Powell endorses Obama

[Beckwin]

I personally like Powell, I don't think it's about race with him and his choice is his choice; I won't think any different of him because of it, but I think it has more of "I'd like a job" than I truthfully support him. I could be wrong.

I think it's pretty explicit that Powell is simply disgusted with the campaign his party his running, and I think there's a longstanding dislike because of what he had to do in the Bush admin.

[Valisk]

Why is it that when a very prominent Black man endorses another very prominent Black man it is called Racism?? Would it be racist if they both Powell and Obama were White?
Please don't insult our intelligence! Powell did what he had to do for the good of America! He explained his reasons eloquently

To a certain extent (rather large one) it is. I for one have no sympathy for African Americans who all of a sudden have this huge interest in politics. It's unfortunate that it takes a black man running for office for black people to care about their country.

Now all these organizations and groups surface trying to make a huge deal about this election. Where were these people in the previous elections and why werent they advocating/endorsing/supporting candidates then? BET (Black Entertainment Television) is making this huge push to get young people to vote. Why the sense of urgency now? Because a black man is in the position to hold the highest office in the country? Racism has a lot to do with this election. On both sides of the ball.

[Slapper]

To a certain extent (rather large one) it is. I for one have no sympathy for African Americans who all of a sudden have this huge interest in politics. It's unfortunate that it takes a black man running for office for black people to care about their country.

Now all these organizations and groups surface trying to make a huge deal about this election. Where were these people in the previous elections and why werent they advocating/endorsing/supporting candidates then? BET (Black Entertainment Television) is making this huge push to get young people to vote. Why the sense of urgency now? Because a black man is in the position to hold the highest office in the country? Racism has a lot to do with this election. On both sides of the ball.

Because they think there's actually someone who might care about black people?

[AoE]

Because they think there's actually someone who might care about black people?

Well not entirely true since some black voices believe Barack Obama isn't "black" enough because he doesn't focus his campaign on African-American issues which is pretty selfish on their part. Ironic thing is though, those same people are probably gonna vote for him anyway. Sadly those attitudes won't change anytime soon.

[Elvis]

Look, we've all (majority at least) been bashing McPalin and their supporters but Obama has his fair share of lulz too. Howard Stern sent one of his people to NYC to play a prank of Obama supporters (in a predominantly black neighborhood). The Stern employee interviewed a bunch of people and posed McCain policies as Obama's.

The Obama supporters couldn't tell the difference. He asked one guy what he thought about Obama's choice of Sarah Palin as VP. These people were not only clueless but they actually gave somewhat in-depth answers as if they were speaking the truth. It was embarrassing to say the least.

Plenty of morons/poseurs/and all-around people-who-should-pass-an-intelligence-test-before-voting on both sides.

With regards for the push on BET. Yea, it's disingenuous. Again, this is something we all know : the focus of elections devolve into whether you would befriend candidate A or candidate B. It devolves into "personal values."

Like, whether someone is "pro"-American. Or "elitist" or "folksy." Etc etc.

These are things anyone can understand and then make a decision about easily. That's why campaigns devote such a large amount of effort toward "personal values."

The same people who do adverts for toothpaste and cars, run our elections.

This isn't rocket science. Just look at the answers Obama and McCain give during debates. Or the questions posed to them. The spectrum is narrow.

[Correction]

Now all these organizations and groups surface trying to make a huge deal about this election. Where were these people in the previous elections and why werent they advocating/endorsing/supporting candidates then?

Why would you expect the NAACP and the National Urban League to support a non-black candidate, exactly?

Did I miss some other organizations and groups that you see pushing to get the black vote out, an effort which, by the way, is repeated every election, and only especially in this one because Obama can actually energize their voter base like none before him?

[sephir]

Hes pretty respected around the world, but after the Iraq UN testimony he lost a lot of the people who had respected him. He was a person trying to promote peaceful solutions first and military conflict only when absolutely necessary, which is why people felt betrayed with his testimony.
As far as most respected political leader abroad, I'm leaning towards Carter or Clinton. Although both of them are democrats and it may seem biased they both are greatly respected for their works with the Israeli and Palestinian conflicts and attempts for solutions. Although Clinton's missteps in the Primary really looked bad on his reputation.

Just going from how I hear people talk about them. It may be biased as I'm pretty liberal, and Canadian (and we seem to have a love affair with Dem Presidents), but its really your own opinion of the matter.

[Valisk]

Why would you expect the NAACP and the National Urban League to support a non-black candidate, exactly?

Did I miss some other organizations and groups that you see pushing to get the black vote out, an effort which, by the way, is repeated every election, and only especially in this one because Obama can actually energize their voter base like none before him?

Regarless of someone's color, the president of the United States is going to effect you in some way. Not giving a fuck about the highest position in the country simply cause the candidate doesn't share the same ethnicity/heritage as you is not a valid excuse. Period.

So is that the mentality to have now? If black isnt in the equation, we wont support? What a horrible message.

[Deejay]

Regarless of someone's color, the president of the United States is going to effect you in some way. Not giving a fuck about the highest position in the country simply cause the candidate doesn't share the same ethnicity/heritage as you is not a valid excuse. Period.

So is that the mentality to have now? If black isnt in the equation, we wont support? What a horrible message.

Before you pull the reverse racism card any further - you're kind of missing the point entirely.

[Valisk]

Explain. Don't say I'm missing the point and not explain how I'm missing it or the point I'm missing. Enlighten me Deejay.

[Mizango]

I knew him endorsing Obama would draw that ugly word that most people don't want to admit to being a factor in this whole thing, Race. Remember Powell knows these people personally and he is more qualified than any to make the McCain is just an NQ Bush comparison than anyone, he said many times before that he could not take anymore of the lies of the current administration and would not support anyone who did in such a close contrast.

I knew when I saw the endorsement the race card thing would rear its head, it was only a matter of time. They will now say that Obama is "paling around with like minded people of the same race!" Imagine the implications!

[Deejay]

Explain. Don't say I'm missing the point and not explain how I'm missing it or the point I'm missing. Enlighten me Deejay.

It's been said already, do you want me to quote every response to your posts?

[archibaldcrane]

Whatever you think of Colin Powell, dismissing his endorsement of Obama as "one black guy supporting another black guy" (ignoring the fact of course that they are both mixed race anyway) is pretty much hugely insulting to Colin Powell. Do you really think that he is incapable of intelligent decision making? Is he just another stupid nigger who can't see past race?

Or does saying "Oh it's just a black guy supporting another black guy" mean that whoever says that is so cynical when it comes to black people that they become nothing but an amorphous, single-brained mob of ignorance?

[Valisk]

It's been said already, do you want me to quote every response to your posts?

Please do, cause I honestly dont see the point I missed.

[Mizango]

Whatever you think of Colin Powell, dismissing his endorsement of Obama as "one black guy supporting another black guy" (ignoring the fact of course that they are both mixed race anyway) is pretty much hugely insulting to Colin Powell. Do you really think that he is incapable of intelligence decision making? Is he just another stupid nigger who can't see past race?

Or does saying "Oh it's just a black guy supporting another black guy" mean that whoever says that is so cynical when it comes to black people that they become nothing but an amorphous, single-brained mob of ignorance?

Couldn't have said it any better.

[Khamsin]

If Obama wins in 2008, think he can win again in 2012?

[Valisk]

Depends on how these next four years go lol. I think that'll be the only indicator for re-election. No matter how much people like him, if he runs the country into a ditch he won't get re-elected. If he does average to great, then I think he will get re-elected hands down.

[Charla]

Now all these organizations and groups surface trying to make a huge deal about this election. Where were these people in the previous elections and why werent they advocating/endorsing/supporting candidates then?

I am actually inclined to believe that all such organizations had in fact endorsed a candidate in all previous elections, but were more or less ignored because it was a less compelling story. "NAACP endorses Bill Clinton" is simply less interesting than "NAACP endorses Barack Obama". As such, you can blame either the media for catering to its audience, or the public itself for only being interested when there's something big involved. BET milking the situation is a little different, but considering that BET isn't explicitely political in the first place, they shouldn't be expected to get involved with an election unless they can milk it.

Did you actually hear somewhere that the NAACP has never endorsed a presidential candidate until 2008? Because I should think that would be a story in and of itself.

[Deejay]

Please do, cause I honestly dont see the point I missed.

To a certain extent (rather large one) it is. I for one have no sympathy for African Americans who all of a sudden have this huge interest in politics. It's unfortunate that it takes a black man running for office for black people to care about their country.
Regarless of someone's color, the president of the United States is going to effect you in some way. Not giving a fuck about the highest position in the country simply cause the candidate doesn't share the same ethnicity/heritage as you is not a valid excuse. Period.

Black people never voted in the past because no matter who they chose, neither candidate cared enough to bring about significant change. Not to say that every politician is racist, it's just that MOST politicians don't place a high priority on improving the overall welfare of black people. If nothing is going to change no matter who the candidate, what motivation is there to vote?


Now that a Black person is actually running for office, a lot of blacks think that their struggles will be given a higher priority - that their "voice will finally be heard." They want someone who will bring about better health-care, improved education standards within urban communities, improved urban facilities for learning/recreation, etc.

Honestly, the black demopgraphic is more starved for someone who represents the working class, not for someone who shares the same skin color.

The point that you're missing here is that 86% of Black people vote Democrat, meaning Obama was still going to have a lot of black support no matter what color he is. Acting like black people are only voting Obama for aesthetic reasons is retarded because it goes against any and all reasoning/logic.

Now all these organizations and groups surface trying to make a huge deal about this election. Where were these people in the previous elections and why werent they advocating/endorsing/supporting candidates then? BET (Black Entertainment Television) is making this huge push to get young people to vote. Why the sense of urgency now? Because a black man is in the position to hold the highest office in the country? Racism has a lot to do with this election. On both sides of the ball.

This statement is ridiculously false and 100% baseless. Wanna know how I know you're just pulling shit accusations out of your ass to prove a point? Because you obviously weren't paying attention 4 years ago when BET was pushing that retarded "VOTE OR DIE" slogan.
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/47...-Diddy-200.jpg
Unless Kerry pulled an anti-Michael Jackson while running for election, I'm pretty sure that picture voids your whole argument.

[Valisk]

Did you actually hear somewhere that the NAACP has never endorsed a presidential candidate until 2008? Because I should think that would be a story in and of itself.

I actually never specified NAACP. I was speaking in general terms and I guess whoever responded to me automatically assumed I was referring to the NAACP.

I'm speaking in general terms and just dislike the fact that a lot black people weren't involved prior to this election.