Powell endorse nothing to brag about.

[lalalu]

It's pretty sad when people behave like Colin Powell doesn't have blood on his hands just like Bush and Cheney. Powell LIED to help push their agenda and I have no doubt he got his cut.

If Cheney were to endorse President Obama it would make me rethink my vote. Powell isn't as hardline as Cheney but I find him just as repulsive.

[krawhitham]

1. Yeah we know he sucks, but he helps

People here also blame CP for the wars but Joe Sixpack does not

[babylonsister]

2. There are a lot of rethugs who

love and respect Powell; that is the point, not what liberals think about him. If he can make one rethug think for a minute because of his endorsement and perhaps evaluate WHY they plan on voting for Romney , that's a good thing.

[lalalu]

4. It won't.

Powell is just doing it for his own self preservation as usual.

[babylonsister]

9. You don't know that at all; he could

absolutely influence people and their vote.

[lalalu]

14. I do know that.

His whole life has been about doing what is best for him. That includes LYING and sending men and women to die for his own benefit. He of all people knew the devastation that it would bring on American soldiers. He didn't care and he doesn't care about anyone but himself now. He is a vile person.

[babylonsister]

24. No you don't, and your personal opinion means absolutely zilch

and has nothing to do with Powell's endorsement, or how people will react to it.

And ftr, I also have problems with Powell personally, but don't for a minute think he sent "men and women to die for his own benefit". I do think he was lied to, and should have known better considering the characters he was dealing with.

[lalalu]

42. Obviously my opinion and others do matter.

It is why Powell the liar has changed again to try and rehabilitate his image. Most people are not falling for it regardless of the media playing up Powell.

People like you will fall for it because his lies didn't affect you or your family. Powell has been a liar and did anything for his personal benefit from day one going back to Vietnam.

Here is another fact. He can apologize all he wants but just like Bush his career is over. He sold his soul and now has trouble dealing with it. Tough. It is nothing compared to what people have to live with due to his lies.

[WCGreen]

97. yep, but i his defense, when he was working his way up...

he had to erase any doubt of "uppity" from his personality. How would you like to live a life where you are always on guard to not let you be you.

[lalalu]

99. You assume i haven't dealt with such issues

That is not a valid excuse for what Powell did and is actually insulting to millions who have dealt with worse situations. Powell could have refused and still lived a comfortable life. He would also be viewed more favorably.

Powell sold out for his his own personal greed.

[OLDMDDEM]

3. I agree

Powell stated that he was duped over the Iraq ordeal. A man of his position should have known better. I wouldn't be bragging that Powell was endorsing me if I were obama. I would be calling him out for his lies ten years ago.

[onenote]

5. I'm certain that is what you would do,

which is why you would never be elected to anything.

[OLDMDDEM]

142. It doesn't matter

I wouldn't run for any office. Powell should have apologized (he didn't). This caused him to lose credibility. Even though he did say he was duped, he showed remorse but never said those two magic words.

[lalalu]

21. Agree 100%

[Jersey Devil]

6. Don't know how much it will help but it can't hurt

Maybe it will pick off a few "moderate" Repubs (if such a thing still exists).

[Sunlei]

7. Real Republicans endorse Obama

[Democat]

8. Debate for after the election - for now, let's hope he delivers votes!

Powell has done good and bad things in his life, but for now he's supporting Obama.

[bigdarryl]

10. JESUS!!!! do we have republican TROLLS taking over DU

To say Powell endorsement is nothing to brag about is idiotic sounds like something a rethug will say

[lalalu]

16. Really?

You sound just like the pathetic democrats who voted for Reagan because he seemed like he was a nice old moderate guy. Some people are easily fooled. Powell is no different from Bush or Cheney. I guess you would welcome their endorsement too.

[nolabels]

90. Did you vote in Carter / Reagan elections?

Those were the years when corporations had a very large strangle hold on information and there was no such thing as the internet. I kind of regret that i believed the lies they told me at the time but it never happened again. I was 21, just exiting the military and i had never learned how much misinformation and lies were being to told to the general population. We have came a long way since only print media and broadcasts but we still have a long way to go. Powell is just a product of that sold out era and his endorsement is kind of like the inevitable water is wet. Powell just wants to be able to get access to the closer inner circles and probably is worse than Bush and Chaney in a way. I would say this because of his sellout loyalty and his not being guy to trust in a foxhole.

[lalalu]

96. Good post.

One of the best I have read and I really appreciate your honesty. I was still in college and it was my first time voting. I think I was influenced by the fact I came from a strong pro union household.

Some in my family had been union organizers back in the old days. They endured death threats and even being shot at. It was well known that Reagan planned to attack unions. Don't get me wrong. I felt they needed oversight but not decimation. So that could be what influenced my view of Reagan and you are right about the hold on information.

[RobinA]

102. Powell, In My Opinion

is worse than Bush and Cheney, because they are true believers while he knows better.

[lalalu]

107. That is what bother me the most

about Powell. He knew what the result of their lies would be. He had seen the devastation up close before.

[Maximumnegro]

125. Um, he followed orders for f*ck's sake

what was he supposed to do hold a press conference while Bush was President?

Jesus, your posts are just plain ignorant. Powell was not a civilian. He had to follow orders, period. People do the same goddamn thing every day in corporate America firing people and cutting paychecks and benefits. It sucks but what are they supposed to do quit in protest? Do we hate those people?

[ProudProgressiveNow]

49. +1000

[global1]

56. I'm With You On This .....

interesting to note that many of the posts in this thread against Powell are from relatively new DU'ers. Seems to me like trolls. I guess if I was a Repug and Rmoney supporter I would want to discredit Powell's endorsement of PBO here.

I'll take a Powell endorsement any day. He has a lot of Repug fans. If his endorsement of PBO sways some of them away from voting for Rmoney - I'll take it.

[lalalu]

65. That's rich.

People angry at Powell and his helping lie about the war are labeled republican trolls. While those upholding Powell are supposedly liberal democrats. You can't make this up.

The good thing is I am use to this. I remember many people who now call themselves liberals and progressives today are the same ones who called me an extreme liberal during the Reagan years. They are the same democrats who voted for Reagan. They praise people like Arianna Huffington and ignore the fact she helped further republican agendas. All people like Huffington and Powell have to do is say oops we are sorry and all is forgiven. Then they play the other side for their own gain and people fall for it.

This is the type of stuff that reminds me of why America is so behind in progressive reform. The way Americans can be constantly fooled is incredible. The trolls are so called liberals who keep falling for this crap.

[bklyncowgirl]

11. Frankly, Obama needs all the help he can get. Powell is a great deal of help.

General Powell was very clear and precise with his praise of Obama and his distrust of Romney. Had he switched to Romney this would have been very bad. His indictment of Romney, and his admiration of the president, coming from a respected moderate Republican source will help sway some voters.

What the already committed think of Colin Powell does not particularly matter. He is almost universally respected outside the hardcore left and I suppose the harcore right who regard him as a traitor to their cause.

[lalalu]

22. You must be kidding.

Are you his publicity agent? Powell and McCain are not as respected in the military as people think.

It is easy for so many on here to be forgiving of Powell because they have not lost family or had someone maimed for life because of Powell's lies. What a bunch of flaming hypocrites.

[smorkingapple]

12. Powell is a soldier who follows orders, in that case to his own detriment. To his credit he left.

To his credit, once he realized he got used, he left with some honor and dignity intact which is why he's still well respected by both sides.

I never really savaged him, knowing that a long career in the military just conditions you to saying yes to superiors all the time. He got caught up in the 9/11 hysteria as well and was used by the neocons.

Good for him if he can help us keep those assholes away from power for another 4 years.

[Cosmocat]

15. I think he was a believer

and in that moment, in 2001/02, he sold out.

No excusing it.

I think he recognized it, and he has readjusted to the reality of what the Republican Party has become.

He said in the interview, he remains a Republican - a MODERATE republican.

I was hard on him for selling out when he did, but I think he has tried to make up for that by being a VERY rare voice of reason for someone who holds the republican party banner.

[lalalu]

19. He was not used. He lied.

Powell is an asshole and yes this is personal. I despise him and will never believe for a moment he was duped. He went along for his career and personal gain.

[NYC Liberal]

28. Powell was not "used." He was a willing participant who chose to lie.

He knew it was all bullshit. Rather than quit before the war started when he could have made some difference by going public (the secretary of state resigning and calling bullshit would have been huge) , he shut up and played along.

[lalalu]

43. Thank You

[smorkingapple]

91. Probably, but now we're using him in two elections we needed to win to help reverse Bush years

Chess guys, not checkers...

[DCBob]

13. Yes it is.

I hope the Obama campaign makes an ad featuring him. I blame Bush and Cheney for the Iraq debacle.. not Powell.

[lalalu]

20. That is your right and your opinion.

The facts prove you wrong.

[DCBob]

25. What blame Powell deserves for Iraq he has fessed up to.

May 25, 2012

Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in a new book said he blames himself for not trusting his instinct and making what proved to be false assertions to the United Nations about Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction, Bloomberg reported earlier this month (see GSN, Feb. 17, 2011).

Powell's high-profile February 2003 prewar presentation to the U.N. Security Council included now-discredited claims that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had movable biological weapons facilities and was involved in a "sinister nexus" with al-Qaeda.

No evidence of active WMD production facilities or usable stockpiles have been found in Iraq following the U.S.-led March 2003 invasion.

"A failure will always be attached to me and my U.N. presentation," Powell writes in "It Worked For Me," a book that provides leadership advice. "I am mad mostly at myself for not having smelled the problem. My instincts failed me."

http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/powell-blames-himself-iraqi-wmd-speech-un/

He gets kudos for that. Bush and Cheney are still very proud and what they did.

[lalalu]

31. He caused deaths due to his lies. Period

Soldiers are living the rest of their lives maimed and his "sorry" is good enough? So please tell me what the hell has Powell done for the soldiers and their families whose lives he helped destroyed with his lies?

Recently my bother who was a Vietnam Vet passed away. During the time visiting him I met people who served in these wars. Maybe some of you should visit them and you wouldn't be so forgiving. Powell was in Vietnam and knew more than others what he was sending soldiers into.

Powell is a LIAR and will forever have blood on his hands. He should never be forgiven.

[DCBob]

34. I think he was manipulated by Bush and Cheney and the neocons in the Bush Admin.

Its still his fault for making the mistake of believing them but he has come clean now. He gets credit for that.

[justiceischeap]

52. You do realize that had Powell not gone to the UN

we still would have gone to Iraq, right? It was a foregone conclusion that the Bush admin was going to rush into Iraq however they could. I'm not excusing Powell from his role but as a career-soldier he was INDOCTRINATED to follow orders, not question them. Our US military made him to be that way.

I think his endorsement of the President is sincere because he's worked with the people that RMoney has surrounded himself with and I don't think he wants to see those people unleashed on the US again. I think he's very well aware of what his role and the admin he worked for did to this nation and his support of President Obama, IMO, speaks volumes about the fitness of the Mittens camp. If people would take off their partisan goggles for a moment and look at what he's saying, we should take heed and take his advice and I hope there are some sane moderator repubs out there that his endorsement reaches. This nation cannot afford another admin led by the same people that drove this country into the ground.

[lalalu]

59. Powell had a chance to take a stand.

He chose not to and even lied to help Bush and Cheney. Then when it was safe he pretended to be the victim. Not only is he a liar but he is also a coward.

[Floyd_Gondolli]

86. Funny to watch you get smacked around on this thread

[lalalu]

89. I have no idea what you are referring to.

People have voiced their views and they have definitely gotten it back. Obviously you have a very soft interpretation of a smackdown.

I can hold my own. Too bad the lying coward Powell couldn't. The Daily Show did a few good segments on him getting smackdown by Cheney. Eventually Cheney slapped him out the white house door and all Powell has done is whine since then. Powell is a coward on top of being a liar.

[Floyd_Gondolli]

95. You are not defending your position well at all

It's slap dick and ham handed, but glorious to read.

[lalalu]

98. OK, you have a right to your alternate view of reality.

[Floyd_Gondolli]

130. You are very obtuse

[RobinA]

108. Count Me

as someone who thinks the anti-Powell position is being quite well defended.

[lalalu]

113. Thanks

I really welcome the discussion and have read some interesting posts. I am not looking for a smackdown with anyone.

[Maximumnegro]

126. It was his goddamned job. Cut the shit.

It's the military. You know damned well he was opposed and expressed his disapproval but at the end of the day he has to follow orders. Period.

[lalalu]

129. Now you are just getting desperate.

[JoeyT]

136. Speaking of shit that needs to be cut:

Just following orders is *never* a fucking excuse. It never worked for war criminals in the past and it doesn't work for them now.

I wasn't aware that if you tried to resign from the military they took you out back and put a bullet in your skull. Wait, they don't do that? Then the "Had no choice but to follow orders" argument is one hundred percent full of shit.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

51. +1000

[JuveDem]

17. Powell's endorsement is a BIG deal

Imagine if he had come out supporting Romney ?
That would be the narrative over the next 1 week and folks would say "well since Powell endorsed him, he must be reasonable"
This is one less narrative that could be used against Obama. A lot of folks still respect Powell and I think this is GREAT for Obama.

[lalalu]

26. Obviously you have not lost anyone due to these wars.

A lot of selfishness and hypocrisy in people at this site praising Powell. Oh gee, he is sorry about all the lives he fucked up.

[VirginiaTarheel]

18. Thank you General Powell. Now record an ad for Obama

[JackN415]

23. I think Powell made mistake like everyone, and was embarrased by it. n/t

[lalalu]

27. So if Cheney and Bush just said sorry that would OK too?

[otohara]

29. That's Never Going to Happen

so chill!

[JackN415]

30. No... because:

Bush and Cheney said WMD exist, go look for it with the subtext "if you don't find evidence of it, make it up".

I think Powell did believe in false intelligence. He was duped like everyone else. Of course, he has to bear some responsibility for choosing to believe in it and not critical enough. But it was different from Cheney's agenda: give me a goddamn reason to invade Iraq.

The entire multi-billion dollar US intelligence agency was duped by an Iraqi con-man.

Anyway, 1st degree murder is different from 2nd degree or manslaughter.

[lalalu]

33. Powell was a veteran of Vietnam.

Even back then he was known as a slimeball who would do anything to further his career. He was complicit in the lies put out by Bush and Cheney. He was not duped. People believing him again are the ones being duped.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

35. That's lot of insight you have there...

Based on absolutely ZERO first-hand knowledge.

People who have interviewed Powell say otherwise. I'll go with them, thanks.

[lalalu]

57. Insight from veterans.

Not from interviews with Powell.

[LP2K12]

32. Well...

People do change.

When I was 18 and enlisted I registered Republican and voted for Bush. I was all for the war. I quickly saw the error of my ways. I'm now a registered Democrat who voted for Obama and will again.

I lost my best friend from middle & high school in Afghanistan in 2010. Yet, I still welcome this endorsement.

Sometimes, someone can say sorry and mean it. The difference is Bush and Cheney haven't said those words and they probably never will. Powell admitted to making mistakes.

Have you never made one?

HOOAH!

Edit: Let me add. As someone who worked in intel. There was false intel presented, we were even trained with some of it. Top to bottom, bottom to top.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

37. Thank you for your service...

and a belated "Welcome to the Good Guys"

[lalalu]

38. If you are as familiar with the mililtary as you claim

then you would know this was not a "mistake". Would you be as forgiving if it was a family member? When was the last time you spent time with a disabled vet?

A lot of people forgive Powell because it has not hit their families. So now you claim Powell was duped due to false intel? Give me a break.

I guess you are also aware of Powell's history and lies going back to Vietnam since you work in intel? He was a lowlife liar then and always has been.

[LP2K12]

45. Yes

My father was shot down in a helicopter in Vietnam. He was also exposed to agent orange and suffers from PTSD. He now works in the spindal cord injury unit for the local veteran's hospital. I visited frequently as a child.

My friend who was KIA, is family. My daughter is named after his sister. I work for his step-father. I run a non-profit organization that benefits veteran's and their families in his name with his mother and family.

Throughout the year I volunteer for the Wounded Warrior Project through various events such as 5ks and fundraisers.

So, yes. Because I come from a military family I am frequently around disabled veterans and perfectly able-bodied veterans.

I'd also say, yes I would be forgiving. If my father and his friends can travel back to Vietnam and meet with enemies who killed their friends or injured them and sit and dine with them and forgive them, then why can we not forgive those who have made mistakes who share our American blood?

I believe this man was duped. We just have a difference of opinion. If you're fed misinformation, you don't have much else to lead with, but your gut. Unfortunatley, he has admitted he didn't stick with his gut.

[lalalu]

62. If what you post is true

then you of all people would know he was not duped and blatantly lied. The only people buying and spreading that BS story are republican operatives and people pretending they have military experience.

I can match your post and then some. If you are honest you know Powell and McCain are despised by many veterans from Vietnam and today.

[UCmeNdc]

50. No, I was in the military and served under General Powell when he had only three stars

He was considered by many then to be one of the best and caring officers. He understood tactics plus the welfare of his men & women soldiers. Gen Powell had an outstanding reputation of telling it like it is. This was all ruined by his UN speech.

[lalalu]

54. My brother was a Vietnam vet.

My brother in law was a Vietnam vet. Powell may have been loved by his flunkies by not by the rest of the people in the military. He is just like Mccain who was a spoiled brat who should have been grounded long before he crashed AGAIN. No one else would have been allowed to continue flying with his record.

Powell and Mccain are both liars and frauds. Many people in the military can't stand them and you know I speak the truth.

[UCmeNdc]

103. No, I was there with people in his command

Gen. Powell was well respected as a General Officer head of V Corps in 1986 etc. in Vietnam Powell had to be a second or first LT. As a senior officer he had his stuff together.

[lalalu]

106. Like i said his flunkies liked him

Powell and McCain were not and are not popular with most people in the military.

[UCmeNdc]

109. You have never been in the military have you?

When I tell you I was there, that means I was there. It has nothing to do with like or dislike. It has to do with getting the job done correctly. General Powell knew tactics and got the job done. Plus his Corps soldiers did like his leadership style.

[lalalu]

118. I never said i was.

I stated i have veterans in my family. They have served in various branches and just about every war we have had. I have also spent many years visiting and living on bases and around members of the military.

I have not questioned your personal connection to Powell. I posted that Powell may be liked by a few but both Powell and McCain are generally not liked by veterans and people in the military.

The media keeps presenting this image that republicans have a hold on the military. That is not true. The rank and file has become increasingly democratic and President Obama is very popular. It is why I believe this is more about Powell trying to improve his image.

[UCmeNdc]

131. I only asked that since I felt you did not understand why I wrote that about Gen Powell

I only was trying to offer some balance to Gen Powell's character. I cannot say he is or is not a sell out to Bushco. I can only say that I had some contact as a subordinate in his command to see a glimpse of his abilities. Of coarse all people have a reputation from fellow soldiers. A General is viewed by all in his command and gains a certain reputation overall.

Some gain a reputation of being incompetent. For a General, or for all officers + non coms, it becomes apparent as certain activities fall apart at critical moments. All soldiers in the command will not recognize this but over time the officer's reputation as failing will leak out. General Powell's reputation was getting stronger as he held his command position. You would hear, that Powell was a wiz kid in some respects. Then there are the times that that lowly private runs into that three star and you hear the enlisted talk about how well the General treated them. Powell was one of those.

Now why he made that report to the UN? I do not know. I was not there and I know no one who worked in the state department that was there and knows what really happened.

I do know that General Powell ruined his reputation. A reputation of being an honest straight shooter. The reputation I knew others and I had of him at the time he was a three star.

[reflection]

36. Powell helps us peel off some independents and republicans.

Of course it's something to brag about. Yes, he has blood on his hands, unquestionably. But from a political standpoint, it is absolutely something brag about. It's a great endorsement.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

40. In close races...

every fraction of a percentage point counts.

Long term, it helps to weaken the "Republicans are stronger on defense meme (lie)" that's been dogging us since Vietnam.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

39. If He Would Have Endorsed Romney After Endorsing Obama In 08 It Would Have Been A Huge Story

And a negative one.

"There is winning and there is misery."

-Bill Parcells

[DCBob]

41. You need to listen what Lawrence Wilkerson has said about Colin Powell.

Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Colin Powell, appeared on "MSNBC Live" tonight and discussed Powell's role as Secretary of State during the lead-up to the Iraq War. Wilkerson said he believes that Former Vice President Dick Cheney's office "manipulated" Powell into justifying the case for war and that "the Secretary of State was not told the complete truth." He went on to state his belief that the Bush Administration was "using" Powell due to his respected reputation.

A key moment in the interview comes when host Cenk Uygur asks Wilkerson about Powell's speech to the United Nations in which Powell made the case for war:

Uygur: Do you think the Vice President's office manipulated you and Secretary Powell into giving a speech?

Wilkerson: Absolutely. Absolutely.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/17/colin-powell-lawrence-wilkerson-iraq-manipulated_n_824884.html

[lalalu]

53. So?

I guess Bush should get a letter from his mother claiming he was also not in the wrong.

Powell has been a yes man and liar for the military going back to Vietnam. It is why he lied so easily at the UN. Of course theygot his back.

[DCBob]

69. "So?".. How Cheneyesk of you.

You seem way too concerned about this endorsement.

[lalalu]

70. This thread has actually turned surreal.

I don't think an endorsement by Powell is something to brag about or be proud of. That seems to upset some of you and you think I am too concerned?

Powell is a lying republican tool and your defense of him says a lot.

[DCBob]

75. Indeed.. what should be seen as good news for the President..

you have turned into a Powell bashing contest. Ciao.

[lalalu]

80. Powell bashed himself by being a LIAR.

That people who claim they are so against the war would think a Powell endorsement is good is a classic example of surrealism.

President Obama does not need Powell to win this election.

[DCBob]

120. FYI... Obama thanked Colin Powell for endorsement

Obama makes phone call to Colin Powell for endorsement thanks

RICHMOND, Va. -- President Barack Obama phoned Colin Powell Thursday to thank him for endorsing him for a second term, a White House official said.

Powell, the former Secretary of State under Republican president George W. Bush, endorsed Obama in 2008 and told CBS in an interview Thursday morning that he still supports him.

"The president is very appreciative of the endorsement," White House spokesman Dan Pfeiffer told reporters on a plane ride from Tampa, Florida, where Obama held a rally. "He called Colin Powell this morning before the event to thank him."

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-makes-phone-call-colin-powell-endorsement-thanks-161807309--election.html

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

I guess you will now have to start bashing the President.

[lalalu]

124. Well duh

Part of being president is being diplomatic. I don't have to be and I can call Powell out for being the lying coward he is. Of course President Obama is going to play nice but that doesn't mean we have to pretend Powell did something noble or is a great guy. He isn't.

[DCBob]

127. I like being diplomatic too!

[lalalu]

135. OK

[John2]

44. I'm a veteran

I respect General Powell. Powell was a career military man. I disagree Powell intentionally lied. I think the Bush Administration fed him the wrong information. That is my assumption. General Powell was just a loyal soldier and I think the Bush Administration betrayed his trust. The person who is loyally defending the Bush Administration is Condelezza Rice yet a lot of people defend her? I don't understand why? Powell is the one resigned because he trusted the Bush family for a long time. Reagan was the one gave him an opportunity. That is why Powell was so loyal to the Republican Party. Maybe you should read the biography on Colin Powell.

[DCBob]

47. +1

[lalalu]

55. Just a loyal soldier?

Wasn't that the excuse of the Nazis. I personally know many veterans who disagree with you and consider Powell a liar and coward.

[progressivebydesign]

112. Wow. you're in full-on nasty mode this morning. Accusing a veteran of thinking like a nazi? nt

[iiibbb]

141. and so ends the shred of Lalalu's credibility...

[progressivebydesign]

111. +2 thank you for the voice of reason and experience. nt

[socialaidem]

46. It's being downplayed in the media this morning.

[ProSense]

48. You don't have to "brag" about it

It's going to help regardless of how you feel about.

[lalalu]

58. It won't.

But it does expose a lot of hypocrisy at this site and other supposedly democratic and liberal sites. It is also why President Obama wisely keeps a distance from Powell. Many of us have not forgotten.

[ProSense]

64. It will regardless of whether or not you believe it. And,

But it does expose a lot of hypocrisy at this site and other supposedly democratic and liberal sites. It is also why President Obama wisely keeps a distance from Powell. Many of us have not forgotten.

...why do you think anyone cares about your views on hypocrisy? I mean, it's accepting an endorsement, not vowing allegiance to Powell. If John McCain wants to endorse Obama, I'd welcome it.

Did you miss the part of the endorsement where Powell says he speaks to the President often?

[lalalu]

67. If my view doesn't matter than why bother to respond.

Obviously it touches a nerve about exposing the hypocrisy. Similar to Powell facing the fact he is viewed as a liar and coward.

Powell says a lot of things and usually they are lies. Big deal, there are photos of President Obama shaking hands with many people but he still keeps Powell at a distance. President Obama is gracious to many people he dislikes or disagrees with.

[ProSense]

68. You were wrong about Obama keeping his distance. n/t

[lalalu]

72. NO, I was not.

President Obama even praised Clint Eastwood after his bizarre empty chair routine. Given the opportunity he would even shake hands with Eastwood , have conversations with him, and be photographed with him.

That is the type of person President Obama is but he would still keep Eastwood at a distance.

[ProSense]

74. Wow

President Obama even praised Clint Eastwood after his bizarre empty chair routine. Given the opportunity he would even shake hands with Eastwood , have conversations with him, and be photographed with him.

That is the type of person President Obama is but he would still keep Eastwood at a distance.

...it's really important for you to believe the President dislikes Powell as much as you do, huh?

[lalalu]

78. NO, it isn't.

[LP2K12]

71. A distance?

From the White House website...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2010/12/01/president-obama-meets-with-general-colin-powell

President Obama Meets with General Colin Powell

The President and General Colin Powell speak to the press after meeting in the Oval Office to discuss reducing school dropout rates, the importance of ratifying the new START treaty, and other issues.

[lalalu]

101. A video from almost 2 years ago?

Seriously? That's like saying you are close to relatives you only see on holidays. No, you tolerate them occasionally.

[WeekendWarrior]

60. Doesn't matter in the context of the election

If the Powell endorsement will help Obama win, then that's a good thing. We don't have to forget what Powell has done, but that shouldn't keep us from rejoicing that a highly influential and respected voice in the Republican stratosphere has just endorsed the Prez for the second time.

[nobunnyclue]

61. You have within the Republican base

Military defense hawks
Isolationists
Trade hawks
Trade moderates
Fiscal hawks (either tax hawks, spending hawks, or both)
Fiscal conservatives (used to be moderates)
Social ultra-conservatives
Social conservatives
Social moderates (perhaps... something like big-foot... hiding out in the shadows)
Racists
Religious fundamentalists
...
and many more of your all time favorites!

Powell is identified with by enough of these groups that his endorsement will isolate Romeny's base significantly. The right wing media can personally bash and lie about Obama, but if they try to do that with Powell, who is all but sainted, I think you will see many more defect from the Republican camp.

[ProSense]

66. Nice, countering nonsense

"With his drone murders, secret torture-prisons, corporate bailouts & war on drugs"

... with utter bullshit.

ENDING TORTURE = Three Torches

• Ordered an end to the use of torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, withdrew
  flawed legal analysis used to justify torture and applied the Army Field Manual on interrogations
  government wide.
  
• Abolished the CIA secret prisons.
  
• Says that “waterboarding is torture” and “contrary to America’s traditions… contrary to our ideals.”
  
• No reports of extraordinary rendition to torture or other cruelty under his administration.
  
• Failed to hold those responsible for past torture and other cruelty accountable; has blocked
  alleged victims of torture from having their day in court.

http://www.aclulibertywatch.org/ALWCandidateReportCard.pdf

[TwilightGardener]

73. Of course it is. If it makes you "rethink your vote", then

go right ahead. LOL.

[lalalu]

77. Were you in such a rush to defend Powell you didn't read my whole post?

"If Cheney were to endorse President Obama it would make me rethink my vote"

That is what I wrote.

[TwilightGardener]

79. You said Powell was just as repulsive to you, I assume you meant that

in terms of rethinking your vote. Either way, I disagree with you.

[lalalu]

82. I do find Powell as repusive.

"Powell isn't as hardline as Cheney but I find him just as repulsive."

There are other people I find repulsive but their endorsement would not cause me to rethink my vote. An endorsement from Cheney would. Cheney is a hardliner who would push his agenda. Powell is just a coward and liar who does whatever he is told.

[Xyzse]

76. Colin Powell was on duty during the Bush years

With the mindset of a soldier who follows directions.
He was tasked to provide a briefing given false information.

I don't blame him for that. I am actually pretty happy of this endorsement.

[LP2K12]

81. Cough...

Exactly...

And, it's part of my signature, but let me post it here.

I, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

I believe Powell did that based on the intelligence, information and orders provided.

[lalalu]

83. That is so lame it doesn't warrant a full response.

[LP2K12]

84. So...

In your mind the Oath of Enlistment bears no weight?

How about the hippocratic oath?

Or even the oath of office of the President of the United States?

They may be words, but they carry weight. As a soldier we live by them.

/endrant

[lalalu]

85. Powell actually violated his oath.

His first allegiance is to the United States. The south learned that during the civil war. They thought they had the upper hand with military enlistment and facilities. They thought wrong and realized it when many soldiers made it clear their oath was to the preservation of the United States.

Powell lied to help launch a war that has brought suffering to many and crippled our economy. All for the enrichment of a few.

[LP2K12]

87. And

if from the intelligence presented he honestly believed there were WMD present and his actions were protecting the United States, soldiers and citizens?

Again, we have a difference of views. However, you have a right to yours and I have a right to mine and we've both presented our sides.

I'll just leave it at that. No point in a continued argument when we aren't going to change our minds.

Go Obama!

[lalalu]

88. "Go Obama!"

That is something we can agree on.

[Xyzse]

92. I'd have to agree with LP2K12's assessment

I have to take in to account how much a person follows authority, and someone from the military particularly at higher ranks tend to follow the authority of their upline.

He was given a particular set of intelligence and having been told that it is factual, that is about all he can go by. I'd have to lay the blame on the Bush administration in that end.

At the time, he was just a tool that was used up.

At this time, he is not part of the administration and he has done this endorsement as a private citizen.
I think he has sufficiently explained that he was mislead during his presentation.

Either way, he is a Republican ex-military, who has given a reasoned support for Obama. I can't fault that line of reasoning, so I am pretty happy about it. His endorsement will not affect someone who wants to vote for Obama already, however it might swing some undecided over.

Also, I tend to think, live and let live as well as inclusion. He has become persona non-grata to quite a few Republicans due to his explanation that he was mislead by the Bush administration giving him faulty/doctored intelligence. I tend to feel sorry for him for being used in such a manner rather than hate on him.

[lalalu]

105. You have a right to your view.

But I will never ever believe he was mislead in any form.

[Xyzse]

122. That's cool too.

[JSK]

93. Imagine the alternative

If he had endorsed RawMoney, just try to imagine how Faux News and the MSM would be spinning it.

[lalalu]

104. I get what you are saying but those people are already in Romney's corner.

I don't believe the people who still see Powell as a hero are going to be swayed to vote for President Obama. I just feel this is another play to reduce damage done to his image. Once again it is just about personal gain for Powell.

[progressivebydesign]

117. are you kidding? You think Powell did this to "reduce damage to his image?" Gotta be joking.

Have you SEEN the attacks this morning on the MSM against Powell??? John McCain has already come out and basically TRASHED Powell for this in a big way.

No, Powell is endorsing the President, as he said in is endorsement, party because of ROmney's HORRIBLE foreign policy ideas AND the fact that Romney has surrounded himself with the very people that got us into the Iraq War in the first place. If Powell wanted to do something to make his life easier, then he would have simply sat out the endorsement entirely. Why would he give a fuck what Democratic voters think, KNOWING that the republicans and the MSM would trash him for this.

You're so wrong. And even with all these people on DU telling you how wrong you are, you persist with your skewed viewpoint. Haven't you noticed that in the whole thread you have tons of comments in response to everyone that doesn't agree with your premise?? And that only you and a handful of people think that way? Your premise is off.. entirely. It's not just about your personal "feelings" about Powell, you're basing much of your "feelings" on false assumptions. You ASSUME that the President doesn't want to be associated with Powell, even tho others have posted that this is not factual. You ASSUME that you KNOW what Powell's motivation is -- you don't. You also don't know what happened at the time of the IRaq War, either. It's your opinion, and frankly not worthy of a thread.

[lalalu]

119. I don't know what happened at the time of the Iraq war?

Really? Maybe you had your head in the sand but i didn't. Powell lied and that is plain and simple. There were a lot of people drowning out disagreement over our going to war also. So your point is to use republican tactics to drown out anyone who disagrees? How undemocratic of you.

That doesn't work with me when coming from republicans and it won't work coming from you. People usually respond with your tone when they know they are defending something indefensible. That is how we wound up in these wars and Powell was part of it.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

94. Let's not hold a grudge. Powell knows the kind of people that'd be put in there by Romney.

People change. Politics makes strange bedfellows. Let's accept that and move on.

Sorry that our party isn't ideologically pure enough for some of the people here on DU, but that's not the nature of the game we have to play.

I'm only 24 and have already realized that.

[Josephb26]

100. So What

Shred the borderline perspective; there are truly "gray" areas of thinking, opinions, and support. Nobody is all bad or all good. This is the kind of thinking that forces a criminal to keep the label of a law breaker. I say this is an testament to Barack Obama's ability to pull support from all elements of political influence.

Joseph

[progressivebydesign]

110. Oh yes. You're much more urbane and cool and liberal than the rest of us.

Thank you you for sharing. Sorry that Ron Paul isn't running anymore... nor Nader.

Thank you for your concern. Sorry you didn't get your unicorn.

[lalalu]

115. Ron Paul is a racist.

Another person who is in denial about his actions so why would I vote for him? Maybe you believe he didn't write those newsletters like you believe Powell was duped.

BTW, I also voted for Gore because I didn't fear an intelligent president. Just remember you are defending Powell who went with the dummy.

[iiibbb]

114. whatever

Like people throughout time, it's easy to sit where you sit and judge acts after the fact.

Count me as someone who cares a hell of a lot less about what you have to say about a war everyone knows was bad now... and what C.P. had then.

If the Iraq war were the only means to measure C.P. I'd be on the boat with you... but to only use that lens to judge him... is basically the act of a pseudo-intellectual.

[lalalu]

116. Whatever

was the same way Powell felt when told to lie.

[iiibbb]

121. Well then you should punish Obama/Democrats by not voting for him

That is always my favorite response by quibblers....

There are a number of core conservative principals that have merit.... unfortunately, there are no real conservatives anymore... the last one was Eisenhower maybe. And conservatives molded around the time of Eisenhower seem to have a hard time realizing that that conservatism has a bad cancer.

I believe C.P. I think he is a guy who formed his political identity before neocons, before tea party freaks.... woke up one day to a rude discovery that his party has been taken over by nutballs.

C.P. capacity to change, and articulate these issues... without rejecting his past... is a honest man. What more can you ask of a public servant than that kind of honesty? Do you think Cheny or Bush are going to wake up one day and change their tone on Iraq to save their image? C.P. doesn't care about his image.

That's the difference.

[lalalu]

123. That's your response?

I will vote for President Obama but I will not be deluded into thinking Powell has had a revelation.

[iiibbb]

139. You start from a position of delusion

Obama's hands aren't exactly clean if you really want to make a full accounting. Drone strikes. Assassination.

Just get off the high horse.

[Lucinda]

128. What you think of him has nothing to do with his ability to influence Reps to not support Romney nt

[lalalu]

132. He is not going to influence any republicans to vote for the president.

Get real and President Obama does not need his endorsement. It's true what i think of him may not be important but neither is his endorsement. But just like he has a right to make a public endorsement I have a right to call him out as a liar and coward.

[Lucinda]

137. I didn't say they would support the POTUS

I said they might be less inclined to support Romney - NOT the same thing at all.

[mvd]

133. It isn't brag worthy after what he did. But if this..

brings in moderates, it is still a good thing.

[Ztolkins]

134. While I overwhelmingly agree with the sentiments in this post

Powell has so been one of only two (the other McClellan) Bush official to express any kind of regret over their actions. I would like to think that his endorsements of Obama are some type/part of penance for him, whether we choose to grant him that or not.

[BlueDemKev]

138. John McCain Thinks It Is!

[hrmjustin]

140. I say we get what we can out of powell