Posted by
Traci on Monday, October 20, 2008 12:00:00 AM
I find it ironic that Colin Powell - who said earlier this year he donated to McCain's campaign - now, just two weeks before the election, gives the nod to the black candidate.
Sorry, but Mr. Powell's reasons (Iraq, Sarah Palin [if he's worried about her, how in the world is Obama ready to be not VP, but president - his biggest experience is CAMPAIGNING FOR HIMSELF), negative campaigning] just don't ring true. If that was the basis for his endorsement, he could have done this months ago - it's not like McCain's stance on Iraq has changed, and - let's face it - both campaigns have been negative.
This appears to me to be perhaps a combination of four things: 1. an African American endorsing the African American candidate (note his speech in London last week speaking about how important it is for him [Powell] to be seen as an African American); 2. another politician waiting to see what seems like the "safe" bet (i.e., look at Richardson, Edwards, Gore - all of whom endorsed Obama when it looked like he had it in the bag); 3. A way for Obama to deflect McCain's gains in raising questions about Obama's "redistribute the wealth" economic plans (Obama is a genius at this - look at how he did it time and again to steal any positive spotlight away from Hillary Clinton or how he got a "surprise" endorsement whenever something negative about him came to the surface); and 4. This is a great way for Powell to distance himself from Bush.
Of course, there's always a fifth possibility, and Obama just dropped that in our laps - Powell automatically has a job with Obama. It’s amazing to me that the Democrats vilified Powell and his performance in the Bush administration, now Powell is a “hero.”
Sorry, it's just a sell-out and not a very pretty one at that. Powell is not a hero or a villain – he’s just a man who’s seen the best opportunity for himself and, sadly, another illustration that racism is alive and well in the United States. Sadly, it’s not “white America” that seems to be perpetrating a lot of it – apparently many blacks hold a very deep-seated resentment for what they perceive to be misdeeds against them, and they will elect the black candidate at any cost, whether that candidate will hurt or help the country as a whole.
This is not unity – it’s divisiveness. If ANY of us stay home, for any reason, and neglect to vote for John McCain, we will see socialism, or worse – communism – take over our country, and what is a bad situation will become even worse. Don’t take my word for him because I’m not objective. Look at Obama’s statements, at his plans, at his associations and at the way people are – in Obama’s name – threatening, harassing and effectively shutting down anyone who criticizes their candidate.
Sorry for the long post, but this needed to be said.