Comments on: Powell Endorsing Obama

By: Armen Shirvanian

Armen Shirvanian — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:26:59 +0000

This was a large endorsement as Mr. Powell had not been prominent in the news as of lately. His move serves to let people know what he had been thinking, and wanting to say, for a lengthy period of time. The power of his words of support does a lot to help the Obama campaign. Also, he is making a statement, as he was part of the past leadership administration and is now somewhat on the other side of the table.

By: Damian

Damian — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:51:29 +0000

You’ve got a good point there Chris. But I don’t know, it just doesn’t sound sufficient enough. If McCain was in Obama’s position ans vice vera, do you think Powell would still endorse the Democrats (McCain), or would be stand strong for Obama as a Republican??

By: chris

chris — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:00:58 +0000

I honestly don’t think former Secretary Powell’s motivations have much to do with race or cowardice. To be honest, I think it’s a form of atonement. Before he was a member of the Bush administration, Powell had repeatedly been quoted in books and magazines basically preaching against the risks and evils of military quagmire due to poor exit strategies. (Very notably in a 90’s printing of Sun Tzu’s Art of War) …Then ironically, his political loyalties turned him into a hypocrite as he, like many us (let’s face it), was swept up in early post-9/11 mentalities and agendas. Given that Powell is no friend to black caucuses and could have easily saved himself some party grief by staying quiet, at this stage in the game, atonement is the only strong motivator that makes sense to me.