over the last two weeks.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 ... 3 4 5 6 Next »
I’m sure you are.
You don’t seem to have followed the primary too closely if you think that Romney would have done much of anything for McCain. I like Romney, but many have problems with him.
Kay Bailey Hutchison would have energized no one.
If McCain had picked anyone but Palin he would probably have had an awful convention and would have remained down 8 or 10 as he was at the time, and drifted even lower after.
Of course, it’s impossible to say, but it is also close to impossible to think that anyone else having changed the momentum of the race as much as the Palin pick did.
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2008 at 6:09 PM
If they gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back at them.
Tav on October 19, 2008 at 6:13 PM
I wonder if Powell feels redemption from black America, now.
Star20 on October 19, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Don’t get too cocky about the 527’s. Oslime-a is not going to stay static these last two weeks. His 527″s are going to get up and running also.
But I agree, Wright is a nuke and McCain is getting bombed by biological warfare and refuses to retaliate.
Did you see him whining to Chris Wallace this AM? He keeps complaining that Oslime-a lied when he decided to forgo public financing. Well, well, well John, Oslime-a out maneuvered you and all you can do is complain that it isn’t fair? Keeping the Wright issue off the table isn’t going to win you this election. It may well cost you the election and put a socialist in the white house. Frappin’ fool!
csdeven on October 19, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Well Powell’s “explanation” for his support doesn’t pass the smell test for me. Oslime-a embodies the antithesis of what Powell has always stood for. And what is it about it that Powell has to go on a Sunday talk show to announce? Why not just announce his support?
No, this is more than what he said. He wants to be part of putting a BLACK man in the white house and had to massage his “reasons” on a talk show to try and give himself cover. Well, no one except Oslime-a supporters are loving this. Undecideds see this for what it is. Race based politics.
UGH!
csdeven on October 19, 2008 at 6:22 PM
I’m sure you are.
Actually I followed the primary very closely. Did you know that McCain barely won over Romney in Florida? About a week prior to that primary, McCain, in a tight race with Romney, lied saying Romney wanted timetables for withdrawal from Iraq. Also McCain got a bump from his pal, Christ’s endorsement. Romney got many votes and had he won Florida, he would now be our competent nominee.
Kay Hutchinsen has executive business experience both inside and out of Government. She was the State Treasury for Texas. How could she not be qualified?!
That big hot bounce from the convention fizzled out within weeks. Many have said a slow steady climb rather than a big bump that quickly fizzled with Indies, would have had the Repubs in a better position now.
And it’s the economy stupid!
Now, please do explain how having an economic expert on the ticket would NOT now have the Pubs in a better position with indies?!
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 6:23 PM
csdeven on October 19, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Bradky on October 19, 2008 at 6:23 PM
I’ve never heard a navel called an abyss before.
fogw on October 19, 2008 at 6:23 PM
a) McCain is going to win. Get used to it.
b) When McCain wins there will be riots nationwide, primarily thanks to the Drive-By media’s efforts to convince everyone that Obama had the election in the bag.
c) Many of the riots will be brutally violent and destructive and will have to be suppressed with equal brutality. This will fan the flames of resentment even further.
d) McCain will do his best to unite an increasingly divided nation but will face the opposition of a Democrat-controlled Congress and a humiliated but very hostile Drive-By media.
e)Federal power will continue to grow.
Eventually, perhaps twenty years or so in future, the nation will become so divided, that an amicable division will likely occur.
Since you broght it up, let’s play the hypothetical game. Let’s assume Obama wins. What happens next?
a) Riots break out anyway, but are not as violent.
b) Together with a Democrat Congress, Obama initiates sweeping legislation to increase the scope and power of the federal government. Markets continue to tank and Obama follows in the footsteps of Herbert Hoover and FDR.
c) Federal government becomes even bigger and more intrusive, commanding a hefty chunk of people’s income for the purpose of redistribution to those “with less.”
d) Through the efforts of ACORN – now a fully funded federal entity as well as huge increases in union membership thanks to the newly implemented “card check” system, Obama handily wins a second term in 2012. Even more intrusive federal power and tax-eating bureaucracies are created.
d) Folks in the Red States become increasingly enamored of the so-called Oklahoma Option. Many red states follow Oklahoma’s lead.
e) The federal government pushes back and threatens the states who adopt the Oklahoma option with sanctions and other punishments.
f)The situation worsens and eventually one or more of the states declare independence.
ManlyRash on October 19, 2008 at 6:24 PM
yeah that Barack Obama he’s a real open book with his tremendous experience of 143 days as an actual Senator before runnign for POTUS full time. Jerk!!!
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Your advice is worth what it costs, Sig. If you want to analyze people and diagnose their affllictions, start with yourself–and maybe end there
Janos Hunyadi on October 19, 2008 at 6:26 PM
I’m not going to question Powell’s character CS. He was an honorable and patriotic man before and still is. We may wish he had endorsed McCain or stayed quiet but to go down the road of questioning him as some have… won’t do it.
Bradky on October 19, 2008 at 6:27 PM
You offer conjecture – nothing more and nothing less. Certainly no proof.
A McCain win means a transition as the GOP gets it act together and forces the Dems to distance themselves from the far left.
An Obama win means the GOP still has to get its act together and act like a unified party again. Blue dog dems will be the target in stopping the most liberal of ideas.
Bradky on October 19, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Speaking of usual drivel.
Trolling circa 2007:
After 12 years of republicans doing almost zip now you are crying foul “Wah I want a do over and bipartisan legislation crafted by a democratic majority is not fair”
Trolling circa 2008:
Wahhhhh! I don’t like the democratic process when the person I am for gets more votes. Wahhh!! lets secede from the union…
You’re a liar and a not particularly original one at that.
Y-not on October 19, 2008 at 6:33 PM
And they didn’t learn their lesson after being spanked in 2006 did they?
The shoe still fits a year later and I really could care less if you believe me or not.
Bradky on October 19, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Posted by the DemRapidResponse channel on youtube, “Colin Powell Eviscerates McCain’s Negative Smear Campaign”
John McCain speaking about Ayers is killing us around the world and we need to consider how al Jazeera’s audience thinks of us.
Powell, you are such a disappointing POS. McCain is not calling Obama a Muslim you a*hole. You have sunk as low as all the other democrats. Lower than General Clark. You are now nothing more than Scott McClellan. And if Obama wins, and through his actions and INACTIONS to defend us, we suffer, you will have blood on your hands.
Sod Off.
wise_man on October 19, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Yup Obama sucks, too. That is why I will be voting for neither Obama or McCain. And, as I said, it was McCain who lied and did not follow through with his spoken sensible critera (being ready from day one) for his VP pick.
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Baron Münchhausen is indignant, from his grave.
Ingrates are too. This man was either a fake until now, or is one now. Good thing I gave up thinking about him in 2004, when he really sold his soul. I wouldn’t want to be him, for no sum in the world.
Who’s next? Schwarzenegger? And who really cares?
Entelechy on October 19, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Also, there are no real men left in this world, sadly.
Entelechy on October 19, 2008 at 6:39 PM
“I think Joe the Plumber has more resonance than Colin Powell at this point in the election.”
I disagree. Obama and McCain had different perception hurdles to clear since winning their nominations. No one doubted McCain’s foreign policy knowledge but when he himself admitted he didn’t get economics, he became his own worst enemy.
As a Dem, Obama was given the benefit of the doubt on domestic issues but had to appear credible as commander-in-chief. I’m guessing the late deciders (if there are any) are still hesitant about Obama on foreign policy and Powell’s endorsement is well-timed.
He also throws added non-journo, non-pol weight to the growing meme that Palin’s not qualified and McCain blew it by picking her. It was deemed impolite to say it directly before, but you can be sure every prominant endorsement between now and election day will mention it.
Obama’s fundraising amount is the poll that really counts now. People are voting with their dough.
sanguine4 on October 19, 2008 at 6:41 PM
I will. He’s been an opportunist his entire career, his personal myth is whats most important to him. He was a disloyal and dishonrable member of Bush’s cabinet and I hope Scooter Libby runs into him at a cocktail party someday and kicks the crap out of him.
peacenprosperity on October 19, 2008 at 6:42 PM
hallo, Entelechy, Ms. Roman-nemet. Hogy vagy?
NO real men? You should check the ‘book review’ thread.
NONE? Not even Todd Beamer?
oh, wait, you were kidding…………
Janos Hunyadi on October 19, 2008 at 6:43 PM
I thought Colin Powell was a Republican!
Very disappointing!
canopfor on October 19, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Um…you didn’t ask for proof, Brad. I was responding to what you wrote: “But if he loses I don’t believe the republic will fall as you seem to be so eager for. Talk about acting like chicken little…” Moreover, my speculation is based on past performance, so to speak. A tree does tend to fall in the direction it leans.
With control of both houses of Congress in their hands? Dream on, Bradley. They will obstruct at every opportunity. And if they have a veto-proof majority, they will pretty much ignore McCain.
An Obama victory would mean enactment of the Fairness Doctrine and the end of talk radio, with legislation on the horizon to stifle the political internet. Card Check will pass in Congress, thereby increasing the power of union bosses and the flow of cash to Democrat coffers. ACORN will expand in scope and power, with increased funding from the federal government.
Expect the Peggy Noonan RINO wing of the Republican party to become a Vichy fifth column who will work harder to backstab their conservative brethen than ever before.
Expect the Dems to increase their numbers in the House and Senate in 2010.
All of this should please you, no?
ManlyRash on October 19, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Obama opposes the fairness Doctrine guys…
Typhonsentra on October 19, 2008 at 6:51 PM
There, I fixed it for you.
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Stop the bullshit. You are not a “former republican” and you will be happily voting for Obama.
ManlyRash on October 19, 2008 at 6:53 PM
I’m not at all surprised that he endorsed Obama. I never thought much of him as Secretary of State. He always seemed tongue-tied to me. Maybe it’s because he was forced into being tougher than he wanted to be. He should fit in nicely with Obama.
Fine Colin. Who needs you?
Oink on October 19, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Obama’s fundraising amount is the poll that really counts now. People are voting with their dough.
sanguine4 on October 19, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Ah, but people from where? On November 4th it will be ballots, not bucks, that make the final determination. I’m still betting McCain.
Drunken Angry Clown on October 19, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Ouch.
fogw on October 19, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Maybe a former Republican like Lincoln Chafee or that loser from Iowa whose name escapes me.
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 6:57 PM
I don’t think so. McCain is a maverick. And all that means is that he is stubborn when he makes his mind up about something. During the dem primaries, Oslime-a’s ratings tanked when the Wright issue came up. Well, we are in the general now and the people who are going to decide this have just started to pay attention. Wright is an unknown and if he were to be an issue again, these folks would have the same visceral reaction that any non-partisan person would have when they find out that he attended a church where the common belief was that America got it’s comeuppance on 9/11 and that the government created AIDS to decimate the black population.
csdeven on October 19, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Just vote for Obama already and cut the crap. Hopefully you are from a solid Democrat state like Vermont, Massachusetts or New York (I am from NY) so it won’t really matter.
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 7:02 PM
That’s your choice and I can respect it on the basis of your reasons. I see it differently after considering his past statements about how Oslime-a’s “blackness” makes him an exciting choice.
csdeven on October 19, 2008 at 7:03 PM
By the way what were Bill Clinton’s qualifications to be President back in 1992 outside of the fact he liked to get his wang sucked? Would Powell have endorsed McCain if McCain picked some one such as Pawlentey or Crist to be his VP? I doubt it. Powell is a disingenuous man.
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 7:05 PM
The Official “Why I Don’t Think This Is Such A Big Deal” Link
uncivilized on October 19, 2008 at 7:05 PM
I think you’re missing something that is quite obvious to the undecideds. Oslime-a hasn’t strengthened his foreign policy bona fides on his on efforts, he needs Powell to do that. McCain IS establishing his economic bona fides ON HIS OWN with no endorsements needed.
To the undecideds, McCain looks stronger and Oslime-a looks weaker.
csdeven on October 19, 2008 at 7:08 PM
I’m not sure what Obama thinks this will get him. He already has all the black vote and Powell has no impact on the rest of the military or white America. If anything most whites will develop a tainted impression of him for supporting a Marxist radical.
rplat on October 19, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Stop the bullshit–you are not me and thus know zilch about me! Idiot!
When you guys cannot come up with answers you resort to calling names and throwing out lies. Is that not what you accuse the libs of???!!!
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Ummm…dude? None of the other effete nitwits ever identified themselves as “conservative activists” either. The bald nitwit is a moderate Democrat, Kmiec is a pro-life law professor, and Buckley is a completely unknown flake. His father founded NR decades ago, and I never knew he had a son until a week ago.
Powell is a non-entity to me, and I was terrified that someone in the GOP was pushing him for VP. He sucks. He’s not very bright. He’s never, ever been considered a conservative, by anyone. He’s huge on affirmative action, natch.
And he’s the single reason that we didn’t go slaughter Hussein in the first war, when it would have meant something.
Jaibones on October 19, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Pinocchio is also indignant.
Entelechy on October 19, 2008 at 7:16 PM
Ha!!!! “McCain IS establishing his economic bona fides”.
Apparently you haven’t the ability to read polls–Obama is far more trusted on the economy than is Mr. I don’t know nothing ’bout the economy!
McCain’s got bad judgment–he needed to choose a running mate to balance his ticket; Obama was smarter in this respect.
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 7:17 PM
No, not at all. I was not kidding. To you, and my other dood e-friend, fogw, I was also not referring to you, the mere mortal guys, who still have their steely ones, and your characters. I referred to the pretend-ones.
No worries, Bradky, I’ll question his character, and my wrath supercedes yours, by far. America should never reward an ingrate of the highest degree. I believe she will not.
Entelechy on October 19, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Shelby, for believing everything you see/read, good luck.
Entelechy on October 19, 2008 at 7:21 PM
If Obama needs a has-been as Powell (whom the weasel Dominique de Villepin, born Dominique Marie François René Galouzeau de Villepin took for a fool, and for a ride in front of the entire world, on TV) then he’s much weaker than even I assumed.
Entelechy on October 19, 2008 at 7:25 PM
You’re probably correct because neither Pawlentey nor Crist are experts on the economy, which is ISSUE NUMBER ONE!
I mentioned Romney and Kay Hutchinsen before…what’s up with the hate guys?
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Right on. That’s because BHO’s own attempts to push his “foreign policy experience” were so alughably stupid.
You don’t hear BHO touting his Indonesian childhood too much anymore. In fact, anyone citing it is immediately branded a ‘racist’, ‘lunatic’, or whatever slur BHO and his insane supporters are throwing around at the moment.
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Translation: You are an Obamabot troll. meh.
ManlyRash on October 19, 2008 at 7:26 PM
This ridiculous assertion is not helping.
baldilocks on October 19, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Correction:
fogw, you are my “other good e-friend” – no excuses for such goofy writing.
Entelechy on October 19, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Entelechy,
We will have to agree to disagree. With me its a Vet thing – 26 years of my life have ingrained it into me and I will never change on that point. He fought in Viet Nam to give us the right to choose who we want. Why shouldn’t he now enjoy that same right?
Whether his choice is misguided or not is open to opinion but he doesn’t deserve the vitriol that some are expressing.
Bradky on October 19, 2008 at 7:31 PM
You’ve been taking the polls seriously, Ma’am, and watching too much TV news? In the pop culture, ‘real men’ have vanished to be replaced by……..I don’t know what to call them
As civilization deteriorates, ‘real men’ are more and more difficult to create. I agree that elevating ungrateful inexperienced Nowhere Men only makes everything worse
Janos Hunyadi on October 19, 2008 at 7:32 PM
The assertion of any kind on Obama’s background is futile and ridiculous. We’ll have progressed, for real, when we don’t even notice one’s background.
Obama is a Socialist/Marxist, with an anarchyst wife. Period. This is the only thing to focus one, and the most major part of him even being considered. America will prove to be self-destructive, in her aim to liked by the world, or it will prove to still be America. I feel pretty serene right now.
Bradky, much as I like you for your politeness, I never for a moment thought that you’d vote for anyone other than Obama. Not even Powell surprises me. He just disappoints, but doesn’t surprise. Of course, you and him, for sure, can vote for anyone. No need to justify. We’ll deserve our leaders, like every other populace.
Entelechy on October 19, 2008 at 7:33 PM
Okay, but do you truly believe that voters have more faith in McCain verus Obama on the economy?!
You better stop smokin’ that funny stuff…
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 7:33 PM
yes Ma’am, the whole Arab Thing needs to go away–along with his citizenship and McCain being born in the Canal Zone
Janos Hunyadi on October 19, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Yeah like the 95% of Americans who are going to get a tax cut under The One, all the while as he raises social spending, repeals the Bush tax cuts, and expands entitlement programs. Makes perfect sense to me. Is there anything the One cannot do? This afternoon while walking through the Soho neighborhood of Manhattan I saw a huge painted mural of The One on a building and I could not help but think of all the photos I’ve seen in books and newspapers of the smiling, paternal, benign, murals of Stalin, Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-Il, Mao, and Saddam.
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 7:37 PM
True! Everyone remember that on November 5th when getting used to saying “Hello Prez Obama”. That will really suck for those of us who voted with intelligence and non-bigotry!
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 7:39 PM
Indeed, and we’ll do it, politely, as always. I know him and much about him, very well. He is a sellout, for color only, which is sader than all. Either he was a fake so far, or he is one now.
Janos, I don’t watch TV, unless in parallel with here, sometimes. I also know the polls, and the media are suppressing the ones which don’t reflect obama as already in. I also believe inevitability hasn’t spoken yet, and elitism and taking thigs for granted will. Cockiness will not be rewarded by the Americans I grew to like.
Shelby, really, I have never, nor do smoke anything, literally, nor figuratively.
Reality is that anyone who has any faith in anyone to save the economy is a fool. It will be recovered by the American workers and professionals. Always was and will be – nah, for a while longer will be.
Entelechy on October 19, 2008 at 7:39 PM
I have said on more than a few occasions I will be voting for McCain.
Bradky on October 19, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Inelligence is beginning to be indignant.
Entelechy on October 19, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Who you voting for Bob Barr?
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 7:42 PM
ManlyRash on October 19, 2008 at 4:55 PM
You answered your own question. (”WHAT?”)
Do not forget that, in addition, the educational system is run be leftists and that blacks have only really been de facto full citizens for 45 years.
baldilocks on October 19, 2008 at 7:43 PM
The reason so many vote for him is that it’s time to really milk the system. I’m sad for the next generations.
Bradky on October 19, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Either way, I’d still like/respect you, as always,
Entelechy on October 19, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Of course you will, Bradley. Of course you will.
ManlyRash on October 19, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Agreed. And we all know had Powell endorsed McCain, all the Repubs would be singin’ about how great and smart is Powell.
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 7:48 PM
I need to phrase this carefully. Unfortunately (and I say this with great regrets) the fact that 91-96% of black voters (despite so many of them joining the middle class during the Reagan and Bush I and Bush II administrations) are automatic Democrats is a sign to me of a lack of political sophistication. The fact that approximately 80% of American Jews (full disclosure, I am Jewish) automatically vote Democratic as well shows a similar lack of political sophistication. Any group for that matter that automatically gives 80% or more of its vote (despite the candidate) to one party has not developed any political savvy. As a Jew I have come to the conclusion that the vaunted “Jewish genius” that I read so much about is strictly limited (as my friend said) to the research labs. V
Again, I hope I did not offend anyone.
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 7:51 PM
What a joke. You don’t pay attention to much of anything if you think that there was any love left for Powell right-of-center. Whatever few people on the right who still liked him after his terrible tenures as CJCS and SecState switched after they saw his absolutely disgusting role in the Plame affair, that helped to cripple this country for an extended period of time and led to the total destruction of Scooter Libby’s life, for no good reason – on top of the fact that the case was a joke to begin with.
If Powell had endorsed McCain, most Republicans would have told Powell to go pound sand.
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Until he doesn’t.
baldilocks on October 19, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Powell endorsing McCain would be the equivalent of Weasely Clark endorsing Obama.
Who cares?
fogw on October 19, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Heh.
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2008 at 7:53 PM
As a fellow veteran of Colin Powell, his endorsment of Obama is nothing less than his spitting in the face of every servicemember past and present. Any Al Qaeda attack on the U.S. would eventually be overcome. An Obama Presidency would destroy America forever. This is because America is more than just a place on a map. America exists entirely due to the belief in certain philosophies, and an Obama Presidency would be an abandonment of all those philosophies. America is not supposed to be a Socialist nation. Powell’s efforts to help make it so are a direct betrayal of the nation he once served.
davenp35 on October 19, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Changing party affiliation is akin to changing one’s religious denomination. It is not easy and takes a lot of reasoned and sincere dialog to convince someone. It is not a lack of sophistication so much as a comfort zone. There must have been a few crossover votes for Republicans in the past considering only Carter and Clinton have been elected.
Bradky on October 19, 2008 at 7:57 PM
ne remember that on November 5th when getting used to saying “Hello Prez Obama”. That will really suck for those of us who voted with intelligence and non-bigotry!
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 7:39 PM
Ha, no way! I will be writing in Mitt Romney’s name for Pres.
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Who the hell is denying his right to endorse Obama (or for that matter Dennis Kucinich or Ralph Nader) he wants? We are questioning his judgment and his loyalty to the party which raised him from obscurity to so high. Obviously you disagree, but are you trying to stifle any criticism of Powell (we know that criticism of the coming Great Leader will soon result in a re-education camp)? I for one think he (Powell) was a mediocre Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and a mediocre (along with Condi Rice) Sec. of State. The problem with both President Bush’s was that they were way too loyal to incompetents and people who had no loyalty to them. Powell, Tenet, McClellan, O’Neill, Brown, et al. The one really competent man in the Bush Administration who was rewarded by being thrown under the proverbial bus was John Bolton. Watch after she leaves office, Rice writes a book trashing her mentor.
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 7:59 PM
There is criticism and there is being ridiculous when throwing out words such as betray, sell out, etc.
Purely as a matter of strategy this approach will not be helpful for the McCain campaign.
Bradky on October 19, 2008 at 8:01 PM
As a Jew, I have always been embarrassed by the Jewish bloc support of Dems/liberals. I take some solace in the fact that Jews are more evenly distributed at the higher levels of policy/political philosophy, but the Jewish voting base is pretty pathetic. Luckily, it’s a very small base.
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2008 at 8:02 PM
I had been a registered Democrat (despite being a conservative) for years until I officially changed last year due to my total disgust with the BDS all around me. However I had been voting Republican regularly for years (since the Reagan years). I agree there is a thing such as a comfort zone but after awhile I said to myself ‘the Henry Jackson wing of the party is dead’. Look at what a loon Al Gore (who I supported in the 1988 primaries) became.
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 8:07 PM
I’ve never understood what draws the jews to the Dems. Anyone?
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Then be thankful Obama will lose on November 4, because his policies would result in a significant decrease in that demographic in the Middle East.
ManlyRash on October 19, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Most Jews whose Judaism(even if they are not observant) is important to them have no problems voting for the GOP. The Upper West Siders whose true religion is Socialism would not vote Republican even if Himmler ran on the Democratic line.
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Good question. Part of it is that they drank from the bosom of FDR New Deal which was inculcated in them from their parents and grandparents. My parents (both deceased) were depression era kids who voted for FDR but turned conservative due to the outbreak of urban crime in the 1960’s which they blamed on Liberal permissiveness. For many Jewish people the Democratic Party and the NY Times editorials are their religion and Talmud. It’s not your grandddad’s Democratic Party any more kids!
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 8:13 PM
As a goy, I’ll give it my best shot: Jews in this country are as divided as Christians between those who are conservative and those who are liberal.
By and large, liberal Jews tend to be secular (ie, Barbra Streisand) with some notable exceptions (ie, Joe Lieberman). For many of these, the belief and practice of Judaism is reduced to faith in the secular state to accomplish good works and make the world a better place.
Conservative Jews believe in and practice their faith and therefore embrace moral absolutes. They are rightly suspicious of the power of the state (ie, Nazi Germany, Soviet Union) and tend to be closer to conservative Christians in their political orientatin.
Interestingly enough, liberal Jews tend to embrace the Palestinian cause over that of Israel, while conservative Christians have been the staunchest allies of Israel in the United States.
ManlyRash on October 19, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Truman and the later working with the “civil rights” movement, which cemented the Jewish-dem connection, though many of the black civil rights leaders threw the Jews out and turned against them once they thought they could handle it on their own. But Jews are used to being abused, so it wasn’t that big of a deal to many. After that, it was just a matter of most Jews being raised in strongly Democratic families, like myself.
At its core the same thing draws Jews to dems/liberals today that draws so many Jews in Israel to vote in defeatist parties such as Meretz and Labor – guilt-ridden self-hate. Guilt is used as the main controlling mechanism in Jewish culture (which is why Jews have been very individualistic for a long time, as guilt is the tool for individualistic societies, as opposed to shame for tribal cultures) and there are many who just can’t handle guilt, just as there are many who can’t watch horror movies without having nightmares.
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2008 at 8:15 PM
A seriosu question and please respond seriously. Do you Sir (I am assuming you are a man) feel taht Colin Powell was a good CJCS and Sec. of State? IMHO the last decent Sec. of State wsa George Schultz. Baker, Eagleburger, Christopher, Albright, Powell and Rice were flaming medicorities. That’s just my opinion which along with $2 gets me to work tomorrow morning.
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 8:17 PM
The conservative Jews with whom I associate are neither guilt-ridden nor self-hating.
ManlyRash on October 19, 2008 at 8:17 PM
If Powell waited this long for his “endorsement” one has to wonder what was the final fee?
viking01 on October 19, 2008 at 8:18 PM
That’s why they’re conservatives. But self-hate among Jews has always been pretty high. I don’t consider it to be a bad thing, just some of the ill effects that have to be taken along with all the good that using guilt as a controlling mechanism provides. The Christian left is also rife with guilt-ridden, self-haters, just not in the percentages of Jews.
You notice, there is no real self-hating “liberal left” in any of the shame-based societies. The reaction of weak personalities there is not to be guilt-ridden, but to be overwhelmed with feelings of shame, which can only be alleviated by settling the score (in a very public way, as shame is a purely public notion). But shame-based cultures suffer from not having the very powerful individual creativity that guilt-based cultures have. We just have to accept the self-haters that come along with it.
That’s how I see it, anyway.
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2008 at 8:26 PM
As CJCS he was good in my opinion. Not great but good. The CJCS role is more advisory than anything else. The first Gulf War was started with the objective of liberating Kuwait. Powell advised against going onto Bagdhad because we had met the objective. You will recall that he was shaped by Viet Nam which was remarkable for its lack of defined objectives. Had Bush senior refined the objectives he would have had to look at it differently.
As SecState I would say he was not that effective. But in fairness the Cheney-Rumsfield faction out voted him on most issues. That said, Without his UN performance we may have had no coalition with us in regards to Iraq.
Bradky on October 19, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Just one more note, I used to term the War on Terror as “Individualism/Guilt/Atonement versus Tribalism/Shame/Revenge”.
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2008 at 8:29 PM
I think in the first Gulf War he should have allowed Schwarzkopf to obliterate the Republican Guard which were the Saddam regimes brutal enforcers of his tyranny. Letting them survive was a huge military mistake in my opinion.
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Wow, that is interesting and kinda sad. Thanks for your response.
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Keep in mind that the CJCS doesn’t command the Combatant Commanders – the president through the SecDef do that. There are estimates that as many as 100,000 Iraqis were KIA. IMO Had we gone into Bagdhad we would have had a much worse time than we have since 2003.
Bradky on October 19, 2008 at 8:33 PM
I never considered that angle. Thanks for the insight.
ManlyRash on October 19, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Actually I read that only 8 -10,000 Iraqi soldiers were KIA. There is no way we should have encouraged the Shiites to rise up and then watch them get slaughtered, it was dishonorable. yes the buck sops with Geroge H.W. Bush.
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 8:36 PM
You’re one smart Dude (or should I say ‘lanzman’)?
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Thanks, Shelby.
It’s just my view of things, mostly gained from looking at my own experience/development and projecting from there.
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Hilts on October 19, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Thanks, Hilts. Now I have to go look up “lanzman” :)
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2008 at 8:40 PM
And my thanks also to Hilts and ManlyRash. I didn’t expect that many responses when I checked back. I had always thought the Jews would/should vote Repub because of the Pub’s support of Israel. Your responses explain a lot.
Shelby on October 19, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Thanks, Manly. I was always hoping that it would catch on (I used to post it all the time at the PowerLine forum) but, as that hasn’t happened, I love to throw it out there whenever the occassion arises.
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 ... 3 4 5 6 Next »