Chicago, IL – Colin Powell: I Respect McCain, But I Am Endorsing Obama, He Is Better For The Economy

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    Chicago, IL – Former Secretary of State Colin Powell crossed party lines this morning to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president, the most prominent GOP defection yet of the 2008 campaign. [VIN news reported this endorsement as speculation in August]

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    Obama has courted Republicans all along, but in Powell he gets party crossover plus military credibility. Powell is a retired U.S. Army general and served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under the first President Bush.

    As Secretary of State under the current President Bush, Powell helped to build the case for the Iraq war, a role that hurt him with many Democrats and moderates, who had viewed him as somewhat apolitical. Powell made his endorsement today on the NBC program “Meet the Press.”

    Powell said he had watched both Obama and Sen. John McCain in the last “six or seven weeks,” since the national political conventions, and paid special attention to how they reacted to the nation’s worsening economic situation.

    “I must say, he seemed a little unsure about how to approach the problem,” Powell said of McCain.

    “He didn’t have a complete grasp of the economic problems we have.”

    Powell also expressed concerns about McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. “I don’t believe she’s ready to be President of the United States, which is the job of vice president,” Powell said, adding that it raised “some questions in my mind” about McCain’s judgment.

    As for Obama, Powell said, “I think that he has a definitive way of doing business that would serve us
    well.”

    Powell said he would not campaign for Obama, noting the short amount of time that remains until Election Day. He later said he is “in no way interested in a return to government,” but said he would consider any offers made by the next president.

    He said that if his endorsement of Obama were focused solely on the historic nature of his candidacy, “I could have done this six, ten, eight months ago.”

    Powell appeared uncomfortable throughout the interview and cleared his throat several times while talking to Brokaw. He made a clear effort towards the end of the interview to make it clear his endorsement was “not out of any lack of respect or admiration of John McCain.”

    He said: “I strongly believe that at this point in America’s history, we need a president that will not just continue basically the policies we have been following in recent years. I think we need a transformational figure. I think we need a president who is a generational change.”


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    69 Comments
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    dave
    dave
    15 years ago

    i guess race is more important. a black endorses a black no surprise.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Powell also expressed concerns about McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. “I don’t believe she’s ready to be President of the United States”

    Sure but Hussain has experiance sure being anti american

    YitzchokM
    YitzchokM
    15 years ago

    “””I Respect McCain, But I Am Endorsing Obama, He Is Better For The Economy”””
    Funny. The last I checked Powell’s expertise is foreign affairs. Funny that he, too, now has a say about the economy.
    Did you notice he doesn’t mention that Obama’s lack of experience with ANY affair disqualifies him from becoming president to begin with?
    No. It’s Palin who lacks experience.
    Ok. Got it.
    Thanx.

    moe
    moe
    15 years ago

    wait till they release the “whitey tape” right before the election that shows obamas wife commenting in front of black people about white people.this hopefully will bring obama to a downfall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    he hopes to gain some respect back after his bad record hewill say or do whatever it takes to become popular again

    Affirmative action
    Affirmative action
    15 years ago

    affirmative action. period. no surprise.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Colin Powell has had many differences with the Bush regime, so I’m not surprised that he would not endorse McCain.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    In backing Obama because he would be better for the economy, he basiclly admitted that McCain was better on security.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    security equals economy. just look at wht happened after 911. thanx to bush and co.

    anonymous
    anonymous
    15 years ago

    what a shock! two idiots

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I am embarrassed by the racist and ignorant comments on this board.

    murray
    murray
    15 years ago

    Its a Black thing. Its distasteful, but Not unexpected. He should have been honest and said he wants to see a black guy get in.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Colin Powell is one of the smartest minds in recent military history, a war hero ,a veteran of a number of wars and served loyally as Secretary of State as well. To state that his endorsement is racially motivated says far more about the bigots here then it does about him.

    JB
    JB
    15 years ago

    Just like when Lieberman ran and all the mainstream Jewish communities scrambled to campaign for him?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Dave Says,
    “i guess race is more important.”
    That’s why I’m voting for McCain

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Endorsing an individual who is in viciious anti Jewish circles should raise our eyebrows. Imagine a white candidate who had friends and mentors in the kkk. All the liberal jews would scream bigot. But if one is pro abortion pro gay marriage in their liberal views; all is kosher, FAKES FRAUDS AND PHONEYS THATS WHAT DEMOCRATS ARE

    Avi
    Avi
    15 years ago

    Is any one moving to Israel if Obama wins?

    color blind
    color blind
    15 years ago

    It is neither racist to point out that one votes for one’s own kind. Nor is it wrong for a black person to support one of their own . Its normal. I object to the person who won’t come out and say “I’m black, and I am voting for him because he is black, instead of some mumbo jumbo its the economy c*ap. Personally, you show me a qualified black guy, such as Alan Keyes, and I’m right there.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I plan on going to Israel on Nov5 a day after the election. If Obama wins I will liquidate my business here and buy a home in Israel. I guess alot of frum yidden will do that and perhaps it will bring more orthodoxy to Israel.

    oh please
    oh please
    15 years ago

    are we all bigots for convinncing all frum jews to vote for felder even when they didnt lvie in his disctirct and coulsdnt vote for him? how disgusting to dismiss an edorsement simply because of skin color?
    charlie rabgel did not endorse obama. jesse jackson did not endorse obama. alan keyes did not endorse obama. why is it suddenly racist for a BRILLAINT mind like colin powell who got his career ruined because he was the salesman of Bsuh’s lies be be simply because of skin color? this shows how shallow so many in our own community are. these blog comments are truly sickening. you should all be ASHAMED. i know I am.

    yeshivish
    yeshivish
    15 years ago

    DUH its racist of Joe leiberman to cross parties and endorse mccain just because they both have white hair and fair skin!

    frummy
    frummy
    15 years ago

    Obama on Powell

    At his Fayetteville, N.C. rally today:

    Before we begin, I’d like to acknowledge some news we learned this morning. With so many brave men and women from Fayetteville serving in our military, this is a city and a state that knows something about great soldiers. And this morning, a great soldier, a great statesman, and a great American has endorsed our campaign to change America. I have been honored to have the benefit of his wisdom and counsel from time to time over the last few years, but today, I am beyond honored and deeply humbled to have the support of General Colin Powell.

    General Powell has defended this nation bravely, and he has embodied our highest ideals through his long and distinguished public service. He and his wife Alma have inspired millions of young people to serve their communities and their country through their tireless commitment and trailblazing American story. And he knows, as we do, that this is a moment where we all need to come together as one nation – young and old, rich and poor, black and white, Republican and Democrat.

    politicos
    politicos
    15 years ago

    Powell endorses Obama

    The late, heavyweight endorsement on Meet the Press comes as Obama seeks to bury McCain in the home stretch, and Powell is one of the few figures whose endorsement seems to come with a meaningful stamp of approval, in this case on national security issues.

    Powell called him a “transformational figure.”

    The move by Powell, a longtime McCain friend and admirer, is a real loss for the Republican, even if Powell waited until the trajectory of the race seemed clear.

    “Obama displayed a steadiness. Showed intellectual vigor,” Powell said. “He has a definitive way of doing business that will do us well.”

    He also said he was disappointed by McCain’s campaign, and that Palin isn’t ready to lead.

    By Ben Smith 09:18 AM

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    “i guess race is more important. a black endorses a black no surprise.”
    No. Being a true American is more important. An intelligent true American endorses another intelligent true American, no surprise.

    Babishka
    Member
    Babishka
    15 years ago

    After Colin Powell entered the State Department, the Arabists devoured his brain. They have done the same with Condoleeza Rice.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    So let me understand Gen. Powell. Gov. Palin who has been a Mayor and currently is Governor of Alaska does not have the experience to be President of The USA but Obama who has only been a community “organizer” for Acorn (The voting fraud people) and has never sponsored any major piece of legislation during his very short sojourn in the US Senate is qualified to be President of the USA??? This is indeed “transformational”. Obama is the second coming of Jimmy Carter and we know how that ended. My friends, if Obama is elected, Israel will be under severe USA pressure.

    Elchonon
    Elchonon
    15 years ago

    Race or not.. obama is horrible for the economy.. please explain how “spreading the wealth” will help the economy ? where in judaism is this written even? The rich will have less to spend and invest.. the poor will get fat off welfare..

    Every time I go to walmart I see these fat lady’s with 5 kids acting like they are on crack, her cart is ALL junk in fact, if I ate the HEALTHIEST thing in the cart my mother would give me such petch (and i’m 23)

    And of course she pays for the crap using EBT (food stamps) thats right, your tax dollars go to buy gallons of fruit punch, sugared cereal etc..

    Land of the free ? yeah right… land of the taxing those that work and giving to those that do..

    After taxes are raised, have you any idea how this will hurt tzedaka ?!?!? Frum yidden will be the ones to suffer from Obamessiah!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Also, when Palin was sworn in, she used a regular bible. But when Obama was sworn in he used a Koran.

    r u serious
    r u serious
    15 years ago

    Obama has new york. I am writing in bloomberg for prez and arnold for vice prez. We need mike to get this country back in fiscal shape and arnold to scare away all the girly men bad guys.I don’t care that he is not american born , or what his dad did. I am so serious.McCain Palin don’t have a chance in ny.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Elchonon:
    The current president is a republican, for one thing, so you can’t possibly be criticising Obama. Secondly, Walmart shoppers are known to be republicans. Maybe you should visit the Department of Social Services and see all the Frum Yidden reapplying for food stamps and welfare.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I never saw so many Jews even though they are not orthodox but big fools. I wonder how many blacks would vote for a white candidate who for 20 years had a white rev. Wright make speeches like a kkk supporter. Than to add insult to injury imagine if this white candidate had ties with neo nazi groups. The blacks are light years smarter than the liberal secular Jews. They know how to vote and will speak up if a candidate has a racist history. It comes to show you only orthodox Jews are smart because they keep the Torah.

    No birth certificate
    No birth certificate
    15 years ago

    Besides all the controversy surrounding Barrak Hussein Obama regarding HIS racist connections for decades, he has yet to produce a valid birth certificate proving that he was indeed born in the U.S. as he claims and not in Africa where his mother claims she gave birth. Only a U.S. citizen is qualified to be President of the U.S. of A.
    Oy Gevald

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Obama has really outlined very little on the economy. Obama did not want to stop campaining to rescue the economy. Obama did nothing to stop predatory lending – opposed to mccain who did. Did he explain why he is better for the economy. To me it does not seem rascial it seems more of a grudge against the GOP.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Obama in office means we may as well all stop working and go on unemployment. The way he is gonna redistribute the wealth, we will make more from the government than we will be allowed to keep from our own paychecks.

    No wonder black supports black. It comes as no surprise. Perhaps Oprah, Collin and Obama should start an office for “black people who made it in America yet hate America”

    Calm down
    Calm down
    15 years ago

    Guys, dont worry! The second people get into the voting booths, THEY JUST WONT BE ABLE TO DO IT!!! America is not ready for a’Barak Obama’ as President…..

    yolish
    yolish
    15 years ago

    Osama is a dangerous man.Imagine a cabinat with Al (slim shady) S
    harpton And Jessy Jerkson.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    It now turns out that Colin Powell contibuted money to McCain’s campaign early on, but did not contribute any money to Obama’s. So it isn’t as if he was planning to back Obama from the very beginning.