Colin Powell Slams 'Idiot' Partisanship

[gatorman_07732]

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

Which people, exactly?

George H.W. Bush and George W Bush for two

[DaveFla]

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

You know that is, simultaneously, what I am in fact saying.

I DO know this, and am duly impressed.

[fredsanford]

In the late 60's, the Dems would have never run Timothy O'Leary or Bernadette Dorn for national or state office.

Now, the pubs are running those individuals as their mainstream representatives, i.e. Allan West, Rick Santorum and Michelle Bachmann.

That's how far out on a limb the modern GOP is.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Originally Posted by gatorman_07732

George H.W. Bush and George W Bush for two

And he has crossed them ... how?

[gator996]

Originally Posted by wargunfan

Powell is a black man supporting a black president. I think that explains Powell's motivations better than anything else. At his core Powell identifies more with race than with party. I have not seen Powell defend any of his former presidents with such passion and Obama is not related to Powell by party nor employment nor political philosophy. Powell is related to Obama by one primary and overreaching factor. Race.
I think the attacks on Obama became more than another black man could tolerate and he was driven to defend him. I can understand Powell's motivation to defend one of his own. What I cannot understand is his unthinking defense of a big spending liberal. It seems that with Powell race trumps all other considerations.

Talk about playing a race card

Do you think its more than just a little belittling to a person to hear what you said about his motivation in talking about the political party he belongs to?

And conservatives wonder why black americans aren't flocking to them?

[g8orbill]

Originally Posted by gator996

Liberal? So what?

The question is whether or not he's speaking openly & honestly about the party and what the party's members think about his comments.

The knee jerk reaction has been to question his membership simply because he spoke unflatteringly about the party.

not sure what you want me to say 996- he is a liberal who says he is a pub-I am sure there are plenty others like him in the party-I am registered as an indy and am more libertarian than republican- I oppose anyone who supports your prez

[gator996]

Originally Posted by wygator

Powell is bringing up isolated incidents to suggest that the Republican party is racist, when he himself won primaries as a Republican presidential candidate.

You don't judge a whole party, Democrat or Republican, by the handful of jerks that populate either.

Powell was appointed to high office by two different Republican presidents. There's the racism for you.

I have a hard time accepting that the Republican Powell voted for the very liberal Obama just based on political policy alone. Does anyone believe that there was NO calculation of race in Powell's decision to vote for Obama?

How do you know Powell is only basing this on isolated incidents?
Do you follow him around and experience everything that he does every day?

Powell is a pretty smart guy...I don't think he needs you to tell him how to judge anything.


If you have a hard time thinking Powell can't make decision based solely on policy then I guess you highly questioned his capability to lead anyone...let alone our troops...or be Sec of State...


Maybe the "hard time" you're having says more about you than Powell...

[wargunfan]

Originally Posted by gator996

Talk about playing a race card

Do you think its more than just a little belittling to a person to hear what you said about his motivation in talking about the political party he belongs to?

And conservatives wonder why black americans aren't flocking to them?

Why else would a small government conservative rally to the defense of a big government liberal. It isn't party. It isn't employment (he doesn't work for Obama). It isn't political philosophy. Come on and tell us what motivates Powell. Think real hard. You can do it.

[rivergator]

Originally Posted by DaveFla

Wow. Your'e two for two today, OBOB. Powell's blind loyalty to his race is more powerful than his loyalty to the Republican Party. How else could one explain any republican, no matter how moderate, voting for such a left-leaning candidate like Obama?

does a person owe loyalty to a party to the extent that he shouldn't criticize it when he thinks it's going the wrong direction?

[gatorman_07732]

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

And he has crossed them ... how?

Not sure I used the word crossed, but I doubt they were jubilant

[gator996]

Originally Posted by wargunfan

Why else would a small government conservative rally to the defense of a big government liberal. It isn't party. It isn't employment (he doesn't work for Obama). It isn't political philosophy. Come on and tell us what motivates Powell. Think real hard. You can do it.

Maybe he...

...like most voting Americans, realize that Obama isn't the evil demon "conservatives" make him out to be...

...believes that Obama's economic policy is the correct one...

...maybe he believes Obama is creating greater opportunity for Americans...

...maybe he believes that Obama is right in getting out of Afghanistan & Iraq...


But then again, you don't really have to guess at all because you can go watch his interviews.

During the last 2 elections he fully explained why he supported Obama.



Sometimes doing a bit of research before just going straight to the "race" explanation is helpful.



But "conservatives" never do that...

That's a liberal "thing", right?

[wygator]

Originally Posted by gator996

How do you know Powell is only basing this on isolated incidents?
Do you follow him around and experience everything that he does every day?

Powell is a pretty smart guy...I don't think he needs you to tell him how to judge anything.


If you have a hard time thinking Powell can't make decision based solely on policy then I guess you highly questioned his capability to lead anyone...let alone our troops...or be Sec of State...


Maybe the "hard time" you're having says more about you than Powell...

I've always had great respect for Powell as a leader. I would have had no problem voting for him back when he was a candidate.

My "isolated incidents" statement is based on his interview with David Gregory in which he gave two examples, one of which was borderline, as examples of racism.

It goes back to the whole idea that white conservatives offering policy criticism of Obama are automatically labeled racists when Obama's fiscal actions are arguably the most extreme of any sitting president. Your response to my post could be considered support for that notion.

I agree that Powell is smart and I never questioned his leadership abilities. I believe there were and are WMD's in Iraq, for what it's worth. But the "hard time" I'm having believing that race was no part of Powell's decision to vote for Obama is hardly an unreasonable conclusion under the circumstances.

My opinion is that Powell is making a political calculation in these statements that has a political goal down the road. Let's watch it unfold and see what happens.

[tegator80]

Originally Posted by wygator

I've always had great respect for Powell as a leader. I would have had no problem voting for him back when he was a candidate.

My "isolated incidents" statement is based on his interview with David Gregory in which he gave two examples, one of which was borderline, as examples of racism.

It goes back to the whole idea that white conservatives offering policy criticism of Obama are automatically labeled racists when Obama's fiscal actions are arguably the most extreme of any sitting president. Your response to my post could be considered support for that notion.

I agree that Powell is smart and I never questioned his leadership abilities. I believe there were and are WMD's in Iraq, for what it's worth. But the "hard time" I'm having believing that race was no part of Powell's decision to vote for Obama is hardly an unreasonable conclusion under the circumstances.

My opinion is that Powell is making a political calculation in these statements that has a political goal down the road. Let's watch it unfold and see what happens.

My thoughts exactly. He aligned with the Pubs, even though he is firmly in the middle. Something happened, either to his place in the party or some other shenanigans that he is aware of and is not happy. I just wish these politicians would change their allegiances and get on with their lives. I doubt that his "message" is going to have much impact in the next election.

What I don't understand is that if he is as intelligent as he appears to be then why would he think that having the Federal Government make a big power move against the checks and balances in our constitution (Obamacare) that that is okay in order to "teach them a lesson?" Be a man and say that the capitalist system has failed and it is time to try socialism.

[gator996]

My "isolated incidents" statement is based on his interview with David Gregory in which he gave two examples, one of which was borderline, as examples of racism.

It goes back to the whole idea that white conservatives offering policy criticism of Obama are automatically labeled racists when Obama's fiscal actions are arguably the most extreme of any sitting president. Your response to my post could be considered support for that notion.

I agree that Powell is smart and I never questioned his leadership abilities. I believe there were and are WMD's in Iraq, for what it's worth. But the "hard time" I'm having believing that race was no part of Powell's decision to vote for Obama is hardly an unreasonable conclusion under the circumstances.

My opinion is that Powell is making a political calculation in these statements that has a political goal down the road. Let's watch it unfold and see what happens

How many incidents did Powell have to ramble off to make you feel better that it was a well reasoned conclusion that he was drawing?

What if he hadd done 5...or 6...or 8???

Then the criticism would have been that he was bitter, or obsessed over race.
Catch-22 there, huh?

He only had so much time with Gregory but I'm sure if allowed he could have given you quite a few more examples.

Correct me if I'm wrong but who was it that questioned Powell's motivation and decision based skills and come to the conclusion that its must be based on race???

Was that me?


"Powell's decision to vote for Obama is hardly an unreasonable conclusion under the circumstances. "

What circumstances?


My opinion is that Powell is grownup...he cares about this country ...


He's not Sarah Pallin, Herman Cain, Donald Trump, or Mitt Romney...
I find it hard to understand why you think he has some political motivation here.

He's had a taste of politics...and he got screwed over.

He's about the last guy who's thinking about running for public office.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Originally Posted by gatorman_07732

Not sure I used the word crossed, but I doubt they were jubilant

Well that's an entirely different matter altogether. If the party takes a direction that Powell doesn't agree with and that party happens to have included people that once helped him out, I don't see how he's beholden to noncriticism. That wouldn't make much sense.

[gator996]

Originally Posted by tegator80

My thoughts exactly. He aligned with the Pubs, even though he is firmly in the middle. Something happened, either to his place in the party or some other shenanigans that he is aware of and is not happy. I just wish these politicians would change their allegiances and get on with their lives. I doubt that his "message" is going to have much impact in the next election.

What I don't understand is that if he is as intelligent as he appears to be then why would he think that having the Federal Government make a big power move against the checks and balances in our constitution (Obamacare) that that is okay in order to "teach them a lesson?" Be a man and say that the capitalist system has failed and it is time to try socialism.

He has to change parties because he has critical comments to make?


What chance does that party have if they can't listen to honest criticism from their own members/leaders?

[wargunfan]

Originally Posted by gator996

Maybe he...

...like most voting Americans, realize that Obama isn't the evil demon "conservatives" make him out to be...

...believes that Obama's economic policy is the correct one...

...maybe he believes Obama is creating greater opportunity for Americans...

...maybe he believes that Obama is right in getting out of Afghanistan & Iraq...


But then again, you don't really have to guess at all because you can go watch his interviews.

During the last 2 elections he fully explained why he supported Obama.



Sometimes doing a bit of research before just going straight to the "race" explanation is helpful.



But "conservatives" never do that...

That's a liberal "thing", right?

Thing is, Powell shouldn't (if he really is a conservative) believe Obama's policies are helpful to the country. Shouldn't believe any of the things you trotted out. That is, IF he is a conservative. But Powell isn't a conservative. So he is being disloyal in a number of ways. As far as the race thing is concerned you are in a tiny minority if you think Powell isn't defending Obama primarily because he is a brother. Get a clue.

[wgbgator]

Remember when Alan Spector changed parties and people respected his criticism more? Oh, wait, that never happens when you change parties.

[gator996]

Originally Posted by wargunfan

Thing is, Powell shouldn't (if he really is a conservative) believe Obama's policies are helpful to the country. Shouldn't believe any of the things you trotted out. That is, IF he is a conservative. But Powell isn't a conservative. So he is being disloyal in a number of ways. As far as the race thing is concerned you are in a tiny minority if you think Powell isn't defending Obama primarily because he is a brother. Get a clue.

Newsflash, much of what you disagree with Obama on are conservative think tank creations...individual mandate, less military intervention, cap & trade, etc.



Is there a cleaner definition of playing the "race card" (God I hate that term)...

Since you disagree with Powell's position you're calling him a racist.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

[ChartsandGrafs]

LOL, whatever credibility Colin Powell had was lost when he went before the United Nations peddling neocon lies about phoney WMDs in Iraq.