Possible Powell endorsement on this Sunday's Meet The Press

[Tanasinn]

That was a surprisingly strong endorsement from Powell, from where I sit.

I have to admit, I feel a bit of glee at this.

[The Spartan]

Well, I guess I stand corrected.

I'm not usually happy about being wrong but I'll take it this time.

[General Zod]

And Rush Limbaugh acts like a blubbering vagina for everyone's amusement.

(CNN) — Conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh Monday strongly defended his recent remark that Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama largely because of race, and lashed out at members of the media and Democrats for appearing to take issue with his comment.

"So what if it's race?" Limbaugh said on his radio show. "Why is it so hard to admit that it's race…What's so problematic about admitting it?"

Limbaugh's original comments came in an email to Politico reporter Jonathan Martin Sunday, when the talk-radio host took issue with Powell's contention that his endorsement of the Illinois senator did not have anything to do with the color of his skin.

"Secretary Powell says his endorsement is not about race," Limbaugh wrote in the e-mail. "OK, fine. I am now researching his past endorsements to see if I can find all the inexperienced, very liberal, white candidates he has endorsed. I'll let you know what I come up with."

The comments immediately caused a stir on several Democratic blogs and an Obama campaign spokeswoman called them "disgusting." They were also heavily reported on several news programs Sunday night and Monday morning. But Limbaugh made clear Monday he is not backing down from them.

"I thought it should be about race," he said. "I thought you liberals thought this was a historic candidacy because finally we are going to elect a black guy…why hide behind this, why act like it's not about race?"

"This was all about Powell and race, nothing about the nation and its welfare," Limbaugh added. The talk radio host also criticized members of the media for not addressing his claim that Powell likely hasn't endorsed white candidates who, according to Limbaugh, have similar political leanings and experience as Obama.

"Just so you know, I haven't come up with any," he said. "I worked diligently on this on the airplane on the trip home from Green Bay yesterday. I can't find any of these inexperienced white liberals that Powell has endorsed."

In announcing his endorsement of Obama, Powell said his decision was not based solely on race, but added "I can't deny that it will be a historic event for an African-American to become president."

"Should that happen, all Americans should be proud — not just African-Americans, but all Americans — that we have reached this point in our national history where such a thing could happen," Powell said on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday. "It will also not only electrify our country, I think it'll electrify the world."

It's cute the way he's hung up on the "no experience" angle; I think he's just angry that Powell isn't endorsing Palin's "experience" of supposedly being able to see Russia from certain parts of Alaska.

[CarsonPalmer]

Good God, Rush Limbaugh is obsessed. Everything comes down to race for him. He can't even discuss football without bringing it up.

Gee, I wonder how quick Rush would be to rip someone who called McCain a racist? He'd probably say how ungrateful it was to call someone who served as a soldier a racist.

[Kodiak]

I'm not sure what effect the endorsement itself will have on voters, but I'm thinking that it will open the door for more moderate Republicans to break ranks and endorse Obama if that's what they believe.

That's it. I was wavering, unsure how to vote for President for a couple of weeks now and this did it. My absentee ballot has been sitting on the Kitchen table with the line for President blank, but this articulation of Obama's qualifications by Gen Powell sums up exactly what I've been thinking: McCain has NOT displayed the wisdom and decision making capacity befitting a president (the possibility of Pres. Palin scares the shit out of me), while Barry Obama has been unflappable, on-message, and surprisingly thoughtful in his vision of America. When I go home today, I'll be filling in the blank for Barack Obama.

[rhoenix]

That's it. I was wavering, unsure how to vote for President for a couple of weeks now and this did it. My absentee ballot has been sitting on the Kitchen table with the line for President blank, but this articulation of Obama's qualifications by Gen Powell sums up exactly what I've been thinking: McCain has NOT displayed the wisdom and decision making capacity befitting a president (the possibility of Pres. Palin scares the shit out of me), while Barry Obama has been unflappable, on-message, and surprisingly thoughtful in his vision of America. When I go home today, I'll be filling in the blank for Barack Obama.

I am thrilled, as a person who supports the idea of Obama becoming the President of the United States, to hear your words. I hope they reflect a small sea change in others as well.

I feel compelled to ask however, and this question is not intended to be incisive to you personally or to people of your faith at large, but merely a question of political science. If you had never become a member of these forums, if you had never had your opinions challenged in quite the same way as on these forums - would Powell's words have swayed you to make the same decision?

[Kodiak]

I feel compelled to ask however, and this question is not intended to be incisive to you personally or to people of your faith at large, but merely a question of political science. If you had never become a member of these forums, if you had never had your opinions challenged in quite the same way as on these forums - would Powell's words have swayed you to make the same decision?

It's difficult to say, since during the past year these forums have become a part of my daily routine. I've been a big fan of Colin Powell for quite some time and I was quite disappointed when I learned that his own personal obligations precluded him from his own candidacy. When Powell left the Bush Administration in 2005 it made me look closer at a lot of what VP Cheney was doing behind the scenes. I was initially thrilled when McCain was candidating himself for the GOP nod, because I had really liked him when he ran against George W. Bush in 2000. To my dismay, however, the things that I really liked about him at the time have been quelled by his advisers in favor of a "mediocre middle" candidacy.

I've been increasingly dissatisfied w/ McCain's responses to many of the issues facing America, his negative campaigning, his snide attitude at debates, capped off by rushing to the aid of the economy (would it be nice if there were a republican w/ solid business/finance experience to explain this to us? oh wait, he lost )

I am a practicing Mormon living in one of the most liberal parts of the US, with a wide range of friends that have hugely diverging views on politics. I'd like to think that on this board I've shown myself to be open to other ideas and viewpoints, a skill I learned during my time as a missionary. I must say, however, that this board in its radically left-wing carnation is a highly concentrated form of liberal discussion. Did this board help me make this decision? It certainly did a fine job of pointing out the facts of the matter. I think that without all the pro-Obama that I read on this board I would've either left the line blank or written in Romney. California is Blue for Obama anyway, but at least now I have a decision I can live with.

[The Yosemite Bear]

My absentee ballot has been filled out a week ago, I still keep forgetting to mail it.

[rhoenix]

Kodiak, thank you for that response. It was both thoughtful and heartful, and I respect both.

[Kodiak]

And here's some proof: My absentee ballot



Democracy at work

[Aratech]

The hell? Nader's running again?

[DarkSilver]

Wait, I don't see the Louisiana Tax Payer's Party Nomination on your slip!

....a party that, I should add, has no Louisianaians on the ticket.... (found that funny on my absentee ballot).

I filed mines out for Obama, even before Powell's endorsement. I have it sitting on my desk at home, because it seems like I'll be home for Election, and I want to be at the polls if I am. If not, I'll have it mailed in on Oct 31

[Kodiak]

Wait, I don't see the Louisiana Tax Payer's Party Nomination on your slip!

....a party that, I should add, has no Louisianaians on the ticket.... (found that funny on my absentee ballot).

I filed mines out for Obama, even before Powell's endorsement. I have it sitting on my desk at home, because it seems like I'll be home for Election, and I want to be at the polls if I am. If not, I'll have it mailed in on Oct 31

I'm putting mine in the mail today. I expect postage to be high. Note, after explaining my thoughts to my wife she decided she "had a crush on Obama" an voted for him too

[Thanas]

Why is Bob Barr Number 2 on that ballot?

[Pint0 Xtreme]

I think it's ironic that Alan Keyes and Barack Obama are on the ballot "competing" against each other for a political position 4 years later. And just like in 2004, Barack Obama is in a much better position to win than that bigoted asshole.

[Pelranius]

The hell? Nader's running again?

It's probably become a quadennial compulsion for the guy by now, though he certainly isn't going to get any coverage worth speaking about unless he holds the NYSE hostage.

[The Original Nex]

Why is Bob Barr Number 2 on that ballot?

Ballot construction is very haphazard state by state. In some states the order is random, at it looks as though that's what California does. In Massachusetts it's done alphabetically, so Barr was first, McCain was in the middle and Obama was last.

[The Yosemite Bear]

suprised that the other side hasn't tried to discredit Powell yet.

[Gandalf]

suprised that the other side hasn't tried to discredit Powell yet.

Given his ties to the current administration, how would they do that?

[Masami von Weizegger]

The real trick would be to use this to try and tie the current administration to Obama. The current administration everyone hates and McCain is trying to present himself as an alternative to rather than a repeat of.

[Ekiqa]

suprised that the other side hasn't tried to discredit Powell yet.

Given his ties to the current administration, how would they do that?

I would think that as they try to claim that they are not wanting to continue with the same policies, that they would definately try to discredit Powell. It would boost their split with the administration that way.

[Broomstick]

The hell? Nader's running again?

You know, I can't remember when Nader wasn't running.... and I'm old enough to remember Watergate. He's going to run for President for as long as he remains upright. Maybe longer. He'll be our first zombie candidate.

When he STOPS running, that will be news.

[The Yosemite Bear]

The hell? Nader's running again?

You know, I can't remember when Nader wasn't running.... and I'm old enough to remember Watergate. He's going to run for President for as long as he remains upright. Maybe longer. He'll be our first zombie candidate.

When he STOPS running, that will be news.

No Larouche will beat him to that honor, even from jail, you can't stop that nazi.

[Patrick Degan]

The hell? Nader's running again?

You know, I can't remember when Nader wasn't running.... and I'm old enough to remember Watergate. He's going to run for President for as long as he remains upright. Maybe longer. He'll be our first zombie candidate.

When he STOPS running, that will be news.

Well, somebody had to take up the mantle of Harold Stassen in national electoral politics.

[Glocksman]

The hell? Nader's running again?

You know, I can't remember when Nader wasn't running.... and I'm old enough to remember Watergate. He's going to run for President for as long as he remains upright. Maybe longer. He'll be our first zombie candidate.

When he STOPS running, that will be news.

Well, somebody had to take up the mantle of Harold Stassen in national electoral politics.

Nah..because the first few times Stassen was actually considered a serious contender instead of a political joke.
IIRC, Nader's never been seriously considered to be a contender.


Though if Ghouliani keeps running, he could uphold the 'honorable' Stassen tradition.