Powell's Endorsement and Muslims in America Posted by Ilan Goldenberg

Many people, myself included, rightly give Colin Powell a hard time for the Iraq War.  And endorsing Obama doesn't erase that history.  But what I did find moving and important about Powell's endorsement was his discussion of Muslims in America.  It starts at about 4:30 into the clip and it's something that should have been said a long long time ago by more people who have Powell's platform.

Comments

[When Elephants Fly (http://whenelephantsfly.blogspot.com)]

I agree with you that Powell's endorsement was especially well articulated and touched upon issues that have otherwise gone unspoken -- like how America was founded on the principle that religious persecution is not to be tolerated, and yet here we are a couple of hundred years later falling into that same trap.

This endorsement speaks volumes and I believe it will be a needle mover for two relevant voter segments this election: (1) moderate Republicans who are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the extreme rightward direction of the McCain-Palin campaign and (2) people who are holding back on Obama-Biden primarily because of foreign policy and national security concerns.

Aside from the blemish on his record in relation to the Iraq war, General Powell still garners tremendous respect from the vast majority of Republicans, and every Republican President in the last three decades has sought his advice on National Security and Foreign Policy issues. I hope that General Powell's endorsement will sway the votes of some members of the two above-mentioned segments away from John McCain and Sarah Palin and towards Senators Obama and Biden.

This election is still too close for my comfort, and the news about General Powell aside, it will be important for those of who support Senator Obama to get to the polls on election day (or sooner if you can!) and vote not only to ensure his victory, but also to demonstrate the greater sense of unity and solidarity our country desperately needs right now.

Comments welcome: http://whenelephantsfly.blogspot.com

[Peace]

It seems that the Republicans not only view Muslims as being anti-American but other parts of the country as made clear by Sarah Palin's recent remarks about how small town Americans are somehow the real "Americans." General Powell is right in stating how extremist the Republican Party has been in defining who is a American.

[Don Bacon]

The most cynical part of the MTP exhibition was where Powell got all weepy about the twenty-year old Islamic young man who "gave his life serving his country". He didn't die for his country, nor did all the other brave Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis die for America, not for me, and not for you. They died serving the imperialist cabal who sought profit and power, which includes Powell, who, let's not forget, gave that decisive error-filled speech at the United Nations.

The last time Powell gave a major address many people died as a result of his lack of judgment. Is this Act Two?

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Colin Powell will have a role as a top presidential adviser in an Obama administration, the Democratic White House hopeful said Monday.