Colin Powell Slams 'Idiot' Partisanship

[GatrHeel]

Originally Posted by oragator1

While pride and defensiveness of an achievement he probably never expected to see in his lifetime likely plays into his remarks, people are missing the larger point. He is saying that the attacks are not only wrong, but they harm the party, and provided numbers to prove it, just in case the last election didn't do the trick. The party is seen as being hijacked by the extreme element, and he was saying that the party leaders not stepping up to quell it provides the tacit approval needed to perpetuate it. It is self destructive and a call on his part to party leadership to fix what is wrong. He hasn't endorsed many of Obama's "liberal" policies as far as I know, he has mainly been calling out the counterproductive rancor that is hurting conservatives.
I have been making the exact same point for years here, and I am a lily white guy. He is right, it's a shame people won't listen and reflexively find a reason to discredit him. Don't know how many lost elections it's going to take before it's understood, but he is trying to save his party from long term irrelevance and wake the country up to the over the top, borderline comical hyper partisanship from both sides that is creating undue suffering for everyone.

+1

[Gatorrick22]

Originally Posted by gator996

FOX News has already begun to question Powell's "Republican" status because of this...

They sure do love "purity" tests over there on the far right , huh?



http://news.yahoo.com/colin-powell-s...-politics.html

Colin Powell Slams 'Idiot' Partisanship
By Michael Falcone | ABC OTUS News


In an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos during ABC's special inauguration day coverage this morning, former Secretary of State Colin Powell lashed out at people in the Republican Party who spent the last four years spreading "birther nonsense" and other "things that demonize the president," calling on GOP leaders to denounce such talk - publicly.

"Republicans have to stop buying into things that demonize the president. I mean, why aren't Republican leaders shouting out about all this birther nonsense and all these other things? They should speak out. This is the kind of intolerance that I've been talking about where these idiot presentations continue to be made and you don't see the senior leadership of the party say, 'No, that's wrong.' In fact, sometimes by not speaking out, they're encouraging it. And the base keeps buying the stuff.

"And it's killing the base of the party. I mean, 26 percent favorability rating for the party right now. It ought to be telling them something. So, instead of attacking me or whoever speaks like I do, look in the mirror and realize, 'How are we going to win the next election?"


But Powell, who served as National Security Adviser under President Ronald Reagan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George H.W. Bush and as the nation's top diplomat under President George W. Bush, didn't stop there.

I agree - the Republicans suck! Time for the Tea Party to take the mantle of conservatism into the future.

[G8trGr8t]

Originally Posted by Gatorrick22

I agree the Republicans suck! Time for the Tea Party to take the mantle of conservatism into the future.

Tea party needs to be defined and the fringes need to be disassociated

[tegator80]

Originally Posted by oragator1

While pride and defensiveness of an achievement he probably never expected to see in his lifetime likely plays into his remarks, people are missing the larger point. He is saying that the attacks are not only wrong, but they harm the party, and provided numbers to prove it, just in case the last election didn't do the trick. The party is seen as being hijacked by the extreme element, and he was saying that the party leaders not stepping up to quell it provides the tacit approval needed to perpetuate it. It is self destructive and a call on his part to party leadership to fix what is wrong. He hasn't endorsed many of Obama's "liberal" policies as far as I know, he has mainly been calling out the counterproductive rancor that is hurting conservatives.
I have been making the exact same point for years here, and I am a lily white guy. He is right, it's a shame people won't listen and reflexively find a reason to discredit him. Don't know how many lost elections it's going to take before it's understood, but he is trying to save his party from long term irrelevance and wake the country up to the over the top, borderline comical hyper partisanship from both sides that is creating undue suffering for everyone.

I have got news for you: BOTH parties have been hijacked. The issue isn't that he is unhappy with the Republican Party and that he has enough of a profile to voice his dismay on national television. Unless he knows that Romney's administration was planning to invade Iran or Syria without provocation and he decided that the impacts on the world stage was going to be more damaging than social engineering within our borders, his proclamation was NOT the vehicle for real change. It is unfathomable to see how a career US military man can think that bringing a socialist agenda to the US is the way to go and when Obama's mannerisms is going to give the Arabs a sense of us allowing them to declare war on Israel. A LOT of people are going to die as a result of bad Arab policy and anyone can see that one from a mile away.

As I already posted, if he is dismayed then do the honorable thing and resign from the party. And if you know that others on the Democratic side are equally dismayed then use your considerable influence to get a third party established and leave the extremists on both sides to sound ridiculous. But instead he chose to publicly say that a second term of Obama was the best choice over a "throw the bums out" pledge. To me it shows political cowardice and not insight.

But my guess is that we are on the path we are on and all of this is mostly for future political structuring of a single party system and it is mostly just a bunch of theater.

[gator996]

Originally Posted by tegator80

I have got news for you: BOTH parties have been hijacked. The issue isn't that he is unhappy with the Republican Party and that he has enough of a profile to voice his dismay on national television. Unless he knows that Romney's administration was planning to invade Iran or Syria without provocation and he decided that the impacts on the world stage was going to be more damaging than social engineering within our borders, his proclamation was NOT the vehicle for real change. It is unfathomable to see how a career US military man can think that bringing a socialist agenda to the US is the way to go and when Obama's mannerisms is going to give the Arabs a sense of us allowing them to declare war on Israel. A LOT of people are going to die as a result of bad Arab policy and anyone can see that one from a mile away.

As I already posted, if he is dismayed then do the honorable thing and resign from the party. And if you know that others on the Democratic side are equally dismayed then use your considerable influence to get a third party established and leave the extremists on both sides to sound ridiculous. But instead he chose to publicly say that a second term of Obama was the best choice over a "throw the bums out" pledge. To me it shows political cowardice and not insight.

But my guess is that we are on the path we are on and all of this is mostly for future political structuring of a single party system and it is mostly just a bunch of theater.

Plenty of people have died at the hands of Neo-con policy...to claim death as the performance measure Bush has set quite a high bar...

Obama wasn't a better choice than simply tossing incumbents because they were incumbents?

This is rational voting logic?

What if you have a incumbent congressman who is actually good....
...you think the party should vote him out in favor of a candidate who is a new "loyal"...

...even if they're an idiot?

[oragator1]

Originally Posted by tegator80

I have got news for you: BOTH parties have been hijacked. The issue isn't that he is unhappy with the Republican Party and that he has enough of a profile to voice his dismay on national television. Unless he knows that Romney's administration was planning to invade Iran or Syria without provocation and he decided that the impacts on the world stage was going to be more damaging than social engineering within our borders, his proclamation was NOT the vehicle for real change. It is unfathomable to see how a career US military man can think that bringing a socialist agenda to the US is the way to go and when Obama's mannerisms is going to give the Arabs a sense of us allowing them to declare war on Israel. A LOT of people are going to die as a result of bad Arab policy and anyone can see that one from a mile away.

As I already posted, if he is dismayed then do the honorable thing and resign from the party. And if you know that others on the Democratic side are equally dismayed then use your considerable influence to get a third party established and leave the extremists on both sides to sound ridiculous. But instead he chose to publicly say that a second term of Obama was the best choice over a "throw the bums out" pledge. To me it shows political cowardice and not insight.

But my guess is that we are on the path we are on and all of this is mostly for future political structuring of a single party system and it is mostly just a bunch of theater.

I agree that both parties allow their extremist elements to have far too much control. But to say someone shouldn't be allowed to criticize their own party for it's failings seems extreme no?
To put it another way, how far off the cliff does the party have to be when the dems, who aren't even remotely mainstream either, look like the sane, rational and superior option to the majority of the country? That shouldn't be called out, he should just leave and let the inmates run the asylum? How would that be the responsible thing to do?
What he is doing will help the party if they choose to listen, "cleansing" him from the party for not toeing the line will only prolong the party's marginalization. He is trying to use his large megaphone to get the party back on track, whether people choose to see it or not.

[tegator80]

Originally Posted by oragator1

I agree that both parties allow their extremist elements to have far too much control. But to say someone shouldn't be allowed to criticize their own party for it's failings seems extreme no?

To put it another way, how far off the cliff does the party have to be when the dems, who aren't even remotely mainstream either, look like the sane, rational and superior option to the majority of the country? That shouldn't be called out, he should just leave and let the inmates run the asylum? How would that be the responsible thing to do?

What he is doing will help the party if they choose to listen, "cleansing" him from the party for not toeing the line will only prolong the party's marginalization. He is trying to use his large megaphone to get the party back on track, whether people choose to see it or not.

It was the timing and demeanor of the critique that is unacceptable, with the caveat that there was something insidious being planned and he picked the lesser of two evils. I don't want lockstep people in any mainstream (majority?) political party or church affiliation. Dissidence is a healthy thing; it makes you think about your choices and whether you are off message or right on the money. And if the Neo-con hysteria is the new demon then we need to understand what it is, where it is entrenched and then marginalize it. The exact same thing can be said about the left. But I would add that the left doesn't get the same treatment as the right in the media. The hysteria isn't there for their loonies. Where is the repudiation over Pelosi's claim that "we have to pass the bill to understand what's in it" as the acting #3 most powerful person in the US?

But what Powell did (as I see it) is pick the hard left's side by saying that my side needs to be administered better. How about saying nothing and either cleaning it up behind the scenes or deciding that the Neo-cons have the Republican brand all wrapped up and then get the hell out of there and start up a centrist party? His position is NOT one of leadership, it smacks of getting even. And it is us citizens who are the injured party on all of this nonsense.

[Gatorrick22]

Originally Posted by G8trGr8t

Tea party needs to be defined and the fringes need to be disassociated

I agree.

[tegator80]

Originally Posted by gator996

Plenty of people have died at the hands of Neo-con policy...to claim death as the performance measure Bush has set quite a high bar...

Obama wasn't a better choice than simply tossing incumbents because they were incumbents?

This is rational voting logic?

What if you have a incumbent congressman who is actually good....
...you think the party should vote him out in favor of a candidate who is a new "loyal"...

...even if they're an idiot?

You know, the most damaging line of the US way of thinking is "congress is corrupt, but my guy is upstanding and we would be worse without him fighting my fight." My "guy" in all of this silliness is Eric Cantor and I have been voting against him for several election cycles. Why?, because he is a part of the incompetence of the system that has evolved in Washington. And if the American public can't realize that we need to clean it up - and we are the only ones to do the job - then we will get exactly what we have: a bunch of entrenched politicians who get to live privileged lives while the country crumbles around us. This is OUR mess.

But as I stated in my post that you quoted, I am afraid that this is just theater and our lot has already been cast. A single party system is most likely on the horizon.

[jimgata]

Powell has succumbed to the pressure from the left and now becoming just another Obma mouthpiece.
He was once a hero of mine and would have supported him for pres. No more.

[fredsanford]

Originally Posted by jimgata

Powell has succumbed to the pressure from the left and now becoming just another Obma mouthpiece.
He was once a hero of mine and would have supported him for pres. No more.

He left the fact free conserva-bubble--of course you don't like him.

[The_Graygator]

I used to have tremendous respect for Colin Powell, but it breaks my heart that skin color and being "popular" in Washington means more to him than his country.

He stabbed fellow veteran and war hero, John McCain, in the back before the 2008 election, and now he stabs the very party that gave him his position and status in Washington in the back too, by making utterly ridiculous, race-baiting remarks and baseless accusations at the Republicans.

Just as long as he's a subservient lapdog and stays in Obama's good graces is all that matters to him now.

What a disgrace to our country and to our military too, IMO.

[fredsanford]

Originally Posted by The_Graygator

I used to have tremendous respect for Colin Powell, but it breaks my heart that skin color and being "popular" in Washington means more to him than his country.

He stabbed fellow veteran and war hero, John McCain, in the back before the 2008 election, and now he stabs the very party that gave him his position and status in Washington in the back too, by making utterly ridiculous, race-baiting remarks and baseless accusations at the Republicans.

Just as long as he's a subservient lapdog and stays in Obama's good graces is all that matters to him now.

What a disgrace to our country and to our military too, IMO.

The only disgusting remarks are yours.

The GOP has moved so far to the right Reagan couldn't recognize it. Powell doesn't either.

[gatordee]

Originally Posted by gator996

So he's supposed to lie now?


He's calling out to the party to be aware of the problems occuring within the party right now...the threat of the extreme right "conservative" movement.

Its a warning.

And all the members of the party can think about is how to ex-communicate him from the party...

This

[gator996]

Originally Posted by tegator80

You know, the most damaging line of the US way of thinking is "congress is corrupt, but my guy is upstanding and we would be worse without him fighting my fight." My "guy" in all of this silliness is Eric Cantor and I have been voting against him for several election cycles. Why?, because he is a part of the incompetence of the system that has evolved in Washington. And if the American public can't realize that we need to clean it up - and we are the only ones to do the job - then we will get exactly what we have: a bunch of entrenched politicians who get to live privileged lives while the country crumbles around us. This is OUR mess.

But as I stated in my post that you quoted, I am afraid that this is just theater and our lot has already been cast. A single party system is most likely on the horizon.

I hear you....


So, how easy is it to criticize those who call the partisan tendency out?

I have greater belief in that "Obama Fear" drives the extreme right and its nothing but political/economic fear...


...the sooner the economy recovers to 6%. or better employment, much of the "fire" directed at Obama lessens...

The longer the weak recovery continues the worse it gets for the opposition...
...Obama is even winning the economic argument...


And the country is not better for either side outright winning...its better when there's a compromise of the 2....


Making a viable 3rd political party is tough business...maybe impossible when "all-in" is the strategy of the day...


Powell is nothing to fight...he shoud be applauded...and the left should applaud someone from the left who's willing to do the same...

...waiting for that to happen...



Do I seem as partisan now?


What's sad is to see the reaction to Powell....




Powell is questioning the extremists...

We all should...


Obama is hated...but objectively, its hard to paint him extremist...

Half his "ideas" have republican roots.

[g8orbill]

996- I have zero faith your prez can lead us to any economic recovery- hopefully I am wrong

[gatorman_07732]

Originally Posted by g8orbill

996- I have zero faith your prez can lead us to any economic recovery- hopefully I am wrong

Maybe this president has no interest in leading us into an economic recovery.

[gator996]

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/ric...s-finally-here

Obama's Inauguration Present: The Economic Recovery Is Finally Here

By Rick Newman
January 18, 2013

Call it the passive-aggressive economy.

When Congress pumped billions of dollars of stimulus spending into the economy, it sputtered and wheezed like a patient having a heart attack. Now that Congress is raising taxes and cutting back on stimulus measures, the economy seems more resilient than expected. For President Barack Obama, it could mean a much more durable economy over the next four years than he enjoyed in his first term.

Toward the end of 2012, economists warned repeatedly that the fiscal-cliff standoff would harm economic growth and perhaps even cause a recession. The last-second solution avoided the worse possible outcome, but it still included tax hikes that will take money out of consumers' pockets, without addressing the looming crisis over the national debt.

Yet instead of tanking, the economy held up much better than expected given the dangerous game of chickenCongress and the president engaged in. Employers created 155,000 new jobs in December, maintaining the same pace of job creation established throughout 2012. Instead of plunging, the stock market drifted upward toward a five-year high, preventing many investors from taking advantage of a panicky selloff to buy stocks cheap, while hoping for a snapback once Congress got the message and did its job.

Economic growth is still weak, perhaps just 1.5 percent or so. But that's not bad considering that measures to address the federal deficit are now cutting into growth. Bank of America Merrill Lynch estimates that the fiscal-cliff deal negotiated at the start of the year will cut GDP growth by about 1.5 percentage points this year, with further spending cuts likely to cut it by another half-point. "This implies that absent the fiscal drag, we would be forecasting 3.5% growth," BofA said in a recent report. "This is actually quite positive."

[GatrHeel]

Originally Posted by The_Graygator

I used to have tremendous respect for Colin Powell, but it breaks my heart that skin color and being "popular" in Washington means more to him than his country.

He stabbed fellow veteran and war hero, John McCain, in the back before the 2008 election, and now he stabs the very party that gave him his position and status in Washington in the back too, by making utterly ridiculous, race-baiting remarks and baseless accusations at the Republicans.

Just as long as he's a subservient lapdog and stays in Obama's good graces is all that matters to him now.

What a disgrace to our country and to our military too, IMO.

This statement is ridiculous. You're way off the reservation here.

[g8orbill]

Originally Posted by gator996

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/ric...s-finally-here

Obama's Inauguration Present: The Economic Recovery Is Finally Here

By Rick Newman
January 18, 2013

Call it the passive-aggressive economy.

When Congress pumped billions of dollars of stimulus spending into the economy, it sputtered and wheezed like a patient having a heart attack. Now that Congress is raising taxes and cutting back on stimulus measures, the economy seems more resilient than expected. For President Barack Obama, it could mean a much more durable economy over the next four years than he enjoyed in his first term.

Toward the end of 2012, economists warned repeatedly that the fiscal-cliff standoff would harm economic growth and perhaps even cause a recession. The last-second solution avoided the worse possible outcome, but it still included tax hikes that will take money out of consumers' pockets, without addressing the looming crisis over the national debt.

Yet instead of tanking, the economy held up much better than expected given the dangerous game of chickenCongress and the president engaged in. Employers created 155,000 new jobs in December, maintaining the same pace of job creation established throughout 2012. Instead of plunging, the stock market drifted upward toward a five-year high, preventing many investors from taking advantage of a panicky selloff to buy stocks cheap, while hoping for a snapback once Congress got the message and did its job.

Economic growth is still weak, perhaps just 1.5 percent or so. But that's not bad considering that measures to address the federal deficit are now cutting into growth. Bank of America Merrill Lynch estimates that the fiscal-cliff deal negotiated at the start of the year will cut GDP growth by about 1.5 percentage points this year, with further spending cuts likely to cut it by another half-point. "This implies that absent the fiscal drag, we would be forecasting 3.5% growth," BofA said in a recent report. "This is actually quite positive."

pure bull pablum-if this time next year we have gotten past the 105-2% your prez says signals a recovery then I will believe we are back-until then just pure bullchit by the lapdog media who is still fawning over your prez