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Colin Powell's Endorsement of Obama: Reaction and Roundup

by Rob Walker | October 20, 2008 at 09:57 am

297 views | 7 Recommendations | 2 comments

Much is being made of Republican four-star General Colin Powell's endorsement of democratic candidate Barack Obama for the United States presidency, but what does it really mean, both for Obama and McCain?

What does Colin Powell's Endorsement mean?

Powell was a well-liked member of Bush's administration, and for a Republican of such reknown to come forward and say he's voting for Obama, it could spell a rough patch for McCain.

NP member Can Tran wrote several stories on Powell's endorsement, namely what it means for both parties and Biden thanking Powell for his endorsement of Obama:

Earlier today, Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama of Illinois had received a very big and extremely valuable endorsement. Earlier today, Colin Powell had publicly endorsed Obama’s candidacy for United States President. Powell was on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” when he gave this very valuable endorsement.

One could ask: What does this mean for GOP Presidential nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona?

In Tacoma, Washington, The VP running-mate for Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, had given praise and thanks towards Colin Powell. Early today, Colin Powell was on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he publicly gave his endorsement to Obama.

According to Biden, the endorsement from Powell should put the question to rest in regards of Obama’s ability to be commander-in-chief.

NowPublic member dunkelberg did a great job rounding up the various stories covering Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama, including his reasoning for doing it in what he called the 'final exam' for the presidency:

The retired, four-star general said the financial crisis, which he called "the final exam" for the presidency, showed him Sen. Obama can handle the job, while Sen. McCain failed.

And of course radio personality Rush Limbaugh weighs in, implying that Powell only endorsed Obama because he's black:

Politico's Jonathan Martin and Mike Allen get an email from Rush Limbaugh about Gen. Colin Powell's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

"Secretary Powell says his endorsement is not about race," Limbaugh wrote. "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.

Reactions from Twitter

Lots of talk, and I mean *lots* today on twitter regarding the endorsement:

softservegirl : I HEART Colin Powell. he rocks for coming forward in support of Obama!

lynx55 :"Geoffrey Dunn: Racism and Rush: Limbaugh's Response to Colin Powell" http://tinyurl.com/6d64pv

calico : Wow, if Colin Powell were running for Pres., I think I'd be voting for himi after seeing this - http://tinyurl.com/6jm9dg mashget : Analysts: Powell endorsement more a rejection of GOP, McCain: WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Colin Powell’s en.. http://tinyurl.com/5g8h7x lynx55 : "Cartoonist Depicts Powell As Benedict Arnold In Blackface" http://tinyurl.com/5udgyk sonicsociety : So the story is that Powell endorsed Obama because "he's black"? How is that thinking not a little racist? 2008-10-20 13:52:50

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Rhonda J Mangus

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:56 on October 20th, 2008

Rob Walker, I like this story. It's good stuff.

caj1

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 17:17 on October 26th, 2008

Rob Walker, I like this story. It's good stuff. As added comment on the story, it made my political "day by seeing former General Colin Powell talk on "Meet the Press" on TV last week. He is so articulate, in explaining his reasoning for his endorsement of Obama, that that in itself is a story, compared to verbal statements that we have heard from George W. Bush for the past few years. I don't think it is a story of race. It is a story of politics, the military, and the post 9-11 era.