As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Colin Powell endorsed the "
shock and awe" theory of warfare. So I wondered whether he was concerned by President
Barack Obama's preference for a "leaner" military with "smaller conventional land forces." After all, that's pretty much the same theory advanced by a very unpopular Donald Rumsfeld during the Bush Presidency.
Powell, a moderate Republican, has
endorsed Obama again. He seems to be satisfied by Obama's policies and notes that Romney is a bit "vague."
While I don't place much stock in most endorsements, this one matters to me. I am still undecided, but this will definitely help Obama.
Does this endorsement mean much to you?
67 comments:
This comment was posted anonymously and is being reposted because the reader took up a lot of blank space.
Yes, as Powell explained, we got into the Iraq mess with an inexperienced President and a bunch of neo-con advisers. In the case of Romeny we would have an even more inexperienced President with some of the same neo-con advisors around him. They will pressure him on Iran and eventually work their bizzare magic and again a needless and costly war. After all they will explain he neess to have balls and all that.
Obama has been getting us out of these crazy wars, as yet unpaid for, we don't need to relive the past ten years of constant wars. Until we accept that we will never repair outr country regardless of who sits in the WH.
Powell has first hand knowledge of this and made a wise and knowledgable choice.
Now let the right wing extremists revisionest history folks begin the attack.
The Iraq war was winding down when Bush left. There are more dead Anericans in Afghanistan under Obama than under Bush. We have a dead ambassador in Libya, something that hasn't happened since Jimmy Carter.
While I appreciate General Powell's service, the endorsement is a non-story.
The general may be labeled a moderate Republican but is publicly endorsing the most left wing president since FDR.
Scott Armstrong
yes, if Powell is a republican, then Hugo Chavez is humanitarian of the year.
Under "party" his voter registration card should read "embarassment"
The most left wing President since FDR???? Seriously? You mean that horrible man who was reelected three times and brought us social security? Wow, now I'm really scarred, lol..I don't think Powell's endorsement will mean much but I love to see that crazy old McCain's face turn beet red again..However, Powell's explanation was worth more than the endorsement..He basically said Romney would be a nightmare in regard to foreign policy by bringing back all the Bush neocons as advisors. He certainly knows alot about that..He also said, whiich certainly everyone with a brain knows, that day to day Romney is changing not only his foreign policy views but all of his views on everything..That means there is no way to know what the hell the guy will do if elected..Now that is scary..
Although I have the utmost respect for General Powell's career and dedication to his country his endorsement means no more than some silly movie star's flighty comments and endorsement. I would feel the same way if he would have endorsed Romney.
The President does not put us in wars no more then he fixes medicare or passes laws. Congress does.
It is our responsibility as citizens to research the facts, look at where we are and where we want to go and then vote with our brain not some silly idea about religion, color of skin or other such nonsense.
This endorsement makes me laugh. All the liberal press people and liberal democrats hated Powell when he was working under Bush, but now they all love him. All you have to do is go back and read old articles in the MC who call him a criminal in reference to Iraq. But now he endorses Obama so he is a great guy. Just like Specter, the dems hated him until he became a turncoat then he was the best senator we ever had. The hypocricy of the left is unbelievable.
Can you tell us which "liberal press" is going ga-ga over Powell and this endorsements? You people are seriously brainless
Timothy
Check out the graveyards today. The D's will be getting their voters early because of the storm.
Vote early, and vote often!!!!!
Powell's endorsement is a joke.
I have long believed that the only endorsements that matter are those of each individual voter. When a special interest group endorses a candidate it causes me to look deeper into the possible reasons for the endorsement, but never makes my decision for me. In this case, I don't believe we are being told the truth by Powell about his reasons for this second endorsement of BHO.
If an endorsement from a group or high-profile individual is the reason anyone casts a vote, then they aren't doing their own homework and may as well proudly walk under the banner of "Sheep".
Movie stars, retired Generals, and every other high-profile talking head (including politicians) should refrain from public endorsements and instead just encourage people to get engaged and educate themselves on candidates and issues.
Ronnie,
Powell's endorsement doesn't matter as much as his explanation for the endorsement..He does know alot about foreign policy and is certainly an expert in that regard..Unlike Clint Eastwood who knows little about anything in regard to domestic or foreign policy..But he makes great movies.
I take hollywood endorsements to be laughable but Powell speaks the truth when he hammers Romney on Foreign policy..Romney is surrounded by war and defense hawks which was evident up until he decided he was a peacenick in the last debate..Powell astutely called him on that..
I am going to vote for someone because another person said he is endorsing that candidate?????? WOW! My vote is my vote and no one tells me how to vote. This election is the first time I am voting my wallet. I am a Senior voter who needs Social Security and all the medical bebefits I was promised dor my golden years. My vote like 99 % of all seniors should be for Obama. I still have 1lmost 20% of my taxable income going to the Federal Government while Romney pay less than I do and says now that he will protect the high wage earners from paying their fair share and continue taxing me. I'm voting my wallet.
His service notwithstanding, Powell is cut from the same cloth as Bill Weld, David Brookth, Joe Scarborough, Michael Bloomberg, etc.
Carry a card but don't believe much of what the party stands for. They like being marched around by the left as voices of reason among the extremists and enjoy the scraps they are fed by the left in exchange for their political treachery.
Powell has run his course. His endorsement of a Ofailure, I believe a race-based endorsement because it is just too far fetched to be say you are an R and vote for what Obama has done and will do if re-elected.
General, just switch parties and be done with it. You are what you do, not what your card says.
-Clem
"He does know alot about foreign policy and is certainly an expert in that regard
-9:30 AM"
Well, remember one thing:
This "expert" sold "going to war" to the world.
So, that was a good thing, right?
Or, was the expert not quite expert enough to keep from being tricked into it?
Or, was he lying?
Or, was his position more important than standing up for what he knew to be the real truth and calling out the warmonger neo-cons and saving us from, as Bernie put it, "...these crazy wars, as yet unpaid for, we don't need to relive the past ten years of constant wars."
-Clem
Colin Powell is a bureaucratic bungler who parroted lies in front of Congress to take us into an unprovoked war. He has a lot of blood on his hands and has made a career of blaming others for his weakness and/or idiocy.
Why would either side consider his opinion anything more than horseshit?
Former military only make good leaders in banana republics where they wear their uniforms until they die.
Thanks for your service, General. Now, go away and write your books and collect your pension and continue to try to salvage your pathetic reputation as a guy who cost thousands of American lives with his outrageous lies.
The point here is that Colin Powell resonates in the center. His endorsement will matter.
I am an Obama supporter. I also believe that Colin Powell embarrassed himself in 2003 with his defense of the invasion of Iraq in front of the UN Security Council.
I do think this endorsement helps with some small sliver of the undecided middle, but for the most part it elicits an undesired response from Republicans like John Sununu and John McCain, who are going batshit crazy, accusing Powell of racism and undermining the military. Give it up, gents, your guy ain't gonna win.
Powell's endorsement means he knows Romney has plans to bring in the same neocons from the Bush administration.
Fool me once...
The general may be labeled a moderate Republican but is publicly endorsing the most left wing president since FDR.
Oh Scott, you are just sore that the greatest American Presidents in the last century were Democrats: FDR, Kennedy, Clinton, Obama.
his endorsement means no more than some silly movie star's flighty comments and endorsement
Really? The former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and former Secretary of State means nothing? Even YOU cannot believe that. Unbelievable.
The President does not put us in wars no more then he fixes medicare or passes laws.
Again, really? How many military actions since WWII were official declarations of war.
Bernie, your followers sure are short on knowledge.
White House Executive Order 13603 , March 16, 2012 ...On military prepareness...
Government directs essential businesses on how to run businesses and provides them with the equipment to make us military #1... Every cabinet office is motivated for this purpose ... But with this order we become essentially a fascist state
Dear 10:56,
Powell was convinced by the neocons that the information he gave at the UN was true..They f***** him and f****** the American people..
Some of the comments above are why I lean Democratic. Not that they aren't just as cultish and wrong at times, but this whole "RINO" bullshit intolerance of anyone who dares to stray from their pious group think will ultimately kill "their movement". Which in the end I'm fine with.
I wish there were more moderate Republicans out there. In fact if Powell would have run in 2008 or this year I would have voted for him.
Scott not Armstrong
Moderate means, what, exactly?
Voting against your formerly stated principles? Being a hypocrite to be cool? Saying things like, abortion is wrong (but I can't tell you why) but it's better that the baby die than the aborting female be offended by me standing up for the baby? Arresting an Amercan citizen who exercised his right of free speech, despite it's offensive nature to the "moderates" and the ROPers (and where were the moderates back when Maplethorpe was doing his thing). Pledging to the father of a slain SEAL that you'll get the guy who made that video" rather than the bad guys who did the killing?
If you think Obama and Col are moderate, there is no hope that you will ever critically analyze anything.
-Clem
Well "Moderate" will be individually defined by each person.
To me, it means someone who embraces common fiscal sense, wants to reduce the deficit and balance budgets thru equal measures of spending cuts AND tax increases. Basically spread the pain around, but make it painful nonetheless. Once we get shit squared away financially we can lighten things up a bit.
Someone who knows their morality is their own and not to be forced on others no matter how personally distasteful they find it. In America, anyone can be an asshole for any number of reasons. Assholes in Sandland get beheaded and stoned to death.
Someone who isn't locked into a rigid ideology on either side of the spectrum, but can find a happy (or unhappy) medium between the two.
Someone who can stand up and say that after further consideration and understanding of facts, my previous position has changed because of this, that and the other thing. The world isn't black and white, nor is constant. Adapt or die.
Scott
Funny how the Fox Noise shepple condemn people for blindly following celebreties.
I have to go now, Hannity is having Ann Coulter on to give me some more information on Obama's plan to sell America to Iran.
More race based humor from the teabaggers.
Moderate equals self preservation in lieu of conviction, in most cases.
Powell is considered a moderate because he disgraced himself in the eyes of the both the right 40% and the left 40%.
His endorsement impresses the likes of Bernie, who thought John Edwards was swell. And that's whose votes are still inexplicably up for grabs, apparently.
You teabagheads are hilarious..If Powell had endorsed richy Rich Romney you'd be lavishing him with praise...The guy is brilliant.Using said brilliance he explained why Romney is a pathetic joke and why he thinks the President deserves four more years.
He is right..Go General Powell!!!!
"Moderate equals self preservation in lieu of conviction, in most cases."
Actually, as both parties grow more extreme, thanks to ideologues like yourself, we are going to hell in a handbag. Some of us liked the country better when we actually listened to each other.
11:29, I'll agree on FDR. Kennedy was unfortunately assassinated before he could be "great." Clinton was disgraced in office. Obama, in the midst of the greatest recession since the Great Depression, focused all his energy on Obamacare.
Rs produced Reagan and Eisenhower.
In my view, Ike was the greatest president since FDR.
Bernie,
What you/every liberal need to understand is that Republicans aren’t looking for great leaders. We leave that to China and North Korea. A capable manger who understands how the economy/ business works and will protect and defend the constitution of the United States will work for us. We aren’t looking for someone to “believe in”. We won’t put our “Hope” into any elected official, we take that to church/temple/... No, we prefer to be free to pursue our own destinies, unfettered by the bureaucratic hoops of an economy controlled by those who arrogantly rule for the “greater good’.
Just burned through over 250 pieces of Halloween candy here in Allentown.
Scott Armstrong
I'll be right over.
in your great leader costume? In that case you have to hand me the goodies.
Scott Armstrong
"Meat Loaf" just endorsed Romney.That should cinch the election
Now there's a leader! Much better singer than Colin.
"balance budgets thru equal measures of spending cuts AND tax increases."
The cuts never come, the taxes always go up. At what percentage will the pig's appetite be satsified?
There's always a new program, a new bureaucracy, a raise for the troughfeeders when private industry is slashing salaries to stay afloat and, ALWAYS, a reason why they can't stop spending no matter how much they take in.
-Clem
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/26/cia-operators-were-denied-request-for-help-during-benghazi-attack-sources-say/
Yeah, teabagger girlyman, fox noise, faux news, blah, blah, blah. . .
Mmm mmm mmm, he's a foreign policy genius. Erkel has has it under control, just ask General Duped by the neo-cons.
This "bump in the road", as dear leader put it, won't matter to the 47% Romney was talking about. Because he'll still take other people's money and promise them things.
And, that, is what makes him a decent guy...
-Clem
Clem, I read the news account. It's terrible. But I have not read that Obama knew about this at the time.
Meat Loaf probably lost a few votes for Romney with his horrendous rendition of "God Bless America." A vocal train wreck!
The Bengazi buck stops with the "Liar in Chief" Obama. He may not have known about the CIA's pleas for assistance during the attack, and maybe not even the requests for extra security weeks before, but unless he was asleep at his daily foreign briefings he HAD to know what happened the next day. He tried to blame the attack on protests over a video when it was evident that the assault was well planned and could have been anticipated, especially on 9/11. But Barry was too busy campaigning to worry about a tiny embassy and its security. Four dead Americans later his negligence can and should be questioned.
Thanks for the tip Scott wouldn't want to vote for somebody of the quality of FDR, gOodness gracious.
He was asked. He says he was not "personally aware". And maybe he wasn't at that moment. But the two week blame the video tour, and the nonsense on The View, and all the info that has come to light since proves Obama's fecklessness beyond a reasonable doubt.
He, and his spokespeople from Carney to Wasserman-Schultz (who has been shown to be a liar so many times you'd think they'd cut their losses with her), are playing Clintonesque word games. Meanwhile, the truth is oozing out even though his pals in the media are trying like hell to hold it until after the election.
-Clem
"but unless he was asleep at his daily foreign briefings he HAD to know what happened the next day."
He didn't attend the next day. Left for a fundraiser and campaigning.
-Clem
The very next day, the President referenced the "terror attack". Of course he didn't say it the way Mittens felt he shoud. As for the neo-con teabaggers they have hated him for four years. They are irrational haters and plan to move to a new Jopnestown if Obama is elected.
Bernie,
It is the president's business to know, otherwise he should not be president.
Scott Armstrong
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/10/president-obama-begs-off-answering-whether-americans-in-benghazi-were-denied-requests-for-help/
Good God. It's time to stop the hope and change experiment.
I love hope and change!
What is it about African-Americans, regardless of educations? It always still comes down to race. How else can one fathom 95% of ANY group voting for the same candidate?
That itself is a racist comment.
Romney wins by a landslide!
Unfortunately 9:10 is correct. Blacks seem to to think collectivilly while whites think individually. Nothing wrong with either one but makes black decisions seem stronger.
Be that as it may, the President certainly knew it was a terriorist attack within hours. The rest is bullshit. Hillary deserves kudo's for falling on the sword. She'd get my vote in a New York minute.
I can usually follow Clem's remarks but not today. ( Clem is that really you ?)
Mr Armstrong, thank goodness you did not apply the same standard to youR clueless and intillectually chalanged Prez George W. !
Most historians, indeed most readin' and writen' Americans consider FDR to be one of the top four presidents. Mr Armstrong's views are so out of touch that they do considerable damage to the GOP position in the Valley. I say this with all due respect for the local republican party.
When Mr Armstrong says Republicans and not looking for great leaders I for one believe him.
Look at the bunch of looney bins the Republicans produced for the primaries.
Huntsman was the only stable human in the whole group.
Not great leaders in that group Mr Armstrong I could not agree more?
In Utah a poll as recent as last week had over 90% of state members of the LDS trending Romney.
Haw can that happen?
Bill Coaker do tell us what this means please.
Your statement is inaccurate. 90% of Utah Mormons do NOT say that they will be voting for him. 90% say that Romney represents their faith well.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsoutofcontext/55154970-64/romney-campaign-trib-obama.html.csp
The Mormon faith includes both Republicans like Romney and Democrats like Harry Reid and Mo Udall before him.
In the case of why blacks tend to support blacks, I can understand that bc it empowers them as nothing has before, just as Catholics liked Kennedy for the same reason.
Clem, what in Gods name are you trying to say about abortion my man?
BOH,
You neglected to mention " the rest of the story", as they say.
Only 43 % of Utah Mormons believe republican Huntsman represents their religion well and less than 20% ----- that's right, just 19% ----- that's one - nine -----19% think Reid represents the LDS well.
WOW 19%! Old Harry must be one crappy Saint.
I must agree with your previous commenter: somewhere around 85% of Uath Saints will vote Romney.
We will b e able to confirm this soon.
If I was filthy rich I'd bet you $10,000.
Time will tell,eh?
I neglected nothing. I provided a link to the story that you failed to provide. Your claim is inaccurate.
http://byteboy.wordpress.com/2008/04/06/list-of-ten-hillary-clinton-lies/
Now, add to this what is happening in real time and yeah, Bill, I can really understand why you'd vote for her in a heartbeat...
Only, I can't.
-Clem
Time will tell what % of Latter Day Saints vote Romney.
My best sources ( on the ground in the Bee Hive State ) say the Saints in Saltl Lake and Provo will go at least 75% Romney. At least. Outside those hotbeds of progressivism the LDS faithful will go approx 90+% Romney.
We'll see soon.
Like I said, if I was stinking rich from buying and selling distressed or leveraged corporations, had Swiss Bank Accts and off- shore tax havens and paid only 13.9% tax I'd bet you 10K.
Oh, welll. There is always next year for the Caymen Tax havens.
Harry Reid is just an evil creepy asshole. Naturally he isn't a loyal follower of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Mormon faith.
Duh?
Anonymous comments without any citations or links sure have lots of credibility.
1:57 PM
Apparently their views are compatable.
What are the " KINDERHOOK PLATES " and what the heck do they have to do with any of this Bernie?
I don't see any reference to it. But any religious belief, by itself, seems like nonsense.
See "The Book of Mormon" on Broadway, it is great!
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