African American Republicans are not the issue with the selection of Michael Steele as the RNC chairman. I have written more than a few posts here in support of African American Republicans, including Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell, not to mention the great Frederick Douglass.
All of the above are brilliant; all I have supported. But the Michael Steele move seems gimmicky indeed. Steele served as lieutenant governor from 2003-2007, and ran for the Senate, disassociating himself from the political party of which he is a member. He lost.
Color me black seems to have its advantages and disadvantages.
Showing posts with label Colin Powell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colin Powell. Show all posts
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Being Colin Powell II
It is very difficult to honestly claim that the reason General Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama was because he is black. Anyone who watched General Powell's endorsement could not honestly say that this very thoughtful decision was based on race. Barack Obama has been black since he announced his candidacy, no? Why not make the endorsement months ago? General Powell made this very astute point.
Senator Obama had been courting General Powell for months now. But he could not readily be swayed. General Powell is wise. He undoubtedly wanted to make a deliberate thoughtful decision not based on his long-term relationship with Senator McCain but on who is best suited in this particular time in history to lead our great country.
General Powell's comments later further explained how he came to this very thoughtful decision. In fact, to claim that he has endorsed Barack Obama based on race is dishonorable. Here is one who has served our country well in war and diplomacy. He understands the importance of diplomacy and respecting the cultures of others in the United States and abroad. He recognizes that how we are perceived internationally affects us nationally. It appears that conservatism has gone to far in General Powell's opinion.
There have been more than a few black Americans who did not get the support of the black community en masse. Among these are Clarence Thomas, Jessie Jackson, Carol Mosley Braun, and Alan Keyes. To suggest that black Americans generally endorse candidates simply because they are black is not true.
Personally, I know of a pastor who has about 60,000 people in his congregation, most of whom are middle class and black. This pastor ran for the Senate and his congregants did not support him. It is believed that if they had voted for him he would have been elected. But this did not happen. His political views were antithetical to the congregants' views. My family has a long history with this pastor and we know that he is held in great esteem as a pastor, but they did not want him as their senator.
Black Americans are by far more discriminating in their choices that go beyond race.
Senator Obama had been courting General Powell for months now. But he could not readily be swayed. General Powell is wise. He undoubtedly wanted to make a deliberate thoughtful decision not based on his long-term relationship with Senator McCain but on who is best suited in this particular time in history to lead our great country.
General Powell's comments later further explained how he came to this very thoughtful decision. In fact, to claim that he has endorsed Barack Obama based on race is dishonorable. Here is one who has served our country well in war and diplomacy. He understands the importance of diplomacy and respecting the cultures of others in the United States and abroad. He recognizes that how we are perceived internationally affects us nationally. It appears that conservatism has gone to far in General Powell's opinion.
There have been more than a few black Americans who did not get the support of the black community en masse. Among these are Clarence Thomas, Jessie Jackson, Carol Mosley Braun, and Alan Keyes. To suggest that black Americans generally endorse candidates simply because they are black is not true.
Personally, I know of a pastor who has about 60,000 people in his congregation, most of whom are middle class and black. This pastor ran for the Senate and his congregants did not support him. It is believed that if they had voted for him he would have been elected. But this did not happen. His political views were antithetical to the congregants' views. My family has a long history with this pastor and we know that he is held in great esteem as a pastor, but they did not want him as their senator.
Black Americans are by far more discriminating in their choices that go beyond race.
Being Colin Powell
Colin Powell seemed quite uncomfortable delivering that infamous speech before the United Nations, twisting his mouth to say that he believed that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq when it clearly appeared that he was at odds with his own administration. Being a good solider he went along with the requirement of the administration and lost a little something, perhaps a lot of something, in the eyes of many Americans, Independents and Democrats alike. It was torturous to watch.
This morning Colin Powell will endorse Barack Obama on Meet the Press. I wonder if the good solider will regain some of the lustre he lost among Democrats and Independents who would have undoubtedly casted their vote for him as the President of the United States. I also wonder, after serving with such honor and distinction for so long, if he will join an Obama administration, bringing his years of moderate conservatism to balance what many think will be a very liberal administration. I, by the way, believe that Obama will be a centralist.
Colin Powell is an honored general who has long been a favorite of mine as he served our country with great distinction. I will watch him on Meet the Press this morning and would hope that he would join the Obama administration should Senator Obama serve as our next president.
This morning Colin Powell will endorse Barack Obama on Meet the Press. I wonder if the good solider will regain some of the lustre he lost among Democrats and Independents who would have undoubtedly casted their vote for him as the President of the United States. I also wonder, after serving with such honor and distinction for so long, if he will join an Obama administration, bringing his years of moderate conservatism to balance what many think will be a very liberal administration. I, by the way, believe that Obama will be a centralist.
Colin Powell is an honored general who has long been a favorite of mine as he served our country with great distinction. I will watch him on Meet the Press this morning and would hope that he would join the Obama administration should Senator Obama serve as our next president.
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