What is General Powell?

General Powell was always an attractive, and loyal member of the Republican Party, because he always seemed to be a black who had the courage to be a Republican and to actually be a conservative. The pressure from the black community to fall into line as a liberal Democrat, constantly playing the victim card is intense, and he resisted that pressure. I admired his commitment to personal achievement in the face of his "blackness," and he seemed to have a sincere interest in helping others in the inner city to find the same commitment. Indeed, I thought is was a shame that he did not run for President when his popularity was at its peak.

Then, came the last Presidential election. This conservative, close friend of John McCain, decided to openly support Barack Obama. He gave some nonsense explanation about how he thought that Obama was the best qualified, but Rush Limbaugh had it right when he stated, Colin Powell supported Barack Obama because he was a black. For this Republican to turn on his friend, and his party affiliation, and support Barack Obama, there can be no other reason. He could not claim that John McCain was too "right wing" a candidate. McCain has a reputation of being a "moderate Republican." He could not accuse the Republican candidate of being to far right; indeed for many conservatives, he was too liberal.

Indeed, I would go another step: he supported Barack Obama, so that he could reestablish his "black bona fides." That act, clearly was a betrayal of everything that he claimed to have as his principles and political beliefs. In short: Colin Powell, left the Republican Party to support a very liberal Democrat.

So for Colin Powell to now be "lecturing" Republicans about how they must be more moderate, is patently absurd, and indeed offensive in its dishonesty.  He is angry at Chaney for his comments and he is being defensive about his betrayal of the "Republican party." Republicans do need to be inclusive, but they do not need to abandon their principles. Colin Powell appears to have abandon the core conservative principles, and for him to lecture the party about inclusion, is insulting to the thoughtful. He needs to apologize for his betrayal first; then maybe conservatives can find the compassion to listen.

Comments

[Jay Stone]

I now Colin Powell a little bit,having served in the Bush WH with him and he lives across the street from one of my wife's best friends. I have talked to him on several occasions, but not in the last year. I,too, was stunned when he endorsed BO. I have lost all respect for him. He is just trying to keep the DC cocktail party circuit happy. No newsman in DC was for McCain, even though they pushed him during the Republican primaries. By the way, all his neighbors are mad at him, too.