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What Are Your Feelings about Colin Powell's Endorsement of Barack Obama? (786 hits)

On Sunday, October 20th, the Cable News Network, or CNN, reported that former Secretary of State Colin Powell has endorsed the candidacy of Illinois Senator Barack Obama. To say that this announcement caught me off guard would be an understatement. I thought Powell was a loyal Republican, someone who would cast his vote for Arizona Senator John McCain.

But as I listened to Powell's televised explanation, I couldn't help but wonder if this endorsement is Powell's attempt to make amends for a mistake that he made after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. I have a great deal of respect for Colin Powell, as did the soldiers that followed him during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, but he reportedly was complicit in perpetuating the claim that the Saddam Hussein-led Iraqi government was hoarding Weapons of Mass Destruction. This claim has long since been debunked by weapons inspectors and others, and Powell seemed to be guilty through his association with the George W. Bush administration. When he stepped down as Secretary of State, there were rumors that he did so amid disagreements with this same administration.

No one can predict what a Powell endorsement will do for Barack Obama's run for the American presidency. With less than three weeks to go before Election Day, one can only hope that it will seal the deal for the man who has been focused more on the issues than the man he is running against.

Obama needed this feather in his cap. This endorsement lets the world know that now is the time to pull our troops out of Iraq so that we can begin the long process of restoring peace and tranquility in the world.

What do you think? How will Powell's endorsement help Obama?

I look forward to reading your responses.

Sincerely,

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
www.jefferyafaulkerson.com

Posted By: J. A. Faulkerson
Monday, October 20th 2008 at 11:19PM
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I think it's wonderful and a welcomed surprise. I also believe that his decision could not have been easy because he is indeed a staunch Republican. I'm sure this is not a decision he took lightly. Moreover, I feel that his decision speaks oodles to his disappointment in his 'party' and that he made the decision based on his conscience rather than his partisan ties. I'm rather proud of Mr. Powell for making such a HUGE statement. I saw a part of that interview with Meet the Press and his explanations made perfect sense to me. It was impressive really.

And OF COURSE it benefits Obama. Colin Powell's name and reputation, despite the WMD fiasco, still carry a LOT of weight and he is a man who has garnered a lot of respect over the years. This is BIG for Obama. Yay.

Blessings...
Tuesday, October 21st 2008 at 12:02AM
Dee Gray

Not only does Powell's endorsement benefit Obama tremendously in all the ways that were mentioned, but I think he did a great job on shining light on the ugliness of the Republican campaign tactics. My hope is that his gravitas help people to see that divisiveness does not help our country. It has been obvious to me that the Republican's "scorched earth" tactics really don't reflect their Country First slogan. We have enough to deal with without adding bitterness and hate to the mix.
Tuesday, October 21st 2008 at 9:17AM
Barbara Dixon

Gen Powell's endorsement carries a lot of weight with those of us that have to FIGHT for this country. politics aside I've been to the Middle East (Turkey, Israel, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain, the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq) in the defense of this country. Gen Powell endorsements comes from a man that was in FACT the senior GENERAL in the UNITED STATES MILITARY and it carries weight and a tremendeous amount of respect and redecision was made when he gave his endorsement. We need a Commander in Chief that we trust and McCain isnt as trustworthy as many of you may think. He wins I along with the rest of the military can expect YEARS of fighting and DEATH, whereas if Obama wins we at least can see a break in operations and a downsizing in our commitments abroad. Say what you like but The General's endorsement was huge and timed with the percision of a laser guided missle.
Tuesday, October 21st 2008 at 9:39AM
GREGORY GULLEY

If one more person says, "See, Black trumps either red or blue," I think I'll scream. I don't find that joke at all funny. It is insulting to think that Collin Powell will vote based on skin color. No one thought that skin color was an issue when he was supporting Republican candidates, Black or White.
Tuesday, October 21st 2008 at 10:14PM
Dr. S. Maxwell Hines

I've always thought of Colin Powell as a soverign God. Stories of him and his wife are like that of men and women that served as mentors, role models and friends to my parents...sit down beside them at one's own risk. I think the same of BIA. To endorse any one at any time is to make comment of ones most pitiful self not to mention great. Euroclydon.
Wednesday, October 22nd 2008 at 1:12AM
Euroclydon D.