Colin Powell is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people.

I'm sorry, but it was his testimony to the United Nation that pretty much sealed the death warrant for thousands of innocent Iraqis and for our soldiers who have died there. Iraq was under intense international scrutiny and sanctions for 10 years. There is no way they could have developed a WMD program of any kind. They had to trade their oil for food, for Pete's sake! Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.

Colin Powell is a murderer. I do not need, nor does Barack Obama need, Powell's endorsement.

There are a great many undecideds who truly admire Powell. This could tip them to the Obama camp. It isn't about you, or me, or those of us who are firmly entrenched in either camp. It's about the undecideds.

I'm no fan of Powell, but his endorsement of Obama is a good thing. A very good thing.

know which was the smarter way to vote is an idiot.

Anyone who cannot feel different things about different actions by the same person, who requires everyone to be all good or all bad, now they are the idiots.

endorsed our candidate.

My apologies.

He didn't. The party purists are out in force today. It's getting old. A vote is a vote is a vote, folks.

And I'm no party purist. I do think Powell was a liar and instrumental in the worst foreign policy decision EVER in the history of the United States. A vote is a vote. And a war criminal is a war criminal.

who are firmly entrenched. It's about the undecideds. There are plenty of Republicans out there who really like Powell as well. And, this could cause them to vote for Barack or at worse, stay home.

you are sad. Very sad.

absolutely you do

I have never understood why people think it's a personal attack if someone on a BBS has a different point of view.

you think he's got to be all good or all bad.

Yes, we need his endorsement.

No, he's not a good guy.

He did something good today. He did something bad pre-Iraq. It is about actions, not about being a "good guy" or "bad guy".

As I wrote before, which maybe you missed: Anyone who cannot feel different things about different actions by the same person, who requires everyone to be all good or all bad, now they are the idiots.

Myself, I see good and bad actions by most people.

It is not about forgiving Powell for his lies and the deaths. It is simply about getting Obama more support, now and during his presidency. If some moderates in Congress are more supportive, that will be good. If he gets enough votes to far outweigh electoral fraud, that is good.

Hate Powell for what he did. No problem. Hope he gets tried as a war criminal, no problem. But getting more support for Obama's difficult presidency, which it sure as hell will be, that is good.

handle a situation where perhaps one could use a lesson of perception gained through the experience of another - minus the mild condenscension early on.

This is to say how much good does it take to overcome the bad? Powell tips the scales far to the bad and now that he only admits he was wrong with the excuse he had bad info before, sometime in 2005 well after the attack was full blown on Iraq and then today he endorses Obama.

You have to ask what is his motive now. You may look at it as good or bad but how does Powell look at it? Is it a career move or personal salvation , or to save face hoping there is short term memory in this country.

If you or I did what he has I doubt if saying I'm sorry or I was wrong then would cut it.

I'm tired of copy/pasting statements, here is link to my reply in this thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4267775&mesg_id=4268146

is it worth the risk this late in the political game?

Yes, I think getting more support for Obama is worth the risk. I want to see such a huge difference in the votes that they can't steal the election, and I want to see people being willing to work with Obama afterwards. Both of these this endorsement can help with.

I'm sorry , it just does not make me feel very good at all. People are still dying at the very moment Powell spoke and endorsed. How does that make you feel?

You didn't answer my question. What if his endorsement backfires? How could it?

Decide when in the voting booth that the thought of Powell and the memory of what he did crops up and they decide to vote their conscience at the last moment ,which could be an indenpendant or green party candidate.

The ones I know still will vote for Obama since otherwise they feel they would be giving the election to McCain. I don't know if Powell's endorsement will make many more likely to give the election to McCain though.

But then again I do know some who will vote 3rd party in a place where Obama will get way enough votes anyway.

Edited to add that it is not a simple black/white extremes thing, but there are shades along the way and I know that I will never forgive Powell for that speech. Ever.

I do hate even using that term now "black and white".

I have been torn through this entire campaign because I felt there were better candidates than Obama. It was not the race issue, I have never had one issue with any race through my 59 years. I feel strongly since I am white that people of other races can sense your prejudice by your actions and body language and if it's not present, the tension, then I can only assume this is the reason why.

But back on point. I felt Kucinich was be best choice and this started mainly because of the protests in DC against the occupation and impeachment where he did come out to the people and speak , I felt this was admirable. Few others did this.

But through what is felt was a lot of hype I saw during Obamas campaigns I thought well let me see how this goes and it only expanded so I felt no . But when McCain won then I was left with Obama .

My point is now once Powell has climbed in and before this Biden was the VP pick I could be one of those who may just vote my conscience for the first time ever , it was always DEM all the way.

I have a real difficult time since the last stab in 2006 from the dems and how can I trust them now. Repubs have never been a consideration of mine.

Was very pro-Kucinich, and just because a Dem gets elected, doesn't mean all is well or they will go nearly far enough for me. I voted my conscience back with John Anderson (was that him?) way back, and someday I hope to again vote for purely positive reasons vs against a really scary person.

It has been pointed out to me that I am using "condone" improperly. I mean I condemn, cannot condone or approve of his pre-iraq actions.

Phrase, we both know it is a very old way of putting things with the shades of gray in between .

Now it does seem like a phrase that may have found a place that is well past being usefull as a descriptive.

I wish.

If you would actually drop your OMG OUTRAGE for five seconds and read, the majority of those not condemning Powell's endorsement are very clear that he's still a war criminal with a lot to answer for.

However, I guess nuanced stances like that are simply too difficult for the black-and-whiters at DU.

Look around you.

If you only will accept votes from intelligent people, you would lose BAD.

will make it even better.


I'm sorry.

So you're still wrong.

:)

Holy shit, dude. People actually voted for that dumb chimp. Some of them twice. People will actually VOTE for McCain.

If this tips even one undecided to Obama, I'll take it.

greater number of murdering war criminals and me even be one himself. If he wins, the wars continue and there will be more wars.

At least this murdering war criminal realized he was wrong, and didn't endorse a murdering war criminal again.

Anyway, Obama can't stop people from endorsing him. This is sort of reverse Ayers, the left holding an "association" against Obama. Don't do it; realistically, the only two people who have a shot at actually being elected President are Obama and McCain. Anyone against the war has no realistic other choice, here. It's past the time when we can campaign for Kucinich or anyone else Powell wouldn't have endorsed. We don't live in that left wing paradise yet.

The Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq 2002 authorized one (and only one) person to launch an attack on Iraq.
The person with the sole authorization was Bush.
Only 23 Senators voted no.
The war was on the minute that bill passed.
That bill passed in October 2002, Powell presented his UN farce (at the behest of Bush 41) in February 2003.

Powell should have resigned in the Fall of 2002. No question.
But we must be careful in assesing the blame for the Iraq fiasco.

and as a presidential campaign.

This is almost prodigal son stuff.

I mean endorsing someone other than the total fascist candidate is a minor penance, but the man is totally revolting and should be avoided at all costs.

A Bureaucracy Mired in the Details of Torture

We found out last week that the vice president and senior Bush appointees "discussed and approved" the highly abusive interrogation techniques applied to U.S. detainees, according to reports by ABC News and the Associated Press. Those techniques include waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and physical assault.

In dozens of top-secret talks and meetings in the White House, the most senior Bush administration officials discussed and approved specific details of how high-value al Qaeda suspects would be interrogated by the Central Intelligence Agency, sources tell ABC News. ABC News, Apr. 10, 2008

The list of officials includes Vice President Cheney, along with Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, George Tenet, and John Ashcroft -- who were cabinet members at the time -- and Condoleezza Rice." They "discussed and approved" torture scriptsthat were followed to the letter:

The high-level discussions about these "enhanced interrogation techniques" were so detailed, these sources said, some of the interrogation sessions were almost choreographed -- down to the number of times CIA agents could use a specific tactic. ABC News, Apr. 10, 2008

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0804/S00239.htm

The guy shouldn't even be ablt to show his face in public.

This is how far from reality we are. That a guy who ghoulishly devised torture scripts even matters is a real comment.

And you wonder WHY we get called elitist and anti-military?

I ever had any.

Oh well. I guess this isn't where I belong then.

Hopefully the country listens carefully to his story about that mother and looks at itself very carefully.

If the cost is zero, anyway, as it is in this case.

Just think of the damage to be done and spun if Powell endorsed Mccain........Yea, think about that all nay sayers. We are in a battle to win.........and ideologues need to sit down, watch the fight and eat your popcorn....we can take it from here on out.

Just saying, not everyone is cut out for the hard stuff.

The willingness to conduct a brutal campaign is what we had to accept to beat the GOP. There will be no hostages...... Right now, we are in the lethal wound phase of the campaign;....Ah, yes we are ahead.

Relax, close your eyes if it is too painful, go watch an old movie....Not everyone is cut out for this bloody phase. I am and I love it....so, let me do it....so you can focus on your strengths when needed.

:grouphug:

:rofl:

Actually, this is a wonderful post. Wish we had more people like yourself to speak reason on this website. :hug:

I cringingly think it's good. Anybody from their camp who defects can only be good for us.

That was easy.

seriously dude, wtf?

That's all.

Just an example of moral stance by convienience.

Moral stance by convenience? That to me would seem to be a lot of those who once thought the perps of the bloody invasion of Iraq should be held accountable, until one of them decided to endorse our guy.

But there's no way in hell the OP's lack of "armed resistance" to the invasion is in any way responsible for the crime. The war was built on the lies of the bush regime. Powell was one of the chief liars. He has the blood of innocents on his hands. This if fact.

I was making a blanket statement, just like the OP did, only I shoved mine out the window on purpose.

You inserted yourself into what I said for reasons unknown to me. Had nothing to do with you. I like what you write, for christ's sake.

I think some of the common wisdom about what Powell did and tried to do before the war actually was greenlighted might not be accurate, but I won't argue it around here.

The mighty Oak is STRONG; it puts forth its branches
at 90-degrees to level, displaying its strength
for all to see, mocking the forces of wind and gravity
with its hard, rigid strength...

And the mighty oak is torn to splinters in a hurricane,
its branches torn asunder and scattered to the four corners
of the map.

While the slender blades of grass bend low before the wind,
and stand tall again when the wind is gone.

Rigidity DIES; flexibility survives.

Your "principles" are more DEAD than mine.

That is all.

My principles are not rigid at all. Nature, as you just wrote, breaks rigid systems, allows malleable systems flourish.



Apparently I have to put sarcasm tags on everything I use to mock bonehead or strident posts around here.



And did you just reference a star wars movie??

And, as I'm closing fast on 40, I find that
these kids today don't have any idea what I'm
talking about when I make with the Zen references;
I have to use the Star Wars lingo to be understood.

500 years from now, I'll give 50/50 odds that the
whole "Star Wars" thing will have morphed into a
mainstream religious movement.

I'll bet you're right about the religious movement...

There is a selection for "Jedi" on the UK census form under "religion".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2757067.stm

Reasonable or not??

Even you know it.

No one said you couldn't make that point. Be dumb all you want.

was stupid.

I just played stupid back.

And what's YOUR point on this, except to point out I'm stupid??? Which, stupidly enough, is pretty common knowlege around here.

stupid.

In fact, this is probably the first time I seen you be this dumb.

:yoiks:

Or seriously pointed out that Powell's endorsement might be odious to us, but to a lot of the kinds of boneheads that think Obama is light on the terror-fighting-gene he will 'reverberate'.

Further -

Powell hit the republicans for the SPECIFIC shit they have been pulling in his quiet understated authoritative demeanor -

Ayers, the robocalls, the tone of the McCaine campaign, choosing Mooselini -


Read a transcript of exactly the case he layed out and see that he REALLY repudiated what his old crowd has turned the Republican party into.

It's almost like he was saying "I'm a republican, and Obama is a way out of the darkness that has descended on the party..."

On the other hand, maybe once would have been enough.

Pot, kettle, et cetera.

It's easy to yell "baby killer!" at returning GI's. It's easy to scream "illegal war" and do little else. After all, who needs to actually walk the walk when the talk is so cheap? Keyboard warriors.

I'm not seeing myself as much better ... believing this administration to be war criminals and feeling frustrated that I can't do shit about it unless I see a crowd forming with torches and pitchforks. We've truly become a nation of cowards and criminals ... permitting those corrupt bastards to get away (literally) with murder. I suppose the die was cast in December 2000 when we rolled over instead of invading the SCOTUS and doing (at least) a sit-in. That this nation put up with that appalling theft-by-scotus is an eternal shame to me.

I suspect my relatively comfortable lifestyle condemns me for not saving those who die of neglect or violence in the rest of the world including the poor in the US

considering where we all were back then...

:eyes:

If Colin Powell chooses to make the right decision this time, why punish him for it?

Yes, Powell is terrible. No one disputes that.

But he is still respected in certain circles. That's reality. Accept it.

Once you do, you will realize that his endorsement may hold weight with a few thousand voters in key states. The more votes we get for Obama, the harder it is for them to steal it.

When the opposition does something stupid that benefits you, you keep your mouth shut.

don't want to be seen as someone who doesn't want to win this election.

I was wrong. My apologies to all.

Won't you grow up a little?

You can't expect anyone to take you seriously if your going to act like a child.
:loveya:

It is not about if he is a "good guy" or not. It is about a good action.

And many, in fact most of us no doubt agree that Colin Powell was instrumental in helping Bush with his illegal war. I doubt he has many fans on here - nor have I seen anyone call him the "salt of the earth".

The fact remains that he is still highly respected by a lot of repukes and moderates, and his endorsement will undoubtedly help our candidate. You say anyone who needs his endorsement to vote for Obama is an "idiot" - well, are you familiar with much of the repuke base? His endorsement WILL help Obama - and possibly win over a lot of "idiots". It's unfortunate, I guess, but we need those "idiots", who would otherwise vote for McCain.

I really, really, understand that you don't like it - you don't have to start more threads, or repeat yourself. I think we ALL get it, really, there's no need for you to keep repeating yourself.

Me, I welcome the endorsement, and the voters it may bring - because what matters to me right now is getting Obama elected. This endorsement will help big time.

It doesn't make me like Powell any more, or make him any less of a war-criminal, but I do understand his popularity among moderate repukes and independents, who don't think of him the way I do. If you can't understand that, that's fine, but I understood after one or two posts - the continuous onslaught of OPs and posts really isn't necessary - I GET it.

but he did some serious damage to his own party this morning.

I hope that one day he is locked away in The Hague with the other war criminals.

I really can't see how that indorsement helps the Democratic party?

Quit being such a dick.

people want the endorsement of a war criminal murderer.

Sorry.

So in my mind, even if I cannot forgive Powell his crimes, and I cannot, I welcome his efforts today to elect Obama as the next president of our republic.

FFS. :eyes:

:eyes:

Christ. Get over yourself. :eyes:

than criticize the way someone formats their thoughts?

For reminding people that this guy is still complicit in tens and hundreds of thousands of deaths?

we should all be cooing for that lying bastard now that he loves him some Obama

Bush would have invaded, with or without Powell. The Iraq invasion was being planned before "9/11".

:shrug:

What you or I decide on the matter is irrelevant!

Whether or not Barack has the right to make his own decision?

At an afternoon rally in Fayetteville, N.C., Barack Obama said he was "beyond honored and deeply humbled" by former Secretary of State Colin Powell's endorsement this morning on "Meet the Press."

"This morning, a great soldier, a great statesman, and a great American has endorsed our campaign to change America," Obama said, according to prepared remarks. "I have been honored to have the benefit of his wisdom and counsel from time to time over the last few years. ... He knows, as we do, that this is a moment where we all need to come together as one nation -- young and old, rich and poor, black and white, Republican and Democrat."

http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2008/10/obama_acknowledges_powell_endo.html

He's a fucking coward and has been his whole career. Now we have Democrats who were actually against that war thing telling us we should like him, that he really meant well, and that he was just fooled by that wily ole Bush guy like everyone else.

Fucking asshats.

jesus h. christ what a bunch of fucking LOONS. :crazy: :puke:

and yes i get the endorsement thing, too.

There's one born every minute, indeed.

Maybe you and others who make reality up as you go along could provide evidence of the thousands of DUers suddenly gushing about how wonderful Powell is.

i agree that powell is a war criminal, but sadly not too many people do. to most people he is a respected general.

ever forgive Powell for what he did at the UN. BUT, there are people out there, including some undecided Republicans who have a great deal of respect for him.

This could tip them into Obama's camp. He recognized that a McCain presidency would simply continue failed policies and acted on it.

This is a good thing for Obama. And, the RW can't spin it without throwing Powell under the bus; something their constituents won't sit still for.

therefore good for america, and thereby good for me.

I have a hard time stomaching an endorsement just for the sake of getting every vote possible, even ones that are tainted with the blood of our brothers and sisters who have paid for Powell's bullshit with their lives. Not to mention those who are left behind to pick up the pieces.

and that is legitimately upsetting. However we do need the independents and those republicans who like Obama but think Mccain is strong on foreign policy. Powells endorsement makes them rethink this.

we can win on pure ideology, that is not how politics goes

I don't like having to welcome tainted votes - those votes he brings because the voter making it admires and/or respects Powell.

is hardly a pure ideological agenda.

i hate that powell still has influence, but i recognize it, and i am glad that obama got this endorsement. even if i think its icky.

throughout this thread.

post in a more concise way. I still do not like the idea that we need to win on tainted votes. I'm sorry, that's just the way I feel and that's no reason for anyone to get nasty.

even if Powell spoke out against it. He just would have been asked for his resignation earlier. We all know how stubborn Bush is. Bush was going into Iraq to finish the job his father didn't, no matter what. I don't forgive Powell for going before the UN, but it really didn't change anything. DU doesn't need Powell's endorsement, but we aren't the ones they need to convince. It could help with the undecideds. It's also a vote in Virginia for Obama. Powell gave very well thought reasons for his position. Take it for what it's worth. It is another general giving Obama his vote.

He did sway MANY people in this country and outside. He swayed ME and I don't think 70% of the Democrats in this party are real Democrats, just foxes in the henhouse feasting away.

Oliver Stone's movie W. surprised me in that it made Powell and even Cheney look like reasoned and decent men. Tell that to the smoking dead bodies these freaks scooped in the cash because of. Powell dishonored his uniform, himself, the United States of America, and all citizens he misled into this murderous profiteering adventure. He abused his power too, and he was given tons of it and used as point-man in the PR campaign for these racketeers.

I endorse Obama with my vote. It matters to me that enough others do also that he defeats McCain and Palin.

Powell's endorsement was no more or less political than any other political endorsement, except that it packs a punch where my vote alone is one mere vote. Powell's national profile -- whether he is your favorite or mine or anyone else's or not -- is a political currency for many voters.

Powell handed that currency to the Obama campaign this morning on MEET THE PRESS to spend on a better future for many others.

I'll take the endorsement for the blue team and for my country.

Powell -- as others have said already -- did the right thing.

and did more to dishonor our distinguished servicemembers than the known evil-doers. I felt very betrayed when I learned he conned the world (and this skeptic too). I can forgive but never forget. I hope he continues to make amends. He'll find peace if he does.

But here's to the stack of corpses the freaks have piled up as they looted our treasury;
for the victims:patriot:

Guess we'll take it.

Of course you're entitled to your opinion -- and you're not the only one who feels that way, as you know. You make valid points and your viewpoint is understandable. But you're not the one (nor are any of us) to determine what Obama does and doesn't need.

IF this gets voters over to our side, making it that much more difficult for the Reps to try to steal this, then it would seem that Obama DOES need this.

I just posted elsewhere, that it's one step at a time and the first step now is to win handily on November 4. After that if people want to pursue Powell's past actions, that would be the time. But I'm grateful -- for the campaign -- that Powell endorsed Obama and not McCain.

I would never presume to declare what Obama needs. Well, that's not true -- I sure did a lot of "Obama needs to take off the gloves" kind of posts, but I turned out to be wrong. I think I'll try not to second guess him in the future.

And I apologize my post was insulting -- I knee-jerk reacted because there have been so many similar ones today. I'll stop opening the threads. :7

but it was too late to edit it. This has taught me a lesson. This thread has made me realize how worthless anything I have to say is to some people. And that saddens me.

even if we only learn we disagree with them. Helps me, anyway, to arrive at a conclusion regarding the topic.

You know we sometimes react strongly when we disagree with someone, so it's not a judgment on you, just on the opinion you may be expressing.

Word.

and if I were you, I would stick to talking for yourself. It is obvious that Barack Obama welcomes this endorsement, and believe you me, it is for a reason.

Now, we may not be accustomed to winning, and therefore you believe that we have the luxury to stand here and talk about Powell, a person who is not running for office, but we don't.

The election is in two weeks, and as far as most are concerned, this election is about putting Obama in the White House. I hope that you are going to concentrate on that instead of distracting us with this talk about what Powell has done. Again, Powell isn't running for President. period.

we've come this far without it. McSame rallies in school gymnasiums and Obama draws record crowds wherever he goes. I just didn't think we needed Powell at all.

I've stated again and again that, compared to some of you, I'm a relative newcomer to this level of political participation and discourse. I came to it because of boosh. But now I've learned the price of stating my opinion. That price is that I can expect to be attacked, rather than lovingly educated, by my own teammates and compatriots simply for stating my opinion. There are some severely cruel and nasty people on this board. It makes me sometimes wonder whether this is where I belong. It makes me sad.

I'm conceding on the Powell issue. I guess I'm too stupid about politics to have an opinion that is immune to attack or is knowledgable enough to be formed by history and participation. That's what I get for not being as smart as most of you are about these matters.

I came to this process to help do my little part to get Obama elected. I have phoned and canvassed and been a precinct captain on behalf of our future president. I feel I've done my part. Perhaps it would be in my best interest to refrain from posting my opinions. I can't handle being beaten down by those I thought were my friends.

misguided by his words - at least THIS one turned back to the 'light' - get over it - tell me you have never made a mistake and walk on water and never will make a mistake in your life - if someone changes then we can move forward - if they never change - then the past is still relevant today

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Jesus is fictional. Powell is real.

Thousands upon thousands of dead Iraquis.
Thousands upon thousands of dead soldiers on all sides.
For lies.
And it ain't over yet.

Seriously, Powell lied in order to expedite the deaths of not just thousands but hundreds of thousands, Powell is responsible for that.

I'm an Dawkinsian atheist and I don't blame the Christ for what His words (assuming He ever existed) may have caused others to do.

so I guess we should write them all off, too . . .

Yeah, the majority did. Colon Powell still says the decision to invade Iraq was the right one. He has not redeemed himself in any way. If his endorsement helps elect Sen. Obama as Pres. I will not complain but I will never forgive nor forget Colon Powell for his actions as SofS.

I find it disgusting that so many would sink so low to approve of anything these murderers do.

Because you know it's only done to further their own purposes. What does Powell expect to get out of this is the question.

Ethically, I refuse to support this crap and so should everyone.

Selling your soul to the devil to get what you want is never a good idea.

K&R

We need to be fighting back on ACORN and pushing the very REAL voter fraud being perpetrated by the Republicans. Cut the crap, people. THIS IS NOT A REHEARSAL.

HEs been on the wrong side of history, so many times, it might be that this time he wants to be on the right side of history.

Apparently a lot of people still have great respect for him.

Some have already suggested he might find a job in an Obama administration. Bad idea given his universally known incompetence and moral failures.

After all, I don't hear you complaining about the endorsements of Hillary, Kennedy, Kerry, or for that matter, his running mate Biden. Yet each and every one of these people have the blood of innocents on their hands, or have you forgotten the IWR? Or the multiple war funding bills these people have passed to keep the death machine going?

Sorry, but there is no holier than thou position on this one, they all have blood on their hands to one extent or another. At least Powell has apologized and admitted the mistake he made for his part in the matter, more than I've heard come out of Clinton's mouth.

Face it, Powell is huge endorsement, not just for the media hype and the gravitas it brings to the campaign. A Powell endorsement also brings with it lots of moderate 'Pugs, which could very well turn an Obama victory into an Obama landslide. We need every vote we can get, and if Powell brings in more votes, more power to him.

on assigning the same level of guilt to anyone and everyone who ever had anything to do with anything.

I think I'm glad I'm not a relative of yours. Once wrong move, and you might toss me out on the street.

And btw, I DO think Powell bears some responsibility for his part in ginning up the war machine, but no where near what Bush, Cheney, Rummy and others do.

I think the war would of happened even if Powell had resigned before that at happened. To think Bush wouldn't of gone ahead with going into Iraq is a little short sighted. Powell made some mistakes and they were costly mistakes but to hang the whole raw deal on him is a tad unreasonable.

This was a promising endorsement for Obama. Some of these key battle states have a significant military population. I think his endorsement tells some Republicans that are not so far right as the current GOP that its ok. You can vote for Obama because he is the better man for the job right now.

'cause we're nice people --- not cold hearted "haters" . . . !!!

In fact, I thought those "cold hearted haters" were in the White House when
Powell was playing games with them -- games that have cost 100,000's of lives!

Bankrupted our Treasury --

Sickened the world against us --

Thanks, Colin .... !!!

Didn't he have something to do with covering up My Lai?

the bastard knew it was all crap and did it anyways because he thought it would advance his career - probably the same reason he is endorsing Obama now

The day after the election, I'll be happy to participate in a total shitting on Powell's name and reputation.

We need as many votes as possible.

No one is asking anyone on the left to like Powell, but we have to acknowledge that he can bring around some people who still weren't sure, for whatever reason.

Just click ignore on the posts about Powell. Put him out of your mind.

Obama is doing the right thing to win this race. He isn't worried about your vote. He is however, worried about that moderate repug or independent who is almost set on voting Obama but is still worried about foriegn policy. If Powell brings those people on board then it is worth it.

Maybe Powell needs to get back some credibility and by endorsing Obama he's showing that he's not some GOP stooge (although It may be too late for that)

Either way I'm happy to see Powell endorsing Obama. It shows Obama can gain support from all political spectrums. Which quite frankly is amazing to me.

The man spoke for quite a long time without queue cards which leads me to believe he formed those opinions over a period of time. You know it was straight from the gut and heart. You got to give him credit there.

n/t