Colin Powell
Most of you know that Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States of America. And good for him. His endorsement was thoughtful and reasoned. Of course the Rush Limbaughs of the world are saying it's completely race based. *shakes head*
Mind you, I would be lying if there were not an element of race in my choice and even, I daresay, in Powell's choice. So sue me. I want to see Black Americans advance in this country. Just like Catholics like to see their group and Irish like to see their group. Last I checked, the AARP was applauding the advancement of seniors issues, etc. It should come as no surprise that we group ourselves in America for a myriad of reasons and then we like to see those within our group advance.
But race is only a tiny element because I won't let race override my sense of duty to this country. I will only vote for the person I think will do the most good for the country.
I am going to vote Obama for many reasons having nothing to do with his race. I agree with him on a lot of issues (not all). I agree with his temperament. I agree with the way he looks at all sides of an issue before issuing his thoughts.
Colin Powell is being ripped by his fellow Republicans today because he dared vote his conscious instead his party line. His reasoning is dismissed as being racial and nothing else. If that's the case, then why isn't he endorsing Cynthia McKinney? She's black AND a woman. Talk about transformational! Better yet, where was his ringing endorsement for Carol Moseley Braun in 2003? How about Jesse Jackson in 84 and 88? And Al Sharpton in 03. I'm sure he voted all Republican during that time. But that doesn't matter to these folks. They just want to hang him out to dry for not following lockstep.
Dicks.
edited to add: Heh. Looks like I'm not the only one on the clue bus: The Myth of Colin Powell's "One of Us" Vote.
Mind you, I would be lying if there were not an element of race in my choice and even, I daresay, in Powell's choice. So sue me. I want to see Black Americans advance in this country. Just like Catholics like to see their group and Irish like to see their group. Last I checked, the AARP was applauding the advancement of seniors issues, etc. It should come as no surprise that we group ourselves in America for a myriad of reasons and then we like to see those within our group advance.
But race is only a tiny element because I won't let race override my sense of duty to this country. I will only vote for the person I think will do the most good for the country.
I am going to vote Obama for many reasons having nothing to do with his race. I agree with him on a lot of issues (not all). I agree with his temperament. I agree with the way he looks at all sides of an issue before issuing his thoughts.
Colin Powell is being ripped by his fellow Republicans today because he dared vote his conscious instead his party line. His reasoning is dismissed as being racial and nothing else. If that's the case, then why isn't he endorsing Cynthia McKinney? She's black AND a woman. Talk about transformational! Better yet, where was his ringing endorsement for Carol Moseley Braun in 2003? How about Jesse Jackson in 84 and 88? And Al Sharpton in 03. I'm sure he voted all Republican during that time. But that doesn't matter to these folks. They just want to hang him out to dry for not following lockstep.
Dicks.
edited to add: Heh. Looks like I'm not the only one on the clue bus: The Myth of Colin Powell's "One of Us" Vote.